Rosie O’Donnell is auctioning off one of her paintings to raise money for the Desmoid Tumor Foundation. As we know, last spring Rosie and her then fiancee Michelle Rounds got the scare of their lives when Michelle was diagnosed with this disease. Since then Rosie has been on a rampage to raise money for research. This painting is on auction on ebay, and you can read more at www.rosie.com. Also, Rosie’s got her annual gala for her Broadway kids and the Maravel Center here in New York on October 15th. No one is more charitable than Rosie, and that Maravel center is a marvel! http://www.ebay.com/itm/261098284324
American Idol: Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Would Miss Important Shows
The speculation now is that Randy Jackson–who seems to have survived a brutal internal tug of war — and Mariah Carey–whom Jackson manages–will be joined at the “American Idol” judges’s desk by country star Keith Urban and hip hop R&B creation Nicki Minaj. (I’m actually enjoying her music, especially “Starships.”) But there are issues: Minaj has a tour set for the entire fall outside the US. She’s gone from October 21 to December 8. Gone, as in Australia, New Zealand, the UK. If she’s a judge she’ll miss the audition shows, but be ready for the new season when it starts in January.
On the other hand, Urban has gigs in Australia from January 25th to February 3rd. That may not seem like much, but “Idol” will be live with February sweeps that week. Everyone has to be at the desk. Urban would have to cancel those shows. It could be done, but he’s Australian, after all, and he’s married Aussie Nicole Kidman. That’s his main audience. They love him. From the looks of the Australian ticket site, the shows look sold out and in hot demand. That’s a problem.
In the end, though, Keith will be a great judge. And he’s just resigned from judging on Australia’s “The Voice,” presumably to join “American Idol.”
As for Mariah, I have no doubt her judging time will be memorable. She’ll be the Judge Judy of “Idol.”
And then there’s Randy. I said months ago he was the heart and soul of “Idol.” I’m sure that Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe see that now that the “X Factor” ratings are a disaster. Getting rid of Paula Abdul, replacing her with Twinkie Demi Lovato and basket case Britney Spears may not have been the solution after all. “Idol” should see this as a lesson: Randy is a stabilizing force.
And Nicki Minaj: I am really enjoying her music. She’s the X rated Lene Lovich,
“The Master” Opens to Rave Reviews And a Lot of Curiosity
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” opens today in five theaters, and expands next week and the week after. It’s gotten rave reviews just about everywhere and rates an 86% on rottentomatoes.com. Here’s my review from August 30th: http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/08/30/review-the-master-is-a-masterpiece-of-filmmaking. I’ve seen “The Master” twice; that’s like having a major gut busting Thanksgiving dinner twice, with relatives who are alternately brilliant and crazy, in a spectacular dining room.
There’s no question that “The Master” will be a Best Picture nominee, with nominations for Director, Actor, Supporting Actor and Actress, Score and technical awards including cinematography. But we’re a little early for all that. Right now, it’s time just to enjoy this film. Anderson probably has a lot of influences, but the one that always stands out is Robert Altman. “The Master” is rooted in a film like “Three Women,” just “Magnolia” echoed “Short Cuts,” “Nashville,” and “Brewster McCloud.” That’s okay, it’s just fine. Anderson is channeling a lot of great stuff to make his movies. Altman should ben smiling in heaven.
Back in 1977, I used to take people to see “Three Women” and it left them confounded but moved. That’s “The Master.” You almost have to see it twice to get everything that’s going on. Joaquin Phoenix pulverizes a toilet in jail cell. If you could rewind in the theater you’d watch the whole jail cell scene again. It’s quite amazing. No one knew he was going to do that. Or that it was possible. Phoenix’s Freddie Quell cannot be “quelled.” That’s the whole point of his name.
Philip Seymour Hoffman already has an Oscar, and should have received a Tony this year for “Death of a Salesman.” Watch him in anything–try “The Savages.” He is the Jason Robards of this generation. He never hits the wrong note. PSH could have made Lancaster Dodd a cliche, a megalomaniac twirling a mustache.
Instead, Dodd is far less sinister and more likeable than L. Ron Hubbard ever was. He’s almost dashing. He’s a hedonist who’s “making up” his religion while he embraces life. Watch his scene toward the end with Laura Dern when she questions changes in The Cause. At first I thought he was angry because he was defensive. But no, I think he’s pissed that Dern’s benefactress doesn’t get it–it doesn’t matter that Dodd is contradicting himself. Go back and enjoy the party, he’s saying when he snaps at her.
Go, enjoy this party. It’s completely wild.
Larry David Update: HBO Film Has No Script, Just Outline, and No Kristen Wiig
A couple of hours ago came more news about the Larry David film I announced here exclusively a while ago. The film, originally set up at Fox Searchlight, still co-stars Jon Hamm. Now a few more names have been added including Eva Mendes, Bill Hader, and Kate Hudson. But here are a couple of things not said: first of all Kristen Wiig was supposed to join the cast. I’m told negotiations fell apart. Wiig has gotten big, so it was probably a matter of money. Too bad–she and Hamm have great chemistry from “Bridesmaids.” I’m assuming that was the role Kate Hudson got.
