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“Danger, Will Robinson!” — “Lost in Space” is Back, Seriously, with the Robot, and a Female Dr. Smith (Parker Posey)

Leah Sydney
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“Danger, Will Robinson!” — “Lost in Space” is Back, Seriously, with the Robot, and a Female Dr. Smith (Parker Posey)

“Danger, Will Robinson!” got the crowd clapping at the premiere of Netflix’s new surefire hit — a 2018 remake of the 60’s classic ‘”Lost In Space” at the Arclight Hollywood Cinerama Dome.  Netflix’s content chief Ted Sarandos got the night started for the appreciative audience which included “Star Wars”‘s Mark Hamill and the original “ Lost In Space” cast members Angela Cartwright,  Mark Goddard, Bill Mumy and Marta Kristen, whose date was her actress daughter, the lovely Lena Kane. (June Lockhart, the great space mom, is 92 so she was allowed to stay home. Guy Williams and Jonathan Harris are gone, somewhere in space.)

One exhilarating episode was shown and this engaging and exciting show quickly kicked into high sci –fi gear. And here’s a little side note: the original “Lost in Space” was brought to us by Irwin Allen, famous for his blockbuster disaster movies. It ran for 84 episodes from 1965 to 1968. The family was named Robinson as a nod to the Swiss Family Robinson, who were shipwrecked in the early 1800s in the East Indies and became famous.

At the after party I chatted with the esteemed British actor Toby Stephens who plays the combat veteran dad, John Robinson.  Toby is acting and theatrical royalty; he is the son of Dame Maggie Smith — Dowager Countess of “Downton Abbey” among other things — and the late Sir Robert Stephens.  I asked the totally down to earth Toby how a lauded British actor such as himself — he’s won numerous awards for his Shakespearean work on stage and screen — wound up in an American pop culture classic?  Stephens explained,  “I grew up for five years in LA because my Mom worked here a lot.  So I caught up on all the American sci -fi shows and have always been a true fan since then.  I never imagined I’d be in one, but I’m sincerely thrilled to be in this. I’m having a blast.”

Toby has an equal acting partner in 12-year-old Maxwell Jenkins who plays the iconic Will Robinson role and is just sensational, he gives a layered, sensitive performance; it also doesn’t hurt that he’s off the charts appealing.  I asked him his highlight of the night.  “Mark Hamill gave me a cough drop.  I actually have a cough drop from Luke Skywalker!”  The rest of the cast — Molly Parker, Taylor Russell and Mina Sundial — round out the complicated Robinson clan and are every bit Toby and Maxwell’s acting equals.  We luckily got a peak of the always perfect Parker Posey (who was at the event as well)  as Dr. Smith at the end of the first episode. Cannot wait to see more of her!

“Lost In Space”‘ premieres globally on Friday April 13th and will surely be another megahit for Netflix.  The show smartly weaves the appealing 60’s sensibility with an imperfect modern day family.  A big budget sci-fi adventure with heart.  Escapist fun and wondrously well done.  

 


TV Ratings: “American Idol” Beaten Sunday by New Show and “NCIS,” Monday by “The Voice”

Roger Friedman
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TV Ratings: “American Idol” Beaten Sunday by New Show and “NCIS,” Monday by “The Voice”

“American Idol” is not having a great time during its reincarnation.

On Sunday night “Idol” was beaten by “NCIS” and its preceding show CBS, “Instinct,” which is brand new but has a great lead-in from “60 Minutes.” The latter news program had 10 million viewers on Sunday might.

“Idol” scores an average 7.2 million viewers, a full million behind “NCIS” and “Instinct.”

Last night, “Idol” fell again when it overlapped with NBC’s “The Voice.” The only good news there is that “The Voice” was down, too, under 10 million viewers to 9.7 million. It’s off about 500,000 viewers.

Exclusive: Joaquin Phoenix Rising– Star Says “I Just Want to Keep Making Movies, If People Think That I Should”

Leah Sydney
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Exclusive: Joaquin Phoenix Rising– Star Says “I Just Want to Keep Making Movies, If People Think That I Should”
Charlize Theron and Joaqui’n Phoenix

 

I guess Page Six went to a different party then I and the rest of the attendees (including Charlize Theron, John C. Reilly, Lucas Hedges and more) did for Joaquin Phoenix’s new much lauded film Amazon’s  “You Were Never Really Here,” in limited release now. At the Taschen Gallery event Phoenix was described as   ‘reclusive,’ and ‘utterly unnoticed.’ They apparently weren’t at the event so they got their info from a ‘source’ and they got it all wrong.  

