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
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”
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
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
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
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
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
Leonardo Di Caprio Likes His Real Life Gatsbys– He Partied with One Last Night
The Great Gatsby crowd partied on last night well after their cha-cha at the Plaza Hotel in a mostly no press scene. The gang moved on to the Darby, the pale imitation of long shuttered Nell’s on West 14th St. Among the guests: Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest best friend to be arrested, art dealer and high stakes poker player Helly Namhad. Helly is at least the second Gatsby type character to be bff’s with DiCaprio–which maybe is why Leo is so good in the role. He’s seen it all close up.
From around 1997 to 2001, DiCaprio was inseparable from fake money manager Dana Giacchetto. He lived in Giacchetto’s Soho loft, traveled with him, and took advice from him. Leo also invested his money with Giacchetto. It ended very badly, of course. Giacchetto was running a massive Ponzi scheme and stealing from his clients. Leo reportedly lost millions, Giacchetto went to jail, with a five year sentence. He was ordered to pay $14 million restitution. GIacchetto’s Hollywood friendships were over in seconds.
Now DiCaprio is apparently standing by Helly, as he’s known, even though he’s out on bail after his Madison Avenue art gallery was shut down by the government recently. Helly allegedly, according to reports, is part of a massive international gambling ring.To fund it, the government alleges Helly stole $1.35 million from his own father, who started the art gallery, so Helly could participate in a fraud for money he didn’t even need. Helly, if convicted, could get a maximum sentence of 92 years. Of course, he could be innocent.
Photos of Leo and Helly are all over the internet, on party websites and photo pages like WireImage, etc.
It’s not many Hollywood stars who’ve seen two best friends led away in handcuffs. But DiCaprio may just be doing research.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-life-of-hillel-helly-nahmad-2013-4
“Young and Restless” Star Jeanne Cooper Back in Hospital After Two Days
Jeanne Cooper, the beloved 84 year old star of The Young and the Restless, is back in the hospital. Cooper was released on April 27th after two weeks that included a stay in intensive care. She’s believed to have had an infection. But yesterday her son, actor Corbin Bernsen sent out messages that she’d relapsed, and Cooper was in critical condition again. Her character on the show, Katherine Chancellor, is also in grave health in the fictional hospital in Genoa City. Other actors on the show, including Jess Walton, have been sending out Tweets with prayers and worries. Let me tell you: Jeanne Cooper started on that show when I was in high school and Richard Nixon was president. Recently my dad retired, and he knew exactly who she was when I mentioned her name. Now that’s name recognition- — and quite a run! We’re sending positive thoughts.
Mom resting in hospital – a truly testing day. Purgatory. Spent the day between Heaven and Hell. A little #psych coming up 2 lift me
— Corbin Bernsen (@corbinbernsen) May 2, 2013
Oscars 2014: Best Actress Buzz Already Forming for Oprah, Nicole, Cate
Yes, the 2013 Academy Awards won’t be decided until March 2, 2014, But the buzz for Best Actress is the loudest and earliest it’s been in years. People are raving– raving– about Cate Blanchett in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine.” I mean, they are loving her and saying the movie is on a par with Woody’s classics like “Match Point” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” I first heard this weeks ago, but now that the film is screening in advance of its June 21st release, the word is spreading.
Blanchett will have lots and lots of competition. Oprah Winfrey won tons of plaudits last week from very private screenings of Lee Daniels’s “The Butler.” If Oprah really is that good, then look for a major campaign. I’m also hearing about Nicole Kidman in “Grace of Monaco.” Kidman, now headed to Cannes to be on the jury, is ready for a big Oscar movie. Her last was “Rabbit Hole,” and her win was for “The Hours.”
And then there are many question marks, beginning with Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep in “August: Osage County.” It’s still possible they will each for lead, in which case Streep obviously has the upper hand. And Naomi Watts will be back as Princess Diana.