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Kramer vs. Kramer: “Seinfeld” Star Michael Richards Book Gets Massive Sales Boost from Today Show, The View

Roger Friedman
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Kramer vs. Kramer: “Seinfeld” Star Michael Richards Book Gets Massive Sales Boost from Today Show, The View

When Michael Richards appeared on “The View” this morning, his book was at number 845 on amazon’s best sellers.

Right now, it’s jumped to 147. “Entrances and Exits” is on its way as Richards — who has kept out of the public spotlight for years — attempts to tell his story.

Beloved as Kramer from “Seinfeld,” Richards torpedoed his career in 2006 at a comedy club when he had a kind of breakdown and began using the N word over and over.

“Anger had a hold of me,” he said on the Today show this morning. “I canceled myself out. Take an exodus, get away from show business and see what the heck is going on inside me to have been so despicable that night, losing my cool and hurting people.”

Richards’ appearance on The View today was marked by a long ago association with Whoopi Goldberg, who’s clearly fond of him. On the show he revealed that he’s Italian, which didn’t seem to impress Joy Behar as much I thought it would. She upraided him about using the N word in the past or present. But the panel went well overall, obviously, since sales have jumped in two hours.

I met Michael Richards years ago, after his self-cancellation, at a Hollywood party. At the time, it seemed like the incident would blow over or cool down eventually. Even though Richards went on Larry King with Jerry Seinfeld, the matter never seemed resolved. It just lingered for years as Richards remained silent.

“Entrances and Exits” is self-published. Either Richards — who is very wealthy thanks to “Seinfeld” — didn’t want to deal with rejection, or no one publisher was willing to take this on. On The View there were flashes of Kramer, which made everyone instantly at ease — except maybe the actor. I’m going to Kindle this thing today, and see what he has to say.

“Knives Out 3” Casting Call: Thomas Haden Church Joins Big Group Getting Less Diverse By the Day

Roger Friedman
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“Knives Out 3” Casting Call: Thomas Haden Church Joins Big Group Getting Less Diverse By the Day

Well, it’s official. There are more cast members for “Knives Out 3” than crew.

Today’s daily announcement brings us Thomas Haden Church, well known for “Sideways,” the series Wings, and “Spider Man.” He joins Daniel Craig, Josh Brolin, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis and Daryl McCormack.

This makes Haden Church the 10th major speaking role, apart from supporting characters. There’s a worry now that the entire cast “Cats” will be invited to hook up. (Just kidding.)

Are there more? How many people will try to make this so-called Dean Man? Isn’t it time to make the movie and stop promoting it before it’s finished?

Who would we like to see next? There are still few non whites, and no one above 60. (Kerry Washington and Darryl McCormack representing so far.) I was thinking Michael Douglas would be cool. And what about Danny Glover? Doesn’t it seem like Awkwafina should be in a “Knives Out” movie?

Actor Jon Voight Gets Religious: “Trump Has the Information that Can Knock Down the Corrupt Swamp” (Video)

Roger Friedman
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Actor Jon Voight Gets Religious: “Trump Has the Information that Can Knock Down the Corrupt Swamp” (Video)

Actor Jon Voight seems perfectly reasonable when I run into him at various functions. But he has some kind of Trump derangement obsession.

Here, he compares the 34 time convicted felon to Jesus. He also mixes metaphors badly when he says Trump can knock down a swamp. I guess he really wants airtime at the Republican convention this summer.

Frankly, Voight has bigger problems within his own family. His grandchildren are estranged from their father, their mother is a public lightning rod, and so on. Maybe he should get his own house in order.

Epic: Government Charges Publisher of Epoch Times With Fraud, Trying to Launder $67 Million

Roger Friedman
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Epic: Government Charges Publisher of Epoch Times With Fraud, Trying to Launder $67 Million

The publisher of Epoch Times has been accused of trying to launder $67 million of fraud funds. (So far this story has not been reported on the conservative website.)

The Southern District of New York says: “Bill Guan, 61, of Secaucus, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and two counts of bank fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  The charges do not relate to the Media Company’s newsgathering activities.”

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Bill Guan, the Chief Financial Officer of a global newspaper and media company, conspired with others to benefit himself, the media company, and its affiliates by laundering tens of millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits and other crime proceeds. When banks raised questions about the funds, Guan allegedly lied repeatedly and falsely claimed that the funds came from legitimate donations to the media company. Today’s charges reflect this Office’s ongoing commitment to vigorously enforcing the laws against those who facilitate fraud through money laundering and to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system.”

DOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone said: “An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance program.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard benefits intended for unemployed American workers.”

DSS Domestic Operations Assistant Director Andrew Wroblewski said: “This case highlights the expansive global reach of the Diplomatic Security Service, demonstrating our capacity to collaborate effectively with both U.S. and international law enforcement agencies on complex transnational cases.  DSS, along with our law enforcement partners, are tirelessly working to conduct investigations of this nature daily around the world.”

Here’s the whole press release.

