Friday, December 19, 2025
Donate
Home Blog Page 1442

The 2017 Trump Inauguration: No Bruce, Aretha, Sting, Stevie Wonder, or Oscar Winners at the Parties

Roger Friedman
-
0
The 2017 Trump Inauguration: No Bruce, Aretha, Sting, Stevie Wonder, or Oscar Winners at the Parties

Do you remember the 2009 Inauguration of Barack Obama? Aretha Franklin sang “My Country Tis of Thee.” There were dozens of galas and balls. Sting and Stevie Wonder performed on ABC special where the Obamas danced together. Sting, Elvis Costello and Sam Moore were featured at the Creative Coalition gala, and were later joined by Warren Haynes and members of the Allman Brothers Band.

There were plenty of Hollywood A listers, too: Bono and U2, Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey,  Beyoncé, Steven Spielberg, and Tiger Woods were among the guests. At The Huffington Post party, I remember hanging out with Gerard Butler. It was, all in all, quite a weekend.

The 2017 Trump Inaugural will not be similar. I can remember, for example, that getting a hotel room that weekend in Washington DC was like panning for gold. There are plenty of rooms on hotels.com and other sites, all reasonably priced.

But what about celebrities? Most of the people I listed supported Hillary Clinton. Even for good money, they won’t come to this Inauguration. Movie stars? Jon Voight is likely. Gary Sinise (from TV). Sylvester Stallone is unlikely. You might get Patricia Heaton from TV. Bruce Willis? Eh. Clint Eastwood, although a Republican, doesn’t seem like a Trump guy. Plus he’ll be doing Oscar promotions for “Sully.”

And Music? Well, there’s Ted Nugent, so disgusting and awful that I doubt the networks will want him to perform. There will be no Springsteen, no Stevie, no Sting, no Aretha, no Alicia. I doubt there’s a black act who will show up. There could be some country stars, but the good ones will stay away. Kid Rock might show up. But then again, even singers who identify as Republican may not want to be associated with Trump.

Of course, there’s usually a poet laureate like the late Maya Angelou. Trump’s equivalent? Scott Baio aka Chachi from “Happy Days.”

Sting Celebrates New Album “57 & 9th” With Startlingly Fresh Back-to-Back NYC Club Shows

Roger Friedman
-
0
Sting Celebrates New Album “57 & 9th” With Startlingly Fresh Back-to-Back NYC Club Shows

It’s all numbers– Sting is 65, looks 45, and played two shows last night back to back at Irving Plaza that reminded me of when he was 35 and launching his solo career. Tomorrow he releases a new collection of rock and pop songs called “57th and 9th” that puts to shame rock stars half his age.

But it’s also the musicianship and the architecture of his compositions– songs like “Message in a Bottle” and “Englishman in New York” sound brand new and as effervescent as they did when he first introduced them over three decades ago. And although he hasn’t released an album of songs like these in over a decade, the new ones are instantly recognizable sort of “next steps” in Sting’s songwriting canon.

I’m already in love with “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You,” a hit on Sirius and FM radio. But from the album there’s also the Beatle-y “Down Down Down,” the gorgeous ballad “If You Can’t Love Me” (a sort of masterwork that sounds like it grew from his great numbers on “The Last Ship”), a pop hit that radio will eat up called “One Fine Day” (with surprising lyrics) and “Petrol Head,” a punkish number that could have been found on an early Police album.

Sting, his longtime bandmate Dominic Miller, and the rest of his new crew could have been hidden behind a curtain and passed off as a new young hot band of the moment. It’s not just that they know what they’re doing, but they do it with soul. As on the album, the new songs come off so sharp in a live environment. And live, they and all the old songs like “Every Breath You Take” were incredibly fresh. An old Police chestnut, “Next to You,” just pounds away.

