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Julia Louis-Dreyfus Makes Emmy Awards History

Roger Friedman
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus Makes Emmy Awards History

Yes it is some kind of historic moment. Julia Louis Dreyfus made Emmy Awards record books last night when she won Best Actress for “Veep.” She’s now won Best Actress three times for three different series. The others are “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of the Old Christine.”

Julia had formidable competition last night, especially from fellow “Saturday Night Live” alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. It was cute that she and Poehler had worked out a comedy “bit” about Poehler really winning, and Julia having her speec in hand.

“Veep” is brilliant satire, and I do hope it can go at least five seasons. Its creator, Armando Iannucci, is a genius from where else, Great Britain. If you’ve never seen his film, “In the Loop,” do rent it immediately. It is wicked.

Julia is lovely in person, but incredibly press shy. When you try to talk to her, she’s incredibly polite and nice but never stands still. She’s moving away. Maybe someone told her early on not to talk to press. I don’t know why–she’s had a great long marriage, a happy family and lots of success. But she’s like the female Woody Allen.

It doesn’t matter. Watching her on “Veep” is a treat beyond interviews.

Michael J. Fox Gets Standing Ovation at Emmy Awards

Roger Friedman
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Michael J. Fox Gets Standing Ovation at Emmy Awards

The one standing ovation in the Nokia Theater last night was spontaneous–and it was for Michael J. Fox. Anyone who knows anyone with Parkinson’s Disease (and everyone does) knows just a little of what Fox has suffered and conquered in the last fifteen years–and at a young age, far earlier than most. That he’s persevered and worked through brain surgeries and endless obstacles, and has done good work, is simply amazing.

LEAH SYDNEY reports that at the HBO gala–which was really a blockbuster built on the back of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood- Fox arrived with wife Tracy Pollan and son Sam, accepting congrats for his win as a special guest star on “The Good Wife.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais washead over heels, telling Mel Brooks that he’s his hero. Even Nicole Kidman came over to Mel Brooks and told him what a fan she was.

LEAH reports: “Nicole told me that, “I didn’t expect to win. I came to support the movie.”  Keith Urban told me that , “I’m excited about American Idol.  I literally just met Nigel Lythgoe last week in New York.  I’m looking forward to spending more time in Los Angeles.”

This event garnered the most celebrities, from the whole “Game Change” crowd, including Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Jay Roach and Susanna Hoffs, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Davies, James Gandolfini, Claire Danes, Sofia Vergara, Julianna Marguiles, Chuck Lorre and more.”

And Keith Urban is already getting accolades from Fox on “American Idol.” With all the hoopla surrounding Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, look for Keith to be the sea of tranquility when Idol re-starts on the air. So says Mike Darnell, the genius behind all the reality programming on Fox. He says Keith is already proving to be a success as he meets the potential candidates.

New Oscar Producers Promise: “There Will Be Music”

Roger Friedman
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So who turned up at the Emmys last night? None other than newly minted Academy Award show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. They were there to observe how a big awards show is made with Don Mischer, who ran the Emmys last night and will helm the Oscars in February.

The appointment of Meron and Zadan is one of the best announcements ever from the Academy. Oscar winners for Rob Marshall’s “Chicago,” this pair knows how to put on an enterainment. They promised me that music will be back in the Oscars this year in a big way.

Already there have been changes. No songs were performed last year, and only three songs were nominated for Best Song. Now the Academy has ruled that there will be five. With Zadan and Meron, all will be performed, and then some. This is the year of Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables.” We are guaranteed a live performance of Anne Hathaway singing “I Dreamed a Dream.” And Hugh Jackman warbling away. So get ready.

Are these two guys popular? On the ramp leading into the Governors Ball at the Convention Center, they literally stopped traffic as tons of stars poured by.

