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Soap Opera Shocker: “Young and the Restless” House Cleaning Begins with Actor Steve Burton

Roger Friedman
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Soap Opera Shocker: “Young and the Restless” House Cleaning Begins with Actor Steve Burton

Mal Young, the new executive producer of CBS’s “The Young and the Restless,” is cleaning house. He’s fixing the mistakes made by Jill Farren Phelps, the worse EP in soap history (she presided over the deaths of several soaps and almost “General Hospital.”)

Now actor Steve Burton, who came with Phelps from “GH,” is leaving the show after four years. He Tweeted that he’s leaving at the end of December. His huge salary and perks will go with him. The end of the Phelps era is here.

Young has really spruced up the show in a short time. He’s ousted the horrid head writer, replaced him with a show vet, and brought back a lot of the actors/characters the fans wanted to see for some time. “Y&R” is still a soap opera, don’t be fooled. But slowly it’s starting to sound and feel like it might be directed to adults with a college education.

As for Burton, he’s the actor who brought James Franco disastrously — through Phelps– onto “General Hospital.” They shared a manager, Miles Levy. I’m told Burton lives in Nashville and Phelps had given him a nice deal where he could fly back and forth to LA. The new bosses didn’t go for that, apparently. How will they write out his character? On a soap, mass amnesia is not an unknown malady.

Sarah Jessica Parker Working for Virginia Woolf? New York Times, Hollywood Reporter Think So

Roger Friedman
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Sarah Jessica Parker Working for Virginia Woolf? New York Times, Hollywood Reporter Think So

Sarah Jessica Parker is going to edit four novels a year for the Hogarth Press. This was announced yesterday by The New York Times, so it must be true. The Hollywood Reporter, loathe to pick up a phone or Google anything it can just aggregate, ran a big story on it as if it was their own.

The Times reports: “Hogarth, the publishing house founded in 1917 by Virginia and Leonard Woolf, is mounting SJP for Hogarth, where, as editorial director, Parker will help to find, edit and publish three or four new novels a year.”

Yeah, but you know what? That Hogarth Press has not been in business since 1946. Started in 1917 by Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard (you know them from “The Hours”) the company sputtered out in ’46 although the name survived until 1969. And then it was over, completely.

So what is this Hogarth Press? Why, it’s an imprint of Penguin Random House. Penguin and Random House used to be different companies until they were forced into a shotgun marriage three years ago. They have a UK imprint called Chatto & Windus, and that imprint begat a Hogarth 2.0 in 2012. The Woolfs are long gone and have nothing to do with it, obviously. (She died in 1941, look it up.)

The Times doesn’t mention Penguin Random House or any of this. They do leave the impression that “Hogarth Press” has been a fine old institution lo these many decades. Hah! I thought it said Hogwarts Press, and it might as well have. I really like Sarah Jessica Parker, but she won’t be going to lunch with Mrs. Dalloway any time soon.

Rolling Stones Plan 700th Album on December 2– “Blue and Lonesome” featuring Eric Clapton

Roger Friedman
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Rolling Stones Plan 700th Album on December 2– “Blue and Lonesome” featuring Eric Clapton

The Rolling Stones are releasing a new studio album, possibly their 700th, on December. “Blue and Lonesome” is an album of blues covers, with Eric Clapton featured on two tracks. (He just happened to be next store at the same studio!) Interscope is releasing the album in various formats.

I kid about ‘700’ but really the first single sounds great. Will this sell? Yeah, first week, to aficionados. But it’s fun, it’s real music. The Stones were always serious about blues. And it was easier than writing 12 new songs that everyone would ignore and wouldn’t get played on the radio anyway.

Maybe this will pave the way for some club dates (yeah!) and a Grammys performance. Things to look forward to! PS Produced by Don Was with the Glimmer Twins (Mick and Keith).

PS Original Stone Bill Wyman — now ex-officio– turns 80 on October 24th. Really.

