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Elton John Auction of Collectibles from Atlanta Estate Yields $8 Million (See Details Here), More to Come Today

Roger Friedman
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Elton John Auction of Collectibles from Atlanta Estate Yields $8 Million (See Details Here), More to Come Today

Elton John auctioned off the contents of his Altanta estate yesterday and made $8 million.

You can see a report and exclusive photos here from FlowerPowerDaily. This is what’s called “downsizing” in mega celeb terms. (Sir Elton has homes in LA, London, and Cannes full of more fab stuff.)

Who wouldn’t want to be able to point to a car, a pinball machine, or watch and say it belonged to Elton John?

To say the Christie’s auction was a success is putting it mildly. A pair of tall silver leather platform boots, circa 1971, very “Bennie and the Jets” — sold for $70,000 — seven times the high estimate, and $94,500 with fees.

A Cartier “crash” model watch from 1991, sold for $220,000, above a $100,000 high estimate, or $227,200 with fees.

A conservatory grand piano, Yamaha Model C6F, circa 1992, highlighted in the house, went for $160,000, more than three times a high estimate; with fees, the stunning instrument garnered $201,600. 

The evening auction ended with the sale of John’s 1990 Bentley continental two-door convertible for $350,000 (10 times the high estimate), or $441,00 with fees, and the sale of a pinball machine, which fetched $55,000, or S$69,300 with fees. That last one I get– Elton’s cove of The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” is one of his biggest hits.

More auctions today at Christie’s and all week for the rest of Sir Elton’s collection.

Wendy Williams Tragedy: Family Says She has Dementia, Aphasia While Promoting Lifetime Documentary

Roger Friedman
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Wendy Williams Tragedy: Family Says She has Dementia, Aphasia While Promoting Lifetime Documentary

Wendy Williams is in bad shape. The former talk show host is the subject of a two night documentary on Lifetime in which she’s shown in the worst possible light.

Her family says she has dementia and aphasia, so they’ve produced a film in which she has no control. I think she’d have a heart attack if she knew what they were doing to her.

Why not embarrass her if money is to be made? Lifetime doesn’t care and neither do the family members. They’re actually doing publicity based off her illness. It’s rather disgusting.

Today the loving family issued the statement below. My question is, Who asked you? No one. A cash grab exploiting their mother or sister’s illness — yuck. There is no shame. Williams is not coming back from this. This isn’t the movie “Awakenings.”

Wendy Williams Family Statement:

On behalf of Wendy Williams Hunter, her care team is sharing this very personal update with her cherished fans, friends, and supporters to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.

As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health.

Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.

In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.

Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires.

The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances. Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.

There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need. 

Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.

Here are the Writers Guild Nominations, Which Are Totally Irrelevant This Year

Roger Friedman
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Here are the Writers Guild Nominations, Which Are Totally Irrelevant This Year

Remember the Writers Guild Awards? For some reason they happen on April 14th this year, three weeks after the Oscars.

So they’re totally irrelevant and have no bearing on the Oscars. Why? Who knows? Anyway, they consider “Barbie” original, not adapted, so it’s really confusing. But at least for the Oscars losers, there’s still a bonus round!

Anyway, my choices would be “The Holdovers” and “American Fiction,” but all these movies were terrific and the writing was excellent. “Succession” and “The Bear” will likely win the TV drama and comedy awards. They should. But the final couple of episodes of “The Crown” were excellent.

Lots of categories here, but Seth Meyers staff should win for Late Night. Hands down. Much more original and fun than other shows.

