Kathryn Joosten the veteran actress who played the nosy Mrs. McCluskey on “Desperate Housewives,” is dead at 72. Joosten won two Emmys for her work on “Housewives” for her delicious portrayal. She had also worked consistently for the last 30 years on every major TV show from “The West Wing” to “Murphy Brown.” There are some unusual trivia items about her on the imdb–including the fact that when she was starting out as an actress she moonlighted hanging wallpaper. She hung the wallpaper in the room of now- well known writer Dave Eggers. I think her great achievement is that she didn’t really take off until she was around 50, which should give hope to all of us.
“Snow White” Beats “MIB 3” and “Avengers” Now 3rd Biggest Movie Ever
“Men in Black 3” took a drubbing Friday night. “Snow White and the Huntsman” finished first with $20.3 mil. Charlize Theron and crew sent Will Smith and their gang back to number 2, a real fall, with just $8.1 million. “MIB3” is fading. So weird. Anyway, “Snow” is on her way to a $55 mil weekend not counting its foreign sales. “The Avengers” became the 3rd biggest movie in history last night with almost $600 mil domestic take. Both “Battleship” and “Dark Shadows” are fading. But doing well are “The Dictator,” and “The Best Exotice Marigold Hotel.” It looks like the documentary “Bully” is done, but it took a very respectable $3.2 million. Nicely done. It will have a big life on DVD, cable, and in classrooms.
The Great Teri Garr Gets the Star Treatment in Hollywood
If you’re a little too young, you may not know who Teri Garr is. She was the star of “Mr. Mom” with Michael Keaton. She was David Letterman’s favorite and constant guest when he had his NBC show. Garr was also in countless movie and TV shows until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was cute and funny, and she still is. Last week Teri was honored for her work on MS by Nancy Davis at the 19th annual ‘Glam Rock to Erase MS,’ in Century City.
Our LEAH SYDNEY reports that, “The indefatigable Nancy Davis (daughter of Barbara and the mogul Marvin Davis) hosted the event. Nancy is a survivor and advocate of Multiple Sclerosis, and has worked tirelessly to find a cure for MS. Her Nancy Davis Foundation has raised upwards of $24 million. Nancy spoke and then introduced Teri Garr, who was honored for her work on MS which she has.
Before Teri spoke, a taped tribute was shown where David Letterman quipped, “Teri was one of the first people to our show when no one would come on cause no one liked us. ” Normally reserved David then said a heartfelt, “Teri, I just love you.”
Buck Henry echoed that sentiment and told her, “Teri, I’ve been in love with you for 50 years.” Teri then came to the stage and called MS, “this scum sucking pig of a disease. I hope the doctors will change everything and make it better for me…they will won’t they?” To which the enthusiastic audience shouted….”yes!”
That exuberance lasted throughout the night as Fitz And The Tantrums, The Tenors, David Cook and Stevie Wonder played. Stevie told the crowd, “Nancy asked me a year ago to play and I promised I would. You all know, you don’t say no to Nancy!” Stevie played ‘Higher Ground,’ ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ and more. The event raised $1.8 million.
Justin Bieber’s New Single Is Really Just an Old Michael Jackson Song
If you thought Madonna had a problem with Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way,” wait til you hear this: Justin Bieber’s new song, “Die in Your Arms,” is really just a remake of an old Michael Jackson from his “Ben” album. Bieber’s “Die” does concede that his song is “sampled” from Jackson’s 1971 recording”We’ve Got a Good Thing.” That song was written by Berry Gordy’s writers at Motown- known as The Corporation-and they are all listed on the track as coauthors of “Die”: Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Frederick J. Perren, Deke Richards & Herb Rooney.
But there other writing credits on “Die.” They are all listed as the new “adapters” of the song– Justin Bieber, Rodney Jerkins, Dennis Jenkins, Travis Sayles, Thomas Lumpkins, Kelly Lumpkins.
In fact, one listen and it’s pretty clear that “Die” and “Good Thing” are very close siblings.
It’s not like this is new. Since hip hop and rap began, producers have searched for obscure R&B hits to remodel into their own royalty stream. Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” was really “Are You My Woman?” by the Chi Lites. Alicia Keys took quite a bit of “Empire State of Mind” from the Moments’ “Love on A Two Way Street.” She also borrowed much more heavily from The Main Ingredient for “You Don’t Know My Name. Mariah Carey’s “Emotions” was an exact rip off of The Emotions’ “Best of My Love.” And her “Fantasy” was a remake of the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love.” More recently, Coldplay had to own up that “Viva la Vida” was based on a Joe Satriani instrumental called “If I Could Fly.”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvB9Pj9Znsw
But this time. getting the sample wouldn’t have been too hard for Bieb’s peeps. Bieber records at Universal Music Group, which owns the old Motown catalog. All they had to do was clear it with Jobete Music, the publishing company Gordy sold for a pittance long ago. Let’s hope The Corporation writers really get paid well for this. They deserve it.