Joaquin was gracious and approachable, posed for photographers and talked to the press, including me, and was chatting and lovely to guests. He’s also far from ‘reclusive.’ He’s a committed public animal activist, goes to events and recently accompanied his longtime talented actress girlfriend Rooney Mara during Oscar time when she co-hosted an event for her brother-in-law Jamie Bell’s “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.” Jamie is married to Rooney’s equally talented sister Kate Mara who is terrific in “Chappaquiddick.”

I asked Joaquin, who is known to take artistic challenges in his choices, what drew him to this complicated role. He plays a traumatized veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living

“I don’t really know what it was.  It may be there was just something about Lynne [Scottish Director Lynne Ramsey who wrote and directed the film] when she talked about it that had meaning to me.”  He goes on, “I felt like there was something really mysterious about the character and the journey that I couldn’t figure out.  It wasn’t like it was there on the page. But there were hints of things which I wanted to dig in with Lynne and explore the possibilities.  I don’t really know exactly why, but that’s close.”

I then asked him how he handles the constant compliments he gets from the industry and fans about his talent, dedication and commitment to his work.  He answered humbly,   “It makes me feel a little bit uneasy.  I just want to keep making movies, if people think that I should and they want to support that then I’m really appreciative.”

 

Photo Credit: Todd Williamson/January Images

Buckingham Nix: Fleetwood Mac Writer-Guitarist Leaves Group, Won’t Tour This Summer

Roger Friedman
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Buckingham Nix: Fleetwood Mac Writer-Guitarist Leaves Group, Won’t Tour This Summer

Lindsey Buckingham has left the building. He won’t tour with Fleetwood Mac this summer after they finally got Christine McVie back.

You know Fleetwood Mac. The ancient mariners have been sleeping with each other and squabbling since 1492. At different times they’ve all left, then come back, then left again.

Buckingham joined the group with Stevie Nicks in 1975, after they released their one album together, “Buckingham Nicks.” (It’s out of print, no CD, no digital, because hey, that’s so cool and mysterious). He and McVie made an album last year that no one cared about; it sold 50,000 copies.

Buckingham is being replaced on this tour by Neil Finn of Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. (Now maybe I’ll go.)  This means we’re going to hear Stevie sing harmony on “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

Well, don’t dream, it’s not over. Fleetwood Mac won’t officially break up until there’s an apocalypse. God only knows what burr got under Buckingham’s saddle. The group said in a statement, “We wish him the best.”

This has been going on for forty years, for god’s sake.

PS It’s really ironically funny since out of nowhere some new home video using the song “Dreams” has gone viral and put them back on the charts. Now, that’s the time to leave!

 

NCIS Fractious Farewell: Actress Pauley Perrette Tweets Final Photos with Everyone in Cast But Mark Harmon

Roger Friedman
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NCIS Fractious Farewell: Actress Pauley Perrette Tweets Final Photos with Everyone in Cast But Mark Harmon

It’s all over for Pauley Perrette at “NCIS.” The original cast member leaves in a two parter beginning May 1st. Over the weekend she wrapped her final episodes and posted farewell photos with all the cast members except for her boss, Mark Harmon. Was Harmon too busy? Did Perrette not want him? Is it a sign? I’ve heard stories from past “NCIS” players about Harmon that indicate he’s not the most sentimental guy on set. (And to think, he started as a second-level character on “St. Elsewhere.”) I do think “NCIS” is going to be quite different without Pauley. Her sense of humor and quirkiness balanced Harmon’s leaden personality. I hope she goes on to something really cool and fun.

Books By Celebs — Sean Penn, Rose McGowan — Thought to Have Waiting Fans Are Sales Duds

Roger Friedman
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Books By Celebs — Sean Penn, Rose McGowan — Thought to Have Waiting Fans Are Sales Duds

Book publishing re-learned an old lesson this winter. Books by celebrities are not automatic best sellers.

