'Running From Crazy' Doc To Air On OWN

Los Angeles, CA—The acclaimed documentary Running From Crazy, the latest project from two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, American Dream), which world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, will be released theatrically on November 1, 2013, and will follow with a debut on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in 2014.

Hailed as one of the most distinguished families in American literature, the Hemingways have always exposed their brilliance while often living in the shadows of deep emotional struggle. Two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple's newest documentary focuses on Mariel Hemingway, a granddaughter of the legendary writer Ernest, as she explores her family's disturbing history of mental illness and suicide. As a child, Mariel grew up on the Hemingway family farm in Idaho, the same place her famous grandfather took his own life months before she was born. The youngest of the three sisters, Mariel followed her older sister Margaux into acting and modeling, while her oldest sister Muffet struggled with mental illness and drifted in and out of mental hospitals. Kopple's bold film intertwines haunting archival footage of the three Hemingway sisters with scenes from Mariel’s life today as she seeks to live a rigorously healthy lifestyle to combat what appears to be a difficult family birthright. Mariel's courageous journey of introspection and reflection allows her to view her family that has shaped her life through new eyes and, for the first time, strive for peace and acceptance.

"Mariel courageously shares her family's personal story with both heart and dignity in this extraordinary film told through the powerful lens of filmmaker Barbara Kopple," said Sheri Salata, president, OWN. "Not only is it a compelling and inspiring film, but we also hope it can help encourage important conversations around the topic of mental illness and suicide prevention."

"Running from Crazy gave me the incredible chance to delve into the rich and complex history of the Hemingways, a family who has left such an enduring mark on literature and culture. My hope is that this film changes perceptions of the family, and also, more importantly, elicits a new compassion and understanding in how we treat those grappling with suicide or mental illness," said Kopple. "For me, it's a moving and powerful story that offers up hope and the sense that none of us are alone in our struggles."

"Mental illness is overwhelmingly misunderstood and creates fear for so many. I'm hoping Running From Crazy gives people permission to share their stories and know that they are not alone. Perhaps by sharing my life with others they will feel supported in speaking out and getting help," said Hemingway.

Running from Crazy is produced by Cabin Creek Films for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Produced and directed by Barbara Kopple. Produced by David Cassidy. Executive producers are Barbara Kopple, Erica Forstadt, Lisa Erspamer and Oprah Winfrey.

To watch the trailer for Running From Crazy, click here: www.oprah.com/RunningFromCrazy.

To follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningFromCrazy.

Photo: Courtesy: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

2013 American Music Awards Handed Out in LA

The 2013 American Music Awards were held tonight in Los Angeles. Justin Timberlake, One Direction and Taylor Swift were multiple winners.

Following is a complete list of winners:

2013 American Music Award Winners

FAVORITE POP/ROCK MALE ARTIST
Justin Timberlake

FAVORITE SOUL/R&B FEMALE ARTIST
Rihanna

FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM
Taylor Swift, Red

FAVORITE RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, The Heist

FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE/ROCK ARTIST
Imagine Dragons

FAVORITE LATIN MUSIC ARTIST
Marc Anthony

FAVORITE POP/ROCK ALBUM
One Direction, Take Me Home

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande

FAVORITE SOUL/R&B MALE ARTIST
Justin Timberlake

FAVORITE COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST
Taylor Swift

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly, "Cruise"

FAVORITE SOUL/R&B ALBUM
Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience--The Complete Experience

FAVORITE ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC
Avicii

FAVORITE COUNTRY MALE ARTIST
Luke Bryan

FAVORITE POP/ROCK BAND, DUO OR GROUP
One Direction

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

Kila Kitu Directs 'Frilly', A Comedy On The Verge

Cast of Frilly
(l-r top) Daren Dukes, Lee Sherman, John Collins, Taylor Hawthorne
(l-r center) Andrew Wright, Stephanie Berlanga,
(center) Sigrid Gilmer (playwright)
(bottom left) Rufino Cabang

Frilly is a comedy on the verge of hysteria about the soul-sucking suck of growing old, growing up and the birth of the ice cream Sundae.

