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Michael Jackson Estate Paid $100K for a Big Family Party, and the Funeral

Roger Friedman
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3
Michael Jackson Estate Paid $100K for a Big Family Party, and the Funeral

I’m getting a lot of calls about the Michael Jackson story in Vanity Fair, which is an excerpt of a book by Randall Sullivan. Sullivan long ago wrote the unimpressive story of the Billionaire Boys Club. Now he’s back. Anyway: Sullivan says in his piece that Michael Jackson’s funeral was delayed because of financial wrangling between his estate and Janet Jackson over who was going to pay for everything.

This is incorrect. I know it, and the people who have called in know it. Indeed, the estate paid for everything including the Staples Center memorial blockbuster, a $100,000 party that followed in a hotel, and the eventual funeral at Forest Lawn. For the Staples Center extravaganza, AEG Live kicked in. The funeral was delayed over wrangling among family members and Colony Capital about whether Michael should be buried at Forest Lawn or at Neverland.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/07/07/20090707jackson-michael-jacko-stevie-wonder-diana-ross-liza-minelli-elizabeth-taylor

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/07/07/20090707michaels-memorial-louis-farrakhan-david-gest-joe-frazier-more

This went on for weeks. Also, Sullivan–at least in this excerpt– jumps right over the Staples Center deal where Janet pushed Paris Jackson forward to speak, where Louis Farrakhan sat in the row in front of me, and that big party that followed. There is also no mention of Joe Jackson bringing a Michael Jackson impersonator to the BET Awards four days after Michael died. That’s because Sullivan wasn’t there, and doesn’t know what he was talking about.

The Vanity Fair excerpt also deals with Katherine Jackson’s “abduction” earlier this summer. Again, Sullivan doesn’t seem to get it. Katherine Jackson’s lawyer, Perry O. Sanders, a nice guy, went to Arizona to meet Mrs. Jackson with Jermaine and Janet. When he got there, they refused to let him see her. They also told him there were no phones in the rooms where she was staying. This was an out and out lie, which I debunked exclusively.

I do fear that Sullivan’s book is going to be a cover to cover mess after reading this stuff. We’ll see in time what else has to be corrected.

Adele “Skyfall” Download Goes to Number 1 Overnight

Roger Friedman
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41
Adele “Skyfall” Download Goes to Number 1 Overnight

UPDATE: “Skyfall” was released at 7:07pm Eastern and it’s already number 1 on iTunes this morning. It may be the fastest trip to number 1 on the downloading service ever. Numbers aren’t in yet for how many people plunked down $1.29 for Adele’s first new record in almost two years.

Earlier: We’re just a few hours away from Adele’s “Skyfall” premiere on her www.adele.tv. This column broke the original story of Adele and “Skyfall” last spring on Forbes.com. We reconfirmed it a couple of times, and published some of the lyrics. A few people wrote in saying they didn’t believe those were the lyrics. But you know, they are–and it’s a tribute to Adele and Paul Epworth that they made a song around the word “Skyfall.” My guess is that the download of “Skyfall” at 7:07pm Eastern tonight on iTunes and from Adele’s site will set a record and cause problems. It’s going to be huge. My Sony sources are being more conservative. But they’ll be thrilled. If only they had B side or an extra track to go with it. Unfortunately, they don’t.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/13/confirmed-adele-all-set-for-james-bond-skyfall-song

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/23/re-confirmed-adele-singing-james-bond-theme-song

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/25/exclusive-adele-james-bond-skyfall-song-is-classic-007

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/27/adele-james-bond-skyfall-song-written-with-rolling-in-the-deep-writer

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/10/01/adele-skyfall-lyrics-james-bond-exclusive

 

New Michael Jackson Book Looks Like Clip Job: Read Original Stories Here

Roger Friedman
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2
New Michael Jackson Book Looks Like Clip Job: Read Original Stories Here

The new Michael Jackson book excerpted in Vanity Fair looks like a clip job. As well, author Randall Sullivan seems to have depended on the most questionable of the Jackson so called “insiders” as his sources. They include Brian Oxman, who was never Michael’s lawyer, was fired by Tom Mesereau during the 2005 criminal case, and is now disbarred finally after many sanctions by the California Bar Association; Howard Mann, a Toronto online gaming entrepreneur who recently lost a major case to the Jackson estate; and Tohme Tohme, Michael’s short-lived manager currently being sued by the estate.

