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It’s not that long ago that Jeff Bridges won his Academy Award for “Crazy Heart,” directed by Scott Cooper. Maggie Gyllenhaal was his co-star and she was nominated for an Oscar as well. The pair proved to be a great success.
Now I can tell you that Bridges and Gyllenhaal will reunite soon to shoot a most unusual reunion. They will play famed architect Mies van der Rohe and his most well known client, Dr. Edith Farnsworth, a prominent Chicago nephrologist. In 1945, Dr. Farnsworth commissioned a glass house from van der Rohe, which he built outside of Chicago in Plano, Illinois.
The 1500 square foot, set on a 60 acre estate, is now a museum, considered an architectural masterpiece. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Homes in 2004.
van der Rohe and Farnsworth had a highly unusual relationship, apparently, with the house becoming the “child” in their marriage.
A source tells me: “Jeff and Maggie have been looking for another movie to do, and this script really appealed to them.”
I’m told the project is coming together quickly. In the meantime, Bridges is busy celebrating his Oscar nomination for “Hell or High Water.” Gyllenhaal is looking forward to her hot HBO series “The Deuce” with James Franco which will be unveiled in September.
The White House Correspondents dinner, aka “the nerd prom,” may be in trouble. The New York Times reports that both Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, two Conde Nast publications, have pulled out of their annual parties. VF editor in chief Graydon Carter, no fan of Donald Trump, says he’s going fishing that weekend.
Then there’s the satirical Not the WHCD being planned by the very funny comedian Samantha Bee and sponsored by her network, which is owned by Turner Communications, part of Time Warner. When Bee announced this last week it sounded hilarious at least on paper. But it also depended on people of note coming to Washington.
The White House Correspondents Association announced on Twitter a couple of days they were going ahead with the dinner. But I’m not sure that’s such a good idea given that no one is laughing, no one wants Trump at the dinner, and the result of a broadcast in which a comedian host just rags on Trump could really backfire on the journalism community. This may not be the time for a roast.
There’s also a question of what the WHCA really is. According to their Form 990 filing for 2015, the not for profit group had $330,000 in expenses in 2015. Nearly half of that money–about $145,000– went to their president, Julia Whitson, in salary. Only $86,550 went to grants to individuals like journalism students. Indeed gifts, grants and other monies received have declined sharply from $293,189 in 2010 to $63,420 in 2014. They claim total net assets of $602,550 for 2015.
A lot of proper journalists have turned their noses at the dinner as inappropriate. Tom Brokaw has been very vocal about it. “I would watch on C-SPAN, and as I watched on C-SPAN, I would try to put myself, kind of, if you will, in the person of an interested citizen in Kansas City, or in Little Rock, or in Spokane, Wash., saying, ‘That’s the Washington press corps?’ I mean, there was more dignity at my daughter’s junior prom than there is [at] what I’m seeing on C-SPAN there,” he told Politico.
Of course, a lot of people point to the 2011 dinner, hosted by Seth Meyers, as the moment Trump decided to run for President. Meyers and President Obama were merciless to Trump, who did not take the ribbing well at all. Maybe this year it would be best to have a smaller, non roast dinner, with fewer celebrities and no mention of the current President.
I know the basic outline of “Girls” but I haven’t followed it closely in a couple of years. Last night HBO threw a star studded premiere for the Season 6, the series finale, and showed a double episode and a single one. They were so impressive that I want to watch the whole season. Dunham, who I do think is a great writer, has outdone herself. “Girls” may finish its run at the top of its game.
Yes, there is a lot of sex. A lot. And a lot of frank talk about sex. Graphic sex. It’s not erotic, but it’s matter of fact, and Dunham is more naked in these shows than she was as a baby. I give her credit– she is a warrior, and her cult following stems from her willingness to just go for it. This may not be to all tastes, but it’s there and we have to live with it.
The sex is the least part of “Girls.” Channeling Woody Allen, Nora Ephron, “Sex and the City,” and many other good things, Dunham comes up with gem after gem. Some laughs are expected, some are slow burners, and some come after the punchline. It’s no wonder Judd Apatow saw so much in her. Dunham is a master craftsman. The comedy is light as a feather, too, which mitigates the sex and bits of melodrama. But I defy anyone to find three better written half hours than what we saw tonight.
HBO gave a lavish after party at Cipriani 42nd St. where guests beside the cast included Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgard, director Paul Haggis, Rita Wilson, Apatow and wife Leslie Mann. But the big guest star at the party was Malia Obama, 19 year old daughter of President Barack and Michele Obama. Everyone– and I mean everyone– flocked to meet the First Daughter, and beg her to get her parents back somehow into power. (If only…)
SPOILERS The first one hour episode features hot as a pistol Riz Ahmed from “The Night Of” and “Rogue One” as a surfing instructor who lights up Hannah’s world. The second episode brings a major plot development for Marnie, who Hannah says is not good at judging people when they’re stoned. Hannah tells her, “It’s like the time in high school I drank I sizzurp and you thought I had Senior-itis.” It’s must- see TV.
