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“Glee” CD Outsells “Twilight” And Makes Number 1

Roger Friedman
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“Glee” CD Outsells “Twilight” And Makes Number 1

What is more popular, goofy kids who break into song or teen vampires?

If you answered “goofy kids” you’d be right. According to hitsdailydouble.com, the new “Glee” CD — with the sexy title “Journey to Regionals”– outsold the new “Twilight” soundtrack by 3,000 copies. Let’s say “Glee” eclipsed “Twilight.” With 158,000 copies to 155,000 for “Twilight, ” the TV kids hit number one on the charts.

“Glee,” turns out to be a big deal as a seller of songs, even as an EP. Yes, this album only contains six songs! “Glee” is certainly a boon for the writers and publishers of big commercial songs. The new “Glee” EP contains covers of four songs by Journey, all warhorses: “Faithfully” and  “Don’t Stop Believin,” “and a medley of “Anyway You Want It” and “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’.”  (That’s three tracks total.) It’s a successful packaging job for Columbia Records, the label on which “Glee” issues its CDs and for whom Journey records. Wow!

The other songs on the EP are a cover of “Over the Rainbow,” Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and Lulu‘s “To Sir with Love.” They are the only non-Journey songs.

What is it about “Twilight”? The movies are such a phenom, but the CD sales never really reflect that. Maybe it’s because the music is so much more interesting than “Glee.” (Ick.) “Eclipse” contains tracks from Muse, the Black Keys, Band of Horses, Cee-Lo, Florence and the Machine, and The Dead Weather.

In the old days, this would have been like the difference between a record from “The Andy Williams Show” vs. “Hullabaloo.” You wouldn’t want to be caught with the former. Kids, if you can watch rock and roll with your parents, something is wrong. I’m just sayin’…

Wait! Al Gore Affair Story Not Entirely Correct: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Roger Friedman
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Wait! Al Gore Affair Story Not Entirely Correct: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Wait a second. The Star magazine, I know, is certainly the place to get the news. But their report today of Al Gore‘s so called affair with Laurie David has some, er, inconvenient truths.

Laurie David left Larry David in 2007 for Martha’s Vineyard landscaper Bart Thorpe. He was married to Julie Flanders, daughter of the number 1 real estate family on the island. It caused quite a commotion.

According to my sources, Laurie and Bart are still together and “very much in love.” Laurie is supposedly on the Vineyard now with Thorpe.

If anything, my sources say, Laurie David was telling friends back in 2007, when she and Gore were hot and heavy promoting “An Inconvenient Truth,” that she was in love with the former VP. “If they had an affair it was back then,” says a source.

Of course, anything is possible. Laurie and Thorpe do spend time apart. David’s kids go to school in Los Angeles. Thorpe’s business keeps him on the Vineyard. But at some point last year Thorpe was seen shopping for an apartment in New York where they could all live together.

“I guess Bart could have been a front for Laurie,” says a Vineyard source. “But it seems very complicated.”

For now, people who are excited about all this news might do well to Curb their Enthusiasm.

Michael Jackson Documentary Makers Get Bad News: No Music Allowed

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Documentary Makers Get Bad News: No Music Allowed

It’s bad news for anyone who’s got the idea to make an unauthorized Michael Jackson documentary. There won’t be any music in it by Jackson.

Sony Music isn’t clearing any music rights for filmmakers who think they’ve got The Next Big Thing. That includes sleaze digger Ian Halperin, former Jackson partner Marc Schaffel, and Liza Minnelli‘s ex husband, David Gest.

Halperin’s so called documentary, which he sold to the TV Guide Channel of all places (that’s where we all go for serious docs, isn’t it?), airs June 25th– the anniversary of Jackson’s death. But it will free of Michael Jackson’s music, thank you. And full of interviews with people who are on the outer circle of Jackson’s world.

Schaffel, despite a piece yesterday on The Wrap, didn’t actually make a documentary. He sold footage he’d had to a Japanese outfit. They put together a film, just for Japan, and narrated in Japanese. It will play in 200 theaters around Japan starting June 25th, again, without music.

And then there’s David Gest‘s purported film. The word is that Gest’s effort is around four hours long and is mainly interviews with old movie stars–Gest’s forte–about Jackson. Gest may have footage from his old sketchy charity fundraisers at which Jackson occasionally appeared, plus footage from his own wedding to Liza Minnelli. Michael was the best man. It’s unclear if Minnelli would have any say in that footage. But again, no music.

