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SAG 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award Will Be Like Deja Vu All Over Again

Roger Friedman
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SAG 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award Will Be Like Deja Vu All Over Again

The SAG Lifetime Achievement Award is going to… Dick van Dyke. Yes, you’re right: it was only last January when the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mary Tyler Moore. We all love the former Rob and Laurie Petrie of New Rochelle, New York. But why didn’t SAG just give ’em the award together last year? This year’s presentation will be a very strong echo of last year’s presentation. Now Mary will give Dick the award, after Dick gave Mary the award.

The vets from “The Dick van Dyke Show” are a hearty group of active super seniors: Carl Reiner, who’ll be almost 91 next winter, Rose Marie, who will be on her way to 90 in January, and Millie Halper the next door neighbor played by Ann Morgan Guilbert, now 84, who’s had a strong career as a character actor on “Seinfeld” and “The Nanny.” Of course, there’s always Julie Andrews, who was Mary Poppins to van Dyke’s Bert.

I don’t begrudge van Dyke anything, but he was a star. And the SAG Award used to be for veteran character actors who hadn’t gotten the big accolades and awards. There are so many of them. Kevin Bacon would have been a sensational choice, for example. But these special awards, voted by panels, are very political no matter which group is involved from music to TV to movies.

Exclusive: James Franco Film of Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” Will Shoot in October

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: James Franco Film of Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” Will Shoot in October

Exclusive: Oscar nominated actor James Franco–who’s already directed a bunch of short films and a couple of indie features– is making a big leap. He’s finally getting to make his passion project. He’ll direct William Faulkner’s classic, “As I Lay Dying.” The shoot is set for October in Mississippi. Avi Lerner’s Millenium Films is financing it. And Franco is busy lining up his cast. Names already on the roster include Danny McBride, Tim Blake Nelson, Logan Marshall Green, Ahna O’Reilly, and Jim Parrack.

Franco himself will  have a small role in the film, based on Faulkner’s famous tale told in more than a dozen voices. I first reported that Franco would direct the Faulkner story more than a year and a half ago, but it’s taken that much time to put this complicated venture together. Look for more names to be added shortly.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/01/03/exclusive-james-franco-planning-to-direct-faulkner-cormac-mccarthy-classics

It’s pretty exciting if you’re a Faulkner fan. The last time someone tried to make one of his novels into a film was the legendary Martin Ritt, in 1959, with “The Sound and the Fury.” It’s time to try again.

Meanwhile, here’s Franco’s latest directed commercial, for the new Samsung Galaxy Note:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RKzNr2y_qTQ

Seth Meyers Still in Lead to Co-Host with Kelly Ripa, Pat Kiernan Second

Roger Friedman
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3
Seth Meyers Still in Lead to Co-Host with Kelly Ripa, Pat Kiernan Second

Anything can happen, and I am hedging my bets, but: as I wrote several weeks ago, Seth Meyers is still the leading candidate to join Kelly Ripa as co-host on “Live!” when it returns on September 4th. (The day before, Kelly is going solo.) Myers has demurred but never actually said he wouldn’t be taking the job. He’s the only guest host who did a five days in a row gig with Kelly, and it was during July sweeps. He says he loves his “Saturday Night Live” job, but if Meyers wants more after 11 years, co-hosting with Kelly would be a perfect transition into bigger things.

The other possible candidates have conflicts, too. Unlike Meyers, though, their conflicts are outside of New York, and they live away from the Big Apple. Michael Strahan is tied up in Los Angeles every Sunday with Fox NFL Sunday. Joel McHale still has the sitcom “Community” on NBC, from Los Angeles. Josh Groban has a demanding concert schedule, and is recording a new album. Nick Lachey, frankly, is not up to the job, although some kind of show hosting looks like it’s in his future.

