In New York, tonight, as in Los Angeles last week, Viola Davis was on fire. Denzel Washington’s first screening of “Fences” was incendiary. Davis is now in lead position for Best Supporting Actress. Many observers on both coasts want her to go lead. “She’ll win either way she goes,” says a source.

All over the U.S., Viola was also burning on “How to Get Away with Murder” on ABC. The melodramatic hit show finally revealed who died in the fire at Annalise Keating’s house– SPOILER ALERT– it was Wes, played by Alfred Enoch. You know, every TV show kills off a main character now in cliffhangers. Enoch will be fine. The show launched his career.

Meanwhile, Annalise got away with murder. But Viola acquits herself well enough to cause a ruckus in “Fences.” And that’s all we can say we for now. More to come…

“The Founder” is coming and I’m lovin’ it. I haven’t seen John Lee Hancock’s movie about McDonald’s starring Michael Keaton, but it’s supposed to have enough special sauce to get Michael Keaton an Oscar nomination. In an open year in the Best Actor category, the much loved actor has a good shot.

But the folks at McDonald’s aren’t pleased. Even though The Weinstein Company has offered them chances to see the movie, the keepers of the Golden Arches haven’t responded. Indeed, I hear they’ve declined. They figure they deserve a break today.

The movie chronicles how Ray Kroc, played by Keaton, bought into the company created by the McDonald’s brothers in the 1950s and slowly took it over. Baseball fans know that Kroc got so rich he bought the San Diego Padres. At one point, in every McDonald’s there was supposed to be a plaque in his memory. Dozens of them are for sale now on the internet. Kroc was such a megalomaniac that the company even put out a commercial honoring him in 1977 for his 75th birthday:

Kroc died in 1981 leaving an estate of $8 billion.

“The Founder” will be released at the very end of December for an Oscar qualifying run, then go wide in January. It’s assumed McDonald’s will not be hosting the premiere.

Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton made their respective first public appearances since the fateful election last week. While Hillary was at the Children’s Defense Fund dinner in Washington DC, Bill stayed closer to home. He was the surprise guest at the premiere of “Lion” starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. The premiere was at the Museum of Modern Art, where Clinton was almost upstaged by 8 year old first time actor Sunny Pawar, who was making first trip anywhere. Clinton shook his hand.

At the screening, Harvey Weinstein introduced Clinton, who did not speak but got a standing ovation. Instead he made reference to Clinton, thanking him for coming after this last terrible week.

“Last Tuesday, we suffered a nightmare as a country,” the movie mogul and longtime Clinton supporter said. “I’ve seen…the hate crimes, and the prejudice against women…and the progress people made on climate control, all of that starting to be peeled away. But, as long as my friend is here with me, and with the American people, then I don’t think we’re gonna have to worry. We’re gonna have to fight, but at least we’ve got someone who is an inspiration.”

Among the stars: Nicole Kidman, who’s headed to a new Oscar nomination, this time as Best Supporting Actress. She was accompanied by her loving husband, Keith Urban. Their kids didn’t come from the hotel, however, Nicole told me. Their eldest, Sunday, was “busy.” “She already has her favorite places in New York!” Nicole said. The story of “Lion” rings very true for Nicole as she is the mother of two dearly loved adopted children. (More on that tomorrow.)

The crowd loved “Lion,” and then moved on to an after party at Google’s Chelsea headquarters, where folks played video reality games and dined on Indian and Australian delicacies.  Other guests included Dan Abrams, Edie Falco, and local newscaster Rob Morrison.

“Lion” came roaring into New York today, joining the Oscar mix as a definite Best Picture nominee with phenomenal performances from Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, eight year old Sunny Pawar, and gorgeous newcomer (in the West) Priyanka Bose.

“Lion” is the amazing story of how Saroo Brierley got on the wrong train in India at age 5 in 1986 and wound up adopted by a couple in Australia. Using Google Earth he found his biological family in India some 25 years later. Saroo published a book about all this in 2012, and now it’s a five-hanky movie directed by Garth Davis and produced by the folks from “The King’s Speech.”

Everyone is in town for the launch this week including the real Saroo and his adoptive parents, Sue and John Brierley. The movie has clearly been a labor of love as the Brierleys, Kidman, Patel and little Sunny– who was found in casting call and is absolutely remarkable in the film– have bonded like crazy. Kidman and Sue Brierley held hands during a Q&A today following a screening and light repast at Le Cirque before the gala opening tonight at the Museum of Modern Art.

Given the current grim situation in New York (not to mention the traffic disaster that’s manifested itself from Trump Tower), “Lion” is like a salve for the soul. The film opens November 25th, the day after Thanksgiving.

Keep refreshing… more from tonight’s premiere…