Berry Gordy, the legend behind Motown, will be getting the Pioneer Award this June from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The SHOF dinner- a coveted ticket–comes just a couple of days after the Tony Awards, where Gordy might snag a couple of statues for his “Motown” musical opening on Broadway in mid April. Gordy follows the late Woody Guthrie as the second recipient of the newish Pioneer Award. This year’s inductees into the SHOF are Tony Hatch, Mick Jones & Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Holly Knight, JD Souther, and Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith. The dinner takes place June 13th at the Marriott Marquis.
Baz Luhrmann’s 3D “Great Gatsby” With DiCaprio Will Open Cannes
The red carpet on opening night in Cannes this year is a potential blockbuster, and so perfectly appropriate: Australian director Baz Luhrmann’s 3D rendering of “The Great Gatsby.” Luhrmann’s take on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire. Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, and Joel Edgerton co-star.
The Cannes announcement also says that rapper entrepreneur Jay Z will be at opening night. Okay, why not? Apparently, Jay Z and a group called The Bullits, as well as Prince and Lady Gaga, have songs on the new Gatsby soundtrack. (Roll over, Cole Porter.) And Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is coming as well.
“Gatsby” is appropriate because Fitzgerald wrote some of the book in nearby St. Raphael. This is also the second 3D movie to open the festival and the first live action. Animated “Up” in 2009 was in 3D.
This is a highly anticipated movie. “Gatsby” was supposed to be ready for Christmas 2012, but missed its date thanks to the 3D work. Warners has a lot riding on it. Luhrmann never fails to entertain, so this will be hot stuff. Cannes opens on May 15th.
“Dallas”: JR Is Killed, Sue Ellen Falls off the Wagon, Deborah Shelton Is Alive
So much in the TNT reboot of “Dallas” Monday night: as Larry Hagman has passed away, J. R. Ewing died for real in mysterious circumstances in Mexico. Sue Ellen fell off the wagon after 20 or more years of sobriety.With Victoria Principal long gone as Pam, “Dallas” has more and more become Sue Ellen’s show. This is also due to Linda Grey looking like a million bucks and being considerably younger than Hagman.
Deborah Shelton, who was so hot as J.R.’s mistress and Sue Ellen’s underwear model in the mid to late 80s, returned from the vapors of TV heaven. So did Cathy Podewell, who also vanished after playing J.R.’s wife for a short time toward the end of the serial’s original run. Other returnees were Ted Shackelford as Gary Ewing (maybe Joan van Ark couldn’t make a deal), Charlene Tilton as Lucy, and Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebs. Of course, my favorite TV character of all time, Cliff Barnes, made an ass of himself thanks to the brilliant Ken Kercheval.
The new “Dallas” is not very good or interesting. There’s no humor, and the show is subject to plot and to camera effects, and a soundtrack. Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy rise above it because they know what to do. The young actors are slaves to the misery of the drab writing. For example: JR has two other children besides John Ross. Wouldn’t they have shown up at his funeral? And the wake was held in something called the Dallas Petroleum Club. Huh? It’s the Cattleman’s Club, producers. Or the Oil Barons’.
The nicest touch of the night was the reworked theme music and the nice pic of Larry Hagman. Also, Gray’s monologue at J.R.’s grave was lovely. Now, let this be the last season. This should have been the final episode. “Dallas” was Larry Hagman. Without him, it’s just an echo.
Justin Timberlake’s “20/20 Experience” : 1 Hour, 10 Long Songs, Tribute to 70s Soul
Justin Timberlake’s “20/20 Experience” is already number 1 on iTunes and no one has heard it. (It’s number one on amazon.com, for just $7 bucks.) The album will be released a week from Tuesday. Timberlake was featured on an all-star “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend, and appears all week on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”
Six years after his second album, Timberlake sounds great. He moves great. His instrument playing is questionable. But he’s an accomplished showman. And he’s made the best new Michael Jackson we could hope to have. Timberlake was born in Memphis, but trust me, this album has nothing to do with the gritty soul from that fabled city. It owes more to Gamble and Huff’s silky Philly sounds and pastichesof everything Timberlake has ever heard on the radio.