All of these guys could do it, if they had to. But the centerpiece of “Live!” is the host-chat, developed by Regis Philbin. And a lot of that has to do with going out in New York during the week, seeing people, and having funny stories to tell the next morning. Merely quipping, or reading from newspaper clips, headlines, topics of the day–that’s not what made “Live with Regis and…” a success for 29 years.

The only other person who, like Meyers, is ready for that responsibility? Local fave Pat Kiernan from New York 1 News. He wants the job, people like him, he’s funny, spontaneous and, importantly, here in New York. Don’t count him out.

Michael Gelman is great at building up suspense, so what him and the “Live!” pr people work the press over the next two weeks so that the tune in on September 4th is crazy. Could it be someone who didn’t serve as guest host during the last nine months? Maybe. But unlikely.

Michael Jackson Estate Deals Blow to Warner Music, Brings Publishing to Sony

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Estate Deals Blow to Warner Music, Brings Publishing to Sony

The Michael Jackson music catalog, known as MiJac, has been moved to Sony-ATV from Warner Chappell. In layman’s terms: this is a blow to Warner Music and a major win for Sony. Even though MiJac was heavily leveraged for years, I’m told the loan from HSBC is down to around $4 million. The Michael Jackson estate still owes just under $300 million to Bank of America on separate loans Michael took against his ownership in Sony-ATV Music Publishing.

What’s happened now is that Jackson’s long contract with Warner Chappell, the publishing division of Warner Music Group, expired last December. Sony-ATV, in which he has a 50% ownership interest, had the right to match or better any offer when MiJac’s deal with WMG was done. The deal was actually completed a couple of months ago, I’m told. But with all the brouhaha concerning Katherine Jackson and the Jackson siblings demand to oust Michael’s executors, an announcement was put off.

Now all of Michael Jackson’s music publishing will be in one place: Sony-ATV. MiJac holds all of his songs like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” plus hundreds of other publishing copyrights including everything by Sly Stone. It’s a plum win for Sony and a devastating loss for Warner Music. Warner Chappell was the only part of that company still doing well. To lose MiJac, especially since Jackson’s death and the renewed interest in his music, is a heavy setback. It’s unclear whether that was explained to Len Blavatnik and his Access Industries group when they bought WMG from Edgar Bronfman Jr last year.

Meantime: it’s been underlined that now neither MiJac nor Sony-ATV or the Beatles catalog, is for sale. The Jackson estate has done an excellent job of paying down the various loans and renegotiating the interest rates in more favorable terms.

Nominations for Casting Director Awards Announced

Roger Friedman
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Casting directors don’t get Oscars, Tonys, or Emmys. So they have their own awards–called Artios. They’re given out on October 29th.

COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES FOLLOWS

2012 Artios Award Nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Casting

Big Budget Feature – Drama

“The Descendants,” John Jackson, John McAlary (Associate), Andy Henry (Associate), Yesi Ramirez (Associate)

“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” Laray Mayfield

“The Help,” Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee, *

“The Hunger Games,” Debra Zane, Jackie Burch (Location Casting)

“Moneyball,” Francine Maisler, Lauren Grey (Associate)

Big Budget Feature – Comedy

“21 Jump Street,” Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abellera, Elizabeth Coulon, (Location Casting), Yesi Ramirez (Associate)

“Crazy, Stupid, Love,” Mindy Marin, Kara Lipson (Associate)

“Horrible Bosses,” Lisa Beach, Sarah Katzman

“The Muppets,” Marcia Ross, Gail Goldberg, Brittainy Roberts (Associate)

“The Rum Diary,” Denise Chamian, Angela Demo (Associate), *

Feature – Studio or Independent – Drama

“Drive,” Mindy Marin, Kara Lipson (Associate)

“The Ides of March,” Ellen Chenoweth, Amelia McCarthy (Associate), *

“Margin Call,” Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield

“My Week With Marilyn,” Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood, Nina Gold (Location Casting)

