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“SNL” Social Media Numbers Soar in Anticipation of Connor Storrie, Tonight’s Host, Star of “Heated Rivalry”

Roger Friedman
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“SNL” Social Media Numbers Soar in Anticipation of Connor Storrie, Tonight’s Host, Star of “Heated Rivalry”

Tonight, Connor Storrie is the host of “Saturday Night Live.”

Who?

He’s the 26 year old who’s one of the stars of HBO Max’s series, “Heated Rivalry.”

Even though there are only six episodes of the series about gay hockey players falling in love, “Heated Rivalry” has become its own cult show. The four main actors have been on a publicity tear all over the world, and those six episodes are killing everything else on HBO Max.

Will people watch? Aside from seeing Mumford and Sons? It looks good. So far social media is off the hook. For example there are four posts with Storrie on the “SNL” Twitter account. One of them has 4.6 million likes! The others total up to over 5 million.

If other “Heated Rivalry” stars show up tonight, brace yourself for what could be a big ratings event!

Watch: Harry Styles Blows Away the Brit Awards with Theatrical Version of New Song, “Aperture,” Very Very David Byrne

Roger Friedman
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Watch: Harry Styles Blows Away the Brit Awards with Theatrical Version of New Song, “Aperture,” Very Very David Byrne

Harry Styles had a huge success tonight at London’s Brit Awards.

He put on a very theatrical version of his new song, “Aperture,” part of his new album releasing this coming Thursday night.

“Aperture” is not really a radio song or that understandable without the visual. But in this presentation it came off as one of David Byrne’s pieces, synchronistically choreographed and beautifully lit. Harry looked elegant smart in formal attire instead of a dress or some other rigged up costume.

Already, “Aperture” — which is more of a chant than a song — is coming back onto the charts.

It’s interesting how this record made no impact on its own. But now we get a little more of what Styles is up to, and it’s pretty fascinating. “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” now has whetted appetites for the rest of the tracks.

This seems a big leap forward for Harry, who’s calling it disco but it’s techno EDM. It kind of points to Madonna’s “Ray of Light” as well.

Leonardo DiCaprio Not Attending the SAG Actors Awards Sunday, Schedule Casts Doubt on Appearing at the Oscars in 2 Weeks

Roger Friedman
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Leonardo DiCaprio Not Attending the SAG Actors Awards Sunday, Schedule Casts Doubt on Appearing at the Oscars in 2 Weeks

Leonardo DiCaprio is done with awards season.

People magazine says he won’t be at the SAG Actors Awards tomorrow night. Leo has left for Europe to film Martin Scorsese’s new movie.

This news does bring up the strong chance that Leo won’t attend the Oscars in two weeks. He knows his chances to win Best Actor for “One Battle After Another” are dimmed by Timothee Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan in the first and second places. Even Ethan Hawke has a better shot than Leo.

DiCaprio’s work in “One Battle” is excellent and deserves the most praise. But you can’t blame him for not wanting to sit through another awards night and come up empty. He did win the National Board of Review, which almost certainly turned off all the other awards groups.

Not having DiCaprio at the Oscars would pose a problem for the annual show. The Oscars need celebrity power for ratings. But the whole process has gone on for so long that many nominees — e.g. Sean Penn — may feel it’s not necessary to show up.

We’ll know more after the Actors Awards tomorrow night. It would be ironic if Leo won!

Kennedy Center Honors Being Renamed for Trump in Another Step of Destruction, Mark Twain Prize for Comedy Has Vanished

Roger Friedman
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Kennedy Center Honors Being Renamed for Trump in Another Step of Destruction, Mark Twain Prize for Comedy Has Vanished

The further destruction of the Kennedy Center continues.

This is a real story, not satire. Trump is renaming the Kennedy Center Honors for himself.

The awards, according to the vile head of the theater Richard Grenell, will be the Trump Kennedy Center Honors.

It’s no surprise since the renaming of the Center itself with Trump’s tarnished moniker added to JFK’s beloved name.

“It will definitely go forward,” Grenell told a local news radio station in Washington DC. “It will probably just be in a smaller venue, which just means ticket demand will be even higher.”

The demand is already fairly low, so much so that the Kennedy Center is closing for two years on July 7th after attendance at events has dropped to all time lows.

A smaller venue? Maybe it can be in Ford’s Theater. I hear that’s a great place for a president to sit in the main box.

Meantime, the annual Mark Twain Prize has disappeared. Last year the recipient was Conan O’Brien. His name was announced in January, the sho was taped on March 23rd and show soon after on Netflix.

