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Mission Impossible? Tom Cruise Film Isn’t Finished Yet, Won’t Be Til Next Week

Roger Friedman
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Mission Impossible? Tom Cruise Film Isn’t Finished Yet, Won’t Be Til Next Week

The folks who saw “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” last night in LA and NY didn’t see a finished film. I’m told that Christopher McQuarrie allowed a version to be shown missing a finished scene. The scene shows Tom Cruise underwater holding his breath.

“The special effects aren’t finished yet,” says a source. “They’ll be done right before the movie premieres next Thursday in Vienna.”

It’s not surprising, considering that “Rogue Nation” is opening five months early. It was originally on Paramount’s schedule for Christmas Day. But the studio wanted to get it out of the way of the new Star Wars and James Bond movies.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that advance tracking for “Rogue Nation” is “soft.” They’re now saying it could have a $40 million opening weekend on July 31st. That would be a huge disappointment for Paramount. But Cruise has never been a big opener, and his movies — with the exception of the “Mission Impossible” franchise– usually struggle to hit $100 million total.

Compounding his problems is that as time goes by, Cruise is better known as a nut who belongs to Scientology than as a movie star. The average 20 year old was around 10 when Cruise was jumping on Oprah’s couch and fighting with Matt Lauer. Plus, HBO’s “Going Clear” documentary paints him as sort of crazy.

But Cruise works his magic at premieres, especially in Europe. He still sells like crazy in foreign countries, particularly South Korea and Russia, where Scientology isn’t a big deal. They just want movie stars. And once people hear the “Mission Impossible” theme music, that’s usually a positive trigger.

“Ant Man” Can’t Man: Marvel’s New Release May Be a Trainwreck at Box Office

Roger Friedman
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“Ant Man” Can’t Man: Marvel’s New Release May Be a Trainwreck at Box Office

SAT MORNING UPDATE: Ant Man had the second lowest Friday opening for a Marvel movie– $22.6 million. Trainwreck came in at $10.7 million.

EARLIER Marvel may have its first box stumble in a long time this weekend. “Ant Man” took in $6.4 million on Thursday night. That’s not a good omen. Consider that “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” did $27.6 million on its Thursday recently. Or that the average for Marvel has been more around $10 million. Disney is already starting to revise its weekend estimates down from the original $60-$65 million to $50-$55 million.

Of course, “Ant Man” is original, and not a sequel, so that accounts for ambivalence among fans. Plus, the reviews have been in the B, B plus area, so so and not that enthusiastic. That doesn’t help. And Paul Rudd isn’t exactly an action hero, even though he says he spent a year not eating to get into shape.

Meanwhile, Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck” — or Amy Schumer’s– did better than expected last night with $1.8 million. A totally winning comedy, “Trainwreck” may surprise everyone and give the Ant Man a nibble or two.

Woody Allen: Bette Midler’s Daughter Sophie Is Such a Good Actress He Expanded Her Role in “Irrational Man”

Roger Friedman
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Woody Allen: Bette Midler’s Daughter Sophie Is Such a Good Actress He Expanded Her Role in “Irrational Man”

Woody Allen’s new and– I think excellent– movie, “Irrational Man,” opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles. Yesterday, I moderated a press panel in the afternoon with Woody, actress Parker Posey, and actor Jamie Blackley. (Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix star, but they’re in LA.) Last night, Sony Pictures Classics held a swell premiere at the Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue, where Robert Klein, Caroline Rhea, Mischa Barton, Bob Balaban, Richard Kind and a slew of New York luminaries celebrated being “Irrational.”

At the press panel, I asked Woody about Bette Midler’s actress daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, who makes her debut in the film. I’m so glad our Paula Schwartz was there to take notes:

Emmys: “Mad Men” Looks Good For Best Drama, Hamm for Best Actor; Mel Brooks Gets Nomination

Roger Friedman
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Emmys: “Mad Men” Looks Good For Best Drama, Hamm for Best Actor; Mel Brooks Gets Nomination

Some more Emmy talk: “Mad Men” looks good to win Best Drama for its final season. There’s a good chance Jon Hamm will finally win Best Actor in a Drama. He’s also nominated for Guest Actor in “Kimmy Schmidt.” Two “Mad Men” episodes are nominated for best writing. Christina Hendricks is nominated for Supporting Actress as well.