“Shame,” Avy Kaufman

Feature – Studio or Independent  – Comedy

“50/50,” Francine Maisler, *

“The Artist,” Heidi Levitt, Michael Sanford (Associate)

“Friends With Kids,” Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, David Vaccari

“The Guard,” Jina Jay

“Hysteria,” Gaby Kester, *

Low Budget Feature – Comedy or Drama

“A Bag of Hammers,” Brad Gilmore

“Higher Ground,” Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee

“Like Crazy,” Eyde Belasco

“Martha Marcy May Marlene,” Susan Shopmaker, *

“Pariah,” Eyde Belasco

Animation Feature

“The Adventures of Tintin,” Jina Jay, *

“Cars 2,” Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon

“Happy Feet Two,” Kristy Carlson

Daytime Drama Series

“Days of Our Lives,” Marnie Saitta

“General Hospital,” Mark Teschner

“The Young and the Restless,” Judy Blye Wilson

Television Pilot Drama

“A Gifted Man,” Bernard Telsey, Risa Bramon Garcia, David Vaccari, Patrick Goodwin (Associate)

“Homeland,” Junie Lowry Johnson, Libby Goldstein, Julie Tucker, Lisa Mae Fincannon (Location Casting), Craig Fincannon (Location Casting)

“Once Upon A Time,” Veronica Collins Rooney, Corinne Clark (Location Casting), Jennifer Page (Location Casting)

“Revenge,” Elizabeth Barnes, Corbin Bronson, Craig Fincannon (Location Casting), Lisa Mae Fincannon (Location Casting), Erica Berger (Associate)

“Smash,” Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield

Television Pilot Comedy

“2 Broke Girls,” Julie Ashton-Barson

“Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” Lisa Miller Katz

“Girls,” Jennifer Euston

“House of Lies,” Felicia Fasano, Erica Silverman (Associate)

“New Girl,” Juel Bestrop, Seth Yanklewitz

“Up All Night,” Shani Ginsberg, Jeff Greenberg, Allen Hooper (Associate), *

Television Series Drama

“Breaking Bad,” Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas, Rody Kent (Location Casting), Russell Scott (Associate), *

“Game of Thrones,” Nina Gold

“The Good Wife,” Mark Saks, John Andrews (Associate)

“Homeland,” Judy Henderson, Craig Fincannon (Location Casting), Lisa Mae Fincannon (Location Casting)

“Mad Men,” Laura Schiff, Carrie Audino, Kendra Shay Clark (Associate)

Television Series Comedy

“The Big C,” Bernard Telsey, Abbie Brady-Dalton (Associate)

“Girls,” Jennifer Euston

“Modern Family,” Jeff Greenberg, Allen Hooper (Associate)

“New Girl,” Anya Colloff, Michael Nicolo

“Nurse Jackie,” Julie Tucker, Ross Meyerson

Television Movie or Mini Series

“American Horror Story,” Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer, Eric Souliere (Associate)

“Birdsong,” Jina Jay, *

“Five,” Randi Hiller, Tamara-Lee Notcutt

“Game Change,” David Rubin, Richard Hicks, Pat Moran (Location Casting), Kathleen Chopin (Location Casting), Anne Davison (Associate)

“Hatfields & McCoys,” Fern Champion, Amy Hubbard (Location Casting)

Children’s Series

“A.N.T. FARM,” Brandi Brice Pollock, Dana Gergely Bowling

“iCarly,” Krisha Bullock, Jennifer K.M. Treadwell (Associate)

“Shake It Up!,” Howard Meltzer, Suzanne Goddard-Smythe

“Victorious,” Krisha Bullock, Jennifer K.M. Treadwell (Associate)

“Wizards of Waverly Place,” Ruth Lambert, Robert McGee

Television Animation

“The Cleveland Show,” Robert McGee, Ruth Lambert

“Family Guy,” Linda Lamontagne

“Kung Fu Panda,” Meredith Layne

“The Penguins of Madagascar,” Sarah Noonan, Meredith Layne

“Robot Chicken,” Ivy Isenberg

New York Broadway Theatre – Drama

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” Will Cantler, Bernard Telsey

