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UPDATE 11/5: Zohran Mamdani Era Starts with Socialist Using Bob Dylan’s “Times They Are A-Changin'” Without Permission in Election Day Video

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE 11/5: Zohran Mamdani Era Starts with Socialist Using Bob Dylan’s “Times They Are A-Changin'” Without Permission in Election Day Video

UPDATE: On Election Day I wrote a story about Zohran Mamdani using a Bob Dylan song for one of his videos that morning. The song was “The Times They Are A-Changin'” and it made it seem like Dylan had endorsed the Democratic Socialist candidate for Mayor of New York.

Dylan did no such thing. As I wrote that morning, that would never happen.

The great music writer from the New York Times Ben Sisario got the answer.

Ben found out that the Mamdani campaign asked for permission to use the song, but were denied. Apparently they didn’t care.

But hey– if you’re a socialist, everything is yours. So they took it anyway.

The song was removed after Universal Music Publishing found out what they’d done.

In a statement to the Times, a spokesman for UMPG said: “As a longstanding policy, we do not license Bob Dylan compositions for projects involving political figures.”

What a way for the Mamdani era to begin! Look out, New York!

MY STORY FROM 11/3: Bob Dylan has not ever endorsed a political candidate.

But Zohran Mamdani has swiped Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are A-Changin'” for his Twitter feed.

It’s unclear if Mamdani secured permission or cleared the copyright. He probably didn’t. The only time Dylan has ever spoken about politics is some praise for Barack Obama.

Dylan is also Jewish, and a longtime supporter of Israel. I doubt he has a positive opinion of Mamdani. And Dylan certainly doesn’t need free bus rides.

I have a call in to Dylan’s management for a comment. Will update ASAP.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Actually Thinks New Yorkers Will Move There After Today’s Election, Says (LOL) He’ll Put a Tariff On Them

Roger Friedman
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott Actually Thinks New Yorkers Will Move There After Today’s Election, Says (LOL) He’ll Put a Tariff On Them

Texas Governor Greg Abbott actually thinks New Yorkers give his state a thought.

He says on Twitter that after today’s election, he’ll place a tariff on New Yorkers who want to move to Texas.

This guy is really a joke.

New Yorkers wouldn’t move to Texas if space aliens landed in Central Park.

The state is a backwater, with looney tunes political policies and backwards ideas about race, women, and everything else.

It’s also hot as hell even during the winter.

Seriously, I know a young couple who were pregnant with their first child and lived in Austin. They moved to North Carolina before the baby was born because they were afraid — god forbid — that if something went wrong, Texas’s punitive medical laws could affect them.

The baby, I’m happy to report, entered the world healthy, and happy to be in a halfway normal state.

Abbott is one of the great oafs of the Republican party, an insult to the people of Texas who don’t subscribe to his asinine ideas. Maybe his cowboy hat is too tight.

Yee ha! Listen, Greg, no one’s leaving NYC after the election. We have the Yankees. You have the cheating Astros, case closed. We send you Broadway touring productions. You have to live with the fact that “Oklahoma!” is a famous musical. You’re known for cactus and trying to harm immigrants.

Paul McCartney Talks for First Time About 1980 Drug Arrest Trying to Enter Japan with Lots of Pot: “I Didn’t Want to Go There in the First Place”

Roger Friedman
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Paul McCartney Talks for First Time About 1980 Drug Arrest Trying to Enter Japan with Lots of Pot: “I Didn’t Want to Go There in the First Place”

Paul McCartney’s book, “Wings: Band on the Run,” is out today.

The book, edited Ted Widmer, is billed as an oral history of the post Beatles break up, how McCartney got on his feet in 1970 with his self titled first album, then the beloved “Ram,” the first Wings album “Wild Life,” and singles hits like “Hi Hi Hi” and “Live and Let Die.”

There’s a lot of stuff about the records. I didn’t realize my late friend Phil Ramone, one of the greatest record producers of all time, helped Paul make the brilliant single, “Another Day,” and a lot of “Ram.” Now it all makes sense.

