The $1.9 billion deal to sell EMI to Universal Music Group is apparently done. The decade-old plan to merge EMI with Warner Music is over, kaput, forever. EMI’s biggest group, The Beatles, now goes to Universal Music Group. Or does it? The Beatles’ Apple Corps has unique arrangements with EMI, very different than most artists. A Beatle insider talked to me about this a few weeks ago. Apple Records and EMI are partners in their deal for Beatles albums. It’s not like the Beatles are simply part of the EMI inventory. So it will be interesting to see how Apple, which has been notoriously aggressive since the day it was conceived in 1968, will just play along. For example, Apple exacted a $500 million settlement out of Steve Jobs for infringement of the Apple trademark. As well, in order to bring the Beatles to Apple’s ITunes one year ago, it’s understood that ITunes pays the Beatles directly, and then the Beatles’s Apple pays EMI. If you don’t think this adds up to a lot of money, let me tell you: the Beatles stereo box set is still a top seller at $179. With a paucity of music created by rappers, hip hoppers, and pop samplers from 1985 on, older catalogs are worth more and more. The Beatles’ is worth the most. So we’ll wait and see if Apple (Records, that is) is happy with the EMI deal in the long run. “They could just as easily buy out their portion and move on,” said my source. True enough. At this point, the Beatles could be their own label without any trouble. And they do plan more releases in the next few years under their innovative leader, Jeff Jones.
Legend Doris Day Will Release New Album December 2
Legendary movie and singing star Doris Day will release her hit UK album “My Heart’ in America on December 2nd. Amazing Doris is 88. She’ll be the oldest person on the charts, older than Tony Bennett and anyone else within shouting distance. “My Heart”–a compilation of later unreleased recordings–includes tracks written and produced by her late great son Terry Melcher. Terry was a seminal figure in late 60s rock. He wrote “Disney Girls” for the Beach Boys, which Doris covers beautifully on “My Heart.”
Rather than trot around in tabloids and gossip rags, Doris has lived her post-celebrity life with great dignity. She’s been a huge animal rights activist and a popular figure in serene Carmel, California. Every celebrity should take a page from her book. She’s also refused to do interviews or make appearances–her last, I think, was to pick up a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame award. The word is she may be doing some interviews now.
But she won’t be going to the LA Film Critics dinner in January to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. She will also not be showing up in public dressed as an egg, or wearing lingerie outside her clothes, or getting a DUI.
One great thing about Doris’s publicity for “My Heart”–she’s got plenty of friends willing to do interviews to support her. Clint Eastwood, her Carmel neighbor, is chief among them. But Doris doesn’t realize how beloved she is–or how much people want to see or hear her.
You can listen to “My Heart” at www.dorisday.com. The album is coming out independently here, by the way, on Arwin Records. Arwin is the same production company name Doris and late husband Marty Melcher had dating back to the 1950s. Cool.
PS Brian Grazer: this would be a great year to salute Doris’s movie career on the Oscars.
Hugh Jackman: Wolverine Goes Disco
Hugh Jackman opened on Broadway last night in his one man show. I caught the Wednesday matinee instead of the usual opening night–had to be away for a family occasion. The matinee crowd loved Hugh. You’ll love Hugh. He is as corny as a cornfield, sort of John Davidson meets Barry Manilow. This isn’t a bad thing to say, but Hugh could play Vegas for months without ever having an empty seat in the theater. Whether he’s in formal attire and tails, or gold lame, Jackman cannot stop smiling broadly. He is happy for two hours, in his element.
It makes you wonder about “Wolverine” and “X Men.” How can he both people? As he says in the show, the song and dance Hugh is his favorite. And give him credit. He sings his heart out to show tunes. There’s nothing fake about it. He belts out his songs, tap dances, sashays into the audience to play with unwitting fans. (Though I do think one woman sitting in the front row is a plant, but that’s ok.)
My favorite part of the show: Jackman brings out Olive Knight an indigenous gospel/blues singer from Wangkatjungka in the Australian outback, with a group of fellow musicians. They perform the Hawaiian version of “Over the Rainbow” using aboriginal instruments, and Jackman talks about the plight of Knight’s people. I wish there’d been more of that and less of the shlocky Peter Allen songs. But Hugh and his crew know what they’re doing–and the audience just loves him.