“The Columnist,” David Caparelliotis

“Death of a Salesman,” Mele Nagler

“The Mountaintop,” Jim Carnahan

“Wit,” Nancy Piccione

New York Broadway Theatre – Comedy

“The Best Man,” Will Cantler, Bernard Telsey

“Harvey,” Jim Carnahan, *

“One Man, Two Guvnors,” Tara Rubin, Eric Woodall, Merri Sugarman, *

“Peter and the Starcatcher,” Jim Carnahan, Tara Rubin, *

“Venus in Fur,” Nancy Piccione, James Calleri

New York Broadway Theatre – Musical

“Evita,” Bernard Telsey, Craig Burns

“Newsies,” Justin Huff

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” Jay Binder, Jack Bowdan

“Once,” Jim Carnahan, *

“Porgy and Bess,” Bernard Telsey, Justin Huff

New York Theatre – Comedy or Musical

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” James Calleri, Paul Davis

“All New People,” David Caparelliotis

“The Cherry Orchard,” James Calleri

“Close Up Space,” Nancy Piccione

“Sons of the Prophet,” Carrie Gardner

New York Theatre – Drama

“Dreams of Flying, Dreams of Falling,” Will Cantler

“Happy Hour,” Will Cantler

“How I Learned To Drive,” Mele Nagler

“The Submission,” Bernard Telsey, Will Cantler

“Tribes,” Pat McCorkle

Regional Theatre East

“A Doll’s House,” James Calleri

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” James Calleri

“It Shoulda Been You,” Jay Binder, Mark Brandon

“The Realistic Joneses,” Tara Rubin, Eric Woodall, Merri Sugarman

“The Winter’s Tale,” Tara Rubin, Eric Woodall, Merri Sugarman

Regional Theatre West

“A Room With a View,” Tara Rubin, Eric Woodall, Merri Sugarman, Dale Brown (Associate)

“Aladdin,” Tara Rubin, Eric Woodall, Merri Sugarman, Dale Brown (Associate)

“Hands On A Hardbody,” Rachel Hoffman

“The Rocky Horror Show,” Carrie Gardner

“The Whale,” Elissa Myers, Paul Fouquet

Los Angeles Theatre

“Art,” Jeff Greenberg

“Cabaret,” Amy Lieberman

“Jitney,” Joanne DeNaut

“Our Town,” Pat McCorkle

“The Heiress,” Michael Donovan

* Shared Credit with Non-CSA Casting Director(s)

Rosie O’Donnell Had Heart Attack Last Week

Roger Friedman
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Rosie O’Donnell Had Heart Attack Last Week

EXCLUSIVE: Rosie  O’Donnell had a real and serious heart attack last week.  She just blogged about it on www.rosie.com.  Rosie nearly died from what is known the Widow maker.  According to her posting shevwas 99 percent blocked. She received a stent during angioplasty and is home, recovering. The attack seems to have been brought on by act of good will. Rosie helped a heavy woman out of her car in a parking lot. The strain may have caused the attack. Wisely she immediately took a Bayer aspirin. “Saved by a commercial,” she quips. Rosie’s already had a stressful summer with the illness of fiancee Michelle Rounds. But Michelle’s improving, I am told. Rosie, get better soon!

