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Gerry Rafferty: Clowns to the Left of Him, Jokers to the Right

Roger Friedman
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Gerry Rafferty: Clowns to the Left of Him, Jokers to the Right

Gerry Rafferty, the man behind the hits “Baker Street” and “Stuck in the Middle with You.” has died at age 63.

Rafferty died of liver failure brought on by a long battle with alcoholism.

In his early days Rafferty worked with British actor/comedian Billy Connolly. “Stuck in the Middle” was a hit with his group, Stealer’s Wheel.  “Baker Street.” with its haunting melody and horn lines, was the radio hit of 1977-78. You could have taken it and Al Stewart‘s “Year of the Cat” and made a great movie. Indeed, “Stuck in the Middle” was featured memorably in “Reservoir Dogs.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPxs212oAyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohRa9lsx0Q

Wayne Barrett, Tom Robbins Leave Village Voice (It’s Still Being Published, Who Knew?)

Roger Friedman
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Wayne Barrett, Tom Robbins Leave Village Voice (It’s Still Being Published, Who Knew?)

Wayne Barrett has been let go from the Village Voice. He’s been writing his weekly column, Runnin’ Scared, since 1978. He wrote pieces for the weekly newspaper for five years before that. Now he’s been axed “due to budget cuts.”

Tom Robbins, who’s been there almost as long, is leaving, too. There’s some dispute about whether he’s left in protest of Barrett’s dismissal or, as the Voice’s editor is now saying, he wanted to be with his friend. (What? Hello?)

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/01/wayne_barrett_t_2.php

Anyway, I’m surprised the Village Voice is still being published. Who knew? It hasn’t mattered in years. Like so many things from New York’s vital past, the Voice is as dead as CBGB, the Bottom Line, and Lundy’s. You’re more likely to hail a Checker Cab than read the Voice for anything, really.

The current owners, whoever they are, have long since abandoned the Voice’s journalistic history. The old guys are all gone now, including Nat Hentoff, who meant so much to music fans especially.

Barrett, who’s 65, will go on to the Nation Institute and publishing more books. Robbins will likely do something similar.

I took a look at the Voice website today. Barrett’s farewell column has a special link on the front page. But over at the Runnin’ Scared column, which is now a blog, he’s about 10th down on the list. Someone named Jen Doll (what a name!) is busy writing about Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s weight loss, and someone else wrote about dead birds. I guess this is part of the new meaningless blog filling that goes on everywhere 24/7 now, but really how sad…

Pepsi Beats Coke for X Factor Contract

Roger Friedman
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Pepsi Beats Coke for X Factor Contract

The official soda for Simon Cowell’s new “X Factor”? Why, it’s Pepsi, which beat out rival Coca Cola for the honor of blasting its commercials after every segment of the talent fest next fall.

The press release from Syco, Freemantle and Fox reads: “The comprehensive sponsorship of THE X FACTOR by Pepsi includes an extensive, multi-platform off-air marketing partnership; weekly in-show integrations and placements; and an immersive content experience online. Pepsi will be the exclusive beverage sponsor of THE X FACTOR both on and off-air.”

Sounds like the Morgan Spurlock documentary I wrote it below. Funny. Imagine all the product placements!

This just means that Pepsi spent more on this than Coke. Will it change the dynamic? Will Coke suddenly fall to number 2? Pepsi is the Avis of sodas, always trying harder. Maybe this will do it. But it seems to me that “X Factor” lost a chance to be associated with a great theme like “I’d like to teach the world to sing.” Maybe Coke will go with “American Idol.”

Producers Guild Names Top 10: Are these The Oscar Nominees?

Roger Friedman
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Producers Guild Names Top 10: Are these The Oscar Nominees?

The Producers Guild of America named its top 10 movies of the year this morning, including “Toy Story 3” but leaving out “Winter’s Bone” and “Blue Valentine.” Is this the final list for the Oscars? Maybe and maybe not.

Here they are:

127 Hours, Black Swan, Inception, The Fighter, The Kids Are All Right. The King’s Speech, The Social Network, The Town, Toy Story 3. and  True Grit

And they break down by studio: Paramount 2, Warner’s 2, Fox Searchlight 2, and one apiece for The Weinstein Company, Sony, Disney, and Universal/Focus.

