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Rock & Roll Superstar Rick Derringer Dies at 77, Famous for “Hang on Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo”

Roger Friedman
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Rock & Roll Superstar Rick Derringer Dies at 77, Famous for “Hang on Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo”

Sad to say famed guitarist Rick Derringer has died at age 77.

Rick was famous for the song, “Hang On Sloopy” when his band was called The McCoys in the mid 60s.

He struck gold again in the mid 70s as a solo artist with a monster hit, “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo.”

Around the same time, Rick had a total Renaissance, playing with the Edgar Winter Group on their huge hits, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” His credits include dozens of other albums and singles you can look up in Wikipedia.

I knew Rick a little bit. For many years he was married to Liz Derringer, a PR maven and popular New York celebrity herself. They were a hot rock couple of the 70s.

Liz tells me: “Rick was not only an amazing guitarist, he was a great person. We spent 25 incredible years together. I am so saddened by his passing. He will remain in my heart forever.”

Condolences to Liz and Rick’s entire family. He was a star.

Cast Set for “Harry Potter” HBO Series Has Big Shoes to Fill with Harry, Ron, Hermione Named

Roger Friedman
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Cast Set for “Harry Potter” HBO Series Has Big Shoes to Fill with Harry, Ron, Hermione Named

There’s a new Harry Potter trio.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout are your new Hermione, Harry, and Ron for the HBO series based on the original books by JK Rowling (who everyone hates now) and the movies.

Two acting greats — John Lithgow, Janet McTeer — plysy Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon, and Paul Whitehouse have already been cast as the Hogwarts adults.

The producers of the series say: “After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”

A whole new generation of “Harry Potter” fans will have access to the stories that made the books and movies so popular. After all, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint are a little long in the tooth to reprise their roles!

Rod Stewart, Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani Save an Otherwise Gruesome American Music Awards

Roger Friedman
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Rod Stewart, Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani Save an Otherwise Gruesome American Music Awards

If I see Bensom Boone do one more flip on stage, I will flip — out.

Boone’s one trick pony show continued tonight on the American Music Awards, the first edition in a few years.

Jennifer Lopez hosted for no reason, wandering in looking beautiful after performing a pedestrian medley of other people’s hits.

Dylan Efron, Zac’s brother, is being turned into a pitchman. He introduced commercials.

The totally strange set up was saved only by three veterans who put their all into the show: Rod Stewart, Janet Jackson, and Gwen Stefani.

Otherwise, there was no show. Several winners weren’t present but sent videos because these awards are not surprises. The whole thing always was and is still rigged. SZA and Boone were pretty much guaranteed wins because they were there in person.

Janet Jackson really pulled off a great commercial for her live touring show. She just turned 59 but God bless her, she’s still got it.

Rod Stewart sang his Bob Dylan collaboration, “Forever Young.” But he included live bagpipes and violin playing hotties. Rod’s voice is sporadic but his enthusiasm is undimmed. The whole thing was a hoot.

Rod was greeted on stage by several of his adult children, who he didn’t expect to see. Who was missing? Wife Penny Lancaster. She wasn’t even sitting with him in the audience. He was stuck between two unidentified brunettes.

The AMAs are Walmart to the Grammys’ Tiffany’s. Tonight they only gave out a few awards, the rest were a mystery. The show stopped short at two hours. It was all very random. Many presenters were “influencers” no one has heard of.

I didn’t expect much, so I wasn’t disappointed. There was enough time to switch over to the Yankees-LA Athletics game, so I’m grateful.

Were there winners? Who knows? Who cares? CBS filled a couple of hours cheaply, which seemed to be the point.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eV6Q5Hen-0E

Disgraced Congressman George Santos Says He Can’t Get a Trump Pardon — Unless Of Course He’s Lying

Roger Friedman
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Disgraced Congressman George Santos Says He Can’t Get a Trump Pardon — Unless Of Course He’s Lying

Poor George Santos.

