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“SNL” Releases Some Hosts, Music Acts for Fall: Newcomer Billie Eilish, 17, Chosen Over Taylor Swift, 29, for Season Opener

Roger Friedman
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“SNL” Releases Some Hosts, Music Acts for Fall: Newcomer Billie Eilish, 17, Chosen Over Taylor Swift, 29, for Season Opener

Taylor Swift is going to have to wait until October 5th to appear on “Saturday Night Live.”

The new season begins on September 28th. But newcomer Billie Eilish got that spot as musical guest, with Woody Harrelson as host.

For Swift, that’s probably not the best news. Her “Lover” album is out now, and an appearance on “SNL” should be ASAP. Eilish as the opener is a bit of an insult. She’s only like 17, right? But the folks at Universal Music have put everything into Eilish. They postponed Lana del Rey’s new album, I’m told, so Eilish could soar. Lana’s album comes out this Friday.

Of the three music acts announced, they’re all poplets: Eilish, Swift, and then Camilla Cabello. No men, no rock. No black people. We won’t see a black host until Eddie Murphy returns to his alma mater on December 21st. The announced hosts so far are Harrelson, Phoebe Waller Bridge, David Harbour, and Kristen Stewart. I’m a little surprised that there’s no Lil Nas X singing “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus. Hmmm…

A looming question for “SNL”: will we see Kate McKinnon? The superstar comedian/actress planted an item in the press earlier this summer suggesting she was done. Alec Baldwin did the same thing. We certainly hope they’re both back! It’s not “SNL” without them!

Happy Birthday “Timeless” Valerie Simpson! Famed Songwriter Takes Family and Friends on Joyous Midnight Music Cruise Around Manhattan

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday “Timeless” Valerie Simpson! Famed Songwriter Takes Family and Friends on Joyous Midnight Music Cruise Around Manhattan

What was I doing up, and cruising around the isle of Manhattan at 2am today? Why, celebrating the 73rd birthday of the eternally young and vibrant Valerie Simpson, co-writer with late husband Nik Ashford of some of the greatest songs of our lives.

Yes, the woman who helped birth “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Solid,” and “I’m Every Woman” treated her family and friends to a magnificent yacht cruise around Manhattan this morning — on a boat appropriately called “Timeless” that launched at midnight and returned at 4am! I was honored to be counted as a guest.

Among the other guests were Val’s daughters, Nicole and Aja, her brothers, her aide de camp Tee Austin, plus famed choreographer of “The Wiz,” George Faison, legendary rock and roll publicist Liz Rosenberg, great R&B singer Ryan Shaw, Earline Franklin (Aretha’s sister-in-law, and no, she’s not suing the estate), esteemed Berklee music professor Larry Watson, plus a couple dozen or more singers, musicians and friends from Ashford and Simpson’s gem of a hangout, the Sugar Bar, from West 72nd St.

There was dinner, dancing, and the very best music provided by DJ and the Yams (you can see them at the Sugar Bar). Plus Val surprised her guests with a hilariously talent performer named Shequida (aka Gary Hall) who is also a fine singer and really needs to be on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” ASAP.

Val told me, “I really wanted to invite everyone and not have them perform tonight. It was my gift to everyone else, all my friends!”

Well, I think you can see from the video below, a great time was had by all. We miss Nik a lot, but his family is keeping his memory alive. And Val, who can currently be seen in the Motown documentary on Showtime, is a spitfire and a delight. Her soul literally glows from within! And she can, as Rufus Thomas, liked to say, she can sainng! WHat a joyous experience1

Watch Trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” Final Chapter, With Rey Battling Kylo Ren: “Your journey nears its end”

Roger Friedman
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Watch Trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” Final Chapter, With Rey Battling Kylo Ren: “Your journey nears its end”

After 42 years, “Star Wars” as we know it will come to an end in December. “The Rise of Skywalker” wraps up the 11 film saga (not counting TV, books, animated films, “Clone Wars” and so on). In the trailer, Rey — who is probably Luke Skywalker’s daughter– battles her first cousin, Kylo Ren. It’s good vs. evil. Who will win? Answer: Disney! I miss Carrie Fisher, but at least she’ll get a great send off. JJ Abrams, as usual, looks like he’s done a great job. He knows how to give fans what they want. And we’re going to get it.

Miley Cyrus Will Perform on MTV VMAs Tonight For First Time Since 2013 Twerking Scandal with Robin Thicke

Roger Friedman
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Miley Cyrus Will Perform on MTV VMAs Tonight For First Time Since 2013 Twerking Scandal with Robin Thicke

It’s back to the future for Miley Cyrus. She’s got Twerk to Do!

