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Amazon Abandons Plans for Massive Headquarters in Long Island City After Residents Tell Them to Go Away

Roger Friedman
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Amazon Abandons Plans for Massive Headquarters in Long Island City After Residents Tell Them to Go Away

Amazon will not be coming to New York’s Long Island City in Queens. We will have to go out to the corner and buy our toothpaste in person.

The company abandoned plays for a massive headquarters here after just about every single person in New York told them not to come here. They will be not be receiving a $3 billion tax credit. Now we can fix the potholes, the subway, and get rid of the $2.50 surcharge just added to taxis.

Amazon should have gone to a rural place where $25,000 jobs are needed and the infrastructure wouldn’t be ruined. As Paul Simon says, Remember one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.

As it is, they’re not going to look for another site.

Here’s their statement.

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

Thank you again to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the many other community leaders and residents who welcomed our plans and supported us along the way. We hope to have future chances to collaborate as we continue to build our presence in New York over time.

 

Billionaire Dan Pritzker’s $100 Million-plus Jazz Movie Ready for Release 11 Years After It Was First Shot, Then Re-Shot

Roger Friedman
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Billionaire Dan Pritzker’s $100 Million-plus Jazz Movie Ready for Release 11 Years After It Was First Shot, Then Re-Shot

Good news!
Billionaire hotel heir Dan Pritzker is finally releasing his jazz movie, “Bolden.”

He started shooting it in 2008. Pritzker filmed a whole version starring Anthony Mackie as jazz great Buddy Bolden. But then he scrapped his $100 million movie and started over.

Now Gary Carr plays Bolden. There’s still a Branford Marsalis soundtrack. It’s unclear how much more Pritzker spent. But it looks like he’s self releasing on May 3rd. I’m surprised he’s not waiting two more weeks for Cannes.

You can read an old interview I did with Pritzker here

Remember: “Bolden” is a passion project. It’s taken 11 years to come to fruition. Plenty of people want it to fail. I don’t. I’d like to see it be a surprise. Pritzker has his heart in the right place, that’s for sure.

Bill Cosby Compares Himself to Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Says Judge Was Corrupt and District Attorney “Low Life”

Roger Friedman
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Bill Cosby Compares Himself to Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Says Judge Was Corrupt and District Attorney “Low Life”

Andrew Wyatt, Bill Cosby’s PR rep, has sent out this statement from Cosby regarding a report on NBC 10 in Philadelphia about Cosby’s incarceration:

“I heard about Ms. Coleman’s (NBC 10) interview from the residents here. Here’s why I, [Mr. Cosby] have “no” remorse and will never have remorse. I was given a deal; I settled out of court for $3.8 million dollars; I waived my 5th amendment rights; I was declared Not Guilty in 2005 by the Commonwealth – never charged. However, a low-life District Attorney and a corrupt Judge needed me Guilty now. Not for justice, but for their political aspirations. They say, Mr. Cosby you must attend these classes. Why? One word. Entrapment! My political beliefs, my actions of trying to humanize all races, genders and religions landed me in this place surrounded by barb wire fencing, a room made of steel and iron. So, I now have a temporary residence that resembles the quarters of some of the Greatest Political Prisoners – Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Randal Robinson, and Dr. Benjamin Chavis. I stand upright as a Political Prisoner and I Smile. The Truth is Strong!” Bill Cosby”

This is a response to a report on NBC 10 in which Cosby was said not be to be remorseful for his attacks on women including Andrea Costand.

“Motown 60” TV Special: Smokey, Stevie, Diana, But Nary a Mention of Michael Jackson or the Jackson 5 Plus Lionel Richie Drops Out

Roger Friedman
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“Motown 60” TV Special: Smokey, Stevie, Diana, But Nary a Mention of Michael Jackson or the Jackson 5 Plus Lionel Richie Drops Out

When they edit together the three hour “Motown 60” for CBS (to air in April) it will have some brilliant moments and some headscratchers.


Mary Wilson, still Supreme

Just about completely missing from the show is anything about the Jackson 5 or Michael Jackson. I found it stunning that there was no nod to Michael’s Moonwalk from the 1983 “Motown 25” show. It felt like the producers of tonight’s show– taped at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles– missed a poignant opportunity to feature the Jacksons (Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie, Tito) as adults. One can only surmise that with the current Michael documentary airing soon on HBO, CBS wanted nothing to do with him. At least Michael’s face was shown in the In Memoriam section.

There were many other glaringly weird things going on at the show, but let’s concentrate on the good stuff. Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson demonstrated why they are premiere artists. The whole show could have been about them and it would be fine. Diana Ross was in fine voice but they will have to cut her fawning over Berry Gordy, which was surreal.