The short lived Long Island Republican congressman can’t get Donald Trump on the phone to ask for a pardon.

Santos, an unrepentant liar — and sometime cross dresser — was bounced from Congress last year. He was convicted in federal court on counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos — who pleaded guilty — was ordered to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $373,749.97 and $205,002.97 in forfeiture.

Santos begins his prison stretch in 61 days.

He thought he might get a pardon from Trump, who sets loose almost all criminals who kowtow to him. He just did the same for New York Mayor Adams, now his puppet.

Santos wrote on social media that he thought of going to Trump, but didn’t want to waste the next two months trying to get through to him. Sounds like he did try, and heard crickets.

He says “the so called friends that said they’d help legit should have just told me to go fuck myself, because that’s what has essentially happened with their actions.”

That’s sad. But what would be the upside of helping Santos? He’s cooked. When he gets out of jail he might sell a book. But no one would interview him. He’s an inveterate criminal.

It’s funny to think even Trump has his limits!

Santos’s Long Island district was flipped blue in February 2024.

Broadway Report: R&B Great Usher, Broadway Legend Savion Glover Honor The Great Ben Vereen with Chita Rivera Award

Regina Weinreich
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Broadway Report: R&B Great Usher, Broadway Legend Savion Glover Honor The Great Ben Vereen with Chita Rivera Award

What in the world would bring R&B superstar Usher to NYU’s Skirball Center?

Answer: Tony winner Ben Vereen, who last week received a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Chita Rivera Awards.

Usher, you may not know, is Vereen’s godson. The alaways hot Usher recounted Vereen’s valuable efforts to straighten the young man’s path when he was young. And what was the message of the night, loud and clear at the Chita Rivera Awards to dancers, choreographers, musical ensembles: The Arts Must Be Protected.

Who else was there for Vereen, who will always be remembered for “Pippin,” among other shows: another Tony winner, Savion Glover, who tapdanced his heart out.

Vy Higginsen’s famous Sing Harlem Choir performed “Let the Sunshine In/ This Little Light of Mine.”

When they finished, Vereen exclaimed, “We had Chuch!” removing the R.

Vereen could not have paid higher homage to his late friend, Chita Rivera, who used to say her favorite place to be was a roomful of dancers.

He also carried the message that our country is in trouble; we must take this upon ourselves to keep the lifeline of dance and all the arts pulsing.

At the Skirball Center, there were dancers galore! And wonderful performances: from “Boop! The Musical,” Jasmine Amy Rogers and Ainsley Melham’s “Where I Want to Be.”

Two time Emmy winner and comic writer Bruce Vilanch introduced a dance from what he called the “Godzilla” of mothers, Mama Rose, from “Gypsy.” The Mothers theme became a “Mom Medley” for Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Kevin Csolak, who plays Tulsa in the revival starring Audra McDonald, performed “All I Need is the Girl,” channeling Gene Kelly. Csolak went on to win the award for Outstanding Broadway Dancer, shared with Robyn Hurder from “Smash.”

From “Swept Away,” an underappreciated musical (The Avett Brothers), Adrian Blake Enscoe and Cameron Johnson performed movement inspired by the play’s theme, a deadly shipwreck. Yes, that fine chamber play about sacrifice and salvation at sea featured sailors vying for survival amidst turbulent waters, with beautiful work by choreographer David Neumann, was awarded the Douglas & Ethel Watt Critics’ Choice Award.

Bob Fosse’s spirit was never far away. And neither were his children with dancer Gwen Verdon: Nicole and Noah Fosse introduced Khori Petinaud in a balletic “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.” For entertainment, you could not have a better benefit event. For philanthropy, you could not have a more meaningful cause than the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation Scholarship Program and its latest creation, the new Chita Rivera Training Scholarship.

