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The Devil Wears Nada: Anna Wintour’s Top 2 Associates at Vogue Make Hasty Exits

Roger Friedman
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The Devil Wears Nada: Anna Wintour’s Top 2 Associates at Vogue Make Hasty Exits

It’s a big news week for magazines, as Time Inc. tries to offload most of itself — including People, Entertainment Weekly, and the insufferable In Style– to Ladies Home Journal publisher Meredith Company. But the other big news is that Anna Wintour has suddenly lost the two people she was closest to, and came with her to wrest Vogue from Grace Mirabella back in 1988.

First Keith Kelly reported in the Post the startling news that Laurie Jones, who actually hired Wintour at New York magazine, and was then brought to Vogue by Wintour when she got it, is leaving at the end of this month.

Jones was managing editor all these many decades, keeping the place running straight while everything undermined her. Her departure could be a natural retirement or exhaustion. But then it’s coupled with this news: that Andre Leon Talley, the giant of all fashion editor-writers, is also overboard. ALT has been with Conde Nast since the early 80s, and with Wintour since her first day at Vogue.

Is it a coincidence in these times of cutbacks that the two most tenured people at Vogue–other than Wintour and Grace Coddington–have left the building? Maybe it’s all without plan. But it feels a like just a few months ago when Time Inc. lost John Huey and Terry McDonell in a mad rush for the exit doors. Drastic cutbacks followed, then the new story of the sale. Just sayin’…The mag business proceeds through a perilous time….

PS Both announcements were made just as Fashion Week concluded.

Friday Box Office: A Race to Crown Mediocrity Between “Die Hard” and “Safe Haven”

Roger Friedman
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It’s a sad state of affairs as the race for number 1 at the box office this weekend is between two mediocre (and that’s being charitable) offerings. “A Good Day to Die Hard” beat “Safe Haven” on Friday night by a whisker– just $75,000 separated these two avoidable features. More importantly, they each made less on Friday than they did on Thursday. So who knows what will happen tonight?

Meanwhile, three big Oscar nominees are wrapping up their runs with very healthy box office returns– “Lincoln,” ($175 mil)  “Django Unchained,” ($155 mil) and “Life of Pi” ($109 mil) each did very well domestically. “Argo” came in at around $125 million.

“Silver Linings” is very much still alive and kicking at the box office, on its way to $100 million certainly by next weekend or right after the Oscars. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo just declared a Robert DeNiro day, and the whole “Silver Linings” cast is getting award at the LA-Italia festival this coming week.

Star Wars Fans: Don’t Worry, All Three Originals Are Returning

Roger Friedman
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Star Wars Fans: Don’t Worry, All Three Originals Are Returning

I just got back and saw a story running wild about Harrison Ford playing Han Solo in the new “Star Wars” revival. No one seems sure about it. I was told some time ago that Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill would be reprising their roles in Episode &, Obviously this new movie won’t pick up where “Return of the Jedi” ended. It’s some time in the future. Han, Princess Leia (with a presumably better hairstyle), and Luke Skywalker will be a lot older. Their children will be the new main characters. R2D2 and C-3PO will be unchanged, I would guess. since they are not human. But suffice to say, the three main actors are definitely coming back. The bigger question is, which young actors will play their kids? Luckily Hayden Christensen is long since passed from this scenario. And you know, Carrie Fisher will be the funniest wisecracking princess in the Galaxy– holding a martini glass. Don’t forget, all three of the actors are still profit participants in “Star Wars.”

Valentine’s Day Massacre: Bruce Willis “Die Hard 5” Beaten by Chick Flick in Debut

Roger Friedman
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Valentine’s Day Massacre: Bruce Willis “Die Hard 5” Beaten by Chick Flick in Debut

Once, they ruled the world. Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis. From the mid 80s to mid 90s, they were tops at the box office. They also made countless appearances for Planet Hollywood, where they were all partners. But the pendulum has swung. Last night, Willis’s “A Good Day To Die Hard” placed second on its opening night–Valentine’s Day– to a shmooshy romance vehicle called “Safe Haven.” They are the lowest rated films this week on Rotten Tomatoes– 12% and 11%. They are bad, bad movies but it doesn’t matter. What does matter: Bruce Willis and explosions were toppled by hazy walks on the beach. Ouch!

