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HUGE: “Iron Man 3” Scores $68.3 Mil Friday Night, 8th Biggest Opening Of All Time

Roger Friedman
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HUGE: “Iron Man 3” Scores $68.3 Mil Friday Night, 8th Biggest Opening Of All Time

“Iron Man 3” did MUCH better than anyone predicted last night. It made over $68.3 million and scored the 8th biggest opening night of all time. The third installment of the Robert Downey Jr. franchise already has $350 million in the bank from foreign sales.

The total by Sunday night worldwide could be easily $550 million. That’s sort of crazy. But expert marketing and really great reviews pushed it into a new realm. “Iron Man 3” far exceeded the openings for “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2.” And to think– Iron Man, aka Tony Stark– was no Spider Man in the comics. But Downey and the producers and directors and writers have turned him into a gigantic worldwide phenom. “Iron Man 2” only took in $51.2 million on its opening night. How will tonight play? And tomorrow?

Hold on.

Exclusive: Mariah Carey Negotiating for Big “American Idol” Finale Performance

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Mariah Carey Negotiating for Big “American Idol” Finale Performance

It’s not completely a done deal, but I’m told this will happen: Mariah Carey will perform on the “American Idol” finale on May 16th. She will sing her brand new single called “#Beautiful.” (That’s  hashtag, if you were wondering.) I told you last night exclusively that Mariah’s video of “#Beautiful” will debut on this Wednesday’s “Idol.”

One thing still not certain: who will sing it with her? Miguel, who performs the duet on the single, is on tour and may not be able to do it. He’s got to be in Liverpool, England two days later to open for Alicia Keys. Sources say something very cool is in the works. (Nick Cannon, maybe? Nicki Minaj? Stay tuned.)

It does seem like with falling ratings and re-considerations, Mariah and “Idol” are making up instead of breaking up. Isn’t that swell? I do hope when she performs”#Beautiful” on “Idol,” Mariah sings a slightly longer version than the one being released this Monday to radio stations at 7am. It’s a great song and deserves a big finale. Carey will jump from the “Idol” finale to a special appearance on “Good Morning America” just eight days later on May 24th.

Did I tell you yesterday that “#Beautiful” reminds me of “Dreamlover,” Mariah’s 1993 smash? It’s got that feel. It’s also got a cool retro vibe. There’s some static in the background and it sounds like a record — a 45 rpm record– is playing.

PS The two hour “Idol” finale will feature lots of the show’s past participants. Also, I’ve heard Carly Rae Jepsen will call them, maybe.

Rolling Stones Open Maybe (Final) U.S. Tour with Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban as Guests

Roger Friedman
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Rolling Stones Open Maybe (Final) U.S. Tour with Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban as Guests

The Rolling Stones kicked off their 50th anniversary tour — in their 51st year– with lots of action. That included guest stars Gwen Stefani and Keith Urban, who sang and played, respectively, on “Wild Horses” and “Respectable.” Jack Nicholson was among the stars spotted in the Staples Center. And the show was sold out, despite what some naysayers might think.

The fact is, the Stones always sell out in the end even if they have slow starts to sales. That’s just the way it is. They sang “This may be the last time” last night, which may be true for once. And as far as the show itself goes: my experience seeing them last December in Brooklyn and then Newark was that show was quite amazing, the group was beyond expectations. Not only are Keith and co. superbly rocking as if they were in their 20s, but I challenge anyone to do what Mick Jagger does on that stage. Cannot be done. He’s like a panther, he never stops, never stops, never stops.

And get this: I told you that AEG Live had booked 18 shows in the US and Canada. They announced nine in the first release. But in the end, they are playing those 18 shows including the one at the Echoplex. If you don’t count that one, it’s 17. But New York hasn’t been booked yet. And it will be, for the final dates. So get off my cloud.