Mel Brooks was nominated for Guest Actor in “The Comedians.” Mel! We love you! “The Comedians” should have been nominated for the show, Billy Crystal and Josh Gad. Next time.

Snubs: Jane Fonda for “Grace and Frankie.” She was excellent. So was the show. Next time. Lily Tomlin, at least, made the cut. “The Good Wife” got creamed, but Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming are there. Nothing for “Walking Dead.” AMC has just posted a notice for a new VP of publicity. No kidding. They sure need it, although “Breaking Bad 2.0” aka “Better Call Saul” did ok.

The most popular shows on TV get nothing– NCIS, NCIS: Akron, CSI, CSI: Madrid, Law & Order SVU, etc. You just watch these shows. Elementary, etc. I am impressed however that American Crime Story did so well. I came to love this show. Felicity Huffman was amazing, so were Tim Hutton and Regina Hall.

The photo is Mel and best friend, our other hero, Carl Reiner.

Emmy Award Nominations: Full List of 2015 Emmy Nominees

 

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
“Better Call Saul”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game of Thrones”
“Homeland”
“House of Cards”
“Mad Men”
“Orange is the New Black”

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
“Louie”
“Modern Family”
“Parks and Recreation”
“Silicon Valley”
“Transparent”
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
“Veep”

LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA

Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”

LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA

Taraji P. Henson, “Empire”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder”
Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

LEAD ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Timothy Hutton, “American Crime”
Ricky Gervais, “Derek Special”
Adrien Brody, “Houdini”
David Oyelowo, “Nightingale”
Richard Jenkins, “Olive Kitteridge”
Mark Rylance, “Wolf Hall”

LEAD ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Felicity Huffman, “American Crime”
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story”
Queen Latifah, “Bessie”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Honorable Woman”
Frances McDormand, “Olive Kitteridge”
Emma Thompson, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street”

LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY

Anthony Anderson, “black-ish”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Will Forte, “The Last Man On Earth”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”

LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY

Lisa Kudrow, “The Comeback”
Lily Tomlin, “Grace And Frankie”
Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Amy Poehler, “Parks And Recreation”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”

REALITY-COMPETITION SERIES

“The Amazing Race”
“Dancing With The Stars”
“Project Runway”
“So You Think You Can Dance”
“Top Chef”
“The Voice”

VARIETY SERIES

“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”
“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”
“Late Show With David Letterman”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

LIMITED SERIES

“American Crime”
“American Horror Story: Freak Show”
“The Honorable Woman”
“Olive Kitteridge”
“Wolf Hall”

VARIETY SKETCH SERIES

“Drunk History”
“Inside Amy Schumer”
“Key & Peele”
“Portlandia”
“Saturday Night Live”

TELEVISION MOVIE

“Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Curtain, Poirot’s Last Case”
“Bessie”
“Grace of Monaco”
“Hello Ladies: The Movie”
“Killing Jesus”
“Nightingale”

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA

Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul”
Ben Mendelsohn, “Bloodline”
Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey”
Peter Dinklage, “Game Of Thrones”
Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife”
Michael Kelly, “House Of Cards”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA

Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey, “Game Of Thrones”
Emilia Clarke, “Game Of Thrones”
Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks, “Man Men”
Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is The New Black”

GUEST ACTOR, DRAMA

Alan Alda, “The Blacklist”
Michael J. Fox, “The Good Wife”
F. Murray Abraham, “Homeland”
Reg E. Cathey, “House of Cards”
Beau Bridges, “Masters Of Sex”
Pablo Schreiber, “Orange Is The New Black”

GUEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Margo Martindale, “The Americans”
Diana Rigg, “Game of Thrones”
Rachel Brosnahan, “House Of Cards”
Cicely Tyson, “How To Get Away With Murder”
Allison Janney, “Masters Of Sex”
Khandi Alexander, “Scandal”