Here’s “Die” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaDsHyCwUnM
Here’s the Jackson song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y33QxNk7ewc
Told Ya: Andy Samberg Follows Kristin Wiig Out the Door at SNL; Jason Sudeikis Next
I told you last October that Kristin Wiig and Jason Sudeikis would leave “Saturday Night Live” at the end of this season. Wiig has already announced; Sudekis is on his way. Today, Andy Samberg announced his departure. I had heard about this months ago, and his publicist denied it. Uh huh. But Samberg, with many outside interests and projects is not coming back. Sudeikis may stick around to play Mitt Romney during the fall election campaign. But Samberg is gone, and anyone who read it here or over on Forbes.com, knew it a long time ago. Surprise! http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/10/04/snls-kristin-wiig-this-could-be-her-last-season. Also http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerfriedman/2012/04/05/saturday-night-live-could-be-losing-three-key-players/
Rielle Hunter, John Edwards’ Babymama, Will Be First to Publish a Book
No grass grows under the feet of Rielle Hunter, aka Lisa Druck. I posited yesterday: which of these two, Hunter or John Edwards, would have had a book contract. It turns out — according to People–Hunter has had hers for some time. Her book, called “What Really Happened” (haha–at least according to her) will hit bookstores late this month. Her publisher tells me Hunter sold the book to them around nine months ago.Hunter waited to announce it until Edwards’s trial was over.
Most interesting is that the publisher is the smallish BenBella Books of Dallas, Texas. Hunter will be their most infamous author by far.
BenBella’s owner, Glenn Yeffeth. tells me the book was sent to him by a New York agent. And there’s no ghost writer. “She wrote it herself,” says Yeffeth. He declined to say how much the advance was, or reveal any of the book’s contents.
BenBella from its website is a small, regional publisher, with a few hits under its belt but nothing scandal-wise to match Rieller Hunter’s march to infamy. This begs the question: could Rielle not get a major New York publisher to put this thing out? That would seem to the case. Now I’m guessing that Cate Edwards, the eldest child of Elizabeth and John, will looking for a publisher to counter all this.
More on this as it develops…As for People getting the exclusive announcement, I’d wager that they’ve got first syndication rights, too. PS I’ve taken down a photo of Hunter and her daughter Quinn from the baby’s first birthday. A friend of Hunter’s gave me the picture four years ago, and it was used on Foxnews.com. It may still be around on the internet. But it was unimportant to the story at hand.
Aretha Franklin to Release 5 Classic “Lost” Albums in New Record Label Deal
Exclusive; Aretha Franklin’s been trying to get her Aretha’s Records off the ground for some time now. So here’s the news: Aretha’s Records is getting a distribution deal at Universal Music Group, shepherded, I’m told, by former Sony honcho Don Ienner. Ienner was a long time senior exec at Sony Music under Tommy Mottola.
The first releases on Aretha’s Records will be 5 of her classic Atlantic albums that somehow fell through the cracks and never made it onto CD. More of her catalog, as well an unreleased material, could wind up there, too. In addition, Franklin is looking to sign new young singers.
Aretha at 70 is a whirlwind. She’s cooking with Al Roker on the “Today” show next week, and has a bunch of concerts planned for the summer. She’s never been in better voice. Go, Aretha!
And the Universal deal will not impact the recent contract she signed with Clive Davis over at Sony for new recordings. She’s getting the best of all worlds.
The first album listed below includes “Without Love,” one of Aretha’s great masterpieces, written her late sister Carolyn.
1. WITH EVERYTHING I FEEL IN ME (Atlantic SD 18116)
Without Love
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
When You Get Right Down To It
You’ll Never Get To Heaven
With Everything I Feel In Me
I Love Every Little Thing About You
Sing It Again – Say It Again
All Of These Things
You Move Me
Bonus Tracks:
Til It’s Over (1974)
Springtime In New York (June 1974)
2. YOU (Atlantic SD 18151)
Mr. D.J. (5 For The D.J.)