Indeed. they are flops. To wit: Sean Penn’s novel, “Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff” has done nothing in book stores or online. Only 5,500 copies have been sold according to BookScan. “Bob Honey” is sitting at around number 3,000 among all titles on amazon.com. Simon & Schuster’s Atria imprint published the Oscar winner’s foray into fiction. The novel has universally terrible reviews on amazon.

At the same time, Rose McGowan’s emancipation proclamation, a memoir called “Brave,” hasn’t done much either. “Brave,” from HarperCollins, sold 6,900 copies through the end of March. It’s dropped to number 17,330 on amazon.com. The book was definitely hurt by McGowan flaking out on the first day of her book tour after a heckler interrupted a signing in New York.

Doing a little better were media books by Tina Brown and Joe Hagan. Through the end of March, Hagan’s Jann Wenner book sold around 29,000 copies. Tina Brown’s “Vanity Fair Diaries” sold 26,000 copies. They weren’t best-sellers, but Sean Penn would have been a lot happier with those numbers.

Han Solo Meets Chewie, Discovers He’s 190 Years Old in New Trailer from “Solo: A Star Wars Story”

Roger Friedman
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Han Solo Meets Chewie, Discovers He’s 190 Years Old in New Trailer from “Solo: A Star Wars Story”

When Han Solo met Chewbacca the hairy guy was 190 years old! In the new trailer from “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” Alden Ehrenreich as Han meets Chewie, Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), flies the Millenium Falcon, and hits it off with Qi’ra, his Daenerys Targaryen played by the the very winning, grinning Emilia Clarke. “Solo” opens at the Cannes Film Festival May 15th and everywhere else ten days later.

Judge Rules in Christina Grimmie Family vs. AEG, Orlando Philharmonic: Case May Proceed NOT Dismissed for Murdered Singer from “The Voice”

Roger Friedman
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Judge Rules in Christina Grimmie Family vs. AEG, Orlando Philharmonic: Case May Proceed NOT Dismissed for Murdered Singer from “The Voice”

After rising pop singer Christina Grimmie– who’d competed on “The Voice” —  was murdered on June 10, 2016 after a show at the The Plaza Live Theater in Orlando (owned by The Orlando Philharmonic), her family sued both the Phil and promoter AEG. On Friday, a judge in Orange County. Florida ruled against AEG’s motion for dismissal, giving the Grimmies a chance to move forward.

Judge Kevin B. Weiss ru led that AEG’s motion to dismiss on five counts of negligence. H e wrote: Plaintiffs have provided numerous facts that, when taken as true, support the existence of a special relationship between AEG Live and Christina, including but not limited to payments made by AEG Live to Christina. Furthermore, Plaintiffs maintain that AEG Live contractually shared the management and control of the concert, including security, with Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.”

keep refreshing…

Grimmie was shot three times by a fan, Kevin Loibl, who stood on line to meet her after her show. Grimmie’s brother Marcus wrestled Loibl to the ground but it was too late: Christina succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital. Loibl took his own life.

The Grimmies filed suit against AEG on five counts including breach of contract, negligence, and distress. As Christina’s career had taken off, the whole family went to work for her. They relied on her for income. Marcus, who functioned as a manager, said in the suit that he couldn’t sleep or eat after witnessing the attack and fighting off Loibl. The family also sued the Philharmonic.

The decision reads: “Plaintiffs claim that AEG Live had contracts with one or more of the artists involved
in the Spring/Summer 2016 Tour. In addition, Plaintiffs maintain that these alleged contracts,
which they have yet to receive from AEG Live, provide that AEG Live would provide security for
the artists on the tour to protect them from third parties at the venues where they performed.
Because AEG Live had the right and authority to manage and control the events, Plaintiffs contend
that AEG Live had a contractual obligation to implement and coordinate security measures. Thus,
Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged this cause of action…”

The judge in his decision wrote: …”it is not for this Court to speculate whether the asserted
allegations are true or whether the pleader has the ability to prove them. Id. Rather, the sole
question for this Court to decide is “simply whether, assuming all the allegations in the complaint
to be true, the plaintiff would be entitled to the relief requested…”

The case now goes to the discovery phase, although it would seem AEG is in a difficult position now. It would seem likely that settlement negotiations may be next. The Grimmie family is represented by Brian Caplan of Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt.

