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Shocker: “Mad Men” Is No Closer to Coming Back

Roger Friedman
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Shocker: “Mad Men” Is No Closer to Coming Back

As of yesterday, “Mad Men” was no closer to returning with new episodes than Mubarak was to resigning as president of Egypt. Actually, the latter will probably happen first. According to sources, AMC and Lionsgate still have no deal with the show’s creator and head writer, Matthew Weiner. Hello? I mean, what is the deal here? Before “Mad Men” came along, AMC was showing old Westerns. And Lions Gate, really: Carl Icahn was trying to destroy them, and their claim to fame was that “Precious” star Mo’Nique was the first Oscar winner with an apostophe in her name.

(One thing I really don’t get: unlike other cable shows, “Mad Men” will make an easy transition to syndication. There’s very little that has to be changed, not much overt sex and little bad language. You’d think all parties would want to get to at least a marketable 78 epsiodes–which means two more seasons. That would take the show, I’d think, to a natural conclusion at the end of 1969.)

Weiner and his staff won’t start writing new scripts until he has a deal, that’s just the way it works. It’s now February 4th. Last year, “Mad Men” began on July 15th. That date doesn’t look so possible right now. “Mad Men” fans want to see what happens next to Don Draper and friends. We are not happy. Also, how is it that AMC could have blown both the Golden Globes and SAG awards, losing everything to HBO and “Boardwalk Empire.” Happy as we are for Steve Buscemi…Man up, AMC andLions Gate. Let’s get going already….

Mick Jagger, Playdates, and Roberta Gets Flack at the Dakota

Roger Friedman
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0
Mick Jagger, Playdates, and Roberta Gets Flack at the Dakota

Mick Jagger is performing with Raphael Saadiq at the Grammys in memory of Solomon Burke. Jagger last performed at the Grammys 25 years ago. He and the Rolling Stones obviously owe their careers to American R&B, they’d be the first to tell us that. The Solomon Burke tribute is very nice, although the late rotund soul singer was more admired for his style than his actual chart hits. Solomon’s famous stage prop was a huge gold throne, a cape and a crown. Maybe Mick will don those items as a salute. Strangely, Keith Richards is not in this mix. Are they even speaking after Keith’s book lacerated Mick? You’d think Keith would be celebrating Solomon up there, too…

…Roberta Flack is being mistreated at the Dakota. I was very chagrined to read this in the New York Times. Alphonse Fletcher, Jr. is suing the famed New York apartment house. claiming racism. They wouldn’t let him buy another apartment, he says. He and Roberta are just about the only minority owners in the place. (Yoko doesn’t count, she came in with John originally and after all, her husband was murdered in the entry.) Who in the world would be stupid enough to mock or be unkind to Roberta Flack? It’s just unthinkable. And The Dakotans are supposed to be so sophisticated! Fletcher’s brother, Geoffrey, won an Oscar for writing “Precious.” That doesn’t impress the secretive Dakota board, I guess. Neither does the $80 million that Harvard grad Alphonse is worth. (No? Wow. I think we’re all impressed. Really.) Last spring, Fletcher gave the most elegant cocktail party for his brother, by the way. This whole thing is really bad, bad news for the Dakota board…

…Thelma Adams is the playful film critic and writer for US Weekly, and she’s a member of the New York Film Critics Circle. In her spare time she’s written a novel, called “Playdate.” It’s not about children. It’s about the parents messing around with each other. So far “Playdate,” which has Thelma’s comic voice clearly at its center, has been compared to “Little Children.” It’s that mixed in with “Desperate Housewives” and Susan Isaacs. On Monday night, our pal Warner Bros. pr guru Debbie Nathin managed to get all the publicists and editors and writers in town to lay down arms temporarily and raise a glass to Thelma. Congrats! Get “Playdate” on amazon.com or at a bookstore if you still know where one is…

Annette Bening, Geoffrey Rush Could Score Oscar Upsets

Roger Friedman
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Annette Bening, Geoffrey Rush Could Score Oscar Upsets

Oscar ballots went out this week to Academy members. “The King’s Speech” seems like a lock for Best Picture. There are also some definites: Colin Firth for Best Actor, Melissa Leo for Best Supporting Actress. But what’s still fluid and in flux? Judging  by past voting trends, there are two possible upsets: Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress.

In the former, Christian Bale was superlative as Dicky in “The Fighter.” But dial back to 1997 and “The English Patient.” Betting money had Lauren Bacall winning Best Supporting Actress for “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” The Hollywood legend had never won an Oscar, and there was a lot of support and sentiment for her. But “The English Patient,” like “The King’s Speech,” was a tsunami. It pulled Juliet Binoche in, surprising Bacall and her fans.

