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DeNiro, Keaton Comedy Gets Robin Williams and New Title

Roger Friedman
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“Gently Down the Stream,” a wedding comedy starring Robert DeNiro and Diane Keaton, has a new title and an added player. Robin Williams has joined the cast that also includes Katherine Heigl and Topher Grace, as well as Susan Sarandon and Amanda Seyfried. According to the imdb, the title may have also changed to the generic sounding “The Wedding.” How original! This means that Justin Zackham’s movie now has four past Oscar winners–DeNiro, Keaton, Williams and Sarandon. The weirdest thing is that Heigl is billed with DeNiro and Keaton in the most recent poster. Getting older is just full of indignity, isn’t it?

Anyway, I ran into beautiful, fun and wide-eyed Amanda Seyfried last night in Hollywood at the premiere of HBO’s “True Blood.” HBO gives the best parties on both coasts, don’t cha know. All the “True Blood” stars were there–Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alex Skarsgard, etc. Even show creator Alan Ball, who expressed his dismay at my review of one his films, “Towelhead.” “Your review destroyed that film,” he said. Alas, I am a fan of “Six Feet Under” and “True Blood.” You can’t like everything! Anyway, Ball is a nice guy and tells me has a bunch of projects being readied for placement.

Oh yes, Amanda Seyfried: “I just heard about Robin Williams joining Gently Down the Stream,” she said, perhaps unaware of the movie’s title change. She told me spent Monday with pal Dominic Cooper at his Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of “The Devil’s Double.” “He should get an Oscar nomination,” Amanda observered, and she’s correct. Cooper is superb in this LionsGate release about Uday Hussein, son of Sadam. It’s like the Iraqi “Scarface.”

Also at the “True Blood” premiere, a lovely couple: Patrick Fischler, the actor who was so great as a nasty comedian a couple of seasons ago on “Mad Men,” and actress wife Lauren Bowles, a knock out, who also happens to be the half sister of Julia Louis Dreyfus (they share a mom). Lauren plays a witch on “True Blood.”  They’re just like Darrin and Samantha, I said. “Only we won’t be recasting Patrick half way through,” retorted a clever Lauren. Nice kids!

Warren Beatty Readies Howard Hughes Movie at Paramount

Roger Friedman
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Big news today but under-reported: Warren Beatty has indeed signed to make a movie at Paramount Pictures. He’ll write, direct and star. But what hasn’t been said: Beatty will finally deliver his Howard Hughes biopic, in the works for at least 25 years. Beatty first got involved with a Hughes project in the mid 1980s. He even had a script back then, written with Elaine May–with whom he’d endured the interminable “Ishtar.”

But Beatty, the perfectionist, moved on to other things–like “Bullworth,” “Love Affair,” and “Town and Country.” Now he’s ready. I had even heard a story recently that he was offered a chance to act in a romantic comedy that sounded very promising. But Beatty declined, saying he was embarking at last on “Hughes.”

At least two studios were interested. But I do think Warren made a great choice with Paramount–he’ll need a big, organized studio to pull off this ambitious film. He could have another “Reds” on his hands–one of the great films of all time, and one for which he won an Oscar.

PS The casting for “Hughes” should be pretty competitive. The script would call for a younger Hughes to be cast at least for flashbacks, if nothing else. A young Warren Beatty–that’s a tall order for any actor!

James Franco Unveils “Broken Tower,” Wraps “Sal,”

Roger Friedman
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Oscar nominee and post-grad student James Franco is fast becoming his generation’s answer to John Cassavetes, the legendary indie filmmaker. He and his Rabbit Bandini production crew wrapped their Sal Mineo movie at 5am on Monday–it was a nine day shoot. Then, last night, the gang–including Franco–unveiled “The Broken Tower,” Franco’s latest feature directing effort (his other credits including “Good Time Max” and “The Ape”) at the LA Film Festival, followed by a karoake party at The Brass Monkey.

This morning, Franco and manager Miles Levy flew up to San Francisco for a days’ worth of work on “Cherry,” an indie film about a porn actress–not the Linda Lovelace story. Franco is doing a cameo in “Cherry” as a favor to writer-director Stephen Elliott. Got all that?

So what of “The Broken Tower”? Franco introduced the film by reminding everyone: “This is not Pineapple Express.”