SCREENPLAY NOMINEES

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Air, Written by Alex Convery; Amazon MGM Studios

Barbie, Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach; Warner Bros. Pictures

The Holdovers, Written by David Hemingson; Focus Features

May December, Screenplay by Samy Burch, Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik; Netflix

Past Lives, Written by Celine Song; A24

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

American Fiction, Screenplay by Cord Jefferson, Based Upon the Novel Erasure by Percival Everett; Amazon MGM Studios

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., Screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig, Based on the Book by Judy Blume; Lionsgate

Killers of the Flower Moon, Screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, Based on the Book by David Grann; Apple Original Films

Nyad, Screenplay by Julia Cox, Based on the Book Find a Way by Diana Nyad; Netflix

Oppenheimer, Screenplay by Christopher Nolan, Based on the Book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin; Universal Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Bella!, Written by Jeff L. Lieberman; Re-Emerging Films

It Ain’t Over, Written by Sean Mullin; Sony Pictures Classics

The Pigeon Tunnel, Written by Errol Morris; Apple Original Films

Stamped from the Beginning, Written by David Teague, Based on the book Stamped From the Beginning by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi; Netflix

What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?, Written by John Scheinfeld; Abramorama

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA NOMINEES

DRAMA SERIES

The Crown, Written by Peter Morgan; Netflix

The Curse, Written by Carmen Christopher, Nathan Fielder, Alex Huggins, Carrie Kemper, Benny Safdie; Showtime

The Diplomat, Written by Eli Attie, Debora Cahn, Mia Chung, Anna Hagen, Amanda Johnson-Zetterstrom, Peter Noah; Netflix

The Last of Us, Written by Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross, Craig Mazin, Bo Shim; HBO | Max

Succession, Written by Will Arbery, Jesse Armstrong, Miriam Battye, Jon Brown, Jamie Carragher, Ted Cohen, Nate Elston, Francesca Gardiner, Callie Hersheway, Lucy Prebble, Georgia Pritchett, Tony Roche, Susan Soon He Stanton, Will Tracy; HBO | Max

COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary, Written by Quinta Brunson, Ava Coleman, Riley Dufurrena, Justin Halpern, Joya McCrory, Morgan Murphy, Brittani Nichols, Kate Peterman, Brian Rubenstein, Patrick Schumacker, Justin Tan, Jordan Temple, Garrett Werner; ABC

Barry, Written by Emma Barrie, Alec Berg, Duffy Boudreau, Bill Hader, Nicky Hirsch, Taofik Kolade, Liz Sarnoff; HBO | Max

The Bear, Written by Karen Joseph Adcock, Joanna Calo, Kelly Galuska, Rene Gube, Sofya Levitsky-Weitz, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Alex Russell, Catherine Schetina, Christopher Storer; FX Networks

Jury Duty, Written by Tanner Bean, Lee Eisenberg, Marcos Gonzalez, Cody Heller, Mekki Leeper, Katrina Mathewson, Kerry O’Neill, Ese Shaw, Gene Stupnitsky, Andrew Weinberg, Evan Williams; Amazon Freevee

Only Murders in the Building, Written by Matteo Borghese, Madeleine George, Sas E. Goldberg, Joshua Allen Griffith, John Hoffman, Elaine Ko, Noah Levine, Tess Morris, J.J. Philbin, Ben Philippe, Jake Schnesel, Ben Smith, Siena Streiber, Pete Swanson, Rob Turbovsky; Hulu

NEW SERIES

The Diplomat, Written by Eli Attie, Debora Cahn, Mia Chung, Anna Hagen, Amanda Johnson-Zetterstrom, Peter Noah; Netflix

Jury Duty, Written by Tanner Bean, Lee Eisenberg, Marcos Gonzalez, Cody Heller, Mekki Leeper, Katrina Mathewson, Kerry O’Neill, Ese Shaw, Gene Stupnitsky, Andrew Weinberg, Evan Williams; Amazon Freevee

The Last of Us, Written by Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross, Craig Mazin, Bo Shim; HBO | Max

Poker Face, Written by Christine Boylan, Wyatt Cain, Chris Downey, CS Fischer, Rian Johnson, Alice Ju, Joe Lawson, Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Peppers, Lilla Zuckerman, Nora Zuckerman; Peacock