That tagline alone makes the latest work by Sigrid Gilmer (Black Simulacra, It’s All Bueno, The Hub of the Universe, Black Girl Rising, Axiom and The Great White Way) a must see.

A workshop performance of the show is set to take place Dec. 7, 8, 13 and 15 as part of the Skylight Theatre's LAb Works, which consists of a festival of plays performed by professional actors and directors as workshop productions in repertory and a Reading Series.  

Frilly is set in the beginning of the 20th century where Reverend Jonathan Moore is having a spiritual crisis and his daughter, Lily, has decided to become a lady. On their path to discover who they are and what they have become, Rev. Moore and Lily must contend with a sickly librarian, noisy shopkeepers, the after effects of Laudanum, a very handsome boy and an abundance of fizzy creamy drinks.

On the Skylight Theatre Company website Gilmer explained why she was inspired to write Frilly.

"Couple of years back, I was having dessert one night with friends and someone mused about the origin story of the sundae,” says Gilmer. “Out came the Iphones. From the vast information provided by internet on the sundae, several phrases stuck in my head. "Righteous very much against what they called "sucking soda." (1) "A city ordinance not only prohibited the consumption of alcohol, but legislated against the growing "Sunday Soda Menace. Blue Laws which said that ice cream sodas could not be sold on Sundays because they were too "frilly." (2) I was left wondering what kind of mind finds perversion in an ice cream soda?”

The cast of Frilly includes: Lee Sherman, Daren Dukes, Stephanie Berlanga, John Collins, Taylor Hawthorne and Andrew Wright.

The play is directed by Kila Kitu, an actress and director with extensive, national stage credits that include Playing Juliet/Casting Othello (Folger Shakespeare), Tree (Ensemble Studio Theater L.A.), Lear (Washington Shakespeare Company), Harry and the Thief (Katselas Theater). The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Company of Angels) Black Women: State of the Union (Company of Angels). FilmTV credits include Frasier (with Kelsey Grammer), The Shield (with Glenn Close), Them (Tricia Helfer). Directing credits include: Fatigued (Company of Angels), Measure for Measure (Bard on Wheels), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Company of Angels), L.A. Views (Company of Angels), 365 Days/365 Plays (Company of Angels) and The Colored Museum (Bard on Wheels).

Kitu is also a member of BWSOTU (Black Women State of The Union), along with Lee Sherman, Ayana Charr, Michelle Flowers, Lony'e Perrine, Nataki Garrett and Tamika Simpkins.  The group, founded in 2008, is comprised of creative activists who seek to empower Black women. Members are award-winning actors, writers, producers, and educators who seek, through theater, to effect positive change about the perception of Black women.

I caught up with Kitu recently to discuss the show and why she was interested in directing.

 

KILA KITU

DD: I love the tagline for the show.

KK:  Yeah, me too. It’s a fun piece. A romp. On the first read you are cracking up. You pray the audience will be along on the ride. It’s hard to read because tears are coming to your eyes. You don’t know how you’re going to read it. It’s a funny and interesting take on life. 

DD: What kind of writer is Sigrid Gilmer?

KK: She likes to turn things upside down. It could be complete melodrama or a midlife crisis. She has a style that makes you laugh.

DD: So you’re not acting in the show?

KK: No, I’m directing it. Originally I was playing a character named Claire. I think everyone can identify with being in a fog. Sometimes you think you’re in a relationship and you think it’s one thing, but it’s another. It’s another society fog.  There is waking up. You’re free. You wake up and you haven’t done anything you thought you would do, or intended to do. It’s about waking up and realizing you can do whatever you want. Do I do it the way my parents did it? I can’t tell if they’re happy.

DD: A lot of people think once they reach a certain age, they have to forfeit their dreams.

KK: Being in your 40s and the 50s is not the end. It doesn’t mean you can’t still meet your goals. Maybe they weren’t the ones you wanted to do in the first place. Our society puts too much emphasis on some things and then says that some things need to be completed by a certain time. Society says that by a certain time we will have our stuff together.

DD: Do you have your stuff together?

