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Shock: The Oscars Will Move to YouTube Beginning in 2029, Say Goodbye to Hollywood and Hello to New World of Streaming

Roger Friedman
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Shock: The Oscars Will Move to YouTube Beginning in 2029, Say Goodbye to Hollywood and Hello to New World of Streaming

It’s a shock but not a surprise.

The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube in 2029.

After decades of being broadcast on ABC, the Academy Awards have chosen what is surely a monumental amount of money over a legacy of broadcasting.

It says a lot that ABC-Disney wouldn’t top the bid from a streamer to keep the Oscars.

The YouTube deal says it will include free streamcasts of things like the Governors Ball after the Oscars, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

It’s a new world, kids.

Here’s the press release:

THE ACADEMY PARTNERS WITH YOUTUBE FOR EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL RIGHTS TO THE OSCARS® AND OTHER ACADEMY CONTENT STARTING IN 2029
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and YouTube signed a multi-year deal that will give YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars®, beginning in 2029 with the 101st Oscars ceremony and running through 2033. 

The Oscars, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball access, and more, will be available live and for free to over 2 billion viewers around the world on YouTube, and to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. YouTube will help make the Oscars accessible to the Academy’s growing global audience through features such as closed captioning and audio tracks available in multiple languages.

The partnership also will include worldwide access for film fans to other Academy events and programs exclusively on the Oscars YouTube channel. This will include the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominations Announcement, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programs, podcasts, and more.

In addition, through this holistic partnership, the Google Arts & Culture initiative will help provide digital access to select Academy Museum exhibitions and programs and help to digitize components of the Academy Collection—the largest film-related collection in the world, with more than 52 million items. It will be a true hub for film fans and will be accessible from around the world.

“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community. This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.” 

“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO, YouTube. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”

The Academy’s domestic partnership for the Oscars will continue with Disney ABC through the 100th Oscars in 2028, as will the international partnership for the Oscars with Disney’s Buena Vista International. 
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Timothee Chalamet: Marty Supreme or Casper the Ghost? Hot Young Star Skips NY and LA Opening Night Parties for Great Movie

Roger Friedman
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Timothee Chalamet: Marty Supreme or Casper the Ghost? Hot Young Star Skips NY and LA Opening Night Parties for Great Movie

Is Timothee Chalamet Marty Supreme, or Casper the Ghost?

He skipped last night’s intimate, elegant after party for the NY p
premiere of his highly praised new movie, “Marty Supreme.”

Last week, he did the same thing in Los Angeles. In each case, Chalamet took pictures on the red carpet but did no interviews with the waiting press line.

Last night, studio A24 gave Chalamet a massive, five theater premiere at the Regal Theater on West 42nd St. They used five screens in the complex, with one for VIPS and the rest for fans.

Chalamet — wearing his signature orange suit — participated in the introduction of the cast, which took less than five minutes, then disappeared. He was seen for a nanosecond stepping onto an elevator at the end of the film, then backed out when he saw people on the lift.

The rest of the VIP audience headed downtown to the very classy National Arts Club on Gramercy Park. They included some of the cast (like Penn Jillette, Odessa A’zion, Larry “Ratso” Sloman, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard), director Josh Safdie, and stars like Oscar winner Sissy Spacek, her husband Jack Fisk (the film’s three time Oscar nominee for production design), their daughter actress Schuyler Fisk, plus the great wire walker Phillippe Petit, Richard Kind, director Jake Paltrow (but no sister Gwyneth), actors Dylan O’Brien and Cooper Hoffman, director Benny Safdie, and MS NOW’s Ari Melber.

The Sharks from “Shark Tank” including Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and Robert Herjavec came to support their colleague, Kevin O’Leary, who plays a convincing villain in Safdie’s brilliant film.

I’m not kidding about ‘brilliant.’ “Marty Supreme” is the “Rocky” of ping pong movies. But it’s also a fresh take on great movies of the 1950s from Elia Kazan with hints of “Bonnie & Clyde,” and the New York grittiness of Sidney Lumet. Safdie has pulled off a miracle here that, regardless of Chalamet’s orange merchandise and son, will be a film for the ages.