Shot in gorgeous black and white, the intimate film is a character study of 1920s poet Hart Crane, a very public homosexual and troubled writer who committed suicide at 32 in 1931. (He jumped off a cruise ship off the coast of Florida.) Franco and crew shot the film in New York, Mexico (substituting as Cuba), and Paris–the latter in a 48 hour adventure that included Notre Dame and other locations gotten on the fly.

The shock is that for no money they’ve made quite a fascinating, well crafted piece that will be a favorite in art houses. Franco knows where to get actors–his mom, children’s book author Betsy Franco, plays Crane’s mother. Franco’s literary agent, Richard Abate, plays his father. Younger brother Dave Franco plays Crane at a younger age. Michael Shannon, a good friend, is in there, too, as are Franco producer Vince Jolivette and other pals.

As Franco himself said during a Q&A following the invite only screening, two scenes will be talked about–one in which Crane (Franco) is shown giving oral sex to another young man. (It’s a prosthetic, don’t worry.) And then there’s a reading Crane gives of one of his poems that goes on, uninterrupted, for ten minutes.

What’s interesting is that Hart Crane is not a particularly sympathetic character, but in Franco’s rendering you come to care about him. Franco’s camera work shows a real style of his own, too, and one that would work well for his planned adaptation of “As I Lay Dying.” The film has a neat cinema verite aspect–not a shaky camera but closeups and angles that suggest a you-are-there feeling. More importantly, Franco the actor melts into the Crane character. He loses himself in the poet.

So what’s next? Rabbit Bandini is shooting some kind of short film concerning Gus van Sant. They’re also attempting a documentary about Gucci’s famed creative director Frida Giannini. There’s also that “Rebel” film I told you about last week. It’s guerilla filmmaking on a very tight budget–Cassavetes must be smiling.

“Mad Men” Named Best Drama, Starts Shooting Next Month

Roger Friedman
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“Mad Men” won Best Drama from the Critics Choice Awards this afternoon, and stars Jon Hamm and Christina Hendricks won Best Actor and Supporting Actress respectively. The show’s creator, Matt Weiner, and the actors told me that shooting for the next season finally begins in mid July. Does Hamm know what’s happening? “No,” he said, shaking his head. “Matt doesn’t tell me anything.” Weiner says he does know what will happen.

Remember–Weiner told me a while ago that Hamm’s Don Draper would marry secretary Megan. “He told you that?” Hamm asked me, surprised. “Maybe all you have to do is ask.” In person, Hamm and Hendricks are just as good looking as they are on TV. Outside the Beverly Hills Hotel ballroom, on the patio, they chatted like two old friends. Hendricks’s red hair shined in the sun. Hamm kept up his movie star look with a beard and matte black sunglasses. They are startled by their success.

Other winners today: “Modern Family,”  Tina Fey, the cult show “Fringe” (for best supporting actor, Neil Patrick Harris. The latter actor appeared in the press area clutching his crystal award, and shouted to Hamm. “You won! So did I!” It was kind of nice. Jane Lynch from “Glee” went around the room and chatted up Neil Flynn, late of “Scrubs,” who plays the husband on “The Middle.” He looked lonely, and Lynch–very much not like her character on “Glee”–is the epitome of gracious.

Lots of other interesting people, in an intimate room–very relaxed, sort of a throwback to old awards show. Of course Joey Berlin, who runs the Broadcast Critics, knows this will turn into a bigger deal every year. But for now, we savor the low key feel–and talked to Zoe Deschanel, Ioann Gruffudd, DannyDeVito–whose Lifetime Achievement Award speech may prove raunchy even for the Reelz Channel when the show is broadcast in two days, a dazzling Katey Sagal, Michael C. Hall, Scott Bakula. etc.

Now watch as the winners start advertising–and using their wins as publicity to influence the Emmy Awards. The Critics Choice TV Awards are quickly going to become a player in the Emmy race.

PS I am told that my old pal, Lisa Albert, has left the “Mad Men” writing staff to work on a pilot for a new show. But Matt Weiner says it’s a good thing, and that Albert may very well return part time. No scandals.

Regis Philbin’s Replacement: Not so Fast, Despite Reports

Roger Friedman
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The Wall Street Journal has jumped the gun on Regis Philbin‘s possible replacement. Today they named three likely candidates from their  own imagination: Kelly Ripa‘s actor husband Mark Consuelos; Andy Cohen of Bravo; and Ryan Seacrest. While Disney and ABC may be wondering what they’ll do next, I can tell you that it is quite doubtful any of these three will be taking Reege’s chair after he leaves in November.