As to the winners:

BROADWAY

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY IN A BROADWAY SHOW
Joshua Bergasse, Smash
Warren Carlyle, Pirates! The Penzance Musical
**Patricia Delgado /Justin Peck, Buena Vista Social Club
Christopher Gattelli, Death Becomes Her
Shannon Lewis, Just In Time
Jerry Mitchell, Boop! The Musical
Rickey Tripp / DeWitt Fleming, Jr., A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical

OUTSTANDING DANCER IN A BROADWAY SHOW
Angélica Beliard, Buena Vista Social Club
**Kevin Csolak, Gypsy
Carlos Falú, Buena Vista Social Club
DeWitt Fleming, Jr., A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
Jonathan Groff, Just In Time
**Robyn Hurder, Smash
Héctor Juan Maisonet, Buena Vista Social Club
Ilda Mason, Buena Vista Social Club
Marielys Molina, Buena Vista Social Club
Jasmine Amy Rogers, Boop! The Musical

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A BROADWAY SHOW
A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
Boop! The Musical
**Buena Vista Social Club
Death Becomes Her
Just In Time
Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Smash

OFF-BROADWAY

OFF-BROADWAY SPECIAL RECOGNITION

The Awarding Committee of the 2025 Chita Rivera Awards celebrates excellence in Off-Broadway musical theater by presenting a special award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Choreography.

**Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball”

FILM & DOCUMENTARY

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY IN A FEATURE FILM
A Nice Indian Boy, Choreographers: Ziana D’Mello, Breanna English, Christian Lagasse
Emilia Perez, Choreographer: Damien Jalet
**Sh’ma: A Story of Survival, Choreographer: Suki John
Snow White, Choreographer: Mandy Moore
Wicked, Part 1, Choreographer: Christopher Scott

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A DANCE DOCUMENTARY
**A Resilient Man, Director: Stephane Carrel
Better Man, Director: Michael Gracey
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, Director: Bruce David Klein
Two Roads, Director: Susan Wittenberg
Who Cares About Pal Frenak, Director: Gloria Halasz

Trump Posts Memorial Day Presidential Message of Hate, Calls Non-Believers “Scum,” Invents “Mentally Insane”

Roger Friedman
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Trump Posts Memorial Day Presidential Message of Hate, Calls Non-Believers “Scum,” Invents “Mentally Insane”

Read Donald Trump’s holiday message of hate.

He calls everyone who doesn’t follow him “scum.”

He’s an illiterate, sick man who has debased the presidency, lowered the discourse to lying and professing vulgarity.

He claims 21 million people have entered the country illegally. Many of them he says are “mentally insane.”

He’s such an illiterate that he can’t recognize redundancy. Are there immigrants who are “physically insane”? Artistically insane? Financially insane.

If you’re insane, you are insane. He is, and doesn’t even know it.

Trump continues to try and punish Harvard, likely because son, Barron, was rejected. Where is Barron, by the way? At NYU? Attending classes? He’s very tall so it’s hard to hide him. But there’s no evidence of his being in an NYU building. Maybe Reddit knows.

Trump spoke to West Point graduates this week, then swiftly left to play golf. He did the same thing with his own memecoin dinner, leaving investors without the pleasure of shaking his sweaty little hand.

Today he’s giving a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. He’s incapable of just graciously placing a wreath. He must upstage the dead.

to be continued…

“Lilo,” “Mission” Combine for $260 Mil Memorial Weekend, Higher and Lower than Expected

Roger Friedman
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“Lilo,” “Mission” Combine for $260 Mil Memorial Weekend, Higher and Lower than Expected

The four day Memorial Day weekend — really a five day weekend counting Thursday — brought surprises.

“Lilo & Stitch” over performed like crazy. Disney racked up $183 million domestically. With international, $304 million. And no Marvel characters!

It’s been 23 years since the original film. I guess people were waiting very patiently.

The total is a lot higher than expected.

“Mission Impossible Final Reckoning” has a total of $77.5 million if the numbers hold up. Today marks a 25% drop from Sunday, which is not good. Maybe word of mouth is not working since every day has seen a decline.

