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Billy Crystal To Host the Oscars

Roger Friedman
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Billy Crystal To Host the Oscars

UPDATE: We called it last night. Billy Crystal is going to host the Oscars.

 

Now that Eddie Murphy has exited the Oscars, who should new producer Brian Grazer and returning producer Don Mischer select as host? There’s only one answer, as far as I can tell: Billy Crystal. Everyone wants him. Wherever I went yesterday, it was Crystal’s name that kept coming up. My guess is that Grazer, who is a long time friend of Crystal, will persuade the popular comic to step into the fray. Last year just the thought of Crystal making a brief appearance got every gossip’s tongue wagging. Now, with the Ratner-Murphy debacle, and last spring’s Franco-Hathaway stint gone, the Academy is likely to for a retreat to former glories. Crystal is it. You can already see him doing parodies of “J Edgar,” “The Artist,” “Moneyball,” “Midnight in Paris” and a half dozen other films. Some other name I’ve heard: Jamie Foxx, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres. But Crystal is the top choice.

Hugh Jackman Sends Sting His Thanks in Broadway Playbill

Roger Friedman
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Hugh Jackman Sends Sting His Thanks in Broadway Playbill

Hugh Jackman opens tonight on Broadway, doing his song and dance routine with wild enthusiasm and endless vigor. Did he get tips from rock star Sting? You betcha. In the Playbill for the show, Jackman makes sure to add: “Special thanks to Sting, too!” Of course Jackman is a mere 43. Sting just turned 60. Last night, though, Sting was like a man (a man in very good shape) of 33 as he rocked the Roseland Ballroom for the second night in a row. Sting’s “Back to Bass” show reclaims his rock star status with a thoroughly punchy punk performance that includes his big hits and some gems that he recovered– from older albums –like the songs “Sacred Love” and “Inside.” It’s the amazing breadth and depth of Sting’s solo catalog that it keeps being reworked either in symphonic form or in renewed rock. The Roseland audience–which included actors Joe Mantello and Fisher Stevens– was loud, loud, loud all night singing along with all the lyrics. The massive space was also quite literally sold out to the rafters. Sting returns tonight to Washington  DC’s Constitution Hall, and then heads west for more sold out shows. His box set, “25 Years,” is a stunning music gift this Christmas. The single best of CD culled from the box is a bestseller.

Bruce Springsteen Sells Shirt off His Back for Soldiers

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Sells Shirt off His Back for Soldiers

Bruce Springsteen was lively as ever last night at the Stand Up for Heroes fifth anniversary show at the Beacon Theatre. He told his bad jokes, rocked the house, and then he auctioned off his guitar, harmonica, mike stand, and the shirt off his back. The winning bidder paid $150,000 as Springsteen stripped down to a t shirt and gave away his plaid shirt. The winner then donated the guitar back to Marine Corps First Lt. Andrew Kinard in the audience. Stand Up for Heroes has really turned into an annual love fest, with military mixing with celebrities, and everyone saluting our troops. Among the guests last night were Glenn Close, Greg Kinnear, Rachel Ray, Kathy Griffin, Diane Sawyer, and Gayle King.  The performers included Bill Clinton, who kicked off the night with a rousing and funny speech. The Max Weinberg Big Band provided the music, and there were plenty of others involved including the wonderful group called 4Troops, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais, Brian Williams, Seth Meyers, and Springsteen. Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters didn’t perform, but he met and mixed with all the troops, quite emotionally. It turns out Waters’s dad died in World War II, and other members of his family have fought in the British Army. “I’ve never seen him so excited about being at a public event,” said his long time love, Laurie Durning.