But did it really take eight — eight– writers to writer “Suit and Tie”? That’s seven plus Jay Z, who threw in the rap. Eight? Really?This is why: “Suit and Tie” is “borrowed” itself, from Sly Slick & Wicked’s mid 70s’ groove “Sho Nuff (You Really Love Him):
And then there’s the proportionate length of th ealbum. “20/20” lasts a staggering one hour and ten minutes but only includes 10 songs– that’s bloat, no way ’round it. How much homage can you write before it starts repeating itself? So “20/20” can only go so far.
Eight of the ten tracks last seven or eight minutes, and believe me, they are not “Hey Jude.” “Suit and Tie,” at 5:26, is an exercise in brevity. There is no conceivable reason why “Mirrors” should clock in at 8:05. It’s not like Timberlake is Eric Clapton or Carlos Santana, great instrumentalists who work would extend the length of a record. It’s just filler. Cut these songs in half and you’d get great little singles.
Timberlake and his myriad producers/writers were smart though: they made a whole album out of the song “What Goes Around Comes Around,’ the best track from “FutureSounds/LoveSongs.” But they weren’t perfect. “Spaceship” sounds like a remake of one of Timberlake’s comedy songs with Andy Samberg, with a very Stylistics-“Betcha By Golly Wow” ending.
The “20/20 Experience” reminds me of an album from a Canadian group called Klaatu, back in 1977. A rumor went out that it was really the Beatles, under an assumed name. For a few days, it seemed like it could really be the Beatles. “The 20/20 Experience” sounds like Michael Jackson in that way. But it also borrows heavily from every other classic R&B trope you could think of, from the Bee Gees to Sly and the Family Stone to Quincy Jones and the Brothers Johnson.
It’s as if the many producers involved fed all the greatest moments from soul music circa 1968 to 1975 into one of those big ol computers on “Get Smart.” And the computer spit out “The 20/20 Experience.” As I write this, scientists are working in the lab trying to decode the DNA of “Strawberry Bubblegum.” Sly Stone is the father, and the Brothers Johnson are the mothers. Or brothers.
Hey: this works for everyone in 2013. It’s not stealing, exactly. It’s heavy influence. Bruno Mars “re-created” Sting in his hit “Locked in Heaven.” For people my age, it’s like hearing Madame Tussaud’s come alive. For newcomers to music, it will sound fresh as a daisy. But listening to “20/20” I felt a little like an archeologist.
And it does. Justin sports a lot of rhythm. And a wonderful falsetto. It’s also clear from his TV appearances that he’s smart and fast, a gifted mimic who picks up everything quickly. So he’s processed this sound he knows, and obviously loves. There’s nothing new in what he’s doing, and you learn nothing about him at all from listening to the songs. He’s merely a vessel, and a gifted re-imaginer. He’s very much like Madonna. Like her, he has excellent ear and exacting taste.
A hit? No doubt. And the tour with Jay Z will be a hit? Lots of Grammys next January 2014? It boggles the mind. After hearing Frank Ocean or Miguel or D’Angelo, or Anthony Hamilton, it’s hard to believe anyone would call this authentic soul. But it’s pop and it’s fun, and at this stage in the decline of the Empire, we have to be grateful for what we can get.
Susan Lucci Still MIA, But “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” Set Online Premiere Date
Susan Lucci is still MIA. But “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” have set their online premiere date: April 29th. “AMC” has been off the air since September 2011, and “OLTL” since January 2012. The latter show, and the better one, frankly, has re-assembled most of its cast. “AMC,” which was gutted by ABC in its last couple of years, has some original cast members. But they don’t have their internationally famous star, Susan Lucci. Apparently Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank’s Online Network has not been able to come up with the money or the schedule for Lucci. They did manage to get David Canary to return, however. He’d retired when ABC moved the show to Los Angeles. Now they will film in Stamford, Connecticut, a short drive from his home.
