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Neil Diamond Sends Hugh Jackman Classic Guitar as “Song Sung Blue” Sends 8 of Famed Singer’s Hit Onto iTunes Top 100 (Videos)

Roger Friedman
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Neil Diamond Sends Hugh Jackman Classic Guitar as “Song Sung Blue” Sends 8 of Famed Singer’s Hit Onto iTunes Top 100 (Videos)

Hugh Jackman just posted a terrific video to Instagram.

Famed singer songwriter Neil Diamond sent him one of his prized guitars as a gift.

Jackman plays a Diamond tribute singer in “Song Sung Blue,” a hit movie currently in theaters.

Diamond has good reason to thank Hugh and everyone involved with the movie. It’s reignited his music catalog.

Suddenly, Diamond — whose hits were in the 70s and 80s — has no less than eight singles on the iTunes top 100.

They include “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “I Am…I Said,” and “Play Me.”

(We used to joke about the lyrics to “I Am…I Said” when it came out originally. The chair line — “to no one else, not even the chair” — was a hoot on AM radio. The chair never responded!)

Neil has Parkinson’s but still managed to host a reception for the movie over the holidays at his house in Aspen for co-star Kate Hudson and her famous family. Hudson plays Claire, ther other half of the tribute duo in the film.

“Song Sung Blue” has made $25 million so far at the box office, and looks like it has “legs.”

The movie covers most of Neil’s songs but leaves out a crucial one, “Solitary Man.” I’ve forgiven director Craig Brewer for the omission.

“Stranger Things” Have Happened: Actor Joe Keery Latest TV Star to Get a Number 1 Pop Hit as “End of Beginning” Beats Taylor Swift

Roger Friedman
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“Stranger Things” Have Happened: Actor Joe Keery Latest TV Star to Get a Number 1 Pop Hit as “End of Beginning” Beats Taylor Swift

“Stranger Things” have happened.

Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on the Netflix show, has the number 1 song on Spotify and on iTunes.

“End of Beginning” is even topping Taylor Swift.

Shows you the crazy popularity of the series as it ends with Season 5.

Keery’s song came on a 2022 album under the aka DJO. It’s been a fan favorite since then but has never been included on a “Stranger Things” soundtrack.

Nevertheless, fans have made YouTube videos using the song as their own soundtrack.

Keery is not the first TV star to get a pop hit off his TV show. That started maybe with Ricky Nelson in the late 50s, on through hits by John Travolta, David Soul, Jack Wagner and others.

Is this the end of the beginning of his pop career? Or will we have more Keery releases in 2026? One thing’s for certain: any music connected to “Stranger Things” is a hit. Kate Bush’s whole career was revived by the show’s usage of “Running Up that Hill” (Number 8 on iTunes today). This season Diana Ross’s “Upside Down” suddenly blew up after it was played in the first episode (number 67). Two Prince songs, “When Doves Cry” (45) and “Purple Rain” (19) are on their way back as well.

PS Also on iTunes, used in Season 5: David Bowie’s “Heroes,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” the theme music from the show, and a few more.

CBS News Producer Says He Also Had “Multiple Teams” at the Ready for Trump Raid on Venezuela Since Before Christmas

Roger Friedman
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CBS News Producer Says He Also Had “Multiple Teams” at the Ready for Trump Raid on Venezuela Since Before Christmas

It was reported earlier that the New York Times and Washington Post knew about the Trump raid on Venezuela but kept it quiet so as not to interfere with the operation.

Now a CBS News producer, Jim LaPorta, says he had crews ready to go since before Christmas.

LaPorta said on Twitter X: “Every night, even before Christmas, I’ve kept multiple teams at @CBSNews on standby for the news that came last night. We had long been ready for what ultimately transpired. The weather however kept delaying the operation.”

A colleague confirmed it in a reply to the post.

So there were leaks galore from the Trump White House and no one acted on them. That’s the call of the editors. In the CBS News case, everything is now colored by their relationship to the White House thanks to new owners David and Larry Ellison, and new news chief Bari Weiss.