The second show last night was for members of Sting’s devoted fan club. They got a treat that the earlier audience didn’t (and mind you, these were two crowds of people who stood like sardines, danced and knew all the lyrics). Sting finished the second show sitting down for the first time, playing the ethereal “The Empty Chair,” which closes his album and was written for a new documentary about James Foley called “Jim,” which could earn him some movie award nominations this winter. The value added of the night was a talented female fan who jumped on stage and did a belly dance while Sting and the band performed “Desert Rose.”

What a night: Chris Botti was spotted in the audience, someone told me they saw the Olsen twins, there were actors and musicians from “The Last Ship” plus Oscar winner Paul Haggis. The two different crowds left on clouds maybe because it was so nice to see one of the last great rock stars fulfill their fantasies.

More on “57th and 9th” tomorrow.

Pop Chart Shock: Bon Jovi’s Latest Outselling Alicia Keys 2-to-1 Mid Week, Will Debut at No. 1

Roger Friedman
-
0
Pop Chart Shock: Bon Jovi’s Latest Outselling Alicia Keys 2-to-1 Mid Week, Will Debut at No. 1

There are a lot of shocks this week. I certainly thought Alicia Keys’ first new album in four years, called “Here,” would finish at number 1 this week. When it was released on Friday, “Here” went straight to number 1 on iTunes.

But Keys is only on iTunes and not on Amazon, which may have hurt her. It turns out Bon Jovi’s new album, “This House is Not for Sale,” is outselling her 2 to 1 in physical sales and almost that much in streaming. Bon Jovi will be number 1 by a comfortable margin.

Indeed, Alicia’s album is doing a lot less well than I thought. I’m not sure why except that there was little advance notice of it, no press copies until the day it was released. It took until the weekend to listen to it. But it has some great songs. A head scratcher.

Bon Jovi may have been aided by Jon’s appearance on Monday night at the Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Philly. While she didn’t win, the exposure for Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen was pretty amazing.

Bon Jovi will have one week at number 1. Sting’s “57th and 9th” comes on Friday, and it’s full of hits, great songs, a total success. Watch “57th and 9th” make a big number 1 debut at the end of next week.

Surprise Election Winner: Jared Kushner’s New York Observer Soared in Traffic with Trump Connection

Roger Friedman
-
0
Surprise Election Winner: Jared Kushner’s New York Observer Soared in Traffic with Trump Connection

Here’s the media story I didn’t expect: Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and adviser of Donald Trump, owns the New York Observer. (Full disclosure: Occasionally, I write for the paper.)

Well, it seems that under editor Ken Kurson and CEO Joseph Meyer, the Observer’s website has gone crazy over the last year. I was slipped a couple of internal memos this week that show the Observer’s ranking jumped from 3,695 in February 2013 to 275, according to Quantcast.

That’s sort of remarkable. Was it because of the Trump connection? Were Trump enthusiasts suddenly reading the Observer.com? I don’t know.

Kurson wrote in a memo to the staff this morning: “We’ve all been reading the dismal news about the business of print. Yesterday, the CEO of the WSJ/NYPost described the sudden evaporation of print advertising as “mayhem in the market.” We have worked so hard to transition to a digital-first posture. Seeing this number — TWO SEVENTY FIVE — just as this unending campaign finally reaches the finish line has somehow provided a poetic symmetry to a company that’s come a very long way in four years.”

Congrats– because anything that thrives in journalism right now has to be celebrated. Kurson was always a Trump supporter. His role as editor in chief of the Observer, owned by Trump’s son-in-law, had to have been tricky. But he managed to run the Observer fairly– it was far less partisan, say, than the New York Post. And the non political part of the paper (or website) is a lively and engaging read at all times.  I think my late friend, Peter Kaplan, whom Kurson succeeded, would be pleased that the paper has survived.

I call it good news on a day when there is little to go around.

 

Mick Jagger Jokes About Singing At Inauguration, Megyn Kelly Introduced Simply as “Journalist” on Kelly Ripa Show

Roger Friedman
-
0
Mick Jagger Jokes About Singing At Inauguration, Megyn Kelly Introduced Simply as “Journalist” on Kelly Ripa Show

Some morning news. Fox News’s Megyn Kelley is on “Live with Kelly” right now. In the first 30 minutes there’s no been mention that she works at Fox News. Kelley is trying to jump — for millions of bucks — to CNN, the network that really aided Donald Trump far more than Fox News.

