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“Stranger Things” Drops Season 5, Part 1: Plenty of Witty Easter Eggs, Inside Jokes, Stunning Visuals, and Groovy 80s Soundtrack

Roger Friedman
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“Stranger Things” Drops Season 5, Part 1: Plenty of Witty Easter Eggs, Inside Jokes, Stunning Visuals, and Groovy 80s Soundtrack

Is it any surprise that the music supervisor for “Stranger Things” finally found their most appropriate song?

That would be Diana Ross singing “Upside Down,” an early 80s disco hit written and produced by Nile Rodgers. After all, the mysterious and dangerous place run by vicious monsters, located underneath Hawkins, Indiana is called The Upside Down. And believe me, it’s no nightclub. (The rest of the soundtrack is a cool 80s throwback, with occasional whisps of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.”)

Tonight, Netflix drops the first four episodes of “Stranger Things” final season 5. It’s been a while since Season 4 so the first thing you may notice is that the kids from this Spielbergian adventure look a lot older. They’re still supposed to be playing teens, so suspend your disbelief. At least there are some inside jokes as Winona Ryder’s Joyce is upbraided by son, Will, played by Noah Schnapp, about giving him some freedom. (He’s not a kid anymore.) Also, Will gets to joke about his bowl haircut.

To balance out all these young adults, “Stranger Things” now puts in peril a young girl. That’s Holly Wheeler, sister of Nancy and Mike, played by a recast Nell Fisher. Holly is supposed to be about 10 in the show but is 14 in reality, and a knockout young actress. Fisher is a find as the new girl in peril, used as a pawn by the evil Vecna in his alien monster takeover of the midwest 1987 town.

Season 5 brings a healthy dose of 1980s trivia including references to the flux capacitor from “Back to the Future” as well as a lot of “ET” and other Spielberg type movies. There’s also the usual dollop of Dungeons and Dragons. But what’s more interesting now is Holly’s reading material, the classic children’s book “A Wrinkle in Time,” which seems to hold answers to the show’s many questions.

The plot of Season 5 — after a surprise opening involving Vecna and Will going back to the very beginning of the series — is that Hawkins is now under military quarantine. The feds are trying to figure out the Upside Down and Vecna but of course, they know nothing. The experts are our gang who’ve been in on it since Day 1.

Ryder’s Joyce and David Harbour’s Hop are now a real couple, although they’re not together a lot. Hop’s scenes are primarily with Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven, who’s quite mature (more Twenty One, than Eleven) and more confident. The Harbour and Brown scenes will be of much interest since in real life, Brown was said to have filed some kind of complaint against Harbour during shooting. They do have a lot of intense scenes with just the two of them, but on the recent press tour they looked like they’d resolved their differences.

As a “Stranger Things” fan from the beginning in 2016, I will say I was amused watching all these 20 year olds so earnestly invested in the Upside Down and Vecna. They really act like they believe it, which is possible maybe because the production quality is pretty high. The monsters look real and disgusting. The whole atmosphere of the Upside Down is a creative landscape far removed by the safe environs of the pristine Hawkins.

As the first three new episodes that the press received evolve, all the characters are back with the exception of Max, played by Sadie Sink, who was on Broadway beginning last March in “John Proctor is the Villain.” Season 5 reportedly wrapped at the end of last year, but maybe this played a part in Sink not showing up until the end of Episode 3.(She’s shown in coma.) Everyone else is present and now even more sharply drawn including Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Maya Hawke (Robin), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), and the romantic triangle of Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan (Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery). Caleb McLaughlin, now 24, as Lucas is really ready for movies.

There are also two other adults of note: Linda Hamilton as an Army doctor up to no good, and Cara Buono reprises her role as the Wheeler mom (she’s very funny).

Will this gang finally defeat evil, seal off the Upside Down, and rid the world of Vecna? You know, probably. Will anyone else perish in the effort? I hope not. Five years from now there will undoubtedly be a reunion show with a new generation of kids and monsters. Until then, “Stranger Things” remains lots of fun and very clever, kind of an American “Harry Potter.”

Netflix is going to show the final episodes in theaters on New Year’s Eve. But they should really have a whole season 5 marathon on the big screen. It’s worth it.

Tragic: Jackson Browne’s Model-Actor Son, Ethan Browne, 52, Found Dead in Los Angeles, Mother Died of Overdose When He Was 3

Roger Friedman
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Tragic: Jackson Browne’s Model-Actor Son, Ethan Browne, 52, Found Dead in Los Angeles, Mother Died of Overdose When He Was 3

This is sad beyond belief.

