Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Exclusive: The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Will Star in New Play by “Simpsons” Writer

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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

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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

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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.”

Robert Morse Exits “Mad Men” Singing, In a Classy Mid-Season Finale

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“Mad Men” episode 7, season 7, mid-season finale: Robert Morse exited the show as Bert Cooper in such a classy way. Matt Weiner finally figured out how to showcase the Broadway legend’s real talents by letting him do a number as a farewell– “The Best Things in Life are Free.” West coasters, don’t miss this episode– you will have a tear in your eye. Just lovely.

The whole episode sings, actually. There are other exits, too. Say good bye to Megan as Jessica Pare phones in her goodbye. It’s July 20, 1969 and everyone is watching the landing on the moon. But Don’s deal at the company is in peril. Cutler wants him out. Don suggests to Megan that he might move to L.A. and that forces the question. Their marriage is over. Megan will not get a chance to become Sharon Tate.

At Betty and Henry’s there’s some domestic stuff. Sally is turning into a Betty Junior, sneaking cigarettes and smooching with a boy out back. Weiner gave a nice nod to the Francis household since we won’t be seeing the last 7 episodes until next year.

The heart of the episode is Peggy’s pitch to Burger Chef, her great moment to shine. She pitches the account and wins it with the best speech ever. I liked the fact that the moon landing was taken so reverently as a spiritual moment. It wasn’t just another headline. The whole word stopped to watch it, and worry about it.

So now Sterling Cooper, without Bert, becomes part of McCann Erickson. Everyone is set financially. Harry Hamlin may now be gone as Cutler (we’ll miss him). But Weiner has to start wrapping up characters’ story lines. My guess is Henry Francis is next.

But a beautiful, elegant ending for Bert, and a nice note to end on until next spring.

 

RIP Actor Matthew Cowles, aka Billy Clyde of “All My Children,” Husband of Christine Baranski

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Sad news, but little info: Actor Matthew Cowles passed away on May 22nd. His manager Tweeted the information. Cowles was a cult fan favorite from the soap “All My Children” where he played sleazy bad guy Billy Clyde Tuggle starting in 1977, took a break, then returned when the soap was online last year.

He was also the husband of actress Christine Baranski since 1983. They have two grown daughters and a new grandchild. Cowles was also heir to the Cowles Publishing fortune, which produced LOOK magazine a long time ago. (It was a beloved competitor to LIFE.)

Cowles was a breakout young star in key movies like “Slapshot” and “The Friends of Eddie Coyle.” He starred on Broadway in Edward Albee’s “Malcolm” in 1966, and also appeared in Israel Horovitz’s break through one act play “The Indian Wants the Bronx” in 1968 with Al Pacino and the late John Cazale.

On a personal note: Christine Baranski, just about the nicest and most popular actress in New York, is often at movie and theater premieres. Her husband, she often said, was happy to stay at home in Connecticut. I often asked after him, remembering him fondly from “AMC” as a riveting presence. As Billy Clyde, he was scary and funny. Christine always glows when she talks about him. They have such a nice family. Condolences…

 

 

Cannes 2014: Winners include Julianne Moore, 3 Hour Turkish film

The Cannes Jury has voted.
Winter Sleep, a three hour Turkish film, won the Palme D’or. Julianne Moore was Best actress for Maps to the Stars. Timothy Spall is best actor for Mr. Turner. Bennett Miller is Best Director for Foxcatcher.

Very interesting choices. First of all, “Foxcatcher” is now the “12 Years a Slave” of 2014. Miller will win or be nominated for a lot of awards this winter. The actors– Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo– will be too.

Timothy Spall will be a Best Actor nominee for “Mr. Turner” this winter. Watch what happens. Sony Pictures Classics has both of these movies, as well as “Whiplash,” which I predict will be a big deal also this fall.

Julianne Moore– “Maps to the Stars” directed by David Cronenberg suddenly gets a huge boost. E One will release it; hopefully they will put some real money into a campaign for Moore, who is just tremendous. She should know that people were cheering for her in the Lumiere Theater tonight. Bravo!

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

Palme d’Or
Winter Sleep, dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Grand Prize
Le Meraviglie (The Wonders), dir: Alice Rohrwacher

Best Director
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher

Jury Prize – Tie
Mommy, dir: Xavier Dolan
Goodbye To Language, dir: Jean-Luc Godard

Best Screenplay
Andrey Zvyagintsev, Oleg Negin, Leviathan

Best Actress
Julianne Moore, Maps To The Stars

Best Actor
Timothy Spall, Mr Turner

Camera d’Or
Party Girl, dirs: Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger, Samuel Theis

Short Film
Leidi, dir: Simón Mesa Soto
Special Mention: Aïssa, dir: Clément Trehin-Lalanne
Ja Vi Elsker, dir: Hallvar Witzo

Exclusive: Tarantino Movie “Hateful Eight” Has November Start Date

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EXCLUSIVE: It does seem as though Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” will roll this November. Sources I’ve talked to have said the cast will gather in Wyoming to begin shooting then. That cast will include Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen, and all the actors who recently participated in the live reading of “Hateful Eight” that took place after the script was “leaked.” Those would be also Kurt Russell, James Remar, Amber Tamblyn, Walt Goggins, and Zoe Bell.