So what is this movie about? It’s the real story, embroidered, of Marty Reisman, a fast talking table tennis champion circa 1959, who pulled himself out of NY’s lower east side to become an international sensation. He runs a marathon for two and a half hours bursting with self confidence to overcome one obstacle after another. Marty is exhausting and enthralling, heightening the chaos of everyone around him.

Several things this film to watch for besides the actors: Darius Khondji’s spare cinematography, exquisite casting by Jennifer Venditti (there’s a picture below of Ralph Colucci and Luke Manley who steal their scenes), the score from Daniel Lopatin, ans Safdie’s Olympic editing.

This was a second viewing on big, big movie screen for me last night. “Marty” is a heart pounding race to a finish line, but you can’t really imagine what it will be. Then you get to the end and Chalamet, with a quivering lips — regardless of his real life cockiness — brings the whole thing home as he celebrates new life and a perfect top 40 song of hope seals the deal.

Could The Rolling Stones Days on the Road Be Over? Reports of Cancelled European Tour Could Mean Residencies From Now On

Roger Friedman
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Could The Rolling Stones Days on the Road Be Over? Reports of Cancelled European Tour Could Mean Residencies From Now On

Is it possible?

The days of touring for the Rolling Stones may be over.

Reports are coming today that the Stones have shelved their 2026 UK and European tour because Keith Richards just can’t do it.

Hey — we need Keith kept in the best condition. If touring is too grueling, don’t do it!

We can go to the Stones anywhere they set down. They should take over Wembley or the O2 Arena make everyone come to them!

Kief is 81, Mick is 82, and frankly, their show is incredibly grueling and athletic. They don’t need to go from city to city. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

But the great rock stars have built their reputations on being on the road, hitting exotic places, and taking the world by storm.

At this point, Keith is an international treasure. If it’s arthritis, or any number of normal ailments, he’s wise to just do selective shows, make appearances, and release records. He could just sit in a chair and play that guitar!

Steven Spielberg Trailer for “Disclosure Day” Promises a Blockbuster with Aliens, Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and A Moose

Roger Friedman
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Steven Spielberg Trailer for “Disclosure Day” Promises a Blockbuster with Aliens, Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and A Moose

Steven Spielberg will make the movie year 2026 a blockbuster.

The first trailer for “Disclosure Day” is wild. Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Elizabeth Marvel, and a moose are all featured.

Aliens have always been here, and now they’re taking over. From within.

Colin Firth is also in the movie. So are Coleman Domingo and Eve Hewson (Bono’s daughter in real life).

David Koepp wrote the screenplay. The movie arrives in June. Prepare yourselves!

LOL Trump Chaos as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Throws Him Under the Bus in Interview, Then Grovels on Twitter

Roger Friedman
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LOL Trump Chaos as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Throws Him Under the Bus in Interview, Then Grovels on Twitter

Too much fun.

Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has thrown him under the bus and backed up over him.

Now she’s groveling for forgiveness.

In Vanity Fair, Wiles admits to everything that’s gone wrong in this presidency. She says Trump has the personality of an alcoholic — not that he drinks, but he’s addicted to power. She says he promised her only 90 days of retaliation against his enemies, but has been at it all year.

What fun!

In Part 1 of what will turn out to be her exit interview, Wiles says JD Vance has been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade.” Russell Vought, architect of the notorious Project 2025 and head of the Office of Management and Budget, is “a right-wing absolute zealot.” When I asked her what she thought of Musk reposting a tweet about public sector workers killing millions under Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, she replied: “I think that’s when he’s microdosing.” (VF adds she has no proof of that.)

Susie will have to use her Wiles to get out of this one. She says of Elon Musk: “He’s an avowed ketamine [user]. And he sleeps in a sleeping bag in the EOB [Executive Office Building] in the daytime. And he’s an odd, odd duck, as I think geniuses are. You know, it’s not helpful, but he is his own person.”