its a semi-sunny monday
the light bouncing off the flat hudson
mish is sitting next to me
i am happy to be alive
last week i had a heart attack
here is what happened
on tuesday morning
while walking in a parking lot in nyack
i heard a loud commanding voice
“can u help me”
more of  a demand than request
a challenge – a plea
i turned and saw an enormous woman
struggling to get out of her car
she was stuck
“can u help me? she asked again
as i walked toward her
“oh u r rosie odonnell”
yes i am
the ghost of christmas future
me – if i did not wake
there r no accidents i thought
as i braced myself and lifted her
it was not easy
but together we did it
she was up and on her way
with gratitude
a few hours later my body hurt
 i had an ache in my chest
both my arms were sore
everything felt bruised
muscular – i thought
strained or pulled tissue
i went about my day
the pain persisted
i became nauseous
my skin was clammy
i was very very hot
i threw up
maybe this is a heart attack
i googled womens heart attack symptoms
i had many of them
but really? – i thought – naaaa
i took some bayer aspirin
thank god
saved by a tv commercial
literally
i did not call 911
50% of women having heart attacks never call 911
200,000 women die of heart attacks
every year in the US
by some miracle i was not one of them
the next day i went to a cardiologist
the dr did an EKG and sent me to the hospital
where a stent was put in
my LAD was 99% blocked
they call this type of heart attack
i am lucky to be here
know the symptoms ladies
listen to the voice inside
the one we all so easily ignore
CALL 911
save urself

xxx

DNC2012: B52s Get $100K for Convention Party

Roger Friedman
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0
DNC2012: B52s Get $100K for Convention Party

Ready for entertainment at the Democratic National Convention? It’s been so hard to book acts for either Democratic or Republican gatherings that prices for acts have gone through the roof. The non partisan Creative Coalition gives a concert each in Charlotte and Tampa.

For the former, the Coalition is paying the B52s $100,000 to entertain its guests. Sources say super groups like Fleetwood Mac were asking crazy prices, like $2 million. The Creative Coalition is almost all sold out in Charlotte; the B52s proved to be a big draw.

In Tampa, TCC has Journey, revived by “Rock of Ages” and the improbable rejuvenation of “Don’t Stop Believing.” TCC is not paying Journey’s fee– said to be in the high six figures–because they’re simply the designated charity and not the sponsor.

Pitbull and the Scissor Sisters are playing a SuperPAC party for Democrats. Rapper/ actor Common is also signed on for a concert.

More importantly, Sheryl Crow and James Taylor will entertain the people at Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, September 6th before President Obama makes his acceptance speech. More artists are expected to be added.

I’ve been in Charlotte, North Carolina all weekend–not to plan for the DNC but to visit some cousins. And you can bet the town is abuzz with plans for the Democratic convention. Some notes:

First of all, the Convention is shortened by a day. It only runs from Tuesday to Thursday. Monday, which is Labor Day, will turned over to something called Carolina Fest, a street fair. Most political conventions begin on Monday night. And yet, hotels here are insisting on a five day minimum.

The main hotel is the Westin, which is smallish. There are only a handful of  hotels in downtown –make that Uptown–Charlotte besides the Westin. Most participants will be lodged miles and miles away from Uptown Charlotte. With traffic closures imminet, no subway, an iffy bus system and no room for private cars or cabs, you can see trouble on the horizon.

All the glitzy parties will be located in one area on South Tryon Street. The Bechtler Art Museum, The Mint Museum, and their immediate campus will host the best events. At the Bechtler today, the rumor is that Bill Clinton is speaking at some event on Wednesday, September 5th.

Meantime, I give a lot of credit to the B52s. I first bought “Rock Lobster” as an indie single in 1979. And they’re still bouncing around. Good for them!

 

Tony Scott: A Tragedy in Hollywood

Roger Friedman
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0
Tony Scott: A Tragedy in Hollywood

This morning there are a lot of unanswered questions about director/producer Tony Scott. Ridley Scott’s brother was as successful as you could be in Hollywood, with lots of commercial hits and many artistic ones too. He had a beautiful family with two young sons. Twitter is full of appreciations for Scott, who jumped from a bridge over Los Angeles Harbor yesterday and killed himself at age 68. I immediately thought of Peter Lopez, the popular music business lawyer who took his own life a couple of years ago, mysteriously. Same situation: very successful, happy family, everything in the world. We may never know the answers. But for Tony Scott, all we can do is applaud his great work and send condolences and best wishes to his family.

