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Justin Bieber Incites Public Relations Nightmare Over Cancelled $2,000 Meet & Greet Tickets

Roger Friedman
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Justin Bieber Incites Public Relations Nightmare Over Cancelled $2,000 Meet & Greet Tickets

Justin Bieber– we love to hate him anyway. But recently, manager Scooter Braun had worked day and night to polish up Bieber’s image, give him a decent hit album, and maybe pave the way to rapprochement.

And, now it’s over. Social media is aflame with Bieber hate over a new incident that shows total disrespect to the fans themselves. This isn’t spitting on someone in public, or getting a speeding ticket. This is a slap right at his fan base, they feel.

Bieber abruptly cancelled what’s called “Meet and Greet” appearances before his shows. Most recording stars have them now, including Madonna, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. Fans pay a high premium to meet their star and get a picture, either before or after the show. The price of a premium in this case was $2,000. You meet the Biebs, got a selfie, and had a great seat.

But Bieber’s cancelling of the M&G includes also giving back the ticket for a full refund. So, either pay the $2,000 and just see the show, or forget it.

Justin_Bieber_Purpose_World_Tour_-_REFUND_FORM_-_2016-03-26_21.30.16This has not gone over well.
‘

That’s just a sampling of what’s turning up on Twitter. Frankly, anyone who has enough money to waste $2,000 on a Justin Bieber ticket needs more help than a refund. But that’s just my opinion. The fact is, Bieber’s ill will on this subject is spreading fast– as things like this do these days.

And don’t forget– returning the tickets means Bieber can sell them again. Singing “Sorry” won’t help that at all.

Have Some Sympathy for Robert De Niro In the Debate Over Including Anti-Vaccination Film: He’s a Father, and a Human Being

Roger Friedman
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Have Some Sympathy for Robert De Niro In the Debate Over Including Anti-Vaccination Film: He’s a Father, and a Human Being

If you’re just catching up to this now: the Tribeca Film Festival has pulled a controversial doc from an anti-vaccination nut who thinks Autism is caused by protecting children from diseases.

Andrew Wakefield’s film, called “Vaxxed: From Cover Up to Catastrophe,” was chosen, it seems, by Tribeca co founder Robert De Niro himself, to start a conversation about he causes of Autism. Very fast in the last 24 hours, people went bonkers about the inclusion of the film. Wakefield is a known nut in this area.

But what no one knew– until De Niro himself felt compelled to mention in his own defense– is that his son with wife Grace Hightower is autistic. He wrote: “Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined. In the 15 years since the Tribeca Film Festival was founded, I have never asked for a film to be screened or gotten involved in the programming. However this is very personal to me and my family and I want there to be a discussion, which is why we will be screening VAXXED.”

What did people think, that De Niro embraces kooks for no reason at all? Parents of autistic children are desperate for answers. You can’t blame the De Niro’s for listening to anyone with ideas. Fortunately, their son is high-functioning. But he is autistic nonetheless. The De Niros are some of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Their screening of Wakefield’s film was not a clarion call to end vaccinations.

De Niro said in a statement later today: “My intent in screening this film was to provide an opportunity for conversation around an issue that is deeply personal to me and my family. But after reviewing it over the past few days with the Tribeca Film Festival team and others from the scientific community, we do not believe it contributes to or furthers the discussion I had hoped for. The Festival doesn’t seek to avoid or shy away from controversy. However, we have concerns with certain things in this film that we feel prevent us from presenting it in the Festival program. We have decided to remove it from our schedule.”

Have a heart, people. Robert DeNiro has given you 40 years of entertainment. His intention here was not to cause World War III. Maybe he wanted a little solace, and some answers. He’s human, after all.

Box Office Boffo: “Batman vs. Superman” Has $82 Mil Friday, Heading to March Record

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Boffo: “Batman vs. Superman” Has $82 Mil Friday, Heading to March Record

keep refreshing…

Despite poor reviews from buzz kill critics, “Batman vs. Superman” is a hit. Friday’s box office looks like it was around $82.1 million, earning the film the 4th spot in all time opening nights.

The weekend take should be around $160 million or more. That’s a huge hit by any accounting. Zack Snyder’s ultimate DC comic book movie will easily set up a series of films to come.

The 6th or 7th place all time opening weekend spot ironically puts “BvS” right between “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Returns,” the two most loved Batman movies. Snyder’s “Man of Steel” Superman movie is only at number 22 on the list, so this finish is pretty pretty good.

