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Michael Jackson Not A Pedophile, Says Author Who Grew Up with Him

Roger Friedman
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26
Michael Jackson Not A Pedophile, Says Author Who Grew Up with Him

Michael Jackson was not a pedophile. So says Frank Cascio, who grew up with Jackson as a kid along with his siblings. Cascio, now in his early 30s, details his life with Jackson in “My Friend Michael,” officially published tomorrow. It’s the first real, true account of Jackson, including recent books by his brother and sister, Jermaine and LaToya.

Cascio, who knew Jackson from age 5, knew Jordy Chandler and Macaulay Culkin and all the kids who passed through Neverland, writes: “Michael’s interest in young boys had absolutely nothing to do with sex. I say this with the unassailable confidence of firsthand experience, the confidence of a young boy who slept in the same room as Michael hundreds of times, and with the absolute conviction of a man who saw Michael interact with thousands of kids. In all the years that I was close to him, I saw nothing that raised any red flags, not as a child and not as an adult. Michael may have been eccentric, but that didn’t make him criminal.”

Cascio details all the times he and his brothers and sister slept in Jackson’s bedroom, and shares stories of other kids who got the Neverland treatment. Cascio has always maintained this stance, since I met him in 2000. His accounts jibe with those of Culkin and other young men who visited Neverland. Cascio recounts Jackson’s reluctance settle the Chandler case out of court. And he details the story of the greedy, scheming Arvizos.

This past weekend, some press accounts concentrated on Cascio’s admission that Jackson was hooked on a variety of drugs. Fair enough. But as a historical chronicle, “My Friend Michael” is about so much more. Because Cascio and his whole family had a unique place in Jackson’s life. He lived in their homes as an adult, and the Cascios were regular visitors at Neverland, and in Bahrain when Jackson went into self imposed exile. It was Frank Cascio’s minute record keeping in 2003 during the Gavin Arvizo scandal that exonerated Jackson from child molestation and conspiracy charges.

What makes Cascio’s book so compelling for Jackson fans aren’t the drug revelations. Cascio tells the story in minute detail of Jackson’s financial situation and the machinations of various people around him during a key period–from 1994 and the Jordy Chandler scandal through 2000, the “Invincible” album, and the arrest in 2003.

Cascio has no love lost for John McClain, Jackson’s sometime manager and now, by fluke of a 2002 will, the co-executor of his estate. According to Cascio’s account, which I reported at the time, McClain was a constant thorn in his side, undermining their friendship. Years later, in 2010, it would be McClain who would make a mess of the posthumous “Michael” album by encouraging fans to doubt the veracity of tracks produced by Cascio’s brother, Eddie.

“My Friend Michael” is a must read for any Michael Jackson fan. I’ll have some more bits from it as the day goes on.

 

 

James Franco Has A Seance, Lady Gaga Impersonator Participates

Roger Friedman
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1
James Franco Has A Seance, Lady Gaga Impersonator Participates

Tennessee Williams, the late and legendary playwright of “Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie,” approves of actor James Franco. I know that because Williams was summoned twice on Sunday afternoon in seances held by Franco and filmmaker/artist Laurel Nakadate. In each of two shows–the second show had to be put on spontaneously because such a big crowd came for the first–the seance preceded clever monologue readings from “The Glass Menagerie” by aspiring actors and actresses found through a vaguely worded ad on Craigslist.

The very fun and spot on “Three Performances in Search of Tennessee” took place at the Abrons Art Center way downtown on the Lower East Side in the Henry Street Settlement as part of Performa-Arts. Franco was on a 24 hour pass from work in Detroit on “Oz, the Great and Powerful,” which has been shooting since July and won’t end until right before Christmas. He and the cheerful but intense Nakadate came up with this way to present Tennessee Williams uniquely. And so they did. A cynic such as this reporter certainly though the “seance” was staged, but the mediums on stage acted in earnest. When I mentioned to one between shows that I had better questions for Williams if he also returned for the second, the man looked aghast.

For about twenty minutes, Franco and Nakadate sat on stage in a pool of spotlight, flanking the two mediums. Their “cast” members formed a semi circle behind them in darkness. And Williams was “reached” by spiritual contact. The most we learned? He really likes James Franco, and missed a certain amount of love from his mother. He didn’t say who his favorite Blanche has been from “Streetcar,” whether he liked the Monkey Bar, or what was up with him and Truman Capote in the after life.