This could happen again. With Firth, the movie, and the original screenplay very solid, “The King’s Speech” may pull along Geoffrey Rush. Before Bale was on the scene, everyone thought Rush was a lock for Best Supporting Actor. It’s a long shot, but who knows? There are those who think Rush was equal to Firth in “The King’s Speech.” They may check off his name at the last minute. I wouldn’t blame them.

In Best Actress, Natalie Portman has lots of awards for “Black Swan.” She’s young, cute, and pregnant. She’ll have a long career. But there are plenty in the Academy who remember Annette Bening’s performances in “American Beauty” and “Being Julia,” her two best prior Oscar shots before “The Kids Are All Right”, as well as “The Grifters.” This should have been her year. How many times do we expect this woman to go through Oscar campaigns and come out a loser? Not only that: imagine the irony of Firth and Bening, who once co-starred in the dreadful “Valmont,” emerging together as winners years later. It’s delicious.

What else? Yes, we know Aaron Sorkin has Best Adapted Screenplay in hand for “The Social Network.” But who gets Best Director? Is it David Fincher, to split the vote, or Tom Hooper, following “The King’s Speech.” I’ve said this before: Fincher has the lower profile. A lot of people think Sorkin directed “The Social Network”; he’s the face of the film in the Oscar campaign. Hooper also has the DGA, which is hard to shake; rarely does the DGA winner lose the Oscar. Oh, those last two awards are nail biters. There won’t be an empty seat in the Kodak Theater when those announcements come.

The Real Sundance Bombs: “Ledge,” “Cedar Rapids,” “Salvation,” “Future”

Roger Friedman
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The Real Sundance Bombs: “Ledge,” “Cedar Rapids,” “Salvation,” “Future”

I told you all about the really good films we saw at Sundance 11 –“The Details,” “The Devil’s Double,” “Higher Ground,”  the Morgan Spurlock and Harry Belafonte docs, etc– and some of the even mildly interesting ones– “Martha Marcy Ray Marlene,” and so on. Here are a few of the failures, even those now bought for distribution.

Agonizing and disappointing is the only way to describe Miranda July’s “The Future.” Her “Me and You and Everyone We Know” was so much fun a few years ago. And “The Future” had promise galore. It’s narrated by a cat, so you know it’s eccentric. But it is a ghastly enterprise that has a little promise and goes nowhere. With July (real name Miranda Grossinger) and Hamish Linklater, it seems like the couple is cute and so is the premise. But there’s no there there. The movie also jumps the shark when Miranda’s character, for no reason, cheats on Hamish with a stranger. Just pfeh.

“The Ledge” was a mystery to me. Charlie Hunnam and Terrence Howard alternate storylines. The former wants to commit suicide. The latter was cuckolded by his wife. Enter Liv Tyler, who needs to pick better material. (She has so much potential, but no defined screen persona.) This film also has the worst lighting and production values. Yikes. None of it makes sense. I won’t give the ending away, but you will never see it either. This was a script either not thought through, or birthed in a haze of substances.

I could barely tolerate “Cedar Rapids,” a forthcoming Fox Searchlight film that seems like a branch of “The Office.” Fox Searchlight did pick up the very interesting “Another Earth” and “Homework,” two strong titles.  They also debuted Tom McCarthy‘s “Win Win” which is a win win. You can’t have everything. As usual, Ed Helms from “The Office” is a naif. John C. Reilly is a lout. The whole thing looks and sounds like an airplane movie. Sigourney Weaver, I know it’s tough out there, but really this is not necessary. Anne Heche needs to do serious dramatic work in indies. I still believe in her.

Equally quease-making was Greg Kinnear in “The Convincer,” with Alan Arkin helping to make this “Little Miss Sunshine” reunion collapse. This is supposed to be a ‘sting’ kinda movie with a big reveal toward the end. It’s too late. Bad title, and weird plot line about a rare violin. I don’t want to see Greg Kinnear thinking up any more get rich quick schemes, okay? Bob Balaban was very good as the violin appraiser. Otherwise, “The Convincer” strikes a sour note.

Finally, “Salvation Boulevard” is one of those not-funny wearying Christian send-up films. (I’m starting to feel sorry for the Christians.) Pierce Brosnan tries hard. Ed Harris and Marisa Tomei–who literally lights up the screen–are wasted. Greg Kinnear–yes, Greg, again–can do better. He also needs to start getting choosier. No redemption here.

And all these movies will be released. The trades and blogs were killing each other to report on which film went to which distributor. In these cases, really, it matters not. They will all be in DVD bins soon enough.

Michael Jackson Family Wrongful Death Suit “Gutted” by Judge

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Family Wrongful Death Suit “Gutted” by Judge

Before everyone gets too excited: the wrongful death suit brought by Katherine Jackson against AEG Live was allowed to proceed on Wednesday by Judge Yvette Palazuelos. However: little remains of the case. Katherine Jackson’s attempt to wrest millions from AEG Live was “gutted,” as on one observer described it. Not only that, but Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega was removed as a defendant by the judge. Also, the judge said in her remarks that she doubted the Jackson case had much left to it.