But is this the final list? Last year, the PGA put “Star Trek” on its list. In the end, the sci fi reboot didn’t make the Oscar final 10. It was replaced by the Coen Brothers’ “A Serious Man.” So the PGA list is not carved in stone. With ten days left until ballots are in, there’s still time for some last minute jockeying. “Blue Valentine” is new, and got great reviews. So which one of the PGA top 10 is vulnerable? I always said, two Boston movies may be too much. “The Town,” which is older, may be the one to go. You never know.

James Franco Attempted Hijack; Morgan Spurlock’s Advertising Doc Going to Sundance

Roger Friedman
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James Franco Attempted Hijack; Morgan Spurlock’s Advertising Doc Going to Sundance

I told you exclusively back in July that Morgan Spurlock was making a documentary about the advertising world.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/07/12/spurlocks-secret-doc-elo-in-nyc-sting-symphonizes

Now his “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” is going to Sundance. It’s all paid for, he says, by big companies. And it’s all about how they engineer product placements, etc. Following “Super Size Me” and “Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?” this non fiction essay should be a hoot and a half. Don’t you love sitting through studio films and counting the ads?

FRANCO STORY HIJACKED...Thanks to Entertainment Weekly. So desperate for hits and attention, they actually tried to hijack our James Franco story yesterday. No credit, not a word. The funniest thing was one of those blogs picking up EW’s hijack, and then somewhow transposing Cormac McCarthy into “McCartney.” Yes, Faulkner was a big influence on the Beatles…I was going to get really nasty about another lame blog post somewhere on the internet that tried to question the item about Franco directing “Blood Meridian.” Then I realized the blog was so insignificant that it didn’t have readers. They were just trying to get attention. So, forget it. And thanks to everyone who picked up the story with attribution…

But why is that some wannabe movie bloggers want to go out of their way to cause trouble and start fights? I call them The Pajama Gang. They sit at home in their pj’s, writing for six people, hoping that someone will take them seriously…

…The musical version of “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” closed on Broadway on Sunday, a few weeks early. The show was in an incomprehensible mess despite big stars Patti Lupone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Laura Benanti. Sheri Renee Scott was miscast, and the director, Bartlett Sher, never rethought the movie as a musical. All the scenes were out of order, and the scenes introducing the show didn’t come up until mid second act. What a disaster! And all that gazpacho, wasted! Dios mio!

Exclusive: James Franco Planning to Direct Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy Classics

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: James Franco Planning to Direct Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy Classics

Actor James Franco–headed to an Oscar nomination for “127 Hours” and getting ready to co-host the Academy Awards in February–is planning two big directing efforts.

Franco is in talks to direct William Faulkner‘s literary classic, “As I Lay Dying,” from his own screenplay.

Franco and manager Miles Levy have been in discussion for time with the Faulkner estate. They’ve also got a commitment from Fox Searchlight to bring the project to fruition.

Unlike at least a half dozen other films that have been “announced” for Franco in the last few weeks, the actor tells me this is the one he’s most attached to. He’s hopeful of getting it off the ground next spring.

“As I Lay Dying” isn’t the only writer-director project Franco’s involved in. He tells me he’s also in the process of making a deal with Scott Rudin to write and direct Cormac McCarthy‘s “Blood Meridian” in 2012. Franco and Rudin are also partnered in next fall’s Broadway production of “Sweet Bird of Youth” with Nicole Kidman.

Cormac McCarthy is a little like the modern day Faulkner, although he’s had much more luck in Hollywood. So far his “All the Pretty Horses,” “The Road,” and “No Country for Old Men” have all made it to the big screen.

And yes, this is all while Franco attends classes at Yale University and the Rhode Island School of Design.

He also just completed directing a small, indie film about the famed poet Hart Crane called “The Broken Tower.” But “As I Lay Dying”–which others, including Sean Penn, have wanted to make for a long time–will be his big studio debut.

If all that isn’t enough, Franco is bringing his art project film connected to the ’80s sitcom, “Three’s Company,” to the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontiers section later this month.

He’s also moving talent agencies, following his longtime agent, Kami Putnam-Heist, to CAA. “I’m being loyal to my agent,” Franco says, which is a rare thing in Hollywood.