The second and third parts consisted of Franco pre-filmed, projected on a video screen, trading lines with actresses who took the stage one by one. They read their dialogue from lines printed on the video screen. All the ladies were found on Craigslist, and were successful to varying degrees. One was the official Lady Gaga impersonator, Lauren Francesca, who wore a leather bikini. Another swooped on stage like a female Zorro, with a cape. A third tried to upstage the event; instead of reading the dialogue she took out her cell phone and called her mother. It didn’t work.

For the men, which included performance artist Kalup Linzy as a drag queen, there were ups and downs. A highlight was Ryan McNamara, who spontaneously called Franco and Nakadate on stage to help him read his “Menagerie” soliloquy.

I can think of worse things to have done on a Sunday afternoon.

Don Murray, Hollywood Vet: “No one killed Marilyn Monroe”

Roger Friedman
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1
Don Murray, Hollywood Vet: “No one killed Marilyn Monroe”

Last night’s swanky premiere of “My Week with Marilyn” brought out stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker and Dominic Cooper, the film’s director Simon Curtis, and a bunch of interesting people to the Paris Theater and to dinner at the four star La Petite Maison. director Stephen Frears (just finishing a cool sounding new film with Bruce Willis), Marisa Berenson (just published a dazzling book of photographs from her amazing life), Alana Stewart (visiting from L.A. with her book publisher), Ann Dexter-Jones (reveling in her kids’ successes), and actress Cody Horn (hot as a pistol in Jake Gyllenhaal‘s new cop film).

But my favorite was Hollywood vet leading man Don Murray who played Marilyn Monroe’s lover in “Bus Stop,” directed by Joshua Logan in 1956. After “Bus Stop,” Monroe filmed “The Prince and the Showgirl” with Sir Laurence Olivier –it’s the film that she’s making in “My Life with Marilyn.” Murray–now 82 and still looking like a matinee idol–was quite the star in 1956. He had a ton of films for the next years, all well regarded, with great directors and terrific casts. In 1979, he starred in the first season of “Knots Landing,” then opted out of the nighttime soap and even wrote his own on screen death.

Despite his long career, Murray is still asked about working with Monroe all the time–and occasionally gives lectures about her. At La Petite Maison, Murray –who’s from East Rockaway, Long Island!–was with his wife of 50 years, Bettie–who he wed after a shocking three year marriage to actress Hope Lange-–this was hot stuff in 1959, kids. He did tell me that Michelle Williams has gotten Marilyn “just right.” He’s so impressed with her performance that he came to New York to help her launch the film. Nice.

So was Monroe as spacy and difficult as seen in “My Week”? “Oh yes,” said Murray, who’s writing a book and a screenplay about his Monroe doctrine. “Josh Logan used to say, don’t do anything until I say ‘cut.’ We’re going to have to piece together this performance.” On the other hand, during “Bus Stop” Monroe, says Murray, “was very happy. She was having an affair with Arthur Miller. No one knew it, and she was enjoying the silence.” Within two years, she and Miller would marry and divorce, Marilyn would get involve with the Kennedys, and die a tragic death.

But–says Murray–“I don’t believe anyone killed her. I think she took one too many pills by accident.” And for more, we’ll have to wait for the book.

 

Help MusiCares Help Musicians This Christmas

Roger Friedman
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0
Help MusiCares Help Musicians This Christmas

Six music bloggers are competing for tickets to this year’s MusiCares Person of the Year dinner honoring Paul McCartney. Now you can read all their entries and vote to send some lucky writer to Los Angeles next February. Here’s the link: http://blog.musicares.com/2011/11/03/vote-musicares-blogger/ MusiCares is also running its Be A Part of the Heart campaign this Christmas, accepting donation from $1 up from all music fans. This is all to help musicians in need. The people who play on your favorite records don’t necessarily have health insurance, and often need assistance. They’re not Madonna. They’re the people who make Madonna’s–and other artists like Rihanna, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, and Carrie Underwood– sound so good.

