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Judy Collins Rounds Up Stephen Stills, Rikki Lee Jones, Richard Thompson, Paula Cole for March 8 NY Blowout

Roger Friedman
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Judy Collins Rounds Up Stephen Stills, Rikki Lee Jones, Richard Thompson, Paula Cole for March 8 NY Blowout

Perpetual songbird Judy Collins turned 85 in the last year.

On Saturday, March 8th she’s going to celebrate big time at New York’s Town Hall.

She’s rounded up some big stars who will celebrate and perform with her.

Among them, Stephen Stills, who wrote “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” for her in 1969!

Also on the bill: Rikki Lee Jones, Richard Thompson, Paula Cole, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ari Hest, and names to come.

Sophie B. Hawkins is the host of the night.

There are some, not many, tickets left on the Town Hall website. I recently attended a Judy Collins concert and her voice remains as stunning as ever.

PS You can also read a terrific profile of Collins in the current issue of the New Yorker!

Trump’s Shocking Move to Restrict Press Freedom at the White House: Select Reporters Himself

Roger Friedman
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Trump’s Shocking Move to Restrict Press Freedom at the White House: Select Reporters Himself

Donald Trump has taken a severe move to restrict press freedom. He says it will now be determined by him and the White House press team who covers the presidency.

He’s taking the power away from the White House Correspondents Association.

This follows Trump banning the Associated Press from the White House for not agreeing to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. At the Pentagon, the Trump administration has moved out news outlets it doesn’t like, and done the same thing at the White House.

We’re in uncharted water now for the United States. The WHCA WHite House relationship has been sacrosanct since 1914. But exactly on track for a fascist takeover. What’s happening now is the most extreme test ever of the First Amendment.

This is a dark day in American history. Trump must be stopped.

Eugene Daniels of the WHCA responded immediately.

“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.

“For generations, the working journalists elected to lead the White House Correspondents’ Association board have consistently expanded the WHCA’s membership and its pool rotations to facilitate the inclusion of new and emerging outlets.

“Since its founding in 1914, the WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers and technicians who actually do the work – 365 days of every year – decide amongst themselves how these rotations are operated, so as to ensure consistent professional standards and fairness in access on behalf of all readers, viewers and listeners.

“To be clear, the White House did not give the WHCA board a heads up or have any discussions about today’s announcements. But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor.”

Hulu’s Much Awarded “The Bear” Suddenly Snubbed at SAG, Ignored by Critics Choice: Why?

Roger Friedman
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Hulu’s Much Awarded “The Bear” Suddenly Snubbed at SAG, Ignored by Critics Choice: Why?

For a while there, “The Bear” could do no wrong.

Hulu’s shockingly good series about the travails of a Chicago restaurant was an overnight hit. Everyone was watching and talking about it.

Jeremy Allen White, the star who plays Carmy the chef, instantly on Best Actor prizes galore. The show was winning Best show. The problem is, “The Bear” called itself a comedy, which it is not. It’s a drama. It took a minute for everyone to catch up on that little fact.

This past Sunday, “The Bear” was ignored at the SAG Awards. White lost to Martin Short, and the show lost to “Only Murders in the Building” as Best Ensemble.

A couple of weeks earlier, the CRitics Choice Association gave “The Bear” — formerly a big winner — only one nomination, for Lisa Colon Zayas as Best Supporting Actress. She lost. She should have won something, but her featured episode was a drama. There were no laughs.

The CCA gave “Hacks,” a comedy, the award for Best Comedy.

In January, the ‘drama/comedy’ thing hadn’t reached a pitch point yet. The Golden Globes — which doesn’t care about categories — gave “The Bear” a lot of accolades.

But last September’s Emmy Awards got the ball rolling. They gave Best Comedy to “Hacks,” which is very funny. But “The Bear” was snubbed.

That “The Bear” is a drama has finally caught up with voters of these awards. A comedy would have to mean laughs, or at least chuckles. But it’s an intense drama, and people have finally figured that out. Frankly, it’s often the best drama on TV.

Because of its release schedule, “The Bear” runs behind the Emmys by a year. So in September, “The Bear” will be in contention for the season it ran last summer. It might behoove Hulu to reclassify it, as actual comedies are going to knock “The Bear” out. And that would be a shame.

