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Mad Men Rocks An All Star Episode, But with One Little Mistake

Roger Friedman
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Mad Men Rocks An All Star Episode, But with One Little Mistake

“Mad Men” was so good tonight that I hate to point out the one big mistake at the start of the episode. Joan — who has many talents– made a reservation at a restaurant that wouldn’t exist for six more years. There was no Le Cirque in 1968. Sirio Maccione opened his doors in 1974.  If Joan were aiming for a four star French restaurant in 1968 she could have chosen Le Pavillion, Quo Vadis, The Colony, or La Caravelle. They could also have gone to Lutece, which was the pre-eminent French restaurant of the time. But no Le Cirque, which really didn’t reach its zenith anyway until the 1980s, and was more of a lunch place than dinner.

But that’s quibbling. In “To Have and To Hold” we went to the Electric Circus, smoked dope, visited a soap opera (that was far too racy for 1968). We also saw a an absolutely lovely tribute to the great legend (and my old friend) the late Pierre Cossette. Pierre was known for producing sports-entertainment shows like the one mentioned in the episode. (But I don’t this one happened, and Pierre didn’t produce those shows until the 1970s.) Don and his team came up with “Pass the Heinz,” which of course was used later as the tag line for the ketchup.

But “To Have and to Hold” was all about sex. And nineteen sixty eight was all about sex. The soap producer (Ted McGinley, who does not age) and his actress wife are trying to find swap partners. Megan is having an affair on the soap. Don’s having one with the neighbor (Linda Cardellini, still knocking out it out of the ballpark), Joan and her friend are experimenting with picking up guys at the Electric Circus.

The episode was jam packed with cultural references. It was also a relief to be back in the ad agency, where the decorations have gone from interesting to mid-century modern to garish ranges of orange. Also, the agency is starting to splinter. Harry’s declaration of independence seems to portend a change. And Peggy with her rival team– Peggy using Don’s words during the Heinz pitch–  was excellent.

And that scene, of Don listening at the door, I think is indicative of where “Mad Men” is going. Peggy is the future, Don is the past. When Don’s lover, Sylvia, says she prays he finds peace. you know he’s not going to. He’s a dinosaur, the end of his era is coming with every episode. He will not make it into the 1970s, that’s for sure. In the meantime, we’re happy to follow him to the end of his journey.

An  A plus episode, a little lighter than the first three (or two), and far more involving.

 

Tom Cruise “Oblivion”: His Highest Official Opening Weekend Since 2006

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise “Oblivion”: His Highest Official Opening Weekend Since 2006

Tom Cruise is no longer living in box office oblivion. Despite so so reviews and a ComScore of B minus, Cruise had his biggest opening weekend with “Olivion” since “Mission Impossible III” in 2006. “Oblivion” took oin $38.1 million in the US. In Europe and around the world the sci-fi adventure is also a hit.

The foreign total is $112 million so far, bring the total sum to $150 million. Bad reviews didn’t seem to hurt the film in which Cruise doesn’t have much to say. As many have noted, he’s actually playing a live action version of Wall E. But that’s what works abroad in non English speaking countries. And true enough, in “Oblivion” the special effects are the star.

But hey: whatever works. And I’ll even give Cruise props. “Oblivion” negates his last four or five movies including the terrible “Jack Reacher” and “Knight and Day,” as well as the truly hilarious “Valkyrie.”

Tribeca: Clark Gregg’s “Trust Me” Is A Modern Film Noir About Hollywood

Roger Friedman
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I do love it when smart Hollywood actors get a chance to make a film about life in Tinseltown. It’s a little “inside” but always terribly amusing because you know they’ve got so much pent up anger. Not so much for Clark Gregg, who’s redirected the anger into a little gem of a film. Gregg is best known as the once and present husband on “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” I knew him from playing a sharp transvestite years and years ago in “The Adventures of Sebastian Cole.” Now he’s made a witty little satire about Hollywood that’s part Raymond Chandler and just laugh out loud funny.