“Haven” ($8.9 mil)  beat “Die Hard” ($8.3 mil) by $600,000– and it was playing in fewer theaters.

Willis follows Stallone and Schwarzenegger into the twilight of action hero status. Stallone’s “Bullet to the Head” has made $8 million, and won’t make it to $20 million. That’s what Stallone used to get for being in his movies. No more. And Arnold? “The Last Stand” is leaving the box office with $12 million in the till. It’s not enough to for a gold plated Humvee.

“Die Hard” 5 will have just this weekend to do something– surprise everyone, maybe, pull ahead of “Safe Haven.” But Willis, unlike the other two, has a lot going for him: he can act, he’s funny, and he can even do theater. He has a lot of possibilities. But more “Die Hard” is not one of them.

Academy Members, Oscar Voters: Skew Older, Vote Hip, Know What They’re Doing

Roger Friedman
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Academy Members, Oscar Voters: Skew Older, Vote Hip, Know What They’re Doing

I’m really appalled by a stupid article in today’s New York Post about Oscar voters being old and out of touch. It’s quite the contrary. The Post writer–surprise–had an agenda and went for it. But she obviously knows nothing about the Motion Picture Academy. This is not the Hollywood Foreign Press.

This past December I made two trips to Los Angeles. Each time I went to small receptions, cocktail parties, and screenings for various Oscar-buzzed movies. It is the time of the year when older Academy members whom you don’t ordinarily get to meet– they’re retired, or not going to nightclubs with Lindsay Lohan–get to come and learn what’s happening this year with the Oscars.

These people invariably surprise me. They are sharp, bright, with it. They know all the movies, who’s in what, what every actor and director has done in the past. They can be charming, irascible, curmudgeonly, and supportive. You sit down at a table of white or gray haired folks and they start telling you what they did: danced in MGM musicals, always played the neighbor in Doris Day films, etc. They’ve seen everything, and they have a high standard. The highest.

So I wasn’t surprised a few weeks later, for example, when “Life of Pi” was nominated and so was Ang Lee. The people I’d interviewed in December had loved it. Adored it. What else had they liked? Jennifer Lawrence and”Silver Linings.” They were not so keen on “Les Miserables.” Ditto “Lincoln,” which I thought they’d go for in a big way. They liked the second half of it. Everyone said “Argo” then, and we weren’t listening.

Walter Bernstein was interviewed for the Post piece. I don’t think the writer knew who he was, only that he was the oldest member of the New York branch at 93. Walter, whom I admire greatly, was blacklisted in the 1950s– still a very sore subject. He was accused of being a Communist and had to use other people’s names to get his scripts produced. He was not a Communist. (And who cares if he was?) Aside from Walters’s thoughts on “Silver Linings,” I agree with him. But Walter’s perspective is definitely colored by what was done to him.  The Blacklist remains Hollywood’s lowest moment in history.

As for “buying” Oscars: I think I received a candy bar or something for “Silver Linings.” Contrast that with the massive amount of merchandise accompanying “Lincoln”– books galore, a cookbook, and the CD came in an expensive white box with photo inlays. “Les Miz” also had a book that cost a fortune. There’s a rumor the soundtrack came on an iPod nano. (I wish they’d sent me that!) Luckily, no one sent grenades for “Zero Dark Thirty.”

But back to the age thing: don’t for a minute think the age of Oscar voters means they don’t know what’s going on. This “old” group just devoured the hippest movie of the year, “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” Everyone who saw it, dug it. I couldn’t believe it when they told me. So there.