There’s also a fourth film, called “The Untold Story of Neverland,” by Santa Barbara filmmaker Larry Nimmer. It was shown last February at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, but it didn’t get much attention. Nimmer makes courtroom films, and was given access to Neverland during Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial. (Someone should tell The Wrap, by the way, that the trial was in 2005, not 2004. )

Aretha Sizzles, JLO Fizzles at Apollo Theater Annual Party

Roger Friedman
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Aretha Sizzles, JLO Fizzles at Apollo Theater Annual Party

Aretha Franklin stole her own show last night when the Apollo Theater gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Queen of Soul was not scheduled to sing, just come, look royal, and accept her award. She did all of that with grace and style, giving a loyal speech without Teleprompter or cue cards. She looked great, too, because she’s still losing weight.

But maybe Franklin, who’s quite savvy, changed her mind after hearing a bunch of great singers like Leslie Uggams, Estelle, and the mighty four foot eleven powerhouse Sharon Jones. That may have been enough to alert Aretha it was time to show who’s in charge. As she finished her speech, the band launched into “Rock Steady.” So did Aretha. She took the mike and started singing, and it was like manna from heaven.

The audience went wild, and emcee Jamie Foxx–hilarious throughout the show–was actually short of comments.

Franklin’s surprise prompted Marc Anthony to do the same thing. When he and Jennifer Lopez accepted the Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis Humanitarian Award, they were charming and articulate. The couple had actually gotten to the Apollo on time with manager Benny Medina and were in their seats before most of the audience. After the award presentation, the couple exited the stage but Foxx called Anthony back to the mike and prodded him into singing a bit of his hit, “I Need to Know.” Foxx jumped in and finished it. Another impromptu triumph.

I couldn’t help feeling bad for JLO, though. She was the only professional singer in the room who didn’t go near a mike or attempt even to hum. Subsequently, after they received their award, the Anthonys split and didn’t bother attending the gala in massive tent behind the Apollo. Franklin, however, settled into a spot in the center of the room, and chatted away with lots of fans. Foxx and the rest of the night’s performers also mingled with the crowd. Perhaps Lopez was nervous about someone mentioning the lack of her vocalizing. Or maybe it was just that they have twins at home.

But it was a great night at the Apollo with even some surprise guests like Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden. Why was she there? “I live in the neighborhood,” she said. R&B legend Chuck Jackson was on hand, as were Al Roker, Gayle King and Reverend Al Sharpton. Both Angela Bassett and Danny Glover helped with tributes respectively to Lena Horne and to Franklin. Leslie Uggams showed why she’s a legacy star belting out Horne’s “Stormy Weather” with unexpected brilliance.

And then there was Chris Tucker, who sat in Franklin’s booth most of the night. But he was really there to accept Michael Jackson‘s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. He and gospel great Donnie McClurkin helped lead the audience through “Heal the World” and “Earth Song.” Tucker even threw in some modified Jacksonian dance steps.

PS The Apollo is known for its showcasing newcomers. Last night was no exception. They put on Clark King of Atlanta, a recent showcase winner. Clive Davis, are you listening? This is your guy. The video below is distorted thanks to a cheap camera. But I’m telling you, change his name to Kent and you may have the next Adult Contemporary Superman.

Scorsese HBO Series: 8,000 Costume Changes in 12 Episodes

Roger Friedman
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Scorsese HBO Series: 8,000 Costume Changes in 12 Episodes

When Martin Scorcese‘s new series hits HBO later this year, it’s going to look good, that’s for sure.

Talk at the Tony Awards last night among the folks who know these things is that “Boardwalk Empire” required 8,000 costume changes. And there are only 12 episodes.

The word is that “Boardwalk Empire”–about the mob running Atlantic City in the roaring 1920s–is that the show is also the most expensive the cable network has ever gotten near.

“One day we worked 20 hours straight through, with double over time. Scorsese wasn’t happy with what we’d done, so everyone stayed. He didn’t care what it cost.”

The series stars Steve Buscemi, Michael Shannon, Michael Pitt, and Gretchen Mol in a big, big cast that if nothing else will be well dressed. Terrence Winter, who worked on “The Sopranos” as a main writer, is the creator.

Kelsey Grammer May Be Looking for a New Dance Partner

Roger Friedman
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0
Kelsey Grammer May Be Looking for a New Dance Partner

So you’ve won a Tony Award? What next?

You leave Broadway.

As a bunch of actors won Awards last night, they are also planning their exits from the roles that just made them the objects of affection.