She writes on Twitter:

“The article published early this morning is a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history. Significant context was disregarded and much of what I, and others, said about the team and the President was left out of the story. I assume, after reading it, that this was done to paint an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative about the President and our team. The truth is the Trump White House has already accomplished more in eleven months than any other President has accomplished in eight years and that is due to the unmatched leadership and vision of President Trump, for whom I have been honored to work for the better part of a decade. None of this will stop our relentless pursuit of Making America Great Again!”

Susie, by the way, is the daughter of late great football player announcer Pat Summerall. She’s going to be sacked, no doubt, unless Trump is so scared of losing her he posts a typical social media calling Vanity Fair “over,” “finished,” etc.

Broadway Bets On Two Unknowns for Musical of Bette Midler’s “Beaches,” And the Music is by Legendary Composer Mike Stoller

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Bets On Two Unknowns for Musical of Bette Midler’s “Beaches,” And the Music is by Legendary Composer Mike Stoller

I don’t know how this will work.

“Beaches” was a hit movie in the 1980s, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. It was based on a paperback bestseller by Iris Rainier Dart. It was a weeper about female friendship and rivalry.

Now “Beaches” is coming to Broadway this spring. The leads are not box office stars. They are Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett. Will people come? Can it be any good? Broadway is desperate for new musicals this spring.

I’m excited because the music is by Mike Stoller, the legendary composer of thousands of hits with the late Jerry Leiber like “Stand By Me” and “On Broadway” and “Under the Boardwalk. They wrote the most successful jukebox musical of all time, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.”

Mike who will turn 93 when “Beaches” opens. Even if nothing else works, the music will be sensational. But Lonny Price is director, so that’s promising. I’m rooting for “Beaches” just to see Mike Stoller win a Tony Award!

Here’s the trailer from the out of town run:

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” Opens to Just 68% with Critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Even Less on Metacritic: Does it Matter?

Roger Friedman
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“Avatar: Fire and Ash” Opens to Just 68% with Critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Even Less on Metacritic: Does it Matter?

“Avatar” is one of the great curiosities of the film world.

James Cameron’s original installment was breathtaking and new, and captured the imagination of millions of fans.

Now the third chapter, “Fire and Ash,” is upon us, and it seems, frankly, like old news.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics are rating it at 68% and it may drop lower. On Metacritic it’s 62%.

But do critics matter? There’s a solid loyal brand base that will rush to theaters on Thursday to see “Fire and Ash” even if it’s just like the first two movies.

Will Disney-Fox be blue? Unlikely. “Fire and Ash” will have a huge first weekend. It will also a blockbuster around the world.

Right now, sales are strong if not stupendous. But Cameron is smart. “Avatar” is a spectacle to behold, in 3D, 1D, or just sitting there and enjoying it. “Avatar” is a theatrical experience, and well worth 20 bucks during the holiday season.

PS The trailer has 31 million views on YouTube.

Get Sirius: Howard Stern Staying with Satellite Radio Giant for Three More Years, Will Make Between $450-$500 Million

Roger Friedman
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Get Sirius: Howard Stern Staying with Satellite Radio Giant for Three More Years, Will Make Between $450-$500 Million

Howard Stern is staying put.

After staging a whole summer of will he, won’t he, Stern has reupped with Sirius XM Radio for three more years.

Where was he going to go, anyway?

The price for Sirius to keep their main star is in the $500 million ballpark. It’s well worth it to them.

In the meantime, the satellite radio behemoth buys time to figure out a post- Stern world.

The new contract would bring Howard up to the age of 74. Would he continue beyond that? Sure. Seventy five is the new sixty five! Plus he might want to finish up after a Democratic president is elected.

All in all, it’s win win for everyone. Stern has become one of the premier interviewers in the biz after decades of pranks and skanks. Good for him. Good for us! “I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all. More free time and continuing to be on the radio. Yes, we are coming back for three years,” Howard said this morning. “Thanks to the good folks here at SiriusXM, who I told you, I really do adore,” Howard added. “I was able to create Robin, a more flexible schedule and so we’ll be back. I know you and I have talked about it privately Robin, even though you’re pretending you didn’t know the announcement. But I did check with my Robin to see that she was up for it as well because if Robin wasn’t up for it, then I wasn’t going to do it.” “I still do love being on the radio. I think the show is better than ever, I really do believe that in my heart,” said Howard Stern during his announcement.

