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With 14 Major Advertisers Fleeing, Laura Ingraham Says She’s Taking Next Week Off– Exactly How Bill O’Reilly Exited Fox News

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Is Laura Ingraham done at Fox News? Tonight she announced she’s taking next week off following her imbroglio with Parkland, Florida high school student David Hogg.

After attacking Hogg on Twitter, Ingraham became the object of an advertiser boycott. A dozen or so major advertisers have left her show including Johnson & Johnson, Hulu, Office Depot, Liberty Mutual, Jenny Craig among 14 top spenders and big brands. First it was just Hogg, 17, who encouraged the boycott. But it’s snowballed quickly.

This is exactly what happened to Bill O’Reilly last year. Advertisers fled when the New York Times revealed the multi million dollar settlements with women whom he’d sexually harassed. O’Reilly announced he was taking a week off. He never returned.

Fox News doesn’t need Ingraham. She’s new the prime time line up. The network is already fighting off Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, who’s regularly beating Sean Hannity. Ingraham herself was beaten on Thursday night by Lawrence O’Donnell, who follows Maddow. They were pretty much tied on Wednesday night. So Fox News may decide they don’t need to keep rolling the dice with a magnet for bad PR whose advertisers are gone.

Stay tuned…

Springsteen Guitarist Nils Lofgren SOS: Robbed of Beloved Instruments on Tour in Dallas

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It’s an SOS from Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren. He and wife Amy have each Tweeted from Dallas that Nils’s guitars were stolen last night. It’s the first night of his solo tour (Nils had a great solo career before joining the E Street Band).

Nils writes: “I’m am devastated by this robbery. These are my first shows out after a very difficult year. Please consider a retweet. Alas, the show must go on. @KesslerTheater it won’t be the show I was planning on. However I do plan on taking the roof off.”

Pop: The Weeknd Surprise Drops New EP “My Dear Melancholy,” and Goes Straight to Number 1

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The Weeknd is back. As a surprise holiday weekend gift, the talented R&B star has dropped a six song set called “My Dear Melancholy,”. That’s with a comma, because it’s a set of open letters that are moody, romantic, and full of memorable hooks.

The set comes on the heels of The Weeknd’s huge number 1 hit, “Pray for Me” with Kendrick Lamar, from the “Black Panther” soundtrack.

What I like about The Weeknd is that he has composed the whole thing himself with partners. All of it is original and sounds fresh.

The set, of course, has zoomed to number 1. The charts really needed “My Dear Melancholy,” you know. The staleness of sounds on the radio right now is shocking.

Here are the six songs. My favorite so far is number 5, “Hurt You,” which is co-credited to Swedish DJ Gesaffelstein.

Roman Polanski’s Long Ago Victim Samantha Geimer Confronts Mia Farrow’s Daughter on Twitter: “I object to those using the #MeToo only for their narrow interests”

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Samantha Geimer is crossing swords with Dylan Farrow on Twitter right now. Geimer, now over 50, was Roman Polanski’s rape victim when she was 13 in 1977. Geimer has time after time asked for leniency toward Polanski and supported the vacating of charges against him.

Now Geimer is taking on Dylan Farrow on Twitter. Dylan was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen who claims that Allen molested her when she was 7 in 1992. Investigators found no proof Allen did anything and did not recommend charges against him. Still Farrow–via her mother Mia Farrow and brother Ronan– has turned the persecution of Allen into her life’s work. (She has never, however, addressed the fact that Mia’s brother John Farrow is serving 10 to 25 years in prison for molesting two little boys.)

She writes on Twitter: “I object to those using the #MeToo only for their narrow interests when it is for all of us, about all of use, to support all our choices. We all should be reaching down pulling others up, not reaching up to pull people down.”

Dylan Farrow upbraids actress Cate Blanchett for not speaking out against Allen, who directed her to an Oscar in “Blue Jasmine.” Blanchett said in a TV Interview about Allen: “If these allegations need to be re-examined which, in my understanding, they’ve been through court, then I’m a big believer in the justice system and setting legal precedents. If the case needs to be reopened, I am absolutely, wholeheartedly in support of that.”

Geimer’s response is that Dylan could still file a civil action against Allen to prove her claim. But Dylan won’t do that– she doesn’t have a case, despite her mother and brother attempting to poison anyone they can against Woody based on hearsay.

Good for Geimer for calling out Farrow. She writes: “Ridiculous to attack those who think crimes should be investigated and tried in Court and ask instead that Twitter is now judge and jury for all accusations. You do not have to pursue charges as an adult, but if you do not, the consequences is there will be no guilty verdict.”

Review: Armie Hammer Gets Painted by Geoffrey Rush in Stanley Tucci’s Touching “Final Portrait”

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Geoffrey Rush excels at playing tortured always on the edge characters. Rush repeats this talent by playing the artist Alberto Giacometti in Stanley Tucci’s (he wrote and directed) fine but flawed film “Final Portrait,” currently in limited release. Because of the superb acting by the cast, Sony Picture Classics could very well have another early awards film contender.