No one I’ve talked to associated with the Jackson estate, or the real “inner circle” has spoken to Sullivan. His book is being published by Grove Press, which sold the rights to Vanity Fair. The magazine can’t know that Sullivan’s sources are highly suspect, or that much of the material they’ve got from him comes other sources including this column. Sullivan never covered Jackson during his life, wasn’t around during his trial or its aftermath, but now pitches himself as an expert.

Sullivan also seems to be, at least in the Vanity Fair excerpt, on the side of the Will-doubters. This is the group that thinks Michael Jackson’s Will was forged or invented. I liken them to the Obama birthers.

Sullivan cites this column toward the end of his excerpt in the new Vanity Fair, but really–most of the stuff in this story comes from other places. It’s a clip job. I suspect his book will be much the same. Look for the fingerprints of other disgruntled ex-Jacksonians.

Anyway, here are some links to stories I wrote where Sullivan may have found inspiration:

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/06/26/20090626michael-jacksons-last-will-was-completed-in-2002

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/06/28/20090628jackson-family-where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/06/27/20090627michael-jackson-burial-neverland-ranch\

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/06/29/20090629michael-jackson-katherine-mom-custody-john-branca-legal-mistake

http://www.showbiz411.com/2009/06/26/20090626jacko-michael-jackson-will-beatles-sony-atv-lennon-mccartney-debt-400-million-neverland-mijac-aeg-tohm

 

Justin Timberlake’s Charity Has Disappeared, And Shriners Kick Him Out

Roger Friedman
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10
Justin Timberlake’s Charity Has Disappeared, And Shriners Kick Him Out

Justin Timberlake is having charitable problems His registered 501c3, the Justin Timberlake Foundation, has a zero balance. Three years ago it had $160,000. Even then it was only giving money to two other charities. Neither of them was the Shriners Hospital for Children in Las Vegas with which Justin was associated through a golf tournament. (keep refreshing)

The Foundation was never much of a big charitable effort. At its height, in 2006-2007, it gave $100,000 each to two Memphis music charities. In 2006, he gave $2,500 to MusiCares in memory of a producer/arranger who worked on an NSync album.That same year, the Foundation had unspecified “outside expenses” of over $40,000.

In 2004, the Foundation gave a meager $5,000 to the Elton John AIDS Foundation but listed $50,000 for salaries.

Timberlake’s parents, Paul and Lynn Harless, have always been listed as the officers of the Foundation.

It’s a little odd, considering how much money Timberlake has made over the years from albums, touring, and movies. But people with charitable foundations sometimes give contributions through other sources. It’s possible Timberlake has done that.

Last week I reported exclusively that very quietly, Timberlake has been recording his first album since 2006. http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/30/exclusive-justin-timberlake-finally-recording-new-album-after-six-years

Aside from the Foundation, Timberlake has other problems now with a charitable cause. Known for being happy go lucky and lots of fun, Timberlake is associated with Shriners Hospital for Children in Las Vegas. This included playing in their golf tournament. But after this past Sunday, Shriners and Timberlake are no long associated. But according to the Las Vegas Journal Review, the Shriner’s have given Justin the boot for not fulfilling his duties. http://www.lvrj.com/sports/las-vegas-pga-tour-stop-looks-to-future-172058461.html

According to the article:

While Timberlake did fulfill his obligations to the tournament and helped raise several million dollars through a Saturday concert his first four years, the fact is the pop star and original member of N’Sync wasn’t able to generate greater interest in the tournament, and his star power wasn’t enough to lure bigger-name players to the event on a consistent basis.

“We’re a world-class organization,” Frevel said. “At the time we got involved with golf, we were told by the Tour we needed a big name, and that’s how our relationship with Justin came about.

“Justin’s a wonderful person. But we tried everything we could to get him more involved with our kids and the hospitals. But it seemed that when the TV cameras weren’t on, he disappeared.”

“American Idol” Auditions Head to Baton Rouge for More Fake Fireworks

Roger Friedman
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3
“American Idol” Auditions Head to Baton Rouge for More Fake Fireworks

“American Idol” auditions head to Baton Rouge, Louisiana now, with more fake fireworks planned among the judges. As everyone knows by now, in Charlotte, North Carolina Nicki Minaj picked a fight with Mariah Carey. The news mushroomed into World War III and cast a big spotlight on “Idol” sure to build ratings when the show returns in January.