For “OLTL,” the Online Network is listing Roger Howarth as Todd Manning as contract player. Kwatinetz had a beef with ABC over the character, which the network sent to “General Hospital” for the last year. It looks like Kwatinetz prevailed, at least for now. With Frank on board at Online– he was at Disney for years–you’d think these people would come up with a deal for weekend showings on ABC’s SoapNet. But the main thing is that the actors, writers, directors, and crews are back to work. Amnesia, forgotten paternity and maternity, and multiple personalities are coming back!
The View: Elisabeth Hasselbeck Gets Short Reprieve to Come Up with an “Out”
This morning on “The View”: Barbara Walters said Elisabeth Hasslebeck isn’t leaving so fast. Hasselbeck performed her own version of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going. ” But where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I am told that Hasselbeck will not remain with the show next season. ABC has agreed to let the announcement of her departure come from her, and it will take place “in a few weeks.” Maybe the much disliked former “Survivor” contestant will say she decided to spend time with her kids now that they’re in school and need her more. Whatever. “She’s leaving,” says a source. “It’s just a matter of time.”
Walters did not address our exclusive scoop from this weekend, that Brooke Shields is coming to “The View” in September. It’s too soon for that. Anyway, whoever wrote that Walters might leave is the craziest. Walters owns half of “The View.” She will be on TV well past the year 3000. You know she will be seen crawling on all fours underneath a rope line, with a microphone in her hand, to interview Richard Nixon after procuring a press pass to Hell. That’s the intrepid Barbara.
NYC Art Shows Bring Out the A List: George Lucas, John Leguizamo, Etc.
The big New York City art shows brought out the A list this weekend, even if it was just to look around and take stock. At Pier 92, in the Modern Art exhibits, I ran into a top notch trio: Grace Hightower DeNiro, George Lucas and fiancee Mellody Hobson. The “Star Wars” creator certainly had two dynamic companions with him.
Also spotted: actor Norah Emmerich, of the F/X show “The Americans,” fielding tons of compliments from fans of the hit show. Noah’s late father, Andre Emmerich, was one of the world’s most famous art dealers; and MTV co-creator John Sykes.
Meanwhile, over at the actual 67th St. Armory today: Yoko Ono got everyone’s attention. So did John Leguizamo, who got so comfortable at one of the booths, he left his jacket in their closet so he could roam around unfettered. Also seen: Ron Howard partner and producer Brian Grazer, of Imagine Films fame.
My favorite piece: this John Chamberlain print was only $17,000 at Pace Prints. A bargain, certainly!
Justin Bieber Meltdown Continues: Lisbon Show Cancelled as Manager Heads Back to States
Justin Bieber’s meltdown continues. He was supposed to play two shows in Lisbon this week– Monday and Tuesday. Now the Tuesday show has been cancelled by the promoter. The given reason is poor ticket sales. This comes on top of the the worst week ever in Bieberland–the worst birthday, the two hour late show start, the fight and cursing at the paparazzi, and of course, the Michael Jackson-esque visit to the hospital.
After all that, you’d think Bieber’s manager would hunker down and stay with his golden goose for a while. But Scooter Braun visited Bieber briefly. He is already back in the US, in Austin, Texas at South by Southwest. Today he Tweeted about a meeting with Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary. Madonna has never been untended by her minions. Maybe Oseary told Braun just that.
Anyway, Bieber will face the fans in Lisbon just once, on Monday, with Braun’s B list acts Carly Rae Jepsen (“Call Me Maybe”) and Cody Simpson opening the show. Some crazed Bieber fans are ruminating on the web that the second Lisbon show was never scheduled. But of course, many ticket sellers had it listed.
Something tells me it’s going to be a long week.
And like anyone needs this mental health expert. Liam Gallagher of Oasis supports the Biebs. Uh huh.