Armie Hammer plays James Lord, an American bon-vivant writer and art aficionado who in 1964 on a short trip to Paris is asked by his friend Alberto to sit for a portrait. Thinking it will only take a couple of days; Lord realizes the process is seemingly endless. Woven into the Italian/French drama of it all is Giacometti’s marriage, his long suffering wife Annette is played achingly lovingly by Sylvie Testud. Added to that is his love for and of his loyal prostitute mistress Caroline (Clemence Poesy) with his stalwart exasperated brother Diego forever on the sidelines, played touchingly by Tony Shalhoub.

At the recent Pacific Design Center premiere in LA, Armie introduced the film with designer and art lover Tom Ford sitting front and center. The New York premiere at the Guggenheim Museum had Tucci’s “Devil Wears Prada,” co star Meryl Streep and another “Prada” alum and Tucci sister in law Emily Blunt with her husband John Krasinski, (Tucci is married to Emily’s sister Felicity who is expecting their second child.) Tucci pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds also came out to support the talented Tucci.

“Final Portrait” is quiet, patient, thoughtful and at times really funny, with a meditative quality that the engaging actors slip into effortlessly. The bohemian art studio perfectly captures the rag tag mood. What’s missing is more of the backstory on Giacometti’s history which would have added to our understanding of him and his current circumstances. Still though Rush shines as the dramatic and dazzlingly, extremely charming and temperamental and never boring iconic artist.

TV: Roseanne Barr Gets the Last Cackle on Donald Trump, Crazy Like a Fox Comedienne Puts One Over on the Base

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Everyone’s excited that Roseanne Barr scored 18 million viewers– it must be the Trumpers. But in reality, “Roseanne” is the least conservative show on TV. It’s run by Wanda Sykes and cast member Sara Gilbert — two prominent lesbians. The show features a 10 year old cross dressing boy who is probably gay. (The role was originally billed as gender fluid.)

On the premiere show this week, Roseanne and Dan’s daughter, Becky, announced she was going to accept $50,000 to carry another woman’s child. The family supported it. They also supported the 10 year old boy’s decision to wear a skirt to school. The family also warmly welcomed back Roseanne’s sister, Jackie, who  in episode 2 reveals she voted for Jill Stein for President.

“Who?” Roseanne squawks in reply. Exactly.

Not only that, Roseanne and Dan have a black granddaughter (they haven’t even gotten to that yet). Something tells me in weeks to come there will be anti-Wall pro-immigration episode as well. The Conners will turn out to be the accepting, open conservative Republican family in history.  In episode Dan even jokes about Darlene (Gilbert) being gay– wink wink since Gilbert is gay but her alter ego is not.

In a real right wing, conservative Rust Belt home, the boy would have been told to wear pants to school, Jackie would be persona non grata, and Becky would be prohibited from being a surrogate and sent packing. But we aren’t in that world. We’re in a gloss of that world that doesn’t exist.

Donald Trump called Roseanne (the real Roseanne) to congratulate her on her ratings. He’s been told that she supports him, so be probably thinks he had something to do with this. The truth is, Trump’s name is never uttered on the show.

Barr is crazy like a fox. She ginned up the base to get them to watch her show, and the result was a shattering 18 million. Even if 50 percent go away next week (when politics aren’t even mentioned) she’s got a massive hit. Trump doesn’t know it, but he’s been used by Roseanne. She’s getting the last cackle on him. Good for her!

In a Tweet this afternoon, Roseanne marveled at getting a call from Trump. But she also pointed out the other presidents she’d met or talked to– including Carter and Clinton. Just in case no one’s paying attention


 

 

Fox News’s Laura Ingraham, Facing Massive Advertiser Boycott, Tweets Half-Hearted Apology to Teen She Smeared

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UPDATE: Nestle, Joseph A. Banks also pull ads from Ingraham show despite apology.

Fox News’s Laura Ingraham is on the run. She’s on Twitter apologizing to Parkland student David Hogg after smearing him with a prior Tweet about his high school grades and potential for getting into college.

First Ingraham tweeted: “David Hogg Rejected By Four Colleges To Which He Applied and whines about it. (Dinged by UCLA with a 4.1 GPA…totally predictable given acceptance rates.)”

That set off morning talk show host Rachael Ray, who announced she was pulling ads for her pet food line, Nutrish. Ray was followed by Trip Advisor, which also removed its ads. They were added to by Wayfair Furniture. (After these ad boycotts against O’Reilly, Hannity, Watters I would hate to work in the Fox News ad department.)

