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Lady Ga Ga Rips Off Madonna’s “Vogue” for New Single (See Video)

Roger Friedman
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At first I thought every one was being “punked.”

But it does seem like Lady GaGa–aka Stephanie Germanotta–has ripped off Madonna’s hit song, “Vogue,” for her own new single, “Born this Way.” The melody, the spoken word part, the whole thing comes from the Material Girl’s 20 year old dance hit.

How very bizarre. But Lady GaGa’s prior hits and her act in general have always harkened back to Madonna’s halcyon era. Her current cover of Vogue magazine, I guess, is supposed to be some signal of all this but what does it mean? Is this a tribute to Madonna or a send up of her?

And why do it at all? Germanotta has had one hit album that she’s milked for some time. I probably sound very old school when I say this not how long term careers are made. If she is trying to follow Madonna’s career path, Germanotta should know that Madonna’s trajectory brought originality, not just shock, to with all her original moves.

Madonna’s “Vogue”– I want to take this too seriously–also was genius in a way because it distilled a moment in pop culture, bringing the “Vogue” dance crazy from clubs to the mainstream. “Born this Way” does nothing. There are no new ideas here.

Pop music doesn’t have to be refried and packaged. Just go on line and listen to Jennifer Hudson’s gorgeous new R&B single, called”Where You At,” written by R Kelly. In three minutes it not introduces a great catch phrase, but also delivers Hudson’s amazing, unfettered vocal in original setting. It’s A plus, while this is a D, with notations about possible plagiarism.

PS I was surprised about “Born this Way” that I had to compare it from ITunes to make sure it was real.

Billy Joel’s Just Fine, Getting His Book Ready

Roger Friedman
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0

Billy Joel is a little surprised that Elton John keeps saying he’s in trouble. While Sir Elton no doubt has good intentions, I can tell you that Billy is happily recovering from double hip surgery at his Miami home. He’s doing physical therapy almost every day, and he is, my sources say, certainly not drinking or doing anything else self destructive. In fact, Billy is readying his memoir, called “The Book of Joel.” The tome hits stores and Kindles on April 19th, and I for one cannot wait to read it. Billy wrote the book with rock journalist Fred Schruers, and it addresses just about everything we’d be interesting in knowing about the great pop singer songwriter.

Meanwhile, Billy’s famous, ex, Christie Brinkley, hits Broadway next month. She’s going to play Roxie Hart, in “Chicago,” the musical that has set records for stunt casting. Brinkley as Roxie? What a great idea. When audiences see those legs, they won’t want her to leave! And I guarantee you, Billy and daughter Alexa Ray will be front and center on opening night!

Elaine’s Birthday; Gawker Stumbles; Scientology Responds;

Roger Friedman
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6

Tonight in New York: I can’t be there, but I think everyone will be. This would have been Elaine Kaufman’s 82nd birthday, so many dozens of her friends will gather at the legendary bistro to raise a glass to our late, very great pal. Kaufman, who died on December 3rd, will never ever be forgotten. It’s already a tribute to Elaine that the restaurant’s business is booming. Happy Birthday, Elaine… 

…What happened to Gawker? Unless I read it on my Blackberry or Ipad, it’s impossible to figure out what the heck is going on. Nick Denton has redesigned all his sites, including my favorite, Gizmodo, but the results are very weird. Nick, switch back or give us a way to choose “classic” Gawker. This has all the earmarks of the Tropicana or Coca Cola logo switch…

…Scientology is panicking in light of The New Yorker article that just reams them. The sect is running long commercials on local Los Angeles television proclaiming their love of all people, and their loathing of war, etc. Jeez.

Jane Fonda: Cher, Anjelica, Colin Farrell Toast Her LA Play Premiere

Roger Friedman
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1

Two time Oscar winner Jane Fonda brought her Tony nominated role in “33 Variations” to Los Angeles last night. Opening at the Ahmanson Theatre, Fonda got a standing ovation and lots of cheering from a crowd that included Cher, Anjelica Huston, Jane’s brother Peter Fonda and son Troy Garity, Colin Farrell, Benjamin McKenzie, Carla Gugino, Ben Vereen, Christian Slater, Penny Marshall, Steve Bing, Loree Rodkin, the great songwriter Mike Stoller and his equally great wife Corky, and boyfriend famed record producer Richard Perry.

What a night for Fonda, who led a sold out run on Broadway and now has a similar situation on her hands through March 6th at the Ahmanson. In this production it’s mostly the same cast including Samantha Mathis and Zach Grenier. The only change is Greg Keller, who effortlessly takes over from Colin Hanks.

Moises Kaufman’s critically praised play about mortality and obsession seemed even better here in LA as the playwright has made a few small changes to make the show even tighter. The comedy/drama juxtapositions Fonda’s musicologist–who’s fighting ALS–as she researches Beethoven’s last great work as he battles age and illness.