“”Fences” closes in two weeks, for example. Catherine Zeta Jones will be packing up soon from “A Little Night Music.”

What about Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge in “La Cage”? They’re scheduled now to stay with the show through September. Grammer will likely continue, and he wants Hodge–who won Best Actor in a Musical last night–to stay on.

But that may be not be so easy. For one thing, Hodge says, it’s a financial matter. And a practical one, what with taxes in two countries involved. “They’re going to have to pay me a bit more money, I’m afraid,” Hodge said at the “La Cage” after party at Hurley’s. (Actually several shows were scattered through Hurley’s. Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds led the “View from the Bridge” gang in another area.)

Also, Hodge has written a musical that he wants to try and mount on Broadway. It’s called “Meantime.”

“It’s set in airport, and it’s about love,” he said, trying not to give too much away.

H e also told me that his whole bit last night of fearlessly going through the audience was very scary. “When we rehearsed none of those people were sitting in the seats. They’d never seen me before. It was frightening!”

As for Hodge and Kelsey Grammer switching roles, something they’d originally discussed when the show opened: “That’s not going to happen now,” said Hodge. “I don’t even think Kelsey wants to play my role.” And as for meeting the former Frasier Crane on Broadway: “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” said Hodge.”We want to do a sitcom together. Kelsey wants to produce it.”

So will David Hyde Pierce, now a Broadway star, replace Hodge if he leaves? Fans want the Doctors Crane to reunite, but Grammer told me it won’t happen. “Too much television,” he said. Also, brothers playing long time lovers is kind of…ick.

‘

Paula Abdul at the Tony’s: “If One More Person Asks Me Who Should Replace Simon…”

Roger Friedman
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Paula Abdul at the Tony’s: “If One More Person Asks Me Who Should Replace Simon…”

Who was seated in Radio Music City Hall earliest last night for the Tony Awards? At 6:45pm, before the non telecast preshow began: “Fences” gang Denzel and Pauletta Washington, with Viola Davis and husband Julius Tennon. I have never seen people look so tense or nervous before an awards show, even though Denzel and Viola were tipped to win.

Denzel pointed to a microphone set up on the stage, a few feet away. He turned to Viola and said, “Now, is that where we stand?”

Viola corrected him. “No, over there.” She pointed to the right. “The camera will have a mike on it.”

“Hey,” I said to Denzel. “I thought you were the director.” He directed Davis in “Antwone Fisher” eight years ago in the role that helped launch her career.

“I am,” he said. “But I missed rehearsal.” (Viola and Julius pictured.)

Across the aisle, Christopher Walken looked uncomfortable as fans came up to greet him. His wife, Georgeann, the famous casting director, seemed amused. “They’re making him blush,” she said.

was Hollywood’s night on Broadway last night as movie stars swamped the Tony Awards. It was also maybe payback for the American win over the Brits on Saturday in soccer. If you’d turned on CBS not knowing what was happening, you might have thought we’d lost the Revolutionary War. That’s how many UK accents took the mike at the Tony Awards, from Douglas Hodge (“La Cage Aux Folles”) to Catherine Zeta Jones (“A Little Night Music”) to Eddie Redmayne (“Red”).

Hollywood style there was Denzel Washington (“Fences”) winning Best Actor, and Scarlett Johansson (“A View from the Bridge”) as Featured Actress. Johansson and Cate Blanchett, a presenter, spent much of the night backstage in the green room lounge. But that might have had more to do with the lack of air conditioning in Radio City Music Hall. But then wherever you went there was some sign of Hollywood, from Matthew Modine to Tamara Tunie (of “Law & Order SVU”) Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele from “Glee,” and the odd appearance of Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Beyonce and Jay Z, all of whom had attached their names to “Fela!” as producers.

Poor “Fela!” It was a musical that had so much buzz when it first appeared off Broadway, and seemed like to should have won Best Musical. It was authentic and genuine, all the things winner “Memphis” was not. And still “Memphis” won. If I ever hear that “hok-a-doo” uttered again, I swear…

But I digress. The Hollywood stars may have conquered Broadway but they skipped the Broadway party. Denzel Washington and Catherine Zeta Jones, the two biggest catches of the night, eschewed the Tony after party at the Rockefeller Center skating rink. Washington took off for a “Fences” private after party at a restaurant on West 52nd St. Zeta Jones and husband Michael Douglas headed off to a private soiree at an apartment on the Upper East Side.

