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Oscars: Barry Diller Cancels Famous Annual Lunch Because of Torrential Rain Threat

Roger Friedman
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Oscars: Barry Diller Cancels Famous Annual Lunch Because of Torrential Rain Threat

Word is breaking that Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg have cancelled their annual pre Oscar lunch this Saturday.  Los Angeles is about to have terrifying rain storms, and the Dillers won’t dally or dither if 200 guests have to wind up in their living room. The lunch is an outdoor event. It attracts a real old Hollywood crowd in honor of Vanity Fair’s Graydon Carter.

Now there’s some legitimate fear that  the Independent Spirit Awards may be in trouble. If the rain persists from Friday into Saturday, the Spirit Awards could be interrupted. They’re held in a huge tent on the beach. The whole enterprise hinges on good weather. Keep checking on that…

Carter, meantime, had the best Oscar kick off party I’ve been to in a long time last night at the Chateau Marmont in honor of photographer Annie Leibovitz. Among the guests were Sylvester Stallone, wife Jennifer and one of their daughters, plus Quincy Jones, Naomie Harris, Patricia Clarkson, Linda Perry and Sara Gilbert, Michael Richards, Udo Kier, plus Carter and Leibovitz and many others. Everyone was hoping to see Courtney Love, who’s been staying at the Chateau.

Leibovitz has just published an extraordinary new book of her photographs from Taschen. The 476 page monument called SUMO costs $2,500 and only 10,000 copies have  been printed. A $5,000 edition is ultra ultra. Expensive? Yes, but I guarantee that it will sell out quickly from New York’s Upper East Side to Beverly Hills to Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco. Hugely oversized, the coffee table book is bigger than most extra large coffee tables.  In typical Taschen style, it was printed and assembled in four locations. The pictures are sumptuous, iconic, and historic.

During the party, one nice young woman came up to Leibovitz and asked if they could take a picture together on her cell phone. She asked yours truly to take the photo. But the ever amazing Leibovitz went one better. She took a selfie of the two of them together.  Imagine this: this woman now has a picture taken by Annie Leibovitz in her phone! I hope she immediately printed it out this morning. That’s an actual collectible!

American Idol: Permanently Wounded in Ratings by The Olympics?

Roger Friedman
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American Idol: Permanently Wounded in Ratings by The Olympics?

There were as many losers as winners during the Olympics this month. But the real loser may have been “American Idol.” Back on February 5th, “Idol” had hopeful if much diminished ratings before the Olympics started. They had a 3.9 share in the key demo and over 13 million viewers.

But then the games started and the ratings slid. The thinking was they’d come back once the skiiers, skaters, and snowboarders left Sochi. Alas, last night’s “Idol” ratings were dismal: a 2.6 rating and just over 10 million viewers. Three million total viewers, including a million between 18 and 49, may not be coming back.

Of course, “Idol” is now acknowledged by Fox to be a different kind of show. Fox execs said it was “winding down.” But a permanent drop off after the Olympics may cause real worry for fans. Let’s see if tonight’s show can gin up some more enthusiasm. Fox killed off “X Factor” quickly rather than perform triage. They may decide to do the same thing here.

Exclusive: Candice Bergen Joins Warren Beatty’s “Howard Hughes” Movie

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Candice Bergen Joins Warren Beatty’s “Howard Hughes” Movie

EXCLUSIVE: I told you first back on February 16th that Warren Beatty’s “Howard Hughes” movie was in per-production. Since then have come some unofficial word that Lily Collins, Matthew Broderick and Annette Bening might be in the film, too.

But I can tell you definitively that Beatty has cast multiple Emmy Award winning actress Candice Bergen to play the Hughes character’s secretary. This is great because Bergen is wonderful in everything she does, especially when wry comedy is involved. Let’s hope we see some of that in her character.