It Only Happens (When I Look At You)
I’m Not Strong Enough To Love You Again
Walk Softly
You Make My Life
Without You
The Sha-La Bandit
You
You Got All The Aces
As Long As You Are There
Bonus Tracks:
Rock Me (April 1975)
White Dove (October 1975)
Can You (October 1975)
You Can’t Make It (October 1975)
I Want To Make Love To You (October 1975)
TNT Dynamite (October 1975)
3. SWEET PASSION (Atlantic SD 19102)
Break It To Me Gently
When I Think About You
What I Did For Love
No One Could Ever Love You More
A Tender Touch
Touch Me Up
Sunshine Will Never Be The Same
Meadows Of Springtime
Mumbles / I’ve Got The Music In Me
Sweet Passion
Bonus Tracks:
Before The Magic C Is Just A Memory (1976)
Musta Up Some Gusta (December 1976)
You Light Up My Life (July 1978)
4. ALMIGHTY FIRE (WOMAN OF THE FUTURE) (Atlantic SD 19161)
Lady, Lady
More Than Just A Joy
Keep On Loving You
I Needed You Baby
Close To You
No Matter Who You Love
This You Can Believe
I’m Your Speed
5. LA DIVA (Atlantic SD 19248)
Ladies Only
It’s Gonna Get A Bit Better
What If I Should Ever Need You
Honey I Need Your Love
I Was Made For You
Only Star
Reasons Why
You Brought Me Back To Life
Half A Love
The Feeling
Bonus Track:
I Need Your Love (June 1979)
Oprah Picks “Wild” First Book for New Book Club
Oprah Winfrey — looking really enthusiastic–is starting her book club back again. She’s calling it Book Club 2.0. It’s digital, interactive, and still featuring the hardcover book. Cheryl Strayed, the author of “Wild,” will be helping Oprah conduct interactive conversations. You can see Oprah talk all about it at http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Oprah-Announces-Oprahs-Book-Club-20-Video. I admire Oprah’s love of books and her determination to bring everyone along on the ride. Let’s just hope this isn’t another James Frey situation.
Here’s the press release:
os Angeles, Calif. and New York, NY – On Monday, June 4, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and O, The Oprah Magazine will launch Oprah’s Book Club 2.0, an interactive, multi-platform reading club that harnesses the power of social media, bringing passionate readers together to discuss inspiring stories. The best-selling memoir Wild, by Cheryl Strayed (Knopf), is the club’s first selection. A true story of adventure, bravery and hope, Wild is full of life lessons that have resonated with many readers, including Oprah, who is bringing its message to book lovers around the world in a modern, community-oriented way.
Starting Monday at 12 p.m. ET, special Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 digital editions of Wild – with exclusive content including a reader’s guide and Oprah’s notes on her favorite passages – will be available for Amazon Kindle, NOOK® by Barnes & Noble, on the iBookstore and everywhere e-books are sold.
Click here for a message from Oprah (link with embed code)
http://www.oprah.com/obcannouncement
“This is a book club for the way people live and read today,” said Sheri Salata, president of OWN. “In addition to the traditional way, we also access books on smart phones, e-readers and tablets and we talk to our friends about them through social media. Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 takes the Oprah.com online community, readers of O Magazine and OWN viewers and connects them through their shared love of great books.”
“Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 is the perfect extension of what we do every month in O Magazine,” said editor in chief Susan Casey. “We cover books in depth, and even offer the first chapters of those we feature on our iPad edition. The club is a great way to create a community and a global conversation while promoting one of the greatest pleasures: getting lost in an amazing story.”
The club’s first read kicks off with Oprah’s interview with Strayed in the July issue of O, The Oprah Magazine (on sale June 8) andculminates just as readers are completing their journey through Wild with a simulcast of the interview airing on Sunday, July 22 at 11 a.m. ET/PT on OWN’s Emmy-nominated “Super Soul Sunday,” streaming live on Oprah.com and on OWN’s Facebook page (facebook.com/owntv), and airing on “Oprah’s Soul Series” on Oprah Radio (Sirius 204, XM 111).
Conversations about Oprah’s Book Club selections will live on the Book Club hub at Oprah.com/bookclub and via mobile and social media platforms. Additional digital elements include:
- A series of webisodes featuring Oprah and Strayed will post weekly, progressing with readers as they read during the months of June and July.
- Readers will have the opportunity to answer weekly questions on Oprah.com with text or photo using Facebook and Twitter (using #oprahsbookclub). Readers will also submit questions about Wild. Oprah and Strayed will answer via video responses each week, and real-time updates will be featured on Oprah.com.
· Using Storify, Oprah.com will highlight reader tweets, Instagram photos and Facebook posts that will be curated into a social wrap up that will live on Oprah.com, providing readers with a snapshot of what participants are thinking, feeling and sharing as they read Wild together.
- Starting June 28, a map display on Oprah.com will allow readers to locate other Book Club participants around the world.
- Using the mobile messaging application GroupMe, Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 will have a section where readers can create smaller book clubs with their friends to have discussion groups about the book club selections.
“I admire Oprah Winfrey tremendously, and could not be more honored and thrilled that Wild is the first selection for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0,” said Cheryl Strayed. “When she called me out of the blue and said, ‘this is Oprah,’ I was astonished. It was not a call I was expecting, and I will always remember her kind words about Wild.”