Conrad Murray Tries to Kill Michael Jackson Again in “Documentary”

Roger Friedman
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4
Conrad Murray Tries to Kill Michael Jackson Again in “Documentary”

So MSNBC on Friday night broadcast a really pathetic, sort of disgracefully one sided documentary about Michael Jackson’s murderer, Dr. Conrad Murray. Obviously “Michael Jackson and the Doctor” was filmed with the hope that Murray would be acquitted. They were wrong. Creepy “journalist” Gerald Posner, who was bounced from Tina Brown’s Daily Beast after it was discovered he was guilty of plagiarism, seems to be behind the whole thing. He not only has a credit but appears on camera with Murray riding home from court. That should tell you everything: stay away from this one hour.

What did we learn? That Murray found god about three weeks after Michael died. That his lawyers fought among themselves. Lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff, who came with Murray from Houston, actually got kicked out of the house where he was staying–with Beverly Hills co counsel Michael  Flanagan–after the two of them fell out over a witness’s examination. Their on camera blow out reminded me of something from “The Real World.” The lawyers for Murray are also seen eating a lot.

Murray himself blames Michael for this whole situation, accusing him of “betrayal.” The one hour report backfires. Murray simply appears self-serving as he tries to lay the blame for Jackson’s death on concert promoter AEG Live, his lawyers are incompetent, and MSNBC should be ashamed of itself. Good thing the jury was smart. The judge should sentence Murray, his lawyers, and MSNBC to a long term.

Beatles: Universal-EMI Deal Still Has Gray Areas

Roger Friedman
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1
Beatles: Universal-EMI Deal Still Has Gray Areas

The $1.9 billion deal to sell EMI to Universal Music Group is apparently done. The decade-old plan to merge EMI with Warner Music is over, kaput, forever. EMI’s biggest group, The Beatles, now goes to Universal Music Group. Or does it? The Beatles’ Apple Corps has unique arrangements with EMI, very different than most artists. A Beatle insider talked to me about this a few weeks ago. Apple Records and EMI are partners in their deal for Beatles albums. It’s not like the Beatles are simply part of the EMI inventory. So it will be interesting to see how Apple, which has been notoriously aggressive since the day it was conceived in 1968, will just play along. For example, Apple exacted a $500 million settlement out of Steve Jobs for infringement of the Apple trademark. As well, in order to bring the Beatles to Apple’s ITunes one year ago, it’s understood that ITunes pays the Beatles directly, and then the Beatles’s Apple pays EMI. If you don’t think this adds up to a lot of money, let me tell you: the Beatles stereo box set is still a top seller at $179. With a paucity of music created by rappers, hip hoppers, and pop samplers from 1985 on, older catalogs are worth more and more. The Beatles’ is worth the most. So we’ll wait and see if Apple (Records, that is) is happy with the EMI deal in the long run. “They could just as easily buy out their portion and move on,” said my source. True enough. At this point, the Beatles could be their own label without any trouble. And they do plan more releases in the next few years under their innovative leader, Jeff Jones.

Legend Doris Day Will Release New Album December 2

Roger Friedman
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3
Legend Doris Day Will Release New Album December 2

Legendary movie and singing star Doris Day will release her hit UK album “My Heart’ in America on December 2nd. Amazing Doris is 88. She’ll be the oldest person on the charts, older than Tony Bennett and anyone else within shouting distance. “My Heart”–a compilation of later unreleased recordings–includes tracks written and produced by her late great son Terry Melcher. Terry was a seminal figure in late 60s rock. He wrote “Disney Girls” for the Beach Boys, which Doris covers beautifully on “My Heart.”

Rather than trot around in tabloids and gossip rags, Doris has lived her post-celebrity life with great dignity. She’s been a huge animal rights activist and a popular figure in serene Carmel, California. Every celebrity should take a page from her book. She’s also refused to do interviews or make appearances–her last, I think, was to pick up a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame award. The word is she may be doing some interviews now.

But she won’t be going to the LA Film Critics dinner in January to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. She will also not be showing up in public dressed as an egg, or wearing lingerie outside her clothes, or getting a DUI.

One great thing about Doris’s publicity for “My Heart”–she’s got plenty of friends willing to do interviews to support her. Clint Eastwood, her Carmel neighbor, is chief among them. But Doris doesn’t realize how beloved she is–or how much people want to see or hear her.

You can listen to “My Heart” at www.dorisday.com. The album is coming out independently here, by the way, on Arwin Records. Arwin is the same production company name Doris and late husband Marty Melcher had dating back to the 1950s. Cool.

