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Exclusive: Roger Ailes is Ailing, Megyn Kelly and Murdoch Brothers Make Final Move on Fox News Chief

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Roger Ailes is Ailing, Megyn Kelly and Murdoch Brothers Make Final Move on Fox News Chief

I worked at Fox News for 10 years, from 1999-2009. I heard a lot of things about Roger Ailes, and there were a lot of rumors in that building at 1211 Sixth Avenue. But systematic sexual harassment? If it was going on, it was kept very quiet.

Now New York Magazine’s intrepid Gabriel Sherman reports that Megyn Kelly, star of Fox News and Ailes’s most rising star, has accused Ailes of sexual harassment. She fessed up to the lawyers from Paul Weiss Rifkind, who are conducting the internal investigation against Ailes. Kelly has remained mum so far while the other women at Fox News have defended Ailes against Gretchen Carlson’s allegations.

The timing is perfect. James and Lachlan Murdoch want Ailes out. I’m told Roger is ailing by several people. He hasn’t been a presence since before Carlson filed her lawsuit. This is in the middle of a Republican Presidential convention. It’s like the Oscars for Fox News.

If– when— Ailes is ousted, who will take over? The betting is on Bill Shine. As one source says, “at least in the interim.” There was a big shakeup in April at Fox News, when Michael Clemente was demoted and Jay Wallace was promoted. John Moody, in and out of popularity, is not capable of running a news network. Shine, who’s been in charge of talent for years, would be the odds on favorite.

But again, what timing. Murdochs looking for a wedge, some leverage to finally oust Ailes. Kelly– who Ailes has been a public supporter of, particularly during the nasty period with Trump this year–speaks up to lawyers, who then leak the story so Ailes is completely finished. Mind blowing.

Stay tuned…

Rock Group Queen: “Unauthorised” Use of Song “Against Our Wishes”

Roger Friedman
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Rock Group Queen: “Unauthorised” Use of Song “Against Our Wishes”

Queen is angry. This is their Tweet:

PS Today is Brian May’s 69th birthday. Happy Birthday, Brian!

John Turturro to Direct All Star Remake of “Going Places” with Sarandon, Cannavale, Tatou

Roger Friedman
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John Turturro to Direct All Star Remake of “Going Places” with Sarandon, Cannavale, Tatou

Exclusive: John Turturro is going to direct his remake of “Going Places” after several years of planning.

I’m told the star of HBO’s “The Night Of” has lined up Susan Sarandon, Bobby Cannavale, and Audrey Tatou. Robert Salerno — with a long list of credits including “21 Grams” and “A Simple Man” — is producing.

The original 1974 French film was directed by Bertrand Blier and featured Gerard Depardieu, Jeanne Moreau, Miou Miou, and Isabelle Huppert. (I realize as I write this that no one in this generation has any idea how great this film was, or who those women are. They might know Depardieu, for the wrong reasons.)

Turturro’s take won’t be an exact remake, I’m told, but sort of his take on it.

Right now Turturro stars in HBO’s hit “The Night Of” and in the upcoming Robert DeNiro movie “Hands of Stone.” He’s directed a few beloved films including “Romance and Cigarettes,” and “Fading Gigolo.”

Queen’s Brian May Has Already Warned Donald Trump Not to Use “We Are the Champions”– But He Used It Anyway

Roger Friedman
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Queen’s Brian May Has Already Warned Donald Trump Not to Use “We Are the Champions”– But He Used It Anyway

Queen’s Brian May has already addressed Donald Trump’s use of “We Are the Champions.” He wrote about it on his website on June 8th, after our old pal Martin Lewis tipped off Queen’s manager Jim Beach:

“I’ve had an avalanche of complaints – some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page – about Donald Trump using our We Are The Champions track as his ‘theme’ song on USA TV. This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.

Bri ”

But Trump used the song tonight anyway. He played it as he walked out on stage and at the end of Melania’s tribute to “Green Acres.” Not sure if Republicans and Trump realize Queen’s Freddie Mercury was gay and died of AIDS.

PS Howard Kaylan of the Turtles isn’t amused that Trump also used “Happy Together” tonight on the convention.

Watch a Clip from Donald Trump’s Long, Interesting History with Donald Trump

Roger Friedman
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Watch a Clip from Donald Trump’s Long, Interesting History with Donald Trump

Rudy and The Donald, circa 2000

Fox News on Brink: Murdoch Brothers’ Force Out of Roger Ailes Coming, No Defense from Megyn Kelly

Roger Friedman
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Fox News on Brink: Murdoch Brothers’ Force Out of Roger Ailes Coming, No Defense from Megyn Kelly

The word is sweeping through the media, led by New York Magazine, that Roger Ailes is out as head of Fox News. James and Lachlan Murdoch have quietly sanctioned the bad news and allowed it to spread. The party is over.

Of interest: there’s never been a defense of Ailes from Fox News’s biggest anchor, Megyn Kelly. Nothing. All the others spoke up, to varying degrees. But Kelly has remained mum.