“It’s great to have Oprah back as a champion of books. Her enthusiasm for an author’s work has always been a catalyst for readers as well as a prompt for conversation,” said Paul Bogaards, EVP, Knopf, the publishers of Wild. “What is especially heartening with her new book club is the social dynamic she has woven into it.”
About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011 on what was the Discovery Health Channel and is in approximately 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.
About Super Soul Sunday
“Super Soul Sunday” (Sundays, 11 a.m. ET/PT on OWN) delivers a thought-provoking, eye-opening and inspiring program designed to help viewers awaken to their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them. All-new conversations between Oprah Winfrey and top thinkers, authors, and spiritual leaders take place everywhere from an oak grove at her California home, to on location in Hawaii, India, New York, Chicago, and around the world. Exploring themes and issues including happiness, personal fulfillment, wellness, spirituality and conscious living, “Super Soul Sunday” presents an array of perspectives on what it means to be alive in today’s world. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/supersoulsunday. To connect via social media, follow us on www.twitter.com/supersoulsunday and www.facebook.com/supersoulsunday
About O, The Oprah Magazine
O, The Oprah Magazine (oprah.com/omagazine) encourages confident, intelligent women to reach for their dreams, express their individual style and make wise choices, guided by the values of one of the most charismatic women in the world, O Editorial Director Oprah Winfrey. With an emphasis on personalgrowth, the magazine inspires, addressing every aspect of a woman’s life – the material, the intellectual and the emotional – and deeply connects with more than 15 million readers every month (MRI, 2011 Doublebase). From the moment it launched, O, The Oprah Magazine carved out a unique position in the marketplace and created an entirely new category in women’s magazines, delivering the Live Your Best Life message through thoughtful, ever-evolving content and the trusted advice provided by Suze Orman, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz and other well-known experts. In May 2012, O, The Oprah Magazine won the publishing industry’s highest honor, the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) award for General Excellence. O, The Oprah Magazine is available on Zinio, Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle and Flipboard, and its namesake iPad app is available on the App store at www.itunes.com/appstore. Follow O, The Oprah Magazine on Twitter @O_Magazine.
O, The Oprah Magazine, which also publishes a South African edition, is a co-venture between HarpoPrint, LLC and Hearst Magazines, a unit of The Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), one of the nation’s largest diversified media and information companies. With its acquisition of Lagardère SCA’s 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France, Hearst Magazines now publishes more than 300 editions around the world, including 20 U.S. titles. Hearst Magazines is a leading publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. in terms of total circulation and reaches 87 million adults (Spring 2011 MRI).
Nicole Kidman’s “Paperboy” Oscar Material, Waits for Sale
You may be wondering–what happened to Lee Daniels’s very hot, controversial movie “The Paperboy’? The film got a 16 minute standing ovation in Cannes. Kidman got the best reviews of her life. But the movie polarized people. Some loved it, some hated it. Kidman is said to be incandescent playing against type as a kind of broke down white trash gal who even pees on one of the characters.
“Paperboy” was made by Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films, with producers Hilary Shor and Cassian Elwes. There was a special screening in Cannes for distributors before the red carpet premiere, and lots of talk. There was even some talk that Millennium would just release “The Paperboy” themselves and skip a distribution deal.
But I am told that “The Paperboy” continues to a hot potato. More screenings are being set up in New York and L.A. Millennium is said to still be open to another distributor coming in–Weinstein, Fox Searchlight, etc. Whoever gets the movie also gets Kidman’s automatic Oscar nomination, and maybe even win. So even if the movie repulses some, and turns others on, there’s going to be lots of talk and Nicole as a big bonus.
Stay tuned…
John Edwards, Rielle Hunter: Who First to Write A Book?
Now that they’re off the hook, we can expect books from both John Edwards and his baby mama Rielle Hunter. My guess is, literary agents, publishers and lawyers are lined up to get this done–and to get big bucks.
Hunter already had a feature in GQ. But she certainly hasn’t told her real story from crib to hotel room bed in hardcover for a significant price. She has lots of material. 1980s party girl with Jay McInerney, marriage to the son of the Jon Benet Ramsey prosecutor, her life in Hollywood (already the people from “24″ are getting nervous) to meeting John Edwards in the Regency Hotel bar.
From there, Hunter has her family to flashback on including her father — he was in a scandal that involved killing race horses for their insurance money. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=3533725
Then she has the big affair, how she tried to get rid of Elizabeth Edwards, the whole saga of running around the country with the Youngs.
And then finally, deliverance: living nearby Edwards, raising their daughter, Elizabeth all gone. It’s a blockbuster, to be sure.
And Edwards? He’s going to have to write a mea culpa. Otherwise he’ll be stuck repping Night Court participants in North Carolina.
Publishers, start your engines.