A surprise blast from the past was Thelma Houston, who kind of stole the show singing her massive 1977 hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” You will want to see that.

There are also two excellent filmed segments– one with the Motown writers Valerie Simpson, Eddie Holland-Lamont Dozier-Brian Holland, and Mickey Stevenson, along with Smokey. It’s the one time the show feels real. There’s also a very good filmed piece on the racism Motown groups encountered when they toured the South.

There are some things that would be best left on the cutting room floor including pieces with Cedric the Entertainer, and an audience karaoke segment that I thought was a waste of time– considering that many legacy Motown performers were in the audience, didn’t sing, and weren’t introduced including Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Otis Williams of the Temptations.

Again, when it’s all put together, “Motown 60” will look seamless, I’m sure. But where was Lionel Richie? I’m told he dropped out at the last minute. Gladys Knight is also not mentioned despite a run of massive hits like “Neither one of Us” and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Well, you can’t have everything.

Despite the politics and scandals, one thing is true. Berry Gordy stamped his label “Motown” and invented a signal term for a kind of popular music. No one ever says ‘let’s put some on Columbia or RCA or Capitol Records.’ They say let’s hear some Motown. Six decades later, that’s quite a legacy.

R&B Star Usher Attacked in Hollywood Recording Studio While Working with Controversial Rapper Rich the Kid

Roger Friedman
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R&B Star Usher Attacked in Hollywood Recording Studio While Working with Controversial Rapper Rich the Kid

R&B star Usher is in trouble right now.

TMZ reports that he was attacked at a Hollywood recording studio while working with a rapper called Rich the Kid. TMZ says Rich the Kid was the target of a robbery, and that his entourage was shot at and pistol whipped. Usher is ok.

Usher is unlikely to have enemies. But Rich the Kid does. According to Wikipedia:
Rich The Kid began dating Tori Hughes (professionally known as Tori Brixx) shortly following the filing of their divorce. On June 15, 2018, Rich The Kid was hospitalized following a home invasion at Hughes’ home. According to a police report, several men entered Hughes’ home carrying firearms and demanded money. When Rich The Kid attempted to confront them, he was beaten and the men left with a “significant” amount of money and jewelry. On December 29, 2018, Rich the Kid got into a UTV accident in Calabasas, CA, when Dimitri and his friend were driving around in a Polaris RZR 4-wheeler. Based on sources from TMZ, it seems that Dimitri lost control of it and fell off of his RZR 4-wheeler and severely injured his hand. He was taken to the hospital shortly after

Poor Usher. He’s such a nice guy. He’s picked the wrong people to hang with over the years. He should not be recording with rappers. Usher is a SINGER. He’s wasting his time with hip hop. He should go find a real producer, and songs, and get away from this environment.

Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”) Speaks Out on Academy Awards Newest Public Argument Over Oscar Show

Roger Friedman
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Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”) Speaks Out on Academy Awards Newest Public Argument Over Oscar Show

Oscar winner and now new nominee Alfonso Cuaron, director and choreographer of “Roma,” is mad. He’s angry with the Motion Picture Academy for not including cinematography and editing plus two more categories in the live flow of the Oscars show.

Instead, four categories will be delivered during the commercial breaks. The winners will make their speeches then. Later, the Oscars will show all four speeches by the winners in a taped package. They feel this will speed up the show. The Tony Awards have done this for years.

This isn’t such a bad idea. But it was handled poorly. The news also comes after a series of PR mishaps for the Oscars which we needn’t reiterate here. Why can’t these decisions be marketed in more felicitous ways? The Academy seems to have no sensitivity to the ultra touch social media.

Below Cuaron’s Tweet is a letter sent by the head of the Cinematographers Union. They’re pretty unhappy, too.

On top of that, last year’s Best Director and maker of Best Picture, Guillermo del Toro has said succinctly: “I’m pissed.”

What’s next? Many people are angry about certain omissions from the Grammy Awards In Memoriam section. Please, Oscar producers, go over your list carefully. Make sure everyone is included!

Dear members of the ASC,

Yesterday afternoon the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced that the Best Cinematography presentation — as well as the awards for Film Editing, Live-Action Short and Make-up and Hair Styling — would not be broadcast live but presented in a delayed and edited version during the televised Oscar ceremony. This decision was apparently made in order to shorten the length of the Academy Awards broadcast.

After receiving many comments on this matter from ASC members, I think I speak for many of them in declaring this a most unfortunate decision. We consider filmmaking to be a collaborative effort where the responsibilities of the director, cinematographer, editor and other crafts often intersect. This decision could be perceived as a separation and division of this creative process, thus minimizing our fundamental creative contributions.