“Trust Me” premiered last night at Tribeca with lots of interesting folks in the audience like Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollard. Gregg wrote and directed the film, and stars in it along with Amanda Peet, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Paul Sparks and Allison Janney. Saxon Sharbino is kind of amazing as a precocious plus 13 year old who could be the next Lindsay Lohan. (She’s a find, like Shailene Woodley or a Fanning.)

Sam Rockwell is executive producer and also has a funny secondary role as a weasely children’s agent in Hollywood, the nemesis of Gregg’s well meaning, long suffering sort of “Broadway Danny Rose.”

The conceit is that Gregg’s Howard is a former child actor, never made good, who is now a children’s talent agent. But all his clients leave him for Rockwell. You know that Howard just won’t cross the line to become as icky as Rockwell’s Aldo. And so, as he explains to Peet, he’s just been “wandering around this place” for 35 years “like a ghost.” When he has the chance to represent a fast rising 13 year old girl, it looks like he’s finally made it. But — oh, I don’t want to give it away.

Gregg, if you’ve seen him on “Christine” or anywhere else, is extremely verbal, very literate. He loves to talk. Howard does a lot of talking. But he’s always interesting, and so are the characters Gregg has placed around him. And we do get to see some of that Hollywood underbelly– wanna bes and has beens living in motel like apartment complexes, backstage fighting among agents and managers, etc. I’m sure Felicity Huffman’s production company chief is based on someone real. She reminded me of about 20 different barracudas. Well played.

 

“General Hospital” Hits Ratings High, But ABC Gets Sued By Online Soap Network

Roger Friedman
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“General Hospital” Hits Ratings High, But ABC Gets Sued By Online Soap Network

“General Hospital” hit a ratings high the week of April 7th-15th, finishing second in number of female viewers ages 18-49. The soap had over 2.8 million viewers of all genders total, too, among the four remaining daytime sudsers. The show is on a roll, having brought back nearly everyone who was ever on it for the last three months leading up to its 50th anniversary. Somehow they managed to juggle 50 or more people, weave in old stories and new, and keep the whole thing moving forward at relatively fast (for soaps) pace.

But a villain lurked. His name is Jeff Kwatinetz, and I warned soap viewers about him a long time ago. Kwatinetz owns Prospect Park, the company that licensed “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” from ABC when the network foolishly dumped them. This is the same Kwatinetz who nearly wrecked Kelly Clarkson’s career, who had an unfortunate partnership with Mike Ovitz and Rick Yorn, was briefly engaged to the late Brittany Murphy, and managed Britney Spears for a month. Controversial? That’s an understatement.

When “One Life” left the airwaves and Kwatinetz was unable to put his licensed shows on line as promised, ABC moved three actors from the show with their characters to “General Hospital.” This accomplished a few things. It kept “One Life” alive for its fans, and it added a new flavor to “GH.” Since the exec producer and head writer from “One Life” moved to “GH” also, this meant that there were some crossovers, references to the old, appearances by some of the “OL” actors. It kept the cancelled show alive in fans’ minds.

But now Kwatinetz is actually launching his online shows. And instead of capitalizing on how ABC publicized one of his shows for a year or more, he blocked them. He wants the characters back. and the actors. So “GH” is creating three new characters for the actors, and never mentioning their old personas again. So what’s Kwatinetz doing? He’s suing ABC. Surprised? I doubt anyone in the movie or music businesses is. They know this guy. The soap people do not.

What should Kwatinetz have done? Made a deal for crossovers, allowed the actors and characters to go back and forth. He could have scored a huge p.r. coup for his online shows, and won over all the fans who probably don’t know how to watch shows online. But that would have been too easy! Instead Kwatinetz hired one of Hollywood’s loudest barking dogs, law firm Lavely and Singer, and asked for $25 million.

