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Apple Pays $3 Billion for a Fashion Accessory, and a War on Spotify and Pandora

Roger Friedman
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Apple Pays $3 Billion for a Fashion Accessory, and a War on Spotify and Pandora

Everyone is asking: why would Apple pay $3 billion for Beats headphones? Are they really so good? The answer is: they’re not. The headphones aren’t good, and Apple  isn’t paying $3 billion for them. Believe me, Apple isn’t interested in great audiophile sound. When I finally made the switch to an iPod this year, I learned that the hard way. First you throw away the Apple earbuds. Then you buy a pair of Shure or Ultimate Ears.

Apple is interested in style over sound. There’s nothing more beautiful in the gadget world than that iPod. I love holding it. Forget the fact that is far inferior to my old Creative Labs Zen 3 MP3 player. The latter has an enormously rich sound image while the iPod literally collapses the music into a messy PB&J sandwich.  But Creative Labs couldn’t keep up financially. And the iPod is gorgeous and convenient.

Beats headphones are not very good. They’re expensive. But they are comfortable and attractive. They’ve become a status symbol for kids. And that’s what matters. For half the price you could buy a much better pair of headphones from Grado or Sennheiser. For earbuds, I rely on Ultimate Ears.

Beats are twice as expensive. And they sound like mud pie. Lots of bass, no music articulation. On the subway, three out of four people are wearing them. You can hear the music leaking out, and the boom boom boom. No one cares. They are the 2010s equivalent of wearing a large gold chain.

Read this review from Consumer Reports. Or this one from Stereophile.

What the $3 billion is about: taking Beats’ streaming music library and adapting iTunes to it. So far, iTunes is all purchase. But Spotify and Pandora are where it’s at. The trend now is subscription streaming. Last year, streaming music beat actual music sales– digital or physical–by miles.

We’re not talking Beatles box sets. The music of this generation is disposable. Kids– the target music audience– don’t need CDs or albums cluttering up around them. They don’t need digital files eating up space on their iPods. Ok, maybe one or two favorite songs. But it’s not like when my generation “had to have the album.” Have you listened to all this crap? No one needs to have it. It’s all background music to 40 other things.

Jimmy Iovine, very very smart, is charged with moving the massive iTunes audience into the streaming age. The headphones are just the fashion accessory. Spotify and Pandora are probably having 24/7 meetings. Apple/Beats is coming for them.

PS Everyone in New York City better get these earbuds and headphones off their heads when they’re crossing streets. Heads up boys and girls!

Hyatt Hotels Heir Dan Pritzker Will Never Finish His $100 Mil Plus Jazz Movie

Roger Friedman
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Hyatt Hotels Heir Dan Pritzker Will Never Finish His $100 Mil Plus Jazz Movie

It’s that time of the year again. Last May and the one before I wrote about Hyatt Hotels heir Dan Pritzker and long, long stalled jazz movie called “Bolden!” Pritzker started making the movie 7 years ago, has spent well over $100 million. I told you a year ago that Pritzker was planning to re-shoot most of the movie, about obscure jazz musician Buddy Bolden. That’s because actor Anthony Mackie wouldn’t come back to do more work on “Bolden!” even though he was the star of the movie.

Now Deadline’s Mike Fleming says that Pritzker has replaced Mackie with someone as obscure as Buddy Bolden: Gary Carr, who played the jazz singer last season on “Downton Abbey.” Ha ha. Good luck. Pritzker is never going to finish this movie. Carr is not able to sustain a three hour film about someone no one’s ever heard of, either. He’s considerably less well known than Anthony Mackie. It’s all sad and hilarious.

Of course Pritzker can afford to play with this thing like a cat with a toy until Kingdom come. But for the people who worked on “Bolden!” it’s too bad. Everyone involved with this ridiculous pipedream wrote it off a long time ago.

