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Ryan Gosling, Chris Stapleton, Kate McKinnon Bring High Numbers for “Saturday Night Live”

Roger Friedman
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Ryan Gosling, Chris Stapleton, Kate McKinnon Bring High Numbers for “Saturday Night Live”

This weekend’s “SNL” was only off a little bit from the previous outing, with big numbers.

Ryan Gosling, Chris Stapleton, and special guest Kate McKinnon helped bring the show 4.7 million viewers. Stapleton’s record sales went way up, too, so we know the show was seen by more people than usual.

Lorne Michaels has really hit the gas, pumping up the recent shows with guest stars and cameos. It’s working, and a real antidote to the doldrums of the winter. The Ramy Youssef episode was a low point.

Next up is super singer Dua Lipa, who will be guest host and musical guest. But I suspect Michaels will punch in some more guest stars to add to the proceedings.

Billionaire Jeff Skoll Shutting Down Participant Media, Film Company Won 21 Oscars Including for “Spotlight” and “Green Book”

Roger Friedman
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Billionaire Jeff Skoll Shutting Down Participant Media, Film Company Won 21 Oscars Including for “Spotlight” and “Green Book”

Ebay billionaire Jeff Skoll is shutting down Participant Media.

The film company has earned 21 Oscars including Best Picture awards for “Spotlight” and “Green Book.” They also won an Oscar for Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and produced the big hit, “The Help,” among other films.

Last week, I got calls that Participant had fallen apart. All the employees were sending out resume. Skoll had decamped to Palm Beach and no longer had any interest in the company.

What a shame. Participant had been a big player in smart, quality indie films. Their current chief, David Linde, is one of the most talented people in the biz.

Participant’s collapse has been coming since the death of its original leader, Diane Weyermann in 2021. In the last couple of weeks, studios and executives across town have been receiving a flurry of resumes from current Participant staff.  Sources told us last week if they couldn’t get another influx of cash soon, the company would be kaput by the end of the year. 

Projects in development and in the pipeline are on pause.”  A source added, “the company has been hemorrhaging money for a while.  There is not even enough money for milk for coffee or snacks.

Clive Davis Getting Sirius Channel: First Ever Record Executive to Receive Honor

Roger Friedman
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Clive Davis Getting Sirius Channel: First Ever Record Executive to Receive Honor

This is a first: Sirius XM is giving a channel to a record executive.

In fact, the most famous record executive of all: Clive Davis, the one time head of Columbia Records, founder of Arista and J Records, now the eminence gris of Sony Music.

Starting April 26th, for a week, fans of artists like Santana, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, and hundreds of other artists can tune into Channel 79 to hear this amazing curated project.

Clive says, “I can’t wait for the SiriusXM Clive Davis Channel. It will truly be a unique emotional experience to relive all the musical highlights of my career. I am honestly pinching myself that this will be happening.”

Scott Greenstein, head of Sirius, says: “The impact Clive Davis has had on music and the industry is demonstrated by the now iconic artists and songs he helped create and we are honored to celebrate his legacy. The Clive Davis Channel will offer an exclusive inside look at the lasting influence Clive has had and will bring listeners closer to the music that has become part of our DNA.”

This is a big month for Clive. On April 29th, he’s the honoree at the NY Pops 41st anniversary at Carnegie Hall. He’s curating that show, too, with Babyface, Busta Rhymes, Deborah Cox, Fantasia, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, John Mellencamp, Ray Parker Jr., Carlos Santana, Valerie Simpson, Rob Thomas, and Dionne Warwick. There isn’t a seat left, of course!

PS I’m very excited that Sirius put Clive at channel 79. That’s just five notches up from 74, where I’m addicted to Smokey Robinson’s Soul Town.

UPDATE: The Beatles’ Original “Let it Be” Film Starts May 8, Restored by Peter Jackson

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE: The Beatles’ Original “Let it Be” Film Starts May 8, Restored by Peter Jackson

I told you yesterday the Beatles are releasing a restored version of “Let it Be,” the film, on Disney Plus.

Peter Jackson, who made the “Get Back” series, did the work with his lab of mad scientists. “Let it Be” will begin streaming on May 8th.

Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot all the footage in 1969 and then made the final film. It played in theaters briefly, then disappeared. The rumor always was that Paul McCartney didn’t like the film. But when Jackson released “Get Back,” those reasons didn’t make sense.

Now the general public will see the film. (I saw it back in the day.) It should be exciting.

“Let It Be” contains footage not featured in the “Get Back” docuseries, bringing viewers into the studio and onto Apple Corps’ London rooftop in January 1969 as The Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, write and record their GRAMMY Award®-winning album Let It Be, with its Academy Award®-winning title song, and perform live for the final time as a group.