Tonight she will take the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time since 2013 when she scandalously twerked with Robin Thicke.

That performance issued in the era of Miley’s “Wrecking Ball,” nude pictures, tongue sticking out, and so on. Miley went from G rated to X rated overnight and launched a new lascivious chapter of her career.

The twerking period ended her first run with Liam Hemsworth. But eventually Miley calmed down. She reunited with Hemsworth, married him, and now he’s divorcing her after eight months.

Miley will not be singing “Jolene” tonight. That chapter is over. She’ll perform her new single, “Slide Away,” about the end of the relatiosnhip with Hemsworth.

Will she Twerk, tongue hanging out? Will she be clothed? Well, this is pretty much the only reason I can think of to watch the VMAs.

Here’s a flashback to 2013:

Taylor Swift Album Sales Won’t Match Previous Four Releases, “Lover” Will Sell Far Less than 1 Million Copies for First Week

Roger Friedman
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Taylor Swift Album Sales Won’t Match Previous Four Releases, “Lover” Will Sell Far Less than 1 Million Copies for First Week

I told you last week this was happening:

Taylor Swift’s new “Lover” album will debut with significantly lower numbers than her four previous albums.

“Lover” sold 230,000 copies on Friday and Saturday per Buzz Angle Music. Of that number 175,000 represented paid downloads and CD sales. The rest was from streaming.

Swift is not a big streaming act, and the results are going to be lower  sales overall. Hitsdailydouble and Republic Records have scaled back expectations for first week US sales to around 750K. That’s not a small number, but a 25% drop for Swift if it bears out.

What’s going on? Swift’s record buying population is aging out now, sorry. She had a great run, but her teen girls are now in college or older. Plus, the new music doesn’t sound a lot different than the old music. There’s nothing innovative going on at this point. Does Swift even have a manager or anyone she listens to? It’s unclear.

Her performance on tonight’s MTV VMAs may drum up more business. But frankly, Swift’s appearance on “Good Morning America” on Friday should have sold more units. On Wednesday we’ll be able to see what the trend was for “Lover.”

Swift isn’t alone in having to face generational changes. Beyonce already saw that this summer with her “Lion King: The Gift” album. Adele may be next to feel the heat. Cultivating and keeping a record-buying audience can’t be taken for granted.

 

Breaking News for Breaking Bad: Sequel Movie Starring Aaron Paul Set by Netflix for October

Roger Friedman
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Breaking News for Breaking Bad: Sequel Movie Starring Aaron Paul Set by Netflix for October

“Breaking Bad” will never end, not if creator Vince Gilligan has anything to say about it.

He’s got a sequel movie set for Netflix on October 11th starring Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. This will take place after Walter White has been killed and Jesse is on the run. Are we surprised? No. “Better Call Saul” is the prequel, now we have the sequel.

Will this be the end? Heck no. If “El Camino” is a hit– and it will be– we could see a raft of new installments with Aaron Paul who must be very very happy. It’s not like he’s had an easy time since “Breaking Bad” went off the air. Jesse is a potential career for him.

Watch Susan Lucci Steal the Show at “Celebrity Autobiography” with Her Comic Take On Ivana Trump (Plus Rob Reiner, Lewis Black Wow the Crowd)

Roger Friedman
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Watch Susan Lucci Steal the Show at “Celebrity Autobiography” with Her Comic Take On Ivana Trump (Plus Rob Reiner, Lewis Black Wow the Crowd)

We certainly know the great Susan Lucci from her four decade run as the conniving, self centered Erica Kane on “All My Children.” After 18 nominations, she finally won an Emmy for her good work in 1999. In real, we also know that she’s a doll, lots of fun, very petite, and ageless (her 72 is worthy of an award).

But did we know she was funny? Hilarious, actually. Lucci was part of the ensemble last night for the annual Hamptons performance of “Celebrity Autobiography,” the popular off Broadway (and Broadway) show in which famous actors read portions of unintentionally humorous memoirs by “stars.” The show was created and developed by talented actor/writers (and married couple) Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel. They alone are worth the price of admission.

But the creators aren’t alone on stage. Their rotating cast last night included the ingenious Lewis Black, famed humorist Alan Zweibel, actor Chris Bauer, Julia Macchio (very talented daughter of the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio), and the founding couple.

The Hamptons audience in fabled Guild Hall ate it up, including, among others, CNN chief Jeff Zucker, who brought his eldest son.

And why not? “Celebrity Autobiography” provides 90 minutes of non stop laughs, real in the gut laughs, using material written by Vanna White, Ivana Trump, Tiger Woods, Mr. T., Tommy Lee of Motley Crue, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Diana Ross, Suzanne Somers, Ryan Seacrest, Neil Sedaka, Dolly Parton, and of course, the Kardashians.