Paul reminisces about the “war” he and John had when Lennon recorded “How Do You Sleep?” Paul was hurt. Then he wrote “Dear Friend,” which was conciliatory, and eventually the greatest songwriting duo in history mended their broken relationship. They were at John and Yoko’s apartment in the Dakota in 1976 when Lorne Michaels offered them money live on the air at “SNL” to come down to the show. They almost did it, then laughed it off.

McCartney says he convinced John to go back to Yoko after their 18 month split. John was in a relationship with May Pang, who might not be thrilled to hear Paul take credit for blowing up her life.

There’s a long passage of Paul talking about his 1980 arrest in Japan for trying to get a lot of marijuana through customs. He spent nine days in jail. He was booked for a Wings tour but says now he didn’t think the band was rehearsed enough and didn’t want to be there. He thinks he may subconsciously undermined the tour.

I asked Linda about the arrest in 1990, and I remember her telling me how frightened she and the family were. Paul jokes now that he worried he’d be sentenced and his kids would have to grow up in Japan.

Paul gives an unstinting account of his 9 days locked up, the likes of which I can ever recall reading anywhere else. He talks about the food, the bathing, and life behind bars with enormous candor.

Below are some cuts from the book about the Japan incident.

After the Beatles, what could anyone do to keep a music career going? And a successful one. Until “Band on the Run,” Paul was constantly castigated for not living up to his former life. But the tide turned, and what a career! What a catalog post-Beatles! After Wings folded, McCartney hit another stride with great albums like “Flowers in the Dirt” and “Flaming Pie.”

For McCartney fans, the book is gold. It will be followed this winter by a documentary on amazon.com.

Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers Isn’t “All Right Now,” Will Miss Rock Hall Induction, Adds Name to List of Players Not Showing Up

Roger Friedman
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Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers Isn’t “All Right Now,” Will Miss Rock Hall Induction, Adds Name to List of Players Not Showing Up

Paul Rodgers, the great leader of Bad Company and Free, will miss the Rock and Roll Hall o Fame induction ceremony this weekend in Los Angeles.

Rodgers wrote on Twitter/X today: “My hope was too be at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health. I have no problem singing, it’s the stress of everything else. Thank you for understanding.”

Everyone hopes he’s okay because Rodgers, a lovely guy, is also one of rock and roll’s unsung heroes. In addition to heading up Bad Company, his earlier group, Free, had the immortal hit, “All Right Now.” The song is one of the greats that’s used in a million commercials and never gets old.

Rodgers isn’t the only inductee who won’t be present this year. Chubby Checker, who was made to wait decades, refuses to come. He’s also refused to do interviews. He’s been a big disappointment.

Famed Phil Spector Wall of Sound bass player Carol Kaye is also skipping the ceremony.

Also not showing up: Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, Warren Zevon, and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden because they’re all dead. The Rock Hall waited too long in the case of everyone except Cornell.

Again, Chubby Checker is really a you know what. Newish Rock Hall chief John Sykes really worked hard on correcting that mistake. Chubby wasn’t gracious enough to say thank you and accept the award.

LOL on Google AI, it says the event already happened on November 8th. Today is Novembe4 4th. AI will be the death of us, remember I said that when we’re all gone.

WATCH Exclusive Interview with Woody Allen on Diane Keaton, Why He Doesn’t Like “Mighty Aphrodite,” A Possible 51st Movie

Roger Friedman
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WATCH Exclusive Interview with Woody Allen on Diane Keaton, Why He Doesn’t Like “Mighty Aphrodite,” A Possible 51st Movie

This story and video copyright c2025 Showbiz411.com

Woody Allen is turning 90 on December 1st.

He doesn’t want us to jinx him, so we won’t emphasize it.

He’s just published his first novel, “What’s With Baum,” which could be adapted into a movie instantly. He says, “The only problem is I’m too old to play the lead.”

My friend Neil Rosen — of PBS stations’ Talking Pictures — and I were welcomed to Woody’s East Side townhouse on October 16th. We talked about his life in depth, about all his movies, and his stand up comedy career. Woody is relaxed throughout the 90 minute interview as he reminisces and remarks about his many triumphs. Included in those are the 50 movies he’s made, winning the Oscar for “Annie Hall,” and the many actors he’s worked with.