And Mick Jagger is joking on Twitter about singing “You Can’t Get Always Get What You Want” at the Inauguration. That will be an Inauguration marked by performances by Ted Nugent and country singers. Good time to book a vacation.

Robert DeNiro, Julianne Moore Sign for TV Series with Director David O. Russell, Amazon

Roger Friedman
-
0
Robert DeNiro, Julianne Moore Sign for TV Series with Director David O. Russell, Amazon

Director David O. Russell certainly works well with Robert DeNiro. They had a big success with “Silver Linings Playbook,” and DeNiro was just great playing Jennifer Lawrence’s father in “Joy.”

Now Russell and DeNiro are reportedly teaming up again for a limited TV series for Amazon, produced by The Weinstein Company. Another Oscar winner, Julianne Moore, is set to co-star.

The word is that Russell’s come up with a modern Mafia tale, perhaps set in the 1990s. Coming from Russell, it won’t be “The Sopranos,” but maybe something with a more comic touch. We’ll see.

DeNiro is said to be getting $850,000 per episode, for 20 segments. If so, this series will be incredibly expensive. Good for him– his last movie with The Weinstein Company, “Hands of Stone,” earned $4.7 million this summer despite very good reviews. But all the movement now is toward the smaller screen and TV platforms, where the audience is waiting for him.

TWC, meantime, is also moving in that direction. They recently announced another Amazon deal with “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner.

Watch Bruce Springsteen LIVE at Hillary Clinton Rally Here– and Bon Jovi, Obamas

Roger Friedman
-
0
Watch Bruce Springsteen LIVE at Hillary Clinton Rally Here– and Bon Jovi, Obamas

Jon Bon Jovi has already performed “Living on a Prayer” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Springsteen is next. The Obamas and Bill Clinton coming. Then they all go to North Carolina with Lady Gaga. Quite a night for Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump? Scott Baio and Ted Nugent are his celebs.

Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor to Join Sting for the Bi-ennial Rainforest Concert at Carnegie Hall

Roger Friedman
-
0
Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor to Join Sting for the Bi-ennial Rainforest Concert at Carnegie Hall

Baby, it’s cold outside! That’s the theme for Trudie Styler’s Rainforest Fund concert– just announced for December 14th at Carnegie Hall. Sting will headline, of course, with Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor and Chris Botti on the bill– plus many surprise guests.

You can read more about it at the Rainforest Foundation website. This is a not to be missed event. (It’s the only time I got to meet Nina Simone, which was amazing.)

Plus Sting’s new album will be freshly out (this Friday, November 11th) along with Bruce’s just released “Chapter and Verse.” Trudie Styler (AKA Mrs. Sting) always comes up a cool theme for the show, which means the superstars will be performing some things very special not on their usual repertoire for “Baby  It’s Cold Outside.”

Since 1989, the Rainforest Foundation has expanded to 23 countries and raised millions for the indigenous peoples throughout Brazil and other countries including Belize, Cameroon, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. And the money really goes to those people– it’s one of the best run of these types of charities.

For VIP tickets and dinner seats email rainforest@eventassociatesinc.com or go to Carnegie Charge or call 212-247-7800.

James Corden Stings as Host of Hollywood Film Awards: “A lot like the Trump campaign, except they really are rigged”

Leah Sydney
-
0
James Corden Stings as Host of Hollywood Film Awards: “A lot like the Trump campaign, except they really are rigged”

Trump bashing and more saucy clever quipping took place tonight at the lively Hollywood Film Awards at the Beverly Hilton. James Corden ‘killed it,’ as the host in his opening monologue. “This could be last awards ceremony before the apocalypse. Come Wednesday morning we could all be watching a real-life version of the “The Purge.”