Now all they need is a host. And I would not be surprised if Hugh Jackman got the job. With Zadan and Meron, it’s going to be about music and movement. Just sayin’…

James Gandolfini, Expectant Dad, Plans Film with Steve Carell

Roger Friedman
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James Gandolfini, Expectant Dad, Plans Film with Steve Carell

James Gandolfini is a happy man, I can report. He came to HBO’s big gala last night with not one but two wives. Yes, the once and always Tony Soprano has movies, projects, a baby about to be born and a happy family. He also told me he’s living in Los Angeles because his 13 year old son loves it. “We’re making it all work.” And indeed they are as first wife, Marcy, had just stopped his table to say hello and was leaving as I arrived.

Gandolfini and second wife, Deborah Lin, are expecting a baby girl in about three weeks. So that’s excellent news. They haven’t quite settled on a name yet. but both of the choices they mentioned sounded pretty good.

On the career front: I can tell you exclusively that Gandolfini is working on a comedy project with Steve Carell, from Carell’s production company. It’s called “The Bone Men” right now. The pair play paleontologists from the late 1800s. “It’s very funny,” says Gandolini. There are rumors that Fox2000 is interested, as well as HBO.

Meanwhile Gandolfini is working with HBO on a pilot called “Criminal Justice,” announced last week. And he’s about to be seen in “Killing Them Softly” with Brad Pitt. After a couple of tries, this is the first film the pair will have worked in together that’s an actual hit. He laughed when I reminded him that he said long ago every time the two actors were in a movie together, it bombed. No more.

The motto: to paraphrase “The Sopranos”: “Don’t stop believin”…Gandolfini always played being Tony Soprano the right away, shying away from becoming so intertwined with his character that he’d be stuck forever doing “Sopranos” conventions. He can do anything. And will.

“Mad Men” Blanked at Emmys by “Homeland”

Roger Friedman
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“Mad Men” Blanked at Emmys by “Homeland”

What an Emmy night: lots of upsets, starting with “Mad Men” getting nothing. I am starting a class action suit this morning. (Just kidding.) Showtime’s  upstart”Homeland” picked up Best Drama, Actor, Actress and a few other trinkets. Jon Hamm, who has never won an Emmy, went home empty handed.

John Slattery-who wasn’t even nominated this year after giving an award winning performance–still came to the Governor’s Ball and hung out with his pals Hamm. Christina Hendricks, Robert Morse, and Hamm’s lovely writer director actress girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt. Slattery, so brilliant as Roger Sterling, said: “Wanna know what’s funny? Guess where my wife (Talia Balsam) has been working for the last eight months? On Homeland!”

Jon Hamm was philosophical about the loss. Steve Carell never won an Emmy, neither did Ted Danson until the end of “Cheers.” Hamm is headed for Oscars, I think, anyway. I told Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” he and Hamm should go beat the you know what out of winner Damian Lews. “Jon maybe, but not me,” said Bryan. He only plays a crystal meth dealer.

Hamm made it through the elegant Governor’s Ball despite the loss. “Mad Men” creator Matt Weiner quipped, “I guess I’ll have to write a better show.”

Best line of the night: nominee Julia Ormond, when asked if she’ll be back next season as Megan’s French mother. “My lips are sealed, which they were not in the show last season.” (Fans will get this.)

Jon Cryer– much deserved win for “Two and a Half Men” was “totally shocked. I really was. I had no speech.” After putting up with Charlie Sheen’s craziness for years, especially last year, this was a sweet victory. Show creator Chuck Lorre told me Miley Cyrus is coming in to tape a guest spot.

Over at HBO’s gigantic, splendid blow out of an after-show event: everyone from Jane Fonda and Mel Brooks to James Gandolfini, Christine Baranski, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen, Kerry Washington, and so on. More about all that later this morning…

Meantime, spotted in the Emmy crowd: Amanda Peet, Frances Conroy, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jack Huston, everyone from “Downton Abbey” including writer creator Julian Fellowes, and Aaron Sorkin.