But with Trump staring down Netflix in the Paramount-Warners deal, and no comedian willing to not criticize his administration — the Conan show was appropriately vicious about Trump — it looks like the whole Mark Twain Prize is gone at least until 2029 when Trump is tossed from office.

We can say all the offensive changes are a surprise, but they’re not. If you voted for Trump, this is what you get — in addition to today’s war with Iran and all the rest of it. Shame on you.

UPDATED: “Scream 7” Reaps $64 Mil Weekend Despite Negative Reviews, Cinches a “Scream 8” and Maybe 9 and 10

Roger Friedman
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UPDATED: “Scream 7” Reaps $64 Mil Weekend Despite Negative Reviews, Cinches a “Scream 8” and Maybe 9 and 10

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: “Scream 7” came in just over $64 million Thursday through Sunday. Scary, scary, scary!

EARLIER: Scream on, to paraphrase Aerosmith.

The 7th iteration of the “Scream” series after 30 years is a big hit!

Thursday previews plus Friday numbers bring the total so far to $28.8 million.

The whole gang — Ghostface, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox — is headed to a $66 million opening weekend.

Yes, there will be a “Scream 8,” and probably 9 or 10.

Kevin Williamson, who started this whole thing, brought in a very sad 34% rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Apparently, he’s just regurgitating the old story over and over. But if you’ve never seen it, it’s new to you!

Audiences must like it more than they say. The Audience Meter is only at 78. But still, they’re coming. Maybe there’s a good popcorn bucket.

I’m told “Scream 7” is not as frightening as “Melania,” which is getting a mini-series sequel on amazon.com.

“Scream” was originally from Miramax/Dimension, then moved to Weinstein Company/Dimension. When the latter went under, Spyglass bought the rights to make sequels for Paramount, which owns the Miramax library. It’s good IP! So where is the play or musical? I can’t believe there won’t be one.

At this point, because they still haven’t had the Oscars and those movies are moot at the box office, here’s an idea: Conan O’Brien come out dressed like Ghostface and chase Timothee Chalamet across the stage. I authorize use of this idea!

Or “SNL” should do a sketch with Ghostface terrorizing the “Party of Five” and “Friends” casts — unless they already did that.

Has Jim Carrey Been Cloned? Internet Goes Crazy When Lookalike Picks Up An Award in France with Altered Face, Different Color Eyes

Roger Friedman
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Has Jim Carrey Been Cloned? Internet Goes Crazy When Lookalike Picks Up An Award in France with Altered Face, Different Color Eyes

What has happened to Jim Carrey?

The great comic actor turned up at the 51st Cesar Awards to pick up an award and he freaked everyone out.

Carrey arrived with an inflated face and seemingly different colored eyes. His whole persona was off, too. The Carrey we know is thoughtful and kind of quiet. Is this guy lit or what?

Someone encouraged poor Jim to get some work done before the Cesars. It was a big mistake. Also, it reminds me of Catherine O’Hara’s character in “For Your Consideration” getting a botched facelift because she thinks she’ll be nominated for an Oscar.

Many aging stars are painfully insecure about their looks. This week, Demi Moore presented as an avatar of herself. Courteney Cox had trouble moving her mouth on a talk show. Sylvester Stallone looks like something from Madame Tussaud’s. Only the great Shirley MacLaine has done nothing and at 91 looks better than everyone!

Sir Elton John Tributes Neil Sedaka, Whose Career He Championed in the Mid 70s: “Truly a great artist and songwriter”

Roger Friedman
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Sir Elton John Tributes Neil Sedaka, Whose Career He Championed in the Mid 70s: “Truly a great artist and songwriter”

Elton John changed Neil Sedaka’s life in the mid 70s. Neil had had a sterling pop career into the 1960s but stalled out as tastes changed. Elton signed him to his Rocket Records, and launched the whole “Sedaka’s Back” campaign in 1975.

It was a joyous moment of rediscovery of a great artist. Elton recorded a rare duet with Neil on his song, “Bad Blood.” All the singlee went right up the charts including “Laughter in the Rain” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” as a slowed down wistful love song. Sedaka’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” by the Captain and Tennille was a monster hit.

Sir Elton was the first person I thought of when I heard Neil had passed away yesterday. This was a story of a new star giving a hand up to a legend, paying it forward. If you follow Elton on his radio show, this is what he has done for hundreds of artists trying to get their start.

