Congrats to two of our best actors and nicest people.
Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup had their official wedding in Mexico this weekend. I told you they would back on May 15th.
Naomi’s brother, Ben Watts, the photographer, posted some videos and pics to his Instagram page. The bride and groom are glowing.
Who went besides family? Justin Theroux is in Ben’s photos. But I’m sure there were plenty more actor friends.
A little over a month since it was released, Kristi Noem’s book is deader than dead.
In “No Going Back,” Noem admitted to killing her dog because he misbehaved. She also lied about meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un.
The book has dropped off the amazon top 10,000 — that’s ten thousand — as no one bought it. Also MAGA is so illiterate I don’t know why publishers print books for them.
Anyway.
Turns out yesterday Noem welcomed the Nazi party to the state capital in Pierre. They really decorated the building, too, and came in costume. Noem said on Twitter X that she was against Nazis, but they clearly felt comfortable visiting her at home.
Maybe Jack Schlossberg is schizophrenic. Or has multiple personality syndrome.
In any case, he’s back to normal on social media. After a run of weird videos, Jack has put on clothes, combed his hair, and posted a video for the JFK Library Profiles in Courage awards.
This is in stark contrast to his numerous posts from surfing in Hawaii, where he appeared shirtless, or in shorts and a t shirt, using different accents and attacking his cousin, Robert Kennedy Jr., or just taking the piss, as the Brits might say.
Did Jack’s mother, Caroline Kennedy, pull the plug on the mania? he boy was not acting like a Kennedy, that’s for sure. Will this new chapter last, or will the Presidential Grandson — who seems vastly unemployed — revert to slacker fun?
EXCLUSIVE Fans of Little Steven van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, the E Street Band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes got a real treat Saturday night at the Tribeca Film Festival. We got to see the first screening ever of “Stevie van Zandt: Disciple,” a nearly three hour documentary which will debut on HBO June 22nd.
We weren’t the only ones to see “Disciple” for the first time. It was also the first time for Little Steven to sit in an audience and watch Bill Teck’s sensational film. On stage afterwards, the self-effacing van Zandt said of the film’s take on his wild life, “It was pretty coherent, more coherent than the way I lived it!” (He also joked, “I wanted to see you tell how I lived my life.”)
Despite its length, “Disciple” moves fast and tells the comprehensive life arc of Bruce Springsteen’s self described consigliere, the leader of the E Street Band famous for his gypsy wardrobe and searing guitar, his run as Silvio Dante on “The Sopranos,” as a political activist, educator, and rock philosopher.
The audience was pretty starry down at the Tribeca Fest and later at Drew Nieporent‘s still delicious Tribeca Grill, with the great Jackson Browne, Ruben Blades, Luba Mason, Michael des Barres, former Senator Bill Bradley, rock legends Darlene Love, Eddie Brigati of the Rascals (with wife Susan), and Gary US Bonds, plus Springsteen manager Jon Landau, Soprano Vinny Pastore, record producer Russ Titelman, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, newsman Brian Williams, director Thom Zimny, and Steve’s popular, talented, beautiful wife, Maureen van Zandt.
If you’re a fan — and who isn’t? — “Disciple” is a well crafted gift that tells van Zandt’s story as it ebbs and flows with Springsteen’s, how the rocker became part of the “Sopranos” cast and later star of his own Netflix series, “Lillyhammer.” There’s also the fabled saga of how van Zandt became socially aware on many subjects, particularly how he led the way to get musicians not to play Sun City in South Africa until apartheid was toppled. Nelson Mandela makes an appearance.
Director Teck managed to get his hands on lost archival film never shown before including unseen footage of Springsteen, “Southside” Johnny Lyon, and Little Steven playing together years ago. (Apparently there’s a whole concert of this stuff in Bruce’s archives.) What Teck captures through the film is van Zandt’s unending passion for rock and roll and R&B, whether in performance or just in conversation starting from his earliest days.
There are plenty of interviews conducted over the last few years including Springsteen, Paul McCartney, director Chris Columbus, “Sopranos” creator David Chase, musician Jesse Malin, Bono, rocker Palmyra Delran, most of last night’s guests, van Zandt’s brother and sister, and several other characters from van Zandt’s world. We even get to meet his first manager, a lovely now-94 year old named Big Mama McEvilly.