RIP: Anne Francis, Pete Postlethwaite

Roger Friedman
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RIP: Anne Francis, Pete Postlethwaite

Two great stars have passed away.

Pete Postlethwaite was an Oscar nominee in 1993 for “In the Name of the Father.” He was 64, and well known to American audiences for being in two Steven Spielberg movies, “Amistad” and “Jurassic Park.”

Postlethwaite was so popular with directors he was in three hits this season: “Inception,” “The Town,” and “Clash of the Titans.” He was one of those rare character actors who “made” a good movie with memorable performances.

Anne Francis–if you are of a certain age, you will remember Anne Francis as “Honey West” on TV circa 1965. She guest starred on every major show of the time, from “The Man from UNCLE” to “Mission: Impossible,” appeared in the movie “Funny Girl,” and literally worked every year right up through 2004. Francis, who was 80, was a cool, bright, blonde who was smart and sexy. She was, also, incidentally, a star of the great B movie “Forbidden Planet.”

Derek Jeter Always “In”. New York Post: “Out”

Roger Friedman
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Derek Jeter Always “In”. New York Post: “Out”

Don’t prove The New York Post wrong. Last year the city’s most under-edited tabloid proclaimed that New York Yankee Derek Jeter and actress Minka Kelly would definitely marry on December 5, 2010. It was front page news.

It was also wrong. Completely, dead, absolutely wrong.

The Post got Jeter and Kelly for not getting married according to their plan by putting the couple at Number 1 on their “Out” list for 2011.

Hysterical. Whether or not he gets married, Derek Jeter is always, totally on the “In” list every year. The Yankee captain constantly proves his worth, be it on the field or speaking for the Yankees. When he’s taken the mic to talk about the closing of the old stadium or the passing of George Steinbrenner, Jeter has shown himself to be articulate in addition to a team player.

Boo hoo, Post!

The Post also has a bunch of ins and outs that don’t really make sense. The Bowery is “out”? The whole avenue? Indeed, the Bowery is very much “in”. The old Bowery bums would never recognize it. Except for losing CBGB to the hateful BRC, the area is booming.

I’ll tell you what else is ‘in’ for Showbiz411 for 2011:

Jimmy Fallon is in. His show is rocking, and Jimmy is commanding late night. Rosie O’Donnell is in, for graciously commanding a huge charity for kids and giving them a place to learn theater. Elaine’s will always be in. The East Side Social Club is in. The new Lincoln Center construction is in. Well done! So is The Lambs Club Restaurant, councilwoman Christine Quinn, producer Scott Rudin, and the Weinstein Company. Downtown Records is in, for putting out terrific music like Cyndi Lauper‘s blues CD, “Memphis Blues.” Billie Jo Armstrong of Green Day is in for constantly supporting “American Idiot” on Broadway.

What’s out? Mayor Bloomberg and his sidekick, Janette Sadik-Khan are out, out, out. The Post, obviously, is out. Greedy landlords are out: there are empty spaces all along Madison Avenue. Wal Mart is out. “Holiday” by Vampire Weekend is Out with a capital O. So is the elongated video announcement in the cabs: the only decent cab is that Toyota crossover. Out are the small Toyotas and the Nissan Sentras. You have to ride sideways in them. Out are concrete turning lanes and no parking spaces on the avenues. Goodbye! Already out is Madonna’s movie about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Completely out is Mel Gibson and maybe Jodie Foster if she’s not careful.

Very in: Jeremy Renner. Very out: Tom Cruise.

Always in: The Four Seasons restaurant. Always out: The Lion.

Good signal in: Scott Greenstein’s Sirius XM; Bad signal out: the waste of 102.7, what used to be WNEW FM

In, in, in: Joan Rivers. Out, out, out: Bristol Palin.

In: Regis and Kelly. Out: The Talk.

In: One Life to Live. Out: Desperate Housewives.

Forever in: Liz Smith, Cindy Adams, Frank DiGiacomo, Keith Kelly, Emily Smith and her crew

Out: columnists with axes to grind and no facts to find.

In: Listening. Out: in ear headphones or anything else that blocks connecting with the world.


