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Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams Get Oscar Buzz from Pals

Roger Friedman
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7
Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams Get Oscar Buzz from Pals

Harvey Weinstein prepared to fly to Los Angeles today to appeal the NC-17 rating for “Blue Valentine.” He’s bringing his lawyers and a lot of charm. Really, the idea of an NC-17 for Derek Cianfrance‘s searing, serious drama is utterly ridiculous. There’s racier stuff on “The Young and the Restless.”

But I digress: last night, “Blue Valentine”–a Sundance crowd pleaser–got its official premiere at the Museum of Modern Art, followed by one of the great parties of the fall season–thrown by Oscar guru Peggy Siegal–at the “Boom Boom Room” atop the Standard Hotel (the whole thing sponsored by Stoli Vodka and Quintessentially).

Stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams were both there, the first time they’ve been together, I think, since Sundance. Their eclectic audience included everyone from  Lance Bass (not together) to Lord and Lady Astor, Parker Posey, Jonathan Ames (he writes the “Bored to Death” series on HBO), “Half Nelson” co director Ryan Fleck, the movie’s producer Jamie Patricof, and “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively, who is dating Gosling.

Both Ryan and Michelle are consistently mentioned for Best Actor and Actress nominations. Academy members should be studying their “Blue Valentine” DVDs–which just arrived this week–to see how good they are.

Funniest bit of the night: Peggy Siegal, probably gaga from giving screenings, lunches and dinners every day and night., mistakenly introduced Gosling to the Astors as “Derek Cianfrance.” Then he was introduced to a couple more people that way. A good sport, and very polite, Ryan then chatted up his new friends as Cianfrance. He got a kick out of it. “It was some of my best work,” he told us later. “And no one got to see it!” He added, amused: “But you do it for the personal satisfaction. That’s the reward!”

PS Listen–we’re all tired. At dinner at the Standard Grill, I asked the blonde sitting with Gosling and another couple what she did for a living. Everyone started throwing things at me. “That’s Blake Lively,” they all yelled in unison. They were so right, and I was so amiss. For the record, Blake was excellent in “The Town.” I will write it 100 times on a blackboard!

Scientology Needs An Actor for Its Pitch Film

Roger Friedman
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Scientology Needs An Actor for Its Pitch Film

You know, most religions make industrial films to get new members. Doesn’t yours? The Jewish one was “Portnoy’s Complaint.” The Catholic one was “The Godfather.” The Protestant film was “Ordinary People.”

Now Scientology, which can call itself a religion based on its tax status, is shooting its own new pitch film. I’m told they do it all the time. They recently placed a casting call in the trades for an actor to star in such a film. Why they don’t call Tom Cruise or John Travolta is a mystery.

Anyway, the part is for a “Scientology Practitioner.” The description:  “Lead Male / 30 to 40 / Caucasian, Ethnically Ambiguous, Mixed, Multi-Ethnic     Looking for a handsome, athletic gentleman that has a military/rugged look with great stage presence and commanding voice. This is a very intense role so preferably with Theatre background.”

No mention of meeting Xenu, or even Travolta.

Pierce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer Will Join Sarah Jessica Parker Film

Roger Friedman
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Pierce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer Will Join Sarah Jessica Parker Film

Exclusive: Sarah Jessica Parker‘s next feature film is shaping up nicely.

SJP starts shooting “I Don’t Know How She Does It” in mid January, with Douglas McGrath directing. McGrath is the congenial man behind the “other” Truman Capote movie, called “Infamous” (well worth renting), “Nicholas Nickelby,” and “Emma” with Gwyneth Paltrow.

Now I’m told that Pierce Brosnan has signed on to the Weinstein Company feature as SJP’s love interest. Also being made an offer this week–and likely to accept–Kelsey Grammer. Kelsey is wrapping up a long run on Broadway in “La Cage Aux Folles,” and ready for a new challenge. I’m told that TWC’s Donna Gigliotti ran into him in the last few days and literally told him he was coming to work. She wants him!

For Parker, this film will set the tone for her post- “Sex and the City” career. Her past tries–“Family Stone,” “Failure to Launch”– fell a little short, But there’s no reason why she’s not a movie star of smart romantic comedies.

Exec Shake Up at Sony Music; Michael Jackson Album a Factor?

Roger Friedman
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Exec Shake Up at Sony Music; Michael Jackson Album a Factor?

Well, Barry Weiss is out at Sony-BMG-RCA- whatever. He’s leaving for Universal Music Group.

Barry was not a popular figure at Sony etc. And in the mix of candidates to replace Rolf Schmidt Holtz as head of Sony Music, Weiss was a candidate without porfolio.

What figured in his decision to leave? It might have been the Michael Jackson album. Rob Stringer actually pulled it off. The album is done, and it’s very good. It will sell like hotcakes, or IPads, or something. Stringer may be poised to take Schmidt-Holtz’s position now. His only competition within the company is Steve Barnett.

Weiss had a major blow out with a favorite Sony Music employee earlier this fall. It’s gone unreported so far, but suffice to say the whole saga didn’t set well anywhere. It may have just been timing and chemistry. At UMG, Barry could have loads of hits and smooth sailing. The industry reshuffles fast. There are second and third acts galore. Good luck to him.