Fallen “Idol”: Ratings Tank This Week, Beaten by CBS Comedy Block

Roger Friedman
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Fallen “Idol”: Ratings Tank This Week, Beaten by CBS Comedy Block

UPDATE: It looks like Thursday’s “American Idol” ratings were even worse than Wednesday’s. The show fell from a 4.3 to an alarming 3.6. Sound the alarms! CBS’s comedy block beat “Idol” on Thursday. “Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men” together took the 8-9pm time slot handily.

Earlier: What’s happening with “American Idol“? It’s still number 1 in its timeslots, and still a powerhouse, kind of. But on Wednesday night, “Idol” scored its lowest Wednesday rating since 2002 according to tvbythenumbers.com. Here’s what they said: On FOX, American Idol scored a 4.3, down three tenths from last week’s 4.6 adults 18-49 rating and the series’ lowest adults 18-49 rating for a Wednesday since July 10,2002.” Got that?

Last night, “Idol” winnowed 40 contestants of each gender down to 20 apiece. The women, as Nigel Lythgoe told me a couple of weeks ago, are better than the men. The guys do not look like adults and don’t have much stature so far. Maybe things will change as the show progresses.

Of the women, Melinda Ademi seemed the most impressive. And of course, Zoanette was outstanding– but she may be like Frenchie Davis, a bit of a novelty. But she’s arresting to say the least. Angela Miller was spot on, too. She sounds like a recording artist. Candace Glover sang “Girl on Fire,” and full-throated, on key.

The judges: Mariah Carey is a little too reverential. I wish the spicy Mariah would come out. But she seems averse to really critiquing the performers. Nikki Minaj even seemed subdued. Randy remains the voice of reason. But I think the breakout judge is Keith Urban. He’s funny, real, knows the words to songs the contestants are singing, and he mixes it up.

Will “Idol” bounce back in the ratings? Someone there–a  judge, a contestant– has to spark a fire.

 

 

Everyone Loves Phil: Rosenthal to Get Special Award from Writers Guild This Saturday

Roger Friedman
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Everyone Loves Phil: Rosenthal to Get Special Award from Writers Guild This Saturday

Phil Rosenthal will be center stage this Sunday at The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) West Coast ceremony this Sunday in downtown LA at L.A. Live.  Phil will be feted with the Valentine Davies Award in recognition of his humanitarian efforts on behalf of writers.
Phil has long been one of Hollywood’s most talented writer/producer/director powerhouses, as well as one of it’s nicest guys.  The multiple Emmy Award winner created the mega hit “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as well as earning a Peabody Award for co-writing the widely watched 9/11 telethon, “America: A Tribute To Heroes.”

Phil and his equally talented actress-wife Monica Horan are also philanthropists. They are major patrons of Inner City Arts, which serves at-risk students and schools in LA, as well as various organizations.  On the East coast, Phil funds a diversity program at his alma mater, Hofstra University.

LEAH SYDNEY chatted with the very engaging Rosenthal, who’s also known as a consummate host of Sunday screening and pizza parties for friends and family.

Showbiz411: Phil, you’re getting this iconic award, that legends like Norman Lear, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner and more have gotten, yet you’re a relative youngster. How does it feel?

Phil:  I think what the Guild is telling me is that I’m very old.  And they’re not wrong, I’ve always said I’m 85 inside.  The outside now is catching up.

Showbiz411: You’re a well-known foodie.  We know you worked on a traveling food show, where you go to restaurants around the world and you have other projects in the pipeline.  Tell us about that.Phil: Yes. We just shot an episode with Thomas Keller and I eating our way through London. We still haven’t named it, but when I told my brother about the show, he said, “Oh,what are you going to call it, ‘The Lucky Bastard’? I also have a Broadway show I’m writing, a couple of screenplays out there we’re getting financing for that I will direct, and looking forward to directing some TV projects as well as some commercials.”

Showbiz411: You’ve worked with both President Clinton and President Obama.  Not bad for a boy from Rockland County!

Phil:  I’m proud to have written jokes for both of them.  I directed President Clinton in the White House Correspondents Dinner video called, “The Final Days,” which you can find online. Presidents Clinton and Obama are both brilliant and charming, and understand comedy in a way that many actors don’t.  I would even go so far to say that their sense of humor is part of what makes them so popular, as it is with most people.   I think that you marry who you’re going to marry based on having a similar sense of humor.  I owe everything to my wife Monica Horan, including this award.