Still Wrapping Up 2010: Peter Asher Recalled A World With A Lot of Love

Roger Friedman
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Still Wrapping Up 2010: Peter Asher Recalled A World With A Lot of Love

I am remiss. Before we start 2011 officially tomorrow, so to speak, let’s flash back a month to December 3rd. I was so in shock about losing Elaine Kaufman, I never did publish notes on seeing Peter Asher that night at the Iridium Jazz Club in Times Square.

So–wait a sec. I’ve been lucky enough to know Peter for about 20 years. I once wrote a story about him living in the Sutton Place Hotel while working at Sony Music and commuting back and forth from Los Angeles. How jarring, since he’s a Brit!

After a lifetime of producing and managing James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, of signing the major acts to the Beatles’ Apple Records, after a wildly successful career as one half of the British pop duo Peter & Gordon, Peter has finally put his storied career into a one man show. On that crazy night, December 3rd, he presented the show at the Iridium to a very sold out audience.

Peter, of course, was also the brother of Paul McCartney’s girlfriend during the real heyday of Beatlemania, Jane Asher. Paul lived in the Ashers’ home, in fact, while screaming girls roamed London looking for him. He wrote “A World Without Love” for Peter & Gordon, and it went to number one. Same for “Woman,” “Nobody I Know,” and “I Don’t Want to See You Again.” If Paul were looking for a kick, he should put out his own versions of these songs.

Anyway, Peter’s show at the Iridium featured a tight little band including one of the later members of Badfinger. They played some of P&G’s hits, which Asher sang, and Badfinger’s “Day After Day”–Peter signed Badfinger to Apple, but two of the original members died so there were never any big concert tours in the 70s. It was really a thrill to hear “Day After Day” live after all these years.

The show is still in its infancy, but Peter would be wise to turn it into a book and a documentary. He has terrific clips, and all the inside stories of so many important events of rock history. He also has a charming delivery. Gordon Waller, who died tragically from cardiac arrest in July 2009, must be smiling to know Peter is carrying on their legacy. http://www.peterandgordon.net/

PS Right now, James Taylor and Carole King‘s CD/DVD  of their reunion shows at the Troubadour in November 2007 is a big hit. Peter Asher produced those shows–there were six of them over three nights–and they were just remarkable, intimate successes. The behind the scenes story of Peter actually getting those shows onto discs and out in the world should be part of his next show–three years! His life has been a different kind of tapestry, indeed.

You can also see and hear Peter narrate a documentary about the Beatles and Apple Records on their website.

ScarJo, Don Draper, Harry Smith: Celebrity New Years NYC Style

Roger Friedman
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ScarJo, Don Draper, Harry Smith: Celebrity New Years NYC Style

Didn’t New York seem a little subdued other than Times Square this New Year’s?

Not at Ye Olde Waverly Inn. Proprietor Graydon Carter was AWOL but the place was nicely buzzing. Interesting thing about the Waverly recently: it’s become even more seriously A list oriented and cream of the crop.

Jon Hamm and actress-director girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt stopped in for an early dinner. That’s right: Don Draper himself. He got a good laugh when one patron told him she’d received “Mad Men” Barbie dolls for Christmas. So far Mattel has dolls for Don, January Jones’ Betty, and Christina Hendricks‘ Joan. We’re waiting for the John Slattery/Roger Sterling edition! Next stop for the “Mad Men”: Golden Globes, where they should sweep.

Next booth: CAA superagent Bryan Lourd entertained a hot hot hot group that included the recently single Scarlett Johansson, Ellen Barkin, and director Sam Levinson, 25 year old son of Oscar winner Barry (“Rain Man”), and author Carole Radizwill. Levinson junior unveils his first film at Sundance in a couple of weeks, starring Barkin, as well as Demi Moore, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Bosworth, Martin Landau and Thomas Haden Church. The film, a wedding comedy, is tentatively called “The Reasonable Bunch.”

A little gossip: ScarJo complimented one of the waiters on his athletic build. Luckily, his wife, who was in the bar area, missed that. It was all in good New Year’s fun!

Meantime, up at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, famed singer Judy Collins, opera great Lauren Flanigan and erudite CBS News star Harry Smith led the annual Concert for Peace. Smith joked about “being fired” from his job as anchor of CBS’s Early Show. But he’s staying at CBS News, where he should be the most valuable player of his generation. The network has made a mistake by replacing him with New York Channel 2’s Chris Wragge.

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