Before “Murphy Brown” and all the Emmys, Bergen had a very strong movie career from “Carnal Knowledge” to “Rich and Famous.” In 1980 she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in “Starting Over” (a great performance). Since “Murphy Brown,” Bergen proved a worthy opponent to William Shatner in “Boston Legal.” She has also appeared in “Sex and the City” and “House.” She even appeared on Broadway in “The Best Man.”

PS In New York, where she has lived pretty much forever, everyone loves beautiful Candice. Bravo to her!

White House Will Sponsor Film Festival This Friday– For Students

Roger Friedman
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Just when we thought the White House was cutting back on screenings, now this: President Obama is sponsoring a film festival at the White House with the American Film Institute. The White House Film Festival will not be like Sundance or Cannes. But on Friday, short films made by K-12 students on the subject of technology in education will be screened. Obama will deliver opening remarks.

The American Film Institute announced today its collaboration with the White House on its first-ever film festival.  With President Obama delivering opening remarks on February 28, 2014, the White House Film Festival will be held inside the East Room of the White House where the winning short films created by K-12 students on the subject of technology in education will be screened.

“AFI is proud and honored to support the White House in its celebration of tomorrow’s storytellers, “ said Bob Gazzale, President & CEO of AFI in a press release.  “Here they have shown that film and technology will help lead the nation forward – an enduring reminder that movies matter.”

Also from the press release: Last November, the White House announced the first-ever White House Film Festival, a video competition created for K-12 students to create short films on how technology is used in their classroom, the role technology will play in education in the future, and to support learning in key fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math. More than 2,000 videos were submitted and finalists have been invited to the White House for a film festival where they will have their short films screened.

 

 

 

The White House Student Film Festival highlights the Administration’s commitment to getting high-speed Internet connectivity and educational technology into classrooms, and into the hands of teachers trained to take advantage of it.  As part of the event, the President will deliver remarks on his ConnectED goal of transforming American education by connecting 99% of students to next-generation broadband and wireless technology within five years.

 

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Show: Many Inductees Won’t Perform, Tix Priced High High High

Roger Friedman
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Show: Many Inductees Won’t Perform, Tix Priced High High High

The incredibly greedy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is at it again. And this time they may have painted themselves into a corner. The April 10th induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn is turning into a disaster.

This week KISS announced they’re not playing. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have not asked original but departed members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss to play with them. Simmons wants KISS’s newer members to play. So no one will play. The group looks like it’s bruising for a fight similar to Blondie several years ago. Nirvana won’t play without Kurt Cobain. If they did, they’d be the Foo Fighters. So scratch them.

Linda Ronstadt doesn’t perform anymore. If she even comes, someone else will have to do the honors.

The E Street Band was finally inducted this year to appease Bruce Springsteen. He was inducted years ago without them. Bruce and co. are on tour but they’re off on April 10th. Will Bruce play with them? Or will Steve van Zandt lead the group? The award is for them, in fact.

And then there’s the question of Cat Stevens. He’s Yusuf Islam now. And he’s had visa problems in the past. Will he make it? Will he allow anyone to call him Cat? Will he perform “Peace Train” if he performs at all?

Then there are the ticket prices. Tickets have already gone to scalpers. On Excite, the good seats are going for over $7,ooo. And they’re not even on the floor! Floor seats are reserved for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which is selling tables for a range that goes up to $50,000. The inductees only get a plus one– that’s right! Want your kids to come? You gotta pay up. And past inductees– everyone from Paul McCartney to the O’Jays– have to buy tickets. There are no freebies except maybe for Yoko Ono and Jann Wenner’s family.

Hollywood Charity: Motion Picture Home Chief Paid $800K in 2011

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Charity: Motion Picture Home Chief Paid $800K in 2011

It’s just about time for “The Night Before,” the annual celebrity event for the Motion Picture Televison Fund, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Big stars are corralled by the studios for a photo op and to pick up gift bags full of junk they later give their staffs. The ticket prices are astronomical, even though the MPTF, which operates the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills, is well funded at this point from $10-$30 million pledges from Hollywood’s inner circle.