For one thing, Consuelos is already out of the picture. A husband-wife team–with three kids at home–is not possible. Plus, as Kelly has said, she doesn’t need to spar at home and on TV with her husband. Seacrest has “American Idol” in Los Angeles from January through May, so that crosses him off the list. Cohen is really a TV executive who’s made a name for himself in a niche market. He’s a nice guy, but he doesn’t have Philbin’s showmanship.

Indeed, no one does. Anderson Cooper had the inside track for a while, but that was scotched when he took his own syndicated talk show. Pat Sajak was always a good Reege fill in, but he’s got “Wheel of Fortune” and zillions of dollars in the bank. As insiders have said, why would he want to give it all up and come to New York for a 6am wake up call?

No, finding someone to succeed Regis–he can’t be replaced–will be difficult. And there will be no announcement before Regis’s final day, the Friday before Thanksgiving. The good betting is that Kelly Ripa goes it alone with guest co-hosts through January 2012. A new person–man or woman–will probably be introduced in February 2012 sweeps after a big promo push to guess the winner. Again, the qualifications should be someone with a strong entertainment history, a New Yorker, someone who has a great sense of humor and some edge. But not too much edge. Maybe The Edge. (Just kidding.)

Good luck, execs. You’re going to need it.

 

Joss Stone Kidnap Plot May Have Been Anti-Royal Celeb Scheme

Roger Friedman
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You may have heard that British R&B singer Joss Stone was targeted for a kidnapping and maybe worse last week in London. Two men were apprehended in her neighborhood after sharp eyed observers noticed strangers lurking about. The men had rope, a body bag, and a sword, according to reports.

But why Stone, an amiable figure without controversy? A source who spoke with Stone tells me that the men–and this has not been reported yet–also had a list of other celebrities who’d attended the April 29th royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Their plan, the source says, was to attempt something with each of these guests–a list that would include Elton John, the Beckhams, director Guy Ritchie and Rowan Atkinson. Stone just seemed the easiest to get at, the singer was told by police.

My source says that Stone was told the potential kidnappers were anti-royalists who objected to the international spectacle of the wedding. Luckily, Stone was not home at the time. She thanked her astute neighbors, and is basically unfazed by the incident.

The anti-royalist movement does exist in Britain. We don’t hear much about it here. But before the big wedding, a proposal for anti-wedding parade by republicans (lower case) was rejected in Camden Town. http://www.republic.org.uk/

Tonight on TVLand: Morgan Freeman Gets the AFI Award

Roger Friedman
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Morgan Freeman–Oscar winner and voice of god, and president of the United States in movies, gets the American Film Institute lifetime achievement award tonight. The show airs on TVLand. (My god, what happened to these shows being on CBS?) The show was taped about ten days ago at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. Our Leah Sydney was there to meet some of the guests, including Clint Eastwood, Betty White, Sidney Poitier, Rita Moreno, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew Broderick, Matthew McConnaughey, and Garth Brooks--who sings on the special. (No sign of Freeman’s “Bucket List” co-star Jack Nicholson or director Rob Reiner. They must have been out of town.)

The best encounter of the night? Eastwood telling Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds what a fan he is of his music. Babyface couldn’t believe it. No one else could believe this: Clint just strolled into the event without any handlers and mingled away. He is the coolest.

Leah reports:

The evening hosted an array of Morgan’s celebrity friends.  His close friend, and his self described “inspiration and mentor”  Sidney Poiter started the night (he was honored with the award in 1992) telling the audience, that “Morgan made his first film at the age of 50 (playing a pimp in Street Smart opposite Christopher Reeve.  He is a character actor and a real character.  He’s a prince of his craft.”

Rita Moreno, Morgan’s co-star  read a sassy poem in her own style.   She told us that she’s coming to Broadway hopefully soon with her one woman show, “Life Without Makeup.”

Sam Jackson told us that “I’m filming the Avengers now in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It’s hot, really hot.   After that I go to Broadway to play Martin Luther King in “Mountain Top.”  And Ben Vereen told us he’s heading back to Broadway as well with, “Stepping Out With Ben Vereen.”

