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TV Ratings: Halle Berry’s “Extant” May Be Extinct Soon with a 27% Drop

Roger Friedman
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TV Ratings: Halle Berry’s “Extant” May Be Extinct Soon with a 27% Drop

Oscar winner Halle Berry’s foray into TV may be over soon. Her much hyped sci fi CBS series, “Extant,” dropped 27% in the ratings last night from one week ago.

“Extant” scored just a 1.1 in the key demo, even though it did manage to pull in 6.43 million viewers. Still, it didn’t hold much of the lead it was given by annual junk fest, “Big Brother.” On NBC, “America’s Got Talent” swamped the time period.

At this rate, “Extant” will be extinct soon enough. The show has a great provenance, coming from Steven Spielberg and Amblin TV. It has the feel of Spielberg’s Stanley Kubrick film, “AI Artificial Intelligence.” But it’s just not clicking with anyone of any age so far. And CBS is an older skewing network anyway, not the place where hip sci fi is discovered or followed.

Halle, one of my favorite actresses, may be headed back to movies. And soon.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Says It Raised $25 Mil– But There’s No Public Accounting

Roger Friedman
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0
Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Says It Raised $25 Mil– But There’s No Public Accounting

It sounds like Leonardo Di Caprio and celeb pals had a great time in St. Tropez last night. Reports are that Leo raised $25 million for his personal foundation.

Unfortunately, we will never know the details. Unlike most private foundations, Leo’s does not stand alone. It doesn’t have to share information publicly. The Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation is part of the California Community Fund. Here’s what a spokesperson told me recently: “As a community foundation we are a public charity and our financial information is available online.  The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation is a component fund of CCF and does not file a separate 990 like a private foundation.”

Many high end artists donated expensive works to Leo’s auction. That’s how amFAR claims these huge amounts from an event. Billionaires or companies come in and snatch them up for five, ten, fifteen million bucks a pop. This offsets all the celebs attending for free. (No actors or celebs actually buy their own tickets to charity events.) But we’ll never know unless Leo converts his Foundation to its own business.

Theater: “Shakespeare in Love” Wows London, Joins “Skylight” as Possible Spring Tony Fare

Roger Friedman
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0
Theater: “Shakespeare in Love” Wows London, Joins “Skylight” as Possible Spring Tony Fare

The stage version of “Shakespeare in Love” opened in London’s West End last night and got rave reviews from all the papers. It’s not a musical but it is produced by Disney thanks to their long ago association with Miramax and Harvey Weinstein. Harvey piloted “SiL” to a Best Picture Oscar in 1999, beating “Saving Private Ryan” in one of the famous Oscar upsets in history.

Now “SiL” is a sure thing for Broadway. The question is, when? Disney could bring it in this winter or next spring to qualify for the Tony Awards, or wait until Fall 2015 and let it simmer. Either way, “SiL” is a sure bet for New York in the not too distant future.

When I was in London two weeks ago I did manage to catch a performance of David Hare’s revival of his mid 90s play “Skylight.”  Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy star, and Stephen Daldry directed. This will be here in time for the Tonys next spring unless something strange happens. The show is an utter hit, with award winning performances by the two actors.

Nighy already starred in one British stage version, so this is his return.  He is just off the charts captivating as a well off Brit whose wife has died. He visits his former mistress– Mulligan– with the idea of getting her to come back. After “An Education,” Mulligan has waffled a bit in her other movies. But “Skylight” could win her a Tony and accolades everywhere. She’ll be the toast of New York. Daldry and the play are certain to be just as welcome. People will be lining up left and right to buy tickets.

Another great British production coming to the US soon will be the Royal Shakespeare Company’s “Wolf Hall” and “Bringing out the Bodies.” These are based on Hilary Mantel’s highly praised books about Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. I only saw “Bodies” because of the alternating schedule, but it was magnificent. The plays will likely come to the Brooklyn Academy of Music next year. Again, a guaranteed hit.

Fifty Shades of Grey Trailer: “Of Human Bondage” (Watch Video) Featuring New Version of Beyonce Song

Roger Friedman
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1
Fifty Shades of Grey Trailer: “Of Human Bondage” (Watch Video) Featuring New Version of Beyonce Song

Here’s the trailer for “Fifty Shades of Grey,” coming Valentine’s Day 2015. Fans will be tied up that weekend at their local cinemas. Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, and underwear model Jamie Dornan, star. The director married and got knocked up by the 19 year old star of her last big movie. She was 43. Everything is cool! I call this “Of human bondage.” I just hope “Saturday Night Live” devotes all of its Feb 16, 2015 episode to this.

PS That Beyonce song “Crazy in Love” is based on the Chi Lites 1970 track “Are You My Woman?” written by the late great Eugene Record.