Michael Lindsay-Hogg says, “’How often do you get to see artists of this stature working together to make what they hear in their heads into songs. And then you get to the roof and you see their excitement, camaraderie and sheer joy in playing together again as a group”…“I was knocked out by what Peter was able to do with ‘Get Back,’ using all the footage I’d shot 50 years previously.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Michael’s movie, ‘Let It Be,’ has been restored and is finally being re-released after being unavailable for decades,” says Peter Jackson. “Over three parts, we showed Michael and The Beatles filming a groundbreaking new documentary, and ‘Let It Be’ is that documentary – the movie they released in 1970.”…“I now think of it all as one epic story, finally completed after five decades. The two projects support and enhance each other: ‘Let It Be’ is the climax of ‘Get Back,’ while ‘Get Back’ provides a vital missing context for ‘Let It Be.’

UPDATED Trump Stock Finds a New Low, Drops Off Cliff as Former President Sleeps in Court Again

Roger Friedman
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UPDATED Trump Stock Finds a New Low, Drops Off Cliff as Former President Sleeps in Court Again

UPDATED Donald Trump fell asleep in the courtroom yesterday. And he fell asleep again this morning.

Law360’s Frank G. Runyeon Tweeted from the courtroom: “Trump’s head slowly dropped, his eyes closed. It jerked back upward. He adjusts himself. Then, his head droops again. He straightens up, leaning back. His head [droops] for a third time, he shakes his shoulders. Eyes closed still. His head drops. Finally, he pops his eyes open.”

Today, Tuesday, Trump’s Media stock has dropped 14% to under $23. The day isn’t over, either. Come back at 4pm for the final bell.

Meantime, I’m enjoying all the planted stories about Trump’s 27 year director of communications, Margo Martin McAtee. She’s a Melania lookalike, but much younger. She must be very talented to have such an important job at her tender age. Even The Oklahoman has branded her as Melania double. Is that her real job?

Review: Zendaya’s New Movie, “Challengers”: Fluid Sex, Full Frontal Flopping, Plus Bananas and Churros

Roger Friedman
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Review: Zendaya’s New Movie, “Challengers”: Fluid Sex, Full Frontal Flopping, Plus Bananas and Churros

You know director Luca Guadagnino. His last movie, “Bones and All,” was all about Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet feasting on their friends literally.

The director’s more famous offering was Chalamet and Armie Hammer, and a peach in “Call Me By Your Name,” set in Italy.

Now we come to “Challengers,” a triangular tennis romance in which Zendaya is the objection of lust and affection of two players having their own intense bromance. They are Josh O’Connor from “The Crown” and Mike Faist from “West Side Story.” The setting has moved from Tuscany to New Rochelle.

The boys are a pretty close couple, playing doubles and working their way around the tennis circuit, when they meet Zendaya’s Tashi. Their eyes pop out of their respective heads, and soon they’re all in bed together. Guadagnino meanwhile serves up lots of naked guys flopping around in the locker room. He’s also progressed from peaches to bananas, and churros in case you’re not paying attention.

The screenplay is a debut from Justin Kuritzkes, and it’s vexing. I’ve never seen so many chyrons in one film, as the action cuts back and forth in time with more abandon that a Christopher Nolan film. “Three Years Earlier,” “Eight Years Earlier,” “Two Days Ago.” I gave up trying to follow all that, despite Zendaya’s different hair lengths (thanks to some good wigs).

But “Challengers” — which should have been called “Love All” — has a lot going for it. The three main actors are effortlessly watchable, charming, and good looking. The music itself — from the Oscar winner Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross — has the consistency of mesmerizing electronic disco that works on its own (but often drowns out the dialogue).

What Guadagnino does especially well in “Challengers,” surprisingly, are the tennis scenes. Credit cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom and editor Marco Costa, who help the director find a new language in their sonic exploration of this racket. They make tennis so attractive you may see courts full this summer.

“Challengers” should be a hit. Full of sweat, longing, and haunches, the film hits the sweet spot for a key demo audience. Every generation gets a movie like this, hopefully, that will define their idea of romance in a troubled time.

New Broadway “Romeo and Juliet” Drops F Word on Poster in New Low, Jack Antonoff Doing the Music

Roger Friedman
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New Broadway “Romeo and Juliet” Drops F Word on Poster in New Low, Jack Antonoff Doing the Music

Jack Antonoff is making his Broadway debut.

The Grammy winning pop producer of Taylor Swift, Lana del Rey, and many others will supply music for a new Broadway production of “Romeo and Juliet” this fall.