The spotlight is on CBS News now for many reasons including last night’s toothless interview with Pete Hegseth conducted by Tony Dokoupil on the CBS Evening News.

Venezuela Invasion Halts Flights from Caribbean: Leonardo DiCaprio Stuck in St. Barths, Carrie Coon Can’t Make Critics Choice Awards

Roger Friedman
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Venezuela Invasion Halts Flights from Caribbean: Leonardo DiCaprio Stuck in St. Barths, Carrie Coon Can’t Make Critics Choice Awards

Forget about the Venezuelans.

Because Trump invaded their country, movie and TV stars are stuck in the Caribbean. Air space is locked down, flights are in disarray.

“White Lotus” star Carrie Coon has just posted that she will miss the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday.

“One Battle After Another” star Leonardo DiCaprio is stuck on the posh posh posh island of St. Barth’s.

Some Critics Choice critics who live in Puerto Rico are unable to get on planes.

But don’t worry — plenty of stars are coming to the CCA, which airs Sunday at 7pm on USA Network and E!. So many that I don’t have enough “ink” for all of them!

They include: Host Chelsea Handler; Attending Nominees Adam Brody, Adam Sandler, Adam Scott, Alicia Silverstone,  Allison Janney, Amanda Marsalis, Amanda Seyfried, Amy Madigan, Ariana Grande, Asher Grodman, Ashley Walters, Bella Ramsey, Benicio del Toro, Billy Bob Thornton, Blake Slatkin, Brian Tyree Henry, Britt Lower, Caroline Baron, Carrie Preston, Cary Christopher, Charlie Hunnam, Chase Infiniti, Chase Sui Wonders, Chloé Zhao, Chris Perfetti, Danielle Brooks, David Alan Grier,  Delroy Lindo, Denée Benton, Diego Luna,  Ego Nwodim, EJAE, Eli Bush, Elle Fanning, Emilia Jones, Emilie Lesclaux, Emily Erotas, Emily Feller, Emily Korteweg, Emily Mortimer, Enrique Arrizon, Eric Leven, Erica Huggins, Erik Benson, Erin Doherty, Erin Foster, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Victor, Evan Goldberg, Everett Blunck, Felipe Pacheco, Félix de Givry, Francine Maisler, Frida Perez, Gareth John, Gary Powell, Gary Rizzo, Gigi Pritzker, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gordon Smith, Greg Kwedar, Gregg Taylor, Guillermo del Toro, Gwen Whittle, Hannah Einbinder, Hannah Walters, Henri Magalon, Henry Melcher, Ike Barinholtz, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Jackie Cohn, Jackie Tohn, Jacob Elordi, Jacobi Jupe, Jackson Spidell, Jafar Panahi, James Weaver, Janelle James, Janelle Momary-Neely, Janice Williams, Jared Bush, Jason Collins, Jean Smart, Jeff Frost, Jeff Goldblum, Jeff Trammell, Jen Statsky, Jenni Konner, Jennifer Venditti, Jeremiah Silva, Jess Rosenthal, Jessica Biel, Jessie Buckley, Ji-young Yoo, Jo