For New Yorkers of a certain age, Woody Allen remains a giant part of our psyche. In the 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 2000s, people lined up around the block at theaters like the Beekman, Coronet, and Baronet to be the first to see his latest movie. “Annie Hall” is so deeply embedded in our minds, that Diane Keaton’s recent death seemed personal.

We talked about the great restaurant, Elaine’s, where he told us he met Simone de Beauvoir, the famous philosopher. Imagine if there had been cameras in the phones then!  Or even phones! Woody says of the great eatery, “I was the least famous person there.”

Woody also talks about how he arrived at his famous opening title cards in black and white with the Windsor font. (Neil had the clever idea of using the same for our interview.)

I got Woody to tell the story of how he used to rehearse the clarinet as he toured the country for his early stand up comedy routines. He bought a new turntable in each town to play the records. And left them there for unsuspecting clean up crews!

We also talk about his dear friends Keaton and Tony Roberts, of course. And which of his solo performances he actually likes (not many). He’s also not a fan of “Mighty Aphrodite,” as it turns out, even though it was a box office hit and won Mira Sorvino an Oscar — one of many Oscars actors have won in his movies.

“Midnight in Paris” — better not live in an era without vaccines, air conditioning, or dry cleaning!

Happy Birthday, Woody! And thank you for this momentous visit.

PS In April 2024, I did a smaller interview with Woody that wasn’t on film. He allowed me to take a photo of him at his desk, sitting with the famous typewriter upon which he’s written everything — everything — since he was 16. He says there’s still store in Union Square that sells the ribbons!

Here’s the Full Trump Interview with Norah O’Donnell from “60 Minutes” — He Defends Every Horrible Thing He’s Done

Roger Friedman
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Here’s the Full Trump Interview with Norah O’Donnell from “60 Minutes” — He Defends Every Horrible Thing He’s Done

It’s worth watching the whole interview.

Norah O’Donnell did a great job in a thankless position. What was left out of the broadcast interview was Trump insulting CBS and 60 Minutes, which he thought would now be easy pickings.

Trump is fulfilling his promise to destroy the country. He lies about everything, rationalizes all the terrible things he’s done, and promises more.

MAGA should be thrilled. O’Donnell pointed out the red states are losing their food stamps and SNAP. Trump just blames the Democrats and calls Biden names.

But the truth is, if the Democrats capitulate, those red state people will lose their health insurance. If they lose Obamacare, they’ll be without coverage. Are they just too stupid to get it? Wake up, MAGA. You’re in a lose-lose situation.

Britney Spears Removes Instagram Account as Kevin Federline’s Tell All Book About their Marriage Sells Few Copies

Roger Friedman
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Britney Spears Removes Instagram Account as Kevin Federline’s Tell All Book About their Marriage Sells Few Copies

Fears for Spears.

Pop icon Britney Spears has taken down her Instagram account.

It’s gone. Her Twitter account has not been touched since October 16th, two weeks ago.

Britney was having a bad time with ex husband Kevin Federline’s attempt to cash in with a tell all book.

But “You Thought You Knew” has sold few copies. It’s number 5,701 on amazon, a total sales disaster. No one wanted it. Few believed his revelations and accusations. It was clearly a bid to make money off of Spears’s mental anguish.

So where is Britney’s Instagram account? She wrote rebuttals to Federline there, posted endless pictures of herself dancing in skimpy clothing, and making wacky pronouncements.

Will the account return? Will Britney? Time will tell…

Britney Spears Accuses Ex Husband of “Gaslighting” as He Peddles Sleazy Tell All Book in the New York Times, Of All Places

Trump Hoped “60” Minutes Would Softball Him, But Says In Interview ICE Raids Not Tough Enough: Tear Gas, Smashed Windows OK, Calls Many “Murderers”

Roger Friedman
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Trump Hoped “60” Minutes Would Softball Him, But Says In Interview ICE Raids Not Tough Enough: Tear Gas, Smashed Windows OK, Calls Many “Murderers”

Donald Trump probably thought 60 Minutes would just throw him softballs tonight since he won a settlement from them and installed his pals as owners of CBS.

