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Want Jack Benny’s Violin? The Friars Club is Auctioning Off a Ton of Celebrity Memorabilia They May Not Own, and May Not Be Authenticated

Roger Friedman
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Want Jack Benny’s Violin? The Friars Club is Auctioning Off a Ton of Celebrity Memorabilia They May Not Own, and May Not Be Authenticated

How could there any another Friars Club scandal?

The fabled showbiz clubhouse went out of business several years ago after groups of vultures wrecked its legacy.

You can read the whole ugly history by clicking here.

So what now? Julien’s Auction house in Los Angeles is selling off a lot of memorabilia and souvenirs from the club. It’s unknown if the seller — so far unidentified — has the rights to the objects, or if they’re authenticated.

An insider tells me that years ago, the Friars auctioned off a piano they said belonged to Frank Sinatra. It turned out later he didn’t, it was just a gift to the club from a member.

A lot of what’s up for auction at Julien’s is meaningless, and won’t be worth anything anyway.

But some of it is pricey, like $2,000 for a violin maybe signed or owned by Jack Benny. There’s a trunk full of jokes that belong to some comic, or many.

There’s also a bust of Frank Sinatra by late sculptor Jo Davidson, already bid up to $2,000. Another bust, of JFK, by late sculptor Robert Berks, is picking up steam at $600.

Who’s getting the dough from all these sales? I could offer some likely characters, but we’ve got a call into Julien’s and to Friars Club lawyer Arthur Aidala.

If you have a relative who belonged to the Friars, check out the website and see if something that isn’t theirs is about to be someone else’s.

Here’s the description of the Jack Benny violin. Someone should tell his grandkids:

“A handmade violin from Eduard Reichert, crafted in Dresden in 1911, approximately 23 inches in length, formerly owned by violinist and entertainer Jack Benny. The violin is mounted a wooden display case with a wine red fabric background, along with a plaque which reads “Jack Benny’s violin inscribed ‘To Roberta with love, Jack Benny.'” Donated to the Friars Club by opera singer Roberta Peters, a star soprano who appeared on The Jack Benny Program in an episode titled “Jack Does Opera” in 1962. Peters had worked with Benny at least one other time, performing an aria during the 1961 event “Carnegie Hall Honors Jack Benny.”

PS Email me if you know who owns this stuff at showbiz411@gmail.com

 

The Oscars Dumped Disney-ABC for a Bigger Audience with YouTube in 2029, But Now Disney is Gaining on YouTube for Reach

Roger Friedman
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The Oscars Dumped Disney-ABC for a Bigger Audience with YouTube in 2029, But Now Disney is Gaining on YouTube for Reach

As you may know, the Oscars are moving networks.

Starting in 2029, The Academy Awards will air on YouTube and not on ABC, where they’ve been for as long as anyone can remember.

YouTube dangled more money in front of the Motion Picture Academy. And reach. Their calling card right now is that they can supply a bigger audience via streaming.

But now The Hollywood Reporter reports that Disney (meaning Disney Plus) is gaining quickly on YouTube for subscribers.

YouTube is still number 1 in streaming with 12.5% of the streaming market. But Disney is fast closing in with 11.9%.

And who knows? If Disney — a powerhouse — keeps building, they could be far ahead of YouTube by the time of the 2029 Oscars. With ABC and Disney Plus, as well as Hulu, and other subsidiaries, maybe the Oscars should have stayed put.

In Hollywood, it’s one battle after another, isn’t it?

Bruce Springsteen Pulls Out All the Stops, Adding the Great Tom Morello on Every Tour Date to Play with the E Street Band

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Pulls Out All the Stops, Adding the Great Tom Morello on Every Tour Date to Play with the E Street Band

This is insane.

Bruce Springsteen is adding the great Tom Morello to his upcoming “No Kings Land of Hope and Dreams” tour. Not as an opening act but to play on “selected songs” with the E Street Band.

Morello of Rage Against the Machine fame is a guitar genius. It’s not like E Street needed more musicians, but now this tour is off the charts, as they say.

