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Eddie Murphy Expecting 10th Child, Trying to Outdo Mel Gibson for Future Probate Battles

Roger Friedman
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Eddie Murphy Expecting 10th Child, Trying to Outdo Mel Gibson for Future Probate Battles

Eddie Murphy– who hasn’t been in a hit movie for some time– is trying to outdo Mel Gibson, also no longer a box office draw.

They’re busy creating their own fans– many descendants. At this rate their future probate battles are keep lawyers humming all over Beverly Hills.

Eddie is now expecting his 10th child with Australian actress Paige Butcher. She’s also the mother of number 9. You can’t call him Do- little, that’s for sure!

Murphy’s earlier kinder include 29-year-old Eric with Paulette McNeely; 28-year-old Bria, 25-year-old Miles Mitchell, 23-year-old Shayne Audra, 18-year-old Zola Ivy and 16-year-old Bella Zahra with ex-wife Nicole Mitchell Murphy; 27-year-old Christian with Tamara Hood and 11-year-old Angel Iris with Mel B.

Nicole may have been the only legal wife in this group.

Eddie has no children with Johnny Gill, the singer who used to live in his basement (and may still do, Eddie may not even know).

If anyone knows the ages and names of possible grandchildren– there must be some– please email me at showbiz411@gmail.com

Mel Gibson has 9 children, countless grandchildren, and his father, Hutton, the famed anti-Semite and foe of the Pope, just turned 100 on August 26th.

In Hollywood, 9 is a magic number. Stevie Wonder also has 9 children. Clint Eastwood has between 7 and 9 kids.

Again, if I were a law student with an eye on Hollywood, I’d specialize in probate.

RIP Roseanne Conner– John Goodman Says His “Roseanne” Character Dan “Will Be Mopey and Sad Because His Wife Is Dead”:

Roger Friedman
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RIP Roseanne Conner– John Goodman Says His “Roseanne” Character Dan “Will Be Mopey and Sad Because His Wife Is Dead”:

John Goodman says his TV wife Roseanne is dead. Asked by the London Sunday Times magazine how his character Dan will fit into “The Conners,” Goodman says: “It’s an unknown. I guess he’ll be mopey and sad because his wife’s dead.”

Goodman’s other thoughts on Roseanne Barr’s Tweet and the end of the show as we all knew it:

“I was broken-hearted, but I thought, ‘OK, it’s just show business, I’m going to let it go.’ But I went through a period, about a month, where I was very depressed. I’m a depressive anyway, so any excuse that I can get to lower myself, I will. But that had a great deal to do with it, more than I wanted to admit.”

Has he been in touch with Barr at all? “She had to sign a paper saying that she relinquished all her rights to the show so that we could go on. I sent her an email and thanked her for that. I did not hear anything back, but she was going through hell at the time. And she’s still going through hell.”

Was he surprised at the network’s reaction to the tweet? He pauses and stares into his cappuccino for so long I think he is never going to answer. “I was surprised. I’ll put it this way, I was surprised at the response.” Another pause. “And that’s probably all I should say about it.” He falls into a long ponderous silence, then erupts again. “I know, I know, for a fact that she’s not a racist.”

As for Roseanne Conner being dead, hey look: what else were they going to do? In the final episode of the revival season, Roseanne needed knee surgery. She’s overweight, her health is terrible. Plus, Lanford, Ohio is probably not the best place for health care. So it all adds up. The question is, with Roseanne gone, who will the show revolve around? Darlene? Her kids? This doesn’t sound promising.

 

Sacha Baron Cohen Tries to Get OJ to Admit to Being a “Lady Killer” on “Who is America” Finale

Roger Friedman
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Sacha Baron Cohen Tries to Get OJ to Admit to Being a “Lady Killer” on “Who is America” Finale

Hide the knives, OJ is in town.

For his final episode of “Who is America” Sacha Baron Cohen punked OJ Simpson. He got him to sit for an interview and joke about killing Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.

Appearing as an Italian fashion designer, Cohen tells OJ his girlfriend doesn’t know who he is. Then he makes gestures of stabbing her, and the girlfriend gets it. OJ laughs.