Told You: Paramount Pictures Etc Sold to David Ellison, Son of Billionaire Oracle Founder Larry, for $8 Billion

Roger Friedman
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Told You: Paramount Pictures Etc Sold to David Ellison, Son of Billionaire Oracle Founder Larry, for $8 Billion

I told you back on May 3rd that Shari Redstone wanted to sell her family company to another family.

Now CNBC reports the deal is ready to be signed. Redstone will receive $8 billion from David Ellison and his company, Skydance. Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, the billionaire who created Oracle.

The deal isn’t just for Paramount Pictures, but for a stunning number of media holdings including CBS, MTV Networks, Showtime, Paramount channel and network, and dozens more media entities. Ellison is backed by Henry Kravis’s KKR Holdings, which last year bought publisher Simon and Schuster from Redstone for $1.62 billion. Maybe down the line they’ll all be reunited. Stranger things have happened.

In a way, it’s good news. Since her father, Sumner Redstone, died, Shari has wanted to get out. Now she’s accomplished that and at the same time kept the company together. Sony and Apollo Management offered a stunning $26 billion, but they want to sell it off for parts.

Sumner Redstone bought Paramount etc from Gulf and Western in 1994. He died in 2020 at age 97.

More to come…

Hamptons: Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick Hit “Mad Men” Star John Slattery’s Opening Night

Regina Weinreich
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Hamptons: Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick Hit “Mad Men” Star John Slattery’s Opening Night

The subject was families Saturday night in Sag Harbor, where John Slattery, his wife Talia Balsam, and and their son Harry opened the Bay Street Theater’s news season in “The Subject Was Roses.”

The subject really was family, with one on stage, and one of its members descended from famous parents. Balsam is the daughter of the late acting legend Martin Balsam and his wife, Joyce van Patten (of the famous family with that name.


“The Subject Was Roses” was also originally a Tony award Pulitzer Prize winning play by the late Frank Gilroy. His sons, Dan and Tony, are famous writers and directors now, and Dan is married to Renee Russo. The play is about a fractured family trying to come to terms with itself.

Outside Bay Street, there was an atmosphere of exuberance. The drama was palpable. There was a wine cart selling Wolffer sparkling rose, and a summer intern named Lily giving long stemmed roses to VIPs beside the red carpet where theater royalty such as Nathan Lane and Andrea Martin smiled for cameras. Everyone was waiting for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick who showed up with friends Andy Cohen and Bridget Everett, star of the HBO series, “Somebody Somewhere.”

Nepo or not, let’s just say, young Harry has good genes. As Timmy, navigating the emotional roller coaster of this post-WW II family in Gilroy’s play, Harry makes it all look so easy. “Mad Men” star John Slattery was happy with opening night, especially for his son. First time out of the gate, “Harry hit it out of the park.”

Said Talia: “It’s a period piece but it’s the internal lives, the alcoholism, the family dynamic of a boy watching his parents in a dysfunctional situation. Someone who wants to get out and make his own way is universal.”

While Sag Harbor is far from Broadway, producer Jamie de Roy — involved with all the musical Tony nominated plays, plus “Stereophonic” — is looking forward to the awards even though with the smaller venue this year Lincoln Center’s Geffen Hall. But she told me she has a common complaint: her fellow producers are not getting their preferred seating. But that’s another story.

Daily “Knives Out 3” Casting Reveal: Josh Brolin Joins Daniel Craig and Gang

Roger Friedman
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Daily “Knives Out 3” Casting Reveal: Josh Brolin Joins Daniel Craig and Gang

Today’s big “Wake Me, Dead Man” casting reveal: Josh Brolin joins the gang, although I’d kind of like to see his dad in the movie, too.

So far there are few people of color or age.

The rest of the group: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis and Daryl McCormack. No word on whether Hugh Grant will reprise his role as Benoit Blanc’s partner in life.

Actually, Josh Brolin is perfect. He’s a worthy adversary for Craig’s Benoit Blanc. When he’s not evaporating Avengers, Brolin is hysterically funny.

But really, this is a big group already. The charm of the first “Knives Out” was with Christopher Plummer. We need a Glynn Turman or a Leslie Uggams. Where is Danielle Brooks?

We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Miley Cyrus Says She Wrote Song on Beyonce Album That Lists Three Other Co-Writers

Roger Friedman
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Miley Cyrus Says She Wrote Song on Beyonce Album That Lists Three Other Co-Writers

On Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” album there’s a song called “II Most Wanted.” It’s been played a lot, even if not necessarily a hit in the standard sense.

“II Most Wanted” is credited to Beyonce, Miley, Michael Pollack (who wrote Cyrus’s last two hits), and hitmaker Ryan Tedder.

We have often wondered about these songs written by committees. Who was the actual writer? And who tagged along for the ride?

Today in W Magazine, Cyrus tells an interviewer: “I wrote that song, like, two and a half years ago,” Cyrus said of “II Most Wanted.” “My mom would always go, ‘I love that song so much.’ So when Beyoncé reached out to me about music, I thought of it right away because it really encompasses our relationship. I told her, ‘We don’t have to get ­country; we are country. We’ve been country.’ I said, ‘You know, between you being from Texas and me being from Tennessee, so much of us is going to be in this song.’ Getting to write a song, not just sing, for Beyoncé was a dream come true.”

