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Francis Ford Coppola Brings Heavy Hitters to AFI Honors: Spielberg, Lucas, De Niro, Pacino, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman

Roger Friedman
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Francis Ford Coppola Brings Heavy Hitters to AFI Honors: Spielberg, Lucas, De Niro, Pacino, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman

Francis Ford Coppola, the real Godfather of Hollywood, is being honored tonight by the American Film Institute, and it’s about time.

The Oscar winning director of “The Godfather,” “The Godfather Part 2,” “Apocalypse Now,” changed films forever for the much better as leader of the 70s sort of Rat Pack of movies.

On the red carpet tonight: Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua, Dustin Hoffman, plus Adam Driver, Andy Garcia, Jack Black, Elle Fanning, Joe Mantegna, all great stars.

Top execs present including Sir Howard Stringer, and Sony Classic president Michael Barker.

Strangest celebrity on the red carpet: Suzan Hughes, first wife of later Herbalife creator Mark Hughes. Don’t know what’s up there.

Al Pacino — who just had a star studded 85th birthday — and Robert De Niro tag teamed their tribute on stage.

Missing: Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Adrien Brody, Kathleen Turner, and Nicolas Cage (who’s a Coppola).

Plenty of Coppola’s, though, including son Roman, producer of Wes Anderson movies, and granddaugher Gia, director of “The Last Showgirl.”

Sofia Coppola? MIA.

James Caan would have been there if he could, believe me!

keep refreshing for updates…

Lana Del Rey Goes Country with Song About Kissing Morgan Wallen and Having 57.5 Mil Spotify Listeners at Stunning Stagecoach Show

Roger Friedman
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Lana Del Rey Goes Country with Song About Kissing Morgan Wallen and Having 57.5 Mil Spotify Listeners at Stunning Stagecoach Show

Lana Del Rey is the real artist of the 2020s who will last and be taken seriously 20 years from now.

Last night at the Stagecoach show in Coachella, California, Lana delivered a magnificent performance to showcase her new song, called “Husband of Mine,” the first song, and her upcoming western flavored album. (Stagecoach is the country version of Coachella.)

The hour long show has guest stars, and sets that rival Broadway. Actually, Lana should bring this show to Broadway. It would be an enormous hit.

All the songs are more than Grammy worthy. But don’t miss the finale, with Lana and co. singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” I feel like I’m hearing this song everywhere lately, especially on commercials. But this is an elevating version.

The penultimate song, “57.5 Million,” is about the number of listeners she has on Spotify. It’s very witty, and is definitely meant to be a radio hit. But as Lana says, listen closely to verse about kissing Morgan Wallen. Lana says it’s the last time she’ll ever sing it.

PS Roger Miller, whose name is in the chorus, was a great country star who died much too young– 56 — in 1992. His song, “King of the Road,” remains a classic.

Here’s a mini review from a fan:
She headlined stagecoach last night, in the California desert. Debuted a bunch of new songs. The standout opener “husband of mine”… it was breathtaking and sweeping and really cool! Made me want to take a road trip in Alabama – – now! Did I mention my tears? It made me think of Bridges of Madison County, and ironic, because Clint Eastwood is name dropped in the lyric!

Her new themes and look are more old Hollywood than country music. And I’m living! She could’ve had a Disney Orchestra.

Another song “5 7.5” was fun, referencing her Spotify followers and dangers of show business. Another new one “quiet in the south” she asked are you coming home tonight or should I burn the house down? Lol

Of course the album is going through a name change, and it will be delayed. Typical.

Play this on a big screen!

Scott Pelley Calls Out Paramount on “60 Minutes” For Firing His Boss and Best Friend This Past Week

20 Year Old “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” 2nd Place for Weekend, Beating “The Accountant 2”

Roger Friedman
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Rule number 1: never go up against “Star Wars.”

Amazon’s poorly released “The Accountant 2” starring Ben Affleck has tried to rival the 20 year re-release of “The Revenge of the Sith.”

The Sith have won.

Last night, “Sith” took in $11.5 million including Thursday previews.

The “Star Wars” installment handily beat “The Accountant” sequel, which had a $9.4 mil opening — and in 600 more theaters.

Number 1 is still “Sinners,” looking to cross $100 Million today.