Corden, the British Tony Award winner who’s become an unlikely overnight star in the U.S. thanks to his late night talk show and “Carpool Karoake,” was a stinging host for this untelevised night of Hollywood back-patting at the Beverly Hilton Ballroom. Big stars showed up so movies– some of which haven’t been released or seen by anyone — could get awards for existing at all.

“This year they brought back “Star Wars,” with a female lead, they rebooted “Ghostbusters” with a female lead and I pray to God they reboot the Clinton presidency with a female lead,” he said in his opening remarks. Corden also managed to poke a bit of fun at the HFA. “The Hollywood Film Awards sounds like something Michael Bay gives to himself on Christmas morning to feel less alone.” He went on: “ The HFAs sound like a urinary tract infection.”

Corden also got political which was a theme woven into the night. “The HFA are a lot like the Trump campaign, except these awards really are rigged. Susan Sarandon is here. She recently endorsed Jill Stein for President. That’s it. That’s the joke.” He then wiggled in, “If you haven’t won an award and you’re here, fire your publicist.”

And then the handing out of awards began. Robert DeNiro, honored with the comedy award, put on his forceful “Taxi Driver” Travis Bickle face by saying, “I know we’re here to celebrate movies in Hollywood. But it’s two days before a frightening election and the shadow of politics is hanging over us whether we like it or not, it’s hard for me to think of anything else. So let me just lay it out right here. We have the opportunity to prevent a comedy from turning into a tragedy. Vote for Hillary Tuesday.”

Leonardo DiCaprio and Fisher Stevens were then honored for their documentary, “Before The Flood.” Leo said, “Let’s use all our power as citizens to do the right thing, please vote. Vote for people who believe in climate change.” To which the crowd then rapturously applauded. Corden then came on and asked any Trump supporters to raise their hands. One woman on the side stood up and started idiotically dancing, to which Corden snapped, “Shut the fuck up. You look like someone who’d be voting for Donald Trump.”

Andie McDowell presented the Supporting Actor Award to her former “Four Weddings and a Funeral” co-star Hugh Grant. Hugh quipped, “I’m just depressed to see how well preserved Andie is. You are still a Georgia peach, and me, according to Twitter anyway, I’m a scrotum.” He went on to thank everyone, included Dick Clark Productions and ended, “Well I just love dick.”

Clint Eastwood, notoriously a director of few words and probably the only other Republican in the room, gave the Actor Award to Tom Hanks for his work in Clint’s “Sully.” When Tom came on stage, Clint instructed him where to stand and told Tom what side he would be on. Tom commented, “that’s the most Clint has ever talked to an actor in his whole career.”

Eddie Murphy, a well-known New Jersey native received the last award of the night, the Career Achievement award. He cracked the audience up by saying, “Let me start at the beginning. I was born on a plantation in the south, picking cotton, staring up at my grand pappy and telling him I wanted to be in the movies.”

Also in the mix, Sir Ben Kingsley presented Jon Favreau with the Blockbuster Award, Julianne Moore gave Tom Ford his Breakthrough Director award, Casey Affleck Other winners included Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Natalie Portman, Hugh Grant, Naomie Harris, Lily Collins, (Warren Beatty presented to her) and sionger Janelle Monae, who’s made a big splash this season in “Moonlight” and the upcoming “Hidden Figures.” Justin Timberlake won an award for his song, “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and a movie called “Gold” with Matthew McConaughey– which no one has seen– was given a prize.

Carlos de Abreu, who founded the HFA two decades ago to promote his Hollywood film festival, sold the show to Dick Clark Productions a couple of years ago. Now DCP has been sold to the Chinese. The HFA’s are like a pre-Oscars in that they celebrate the movies that will likely get the big awards later. They’re also a fun way to kick off awards season just to promote Hollywood. I asked Carlos how he felt at the end of the night. “A great way to celebrate our 20th Anniversary,” he said. Agreed: The A list came out in droves; the show was well paced and truly entertaining. Well done Carlos and HFAs (not a urinary tract infection, as it turns out).