The stars are Rachel Zegler and Kit Carson. Sam Gold is the director. Zegler starred in the Spielberg movie of “West Side Story” as Maria, the star crossed lover based on Juliet, so she’s essentially playing the same part again.

What’s more interesting about this “Romeo and Juliet” is the poster. Emblazoned across the ad are the words “The Youth are F**ked.” But spelled out, no asterisks.

Is this low class? Or this the future? Is Shakespeare rolling in his grave? Are we f**cked? Producers so far are Seaview, and 101 Productions, Ltd.

Donald Trump Uses 18 Year Old Son Barron as a Shield in Latest Rant About Legal System

Roger Friedman
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Donald Trump Uses 18 Year Old Son Barron as a Shield in Latest Rant About Legal System

Last year, Donald Trump suggested that his son, Barron, then 17, was smarter than Joe Biden.

Now that Barron is graduating from high school (we haven’t heard about college yet), Trump is using the kid as an excuse for ranting about Judge Merchan in his criminal trial.

Trump wonders: “Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years…”

Who will explain it to him, and to poor Barron? Maybe the judge himself, who’s cited in the rant. But the judge hasn’t even ruled yet on Trump’s request to be excused from court so he can attend Barron’s high school graduation. So this part of it just bluster, as usual.

Does Trump not know why he’s on trial in the Stormy Daniels hush money case? Has he not explained it to brilliant high school graduate son?

Barron is set to graduate on May 17th from Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida. Again, no talk of college at all. It’s likely Barron will take a gap year using the excuse of the election and trials.

Here’s what Donnie — who fell asleep in court on Monday — posted to his Truth Social (stock price went off a cliff yesterday):

“Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus “Biden Case” which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought. This Fake Case is solely meant to attack Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME, who is seriously leading him in the Polls, for purposes of Election Interference. The Judge, Juan Merchan, is preventing me from proudly attending my son’s Graduation. Seems very unfair, doesn’t it? But this whole event is unfair. Every one of the many Fake Cases that are perpetuated by the White House in order to help the Worst President in History, by far, get Re-Elected, are UNJUST SCAMS. We won’t let that happen, but we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Robert Kennedy Embraces Roseanne Barr’s Favorite Rabbi, Shmuley Boteach, Who Socks Away $600K a Year from Bogus Charity

The Beatles’ Original “Let it Be” Film Coming to Disney Plus After Decades Out of Print

Roger Friedman
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The Beatles’ Original “Let it Be” Film Coming to Disney Plus After Decades Out of Print

Disney Plus will be streaming The Beatles’ final movie, “Let it Be,” soon.

Michael Lindsay Hogg made the 1969 movie his way. A couple of years ago, the Beatles thanks to Peter Jackson took all the footage and made a long miniseries showing everything Lindsay-Hogg left out. That was “Get Back,” which has proven a valuable exercise.

But the director wasn’t stupid, and his version — which had to be under two hours — was put together for a reason.

“Let it Be” had a run in theaters, and was never on DVD. If it was on VHS, it’s lone gone. But for a while it was possible to get it off the internet.

The Beatles are running out of things to remaster, but we’re happy they finished this up.

Check back for the first airdate.

“Rust” Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Sentenced to 18 Months: How Will This Affect Alec Baldwin?

Roger Friedman
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“Rust” Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Sentenced to 18 Months: How Will This Affect Alec Baldwin?

Hannah Gutierrez- Reed, the armorer in the filming of “Rust,” got an 18 month sentence today in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Prosecutors asked for the maximum sentence and got it. Gutierrez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 on-set killing.

But still in the air is what will happen to Alec Baldwin? Prosecutors say the actor pulled the trigger of the gun given to him by Gutierrez. Will this satisfy their quest for justice? Or will Baldwin also be held accountable.

Gutierrez didn’t help her case by reportedly mocking the judge and the jury in the trial while she was in jail. She called the deliberating jurors called jurors “idiots” and “a–holes.” She also said she wants Baldwin to go to jail with her.

Several impact statements were read in court before the announcement. “Rust” director Joel Souza — who was shot in the shoulder — read his virtually. He said, according to reports, that the last two and half years have been “difficult to put into words” and that “I want everyone damaged by Ms. Reed’s failures that day to find peace… I want the pain to go away…She had a talent for life, she was a touchstone for all who knew her, and those of us who were lucky enough to have shared in her fleeting time on this planet were better for it.”

Baldwin’s trial is set for July 10th, with jury selection the day before.

Hannah Gutierrez, in Charge of the Guns on “Rust,” Says Extremely Difficult to Focus On Her Job Because She Had Two
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