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ABC’s “Modern Family” Finale Beaten in Ratings by CBS’s “Survivor,” NBC’s Dick Wolf “Chicago” Shows
The dingbats at ABC scheduled the “Modern Family” series finale against the first night of Passover, when modern families would be having seders. They got what they deserved. The two hour special came in third among the big three networks. You reap what you sow. Would they have scheduled that finale for Christmas or Easter? No. But Passover? Who cares, right?
“Modern Family” kept ABC afloat for years not only with ratings but with awards galore. So you’d think ABC would think through the finale. Instead, they pissed it away.
The series finale was beaten handily by NBC’s Dick Wolf “Chicago” shows, and by CBS’s “Survivor.”
Wolf’s shows averaged over 8.9 million viewers from 8 to 10pm. “Survivor” had 7.784 million from 8 to 9pm.
“Modern Family” did 6.7 million total viewers from 8 to 9pm, and 7.4 million from 9 to 10pm.
The show that followed, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” with Jimmy Kimmel, sank to 6.3 million viewers at 10pm. The main guest was “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet, with the show’s head writer Danny Zuker. The pair alluded to a possible new show they were working on together. If they’re smart, it won’t be on ABC.
BREAKING Joy Behar Says She’s Not Stepping Down from “The View” in 2022: “Reports of my retirement are greatly exaggerated”
Joy Behar is not leaving “The View” in 2022. Live, on the show in the last half hour, Joy said, “Reports of my retirement are greatly exaggerated.”
Whoopi Goldberg told Joy live on the show– on which the four hosts are being broadcast from home — that she wouldn’t allow it, and the others agreed.
Behar said, “I told the reporter who asked me that if I’m feeling [this well] in 2022, I won’t be going anywhere.” I’m paraphrasing here but Joy said something like, “I won’t even watch reruns of Love Boat at this point!”
The retirement headline came from an interview Variety editor Ramin Setoodeh– who’s very good at what he does– conducted for the paperback version of his book called “Ladies Who Punch.” But there was some miscommunication there, or Behar may have over spoken in the interview.
Well, Joy will only be 80 in 2022, and I hope she never stops being a tremendous voice for all of us on “The View” every day!
Our @JoyVBehar sets the record straight on rumors she’s leaving @TheView: “I’m not leaving the show!”
“The rumors of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated.” https://t.co/f8u2wbJuik pic.twitter.com/fRGvrgFBr8
— The View (@TheView) April 9, 2020
In Strange, Over Produced New Video, Madonna Mumbles, Says She’s Lost Three Friends, and “I’m Over It”
Madonna is losing her mind. In a very strange, over produced new video, she mumbles she’s lost three friends (unclear if to corona virus) and that she’s “over it.” She says, “I’m over it.” She is entirely disconnected from reality. Every single music star who isn’t ailing has done something positive so far. They’ve given impromptu on line concerts, made PSAs, participated in fundraisers, started fundraisers. All of her so called enemies– Lady Gaga, Elton John, and so on– are busy digging in for the cause. Madonna, however, is “over it.” I think we’re over it, too. 1, 2, cha cha cha.
…………… #quarantine #covid19 #stayhome #staysafe #ncrfilms pic.twitter.com/FYlrhPmyhu
— Madonna (@Madonna) April 9, 2020
Message in a Bottle: Sting’s Las Vegas Residency at Caesar’s Moves from May 22 to August 15th
The coronavirus had better be over by August 15th. That’s the new date for Sting’s Las Vegas Residency at Caesar’s Palace.
“My Songs” was supposed to start on May 22nd, but that can’t happen given the world situation. So the shows have been moved to mid August, when it’s nice and hot and humid. I’m up for that!
By August, Sting will have turned colors not performing anywhere. His musical, “The Last Ship,” got dry docked in San Francisco in March and never made it to Washington, DC, Detroit, or Minneapolis. Maybe next year.
In the meantime, you can buy the “My Songs” CD or stream it on your favorite platform.
Watch: Julia Louis Dreyfus Will Get Some Award for This PSA to Stay Safe, Stay Home in California
This helped me just now during a very stressful morning. Thanks Julia!
Thanks & happy to help get the message out. 👍🏽 https://t.co/QIMhpvWsRz
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) April 8, 2020
Broadway Shutdown Will Continue Until June 7th, “Diana” Musical Producer Vows “We Shall Return,” Famed Eatery Tweets “Oy”
The Broadway shutdown will continue past April 12th until June 7th. That’s the same day the Tony Awards would have been presented.
Frank Marshall, producer of the musical “Diana,” about Princess Diana, tweeted: “We shall return!”
Famed Great White Way eatery Joe Allen tweeted: “Oy.” Joe Allen– he’s a real person– also has Orso and Bar Centrale, the three most popular places to break bread when the curtain comes down. They already suffered last winter from a boiler issue that curtailed their kitchen. That’s fixed, and now this. Oy! is right.
