HBO has canceled Vinyl After one season. The Mick Jagger produced series with Martin Scorsese had been renewed for a second season early. But ratings were terrible and the show never came together. The hope was for a water cooler show like Game of Thrones. But characters and plots never developed. A few months ago head writer Terrence Winter w
as replaced. It was all downhill from there. I’m sorry for the cast particularly Bobby Cannavale and Ray Romano. They did great work.
HBO Cancels Mick Jagger Martin Scorsese Vinyl After 1 Season
Independence Day Movie Ad Site: Murdoch’s NY Post Attacks His 20th Century Fox Studio
Maybe Rupert Murdoch needs to come back.
His New York Post just attacked his 20th Century Fox over an ad campaign site for “Independence Day: Resurgence.”
The Post feature, posted at 3:06pm this afternoon, is claiming the Fox site for “IDR” is insensitive because you can blow up buildings like the World Trade Center and other famous terrorist targets around the world.
The Post article says they reached out to 20th Century Fox publicists and got no comment. They’re in the same building!
Click on the picture to see most of the article, which was Tweeted out by Post film critic Lou Lumenick.
These ad execs clearly spaced out when they came up with this campaign.
A new interactive Web site for the movie “Independence Day: Resurgence,” out Friday, allows users to type in any world address and view the aftermath of apocalyptic alien attack.
Called “Independence Day: My Street,” the feature, which utilizes street-level images, seems harmless at first glance. An Entertainment Weekly headline says, “ ‘Independence Day’ Web site turns your street into a smoldering crater.”
That is true. Watching your tony suburban block be destroyed by space invaders is all good fun — until you discover the many careless holes in the program.
Type in “1 World Trade Center” and the user will be confronted with an upsetting image of a battered downtown New York City that resembles the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
While the World Trade Center, the site of the largest terrorist attack ever committed on American soil, got through the cracks, some spots have seemingly been blocked by the site’s creators.
Locations that elicited a “not found” so far in The Post’s searches include La Guardia Airport and Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla., where 49 people were shot and killed on June 12.
Wow. If they didn’t like the ad campaign, they’re not going to like the movie. Fox/NewsCorp whatever it’s called could use a hit this weekend. “IDR” is currently rating a 45 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Tony Awards: Reveal of Nominating Committee Members May Explain Annual Hollywood Star Boycott
Now that the theater season is over. a new one must begin. And so the Tony Awards have announced the members of the nominating committee for 2016-17. New members include humorist and screenwriter Paul Rudnick, and writer-director Peter Hedges.
Funny: the actors on the committee are people you’ve never heard of– Adrian Bailey, Harvey Evans, Jessica Stone, Jessica Molaskey. The only one who’s got name recognition is Debra Monk. No wonder Hollywood names do so poorly at nominating time. Where are all the big Broadway stars? Why aren’t they on this list? With Sally Field and a boat load of new Hollywooders coming this fall and next winter, this should be interesting.
The next announcement will be the name of William Ivey Long’s successor as head of the American Theater Wing.