Shrinking, Written by Wally Baram, Rachna Fruchbom, Brian Gallivan, Neil Goldman, Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, Annie Mebane, Bill Posley, Jason Segel, Sofia Selig; Apple TV+

LIMITED SERIES

A Murder at the End of the World, Written by Zal Batmanglij, Cherie Dimaline, Brit Marling, Melanie Marnich, Rebecca Roanhorse; FX Networks

Beef, Written by Joanna Calo, Bathsheba Doran, Jean Kyoung Frazier, Niko Gutierrez-Kovner, Lee Sung Jin, Alice Ju, Carrie Kemper, Mike Makowsky, Marie Hanhnhon Nguyen, Kevin Rosen, Alex Russell; Netflix

Daisy Jones & The Six, Written by Susan Coyne, Jihan Crowther, Harris Danow, Charmaine DeGraté, Will Graham, Nora Kirkpatrick, Jenny Klein, Liz Koe, Judalina Neira, Scott Neustadter, Stacy Traub, Michael H. Weber; Prime Video

Fargo, Written by Thomas Bezucha, Bob DeLaurentis, Noah Hawley, April Shih; FX Networks

Lessons in Chemistry, Written by Victoria Bata, Lee Eisenberg, Hannah Fidell, Emily Jane Fox, Susannah Grant, Rosa Handelman, Elissa Karasik, Boo Killebrew, Mfoniso Udofia; Apple TV+

TV & NEW MEDIA MOTION PICTURES

Finestkind, Written by Brian Helgeland; Paramount +

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, Written by Andy Breckman; Peacock

No One Will Save You, Written by Brian Duffield; Hulu

Quiz Lady, Written by Jen D’Angelo; Hulu

Totally Killer, Screenplay by David Matalon & Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo, Story by David Matalon & Sasha Perl-Raver; Prime Video

ANIMATION

“A Mid-Childhood Night’s Dream” (The Simpsons), Written by Carolyn Omine; Fox

“Carl Carlson Rides Again” (The Simpsons), Written by Loni Steele Sosthand; Fox

“Homer’s Adventure Through the Windshield Glass” (The Simpsons), Written by Tim Long; Fox

“I Know What You Did Next Xmas” (Futurama), Written by Ariel Ladensohn; Hulu

“Thirst Trap: A Corporate Love Story” (The Simpsons), Written by Rob LaZebnik; Fox

EPISODIC DRAMA

“Crown Jewels” (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story), Written by Shonda Rhimes; Netflix

“Kill List” (Succession), Written by Jon Brown & Ted Cohen; HBO | Max

“The Last Generation” (Star Trek: Picard), Written by Terry Matalas; Paramount +

“Living+” (Succession), Written by Georgia Pritchett & Will Arbery; HBO | Max

“Our Black Shining Prince” (Godfather of Harlem), Written by Chris Brancato & Michael Panes; MGM+

“Sleep, Dearie Sleep” (The Crown), Written by Peter Morgan; Netflix

EPISODIC COMEDY

“Escape From Shit Mountain” (Poker Face), Written by Nora Zuckerman & Lilla Zuckerman; Peacock

“Fishes” (The Bear), Written by Joanna Calo & Christopher Storer; FX Networks

“Forks” (The Bear), Written by Alex Russell; FX Networks

“House Made of Bongs” (Reservation Dogs), Written by Tommy Pico and Sterlin Harjo; FX Networks

“Ice” (The Great), Written by Tony McNamara; Hulu

“Pride Parade” (What We Do in the Shadows), Written by Jake Bender & Zach Dunn; FX Networks

COMEDY/VARIETY TALK SERIES

The Daily Show, Head Writer Dan Amira Senior Writers Daniel Radosh, Lauren Sarver Means Writers David Angelo, Nicole Conlan, Devin Delliquanti, Anthony DeVito, Zach DiLanzo, Jennifer Flanz, Jason Gilbert, Dina Hashem, Scott Hercman, Josh Johnson, David Kibuuka, Matt Koff, Lenny Marcus, Joseph Opio, Randall Otis, Zhubin Parang, Kat Radley, Lanee’ Sanders, Scott Sherman, Ashton Womack, Sophie Zucker; Comedy Central