Fonda, 73, and looking like a million bucks, held court after the performance at the nearby Border Grill in the new, bustling downtown LA. There was much talk about what she might do next. Word is that “West Side Story” director Arthur Laurents–who’s yes, 93 years old, just sent her his new play to star in on Broadway. But Fonda–who’s reading scripts for new films or a possible HBO or Showtime series–turned him down.

And also much talk about Richard Perry’s huge success this winter with Rod Stewart’s latest “Songbook.” It was Perry who developed the Songbook idea with Stewart a decade ago. Now their latest collaboration is nominated for a Grammy award this weekend.

Exclusive: Ricky Gervais: “Will Arnett Perfect for The Office”

Roger Friedman
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0

Readers of this column will recall that two and a half weeks ago, at the HBO Golden Globes after party, Ricky Gervais had an exclusive interview here. He told me that he thought Will Arnett would be perfect to take Steve  Carell’s place on “The Office” running Dunder Mifflin. Ricky also told me he’d be on “The Office” on January 27th (which he was) and that that episode would give a big clue about Carell’s successor. If only someone somewhere had checked this out via a Google search. Gervais wrte this on his blog yesterday which caused a webjam as several sites picked this up as if it were news. It was not. but it was back on Monday January 17th when I wrote it.

Arnett would fit right into NBC’s line up since he’s married to “Parks and Recreation” star Amy Poehler. But I do think that Gervais is probably coming to “The Office” at least for a little while.

Grammy Party Cutbacks: Where Will Lady GaGa Go-Go?

Roger Friedman
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3

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since record or CD or download sales are literally at a fraction of what they used to be: on Grammy night, the two biggest record companies are not having after parties. As of now, Universal Music–the leader–has nothing scheduled. It’s unclear where their artists-like Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber, and Eminem will go to celebrate. Of course, as one UMG insider pointed out, Bieber is nowhere drinking age and Monday is a school day. Right.

Meanwhile Sony Music–second in the business–is having a small gathering for what they say will be 150 people including execs, nominees, and people like Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. Sounds like fun. Exec wise, Sony is in a muddle over trying to get 72 year old Doug Morris extricated from his UMG contract to come run their company.

R&B artist NeYo has cancelled his annual late night brunch that usually starts at 2am on Sunday after Clive Davis’s Saturday night NARAS backed gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also not happening: LA Reid’s annual party, even though the DefJam chief is celebrating his producer’s credit on the Justin Bieber 3D movie (which is not called Leave it to Biever).

 The Davis event is still on, honoring David Geffen, with rumors of a Dionne Warwick tribute featuring her cousin, Whitney Houston. The Davis night is one of two big soirees on a weekend that’s incredibly diminished from what it used to be. The other is Friday night’s MusiCares Person of the Year dinner honoring Barbra Streisand, a hot hot ticket at the Convention Center.

At the same time that Sony and UMG have skipped spending big bucks, there’s word that EMI–a company in financial jeopardy and recently seized by Citigroup–his having a “big” party in town. Well, they do have artists to entertain like Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum, so it’s not totally nuts. Past EMI parties have always been fun. And there’s a rumor of a Lyor Cohen after party hosted by the Warner Music exec.

There’s also the NARAS Governor’s Ball right after the show, although it’s not usually a place to see stars. But what a difference in a business that used to live on lavish parties. The heyday is really over.

Annette Bening Next Movie: Morgan Freeman Co-Star, Rob Reiner to Direct

Roger Friedman
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9

It looks like Annette Bening’s follow up to her Oscar nominated performance in “The Kids Are All Right” will be directed by Rob Reiner with Morgan Freeman as her co-star.

Reiner told our Leah Sydney at the AARP dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: “I’m working on a film the title of it now is now called “The Third Act”-it looks like we’ll have Morgan Freeman and Annette Bening in it together. I don’t want to tell you more about it because we haven’t  even started shooting yet.  You’re the only person I’ve told. It hasn’t been announced.  I’m directing –producing and doing some rewriting from an original script by a fellow named Guy Thomas.” Rob also told us, “I’m working on the court challenge to Prop 8, trying to overturn it and deliver marriage equality to everybody.”

Reiner accepted an award for his movie “Flipped,” which was not a hit but has its fans. His dad, the legendary Carl Reiner, gave him the award. Carl quipped, “When Rob was very young, we knew he would be special-he as alert all the time. I mean it-this kid never slept.   I shep nachas from him I wish for all of you the same shep nachsing I get from Robbie.”

Rob Reiner then come up and said,  “I want to thank my father for making love to my mother almost 64 years ago. “  Carl, then in the audience shouted out: “My pleasure!”  Then Rob said, “They had sex only three times cause they had three children.” To which Carl retorted: “Ten times!”