It’s a little like shooting fish in a barrel. The writers of those memoirs didn’t author books so much as issue products. With mostly vapid stories to tell– and even those in short supply– a lot of their recollections involve food they’ve eaten or will eat, or diets they’re on or have abandoned. Last night, the actors’ delivery of this information was particularly poignant, particularly Seacrest’s observation that “I can really go for a plate of penna pasta.”

The piece de resistance, though, is a four way retelling– or “Rashomon and on on” — of the Eddie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds/ Elizabeth Taylor affair from the early 60s that also included Richard Burton and Mike Todd. How that soap opera holds up 60 years later! It’s worth just to hear Lucci as predatory Liz and Reyfel as innocent Reynolds. Chris Bauer’s bewildered, drunk Richard Burton would make Mike Nichols howl with laughter.

Some of this gang will be at the Triad Theater this Monday– day after tomorrow– for another performance. And here’s a scoop: Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly, stars of the cult hit movie “Bound,” will reunite to play Ivana and Ivanka Trump. We don’t want to miss that!

 

The Obamas Show No RESPECT for Aretha Franklin on Their Summer Playlist, But They Do Like Beyonce, the Spinners, Donny Hathaway, Rolling Stones

Roger Friedman
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The Obamas Show No RESPECT for Aretha Franklin on Their Summer Playlist, But They Do Like Beyonce, the Spinners, Donny Hathaway, Rolling Stones

I love Michelle and Barack Obama. But they’ve snubbed Aretha Franklin on their summer playlist. Now I’m afraid they are ineligible to get the hat she wore at the 2008 inauguration. Not smart, O’s.

Still, they have fine musical taste when it comes to other choices. They liked the Spinners, Dobie Gray, Stevie Wonder, the Black Keys, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Van Morrison. So that’s something. Their modern taste runs to “Senorita,” Beyonce, and Anthony Hamilton among others.

But they included R&B thief Robin Thicke while eschewing Aretha. For that, there is little forgiveness. How could they? And where is Sam and Dave’s “Soul Man,” which Michelle danced to on stage at the White House with Sam Moore?

Plus, in their hearts, the Obamas may be old white hippies. They included “Get Together” by Jesse Colin Young. Oy vey. Pass the Chardonnay.

And really, kids, if you wanted the hat, you should have showed some RESPECT for number 1.

“Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” Becomes Quentin Tarantino’s Second Highest Grossing Movie Today

Roger Friedman
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“Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” Becomes Quentin Tarantino’s Second Highest Grossing Movie Today

Here’s a fable with a happy ending.

Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” becomes his second highest grossing movie today, edging out “Inglourious Basterds” at $120 million.

“OUTH” probably won’t top Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” which stands at $162.8 million.  You can’t have everything.

To think that Tarantino started out as a video clerk and became a household name thanks to his nine movies and relentless promotion thanks to Harvey Weinstein.

Tarantino’s first movie, “Reservoir Dogs,” released by Weinstein in 1992, earned just $2 million in its theatrical run. Two years later, “Pulp Fiction” made $100 million and launched Tarantino into celebrity. Both movies have earned millions since then on video and DVD.

Tarantino’s next release will be a baby in six months with his beautiful Israeli born wife, Daniella Pick. Yes, they were married under a chuppah. Mazel tov!

PS “OUTH” will be up for several Oscars, I’m just sayin… including Best Actor, Supporting Actor, Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay.

 

 

 

 

Whoops! “ET” Online Pre-Publishes a Story About Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello MTV Performance 6 Days Before the Awards Show Happens, by Accident

Roger Friedman
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Whoops! “ET” Online Pre-Publishes a Story About Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello MTV Performance 6 Days Before the Awards Show Happens, by Accident

Whoopsy daisy!

Seems like a concocted celebrity romance has been “outed,” so to speak. Pop singers Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello have had a duet hit single out all summer called “Seniorita.” They’ve smartly fueled sales and airplay by using an old Hollywood trick– pretending to have a romance. They’ve been photographed everywhere. I hope they’ve had fun.

But the LA-based entertainment shows that promote this nonsense are certainly in on it. “Entertainment Tonight” is chief among them. So it’s not a surprise that ET’s online staff writes up stories about events before they happen, since it’s all make believe anyway.

Apparently, ET Online published an unfinished story on August 20th about the MTV VMA Awards, which don’t occur until August 26th. The article is about Shawn and Camilla’s “flirty performance” at the Awards– even though none of this has happened yet. But in their minds, it’s already happened, I guess, since it’s all made up anyway.

Ah, Hollywood.

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