Second, even though a synopsis of the plot of “Clear History” (a reference to an internet browser–can that really be the name?) was released, there is no script. Says one insider: “It’s just an outline.” The movie is mostly improvisational. It’s interesting that they added J.B. Smoove from “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” I think HBO wants this to seem as much like “Curb” as possible without being the actual thing. Also, I’m told at least part of the film will be shot on the north shore of Boston near Danvers, Massachusetts in September and October. A casting call went out up there for kids of different ages. The film will also shoot at least for one day on Martha’s Vineyard, where David lives in the summer.
PS Can you still vote for best written comedy episode for the Emmys? Hands down it was “Palestinian Chicken” from “Curb” last season. Maybe one of the best single shows in comedy TV history, right up there with “Chuckles is Dead,” “The Anti-Dentite,” and a Murphy Brown with Wallace Shawn announcing his political platform.
Confirmed: Adele All Set for James Bond “Skyfall” Song
Exclusive: I think I can confirm for you what I said some months ago–Adele is performing the theme song for “Skyfall,” the 23rd James Bond movie. As far as I know the song is called “Skyfall.” I think if anyone else had sung the theme song this year it wouldn’t have made sense. Adele’s sound is the quintessential James Bond sound. She joins Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Rita Coolidge, John Barry, Duran Duran and others on the long list of pop stars who’ve immortalized James Bond in song.
“Skyfall” will be Adele’s first new single since her album “21” sold 7 billion copies in 13 different galaxies. The movie opens in London the last week of October, right when Adele will give birth to a baby, as well. The good news is, this should be an actual song with a melody and a hook, unlike recent tortures. More to come on this breaking news…
(PS I broke this news originally around May 21st on Forbes.com. The story has since been purged because Forbes only paid for one time use. And they still owe me money! But you can find the original reference just by Googling around.) Here’s one link that credited my Forbes story: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/76363/Adele-Working-On-James-Bond-Skyfall-Theme-Tune-
Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Once Next Door Neighbors, Now Co-Stars
Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon used to live next to each other on the top floor of a very nice Greenwich Village apartment house. Sarandon and Tim Robbins were on one side; Gere was on the other in a kind of greenhouse. Now they co-star in Nick Jarecki’s very astute financial thriller, “Arbitrage,” opening Friday. Last night “Arbitrage” got its New York premiere at the Walter Reade Theater and then at the Monkey Bar, owned by Vanity Fair’s Graydon Carter. Carter hosted the party but he’s also in the film–and is pretty damn good as a mysterious businessman upon whose deal Gere’s character is depending to stay alive.
At the party: like, everyone. Gere, wife Carey Lowell, Sarandon, co-star Nate Parker. Bryant Gumbel congratulated Michael Strahan on his new gig with Kelly Ripa. Lainie Kazan was resplendent as usual. Tina Brown and Harry Evans made a rare appearance considering it was a Carter event–he succeeded her as editor of Vanity Fair. Chris Noth, Amy Irving, Gina Gershon, Ashley Banfield, Harry Belafonte, James Cramer, and Deborah Norville were among those in the audience.
Producer Laura Bickford’s been working on “Arbitrage” for some time, and it screened at Sundance. This labor of love is quite the accomplishment for first timer Jarecki, whose brother Andrew made “Capturing the Friedmans” and “All Good Things.” They’ve done a great job. And young Nick Jarecki even got a custom made suit out of it from Brioni, one of the night’s sponsors (along with Piaget and the Wall Street Journal).
Also at the screening: actress Kelly Rutherford from “Gossip Girl.” She’s going through an outrageous custody battle with her ex husband, who now has her two children–ages 5 and 3– in France. He can’t come to the US because his visa has been revoked, so she has to fly to France every two weeks to see them. This is the work of a judge in New York family court. Shameful! Who would separate small children from their mother? Luckily Alan Dershowitz is getting into the case now.
Led Zeppelin Releasing 2007 London Reunion Film to Theaters, DVD
Led Zeppelin reunited in London in November 2007 for a memorial tribute to Ahmet Ertegun. Now they’re releasing the concert on CD and DVD and all formats. It only took five years. But they’re getting a Kennedy Center honor, so why not? The concert, called “Celebration Day,” will also have a short theatrical run beginning October 17th via Ominiverse Vision and get red carpet premieres in New York, London, and Los Angeles. The CD and DVD will be released on November 19th. 
I was lucky enough to be at London’s O2 Arena for this show, and it was historic. I’m glad this is finally being done.
Here’s the track listing:
1. Good Times Bad Times
2. Ramble On
3. Black Dog
4. In My Time Of Dying
5. For Your Life
6. Trampled Under Foot
7. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
8. No Quarter
9. Since I’ve Been Loving You
10. Dazed And Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains The Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir
15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll
Dana Giacchetto’s Former Stripper Cop Bodyguard Making Movie of His Life
Exclusive: Remember Dana Giacchetto? He went to jail after stealing $14 million from his celebrity clients-and a bunch of civilians–back in 2001. He was besties with Leonardo DiCaprio, Mike Ovitz, Cameron Diaz, and a bunch of people in the art world who didn’t realize his whole business as a money manager was a total fake. Giacchetto had a bodyguard then who was a Chippendale’s dancer, stripper and former NYC housing cop named Steve Stanulis. When I interviewed Stanulis back then he was a working at a gym on Staten Island and trying to become a star. Apparently, it worked.