The 2016-2017 Nominating Committee includes:
- Adrian Bailey – Actor
- Victoria Bailey – Executive Director, Theatre Development Fund
- Luis Castro – Media and Entertainment Executive/Producer**
- Hope Clarke – Choreographer
- Paul Cremo – Dramaturg/Director of Opera Commissioning Program, The Metropolitan Opera
- Patricia Cruz – Executive Director, Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis Hall, Inc.**
- Trip Cullman – Director
- Edgar Dobie – Executive Producer, Arena Stage – Washington, DC**
- Scott Elliott – Director/Artistic Director, The New Group**
- Harvey Evans – Actor
- Sean Patrick Flahaven – Writer/ Composer/Orchestrator/ Conductor/Producer
- Paul Gallo – Lighting Designer
- Jenny Gersten – Former Executive Director, Friends of the High Line
- Daniel Goldfarb – Playwright, Bookwriter
- Sam Gonzalez – Dir. of Operations, Pfizer Medical/Board of Trustees, Playwrights Horizons
- Adam Gwon – Composer/Lyricist
- Roy Harris – Production Stage Manager
- Peter Hedges – Writer**
- Jack Hofsiss – Theatre, Film, Television Director
- Mara Isaacs – Founder and Director, Octopus Theatricals, LLC**
- Lou Jacob – Director at the New School for Drama
- Anne Keefe – Associate Artist, Westport Country Playhouse**
- Tom Kitt – Composer, Lyricist, Bookwriter
- Fran Kumin – Consultant, Perf. Arts Organizations/Foundations/University Theatre Programs
- Michael John LaChiusa – Composer, Lyricist, Librettist**
- Kate Levin – Cultural Assets Management Principal, Bloomberg Associates
- Reynold Levy – Former President of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- Patricia Marx – American Humorist and Writer, Former Television Writer
- Jim McLaughlin – Former Producer, CBS News/TV Feature and Documentary Producer
- Tony Meola – Sound Designer**
- Jessica Molaskey – Actor**
- Debra Monk – Actor
- Roger Morgan – Lighting Designer, Theatre Designer
- Laurence O’Keefe – Composer
- Katherine Oliver – Media and Technology Principal, Bloomberg Associates
- Christian Parker – Chair, Graduate Theatre Program, Columbia University
- Paige Price – Actor/1st Vice President of AEA/Executive Artistic Director, Theatre Aspen
- Ravi S. Rajan – Dean, School of the Arts – SUNY Purchase
- Paul Rudnick – Playwright, Novelist, Screenwriter, Essayist**
- Susan H. Schulman – Director/President, Stage Directors and Choreographers
- Mikki Shepard – Executive Producer, The Apollo Theatre**
- Warner Shook – Director
- Ellen Sorrin – Director, The George Balanchine Trust**
- Jessica Stone – Actor/ Director**
- Edward Strong – Producer
- Wynn Thomas – Production Designer
- Jose Antonio Vargas – Journalist/Filmmaker/Founder of Define American **
- Jennifer von Mayrhauser – Costume Designer
- Tom Watson – Retired Executive, Television Advertising
- Preston Whiteway – Executive Director, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
- Evan Yionoulis – Director**
**Denotes new Nominating Committee Member
Pop Sales: Kanye West’s “Life of Pablo” Is Lowest Seller of the Year Thanks to Bad Decisions
The numbers are out for the first half of 2016 on the pop charts. Drake is the leader so far in sales and sales-plus-streaming according to hitsdailydouble.com.
But the loser by far was Kanye West. His “Life of Pablo” was so botched by bad decisions and marketing that he sold only 30,000 CDs and physical downloads. Ouch! Adding streaming to his total brought him only to 339,000. “Pablo” is the lowest selling album of the top 25 since January 1st.
Also of note: Prince had almost no streaming thanks to his own decision to pull out of it before his death. Once he died, he sold 1.3 million albums but still had no streaming. I guess since he’s dead and has no children or a wife it doesn’t matter now. But his siblings will no doubt ask the new administrators of his estate to fix that situation pronto.
Adele sold only 1.6 million albums since January 1st. Between mid November and the end of last year– the time from the release of “25”– the frenzy around her moved something upwards of 7 million units. Once things calmed down, the novelty was more subdued. And Adele also had very little streaming since wouldn’t put that album on Spotify and other services.
Taylor Swift also suffered from lack of streaming.
But poor Kanye. “Life of Pablo” was good. But he continues to hang himself from his own petard, as it were. A total mess. No wonder he’s complaining about financial problems. I hope his weird beige clothing is making him some money.
TV: Showtime Series “Billions” Seeks First Ever Non-Binary Actor for Recurring Role
EXCLUSIVE You know, I love “Billions” on Showtime. The Brian Koppelman-David Levien drama stars Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis.
Now, for the second season, “Billions” breaks new ground. They’re looking for a non-binary actor.
A new character called, Taylor, I am told, is described in casting notices around town “as any ethnicity, Female-born Gender Non-binary (Please Google ‘Gender Non binary’ if you don’t know what it is). Early 20s. Brilliant grad student, smartest person in every room. Recurring Role. Multiple episode arc. Must be available and living in New York City.”
Where else would they be? When I read it fast I thought it said granary, and this was a gluten free thing. Alas, it’s something else.
According to the interweb:
Non-binary gender (see also genderqueer) describes any gender identity which does not fit within the binary of male and female. Those with non-binary genders can feel that they:
- Have an androgynous (both masculine and feminine) gender identity, such as androgyne.