UPDATING Kennedy Center Cancels Broadway Hit Comedy About Vaccinations 2 Weeks Before Open

Roger Friedman
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UPDATING Kennedy Center Cancels Broadway Hit Comedy About Vaccinations 2 Weeks Before Open

No one at the Kennedy Center will be shouting “Eureka!” anytime soon.

The hit Broadway comedy “Eureka Day” is no longer setting down at the Ken Cen beginning March 7th for two weeks.

Jonathan Spector’s play just closed on Broadway, where it was a hit. But producers will only say it’s not transferring because of “financial reasons.”

Since the show has done very well financially, that statement makes no sense. Ticket holders in Washington DC were surprised to get a notice that they’d be getting refunds.

It’s unlikely producers pulled out of the run. It’s more likely the new right wing Ken Cen chief, Richard Grenell, censored the material. “Eureka Day” pokes fun at anti-vaxers although it also sends up the liberal crowd.

But the point of the play is that not being vaccinated leads to a child getting mumps at school.

Next up for the Ken Cen is the Mark Twain Prize honoring Conan O’Brien. The live taping for Netflix is set for March 25th. I’m told that it’s completely sold out, and Netflix has a deal in place to show the Twain Prize soon.

But how will Grenell handle all the comedians coming up on stage and making fun of Trump and co? It’s not like they can avoid it. It’s possible Twain Prize ticket holders will be in for a surprise of their own.

Roberta Flack’s “Missing” Beatles Album Among Dozen Now in Top 100, Takes the Top of Singles Chart

Roger Friedman
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Roberta Flack’s “Missing” Beatles Album Among Dozen Now in Top 100, Takes the Top of Singles Chart

Roberta Flack made a thrilling Beatles album in 2012, all covers of their various songs.

I wrote about it a lot at the time. But Sony didn’t promote it, and the album — Let it Be Roberta – disappeared.

Even the Beatles channel on SiriusXM never plays any of it.

But with Roberta’s death this week, “Let it Be Roberta” is finally on the iTunes top 100.

In fact, Roberta has the number 1 album and single on iTunes today. She has about a dozen albums and singles scattered through each respective chart.

My favorite of her albums, “Roberta Flack and Donny Hathwaway” is at number 19. Its two great singles, “Where is the Love,” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” are in the top 40 singles.

What a great tribute to an incredible artist. I hope the American Music Awards, the next televised music special, goes all out for her, Sam Moore, Jerry Butler, Gwen McRae, and Brenton Wood — all the R&B legends who’ve recently passed.

First James Bond, Now Star Wars: Kathleen Kennedy Stepping Down at LucasFilm Per Report

Roger Friedman
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First James Bond, Now Star Wars: Kathleen Kennedy Stepping Down at LucasFilm Per Report

Change is in store for “Star Wars.”

Puck newsletter reports that Kathleen Kennedy will step down from running LucasFilm at the end of the year.

Kennedy, who’s been essential to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s successes, has been running LucasFilm for 13 years. She was responsible for the “new” Star Wars movies, the spin offs, and TV series.

But as with Barbara Broccoli and James Bond, Kennedy has done all she can do. She’s 72 years old, and doesn’t want to hear any more agita from fan boys. That’s smart.

Plus husband Kennedy’s husband, Frank Marshall, who was in on all the Spielberg/Lucas work, has made a nice career with documentaries and Broadway shows. That must look very promising to Kennedy.

Kennedy turned LucasFilm into a bargain for Disney, which only paid $4 billion for it in 2012. She has new galaxies to conquer. Onward and upward!

The next person to run LucasFilm? Chewbacca seems like a good candidate. He knows the ropes, and can’t be called a DEI hire.

Rachel Maddow Hits MSNBC For Ousting “Non White” Network Hosts Including Joy Reid: “Indefensible”

Roger Friedman
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Rachel Maddow Hits MSNBC For Ousting “Non White” Network Hosts Including Joy Reid: “Indefensible”

Rachel Maddow said on her show tonight that MSNBC is making a “bad mistake” by getting rid of Joy Reid. Reid’s show ended tonight.