Morello is also of like minded politics, which makes this all so much more interesting.

Fantastic news!

Savannah Guthrie Offers $1 Million for Missing Mother in Tearful Video, Accepts That She “May Already Be Gone”

Roger Friedman
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Savannah Guthrie Offers $1 Million for Missing Mother in Tearful Video, Accepts That She “May Already Be Gone”

A desperate Savannah Guthrie is offering $1 million for information about her missing mother.

On the 24th day of Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping, Savannah has posted a video acknowledging that her mother “may already be gone.”

She and her family know that Nancy may be dead, but they want to know what happened, and they’d like her body returned.

It’s unimaginable what the Guthrie’s have gone through, or what kind of sick people would do this to their 84 year old mother.

U2’s Video for New Song with Ed Sheeran Is Set to Clips from Short Doc About Ukrainian Soldiers Fighting on 4th Anniversary of War

Roger Friedman
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U2’s Video for New Song with Ed Sheeran Is Set to Clips from Short Doc About Ukrainian Soldiers Fighting on 4th Anniversary of War

U2 has released a video to go with their new song, “Yours Eternally.”

The footage is from Ilya Mikhaylus’s documentary about Ukrainian soldiers fighting the Russians on the 4th anniversary of Putin and Trump’s war.

The record features Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, but it’s very U2. “Yours Eternally” comes from the band’s new EP, “Days of Ash,” currently number 1 on iTunes.

Kudos to U2 for making music meaningful in this wretched time.

RIP Robert Carradine, 71, of Famous Acting Family: Niece Martha Plimpton Says “My Uncle Bobby was the best one of all 8 brothers”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Robert Carradine, 71, of Famous Acting Family: Niece Martha Plimpton Says “My Uncle Bobby was the best one of all 8 brothers”

Actor Robert Carradine has died at 71 after a twenty year battle with bipolar. His brother, Keith, says he took his own life.

Bobby Carradine starred in the “Revenge of the Nerds” movies and the “Lizzie McGuire” TV series with Hilary Duff. She says: “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend…I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”

Carradine came from a famous acting family. His brother, Keith, was the star of “Nashville” and many other projects. David Carradine of “KunG Fu” fame, killed himself by accident via asphyxiation.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, Robert Carrradine was posting video podcasts in which he interviewed lots of friends and actors. He looked happy, but that’s what bipolar depression is. Terrible, tragic.

Keith’s daughter, famous actress Martha Plimpton posted this to Instagram:

“My Uncle Bobby was the best one of all 8 brothers; blood, adopted, and step. Out of all of them, he was the absolute best. He was the one who cuddled me when I came to visit my father in LA for the first time at 8 or 9 years old. He cuddled and kidded me for being the only Carradine from New York. “Come ova hee-ah! Maw-thuh! Get ova hee-uh!” He did a terrible New York accent. I was an alien and Bobby joshed me about it, and I adored him for it.

Also, he was the best actor of the bunch. By a THOUSAND MILES. Don’t believe me? Just watch him. In The Cowboys, his first movie with John Wayne. Or in The Big Red One. Or in Coming Home. He’s honestly, in fact, the best actor of all of them. And I think I know why. Because he was KIND. He had inherent KINDNESS in him. He was dear, and loving, and nonjudgmental. And he loved honestly. He made mistakes like anyone else, like any human. But he never lost his decency, or his heart.

I love you, Bobby. You made my world happier. I will miss you enormously.”

Gavin Newsom: “Trump is Sundowning” After Claiming California Governor is Dropping out of Presidential Race

Roger Friedman
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Gavin Newsom: “Trump is Sundowning” After Claiming California Governor is Dropping out of Presidential Race

UPDATE– Newsom’s response: “WOW. THE PRESIDENT IS SUNDOWNING HARDER THAN USUAL TONIGHT!!! — GOVERNOR GCN”

Donald Trump is under the impression that Gavin Newsom is dropping out of the presidential race.

He calls Newsom “Newscum.”

