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Golden Globes: The Days of Lavish Studio Parties After the Show Are Over, Replaced by One Soiree

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One thing about the Golden Globes: even if the show was bad or boring, the after parties in the Beverly Hilton were spectacular.

First stop was right downstairs at the pool, where HBO threw a lavish spread that started in Cafe 55, the hotel restaurant, and spilled out onto the enormous plaza. That’s where I found Ricky Gervais, a couple of times after he hosted the show and caused merry mayhem. It’s also where all the HBO stars from shows like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Hacks,” “Game of Thrones,” etc would be chowing down. There was nothing livelier or more fun.

This year: HBO has opted out. In its place. Billboard magazine — owned by Eldrige Industries and Todd Boehy, also the owner of the Globes and Dick Clark Productions — will throw the one big shindig of the night.

This means no Warner Bros/In Style party in the big side ballroom of the hotel. It was always a crowd pleaser. One year, Prince played there. Over many years, Miramax, then the Weinstein Company, took over Trader Vic’s downstairs and on the opposite plaza from the HBO party. That’s obviously gone. Netflix took over the space, and then moved it to the lot across the drive way.. Not this year.

On upper floors of the hotel, the partying was just as good. Long lines used to form for the elevators to Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures soirees. They were packed with stars of their shows mingling and swingling. Again, they are just a memory. Also long gone are the 20th Century Fox parties. They were always a presence at the long ago demolished site of the Robinson’s department store.

Even more recently, there were also options of parties just down the way at the Hilton’s swanky new sister hotel, the very expensive Waldorf.

But now again, it’s just the Billboard party. There are a few things on the schedule around town, but quite small and mostly private. The days of wine and roses are over. The most fun was picking up a group of people you know and snaking around in a conga line from event to event. “Were you downstairs? Were you upstairs? Who was there?” And so on. Now we’ll watch from the East Coast, getting over some kind of snowstorm, glad to have the memories.

“Starsky and Hutch” Star David Soul Dead at 80 After “Valiant Battle,” Had a Top 40 Hit Also

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David Soul, co star of “Starsky and Hutch” in the 70s on TV, is dead at age 80.

His family says he had a “valiant battle” with cancer.

Soul was also a musician and a big hit in the 70s with the song “Don’t Give Up On Us.”

(More recently he was involved some contentious back and forths on social media that I didn’t agree with and thought were off the wall. But he may have been in pain and didn’t know what he was saying.)

“Starsky and Hutch” starred Soul and Paul Michael Glaser as two hip cops battling gangs and drug lords from their souped up Dodge Charger.

Soul’s wife His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that “David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.”

“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” she said in a statement. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards Going to Gladys Knight, Tammy Wynette, Laurie Anderson, Clark Sisters and NWA

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The Grammys have announced their Lifetime Achievement and Special Merit Awards.

The awards are handed out on February 3rd in a special ceremony at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, right before Clive Davis’s bash at the Beverly Hilton.

Laurie Anderson, the Clark Sisters, Gladys Knight, N.W.A, Donna Summer, and Tammy Wynette are the 2024 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees; Peter Asher, DJ Kool Herc and Joel Katz are the Trustees Award recipients; Tom Kobayashi and Tom Scott are the Technical GRAMMY Award honorees; and “Refugee,” written by K’naan, Steve McEwan, and Gerald Eaton (a.k.a. Jarvis Church), is being honored with the Best Song For Social Change Award.

All the ladies are totally deserving and have waited a long time. NWA was a cutting edge hip hop group of great influence to future generations. Members included Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube. I’m also very happy to see the names of Asher and Katz in the line up. Peter Asher was part of the 60s singing duo Peter and Gordon. But Peter was also the head of the Beatles’ Apple Records, found James Taylor and Badfinger, then managed and produced James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt with all their hit records of the 70s.

Joel Katz has been the lawyer for the Grammys for decades, and also represented half of the artists in the industry out of his Atlanta office. He is beloved by everyone he’s worked with and deserves the accolades for dealing with a lot of big personalities over the years.

Grammy weekend is shaping up pretty nicely, with Jon Bon Jovi receiving the Musicares Person of the Year Award on February 2nd, and then, of course the Big Show on Sunday, February 4th on CBS.

BAFTA Long Lists Sharpen Oscars Ideas, But Omit “Air,” “American Fiction,” “The Color Purple,” “Saltburn” from Best Film

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BAFTA– the British Academy — has released its long lists for all the different nominating categories in film.

The lists sharpen up our Oscars choices, but omit several titles from their Best Film consideration including “The Color Purple.” “American Fiction,” “Air,” and “Saltburn.” The latter tossed into Best British Film, with some acting noms.

BAFTA is a good part of Oscar indications as a lot of members of the American Academy live abroad these days.

The final nominations list are set to be announced on January 18th, with the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony taking place February 18th from London’s Royal Festival Hall. If only this grand group would make it possible to stream the awards in the States, or put them somewhere LIVE so we can follow along!