All of this is planned, dear friends. Back in the day, it was Simon vs. Paula. And whether Simon would leave the show. Or Paula. This is what Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe were so good at: creating huge amounts of contentious publicity designed to attract viewers. You need it in the first few weeks before viewers have favorite singers to root for.

I was discussing this with a Fox TV exec, reminiscing about the PT Barnum days of fake “Idol” publicity. And now, it’s back! Nicki Minaj has been assigned the role of instigator. Mariah Carey is the victim. Who knows what they have planned for Keith Urban? Something wicked this way comes.

Baton Rouge may not be ready for this gumbo.

Rock and Roll Hall of Shame: Nominees So Bad Press Release Issued After Midnight

Roger Friedman
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110
Rock and Roll Hall of Shame: Nominees So Bad Press Release Issued After Midnight

You want press for your nominees list? Release it at 4pm. You want to hide it and keep it out of newspapers, let alone web reporter who are awake>? How about midnight? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame put out its list of possible inductees after midnight this morning because it is so freaking embarassing they’d rather not discuss it. It’s a pathetic selection that includes rap groups Public Enemy and NWA, followed by mediocre (to say the least) rockers Deep Purple and Rush (I didn’t think this was possible).

Many of the nominees were already on the short list as recently as last year including the late Donna Summer (disco), Chic, and Heart.

The only people who should make it from the list are singer-songwriter Randy Newman and original Motown group the Marvelettes.

Paul Butterfield Blues Band is a nice idea, however odd at this point.

But not on the list, and far more worthy are Sting (individual artist), Bon Jovi, Chicago, Hall & Oates, the Moody Blues, the late Mary Wells and the late Billy Preston. Female pop stars Carly Simon and Linda Ronstadt are also missing. Cyndi Lauper would have been appropriate. How about a true original and influence like George Clinton? or the Eurythmics? Or if you’re so into rap, how about Kurtis Blow, or the Sugarhill Gang, the original rappers?

But at this point, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke. They’ve painted themselves into a corner by skipping almost completely over the 1970s and then starting to include rap groups who sampled rock and roll had no absolutely no influence over anything. At least Nile Rodgers and Chic have had a worldwide influence with songs like “We Are Family” and “Good Times.”

But I dare you to name a “song” by Public Enemy or NWA (can you remember what this stood for? The N is a play on the N word.) Chuck D from Public Enemy is a nice guy, but really…

This is what Joel Peresman, who runs the Rock and Roll Hall Fame Foundation here in New York, gets a salary of $400,000 a year for. To come up with these names.

The other names are Joan Jett, Kraftwerk, the Meters (sort of New Orleans R&B– and a good vote), Procol Harum (beloved for one hit–“Whiter Shade of Pale”), and blues artist Albert King.

Rush? Rush? Can Kansas and Styx be far behind?

Jann Wenner must be hanging from a chandelier. This group, no matter how it turns out, will not be selling seats next March at the Waldorf Astoria.

But the fact is, this thing is over. The original purpose of the Hall of Fame was long ago achieved. Early rockers, British invasion, singer songwriters, early R&B, the people who invented rock and roll–they’re mostly in. Only Chubby Checker and Bill Haley and the Comets have been locked out.

Sad, sad, sad.

Oh yeah: who would I choose from this miserable collection? The Meters, Randy Newman, Paul Butterfield, Chic, and Joan Jett.

Spielberg’s “Lincoln” Film Wins the Debate with Commercial

Roger Friedman
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0
Spielberg’s “Lincoln” Film Wins the Debate with Commercial

It was probably just a coincidence that President Obama mentioned Abraham Lincoln during the debate Thursday night. But when the 90 minute slugfest was over, the first commercial that popped up was for Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” Daniel Day Lewis plays the 16th president. And while prior teasers didn’t look so exciting, this commercial was damn good. “Lincoln” won the debate hands down. Will it win the Oscar? That’s to be seen. But with this material, Spielberg will have a dozen or so nominations, to be sure. Daniel Day Lewis is pretty impressive (although, to be a total wag about it, he reminded me a little of Michael Richards aka “Kramer”).

Sean Connery Is Still Angry He Was Replaced As James Bond

Roger Friedman
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2
Sean Connery Is Still Angry He Was Replaced As James Bond

Sean Connery is still angry that he was replaced by Roger Moore as James Bond years ago. He’s the only one of the actors who played 007 who doesn’t appear in “Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007,” a terrific new documentary about the Bond movies. Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig are all part of the film, which will begin showings on EpixHD (www.epixhd.com) tomorrow–October 5th– the 50th anniversary of the first Bond movie, “Dr. No.”