Movie Version of “Into the Woods” Gets Its Baker: Tony Winner James Corden

Roger Friedman
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Movie Version of “Into the Woods” Gets Its Baker: Tony Winner James Corden

Exclusive: James Corden, the 2012 Tony Award winner for “One Man, Two Guvnors,” is headed to a big role in a big movie. Corden will play The Baker in Rob Marshall’s screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” I’ve confirmed this. Meantime, Johnny Depp will play The Wolf. There’s still a big rumor going around that Meryl Streep will play The Witch. And who is up for The Baker’s Wife? I’m told that may go to the very funny Nina Arianda. I think Nina is swell. But Amy Adams was a knockout as The Baker’s Wife last summer in Shakespeare in the park in New York. I’d love to see her try it on film. More buzz on “Into the Woods” will be coming shortly…

Mariah Carey Exclusives: New Video Will Debut on “Idol,” New Album Coming, New Manager Hired

Roger Friedman
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Mariah Carey Exclusives: New Video Will Debut on “Idol,” New Album Coming, New Manager Hired

Mariah Carey runs to the rescue of “American Idol.” With ratings precariously low, and “The Voice” playing directly against it next Wednesday, “American Idol” needed something to give it a boost. That brings Mariah to the story. She’ll debut the new video for her new song, “Beautiful,” on the show on May 8th. “Beautiful” is a mid tempo pop song with an usually catchy and sophisticated melody. It’s co-written, sung and produced by newish sensation Miguel. I’ve heard “Beautiful” and it’s a hit. A real hit that fans will sing along with.

The rather short–about 3 minutes, 3 seconds– single opens with Miguel singing to an acoustic guitar. After the first verse and chorus, Mariah makes a spine-tingling entrance. I am told her album, still unnamed, is just in this vein– lots of great singing, very little singing, no hip hop, all songs with a capital S. My only peeve about “Beautiful” is that it’s too short– I think the album version should be longer.

And the album– it’s coming sometime between June 25th and July 7th, my sources say. First Island DefJam has to launch Kanye West’s new album, recorded in Paris, on June 18th. That’s confirmed also, but no title has been given. It should be called “Keeping Up with the Kardashians– Literally.”

And here’s another scoop: while we were sleeping, Mariah changed managers. She and Randy Jackson decided their schedules were too hectic. So Carey has signed with Red Light, the same place Steven Tyler just joined. Red Light is the brainchild of Corin Capshaw, the mastermind behind Dave Matthews. It’s a hot hot agency.

“Young and Restless” Star Jeanne Cooper’s Son Says It’s “The Final Stages”

Roger Friedman
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“Young and Restless” Star Jeanne Cooper’s Son Says It’s “The Final Stages”

Very sad news: Jeanne Cooper, the Emmy winning star of “The Young and the Restless” since it began in 1973, is dying. Her son, actor Corbin Bernsen, posted news about 3am Eastern that his mom was in her final stages. His post follows. Cooper, 84, had always seemed indomitable. But she’s had a lot of health issues in the last year, and didn’t look well in her recent appearances. She will be sorely missed and really mourned by her fans (not to mention her devoted family). If you don’t watch the show or know anything about it, suffice to say that Cooper’s character, Katherine Chancellor, drove the main story of the show from day 1 until now. Every time the writers ran out of new ideas, they’d return to the feud between Katherine and Jill Abbott (the great Jess Walton), and the show would revive itself. Katherine even “died” a couple of years ago, and there was a big funeral. Of course, she returned. But now her real on camera funeral will be quite a moment in TV history.

from Bernsen’s Facebook:

Please know that I’m not saying my mother’s life has ended, it hasn’t, but no matter how you slice it, she is in the final stages, whether it lasts an hour, day, month or years. I had to say “goodbye” to her tonight “just in case” as I’m traveling tomorrow to Vancouver for Psych. I have prayed for her recovery – some sort of recovery – and earlier this week got a hint of it. But then I saw her tonight, connected once again to so many tubes and machines “healing her.” And there is a difference – yes they are keeping her alive just as antibiotics would do for an infection – but they are more or less there to help in her short term recovery. Is she in a natural [descent] toward the end? Not sure. Is there a future? Not sure? And if so, what kind of future? Even less sure.

So I said my goodbyes tonight, had a good release of emotion and then left the room, more uncertain thanI have ever been about so many things. I wish I could be more positive for you tonight, but I reserve the right in this space to be plain, simple and honest. I know it’s only in that realm that I will find the answers I’m looking for right now. I love you mom. I’m giving it up to you and God to find peace in this world or the next.

