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Paul McCartney Announces New Stadium Dates in Europe, South America on Eve of Turning 82

Roger Friedman
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Paul McCartney Announces New Stadium Dates in Europe, South America on Eve of Turning 82

Paul McCartney is eternally young.

The “cute” Beatle turns 82 tomorrow and he’s just announced new stadium dates.

McCartney will play South America this fall, then head to Europe for shows in France, Spain, and England. He already did a bunch of dates last fall in South America and Australia.

Remember, this isn’t like the Rolling Stones, where at least four people are the main focus. With McCartney, it’s all him for three hours.

The Stones actually played a tight two hour set on this current tour. But McCartney has so many hits, from the Beatles and his solo career, that three hours is nothing.

What’s the secret? No meat, a little pot, some meditation, a strong family.

Oh wait — I forgot to mention his fabulous “One Hand Clapping” album out right now. It’s a gem, a collection of live studio recordings made in 1974. These are now my favorite versions of those songs.

Katy Perry Dropping New Single Next Month, But Is there An American Idol Curse?

Roger Friedman
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Katy Perry Dropping New Single Next Month, But Is there An American Idol Curse?

Katy Perry is dropping a new single July 11th.

It’s her first release since leaving “American Idol” at the end of the season.

“Woman’s World” is the title, and Katy is hoping to return to the days of “Firework” and her other hits.

But there may be an “American Idol” curse. Last week, “Idol” judge Luke Bryan released a new album called “Mind of a Country Boy.” It’s stalled at number 25 on iTunes. “Idol” judges have never had a lot of luck on the charts even though they have the most exposure ever. His “Idol” appearance did nothing for Jon Bon Jovi either.

The problem for Perry is age, I’m sad to say. She will have to have a knockout single in “Woman’s World,” so catchy and unusual that everyone will want to hear it on the radio.

I’m a big Katy Perry fan, so I’m crossing fingers “Woman’s World” will bring her back to the charts!

Google Won’t Take Credit Cards Anymore for Ad Payments, They Want to Save the Fees

Roger Friedman
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Google Won’t Take Credit Cards Anymore for Ad Payments, They Want to Save the Fees

Google is pinching pennies.

The mega conglomerate has sent a notice to advertisers that it will no longer accept credit cards for payments. They want to save the fees. Next, they will ask for cash!

From now on, if you advertise on Google you must pay by a bank account or direct deposit. No kidding. I am not kidding. (Thanks to Jeremy Brandt on Twitter and Barry Schwartz for the alert.)

Google is currently ranked the number 4 business in the world. They are also waiting for a judgement in a just concluded antitrust trial brought by the US government. Not only are they a monopoly but they’re making it harder and harder for small businesses to exist.

 

Elton John’s “Tammy Faye” Broadway Musical Loses “Book of Mormon” Star Andrew Rannells Over Money

Roger Friedman
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Elton John’s “Tammy Faye” Broadway Musical Loses “Book of Mormon” Star Andrew Rannells Over Money

Tammy Faye Bakker (pronounced Baker) is back to looking for her Jim.

Elton John’s musical about the televangelist couple has lost star Andrew Rannells just three months before the show is supposed to open on Broadway.

Andrew Rannells, of “Book of Mormon” and “Gutenberg” fame, says he’s out, and the reason is money.

Rannells told this to, of all places, the CBS Mornings crew on the red carpet last night before the Tony Awards.

The Tony winner called the reason “contract” problems, which means the producers weren’t meeting his asking price.

Rannells starred in the original production at London’s Almeida Theater where he got terrific reviews.

This news leaves “Tammy Faye” looking for a name star to replace Rannells if this negotiating tact doesn’t work. The actress playing the lead role, Katie Brayben, is British and totally unknown here. The show will need a name star to play Jim Bakker — not to mention a few other names — even with Elton John as a drawing card.

How nice for CBS to get the scoop — since the Tony’s were on CBS, and so many other journalists were blocked from the red carpet.

Richard Simmons Appears in Father’s Day Post as “Bobby Champion” ’70s Dad to Six Girls, Sporting Aviators and Mustache

Roger Friedman
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Richard Simmons Appears in Father’s Day Post as “Bobby Champion” ’70s Dad to Six Girls, Sporting Aviators and Mustache

I don’t know what this is all about but…

Fitness guru and recluse Richard SImmons posted an odd Father’s Day greeting today.

He made himself up to look like an anchorman from the 70s with a big black mustache and poufy black hair. He’s also wearing aviators.