But plucky Cate Blanchett, last seen in Cannes walking in her designer gown in the rain, showed up. So did nominee Valerie Harper. And Kelsey Grammer was front and center with wife Camille, holding court while being filmed for “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” None other than Paula Abdul commanded a table, as did Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts.

Paula, looking and sounding better than ever: “If one more person asks me who should replace Simon…” she laughed. She’s hosting a new show on NBC, maybe starting in late winter. “It’s time for the new,” she declared.

Kerry Washington told us all about wrapping up her long run in “Race” that very afternoon–she’s filming “For Colored Girls” with Tyler Perry and just added cast member Thandie Newton. And David Bryan, whose music picked up two awards for “Memphis,” told me all about flying in from the Bon Jovi tour on Friday and flying out this morning, Monday, to be on stage with the group in Paris.

Still, the best acceptance speech of the night was a silent one: veteran Marian Seldes, picking up her Lifetime Achievement Award in the pre-show, came to the mike and said…nothing. She paused, flashed her famous eyes across the room, as if it say “It’s all been said,” and marched into the wings. Clever and classy.

Laurie Colwin Remembered, Author of Wonderful Stories

Roger Friedman
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2
Laurie Colwin Remembered, Author of Wonderful Stories

Today would have been author/writer/novelist/essayist/short story writer Laurie Colwin‘s 66th birthday. She died on October 24, 1992 of a sudden heart attack at age 48.

Every year I tell my readers about Laurie, so we never forget her. All of her terrific, insightful, funny, trenchant books are in print, which is a rarity. All the novels like “Happy All the Time,” “Family Happiness,” and “A Big Storm Knocked it Over” to short story collections–“Another Marvelous Thing,” “The Lone Pilgrim”– and her essays “Home Cooking” and “More Home Cooking.”

I always like to remind everyone that it was Laurie, working in the editorial department of EP Dutton under the late great Henry Robbins, who discovered and published Fran Lebowitz’s seminal collection, “Metropolitan Life.” Laurie read Lebowitz’s “I Cover the Waterfront” column in Interview magazine, and told Robbins they had to publish her. Laurie also worked for Charles Schulz, the creator of  Peanuts.

But it’s her own writing that we continue to revel in 18 years after her death. Why none of these stories haven’t been turned translated into film is a mystery. All the characters are so perfect–for actresses especially. All the women who complain there are no parts should read these books and option them. Lucy Liu, for example, would be just right as Holly in “Happy All the Time.” Parker Posey could be Misty Berkowitz. And so on. Oprah’s new network should option the whole collection!

You can catch up with Laurie’s world at www.lauriecolwin.com and on Facebook. She was a great friend, mother and wife. Happy Birthday Laurie! I can’t wait for thousands of new readers to discover the wonderful gifts you left behind.

(photo by Nancy Crampton)

Jack Nicholson Tells Mike Nichols at AFI Tribute: “Even Oysters Have Enemies”

Roger Friedman
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3
Jack Nicholson Tells Mike Nichols at AFI Tribute: “Even Oysters Have Enemies”

Jack Nicholson showed up very late for Mike Nichols’ big AFI tribute last week in Hollywood—he’d been watching the Lakers, of course. Then Nicholson made everyone including Robin Williams—who later riffed on this—scratch their heads with his comments.

Nicholson said: ”This is so wonderful about what every one is saying about you.  Remember, though, Mike: even oysters have enemies.” Jack tried to explain himself by adding:  “I know you like animals a lot , that’s why I told the oyster joke.”

The rest of the A List stars who came out for director Nichols (pictured here with wife Diane Sawyer) were a little obtuse. You can see it all on June 26 on TV Land, but our pal Leah Sydney was there and sent along some of the bon mots from the show.

Some of the tributes were odd, others poignant or funny. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel made a surprise appearance to kick things off and sang “Mrs. Robinson” from the “The Graduate.” That alone would have been worth the price of the evening. Then an avalanche of stars rolled through Stage 15 at Sony Studios (the same place where Judy Garland once skipped down the Yellow Brick Road.)

Among the speakers were all the greats Nichols has directed on film plus a few famous friends: Meryl Streep, Candice Bergen, Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty and sister Shirley MacLaine, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, Nora Ephron, Eric Idle, Emma Thompson, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, and Mary Louise Parker.