Now the Ailes exit — in the middle of a presidential campaign–in the middle of the Republican convention. Just crazy. Don’t think it’s not orchestrated. If Ailes leaves Fox News, who would run it? There is no heir apparent. And the Murdochs have already signaled the end of nutty ring wing partisan broadcasting. With Ailes out, Fox broadcasters might start acting like human beings and saying sensible things.

The move to oust Ailes is bigger than what just happened in Turkey. When News Corp wants something done, they make sure it happens. The defense of Ailes has been minimal at best. But I know better than most– when they want you out, News Corp knows how to spread the word fast.

This is gonna be good.

Oh yeah– do I feel bad for Roger Ailes? I do, actually. We had ten great years and one bad day, when he was a coward. But for a decade he was a stand up guy.

Donald Trump’s “Art of the Deal” Ghost Writer Confesses He Wrote Book, Fears Trump Presidency

Roger Friedman
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Donald Trump’s “Art of the Deal” Ghost Writer Confesses He Wrote Book, Fears Trump Presidency

Tony Schwartz wrote Donald Trump’s best seller “The Art of the Deal,” published in 1986. He’s never spoken against Trump in three decades. But now he tells The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer that he fears a Trump presidency, that Trump is a liar with no attention span and an interest only in attention. Mayer’s story is quite an indictment.

I knew Tony Schwartz in the 80s, and I always wondered why he never broke ranks. He could have done it a long time ago. But he says to Mayer “I put lipstick on a pig,” he said. “I feel a deep sense of remorse that I contributed to presenting Trump in a way that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing than he is.” He went on, “I genuinely believe that if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization.”

It’s a remarkable piece by Mayer, who is well respected. And it explains a lot.

RNC: Rules Committee “Disruption” from “Dump Trump” Faction Beginning at 1pm

Roger Friedman
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RNC: Rules Committee “Disruption” from “Dump Trump” Faction Beginning at 1pm

The Republican National Convention starts today at 1pm and things should be pretty entertaining from the moment the gavel drops.

The “Dump Trump” movement among the delegates is picking up steam as the vote on the party platform nears. Still up for major debate– the binding of the delegates. Will they be able to vote for whomever they want?

The #FreetheDelegates campaign continues. A source close to the Delegates Unbound effort suggests that “if the delegates are able to turn this from a scripted televised event to an actual convention they’ll be on the way to eliminate Donald Trump as the candidate.”

Now that would be show business!

from the FreetheDelegates website, a letter to Rance Preibus:

As Republicans, we are devoted to the pillars of conservatism that have made America great. For generations, we have worked to build a party that embodies the American dream.

That’s how the GOP became the party of freedom, prosperity, and opportunity.

It was the GOP that fought to abolish slavery, and was the GOP that championed women’s suffrage. Today, it is the GOP that works for stronger families and stronger communities for a strong and prosperous America.

Many of our country’s greatest leaders were, and are, members of the GOP — we are the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Reagan.

But today, we are saddled with a presidential candidate who holds none of the qualities of our party’s greatest leaders.

He lacks common decency, respect of the Constitution, and the temperament of someone fit to be Commander-in-Chief.

That is why we cannot, in good conscience, support Donald Trump for President of the United States. We are standing firm for the core Republican principles we cherish and that Trump in no way represents. 

Mr. Chairman, we are calling on you to support us in reaffirming the longstanding principle that delegates to the GOP Convention can vote their conscience in the name of preserving the legacy of our party and our nation. 

Sincerely,

[The undersigned]

 

 

 

Paul Ryan’s America is the Republican Party Ideal: White White White (and he’s proud of it)

Roger Friedman
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Paul Ryan’s America is the Republican Party Ideal: White White White (and he’s proud of it)

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisc) posted this photo to his Instagram page. This is the Republican party. Look at this hard, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida. Can you find a non white person in this picture? Not even a waiter walking through the room. This is America circa 1947. And this is in the 8th year of a black president. Shameful.

This week, and for the next couple, politics and showbiz are interchangeable. Just wait til D list celebrities Scott Baio, Antonio Sabato Jr and Kimberlin Brown speak at the RNC. They’re not even the D list. They’re the duh list.

Box Office: “Ghostbusters” Surprises, “Independence Day” Falls Short Again, Woody Wins

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Ghostbusters” Surprises, “Independence Day” Falls Short Again, Woody Wins

The weekend box office continued to bring good news for “Ghostbusters.” Sony took in $46 million and maybe a little more once all the dimes and nickels are counted. There’s some frisson about sequels, but I’d like to see another of these. In fact, I’ll be a second one will turn out to be better. Put those ladies in some relationships. Let Annie Potts have a bigger role as their female mentor.

“Cafe Society” did very very well. Is it the Kristen Stewart factor? Whatever it is, Woody Allen’s latest could shape up nicely as a hit. I’m very pleased. We are all the winners if Woody is one!

“Independence Day: Resurgence” is a frustrating release. Fox is four weeks into this release and they’re still short of $100 million. That line will be crossed this week. But what a long strange trip it’s been. “IDR” is a really bad movie. Please, no more of these.

Warner’s “Central Intelligence” hit $117.5 million. They’ve got $180 worldwide US included. The comedy only cost $50 million. Nicely played.

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