The Academy Awards are stocking up on big name presenters for the February 26th telecast. Already on the list are Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez, and Tom Cruise. Watch for more names, too, particularly heavy hitters that people don’t get to see all the time. The reason? The show is a little star-deprived, what with “The Artist”–French actors mostly, and then the other nominees for Best Picture are not as star studded as they could be. You can’t have Brad Pitt and George Clooney give out every award. So it will be a ratings boon to see some unusual faces, even if they weren’t Oscar nominated this year. Obviously, Hugh Jackman is at the top of every list. So is Daniel Craig. Julia Roberts is always a draw, and so are Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and Sandra Bullock. From the “older” Hollywood set, it would be nice to see Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Shirley MacLaine, Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, etc. And please, it doesn’t matter if they presented at some other show this season. These are the Oscars. It’s the only awards show that really counts in the end. Producer Brian Grazer has made so many hits, his Rolodex is bursting with possibilities!
Mitchell Fink’s Emotional Adventure with Dr. Oz plus George Gurley’s Therapy
Two books this week from journalist pals who’ve hit the publishing circuit:
First–Mitchell Fink‘s stunning and stirring account about a heart transplant performed by TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Change of Heart: A Black Man A White Woman A Heart Transplant, and A True Love Story” should be made into a movie right now. It’s an amazing saga of a black man who received a white woman’s heart in a transplant. Fink, our old pal from the New York Daily News and other publications, expertly and poignantly recounts the issues involved. The man receiving the heart wasn’t so keen on the one he was getting. “Change of Heart” is gripping and revelatory, and not to be missed. Hollywood, this is tailor made for a great film. It’s easy to find at http://www.amazon.com/Change-Heart-Black-White-Transplant/dp/0985273712/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328117369&sr=1-3
…then last night, New York Observer writer George Gurley presented his new book, “George and Hilly: The Anatomy of a Relationship.” A ton of media types turned up at Doubles in the Sherry Netherland Hotel to celebrate this true account of George and permanent fiancee Hilly’s rocky road through couples therapy. It’s amusing and witty, of course. And still there’s no ring, although there was a rumor that George did propose to Hilly at the end of the party last night. Lots of fun. This is perfect February vacating reading!
Don Cornelius RIP: His Influence Was Incalculable
It seems that Don Cornelius has committed suicide at age 75. I didn’t really know him, but saw him often at record industry gatherings. He was a little aloof, and in recent years he seemed more distant than ever. None of this matters. Here’s the story: Don Cornelius started “Soul Train” as the black “American Bandstand” in the 1970s. The theme music was performed by MFSB called “The Sound of Philadelphia,” which became a huge instrumental hit. “Soul Train” was often broadcast in the afternoons on Saturdays at odd times and on odd stations. It didn’t matter. What Don Cornelius did was incalculable. He brought black music to television when no one else would, or couldn’t.
This is not to say that “American Bandstand” didn’t do it, also. Dick Clark was color blind. But “Soul Train” was the “inside”– the groups we heard on WBLS in New York had faces on “Soul Train.” So what if they lip-synched? “Soul Train” was all about getting the music to the people. For a white kid in New York, this was the coolest. And not just Motown performers, whom were already assimilated. On “Soul Train” you got The Whispers, The Dells, Joe Tex, The Chi Lites, all the Philly International acts, Tavares, Tina Turner (with Ike, long before her “liberation”). The first episode– October 2, 1971– featured Gladys Knight and the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, the beloved Honey Cone (“Want Ads,” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”), and then came Al Green, Bill Withers, Jean Knight (“Mr. Big Stuff”), and the Chairmen of the Board (“Give Me Just a A Little More Time”) and so on. Al Wilson sang “Show and Tell,” but I can’t show it to you on YouTube because of some stupid copyright thing. Look for it.
Don Cornelius, a sharp dressed handsome man, was married in 1956 and had two sons. He remarried in 2001 to a woman whom he divorced in 2009. He told the judge had to get divorced fast because he was going to die. Did he suffer from chronic depression? Was it something else? I don’t know. I just know that I ower him a lot, and I’m only getting to thank him now, when it’s too late. He brought the Cashbox R&B charts alive for me, and inspired me to make my film, “Only the Strong Survive,” in 2002, when I sensed our time, his time, was coming to an end. Thanks for everything, Don. You’re in my Hall of Fame.]
UPDATE from Aretha Franklin: “It’s just so sad, stunning and downright shocking and a huge and momentous loss to the African-American community and the world at large. Don Cornelius single handedly brought about a melding and unity of brother and sisterhood among young adults worldwide and globally with the unforgettable creation of Soul Train.”