But early clips show Norah O’Donnell doing the right thing, and eliciting alarming answers from him.

She presses him on the way ICE agents have been treating people in the streets — as part of his crackdown on immigration, ICE agents have raided neighborhoods throughout the U.S. One video shows a mother being tackled by an agent. Tear gas was used in a Chicago residential neighborhood. Car windows have been smashed to grab drivers.

Trump is unapologetic when asked if they’ve gone too far.

“I think they haven’t gone far enough because we’ve been held back by the judges, by the liberal judges that were put in by Biden and by Obama,” Trump says.

Why? “because you have to get the people out.” He then describes some of them as murders, a charge for which he has no proof.

60 Minutes airs tonight at 7pm in some markets and 7:30 in others. Keep refreshing…

Famed Director Woody Allen on NY Election and Mamdani: “His basic thrust is humane. I don’t know if he can handle New York City”

Roger Friedman
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Famed Director Woody Allen on NY Election and Mamdani: “His basic thrust is humane. I don’t know if he can handle New York City”

EXCLUSIVE Famed film director Woody Allen, a lifelong New Yorker, has his opinions about Tuesday’s mayoral race.

In a wide ranging interview with this reporter and film critic Neil Rosen, the almost 90 year old Oscar winner covered more material about his career than ever.

The 90 minute interview will post Monday morning, and it’s full of stories no one’s ever heard before. The interview was conducted on October 16th in Allen’s home.

Contrary to reports, there was no indication that he was making a new film in Spain.

Toward the end of the interview, we discussed the upcoming mayoral election in New York.

Here’s what Woody had to say: “We’re going through a tricky period. I think it’s a neck and neck race. I’m not as sanguine as I used to be.”

Does he keep up with current events, we asked?

“I watch the news,” he said in answer to the question. “I’m a Cuomo voter. I think he’ll do better for New York than Mamdani. Maybe he’ll be fine. His basic thrust is humane. I don’t know if he can handle New York City, it’s such a problematic city to handle and such a tough city to handle. We’ve had some mayors that could do it, but some that couldn’t. I hope he’s able to. I have more faith in Cuomo. He’s a better choice to run New York.”

Allen also addressed comments he’d made about Donald Trump recently. Trump had a cameo in Woody’s movie, “Celebrity,” starring Kenneth Branagh and Leonardo Di Caprio.

Woody said: “I voted for Kamala Harris. I’m a Democrat. But as a performer he [Trump was polite, efficient. He did all the right things. He has a theatrical personality. On the theatrical matters, he was fine.”

Allen said he wouldn’t mind directing him again — presumably when Trump is out of office.

More from “A Conversation with Woody Allen” Monday morning. He talks about all his movies, late friends Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts, and whether or not he liked his own performances in the bulk of his amazing 50 films.

Trump Expects World Series Winners Dodgers to Come to The White House Again, But Shutdown and ICE May Be a Factor This Time

Roger Friedman
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Trump Expects World Series Winners Dodgers to Come to The White House Again, But Shutdown and ICE May Be a Factor This Time

Donald Trump expects the World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers to come see him in The White House.

But will they go? Many of them are persons of color and immigrants. Trump has attacked both groups viciously, especially in Los Angeles where ICE has been merciless in kidnappings, arrest, and deportations. He’s also now withholding food stamp payments during the longest government shutdown in history.

Some of the players may accept the invitation, but it would be easy to excuse them. Indeed, actually going might be the best look.

Nevertheless, we’ve seen athletes who’ve supported Trump in the past including former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera.

Will the Dodgers come see the demolished East Wing and eat Big Macs? Will Barron make an appearance to meet the players? Or will he remain a ghost?

Many championship teams skipped the White House visit during Trump’s first term. Last April, however, the Dodgers did show up when they came to play the Washington Nationals. But that was before Trump’s authoritarian regime was in full force.

Trump wrote:

“Congratulations to the L.A. Dodgers, a game won by incredible CHAMPIONS!!! A lesser group of men would never have been able to win that game, or game 6, for that matter. So many stars made it all happen. Also, congratulations to ownership. What a great job they have done. SEE YOU ALL AT THE WHITE HOUSE!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

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