Elton John Rockets to a 69th Birthday (Watch Him Here Exclusive Video)

Roger Friedman
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Elton John Rockets to a 69th Birthday (Watch Him Here Exclusive Video)

Want to watch a real artist? Elton John performed at his annual Oscar party back on February 28th to raise money for his AIDS Foundation. Today is Sir Elton’s 69th birthday. He’s a real hero, and a survivor. Happy Birthday, Elton!

Here’s how real artists perform live– no shenanigans. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby!

And here’s a little vintage Elton:

Bam! Pow! “Batman v Superman” Scores $27.7 Mil Thursday Night, Beats “Avengers”

Roger Friedman
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Bam! Pow! “Batman v Superman” Scores $27.7 Mil Thursday Night, Beats “Avengers”

Bam! Pow! “Batman vs. Superman” scored a huge $27.7 million Thursday night, beating “The Avengers” previous $27.6 million.

For DC Comics fans, that’s a nice rebuke to the Marvel fans who’ve lorded their endless kitschy movies over us for so long!

I really enjoyed Zack Snyder’s film. I think tonight will be a massive box office tilt for it, too. The Rotten Tomatoes critics really went all out to try and kill this film, but the fans have spoken. Ben Affleck made a very good Bruce Wayne, too, maybe my favorite since Michael Keaton. Henry Cavill turns out to be a terrific Superman if he has a story and some decent dialogue.

Stay tuned, Bat fans. Tomorrow morning we’ll know just how much “Batman vs. Superman” is set to launch a new DC universe.

Watch: Steve Martin, Edie Brickell and Cast of Broadway’s “Bright Star” Perform Opening Night

Roger Friedman
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Watch: Steve Martin, Edie Brickell and Cast of Broadway’s “Bright Star” Perform Opening Night

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell joined their star Carmen Cusack on stage last night at the Cort Theater. Steve picked up his banjo and the whole cast of “Bright Star” performed “Sun is Gonna Shine Again” from the show, which received a standing ovation.

Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin!

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin!

Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin. She turns 74 years young today, and she’s still rocking. The Queen was voted number 1 singer of all time by Rolling Stone, and she keeps rolling! Born in Memphis, raised in Detroit, Aretha is the standard bearer of all great American performers. She’ll celebrate today with her kids and grandkids in Detroit, then come to New York in mid April for her annual gala.

Here’s her beautiful tribute to Natalie Cole from New Year’s Day this year

And the Kennedy Center 1992

1975 Grammy Awards

and this past Kennedy Center Honors

Broadway Review: Steve Martin, Edie Brickell Score A Hit with Bluegrass “Bright Star”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Review: Steve Martin, Edie Brickell Score A Hit with Bluegrass “Bright Star”

So yes a star studded crowd came to see what Steve Martin and Edie Brickell have been up to for the last three years with “Bright Star.” Their bluegrass Broadway musical finally opened, directed by Walter Bobbie, music supervised by Peter Asher.

And the good news it’s all good news. The songs are lush and catchy, the performers are spot on. The show has a real star in Carmen Cusack, who — if you closed your eyes– could be a country superstar from Nashville. In fact, if “Nashville” comes back to TV this fall, the shows should cross-promote.

“Bright Star” however is set in and around Asheville, North Carolina just after World War II ends, and also about 23 years earlier. The people dress like they’re in “The Waltons.” There’s a lot of flannel, a lot of gingham, hats, gloves, fussy old fashioned furniture. It’s the world of Thomas Wolfe, and Carson McCullers, and Eudora Welty. The whole thing could be a novel from Algonquin Books.

Luckily. the songs are strong given Steve Martin’s banjo interests of the last 40 years and Edie Brickell’s ability to write hooks (go back to her lovely albums with the New Bohemians– they are full of gems). Plus Steve has taken the sometimes on-the-nose story and peppered it with enough humor to lighten the gloom that threatens to overcome the proceedings like a storm cloud but never does.

Oh yes, the audience: Paul Simon (Mr. Brickell) was present, as was Paul Shaffer, Diane Sawyer, director Barry Levinson, Steve and Jo Buscemi, Joel Grey, and Andrea Martin. Plus, there was value added– Howard Stern and wife Beth took aisle seats. And even more value added– famed artist Eric Fischl, as well as New York’s most important art patron, Agnes Gund, and art critic Peter Schjeldahl. Yes, Agnes Gund. That kicked our little Broadway world up several notches.

But back to the show: we know Steve Martin can play banjo and write music in his sleep. But Edie Brickell went into low profile mode after she married Paul Simon in the early 90s. What a pleasure to have her back. A lot of the songs in “Bright Star” are eminently hummable and should be covered by real country stars. “Always Will,” “Asheville,” and “At Long Last” are all hits.