Betty White, Morgan’s longtime friend and co-star in 1998’s “Hard Rain,” Betty quipped, “I did that to work with you Morgan, and of course the cash, “was  accompanied by six chorus men.  She sang a take off on ‘Hello Dolly,’ Hello Morgan, with the line, “We’ve all known you also made some crap Morgan,”  then she was on a kick line with them.  Betty then turned to Clint sitting in the audience, “Clint, I didn’t know you were here.  I haven’t seen you since Carmel,” as she winked to the audience.  “Clint, you are so cute.  Call me.”  This sexy invite cracked Clint up.

Samuel L. Jackson recounted the story that he was Morgan’s understudy years ago at a play at the public theater.  “Morgan was the first one to tell me I had a future.  He also told me I’d never go on cause he would never miss a performance.”

Matthew McConaughey, his co-star in “Amistad,” told the crowd that Morgan is: “Grace, presence, voice, constitution, the attraction for you and the self respect you have for yourself.  He’s sobriety in a storm, elegance.  A man who is at home in the world wherever he is.  His appetite for life is insatiable. “

Matthew Broderick, Morgan’s co-star in Glory honored him, as well as Helen Mirren, Tim Robbins, Forest Whitaker, Casey Affleck, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Don Cheadle. Video tributes were from Chris Rock, Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Ashley Judd and Renee Zellweger.

Garth Brooks sang Bill Withers‘s classic, “Lean on Me,” title of a well known Freeman film.

Then 81 year old Clint presented the award to 74 year old Morgan.  Clint said, “Don’t take this the wrong way Morgan, I know I’m older than you, but I grew up watching you.  I mean I really didn’t grow up until I was 40, and I would watch The Electric Company with my son.  When we did “Invictus,”everyone thought he was Nelson Mandela, he was born to play that role.  Even Nelson Mandela thought he was Nelson Mandela.  He is the greatest actor ever.  You don’t have to tell him much because he knows stuff.  Just give him a comfortable atmosphere.  I don’t know if it’s proper to love another man like I do him, this is as close as I’m going to get.”

Morgan then told the crowd, “This is hard to believe.  Where I come from in Mississippi, they call this ‘walking in high cotton.’  Acting is my heaven and tonight you told me I’m pretty good at it.  Movies unite, entertain, teach and inspire.  They touch the common humanity of the 7 billion people that call earth home. That is why the AFI is so important.  I’m proud to be an actor, although tonight you made me feel like a star.  I realize the poetry and truth of the words, ‘I am the master of my universe an the captain of my soul.’”

(RF: No one mentions this, but I will: Morgan Freeman came from New York theater. And in the early 1980s, his big break was appearing on NBC’s soap opera  “Another World” with Joe Morton, Petronia Paley, and the late Howard Rollins, Jr. Losing the New York soaps is going to have a bigger impact on prime time TV and the movies than anyone realizes. But that’s another story.)

Clarence Clemons Passes Away At Age 69

Roger Friedman
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Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen’s magnificent sax man, has died at age 69.  This column was first to report last Sunday night that Clemons had suffered a massive stroke. At the time my source said that the situation was dire. But you always hope things are going to work out. According to reports, Clarence had two brain surgeries to relieve the pressure in his head after the stroke, but nothing worked. Reports during the week weren’t much more hopeful, with some saying that the paralysis Clarence suffered on his left side was severe and that he’d have to re-learn everything he’d known. It didn’t sound like he was making a recovery.

Here’s the thing about the E Street Band, which has zillions of devoted fans who can argue their merits for weeks at a time. In the end, the sound of that band came from Clarence Clemons. When Bruce Springsteen released “Greetings from Asbury Park,” he certainly established himself as a premier singer songwriter ready to inherit the mantle from Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon. But when Springsteen released “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle,” suddenly his intentions were clear. This was an R&B band that combined that poetry.

The music, thanks to Clarence’s horn, was now elastic. He gave it swing. “Rosalita” is now a concert favorite but when it first was heard it was nothing short of magic.  Proceeding into “Born to Run,” Clarence–I mean, it’s him on the cover with Bruce–is the signature sound beyond Bruce’s voice. The band is great, Steve vanZandt is a genius, etc. But suddenly the whole mission is defined, and you wait to hear that clarion call to know what’s coming–it’s The Big Man.  There’s a hint of it on”Spirit in the Night,” but by the time “Thunder Road” is done, the Clarence Clemons sound is established like a national landmark.

And what an irony, that as Clarence’s life ends, his sound is heard on Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way”–he did for her what he did for Bruce. And he was never on “the edge of glory.” He was right in the center of it.

Rest in peace, Clarence. You will not be forgotten.