More to come…

Michael Jackson’s New Album: It’s Out, and It’s Really Pretty Good

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s New Album: It’s Out, and It’s Really Pretty Good

Michael Jackson‘s new album, “Michael,” is out. I have my copy. And guess what? An electronics store in mid town Manhattan actually put a pile of them on sale today by accident. They were a week too soon– or “Much Too Soon” to quote a title from the new album. Anyway, after I told them, they put it away. My copy didn’t come from the store. (I was buying a camera.)

The best thing about the finished album: “Breaking News” is great. It’s all Michael singing all the way through it. Sony screwed up the mix on the Michael Jackson website last month, which sent his fans into shock. But the real mix is clearly Michael’s vocals from beginning to end. It’s a very good track.

The other tracks made with Eddie Cascio, first conceived by his brother Frank Cascio with co-writer James Porte, are excellent. Both “Keep Your Head Up” and “Monster,” the latter featuring 50 Cent, are destined for singles. Again, they are clearly all Michael. “Monster” is destined to be a Monster hit.

The other standouts are the Lenny Kravitz recording, “Another Day,” and “I Like the Way You Love Me.” The latter is a different version from the one known to fans, and on the video in this column. It’s been totally re-conceived. And it has a nice snippet of Michael talking on work tape. This also is so ready for radio play–it will be a welcome addition to the airwaves.

The sleeper track: a little funk number called “Behind the Mask.”

Considering all his complaining, I was surprised to find Michael’s nephew, Taryll Jackson, featured on a track. On the album’s liner notes, the album is dedicated to “Michael’s children, Katherine Jackson, and the entire Jackson family.”

Michael Jackson Free Fan Event Planned for Monday in New York

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Free Fan Event Planned for Monday in New York

With UPDATES

Even in death, Michael Jackson continues to collide with Paul McCartney.

I’m told that Sony has scheduled a listening party for their new Jackson album, called “Michael,” for December 13th.

That’s the same night that McCartney is making an historic appearance at the Apollo Theater to promote the 35th anniversary release of “Band on the Run.”

Oy.

The Jackson event is tentatively scheduled for the Roseland Ballroom on West 52nd St. And even though Michael won’t be there, my guess is the place will be full. No word yet on how to buy tickets or how much they might cost.

The event is FREE to fans. It’s first come, first serve, although some fans will get tickets if they buy albums through Best Buy. I’m not sure how that will work since the album is released the next day, but I guess it will be explained. I am told that some of the producers and musicians who worked on the CD will be there.

McCartney and Jackson’s feud goes back to the mid 1980s, when Michael asked his lawyer, John Branca, to buy the Beatles song catalog. He did, and the rest is history. Or misery, depending on how you look at it.

Meantime, the “Band on the Run” gift box- with the remastered CD, unreleased tracks and DVD–is really great. It’s as good a gift as the Beatles box set for McCartney fans. And on Sunday night, those fans included Steven Tyler, James Taylor, Mavis Staples and Gwen Stefani–all of whom serenaded McCartney with his hits at his Kennedy Center induction.

PS Don’t start calling Roseland today. They have no info yet.

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie “Tourist” Could Be $100 Mil Disaster in Waiting

Roger Friedman
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3
Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie “Tourist” Could Be $100 Mil Disaster in Waiting

Last night’s premiere of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in “The Tourist”? I can’t tell you anything about it. The press was banned from the inside of the theater and the party.

This, my friends, is a bad, bad sign. No one has seen this movie except last night’s audience, and some junketeers who were flown to Paris for a lavish you know what. Not one comment has been posted on Rotten Tomatoes. either.

The movie, directed by Oscar winner (“The Lives of Others”-Best Foreign Film) Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, opens in four days. So far, nothing has turned up about it anywhere. Talk about keeping a tight lid on a film!

My spy at the screening, usually optimistic about everything, told me: “It’s not very good. It’s just a lot of close ups of Angeline Jolie, getting on and off boats. Not much happens. It’s a strange performance.”

Negative remarks are starting to appear on the Internet Movie Data Base (www.imdb.com) message board for the film.

With international locales and two $20 million stars, “The Tourist” has to really earn a lot of money this weekend if it’s going to earn out.

Sony is having a good fall season with Oscar-bound “The Social Network” already over $90 million and growing.

But Sony also has Reese Witherspoon coming in James L. Brooks‘s “How Do You Know?” And the word on that film is even worse than it is on this one. Could Sony/Columbia Pictures be bracing itself for two big duds for Christmas?

Listen, it happens. A year from now they could have the two biggest holiday hits. It’s all about timing.

Brooks–many feel– is a genius, responsible for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Taxi,” “The Simpsons,” Tracey Ullmann’s shows, “As Good As It Gets,” “Terms of Endearment” and “Broadcast News.” But he’s had missteps, particularly with his most recent outing, “Spanglish.”