Simmons calls himself Bobby Champion. He writes: “My name is Bobby Champion. I am the proud father of six girls. If you are a father, or you know a father, or you act like a father…. Happy Father’s Day! Love, Bobby”

Simmons never played a character named Bobby Champion. He does not have any children in real life, certainly not six daughters. He didn’t look this way in the 70s.

What does it mean? Simmons made himself into an oddball character a few years ago, dropping out of showbiz and refusing to see anyone. He does post on Twitter, or someone does for him. Is Bobby Champion Richard Simmons in the metaverse? Could be.

Tony Awards: Daniel Radcliffe, Jeremy Strong Among Acting Winners, “The Outsiders” Takes Best Musical

Roger Friedman
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Tony Awards: Daniel Radcliffe, Jeremy Strong Among Acting Winners, “The Outsiders” Takes Best Musical

“The Outsiders” won two big Tony Award tonight — Best Musical and Best Director. It didn’t win any acting prizes, or its music or writing.

The musical based on S.E. Hinton’s famous young adult novel got excellent reviews. But through tonight’s Tonys, “Suffs” and “Hell’s Kitchen” seemed like better bets.

“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe had the sweetest win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, for “Merrily We Roll Along.” He’s worked hard to overcome the Potter stigma with lots of theater. It’s paid off handsomely.

The Tony Awards were an odd show. They were stuffed into a small theater, the Koch at Lincoln Center. The theater was so small that Jay Z and Alicia Keys had to perform on the staircase outside the main room. Very weird. The producers had to add dining room seats in the front of the orchestra to accommodate nominees. When a show won, half its producers had to appear on a video screen above the stage, piped in from outside.

On screen there were few recognizable people in the orchestra. Variety noted that even Vogue editor Anna Wintour got a lousy seat way in the back.

Host Ariana De Bose’s opening number seemed like a stumble. It was all about her and not the Tonys or Broadway. But the show finally found its rhythm. The whole first hour was stuffed to the gills before viewers might turn to HBO for “House of the Dragon.” The highlight was The Who’s Pete Townshend, who introduced the cast and played guitar on “Pinball Wizard.”

The biggest ovation of the night was for Hillary Clinton, who introduced the musical, “Suffs.” She had a producer’s credit. The crowd at the Koch went crazy since the late David Koch was such an arch conservative and backed Donald Trump.

The nicest surprise was Nicole Scherzinger, who sang “What I Did for Love” over the In Memoriam. Not only was the segment elegantly produced by Scherzinger was sublime. She stars next season in “Sunset Boulevard.” Who knew she had that voice? (I guess the people in London.)

It was a good Tonys for the theater community and a crappy one for a lot of people who support it all year long. Many next year the Theater Wing can book a venue big enough for everyone.

On a personal note, many congrats to Sarah Paulson and Jeremy Strong. Also I called it on Kecia Lewis, who kills it in “Hells Kitchen,” and I knew Shaina Taub would win for those “Suffs” songs.

Best Musical
The Outsiders

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Maleah Joi Moon, Hell’s Kitchen

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Sarah Paulson, Appropriate

Best Revival of a Musical

Merrily We Roll Along

Best Play

Stereophonic
Author: David Adjmi

Best Revival of a Play

Appropriate
Author: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Suffs
Music & Lyrics: Shaina Taub

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Daniel Radcliffe, Merrily We Roll Along

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Kecia Lewis, Hell’s Kitchen

Best Direction of a Musical
Danya Taymor, The Outsiders

Best Direction of a Play

Daniel Aukin, Stereophonic

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Kara Young, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Will Brill, Stereophonic

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Jeremy Strong, An Enemy of the People

Best Sound Design of a Play
Ryan Rumery, Stereophonic

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Cody Spencer, The Outsiders

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim, The Outsiders

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Jane Cox, Apropriate

Best Costume Design of a Play
Dede Ayite, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Linda Cho, The Great Gatsby

Best Choreography
Justin Peck, Illinoise

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Tom Scutt, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

Best Scenic Design of a Play
David Zinn, Stereophonic

Best Orchestrations
Jonathan Tunick, Merrily We Roll Along

Best Book of a Musical
Suffs
Shaina Taub

Biden A List Star Studded Fundraiser Glaringly Omits One Celebrity: George Clooney’s Wife, Amal

Roger Friedman
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Biden A List Star Studded Fundraiser Glaringly Omits One Celebrity: George Clooney’s Wife, Amal

There were quite a few celebs last night in Los Angeles at the Biden fundraiser.

But one was glaringly missing: Amal Clooney.

Amal’s husband, George, was a co-host of the evening along with Julia Roberts and Jimmy Kimmel.