One of the complaints: that “GH” killed off two of the “OL” characters without asking. If the case makes it to trial, that would be one of the funniest discussions. Everyone knows that unless a character is killed on camera, no one actually dies on a soap opera. Even then, they can be revived. I refer you to Whoopi Goldberg complaining about a decapitated Kevin Kline returning to her show in the movie “SoapDish.” “I can’t write for a man without a head!” And yet, she did.

Andrew Madoff Slips into Premiere of Documentary About His Father Unnoticed

Roger Friedman
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Andrew Madoff Slips into Premiere of Documentary About His Father Unnoticed

with PAULA SCHWARTZ– Last night’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “In God We Trust” brought a pair of unexpected guests: Andrew Madoff and his girlfriend Catherine Hooper. The film, directed by Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson, chronicles at least in broad stokes, the ghastly misdeeds of Bernie Madoff that led to his downfall, the suicide of his son (and Andrew’s brother Mark), the splintering of their family and the whole destruction of hundreds of victims.

Andrew came in early to the SVA Theater on West 23rd and quietly took seats up front. No one recognized him because he is now bald and undergoing chemo. But I spoke to him before and after the screening. The soft spoken Madoff told me he’d been shown a “very rough cut” early on. He and Hooper sat through the entire screening and the Q&A that followed. This meant watching the entire story– his brother’s suicide, the disintegration of his mother, and his own personal undoing. He and Hooper ate popcorn, however, and laughed when there were uneasy jokes. When the film was over I asked him how it had been for him. “Tough to watch,” he said.

Madoff also told Paula Schwartz about his health:

“I’m doing well. Right now I’m in treatment for lymphoma. Just finished six rounds of chemotherapy, having a stem cell transplant in about a month.”

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/11/08/andrew-madoff-celebrates-jlo-jennifer-aniston-at-glamour-women-of-the-year

Indeed, “In God We Trust” traces the story of Madoff’s secretary, Eleanor Squillari from 25 year loyal employee to whistleblower. Squillari maintains that she never knew what Madoff was up to, that he was running a massive international Ponzi scheme. She set out to help the government piece together the story.

The film condenses a lot of the Madoff story, and leaves a lot of questions left to be answered. The “feeder” accounts are only skirted, and there’s no mention I can remember of Ezra Merkin or many other Madoff associates. Merkin got off easy, paying just $405 million in a civil settlement with investors he brought into the Madoff mess.

The film does try to leave the impression that Madoff may not have been his own captain, and that he was somehow taking orders from Jeffry Picower, the billionaire who ultimately committed suicide. But it’s hard to believe, frankly. That dog, as they say, does not hunt.

Still, filmmakers Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson are fairly thorough. And using Squillari, who is now living in Florida with her second husband, was a coup. If she is to be believed– and I think she is– Madoff had no investment or pension plan for her. When the company collapsed, she lost her house. She sold her story to Vanity Fair but never wrote a book. Her daughter told me that she thought Andrew came to the screening to support her, and that the two remain on good terms.

But still: it was disarming to sit behind Andrew Madoff, especially during the Q&A, and hear strangers rip apart his family. I don’t know how or why he endured it. But maybe it’s some form of therapy for him, his own mea culpa.

Alec Baldwn Upstaged in Broadway Return (And He Knows It)

Roger Friedman
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Alec Baldwn Upstaged in Broadway Return (And He Knows It)

Frankly Alec Baldwin knows he’s been upstaged in his Broadway return with Lyle Kessler’s “Orphans.” When I asked him at last night’s after party what he thought about Tom Sturridge, Baldwin said, sardonically, “Overrated.” Hey listen: once a long time ago Baldwin was the new guy in town. But Sturridge, 28, the son of famed British director Charles Sturridge and actress Phoebe Nicholls, is a sensation in “Orphans.” Today’s New York Times actually says he makes his Broadway debut with the words “Tony Award” tattooed on his forehead. I agree but in a good way. great re

Sturridge is also the fiancee of Sienna Miller, and they have a nine month old daughter. He’s three years younger than Sienna, is a little waifish and has very fine features set off by long dark hair and blackish eyes. On stage in Orphans he literally bounces around the whole set as if he’s on an invisible pogo stick. It’s a very athletic performance although when I said that, Sturridge seemed quizzical. “Athletic? I’m not even sure what I’m doing up there I’m so much in the zone.”