So that answers that question. Beyonce did not write that song. But her name is first in the credits, as it is on most of the “Cowboy Carter” album.

Elsewhere in the article, Cyrus complains that she was only taken seriously at the Grammys this year, for her record, “Flowers,” her best release ever.

She says: “I’ve had a hard time figuring out what the measurement is there, because if we want to talk stats and numbers, then where the fuck was I? And if you want to talk, like, impact on culture, then where the fuck was I?”

Dear Miley: the Grammys are not about ‘impact on culture.’ That would be, maybe the Time 100. The Grammys are about musical achievement. “Flowers” was absolutely the best record you’ve done. And while “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball” were very good in 2013, this is the best thing you’ve done since then. You’re on the right track!

Will Smith “Slap” Referendum This Week: Slow Sales for New “Bad Boys” So Far

Roger Friedman
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Will Smith “Slap” Referendum This Week: Slow Sales for New “Bad Boys” So Far

This week, Will Smith faces a career referendum for his first movie since “The Slap.”

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die” opens Wednesday in previews, and Thursday across the country. Few people have seen it yet, except for those who attended international premieres (like on in Riyadh) or in Los Angeles last week.

Tonight there’s a press screening in New York. Then the movie opens with little advance word. How will it fare? Is Smith free of The Slap?

So far, according to seating charts on Fandango, sales are slow. The Wednesday 7pm shows are mostly unsold at every hour. On Thursday, a more traditional preview night, things pick up ever so slightly. On Friday, the start of the weekend, AMC LIncoln Square maps show totally open theaters 7pm in IMAX and 8pm in the standard theater.

Overall, there’s no sense of excitement about “Bad Boys Ride or Die.” It could be that the international premieres pay off. Audiences in other countries probably don’t care about Smith vs. Chris Rock, or live violence on network television. They just want to see movie stars in familiar settings.

In the US, however, so far the new “Bad Boys” isn’t causing a stir. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow at 4pm — the latest it could possibly be — for the embargo on reviews to lift.

PS For some reason, the main music is credited to the Black Eyed Peas, without Fergie, a group popular in the mid 90s. Was this the best they could do?

Jessica Lange Could Be Surprise Best Actress Winner at Emmy Awards in “Lillian Hall”

Roger Friedman
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Jessica Lange Could Be Surprise Best Actress Winner at Emmy Awards in “Lillian Hall”

Without any provocation from HBO, I did just watch “The Great Lillian Hall,” directed by Michael Cristofer and starring Jessica Lange, Lily Rabe, and Kathy Bates. It’s written by Elisabeth Seldes, whose aunt was the great Tony award winning theater actress, Marian Seldes. The story is loosely based on Marian’s life when she was in her final play, “Deuce,” with Angela Lansbury. (They were each fed their lines through ear pieces.)

Apparently, “The Great Lillian Hall” is a last minute entry from HBO/Max in the Limited Series/TV category. Variety has it listed there as a potential nominee but includes none of its cast. After watching it tonight, I’d say nominations are in order for Jessica Lange — if not a win — as well as Rabe and Bates.

In many ways, “Lillian Hall” feels like an old fashioned tear jerker. But Cristofer and Seldes keep it aloft with some interesting beats. And the actresses give the kind of performances — Lange and Bates — that got them Oscars.

A backstage Broadway saga, “Lillian Hall” is about a great actress at the end of her run. She relunctantly comes to accept that she has dementia while rehearsing a production of “THe Cherry Orchard.” Jesse Williams plays her director, Pierce Brosnan is her artist friend with whom she shares a balcony at her Central Park South aerie. Bates is her Girl Friday, and Rabe is her neglected daughter.

There used to be a place for movies like “The Great Lillian Hall” on network TV– CBS in particular. But those days are long gone. In the past HBO eschewed this sort of thing for edgier material, but I guess with “Hacks” and “Sex and the City” this film is a good fit.

Lange is actually on Broadway right now, and Tony nominated for “Mother Play.” So how meta is all this? As her mind deteriorates, Lillian keeps seeing and talking to her dead husband, the love of her life. You can’t help thinking of Lange’s late partner, Sam Shepard. Same thing Rabe, who plays the put upon daughter. Her mother was the great late actress Jill Clayburgh. There’s a lot going on here.

All three actresses – Lange, Bates, Rabe — are sublime. Lange gives Lillian unexpected nuance. She could have made this a melodrama, with Lillian at her hoariest. Instead, Lillian is a little more clued in than anyone thinks. Lange interjects a welcome wittiness.

Bates is a national treasure, of course. And Rabe is a severely underused player both on peak TV and in film. Brosnan is very attractive furniture (it’s just nice to see him). There are a few of the cliches we expect in this story of thing. But Lange is so compelling as Lillian Hall, she really does, to use another cliche, give a master class. I can’t believe that any TV Academy voter who sees this won’t vote for her. Considering that HBO doesn’t have a lot going on this Emmy season, I’d think they’d be all over this one.

Nominations voting begins June 13th for members of the Television Academy.

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