Nichols, by the way, counts Albert Einstein as a cousin, which of course was much fodder for jokes. Mike’s famous comedy partner Elaine May was the first to bring it up. She said: “Albert Einstein was a very sad man when he died because he hadn’t achieved a Combined Field Theory and that’s gotta be depressing.  But if he’s watching tonight- he’s got to be immensely happy that he’s Mike Nichols’ cousin.” She added: “This is a very emotional night for me because 30 years ago I bought this dress for his first lifetime achievement award.”

Cher told the most revealing story of her own career, recalling that when she’d gone to see the trailer for “Silkwood” at a Westwood theater, the crowd clapped for Meryl Streep’s name, Kurt Russell’s name, but laughed when her own name appeaered on the screen.  She left the theater crying, and called Nichols.  “He told me not to worry. That they would be clapping after they saw the movie.”  He was right. “Silkwood” was the first of three films, including “Mask” and “Moonstruck” that made Cher a movie star.

Natalie Portman: “In ‘Closer,’ Mike  cut out nude scenes when I had second thoughts. He also made sure I learned how to pole dance, which is an tremendously useful skill in this economy.”

Robin Williams: “Hey you were a brilliant child.  [Nichols was certified as a genius at age 12]. “It’s rumored you had final cut at your circumcision.”

Of course the great Nichols got in the last word: “I got to see my own memorial and I’m still alive. Sort of.”

We’ll have to watch TV Land to see all the little asides and crack ups. The AFI Tribute special is always a lot of fun!

OJ Files for Prison Release On 16th Anniversary of Nicole Brown-Ron Goldman Murder

Roger Friedman
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OJ Files for Prison Release On 16th Anniversary of Nicole Brown-Ron Goldman Murder

Timing is everything. And no one has worse timing than O.J. Simpson.

Yesterday he filed for an overturn of his conviction and for release from a Las Vegas prison. He’s serving a 9 to 33 year term for charges stemming from a hotel room heist that involved guns.

Today is the 16th anniversary of the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, his ex wife, and Ronald Goldman. A civil court decided he was responsible for the deaths. A criminal court jury, as we all know, acquitted him.

Having no sense of propriety or contrition, Simpson allowed his attorney, Yale Galanter, to file in the Las Vegas case on– of all days–the anniversary of this grisly murder. And even though Simpson was acquitted by the criminal case jury, he more or less admitted to the murders in his book, “If I Did It.”

The book, now owned by the victims’ families, maps out how Simpson carried out this tragic crime. Judith Regan, then publisher of her own book imprint at Rupert Murdoch‘s Harper Collins, paid Simpson almost a million dollars before anyone was the wiser. By the time it was discovered the money was gone–spent or hidden–and the victims’ families were unable to recover it as part of their judgment in the civil case.

During my coverage of the Simpson criminal trial for New York magazine, I was offered an explanation of the murders by a Harvard forensic psychiatrist and a writer who’d interviewed Simpson pal Al Cowlings. The scenario was that Simpson had been addicted to steroids all his life for rheumatoid arthritis. But in the weeks leading up to the murders, he’d stopped taking them cold turkey and had substituted a health drink devised by his friend, Dr. Christian Reichardt. The pair I spoke to concluded that Simpson was in steroid withdrawal.

In fact, when Simpson returned to Los Angeles from Chicago the day after the murders (he’d flown there approximately after they’d happened), his attorney, Robert Shapiro, replaced Simpson’s long time physician with Dr. Robert Huizenga, an expert on steroid use among professional athletes. A few years ago, when I asked Dr. Huizenga why he hadn’t discussed any of this when he testified in the trial, he responded: “They asked me the wrong questions.”

“My take, and what I say now, is that Simpson was innocent in the trial,” Huizenga told me.

“That doesn’t mean he did or didn’t do it. Let’s face it, the evidence is completely suspicious. Some guilty people are set free,” Huizenga said.

Huizenga told me he was shocked about how prosecutors treated him. His direct questioning by the state was from Deputy District Attorney Brian Kelberg, who worked for Marcia Clark.

“I told them that Simpson appeared to be limping when he came into my office. Instead of asking me about that, they said, ‘He wasn’t limping, you’re lying, we have tape of him from two months before.’”

Clark’s team never asked why Simpson had been limping, or what would have brought him to that point.

On the stand, Huizenga told Kelberg that Simpson walked into his office three days after the murders “like Tarzan’s grandfather.” Instead of exploring how Simpson could have come to be in that condition, Kelberg replied: “…perhaps Mr. Simpson was faking a limp in your office?”

“They assumed I was lying,” Huizenga said to me. “They didn’t ask me if it was possible that he’d been in the greatest fight of his life just a few days before.”

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