Broadway: “Vanya,” “Matilda” Win NY Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, Musical

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “Vanya,” “Matilda” Win NY Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, Musical

I am happy to report that Christopher Durang’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” has won Best Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle. They also chose “Matilda” as Best Musical. The Durang play is my favorite of this last year, a truly inspired, hilariously funny night at the theater. The play has been been nominated for Tony Awards and Outer Critics Awards as well. One thing I take exception to: all of the cast has  been nominated everywhere save for Sigourney Weaver. This is what we call a shonda. Weaver’s Masha is the central force of the play, and she is simply outstanding. This has something to do with backlash against Hollywood stars. But ironically, Weaver’s career started with Durang. And the play gives her a chance for self-mocking. She’s equal to David Hyde Pierce and Kristine Nielsen. “Vanya,” I think, is on its way to the Tony Award. “Matilda,” however, is really a critics’ choice. The Tony should go to “Kinky Boots,” Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s extremely happy, great night.

“American Idol” Hits Shocking Low– Under 11 Million Viewers

Roger Friedman
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“American Idol” Hits Shocking Low– Under 11 Million Viewers

Rock bottom? “American Idol” fell under 11 million viewers last night and scored a 2.5 in the key demo. The show is disappearing as fast as Randy Jackson’s weight! This is especially alarming since Wednesday night was a 2.8. This means that with the selection of the three finalists, young people simply tuned out. The finalists are not exciting the audience at all. And the viewers dropped out as a whole–almost a half million of them left the show before even seeing the final choices. “Idol” was fourth in total viewers for the night. This doesn’t bode well for next week when “The Voice” and “Idol” air on the same night– May 8th. Plus there are rumors that Harry Connick Jr is being talked to for a spot at the judge’s table next season on “Idol.” He’d be a great addition as leader of the group with Randy Jackson. But they need young — sorry Harry– men for that panel. Young means under 35, not 45, if they’re going to compete with “The Voice.”

Cannes 2013: Polanski Will Screen at the Very End, Here are Some other Dates

Roger Friedman
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Cannes 2013: Polanski Will Screen at the Very End, Here are Some other Dates

Exclusive: We know “The Great Gatsby” opens the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, May 15th. But then what? It turns out the Roman Polanski’s “Venus in Fur” won’t play until the very end of the festival– Saturday, May 25th. That’s too bad. Many people will be long gone. Some other dates I can confirm: James Toback’s much anticipated documentary “Seduced and Abandoned” is tentatively set for May 20th at 7pm. Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Inside Llewyn Davis” will premiere on May 19th. Steven Soderbergh’s “Beyond the Candelabra” goes on the 21st. Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska”– which brings Bruce Dern to Cannes (I can’t wait)–goes up the red carpet on May 22nd. James Gray’s “The Immigrant” is set for May 23rd. “The Immigrant” stars Jeremy Renner, Marion Cotillard, and Joaquin Phoenix– and will undoubtedly be a hot ticket for that second Thursday night. By the way, the Coens’ movie stars Oscar Isaac and was already sold to CBS Films. I’m told it’s along the lines of “Barton Fink” (one of my all time favorite films) and “A Simple Man”– meaning it’s a “smaller” Coens film but absolutely amazing and a possible Oscar nominee.

Update: Lindsay Lohan Was Offered $30K by Morningside Rehab to Do Her Sentence

Roger Friedman
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Update: Lindsay Lohan Was Offered $30K by Morningside Rehab to Do Her Sentence

I told you two days ago, that Lindsay Lohan was offered $30,000– like a high school basketball player– by a rehab facility. Sources say that the offer was made by Morningside Rehab in Newport Beach, California. At the same time, they say, the Betty Ford Clinic was anxious to get Lindsay back since– my source says: “they did so badly with her the first time around. They wanted a second chance.”

There are loads of reports that Lindsay walked in and out of Morningside yesterday (Thursday) morning after flying in the middle of the night from New York via her pal Vikram Chatwal (our exclusive). When she arrived, Lindsay left immediately and no one knew why. It wasn’t because Morningside had the wrong accreditation, no license, and a bad history. It may have been because Morningside didn’t come through with the $30,000 honorarium as promised. And Lindsay, notes our source, is all about making money.

“She is far from flaky and she has a lot of bills to pay. She also has no money coming in.”

So now Lindsay is at the famous clinic, where she will get her 90 days for free and be able to smoke. And the story isn’t over. There are reports that Lohan fired attorney Mark Heller and rehired–through begging–Shawn Holley Chapman. But the story keeps changing. So you keep checking back and rereshing for updates, please…

also read: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lohan-rehab-ceo-defends-facility-but-state-says-its-not-a-residential-rehab-20130502,0,7536418.story

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