“Fifth Beatle” Peter Asher Thrilled for Linda Ronstadt’s Medal of Freedom

Roger Friedman
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“Fifth Beatle” Peter Asher Thrilled for Linda Ronstadt’s Medal of Freedom

Peter Asher– the man who discovered James Taylor, started Apple Records with the Beatles, was Paul McCartney’s housemate during Beatlemania– is thrilled for Linda Ronstadt. She’s getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom next week, and she’s flying in from Tucson, Arizona just to meet President Obama. Asher produced Linda’s biggest hit albums in the 70s and managed her during her incredible ride on the charts. He told me last night at the Cutting Room that he was impressed Linda– who doesn’t travel much since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s–was going to DC.

Boston music fans can see Peter perform his wonderful “one man show” (there’s a great band) tonight at Johnny D’s in Somerville, Mass. (That’s “summah-ville” to locals.) Last night Peter wowed the house at the Cutting Room, with audience members like Billy Crystal and Little Steven van Zandt, as well as The Rascals’ great Gene Cornish, plus Billy J. Kramer and Denny Laine — of Moody Blues and Wings fame. Denny even got up and performed the Moody Blues’s seminal pre-orchestral hit “Go Now.” He was sensational.

Peter’s show details his life in music as one half of Peter and Gordon, who had two of three hits that Paul McCartney wrote for them specially. It helped that Paul, who was dating Peter’s actress sister, Jane, was living in the Ashers’ London home. When Paul and the Beatles started Apple Records, they asked Peter to come in and run it. He obliged by discovering James Taylor and signing Badfinger, among others. His show includes rare video footage and photos of all the famous people he’s been involved with.

Mostly what’s nice, always, is hearing the Peter and Gordon material of sweet harmonies. Gordon died a few years ago, but not before the pair reunited at a fundraiser for the Dave Clark Five’s Mike Smith. If you’re old enough to remember “World Without Love” and “Lady Godiva,” don’t miss his show.

PS If you pick up or download Elton John’s 40th anniversary edition of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” take note– Peter produced the new versions of the songs by contemporary artists. That’s why they sound so good!

 

photo courtesy Susan Hathaway

“Spider Man” Surprise as Sinister Six Moves Before “Amazing 3”: Andrew Garfield Gone?

Roger Friedman
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2
“Spider Man” Surprise as Sinister Six Moves Before “Amazing 3”: Andrew Garfield Gone?

That may be it for Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker. Sony made a curious announcement today. “The Sinister Six” is the next “Spider Man” movie, not “The Amazing Adventures of Spider man 3.” The latter film has now been pushed to 2016, with a fourth installment for 2018. This throws the Garfield franchise off by two years.

And it may well spell the end for Garfield. He’s going to do Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” next. An accomplished actor on stage and screen, Garfield may not want to stay in Spidey’s red and blue suit for most of his 30s. The studio may not want him to either since Peter is supposed to be young. (It’s amazing that I’m thinking Garfield wouldn’t be considered young. (I feel like he just started acting!)

On top of that, Garfield’s real life love, Emma Stone, has been killed off from the “Amazing” series. With Stone gone, Garfield may have lost interest.

All of this comes as a surprise. When “Sinister Six” was first announced, even Deadline’s Mike Fleming suggested it would come in between the next two “Amazing” movies.  But with this flip flop, Sony extends their Marvel connection through 2018 as they plot maybe even a second “Sinister Six” movie (2020?) and so on.

Garfield could conceivably play Peter in “Sinister Six” and then bow out. (That movie doesn’t sound like it will have much room for Peter to have a romance.) He’d be approximately the same age as Tobey Maguire was when he did his third and last “Spider Man” movie. Who would play Peter Parker next? Why whoever the next hot young guy in his late 20s is two years from now.

Stay tuned Spidey fans…

PS This most certainly has something to do with another Sony announcement this week. Jeff Blake, a 22 year beloved mainstay in charge of marketing and distribution, is leaving. This is a big change. Sony is a little bit in flux now…

CBS Keeps Stephen Colbert in Ed Sullivan Theater–Because They Own It

Roger Friedman
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1
CBS Keeps Stephen Colbert in Ed Sullivan Theater–Because They Own It

Laughing at the press release today from CBS regarding Stephen Colbert. Yes, his Late Show will remain at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway and 53rd St. Why? Because CBS owns the place, kids! They bought it for the Letterman show in the 90s and paid $4.5 million for it. Funny that CBS waited so long since they took over the running of the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1936, long before Sullivan stepped foot on stage.

Anyway, where did  you think Colbert was going to do the show? There was never a question about it. Of course, the announcement is a relief to the people who work there. But CBS and that theater have too much history. That’s where the Beatles started their careers. And so it shall remain.