Suddenly, Ingraham was contrite because Hogg himself called for a boycott, and the word went out on Twitter to protest all her advertisers. Ingraham– backed into a corner– offered a non apology:

“Any student should be proud of a 4.2 GPA —incl. @DavidHogg111. On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland. For the record, I believe my show was the first to feature David…(1/2)immediately after that horrific shooting and even noted how “poised” he was given the tragedy. As always, he’s welcome to return to the show anytime for a productive discussion”

But Ingraham’s movie is too little, too late. The boycott is underway. Ingraham made a huge mistake attacking a high school kid who’s been outspoken after the murders of 17 friends. You can’t do it. Sorry, right wingers. You just can’t do it. These kids are right about everything right now. They were thrust into the spotlight just six weeks ago, some of them are still 16 or 17. They’ve been incredibly articulate and forthright. The ones waiting for college acceptances– those colleges should welcome them with open arms. They are our future.

Exclusive: Alan Alda in for Dustin Hoffman in Noah Baumbach’s Untitled Netflix Comedy with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver

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EXCLUSIVE There’s no mention of the character on the IMDB, but I’m told Noah Baumbach’s untitled Netflix comedy has one more actor in the story.

I’ve confirmed that the great Alan Alda — last seen in Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies” — filmed a rather large role in the film, which stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig and Laura Dern among others.

The film is the follow up to Baumbach’s excellent “Meyerowitz Stories” that missed awards season for a variety of reasons.

I’m told that Dustin Hoffman, who was so amazing in “Meyerowitz,” was supposed to be in the new movie but had to bow out for scheduling reasons. (Hoffman may be taking a break after getting smeared by #MeToo accusations.) It is hoped we’ll see the two time Oscar winner again, soon. In any case, this is not, I am assured, a Christopher Plummer type situation.

Netflix is set to release the Baumbach movie in November.

PS Note to Screen Actors Guild: Alan Alda should be your next Lifetime recipient next January. What a career– from “MASH” to a terrific movie career acting, writing, and directing.

Sublime Legend Judy Collins at Cafe Carlyle, Introduces “Send in the Clowns”: “We know where the clowns really are”

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“I love you,” Judy Collins, a vision in white from mane to silvery toe, shouted out to Clive Davis, and to everyone present at the Café Carlyle for opening night of her enchanting show. She calls the evening “A Love Letter to Sondheim,” but her range of feeling, and vocals, encompasses all, even in her finale, “Send in the Clowns,” which she introduces with a most subtle political jab, “we know where the clowns really are.”
Her own composition, “Maria,” a nod to West Side Story, reminds her, “This land was made by dreamers.” Of course her career spans lots of political moments, as she knew Dylan, Stephen Stills, and Leonard Cohen. When she sings his “Suzanne,” her crystalline voice fills the room, and out pour memories of his coming to her with material because he knew she could sell a song: “What can I tell you about Leonard
Cohen?” Her friend brought him to her, saying, “His poetry is obscure. He’s never going to go anywhere.” But, says Judy, he was the smartest one. He died the morning of the election.
After a beginning with Joni Mitchell’s  “Chelsea Morning,” the music segues to her Sondheim theme via a nod to Joan Rivers. She was talking about childhood, and how loved Collins felt, as opposed to Rivers who used to quip that she was given a hairdryer as a bathtub toy. Sondheim attributes his success to his childhood living with Oscar Hammerstein II who encouraged his career. Collins’ dad used to take her to the park in Denver. She sings “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George,” and “No One is Alone” from Into the Woods. We were all humming Sondheim at show’s end. “Isn’t it rich?” Indeed it is.

Hollywood Scientologists Planning Cult Get Together of “Magic and Wizardry” to Celebrate Dead Leader

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Despite Leah Remini’s best efforts, Hollywood Scientologists are not getting the message: it’s a cult, it’s dangerous, and vindictive.

Now comes news that a group of them featuring Nancy Cartwright– the voice of Bart Simpson– and Judy Norton — she was once on “The Waltons” — are planning an awards day to celebrate their dead leader, L. Ron Hubbard.

They’re calling it “Magic and Wizardry” and the event– dubbed the 34 th annual L. Ron Hubbard Awards– is set for April 8th in Hollywood.

Presenters include a wide range of D list actors who were once on minor TV series or were never known at all.

No word on whether Tommy Davis, the former celebrity wrangler for David Miscavige, will attend. Davis last year worked for Australian Scientologist James Packer, the ex fiancee of Mariah Carey. He turned up recently at a movie premiere party with his mother, actress Anne Archer, also a lifelong Scientologist.

Something about Scientology seems to kill actors’ careers if they’re not in the top tier– like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Archer hasn’t been heard from in years since appearing in “Fatal Attraction.”

In many of his classic books, the late great Kurt Vonnegut (certainly not in the cult) created a crackpot sci-fi writer named Kilgore Trout. who certainly seems like Hubbard in disguise now. On the press release for “Magic and Wizardry,” they’re giving awards out to a bunch of Trouts, it would seem. The whole thing sounds like the setting for a Vonnegut novel. LOL.

PS Cruise, Travolta, and co. will not be attending.