Cohen tries to get OJ to admit being a “lady killer.” “It means soemthing else in my country,” he says. Simpson laughs a lot but doesn’t say the words.

Still, it’s pretty funny.

Julian Lennon Thanks “Uncle Paul” McCartney on the 50th Anniversary of “Hey Jude”– Which Was Written for Him

Roger Friedman
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Julian Lennon Thanks “Uncle Paul” McCartney on the 50th Anniversary of “Hey Jude”– Which Was Written for Him

Julian Lennon, John’s older son with Cynthia, has saluted “Uncle Paul” McCartney on the 50th anniversary of “Hey Jude.” The time-busting single– clocking in at just over 7 minutes– was released on August 27, 1968 in the US. McCartney wrote the song for Julian, who was 5 years old at the time. Young “Jules,” as the song was originally sung, was upset about his parents’ divorce. Thank you, Julian. Classy as usual.

 

“Hey Jude” spent 7 weeks at number 1 after its release. It remains one of the most popular records of all time, and in the top 5 of the Lennon-McCartney songbook.

On the UK charts for the week ending September 11, 1968, “Hey Jude” began its run at number 1. Number 2 was the Bee Gees’ “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” Number 3 was “Do It Again” by the Beach Boys” and number 4 was “I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin. Also in the top 25 that week: Simon & Garfunkel, the Kinks, the Four Tops, Tommy James, and Dusty Springfield.

And you wonder why we weep.

It’s Not Just Our Imagination: Motown Temptations Musical is Even Better than “Motown: The Musical”

Leah Sydney
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It’s Not Just Our Imagination: Motown Temptations Musical is Even Better than “Motown: The Musical”

The Temptations, the iconic Motown band, took center stage literally last night at the opening of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations,” at the Ahmanson Theater in LA. Considered the greatest R & B band of all time, this dazzling, endearing and affecting musical tells the story of the famed band, there have been 24 band members through the years.

The show starts with the original members, all Detroit natives, and their rocky rise to fame. The racism they encountered and the hardships they endured, alcoholism, drugs suicide and illness, all plagued the group. The music and the dancing, etched forever in popular culture, majestically rise above it all. Directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo who are the same team that did “Jersey Boys.” This show with its depth, humor, pathos and extraordinary talent, equals “Jersey Boys,” in every way, and in most ways, surpasses it.

For all of you who say, ‘wait, there was just a ‘Motown,’ show,’ “Ain’t Too Proud” makes that one look like amateur hour. “Ain’t Too Proud,” is singularly phenomenal.

I spoke with Motown’s founder Berry Gordy, who told me that, that “The Temptations were the original originals. They came up with their own dance steps, their own timeless sound. The singers were all leads, that is so rare. They were all stars. The same can be said for the performers in the show, some of who play multiple roles. Performing the classic hits of the group, “Ball of Confusion,” “Get Ready,” “I Can’t Get Next To You,” “I’m Losing You,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Shout,” and more, they are all standouts, all major stars in their own right. Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, James Harkness as Paul Williams (no relation), Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin, Nasia Thomas, a memorable Tammi Terrell, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, Jawan M. Jackson as Melvin Franklin, Candice Marie Woods and Rashidra Scott as members of the Supremes and more, they are all truly gifted actors and performers.

John Legend walked the carpet with the only surviving member of the original group, Otis Williams, and told me later that, “We all stand on the shoulders of The Temptations.” Standing also was the audience at the end, a rare ten-minute ovation, prompting some of the cast to tears. Baskin then paid homage to the VIPs in the crowd, including Berry Gordy, their manager of many years Shelly Berger, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes, all also got the adoring audience’s love.

“Ain’t Too Proud,” plays at the Ahmanson until September 30th. After that they play in Toronto and then they head to Broadway’s Imperial Theater for a spring opening. By the reaction of the worshiping crowd last night, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” is going to be “Hamilton” huge.

Playwright Neil Simon, The King of Broadway Comedies and Dramas, Dies at 91, Winner of 3 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize

Roger Friedman
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Playwright Neil Simon, The King of Broadway Comedies and Dramas, Dies at 91, Winner of 3 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize

Neil Simon is dead at 91. He had suffered for years from Alzheimer’s. But here was a genius who started writing for Sid Caesar and went to become the most successful playwright ever on Broadway and the world– with the exception of Shakespeare.