The cast is top notch, from Carmen Cusack to the much too modest Dee Hoty. Paul Alexander Nolan is one of Cusack’s two leading men– he comes to us from “Dr. Zhivago” and A.J. Shively hold up their end for the guys admirably. Emily Padgett kind of steals the show in the supporting category– too bad she’ll have to go up against Jane Krakowski and Jennifer Hudson this year at the awards shows. That will be a hot category.

Beloved Comic, Actor Garry Shandling Dies Suddenly At Age 66: Report

Roger Friedman
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Beloved Comic, Actor Garry Shandling Dies Suddenly At Age 66: Report

This sucks: Garry Shandling has died at age 66.

American’s Official Ambulance Chaser, TMZ, reports that Shandling called an LA hospital (probably Cedars Sinai) and was whisked there. He died shortly thereafter. So far no one thinks he was ill with anything. What a shame.

Shandling is best known for “The Larry Sanders Show,” but also for many movies and TV appearances. He starred in a bad Mike Nichols movie called “What Planet Are You From?” But Nichols loved him, and there were lots of bright moments. In person he was always fun, always with a big smile.

Garry had a very funny Twitter feed. His last Tweet was a reTweeted photo from four days ago of him with Kathy Griffin and Bob Odenkirk. His last actual Tweet was about Kanye West

More to come, I guess. RIP Garry. Just terrible.

Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations (Full List) From “General Hospital” to ‘”Ellen”

Roger Friedman
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Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations (Full List) From “General Hospital” to ‘”Ellen”

Here’s the list of nominations for the Daytime Emmy AWards, from soap operas to talk shows to game shows. I don’t know how they come up with these nominees, and I don’t think I want to know. I do know from my limited observations that Finola Hughes, who basically plays Mrs. Peel from The Avengers on “General Hospital,” is the Best of the actresses. I’m sure everyone else is great too!

Outstanding Drama Series
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Culinary Program
America’s Test Kitchen
Cook’s Country
Giada In Italy
Mexico One Plate At A Time
Pati’s Mexican Table
Patricia Heaton Parties
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program
Divorce Court
Hot Bench
Judge Judy
Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court
The People’s Court
Outstanding Game Show
Jeopardy
Let’s Make A Deal
Monopoly Millionaires’ Club
The Price Is Right
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Outstanding Morning Program
CBS Sunday Morning
CBS This Morning
Good Morning America
Today
Outstanding Morning Program in Spanish
Café CNN
Despierta America
Un Nuevo Dia
Outstanding Talk Show/Informative
The Chew
The Dr. Oz Show
Larry King Now
The Doctors
The Kitchen
Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Real
The View
The Wendy Williams Show
The Talk
Outstanding Entertainment News Program
Access Hollywood
Extra
Entertainment Tonight
The Insider
TMZ
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Tracey E. Bregman
Kassie DePavia
Mary Beth Evans
Finola Hughes
Maura West
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Tyler Christopher
Anthony Geary
Justin Hartley
Christian LeBlanc
Kristoff St. John
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Lauralee Bell
Jessica Collins
Linsey Godfrey
Peggy McCay
Melissa Reeves
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Sean Blakemore
Steve Burton
Bryton James
Jacob Young
Dominic Zamprogna
Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
Reign Edwards
Hunter King
True O’Brien
Ashlyn Pearce
Brooklyn Rae Silzer
Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series
Nicholas Bechtel
Bryan Craig
Max Erich
Pierson Fode
Tequan Richmond
Outstanding Game Show Host
Craig Ferguson
Steve Harvey
Wayne Brady
Billy Gardell
Brooke Burns
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan
The Real co-hosts
The View co-hosts
Wendy Williams
The Talk co-hosts
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host
The Chew co-hosts
Dr. Oz
Larry King
Peter Salgo
Steve Harvey
Outstanding Musical Performance in a Talk Show/Morning Program
Jeff Lynne’s ELO on CBS This Morning
Bruno Mars feat. Mark Ronson on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Rachel Platten on Good Morning America
Adele on Today
Annie Lennox on The Talk
Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team
The Bold and the Beautiful
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days Of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Guest Performer In Drama Series
Anna Maria Horsford
Obba Babatunde
Adam Leadbeater
Dee Wallace
Frank Runyeon
Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series
East Los High
EastSiders
The Bay The Series
Vanity
Winterthorne
Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Mary Beth Evans
Kathleen Gati
Elizabeth Hubbard
Lilly Melgar
Patsy Pease
Outstanding Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Kristos Andrews
Van Hansis
Rick Hearst
JD Pardo
Kevin Spirtas

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