As the celebs stumble to their limos Saturday night, I do hope they stop and get some facts and figures on this nursing home where they might– it’s unlikely-wind up one day.  This is the same place that just went through several years of controversy when the MPTF announced it was shutting down their long term care unit. They are also the recipients of terrible reviews and grades from the State of California.

It’s not like the MPTF staff is suffering. According to the most recent Form 990 filed by the not for profit organization, CEO Bob Beitcher received $800,000 ($750K base pay) in compensation in 2011. We don’t know yet about 2012 because they haven’t filed their tax return. But Beitcher got a huge increase in salary– up from $441,486 in 2010.

In 2010, retiring CEO David Tillman– who had to resign during the scandal over shutting down long term care– waltzed out of the MPTF with a cool $1.6 million. In 2011, he still made another $600,000. With that kind of money, Tillman won’t have to retire to the Woodland Hills home, that’s for sure. He immediately got a job running private health care agency Partners in Care. The past chairman of their board is Seth Ellis, COO of the MPTF, who himself pulles down more than $500K a year from the stars’ nursing home before he was ousted in 2012.

As Bruce Springsteen sings, “We take care of of our own.” (I don’t think he meant it in that way!)

Not bad considering a ripping negative report in fall 2012 from the state that described “needless suffering” and “deficient care.”

You can read all about the state report here: http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/10/16/shocking-report-about-hundred-million-dollar-hollywood-nursing-home-needless-suffering-deficient-care

A source who worked on the report told me: “The MPTV Fund exec [Beitcher] went kind of ballistic attacking the messenger and put a lot of money into addressing our concerns (while denying that any of them were valid).”

All the executive salaries at MPTF are high, well into the six figures. Of course their revenue for 2011 was $82 million. But compare that to other good nursing homes, like the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale, the Bronx, New York. In 2011, their total revenue was ten million dollars more than MPTF’s– over $93 million. And their CEO’s base compensation was far less than Beitcher’s $750,000.

Something to think about while the A listers are carting home free sneakers, iPods, and gift certificates.

The new Form 990 for MPTF should emerge shortly. The tradition is for it to be published right after the Oscars and The Night Before events.

 

 

 

 

 

(Video) Jimmy Fallon Takes on Paul Rudd in Lip Synch Battle

Roger Friedman
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(Video) Jimmy Fallon Takes on Paul Rudd in Lip Synch Battle

Jimmy Fallon is putting out about 200% every night on The Tonight Show. In his seventh show, last night, Fallon did another musical number– this one, a lip synch battle with actor Paul Rudd. The show was top notch all the way through. Comedian Hannibal Buress did a hilarious stand up routine about New Orleans. Shaquille O’Neal actually picked Fallon up and twirled him around.

MSNBC Throws Ronan Farrow into the Deep End, And He Drowns

Roger Friedman
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MSNBC Throws Ronan Farrow into the Deep End, And He Drowns

Ronan Farrow’s debut on MSNBC on Monday was a ratings disaster, but that’s not all. Farrow, despite his show business lineage, came off today– his second day– like the host of a show on UHF or closed circuit TV in a community college. Physically, he comes off as small. The set doesn’t help him. His voice his high and uncertain. He reminded me (this is an old reference) of the high school stringer hired by Lou Grant who phones in a scoop. Watch this clip below. Does this seem like a show that should be on a network connected to NBC?

Really? This is enough to make me turn to Fox News.

Today Farrow put up Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s phone number. He urged the audience to call her if they don’t agree with her position on gay rights. (Later, he will call Justin Bieber and egg her house.) I think we did this in 11th grade to our high school principal.

Meanwhile, Farrow, one day on the job, is hitting the lecture circuit. He’s already booked Fairfield (CT) University for March 18th on the topic “A New Generation of Protest: How Technology Is Changing the Art of Uprising.” His official bio says he’s the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. So much for Frank Sinatra!