Ricky Gervais Tells Me: Not Sure About Hosting Golden Globes

Roger Friedman
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Ricky Gervais Tells Me: Not Sure About Hosting Golden Globes

My favorite comic iconoclast, Ricky Gervais, tells me that he’s not sure about hosting the Golden Globes and that nothing has been settled. Ricky was a guest performer last night at Bob and Lee Woodruff’s 5th annual Stand Up for Heroes show at the Beacon Theater. Before the show–which Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox produce as opening night of NY Comedy Festival–Ricky and I spoke about the Golden Globes. It turns out he did have lunch with the new HFPA president in Paris, along with Doug Vaughn from NBC. “NBC wants me to do it, and they’re still convincing the HFPA. But I’m not sure if I want to do it,” Ricky said. Why? “I did it, and how could I do it better?” he asked rhetorically. “How do you top that?” I reminded him that with Leonardo DiCaprio playing J Edgar Hoover, a silent black and white film “The Artist” as a front runner, and Lindsay Lohan in and out of jail, there’s plenty of fodder for jokes. “Ah yes,” Ricky said, with a grin. “There is a lot, isn’t there?” So, no decision yet, but my bet is he’ll do it, and the HFPA will get big ratings as they dodge his slings and arrows.

“Spider Man” Lawsuit Could Mean No National Tour For Now

Roger Friedman
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“Spider Man” Lawsuit Could Mean No National Tour For Now

Julie Taymor’s lawsuit against the producers of “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” has some serious consequences not yet explored. It turns out her lawyers are asking for a permanent injunction against the production until Taymor is paid for her work. The amount named in the suit is $1 million. The permanent injunctions, if granted, could stop the producers, Michael Cohl and 8 Legged Productions, from starting any “Turn off the Dark” presentations in other cities. The show has cost so much–maybe up to $75 million–that the idea was to take on national tours to places like Las Vegas and who knows, maybe Branson, Missouri.

Anyway, the injunctions would finish all that for the time being.

Taymor’s lawsuit is based on the theory that she copyrighted her Original Book, and that the show now uses almost 75% of that material. (The New York Times got that wrong.) Indeed, anyone who’s seen “Spider Man” evolve over time knows that the show is still essentially Taymor’s, just in a different order. What’s more interesting, I think, is that after all the fighting, and changes, and the ouster, the box office average is the same or lower than when Taymor’s version was fully up and running. But to make the changes, the producers added at least $10 million to their bottom line.

Frankly, I’m surprised Bono and The Edge have allowed all this to go on. They’re both advocates for artists’ rights. And their astute manager, Paul McGuiness, has been forthright in making sure recording artists get paid for their work. Maybe they can intercede and end this ugliness.

French “Artist” Director Knows What “Mazel Tov” Means

Roger Friedman
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French “Artist” Director Knows What “Mazel Tov” Means

Some congrats are truly international. At last night’s Audi AFI (aka AFI Fest 2011 by Audi) premiere of “The Artist,” director Michel Hazanavicius surprised everyone with his understanding of Yiddish. When one enthusiastic party goer went up to Michel and told him how much she loved the film, she wished him mazel tov with it.  She said “you probably don’t know what that means.” He quipped back, “I’m a Jew from Paris…I do!,” as he laughed. The AFI party at the chic Little Door in West Hollywood was a hit.

Our LEAH SYDNEY spoke to James Cromwell, who plays the faithful butler in the universally loved silent film. He said:“There is such joy in this picture.  No cynicism and no irony.  It’s a straight telling of a wonderful story that people relate to because the audience creates the narrative. They create the story in their own head.  It’s not the screenwriter, it’s not the dialogue the actors say, it’s what they see inside the frame, the pictures and the montage.  Even in this jaded audience in Hollywood, they sat there in silence watching this silent film, exactly as they did in the 1920’s when the movie is set in.  This film is a magnificent work of art and a sheer delight.  I hope nobody misses it.”

AFI also premiered the Weinstein Company’s “My Week With Marilyn” at Grauman’s Theater in Hollywood.  Harvey Weinstein introduced Michelle Williams,  “Michelle has a four am call tomorrow in Detroit, but she is so gracious for being here.”  Michelle kept her comments brief and sweetly told  the crowd, “Thank you for being here, I hope you like it.”  Harvey then came back on stage and said, “I forgot to say how humble she is.”  Harvey surprised the crowd  with “a personal kick” with the famous pianist Lang Lang playing the “Marilyn Theme,” by the French film composer Alexandre Desplat.