“General Hospital” Actor Tony Geary Mourned by Co-Stars Kin Shriner, John Stamos, Genie Francis: “He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life”

Roger Friedman
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“General Hospital” Actor Tony Geary Mourned by Co-Stars Kin Shriner, John Stamos, Genie Francis: “He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life”

There’s a lot of sadness today in Hollywood, especially because of the murders of Rob and Michele Reiner.

But added to that is the sudden death of “General Hospital” star Tony Geary, who played Luke Spencer famously for about 40 years.

His co-star and scene partner, Genie Francis, who plays Laura still, wrote on Twitter:

“He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life. I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner. Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.”

Francis continued: “This morning I woke up and went into my husband’s arms. In my sleep, my life was flashing before me and I was afraid of death. An hour later, I received a call from Frank Valentini, he told me Tony died. I immediately felt remorse, I hadn’t spoken to him in years, but I felt his life end in my sleep last night, and with it a big part of me, and mine. He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny. He was the anti-hero, always so irreverent, but even the most conservative had to smile. Working with him was always exciting. You never knew what might happen.”

Co-star Kin Shriner, who played Luke’s rival Scotty Baldwin, echoed Francis’s sentiments.

“I too was hit with gh dream last night that I tried to explain until I got the call . Tony was saying goodbye to both of us.”

John Stamos got his start on “General Hospital.” He wrote:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former costar, Tony Geary. Coming on the heels of the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, whom I admired immensely — this feels like a heartbreaking moment for so many of us who grew up watching and learning from these giants of our craft. AP News I was only 19 years old on my first job, General Hospital, and Tony could not have been kinder or more welcoming. At that age, everything feels big. He made it feel safe. I was mesmerized by his acting. I would stay after my scenes were finished just to watch him work — not because I had to, but because I wanted to learn. Watching Tony was like watching someone rewrite the rules in real time. He changed the face of daytime television. And in very real ways, he changed my life. What always stood out to me was how real he was. He never fell into the traps or tricks that can happen when you’re doing the volume needed for an hour show every day. He attacked every character and every script with honesty, intelligence, and fearlessness. There was no autopilot with Tony — ever. He was truly one of a kind. When he showed up for me when I got a star on the Walk of Fame, it meant the world to me. That was Tony. He showed up — quietly and generously. I wrote about him in my book because he is part of my foundation as an actor. He will always be part of my work. The way he committed, the way he listened, the way he elevated everyone around him — I carry that with me still. Thank you, Tony, for your brilliance, your kindness, and for setting the bar so impossibly high. You really stood out. Rest easy, my friend.”

Sources Claim: Michele Reiner Was Still Alive When Daughter, Romy, Found Her, ID’d Her Attacker as Son, Nick (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Sources Claim: Michele Reiner Was Still Alive When Daughter, Romy, Found Her, ID’d Her Attacker as Son, Nick (Exclusive)

The Reiner case is terrible, and tragic, and unimaginable.

But little by little some pieces of the story are coming to light.

A source close to the family tells Showbiz411 that when Rob and Michele’s daughter, Romy, found her parents, her mother was still alive.

Rob, they say, was dead. But Michele, they say, was alive enough to tell Romy that it was her brother, Nick, who’d tried to kill them.

“He left us here for dead,” the source says Michelle told Romy.

That would explain why almost instantly it was reported that the stabbings were the work of a family member.

I asked the media spokesman at the LAPD, who said they would not comment on the case.

An anonymous comment on the internet, posted overnight, suggested that Michele Reiner died not in her house but on the way to the hospital. That she may have identified the attacker as her son is the saddest part of this horrible story.

Nick Reiner has been arrested for murder, held without bail, and is said to be on suicide watch.

There’s no word on a funeral, which will almost certainly be private, and take place in the next few days.

The picture used is recent, showing Nick much differently than the ones that circulated in 2016. He’s third from the right.

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