And Julia Louis Dreyfus created a record by winning Best Actress in a Comedy for “Veep.” She’s now won Best Actress three times in three different shows. The other two of course are “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

 

 

 

Re-confirmed: Adele Singing James Bond Theme Song

Roger Friedman
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Re-confirmed: Adele Singing James Bond Theme Song

The Emmys may seem American on the face of it, but there are tons of Brits involved in American television right now. And several of them know the answer to the question this column has already answered a few times: Adele sings the theme song for the new James Bond movie, “Skyfall.”

No one’s heard the song, but the entire British acting and producing community has read our stories and wondered how we knew. “Come on, who told you?” asked one Brit insider last night.

My sources come from the music industry side, not the “James Bond” world. But it doesn’t matter. “Skyfall” will be Adele’s first new record since her mega gigantic “21” album. “She’s the right singer of the moment and the right sound,” said another insider. “A big improvement over the last couple of James Bond themes.”

I guess all will be revealed shortly when “Skyfall” is first screened in Britain for the royal family and luminaries. Adele may be in labor at that moment, giving birth to a baby and a single!

Meantime: legendary and gorgeous Marilyn McCoo of the Fifth Dimension says she’s considering recording a medley of Adele’s “Someone Like You” with the Fifth’s famous 1972 hit, “If I Could Reach You.” They are very similar–it’s a great idea. Hello record labels–Marilyn McCoo is a lost gem of the heyday of pop music. She’s equal to Dionne, Gladys, Patti, Natalie and all the great R&B pop divas. Just sayin’…Not everyone wants to hear Carly Rae sing the same song ten times over…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RC3PKl9_FA

Emmys: Pop Star John Legend Loves “Homeland”

Roger Friedman
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Emmys: Pop Star John Legend Loves “Homeland”

John Legend, the much accomplished pop star singer-songwriter, loves “Homeland.” He played several songs last night at Showtime’s elegant, unexpectedly cozy pre-Emmy party at Sunset Towers before a star studded audience that included “Homeland” stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. When Legend spotted some “Homeland” cast members standing near his piano last night, he said, between songs, “I know I’m not supposed to show favorites, but I love Homeland. Good luck tomorrow night!”

The Showtime party was sort of the anti-HBO party–HBO gives the big, elemental HBO gala tonight at the Pacific Design Center. They have the most Emmy nominations, the biggest shows, and the most stars. Showtime, under Matthew Blank, is the little cable network that could. But it looked pretty good last night, with the “Homeland” stars, and Eddie Falco of “Nurse Jackie,” and Stephen Mangan of “Episodes,” and Michael C. Hall of “Dexter” fame.

Is this a spoiler or news? Hall told me that Dexter will have one more season beyond the one that’s just about to start. So at least we know that Dexter’s sister doesn’t turn him in for being a crazed serial killer. You can count on family!

Meantime, it turns out–we Americans know nothing–that “Homeland” star Damian Lewis is married for a long time to accomplished British actress Helen McCrory, well known here to “Harry Potter” audiences. She has a small role in the new James Bond film, “Skyfall,” but can’t say a word about it. “It’s very small,” she concluded.

Best line of the night went to the very pregnant Claire Danes, who came with actor star husband, Hugh Dancy. When someone congratulated her — on her probable win tonight as Best Actress in “Homeland,” she thought it was about the pregnancy and the new size of her bosom.

“Thanks!” she said. “I get to pretend to be someone with big breasts for now!”

PS John Legend was a knockout, with “Here Comes the Sun” and his own “Ordinary People” among others. And it was grand to meet Stephen Mangan, of “Episodes.” I am obsessed with that show. Unfortunately, everyone at Showtime — where “Episodes” is shooting a third season–wishes the creators would make more, well, episodes. “They’re so rich from previous hits” — like “Friends” — that they won’t do more than 8 or 10,” said one Showtime insider. Pity!