Pritzker did produce a 70 minute black and white film about Louis Armstrong with actor Jackie Earle Haley. It played in a few places with live music from Wynton Marsalis. For a while “Louis” had a website and was available on YouTube. But all that remains of it is a two minute teaser. The website is gone.

A movie no one wants to see, which costs hundreds of millions of dollars, released a decade after it was started. Wait? Is this “Citizen Kane”? Crazy story. Not a word of it is to be believed anymore.

Critics Choice TV Award Nominees: “Mad Men,” “House of Cards,” “Homeland” Shut Out

Roger Friedman
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Critics Choice TV Award Nominees: “Mad Men,” “House of Cards,” “Homeland” Shut Out

The Critics Choice TV Awards have announced their nominees. Both “Mad Men” and “Homeland” were shut out pretty much completely. The new game in town is “The Americans” on FX. “Modern Family” was also omitted. Time waits for no one. Even “House of Cards” and Kevin Spacey weren’t selected. Very weird.

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Maya Angelou, The Great Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Dead at 86

Roger Friedman
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0
Maya Angelou, The Great Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Dead at 86

Dr. Maya Angelou has reportedly died at age 86. The poet laureate, philosopher, educator, author of the seminal text “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was an international influence.

News of Dr. Angelou’s death comes from TV stations in Winston Salem, NC.

Watch her read “On the Pulse of the Morning” at the 1993 Clinton inauguration. We have lost an irreplaceable hero.

“Whiplash” Star Miles Teller’s Break Out Year: Will “Bleed” Next

Roger Friedman
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0
“Whiplash” Star Miles Teller’s Break Out Year: Will “Bleed” Next

Just about the best movie in Cannes this year was Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash.” First seen in Sundance, “Whiplash” was snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics. It will hit theaters this fall with hot as a pistol Miles Teller and veteran actor J.K. Simmons in what it literally the role of his very successful life time.

Exclusive: I can tell you that 28 year old Harvard grad Chazelle is so hot himself now that LionsGate has signed up his next film, a musical called “La La Land.” Joked “Whiplash” producer Michel Litvak of BOLD Films to me at the movie’s Director’s Fortnight screening: “He’s a star now! I couldn’t afford it!” (It’s a joke because I think Litvak can afford most anything.)

Teller, who first appeared in “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman, next shoots “Bleed For This” directed by Ben Younger in November, with Aaron Eckhart. He goes from being a college drummer in “Whiplash” to a young boxer in “Bleed.” He’s poised to be the new Leo, on a very fast track with substantial movies. We will try and forget the movie he had out this past winter with Michael B. Jordan and Zac Efron, the latter naked on a toilet.

“Bleed” is produced by Martin Scorsese’s Emma Koskoff and Oscar winner Bruce Cohen. The budget is also $5 million now. But wait til Scorsese adds his name as Executive Producer.

Indeed, when “Whiplash” hits, Koskoff and Cohen are going to look brilliant. The reception at the Director’s Fortnight was a smash– and Teller wasn’t even there.

But Simmons was, and he couldn’t have been more overwhelmed. Starting with Sundance, he knows they have a it. Simmons has been a dramatic (“Oz”) and comedic (“Spider Man” movies with Tobey Maguire) all-star. He was Ellen Page’s understanding dad in “Juno.” And he’s been featured in dozens of different “Law & Order” episodes over the last decade. All of this prepares him for the role of Terence Fletcher, the zealous demanding leader of a New York college jazz ensemble. Teller is the star drummer whom Simmons is trying to mold. The pair are incendiary together.

It’s a little like “Master Class” with percussion. Both actors are going to be up for a lot of awards. Chazelle is the Ryan Coogler of 2014.

 

 

 

Michael Jackson “Xscape” Drops 58% as Coldplay Rocks to Number 1

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson “Xscape” Drops 58% as Coldplay Rocks to Number 1

Michael Jackson’s “Xscape” album dropped 58% in its second week of sales. After moving 161,000 copies in its debut, “Xscape” moved only 68,000 copies in its second week. The new number 1 is “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay with 385,978 copies sold– more than twice what Jackson sold in his first week. Number 2 is country star Brantley Gilbert with 215, 087– again considerably more than Jackson. “Xscape” fell to number 3 on hitsdailydouble, but it’s already plummeted to number 20 on iTunes.