Ben Foster, the 31 year old movie actor of great renown, makes his own Broadway debut in “Orphans” laying Sturridge’s brother. He’s terrific, at ease, and makes a smooth transition to the stage. Still, he told me, “There’s a lot of vomiting every night.” Foster is highly regarded, and just behind Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, waiting for his breakthrough role. It’s coming. In the meantime, he’s sold on Broadway. and hoping to return soon.

The three actors make for an exciting evening on Broadway despite the ludicrous review in today’s New York Times. “Orphans” is never anything but riveting. Baldwin plays the father figure to these two brothers with ironic humor that has absolutely no relation to Baldwin’s “30 Rock” character. His Arnold is like a sinister fairy godfather who you know won’t be sticking around for long.

In the audience last night: actress Robin Wright, who’s dating Foster, chatted with Sienna Miller at the dinner at Espace. Baldwin was cheered by pregnant wife Hilaria, and “30 Rock” castmate Jane Krakowski. Jesse Tyler Ferguson of “Modern Family” was there, as was Ben Foster’s talented actor brother Jon who came with girlfriend Chelsea Tyler (daughter of Steven, sister of Liv).

Ratings: “American Idol” Takes a Beating and Numbers Fall

Roger Friedman
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Ratings: “American Idol” Takes a Beating and Numbers Fall

I don’t get it. On Wednesday, “American Idol” did pretty well, with a 3.1 in the key demo. But last night the singing contest dropped to a 2.9, and fell to 11.9 million viewers. Even though they threw in Paula Abdul and Clay Aiken as surprise guests, the show could not hold its own against two reruns of “The Big Bang Theory” sandwiched around a rerun of “Two and a Half Men.” The sitcom had a 3.2 and 3.0 respectively and scored an average of 10 million viewers– not bad considering they were reruns.

This has to be particularly vexing to the “Idol” producers. Their upstart rival, “The Voice” on NBC, scored a 5.1 this week–a high for them among 18-49 year olds. “The Voice” comes across as young and alive, while “Idol” feels like it’s struggling to keep everyone awake. This week did feature a glimmer of life as Nicki Minaj tried to get something going with Mariah Carey by calling her “sir.” But it wasn’t enough to make viewers sit up and notice.

Meanwhile, “Idol” has really got a lot of good performers this year. Candice Glover and Angie Miller are excellent, and the competition is top notch.

 

NBC Coverage Goof: Where in the World is Matt Lauer? Answer: Texas

Roger Friedman
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NBC Coverage Goof: Where in the World is Matt Lauer? Answer: Texas

UPDATE: Matt Lauer got a one minute or less stand-up from West, Texas. Now we know why Lauer rhymes with “Glower.” He looked like he was going to bit through his jaw. It’s not his fault. The “Today” is presenting a newscast from 1956. Meanwhile, “GMA” has a correspondent who spoke in Russian to the suspects’ father. “GMA” is active, busy, with cuts to everyone. NBC is static. Poor Savannah. They’ve given her nothing. While Stephanopolous is being set up to talk to everyone–now a neighbor who saw everything this morning–Guthrie is just by herself. Tragic.

EARLIER: George Stephanopolous is anchoring “Good Morning America”‘s coverage of the Boston emergency. Their chief investigative reporter Brian Ross is on the air right now. Charlie Rose is at his position on CBS’s “This Morning.” CNN  has Chris Cuomo, recently added to the network, interviewing a friend of the bombing suspect. But over on the beleaguered “Today” show, it’s the very nice but secons stringer Lester Holt on the ground in Watertown. Savannah Guthrie, looking like a deer in headlights, is anchoring the desk in New York. Where in the world is Matt Lauer? Waco, Texas.