Also, Newsom isn’t actually declared as a candidate in the race.

But this is what Trump says, and no one knows what he means.

Stay tuned…


Estate of Isaac Hayes Says Suit Filed Against Trump Over Song “Hold On I’m Coming” is Resolved: “Protecting Intellectual Property”

Roger Friedman
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Estate of Isaac Hayes Says Suit Filed Against Trump Over Song “Hold On I’m Coming” is Resolved: “Protecting Intellectual Property”

A lot of musicians have been angry with Donald Trump for using their songs at his campaign rallies.

None was madder than Isaac Hayes III, whose late father, the R&B legend and Oscar winner Isaac Hayes, co-wrote the Sam & Dave hit, “Hold On, I’m Coming.”

The Hayes Estate sued Trump over use of the song and did not back down. Now it seems the lawsuit has been resolved. It seems as though Trump forked over some money. I’m sure Trump won’t be using that song again, and maybe this will discourage him from appropriating other music.

The Estate says:

“The Hayes family and the Estate of Isaac Hayes, Jr. announce that the lawsuit filed against Donald John Trump and Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc., regarding their use of “Hold On, I’m Comin” has been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome.

“This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter. It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works.

“Isaac Hayes, Jr. dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture carry enduring value. As stewards of his legacy, we remain committed to ensuring that his work is respected and properly protected.

“We are proud that this matter has helped further a broader conversation surrounding intellectual property rights and the obligation to honor creators and their estates. Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value, and accountability for future generations.”

Harry Styles to Host and Be Musical Guest on “SNL” Week After New Album Release on March 14th

Roger Friedman
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Harry Styles to Host and Be Musical Guest on “SNL” Week After New Album Release on March 14th

We’re about to have a Harry Styles apocalypse!

The pop star will host and be musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” on March 14th.

That’s eight days after the release of his new album, “Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally.”

By that time, the album will presumably be a massive hit.

So far, the first single, “Aperture,” hasn’t done much. But the album is sure to be loaded with hit singles.

For Lorne Michaels and “SNL,” this is a big deal. Styles’ appearance should increase the ratings and the season average by leaps and bounds! When he hosted in 2019, his episode got 3.9 million viewers. But his career has skyrocketed since then, so this should be more in the 6 to 7 mil range.

Here’s Harry’s monologue from 6 years ago:

UPDATING BAFTA AWARDS: “One Battle” Wins Best Picture, Sean Penn Surprise Best Supporting Actor, But No Timothee Chalamet

Roger Friedman
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UPDATING BAFTA AWARDS: “One Battle” Wins Best Picture, Sean Penn Surprise Best Supporting Actor, But No Timothee Chalamet

The BAFTA Awards produced some surprises for Oscar hopefuls.

The Brits went big time for “One Battle After Another,” giving it Best Director and Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, plus Best Editing and Cinematography.

The surprise was Sean Penn winning Best Supporting Actor. He hasn’t won anything during awards season, and didn’t make the trip to London.

The other big surprise of the event was Timothee Chalamet not winning Best Actor for “Marty Supreme.” An odds on favorite, Chalamet lost to British actor to Robert Aramayo, for the indie movie “I Swear.” Aramayp comes from “Game of Thrones” and the TV version of “Lord of the Rings.”

Another curve ball was Best Supporting Actress going to Wunmi Mosaku for “Sinners.” So far the race has been between Amy Madigan and Teyana Taylor, although Mosaku has been picking up steam.

The BAFTAs also gave Irish actress Jessie Buckley Best Actress for “Hamnet.” Her Oscar chances have significantly increased. Ironically, her real competition is and was Rose Byrne, also Irish, for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”

An historic moment for BAFTA, too: “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay, making him the first Black man or woman to win that award at BAFTA. Yes, it’s 2026.

What does this mean for the Oscars? “One Battle” is the favorite to win Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay. Can Penn win, too, now? What about Taylor? And can Chalamet still win Best Actor? Yes to all those questions.

If only the Oscar were being held next Sunday instead of in three weeks.

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