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UPDATE: Six New “X Files” Episodes Will Start Shooting in June with Duchovny, Anderson

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE: Six New “X Files” Episodes Will Start Shooting in June with Duchovny, Anderson

MARCH 24TH: Fox has confirmed “X Files” is on. New eps will commence.

MARCH 20TH The truth is out there. So are Mulder and Scully. In the UK my friend Baz Bamigboye has some earth shattering news for fans of “The X Files.” He reports that the show is probably coming back with six new episodes for Fox. Baz interviewed Gillian Anderson, aka Scully, for his popular weekly column in the UK Daily Mail. He writes:

“…if intense negotiations can be finalised soon, then filming of six episodes of the very last look at the X-Files, the sci-fi show that launched [Anderson] and David Duchnovny 22 years ago, could be under way as early as June.

Writers who worked on the original series have been asked to contribute. ‘The idea is to get the old gang back, have some fun and get a bit of closure for us and the audience,’ she told me.”

I can’t remember where “The X Files” is now plot-wise. Do Mulder and Scully have an alien child by now? Do they lie on Mars? Did the smoking man die of lung cancer? Did Mulder’s sister come back? Please, fans, fill me in! I used to love this show.

Charlie Sheen Posts Racist Tweet to President Obama, Goes Too Far (Again) #Losing

Roger Friedman
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Charlie Sheen Posts Racist Tweet to President Obama, Goes Too Far (Again) #Losing

Charlie Sheen won’t shut up and won’t go away. He posted this racist Tweet to President Obama last night. Are we done yet with this moron? Jon Cryer has now written a book about how awful he was to work with. His “Anger Management” TV series, now in syndication, is unwatchable. His father, Martin Sheen, must be so embarrassed that is his offspring. The reactions to the Tweet are wholly negative. Enough. #LOSING

Watch Madonna Get All G-Rated for “Ellen” to Promote New Album

Roger Friedman
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Watch Madonna Get All G-Rated for “Ellen” to Promote New Album

Madonna may have a rebel heart but she’s also realistic. A lot of her fans are long past the Mudd Club era and are at women at home in the afternoons. Some may be watching grandchildren! To sell “Rebel Heart,” Madonna’s been appearing all week on “Ellen,” the kind of bourgeois show her “Desperately Seeking Susan” character would have loathed. But it’s 2015, ain’t it?

Madonna has been all G rated in her song presentations on “Ellen.” We’ve never seen so little skin from the woman who once starred in her own “Sex” book. But you don’t want to threaten an audience whom you need to buy your CD and concert tickets. Watch these videos. She’s made good choices so far.

 

Russell Simmons Bringing Rap’s Golden Age to Broadway in “The Scenario”

Roger Friedman
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Russell Simmons Bringing Rap’s Golden Age to Broadway in “The Scenario”

Stand back, Broadway. Here comes rap, again. This time Russell Simmons, creator of DefJam, philanthropist and tastemaker, is bring rap’s golden age to what may now be called The Great Black Way.

“The Scenario” is the name of a musical Simmons is funding for development that will showcase rap from the early 80s through the mid 90s.

Simmons says he will produce through his own Def Pictures, “alongside Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Big Block (Scott Prisand/Jamie Bendell) (Rock of Ages, Heathers, Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder). THE SCENARIO will feature an original story written by acclaimed author and hip-hop historian Dan Charnas (The Big Payback). The show will debut in the fall of 2016.

Rap is a so so proposition on Broadway. A musical based on the work of Tupac Shakur called “Holla If You Hear Me” had a short interesting run a couple of years ago. “Hamilton” is coming to Broadway this summer, and is sort of rap lite with a lot of R&B and mainstream melodic music to buffer it. “Hamilton” also works because it has a brilliant book. A jukebox rap musical will depend on a strong story, performers, and arrangements that don’t send regular theatergoers, black or white, scrambling for ear plugs.

Mariah Carey’s First Epic Album Will Have Greatest Hits, New Songs, And No Xmas

Roger Friedman
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Mariah Carey’s First Epic Album Will Have Greatest Hits, New Songs, And No Xmas

I did tell you first that Mariah Carey was returning to Sony and Epic records.

I told you next that she’d signed a deal with Epic, and would release an album of 18 number 1 hits to coincide with her Caesar’s Palace run that starts May 6th in Las Vegas.

