MUMBAI: US broadcaster Comedy Central has given pick-up orders to three new, original series. The ultimate Roastmaster taking aim at everyone and everything; a reviewer living on the edge no matter the cost; and an advocate who tries to use his business prowess to help save struggling companies and people in need., it was announced by the channel?s head of original programming and production Kent Alterman.

The series pick-ups include ?The Burn? starring the ?Roastmaster General? Jeff Ross; ?Review with Forrest MacNeil? starring Andrew Daly and ?Nathan For You? starring Canadian writer-comedian, Nathan Fielder.

In ?The Burn", Ross will be joined by a group of fellow comics to skewer the week?s hot topics and head into the field to take aim at public figures and current events. Known as the ?Meanest Man in Comedy? by New York Magazine and ?an heir apparent to such old-school masters as Buddy Hackett and Rodney Dangerfield,? by The New York Times, Ross has appeared in the last nine Comedy Central Roasts and authored the book, ?I Only Roast the Ones I Love: Busting Balls Without Burning Bridges,? that was released in 2009.

Alterman said, ?Jeff embodies comedy past and comedy future simultaneously, and we are excited to be in the present with him?.

Ross said, "Thank you Comedy Central. My mission is clear. To rip the world a new asshole one crack at a time. I can?t wait to get started."

?Review with Forrest MacNeil? is a half-hour comedy starring Daly as ?Forrest MacNeil.? Unlike typical critics who review boring things like films, food or art, MacNeil reviews the most intense experiences of life itself?by living them. He reviews anything his TV audience throws at him: the adrenaline rush of stealing, the trauma of divorce, the harrowing effects of murder, the wonder and joy of anonymous sex and stops at nothing to show us what any and every experience in life feels like. And, for viewer?s convenience, he rates every adventure on a scale of zero to five stars. MacNeil?s unwavering commitment to his work means his answers to life?s most challenging questions often come at the expense of his wife, his children, his co-workers and humanity in general.

Alterman said,?I know Andy Daly?s wife and I want to assure her that contrary to the documentary style of the show, it is fictional?.

Daly said, "This show will be a great service to society. If you?re thinking about cheating on your spouse or murdering someone, please wait until we review it so you can avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the experience."

?Nathan For You? is a half-hour comedy starring Canadian writer-comedian Nathan Fielder. Armed with a business degree and drawing from his limited life experiences, Nathan gives advice to real people and struggling businesses each week. Thinking that his business background gives him carte blanche to help real businesses and people in all walks of life, Nathan?s unorthodox approach usually does more harm than good. Nathan is to small businesses what Gordon Ramsay is to floundering restaurants. Only much much worse.

MUMBAI: 9 Story Entertainment has announced its new and returning animation slate for the television trade event MipTV next month in Cannes France featuring Fugget About It, the company?s first foray in producing primetime animation.

?Fugget About It? is an animated sitcom about the misadventures of former New York mob boss Jimmy Falcone and his family, who are forced to enter a witness protection programme in small-town Canada. The Falcones are now the ?MacDougals? and it?s not easy going from glorified gangsters to neighbourhood nobodies. The series will on air on Teletoon At Night in Canada.

?Almost Naked Animals? is another series in the slate and is in its third season. The kid?s series features an ensemble cast of underwear-clad animals, set in a beachfront hotel named the Banana Cabana, home to mayhem, destruction and all around fun!

?Daniel Tiger?s Neighborhood? is an animated preschool series features Daniel, a shy but brave 4-year-old tiger, who lives in the beloved Neighbourhood of Make Believe.

?Camp Lakebottom? is an animated kids comedy about 12-year old mastermind and ultra-rich kid McGee, who gets sent to the most dangerous and exciting summer camp in the world, Camp Lakebottom. The cabins are possessed, the staff members are a real creep show and McGee and his misfit pals are having way too much fun!

?Arthur? sees the little aardvark and his gang of pals back for a digitally refreshed 16th season of 20 exciting episodes now produced by 9 Story Entertainment.

In ?Wild Kratts?, the Kratts brothers leap into animated action in the 2rd season of Wild Kratts, an adventure comedy from the creators of the hit shows Kratts Creatures and Zoboomafoo. Chris and Martin Kratt travel to a different corner of the world to meet amazing new animals.

MUMBAI: James Murdoch has stepped down as the executive chairman of News International, the publisher of the now defunct News of the World, to focus on the broadcast business of News Corporation, the parent company of News International.

The junior Murdoch will relocate to News Corp?s headquarters in New York as the deputy chief operating officer, News Corp said in a statement.

Tom Mockridge, CEO of News International, will continue in his post and will report to News Corporation president and COO Chase Carey.

"We are all grateful for James? leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia, where he has made lasting contributions to the group?s strategy in paid digital content and its efforts to improve and enhance governance programmes," said News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch.

"He has demonstrated leadership and continues to create great value at Star TV, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, and BSkyB. Now that he has moved to New York, James will continue to assume a variety of essential corporate leadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV businesses and broader international operations."

James Murdoch, who was under fire from the UK authorities following the phone hacking scandal that had engulfed the News of the World, said he was looking to his relocation to News Corp.

"I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many talented colleagues at News International who work tirelessly to inform the public and am confident about the tremendous momentum we have achieved under the leadership of my father and Tom Mockridge," he said.

"With the successful launch of The Sun on Sunday and new business practices in place across all titles, News International is now in a strong position to build on its successes in the future. As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, I look forward to expanding my commitment to News Corporation?s international television businesses and other key initiatives across the Company."
NOTW ceased publication after 168 years following its final print edition on 10 July which resulted in the loss of around 200 jobs.

The News International publishes three news papers, The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times besides the launch of Sunday edition of The Sun.