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Tony Bennett Wows Met Opera Crowd for 85th Birthday Celebration

Roger Friedman
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Tony Bennett Wows Met Opera Crowd for 85th Birthday Celebration

It’s not that Tony Bennett is 85, it’s that he sings better now than ever, with astonishing pitch, range, depth and texture. He did a 90 minute show at the Metropolitan Opera house last night to celebrate his landmark birthday. Bill Clinton introduced him, and then Tony ambled out, joined his all-star jazz combo, and let it rip. There was no set backdrop to speak of, just the Met’s plain red curtain. There were three guest stars, all knockouts: Aretha Franklin, Alejandro Sanz, and Elton John.

Tony’s second song was “They All Laughed.” Bennett, always compared to Frank Sinatra, struggled for years, has lived the line from that song: he’s had the last laugh. “Who’s got the last laugh now?” Indeed.

In the audience: Harry Belafonte, Whoopi Goldberg, Katie Couric, Steve (and Maureen) van Zandt, Robert and Grace DeNiro, Regis and Joy Philbin, Sony’s Sir Howard Stringer, Mort Zuckerman, Gay and Nan Talese, Richard Gere and Carey Lowell, Rachael Ray, former mayor David Dinkins, former governor Mario Cuomo, Nancy Pelosi and husband Paul, Jimmy and Margo Nederlander (expecting twins in November! congrats!), Broadway producer Teri Allen Kramer, Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox, Bill and Tani Austin of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. and of course Tony’s family: son Danny, who’s managed him so well, with his wife, Carrie, and photographer daughter Kelsey, Tony’s daughters Joanna and Antonia, and his wife Susan.

Oh yes, and Alec Baldwin, newly svelte, maybe 20 pounds lighter, skipping the Emmy Awards to host the after party dinner in a tent in Lincoln Center. The dinner raised money for Tony and Susan’s charity, Exploring the Arts. Dating a yoga instructor has significantly altered Alec’s visage. Who knows how they’ll explain a revitalized Jack Donaghy on “30 Rock”?

The show was an hour and half of perfection. Tony at 85 is like the 8th Wonder of the World. He twirls, spins, does little dances that are not at all parody. He’s got rhythm and it’s kept him light on his feet. When he runs through his really greatest hits– “For Once in My Life,” “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”–he reinterprets, brings new meaning, is exploring the song and making it fresh. Hasn’t he sung these things like 2 million times? They are concise little paintings now.Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” was a gem. He did “Fly Me to the Moon” without a microphone or amplification. It’s quite the party trick.

With Elton–who performed five songs in tribute to Tony at the after party–Bennett did “If I Ruled the World.” When Elton saw that Tony was going to bring it home, he just got out of the way and let the legend finish. Aretha joined him on “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” from the new Duets II album. Radiant looking, she also sounds fantastic again. The audience swooned.

At the party: Alec, hosting, did some funny imitations of Tony. Elton, before he performed, came over to see Aretha Franklin with partner David Furnish. Elton played piano and sang “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” and a medley of songs from “The Lion King.” Franklin was going to leave until she heard “Your Song,” which she’s getting ready to record. “I love that song!” she declared.

Video greetings came from President Obama, Sheryl Crow, Natalie Cole, and Lady Gaga, who sang “Happy Birthday” like a mensch and was quite funny. Watching the video, Aretha Franklin said: “I love the green hair.”

Meantime, Robert DeNiro was just about distraught at his table. Why? “He wants me to stay, he doesn’t know what to do!” exclaimed Reege. “It’s true,” said DeNiro.

Guests received Gucci truffles, copies of Duets II (which will be released on Tuesday), and the recipe for Tony’s late mother’s lasagna–which was served as the main course and was dee-licious!

Emmy Exclusive: Jon Hamm On Why He Looks So Good in a Tuxedo

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Exclusive: Jon Hamm On Why He Looks So Good in a Tuxedo

Breaking News! “Mad Men” Emmy nominee Jon Hamm recently told us his secrets for formal wear attire. Why does he look so good in a tuxedo, we were prodded to ask him: “Well, it’s mostly because a team of professionals staples me into that thing and makes sure it’s pressed. I have a lot of tuxedos. I have too many tuxedos. A person shouldn’t have so many tuxedos.” Does he use shirt studs, cufflinks, cummerbunds? “U try to keep it kind of simple because when you put those things in the equation they tend to malfunction. Cufflinks are all right. But studs, a drag. Cummerbunds? Drag. Because they’re not situated right. Suspenders? That’s an easy enough fix.” And bow ties? Does he wear a clip on? Or do a four in one on his own? “I try to tie it myself, and then I fail, and someone ties it for me.” He adds, with a grin: “I can tie a a regular tie.”