Lang Lang then went to Disney Hall to play a concert.  Harvey then introduced the director Simon Curtis by saying, “This project took seven years to make, this is Simon’s from top to bottom.”  Simon was as lovely and brief as Michelle, “this is a dream of mine to premiere the film here. Again, I hope you like it!”  This amazing film will be released on November 23rd. The AFI premieres Fox Searchlight’s “Shame” and Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks/Paramount “Tintin” this week. They’re each in the Oscar hunt.

Screenwriter Steve Zaillian, accepting congratulations for his “Moneyball” and upcoming “Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” while being honored at the Final Draft Hall of Fame Award at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills.  Zaillian told us the hardest part about being a screenwriter?  “You’re alone a lot. That’s sometimes good and at times not so much.”

At the recent Hollywood Pantage’s opening of Twyla Tharp’s “Come Fly Away,” the Broadway hit featuring the vocals of Frank Sinatra and choreographed, conceived and directed by Tony Award winner Twyla Tharp, we caught up with Nancy and Tina Sinatra’s, the crooner’s daughters.  Frank Jr. was on the road. Nancy told Leah that “I’ve seen this show in four different cities, and it gets better each time I see it.  Just brings tears to my eyes every time. “  Tina agreed and added, “Twyla is truly talented.”

The Sunset Marquis hosted Cuba Gooding Jr and his upcoming “Red Tails” castmates Nate Parker and Elijah Kelley where they celebrated the launch of Playground Sessions — a new software  application that is poised to change the way people learn to play musical instruments. “Red Tails” is the George Lucas produced story of the Tuskegee Airmen which hits theaters in January.  The trio listened to the tunes of David Sides on the piano . Sides, a  Youtube sensation with over 15 million fans, is the face of Playground Sessions — which teaches people to play piano by teaching them pop songs by Beyonce, One Republic and The Jackson Five.  Playground Sessions app launches on November 1st.  Go to http://www.playgroundsessions.com/ for more info.

Fresh after her shabby treatment by “The Talk,” Holly Robinson Peete, is still popular as ever. She was given the Privilege Award by Hennessy for her tireless advocacy work on behalf of autism and Parkinson’s disease with her HollyRod Foundation, at the Chateau Marmont.

“Private Practice’s” Tim Daly is also the President of the The Creative Coalition. He hosted a book party for the new Creative Coalition book, “Art and Soul,” at  Ago restaurant in West Hollywood.

Actor Jason Priestly and  NFL sports reporter Jay Glazer talking fitness with former pro hockey player turned chiropractor, Max Health’s Dr. Robert Pomahac and celebrity trainer Randy Rene at Blu Jam restaurant in Hollywood.

Wireimage Founder and Photographer/Producer, Jeff Vespa, greeting guests Marisa Tomei, Rosario Dawson and David Arquette at his new Beverly Hills hot spot restaurant Pici Enoteca.

Brett Ratner Oscar Ouster: Bad Timing After Gil Cates’s Death

Roger Friedman
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Brett Ratner Oscar Ouster: Bad Timing After Gil Cates’s Death

Brett Ratner was ousted from his Oscar producer job on Tuesday. Why? He said a lot of things he shouldn’t. And unlike Mel Gibson, he was sorry for them immediately. Ratner was carried away by the adrenalin rush of the publicity for “Tower Heist.” He said homophobic and sexist things, some things that were just too coarse, and the Academy responded. Brett will be back, though. In five years, I predict he’ll get to produce the Academy Awards.

In the meantime, everyone’s learned from this. Words, as Mark Harris noted in his essay, carry consequences. In the new media world, every word is paid attention to carefully and instantly. Ratner should have learned from “Melancholia” director Lars  von Trier. His crazy Hitler-Nazi comments at the Cannes Film Festival were tweeted before people left the room. They played all over the world within minutes. Again, von Trier didn’t exactly apologize. Ratner was sorry instantly, and has already worked to make amends.

This couldn’t have been an easy day him. I’m told that rapper Heavy D, who died on Tuesday, was his good friend. That’s a lot to take in. And what a shame: the Ratner-Eddie Murphy Oscars would have been entertaining. But timing is everything–and after losing beloved Oscar producer Gil Cates less than a week ago, the Academy was probably more sensitive than ever to image issues.