The Rolling Stones ‘Blue & Lonesome’ full tracklisting

1. Just Your Fool

(Original written and recorded in 1960 by Little Walter)

2. Commit A Crime

(Original written and recorded in 1966 by Howlin’ Wolf – Chester Burnett)

3. Blue And Lonesome

(Original written and recorded in 1959 by Little Walter)

4. All Of Your Love

(Original written and recorded in 1967 by Magic Sam – Samuel Maghett)

5. I Gotta Go

(Original written and recorded in 1955 by Little Walter)

6. *Everybody Knows About My Good Thing (with Clapton)

(Original recorded in 1971 by Little Johnny Taylor, composed by Miles Grayson & Lermon Horton)

7. Ride ‘Em On Down

(Original written and recorded in 1955 by Eddie Taylor)

8. Hate To See You Go

(Original written and recorded in 1955 by Little Walter)

9. **Hoo Doo Blues

(Original recorded in 1958 by Lightnin’ Slim, composed by Otis Hicks & Jerry West)

10. Little Rain

(Original recorded in 1957 by Jimmy Reed, composed by Ewart.G.Abner Jr. and Jimmy Reed)

11. Just Like I Treat You

(Original written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in December 1961)

12. *I Can’t Quit You Baby (with Clapton)

(Original written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Otis Rush in 1956)

There Are A “Million Reasons” to Like Lady Gaga’s New Ballad About Leaving a Relationship (Listen)

Roger Friedman
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There Are A “Million Reasons” to Like Lady Gaga’s New Ballad About Leaving a Relationship (Listen)

Lady Gaga’s new song “Million Reasons” is an excellent anthem and a single that should resonate on the charts. She really had a bad time with Taylor Kinney, since this seems like the second song in a row about breaking their engagement. All that stuff ’bout hell and a woman scorned…Gaga’s back on track.

Kenny Loggins Admits “Footloose” Was Based on “Devil with the Blue Dress,” Says “Don’t Sue Me:

Roger Friedman
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Kenny Loggins Admits “Footloose” Was Based on “Devil with the Blue Dress,” Says “Don’t Sue Me:

smokeyWhat a historic night for music at the annual Little Kids Rock gala at Capitale. The group honored songwriter-performer Kenny Loggins and Motown legend Smokey Robinson. Legendary Soul Man Sam Moore– mentioned in Bruce Springsteen’s new book four times as an “inspiration”– sang with Kenny, performed a Jackie Wilson song in honor of fellow Detroiter Smokey. Audience members included Marc “Walking in Memphis” Cohn. A Paul Simon-signed Fender guitar was auctioned off for thousands of bucks. Tracy Morgan made a tearful appearance also on behalf of Smokey.

By the way, the house band was led by former Letterman/SNL guitarist Will Lee. And among the featured players was New York Yankee legend Bernie Williams! Bernieeeee!!

Loggins– looking younger than springtime–performed “Danny’s Song,” which Anne Murray covered back in the 70s and revived his career with Jim Messina as a top 40 duo. When it came time to perform “Footloose,” the title track from the 1984 hit movie, he told a little story. He was looking for inspiration himself, and based the song on the Mitch Ryder classic “Devil in the Blue Dress.” He laughed and said, “Don’t sue me” as he launched into the original song, then segued into his own. The songs are similar but I don’t think he has to worry about it.

What Loggins obviously did not know is that “Devil” was co-written by Smokey’s longtime Motown collaborator William “Mickey” Stevenson. Small world since Smokey was sitting right there.

Loggins later joined Sam Moore for the Sam & Dave classic “I Thank You” after Sam brought down the house with “Soul Man” sam will leeand Jackie Wilson’s “To Be Loved.” The audience went wild, as Sam turns 81 next week and sounds better than ever.

Smokey lentertained the crowd with “I Second That Emotion,” a gorgeous version of the Gershwins’ “Our Love is Here to Stay” and his own “Being with You.” He finished with one of his great self-penned Motown hits– “Get Ready”– backed up all the kids from the charity. Quite a night. Smokey pleaded during his acceptance speech for more music education in schools, which was met with applause throughout the cavernous Capitale.

 

All photos c2016 Showbiz411

 

Solange, Beyonce Knowles First Sisters Ever in iTunes Top 5, First Ever to Have Number 1 Albums in Same Year– Or Ever

Roger Friedman
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Solange, Beyonce Knowles First Sisters Ever in iTunes Top 5, First Ever to Have Number 1 Albums in Same Year– Or Ever

It’s history making time.

Solange Knowles has the number 1 album in the US on iTunes. She’s also headed to number 1 for the week, period, on all charts with her “A Seat at the Table.”

Solange’s older sister, Beyonce, has the number 4 album with “Lemonade.” Beyonce’s numbers are bigger by far, but this week, she’s following her little sister.