Showbiz411: What are some of your favorite comedy shows out there?

Phil: I love Stephen Colbert, he’s the genius of the medium.  I also like Billy Eichner, from ‘Billy On The Street.’  ‘Girls’ and ‘Enlightened’ I think are the best sitcoms on TV right now.  I’m also very fond of ‘Mindy,’ and her ‘Project.’

Showbiz411: This upcoming award so proves that you are a major force in comedy in Hollywood.

Phil:  If that’s true, I promise to use my powers for good!

Oscars: Robin Roberts Will Co-Host Pre-Show, Plus More Stars Added

Roger Friedman
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Oscars: Robin Roberts Will Co-Host Pre-Show, Plus More Stars Added

This is really great news: Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America” will co-host ABC’s Oscar preshow on February 24th. Roberts has been recuperating from a bone marrow transplant. But she’s returning to “GMA” shortly. And now the Oscars have announced, and she has on Twitter, that Roberts will play some role on the show before the Academy Awards. Roberts says on Twitter that she can’t wait to co-host with Lara Spencer, Entertainment Weekly’s Jess Cagle, and actress Kristen Chenoweth. She will be a very welcome presence.

Meantime, Best Actress nominees Jennifer Lawrence (who I still think will and should win for “Silver Linings”) and the phenomenal Jessica Chastain have been added to the show as presenters. Also added: Ben Affleck, whose film, “Argo,” is nominated for Best Picture.

 

Candice Bergen Bringing Her Memoir “Knock Wood” to the Big Screen

Roger Friedman
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Candice Bergen Bringing Her Memoir “Knock Wood” to the Big Screen

Exclusive: Great news. One of my favorite books, and a bestseller, is coming to the big screen. Candice Bergen has decided to produce her 1984 memoir, “Knock Wood,” at long last. The Emmy winning legendary actress won rave reviews for the memoir when it was published, for its humor and frankness about growing up in Hollywood as the daughter of famed ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.

I’m told that there’s an offer out to an A lister, and he’ll have to learn ventriloquism. That means (I’m sorry): no dummy.

“Knock Wood” weaves a wonderful story of a Hollywood childhood that really was like a fantasy come true. Young Candice thought her father’s equally famed puppet, Charlie McCarthy, was her brother until she got a rude awakening one day and realized that as much as Edgar doted on Charlie, he wasn’t human.It also follows Bergen into her adulthood, through her start in classic movies like “The Group” and “Carnal Knowledge”– groundbreakers–and Hollywood in the late 60s.

Screenwriter Barbara Turner (“Hemingway and Gellhorn,” “The Company”) is adapting the book, and she’ll produce along with Bergen and James Trezza, with whom Turner partnered on the Oscar nominated “Pollock.” Turner, mother of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, is nominated for a Writers Guild Award this weekend for “Hemingway and Gellhorn.”

Lady Gaga Forced to Cancel Rest of Tour: Needs Hip Surgery Similar to A Rod

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga Forced to Cancel Rest of Tour: Needs Hip Surgery Similar to A Rod

Lady Gaga has been sidelined.

Here’s the release: “Live Nation Global Touring has confirmed that the remainder of the Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball performances have been cancelled.
After additional tests this morning to review the severity of the issue, it has been determined that Lady Gaga has a labral tear of the right hip. She will need surgery to repair the problem, followed by strict down time to recover. This unfortunately, will force her to cancel the tour, so she can heal.”

The labral tear of the hip is similar to what Alex Rodriguez, A Rod, of the Yankees, had this past winter. He had surgery in December and is expected to be playing when the baseball season starts April 1st.

Gaga– Stefani Germanotta–can work on her ARTPop album, which is due in November, and her duets album with Tony Bennett. Knowing how he loves performing, this is probably worse news for her than than for her rabid fans. Get well, Lady Gaga!

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