Ethan Browne, 52, son of superstar singer songwriter Jackson Browne, has died in Los Angeles.

On Instagram, Jackson wrote: “It is with deep sorrow that we share that on the morning of November 25, 2025, Ethan Browne, the son of Jackson Browne and Phyllis Major, was found unresponsive in his home and has passed away. We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time. No further details are available at this moment.”

What makes this even more terrible is that Ethan Browne’s mother, Phyllis, committed suicide in 1976, three years after he was born. She overdosed on pills at age 30. Jackson wrote his hit song, “Here Come Those Tears Again,” with Phyllis’s mother.

Ethan was a model and actor who appeared in “Hackers” (1995) and “Raising Helen” (2004), as well as a 2002 episode of The WB’s “Birds of Prey.” He was also a DJ who founded the label Spinside Records.

Jackson Browne has another son Ryan, 43, from his marriage to Lynne Sweeney.

Box Office Tuesday: “Wicked” on Way to $200 Mil Gets Tiny Increase of 7% from Monday, “Zootopia 2” Arrives with $10 Mil

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Tuesday: “Wicked” on Way to $200 Mil Gets Tiny Increase of 7% from Monday, “Zootopia 2” Arrives with $10 Mil

Something wicked this way goes?

After a huge start, “Wicked for Good” — down to 68% on Rotten Tomatoes — has slowed down precipitously on Monday and Tuesday.

Yesterday Jon M. Chu’s second film was up just 7% from Monday, with $15.5 million. It’s great but that’s the lowest increase on Tuesday among newer films. By contrast, “Now You See Me” was up 36%.

“Wicked” will still hit $200 mil on Thanksgiving and has a long road ahead of it. A long, yellow brick road.

“Zootopia 2” opened with $10.2 million Tuesday night and is sure to become a blockbuster over the holiday weekend.

Monday brings the Gotham Awards in New York, the beginning of awards season. This isn’t much of an Oscar predictor but it’s a good way to start meeting some of the people we’ll be seeing all winter.

Variety and others are posting Golden Globe nominations projections. They Globes — mired in controversy as usual — don’t announce until December 8th. I hope the Globes don’t sleep on Josh Safdie as Best Director for “Marty Supreme,” or Joel Edgerton for Best Actor in “Train Dreams,” a movie everyone should watch this weekend on Netflix.

Louis CK Claims NY Times Best Seller for First Novel, But It’s Number 1,007 on Amazon and Not On USA Today Best Sellers

Roger Friedman
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Louis CK Claims NY Times Best Seller for First Novel, But It’s Number 1,007 on Amazon and Not On USA Today Best Sellers

Louis CK says his first novel, “Ingram,” is number 14 on this Sunday’s New York Times best seller list.

He’s right. It’s there. But ‘why’ is a mystery. That’s because “Ingram is number 1,007 on amazon.com’s best seller list.

“Ingram” is not even in the top 150 on USA Today’s best seller list.

How could a book so low on amazon and USA Today be a NY Times best seller? Makes no sense.

It’s possible the Times is counting sales at Louis CK’s comedy shows, or from direct marketing to fans.

On amazon there are 98 customer reviews which are 98% positive.

In the real world, however, “Ingram” is not a success with reviewers.

The title of the actual review in Texas Monthly is: “Louis C.K.’s New Texas Novel Isn’t Just Bad—It’s Not Even Texan.” They also said: it’s a “baffling imitation of Faulkner by way of Cormac McCarthy.”

Slate.com says: Louis C.K.’s Debut Novel Is a Mess: Ingram is the disgraced comedian’s first literary foray. Unfortunately, it reads like one.

On theblaze.com, the reviewer wrote:
“Louis CK’s ‘Ingram’: Skilled comic spews self-indulgent self-abuse”

There are no reviews from Publishers Weekly or Kirkus Reviews, which are standard for most new releases. The NY Times has not reviewed “Ingram” in either the daily paper or in the Book Review. Neither have most traditional outlets.

What is really going on here?

Stay tuned…

Israel Won’t Miss Paul Weller’s Music, Neither Will Anyone Else: Leader of The Jam, Style Council Never Sold a Lot of Records

Roger Friedman
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Israel Won’t Miss Paul Weller’s Music, Neither Will Anyone Else: Leader of The Jam, Style Council Never Sold a Lot of Records

Paul Weller says he’s removing his music from streaming services in Israel.

You’re asking, Paul who?

Yeah, Paul Weller, who led the punk rock mod band The Jam in the 70s, then switched to an R&B sound in the 80s with Style Council.