Tina Brown Sells Out to the Right in Last Ditch Effort to Save Newsweek

Roger Friedman
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11
Tina Brown Sells Out to the Right in Last Ditch Effort to Save Newsweek

I’d love to be a fly on the wall this morning at Barry Diller’s IAC Corporation. Diller has sunk millions and millions into the Daily Beast and Newsweek. He’s also recently given — with wife Diane von Furstenberg–over $70,000 to Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, not to mention thousands more to other Democratic candidates and committees.

But this morning the Dillers will be fielding calls from friends asking why Tina Brown has put a story on the cover of Newsweek called “Hit the Road Barack.” She’s given British conservative Niall Ferguson free rein to denounce Obama and declare his presidency over.

The piece is cited as absurd in many other publications such as Slate http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/08/19/niall_ferguson_s_absurd_critique_of_obama_in_one_chart.html

But Brown –who was once described her husband, Harry Evans, on “60 Minutes,” as having “rat like cunning”–is not concerned about the actual election or Obama. It’s all about her own survival. Newsweek is essentially dead since the Harman family announced they were getting out of their partnership with Diller. Then Diller said Newsweek would likely cease print publication. Brown, desperate, has simply gone to her action of last resort–zig right, and pick up the Rush Limbaugh right wingers.

It’s her last ditch effort to find someone who will read Newsweek. Clearly liberals were not. While Time magazine is booming, Newsweek languishes. The Daily Beast is second to The Huffington Post. What to do? With the Ferguson cover story, Brown throws herself on the mercy of the Empire. She polishes Darth Vader’s helmet. It’s just like when Flash Gordon would find his girlfriend hanging around with Ming the Merciless.

Let’s not forget: only a couple of weeks ago, Brown was called Romney a “wimp” on Newsweek’s cover. I guess that didn’t sell. And let’s not forget January’s “Why Are Obama’s Critics So Dumb” cover.

Better yet: the discussion at home this morning. Brown now joins Rupert Murdoch politically. Murdoch is the former employer of Evans, who has a low regard for the News Corp publishing titan. I can’t see Harry Evans backing Mitt Romney. But then again, even he knows it’s not about that this morning. The Beast must be fed.

But the question is, will Romney-Ryan supporters believe Newsweek really endorses “Why Obama Must Go”? Will they suddenly start buying this altogether moribund magazine? And will this be the beginning of a weekly turn to the right for Brown if it works? How long before Clint Eastwood is on the cover? The Daily Beast will have a lot of access in Tampa, that’s for sure.

Whitney Houston “Sparkle” Scores in Her Memory

Roger Friedman
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0
Whitney Houston “Sparkle” Scores in Her Memory

After all that, “Sparkle”–featuring the final performances by Whitney Houston-did just fine at the box office. Playing on a thousnand fewer screens than most films in the top 10, “Sparkle” took in a very respectable $12 million. What’s more, it had the secong highest per screen average of the weekend. The budget is officially set at $14 million, but with promotion and prints it’s probably more like $20 million. It shouldn’t have any trouble making its money back.

There are so many tragic what-ifs that go along with Whitney’s death last February. It’s nice to see at least that she leaves a final success. While her voice is not the same as it was at her great zenith, Houston still has enormous power in the numbers she sings. She also brings a proper dose of cynical reality to her part, as Sparkle’s word weary mother.

You wish when you’re watching “Sparkle” that there was more Whitney. She worked hard in rehab for months before filming the role. The fact that she fell apart right after she was done, and slid into her final abyss, is what hurts. Her legacy is her music. All the rest of it–the bizarre behavior of her daughter, all the backstage with her family, etc–doesn’t really matter.

As I wrote earlier last week, Whitney will be memorialized in a coffee table photo book and in a television special before Christmas. A CD package could feature some live performances from when her voice was great. And “Sparkle” will turn a tidy profit, giving her one final success.

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