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Aretha Franklin Will Sing National Anthem at World Series on Monday

Roger Friedman
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Aretha Franklin Will Sing National Anthem at World Series on Monday

Superstar performer and Detroit native has a good reason to root for the Tigers in the World Series this weekend. If–let’s say when–the Tigers get to Game 5 on Monday, Franklin will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” at Tigers Stadium. (Er, Comerica Park.) Franklin, who did not record for Motown but for Atlantic Records in its heyday, has stayed true to her Detroit roots all these years. She still lives in her hometown, and is active in her father’s old church where he preached. Franklin probably would have sung at Game 3 or 4 but she’s back east this weekend performing at a couple of private shows. She doesn’t fly; she travels by luxury touring bus. So it takes a couple of days to motor home to Motown. So pray for the Tigers and set your DVRs–we’re going to get a rare chance on Monday to hear the Queen of Soul give Francis Scott Key a whirl.

 

Taylor Swift “Red” Album Set for 1 Million Plus Debut

Roger Friedman
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0
Taylor Swift “Red” Album Set for 1 Million Plus Debut

Taylor Swift: does she need the Kennedys? Not really. Her “Red” album, a hodgepodge of her songs, Max Martin type production, and tabloid fodder is set to make a stunning debut on Monday. “Red” will be number 1, of course, but by a lot. I mean, a lot. “Red” will have sold between 1.1 mil and 1.25 million copies from this past Monday through Sunday night.

When the reporting comes in this Monday, “Red” will have sold more than the top 50 sells all together according to our friends at www.hitsdailydouble.com. And that’s with fans double-buying, in some cases, five of the songs that were already released as singles.

The mind boggles when you think of a generation that will grow up with “Red” as its “Tapestry” or “Blue” or “No Secrets.” But the world is supposed to end on December 21st, so maybe it won’t matter.

Here’s the real deal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux7HgO9QhAc

 

Beatles Famous Apple Logo Now Owned By Apple Computers

Roger Friedman
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2
Beatles Famous Apple Logo Now Owned By Apple Computers

Steve Jobs named Apple Computers for Apple Records, the Beatles’ company. Now from heaven he’s smiling and John Lennon is probably not happy. But the Apple Records trademark–that green apple–is now owned by Apple Computers. This is part of the 2007 settlement between the two Apples which paid the Beatles $500 million. That deal also paved the way for the Beatles exclusive download deal with iTunes. The website Patently Apple reported the story, which was picked up by my pals at hitsdailydouble.com and then handed to you by me. All things must pass, all things must pass away, indeed. Now if only Jeff Jones and Apple Records would release Hey Jude and Rarities on CD and for download before the people who bought them originally on LP are all dead.

Tarantino’s “Django” Sets Late Press Junket for December 15-16

Roger Friedman
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0
Tarantino’s “Django” Sets Late Press Junket for December 15-16

Quentin Tarantino may be riding to the rescue of the 2012 holiday film season, but it will be at the very last minute. Messages have just gone out from The Weinstein Company to hold December 15th and 16th for the junket days for “Django Unchained” with Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and a cast of thousands. Waiting for word on what this means for awards voting by the New York Film Critics and some other groups from November 30th through about December 6th. Of course, this does give him time to show the film to the awards groups, then go back and tinker a bit before the press sees the movie. “Django” opens on Christmas Day, and can’t be soon enough as far his fans–including this writer–are concerned.

Stevie Wonder, Goo Goo Dolls Create Songs for Obama

Roger Friedman
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Stevie Wonder, Goo Goo Dolls Create Songs for Obama

On Wednesday night at the UN, Stevie Wonder and I were talking backstage. He said, “You have to hear the song!” We promptly got into a conversation about six other things. Now this afternoon on YouTube, Stevie has released a new song he wrote for President Obama. It’s called “Keep Moving Forward.” Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qCbiHSOf9nc&noredirect=1

At the same time, a group of musicians including the Goo Goo Dolls have posted their own song called “Forward” at www.forwardsong.com. Here’s the link to that one: http://www.showbiz411.com/wp-admin/post-new.php Featured are Natasha Bedingfield, Herbie Hancock, NeYo, the group Delta Rae and Johnny Rzeznick of the Goo Goo Dolls.