Mel Gibson Retitles Unreleasable Movie, Sends it to Video Land
Remember Mel Gibson’s movie, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”? Two years ago (at least) he went to Mexico, relocated prisoners from a jail, upset everyone, and made this film that no one wanted to see. This was during “Edge of Darkness” tanking, the whole non stop scandal with girlfriend Oksana, the $500 million divorce, the anti Semitic stuff, and “The Beaver” embarrassing everyone. So now what do with “Vacation”? Apparently it’s been retitled–“Get the Gringo.” And according to reports in the the trades it’s going straight to Video on Demand on May 1st. This is because, let’s face it, no theater owner wants a Mel Gibson movie–not even “Lethal Weapon 5” or “The Beaver 2.” It’s a smart move for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. They’ll charge $10.99 per viewing. Mel’s remaining audience can plunk down their dough. Gibson has relatively no future in regular movie releases. He still plans on making a movie about Judah and the Maccabbees–a Chanukah story told by an anti-Semite. Instead of real oil that lasted eight days, Mel’s movie will likely explain this was erotic oils used by women of the temple to keep their men aroused for a week or more at a time. Say hallelujah, somebody!
X Factor, American Idol, Madonna, Super Bowl: What It All Means
So you’ve read: Simon Cowell has fired everyone at “X Factor” except LA Reid, who’s also the head of Epic Records. Paula Abdul, Nicole Pussy Cat, and Steve Jones (who was not from the Sex Pistols) are all gone. The show had poor ratings and no buzz. It’s time to start over. Even though Reid got a lot of criticism, he has to stay: Epic/Sony is where “X Factor” winners will go to record albums.
Meanwhile, “American Idol” starts featuring Madonna this week. Unless you are totally clueless, you know that “American Idol” is wedded to Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records. That’s where their winners–like Scotty McCreery–get contracts. Iovine has also signed Madonna for her “MDNA” album. So of course, “AI” will feature teasers for the new album, all sorts of promotions, a Madonna night, you name it.
Everything here is branded. There are no coincidences. Madonna’s album could be her greatest ever or just more post-90s junk. “American Idol” will be pushing it down the throats of their viewers non stop.
Meanwhile, dear Madonna: now, after botching her charity, and never explaining where the money went, she’s announced that she’s building a bunch of schools in Malawi. Listen: there is no available tax filing for Raising Malawi, her Kabbalah-backed charity that reneged on building a “leadership academy” in Malawi already. No one knows what happened to $3.7 million raised at a 2006 celebrity fundraiser in New York. Don’t believe a word of any press released. Kabbalah is still involved.
Meantime, I implore you: Jimmy Iovine is a smart guy. He’s a great record man. But do you know that annually he wrestles control over who performs at the Super Bowl? Some years he wins, some he loses. Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney were not his choices. Let’s review, shall we? Last year it was the Black Eyed Peas and Usher. This year it’s Madonna. According to Wikipedia, her set list is “Vogue,” “Ray of Light,” “Music,” and her new single, “Gimme Your Luvin’.” What did you think she was going to sing? “Like a Virgin”? “Masterpiece”?
The Madonna marketing plan is in motion, boys and girls. Let’s hope the music is good. Really. PS I loved Elton John’s bitchy comments about Madonna lip-synching. He is dead on right. What she does, as do many modern performers who must also perform Jack LaLanne calisthenics on stage, is occasionally add live vocals to pre-recorded tracks during shows. All the tracks are pre-recorded before the TV shows. Who doesn’t do this? Performers who simply perform their music– Elton, Billy Joel, Sting, McCartney, Springsteen, Steve Tyler. But all the top 40 krapola stars do it.
The Artist vs. The Help: SAG Awards Sharpen Oscar Race
Sacre bleu! The #SAGAwards really upset the apple cart. Jean DuJardin beat both George Clooney and Brad Pitt for Best Actor, for “The Artist.” Viola Davis toppled Meryl Streep for “The Help” as Best Actress. And “The Help,” not “The Artist,” won Best Ensemble. But it was only yesterday that Michel Hazanavicius won the DGA’s Best Director Award for “The Artist.” So now what?
My guess: “The Artist” will win the Oscar. Here’s what happened: SAG is a union supporting local friends. “The Help” is their kind of movie. They gave acting awards to both Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, who, really, are great. You feel great rewarding them for their work. So bravo.
But “The Help” is not a visionary film like “The Artist.” And Hazanavicius’s award adds heft to “The Artist” as Best Picture. DuJardin was a surprise tonight, but hey–he’s good. My money was always on Brad Pitt. But it’s possible he and George Clooney are crossing each other out. The next two weeks will be crucial as more voters see “The Artist.”
And what about Meryl Streep? “The Iron Lady” is significant work. It’s a landmark performance. It may be that the Academy will feel Davis has been recognized, and that Meryl is their queen. Either way, it’s a tight race.