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY

Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Adam Driver, “Girls”
Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Tony Hale, “Veep”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY

Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”
Niecy Nash, “Getting On”
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Allison Janney, “Mom”
Kate McKinnon “Saturday Night Live”
Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent”
Jane Krakowski, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”

GUEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Mel Brooks, “The Comedians”
Paul Giamatti, “Inside Amy Schumer”
Bill Hader, “Saturday Night Live”
Louis C.K., “Saturday Night Live”
Bradley Whitford, “Transparent”
Jon Hamm, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

GUEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Christine Baranski, “The Big Bang Theory”
Gaby Hoffmann, “Girls”
Pamela Adlon, “Louie”
Elizabeth Banks, “Modern Family”
Joan Cusack, “Shameless”
Tina Fey, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

SUPPORTING ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Richard Cabral, “American Crime”
Denis O’Hare, “American Horror Story: Freak Show”
Finn Wittrock, “American Horror Story: Freak Show”
Michael Kenneth Williams, “Bessie”
Bill Murray, “Olive Kitteridge”
Damian Lewis, “Wolf Hall”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Regina King, “American Crime”
Sarah Paulson, “American Horror Story: Freak Show”
Angela Bassett, “American Horror Story: Freak Show”
Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Freak Show”
Mo’Nique, “Bessie”
Zoe Kazan, “Olive Kitteridge”

WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

“The Americans” • Do Mail Robots Dream Of Electric Sheep? • FX Networks • Fox 21 Television
Studios and FX Productions
Joshua Brand, Written by

“Better Call Saul” • Five-O • AMC • Sony Pictures Television / Gran Via Productions
Gordon Smith, Written by

“Game Of Thrones” • Mother’s Mercy • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead,
Littlehead; Television 360; Startling Television and Generator Productions
David Benioff, Written by
D.B. Weiss, Written by

“Mad Men” • Lost Horizon • AMC • Lionsgate Television / UROK Productions
Semi Chellas, Written by
Matthew Weiner, Written by

“Mad Men” • Person To Person • AMC • Lionsgate Television / UROK Productions
Matthew Weiner, Written by

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

“Boardwalk Empire” • Eldorado • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions
Tim Van Patten, Directed by

“Game Of Thrones” • Mother’s Mercy • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead,
Littlehead; Television 360; Startling Television and Generator Productions
David Nutter, Directed by

“Game Of Thrones” • Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with
Bighead, Littlehead; Television 360; Startling Television and Generator Productions
Jeremy Podeswa, Directed by

“Homeland” • From A To B And Back Again • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Fox 21, Teakwood
Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet
Lesli Linka Glatter, Directed by

“The Knick” • Method And Madness • Cinemax • Cinemax Entertainment in association with Ambeg
Screen Products, Anonymous Content and Extension 765
Steven Soderbergh, Directed by

WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

“Episodes” • Episode 409 • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik
Productions
David Crane, Written by
Jeffrey Klarik, Written by

“The Last Man On Earth” • Alive In Tucson (Pilot) • FOX • 20th Century Fox Television
Will Forte, Written by

“Louie” • Bobby’s House • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc. and FX Productions
Louis C.K., Written by

“Silicon Valley” • Two Days Of The Condor • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with
Judgemental Films, Alec Berg, Altschuler Krinsky Works and 3 Arts Entertainment
Alec Berg, Written by

“Transparent” • Pilot • Amazon Instant Video • Amazon Studios
Jill Soloway, Written by

“Veep” • Election Night • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Dundee Productions
Simon Blackwell, Teleplay and Story by
Armando Iannucci, Story by
Tony Roche, Teleplay and Story by

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

“The Last Man On Earth” • Alive In Tucson (Pilot) • FOX • 20th Century Fox Television
Phil Lord, Directed by
Christopher Miller, Directed by

“Louie” • Sleepover • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc. and FX Productions
Louis C.K., Directed by

“Silicon Valley” • Sand Hill Shuffle • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Judgemental
Films, Alec Berg, Altschuler Krinsky Works and 3 Arts Entertainment
Mike Judge, Directed by

