UPDATE SUNDAY MORNING: “W.E.” took in $45,000–estimated–over the weekend. That may be a bit high, and could still be revised. It’s unlikely it will get more of a push beyond its 4 screens.

UPDATE SATURDAY MORNING: Friday night–“W.E.” played on 4 screens, and took in $14,000. Basically, no one went to see it. Let’s compare: When “The Artist” — a silent, black and white movie made by French people with no stars– opened on 4 screens, it took in $75,000. When “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” opened on 4 screens, it took in $90,000 the first night, and $119,000 on the second night. Viewing comparative costs, Madonna probably spent $14,000 on eyebrow treatments yesterday. All that build up, millions spent by Cartier and other sponsors to drag “W.E.” all over the world for premieres. According to the New York Times from 1998, the lowest priced item that sold at the Duchess of Windsor’s estate was a Charles Baskerville painting for $19,500.

EARLIER: Madonna may be getting ready for her big Super Bowl half time show on Sunday. But her movie, “W.E.” has opened to the worst reviews of her entire horridso called film career. “W.E.”–cleverly redubbed “WTF?” by Kyle Smith in the New York Post, has scored a measly 18% on Rottentomatoes.com. That’s out of 100%. Critics around the country and the world-especially the British papers–hate it. I told you this would happen last September when “W.E.”–Madonna’s misinterpretation of the love story of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor–opened at the Toronto Film Festival. Since then much has happened–including Madonna’s ex-communication of cast member Abbe Cornish, who, according to sources, “she simply doesn’t like.” Only actress Andrea Riseborough, who plays Wallis Simpson, has made the publicity rounds.

Ironically, just as Madonna is performing in Indianapolis on Sunday, the full weekend box office numbers should be out–and they won’t be pretty. That is unless you’re interested in seeing the Duchess of Windsor dance to Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” while her husband watches from his death bed. Or listening to Madonna dismiss the couple’s visit to Hitler and their support of Nazi Germany. Or see actor James D’Arcy– a six foot two slim model–play Edward, the five foot seven nincompoop who abdicated (thank goodness) the British crown to marry an already twice wedded American who reportedly cheated on him.

“W.E.” is an odd and off putting movie, that’s for sure. The dialogue is crass, the sense of history is derived from skipping high school classes. But I must take credit for one thing — I dubbed this film “Wally and Wallis” in July 2010 as a tribute to “Julie and Julia.” Now everyone’s hopping on the bandwagon. But when people from two different eras–one dead, one alive because she’s breathing–start talking to each other, you know there’e trouble.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/07/29/madonna-film-on-the-windsors-wally-and-wallis

More stars have lined up for Paul McCartney‘s big MusiCares show on February 10th– Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Norah Jones, and even Duane Eddy. James Taylor will sing “Yesterday.”

Meantime, MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation are  gearing up for other events next week including Grammy Camp and Grammy in the Schools–next Wednesday, February 8th, featuring one of my favorite contemporary R&B stars, Anthony Hamilton. Here’s the press release:

THIRD ANNUAL GRAMMY IN THE SCHOOLS® LIVE! CONCERT WILL FEATURE GRAMMY® NOMINEE TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON,
GRAMMY WINNER ANTHONY HAMILTON,
EDUCATION PROGRAM STUDENTS, AND
HOST PAT PRESCOTT FROM 94.7 THE WAVE

GRAMMY Foundation® Event Sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and the Starkey Hearing Foundation with Support from Best Buy, Converse, and 94.7 the Wave

WHO:        Members of the GRAMMY Camp® — Jazz Session, along with student alumni from
GRAMMY Camp and GRAMMY® Signature Schools, with special guest performances by current GRAMMY nominee Terri Lyne Carrington and GRAMMY-winning artist Anthony Hamilton. Pat Prescott from 94.7 the Wave will be the evening’s host. For real-time coverage and updates on this event, plus all GRAMMY Foundation events during GRAMMY Week, please like “GRAMMY in the Schools” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools.

WHAT:     Third annual GRAMMY In The Schools® Live! — A Celebration Of Music & Education, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and the Starkey Hearing Foundation with support from Best Buy, Converse, and 94.7 the Wave.

WHEN:     Feb. 8, 2012
6 p.m.: Media Check-In
6:30 – 7 p.m.: One-on-Ones with Terri Lyne Carrington, Neil Portnow, Pat Prescott, and sponsors
7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: One-on-Ones with Anthony Hamilton
7:30 p.m. Performance

WHERE:     University of Southern California, Grand Ballroom
3607 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA 90089
310.581.8682

*Dinner tickets start at $75 per person; dinner begins at 7 p.m. Concert only tickets are $20 per person; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.grammyintheschools.com or https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1047456-IfE0zhkr9A to purchase.*

WHY:     GRAMMY Camp, GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session and GRAMMY Signature Schools are programs for U.S. high school students and high school music programs. They are part of the GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY in the Schools offerings and are supported in part by Best Buy, Converse, Ford Motor Company Fund, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The 2012 GRAMMY Camp application deadline is March 31, 2012. Financial assistance is available to qualified applicants. The deadline for the 2013 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session and GRAMMY Signature Schools programs is Oct. 22, 2012. Applications are available at www.grammyintheschools.com.

GRAMMY Camp is a signature music industry camp that will be held in Nashville (June 17–24), Los Angeles (July 9–18) and New York (Aug. 2–8) in summer 2012. GRAMMY Camp offers an interactive residential summer music experience focusing on all aspects of commercial music, with instruction by artists and industry professionals. GRAMMY Camp Nashville will be held at Black River Entertainment located on Nashville’s legendary Music Row. GRAMMY Camp L.A. will be held at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and other professional venues
throughout Los Angeles. GRAMMY Camp N.Y. will be held at Rubber Tracks, Converse’s new state-of-the-art recording facility in Brooklyn, N.Y.

High school singers and instrumentalists can audition for the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session. Selectees will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the host city for the annual GRAMMY Awards, and students will participate in high-profile GRAMMY Week performances and recording sessions and will attend the GRAMMY telecast.

Just as the GRAMMY Award recognizes excellence in recording, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top public high schools across the country for outstanding commitment to their music education programs. Each of the GRAMMY Signature Schools will receive a custom award and a monetary grant to benefit its music program.

K’Naan, one of my favorite singers, is not happy with Mitt Romney. After the Republican hopeful used K’Naan’s international hit, “Waving  Flag,” to celebrate his Florida primary win, K’Naan issued this statement:

A&M/Octone recording artist K’NAAN was dismayed to learn that his song “Waving Flag” was used by Mitt Romney in his speech last night following Florida’s Republican primary.

The artist was not aware that the song would be used by Romney and the campaign is not something K’NAAN endorses.

“I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney’s campaign for the use of my song. If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it. I would happily grant the Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice.”

K’NAAN is currently seeking legal action so that further use of the song by Romney’s campaign can be prevented.