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RIP R&B Legend Brenton Wood, 83, Singer of “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Gimme Little Sign”

Roger Friedman
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RIP R&B Legend Brenton Wood, 83, Singer of “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Gimme Little Sign”

So sad to hear that R&B legend Brenton Wood has died. He was 83.

Brenton Wood lays claim to two of the biggest hits of all time: “The Oogum Boogum Song,” and “Gimme Little Sign.”

He had other R&B hits in the 60s but these two became cult hits and never went away. “The Oogum Boogum Song,” which caught on fast, has been heard in hundreds of commercials, TV shows, and movies. It really developed a life of its own.

“Gimme Little Sign” features Wood’s signature staccato approach to vocals, making it endlessly memorable.

The singer was born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, LA. He grew up in San Pedro, California, and eventually fell under the spell of singers like Sam Cooke, Sam Moore, and other trademark soul singers. Some stories say he got the name “Brenton Wood” from Brentwood, California. But you can see below the label for “Oogum Boogum” named him Brenton Woods, with an s.

“Oogum” was released on the tiny Hollywood label called Double Shot. “Gimme” followed on Liberty Records.. How these records made it to the radio is anyone’s guess. Wood never got the promotion of other R&B stars, and his heyday was over pretty quickly. But the music lived on.

Here’s a great piece I found on him.

Luther Vandross Newly Discovered Beatles Track Connects to Michael Jackson, Late Producer Richard Perry

Roger Friedman
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Luther Vandross Newly Discovered Beatles Track Connects to Michael Jackson, Late Producer Richard Perry

EXCLUSIVE Many people on the east coast saw the Luther Vandross documentary on CNN Wednesday night. (In the west it was pre-empted by coverage of the New Orleans tragedy.)

The doc, called “Never Too Much,” is accompanied by a greatest hits collection that features a never before heard track — Luther singing the Beatles’ “Michelle.” The track is a surprise gift from two of the greatest musicians of all time: Vandross and the late Richard Perry.

But where did it come from? There’s been a lot of speculation about the track since it first appeared last month. The given story was that Luther’s long time pal, Fonzi Thornton, found a forgotten cassette in a box of the singer’s belongings.

But now we know the real story. “Michelle” was produced by the late great Richard Perry, according to Perry’s associate producer Steve Lindsey. It was supposed to be part of a collection of songs commissioned by Michael Jackson after he bought the Beatles catalog in the mid 1980s. Michael wanted to make an animated Beatles film. But Paul McCartney nixed the project. He was furious that Jackson had bought his songs out from underneath him.

Lindsey — who’s also been instrumental in the career of Bruno Mars — says that among the people who worked on the track, “Michelle” became infamous because it was so good. It never saw the light of day, Lindsey says, but it led him to not only work with Perry more often but also to produce many other hit records including Leonard Cohen’s landmark album, “The Future.”

“I owe my whole career to Michelle,” Lindsey says. He still produces music and owns a publishing company called Blotter, as well. He also comes with quite a legacy. Steve’s dad, Mort Lindsey, was the famed orchestra leader and arranger for the likes of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, and bandleader on The Merv Griffin Show for 21 years.

So how did “Michelle” resurface? Perry’s ex wife, Linda, who has a long history in the record biz, handed it off to Sony and the Vandross project. Now it’s streaming and will be on the LP version of “Never Too Much” as well.

But there’s a twist. When Lindsay heard “Michelle” on Spotify last week, he realized he had a better, finished version. He’s subsequently sent it off to Sony, which will replace it on all platforms. So if you download “Michelle” right now you’ll get a collector’s item, a demo of Luther Vandross producer by Richard Perry.

Here’s the current version of “Michelle.” It’s already getting airplay on the Beatles Sirius XM Channel 18.

Jack Nicholson, 87, Retired, Shows Up in Holiday Social Media Post from Daughter Lorraine (See Inside)

Roger Friedman
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Jack Nicholson, 87, Retired, Shows Up in Holiday Social Media Post from Daughter Lorraine (See Inside)

Jack Nicholson used to be called “Smiling Jack.”

But in a photo shared on Instagram, Jack is not smiling. He’s staring into the camera looking a little dazed.

The great three time Oscar winner has been retired for several years. He had memory issues as far back as 15 years ago on James L. Brooks’s flop, “How Do You Know.” Nicholson’s status since then is unknown although he occasionally turns up at LA Lakers Games looking kind of rough.