Neil Sedaka has hundreds of tributes on Twitter and other social media, too many to quote. But this is Elton’s, and he’s right: Neil always belonged in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but snide forces within (Jann Wenner) wouldn’t allow it.

Watch Some of Neil Sedaka’s Greatest Songs on Video, from “Calendar Girl” to “Love will Keep Us Together”

Roger Friedman
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Watch Some of Neil Sedaka’s Greatest Songs on Video, from “Calendar Girl” to “Love will Keep Us Together”

It’s very sad that Neil Sedaka passed away today. He was really an important part of pop music, a songwriting genius, and gifted pianist. His comeback in 1975 was miraculous thanks to Elton John, who put Neil o his Rocket Records and recorded a rare duet with him on “Bad Blood.”

The hits in ’75 were the talk of pop radio. But the bigger deal was that the Captain and Tenille had a massive number 1 hit with “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Then the Carpenters recorded “Solitaire.” One my favorites was “The Hungry Years.” Neil also slowed down his 1962 hit, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” turned it into a ballad and had a hit with it again!

Neil’s talent was melody and hooks. Whether the song was a ballad or uptempo, you couldn’t get it out of your head. He was as good as any writer from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, or even Beatlemania.

PS You can hear Neil playing piano on one of Bobby Darin’s great songs, “Dream Lover.” He also wrote a lot of hits for other acts including “It Hurts to Be in Love” for Gene Pitney, “When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door” with Carole Bayer Sager for The Monkees, and “Working on a Groovy Thing,” by the Fifth Dimension.

Thank you, Neil!

RIP Legendary Star Neil Sedaka, 86, Wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Had Hits with “Calendar Girl,” “Laughter in the Rain” (Video Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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RIP Legendary Star Neil Sedaka, 86, Wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Had Hits with “Calendar Girl,” “Laughter in the Rain” (Video Exclusive)

I’m devastated to report the death of the great Neil Sedaka at age 86.

He was one of loveliest, gentle men, a self effacing talent that was one of a kind.

Neil had major hits in the early 60s with songs like “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” He was out of fashion for a while but came back like a hurricane in 1975 with the help of Elton John. His songs, “Laughter in the Rain,” “Bad Blood,” and “Solitaire” were huge and remain so to this very day. His song, “Love Will Keep Us Together” was the number 1 hit in 1975 by the Captain and Tenille.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” a statement from the family reads. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

In January 2025, Neil wowed us at Clive Davis’s private dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He just sat down at the piano and played his hits, always with a big smile. (See below.) He loved his life, his music, and his family. He was a consummate musician, and it’s shameful that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame never inducted him.

Neil, we all miss you so much.

Watch Some of Neil Sedaka’s Greatest Songs on Video, from “Calendar Girl” to “Love will Keep Us Together”

Conde Nast Chief Admits Vogue, Vanity Fair Search Numbers are Kaput, Says Google AI Summaries Are a “Death Blow”

Roger Friedman
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Conde Nast Chief Admits Vogue, Vanity Fair Search Numbers are Kaput, Says Google AI Summaries Are a “Death Blow”

The disaster of websites facing a steep decline in internet traffic has reached a crescendo.

In the Financial Times, Conde Nast publisher Roger Lynch waves the white flag with Google, which has ravaged the search function by introducing AI summaries.

Lynch calls what’s happened “another sort of death blow.”

“We assume very dramatic continued declines in search traffic, to the point where in a couple of years it’s just not a meaningful driver of our traffic,” Lynch said.

He doesn’t explain where he’s getting traffic from because every month is more challenging than the last.

Admitting the death of internet traffic is probably the beginning of something good. Lynch does say Conde Nast is doing better than ever. But no one really knows because company is private and doesn’t report numbers.

Still, you can tell from looking at the available numbers on Semrush.com. Vanityfair.com dropped precipitously over December and January. Visits to the site were down a staggering 33%. Was the content suddenly so poor? Or was it that Google screws with algorithm every month, sometimes twice a month, with notice or regulation? They call these changes Core Updates, but what they are is punitive measures that eat into revenue arbitrarily.

Even Vogue.com is suffering, and they’re the biggest of the Conde Nast magazines (apart from The New Yorker, a separate entity at the company). even though Vogue was up by 3% in December/January, the site was way off from October 2025.

And people wonder why the Associated Press, the Guardian, and many sites including this one have “donate” or “contribute” buttons on their sites. Keeping a website going is no easy feat right now.

Vanity Fair:

Vogue:
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