Sony Pictures has two new films out, both of which are being ignored. “On Swift Horses” stars Jacob Elordi, which doesn’t seem to matter. “Until Dawn” — I’m not sure what it is, but Spider Man is not in it.

Another low mileage weekend at the box office. Maybe moviegoers are afraid to leave the house and be kidnapped by Homan and Trump at the popcorn stand. Not kidding, kids.

SZA Leads Lowest Pop Album Chart Sales in Years as CDs and Downloads Slump, Streaming is Very Low

Roger Friedman
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SZA Leads Lowest Pop Album Chart Sales in Years as CDs and Downloads Slump, Streaming is Very Low

The album pop charts are not only at a standstill. They are dead.

This week’s number 1 album went to SZA’s “SOS” which sold just 2,425 CDs or downloads. With streaming, it came in at 52,049.

“SOS” was released in December 2022. But the singer has gone on tour with Kendrick Lamar. He finished close behind at number 1.

With little new product, this is a disastrous moment for the record biz. Big hits like Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” have cooled down.

Country singer Morgan Wallen, whose new album arrives May 16th, had a bad week. Ditto Playboy Carti.

Only two albums have sold a million copies since the first of the year, by Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny. No one can live on record sales anymore. Touring is mandatory, which is why Justin Bieber is in financial trouble.

Upcoming releases to cure this situation: Miley Cyrus on May 30th, Cynthia Erivo and Lil Wayne each on June 6th, Benson Boone June 20th, Alice Cooper in July. The Bruce Springsteen Tracks II comes June 27th.

The hope is Taylor Swift is preparing a surprise before the Sept 30th Grammy deadline. Adele is somewhere relaxing.

Meantime, here’s a great new single from Bebe Buell.

Broadway: Finance Guy and Wife Win Bullhorn Signed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cast of “Sunset Blvd” After Last Night’s Auction (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Finance Guy and Wife Win Bullhorn Signed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cast of “Sunset Blvd” After Last Night’s Auction (Exclusive)

I didn’t really know what I was going to write about the “Sunset Blvd.” revival on Broadway last night.

Then, following the curtain call, the St. James Theater got pretty wild when there was a live auction from the stage.

South African actor Pierre Marais proved to be a successful auctioneer, raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS. (All the theaters take up the cause this time of year.)

Marais was auctioning the bullhorn through which the show’s star, Nicole Scherzinger, sang when the electricity went out in the theater. It was one of those bravura moments in theater history. For the St. James, it was better than when Pearl Bailey stopped “Hello, Dolly!” mid-dance and grabbed an audience member’s camera with Instamatic flash.

Not only did stars Scherzinger and Tom Francis but also by two surprise guests: the show’s creator, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, and director Jamie Lloyd. During the show, ALW put in a cameo during live video projected in the house. More on that to come.

The couple in front of me, from Texas, joined in at around $6,000 after a young South African woman bid the stakes up to $5,000. (She shouted to Marais, “I’m only doing it because you’re South African!”)

The $6,000 couple loved the show. He kept jumping up all night and applauding.

But then Marais cooed, “Who goes to seven thousand dollars?” And up went hands and shrieks from behind me. A very pleasant looking couple, maybe 50 at most, went flush when they realized what they’d done.

They turned out to be Wall Street M&A guy Pim Kraaijeveld and his wife, vocal coach Aimée Steele. Dutch by birth, Pim — which is not short for Personal Investment Management — loves Broadway. Makes sense since Aimée was the vocal coach for Glenn Close when she won the Tony for “Sunset” a few years ago. (She looks a lot like Mimi Rogers.)

It was their first time seeing this production, they told me — as opposed to the two young people I met during intermission carrying a Chihuaha service dog with a hat and sweater. “This is our sixth time,” they said, including the dog.

Did the Kraaijevelds love the show? He did. She did, too, although she had an allegiance to Glenn Close, obviously.

And what is going on with “Sunset Blvd.”?

It’s not a standard Broadway musical. There are no sets. If you don’t know the show you have no idea what’s going on. All the actors are excellent. Scherzinger is a powerful singer who also happens to be beautiful. She tears through the material like Chita Rivera appearing on “American Idol.” The audience loves her. Tom Francis is the Paul Mescal of Broadway.