That’s the first time sisters have had number 1 albums in the same year, been in the top 5 at the same time, or ever had albums on the chart at the same time.

There aren’t too many cases of singing sisters, anyway. There’s Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft, I guess. The Andrews Sisters. Dionne and the late Dee Dee Warwick. Freda and Sherrie Payne. Aretha Franklin and late sisters Carolyn and Erma. The Scissors Sisters (just kidding).

Ann and Nancy Wilson work together, as Heart. That doesn’t count.

Solange has issued albums before, but none was very successful. She wanted a seat at the table and got it. She made lemonade from lemons considering she’s probably best known for fighting with Jay Z in an elevator.

“A Seat at the Table” has no physical CD yet. It’s available as a download, and for streaming. Luckily, Solange did not put her album on brother in law Jay Z’s Tidal service exclusively.

And get this: Solange wrote all 21 tracks by herself. She’s the sole credit. No teams of writers. Just her. Impressed? You should be., I know I am.

 

RIP Rod Temperton, 66, Writer of Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You,” “Thriller” and Many Other Hits

Roger Friedman
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RIP Rod Temperton, 66, Writer of Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You,” “Thriller” and Many Other Hits

rod tempertonBritish songwriter Rod Temperton is dead at age 66 from “aggressive cancer.” It was a brief illness apparently.

Temperton wrote Michael Jackson’s hits “Rock with You,” “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” as well as “The Lady in My Life.” He also wrote the huge Patti Austin-James Ingram song “Baby, Come to Me” and George Benson’s “Give Me the Night.”

Temperton also gave the group Heatwave their two big hits– “Always and Forever” and “Boogie Nights.”

He worked with Quincy Jones as a producer-writer, and wrote hits for D0nna Summer, the Brothers Johnson, Herbie Hancock, and Michael McDonald.

Condolences to his family. What a shame.

 

Beatles Producer George Martin’s Estate Worth Much More than $1.5 Mil, Must Be Off Shore

Roger Friedman
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Beatles Producer George Martin’s Estate Worth Much More than $1.5 Mil, Must Be Off Shore

What is the Daily Mail smoking? (Well, I ask myself that a lot.) They report today that the Beatles’ producer George Martin, who died earlier this year at age 90, left a 1 million-pound estate! Of course, the Mail is only concerned that one of Martin’s sons was cut out of it. They also say he produced “the Beatles’ early hits.”

Listen, Fleet Street, George Martin made a million bucks in his sleep. His estate must have been parked off shore, in a place like the Cayman Islands. It has to have been more like 50 million quid.

For one thing, Martin produced all of the Beatles albums except for “Let it Be.” (That was a botch job by Phil Spector.) He produced the Anthology albums, as well, plus “Rarities” and several other post-1970 editions.

A lot of that was chronicled by Martin himself in his 1979 memoir, “All You Need is Ears.” He was an employee of EMI through 1965, when he left and started AIR studios. He started getting a 2% royalty on Beatles albums at that time, and indicates in the book that the number rose to 4%. Martin also wrote the score for “Yellow Submarine,” and has publishing and mechanical royalties from that album.

In addition, Martin remastered the Beatles’ CDs when they were first issued in 1987. Years later, he and son Giles constructed the soundtrack for the Beatles’ “LOVE” show in Las Vegas, which produced a best selling album. It was quite literally their invention, and it has sold and sold. Now that it’s downloadable and streaming everywhere, “LOVE” should have made the Martins quite wealthy.

Plus, Sir George had monster hits with the group America. Their “History” album of greatest hits continues to be a huge catalog seller. (He gave them “Tin Man” and “Sister Golden Hair,” which are played non stop on oldies radio.) George got a permanent cut of that action.

And then there’s Martin’s AIR Studios in Montserrat in the Caribbean. This is a huge, thriving business where everyone from Adele to Pete Townsend, and of course Paul McCartney have recorded.

And that’s probably the tip of the iceberg.

A million pounds? Not likely. Sir George was definitely whistling “Baby you’re a rich man” right up to the end. Daily Mail, get a grip.