Emmy News: John Slattery Will Direct at Least One New “Mad Men”

Roger Friedman
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Emmy News: John Slattery Will Direct at Least One New “Mad Men”

Emmy nominee John Slattery is back, directing at least one new episode of “Mad Men” this season. It’s episode 5, he told our Leah Sydney on Friday at the classy Emmy nominees party on Friday at the Pacific Design Center. “I can’t give you details-but I’m prepping to direct the next episode-# 5.  There are some great surprises.  The writing is so good; it feels like the first season. I don’t know how Matt [Weiner] does it. No matter how much you know about these characters, they are sort of starting all over somehow.” Slattery and actress wife Talia Balsam will be front and center tonight at the Emmys.  “Our 12-year-old son Harry is coming with this, he’s excited-but who knows what will happen?  I’ve lost three years in a row now, so I’m used to this.  It’s good to be asked.  What do they say the saddest two words in the English language is “what party?”

Jon Cryer brought wife Lisa and famous mom Gretchen Cryer. As for Charlie Sheen, he told Leah: “It’s all good now. Ashton is great, Charlie is moving on.”

Leah reports: “Everywhere you looked nominees were chatting with each other. Aaron Sorkin and Brenda Strong, Beau Bridges with Bruce Dern, Kathy Bates chatting with Alfre Woodard. Slattery was flattered: “ I just got winked at from Florence Henderson.  Made my night.”

More of Leah’s notes:

“Modern Family”’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays Mitchell in the gay couple.  We told him about Clint Eastwood’s comments about his support of Gay Marriage-will it happen on the show?
Jesse: “When it’s legalized in California, our show lives in the real world and our characters live in California. We worked the coming out of the IPad on the show, I think we can work on the incentive for gay marriage to happen in California.”

Leah spoke with perenial nominee Beau Bridges and asked how many times has he been nominated?  “I don’t know I’ve lost track-but I’ve won three times.” He and Oscar winning brother Jeff Bridges are looking for a project to do together. Their last was the classic, “The Fabulous Baker Boys“  Beau is also featured in Alexander Payne‘s “The Descendants,” an Oscar favorite starring George Clooney. “It’s my second film with him. He took my wife out to lunch, which she enjoyed.  The film is getting great buzz. I’m also doing three episodes of White Collar in New York.”

At the Entertainment Weekly/Women In Film event at  hot spot restaurant BOA also in West Hollywood, more nominees, plus tons of actors that weren’t nominated , producers WIF people etc.

James Woods, nominated for HBO’s “To Big to Fail” I just bought a book [i.e. optioned]-just finishing the last of the legal paperwork. Six New York Times authors covered a real event-and the real person would never give his rights to anybody, I spent a long time with him.”

James also told us that Oliver Stone asked him to introduce “Salvador” with him at the New York Film Festival on October 15th.
I asked him what Bruce Dern had been  saying to him at the previous party. Woods: “He said this wonderful thing to me…you’re one of my two favorite actors I’ve ever worked with.  I asked him who was the other?  Jack Nicholson. Hell I’m in good company.”

“One Life to Live” Exec Producer Signs on for Online Version

Roger Friedman
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The executive producer of “One Life to Live,” Frank Valentini, has signed on with Prospect Park Productions for the online version of the show. The ABC soap finishes its run on the network in January 2012. Several of the “One Life” actors including star Erika Slezak have reached deals with Prospect Park as well. What isn’t clear is what’s happening with “All My Children” and star Susan Lucci. “AMC”  wraps up in one week on ABC after 41 years. But so far there’s been little word on Lucci and the fate of her show. Prospect Park is in a tough position. There’s no “AMC” without Lucci. So they’ve got to make her happy for the whole thing to move forward. Hopefully principals Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank will make a deal with her before next Friday.

Whitney Houston Confirmed for “Sparkle” Remake with Jordin Sparks

Roger Friedman
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Whitney Houston Confirmed for “Sparkle” Remake with Jordin Sparks

So I did tell you first back on May 7th that “Sparkle,” the 1976 movie, was being remade. There have been all sorts of stories since then. But I can tell you that Whitney Houston has confirmed to play Jordin Sparks’s mother in the remake. Here’s my original story: http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/05/07/sparkle-remake-will-reprise-curtis-mayfield-hits “Sparkle” will reprise the music composed by Curtis Mayfield, which is also good news. Houston being able and ready to shoot this movie is the big headline, and everyone wants it to happen. Whitney did have a relapse last spring and went off to rehab with her old pal Warren Boyd, who’s so good at helping people get back on their feet. Howard Rosenman and Joel Schumacher are producing the film. More to come. Let’s hope the “Sparkle” script is really improved from the original. This was not a landmark movie. But the music was excellent. A strong script will make a big difference.