Among Simon’s hit shows were everything from “Barefoot in the Park” to “The Odd Couple” to his famed trilogy of  “Brighton Beach Memoirs” (1983), “Biloxi Blues” (1985) and “Broadway Bound” (1986).

My personal favorite Simon script was for a movie, directed by Elaine May, called “The Heartbreak Kid,” from 1972.

Simon won three Tony Awards Best Play, and had more than a dozen other nominations. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1991 for “Lost in Yonkers,” the play that made Kevin Spacey a star.

Simon’s plays introduced countless stars to film, stage and television and made the careers of people like Matthew Broderick, Tony Randall and Jack Klugman (who were already stars but solidified by “The Odd Couple” on TV), Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, and so on.

He was married four times. His first wife, Joan, died in 1993. Simon married actress Marsha Mason, which became the theme for his hit play “Chapter Two.” He married again, briefly, and then married actress Elaine Joyce in 1999. He leaves three daughters.

Among his other well known hits: “The Sunshine Boys,” “Plaza Suite,” “California Suite,” “Sweet Charity,” “Promises, Promises,” and “Murder by Death.” There were seasons when Simon had one, two, or three shows running at the same time.

Simon had not been photographed in public since 2014 but he had been in decline for some time. Nevertheless he kept his sense of humor, and Elaine Joyce proved to be the perfect companion and devoted wife.

There’s a theater named for Simon on Broadway–on West 52nd St. formerly the Alvin, named in 1983 when he was still very much a contemporary and thriving playwright. No doubt the lights of Broadway will be dimmed at matinees today and at performances the next few days. Neil Simon was literally the backbone of Broadway for decades. He deserves every accolade.

Box Office Final: “Happytime Murders” is Melissa McCarthy’s Lowest Grossing Opening Weekend of Her Career, Public Rejects Muppet Raunch

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Final: “Happytime Murders” is Melissa McCarthy’s Lowest Grossing Opening Weekend of Her Career, Public Rejects Muppet Raunch

Melissa McCarthy broke out as a star in “Bridesmaids” in 2011. That was seven years ago. Since then she’s starred in plenty of movies, including a wonderful dramatic turn in “St.Vincent” with Billy Murray.

After a lot of successes, this weekend she really got hit big time. “Happytime Murders” is the lowest opening weekend she’s ever had– just $10 million. Ripped by reviewers, “Happytime” is made by Brian Henson, son of the “Muppets” creator Jim Henson. It’s an almost X rated version of Muppets, with puppets who look like them doing and saying raunchy things.

No one–really no one– wanted to see this– let alone the people from “Sesame Street” who’ve complained strenuously. The Muppets are sacrosanct. It makes you wonder how much Brian Henson hated his father, or hates him now. Why do this?

At least there will be no sequel. McCarthy, who’s smart, will bounce back. Henson, I don’t know. Again, what was the purpose? I’m sure “Happytime” is funny, like fart jokes and whoopie cushions. But at $40 million, it may not seem so funny when it loses $20 million.

“Crazy Rich Asians” had a great weekend, finished first, made another $25 million, is now at $76 million. Two sequels are coming, and then undoubtedly a TV series. “Mission Impossible: Fallout” is up to $538 million internationally, worldwide, US included. The last one, “Rogue Nation,” made $682 million all in.

No Harmony: Art Garfunkel Books Show in Minnesota Same Night as Paul Simon’s Career Finale Concert in Queens

Roger Friedman
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No Harmony: Art Garfunkel Books Show in Minnesota Same Night as Paul Simon’s Career Finale Concert in Queens

Well, there’s good news and bad news. Art Garfunkel has booked a show in Minnesota on Saturday, September 22nd, the same day Paul Simon plays his final concert, in Queens. There was hope that Simon & Garfunkel would reunite under the stars in the borough of their youth for one last “Scarborough Fair.” It’s not going to happen.

But Garfunkel could still appear at one of the two preceding shows with Simon at Madison Square Garden. Since he’s not going to sing on consecutive days, I’d bet on the first show, September 20th. This is all speculation.