MSNBC also axed the rest of their non white hosts, which Maddow called “indefensible.” They include Katy Phang on the weekend, Ayman Mohyeldin, and Jonathan Capehart. Maddow also lamented the way producers and other staffers were fired today, taking MSNBC management to task for ugly behavior.

Maddow will return to hosting her show just on Mondays after Trump’s first 100 days are over. She’s honorable but she’s also making a fortune. Giving back some salary might have saved a few people.

MSNBC is still part of NBC, which also announced the exit of Black anchor Lester Holt. Is it all just a coincidence? Or this the last — and misguided — grasp at keeping viewers?

“Emilia Perez” Actor Coming to Oscars, We Scooped She’s Going to French Awards, Too

Roger Friedman
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“Emilia Perez” Actor Coming to Oscars, We Scooped She’s Going to French Awards, Too

So here’s the story.

I told you exclusively five days ago that Karla Sofia Gascon, nominated for Best Actress in “Emilia Perez,” would attend the French Cesar Awards in Paris this Friday.

Now I’m told she’s coming to the Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles, as well.

Netflix will pay her way over from France.

This is a big story because Gascon was ‘canceled’ by the movie community last month after her racist and hateful Tweets were uncovered by a freelance journalist.

At that point, Netflix broke contact with her. Gascon did not attend the Critics Choice Awards or last night’s SAG Awards despite being nominated for those, as well.

Gascon’s past Tweets created a firestorm around “Emilia Perez,” essentially knocking the movie out of Oscar contention despite receiving the most nominations this year.

It’s unclear why Netflix has relented and decided to pick up Gascon’s tab. It may be that the other actresses — Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana — insisted on it. Saldana has been winning awards for Best Supporting Actress in “Emilia Perez” and is the predicted winner this Sunday.

Will Gascon walk the red carpet and talk to press? It doesn’t seem possible without causing a melee of some kind. We’ll see what happens.

Oscars: Odd Music Added to Show with “Wicked” Stars, Plus Lisa from BlackPink, Doja Cat, Raye and Queen Latifah

Roger Friedman
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Oscars: Odd Music Added to Show with “Wicked” Stars, Plus Lisa from BlackPink, Doja Cat, Raye and Queen Latifah

The Oscars are not going to have the Best Song nominees performed Sunday night. So no Elton John, HER, or Selena Gomez.

Instead, they’ve announced formally what’s been an open secret. The show will start with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande singing songs from “Wicked.” The movie is nominated, of course, but the songs aren’t because they already exist.

So that’s a popular choice which will make everyone happy.

But then it’s a little odd. Lisa (from BlackPink), Raye, and Doja Cat are performing even though they have nothing to do with the Oscars. They’ve just released a disco single called “Born Again.” But it’s not connected to any movie.

Queen Latifah is set to perform, as well. Again, we love her, but she has no connection to this year’s Oscars. She may sing something about Los Angeles in light of the wildfires. Or maybe she sings the In Memoriam.

Anyway, that’s all we know at this time. Let’s just hope there are movie stars and a good script for host Conan O’Brien. Right now, there’s an actual race between “Conclave” and “Anora.” One movie is about the pope, the other is about a sex worker. It’s worth watching the show just for that competition!

Lester Holt Leaving NBC Nightly News at Age 65, Will Stay with Network and Host “Dateline”

Roger Friedman
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Lester Holt Leaving NBC Nightly News at Age 65, Will Stay with Network and Host “Dateline”

Lester Holt is out as anchor of the NBC Nightly News. He’s 65 and has been in the anchor seat for 10 years.

Who will replace him? A bot? AI? Two 22 year old influencers?

Lester will stay with NBC and continue with “Dateline.”

Holt’s time as NBC anchor should not be underestimated. He took over for Brian Williams after his weird scandal in which it was discovered he was fabricating stories about himself.

Lester has been an engaging straight shooter. I watch him all the time. His ratings have always been competitive.

But so is the dwindling network news business. At CBS they’ve replaced the very talented Norah O’Donnell with two men — John Dickerson and Maurice Dubois. Immediately the ratings dropped. The show, unwatchable in its new format, is still being worked on.

Over at ABC, David Muir continues at the number 1 evening news telecast.

Holt will exit around the end of June.

“A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News, and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history,” Holt wrote in a note Monday to “Nightly” and “Dateline” staffers. “As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride.”

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