- Have an identity between male and female, such as intergender.
- Have a neutral or non-existant gender identity, such as agender or neutrois.
- Have multiple gender identities, such as bigender or pangender.
- Have a gender identity which varies over time, known as genderfluid.
- Have a weak or partial connection to a gender identity, known as demigender.
- Be intersex and identify as intersex, know as amalgagender
- Have a culturally specific gender identity which exists only within the culture they or their ancestors belong to.
- Otherwise feel that their gender is neither fully male nor fully female.
Well. It means neither female nor male. “Billions” is cutting edge, and I fully expect it to receive a lot of Emmy nominations. That last episode of season 1 is still seared in my memory. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Reviews for “Independence Day: Resurgence” Trickling In, And They’re Not Good
Believe me, I take no pleasure in this news. I loved the original “Independence Day.” I saw it like three times in one week with different people. But that was 20 years ago. In a far off galaxy…
Now the reviews are coming in for the $200 million sequel “Resurgence” and they are not good. They are indifferent to bad with a few
“mehs” as well. Rotten Tomatoes assigned a positive ranking to what seems like a pan from Time Out London, so we’ll have to take those numbers with a pinch of salt.
But the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw says it’s a “planet-smashingly boring sci-fi sequel.” Most of the early reviews agree the cast is bland and undistinguished. No one can figure out how Brent Spiner’s character is alive when he clearly died in the original.
More reviews tomorrow. Look, there’s not much competition this weekend. “IDR” should be have a big launch. But it will have to make most of its money upfront, and pray that people in non English speaking countries will go for the action and special effects.
PS This may be the reason why there was never another “Starship Troopers,” also one of the great gems of sci fi kitsch.
Jeff Garlin: “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Won’t Be Ready to Shoot Until After New Year”
Jeff Garlin of ABC’s “The Goldbergs” and HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fame was just one of the celeb guests Monday night when the Museum of the Moving Image toasted NBC’s Seth Meyers and Netflix chief Ted Sarandos. I’ve been to dozens of events for the Museum over the years, and this had to be the best. Garlin did his stand up comedy routine and ‘killed’– he was Don Rickles level, side splitting old fashioned funny, using Meyers and good natured guest Ashton Kutcher as his foils, and he was sublime. I wish someone had taped it, it was that good.
Garlin did tell me after the show a couple of things about the recently announced 9th season of “Curb.” “It won’t start until after the new year,” he said. “Larry’s writing it now.” He also told me he has no idea who will be in it. “I’m not even signed for it,” he said, adding, “But I know I’ll be back.” Garlin has a clause in his “Goldbergs” contract that allows him to continue with “Curb” no matter what.
The annual dinner at the St. Regis Hotel small ballroom turned out to be a lot of laughs. For once the opening comic, this time Michelle Wolfe, was laugh out loud funny. And the shtick from the presenters– including Kutcher, who has a new show coming on Netflix, and Uzo Aduba, star of Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black,” was sensational.
Meantime, there were two TV show reunions in the room– Carol Kane of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” brought Tony Danza as her date– hence a “Taxi” reunion. And Laura Prepon, who came late (she’s on “Orange”) reunited with “That 70s Show” buddy Kutcher. There were also terrific speeches from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Sony Pictures Classics’ Michael Barker, who is the current co-chair of the museum.
There was a moment of silence for the Orlando victims, and Sarandos — who’s revolutionized TV with shows like “Orange,” “House of Cards,” “Grace & Frankie” — talked about Anton Yelchin, who died tragically yesterday. (Yelchin was working on Netflix’s “Trollhunter” animated series.)
But it was otherwise an upbeat evening and I got to hang with one of my favorite people, Nicole Avant, aka Mrs. Sarandos, daughter of famed Hollywood exec Clarence Avant, and a major West Coast Democratic supporter. She also has a whole family of characters named for her on CBS’s “Bold and the Beautiful.” How’s that for famous? I also met Charlie Cox (he plays Daredevil on Netflix but is off Broadway right now), and obsessed over the very cute Lea Delaria (among the many “Orange” cast who showed up).
Meyers, by the way, noted the absence of his friend and producer Lorne Michaels, who received the MMI Award several years ago. “But I’m younger now than he was when he got his,” Meyers cracked. “So now I can always say, you were how old when they finally gave that to you?”