 

Billy Joel Salutes Garth Brooks, Says He’s Happy Not Working

Roger Friedman
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Billy Joel is the most frustrating artist I know. His last album, “The River of Dreams,” is almost twenty years old. Billy doesn’t care. He told me last night at the smashing Songwriters Hall of Fame induction dinner and show that he’s happy doing nothing. Cold sober, Billy — one of our great talents– told me that his double hip replacement surgery has been such a big success that he doesn’t want to work. “I was in pain for so long. Also, I walked with a limp. Now I know why. I’m so happy that I feel like doing nothing.” Billy told me that he’s just not in a mind to write songs. He’s happy working on instrumental pieces. “I’ve written a lot of hymns,” he said.

So Billy does still like to play the piano and perform. He came to the Songwriters to induct pal Garth Brooks–and then joined Brooks at the piano playing and singing Garth’s song. “Shameless.” He sported a black cowboy hat. “That’s a cool lid you got on,” said a surprised Brooks.

It was the usual historic night at SHOF, the best music night of the year save for Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy dinner. Highlights included Sam Moore and Bill Medley–the soul man and the righteous brother–performing “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” as a tribute to legendary songwriting husband and wife Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Boz Scaggs and honoree Allen Toussaint did three of the latter’s song including “What Do You Want the Girl to Do?” which had an elegant, elegiac quality that showcased the intimacy of the evening. Trisha Yearwood sang a medley of Bacharach and David songs to honor Hal David. “Sopranos” star Dominic Chianese serenaded the crowd of 700 people with “It Was A Very Good Year,” then introduced the 92 year old author, Ervin Drake, who must be showering in the fountain of youth.

There was a lot more: Leon Russell performed “A Song for You” and was inducted. This is a big year for Leon. Dwight Yoakam inducted him and performed Russell’s Carpenters hit, “Superstar.” Chrissie Hynde started the night, wearing a chic yellow jacket covered in black squiggles, over jeans, boots and a tshirt. She sang “I’ll Stand By You” as a tribute to songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who in turn performed an eccentric version of their Madonna hit, “Like a Virgin.” Kelly, who thanked his many ex wives, has a falsetto that could lead the Stylistics. They thanked Chrissie for showing up for them, coming in from London. They made a veiled reference to Madonna, who has snubbed them in the past even though they wrote her biggest hit. They also wrote “True Colors” for Cyndi Lauper, and “Eternal Flame” for the Bangles.

The great show was produced by Linda Moran and Phil Ramone, with lots more too: Chaka Khan, who missed rehearsal, wandered in and belted out “I’m Every Woman,” after getting her award from that song’s co-author Valerie Simpson. Jerry Ragovoy (“Time is On My Side,” “Piece of My Heart”), Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, famed producer Russ Titelman, and Bernie Taupin were among those in the audience. Skylar Grey performed a medley of hits by John Bettis, who was honored for his long resume including three hits with the Carpenters (“Yesterday Once More”).

And PS there were many shout outs through the night to Bill and Tani Austin, owners of Starkey Hearing, for their incredible charitable work around the world. Leon Russell even dedicated his award to them.

 

photo c2011 Showbiz411/Ann Lawlor

Broadway “Spider Man”: At Least Two Romances in Cast

Roger Friedman
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I told you yesterday (and Page Six must have read it) that “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” stars Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano are a couple in real life, too. Well, why not? As I said yesterday, these “Spider Man” actors have been stuck together like lab rats for a year. During the spring, they rehearsed one show for three hours a day and then performed another at night. Romance has infected the cast like the poison spider that bites Peter Parker. Also a couple are the principal understudies–I’m told Matthew James Thomas, who alternates for Carney, and Kristen Martin, who understudies Damiano, are hooked up. Meantime, the “Turn off the Dark” soundtrack has hit amazon, and it’s pretty interesting. Bono and The Edge perform the very Wh0-like song, “Picture This,” with Carney and Damiano on secondary vocals. Same for Bono and Edge on an alternate version of “Rise Above.” Edge also is featured playing guitat on “Sinisterio,” although it seems to have to the old lyrics–“set yourself on fire” has been reworded in the actual show so as not to inspire self-immolation. P.S. Another column got this wrong: T.V. Carpio, who plays Arachne, did make it into Bono’s private party-within-a-private-party- within- a- party on opening night. She only went outside the big blue curtain to say hello to friends who weren’t allowed in.

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