KK: I’m still working on it.

DD: Why were you interested in directing?

KK: It’s a hard question. When there is a good play in front of me it’s a toss up as to whether I want to act or direct. I stepped back from acting this time because I couldn’t do both. I don’t know what attracted me. I don’t have an answer for it. I do know that as the director, what I saw in my head has come out on stage.

DD: Do you find yourself going through changes just like the rest of us?

KK: Of course. I always thought I’d have all the roles. I’ve always played older. I’m nowhere near where I thought I would be. I have to remind myself it’s OK, it’s about the journey. It’s about finding the next thing and moving forward.

 

CAST OF FRILLY

DD: What about reaching goals?

KK: If I haven’t reached a goal, that’s on me. I’m the only person responsible for my happiness. It’s incumbent upon me to look where I am and be happy.  I do find that all of the women who were my age said they were comfortable with themselves. I’m feeling that.  I look forward to being on the other side where I can say I’m completely comfortable.

DD: Do you think it’s a woman thing?

KK: I think men go through the same thing. The breakdown of what society has been telling us what we should be. I don’t have to be this type of beauty. I can be my type of beauty. I can change careers. I think it’s true for men as well. At a certain point they can go, “Oh, I can get married or not.”  Men think they can still play. It’s slightly different because they have that breadwinner thing they have to deal with. It must be weird. You can be at a point where you should be the breadwinner.  Their midlife crisis is more obvious. They buy the sports cars and start dating people that are way too young for them. Whereas women, I think our crisis is more internal. Crisis puts a negative spin on this time.

DD: What will audiences see?

KK: It’s a workshop. It will be tech light. It will be completely about the words. They will see hysteria and experience pop culture references. People in their 40s and 50s will get it, which is brilliant since that’s what the play is about. They will see people drifting through life. It will be a representation of themselves in one way or another. Some will identify and laugh and say, “Yeah, that is true right there.”  

DD: Talk about working with Sigrid Gilmer. What do you like about her work?

KK: She’s part of the BWSOTU family. She’s worked with us twice.  Taylor Hawthorne is part of this Labs Work. She produced a short for BWSOTU.  We also consider her part of that family.  We consider ourselves as her players. She tends to grow people. You don’t even have to read the script, you know it’s going to be fun.

DD:  There aren’t a ton of black, female directors. Do you feel a sense of responsibility?

KK: I think other people like Shirley Jo Finney (the road weeps, the well runs dry/ In the Red and Brown Water) could speak to that. I haven’t pursued it as a profession. It’s just that I want to see this happen.  I’m not qualified to speak on that. When I direct, I don’t feel pressure being a black female director probably because the pieces are multi-cultural. I want to make sure the talented people around me have a creative outlet.  When I do something I like it to reflect the ethnic makeup that is real, not because I’m a black female director.  I’m a black female creator.

Frilly, Skylight Theatre, 1816 ½ N. Vermont Ave., LA; Dec. 7 (8 p.m.), Dec. 8 (3 p.m.), Dec.13 (8 p.m.) & Dec. 15 (7 p.m.); For information: (213) 761-7061.

**photos by Kila Kitu
Charles Maceo Photography

13 Inducted Into 2013 Memphis Music Hall of Fame

 

Earlier this month,  at the Gibson Showcase Lounge in Memphis, 13 new inductees to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame were celebrated in in words and music.  This latest round of inductions, following last year's inaugural event, honored The Bar-Kays, The Blackwood Brothers, Rev. Herbert W. Brewster, Johnny Cash, Roland Janes, Albert King, Memphis Jug Band, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Knox Phillips, David Porter, Sid Selvidge, Kay Starr and Carla Thomas.

The city of Memphis, recognized globally as the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, launched the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012. The 2013 Induction Ceremony brought the Inductee roster to 38. The Hall of Fame is administered by the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.

Lifting the roof from the very beginning was national gospel recording artists Kevin Davidson & The Voices, paying tribute to Rev. Herbert W. Brewster. They were joined by choir members from East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church, the church led by Rev. Brewster from 1930 until his death in 1987. Worship at The Gibson Showcase Lounge continued with the induction of The Blackwood Brothers and a harmonizing, crowd-raising performance by the current members led by Billy Blackwood, son of founding member James Blackwood.

