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.
American Idol Drops To Ratings Low–Is The Chopping Block Near?
“American Idol” is in serious trouble, kids. The long time champion of the ratings fell to an all time low last night. The total audience was only 11.08 million. Of that group only 2.8 million were in the key demo of 18-49. “Idol” was second for the night to “Modern Family.” But it’s this steady slide that has producers and network execs concerned. The explanation that this is the 12th season and that shows age is not holding water. “The Voice” is booming on NBC. “X Factor” will return and be rejuvenated according to my sources. Clearly “Idol” will he shaken up if it returns at all. If the trend of prior weeks continues tonight, then this episode will be even lower– and when “Idol” hits the 10 million mark, you’re going to hear screaming from Fox. Next Wednesday May 8th, “Idol” is up against “The Voice.” They’d better have something huge planned.
The Great Gatsby is A Snow Globe of a Movie, a 3D Pop Up Art Deco Postcard
This isn’t a review, because we’re not allowed to publish one for a few more days. But Baz Luhrmann’s take on The Great Gatsby? First of all, keep calm, it’s ok. It’s better than ok, in fact. For the first two thirds of its almost two and a half hours, Gatsby is a snow globe of a movie, a 3D pop up Art Deco postcard of New York in the roaring twenties. When finally it turns more serious, when the flappers have gone home and the empty Champagne bottles are all thrown out, the movie hunkers down and delivers F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story respectfully. No one will be turning over in their graves over this literary adaptation.
The 2 hour 20 minute movie premiered last night in New York. I wish I could tell you more about the premiere, but that’s also verboten since Warner Bros. sold last night’s premiere party at the Plaza Hotel to the Wall Street Journal. I know they served martinis. So much for that. On Sunday there’s another party at the Top of the Standard hotel after a screening at MoMA. Then off to Cannes, where “Gatsby” will play on opening night five days after its US premiere.
One thing I learned last night: you cannot sit too close to the screen for this movie. You have to sit waaay back. The people who got stuck with the front rows were miserable. I and several others had to scout out seats in the rear of Avery Fisher Hall. Luckily there were plenty.
I did get to talk to Carey Mulligan outside Lincoln Center for a few minutes before the movie began. I told her that her performance as Daisy Buchanan is very affecting. She was thrilled to hear it. Leo DiCaprio signed autographs before going into the theater. His mom, always charming, was beaming. Otherwise, the premiere was cleverly designed to be as disorderly as one of the parties at the Gatsby mansion. And just like the movie, the premiere was in 3D. Only you didn’t need to use special glasses. And just to make it very real, the ticket people were extremely rude and unhelpful.
Because it’s a 3D movie–and Avery Fisher Hall isn’t set up for that– all the upper tiers remained empty on the sides of the theater. Director Baz Luhrmann was so nervous in his opening remarks that he forgot to introduce the cast. But he must have been happy to hear solid, enthusiastic applause at the end.
One thing I can say, which I did say yesterday and this isn’t a review: I love the composed score and musical themes. Not the Jay Z stuff and the rap music, but the instrumental score that permeates the last third of the movie. But the big winner on the “modern’ soundtrack is the family of my late friend Eugene Record. He wrote Beyonce’s hit “Crazy in Love” as a Chi Lites song in 1969. The new version, sung by Emeli Sande, carries over the main sample that Jay Z used years ago to make the Beyonce hit. Ka ching!
Lindsay Lohan Picks Southern California Treatment– And Will Fly There in the Middle of the Night
Exclusive: Lindsay Lohan has chosen her rehab facility–it’s Morningside in Newport Beach, California. Lohan is supposed to be there tomorrow morning but she’s still in New York as of this writing. So what I’m told is that hotelier Vikram Chatwal has graciously offered to fly her out on a chartererd plane in the middle of the night. Lindsay will arrive at Morningside by 7am, in enough time for her lawyer, Mark Heller, to stroll into Los Angeles court at 8:30am and inform the judge of her whereabouts. It’s not clear if Morningside was the facility that offered Lohan $30,000, but they will give her her rehab for free in exchange for good publicity. So Lindsay has even more reason to make her 90 day residency work. If she can get serious and really knuckle down there’s a good chance she can get to work and make some movies. What she needs is cash– and not from concerned friends but from producers who can learn to bank on her. Robert Downey Jr. did it. Lindsay can, too.Â