The Academy is an important institution that represents our artistry in the eyes of the world. Since the organization’s inception 91 years ago, the Academy Awards have honored cinematographers’ talent, craft and contributions to the filmmaking process, but we cannot quietly condone this decision without protest.

Kees van Oostrum
ASC President

Michael Jackson’s Niece Reveals 7 Year Relationship with King of Pop’s Accuser: “He’s not a victim. He’s an Opportunist”

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Niece Reveals 7 Year Relationship with King of Pop’s Accuser: “He’s not a victim. He’s an Opportunist”

Brandi Jackson is one of two children whose father is Jackie Jackson, a member of the Jackson 5 and Michael’s brother.

On Twitter today Brandi revealed that she once had a seven year relationship with Wade Robson, who now accuses Michael of molesting him during his childhood.

She wrote: “Wade: You constantly talked about wanting to be “relevant”. You’ve burned so many bridges that now the only time you are #relevant is when you headline with my family’s name next to yours. It’s time to stop these lies and live your own life.

“I found out Wade cheated on me with multiple woman who he hoped would advance his career. You might know one of them, because it was a huge pop music scandal. Wade is not a victim, he’s an #Opportunist,” she wrote.

Brandi continued: “Wade and I were together for over 7 years, but I bet that isn’t in his “documentary” because it would ruin his timeline. And did I mention, it was my uncle, #MichaelJackson, who set us up? Wade is not a victim, #WadeRobsonIsaLiar”

Brandi finished with: “I pray he comes at me for these #truths cause I will happily put him in his place.”

She also posted a picture of her and Wade with Michael when they were children.

The impetus for this is the airing on March 3rd and 4th of “Leaving Neverland,” in which Robson makes his claims. I don’t know how to reach Brandi. But she can email me at showbiz411@gmail.com. We’d love to hear the whole story.

Grammy Award Win Pushes Kacey Musgraves to Top of Charts Knocking Off Ariana Grande (Who Pulled Out of Show)

Roger Friedman
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Grammy Award Win Pushes Kacey Musgraves to Top of Charts Knocking Off Ariana Grande (Who Pulled Out of Show)

Ariana Grande didn’t want to be on the Grammy Awards. Now she’s paying the price. Her new album, “Thank You, Next” was pushed to number 2 yesterday by the Album of Year winner Kacey Musgraves.

Kacey’s “Golden Hour” — released March 2018 — has zoomed to the top of the iTunes charts. It’s number 1. Two more of Musgraves’s albums are in the top 50 as well.

Musgraves performed on the Grammy show and walked home with a bunch of Grammys. She has several singles now in the top 40 as well.

Grande picked a fight with the Grammy producers and pulled out of the show.

Nearly everyone who appeared on the Grammys got sales bumps yesterday from Post Malone to Cardi B to Shawn Mendes. Musgraves also put four singles on the charts. Dolly Parton put three singles and a Greatest Hits album on them as well.

Irregardless of everything, as Mariah Carey might say, Dion’s “Runaround Sue” is number 100 right now. Go figure.

OSCARS Cut Four Categories from Live Academy Awards Show to Make Broadcast Shorter

Roger Friedman
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OSCARS Cut Four Categories from Live Academy Awards Show to Make Broadcast Shorter

There will be four fewer categories announced live on the Oscars this year.

The awards for cinematography, film editing, live action short and the category of makeup and hairstyling will now all be given off camera and announced at some point on the show.

This will not be popular in certain circles, but it will keep the show moving. At least there will still be five songs performed.

But this year’s nominees for cinematography, a very important Oscar, will not be thrilled. They include Alfonso Cuaron, who did his own cinematography for “Roma,” and Caleb Deschanel, for “Never Look Away.”

The Academy can say that the Emmys, Tony’s and Grammys already give out a slew of awards separate from their main telecast. It’s actually amazing the Oscars waited so long.

The Little Boy Who Introduced Diana Ross May Rule the World One Day: His Other Grandparent is Berry Gordy

Roger Friedman
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The Little Boy Who Introduced Diana Ross May Rule the World One Day: His Other Grandparent is Berry Gordy

That little boy who introduced Diana Ross on the Grammys last night was her grandson, Raif Kendrick. At 9 years old he already has the poise to host the whole show! Raif has the genes. His grandfather is Berry Gordy, founder of Motown. He already looks like a combo of Ross and Gordy. Raif’s mom is Diana’s singer daughter, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, was also raised by Diana’s then husband, former music manager Robert Ellis Silberstein. The whole gang has turned into a big, blended family over the years. Diana and Bob’s daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, is a big star (“Blackish,” among other things. They were all sitting together last night. Diana has a public reputation as a diva, but in private she’s a hell of a mom. No one believes she’s 75, she looks like a kid!

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