While musical tributes honored many of the inductees, Stax legends Carla Thomas and The Bar- Kays wowed the audience with their own performances. Carla belted out her 1960 hit, “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes),” with sister Vaneese Thomas on backing on vocals. The Bar-Kays, including front man and original member James Alexander as well as original member Ben Cauley, brought the crowd to their feet with performances of “Soul Finger” and “Freakshow on the Dance Floor.”

Other musical highlights included blues icon Bobby Rush performing a rousing performance of Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line,” backed by the legendary Hi Rhythm Section, and Bad Company frontman Paul Rogers, in town recording, honoring inductee Albert King with a soulful rendition of King's  “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Producer Jimmy Jam paid tribute to legendary songwriter and performer David Porter followed by an explosive rendition of the Isaac Hayes / David Porter-penned hit “Hold On, I’m Coming,” and performed at the ceremony by rising Memphis artist and 2013 finalist on NBC’s The Voice, Kris Thomas. 

The late Sid Selvidge, who performed in the influencial 1970s alternative rock group Mudboy and the Neutrons and as a solo artist, was honored with a stirring performance by Sons of Mudboy, with lead vocals performed by son Steve Selvidge, and also with original Mudboy and the Neutrons member, Jimmy Crosthwait. Until his death this past  May, Selvidge produced the popular syndicated radio show, Beale Street Caravan, heard on radio stations around the globe.

The 2013 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony performances were produced by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, owner of Memphis’ iconic Royal Studios and son of legendary Hi Records producer and 2012 Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductee Willie Mitchell.

The thirteen 2013 Inductees will also be joining the 2012 Inductees, which include Elvis Presley, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Sam Phillips, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis and others, on the award-winning Memphis Music Hall of Fame web site at www.memphismusichalloffame.com.

Inductees are selected each year by a Nominating Committee of local and national music professionals, including studio owners, producers, authors, and historians.

In response to November 7, 2013 inductions, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton commented, "Everywhere I go, people know Memphis, Tennessee. Every country around the world recognizes Memphis as the epicenter of music. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame lends focus to this fact, and pays tribute to the musical pioneers and icons whose contributions to our culture and our heritage, both locally and globally, are unequalled.”

The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is located at 191 Beale Street at FedExForum, and was researched and developed by The Smithsonian Institution. The museum is open daily from 10:00 am until 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.memphisrocknsoul.org.

2013 Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction gallery (higher resolution versions available on request) 

David Porter, Bobby Rush and Boo Mitchell;   Carla Thomas;   The Blackwood Brothers

The BarKays;  Bobby Rush;   Kris Thomas 

David Porter and Jimmy Jam;  Knox Phillips and Mike Curb:  Paul Rodgers 

10 Live Action Shorts Advance in Oscar® Race

BEVERLY HILLS, CA —The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 live action short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards®.  One hundred twenty pictures had originally qualified in the category. 

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:

“Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me),” Esteban Crespo, director (Producciones Africanauan)

“Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just before Losing Everything),” Xavier Legrand, director, and Alexandre Gavras, producer (KG Productions)

“Dva (Two),” Mickey Nedimovic, director, and Henner Besuch, director of photography (Filoufilm Dani Barsch)

“Helium,” Anders Walter, director, and Kim Magnusson, producer (M & M Productions)

“Kush,” Shubhashish Bhutiani, director (Red Carpet Moving Pictures)

“Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?),” Selma Vilhunen, director, and Kirsikka Saari, screenwriter (Tuffi Films)

“Record/Play,” Jesse Atlas, director, and Thom Fennessey, executive producer (Collaboration Factory)

“Throat Song,” Miranda de Pencier, director (Northwood Productions)

“Tiger Boy,” Gabriele Mainetti, director (Goon Films)

“The Voorman Problem,” Mark Gill, director, and Baldwin Li, producer (Honlodge Productions)

The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting at screenings held in Los Angeles.  

Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select three to five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist.  Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in December.

The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards–in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners–Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

Jonathan Butler Says 'Merry Christmas To You'

By Darlene Donloe

It’s hard to believe that Jonathan Butler has never released a Christmas CD.

Having already made his mark in the pop, R&B and gospel music genre, it stands to reason that he would add Christmas music to his list of accomplishments.

After listening to his 10-song compilation, turns out the CD, released last month by Artistry Music, was well worth the wait.

Jonathan Butler’s Merry Christmas To You, features the title track, This Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Happy Holidays, Little Drummer Boy, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, The First Noel and O Holy Night.

Each song has a JB stamp, adding just a bit of funk to the proceedings. Sleigh Ride is instrumental and Merry Christmas To You is a silky ballad. Both are effective and affecting.

Eight of the songs on the CD are traditional. However, Butler penned two additional songs, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas To You.

Butler even had the nerve to tackle the classic Donny Hathaway hit, This Christmas, with incredible results. What he does with Little Drummer Boy is worth the price of the CD.

For decades Jonathan Butler, a two-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist, has been entertaining the world with his luscious voice and acoustic guitar.

It’s about time that he added to his already full repertoire.  The result is a fantastically satisfying Merry Christmas To You, which he produced and arranged.

If you think you’ve heard just about every rendition of This Christmas, think again. And that goes for the rest of the Butler’s offerings as well.  Yes, some of the songs are the same holiday songs that have been played for as long as anyone can remember. However, Butler has kicked them up a notch. These are NOT your mother’s Christmas songs.

Butler, who possesses his own style, enlisted the help of some his jazzy friends, including Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Paul "Shilts" Weimer. He also brought in his daughter, Jodie, and and bassist Dan Lutz.

This has been a busy year for Butler, a former child star who is the youngest of 17 children and was the first black artist played on radio stations in his native South Africa. First, he  launched the Jonathan Butler Foundation in his South African homeland to fund music education programs that give children the purpose to overcome a life of drugs and poverty.  Butler, who completed a media tour in several South African cities and performed two concerts there in September to raise funds for the foundation, will soon form a U. S. affiliate to support the foundation’s music and arts programs in South Africa for children ages 4-17.

Butler is also part of the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with Oleta Adams and keyboardist Keiko Matsui.  The tour kicks off Nov. 29, in Sarasota, Fla. and concludes Dec. 22, at the Warfield in San Francisco.

To find out more about Butler and his upcoming Dave Koz & Christmas Tour, log on to www.jonathanbutler.com/.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (OK) and E (excellent), Jonathan Butler’s Merry Christmas To You gets an E (excellent).

Dodge, Paramount Pictures, Kick Off Innovative 'Hands on Ron Burgundy' Endurance Challenge

November 18, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Legendary news anchorman Ron Burgundy has touched the lives of millions of Americans and now there is a way for his fans to touch him.

The Dodge brand and Paramount Pictures kick off "Hands on Ron Burgundy," an innovative endurance challenge with a digital spin, as the latest installment of their co-branded marketing collaboration that casts Burgundy as the new face of the new 2014 DodgeDurango and promotes the holiday release of the upcoming film "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," in theaters Dec. 20, 2013.

"Hands on Ron Burgundy," which runs from Tues., Nov. 19 to Mon., Nov. 25, exclusively on the "Funny Or Die" comedy video website, tests fans' perseverance using a computer mouse or touchscreen to place their "hands" on a digital image of Ron Burgundy. The contestant who "touches" Burgundy the longest in a single session time wins the grand prize of an all-new 2014 Dodge Durango. Hundreds of additional prizes will be awarded, including three trips for two to New York to attend "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" movie premiere on Dec. 15. Contestants can view a teaser video and enter the contest at www.burgundydodge.com.

“The widespread conversation the Ron Burgundy Dodge Durango campaign is generating has significantly increased awareness of the new Durango and is transforming that conversation into consideration,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “The 'Hands on Ron Burgundy' endurance challenge is Dodge's latest example of creating innovative and humorous ways for fans to engage with our brand, learn more about our vehicles and turn that interest into shopping for a new Durango. Plus, this contest is really classy, just like Ron himself."