Bigger questions are whether Colbert will have a band and musical guests, do a monologue, or play himself.  And whither Paul Shaffer? And when will Letterman end his run? (Probably February ratings sweep.)

Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway to Close on August 24

Roger Friedman
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0
Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway to Close on August 24

“Bullets over Broadway” will close on Broadway on August 24th. The Woody Allen-Susan Stroman show is one several fatalities this season. This one should have been a winner, but from the beginning it was trouble. Woody himself told me recently he knew the show wasn’t going to last, but he was philosophical about it– he was just concerned about the investors.

Here’s something everyone can learn from this episode. “The Bridges of Madison County” closed fast, as did “Big Fish. They were awful, stinkers. “Catch Me If You Can” came and went. What do these shows all have in common? They are adapted from movies. The idea that any movie can be turned into a theater production is wrong. Doesn’t this prove it? They are often adapted directly, and hastily. Maybe now producers will have second thoughts.

Any way, “Bullets” had a lot to recommend it including Stroman’s choreography. See it if you can before August 24th.

How Peggy Siegal Survived Her Hamptons Car Crash: In Her Own Words

Roger Friedman
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2
How Peggy Siegal Survived Her Hamptons Car Crash: In Her Own Words

Wow! Peggy Siegal, doyenne of Oscar and all movie events in New York worth being at, survived a bad car crash in the Hamptons this weekend. Page Six reported it this morning. Peggy’s beloved Miata is a wreck but somehow our heroine survived without a scratch. Here’s her report. Somehow the whole thing is hilarious. And talking to Peggy this morning, she told me the Southampton police– after all was said and done– were terrific.

in her own words:

Yes, I am OK although it was a tad terrifying.

I was jet lagged and blacked out/fell asleep at the wheel of the Miata. I was in front of the Duck Walk Winery in Southampton as the car drifted across the highway into an old wood fence along the famous pumpkin picking patch.

The most interesting thing? The police cars appeared immediately and three female cops jumped out and gave me a thorough quizzing. They thought I was drunk.

I calmly said, “Girls, I haven’t had a drink in ten years.” They didn’t like me calling them “Girls.” I should have said “Officers.” But it was so nice that the police who did find were girls. Meanwhile, they were sizing up my mother’s diamond rings…and could not understand the orange day-glow taffeta ballet length skirt I was wearing.

They asked me, “Where were you?” I said, “I have just had dinner with Marlo Thomas after seeing her show in Guild Hall.”

The leader of the three officers snapped, “Don’t name drop with us.”

They asked me where I live. I replied, “”This week I am a house guest at the Koch’s.” I assumed that would encourage them to be nice to me. Instead, they said, “What is that?” It’s the home of philanthropists Julia and David Koch.

Then they made me stand on one leg…I was shaking and freezing and could not, sighting instability due to hip replacements. Next they made me walk in a tight line on the side of the highway as I wobbled in my new Dolce Gabbana jeweled kitten heels.

Finally I passed the breathalizer test….after blowing my brains out five times.

THEN they asked me if I was hurt as they wanted to call an ambulance. So bizarre. (I didn’t have a scratch.)

They didn’t want to drive me home so I called the house security at 1:00am to please come get me….and two ex-cops kindly collected me in a pick-up truck.

Such a awful experience. You know that Elaine Stritch song, “I’m Still Here.”

Well so am I.
xoxo Peggy

Charts: Weird Al is Number 1, Sells Twice as Many CDs as Last Week’s Topper

Roger Friedman
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1
Charts: Weird Al is Number 1, Sells Twice as Many CDs as Last Week’s Topper

“Weird” Al Yankovic is number 1 on the pop charts. His “Mandatory Fun” album sold 105,000 copies last week– twice as many as the previous number 1, Sia, sold of her CD. Indeed, Sia dropped a shocking 74% to number 19 in her second week. That’s a steep drop, with a little under 14,000 copies sold.

But Weird Al– wow. A comedy record? Parodies? Outselling the actual music of the day? That’s pretty stunning. His “Foil” spoofs Lorde’s “Royals.” “Tacky” is Al’s version of Pharrell’s “Happy.” “Word Crimes” is a hilarious spin off of “Blurred Lines.” It’s a song about grammar:

 

 

Next week’s number 1 will likely be the boy band “5 Seconds of Summer,” who are basically One Direction with instruments. But the rest of the release schedule through September 30th is might thin. With a few exceptions, nothing really looks like a Grammy Awards contender.

You could pretty much draw up a Grammy list now for next February. This is because big name artists are fairly lazy these days. And the record companies would rather not release anything than release something and fail.

There is word of a possible Kanye West album coming in September. The sequel to Yeezus. Meezus.

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