PS Brian Grazer: this would be a great year to salute Doris’s movie career on the Oscars.

Hugh Jackman: Wolverine Goes Disco

Roger Friedman
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1
Hugh Jackman: Wolverine Goes Disco

Hugh Jackman opened on Broadway last night in his one man show. I caught the Wednesday matinee instead of the usual opening night–had to be away for a family occasion. The matinee crowd loved Hugh. You’ll love Hugh. He is as corny as a cornfield, sort of John Davidson meets Barry Manilow. This isn’t a bad thing to say, but Hugh could play Vegas for months without ever having an empty seat in the theater. Whether he’s in formal attire and tails, or gold lame, Jackman cannot stop smiling broadly. He is happy for two hours, in his element.

It makes you wonder about “Wolverine” and “X Men.” How can he both people? As he says in the show, the song and dance Hugh is his favorite. And give him credit. He sings his heart out to show tunes. There’s nothing fake about it. He belts out his songs, tap dances, sashays into the audience to play with unwitting fans. (Though I do think one woman sitting in the front row is a plant, but that’s ok.)

My favorite part of the show: Jackman brings out Olive Knight an indigenous gospel/blues singer from Wangkatjungka in the Australian outback, with a group of fellow musicians. They perform the Hawaiian version of “Over the Rainbow” using aboriginal instruments, and Jackman talks about the plight of Knight’s people. I wish there’d been more of that and less of the shlocky Peter Allen songs. But Hugh and his crew know what they’re doing–and the audience just loves him.

PS Folks from NBC were in the audience. My bet is we’ll see this as a filmed TV special in February, sweeps month. And why not? The peacock network has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Hugh Jackman as Andy Williams channeling Gene Kelly has a lot of promise.

Oscars: 2011 Is The Year of the Movie Star

Roger Friedman
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0

Wow. Oscars. Billy Crystal is back. Brian Grazer is producing the show. And now, guess what? With one exception–French actor Jean DuJardin–the best actor nominees are all going to be big marquee names.

The list has shaped up remarkably week. Leonardo DiCaprio, as I suspected, is getting raves for “J Edgar.” He’s in. Brad Pitt is still strong from “Moneyball” as baseball manager Billy Beane. George Clooney has everyone clamoring from his strong dramatic turn as a cuckold in “The Descendants.” And Ryan Gosling represents the New Generation in “Ides of March.”

There are others, too. Woody Harrelson is exceptional in “Rampart.” Michael Shannon is much admired for his work in “Take Shelter.” Michael Fassbender is the talk of the town in “A Dangerous Method” and “Shame.” Ben Kingsley is his usual high quality in “Hugo.”

But it’s those first names–Pitt, DiCaprio, Clooney, Gosling, DuJardin–that I think are going to be the finalists. And then, what an Oscars we’ll have. Add them to the big name actresses–Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Michelle Williams, Viola Davis (very much a big name now)–and the Academy Awards, which looked like they might get bruised, should be a return to glamor and power. Well done.

Whitney Houston Is Burning the Candles at Both Ends

Roger Friedman
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3
Whitney Houston Is Burning the Candles at Both Ends

First we see Whitney Houston doing great interviews from set of “Sparkle.” Now it seems she’s going into business–candle business. Let’s say she’s burning the candles at both ends! Or waxing philosophical. Whitney and sister in law Pat Houston have started something called Marion P Candles. Here are the descriptions of the different kinds of candles you can find at www.marionpcandles.com  Pat says a portion of the proceeds will go to charity:

Tiberias/Ruby Red Grapefruit – Seed for the healing of the body, uplifting and stimulating to the soul.

Jordina (The Jordan River) Fig Lychee – Figs are restorative. They increase the strength of young people and preserve the elderly In better health. An honor to bestow The foliage and fruit.

The Beatitudes (The Mount of Beatitudes) Blackstone – It focuses on love and humility rather than force and exaction. Echoing the highest Ideal of teaching on mercy, spirituality and Compassion.

Jericho/ Cedarwood Amber – Reflecting The Majesty And Wonder Of God’s Glory.

Galilea (The Sea Of Galilea/Honeysuckle) Pleasantness, sweet to the Soul, The Essence Of Unity and Wholeness of Purpose.

Dedication, Excellence, Faithfullness, Gratitude, Loving Kindness, Peace and Joy, Redemption, Victorious and Love.

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