Since the tie-in campaign with the film launched in October, visits to the www.Dodge.com/Durango website page are up nearly 80 percent and “shopping” activities on the website (find a dealer, build and price) has increased by more than 100 percent.

"This Dodge Durango campaign continues to offer Anchorman fans more ways to engage with the fun of the upcoming film," commented LeeAnne Stables, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships for Paramount Pictures. "The total creative collaboration with our friends at Funny Or Die, the Dodge agencies and the studio creative teams, and the filmmakers themselves, is what makes this unique."

A custom built, one-of-a-kind experience, "Hands on Ron Burgundy" is the Dodge brand's original take on the "Hands on a Hard Body" contest – first created by a Texas auto dealership in the 1980s and later gaining mass attention from an award-winning documentary film – where contestants compete to win a vehicle by keeping their hand on the vehicle the longest. It was created in partnership with Portland, Ore-advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy, development partner and design studio, Legwork, and the team at Funny Or Die.

Throughout the competition, Dodge also has mini-games and challenges to draw fans in and keep them engaged, while also learning about features and attributes of the new 2014 Dodge Durango. The goal of the "Horsepower" video game, for example, is for drivers to collect 360 horses (equal to the Durango's 360 horsepower engine). In the "Catch the Girls" game players need to direct six of Burgundy's "babes" falling from the sky into the Durango's sunroof to sit in the passenger seats, filling the Durango's seven seats.  The other three games - "Dirty Dancers," "Durango Car Wash" and "Flute Battle" - each have their own humorous way of showcasing the new Durango.

The new 2014 Dodge Durango arrived in dealerships in North America in October. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" releases nationally in theaters December 20, 2013.

With the '70s behind him, San Diego's top-rated newsman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also, back for more, are Ron’s co-anchor and wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man-on-the-street reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) - all of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy … while taking New York and the nation’s first 24-hour news channel by storm. Produced by Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Directed by Adam McKay.

How It Works

"Hands on Ron Burgundy" launches at noon Eastern Time (ET) on Tues., Nov. 19 and ends at 2:59 a.m. ET Mon., Nov. 25. The fan who can "touch Ron the longest" in a single session will win the grand prize, a 2014 Dodge Durango. A leaderboard will showcase the leading contenders with the longest time. No matter where players are on the leaderboard, hundreds of other prizes will also be awarded throughout the challenge period

Players log in using either their Facebook or Twitter accounts. Once logged in, contestants need to hold their mouse cursor (or finger if using a smartphone) down inside the specified area (hot spot) on Ron Burgundy. As the game progresses, the hot spot changes. There will be periodic breaks where contestants can watch videos and periodic games where contestants can earn bonus points.

Contestants must be 18 years or older and reside in the United States. They can play as many times as they want, however only their top score counts toward contest prizes.

For a complete list of prizes and contest rules, go to http://handsonronburgundy.com/prizes.

The contest is sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC.

About Dodge Brand

The Dodge brand is tearing into its centennial year with a keen eye focused on the future and a desire to create vehicles customers can’t wait to drive and are proud to park in their driveways. With 100 years of history, Dodge is building on the technological advancements of the ‘30s and ‘40s, design evolution of the ‘50s, the racing heritage of the ‘60s, the horsepower of the ‘70s, the efficiency of the ‘80s and unbelievable styling of the ‘90s as it paves the road to its future. New for 2014, the Dodge Durango “is kind of a big deal,” with a new eight-speed transmission that delivers up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway, a new 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch infotainment center and best-in-class power, towing and fuel economy, in addition to its class-exclusive technology. The new Durango joins the new 2014Dodge Dart with its new 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, as well as the 2014 Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Journey and a 30th Anniversary Grand Caravan. This 2014 Dodge lineup includes five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety picks and Top Safety Pick +, five vehicles with best-in-class power, seven vehicles that deliver 25 miles per gallon (mpg) or higher, three vehicles that deliver 31 mpg or higher and three vehicles that offer seating for seven.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.