Today someone suggested that Mariah was going to make a Christmas album for Epic. I can tell you that she is not. She is continuing with the Greatest Hits album. And I guess the only news is that the album will have a couple of new tracks, maybe as many as four. This is typical of greatest hits albums. And some of them have launched new classics. Think of “Ribbon in the Sky” and “Do I Do” on Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits many moons ago. It happens.

Do look for Mariah’s “All I Need for Christmas Is You” on the album. Maybe that’s what the fuss was about. That song is the best selling Christmas tune of all time. It must be included. I hope that the “new” songs are covers a la “I’ll Be There” or “Without You.” But we shall see, and soon. Carey’s been in Los Angeles working hard on the Vegas show and this album.

Ratings: Everyone Watched “Empire” and Not Much Else on Wednesday Night

Roger Friedman
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Ratings: Everyone Watched “Empire” and Not Much Else on Wednesday Night

Wednesday night was all “Empire” from 8 to 10pm. The show scored 16.7 million total viewers and a 6.5 in the key demo. It had a 20 share. This is called a phenomenon.

Not much else happened because the rest of broadcast TV was in reruns. At 10pm, two shows– the “CSI Cyber” premiere and Diane Sawyer’s special about “The Sound of Music” — tied at around 7.3 million viewers. They skewed to older audiences. I missed “CSI” but I did watch Julie Andrews, and the show was lovely. I figure “CSI” I will be seeing in reruns and syndication for years to come.

Meanwhile, the “Empire” CD is number 2 on amazon and on iTunes, selling like hot cakes right behind Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly.” If “Empire” can sustain story burnout– too many plots, characters, and quick things going by– they could go a possible four or five seasons. But it will be tough at this rate. Every show like this– huge sudden successes–like “thirtysomething,” “Moonlighting,” and now even “Glee”– cannot sustain itself for too long. So let’s enjoy it while we can.

TV: “Empire” Goes For It Big Time with Two Hour Ratings Buster Season Finale

Roger Friedman
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TV: “Empire” Goes For It Big Time with Two Hour Ratings Buster Season Finale

“Empire”, the TV phemon of the season, went for big time tonight with a two hour finale that was cutting edge and old fashioned at the same time. There were gasps of revelations, cliff hangers, secrets, a possible murder. Or two. It was a Wow from beginning to end. By Thursday noon Eastern time we should know how many millions watched it.

The Lee Daniels-Danny Strong soap opera recalls the best and most exhilarating, crazy and delirious moments of “Dallas,” “Dynasty,” “Falcon Crest” and daytime dramas. The main difference is that nearly everyone is black. And the actors are the creme de la creme, top notch black thespians who’ve mostly been in movies: Oscar nominees Terrence Howard, Gabourey Sidibe and Taraji P. Henson, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, respected actors Malik Yoba and Derek Luke, guest stars like Patti Labelle and Mary J. Blige, and a ton of talented newcomers.

Did I mention that Naomi Campbell has a recurring role?

Why does “Empire” work? Because it’s about members of a core family struggling to take control of a family company. Sound familiar? They’re the Ewings, the Carringtons, the Quartermaines of “General Hospital.” The formula is so simple and traditional, but this time the “Empire” everyone’s fighting over is a fictional version of a modern Motown. Mom has been in jail for 17 years while Dad has been building the biz. One of the three sons is gay. One of them is married to a white girl. Ready set go.

Tonight we had a bunch of cliffhangers. You know, they will all work out. At the end of next season it wouldn’t be surprising if Terrence Howard’s Lucious, the JR Ewing of the story, is shot in a whodunit. Why not? Howard is just perfect as the selfish, capricious, scheming patriarch. And Henson is superb as Cookie Lyon, the Sue Ellen Ewing of the story. Last night she may have gotten herself an Emmy in a scene where she’s watching the white son of a hostile takeover king try to be a rapper. Taraji just gives a look of masked derision, and steals the whole show.

“Empire” is also fun because it’s a Twitter game. Imagine if Twitter had existed in the 80s. Those soaps would have been the main topic of the night. I was busy Tweeting with other “Empire” fans last night and never had more fun. Can’t wait to see the Twitter results tomorrow.

Let me tell you now– if the Emmy Awards ignore “Empire” instead of embrace it, they will be wiped out. This is the show of 2015, hands down. And imagine a Best Actress category that would include Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, and Viola Davis. Nirvana.

