NEWS: GREEK, Rubinstein, Azar, Garcetti, iPad

GREEK Returns to Soft Ratings
GREEK opened its latest winter run with 1.03 million viewers and a 0.5 in the adults 18-49 demo. While that is up dramatically from the summer/fall finale (.7 million viewers, 0.3 in the demo), the show’s retention from 9PM lead-in MAKE IT OR BREAK IT was a mere 45% in total viewers and 71% in the adults demo.

The show, clearly designed more for the older teen/young adult set than ABC Family's usual fare, also performed poorly in the key teen demographic–it garnered a 0.9 among those 12-17, as compared with a 3.2 for MAKE IT and a 4.1 for 8 p.m. powerhouse THE SECRET LIFE O FTHE AMERICAN TEENAGER. While a portion of that can be attributed to airing at 10 p.m., it is also clear that GREEK simply cannot find compatibility within ABC Family's "sweet spot." Among women 18-34, GREEK pulled a 1.1, behind MAKE IT's 1.4 and SECRET LIFE's 2.4.

Daren Kagasoff: The Secret Life of the American Underwear Model
Hedi Slimane takes THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER's Daren Kagasoff down to his tightie-whities for the new issue of Vman.

Poltergeist actress Zelda Rubinstein dies, aged 76
Zelda Rubinstein, best known for her role as the diminutive psychic in 1982 film Poltergeist, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 76. She appeared in 1984 on the daytime soap SANTA BARBARA.

ATWT director Habib Azar making waves in the industry
Although Azar still shoots three AS THE WORLD TURNS episodes a month, which involves around 40 hours of prep work and a full day of shooting, the 54-year-old show has been canceled as of September, which will leave Azar looking for his next step. He has, he said, a lot of irons in the fire, including a story about an obese woman who becomes possessed by an intestinal parasite.

State of Hollywood address puts focus on job creation, safety
In perhaps his grandest entrance before delivering the annual State of Hollywood address, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti ran for the podium as the theme from Rocky played in the background. With the problem of runaway production again in the headlines, he said the situation is beginning to turn around — noting that the ABC soap opera ALL MY CHILDREN recently moved its production to Hollywood from New York. Garcetti will appear on AMC on Feb. 16.

Y&R set decorators turns holiday figurine makers
The Kringlekins made their wholesale debut during Seattle Gift Market Week. These holiday Santa’s elves character figures have been around for nearly 20 years, retailing at art and craft festivals. They also won an Emmy Award in 1998 as Best Set Decoration on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. And unlike many other holiday figures, Kringlekins are posable and can be arranged in many different vignettes with their complementary accessories.

Three Ways Apple's iPad Could Impact Digital Content Publishers
iPad has the potential to influence the way that digital content creators do business--just like the iPhone has. 1. Increasing the pool of people willing to pay for digital content. 2. An "either-or" choice in terms of content delivery platforms. 3. Game publishers will think harder about Android.

EASTENDERS wedding is filming today
The cast and crew of EASTENDERS are completing filming on the wedding of Ricky (Sid Owen) and Bianca (Patsy Palmer) today. The St Albans & Harpenden Review reports that the BBC soap is filming in St Peter's Church in the Hertfordshire city of St Albans, about 35km north of central London.