The 87 year old star has six children, some unacknowledged. Lorraine and her brother Raymond are his with Rebecca Broussard. He’s only been married once, to the mother of daughter Jennifer, his eldest.

The good news is Jack looks well cared for and loved. We miss him out on the town, and at the Oscars. His shit eating grin lights up so many classic films and performances, his legacy is secure as a Legend with a capital L from “Chinatown” to “Prizzi’s Honor” to “Reds” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Terms of Endearment,” “About Schmidt,” “The Last Detail,” “As Good as It Gets,” “The Shining,” “The Departed,” “A Few Good Men.” No other actor of his generation has the same level of resume.

Viva Jack!

BAFTA First Round Goes Big for “Anora,” “Conclave,” Emilia Perez” Snubs Angelina Jolie “Maria”

Roger Friedman
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BAFTA First Round Goes Big for “Anora,” “Conclave,” Emilia Perez” Snubs Angelina Jolie “Maria”

BAFTA — the British Academy — announced their first round of voting this morning for movie awards. They went big time for “Anora,” “Emilia Perez,” and “Conclave.”

Shockingly, Angelina Jolie didn’t make the cut for the 10 best actress nods. Jolie plays the title role of Maria Callas in “Maria,” and is nominated for a Golden Globe Award this Sunday. She’s also nominated for a Critics Choice Award which will be revealed next Sunday, January 12th.

Snubbed with a twist: Pamela Anderson didn’t make it as Best Actress, but her “Last Showgirl” co-star Jamie Lee Curtis made it in as Best Supporting Actress.

Also almost completely cut out of the BAFTAs: is “Gladiator II” from Brit, Ridley Scott. Only Denzel Washington got a nod for Best Supporting Actor. Pedro Almodovar’s “The Room Next Door,” with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, was also omitted.

The second and final round of nominees will be announced on January 15th. The BAFTAs are handed out on February 16th in London.

Some nice surprises, though: Ellen Kuras was nominated for Best Director for “Lee,” as was star Kate Winslet. Saorise Ronan in “The Outrun” made the lists as well as the film itself.

Best Film

Anora
The Apprentice
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
Kneecap
The Substance
Wicked

Director

All We Imagine as Light, Payal Kapadia
Anora, Sean Baker
The Brutalist, Brady Corbet
Conclave, Edward Berger
Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve
Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard
La Chimera, Alice Rohrwacher
Lee, Ellen Kuras
The Outrun, Nora Fingscheidt
The Substance, Coralie Fargeat

Leading Actress
Amy Adams, Nightbitch
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
Demi Moore, The Substance
Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
Kate Winslet, Lee
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths
Marisa Abela, Back To Black
Mikey Madison, Anora
Nicole Kidman, Babygirl
Saoirse Ronan, The Outrun

Leading Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Daniel Craig, Queer
Dev Patel, Monkey Man
Hugh Grant, Heretic
Jude Law, Firebran
Kingsley Ben Adir, Bob Marley: One Love
Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Sebastian Stan , The Apprentice
Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Supporting Actress

Adriana Paz, Emilia Pérez
Ariana Grande, Wicked
Emily Watson, Small Things Like These
Felicity Jones, The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini, Conclave
Jamie Lee Curtis, The Last Showgirl
Margaret Qualley, The Substance
Michele Austin, Hard Truths
Selena Gomez, Emilia Pérez
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Supporting Actor

Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing
Denzel Washington, Gladiator II
Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
Harris Dickinson, Babygirl
Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Mark Eydelshteyn, Anora
Stanley Tucci, Conclave
Yura Borisov, Anora

First Diddy Documentary Trailer Drops But Still No Sign of MIA Witnesses Fonzworth Bentley and Nathalie Moar

Roger Friedman
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First Diddy Documentary Trailer Drops But Still No Sign of MIA Witnesses Fonzworth Bentley and Nathalie Moar

No one seems to know what’s happened to Nathalie Moar or Derek Watkins, aka Fonzworth Bentley.

Of all the people in Sean Combs’s world — aka Diddy, Puff Daddy — they know everything in detail and beyond. There are theories that they are helping the prosecution in Combs’s upcoming trial. Each of them has been totally radio silent for a year.

Moar has acted as Combs’s PR person for at least 20 years, maybe longer. If anyone has the guest lists, the phone numbers, etc. it’s her. Moar’s testimony at a trial would be sensational.