 

Broadway: Tina Fey Scores a Massive Hit with the Hilarious Musical Version of “Mean Girls”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Tina Fey Scores a Massive Hit with the Hilarious Musical Version of “Mean Girls”

Tina Fey has already conquered movies and TV, so what next? Sunday night she brought the musical version of her 2004 comedy movie “Mean Girls” to Broadway, and this is how I knew it would be a hit: the audience coming in was over the top. Lorne Michaels produced the show, so he had to be there. But so were Steve Martin, Martin Short, Glenn Close, Jimmy Fallon with producer wife Nancy Juvonen, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld with 17 year old daughter Sasha, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon from “Saturday Night Live,” Alec Baldwin and very pregnant wife Hilaria, Jane Krakowski, Ellie Kemper and Titus Burgess from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and so on. Diane Sawyer and Emma Thompson came as each other’s dates. (You remember, Diane’s beloved late husband Mike Nichols directed Emma in the HBO version of “Wit.)

Also there: Ron Meyer, head of Universal Pictures, Bob Greenblatt, head of NBC. You know when the audience is that stacked with A listers, no one is fooling around.

But then again, everyone is fooling around in “Mean Girls,” so light-hearted and not mean spirited, so laugh out loud funny in all the right ways, with an incredibly talented cast, catchy songs., and the highest level of choreography and direction from Casey Nicholaw.

The best part is, Tina has updated the movie so that smart phones and social media are integrated seamlessly at North Shore High School where Regina George (Taylor Louderman) is still making everyone bow and scrape to her. Hew new project is Cady Heron (Erika Henningsen) who’s come back to the US from Africa with her missionary parents. Cady also makes friends with two outsiders– Janis (Barrett Wilbert Weed, who could give Pat Benatar a run for her money vocally) and Damian (Grey Henson, a lock for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical).

The main cast is bursting with talent at every level including Regina’s two cohorts, Gretchen (Ashley Park) and Karen (Kate Rockwell), and Aaron, the local guy for whom Cady lusts but Regina has her claws in (Kyle Selig). That’s the long and short of it even though there’s a plenty big ensemble (really well cast starting with Cheech Manohar as the Dev Patel of the group) and Kerry Butler playing three funny roles and Rick Younger as the put up on high school principal.

“Mean Girls” is “Grease” and a dozen other high school musicals rolled into one except that it’s from Tina Fey, whose mordant sense of humor, quick-trigger glibness and surprise curve balls give each of these characters refreshing turns away from cliche. Add to that the songs by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin are mostly huge successes that are staged so well by Nicholaw that they are bigger than the sum of their parts. And then are a couple of songs– “I’d Rather Be Me,” “Where Do You Belong,” “Here”– that jump out from the pack.

Nicholaw loves big show stopping numbers, so he’s got a couple here– one set in a high school cafeteria, another in a parents’ house turned party zone– that equal his best work. As in “Something Rotten,” his attitude is, The show’s a little thin but it’s fun so let’s put on some Busby Berkeley numbers and go for it. If you’ve got the right set up, the right actors– you can do it. And boy, does he ever.

“Mean Girls” will go up against “The Band’s Visit” and “Frozen” for Best Musical in just a few weeks. I really thought the former had it locked up. But “Mean Girls” will give them both some heavy competition. And it gives us a really fun Broadway season.

 

Sean Hannity’s Response to Kimmel Apology: TV Ratings Are More Important– Wait til My Show Tomorrow Night So I Can Cash In

Roger Friedman
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Sean Hannity’s Response to Kimmel Apology: TV Ratings Are More Important– Wait til My Show Tomorrow Night So I Can Cash In

Jimmy Kimmel apologized. So what was Sean Hannity’s response?

He says we’ll have to watch his show Monday night when he will comment. That way he gets ratings and it’s too late for Kimmel to say anything else.

Sad!

Hannity’s being killed in the ratings by Rachel Maddow. So he figures why not bleed this out? He wants the last word. Unfortunately, everyone will be watching Maddow. She should have Kimmel on live. That would be fun!

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