I missed having no sets. But this a concert, with spectacular dancing and a lot of smoke on stage. Jack Knowles’s lighting design is award winning, no doubt.

But “Sunset Blvd.” is the most video-driven show I’ve seen since the god awful Ivan von Hove “West Side Story.” There are huge screens reflecting camera people on the stage who are broadcasting the action. You can the actors’ pores, for better or worse. About half the show is a projection. You never the big Hollywood mansion, the movie studio, or the antique car which turns out to be the major plot point.

I’m sure the CD of this show is popular. For fans, the singing can’t be beat. I think that will bear fruit at the Tony Awards.

PS I didn’t remember how much of the “Sunset” score is borrowed from “Jesus Christ Superstar.” That was ok with me!

Here are the proud auction winners, courtesy of me:

Critics Choice Will Kick Off Movie Awards Season with First Crack, Ahead of Golden Globes

Roger Friedman
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Critics Choice Will Kick Off Movie Awards Season with First Crack, Ahead of Golden Globes

Awards season 2026 is starting to get together, and that’s ironic since there are no movies yet.

But they’re coming.

First up for awards season will be the Critics Choice Awards on January 5, 2026. The awards will be broadcast for the second time on the E! channel. This past year’s show was a huge success despite having to move twice thanks to the wildfires.

Taking the January the spot means the CCA will fall a week before the Golden Globes. They will also precede both the New York Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review dinners.

The CCA covers both movies and TV, and has increased its influence exponentially by having 500 members who actual critics and journalists. Chelsea Handler is a very adept host.

So off we go! Studios had better screen their movies early to make the eligibility date.

BROADWAY: George Clooney, Denzel Washington Snubbed by First Theater Award Nominations; $900 Tix Didn’t Help

Roger Friedman
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BROADWAY: George Clooney, Denzel Washington Snubbed by First Theater Award Nominations; $900 Tix Didn’t Help

Selling $900 tickets didn’t endear Hollywood stars to the Outer Critics.

Today’s announcement of the first real theater awards didn’t include George Clooney or Denzel Washington.

Also, their productions of “Goodnight and Good Luck,” and “Othello,” got no love either. “Good Night and Good Luck” was thrown a bone: nominee for Best First Play.

There were plenty of lesser priced entries that struck out, also. “Pirates! A Penzance Play,” got zip, even David Hyde Pierce. “The Last Five Years” was snubbed, with Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren.

Also not on the list: “Sleeping Beauty” herself, Rachel Zegler, from “Romeo & Juliet,” even though her Romeo was included.

Definitely on the list: Kieran Culkin, from “Glengarry Glen Ross.” If he wins, he’ll have had a Tony, Emmy, and Oscar in the same cycle.

Culkin’s “Succession” co-star Sarah Snook will win a Tony for Best Solo Performance.

The OCC excluded “Dead Outlaw,” because it already won last year’s Off Broadway award.

Outstanding New Broadway Play
Cult of Love
The Hills of California
John Proctor Is the Villain
Purpose
Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Boop! The Musical
Death Becomes Her
Maybe Happy Ending
Operation Mincemeat
Real Women Have Curves

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
The Big Gay Jamboree
Drag: The Musical
We Live in Cairo

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
The Antiquities
Grangeville
Here There Are Blueberries
Liberation
Table 17

John Gassner Award (new American play preferably by a new playwright)
Amy Berryman, Walden
George Clooney and Grant Heslov, Good Night, and Good Luck
Marin Ireland, Pre-Existing Condition
Lia Romeo, Still
Emil Weinstein, Becoming Eve

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Floyd Collins
Gypsy
Once Upon a Mattress
Sunset Boulevard

Outstanding Revival of a Play
Beckett Briefs: From the Cradle to the Grave
Glengarry Glen Ross
Romeo + Juliet
Vanya
Yellow Face

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play
Kit Connor, Romeo + Juliet
Laura Donnelly, The Hills of California
Mia Farrow, The Roommate
Jon Michael Hill, Purpose
Louis McCartney, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Kieran Culkin, Glengarry Glen Ross
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Purpose
Francis Jue, Yellow Face
Mare Winningham, Cult of Love
Kara Young, Purpose