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Sketches by Rory Albanese Head Writers Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker Writers Jamie Abrahams, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Bryan Cook, Blaire Erskine, Devin Field, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Eric Immerman, Jesse Joyce, Jimmy Kimmel, Greg Martin, Jesse McLaren, Keaton Patti, Troy Walker, Louis Virtel; ABC

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Senior Writers Daniel O’Brien, Owen Parsons, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Seena Vali Writers Johnathan Appel, Ali Barthwell, Tim Carvell, Liz Hynes, Ryan Ken, Mark Kramer, Sofia Manfredi, John Oliver, Taylor Kay Phillips, Chrissy Shackelford; HBO | Max

Late Night with Seth Meyers, Head Writer Alex Baze Writing Supervised By Seth Reiss, Mike Scollins Closer Look Writing Supervised By Sal Gentile Writers Jermaine Affonso, Karen Chee, Bryan Donaldson, Matt Goldich, Dina Gusovsky, Jenny Hagel, Allison Hord, Mike Karnell, John Lutz, Seth Meyers, Ian Morgan, Amber Ruffin, Mike Shoemaker, Ben Warheit, Jeff Wright; NBC Universal Television

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Head Writers Ariel Dumas, Jay Katsir Writers Delmonte Bent, Michael Brumm, Aaron Cohen, Stephen T. Colbert, Paul Dinello, Glenn Eichler, Gabe Gronli, Barry Julien, Michael Cruz Kayne, Eliana Kwartler, Matt Lapin, Caroline Lazar, Pratima Mani, Carlos Felipe Torres Medina, Opus Moreschi, Carley Moseley, Asher Perlman, Michael Pielocik, Tom Purcell, Kate Sidley, Brian Stack, John Thibodeaux, Steve Waltien; CBS Studios

The Problem with Jon Stewart, Head Writer Kris Acimovic Writers Henrik Blix, Rob Christensen, Jay Jurden, Alexa Loftus, Tocarra Mallard, Maria Randazzo, Robby Slowick, Jon Stewart, Kasaun Wilson; Apple TV+

COMEDY/VARIETY SKETCH SERIES

History of the World, Part II, Writers Ike Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda Sykes; Hulu

How To with John Wilson, Written by John Wilson, Michael Koman, Allie Viti; HBO | Max

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Writers Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin, John Solomon, Gary Richardson, Reggie Henke, Brendan Jennings, Patti Harrison; Netflix

Saturday Night Live, Head Writers Kent Sublette, Alison Gates, Streeter Seidell Writers Rosebud Baker, Dan Bulla, Megan Callahan-Shah, Michael Che, Mike DiCenzo, Alex English, Jimmy Fowlie, Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, Steve Higgins, Vannessa Jackson, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Steve Koren, Ben Marshall, Dennis McNicholas, Lorne Michaels, Jake Nordwind, Ceara O’Sullivan, Josh Patten, Gary Richardson, Pete Schultz, KC Shornima, Ben Silva, Will Stephen, Bryan Tucker, Asha Ward, Auguste White, Celeste Yim; NBC

COMEDY/VARIETY SPECIALS

Adam Sandler: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Written by Jon Macks, Rita Brent, Jeff Stilson, Meggie McFadden; CNN

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, Written by Jon Macks, Carol Leifer; NBC

Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark, Written by Marc Maron; HBO | Max

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love, Written by Sarah Silverman; HBO | Max

QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Baking It, Writers Chad Carter, Neil Casey, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino, Nicolle Yaron; Peacock

The Chase, Head Writer David Levinson Wilk Writers Erik Agard, Kyle Beakley, Micki Boden, Megan Broussard, Jonathan Daly, Brian Greene, Robert King, Jason Lundell, Sierra Mannie, Amy Ozols, Bobby Patton, Ellen Teitel, Ari Yolkut; ABC