As a solo act he’s released dozens of records over the last 30 years and has sold few copies. He’s an acquired taste, kind of a mean guy, a loner who’s never been popular in the US.

Weller signed the “No Genocide” letter or some bullshit after pretending not to be antisemitic. But there it is: he’s “punishing” the people of Israel for Benjamin Netanyahu’s war against Gaza.

I have no love for Netanyahu, but I was a big fan of Weller a long time ago. No more. Thanks, Paul. It’s not like people in the US were buying his music night and day. On Spotify he has one hit, The Jam’s “Town Called Malice,” which has 240 streams. (It sounds like a bunch of Motown songs, especially “You Can’t Hurry Love.”) He has a couple others over 10 million streams and that’s it. With The Jam he ripped off George Harrison’s “Taxman” for a track, too.

I stopped going to Weller’s live shows years ago because he refused to play his “hits.” You could tell he was an arsehole.

He’s made it clear how he feels about Israel and Jews. Apparently his accountants, who’d worked with him for 30 years, dropped him over this announcement. So he has nerve– he’s suing them. I hope he loses big time and we never hear from him again.

So, goodbye Paul Weller. You’ll be easy to forget.

Rapper 50 Cent Coming for Sean Diddy Combs Next Tuesday in Netflix Doc: “You can’t continue to hurt people and nothing ever happens”

Roger Friedman
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Rapper 50 Cent Coming for Sean Diddy Combs Next Tuesday in Netflix Doc: “You can’t continue to hurt people and nothing ever happens”

Next Tuesday, December 2nd: rapper 50 Cent has executive produced a documentary about Sean Diddy Combs for Netflix. It’s a four part, four hour miniseries.

“The Reckoning” is said to be a brutal takedown of 50 Cent’s longtime enemy. If he has the receipts, Diddy may want to stay IN jail. (He’s currently serving a 50 month term for the promotion of prostitution which will let him out June 4, 2028.)

Netflix is sitting tight right now. No press screeners. Maybe never.

Director is Alexandria Stapleton.

A year ago, 50 Cent said the documentary, then called “Diddy Do It?”, would break records.

50 Cent says in a press release today:

“I’ve been committed to real storytelling for years through G-Unit Film & Television. I’m grateful to everyone who came forward and trusted us with their stories, and proud to have Alexandria Stapleton as the director on the project to bring this important story to the screen.”

Keep refreshing…

“Rush Hour” Movie Revival Signals the Start of Donald Trump Telling Paramount’s Ellison What He Wants — And Danger for Warner Bros.

Roger Friedman
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“Rush Hour” Movie Revival Signals the Start of Donald Trump Telling Paramount’s Ellison What He Wants — And Danger for Warner Bros.

The return of “Rush Hour” with a fourth chapter is not a good sign for anyone.

It’s evidence that Donald Trump is having an influence on Paramount, now owned by his friends, the Ellisons.

“Rush Hour” was a hit trilogy. But another installment was not possible after director Brett Ratner became the target of the #METoo movement in 2017. Ratner became a pariah after six women accused him sexual misconduct. One of them sued, and Ratner settled.

But last year, Ratner surfaced as director of the $40 million Melania Trump infomercial paid for by Jeff Bezos for Amazon Studios. The connection was Arthur Sarkissian, producer of the Melania film thanks to being a close pal of Trump and an enthusiastic donor.

You see, Sarkissian is the producer of the “Rush Hour” series.

Now Sarkissian has obviously used Trump to get Ratner and “Rush Hour” back on track. Warner Bros., the original studio, didn’t want to get involved with this, so they agreed to license the new film. And who was waiting to do it? David Ellison, who bought Paramount with his father’s money. The Ellisons and Trump are thick as, pardon the expression, thieves. Hence, Paramount will now distribute “Rush Hour 4.”

Ratner probably didn’t deserve the drubbing he got in 2017, like many others who got caught up in the fervor over Harvey Weinstein. He’s a good director who can make hits. But his return via Trump and Ellison is worrisome, especially if Trump is going to be giving advice to Paramount on new movies.

This is one more reason Warner Bros. should not be sold to Paramount, which would only increase the anxiety of this situation. But this is what we’re up against now.

If they’re really going to make “Rush Hour 4,” I do hope Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return, regardless. They and Ratner were a blockbuster bos office trio.

What’s next? It’s probably time for a remake of of Sandra Bullock’s “While You Were Sleeping.” Cast it now: Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie, and Zendaya. Why not?