“Beetlejuice” was supposed to close anyway on June 6th. So they are closed now, but not forever. Everyone hopes they’ll find a new theater next season and return.
Many shows that were supposed to open this spring have been moved to the fall, with a lot of finger crossing. Those include the much anticipated revival of “Company.”
Some new shows are up in the air. They include the mega production of “The Music Man” with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. Also, “MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical,” which already wasn’t selling well in advance of its August opening. Maybe sales will pick up because audiences will be hungry for shows.
The long closure of shows impacts every business for blocks and blocks in every direction, not to mention our friends who run PR and marketing firms. But Broadway will come back bigger and brighter than ever! Please God!
We shall return! https://t.co/4oTfMQzZsW
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) April 8, 2020
RIP Willie Wilkerson, Aretha Franklin’s Long Time Love and Road Manager, Former Fireman and Vet, Dies at 72 from CoronaVirus
Willie Wilkerson, one of the best people I’ve ever known, passed away this morning in Detroit at the age of 72. The cause was complications from coronavirus.
Willie was known to just about everyone in the music world as Aretha Franklin’s long time love, and road manager. Since 1987 they were literally velcro’d together. They dated for many years, he was always by her side. I can tell you from personal knowledge they really loved each other. When Aretha was ailing two years ago, Willie was one of the few people right there.
A little over a year ago, Willie– who has lovely grown daughters– was lucky enough to find love again. He married Doris Ogburn and they merged their families. It was a real love story, and the pair had great plans for the future. On March 23rd, Willie called me to see if I was alright in New York, to check in on my family. He was feeling fine, he told me. And then it all went out the window.
Willie served in Vietnam, and then became a Detroit fireman for over 20 years. I don’t think there is anyone in Detroit who didn’t know him. He was so proud of living there. He took me on quite a tour in July 2018 when I went to say goodbye to Aretha. He was a great friend. He was also such an outgoing, bighearted, gregarious guy. He just loved everything. When I think of him, he’s grinning. He was always smiling, even when the band’s instruments were missing, or the charts were upside down, or Aretha didn’t have something she needed. He handled every crisis with grace and humor.
I know a lot of people in Aretha’s and Willie’s world are going to be in tears this morning, especially “the guys” who worked with him, like his friend Hilton Kincaid. They are went through a lot together.
The great Detroit photographer Linda Solomon sent me some pictures this morning that I’ve included. Willie, I am so mad, and sad. This is not the way it was supposed to be.
RIP Actor Allen Garfield, 80, from Coronavirus, Had Key Roles in “Nashville,” “The Candidate,” “The Stunt Man”
It seems like actor Allen Garfield, who was in movie after movie in the 70s and 80s, is one of two coronavirus deaths at the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills, California. He’d been living there for some time after two strokes in recent years. He was 80 years old.
Ronee Blakely wrote on Twitter: “RIP Allen Garfield, the great actor who played my husband in “Nashville”, has died today of Covid; I hang my head in tears; condolences to family and friends; I will post more later; cast and crew, sending love.”
It was a memorable turn in a long list of performances for the journeyman actor. His acting career started in 1968 with “Putney Swope,” and from there he worked constantly in a period filled with classic movies. Garfield had key roles in Robert Redford’s “The Candidate” and in “The Stuntman,” among other films.
UPDATED: Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen Mourn Beloved Singer Songwriter John Prine, Dead at Age 73 After Magnificent Career Renaissance
UPDATE 11:27PM Bonnie Raitt writes on Twitter: “Words can’t even come close. I’m crushed by the loss of my dear friend, John. My heart and love go out to Fiona and all the family. For all of us whose hearts are breaking, we will keep singing his songs and holding him near.
Bruce Springsteen: Over here on E Street, we are crushed by the loss of John Prine. John and I were “New Dylans” together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the loveliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family.
EARLIER:
I’m so sad to report that John Prine has succumbed to coronavirus at age 73. He had such a magnificent renaisssance in the last couple of years, this is a cruel way to go out.
Condolences to his wife Fiona, his family, and friends.
For years John laid low and had a cult following, and was not much in the public eye. But his return over the last two years with a great new album, “Tree of Forgiveness,” won him new fans, reactivated old fans, and brought him awards and accolades.
John’s hundreds of songs included two that will stand out forever: “Angel from Montgomery” and “Hello in There.” He won two Grammy Awards and was nominated for 9 more.
Wikipedia notes that during 2005 at the request of U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, John Prine became the first singer/songwriter to read and perform at the Library of Congress.
Most people became aware of John when Bette Midler included “Hello in There” on her debut album that year, “The Divine Miss M.” Here she is:
So many people have recorded “Angel from Montgomery” besides John, but I always think of Bonnie Raitt as the main cover artist. Carly Simon included a great one on her box set. Here’s Bonnie:
And here’s John with Emmylou Harris: