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Doc Filmmaker Laura Poitras Says Julian Assange Has Nothing on Trump: “He’s an equal opportunity leaker”

Roger Friedman
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Doc Filmmaker Laura Poitras Says Julian Assange Has Nothing on Trump: “He’s an equal opportunity leaker”

Oscar winner Laura Poitras was already working on a film about WikiLeaks and Julian Assange when news of Edward Snowden broke. She switched gears, made “Citizen Four,” and won the Academy Award.

Last spring in Cannes Poitras showed a version of her Assange movie, “Risk,” which was met with acclaim. We learned a lot from her extraordinary access including that Lady Gaga had randomly turned up and interviewed Assange. “Who’s after you?” she asks rhetorically. Assange rattles off lists and lists of international crime fighting groups from the FBI to Interpol. Gaga observes, “So– a lot of people?”

But Poitras was smart. She sensed that Assange might play a part in the American election already underway. So she waited and watched as he dumped zillions of files about the Democrats and Hillary Clinton, and tried his best to upset the apple cart from his perch in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He’s now been there five years, unable to leave without risking arrest and prosecution.

Poitras added a voice over, and some facts we didn’t know. Included among them: her access overstepped to the point where she says she had a “brief relationship” with Assange lackey Jacob Applebaum, who is now in exile in Berlin. Applebaum and Assange’s girlfriend, Sarah Harrison, each came to Cannes last year for the big screening. They seemed like Assange’s cult followers. In a word, they were nuts.

After Cannes, it seems like Assange closed the door to Poitras. Her updated film traces his possible connection to the Russians, and weaves in recent revelations about WikiLeaks interference in the election. But there’s no more hanging around in the Embassy. And there’s no reference at all to “Baywatch” star Pam Anderson dropping by for at home dates with Assange.

Still, Poitras’s “Risk” is powerful stuff. Unlike Snowden, Assange is not a sympathetic character. At least Snowden (and Chelsea Manning, who is named checked) is an American who was trying to do something patriotic. Assange comes off as a petulant trouble maker. But you won’t want to miss his escape through London into the Embassy, aided and abetted by his mom. Absolute genius filmmaking.

And what about the damage Assange did to Hillary Clinton? Doesn’t he have similar stuff on Trump? Poitras said after tonight’s Lincoln Center/Walter Reade Theater screening: “I don’t think so. Julian is an equal opportunity leaker. If has stuff, he releases it.”

Pop: Eddie Brigati is Still a Rascal at 70, But Sets His Sights on Broadway, Vegas

Roger Friedman
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Pop: Eddie Brigati is Still a Rascal at 70, But Sets His Sights on Broadway, Vegas

One of the great treats of living a while is seeing one of your heroes make a roaring comeback. Such is the case for the E Street Band’s Steve van Zandt and his wife Maureen who reunited the estranged Rascals a couple of years ago and put them on Broadway.

Now the van Zandts have been producing Monday nights at the Cutting Room with one of the vocally gifted Rascals, Eddie Brigati. For years and years Eddie was MIA while his former partner Felix Cavilliere was out and about. But the Broadway show reignited Eddie’s passion, and he’s picked up the microphone like he never left.

I didn’t know what to expect on Monday night, but pretty fast you’re seduced. At 70, Eddie is doing what he always wanted– Sinatra, Broadway songs, and some Rascals. He still has the voice, which has plenty of blue eyed soul that it takes corners you don’t expect. On the Rascals songs– “How Can I Be Sure,” “Groovin’,” and an inspired “Baby Let’s Wait” Brigati knows his way around blind folded and still finds the drama.

But it’s the Broadway numbers that really surprised me, especially “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from “Sunset Boulevard” and “Corner of the Sky” from “Pippin.” Eddie’s got the chops, and he’s got the heart. He’s also got a crack band, tight as a drum. Kudos to the van Zandts, who always know where the talent is.

Here’s a clip reel from last night. And yes, Eddie was introduced by Stevie’s “Sopranos” comrade, Vinnie Pastore. Don’t miss their last Monday next Monday at the Cutting Room.

Harry Styles Releases “Sweet Creature,” Another Song You Won’t Want to Hear Again

Roger Friedman
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Harry Styles Releases “Sweet Creature,” Another Song You Won’t Want to Hear Again

Harry Styles is turning into a real oddity. Instead of releasing catchy pop songs for his solo career, Harry continues to produce weird music you won’t want to hear more than once.

Maybe this is a new thing in pop.

Today, on a Tuesday and not at the end of the week, Styles releases a single called “Sweet Creature.” It’s as if Woody Guthrie warbled a bad pop song that sounded like an awkward attempt at the Beatles’ “Blackbird” and then was supposed to be that Extreme song “More than Words.” I don’t get it.

Maybe young girls will love this. Will they sing along to “Sweet Creature” in concert? Will they like being called ‘creatures’?

I can’t imagine “Sweet Creature” being played much on Z100.

What’s going on here? I’m not sure. The album is coming next Friday. This should be interesting.

 

Broadway: Sally Field, Cate Blanchett, Danny DeVito Reverse Tony Awards Trend Against “Hollywood” Actors

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Sally Field, Cate Blanchett, Danny DeVito Reverse Tony Awards Trend Against “Hollywood” Actors

This year’s Tony Awards nominees include three names usually associated with Hollywood: Sally Field, Cate Blanchett, and Danny DeVito.

That’s a big change. In the past, “Hollywood stars” who come to Broadway looking for Tony appreciation are turned away at the door.

And plenty were this year, too, including (and wrongly) Allison Janney in “Six Degrees of Separation.” Glenn Close wasn’t eligible because she’d already won the Tony for “Sunset Boulevard” in 1994. Jake Gyllenhaal took his name out of contention for “Sunday in the Park with George.”

The Tony’s reward their own and tend to rebuff advances from “stars.” Hence, none of the movie names from “The Front Page” like John Goodman. (Who doesn’t love John Goodman?) Mark Ruffalo from “The Price” was aced out.

But there are exceptions, too. Three Broadway names who did excellent work were omitted: John Benjamin Hickey, Jessica Hecht, and Phillippa Soo, as well as Kate Burton and Kristine Nielsen. Don’t worry. They’ll all be back.

Tony Awards Nominations: Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly! Score Big, Charlie, Anastasia, Amelie Wiped Out

Roger Friedman
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Tony Awards Nominations: Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly! Score Big, Charlie, Anastasia, Amelie Wiped Out

keep refreshing. Unfortunately, the Live Stream from the Tony Awards did not work at all…

The biggest snubs: Allison Janney and John Benjamin Hickey in “Six Degrees.” Wow. They were terrific. Musicals snubbed deserved it: Amelie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Anastasia.

Best Musical
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
Groundhog Day
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Best Revival of a Musical
Falsettos
Hello, Dolly!
Miss Saigon

Best Revival of a Play

August Wilson’s Jitney

Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes

Present Laughter

Six Degrees of Separation

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, Falsettos
Josh Groban, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
David Hyde Pierce, Hello, Dolly!
Andy Karl, Groundhog Day
Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Denée Benton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Christine Ebersole, War Paint
Patti LuPone, War Paint
Bette Midler, Hello, Dolly!
Eva Noblezada, Miss Saigon

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Denis Arndt, Heisenberg
Chris Cooper, A Doll’s House, Part 2
Corey Hawkins, Six Degrees of Separation
Kevin Kline, Present Laughter
Jefferson Mays, Oslo

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Cate Blanchett, The Present
Jennifer Ehle, Oslo
Sally Field, The Glass Menagerie
Laura Linney, The Little Foxes
Laurie Metcalf, A Doll’s House, Part 2

Best Score
Come From Away, David Hein and Irene Sankoff
Dear Evan Hansen, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Groundhog Day, Tim Minchin
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy

Best Book of a Musical
Come From Away, David Hein and Irene Sankoff
Dear Evan Hansen, Steven Levenson
Groundhog Day, Danny Rubin
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bandstand
Peter Darling and Ellen Kane, Groundhog Day
Kelly Devine, Come From Away
Denis Jones, Holiday Inn
Sam Pinkleton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Best Orchestrations
Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen, Bandstand
Larry Hochman, Hello, Dolly!
Alex Lacamoire, Dear Evan Hansen
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Michael Aronov, Oslo
Danny DeVito, Arthur Miller’s The Price
Nathan Lane, The Front Page
Richard Thomas, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
John Douglas Thompson, August Wilson’s Jitney


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Johanna Day, Sweat
Jayne Houdyshell, A Doll’s House, Part 2
Cynthia Nixon, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
Condola Rashad, A Doll’s House, Part 2
Michelle Wilson, Sweat



Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Gavin Creel, Hello, Dolly!
Mike Faist, Dear Evan Hansen
Andrew Rannells, Falsettos
Lucas Steele, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Brandon Uranowitz, Falsettos


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Kate Baldwin, Hello, Dolly!
Stephanie J. Block, Falsettos
Jenn Colella, Come From Away
Rachel Bay Jones, Dear Evan Hansen
Mary Beth Peil, Anastasia

Best Scenic Design of a Play

David Gallo, August Wilson’s Jitney
Nigel Hook, The Play That Goes Wrong
Douglas W. Schmidt, The Front Page
Michael Yeargan, Oslo


Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Rob Howell, Groundhog Day The Musical
David Korins, War Paint
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Santo Loquasto, Hello, Dolly!


Best Costume Design of a Play

Jane Greenwood, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
Susan Hilferty, Present Laughter
Toni-Leslie James, August Wilson’s Jitney
David Zinn, A Doll’s House, Part 2


Best Costume Design of a Musical

Linda Cho, Anastasia
Santo Loquasto, Hello, Dolly!
Paloma Young, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Catherine Zuber, War Paint


Best Lighting Design of a Play

Christopher Akerlind, Indecent
Jane Cox, August Wilson’s Jitney
Donald Holder, Oslo
Jennifer Tipton, A Doll’s House, Part 2



Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Howell Binkley, Come From Away
Natasha Katz, Hello, Dolly!
Bradley King, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Japhy Weideman, Dear Evan Hansen


Best Direction of a Play

Sam Gold, A Doll’s House, Part 2
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson’s Jitney
Bartlett Sher, Oslo
Daniel Sullivan, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes
Rebecca Taichman, Indecent


Best Direction of a Musical

Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
Rachel Chavkin, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen
Matthew Warchus, Groundhog Day The Musical
Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly!


Best Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, Bandstand
Peter Darling and Ellen Kane, Groundhog Day The Musical
Kelly Devine, Come From Away
Denis Jones, Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical
Sam Pinkleton, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812


Best Orchestrations

Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen, Bandstand
Larry Hochman, Hello, Dolly!
Alex Lacamoire, Dear Evan Hansen
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Missing in Action: Kanye West Skips Met Ball, Hasn’t Been Seen or Heard From in Months

Roger Friedman
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Missing in Action: Kanye West Skips Met Ball, Hasn’t Been Seen or Heard From in Months

Where in the world is Kanye West? The voluble, often excitable and never demur rapper skipped Anna Wintour’s annual Halloween in May party, leaving wife Kim K. to fend for herself. Kanye NEVER misses the Met Ball, or a chance to show off his designs on being part of the fashion world.

But Kanye been unusually silent for quite a while. He was last seen in November 2016, after cancelling his concert tour following Kim’s robbery in Paris. He was sent —  as they say on “Veep”– to a spa for rejuvenation. Exit Kanye.

West’s social media hasn’t been touched in months. His Instagram account hasn’t been updated for 23 weeks. All the pictures on it are odd fashion photos. His last Tweets were on February 3, January 26, and Christmas 2016. This from a man who in stages of mania used to Tweet several times an hour.

There was some hope– or fear– that Kanye would turn up at the Grammys in February to protest if Beyonce didn’t win Album of the Year. Adele won, yet there was no Kanye disruption.

It’s possible that Kanye is finally getting the help he needed to come to terms with his mother’s untimely death. But even before Donda West died, Kanye was a big blurter. Remember in 2005, two years before Professor West passed, Kanye told TV audiences that George Bush didn’t care about black people during the Hurricane Katrina telethon.