PS Jeff Garlin joked that he’s never been invited on Seth’s late night show, which got a lot of laughs. But they made a date for next January, when Garlin’s Netflix series, “Handsome,” debuts.
Is Anna Wintour’s Super Expensive Met Ball Causing Job Losses, Cost Cutting at Museum?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has just announced it’s laying off three top execs. They are Cynthia Round, the museum’s senior vice president for marketing and external relations, and Susan Sellers, head of design, as well as chief digital officer, Sree Sreenivasan.
The museum is facing a $10 million deficit, they say.
And yet I reported back in May that Anna Wintour’s annual Met Ball for the Anna Wintour Costume Institute has costs that run close to $4 million a year— separate from tax deductible contributions to the museum.
I don’t know what the other two are paid, but according to the Museum’s 2014 Form 990 (the most recent available, which is really for 2013), Round was getting $225,000. That was nothing compared to Chief Investment Officer Suzanne Brenner ($1.4 mil) or Deputy Investment Officer Lauren Meserve ($1.1 million) or Director and CEO Thomas Campbell (about $1.2 million).
But at least those people have something to do with art at the museum. The Met Ball– which was like a Halloween parade this year– has really become an act of ego. And the $3 million plus costs are certainly contributing to that $10 mil deficit.
Rupert Murdoch MIA: No Opinions on Brexit or Trump As London Papers Take Opposite Positions
Rupert Murdoch is missing. That is, missing from public life, opinions, politics. And his newspapers are playing games in London. The Times says Britain should remain in the European Union. The Sun says they should leave.
Should I stay or should I go? And Murdoch? Who knows?
He was married to Mick Jagger’s ex, Jerry Hall, on March 4th. On that day the incredibly opinionated publisher and owner of News Corp, sent out the last of four Tweets that had begun on March 2nd.
But right after that Nate Silver tweet, Murdoch sent out one more: “No more tweets for ten days or ever! Feel like the luckiest AND happiest man in world.”
And that was it. Only one more Tweet has appeared, on May 16. Mysteriously all it says is: “@TheSun.” Nothing else. Was it something unfinished? Did Murdoch have something to say? Did someone stop him or did he forget what he was doing?
Since the wedding, Murdoch has been photographed very little. He and Hall were seen at a flower show on May 23rd. On June 8 they were snapped in England’s Lake District at a relish shop. Yes, a shop that sells relish. Condiments.
Everyone would relish Murdoch sending out a signal that he’s alive, not doddering, is in control of something, or anything.
Or is it possible the happy faces of his adult children at the Hall wedding ceremony indicate the best deal they ever made?
Until the rushed Hall romance you’d have thought Murdoch’s favorite Rolling Stones song was “Wild Horses– couldn’t drag me away.” And now? More like “it seems we’re slipping away.”
Alec Baldwin’s Match Game Features “View” Reunion of Rosie O’Donnell, Sherri Shepherd
This Sunday, “The Match Game” is back. The first panel of celebrity players consists of a reunion of “The View” ex co hosts Rosie O’Donnell and Sherri Shepherd. Rosie is taking over the slot of the late Brett Somers, who was the real life ex wife of Jack Klugman and an absolute star of this show. Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly were a formidable team on “The Match Game.”
In addition to Rosie and Sherri, the other players will be “Kimmy Schmidt” Emmy nominee Tituss Burgess one time “SNL” performer Horatio Sanz, plus designer Isaac Mizhrahi.
Following up will be Adam Goldberg (“The Jim Gaffigan Show”), Ana Gasteyer (“Lady Dynamite,” “Saturday Night Live” alum, Bobby Moynihan (“Saturday Night Live’, D.L. Hughley (Comedian/Author)
Debra Messing (ABC’s “Dirty Dancing,” “Mysteries of Laura,” “Will & Grace”), Edie Falco (Multi-Emmy Award Winner), J.B. Smoove (“Barbershop: The Next Cut,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
Jenna Fischer (“The Office”) and Sutton Foster (“Younger”; Two-Time Tony Award-Winner).
The show is on late Sundays- 10pm– so maybe it will be a little “edgy.” At least by network standards, which are stuck in the 1960s. But a lot of these people are smart and articulate, so let’s hope for the best.