PS The premiere must have been weird. There were so few people to photograph aside from the cast of “The Tourist” (Jolie, Depp, Paul Bettany, celebrity spouses Brad Pitt and Jennifer Connelly) that the picture agency included shots of “Access Hollywood” correspondent Tony Potts.

UPDATE: Today’s Hollywood Reporter online has a total red carpet puff piece “story” about “what Jolie said to Depp on set” of the movie. This is hilarious. Only the Reporter and Variety were permitted to send reps into the movie. Puff, puff, puff.

Ronni Chasen: Murdered Publicist’s Dissed Niece Sends Us an Email

Roger Friedman
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1
Ronni Chasen: Murdered Publicist’s Dissed Niece Sends Us an Email

Ronni Chasen‘s dissed niece, Jill Cohen aka Jill Gatsby, has sent us an email.

It was reported that in Chasen’s will, Jill’s sister inherited everything. Jill received only $10 and a carefully worded amendment saying that’s what Chasen intended.

Ronni, as we all know, was murdered on November 16th in Beverly Hills. So far, the police they have no leads. But it seems like they tracked a person of interest to his hotel, after which the man committed suicide. Now they say this Harold had nothing to do with Ronni’s death. So who’s responsible for his death?

Anyway, Jill Gatsby‘s music videos turned up on the internet. TMZ suggested she wanted to sell her story. Here’s what Jill says:

“I wrote and performed that song for Ronni’s memory and for my family. I never imagined the press would pick up such an amateurish recording. The song was just something I did when I was sick with the flu and feeling helpless to do anything about my aunt’s death. I’ve been very sick with a virus and an ear infection ever since she was killed which is why I have responded to anyone.

“I loved my aunt Ronni very much. She was my favorite aunt and she was someone I admired in many ways. Everyone always said that we were so much alike that she could have been my mother. My dad always joked that I was her illegitimate daughter that he had raised in secret.

“As for the $10.00: that’s a real family secret regarding Ronni and my career as a writer which I am choosing to keep to myself at this time. My sister taught me forgiveness and love. She found a way to Ronni’s heart that no one else in our family ever could. Perhaps one day the whole truth will be told, but for now it’s time to mourn and pray that whoever did this is brought to justice.
All my best,
Jill Gatsby”

Jill also says she and her son have written a book called “The Adventures of Super Cellular” — available on amazon.com — “to help children with cancer. Fifty percent of the proceeds of this book are going to the City of Hope Children’s Hospital. I hope you’ll let everyone know about it. The book is for sale for $10.00 and hopefully this is a way to make a bit of good come out of something so terrible.”

Michael Jackson’s New Album Leaks Onto the Internet

Roger Friedman
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10
Michael Jackson’s New Album Leaks Onto the Internet

Michael Jackson’s new album, “Michael,” seems to be popping up around the internet a week before its release date.

I’ve found “Monster,” featuring 50 Cent, hiding in plain sight.

“The Way You Love Me” is on You Tube.

“Another Day,” written and produced by Lenny Kravitz, is also out there.

Add those to “Breaking News,” “Hold My Hand,” and “Much Too Soon,” already released by Sony. That’s six of the ten tracks.

The good news is, both “Monster” and “The Way You Love Me” are just great. “Monster” is one of the three Eddie Cascio tracks. “The Way You Love Me” is a classic Michael ballad that hearkens back to “I Can’t Just Stop Loving You” and “Got to Be There.”

And yes, all three Cascio tracks are sung by Michael. There are no imposters. The album version of “Breaking News” is a little different than the one that streamed last month on Michael’s website. It should convince everyone that it’s MJ himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_vUldQMIp4

Charlie Rose, Carl Bernstein, Chris Noth Among the Elaine’s Weekend Crowd

Roger Friedman
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2
Charlie Rose, Carl Bernstein, Chris Noth Among the Elaine’s Weekend Crowd

And so they’ve kept coming to Elaine’s all weekend to pay respects. And have dinner. Elaine wouldn’t like it if someone didn’t eat.

Saturday night: Charlie Rose came in with Arianna Huffington. The room was very crowded. Oft heard: “Who are all these people?”

Sunday night: Fuller than Saturday. Gay Talese at a table of New York Times types. Michelle Phillips, of Mamas and Papas fame, also of “Knots Landing,” still an incredible beauty, reminisced about coming into Elaine’s in the 70s with Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty. (Boy, to have been a fly on the wall then!)

Robert Altman‘s eternally elegant widow, Kathryn, came in with Sally Kellerman, who’s doing her cabaret show on Monday night at the Metropolitan Room on West 18th St. Kellerman, of course, played Hot Lips Houlihan in Altman’s “MASH” circa 1969. Famed choreographer Pat Burch was there with husband Bill Becker, of Janus Films.

Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein took a table in the back. Chris Noth huddled with buddies Steve Walter and Josh Gaspero, preparing their new Cutting Room for East 32nd St.

Scattered about: legendary photographer Harry Benson, mystery author Carol Higgins Clark, Yankees photographer Jessica Burstein, Elaine’s stalwart manager Diane Becker. The waiters are soldiering on, missing their leader.

Elaine, they’re coming in droves. But I’ll bet you know that.

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