If only Farrow had started out as a contributor on some show first. You think of all the talented people who could host that hour and do a great job. This is going to end in tears, I’m afraid.

Bruce Springsteen Releasing New Songs, MusiCares Concert DVD

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Releasing New Songs, MusiCares Concert DVD

It’s never too soon for more Bruce Springsteen releases. His new album, “High Hopes,” is just a few weeks old. But on April 19th, Springsteen is putting out a four track “EP” (EP used to mean extended play, like a big single. Now it’s just four songs on iTunes.) They didn’t make the cut apparently. But now they do! The EP is called “American Beauty.” You can guess that Jimmy Fallon has already booked Bruce for that week.

There’s more. At last, MusiCares, one of the two official NARAS branded foundations, is releasing a DVD of one of its Person of the Year concerts. The first one is 2013’s Springsteen tribute. That release is March 25th. I hope MusiCares releases more of these DVDs soon. This year’s Carole King concert would be perfect, so would the Don Henley, Neil Young, and Barbra Streisand shows. Maybe they can take great tracks from each of the annual shows and make them a compilation album.

Here’s the tracklist for the Springsteen:

  • 1. “Adam Raised a Cain” Performed by Alabama Shakes
  • 2. “Because the Night” Performed by Patti Smith
  • 3. “Atlantic City” Performed by Natalie Maines, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite
  • 4. “American Land” Performed by Ken Casey
  • 5. “My City of Ruins” Performed by Mavis Staples and Zac Brown
  • 6. “I’m On Fire” Performed by Mumford and Sons
  • 7. “American Skin (41 Shots)” Performed by Jackson Browne and Tom Morello
  • 8. “My Hometown” Performed by Emmylou Harris
  • 9. “One Step Up” Performed by Kenny Chesney
  • 10. “Streets of Philadelphia” Performed by Elton John
  • 11. “Hungry Heart” Performed by Juanes
  • 12. “Tougher Than the Rest” Performed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
  • 13. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” Performed by Jim James and Tom Morello
  • 14. “Dancing in the Dark” Performed by John Legend
  • 15. “Lonesome Day” Performed by Sting
  • 16. “Born in the USA” Performed by Neil Young with Crazy Horse
  • 17. “We Take Care of Our Own” Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
  • 18. “Death to My Hometown” Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
  • 19. “Thunder Road” Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
  • 20. “Born to Run” Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
  • 21. “Glory Days” Performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band & cast ensemble

Ratings: Seth Meyers Gets Biggest “Late Night” Numbers in 9 Years

Roger Friedman
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Ratings: Seth Meyers Gets Biggest “Late Night” Numbers in 9 Years

The last time “Late Night” got numbers as big as they got last night, Michael Jackson was on trial in California. George W. Bush was president. Conan O’Brien was the host of the show.

From NBC this morning:

  • At 12:35 a.m. ET, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” has delivered strong ratings with its premiere telecast, averaging a 2.6 rating, 9 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research.  It’s the highest “Late Night” rating on a Monday in nine years (since Jan. 24, 2005 for a “Late Night” encore, 4.2, which followed a high-rated “Tonight Show” tribute to Johnny Carson).

 

  • The debut of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” is up 63% versus “Late Night’s” season average (2.6 vs. 1.6, L+SD).  Monday’s “Late Night” retained 58% of its “Tonight Show” lead-in (2.6 vs. 4.5), versus the show’s 55% season average (1.6 vs. 2.9).  The 2.6 topped the combined ratings in the time slot of ABC’s “Nightline” (1.4/5 for the first half-hour of the time period) and CBS’s “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (1.0/4).

 

  • In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” averaged a 1.2/8 in adults 18-49, best for “Late Night” on a Monday since June 1, 2009 (1.4, following Conan O’Brien’s “Tonight Show” premiere).
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