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending
Jeremy Jordan, Floyd Collins
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Jasmine Amy Rogers, Boop! The Musical
Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Boulevard
Jennifer Simard, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical
Danny Burstein, Gypsy
Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat
Michele Pawk, Just in Time
Christopher Sieber, Death Becomes Her
Michael Urie, Once Upon a Mattress

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
Nick Adams, Drag: The Musical
Marla Mindelle, The Big Gay Jamboree
Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Safety Not Guaranteed
Alaska Thunderfuck, Drag: The Musical
Taylor Trensch, Safety Not Guaranteed

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
Ali Louis Bourzgui, We Live in Cairo
Paris Nix, The Big Gay Jamboree
Eddie Korbich, Drag: The Musical
J. Elaine Marcos, Drag: The Musical
Andre De Shields, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Henry Stram, Three Houses

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
Caroline Aaron, Conversations with Mother
F. Murray Abraham, Beckett Briefs: From the Cradle to the Grave
Jayne Atkinson, Still
Adam Driver, Hold On to Me Darling
Anthony Edwards, The Counter
Paul Sparks, Grangeville

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
Betsy Aidem, Liberation
Sean Bell, The Beacon
Michael Rishawn, Table 17
Richard Schiff, Becoming Eve
Frank Wood, Hold On to Me Darling

Outstanding Solo Performance
David Greenspan, I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan
Khawla Ibraheem, A Knock on the Roof
Sam Kissajukian, 300 Paintings
Andrew Scott, Vanya
Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Will Aronson and Hue Park, Maybe Happy Ending
David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts, Operation Mincemeat
Daniel Lazour and Patrick Lazour, We Live in Cairo
Bob Martin, Boop! The Musical
Marco Pennette, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Will Aronson and Hue Park, Maybe Happy Ending
David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts, Operation Mincemeat
David Foster and Susan Birkenhead, Boop! The Musical
Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, Real Women Have Curves
Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Will Aronson, Maybe Happy Ending
Doug Besterman, Death Becomes Her
Joseph Joubert and Daryl Waters, Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Daniel Lazour and Michael Starobin, We Live in Cairo
Andrew Resnick, Just in Time

Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
Christopher Gattelli, Death Becomes Her
Robert Hastie, Operation Mincemeat
Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Jerry Mitchell, Boop! The Musical

Outstanding Direction of a Play
Trip Cullman, Cult of Love
Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Sam Mendes, The Hills of California
Phylicia Rashad, Purpose
Danya Taymor, John Proctor Is the Villain

Outstanding Choreography
Jenny Arnold, Operation Mincemeat
Warren Carlyle, Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Christopher Gattelli, Death Becomes Her
Shannon Lewis, Just in Time
Jerry Mitchell, Boop! the Musical

Outstanding Scenic Design
Miriam Buether, Jamie Harrison, and Chris Fisher, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Rachel Hauck, Swept Away
Rob Howell, The Hills of California
Dane Laffrey, Maybe Happy Ending
Derek McLane, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Costume Design
Gregg Barnes, Boop! The Musical
Wilberth Gonzalez and Paloma Young, Real Women Have Curves
Rob Howell, The Hills of California
Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Lighting Design
Kevin Adams, Swept Away
Natasha Chivers, The Hills of California
Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Ben Stanton, Maybe Happy Ending
Justin Townsend, Death Becomes Her

Outstanding Sound Design
Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Adam Fisher, Sunset Boulevard
Peter Hylenski, Death Becomes Her
Peter Hylenski, Maybe Happy Ending
John Shivers, Swept Away

Outstanding Video/Projections
59, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, Sunset Boulevard
David Bergman, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Hana S. Kim, Redwood
Finn Ross, Boop! The Musical

Back to the Future: 50 Year old Folk Album by Two of The Roche Sisters Suddenly Hits Number 6 on iTunes Top 100

Roger Friedman
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Back to the Future: 50 Year old Folk Album by Two of The Roche Sisters Suddenly Hits Number 6 on iTunes Top 100

No one seems to know when “Seductive Reasoning” came out. It was either 50 years ago today, 50 years ago this past New Year’s Eve.

Whenever it was, it was a huge flop. The folk album by Maggie and Terre Roche picked up a cult following especially four years later when the two sisters added another one, Suzzy.