The trades are celebrating that “Final Reckoning” did better than “Dead Reckoning.” But the latter was really a bust, so the bar is low. For $100 million in publicity, international premieres, Cannes, etc, the movie should have made $100 million on its first weekend.

The two films together made $260 million in the US. Add the three Warner Bros movies — “Minecraft,” “Sinners,” “Final Destination” — and there’s another $60 mil from Friday to Monday.

The worst showing was “Hurry Up Tomorrow” from the Weeknd aka Abel Tesfaye. Still hasn’t cracked $5 million. Per theater average is $96. They must be die hard fans. “HUT” lost 500 theaters between weeks 1 and 2. Expect another severe cut for this Thursday.

Bruce Springsteen’s Manchester “Treasonous Trump” Speech Album, “Land of Hope and Dreams,” Huge Hit, Number 2 on iTunes

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen’s Manchester “Treasonous Trump” Speech Album, “Land of Hope and Dreams,” Huge Hit, Number 2 on iTunes

Who woulda thunk it?

On May 14th, Bruce Springsteen opened his show in Manchester, England with this speech:

“The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n’ roll, in dangerous times. In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, and has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration. Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against the authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.”

The speech caused such a ruckus that Donald Trump denounced Springsteen as a “dried up prune.” It was hilarious.

Sony and Springsteen reacted quickly, issuing an EP with the speech (and one more) plus a couple of live performances from the night.

Now the EP, called “Land of Hope and Dreams,” is number 2 on iTunes. Bravo!

PS If you’ve heard this anywhere on the radio, drop a line to showbiz411@gmail.com.

Guest at Memecoin Dinner Says He Paid $480K, Got a Baseball Cap, Trump Spoke Briefly, Didn’t Even Stick Around (Watch)

Roger Friedman
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Guest at Memecoin Dinner Says He Paid $480K, Got a Baseball Cap, Trump Spoke Briefly, Didn’t Even Stick Around (Watch)

Watch this video.

Donald Trump’s multimillion dollar for his fake memecoin was not a success.

According to this post, Trump spoke to the assembled investors for “exactly 23 minutes.” He did not stay for the dinner.

Trump has so much contempt for his followers and backers he left them at the White House and flew off to Mar-a-Lago for another $3.1 million weekend. Who picks up the tab? Taxpayers. MAGA. They don’t care.

This is eye opening. Is this blockchain? Or blockhead? When will they learn?

Is This Tom Cruise’s Final Reckoning? Steep Declines Every Day for “Mission Impossible” Spell Trouble

Roger Friedman
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Is This Tom Cruise’s Final Reckoning? Steep Declines Every Day for “Mission Impossible” Spell Trouble

Tom Cruise is not having a good weekend.

Each day of this weekend so far “Mission Impossible: FInal Reckoning” has had steep declines at the box office.

After making $24 million over Thursday and Friday, “FR” dropped to $20 million on Saturday and just $18 million on Sunday.

The result is now $63 million total. “FR” will be lucky to hit $75 million for Memorial Day weekend.

That sounds like a lot but it isn’t for a movie with a $400 million price tag.

The only glimmer of hope is that the international numbers are good, with $127 million coming in already. South Korea ponied up $5 million this week. They loved it! For them the movie has ‘s(e)oul’!

Paramount will need all the foreign countries it can find to make “FR” work to turn a profit.

Another light in the tunnel: this “Reckoning” is running considerably ahead of “Dead Reckoning,” although the first one cost a little less. I didn’t remember exactly how badly “DR” did until looking back at the numbers.

So, what’s going on here? The film’s three hour length certainly makes turnaround difficult. Maybe the basic premise — the AI thing no one understands called The Entity — is losing interest. There’s also no big romantic finish. Cruise and Hayley Atwell do not get together. They are extremely chaste. It’s the opposite of, say, a “Fast and Furious” film which would end with a big congratulatory scene, Champagne bottles popping.

Again, it’s a long summer. “FR” will stick around for some time and may turn out to be a long distance runner.

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