Jeopardy!, Writers Marcus Brown, Michael Davies, John Duarte, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Billy Wisse; ABC

Weakest Link, Head Writer Ann Slichter Writers Chip Dornell, Ryan Hopak, Walter Kelly, Stuart Krasnow, Jon Macks, Meggie McFadden, Rylee Newton, Ryan O’Dowd, Scott Saltzburg, Doug Shaffer, Aaron Solomon, Grant Taylor, Mia Taylor; NBC

DAYTIME DRAMA

Days of Our Lives, Head Writer Ron Carlivati Creative Consultant Ryan Quan Writers Sonja Alar, Jazmen Darnell Brown, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Cheryl Davis, Kirk Doering, Christopher Dunn, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Henry Newman, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock; Peacock

General Hospital, Head Writers Dan O’Connor, Chris Van Etten Writers Ashley Cook, Emily Culliton, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Shannon Peace, Stacey Pulwer, Dave Rupel, Lisa Seidman, Scott Sickles; ABC

CHILDREN’S EPISODIC, LONG FORM AND SPECIALS

“The Ballad of the Last Men” (Sweet Tooth), Written by Jim Mickle & Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt; Netflix

“I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher” (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), Written by Rick Riordan & Jonathan E. Steinberg; Disney+

“Romance Dawn” (One Piece), Written by Matt Owens & Steven Maeda; Netflix

“Say Cheese and Die!” (Goosebumps), Written by Rob Letterman & Nicholas Stoller; Disney+

“What Guy Are You” (American Born Chinese), Written by Kelvin Yu & Charles Yu; Disney+

SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA

Carpool Karaoke, Written by Casey Stewart, David Young; Apple TV+

Command Z, Written by Kurt Andersen, Larry Doyle, Emily Flake, Akilah Hughes, Jiehae Park, Chloe Radcliffe, Nell Scovell, Roy Wood, Jr.; commandzseries.com

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT

“The Busing Battleground” (American Experience), Written by Sharon Grimberg; PBS

“Clarence and Ginni Thomas: Politics, Power and the Supreme Court” (Frontline), Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS

“Episode One: Blood Memory” (The American Buffalo), Written by Dayton Duncan; PBS

NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT

“Black History Month – Hall Of Fame Hero” (CBS News New York), Written by Joe McLaughlin; WCBS-TV

“Deadly Tornadoes Unleash Terror Across the Central U.S.” (CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell), Written by James Hutton, Rob Rivielle; CBS News

“Surprise Attack!” (CBS Weekend News), Written by J. Craig Wilson, Ambrose Raferty; CBS News

NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY

“Convoy of Life” (60 Minutes), Written by Scott Pelley, Kristin Steve, Nicole Young; CBS News

“Healing and Hope” (60 Minutes), Written by Scott Pelley, Nicole Young, Kristin Steve; CBS News

“Hide and Seek” (60 Minutes), Written by Sharyn Alfonsi, Oriana Zill de Granados; CBS News

“Put To The Test” (CBS Sunday Morning), Written by Richard Buddenhagen, Lesley Stahl; CBS News

“Targeting Seniors” (60 Minutes), Written by Sharyn Alfonsi, Emily Gordon, Oriana Zill de Granados; CBS News

DIGITAL NEWS

“How Paris Kicked Out the Cars,” Written by Henry Grabar; Slate

“The Persuaders: A 5-Part Investigation into the Union-Busting Industry,” Written by Dave Jamieson; HuffPost

“The Rise of ‘Gas Station Heroin,’” Written by Manisha Krishnan; Vice News

“Want to Stare Into the Republican Soul in 2023?,” Written by Alexander Sammon; Slate

“The Woman on the Line,” Written by Aymann Ismail and Mary Harris; Slate

RADIO/AUDIO NOMINEES

RADIO/AUDIO DOCUMENTARY

“America’s Blackest Child” (Slow Burn: Becoming Justice Thomas), Written by Joel Anderson; Slate

“The Black Box: Even AI’s creators don’t understand it” (Unexplainable), Written by Noam Hassenfeld; Vox

“The Call” (This American Life), Written by Mary Harris; Slate

“Emmery” (Party Crews: The Untold Story), Written by Janice Llamoca; Vice

“Expecting: Pregnancy Souvenirs” (Unexplainable), Written by Byrd Pinkerton; Vox

RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT

“The Ballad of Tucker Carlson” (What Next), Written by Paige Osburn and Mary Harris; Slate

“World News This Week – Week of March 17, 2023,” Written by Joy Piazza; ABC News Radio

“World News Roundup Late Edition – October 9, 2023,” Written by Spencer Raine; CBS News

RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY

“The Diagnosis Was Fatal. She Couldn’t Get an Abortion” (What Next), Written by Madeline Ducharme and Mary Harris; Slate

“Lacrosse – Spirit of the Land” (ABC News Radio), Written by Robert Hawley; ABC News

“Stephen King Is Just as Confused About Blue Checks as You Are” (What Next: TBD), Written by Lizzie O’Leary and Evan Campbell; Slate

PROMOTIONAL WRITING NOMINEES

ON AIR PROMOTION

“Cross Walk, Cyber Bullying, VR Meditation” (KCAL News), Written by Adam Thiele; CBS News

“Strange New Promos” Written by Molly Neylan; CBS / Paramount+

“WCBS AM Promos” Written by Bill Tynan; WCBS Newsradio 880

HBO’s Very Good Sunday Night: “True Detective,” Larry David Bounce Back from Super Bowl Drubbing

Roger Friedman
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HBO’s Very Good Sunday Night: “True Detective,” Larry David Bounce Back from Super Bowl Drubbing

HBO had a much better Sunday night after being drubbed by the Super Bowl.

“True Detective” season 4 finished with 980,000 viewers on the linear channel. HBO says that two million more came through other portals. But who knows?

The finale itself has come under criticism for having such a non event conclusion. Jodie Foster let the killers get away with it, and then there was some mystical stuff.

But that 980,000 was 250K higher than the week before the Super Bowl. It also suggests that when they show it again, more people may pay attention. The show will get Emmy nods galore, too.

At 10pm, Larry David and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” bounced back from the Super Bowl outing. The show is back to around 400,000 viewers linear, which I guess will be its average. The episode was 100 times better than than the first two set in Atlanta. It seemed more like “Curb” again although it was very raunchy.

I have no idea why Cheryl is still on the show. Who hangs out with their ex husband in social settings, mocking him? It’s bizarre. But if this is the final season, I guess everyone gets something. Let’s hope a brilliant plotline pops up soon to take us to the end. Sienna Miller — she was like a ray of sunlight. I loved it when she said, “Beshert.” (That’s Yiddish for meant-to-be.)

Vanity Fair Could Only Find 4 Oscar Nominees for Its Hollywood Cover, And No One from “Oppenheimer” or “Barbie”!

Roger Friedman
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Vanity Fair Could Only Find 4 Oscar Nominees for Its Hollywood Cover, And No One from “Oppenheimer” or “Barbie”!

Hmmm…

For its annual Hollywood issue, Vanity Fair had trouble again getting Oscar nominees.

For the cover, only four turned up: Bradley Cooper, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Colman Domingo, and Lily Gladstone.

None of the other participants are in the Oscar game at all this year.

Cooper looks like he’s thinking, “Who are these people?” He’s the only actual movie star. The rest are fine actors, but still…

I guess Natalie Portman counts as a past winner, for “Black Swan.”

The front panel includes Pedro Pascal, who is really a TV star from “The Last of Us.” But that’s considered Hollywood, too. And Jenna Ortega — she’s really from “Wednesday,” the TV show, isn’t she?

The magazine couldn’t get anyone from “Oppenheimer” — no Robert Downey Jr, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt. Also, no Paul Giamatti?