Johnson, Joe Letteri, Joe Port, Joe Wiseman, Joel Edgerton, John Gilroy, John Hoberg, John Jude Schultz, John Mayer, Jon M. Chu, Jonathan Tolins, Jordan Tappis, José Antonio Garcia, Joseph Wright, Josh Safdie, Justine Lupe, Kaley Cuoco, Karolina Wydra, Kate Hawley, Katherine LaNasa, Kathy Bates, Keith Dawson, Ken Diaz, Keri Russell, Kevin Miller, Kim Rosenstock, Kirk Baxter, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Kristen Bell, Krys Marshall, Kyle Marvin, Laia Casanovas, Lawrence Bender, Lee Byung Hun, Leo Satkovich, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lisa Ann Walter, Liz Glotzer, Liza Marshall, Lucia Aniello, Luciane Buchanan, Luciano Bacheta, Ludwig Göransson, Lukasz Zal, Madeline Sharafian, Maggie Kang, Maïlys Vallade, Malgosia Turzanska, Marc Platt, Marcello Hernandez, Marin Ireland, Mark Roybal, Mark Ruffalo, Mark Sonnenblick, Mary Alice Drumm, Matthew Rhys, May Hong, Megan Stalter, Meghann Fahy, Mia Goth, Michael Angelo Covino, Michael Bauman, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Chernus, Michael Peña,  Michelle Wong, Mike Fontaine, Mike Hill, Mike Makowsky, Miles Caton, Miles Dale, Natasha Lyonne, Nathan Crowley, Nathan Robitaille, Nic Gonda, Nick Offerman, Nicole Beharie, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Nikeah Forde, Nikki Boyer, Nina Gold, Nina Wolarsky, Nina Ye, Noah Hawley, Noah Wyle, Odessa A’zion, Oliver Laxe, Omar Miller, Oriol Maymó, Oscar Nuñez, Owen Cooper, Park Chan-wook, Patricia Arquette, Patrick Ball, Patrick Schumacker, Paul Mescal, Paul Tazewell, Paul Thomas Anderson, Paul W. Downs, Peter Huyck, Quinta Brunson, R. Scott Gemmill, Rachel Shane, Ramy Youssef, Rebecca Wisocky, Rei Ami, Regina Hall, Renate Reinsve, Rhea Seehorn, Richard Baneham, Richard Schwartz, Ro Donnelly, Robby Hoffman, Robert Harrington, Ron Schmidt, Ronald Bronstein, Rose Byrne, Rose McIver, Ruth E. Carter, Ryan Coogler, Sal Gentile, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Sam Donovan, Sam Laybourne, Sam Racanelli, Sanne Wohlenberg, Sara Foster, Sarah Jenks-Daly, Sarah Shahi, Sarah Snook, Scott Stuber, Sean Baker, Sean Evans, Seth Rogen, Sev Ohanian, Shannon Mahina Gorman, Shawn Hatosy, Sherryl Clark, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Shih-Ching Tsou, Shunika Terry-Jennings, Siân Richards, Simon Chong, Skye P. Marshall, Sophia Lillis, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephane Ceretti, Stephen Dunlevy, Stephen Graham, Sterling K. Brown,  Timothée Chalamet, Timothy Simons, Tom Pelphrey, Tony Cavalero, Tony Gennaro, Tony Villaflor, Tracey Cook, Tramell Tillman, Tyler James Williams, Ugo Bienvenu, Viridiana Lieberman, Wagner Moura, Will Tracy, William H. Macy,  and many more!