All these famous people are great, but it’s because van Zandt — who is such a charming and endearing storyteller — that we care about “Disciple.” Just as much a genuine product of New Jersey as Springsteen, van Zandt — who is Italian despite the last name — tells it like it is. He just narrowly avoids saying fuhgedaboutit. But you know he’s thinking it. He’s actually an erudite artist as well as a gifted musician. He also has incredible amount of optimism. Even through dark times, he managed to pull himself up by the boot straps. We’re certainly glad he did.
PS Van Zandt and Landau head back to Europe today, Sunday, to join up with the Springsteen tour when it resumes this week in Madrid.
Circle the whole night of June 22nd for a not to be missed event.
Here’s a bit of the Q&A that followed the screening.
Will Smith triumphed this weekend, overcoming the stigma of his famous Oscar slap.
Will’s “Bad Boys Ride or Die” scored a whopping $56 million from early shows on Wednesday through today. This is a lot more than expected. A big walk up audience on Saturday carried the weekend. Advanced ticket sales didn’t indicate that would happen.
Smith was persona non grata after his March 2022 live Oscar incident in which he slapped — really punched — Chris Rock on stage. And then cursed him out. After that Smith was banned by the Academy and lost a bunch of jobs.
But time heals all wounds, and at least for Will Smith’s fans, that wound. It helped that the movie got high marks from anyone who saw it. The fun of seeing Smith and Martin Lawrence together again after 20 years overcame whatever shade was thrown.
What does it mean? Will Smith is back, and there will be another “Bad Boys” movie. Never ever bet against producer Jerry Bruckheimer, too. He knows what he’s doing more than almost anyone else!
Will Smith’s around the world tour paid off last night at the box office.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” earned around $15 million on Friday. Adding previews its total opening day comes to $21.6 million.
The buddy comedy with Martin Lawrence could take in $50 million for the weekend. That would be huge considering “Ride or Die” revives a 20 year old franchise.
It would also be a great success for Smith, who’s been persona non grata for two years after slapping Chris Rock on stage, live, at the 2022 Oscars.
There’s obviously a big “walk up” audience for this movie because advance sales don’t indicate large showings in theaters.
Reviews for “Ride or Die” are soft, at just 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences like it a lot, giving the comedy a 97%. That second number is an indicator that “Ride or Die” is looking at a hot weekend.
Will it have legs? That remains to be seen. Let’s get through this weekend first.
TV legend Dick van Dyke became the oldest Emmy winner ever tonight at age 98.
He was a slam dunk for Guest Actor on Daytime Drama in “Days of our Lives.” He’s not only the oldest Daytime Emmy winner but oldest Emmy winner.
van Dyke was coaxed over to “Days” by one of the show’s stars, Drake Hogestyn. They knew each other from the gym in Malibu. van Dyke hadn’t worked for a few years and wanted a job. He wound up playing a short time role as Hogestyn’s character’s father.
Now he has an Emmy.
“General Hospital” won Best Daytime Drama, as did its writing and directing teams. “The Kelly Clarkson Show” won for Best Talk Show, but Clarkson herself didn’t win for Best Host. Improbably, that went to husband and wife team of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, who never come to these things. They were once soap opera stars, so maybe that helps them.
Robert Gossett, whose name you’ll see below, is/was a cousin of Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr. This Gossett won last year, too, and was nominated the year before despite not being on the soap very often. Kudos to him.
Who should have won? For Best Actress, Finola Hughes from “General Hospital.” But she doesn’t chew the scenery the way the rest of the nominees make it a buffet.
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR: Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford, General Hospital
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS: Courtney Hope as Sally Spectra, The Young and the Restless
WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: General Hospital
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: Dick Van Dyke, Days of Our Lives
DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: General Hospital
DAYTIME TALK SERIES: The Kelly Clarkson Show
CULINARY SERIES: Be My Guest with Ina Garten, Food Network
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES: Entertainment Tonight
DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY: Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner, Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST: Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
General Hospital was once again the big winner at the Daytime Emmys, while Dick Van Dyke was recognized for his guest work on Days of Our Lives and The Kelly Clarkson Show won its fourth consecutive trophy for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
For a few hours Friday, it seemed like the 51st Annual awards wouldn’t occur because IATSE threatened to picket the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles over the show’s use of a non-union crew. Fortunately, IATSE leadership met with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Friday afternoon and were able to reach an agreement two hours before showtime.