More competition comes next week with Mariah Carey’s well-reviewed “Me. I am Mariah. The Elusive Chanteuse.” Already number 2 on iTunes, “Me. I am Mariah” is a hit out the box with three or four possible singles starting with “You Don’t Know What to Do” featuring Wale.

The album has several more possibilities, and a long life ahead of if played right. After being a year overdue, Carey really pulled it out, as they say, and came home a winner. Even I’m surprised that “Me I am Mariah” is so good. There isn’t a  weak track on it. I’ve already raved about her re-working of George Michael’s “One More Try.” But you’ve also got “Thirsty,” “Make it Look Good,” and the opening track, “Cry.” A lot of thought was put into this record. It will be interesting to see how it hits. I think: big time.

Melanie Griffith Joins Doc Director Joe Berlinger’s First Feature “Facing the Wind”

Roger Friedman
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0
Melanie Griffith Joins Doc Director Joe Berlinger’s First Feature “Facing the Wind”

At last, Melanie Griffith is getting back into the feature world. She’s joining famed doc director Joe Berlinger’s first feature, “Facing the Wind.”

The true crime drama stars Alessandro Nivola as Bob Rowe, subject of the 2001 book by Julie Salamon. Rowe was acquitted of killing his entire family in 1978, using the insanity defense. It was one of the first successful uses of that defense.

Co-stars include Vera Farmiga, Evan Rachel Wood, Rita Wilson, and Jennifer Beals.

Berlinger is the director of many well known and award docs including the “Paradise Lost” series about the West Memphis Three.

Read the New York Times review of “Facing the Wind.” This could be a great movie. Nivola is up to the challenge. http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/01/reviews/010401.01stewart.html

 

 

Exclusive: The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Will Star in New Play by “Simpsons” Writer

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Will Star in New Play by “Simpsons” Writer

Here comes Micky Dolenz, actor, singer, and most importantly, star of The Monkees, our favorite group from the mid 60s. Micky has signed to star in a new play by four time Emmy winner Mike Reiss, one half of the famous duo (with Al Jean) who has been writing and producing “The Simpsons” since George Bush was president. The first George Bush.

“Comedy Is Hard” will premiere at the Ivorytown Playhouse in Centerbrook, Connecticut on September 24th. The Playhouse is one of the main local theaters that feeds Broadway, so watch out that we don’t see “Comedy Is Hard” in New York some time next year.

Reiss’s play is set in a home for retired actors and the play takes an affectionate look at the relationship and rivalry between a retired stand-up comedian and a classical actress.

Micky has a lot of theater experience, you know. A child star before the Monkees, his credits include Elton John/Tim Rice  production of “Aida”; “Grease”; “Pippin”;  “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.” Most recently he starred in “Hairspray” in the West End playing Wilbur Turnblad.

 

Clint Eastwood First Time Ever Appearance on Tony Awards, Hosted by Hugh Jackman

Roger Friedman
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Clint Eastwood First Time Ever Appearance on Tony Awards, Hosted by Hugh Jackman

Multiple Oscar winner Clint Eastwood is about to ‘make our day’ with his first ever appearance on the Tony Awards. That’s right, Dirty Harry himself will be a presenter on the Tonys June 8th on CBS. He’ll be there to promote his movie of “Jersey Boys” which opens two weeks later and is said to be terrific.

Clint’s just one of dozens of stars who will appear on the show including Bradley Cooper, Kevin Bacon, Carole King, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Will Ferrell, Liev Schreiber, Emmy Rossum, Kate Mara, Zachary Quinto, Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu, Patricia Clarkson, Leighton Meester, Ethan Hawke, Zach Braff, Matt Bomer, Anna Gunn, Gloria Estefan, Tony nominee Audra McDonald, Fran Drescher, Wayne Brady, Emilio Estefan, Kenneth Branagh, Tony Goldwyn, Vera Farmiga and Alessandro Nivola.