“Transparent” • Best New Girl • Amazon Instant Video • Amazon Studios
Jill Soloway, Directed by

“Veep” • Testimony • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Dundee Productions
Armando Iannucci, Directed by

 

Emmy Nominations: The Surprises, the Snubs, the Lack of Network Nods

Roger Friedman
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0
Emmy Nominations: The Surprises, the Snubs, the Lack of Network Nods

Snubs: The Good Wife completely shut out. Jane Fonda and “Grace and Frankie” out, but Lily Tomlin in. No lead actors for “Downton Abbey.” Big snub: no Kerry Washington for “Scandal.” Not nice.

More to come…

 

Best Drama

Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards, Mad Men, Orange is the New Black

Best Comedy

Louie, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Veep

Best Actor in A Drama

Kyle Chandler

Jeff Daniels

Jon Hamm

Bob Odenkirk

Liev Schreiber

Kevin Spacey

Best Actress in a Drama

Claire Danes

Viola Davis

Taraji P. Henson

Tatiana Maslany

Elizabeth Moss

Robin Wright

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Adrien Brody
Ricky Gervais
Timothy Hutton
Richard Jenkins
David Oyelowo
Mark Rylance

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Felicity Huffman
Jessica Lange
Queen Latifah
Frances McDormand
Emma Thompson

Lead actor in a comedy
Anthony Anderson
Louis C.K.
Don Cheadle
Will Forte
Matt LeBlanc
William H. Macy
Jeffrey Tambor

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Edie Falco
Lisa Kudrow,
Julia Louis Dreyfuss
Amy Poehler
Amy Schumer
Lily Tomlin

Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef
The Voice

Variety Talk Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight
The Late Show
The Tonight Show

 

Janet Jackson: The Sales Numbers, and Why They Don’t Matter

Roger Friedman
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Janet Jackson: The Sales Numbers, and Why They Don’t Matter

I had a lot of static over my Janet Jackson story this week. Her single, “No Sleeep,” isn’t selling and is getting so so radio play. I said it, and everyone went crazy. But her situation is no different than that of every artist over 40 or who’s associated with the 1990s. That’s the way it is. Generations change. Even Bruce Springsteen can’t get his new tracks played on rock stations. They just want “Born to Run.”

So far, according to Nielsen Sound Connect, “No Sleeep” has sold 59,000 copies — that’s paid downloads. When you factor in paid streams, the number is 76,000. This is the equivalent of nada. Here, from Hitsdaildouble, are the sales figures for the top 10 last week:

Selena Gomez f/A$AP Rocky, “Good for You” – 179k
OMI, “Cheerleader” – 175k
Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” – 147k
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song” – 136k
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face” – 116k
Andy Grammer, “Honey I’m Good” – 101k
Wiz Khalifa f/Charlie Pluth, “See You Again” – 98k
Silento, “Watch Me” – 97k
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up + Dance” – 92k
Major Lazer f/MØ & DJ Snake, “Lean On” – 84k

You get the picture. “No Sleep” does have well over 2 million views on YouTube. But that’s all free. No one is paid. No one paid for it. So yes, Janet is popular, but hopefully that translates into ticket sales at concerts. The single is a loss leader. There may be a break out track on the new album that does better.

As for radio play, “No Sleeep” appears on only one chart– Urban AC. That’s like R&B soft rock. It’s a niche. She’s not on any mainstream cross over chart.

This is not BMG’s fault, or Janet’s. It’s just the business. It’s just Chinatown. And the numbers don’t matter. It’s all about her tour.

Music: Neil Young Still on Spotify, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour Makes Album Based on Most Annoying Sound in World

Roger Friedman
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Music: Neil Young Still on Spotify, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour Makes Album Based on Most Annoying Sound in World

NEIL YOUNG announced yesterday that he was “done” with streaming and was taking his music off of all streaming services. He said the sound was bad. We know Neil likes hi end sound since he has his Pono music player and Pono Music Service.