Then there’s Watkins aka Bentley. He’s also gone underground and like Moar hasn’t been mentioned in any of the lawsuit publicity. Anyone who was around in 2000 will remember Bentley — dressed as a dandy — acting as Diddy’s butler or valet, following him around with an umbrella lest the rap star got warm or wet.

Now comes the trailer for the first of what will undoubtedly be many Diddy documentaries, called “Making of Bad Boy.” It will be shown on Peacock on January 14th. The trailer boasts a lot of inside info, but if they don’t have Moar or Watkins the film still will miss the mark.

Golden Globes Field Eclectic Group of Presenters Including Vin Diesel, Elton John, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson

Roger Friedman
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Golden Globes Field Eclectic Group of Presenters Including Vin Diesel, Elton John, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson

You know the Golden Globes are coming on Sunday.

Still struggling to overcome decades of embarrassment, the Globes will be hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser on CBS.

Their list of presenters is eclectic, to say the least. It looks like they got Elton John to present Best Song and Score with Brandi Carlile, which is inspired. We always love to see Sir Elton!

The actors cover a wide range. They include Gal Gadot, Vin Diesel, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, Colman Domingo, and Kathy Bates; 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award winner Viola Davis. Also in the lineup: Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Awkwafina, Brandi Carlile, Catherine O’Hara, Colin Farrell, Édgar Ramírez, Elton John, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Coolidge, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Hudson, Ke Huy Quan, Kerry Washington, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Keaton, Michelle Yeoh, Miles Teller, Mindy Kaling, Morris Chestnut, Nate Bargatze, Nicolas Cage, Rachel Brosnahan, Rob McElhenney, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sarah Paulson, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, and Zoë Kravitz.

Will it all work? Will anyone watch? Hard to say. Most of the films nominated are independent. The big exception is “Wicked.” So far almost no one has seen many of the smaller films like “The Brutalist.” So the real news will be the ratings report on Monday.

Meantime, the Critics Choice Awards come January 12th on the E! channel. Unlike the Globes, the people who vote for the CCA are actual critics, not just mysterious junketeers.

Mariah Carey’s Christmas Song Drops Off the Charts as the Holidays Come to an End

Roger Friedman
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Mariah Carey’s Christmas Song Drops Off the Charts as the Holidays Come to an End

All Mariah Carey wants now is a hit during the year other than her Christmas song.

With the holidays over, “All I Want for Christmas” is, too. The perennial hit has dropped of the iTunes top 100, and is 99 on the Christmas song chart.

It’s amazing how fast it disappeared, too, after being ubiquitous for two weeks. Carey promoted it wherever she could, especially on her tour — even though she missed some dates because of illness.

Now “All I Want for Christmas” blissfully goes to sleep and with it, Carey’s record sales. The holiday song drives her whole catalog at this point. She hasn’t had a legitimate non holiday hit since “Touch My Body” in 2008. Carey hasn’t released a new album since 2018’s “Caution,” which didn’t sell many copies.

At 55, Mariah has nothing to prove. She’s wealthier than anyone can imagine. She can rest on her laurels and do the annual tour and spend the rest of the year eating bon bons. One thing she should prioritize is making a great album of standards to show off her voice before it starts to lose power. (This happens to everyone.) Of course, she can’t get publishing royalties on Cole Porter or Richard Rodgers but at this point, it’s probably not necessary.

So until next Thanksgiving, goodbye “All I Want for Christmas.” Your work is done.

Broadway Boomed Last Week Even with “Gypsy” Shut Down Because of Cast Illness

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Boomed Last Week Even with “Gypsy” Shut Down Because of Cast Illness

Except for “Gypsy,” every other show on Broadway boomed during Christmas week.

Total receipts were up by $11 million over the previous week to $55 million. That’s a high for the year.

Poor “Gypsy” made just $280,000 after cancelling all but one performance. The week before, the sold out musical revival made over $1.5 million. The show is back on now and will be sold out even more as ticket holders try to get new reservations.

“Wicked” led all shows despite the movie having made almost $450 million in the last month. It seems the movie sent everyone back to the live show. Total take was an unheard of FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

Runner up was “The Lion King” with $4 million! And this is despite the release of “Mufasa,” spin off movie that wasn’t warmly welcomed but has still made $120 million. “Mufasa” also sent fans back to the real thing!