Robert Redford: “I Am Not About to Retire”

Roger Friedman
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1

Robert Redford, honored at Monday night’s AARP star studded Movies for Grown Ups dinner in Hollywood, talked to our Leah Sydney exclusively. Redford, one of the good guys, continues to be the most vocal celebrity on the subject of the environment. Deeply critical of the last Bush administration, Redford told Sydney that improvements have been made, but with caveats. “It’s already been treated poorly, nothing worse than in the eight years before Obama, so he has a pretty big hole to dig out of.  What concerns me, as far as we know it’s the only planet we’ve got-and we better treat it as our home, and we all belong on it.  I think we’re abusing it in the interest of short term profits and money and the corporations that are not interested, like mining, gas and timber and oil companies are interested in profits rather than sustainability, that’s why I’m an environmentalist.”

Redford also addressed the crowd (see Larry Hagman story) including Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, and a host of stars. He was clear about one thing. Even at age 74, he is not about to entire into retirement.

“The AARP is about retiring, but I’m not about to retire.  There is just too much work to do.”

Redford then went on to talk about his “Morphing from a painter to an actor-along the way I had a broader focus about my country and realized that America is more complex, complicated and multi layered.  I wanted to tell that story.  As a kid growing up I was given one level, a propagandized, sloganeering level. I wanted to tell the story of America that I love and grew up with-warts and all.  The honor and accolades are always welcome and I’m grateful but it’s always been about the work and the climb up the mountain.  Success and accolades are fleeting but the work remains.  That’s the joy.  You can only keep trying and do the best you can do.”

Redford’s next film that he director, “The Conspirator,” a very cool historical drama starring Robin Wright and James McEvoy–great performances–about the Lincoln assassination–opens on April 15th.

Larry Hagman: “Dallas” Reboot Should Be Shot in Dallas

Roger Friedman
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1

Leah Sydney reports from the AARP celebrity dinner in Hollywood last night.

Larry Hagman is not happy. He says that the “Dallas” reboot series for TNT may not be shot in Dallas.

“They’re still deciding where we’re going to shoot it-they’re still dickering-and they might make up their mind tomorrow. I’m not happy about it-we should shoot there-it’s called “Dallas” for goodness sake.  Where the hell us should we shoot it?  I can’t believe this is even up for discussion.  It’s all about the hotels, the sets all that stuff-comes down to money. But I’d be less than thrilled if it was not shot there.  I mean, come on people –it’s called Dallas for a reason.”

Hagman did tell us which movies he liked this year. “Black Swan-different, dark –interesting.  I liked The Kids are All Right, too- quirky.  Love Annette Bening.“

Guests at the Beverly Wilshire dinner–hosted by Dana Delany and Peter Gallagher–included Tony Bennett, Mickey  and Jan Rooney, Susan Blakely, Penelope Ann Miller, Brenda Vaccaro, Martin Landau, Andy Garcia, Peter Guber, Angela Lansbury, Ed Begley Jr, Rebecca DeMornay, Mimi Rogers, Michael Nouri, Cheryl Ladd, Jaclyn Smith, John Wells, Alan Thicke, Taraji Henson, Hal Holbrooke, Phylicia Rashad and sister Debbie Allen. Carl Reiner hosted and Robert Redford was honored (see next story).

Warner Music Depends on Mars, But Keeps Losing Millions

Roger Friedman
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3

Warner Music Group continues to drift lower and lower. Today they reported more huge losses, no surprise. Their morning quarterly call with financial analysts was as painful to listen to as usual. WMG reported a 14% loss, $46 million vs. $18 million the previous quarter. “Cost cutting” didn’t help–they’ve cut everything. And while music sales are down everywhere, WMG is notable for not developing new acts or promoting current acts. “We had a lot of releases in the December quarter,” Edgar Bronfman, Jr. told the analysts. “By and large they did not do as well as we expected them to do versus, obviously, other companies.” Bronfman said he didn’t know whether that was because the public didn’t like WMG’s releases or liked other labels’ more. The reality is that Christmas, the biggest part of the music industry’s year, gave WMG no hits. At the moment, WMG has one album–by 25 year old Bruno Mars–in the top 20.

In the end, listening to this call as I have to so many others on WMG’s finances, I can only blame the analysts. They ask the worst questions, and seem to have no understanding of the music business at all. They are equally pathetic. Instead of querying Bronfman about a possible sale of WMG, or breaking off its Warner Chappell publishing division, they ask about Ringtones (so 2005). You can’t help people who won’t help themselves. The sky has fallen, it’s in pieces all over the ground, and the analysts are trying to determine the shape of clouds.

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