The Tonys will feature musical numbers from all the current shows nominated plus “Bullets Over Broadway” (which has several noms just not Best Musical) and some other surprises. Sting is performing songs from his upcoming musical “The Last Ship” which begins previews in Chicago on June 10th and opens in New York on October 26th. “The Last Ship” will be the first hit of the fall season!

Meantime, on Friday the Outer Critics Circle gave out its prizes at its annual dinner at Sardi’s. “Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” won Best Musical, “All the Way” won Best New Play, Best Revival of a Play went to “The Glass Menagerie” and “Hedwig” won Best Revival, Musical. Tony winners Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, plus Terrence Mann, Victoria Clark and Shuler Hensley presented the major awards. My own mom, Rosalind Friedman, presented the John Gassner Playwriting Award.

2014 OUTER CRITICS AWARDS

Outstanding Solo Performance – John Douglas Thompson
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Nick Cordero (Bullets)
Outstanding New Score – Jason Robert Brown (Bridges)
Outstanding Book of a Musical – Robert L. Freedman (Gentleman’s)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Marin Mazzie (Bullets)
Outstanding Actor in a Play – Bryan Cranston (All The Way
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Brian J. Smith (Menagerie)
Outstanding Actress in a Musical – Audra McDonald (Lady Day)
Outstanding Actor in a Musical – Jefferson Mays (Gentleman;s
Outstanding Actress in a Play – Cherry Jones (Menagerie)
Outstanding Lighting Design – Kevin Adams (Hedwig)
Outstanding Costume Design – William Ivey Long (Bullets)
Outstanding Set Design – Christopher Barreca (Rocky)
Outstanding Choreographer – Warren Carlyle (After Midnight)
Outstanding Director of a  Musical -Darko Tresnjak (Gentleman’s)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Andrea Martin (Act One)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Mare Winningham (Casa)
Outstanding Director of a Play- Tim Carroll (Twelfth Night)
Outstanding Revival of a Musical – Hedwig
Outstanding Revival of a Play – The Glass Menagerie
Outstanding New Off  Broadway Musical – Fun Home
Outstanding New Off Broadway Play – The Explorer’s Club
Outstanding New Broadway Musical – A Gentleman’s Guide…
Outstanding New Broadway Play – All The Way

 

“Blended” Marks Adam Sandler’s Second Worst Opening in 7 Years

Roger Friedman
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“Blended” Marks Adam Sandler’s Second Worst Opening in 7 Years

It’s not a happy Memorial Day weekend for Adam Sandler. The former “Saturday Night Live” star and purveyor of low brow humor had his second worst opening in the last seven years with “Blended.”

Actually. I’m amazed that $14 million worth of human beings went to see this thing. The movie had a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and almost no press. But people are slow to give up even when the ship left the dock some time ago.

It was only two years ago that another piece of Sandler junk, “That’s My Boy,” had a $13 mil weekend. That wreck died at $36 million total. Prior to that, “Reign Over Me,” did $7 mil in 2007.

“Blended,” with Drew Barrymore along for whatever, also saw Sandler move to from Sony to Warner Bros. I’m sure the latter is thrilled.

Sandler has had his moments. There’s a great affection for “Happy Gilmore,” “The Wedding Singer,” and his Chanukah song. Other than that, these crap comedies have got to stop. They are unwatchable. “Blended” will be gone by next week. But Sandler no doubt has more of these mindless things in the pipeline.

Not say that Adam Sandler can’t act: I’m a “Spanglish” fan. He was interesting in “Punch Drunk Love.” Now that’s he made zillions and probably has 12 homes, Sandler should try and focus on something with substance. I’m just worried he’s plotting “Grown Ups 3.”

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