So Kanye, wherever you are, god bless, get well and come back soon. We miss you!

Janet Jackson Announces Resumption of Tour, Divorce From Wissam Al Mana: “We are in court, the rest is in God’s hands””

Roger Friedman
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Janet Jackson Announces Resumption of Tour, Divorce From Wissam Al Mana: “We are in court, the rest is in God’s hands””

Janet Jackson is back! She announced on Twitter that she’s resuming the tour she broke off last year when she got pregnant. Now it’s called “The State of the World” Tour. She recorded the video with brother Randy, whom she addresses in the video when she says she’s put on a few pounds. “More than few,” Randy says. Janet also says “Yes, I’ve separated from my husband. We are in court and and the rest is in God’s hands.” That does not sound like an amicable divorce.

On the upside: watch Janet talk about her new baby. She’s never looked happier. And she’s wearing a baseball cap that I think reads: “Bobby Taylor.” Bobby Taylor is who actually discovered the Jackson 5 in 1968 with Gladys Knight and brought them to Motown. He was the group’s first producer, and went on to influence a number of Motown hits. The rest is history. I have no idea why Janet had a cap made with his name.

“The Godfather” Offer You Can’t Refuse: Coming Back to Theaters Next Month for 2 Days

Roger Friedman
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“The Godfather” Offer You Can’t Refuse: Coming Back to Theaters Next Month for 2 Days

So– all that carrying on with Tribeca and the “Godfather” Q&A had a point: the first movie is being re-released to theatres for four shows– two on June 4th and two on June 7th. Fathom Events, which produces these extravaganzas, is doing the honors for the movie’s 45th anniversary.

They are only showing “The Godfather.” I don’t know why they don’t add “2,” but there it is. So it turns out the Tribeca closing event at Radio City was not just random. Who will get the proceeds from the showings? I don’t know. But the actors are always paid last.

And whether we like it or not, there will be specially produced commentary by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) host Ben Mankiewicz before and after the feature.

Check Fathomevents.com for prices, theaters, etc.–700 theaters or more nationwide! Special discounts– just kidding– to anyone who brings a horse’s head.

Fox News Badly Scuffed as Bill Shine, Longtime Roger Ailes Ally, Exits– More to Come?

Roger Friedman
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Fox News Badly Scuffed as Bill Shine, Longtime Roger Ailes Ally, Exits– More to Come?

Bill Shine is out at Fox News. In his place: a woman. Suzanne Scott moves up at the conservative network as Shine is forced to leave in the wake of the sex harassment scandals that took out Bill O’Reilly and Roger Ailes as villains, and Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly, among others, as surviving victims.

Is there more to come? New York Magazine’s Gabriel Sherman suggests that in house counsel Dianne Brandi is next. She carried out Shine’s and Ailes’s orders. And what about John Moody, forever the Inside Man. When I was at Fox News, Ailes’s bad news was delivered via Moody.

Shine was forever head of talent at Fox News. He hired and fired and assigned. Without him, as Sean Hannity warned in that ominous Tweet last week to Sherman, what is the future of Fox News? He knows where every body is buried. And believe me, it’s worse –figuratively– than Romania after Ceausescu at 1211 Sixth Avenue.

 Meantime, Rupert Murdoch’s memo about Shine’s exit is a classic Kremlin adios. Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? I wish I could be there to see the Murdoch boys withholding Rupert’s liver pills.
murdoch memo

It’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan!” Ripa and Seacrest Set to Go Against Megyn Kelly’s New Show

Roger Friedman
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It’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan!” Ripa and Seacrest Set to Go Against Megyn Kelly’s New Show

Ryan Seacrest will be named Kelly Ripa’s co host this morning. “Live with Kelly and Ryan!” will then go against Megyn Kelly at 9am when the former Fox News star begins her 9am NBC show.

Seacrest is a surprise because he doesn’t live in New York and has a popular morning radio show from Los Angeles. He’s very tied to I Heart Radio, formerly Clear Channel, which has Z100 in New York. But I Heart Radio recently announced they were in danger of going out of business. So Seacrest may see the writing on the wall.

CNN reported the Seacrest story a few minutes ago.

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