Jimmy Cliff and Johnny Nash Are Not Interchangeable Reggae Stars: “The Harder They Come” is the Famous Song by Newly Deceased Singer

Roger Friedman
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Jimmy Cliff and Johnny Nash Are Not Interchangeable Reggae Stars: “The Harder They Come” is the Famous Song by Newly Deceased Singer

David Muir made a big mistake last night on ABC World News.

I see a lot of other people have, too.

Jimmy Cliff, who just died, was famous for “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers to Cross.”

He sang a cover version of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.”

These are not interchangeable reggae artists. But now Cliff’s cover of “I Can See Clearly Now” is number 2 on iTunes outpacing his own songs.

“The Harder They Come” is not only anthem, it was the title of a 1972 movie starring Cliff. The song and the movie were a big deal at the time, and the song has hung on as a classic.

“Many Rivers to Cross” preceded it in 1969, and the following year came “You Can Get It If You Really Want.”

Let’s give credit to Jimmy Cliff, no offense to Johnny Nash.

Someone tell the Daily Beast that Jimmy Cliff was NOT the music icon behind “I Can See Clearly Now.”

Oy vey.

Box Office: “Wicked for Good” Hits the Real World, Drops 57% on First Weekday But Still Makes Almost $15 Million

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Wicked for Good” Hits the Real World, Drops 57% on First Weekday But Still Makes Almost $15 Million

Monday box office.

There’s always a fall off, a rude awakening for the big weekend hit.

And so it is for “Wicked for Good” which made $147 million from Thursday through Sunday.

Now it’s back to school, and a drop in box office receipts. Monday’s drop was 57%, which is a lot. But still “Wicked for Good” made $14.7 million on its first weekday.

Tuesday there’s usually a bounce back, and Wednesday — with school ending midday for Thanksgiving — the numbers should be back up over that rainbow.

Of the Oscar bound movies, “Nuremberg” is doing pretty well, down only 46% on Monday, Keep an eye on that one…

Kennedy Center: “Christmas in Belfast” Starts Tonight, Has Few Takers, Same for “Christ” Concert as Trump Takeover Shunned

Roger Friedman
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Kennedy Center: “Christmas in Belfast” Starts Tonight, Has Few Takers, Same for “Christ” Concert as Trump Takeover Shunned

Tonight at the Kennedy Center, “Christmas in Belfast” starts shows through Sunday.

Want to go? Why not? The theater is brimming with available tickets at all prices, on all levels, at all times.

Few people are coming to see the show performed by Irish tenors famous on PBS.

Even fewer people are coming on December 17th to see “Noel: Jesus is Born!”

That’s the show tricky Dick Grenell, Trump’s lackey, personally promoted in Catholic magazines as his big Christmas epic.

Seat maps show not only few tickets sold in the orchestra sections, but almost nothing in the balcony for any of these shows.

Under Grenell, the Kennedy Center has ground to a halt.

The good news is that Grenell has given the place away next Friday, December 5th, to FIFA, the World Cup Soccer organization. They’re going to have their draft picks, and give Donald Trump a phony baloney Peace Prize.

Grenell says FIFA is donating $7.4 million to the Kennedy Center, but it’s really just $2.4 million, with “opportunities” of another $5 million in sponsorships.

Under Grenell, Trump brags about big donations to the Kennedy Center, not understanding the purpose of a not for profit arts institution. Donations are great, but you need people supporting programs. You need full theaters. Grenell is gloating about cutting the Kennedy Center staff to ribbons, not caring he can’t fill seats.

Trump, an ignoramus, doesn’t get that part of the deal. No one is coming. Even National Symphony Orchestra subscribers are turned off by Grenell kicking them out to put on the FIFA event.

Meantime, the US Senate is investigating how Grenell has been running the place, questioning the giving away of the theaters for pro-Trump political events.

“Contracts, invoices, and facility use agreements reveal that you operate the Center for the enrichment of your friends and acquaintances, to dole out political favors, and as a playground for the President of the United States and his allies,” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wrote to Grenell. 

Whitehouse continued: “The Center is being looted to the tune of millions of dollars in foregone revenue, cancelled programming, unpaid use of its facilities, and wasteful spending on luxury restaurants and hotels—an unprecedented pattern of self-dealing, favoritism, and waste.”

Here are a couple of seat maps. I should note that I’ve written twice about “Noel” in the last week, that it wasn’t selling, and nothing has changed.

PS The Kennedy Center Honors are Sunday night, December 7th. There’s no information on what’s happening, or how Trump — who’s supposed to host the show — is filling the theater. Please email me at showbiz411@gmail.com in confidence, with tips.

 

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