PS Breaking news! And of course “Exclusive”!

Paul McCartney Getting Married, Beatles Hits Keep Selling

Roger Friedman
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0
Paul McCartney Getting Married, Beatles Hits Keep Selling

Paul McCartney may or may not be getting married to Nancy Shevell this weekend or next month, depending on which tabloid you read. The couple announced their intention to marry and got a license in London. But with McCartney’s ballet opening on Thursday in New York it would seem like a tough week to shoehorn in a wedding. Either way, Nancy is great, she’s a relief after Paul’s misadventure with Heather Mills, and everyone is rooting for them.

Meantime, the Beatles just keep selling. The remastered “1” album, the brainstorm of the late Neil Aspinall, is a hit. The album sold 60,000 copies last week and maybe another 40,000 this week. Why? Who knows? Everything on it exists somewhere else. But for the Beatles and their various estates, for Apple Records and ITunes, and it’s another success story.

Now that “1”–which contains 27 number 1 singles–is big, here are some other collections that Apple should release: “Hey Jude,” “Rarities,” and the Beatles’ butcher cover “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” Bootleggers probably have their own ideas about what else could be released. Don’t hesitate to chime in. I’ve always wondered why there’s no Paul McCartney box set.

Trumps Trump Each Other at Andrea Bocelli Central Park Concert

Roger Friedman
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Trumps Trump Each Other at Andrea Bocelli Central Park Concert

Wind, rain, sudden autumn, cold weather–nothing kept people away from Andrea Bocelli’s big Central Park concert last night. But in the confusion of seating celebs, Ivana Trump and a pal were put in the front row. Imagine the surprise of Donald Trump and latest wife, Melania. Those seats were meant for them! Two more chairs were rustled up immediately, and the foursome now sat together. The tension could be cut with an 18 karat gold knife. Also in the celeb section right up front, Alec Baldwin with yoga instructor gf Hilaria, Katie Couric with youngish boyfriend Brooks Perlin, comic Caroline Rhea, and Sting with buddy Richard Sachs and singer Lisa Fisher. On stage, Bocelli was joined by guest artists Tony Bennett, Celine Dion, David Foster, and Chris Botti. Out in the VIP tent we were startled to see Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries–they are real, after all, and kind of a mismatched looking couple. They must not have known what Bocelli did, because they split at the intermission. It’s opera, you know. Barilla pasta catered the VIP tent and got an onstage plug from Bocelli. After the show, I was told The Donald has some kind of party. We treated to Neary’s on East 57th St. where some of the Elaine’s crowd has migrated recently. The steaks are to die for, and not expensive. Plus Duffy is there from Elaine’s and he’s brought his Steely Dan CDs. What more can you ask for?

Nikki Finke’s Parent Company Has Nerve to Sue Hollywood Reporter

Roger Friedman
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0

Nikki Finke–attention seeker, corrosive personality–is suing, or rather her parent company is suing, the embattled Hollywood Reporter’s parent company over copyright infringement. It’s a joke, really. Nikki keeps complaining THR is stealing stories from her website. Most of the stories Nikki publishes come from press releases that she reprints or repurposes with swiftness. Then she calls them “exclusives” or “breaking news.” Her site lifts from everywhere. Her London writer reads the British papers and then uses the info, calling it his own. I’ve cited them on many occasions for all of this. The Reporter does the same thing. So now tow entities that do the same thing are in a lawsuit. Call it “Breaking News.”

Finke complains THR tries to poach her employees. Well, the publisher of THR was poached by Finke, then returned to THR. Nellie Andreeva, who is also known for repurposing existing material and calling it “exclusive” was at THR and left for Finke. You need Advil to follow these stories. Today, Keith Kelly reports in the New York Post that THR’s newish parent, Promothesus Global, formerly e5, is trying to find a buyer. Michael Wolff, who no one likes, is said to be on the outs from AdWeek. Everyone knows Billboard is a mess. Publisher Richard Beckman, who came to PG with a lot of baggage from Conde Nast, is also said to be out or removed from his daily functions by Jimmy Finkelstein–a kind of comic character who has no business running The Hollywood Reporter. Breaking news! Toldya! Oy vey.

Each entity puts out a daily, hourly recitation of stuff that will never happen. My favorite stories are the ones about TV actors, writers and producers no one has ever heard of. They’ve just signed a deal to make a pilot that will never air for a show you don’t want to see. These tidbits are presented with the same urgency as downed fighter pilots in Pakistan. You’ve never heard of any of these people! Right now the lede story on Deadline is “Shelley Lewis to Run Programming for Current TV.” Who is Shelley Lewis? What is Current TV? Who cares? I’m sure Shelley is great, and someone must be watching Current TV. And Deadline doesn’t report the story. They just reprint the press release.