Emily Blunt Misses Lavish “Girl on the Train” Party But Justin Theroux, Haley Bennett Are Happy Passengers

Roger Friedman
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Emily Blunt Misses Lavish “Girl on the Train” Party But Justin Theroux, Haley Bennett Are Happy Passengers

Universal threw an old fashioned lavish Hollywood premiere party last for “The Girl on the Train” at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall in New York.  It was the perfect location since Grand Central is presumably where Rachel, Emily Blunt’s character, would hang around after arriving from Ardsley and before returning there to stalk her ex husband (played by Justin Theroux). Since Rachel’s a raving alcoholic I doubt she sampled the terrific food we got which is available every day in the Food Hall! (She probably just hit the bars.)

Sadly, star Blunt — who does such a great job as Rachel– was under the weather, so she missed the big gala after a plucky walk on the red carpet with husband John Krasinski. This was a disappointment, as was the absence of Laura Prepon and boyfriend Ben Foster, who also went from red carpet to who knows where. Maybe the foursome thought a party in a train station didn’t sound appetizing but it was quite the opposite considering Grand Central’s soaring architecture.

To the rescue came Justin Theroux (yes, he’s married to Jennifer Aniston) who kind of steals the film from Blunt and her female co-stars Haley Bennett and Rebecca Ferguson (who resembles in this film more than ever Ingrid Bergman). The latter is presumably off getting ready for the new “Mission: Impossible” episode. Edgar Ramirez, so good in “Hands of Stone,” also made the most of the premiere. He’s the red herring in “Train,” and he pulls it off with aplomb.

But Bennett, currently winning the west in “The Magnificent Seven,” was there. She told me: “This is my first day off in two years.” She has five more days before she heads to L.A. for “meetings,” she said, where she will pass on a lot of scripts. (She has a good sense of humor, I like her.) Bennett brought her whole family from Ohio for “Girl on the Train.” They could have taken the train home from Grand Central, but they’re sticking around.

Listen: Justin Theroux has been starring in HBO’s “The Leftovers.” He’s not in “The Girl on the Train” to twiddle his thumbs. He’s the break out (if you know the novel, you know what I mean). He’s very good. We did not discuss Brangelina.

Tate Taylor directed “Girl on the Train.” He also directed “The Help.” He’s good with a big cast and a complicated story, as “Girl on the Train” has more going on than an episode of “Days of Our Lives.” But he keeps the tense taut, and Blunt is a delicious drinker. It’s not easy to play an unsympathetic protagonist. Eventually Rachel goes from “being a blur” to getting in focus  thanks to the keen actress.

But my advice, as with all movies, is: stay out of the suburbs. Bad things happen there! You’re safer in New York, where the crime rate is nil and you have a door man. And really, use Uber or buy a car. Paul Simon said Everyone loves the sound of a train in the distance. But wait til you have to find a seat.

Robert DeNiro Making 2nd Movie with “Grandpa” in Title, With Writer of “SpongeBob SquarePants”

Roger Friedman
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Robert DeNiro Making 2nd Movie with “Grandpa” in Title, With Writer of “SpongeBob SquarePants”

Robert DeNiro will not stop making terrible movies no matter what anyone says. He’s now signed to star in “War with Grandpa,” his second movie with the word Grandpa in the title in a year. The first one was “Dirty Grandpa,” which had an 11 rating on RottenTomatoes. Eleven.

DeNiro is currently starring in “Hands of Stone,” which has struggled to earn $5 million at the box office. He goes a very good job in it, but the movie has not connected with audiences.

“War with Grandpa” is not directed by Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, or David O. Russell, or any other ‘name’ director. It’s by someone named Tim Hill, whose last feature credit is for a TV movie called “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” made in 2014. He is best known as the creator and writer of the “SpongeBob Square Pants” TV series.

As the unofficial president of the Robert DeNiro fan club, I am chagrined. For every decent film DeNiro makes, there are five like this one. There is “Analyze This,” but also “Analyze That.” There’s “Meet the Parents,” plus the two sequels. “Grudge Match”? “Heist”? “The Bag Man”? Hello? “The Big Wedding”? “The Family”? The list goes on and on.

Even when the movie is bad, DeNiro is good. And when the movie is a surprise and DeNiro is top notch– as in “Silver Linings” or “Joy”– it’s a pleasure to see him. But these terrible films now weigh down the Oscar winner’s really great films with Scorsese, Michael Mann  (“Heat”), Barry Levinson (sublime “Wag the Dog”), Nancy Meyers (the charming “The Intern”) and so on.

DeNiro should be spending this time of his career working with great writers and directors, making important films. “The War with Grandpa”? Please, no.

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