 

 

Florence Henderson, 78, aka Mrs. Brady, Back in Dating Pool

Roger Friedman
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Florence Henderson, 78, aka Mrs. Brady, Back in Dating Pool

Leah Sydney reports from the official Emmy pre-party at the Pacific Design Center:

The Emmy weekend started off with the always-classy Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Performers Nominees Reception at Spectra at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Graciousness was the theme of the night.  More than 25 nominees came to pick up their official Emmy certificates, sipped Beaulieu Vineyard wine paired with Wolfgang Puck delicacies, and happily chatted with each other and party goers.  The event was co-hosted by Audi, Beaulieu Vineyard, Grey Goose Vodka, People Magazine and United Airlines.

I spoke with laid-back Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston who quipped to me about his hit show, “Season 5 started out with such magnificence but ended up in the toilet, so sad.”  Bryan’s lovely wife actress Robin Dearden that, “honestly Bryan doesn’t think about winning or losing until just before he hits the red carpet. ”

Past Emmy Winner Eric Stonestreet told me that, “It’s nice to be nominated, but I want Jesse Tyler Ferguson or Ed O’Neill to win.  It’s their turn.”

Jon Cryer told me that: “I just got into a bike accident so I’m in a lot of pain.  I’m not looking forward to sitting for three hours. Besides I’m not going to win, so I’ll just have to enjoy the show on it’s on merits.”

Homeland’s Damian Lewis told me that, “It’s like when I go on a trip. I’m not really excited till I get to the airport. But I’m having a hell of a lot of fun.  I feel like I’m on a holiday this weekend. I normally live in England, so my wife is coming in tomorrow.  It’s a free fall weekend for me.”

Mad Men’s Jared Harris told me that, “Hey, I have one in a six chance of winning.  Not bad!”

Brady Bunch Mom Florence Henderson told me that, “I’m filming Happily Divorced in a couple of weeks, and Robert Wagner is playing my husband. He’s an old friend so I’m excited about that. I’m also doing a cooking/talk show on the Retirement Living channel.”  Florence, a remarkably  youthful 78, is now in the dating world.  She told me that, “Dating sucks.  It did when I was a teenager and it does now.  But I’m not giving up!”

Game Change’s Director Jay Roach was with his talented Bangles singer wife Susanna Hoffs.  Damian Lewis came up to tell him what a fan he was of his work.  Lily Tomlin told the Modern Family gang what a fan she was of the show.  Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler scored the biggest laughs of the night as she faked a Miss America style acceptance speech.  She later told me that if she wins on Sunday, “I have literally no idea what I’m going to say.”

Some other nominees that attended were Jason Ritter, Julia Ormond, Connie Britton, Giancarlo Esposito, Zooey Deschanel, Jeremy Davies, Elizabeth Moss, Michelle Dockery, Mayim Bialik, Martha Plimpton, Tom Berenger, Julie Bowen  among others.

 

Rumer Has It: Bruce Willis-Demi Moore Daughter a Hit at EW Party

Roger Friedman
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Rumer Has It: Bruce Willis-Demi Moore Daughter a Hit at EW Party

If you were looking for the stars and celebs last night in Hollywood, this was their trajectory–first to the official Emmy pre party at the Pacific Design Center, and then to Entertainment Weekly’s snazzy A list fest just east on Melrose Blvd. at Fig and Olive. That’s where I ran into Rumer Willis, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s eldest daughter, a great kid.

The statuesque beauty was wearing a beautiful floor length red gown. We talked about her parents–whom she loves and does not ignore or protest (those are the craziest tabloid stories). She was also traveling with a group of nice pals.

Another famous daughter was right near her–the great Lily Rabe, daughter of the late Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe. In New York, Rabe is all the rage on stage–a Tony winner. Now in Hollywood she’s on TV in “American Horror Story.” But Rabe has an Oscar in her future. Trust me.