Back on December 13th, I did an interview with Art for the release of his autobiography, “What is All But Luminous.” During our lunch he made a few veiled references to “something big that is going on.” I never learned what that was, but when Simon announced his retirement tour I assumed, thinking back to the lunch, that somehow these two old friends (as it were) had negotiated a way to have a final performance of their own. I sure hope that is the case. I have no other inside information.

Garfunkel and I were set to meet at a restaurant on Third Avenue and East 63rd St. that I think of as Fiorello’s East, but hasn’t been called that in about twenty years. I think it’s called Tony DiNapoli’s. As I approached the restaurant by taxi, my cell phone rang. A very dear and old friend– someone I have been close to for over 40 years– called from London to tell me her breast cancer had recurred and that she required new surgery after 11 years of being cancer free. Talk about being startled. And unnerved. When Artie arrived I explained what had just happened and he offered to postpone our talk. Well, we were there, and hungry, so we persevered. But I never listened to the “tape” and didn’t publish the interview. It was if the whole day had been a foggy dream.

This morning I watched Rita Braver’s excellent piece on Garfunkel on “CBS Sunday Morning.” I hope you watch it, too. Just click on that link. It sums up everything we talked about back on December 13th– how he lost and regained his voice, that he– unlike Simon– is not retiring but plowing ahead. That Garfunkel has always had an intellectual and cultural life separate from Simon, and the difficulties of laboring under the shadow of the Simon & Garfunkel success for what has turned out to be a lifetime. He’s a smart, funny guy who can sing like crazy. We would have gotten that from my interview and we certainly get it from Rita’s.

“What Is All But Luminous” doesn’t come out in paperback until next February. You can still order it from amazon as a hardcover or on Kindle. I’d get the hardcover. Artie designed it with various fonts. The look of it is cool, and the content is just enough to satisfy all our questions about Simon, about his personal life, about singing, reading, touring, and acting in movies like “Catch 22” and “Carnal Knowledge.” By the way, I went back and watched both of those films last summer– Garfunkel is excellent in each of them.

I have a favorite Garfunkel album. It’s called “Breakaway” from 1975, produced by Richard Perry. It’s a masterpiece. He has lots of other records. My favorite single was one called “Second Avenue.” It was never on an album. Garfunkel doesn’t like it for some reason, so he’s never included it on a collection. He doesn’t sing it now. It’s the one thing we disagree about. Go figure.

PS My friend had her surgery, and she is thriving. A happy ending.

Breaking: Arizona Senator John McCain, War Hero, Dies at 81; Trump Tweets Generic Message

Roger Friedman
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Breaking: Arizona Senator John McCain, War Hero, Dies at 81; Trump Tweets Generic Message

Senator John S. McCain of Arizona has died of brain cancer. He was 81. His family had announced yesterday that he was stopping treatment, and that his time was coming to an end.

Now we wait for a statement from Donald Trump who is unbelievably president of the United States. Trump has mocked McCain for being kidnapped and taken prisoner during the Vietnam War. McCain got his revenge by voting against ending Obamacare. He became a hero all over again.

McCain made pretty much only one mistake in his long and stellar career in politics: he let Sarah Palin run as his vice presidential candidate. She absolutely cost him any chance of winning, and became a standard bearer for national stupidity.

Otherwise, McCain was a moderate Republican who loved his country and put it first. What a week– Aretha Franklin and John McCain. We’re losing the best people.

UPDATE Here’s Trump’s Tweet, written by someone in the White House and totally impersonal.

The Best Song of 2018 is 50 Years Old: The Kinks Release Previously Unheard Gorgeous “Time Song” from 1968

Roger Friedman
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The Best Song of 2018 is 50 Years Old: The Kinks Release Previously Unheard Gorgeous “Time Song” from 1968

May I explain something to all of you youngsters and Grammy voters? The Kinks’ “Time Song” is a song. It’s written by one person, Ray Davies of the Kinks. Now it’s been released for the first time as part of the 50th anniversary of the Kinks’ “Village Green Preservation Society.” All you people who think you are songwriters because you lifted a “beat” please listen to this song. This should win the Grammy this year for Best New Song. Just lovely.

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