Connery may not have not participated but everyone else did–and the result is a fascinating look back at how Ian Fleming’s spy novels became movies produced by Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman- for the Connery run–Saltzman. (There are plenty of Connery clips.)

Connery, it should be noted, quit playing Bond after “You Only Live Twice” (1967). He was succeeded by George Lazenby in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” Connery returned for “Diamonds Are Forever: (1971) but that was it. Roger Moore stepped in after that for “Live and Let Die” (1973) and the rest is history. Connery returned in 1980 in “Never Say Never,” a non-Broccoli movie based on “Thunderball” and produced by a rival who’d very early on gotten the rights to that novel from Fleming.

There’s great footage of Fleming, who explains how real life incidents became key moments in the books. There’s also a detail history of the families who produced the movies, grew up on them, and how daughter Barbara Broccoli now successfully produces the films with her step brother Michael Wilson.

Even though no Bonds were available in person at last night’s red carpet MoMA premiere (sponsored by Vanity Fair and Epix), several former Bond actors made it including Robert Davi, Maud Adams, and Carey Lowell. Some other A- list names included Chris Noth, Jeffrey Wright. Kate Upton, Chace Crawford, and Solange Knowles.

Epix starts playing “EON”– also the name of the company Broccoli and Saltzman– on Friday as well as running a marathon of Bond movies now, and a bigger one next spring.

Some things Bond fans will be interested in: how the transitions from one Bond actot to the next took place, the predicament of Brosnan with “Remington Steele,” how Dalton fared, and the peculiar decades long battle between Broccoli/Saltzman and another producer who kept trying to make Bond movies on his own (hence the not so good “Never Say Never.”)

My only criticism: not much reference to the Bond music. Maybe they couldn’t clear it? I don’t know. But mostly you get Shirley Bassey singing “Goldfinger” and Carly Simon wrapping up the film with “Nobody Does it Better.” And that’s pretty good.

MSNBC Stars Maddow and O’Donnell Beating Fox News in Demos

Roger Friedman
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1
MSNBC Stars Maddow and O’Donnell Beating Fox News in Demos

Fox News is still the leading cable news network in the ratings. But something’s happening, a very decided shift to MSNBC among the key demographic of 25 to 54.year old viewers. On Monday night, both MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell beat their Fox competitors–Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren– in those categories.  It’s not the first time that’s happened and it doesn’t seem to be the last.

On Monday, Maddow beat Hannity 476,000 to 381,000 at 9pm in that key age group. Then O’Donnell capitalized on it, and beat van Susteren at 10pm 393,000 to 360,000.

And yes, while CNN’s numbers are not good, the numbers that are unbelievably low are Fox Business News. No one is watching that network. There are fewer people watching Fox Business News than there are walking by the studio on the sidewalk. I know there are smart, likeable people on there, but realistically–what’s the point?

Meantime, in other ratings news, “General Hospital” is up, up, up on ABC since moving to 2pm and losing the godawful “Revolution” as its lead in. Cheers to the soap, which hits its 50th anniversary in April. It deserves a real renewal of two years for surviving against the odds. If ABC were smart, they’d bring back “One Life to Live,” which has sort of been merged with “GH” to satisfy angry fans. And the other component ABC is missing in the afternoons is Susan Lucci.

MAD Magazine Sends Up Apple’s New Misbegotten Maps

Roger Friedman
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0
MAD Magazine Sends Up Apple’s New Misbegotten Maps

You may be aware that Apple jettisoned Google’s beautiful maps for a new app of their own–an app of maps that turned into mishaps. Apple’s maps, as everyone knows, are a mess. So MAD magazine — I wasn’t even sure they still existed–has published its own version of Apple maps as its new cover. The map in question is a parody of Saul Steinberg’s famous “New York” cover–which I live by as a map of the world. Everything is wrong, which is just about right in a  Mad, Mad world. Apple, meantime, has issued an apology on its website. They also suggest downloading Google’s maps app for iPhones and iPads as it’s no longer available on those devices. You have to go back and get it yourself. All this would be incredibly damaging except– I finally held an iPhone 5 in my hand. It’s light as a feather and very enticing. But I’ll stick with my Blackberry Bold and Samsung Galaxy IIs for now.

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