Really, if you’re interested in entertainment industry news, read Variety. Supplement it with this column. And Entertainment Weekly.

Sean Penn’s Haiti Relief Group Chosen to Lead Recovery by World Bank

Roger Friedman
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Sean Penn’s Haiti Relief Group Chosen to Lead Recovery by World Bank

Sean Penn’s J/P HRO group has been chosen by the Haitian government–via the World Bank — to receive a $2.25 million grant. The project, called “Helping People Home,” is part of a $95 million larger project to get displaced Haitians back into their own homes. The project is “designed to help provide homes through rental subsidies and new permanent housing construction, as well as provide home repair for existing houses.” Sean Penn should be very proud of what he’s accomplished–now he has the recognition of the World Bank. No mention, though, of his former partner, Diana Jenkins, who got J/P started but seems to have fallen out with the group subsequently.

”We believe this grant marks an important step in the rebuilding of Haiti,”  Penn said in a press release. “To have the Haitian Government, with the finance from the IDA grant, select J/P HRO to participate in this program is a testament to the determination of our staff, our volunteers, and supporters. Together, we will persist until the hundreds of thousands still displaced are safely home.”

Celebrities have been very involved in raising money for Haiti relief. Ben Stiller has a fundraiser next week in New York withBill Clinton and Paul Farmer. Check it out at www.artistsforhaiti.com

More from the Penn release: “In addition to providing rent subsidies to safe and safely repaired homes, repairing homes still damaged by the
earthquake and building brand new homes in the neighborhoods around camp, J/P HRO will also be providing
new infrastructures and services including 2 new medical facilities, repairing condemned schools, installing 5
solar-powered water filtration stations and 1 plastic recycling kiosk, as well as providing new job opportunities
and support for local entrepreneurs. Additionally, the students of J/P HRO’s school, Ecole de L’Espoir (School
of Hope), will benefit from tuition waivers and feeding programs through the IDA financed program, Ecole Pour
Tous (School for All) implemented by the Government of Haiti,
Over the past 18 months, J/P HRO has helped facilitate nearly 2/3 of their initial 55,000 camp residents’ return
home. J/P HRO has managed this tremendous accomplishment through safe and proactive camp
management combined with recovery work in the neighborhoods including rubble removal, demolition of
condemned houses and partnerships to provide transitional homes. The remaining 22,300 people still living in
camp are those most in need. These families require significantly more support in order to exit camp and begin
to rebuild their lives.”

PS Just an observation, but Penn’s ex, Madonna, might take an interest how her former husband has made a vital contribution to an impoverished country. Her Raising Malawi organization has done nothing but cause disappointment and lawsuits in that African nation.

Greta Gerwig: Damsel Gets Support from Old Director for New Film

Roger Friedman
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Greta Gerwig: Damsel Gets Support from Old Director for New Film

Greta Gerwig is hot as a pistol right now. After making a splash in Noah Baumbach‘s terrific comedy, “Greenberg,” she’s gotten roles with Woody Allen and Whit Stillman. At Tuesday night’s premiere of Stillman’s wonderful “Damsels in Distress,” Greta was accompanied by Baumbach–pretty nice since he’s already directed her. Greta and her pals play college chums in the very stylised “Damsels”–an arch, tongue in cheek send up of fast talking kids who just a little “off.” At one point they all perform a very preppy, peppy musical number of “Things Are Looking Up.” Greta’s character runs the college’s Suicide Prevention Center, but of course soon she becomes depressed over the loss of a bonehead boyfriend. I loved this movie. Adam Brody–ex of “The O.C.” and due to break out big time is just great as a student posing as a young businessman–with plenty of secrets and lies. The whole cast is delightful, and the movie is charming, light, fun, engaging, smart. Like Stillman’s famous “Metropolitan,” it’s a real New York movie, too, even though it’s set in the country. Gerwig is luminous. I also really liked Megalyn Echikunwoke as a poseur faux British accented co-ed– she almost steals the movie. And Billy Magnussen is a hoot as a kid learning his colors. Randall Poster did his usual great job with the music selection.

PS Taylor Nichols from “Metropolitan” and “Barcelona” makes a cameo. Where is Chris Eigemann? He acts and directs all the time. But Ed Clements, who played Tom–the outsider from the Upper West Side in “Metropolitan”–is involved in Youth ministries in Toronto and retired from show biz.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6uBlj1OBZg&feature=related

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