That first album was re-released by Sony in 1981. It’s since disappeared. It doesn’t seem available in physical form anywhere. Amazon is selling rare vinyl copies for at least $200.

But then intrepid author David Browne released his excellent book, “Talkin’ Greenwich Village,” last fall. He dug up “Seductive Reasoning” and wrote about it. He got the ball rolling. Then Dwight Garner wrote about the anniversary in the Times two days ago.

Today, “Seductive Reasoning” has jumped to number 8 on iTunes, literally out of nowhere. Maggie passed away a few years ago. Terre and Suzzy (who’s not on this album) are very much around.

Paul Samwell-Smith, who produced Carly Simon’s and Cat Stevens’ early records, is the producer. Paul Simon plays guitar. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section is on these tracks. So is John Hall from “Orleans.” Why was “Seductive Reasoning” ignored? Browne and Garner ask that question, now we all will.

The album is available on Spotify and YouTube. Maybe Sony Legacy will put out a CD based on this response. What’s it like, by the way? Gorgeous. Stunning. Refreshing.

Happy anniversary.

Now I’m waiting for a total revival of another New York legend, Garland Jeffreys. An award winning documentary about him called “The King of Inbetween” starts rolling out in theaters next month.

Tony Awards: David Hyde Pierce Tightens Up the Best Actor Race in Uneven Revival of “Pirates of Penzance”

Roger Friedman
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Tony Awards: David Hyde Pierce Tightens Up the Best Actor Race in Uneven Revival of “Pirates of Penzance”

David Hyde Pierce has really made Broadway his home post-“Frazier.”

He has one win for Best Actor in a Musical, two more nominations, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. His work in “Spamalot, “Vanya and Sonya,” and “Hello Dolly!” has been outstanding.

With tonight’s opening in the more or less revival of “Pirates: The Penzance Musical,” DHP heads toward another nomination in a tight year. In the extremely modified Gilbert & Sullivan classic “Pirates of Penzance,” he upends the curious production as the Major General, taking it from other very persuasive players.

George Rose was nominated for a Tony as the Major General the last time this show was revived in 1981. That production was so good that “Pirates” has not been revived since then. Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, Tony Azito, and Rex Smith was so good it last almost two years and still resonates in memory.

Director Wilford Leach and choreographer Graciela Daniele stuck to the original material, but turned the up clever whenever they could. In the new one, Scott Ellis has done a lot working with a bad idea for an updated script by Rupert Holmes. Holmes has set “Pirates” in New Orleans and added jazz and R&B arrangements, plus songs from other shows. Why? I don’t know.

This “Pirates” is gold when it sticks to the original material, and gives appreciate nods to the 1982 version. Hyde Piece soars singing the show’s famous “Modern Major General.” IFYKNY when he does patters away at the showstopper, it’s like his bar mitzvah. Kudos to Ramin Karimloo, the first Pirate King since Kevin Kline. His voice is a little underused but he has his moments. But his comic timing and athleticism are nonpareil.

David Rockwell’s sets lift up the whole production, as well as the clear euphoric energy of the whole cast. One breakout performance: Preston Truman Boyd, who hasn’t been on Broadway since 2019. That should be rectified immediately.

Listen, the audience loved this show. Among them tonight: big stars Alessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer with their suddenly hot as a pistol actor son Sam Nivola, of “White Lotus” fame. I was happy to run into both Patricia Clarkson and Tovah Feldshuh. Nivola brought his mom, fresh from cataract surgery, who added to the many ovations. Debra Monk was in the audience.

Conclusion: don’t miss these performances.

JFK Grandson Jack Schlossberg Boycotting Met Gala: “It’s not the time for that”

Roger Friedman
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JFK Grandson Jack Schlossberg Boycotting Met Gala: “It’s not the time for that”

JFK grandson Jack Schlossberg is taking a brave stand.

He’s boycotting Anna Wintour’s Met Gala.

“It’s not tome for that,” he says on social media.

Instead he says he’s working on launching a twice weekly live YouTube show starting next month.

Jack has invented himself as an internet personality with great agility. Watch his career take off like a rocket!

I don’t think Jack is shying away from the ball because of the dress code. You could imagine him dressing as a dandy easily!

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