Roman Polanski Documentary Still Searching for a US Distributor

Roger Friedman
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3
Roman Polanski Documentary Still Searching for a US Distributor

When director Roman Polanski was being held under house arrest in Switzerland, he made good use of his time. He and long time friend Andrew Braunsberg, who is also a film producer, set out to make their own “My Dinner with Andre.” They filmed an ongoing conversation about Polanski’s life from his harrowing childhood in the Holocaust, to the murder of his wife Sharon Tate and their unborn baby (as well as their friends) to the scandal involving Polanski sleeping with a 13 year old girl in 1977.

The result is “Roman Polanski: A Memoir.” Shown in Cannes last May, the riveting film has been sold in most markets around the world. But it still has no American distributor. Most of the independent film companies, as well as HBO, I’m told simply found Polanski too problematic a subject — especially in an election year.

This is really too bad and extremely disappointing. “Memoir” is fascinating. It does nothing to whitewash Polanski’s legal problems. Rather, they are addressed head on. And though many people like to recall their own version of his story, Polanski did serve time in prison — 42 days. He did plead guilty to sex with a minor. Court psychologists determined that he was not a pedophile but had made one single poor choice. A deal was in place with the court in Los Angeles. But a corrupt system let the judge begin fiddling with the agreement. Polanski was suddenly at the judge’s mercy with no concrete agreement on which he could rely. He left the United States not as a fugitive but a man in legal limbo.

There’s a lot more to the film. Particularly riveting is Polanski’s memory of the Holocaust in Krakau, Poland. His mother, who was pregnant, was taken by the Nazis and killed immediately. His father was taken away but returned. His sister somehow made it to Paris. Polanski, 12, went to live with a non Jewish family, then bounced around from place to place. Braunsberg juxtaposes Polanski’s story telling with archival footage and scenes from the director’s watershed film “The Pianist.” It’s quite remarkable.

Polanski also discusses the “Helter Skelter” murders by Charles Manson and his cult followers of his wife, Sharon Tate, and their friends. It’s the first time I can think that Polanski has really sat for an indepth interview since one with Diane Sawyer in the early 90s.

Of course, eventually Polanki’s house arrest was lifted. He is no longer in danger of extadition by the US government. The many lies and distortions in his case, perpetrated by the court  in Los Angeles, were revealed in another documentary, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.” That this situation persists, considering that the 13 year old girl, Samantha Geimer, is now almost 50 and has long since absolved Polanski, is a tragedy.

The best thing Braunsberg can do is make a video on demand deal for “Memoir” so that anyone who has formed a preconceived notion about Polanski can see– right in their own living rooms, or at their computers–what really happened and what this important director has lived through.

Rolling Stones Set List from Surprise Paris Show

Roger Friedman
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Rolling Stones Set List from Surprise Paris Show

The Rolling Stones played a surprise 75 minute show in a north Paris club last night. Tickets were just $20, now making the average price of a ticket for this mini tour $4 million. Anyway, here’s the set list. And this probably means there will be more of these pop up club dates between now and November 25th when they hit the O2 Arena. And some here in December.

Route 66

It’s Only Rock and Roll

Shattered

When The Whip Comes Down

Champagne and Reefer

Doom and Gloom

Miss You

Tumbling Dice

Start Me Up

Midnight Rambler

Jumping Jack Flash

Brown Sugar

“Skyfall” Opens In UK, Bond 24 Set for 2014 But Likely Without Judi Dench

Roger Friedman
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2
“Skyfall” Opens In UK, Bond 24 Set for 2014 But Likely Without Judi Dench

James Bond 23 opens today in the United Kingdom. Expect a windfall for “Skyfall” as for once in a long time everything is right with the fabled spy action series. “Skyfall” ends with a notice, like all the other films in the series, that “James Bond will Return.” My colleague at the Daily Mail in London, Baz Bamigboye, reports today that Bond 24 is already in pre-production, John Logan is writing the script (as he did for “Skyfall”) and that Daniel Craig will be back in his tux by the end of 2014 if not sooner.

Also expect that Ralph Fiennes will succeed Judi Dench as M. Dench has a full plate of movies and theater, but running around a field with a semi automatic weapon isn’t “optimal” even at her most youthful demeanor. Dench gets a lot of airtime in “Skyfall,” capping a brilliant run as M starting back in 1994. She’s the longest running actor in the James Bond series. And she’s probably getting an Oscar nod this year for “Best Exotic Mariold Hotel.” Dame Judi is just starting a new Stephen Frears movie with Steve Coogan that sounds like a winner.