Hugh Dancy, Nina Arianda Whip “Venus in Fur” Into Shape

Roger Friedman
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Hugh Dancy, Nina Arianda Whip “Venus in Fur” Into Shape

Another big Broadway bow: Hugh Dancy and Nina Arianda pretty much stole the week, and it’s only Tuesday. They opened the Manhattan Theater Club’s fall season with a wild rendition of David Ives’ “Venus in Fur.” Claire Danes (Mrs. Dancy), Christie Brinkley, Richard Kind, famed playwright Arthur Kopit, Gretchen Mol and Tod Williams, Dylan Baker, Joe Mantello, Michael Cerveris, and “True Blood” star Carrie Preston were in the audience to cheer them on, too. How wild is “Venus in Fur”? It’s sort of PG-13 S&M mixed with comedy. It’s a hilarious seesaw of power and empowerment as directed by Walter Bobbie. The show proceeds without an intermission as Dancy and Arianda are combatants, so to speak, in an audition space Off Broadway. Dancy’s Thomas is looking for actresses to play the lead in his show. Arianda’s Vanda, dressed in leather and carrying a bag full of costumes, shows up to audition for the role. She seems daffy, but soon it seems that Vanda is an onion with a lot of layers. Arianda, nominated for a Tony last season in “Born Yesterday,” is jaw dropping. Dancy, as I’ve said before, is a 10 year in the making overnight sensation. Tomorrow, long lines at the box office–and that’s if you can get in. MTC is a subscription theater.

 

 

 

 

Spider Man Lawsuit: Only Drudge, NY Post Honored Our Scoop

Roger Friedman
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A week ago, I learned that “Spider Man” director Julie Taymor was planning to sue the producers of the $75 million show. As a good reporter, I followed the story to its big moment this morning when the lawsuit was filed. Here on Showbiz411 I posted the scoop, the exclusive story, and waited. About 90 minutes later, the trades and then the Associated Press printed the story almost verbatim from mine. The Hollywood Reporter actually picked up language straight from my copy. None of this is new. Luckily, the Drudge Report linked to my story and featured it right away. Bravo.

And the New York Post! http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/former_spider_man_director_sues_qdvKbH4bUcKOIrorrjX17N

The time stamps all show that a lot of time followed my file. Sadly, none of those outlets, including the Associated Press, could bring themselves to credit Showbiz411. Oh well. Thanks to Drudge, and thanks to Hollywoodnews.com, which also linked to our early version of the story. I often wonder, when these things happen, what are these people thinking? Did they make the calls, see the people, take the notes? No, obviously. But what can you? This is the wild west of the internet. The irony is that Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood also did it. They’re suing the Hollywood Reporter for stealing stories. There’s no honor among thieves, you know.

Exclusive: Julie Taymor Files Suit Against “Spider Man” Producers

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Julie Taymor Files Suit Against “Spider Man” Producers

Exclusive: Showbiz411 has learned exclusively that director Julie Taymor has filed suit against the producers of the Broadway show she created, “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark.” I’m told that Taymor has named as the defendants Michael Cohl’s 8 Legged Productions. Taymor has been in arbitration negotiations for months trying to get some financial remuneration from the company. After creating the musical and working on it for nine years, she’s been paid just $150,000 for the production that carries a reported $70 million budget. Taymor was ousted by the producers last spring. Last week, the Tony Awards committee ruled that even though Taymor had been replaced as director of the show, only she qualified for a nomination. Developing…

Taymor’s attorney Charles Spada says: “As the lawsuit makes clear, the defendants have violated Ms. Taymor’s creative rights as an author of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.  Moreover, the producers have failed to compensate Ms. Taymor for their continued use of her work to date, despite the fact that the show has consistently played to capacity or near-capacity houses since its first public performance in November 2010.  Ms. Taymor regrets that the producers’ actions have left her no choice but to resort to legal recourse to protect her rights.  Ms. Taymor continues to support the talented and hardworking cast and crew, and she remains proud of her creative work on the production for over seven years, not only as an author, but as the director, mask designer, and collaborator.”

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