Following a corny but cute opening number performed by The Talk hosts Amanda Kloots and Jerry O’Connell, Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier and Nichelle Turner kicked off the live show by singling out “royalty” in the house — Dick Van Dyke, who would end up winning for guest starring as Mystery Man/Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives.
“I don’t believe this. I feel like I’m a spy from nighttime television!” the 98-year-old actor exclaimed from the stage. “I’m the oldest nominee in history.”
Soap producer Ed Scott and Melody Thomas Scott (The Young and the Restless) were given Lifetime Achievement Awards. “Daytime TV is hard work,” said a teary-eyed Thomas Scott. “I salute all of you here tonight for your contributions to our industry. Edward and I are eager to do our part to carry on the proud tradition of the great American soap opera.”
The In Memoriam segment included tributes to Sam Rubin, Marla Adams, Bill Hayes and Johnny Wactor.
RELATED: 2024 Daytime Emmys Red Carpet Photos: The Best Looks and Fashion
Here were the night’s winners:
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR: Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford, General Hospital
SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS: Courtney Hope as Sally Spectra, The Young and the Restless
RELATED: Dick Van Dyke On Winning Daytime Emmy: “I Feel Like I’m A Spy From Night Time Television”
WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: General Hospital
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: Dick Van Dyke, Days of Our Lives
DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: General Hospital
DAYTIME TALK SERIES: The Kelly Clarkson Show
RELATED: Daytime Emmys: Every Outstanding Drama Series Winner Back to 1974
CULINARY SERIES: Be My Guest with Ina Garten, Food Network
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES: Entertainment Tonight
DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY: Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner, Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST: Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
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LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR: Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful
LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS: Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers, The Young and the Restless
DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: General Hospital
Howard University is rescinding the honorary degree they gave Sean Diddy Combs in 2014. They’re also giving him back his $1 million donation and killing his scholarship.
Combs has been accused now by several women of sexual harassment, rape, and other crimes. A recently found video from 2016 shows him attacking his ex girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel room.
The Howard statement reads:
“The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014. This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor.
The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.
The Board has also directed the University administration to immediately take the following actions: terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
Today, Howard University announced that the Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to accept the return of Sean Combs’ honorary degree, originally conferred in May 2014. The vote took place during a regularly scheduled board meeting.
For more details, read the full announcement… pic.twitter.com/RZqZRpGK9t
— Howard University (@HowardU) June 7, 2024
https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-board-trustees-votes-accept-return-honorary-degree-issued-sean-combs-end
Taylor Swift is the gift that keeps on giving.
Her “Tortured Poets Department” is number 1 for the 7th week in a row.
Total sales are now 4.1 million including streaming, 2.3 million in CDs, LPS, downloads, and whatnot.
It’s remarkable achievement with no sign of letting up. Swifties have kept Eyelashes — my name for Billie Eilish fans — at bay for two weeks. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” continues at number 2.
This week, “Poets” sold a total 146,275. Taylor has FIVE other albums in the top 50, as well.
This week’s achievement puts “Poets” at number 13 of the best selling albums of the 2020s. She already holds the number 2 and 5 spots with “Midnights” and “Folklore,” respectively.
Also in the top 50 this week: Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Elton John, Bob Marley, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. They are all great artists, but where is more contemporary stuff and why isn’t it selling?
Will Smith has been slapped with reality.
His “Bad Boys Ride or Die” made $5.8 million on Thursday including dozens of Wednesday showings across the country.
Even though audience members posted a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, the referendum is unclear. If “Bad Boys Ride or Die” picks up $10 million a night this weekend, that will put it at $35 million. That’s not enough.
The figure is certainly not like those of Smith’s hit movies from halcyon days, like “Independence Day” or the other Bad Boys movies. Those days are over.
Nevertheless, Sony will push headlines saying “Ride or Die” is number 1 this weekend, because it will be. It has no competition.
Just for comparison, the last “Bad Boys” movie, in 2003, made $16.8 million on its opening day. That would be $28.6 million with inflation.
In “Ride or Die,” Smith sends up his famous Oscar slap by slapping buddy Martin Lawrence several times, and laughing. I doubt the Motion Picture Academy will enjoy the joke. Too soon? Yes.