Sadly, two time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz is not in this movie after his award winning performances in “Inglorious Basterds” and “Django Unchained.”

Yesterday Tarantino did say he’d “calmed down” after the shock of the leak and subsequent lawsuit he filed against Gawker. He said he was doing his second rewrite and a third would follow. So a November start date sounds just about right. At least the opening scenes take place in Wyoming where Tarantino also shot a lot of “Django Unchained.”

Michael Jackson Album Swamped in Sales this Week by Coldplay

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The “Xscape” phenom is over. Billboard put it at number 2 in its debut, hitsdailydouble.com gave it number 1. But even Hits concedes the part is over. “Xscape” sold 161K copes in its first week. Hits predicts  a 50% drop to 80K in the second week which ends Sunday night. Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories,” they say, will come in around 360K. 380K. Country star Brantley Gilbert will pluck his strings at between 200 and 220k. The so called hologram didn’t help Jackson. “Xscape” was a valiant try. The Jackson estate should start releasing live albums. And put the hologram away. Creepy creepy creepy.

Cannes: Tarantino Wants to Release “Django” as 4 Hour Cable Series

Quentin Tarantino is here. He’s in Cannes for tonight’s 20th anniversary showing of “Pulp Fiction.” Tomorrow night he introduces the closing night film, Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone’s “Fistful of Dollars.” It’s been remastered and restored. Very exciting.

Today, Tarantino spoke at a short but lively press conference. You know, he’s brilliant. You think he’s a little crazy. Like a fox. I am always stunned by how his brain works.

What did we learn? He has 90 minutes of “Django Unchained” that no one’s seen. He wants to recut the whole thing into a four hour movie, divide into four one hour episodes, and put it on cable. HBO and Showtime are going to go crazy for this.

What else? He abhors digital projection. It’s like watching TV in a theater. Who needs it? “Digital projection is death of cinema.”

He watches his movies when he comes upon them on TV. He stumbled on “Kill Bill, Pt. 1” recently and watched it from beginning to end.

He says he’s “calmed down” about the leak of his script “The Hateful Eight.” He’s rewriting it now, and will rewrite it again. His “knife in back wound is starting to scab.” Whew! The movie will be made, in some fashion.

What else? Winning the Palme D’or was “the greatest achievement. I look at all the people who won, and who didn’t.” It’s his most prized statue.

So glad he came to Cannes even if it’s at the end.

 

UPDATE Cannes 2014: Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton the New Faces of amFAR

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UPDATE MAY 25TH: Got a lot of positive feedback on this piece. Day after, saw their black Mercedes 350 sedan, stamped with amFAR name, roaming around Cannes. Today watched from coach on Delta flight Nice to New York as their events director took a nice business class seat home.

EARLIER: Wow– the good old days are over. At the height of the amFAR dinners in Cannes, Elizabeth Taylor was the honored guest and Elton John the performer. Now Justin Bieber and Paris Hilton were the new faces of amFAR last night at the rain drenched Hotel du Cap. How the mighty have fallen.

Sharon Stone was back in attendance last night after her awkward dismissal a few years ago. Stone is now the Imelda Marcos of amFAR. She’s present, but they don’t emphasize her. The group pulls in a few actors hanging around Cannes for other reasons, including Marion Cotillard and Jessica Chastain. They also featured pitch man John Travolta who was in town promoting a billionaires’ resort in Belize.

But it’s also Night of the Oligarchs, with Russian billionaires paying $9,000 a ticket and more to see Hollywood stars up close. Ooh la la. Knockout of the night: Jane Fonda, who flew back to Cannes for the event from her film shoot in Italy.

Lana del Rey and Robin Thicke provided entertainment.

amFAR is a good gig for their executives. CEO Kevin Frost was paid over $400,000 in 2012 according to tax filings. Thirteen other execs make six figure salaries.Total compensation of key employees came to $2.2 million. “Other salaries” equaled over $4.6 million.

In 2012 total expenses exceeded total revenue by $1.5 million. Net assets or fund balances fell by over $700,000. Outside consultants were paid around a total of $800,000.

Grants to organizations came to $8 million. Remember salaries totaled $6.8 million. Party on!

How about  a comparison? The Elton John AIDS Foundation, much smaller, gave over $6.8 million in grants in 2012. Salaries and outside benefits came to around $400,000 total. Both groups use AAB Productions to help them put on their events. But EJAF only paid them $113,000 in 2012. amFAR was soaked for $253,625.