Still, I don’t know what he’s after. I’ve been listening to him on Spotify and it sounds fine. The fact is, Spotify and all that is made for transient listening– the computer, the car, the beach. It’s like a transistor radio. If you want great sound, go to a STEREO system with an amp and nice speakers.

Anyway, it’s 24 hours later and Neil is still on Spotify. Nothing has changed. Unlike Prince, who took everything down, Neil may not be finding it so easy. And you know what? His “Monsanto Years” sounds pretty good on Spotify…

DAVID GILMOUR of Pink Floyd has announced a new album coming called “Rattle that Lock” in September. His inspiration is the most annoying sound in the world– the three note alert that’s played in French rail stations over the loudspeakers every few minutes. To me it always sounded like a version of the “Close Encounters” alien signal. Dave says when he heard it at the Aix en Provence train station it made him want to dance. Isn’t creativity weird? So he’s made a whole album based on this horrid sound, and I’m sure it will be a hit. But I won’t be able to listen to it. That sound makes me anxious that I’m missing a train…

Mission: Possible– HBO Putting Scientology Doc “Going Clear” Back into Theaters

Roger Friedman
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Mission: Possible– HBO Putting Scientology Doc “Going Clear” Back into Theaters

Cue the Lalo Schifrin music. HBO is taking on Tom Cruise in a big way. They’re re-releasing “Going Clear,” Alex Gibney’s Scientology documentary. They’re putting it back into theaters on September 25th, just as “Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation” fades from theaters. Or, “MI5” may still be in some theaters.

“Going Clear” fully chronicles Tom Cruise’s crazy alliance and membership in the religious cult. It’s a ballsy move. HBO is owned by Warner Bros. As I’ve said before, this makes the possibility of Tom working at that studio again ever so slight.

Certainly, though, HBO and WB see what’s happening: Leah Remini is everywhere talking about insider stuff at Scientology, Kirstie Alley is being sued, John Travolta may wind up in court soon, too. Cult leader David Miscavige’s father is writing a tell all book. So why not jump back in?

Happy 90th Birthday, Oscar Winner DA Pennebaker, Father of Cinema Verite

Roger Friedman
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Happy 90th Birthday, Oscar Winner DA Pennebaker, Father of Cinema Verite

DA Pennebaker (Donn Alan) turns 90 years young today. He’s the survivor member of the gang that created cinema verite– Richard Leacock, Al Maysles, Bob Drew were his accomplices. Penny– as he is known– took a home a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award two years ago in the Documentary category. His landmark films include “Don’t Look Back” and “Monterey Pop,” several important political docs including “Primary.” With his filmmaker wife Chris Hegedus and producer son Frazer Pennebaker, Penny’s other achievements include the Oscar nominated “The War Room,” as well as a film I made with them in 2002 called “Only the Strong Survive.” Penny’s fans include Michael Moore, Richard Linklater, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and so on. He’s been a great friend and mentor to me, a guiding light for so many, and we thank him and celebrate him today!

Daybreak Express (1953):

Neil Young Pulls His Music From Streaming Services: “It’s Not Because of the Money”

Roger Friedman
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0
Neil Young Pulls His Music From Streaming Services: “It’s Not Because of the Money”

Neil Young is pulling off his music off of streaming services, presumably all of them including Spotify and Apple Music. He says it’s not about the money, but it’s about the money. He joins Prince in this endeavor.

Just a note: Taylor Swift is still not on Spotify. But joining AppleMusic has given her about 50,000 extra sales in the last three weeks. Just sayin’…

The older artists have little leverage renegotiating royalty deals. It’s a shame. The streaming services will only cave to Swift and maybe one or two top names besides the Beatles– who btw are still on on Apple Music.

PS His catalog is still on Spotify at 1:04pm.

Neil’s post:
Streaming has ended for me. I hope this is ok for my fans.

It’s not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent.

It’s about sound quality. I don’t need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution. I don’t feel right allowing this to be sold to my fans. It’s bad for my music.

For me, It’s about making and distributing music people can really hear and feel. I stand for that.

When the quality is back, I’ll give it another look. Never say never.

Neil Young

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