There were lots of politicans including former President Barack Obama.

Joe Biden was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. She was introduced by no less than Barbra Streisand.

Other celebs included Kathy Griffin, who came as the guest of Victor Shi, as well as Jack Black, Kathryn Hahn, Jason Bateman, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Two of three leaders of Creative Artists Agency — Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett — were present as well.

But no sign of Amal. We had an idea she would not be part of this event. A couple of weeks ago, Amal — who is a human rights lawyer — wrote the paper for the International Criminal Court asking for the arrest warrant of Benjamin Netanyahu. That might have been an uncomfortable meeting, certainly.

J

Portly Donald Trump Fat Shames Illinois Governor and Chris Christie in Father’s Day Post

Roger Friedman
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Portly Donald Trump Fat Shames Illinois Governor and Chris Christie in Father’s Day Post

Portly — and that’s being nice — Donald Trump is left to an ad hominem attack against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Trump’s Father Day message calls Pritzker “sloppy” and “rotund” and that he “makes Chris Christie look like a male model.”

Is this the man people want as president?

Trump weighs in at least at 250 lbs. and is stuffed with processed, fast food. Yesterday during a rally he couldn’t remember the name of his doctor — who was present — Ronny Jackson, calling his Ronny “Johnson” — despite Jackson fudging Trump’s health records.

Trump has been making cognitive mistakes day after day, all recorded on social media, forgetting names and mistaking crowds of 150 for 8000 (per his mouthpiece Kellyanne Conway).

Armie Hammer Breaks His Silence After 3 Years: “People called me a cannibal! What? You would have to eat people!”

Armie Hammer Breaks His Silence After 3 Years: “People called me a cannibal! What? You would have to eat people!”

Roger Friedman
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Armie Hammer Breaks His Silence After 3 Years: “People called me a cannibal! What? You would have to eat people!”

Armie Hammer is finally coming clean. He appears on a little known video podcast called “Painful Lessons,” hosted by a friend named Tyler Ramsey, and immediately addresses rumors that he was a cannibal.

Hammer — wearing a yellow string on his wrist but looking pretty healthy, says, “People called me a cannibal. Like I ate people! What???? You know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to eat people!”

Hammer reveals that after his massive sex scandal, accusations of abuse, and yes, cannibalism, he’s in a 12 step program. He calls what he went through “a death.”

He admits, “I was drunk! I was high and I was acting like an idiot all the time!”

“It was an ego death, a career death,” he says, invoking Joseph Campbell. “A neutron bomb went off in my life. It killed off [everything].”

(Interesting note: Ramsey, a Hammer friend, says often in the interview he was full of “rage” about the bad press. He seems angrier than Hammer.)

What saved him? A rehab program “where they deal with addiction issues.” He reveals “there was sexual abuse when I was a kid.”

“There were a lot of times when I thought I can’t take this anymore,” Hammer says. “I was getting hate…so it just went right in… there was a time I was standing at the shore and I swam out really far and just laying there..a half-assed suicide attempt…But I thought I couldn’t do that to my kids.”

Hammer concedes that his acting career is “nowhere now.” He says he’s not allowed to play in the Hollywood sandbox, but he’s “making my own sandbox.” He’s writing a screenplay with a friend named Jerry.

Tony Awards, CBS Pushing Jay Z Appearance with Alicia Keys Tonight: Can Rapper Slay HBO Premiere?

Roger Friedman
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Tony Awards, CBS Pushing Jay Z Appearance with Alicia Keys Tonight: Can Rapper Slay HBO Premiere?

The Tony Awards are on tonight, from 8 to 11pm.

In the middle at 9pm, HBO debuts season 2 of “House of the Dragon.”

This morning the Tonys are pushing a performance by Jay Z with Alicia Keys which I guess will take place in that competing hour. (If it doesn’t, then, really.)

Jay Z will perform “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys which is not part of her “Hell’s Kitchen” musical. In the actual show, it’s just the Alicia character who sings it.

“Hell’s Kitchen” is a very good show, but it’s hard to say it’s Best Musical. After all, most of the songs, like “Empire State of Mind,” were hits long ago. It’s not nominated for Best Score. So if it wins Best Musical, that could set a precedent.

This year the Tonys have been stuffed into a much smaller venue, the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. The after party is across the plaza at David Geffen Hall. It’s been the best Broadway year in some time, but the American Theater Wing and Broadway League have downsized considerably.

There won’t be much local press coverage. Page Six reports that many local theater reporters were denied access to the red carpet. But there will be Jay Z, because of his immense Broadway connections!

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