“Motown: The Musical” returned last night to the famed Pantages Theater in Hollywood, after two long runs on Broadway and a national tour.
This new streamlined version of “Motown” features more than 40 classic hits from the record label’s glory days, and tells their story through founder Berry Gordy’s eyes. The show is over-the-top-fun, energetic, exuberant singing and dancing.
The Motown royalty came out in force last night. Sitting in front of me was the indefatigable Motown founder (and a producer on the show) Berry Gordy with his cohort Smokey Robinson, and Gordy’s one time assistant turned noted Producer Suzanne de Passe (she curated the Jackson 5.)
When I asked Smokey how many times he’s seen the show, he quipped, “I’ve lost count,” to which Berry laughed and agreed. “Not sure how many times. But I discover something new every time I see it.”
Smokey and Berry did crack up many times throughout and the packed house was as entranced by the show as they were. Special kudos to Chester Gregory as Gordy and the luminescent Allison Semmes as Diana Ross. The show runs through Feb 12th, and will tour after that. Everyone will love this show, guaranteed.
FRIDAY MORNING “I Do” has jumped up to number 8 iTunes. The single, which has no real hook or repetition of the title, and not much of a bridge, debuted on iTunes at 110. But now it’s getting some traction. James Packer will have to add it to his playlist. Stay tuned…
EARLIER Mariah Carey is rapidly turning into Taylor Swift. Her songs are all about her breakups! Last year, Mariah warbled about ex husband Nick Cannon in “Infinity.” Now she’s taking more than a few swipes at ex fiancee billionaire James Packer in “I Don’t.” It’s I don’t as in not- I do. She’s cast 26 year old rapper YG as Packer in the song. (If you don’t know YG aka Keenan Jackson, he’s already had the requisite number of shooting incidents to set him on the way as a genuine rapper.) The song was written by Kyle West and Donnell Jones, with input from Carey and YG. It drops tonight. Will it be a hit? I hope so, but I’d sure like the hear an album of Mariah singing some classic songs a la “Without You” and “I’ll Be There.” She has never let her voice operate as a real musical instrument on record.
I Don’t
Mariah Carey
Featuring YG
Produced By Bryan-Michael Cox & Jermaine Dupri
[Intro]
Ladies & Gentlemen!
[Hook: YG]
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You don’t understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You need to understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey, yeah
[Verse 1: Mariah Carey]
Somewhere in another life
We stole a moment in time
Gave you everything that you needed
I was even down to repeat it
Said you would always be mine
Feeding me nothing but lies
I was so gone, I admit it
Happy messed up for a minute
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey]
But I’m tired of cryin’, no more tears
Pity party of the year
Cold at night cause you’re not here
Leaving you was my worst fear
I was caught up, I was… blind
You kept playin’ with my… mind
Told you I’m finished, gassed up the whip and…
Rear view, bye
[Chorus: Mariah Carey]
‘Cause when you love someone
You just don’t treat them bad
You messed up all we had
Probably think I’m coming back
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
See, I used to love you
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
But you don’t mean nothing
‘Cause I don’t, I don’t
[Verse 2]
I tried to make it work
No matter how much it hurt
You had to make it all about you
Tell me why you go and do me like you do?
I went from me and you
To walking right out on you
I know you want love, in your feelings
Frontin’ on me like your love was the realest
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey]
And I’m tired of cryin’, no more tears
Pity party of the year
Cold at night cause you’re not here
Leaving you was my worst fear
I was caught up, I was… blind
You kept playin’ with my… mind
Told you I’m finished, gassed up the whip and…
Rear view, bye
[Chorus: Mariah Carey]
‘Cause when you love someone
You just don’t treat them bad
You messed up all we had
Probably think I’m coming back
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
See, I used to love you
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
But you don’t mean nothing
‘Cause I don’t, I don’t
[Hook: YG]
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You don’t understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You need to understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey, yeah
[Verse 3: YG]
Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up
Hold up, I just got you ring, for what?
I put you in the game, now it’s game over
Every time you went to the Louis store you got chauffeured
Hold up, how you gon’ leave that?
Hold up, give me my ring back
Never mind, you can keep that
‘Cause every time you look at your ring, me, you gon’ dream that
[Hook: YG]
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You don’t understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey
I know you love me
You just don’t trust me
You need to understand me
But you love it when I call you Ms. Carey, yeah
[Chorus: Mariah Carey]
‘Cause when you love someone
You just don’t treat them bad
You messed up all we had
Probably think I’m coming back
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
See, I used to love you
But I don’t, I don’t
‘Cause boy I was buggin’
Thinkin’ somehow I could trust you
But you don’t mean nothing
‘Cause I don’t, I don’t
Bruce Springsteen played Melbourne, Australia last night– great timing for the Boss Down Under. Springsteen, an appropriately outraged Trump critic, mocked Trump for having a phone fight with the Aussie PM. The Boss sang “Don’t Hang Up,” a 60s hit, after saying: We come to you, embarrassed Americans tonight.”