“Hollywood Career Achievement Award”
Eddie Murphy, presented by Jeffrey Katzenberg

“Hollywood Actor Award”
Tom Hanks for Sully, presented by Clint Eastwood

“Hollywood Supporting Actor Award”
Hugh Grant for Florence Foster Jenkins, presented by Andie MacDowell

“Hollywood Actress Award”
Natalie Portman for Jackie, presented by Susan Sarandon

“Hollywood Supporting Actress Award”
Nicole Kidman for Lion, presented by Dev Patel

“Hollywood Comedy Award”
Robert De Niro for The Comedian, presented by Leslie Mann

“Hollywood Breakout Actress Award”
Naomie Harris for Moonlight, presented by Lenny Kravitz

“New Hollywood Award”
Lily Collins for Rules Don’t Apply, presented by Warren Beatty

“Hollywood Spotlight Award”
Janelle Monáe for Hidden Figures, presented by Mahershala Ali

“Hollywood Documentary Award”
Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio for Before the Flood,
presented by Jonah Hill

“Hollywood Ensemble Award”
Gold cast including Matthew McConaughey, Bryce Dallas Howard, Edgar Ramirez and Stacy Keach, presented by Kate Hudson

“Hollywood Song Award”
Justin Timberlake for “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” from Trolls,
presented by Anna Kendrick

“Hollywood Blockbuster Award”
The Jungle Book (accepted by Jon Favreau), presented by Sir Ben Kingsley

“Hollywood Director Award”
Mel Gibson for Hacksaw Ridge, presented by Andrew Garfield and Vince Vaughn

“Hollywood Breakthrough Director Award”
Tom Ford for Nocturnal Animals, presented by Julianne Moore

“Hollywood Producer Award”
Marc Platt for La La Land, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, and The Girl on the Train, presented by Aaron Eckhart

“Hollywood Screenwriter Award”
Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester By The Sea, presented by Casey Affleck

“Hollywood Animation Award”
Byron Howard and Rich Moore for Zootopia

“Hollywood Cinematography Award”
Linus Sandgren for La La Land

“Hollywood Film Composer Award”
Mychael Danna for Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

“Hollywood Editor Award”
John Gilbert for Hacksaw Ridge

“Hollywood Visual Effects Award”
Stephane Ceretti and Richard Bluff for Dr. Strange

“Hollywood Sound Award”
Christopher Boyes and Frank Eulner for The Jungle Book

“Hollywood Costume Design Award”
Albert Wolsky for Rules Don’t Apply

“Hollywood Make Up & Hair Styling Award”
Shane Thomas, Angela Conte, Bec Taylor and Noriko Waztanabe
for Hacksaw Ridge

“Hollywood Production Design Award”
Wynn Thomas for Hidden Figures

Springsteen and Bon Jovi Performing on Same Stage for Hillary Clinton: Now You Know This Is Serious

Roger Friedman
-
0
Springsteen and Bon Jovi Performing on Same Stage for Hillary Clinton: Now You Know This Is Serious

Monday night, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi will perform on the same stage for Hillary Clinton. The site is Philadelphia, adjacent to their home state of New Jersey. I hesitate to say they will perform together. But just their existence in the same place together is serious business.

If I were from Pennsylvania, I’d be pretty impressed. I mean, now you have to vote for Hillary.

The two singers are rarely seen together for any reason. Each one commands a huge following in New Jersey and its environs. But which is bigger? Who is the King and who is the Prince? The crowns rest uneasy.

Bruce is the King, simply from seniority. He arrived on the national stage in 1973. Bon Jovi came a decade later. And there’s a decade between them.

But still, it’s always been a little tricky. The last time I can remember them coming together was for Christmas concerts in Asbury Park in 2003. They were raising money for the town, and for the local sports teams. Sam Moore and Garland Jeffreys were among their guests.

Monday night’s show is at Independence Hall. Congrats to the lucky ones who get to see history made– not just a first women elected president, but Bruce and Jon together!

1...1,4411,4421,443...2,323Page 1,442 of 2,323

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com