“If the object was to get him to rehearsals, I don’t see that as a wrongful or illegal act,” she said. The judge threw out the three complaints concerning fraud. What remains are three complaints concerning Dr. Conrad Murray. They’e gone to summary judgment. That means the judge will rule without a trial.

Katherine Jackson is no doubt frustrated by her attempts to sue someone in the death of her son, Michael. This didn’t help. The Jackson lawsuit would like to make AEG Live responsible for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray to care for Michael. But AEG Live never had a contract with Dr. Murray and never paid him. Michael Jackson died in Dr. Murray’s care before any of that could happen. The doctor, in fact, had already been in Michael’s employ.

The people who were following Michael Jackson’s progress during rehearsals for the “This Is It” tour by and large didn’t even know who Dr.Murray was on the day Michael died. This reporter can tell you that when I asked about him on June 25, 2009, everyone associated with the tour said, “Michael asked us to hire him. He brought him in.”

It’s going to be a rude awakening when everyone realizes that Michael Jackson, who’d abused his leverage with doctors for more than 20 years, brought about his own demise by making a deal with Murray. AEG Live had nothing to do with that.

Meantime, the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate are suing Mrs. Jackson and Howard Mann, her business partner, for violating their copyrights, etc.

Streisand is A Hot Grammy Ticket for MusiCares

Roger Friedman
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Streisand is A Hot Grammy Ticket for MusiCares

A Barbra Streisand concert? Sort of impossible to get into. If she has one.

But Streisand kicks off Grammy weekend when she receives the Person of the Year Award from MusiCares on February 11th. MusiCares is the foundation that takes care of musicians in need of anything from healthcare to assistance of all of kinds.

This is the way Person of the Year works–a couple dozen guest stars sing songs associated with the honoree. Then the night’s star usually does one or two numbers. I’m told Barbra is going to do a show. That is, after she designs the set, the lighting, the arrangements. You can actually win two tickets to this historic show — which takes place at the LA Convention Cener–at www.barbrastreisand.com.

A number of superstars are lined up already: Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck, Bebe Winans, Lee Ann Rimes, and Seal are among those on the list. Expect Neil Diamond to maybe show up–he was Person of the Year a couple of years ago. If Barry Gibb feels “Guilty” enough to join in, expect the Barbramaniacs to go wild.

A name I’d like to see: Gladys Knight, whose cover version of “The Way We Were” followed Barbra’s up the charts in 1974. That would be cool.

Streisand is such a great choice for MusiCares, because she is very philanthropic: she’s given millions to charity through her personal foundation.

I’m told MusiCares is readying a big announcement for right after the Grammys. They do what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn’t-they take care of the people who’ve entertained us.

The next night: the Clive Davis party, with NARAS, honoring David Geffen. There will be no sleep Grammy weekend! Davis’s party should include surprise performances by Rod Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, and Jamie Foxx but probably not Alicia Keys. Her “Element of Freedom” was mysteriously snubbed by the Grammy committee.

Late possible names for Clive Davis: Justin Bieber and Rihanna.

Woody Allen Cannes Premiere; Murdoch ‘Daily’ Launch Needs Flash

Roger Friedman
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0

Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” will open the Cannes Film Festival on May 11th. But of course! The French love Woody, and Woody has reciprocated with a movie about the City of Lights. France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, has a cameo. Can you imagine what the red carpet will be like? Sacre bleu! Marion Cotillard, the most famous French actress of this generation, is the star, along with Michael Sheen and Rachel McAdams. Owen Wilson is in it. Mon dieu! At the same time this morning, Rupert Murdoch debuted his new IPAd newspaper, The Daily. The slick live video presentation, if you watched it on a laptop PC, required Adobe Flash plug in. Apple, which makes the IPad, doesn’t support Flash. Steve Jobs hates Adobe. So. wtf, as they say? Initial impression: The Daily’s front page reminded me of US News and World Report. The inside looked like pictures and text, with some audio, video, and a blond news anchor. It’s like a website. Except it’s on the IPad. Maybe there’s more. I sure hope so. There is Sudoku and gossip.

Charlie Sheen: Should CBS Just Temporarily Replace Him?

Roger Friedman
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Charlie Sheen is supposed to be in a 90 day rehab. Reports says he’s doing the work at home, which sounds specious (the house is spacious). Also some reports say Sheen will be back to work on “Two and  A Half Men” in three to four weeks. Hmmmm….Not much rehab is going to get done.