I spoke to “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner, who’s a little nervous about all the great competition in the drama category tomorrow night. Between “Boardwalk Empire,” “Homeland.” “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones” and “Downton Abbey,” “Mad Men” — Weiner fears–will be considered old hat. I don’t think so.

Also around from “Mad Men” were Jared Harris (Lane Pryce), Rich Sommer (Harry Crane) and Kiernan Shipka (Sally Draper), who’s just turning 13. It seems like with everything Sally’s been through, Kiernan should be 40 at least by now!

And there tons more of TV’s population: Julia Louis Dreyfus, who I think will win Best Actress for “Veep,” with husband Brad Hall; plus cast members Tim Simons and Reid Scott. Giancarlo Esposito from “Breaking Bad,” Breakout actor Damian Lewis from “Homeland,” with a posse of family and friends. Chris Noth with his beautiful wife Tara Wilson, heading down the street to perennial fave restaurant Ago. “Can we walk there?” Chris asked. You know, he’s a New Yorker. We convinced him to take a car the three blocks rather than be mauled by paparazzi.

More: Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet from “Moden Family,” the great Martha Plimpton, Padma Lakshmi and a gang from “Top Chef,” Connie Britton– a favorite from New York, about to launch “Nashville” on ABC,  and so on through the night.

The big scoop of the evening? Brenda Strong, formerly of “Desperate Housewives,” now Bobby Ewing’s wife on the new “Dallas.” She reminded me that she actually had a one night fling with Cliff Barnes back on the original “Dallas.” Wouldn’t it be great, I said, if her new character turned out to be the same person?

“I told [show runner] Cynthia Cidre that,” Strong said, “but she thought it would be too confusing.” On “Dallas”? Nonsense!

 

Clint Eastwood: Trouble for “Curve” Caused by Chair Speech

Roger Friedman
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Clint Eastwood: Trouble for “Curve” Caused by Chair Speech

UPDATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON: “Curve” did very poorly, with $12.7 million for the weekend.

Friday: Clint Eastwood’s “Trouble with the Curve,” a baseball movie, is going to strike out this weekend. Last night it made a paltry $4.1 million on over 3,000 screens. The movie, with Amy Adams and former singer Justin Timberlake, is suffering the consequences of bad timing.

Clint, a national  landmark, a great great guy, director and actor, is taking the consequences of his now infamous speech in front of the Republican National Convention. He addressed President Barack Obama by using an empty chair on stage. Ridicule and parody followed. And now this.

You could say that Clint has a double whammy this weekend. Ths speech is not the only problem for “Curve,” a baseball movie. It’s not about the Blackberry Curve. It should have been released in late August, with a graduated pattern like his masterpiece, “Gran Torino.” Instead, Warner Bros. pushed it out to a wide, wide number of screens–over 3,000–a week before the end of official baseball season. And it flopped. “Curve” did about $4.2 million on Fright night. Strike one.

Strikes two and three will come tonight and Sunday, and then “Curve” will be out. “Gran Torino” made $148 million. “Curve” will be lucky to do half that.

The whole thing is a shame. Clint Eastwood and I do not share the same politics, and it doesn’t matter. I am among his biggest fans. His Oscar winning “Unforgiven” is among the besf films of all time. A classic. “Million Dollar Baby” and “Mystic River” are solid, memorable films. “Gran Torino,” I thought, was a masterpiece. And these are just his recent works. Much of the early, iconic stuff–the Dirty Harry movies, “In the Line of Fire” and so many more rank among Hollywood’s best.

Eastwood has always been a maverick film maker. Even though Warner Bros. has released most of his films, he produces them himself. He fell in love with Nelson Mandela and made “Invictus.” And while I’m not crazy about his family’s reality TV show, now is not the time to ditch Clint because of a chair. Go see “Curve” this weekend. And remember: everyone loves Neil Diamond, and he once sang “I am, I said, to no one else, not even the chair.” We forgave him for that.

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