The $2 million plus club included “Hamilton,” “Back to the Future,” “MJ The Musical,” “The Outsiders,” “Harry Potter,” and “Aladdin.” Many house records were broken. Even the great “Maybe Happy Ending” cleared $1 million.

Believe it or not, “Chicago” yielded $1.3 million! How could this be? Tourists love it. Co-composer John Kander, age 97, is just hearing ka-ching ka-ching ka-ching. Kander and Fred Ebb wrote all the famous songs and numbers. They also wrote “New York, New York.” which was used last night on TV to wrap up the New Year’s Eve special on CNN. Amazing. In 1981, “New York, New York” lost the Best Song at the Grammy Awards to Christopher Cross’s “Sailing.”

As for “Gypsy,” it’s hoped they’re back on track. Why they didn’t have understudies ready to go is a mystery. Did they have COVID? RSV? Norovirus? At least the ordeal is over. But it’s a strict lesson to be learned from.

Kate Beckinsale Speaks Out About Rough Times on Movie Sets, Points Finger at “Drunk” Co-star: Nick Nolte?

Roger Friedman
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Kate Beckinsale Speaks Out About Rough Times on Movie Sets, Points Finger at “Drunk” Co-star: Nick Nolte?

Kate Beckinsale is beautiful and talented. But she’s had an uneven career to say the least.

Now she’s speaking out, in light of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. Beckinsale admits she knows neither of them, or what happened on the set of “It Ends with Us.” But her descriptions about being called a “c*nt” and bitch are unacceptable. They’re also not isolated to Beckinsale.

Kate recalls one incident in which her co-star, she says, showed up drunk every day. He also made everyone wait 6 hours before he arrived. The scenario was so bad, Kate says, that it made the director cry!

The film Kate seems to be alluding to is 2013’s “The Trials of Cate McCall.” She co-starred with Nick Nolte, a fine actor whose drinking problems are well known over the years. “Trials” was directed by Karen Moncrieff, who’s no push over but may have burst into tears on a shoot this unnecessarily grueling.

Watch the video below, and don’t comment on Beckinsale “not looking the same” as usual. It’s just makeup and hair. Her words are more important.

Outlets Didn’t Bother Fact Checking Claim James Franco Melted Down After 2011 Oscars (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Outlets Didn’t Bother Fact Checking Claim James Franco Melted Down After 2011 Oscars (Exclusive)

Things that are said on podcasts aren’t fact checked. They are just blah blah blowing smoke in the air.

To wit: many outlets has picked up a story told by a comedian named Paul Rust on a podcast he has with Matt Gourmley. Rust recalls that “literally two days after [Franco] had hosted the Oscars” Franco purposely screwed up a promotion he was filming for the comedy, “Your Highness,” with Danny McBride.

Rust says: “So he was upset because the reviews were not good. He was in a bad mood.” Rust says Franco mumbled during the taping, and then abruptly left but not before he kicked a chair.

Unfortunately, Rust’s memory may be fuzzy.

I have no interest in defending Franco, but I knew him pretty well back then. At the time, the Oscar nominated star of “12 Hours” was on a bewildering tear through graduate schools –including NYU — after quickly finishing up – as an adult — his credits at NYU. As I remember it, he returned to Yale when the Oscars were over.

The New York Times confirmed it in an article on March 3rd, 2011. Franco was back in New Haven for classes. His fellow students were talking about his quick return. Franco himself posted a Tweet against his naysayers that afternoon.

That whole story about the 2011 Oscars is vivid in my mind. On the Monday of Oscar week, I called Franco thinking he was in Hollywood and assembling the show he would host with Anne Hathaway. When I reached him, I was shocked to discover he was still in New Haven. He thought he’d come in on Thursday, rehearse, and return to Yale.

“I can’t leave class,” he told me.

He wasn’t stoned, as his critics said. He was lost. That’s because in his absence, Hathaway and her team diligently worked on the show with the writers. They didn’t wait around. Nature abhors a vacuum, you know. The result was a famous disaster of an Oscars.

But this item is not about saving James Franco’s reputation (in tatters because of his sex scandals). It’s more about how almost nothing I’m reading from podcasts, blogs, aggregated posts, etc is checked for any veracity. The worst culprits are outfits like Newsbreak App and Smartnews, which just regurgitate anything from any published site without caring about its truth. Everything is clickbait. Most of the internet, particularly in the field of entertainment, is a dumping ground.

As for Franco, I don’t care where he was personally. But he wasn’t doing promos and throwing chairs. At least, not that time.

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