Of course, CBS and Warner Bros. TV are nervous they won’t have first run episodes for April and May. Hundreds of people’s livelihoods are afffected by the stoppage of “Two and a Half Men.” I say: why not temporarily replace Charlie?

It’s not like continuity is so important to a sitcom. Indeed, Sheen was brought in to replace an ailing Michael J. Fox years ago on “Spin City.” He knows the game. The show must go on.

Since Jon Cryer is the stable part of the show, why not just say that brother Charlie has flipped for some woman and taken off to Fiji. Enter a cousin who needs a place to stay. The twist: the cousin is more straight laced than Cryer’s Alan. All kinds of hilarity could ensue as Alan acts more like Charlie to the cousin’s horror. So many good actors are available, out of work, and not needing rehab, why not give one a chance? Do it as a six episode arc. Matthew Broderick would be perfect the guest star.

Should Charlie Sheen be temporarily replaced so the cast and crew of “Two and a Half Men” can keep working? What do you think? Comment below.

Ricky Gervais is the Least of the Golden Globes’ Problems

Roger Friedman
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Ricky Gervais is having so much fun at the expense of the Golden Globes. But he’s the least of their problems. (Won’t it be hilarious if NBC forces the Globes to bring Gervais back as host next year?)

Yes, it seems like everyone is suing the Golden Globes. A recap: the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is being sued by its former publicist Michael Russell.  Now a charity called Stars for a Cause is also suing them. Russell got the HFPA involved with Stars for a Cause a few years ago.

But here’s a twist: one of the main beneficiaries of this Stars for a Cause, according to their Federal tax filings, has been…ta da..Michael Russell! Stars for a Cause has three Form 990s on file with guidestar, which records the finances of US charities.

In 2006, all the money donated to Stars for a Cause–$20,000–went to Michael Russell. In both 2007 and 2008, Stars for a Cause paid Russell $39,500. It does seem like, on paper, the cause involved in this charity was…Michael Russell.

Stars for a Cause is run by the Braunstein family–Beverly Hills attorney George Braunstein is their leader, and his wife and daughter are the officers.George Braunstein told me: “We pay Michael Russell for access to the stars. We wouldn’t have it other wise.”

In 2007, the Braunsteins had a celebrity auction (celebs autograph things) and raised $225,000. Of that, they gave $30,000 to the Hollywood Museum. Another $51,000 went to office expenses including a whopping $26,000 for postage. Braunstein was paid $4,050 for renting Stars for a Cause space in his law offices.

Braustein says the postage was for shipping rare prints to an art exhibit they sponsored.

In 2008, same deal, with a twist: the Braunsteins donated $60,000 to Friends of the Prince’s Trust. Their two other donations: $250 each to AIDS Project Los Angeles, and to Loyola High School.

Russell got his usual $39,500. George Braunstein paid himself $13,000 in legal fees, and $5,500 in rent. The charity listed a $75,000 deficit for the year.

Another line of expenses. coming to almost $9,000, was for travel and entertainment.

But what about Russell? It does seem from the Stars for a Cause Form 990 and the HFPA’s own filing that he was making substantially more in fees from Stars for a Cause than from the HFPA. Was Stars for a Cause paying him for his access to the Golden Globes, meaning movie stars who would promote their causes? Yes, Braunstein says. “Michael Russell had been in the business a long time and knew everyone.”

Braunstein says when Stars for a Cause files its Form 990 for 2010 donations to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief, UN World Progra, Greenpeace and Oxfam will be recorded. Each was tied specifically to a celebrity.

Kidman-Franco “Sweet Bird” on Broadway: Scooped Here First

Roger Friedman
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Yes, James Franco and Nicole Kidman are headed to Broadway this fall for Tennessee Williams’s “Sweet Bird of Youth.”

I told you that Franco was joining Kidman back on November 30th. Here’s the link: http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/11/30/nicole-kidman-may-get-james-franco-as-broadway-co-star

For some reason, Mike Fleming at Deadline Yesterday repurposed the story and didn’t give us credit. At Variety, Mike was the ultimate good guy! Something, or someone, has infected him. Get a Zpack, Mike!

Scott Rudin is producing “Sweet Bird,” and Franco and Kidman are committed to it. Rehearsals will really be scheduled around Franco’s fall classes at Yale.

Both Kidman and Franco are nominated for Oscars this month. It doesn’t look like either will win, but that’s just the circumstances. Each turned in winning performances. Franco’s “127 Hours” is getting an awards month push by Fox Searchlight. See this movie!  It’s not about someone cutting off their arm–that scene is seconds short and at the end of the film. It’s about life and survival. “127 Hours” is a great film.

Kidman does her best work in “Rabbit Hole.” It’s a fine film adaptation of an award winning play. Nicole scores a coup in “Rabbit Hole.” And the whole cast–Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard, Miles Teller– deserve kudos.

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