In what can only be described as a terrible decision, Lauer was deployed for some reason to the Waco explosion story instead of being sent to Boston where a closer and more urgent emergency has been unfolding since Monday. With all the crazy errors this week in various media (especially the New York Post), this may be the last straw.

ABC News even scored an interview with the bombing suspect Dzokhar Tsarnaev’s classmate, Sierra Schwartz, an hour before NBC put her on the air with Guthrie.  Ouch. NBC News, oddly, is also absent Brian Williams. But the MIA Lauer is a black eye this morning considering revelations this week in the New York Times Magazine from a new book about how the “Today” show tortured Ann Curry before she was ousted from the program last year.

Update: and it’s really a disaster on “Today.” The show is cutting between talking head Guthrie and a correspondent in Boston standing behind an inactive barricade. Meanwhile, “GMA” is action, action, action. Frankly, I’m surprised. NBC has nothing. It’s just Savannah and tape packages. Yikes. Guthrie (9:39am) now turns to Al Roker for weather in Chicago. Wow.

My advice: cbs.local.com.com which is WBZ in Boston. They’re live streaming from Boston, and they’re excellent.

Tom Cruise Faces “Oblivion” with A Raft of Bad Reviews for New Film

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise Faces “Oblivion” with A Raft of Bad Reviews for New Film

“Oblivion” opens today in the US after hitting nearly every country in the world first. The reason for this was simple. As with some other recent duds, studios know to make their money abroad before bringing a turkey home for roasting. So far “Oblivion” has made $71 million around the world. It’s not a record by any means, but it gives Universal a head start should things not work out here.

Critic-wise, “Oblivion,” starring smiling Tom Cruise, is no one’s favorite. Panned by the three New York papers and USA Today, “Oblivion” has a 59% on Rotten Tomatoes. Keep refreshing because that number could change. And interestingly, some of the negative reviews still gave it a fresh tomato instead of a splat. (I’d love to hear the conversations between the publicists and the reviewers in those instances.)

“Oblivion” should have a strong Friday night. But after that, who knows? Only word of mouth will drive Saturday and Sunday attendance. And Cruise is coming off the sort of awful “Jack Reacher,” which barely made $80 mil domestically. And unlike “Minority Report,” in which legendary actress Lois Smith actually explained the movie half way through, no one does the same for “Oblivion.” The graphics are supposed to be top notch however.

Cruise is more and more inaccessible to newer generations of movie goers. His PR campaign was mostly abroad. Except for Kimmel and Fallon, he stayed away from major TV and any real interviews. Everything is scripted now, nothing is spontaneous. The so called real Tom Cruise, to under 30 year olds, is a Scientologist with many failed marriages who once jumped on Oprah’s couch. This weekend we’ll see if placing him in a sc-fi setting with lots of gadgets and explosions will lure audiences in anyway.

 

Psy-Phenom: “Gentleman” Video Will Reach Milestone 200 Million Views Today

Roger Friedman
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Psy-Phenom: “Gentleman” Video Will Reach Milestone 200 Million Views Today

What can anyone say? Korean pop sensation Psy has the #1 video on YouTube. “Gentleman”  is over 191 million views now and should reach 200 million today or tomorrow. Why? Beats me. The sound of makes me want to swat it like a fly buzzing in the ear. But Psy has psy-ched out the worldwide audience. Imagine if Plastic Bertrand had started on You Tube. Such would have been the case for “Ca Plane Pour Moi” some 40 years ago. Plastic Bertrand, it’s time for your comeback! (I’ve moved the Gentleman video to our player at the bottom of the home page.) “Gentleman” has a long way to go.  Psy’s earlier hit, the ubiqutious “Gangnam Style,” has 1.5 BILLION views.

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