PS Folks from NBC were in the audience. My bet is we’ll see this as a filmed TV special in February, sweeps month. And why not? The peacock network has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Hugh Jackman as Andy Williams channeling Gene Kelly has a lot of promise.
Oscars: 2011 Is The Year of the Movie Star
Wow. Oscars. Billy Crystal is back. Brian Grazer is producing the show. And now, guess what? With one exception–French actor Jean DuJardin–the best actor nominees are all going to be big marquee names.
The list has shaped up remarkably week. Leonardo DiCaprio, as I suspected, is getting raves for “J Edgar.” He’s in. Brad Pitt is still strong from “Moneyball” as baseball manager Billy Beane. George Clooney has everyone clamoring from his strong dramatic turn as a cuckold in “The Descendants.” And Ryan Gosling represents the New Generation in “Ides of March.”
There are others, too. Woody Harrelson is exceptional in “Rampart.” Michael Shannon is much admired for his work in “Take Shelter.” Michael Fassbender is the talk of the town in “A Dangerous Method” and “Shame.” Ben Kingsley is his usual high quality in “Hugo.”
But it’s those first names–Pitt, DiCaprio, Clooney, Gosling, DuJardin–that I think are going to be the finalists. And then, what an Oscars we’ll have. Add them to the big name actresses–Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Michelle Williams, Viola Davis (very much a big name now)–and the Academy Awards, which looked like they might get bruised, should be a return to glamor and power. Well done.
Whitney Houston Is Burning the Candles at Both Ends
First we see Whitney Houston doing great interviews from set of “Sparkle.” Now it seems she’s going into business–candle business. Let’s say she’s burning the candles at both ends! Or waxing philosophical. Whitney and sister in law Pat Houston have started something called Marion P Candles. Here are the descriptions of the different kinds of candles you can find at www.marionpcandles.com Pat says a portion of the proceeds will go to charity:
Tiberias/Ruby Red Grapefruit – Seed for the healing of the body, uplifting and stimulating to the soul.
Jordina (The Jordan River) Fig Lychee – Figs are restorative. They increase the strength of young people and preserve the elderly In better health. An honor to bestow The foliage and fruit.
The Beatitudes (The Mount of Beatitudes) Blackstone – It focuses on love and humility rather than force and exaction. Echoing the highest Ideal of teaching on mercy, spirituality and Compassion.
Jericho/ Cedarwood Amber – Reflecting The Majesty And Wonder Of God’s Glory.
Galilea (The Sea Of Galilea/Honeysuckle) Pleasantness, sweet to the Soul, The Essence Of Unity and Wholeness of Purpose.
Dedication, Excellence, Faithfullness, Gratitude, Loving Kindness, Peace and Joy, Redemption, Victorious and Love.
Billy Crystal To Host the Oscars
UPDATE: We called it last night. Billy Crystal is going to host the Oscars.
Now that Eddie Murphy has exited the Oscars, who should new producer Brian Grazer and returning producer Don Mischer select as host? There’s only one answer, as far as I can tell: Billy Crystal. Everyone wants him. Wherever I went yesterday, it was Crystal’s name that kept coming up. My guess is that Grazer, who is a long time friend of Crystal, will persuade the popular comic to step into the fray. Last year just the thought of Crystal making a brief appearance got every gossip’s tongue wagging. Now, with the Ratner-Murphy debacle, and last spring’s Franco-Hathaway stint gone, the Academy is likely to for a retreat to former glories. Crystal is it. You can already see him doing parodies of “J Edgar,” “The Artist,” “Moneyball,” “Midnight in Paris” and a half dozen other films. Some other name I’ve heard: Jamie Foxx, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres. But Crystal is the top choice.
Hugh Jackman Sends Sting His Thanks in Broadway Playbill
Hugh Jackman opens tonight on Broadway, doing his song and dance routine with wild enthusiasm and endless vigor. Did he get tips from rock star Sting? You betcha. In the Playbill for the show, Jackman makes sure to add: “Special thanks to Sting, too!” Of course Jackman is a mere 43. Sting just turned 60. Last night, though, Sting was like a man (a man in very good shape) of 33 as he rocked the Roseland Ballroom for the second night in a row. Sting’s “Back to Bass” show reclaims his rock star status with a thoroughly punchy punk performance that includes his big hits and some gems that he recovered– from older albums –like the songs “Sacred Love” and “Inside.” It’s the amazing breadth and depth of Sting’s solo catalog that it keeps being reworked either in symphonic form or in renewed rock. The Roseland audience–which included actors Joe Mantello and Fisher Stevens– was loud, loud, loud all night singing along with all the lyrics. The massive space was also quite literally sold out to the rafters. Sting returns tonight to Washington DC’s Constitution Hall, and then heads west for more sold out shows. His box set, “25 Years,” is a stunning music gift this Christmas. The single best of CD culled from the box is a bestseller.