CBS Evening News Turns Most of Tony Dokoupil First Show Over to Trump Lackey Pete Hegseth (Videos), Gets Nowhere

Roger Friedman
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CBS Evening News Turns Most of Tony Dokoupil First Show Over to Trump Lackey Pete Hegseth (Videos), Gets Nowhere

Tony Dokoupil looked scared tonight for his first official hosting of the CBS Evening News

There’s a good reason.

Most of the show was turned over to Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was allowed to promote Trump propaganda for three segments.

Dokoupil asked some questions but got nowhere. Hr did ask about the legality of Trump invading Venezuela and arresting its president. But Hegseth glossed that small matter over.

Nothing was learned during the three segments. It was a softball event like we might see on Fox News. Luckily there was some journalism supplied by correspondent Charlie D’Agata, who looked skeptical about the proceedings.

“One Battle After Another,” Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Ethan Hawke, Kathleen Chalfant Take National Society of Film Critics

Roger Friedman
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“One Battle After Another,” Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Ethan Hawke, Kathleen Chalfant Take National Society of Film Critics

The National Society of Film Critics voted their awards, and except for one, I have to say they weren’t unexpected.

I’m thrilled to report that Ethan Hawke won Best Actor, for “Blue Moon. He deserves it and is definitely heading to the Oscars.

“One Battle After Another” won Best Picture, Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Supporting Actor and Actress for Benicio del Toro and Teyana Taylor.

The outlier here was Best Actress: Kathleen Chalfant for the almost entirely unseen “Familiar Touch.” I’ve seen this film, and Chalfant is lovely. But it’s a tiny, tiny release. Now Chalfant moves up the chart to a possible Oscar nod. Unfortunately, neither the Critics Choice nor the Golden Globes acknowledged her. Neither did the indie-ish Gotham Awards.

Interesting choice since runners up were Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You,” and Renate Reinsve for “Sentimental Value.” Jessie Buckley, of “Hamnet,” was not in the top three. I’m shocked. Something seems to have gone wrong with “Hamnet,” one of the finest films ever.

Other winners included “Sinners” for cinematography, and “It Was Just An Accident” for Best Screenplay. “The Secret Agent” was Best Foreign Language Film.

The National Society of Film Critics is very astute every year. But they really must get someone to update their website. It seems like no one’s touched it all year.

CBS News Will Launch Tony Dokoupil Tonight As Anchor or Toadie? Will He Report the Illegality of Invasion without Congressional Approval?

Roger Friedman
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CBS News Will Launch Tony Dokoupil Tonight As Anchor or Toadie? Will He Report the Illegality of Invasion without Congressional Approval?

Introducing Tony Dokoupil, new anchor of the CBS Evening News.

He was supposed to premiere Monday, on the road. But because Donald Trump has invaded and taken over Venezuela, Dokoupil will start tonight, in the network’s San Francisco studio.

Will he continue the legacy of Walter Cronkite, or be Bari Weiss’s toadie mouthing the words of Donald Trump? Yesterday, on Instagram, Dokoupil insulted Cronkite’s famed run, saying he would be “more transparent than Cronkite or anyone of his era.”

So far, Dokoupil has embarrassed himself posting social media videos promising not to use “academics or elites” as sources for reporting the news.

Will he use a plumber and a waitress to source his news tonight? Or will news from Vanezuela also include the news that Trump’s invasion without approval of Congress illegal? Let’s take bets on whether or not he mentions that little fact.

On Dokoupil’s video from the anchor desk he looked like someone — maybe Bari Weiss — had a gun to his back with an implicit threat to his relatives. So stay tuned…

Box Office: “Marty Supreme” Eyes $50 Mil Today, A Critics Choice Win Sunday Night for Timothee Chalamet Could Pave the Way to the Oscars

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Marty Supreme” Eyes $50 Mil Today, A Critics Choice Win Sunday Night for Timothee Chalamet Could Pave the Way to the Oscars

All that orange ping pong ball marketing is so far paying off for “Marty Supreme.”

Tonight Josh Safdie’s clever and exciting movie will crack $50 million. It’s on track for a $52 million total by tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, star Timothee Chalamet could win the Critics Choice Award tomorrow night (USA Network, 7pm). That would put him on the path for the Golden Globes, and ultimately the Oscars.

On Tuesday night, “Marty Supreme” picks up Best Screenplay from the New York Film Critics Circle. Unfortunately, the National Board of Review ignored the whole project.

Chalamet has been curtailed on Instagram perhaps hearing criticism of all the marketing and outrageous videos perhaps hurting his chances. His last post was six days ago, and it was video of him playing soccer when he was a boy.

The pullback is most welcome, and definitely a sign of getting serious. If he wins Sunday night, and makes a less boastful speech than he has in the past, Chalamet will demonstrate a new wisdom. Also, fingers crossed, he leaves Kylie Jenner at home.

Elsewhere at the box office comes the zombie thriller “We Bury the Dead” — which is what Vertical Entertainment is famous for, burying dead movies. “Last Jedi” star Daisy Ridley leads the cast improbably after headlining three big “Star Wars” movies.. She needs new agents and managers, pronto. This movie has a 48% response from audiences and is headed, diagonally, not vertically, into the dumper.