Vanity Fair is gearing up for its Oscar part in West Hollywood, but former Conde Nast employees — recently laid off in droves — may not be thrilled to hear about all the money that could have fone to them being spent on a massive tent city and In and Out Burgers by the yard.

One insider told me: “This might be the last year for the party.” But I wouldn’t count on it. The Party is better known than magazine at this point!

Review: Tony Award Winning Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday Wows Legendary Cafe Carlyle in Debut with R&B Infused Great American Songs

Roger Friedman
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Review: Tony Award Winning Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday Wows Legendary Cafe Carlyle in Debut with R&B Infused Great American Songs

And I’m telling you: Jennifer Holliday is not going anywhere.

The Tony winning star of the original “Dreamgirls” hit legendary Cafe Carlyle last night with thunder and lightning.

Holliday has never done the famous Cafe before and rarely has done cabaret or jazz. But her preparation was acute and immaculate. She’s tackling the Great American Songbook through R&B and recalling the best of Ella, Sarah, and Dinah Washington.

Holliday has had a long up and down career, she’s the first to admit. She was only around 20 when “Dreamgirls” made her an international star, and that song — “And I’m Telling You” — became a good news- bad news deal. The song was such an emotional hit for women that Holliday says in her show, they were coming up to her in Target declaring it saved their marriages.

“Good for them!” Holliday says. “I had two and it didn’t do anything for me!”

She saves “And I’m Telling You” for the end. But it’s everything that comes before it that should draw crowds. She’s gone headlong into Harold Arlen, the Gershwins, Nina Simone, and even Barbra Streisand, giving new life to “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” with ferocity and soul that makes a warhorse sound new.

Funny thing about Streisand: on stage Holliday recalls their odd connection. In 1984, Streisand asked her to sing the Oscar nominated “The Way He Makes Me Feel” from “Yentl.” “Barbra was on strike that year because she wasn’t nominated for Best Director,” Jennifer recalls. “So she asked me to do it.”

Holliday, then considerably heavier, brought down the house.

She brought it down against last night with numbers like “Come Rain or Come Shine,” which startled the Carlyle crowd with an infusion of gritty crescendo’s that probably shook the fancy hotel rooms above us. I loved how she researched the songs, pulling together a combination of lyrics for Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here” and revealing the backstory for Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Skylark” — Mercer was having an affair with 19 year old Judy Garland when he wrote it for her.

Holliday says the night is about love, love, love, and she’s right. She might be in love now, and joked that she’s “not a cougar” and has an “age limit,” but is definitely dating younger guys. Good for her! They’re more likely to keep with her youthful outlook, appearance, and soaring voice.

As per often at Cafe Carlyle, the band comes in ad hoc and puts the whole thing together like the 24 Hour Plays. Holliday lucked out, as this group last night seemed like they’d been working together for years. Bobby Short himself would have been impressed. Their counterpoint to Holliday’s full throttle soul woke the old songs up. In that room, with so much history, they came alive.

Run– don’t walk– and catch Jennifer Holliday in this run. And let’s hope she comes back soon!

PS After this run, Jennifer Holliday had better be singing at every big New York charity event this summer and fall.

photo courtesy of David Andrako

Broadway: A New Generation Arrives as Annette Bening and Warren Beatty’s Daughter Ella Makes Broadway Debut in “Appropriate”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: A New Generation Arrives as Annette Bening and Warren Beatty’s Daughter Ella Makes Broadway Debut in “Appropriate”

Guess who’s coming to Broadway?

Ella Beatty is one of the four children of actors Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.

Beatty is joining the play “Appropriate” when it makes its transfer from the Helen Hayes Theater to the Belasco on March 25th. You know, her parents made their debuts in theater before becoming huge movie stars. A new generation has arrived!

Beatty is coming in to replace Elle Fanning, who made her Broadway debut in the show last December.