Who will direct Bond 24? They’d be smart to stick with Sam Mendes. But the producers are said to be considering Christopher Nolan, among others. And who should be next to write and sing the Bond theme song? Since Adele filled the ladies’ slot this time ’round, my vote is for Sting. I always thought his “Tomorrow We’ll See” was a James Bond song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=576vw_qbqLs

Katie Holmes On Her New Broadway Role: “I Finally Get to Yell!”

Roger Friedman
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4
Katie Holmes On Her New Broadway Role: “I Finally Get to Yell!”

UPDATE: here’s the synopsis of “Dead Accounts,” supplied happily by the show’s press agents:

Jack (Norbert Leo Butz) returns home to Cincinnati under mysterious circumstances. His sister Lorna (Katie Holmes) is wondering where his wife (Judy Greer) is, why he doesn’t seem concerned about his job as a bank executive, and how he’s come across the large amounts of cash he’s throwing around. Lorna has moved back into her childhood home to help her very Catholic mother (Jayne Houdyshell) take care of the Lorna’s very ill father. She’s struggling with taking care of her aging parents, her brother’s odd behavior, his propensity to buy unhealthy amounts of Graeter’s ice cream, and an unrequited crush on Jack’s high school buddy Phil (Josh Hamilton). When Jack’s wife Jenny arrives in Cincinnati and drops a bomb, the family must decide what to do with a $27 million secret.

Earlier: Katie Holmes made a public appearance last night for the new Broadway play in which she will shortly open, called “Dead Accounts.” Katie, playwright Theresa Rebeck and director Jack O’Brien did a live radio show with an audience at the Greene Space for WNYC (NPR) in West Soho. The thing is, the event was so under-promoted that there were plenty of empty seats–and tickets were just $20. I actually bought two seats since the publicist for WNYC insisted that there was “no press” allowed in the studio. So kooky, these little publicists.

The lineup was esteemed WNYC interviewer Leonard Lopate interrogating the group which also comprised actors (Tony winner) Norbert Leo Butz. Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and Jayne Houdyshell. It is a great cast, and O’Brien has already directed Butz to two Tonys, so he knows what he’s doing. From what we could figure out — since no one there including Lopate has seen Rebeck’s play: it takes place in Cincinnati on one set– a kitchen–where a large Catholic family gathers. The father may have just died since Butz returns with his estranged wife (Greer). Holmes is his sister, who’s stayed to take care of the parents. Houdyshell, who has a resemblance to Rebeck, is the mother. As in Rebeck’s “Mauritius,” there’s a lot of talk of dividing up an estate and people fighting over $27 million.

When Katie’s limo pulled up in front of the studio, a crowd of paparazzi gathered faster than you could say “Suri.” As the car pulled away, the limo driver asked me, “Who is that? I don’t even know” about his just discharged passenger.

Katie wore what looked like a white linen dress, with black leggings and a black jacket that she eventually removed because the lights were hot. During the course of the hour long talk, Katie did not say a lot. But at least she said more than “Amazing” or “I’m in love,” which is all she said really between April 2005 and June 2012. She seemed genuinely interested in what was going on, spoke about her family, her desire to work in theater: “I thought it would be so challenging.”

Why she wanted to work in theater: “Because I was so young when I started working, I was always trying to catch up.” Butz said she has no trouble projecting her voice in the theater.

Katie: “Finally I get to yell!” She added: “What I really loved about this character was she’s strong underneath it all.  I like her values, I like that she’s trying to figure it all out and really cares for her family.”

What I really liked about Katie: she seems totally fascinated by the amazing Judy Greer, who will probably steal the play from everyone. Also, maybe someday someone will explain why Josh Hamilton hasn’t had a bigger career. He deserves it already but I don’t think he cares. He rode his own motorcycle to the studio.

You can watch the whole thing at http://tinyurl.com/btz8nbh

 

Meat Loaf Gets Cooking for Romney, with John Rich, Country Stars

Roger Friedman
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2
Meat Loaf Gets Cooking for Romney, with John Rich, Country Stars

Bruce Springsteen isn’t the only one out there stumping for his candidate. Meat Loaf, the original Bat out of Hell, is going to help Mitt Romney. He’s joining a bunch of country stars in Defiance, Ohio to support the Republican presidential candidate. John Rich of Big & Rich is hosting an extravaganza in Defiance with a cadre of guests including Randy Owen of the group Alabama. A surprise guest may also join them tonight. It’s interesting because, for parties at a possible inauguration in Washington, I’m told Republicans are “tired” of country stars and won’t pay to see them. But for free? Sounds good to me. And Meat Loaf? “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” should inspire Romney followers.

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