For SAG, on the TV side, I don’t care so much. Many of these people come and go. But I am so personally happy for Steve Buscemi–he is the epitome of the good guy, the hard working actor, family man, good friend. Sometimes nice guys finish guys finish first.
On another note: Mary Tyler Moore is still the most gracious and most lovely. She has lost quite a bit of her sight because of diabetes, but she soldiered out there on stage and looked great. She’s an inspiration.
SAG Awards–nicely done. Congrats to Ken Howard for pulling off the AFTRA merger.
SAG Awards: The Pre Oscars — Mostly
The Screen Actors Guild Awards are pretty much the predictors of the Oscars. Well, they’re as close as you can get to a real reading of who will win the acting Academy Awards. Last year, SAG and the Oscars went hand in hand–Colin Firth, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Natalie Portman and “The King’s Speech”–all replicated. The year before that, Sandra Bullock’s win at SAG set her up for the Oscar. Jeff Bridges won, too. The big twist: “Inglourious Basterds” took the Best Ensemble Award, while “The Hurt Locker” won the Oscar. These things happen. There was also a now classic sort of mix up with Best Actress the year before. Meryl Streep won Best Actress for “Doubt.” She didn’t win the Oscar. Kate Winslet did, for “The Reader.” For the SAGs, she’d been wrongly put in Supporting Actress. She won that award. But it was clear that for the Oscars, she should be in lead. The voters moved her on their own, and she won. Penelope Cruz took home Supporting for “Vicki Cristina Barcelona.” Streep went home empty handed. That isn’t likely to happen again.
Mary Tyler Moore Deserves All the Accolades
Tonight Mary Tyler Moore receives the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s hard to believe that she’s turned 75 years young, even though she looks eons younger. She’s also managed to weather numerous personal storms while having to maintain the happy go lucky facade of her famous TV characters, Laura Petrie and Mary Richards. It hasn’t always been so easy. Even as she was winning hearts of viewers, and lots of awards, there was trouble at home. Her only son, Richie, died of an accidental gunshot while playing with a gun. Her sister, who was the age of her son (she and her mother were pregnant at the same time), with whom she was very close, also died.
After a bad first marriage, Mary had a long and successful marriage to TV producer Grant Tinker. With Tinker and business associate Arthur Price, they created MTM–and shows like “Rhoda,” and “Lou Grant,” as well as Mary’s own show, made them very rich for life. In 1983, Mary married Dr Richard Levine, who was two decades younger. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. But they are still together, demonstrating that they were really soulmates. It’s a happy ending for someone who worked so hard to get it.
For years after the Mary Tyler Moore show ended, the Levines lived in a spectacular aparment on Fifth Avenue and East 74th St. But various dramas, including an infamous one with Pale Male, the falcon, convinced them to sell. Mary, an avid animal activist, would probably have given Pale Male her apartment. But the Levines moved to Connecticut, where they’ve lived a low key life.
I’ve known Mary for about 20 years. She is everything as advertised. Cheerful and positive despite numerous health issues. She’s worked tirelessly for Juvenile Diabetes. Her eyessight has diminished because of the illness, but she’s persevered. And also despite her low profile, she remains a Star. She’s probably the most beloved TV star of all time. And we shouldn’t forget her 1981 Oscar nomination for Best Actress in “Ordinary People.” It’s a performance for the ages.
“The Dick van Dyke Show” was a lot of fun, and certainly made her career. But it’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” –which she guided– that really solidified her place in our culture. And think of the people involved–Valierie Harper and Ed Asner each went on to run SAG at different points. They’ve had lasting careers. Cloris Leachman and Betty White are still working hard and getting endless amounts of publicity in their senior years. Julie Kavner, who played Rhoda’s sister, Brenda, went on to fame with Woody Allen and as Marge Simpson.
There are so many favorite MTM episodes. Mary usually cites “Chuckles the Clown” in which only Mary cannot express grief over the accidental death of an unseen character. (Chuckles was shelled to death by a rogue elephant during a parade.) My own personal favorite is “Veal Prince Orloff,” in which Lou Grant helps himself to too many pieces of the main course at Mary’s dinner party–catered by Sue Ann Nivens. Any time I’ve been at a party where the food has run out early, I think of those six pieces of veal and Mary warning Mr. Grant that he’s taken too much and must return one piece to the serving platter. {“I’m not as hungry as I thought,” Mr. Grant relents.)
I don’t know how the SAG Awards will go tonight–they give Best Ensemble for films, not Best Picture. Either “The Artist” or “The Help” will win. But the real appeal of tonight’s show will be Mary, and all her co-stars, and reliving a time when sitcoms contained beautifully drawn characters who liked each other, were well paced, and intelligent. And at the center of both shows, was Mary, who was the beating heart. Remember — Mary lost the Emmy Award for Best Actress in the show’s first season. And the cast took out an ad in Variety that read “Without her, it would just be called The Show.” Congratulations, Mary.