“Appropriate” stars Sarah Paulson, Corey Stoll, Michael Esper, Natalie Gold, Graham Campbell, Alyssa Emily Marvin, Lincoln Cohen, Everett Sobers.

Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Lila Neugebauer, “Appropriate” has struck a nerve as a domestic family soap opera. Beatty will play the pivotal role of the young woman who arrives as Michael Esper’s girlfriend but turns out to be much, much more.

Ella is about the same age as Annette Bening when she first appeared on Broadway in “Coastal Disturbances.” And you can see how that worked out! Pretty, pretty, pretty good, as Larry Davis would say!

SAG Awards: Barbra Streisand Getting Lifetime Award from Jennifer Aniston, Idris Elba Opening Saturday Night Show

Roger Friedman
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SAG Awards: Barbra Streisand Getting Lifetime Award from Jennifer Aniston, Idris Elba Opening Saturday Night Show

The SAG Awards are coming on Saturday night on Netflix LIVE at 8pm.

Barbara Streisand is getting the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Jennifer Aniston. (Don’t know what the connection is.)

Idris Elba is opening the show.

Streisand is having a victory lap year. She’s had a hit bestselling autobiography both in print and on Audible. Her career is forever.

Additional show presenters Erika Alexander (American Fiction), Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer), Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction), Michael Cera (Barbie), Jessica Chastain (Mothers’ Instinct), Colman Domingo (Rustin, The Color Purple), Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer), Fran Drescher (SAG-AFTRA President), Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso), Billie Eilish (Swarm), America Ferrera (Barbie), Brendan Fraser (Killers of the Flower Moon), Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Greta Lee (The Morning Show), Melissa McCarthy (Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story), Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer), Glen Powell (Hit Man), Issa Rae (American Fiction, Barbie), Storm Reid (The Last of Us), Margot Robbie (Barbie), Tracee Ellis Ross (American Fiction), Alexander Skarsgård (Succession), Omar Sy (Lupin), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans), Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) and more to be announced.

Seems like a lot of good reasons to tune in. Not to mention the stakes for all the nominees, as the SAG Awards are a steady indicator of the Oscars.

“Today Show” Appearance Sends Hillary Scott’s 8 Year Old Song, Album to Top of Charts Overnight (Watch)

Roger Friedman
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“Today Show” Appearance Sends Hillary Scott’s 8 Year Old Song, Album to Top of Charts Overnight (Watch)

Talk about a curve ball on the pop charts!

Yesterday morning, Hillary Scott — of Lady A (formerly Lady Antebellum) appeared and sang on the Today show.

Scott sang an 8 year old song called “Beautiful Messes,” at the request of host Savannah Guthrie. Turns out the two have become fast friends. In the video below, Hoda Kotb explains that she asked Savannah to get Scott on the show. “Beautiful Messes” they say is Savannah’s favorite song.

The result? The 2016 single and album of the same name have rocketed to the top of iTunes. Who says the Today show doesn’t have power? Scott has knocked off JLo’s new album and upended the charts in a day! All bets are now off. And now everyone will want to play their song on the 60 year old morning program.

“NCIS” Scores Over 7.2 Mil Viewers with David McCallum Farewell and DiNozzo Surprise Cameo Suggesting More

Roger Friedman
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“NCIS” Scores Over 7.2 Mil Viewers with David McCallum Farewell and DiNozzo Surprise Cameo Suggesting More

It’s been a year since “NCIS” — now in its 21st season — scored 7 million viewers.

But last night was the second 7 mil week of this abbreviated season. This was all in anticipation of the farewell episode for the late David McCallum, aka Ducky.

Last night’s 7.25 mil total viewers was actually down a squidge from last week, although delayed viewing could increase the number.

The big surprise at the end was a cameo from Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo. Weatherly was written out many seasons ago so he could have his series, “Bull.” But last night’s appearance suggests Di Nozzo may be back again. Even if it were a short arc, his return would spark ratings.

“NCIS” is the show that keeps on giving. Who’d have thought it would make season 21, and without Mark Harmon? Life is full of surprises.

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