Now Stanulis is casting a feature film about his life. “Long Shot Louie” — written and directed by former NYPD cop and “Sopranos” actor John Bianco– is casting for Stanulis and his then fiancee. Stanulis is playing himself. No word on Giacchetto’s involvement, but the ex-player is likely to be in the background.
Back in 2001, this is what I wrote about Stanulis:
Giacchetto met Staten Island housing cop he met at a bar in 1999. Soap opera handsome, “Steve the cop” says he subsequently moonlighted for Giacchetto as a bodyguard “doing security.” Friends of Giacchetto say that suddenly “Steve the cop” was with Dana all the time, constantly. Stan, who was also a Chippendale’s type dancer/stripper, has already sold his story to Hollywood screenwriter Allan Swyer.
“Dana didn’t like me dancing,” “Steve the cop” told me. “He wanted me to concentrate on my acting.” And so he claims Giacchetto compensated him
financially for dropping the dancing. Giacchetto’s ledgers and SEC records indicate that Dana wrote thousands of dollars worth of checks
to “Steve the cop” throughout 1999 for “security.” According to Swyer, Giacchetto was paying him up to $2000 under the table in cash per night
for his work and gifting him with expensive clothes from Prada among other places.
“Steve the cop” told me that Giacchetto took him on many trips. “Steve the cop” says, “When we were alone together, that’s when Dana said he felt like he was himself, that he could be real.” On one trip his wife accompanied them. “She was suspicious that Dana was interested in me for other things,” Steve the cop” says.
Here’s the casting call:
STORY LINE: Raised under the shadow of a viciously abusive father, LOUIE finds escape in
working as a male stripper and doing drugs. But ALEENA, his loyal girlfriend of 20 years, is
getting tired of the evasions and excuses and finally breaks up with Louie. That jolts Louie into
getting clean — but before he can truly reform his life and reconcile with Aleena, he has to confess
a shocking old secret that has burdened his conscience for decades. Yet even as he looks
towards the future with renewed hope, Louie may find his past catching up to him, with tragic
consequences..
[ALEENA] A lovely woman in her 30s, she’s been Louie’s faithful and loving girlfriend ever since
high school — going on 20 years now and counting. The fact that Louie has never committed to
their relationship and proposed marriage is a source of great pain for Aleena, but she stands by
her man, whatever his circumstances. Once a drug user herself, Aleena got clean years ago, and
stll holds out hope that Louie will follow suit. However, Louie’s lies, evasions and disrespect finally
cause Aleena to break up with him. Now, whether the newly reformed Louie can convince her
that he has changed remains to be seen — but ultimately, their joyous reconciliation may segue
into unforeseen tragedy…LEAD
[LOUIE LAZZARO] Louie at age 17, he’s a tall, well-built, extremely handsome youth whose
homelife is a constant nightmare of terror and abuse, thanks to his vicious father. Louie’s inability
to shield his mother and little sister from his father’s rages is a source of agony and humiliation for
him. Louie finds a lucrative new source of income as a male stripper, and seems relieved when
his father finally departs their household. However, Louie’s early descent into drugs and excess
arises from a grim secret that he has on his conscience — a secret that he will not divulge for 20
years…LEAD
Mitt Romney Headed to “Live with Kelly and Michael” Next Tuesday
Exclusive: Sources tell me that Mitt Romney, who’s running for president as the Republican nominee, is coming to morning TV. I’m told he’s taping a segment for “Live with Kelly and Michael” that will air tomorrow, Friday will air on Tuesday. It’s all supposed to be hush hush and could fall apart at the last minute. If Romney does the gogo dancing during the contest giveaway, history will be made. But more importantly, this is obviously his effort to reach women–“Live” is the number one place to get young mothers. Of course, this does mean President Obama will be visiting “Live” next. Really, the two candidates should go on “The Price is Right.” Romney would win the expensive categories like yachts and race cars. Obama would guess at inexpensive jewelry and vacuum cleaners.
Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin Among Stars for Marvin Hamlisch Memorial
Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin are among the stars set for Marvin Hamlisch’s Sept 18th memorial service. Also set are Liza Minnelli, who was Hamlisch’s lifelong pal and attended all of his memorials and funeral, as well as Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang, Michael Feinstein, Chris Botti, Maria Friedman, Brian d’Arcy James, Carter Brey, Essential Voices USA, former cast members of A Chorus Line and cast members of The Nutty Professor. The memorial will take place at the Peter Sharp Theater in the Julliard School at Lincoln Center. And it’s by invitation only. Hamlisch was truly beloved: people are still coming up to me with stories of his random acts of kindness and generosity.