Wow Yeah Justin Bieber Rules ! LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) March 9, 2013
Michelle Obama Entertains Senate Hopeful Ashley Judd, Now Playing the First Lady in a New Movie
Past Oscar nominee and movie star Angela Bassett just had lunch with First Lady Michelle Obama. In her new movie, “Olympus Has Fallen,” Bassett plays the tough head of the Secret Service. (Only in a movie could a woman have such a job.) In real life, Bassett was a surrogate (meaning, an active supporter) last year for President Obama. Guests at the luncheon, she said, included other “surrogates” ( active supporters), including make up artist Bobbi Brown, Phylicia Rashad, Cynthia Nixon and Ashley Judd, Bassett told our PAULA SCHWARTZ.
“The First Lady sat between me and Ashley Judd, running potentially for Congress,” Bassett said. Judd plays the First Lady– and since our interview declared her intention to run for the US Senate, from Kentucky, as a Democrat. (Gerard Butler is the president and the star of the film.) Bassett told Mrs. Obama that she and Ashley Judd, are in a movie together — “and it’s about the White House. We started talking about females in the secret service agency.”
The First Lady told Bassett and Judd about the Secret service women who protect her and the girls and how they joke around..
So did Bassett tell the First Lady the movie was about terrorists taking down the president and his family?
“Oh no, I didn’t tell her about that part,” she laughed.
The gorgeous Bassett, who is flawless even up close and looks several decades younger than her 53 years, was the only female star of the testosterone fueled “Olympus Has Fallen,” directed by Antoine Fuqua, and starring Gerard Butler, who was able to attend the film’s junket recently at the Waldorf Astoria. (Melissa Leo, who plays the Secretary of Defense, couldn’t make it at the last moment.) The action thriller is about a disgraced Secret Service agent (Butler) who tries to redeem himself and tries to rescue the President and his son when terrorists take down the White House. (The movie opens March 22.”
The sets, interiors and underground bunker of the White House were especially built for the film, with details so exact even the red doors of the presidential bunker are duplicated.
Participants at the junket included the director and Butler, who is also the producer, Aaron Eckhardt, Rick Yune, Dylan McDermott and first-time screenwriter married couple Katrin Benedikt and Creighton Rothenberger. The movie has a great cast that also includes Morgan Freeman as Speaker of the House, Robert Forster as a top general.
What drew the “What’s Love Got to Do With It” star to the script she told us was “initially first and foremost to work with Antoine and that he was going to turn this character, make it a woman.” In the original screenplay the Secret Service chief was a man.
She added:Â “And this was one of those page turners which – I’m not very good at reading scripts, if it doesn’t get you by 30 pages it’s not going to do it – but this one kept me until the end.”
When asked how realistic the story was, whether she thought terrorists could storm the White House and kidnap the president, Bassett exclaimed, “I hope not. I hope not. Oh my Gosh!”
She said the tech crews reassured her the president and his family and the White House were in good hands.
“It went a long way to make me feel secure this would not happen,” she said.
At the end of the roundtable Bassett turned to the women journalists and asked, “Did you ladies enjoy the film? These guys. They play to the guys.”
When assured we liked the movie and seeing two strong women roles, especially where Bassett played such a “bad ass” a woman remarked, which prompted the actress to smile.
“I took my mother in law to this,” Bassett said, ” and she said, ‘Wow! The body count is sure high.”
“Saturday Night Live” Pulls Out All the Stops: Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen Join Justin Timberlake, Jay Z
Quite a night on “Saturday Night Live”: host Justin Timberlake brought Jay Z to rap in “Suit and Tie.” Andy Samberg came back to do a skit with Timberlake, as well as guest stars Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin. Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Tom Hanks, and Alec Baldwin also return for sketch about five time hosts. Has Timberlake really hosted the show 5 times? He’s looser on “SNL” than in his own concert– the comedy show brings out the best in him, that’s for sure. Timberlake begins a week of promoting his “20/20 Experience” album on NBC. He’ll appear five nights in a row on Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night.
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