“Selma” Crosses $51 Mil Mark, Bests “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “Theory,” “Focus,” “Jupiter”

Roger Friedman
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“Selma” Crosses $51 Mil Mark, Bests “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “Theory,” “Focus,” “Jupiter”

“Selma” was the little movie that could and almost didn’t. I thought it would win the Oscar, but a carefully constructed campaign– from Lyndon Johnson fans who turned out to have been a silent majority– derailed Ava Duvernay’s excellent film.

But there’s some consolation. “Selma” has crossed $51 million domestic box office. It’s the 3rd highest Best Picture nominee in grosses, behind “American Sniper,” “Into the Woods,” and “The Imitation Game.” With no acting nominations and no director nod, “Selma” still did better than “Birdman” (actual Best Pic and Director), “Boyhood,” “Theory of Everything” (Best Actor), and two current big studio flops– “Jupiter Ascending” and “Focus.”

So there. “Selma” woulda, coulda, shoulda. It will also last a lot longer in the culture than a lot of these films. That’s saying something.

Sienna Miller Killing it In “Cabaret,” Trying Not to Get Killed: She’s Been Punched, and Cut in the Eye

Roger Friedman
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Sienna Miller Killing it In “Cabaret,” Trying Not to Get Killed: She’s Been Punched, and Cut in the Eye

Sienna Miller is killing it in “Cabaret” on Broadway. She’s also trying not to get killed. So far, in the last 10 days, she tells me, she’s smashed into a wall and gotten stitches over her right eye. Last night (Tuesday) she got clocked by the actor who plays her lover in the hit musical now winding down at Studio 54 for Roundabout Theater.

Not only that: on Tuesday, Miller–a trouper–was suffering from bronchitis and taking steroids to get better. The raspiness in her voice actually gave her a young Marianne Faithfull sound, which worked for the well known songs from the Kander and Ebb musical.

The good news is that Sienna, who’s had a big year with roles in “Foxcatcher” and “American Sniper,” has really come into her own. “Cabaret” is not her Broadway debut– that was in “After Miss Julie” in 2009. But it’s her breakthrough performance. She’s gotten rave reviews, deservedly.

As Sally Bowles, she ranges from waifish to hardened, just as the play and book would indicate. She’s not attempting Liza Minnelli in the Big Screen version. But after the late Natasha Richardson years ago, then Michelle Williams and Emma Stone, of whom did very well, Miller is bringing something new to Sally and to “Cabaret.” There are only 15 performances left. Try and see it if you can.

Kudos to everyone else in the cast, starting with Alan Cumming– Tony winner for playing the emcee and always invested, never bored– plus Danny Burstein, Bill Heck, Andrea Goss and Linda Emond. Sam Mendes’ production has held up very well. Famed scary Vogue editor Anna Wintour was sitting next to me, and she stayed through the whole thing. She even eventually took off her sunglasses. That’s a sign of approval. Chris Noth was also in the audience, applauding.

I’ve watched Sienna Miller since she first took hold, got involved in a prolonged tabloid adventure with Jude Law, and grew until she is now a mom and a soaring serious actress. It’s gratifying to see her career take the right paths . On stage she glows like a movie star even though she’s hunkered down for real theater work. She may even return in spring 2016 with something. For now, though, watch summon everyone to the Cabaret, which is not the place you might think. It’s a treat.

Kendrick Lamar Sets a One Day Streaming Record with New Album “To Pimp a Butterfly”

Roger Friedman
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Kendrick Lamar Sets a One Day Streaming Record with New Album “To Pimp a Butterfly”

It’s not exactly “Songs in the Key of Life” or “What’s Going On.” But Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” set a record yesterday. Spotify says the R&B album was streamed 9.6 million times in 24 hours. The irony is that the album was supposed to be released next Tuesday but was “leaked” or something yesterday. I say or something because the idea that Interscope would somehow allow an album to be “accidentally” released seems preposterous. Anyway, it’s always good to take the audience by surprise. “Pimp” is full of samples, most especially The Isley Brothers’ “That Lady,” which is the foundation for the first single off Kendrick’s album. Ronald Isley is featured, which is good, I guess. What’s really good is that people wrote music in the 60s and 70s. Otherwise modern artists would have nothing to set their raps to.

 

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