Bruce Springsteen Sells Shirt off His Back for Soldiers
Bruce Springsteen was lively as ever last night at the Stand Up for Heroes fifth anniversary show at the Beacon Theatre. He told his bad jokes, rocked the house, and then he auctioned off his guitar, harmonica, mike stand, and the shirt off his back. The winning bidder paid $150,000 as Springsteen stripped down to a t shirt and gave away his plaid shirt. The winner then donated the guitar back to Marine Corps First Lt. Andrew Kinard in the audience. Stand Up for Heroes has really turned into an annual love fest, with military mixing with celebrities, and everyone saluting our troops. Among the guests last night were Glenn Close, Greg Kinnear, Rachel Ray, Kathy Griffin, Diane Sawyer, and Gayle King. The performers included Bill Clinton, who kicked off the night with a rousing and funny speech. The Max Weinberg Big Band provided the music, and there were plenty of others involved including the wonderful group called 4Troops, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais, Brian Williams, Seth Meyers, and Springsteen. Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters didn’t perform, but he met and mixed with all the troops, quite emotionally. It turns out Waters’s dad died in World War II, and other members of his family have fought in the British Army. “I’ve never seen him so excited about being at a public event,” said his long time love, Laurie Durning.
Ricky Gervais Tells Me: Not Sure About Hosting Golden Globes
My favorite comic iconoclast, Ricky Gervais, tells me that he’s not sure about hosting the Golden Globes and that nothing has been settled. Ricky was a guest performer last night at Bob and Lee Woodruff’s 5th annual Stand Up for Heroes show at the Beacon Theater. Before the show–which Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox produce as opening night of NY Comedy Festival–Ricky and I spoke about the Golden Globes. It turns out he did have lunch with the new HFPA president in Paris, along with Doug Vaughn from NBC. “NBC wants me to do it, and they’re still convincing the HFPA. But I’m not sure if I want to do it,” Ricky said. Why? “I did it, and how could I do it better?” he asked rhetorically. “How do you top that?” I reminded him that with Leonardo DiCaprio playing J Edgar Hoover, a silent black and white film “The Artist” as a front runner, and Lindsay Lohan in and out of jail, there’s plenty of fodder for jokes. “Ah yes,” Ricky said, with a grin. “There is a lot, isn’t there?” So, no decision yet, but my bet is he’ll do it, and the HFPA will get big ratings as they dodge his slings and arrows.
“Spider Man” Lawsuit Could Mean No National Tour For Now
Julie Taymor’s lawsuit against the producers of “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” has some serious consequences not yet explored. It turns out her lawyers are asking for a permanent injunction against the production until Taymor is paid for her work. The amount named in the suit is $1 million. The permanent injunctions, if granted, could stop the producers, Michael Cohl and 8 Legged Productions, from starting any “Turn off the Dark” presentations in other cities. The show has cost so much–maybe up to $75 million–that the idea was to take on national tours to places like Las Vegas and who knows, maybe Branson, Missouri.
Anyway, the injunctions would finish all that for the time being.
Taymor’s lawsuit is based on the theory that she copyrighted her Original Book, and that the show now uses almost 75% of that material. (The New York Times got that wrong.) Indeed, anyone who’s seen “Spider Man” evolve over time knows that the show is still essentially Taymor’s, just in a different order. What’s more interesting, I think, is that after all the fighting, and changes, and the ouster, the box office average is the same or lower than when Taymor’s version was fully up and running. But to make the changes, the producers added at least $10 million to their bottom line.
Frankly, I’m surprised Bono and The Edge have allowed all this to go on. They’re both advocates for artists’ rights. And their astute manager, Paul McGuiness, has been forthright in making sure recording artists get paid for their work. Maybe they can intercede and end this ugliness.