The Artist Director wins DGA, Readies for Oscar
Michel Hazanavicius must think he’s living in a dream. Tonight the Directors Guiild of America awarded him Best Director of a feature Film for “The Artist.” He beat Martin Scorsese and Alexander Payne. His silent black and white film, unveiled in Paris a week before last year’s Cannes film festival, is now headed to win the Academy Award next month. Sacre bleu! But those of us who saw it then knew from the start– that when Harvey Weinstein bought the film and it won the Cannes audience prize, the deal was done. Weinstein would follow his “King’s Speech” win for a second year in a row. It’s an amazing feat and well deserved. “The Artist” is almost an instsnt classic. Now the only questions are whether its actors will get pulled along with the momentum. Of the two, Jean DuJardin and Berence Bejo, I’d say the latter has the best chance statistically. And then of course there are always the write-ins for Uggie the dog.
SOPA Surprise: Same Law Firm Reps Pro and Anti Lobbying Efforts
SOPA–it’s the hot button issue right now. Anti-SOPA. Pro-SOPA. Millions are being spent in both directions. If you’re pro-SOPA, the hacktivist group Anonymous will come after you–yesterday they took down several websites. But here’s something you may not know. The same law firm is representing both the pro and con sides. Conflict of interest? You decide.
But John Quinn, the very esteemed principal of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan Law Firm in Los Angeles, is representing the Academy of Motion Pictures Association–which is pro-SOPA–against companies like Go Daddy, the domain name registrar. (Full disclosure: even this website is registered with GoDaddy.)
This made us wonder: why isn’t AMPAS, or Quinn Emanuel, suing companies like Google or other portals? They’re anti-SOPA, having spent hundreds of millions to kill the bill — called Stop Online Piracy Act. That seems to be because Quinn also represents Google. Indeed, on their website they list the numerous cases they’ve won for Google just in 2011. http://www.quinnemanuel.com/search.aspx?search=google.So it’s not like Quinn Emanuel is going to sue Google. But what is going on here?
Quinn emailed me back the other day: “I really don’t see your point. Ampas has trademarks in word and academy award a copyright in the 3 d image of the oscar statuette. I am not aware of any issue ampas has with Google.”
You can see why Google wants to stop SOPA. According to one techie observer: “Google stands to signficantly lose (to the tune of billions of dollars in ad revenue) from the passage of SOPA and has done everything in their power to ensure it doesn’t pass.”
But the argument has been made that Google, Yahoo, and other portals that allow faux-sites–like, say, http://www.oscarshmoscar.com (a made up name) are the ones who make money from those clicks.
Is AMPAS aware of this? Calls to their pr rep were also unreturned.
Here are some of Quinn Emanuel’s successes for Google, taken from their website:
Google, Inc.
Our client, Google, was sued for copyright infringement when an artist sued New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman (among others) in connection with the allegedly unauthorized use of the artists’s painting on a limited number of copies of Friedman…
Perfect 10 v. Google Inc.
For our client Google, we successfully obtained summary judgment of safe harbor under the DMCA on copyright infringement claims against Google’s Web Search, Image Search and Blogger services. The decision precludes Perfect 10 from seeking any mo…
Bid For Position, LLC v. AOL, LLC and Google Inc.
We won affirmance of summary judgment of non-infringement for Google in a patent infringement litigation in which plaintiff sought in excess of $150 million in past damages and a royalty on future revenue in the billions. The litigation concerned th…
Rosetta Stone Ltd. v. Google Inc.
We won a complete summary judgment for Google Inc., by which all remaining claims that language software provider Rosetta Stone had asserted based on Google’s advertising programs and trademark policies were dismissed with prejudice. In a leng…
Bright Response LLC v. Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc.
Defending Google against a $128 million patent infringement claim brought by Bright Response LLC against Google’s AdWords advertising system in the Eastern District of Texas, we won a complete non-infringement and invalidity verdict after a six-day …
Performance Pricing Inc. v. Google Inc., et al.
On behalf of Google and AOL, we brought and won a summary judgment motion of noninfringement on all asserted claims before Federal Circuit Judge Randall Rader sitting by designation. The patent-in-suit was asserted against the Defendants in Septembe…
PA Advisors LLC v. Google Inc., et al.
We represented Google in a patent infringement case against PA Advisors LLC, a patent-holding company, in the Eastern District of Texas. Plaintiff accused Google’s Search, AdWords and AdSense products of infringing Patent No. 6,199,067, involv…
Function Media, LLC v. Google, Inc. and Yahoo, Inc.
Brought in six months before trial to defend Google’s AdSense for Content and AdSense for Mobile Online advertising products against a claim of patent infringement brought by Function Media, we won unanimous jury verdict on both non-infringement and…