RIP Charlotte Ford, 84 Society Heiress, Great Granddaughter of Henry Ford, Ran with the Real Jet Set, Philanthropist Authored Books

Roger Friedman
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RIP Charlotte Ford, 84 Society Heiress, Great Granddaughter of Henry Ford, Ran with the Real Jet Set, Philanthropist Authored Books

Charlotte Ford died on December 23rd.

I mention this now because at one time Charlotte Ford was a society name you heard all the time. She was the great granddaughter of the Henry Ford, and lived a jet set life that — as Donald Trump might say — will never be seen again.

In her paid obit in the NY Times, Ford hails herself as an author, which is fine, and true.

But she was also known for her flamboyant marriages, to people like Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, arch rival of Jackie Kennedy’s second husband, Aristotle Onassis. If you think the Kardashians are famous, these were the real society stars of the 50s and 60s, and they had the money and lineage to back it up. They made today’s scandals look like peanuts.

After Charlotte divorced Niarchos, she went on to marry financier Tony Forstmann (who died in 2023). She eventually divorced Forstmann (whose also deceased brother Teddy, also a billionaire lawyer and financier of giant standing, was the boyfriend of much younger food personality Padma Lakshmi) and married media player Ed Downe. (He may still be alive, born in 1929.) Downe — who once owned Ladies’ Home Journal, American Home and Family Weekly — was eventually caught by the SEC in a major insider trading scandal.

According to the Ford-Downe wedding announcement in the New York Times, “Miss Ford, who will retain her name professionally, was educated in private classes in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Noroton, Conn.; Florence, and Paris. She is a fashion designer and consultant and has written books on etiquette and shopping. Her father, former chairman of the Ford Motor Company, is a board member and chairman of the finance committee of the company, which was founded by his grandfather Henry Ford.”

Charlotte’s father was Henry Ford II, Ford president from 1945-60, CEO from 1960-79 and chairman of the board of directors from 1960-80. Her daughter, Elena, with Niarchos, is 59, lives in Detroit, and is first female member of the family to have a role in the company. She’s chief customer experience officer.

Let’s give Charlotte Ford the last word on her life. Click here for her official obit.

All these people were the daily fodder of columns by Liz Smith, Suzy aka Aileen Mehle, Cindy Adams, and Billy Norwich back in the halcyon days. They were almost better than great fiction! As Arthur Miller put it, Attention must be paid!

New Years Day: Box Office: “Marty Supreme” Closes in On $50 Mil, “The Housemaid” Cleans Up, “Anaconda” Slither Fest

Roger Friedman
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New Years Day: Box Office: “Marty Supreme” Closes in On $50 Mil, “The Housemaid” Cleans Up, “Anaconda” Slither Fest

Let’s talk about “Marty Supreme.”

The Timothee Chalamet ping ponger took a breather on New Years Eve, but bounced back the next day.

Josh Safdie’s bravura film is closing in on $50 million this weekend, standing right now at $43 mil. Not bad. It’s not an action movie, kids. If it hits $100 million, everyone will be extremely happy. Can it happen? Watch the momentum this weekend.

One of the top movies right now is “The Housemaid.” In release the same number of days as “Marty” — 14 — Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfriend’s mop up has $60 mil banked. Is it good? Um, it’s okay. I don’t know anything about it because Lions Gate keeps that info secret from the press. Is it a catfight with Swiffers? But the ‘idea’ of it is good. Neil Young sang, “A man needs a maid.” He’s right!

“Anaconda” is a snake that’s looking to be fed. Slithering up to $36 mil as of today. It may get its head cut off soon. Sony Pictures hasn’t had a great year as they await another “Spide Man” movie. But this one at least keeps them in the news.

Plenty to see in limited runs including “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value,” “It Was Just An Accident,” and so on. I’m assuming “The Choral” is playing somewhere, go see it.

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