Here’s the Orlons original from 1962
Credits:
Written by Dave Appell & Kal Mann
Executive producer: Bernie Lowe
Lead vocals: Rossetta Hightower
Backing vocals: Marlena Davis & Shirley Brickley
Support vocals: Steve Caldwell
**if anyone knows who played that amazing horn email me showbiz411@gmail.com
So now maybe we know the secret of Donald Trump’s locks that look like lox: he takes Propecia for hair loss.
So says his long time doctor Harold Bornstein, who probably said too much to the New York Times. Bornstein, whom I knew very well in the 1980s and 90s, told the Times the reason Trump’s PSA levels in his prostate are so low is because he takes Finasteride. Bornstein also says he’s unhappy because people are laughing at him, and throwing things at his windows. Oh, Harold, good lord.
I know two people who take Propecia, or Finasteride. One takes it for hair loss has done pretty well. The other takes it for prostate issues and is fairly bald. So, who knows? (I gave up a long time ago on hair loss.)
In other news: the Washington Post reports that Trump got into a fight with and hung up on the Prime Minister of Australia, one of our oldest and closest allies, over a “dumb deal” concerning refugees. He also offered to the Mexican president to send troops into his country to “stop the bad hombres.”
And the Daily Mail is reporting that Trump’s pick for Supreme Court Justice, Neil Gorsuch, had a club in his prep school called Fascism Forever.
I’m sure there’s more, there’s something almost every hour that’s totally frightening and bizarre. Like The Nation has a scoop about a leaked draft of Trump’s religious agenda that could set us back several thousand years.
Meanwhile, back to the Washington Post: they sent a reporter to West Virginia to talk to Trump supporters. I don’t want to make fun of them, but either they’re illiterate or willfully stupid. Can they read? Can they listen? Do they not understand what’s going on? It’s like they’ve been hypnotized into stupidity. Wake up, West Virginia! I know you can do better than this.
The Today Show has a lot of traditions after 60 years on the air. But one of their more recent customs is pushing out popular hosts and anchors to make way for untried personalities.
And so Tamron Hall, who was so popular on NBC and MSNBC, is gone. Adios, Tamron. She had her own show on MSNBC, did reports and news on the main Today show, and anchored the 9am hour with Al Roker since the Billy Bush incident.
Everyone loved Tamron, she was refreshing and smart and plugged in. She’s also black, which added to the Today show’s monochromatic look.
But along came Megyn Kelly, conservative reporter from Fox News who clashed with Donald Trump and Roger Ailes and left that network for greener pastures. Seems Megyn’s gain is Tamron’s loss. Hall’s contract was ending, and she felt she was owed more than being pushed back into the main Today show.
NBC has a habit of doing this. Ann Curry was ripped from her chair for Savannah Guthrie. Jane Pauley was pushed out to make way for Deborah Norville, who later got tossed aside as well.
Also, wait, Natalie Morales is gone, too. So much for the Today family!
Will Megyn Kelly ultimately take Savannah Guthrie’s spot next to Matt Lauer? I sure hope not. She’s way too abrasive. Megyn should do a Donahue -like live news show at 9 or 10am with an audience. I do not want to see her doing the soft Today bits like fashion, cooking and health. Savannah has really settled into her spot. And if she left for some reason,the audience would want to see Hoda Kotb in that chair. She’s been doing a fine job.
The folks at Page Six think Andy Lack is trying to make NBC into Fox News. Let’s hope they’re wrong. But Tamron out, Megyn in, is not an encouraging sign.
This is who will work with Mel Gibson now that “Hollywood has forgiven him.”
Gibson has signed to make “Dragged Across Concrete,” an independently financed D movie written and directed by Craig Zahler. He’s the Oscar winning director 0f– no, whoops! —
Zahler is the directed of “Bone Tomahawk.” You may recall “Bone Tomahawk.” Can’t remember?That’s because it made $481,525 at the box office, but it was a DVD hit with over $3.3 million in sales.
Zahler just wrapped “Brawl in Cellblock 99” with Don Johnson, star of the 1980s show “Miami Vice.” That Craig Zahler. He’s currently prepping “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich.” That movie is described on the IMDB thusly:
follows a recently divorced young man who discovers a mint condition Blade doll in his deceased brother’s closet and plans to sell the toy at a convention in Oregon celebrating the 30th anniversary of the infamous Toulon Murders. All hell breaks loose during the auction when a strange force animates all of the puppets throughout the convention, setting them on a bloody killing spree.
Vaughn co-starred in Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Will the new movie be violent? I was going to put up a clip from the end of “Bone Tomahawk.” But it was too disgusting. If you want to, you can find it.
Beyonce has just announced on Instagram that she and Jay Z are expecting twins. Blue Ivy is going to get a pair of siblings. How lovely! The singer is probably in her fourth month, so look for the babies to “drop” in early summer. This is almost better than a new album! No, it is, just kidding. Congrats to the happy family! Maybe one can be called Tidal, and the other Lemonade!
In other news: the Washington Post reports that Trump got into a fight with and hung up on the Prime Minister of Australia, one of our oldest and closest allies, over a “dumb deal” concerning refugees. He also offered to the Mexican president to send troops into his country to “stop the bad hombres.”