Best Film

“All of Us Strangers”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“Barbie”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Oppenheimer”
“Past Lives”
“Poor Things”
“The Zone of Interest”

Outstanding British Film

“All of Us Strangers”
“Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget”
“The Deepest Breath”
“The Great Escaper”
“How to Have Sex”
“Napoleon”
“The Old Oak”
“One Life”
“Poor Things”
“Rye Lane”
“Saltburn”
“Scrapper”
“Tetris”
“Wonka”
“The Zone of Interest”

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

“Blue Bag Life”
“Bobi Wine: The People’s President”
“Earth Mama”
“The End We Start From”
“How to Have Sex”
“If the Streets Were on Fire”
“Is There Anybody Out There?”
“Polite Society”
“Rye Lane”
“Scrapper”

Film Not in English Language

“20 Days in Mariupol”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“The Boy and the Heron”
“The Eight Mountains”
“Fallen Leaves”
“Past Lives”
“Society of the Snow”
“The Taste of Things”
“The Teachers’ Lounge”
“The Zone of Interest”

Documentary

“20 Days in Mariupol”
“American Symphony”
“Beyond Utopia”
“The Deepest Breath”
“High & Low – John Galliano”
“Little Richard: I Am Everything”
“Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story”
“The Pigeon Tunnel”
“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”
“Wham!”

Animated Film

“The Boy and the Heron”
“Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget”
“Elemental”
“Nimona”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”
“Wish”

Director

“Anatomy of a Fall”
“All of Us Strangers”
“American Fiction”
“Barbie”
“The Holdovers”
“How to Have Sex”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Oppenheimer”
“Past Lives”
“Poor Things”
“Priscilla”
“Rye Lane”
“Saltburn”
“Scrapper”
“The Zone of Interest”

Original Screenplay

“Air”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“Barbie”
“The Holdovers”
“How to Have Sex”
“Maestro”
“May December”
“Past Lives”
“Rye Lane”
“Saltburn”

Adapted Screenplay

“All of Us Strangers”
“American Fiction”
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
“Dumb Money”
“The Killer”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Wonka”
“The Zone of Interest”

Leading Actress

Annette Bening, “Nyad”
Carey Mulligan, “Maestro”
Emma Stone, “Poor Things”
Fantasia Barrino, “The Color Purple”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Margot Robbie, “Barbie”
Mia McKenna-Bruce, “How to Have Sex”
Sandra Hüller, “Anatomy of a Fall”
Vivian Oparah, “Rye Lane”

Leading Actor

Andrew Scott, “All of Us Strangers”
Barry Keoghan, “Saltburn”
Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”
Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
George MacKay, “Femme”
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”
Teo Yoo, “Past Lives”

Supporting Actress

America Ferrera, “Barbie”
Cara Jade Myers, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Claire Foy, “All of Us Strangers”
Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”
Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”
Jodie Foster, “Nyad”
Julianne Moore, “May December”
Rosamund Pike, “Saltburn”
Sandra Hüller, “The Zone of Interest”

Supporting Actor

Anthony Hopkins, “One Life”
Ben Whishaw, “Passages”
Dominic Sessa, “The Holdovers”
Jacob Elordi, “Saltburn”
Jamie Bell, “All of Us Strangers”
Mark Ruffalo, “Poor Things”
Paul Mescal, “All of Us Strangers”
Robert De Niro, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”
Ryan Gosling, “Barbie”

Casting

“All of Us Strangers”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“Barbie”
“The Holdovers”
“How to Have Sex”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Oppenheimer”
“Saltburn”
“Scrapper”

Cinematography

“Barbie”
“The Creator”
“Ferrari”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Saltburn”
“The Zone of Interest”

Costume Design

“Asteroid City”
“Barbie”
“Ferrari”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Saltburn”
“Wonka”

Editing

“All of Us Strangers”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“Barbie”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Saltburn”
“The Zone of Interest”

Make-Up and Hair

“Barbie”
“Ferrari”
“Golda”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Priscilla”
“Wonka”

Original Score

“American Fiction”
“Barbie”
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Saltburn”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Wonka”

Production Design

“Asteroid City”
“Barbie”
“Ferrari”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Wonka”
“The Zone of Interest”

Special Visual Effects

“Barbie”
“The Creator”
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Wonka”

Sound

“Barbie”
“Ferrari”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
“Napoleon”
“Oppenheimer”
“Poor Things”
“Wonka”
“The Zone of Interest”

British Short Animation

“Crab Day”
“Sweet Like Lemons”
“The Smeds and the Smoos”
“Visible Mending”
“Wild Summon”
“World to Roam”

British Short Film

“Essex Girls”
“Festival of Slaps”
“Finding Alaa”
“Gorka”
“Jellyfish and Lobster”
“Jill, Uncredited”
“Mighty Penguins”
“The One Note Man”
“Such a Lovely Day”
“Yellow”

Steve Burton Is Back on “General Hospital” After Refusing Vaccine and Getting Fired from ABC Soap by Disney

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That’s showbiz: Steve Burton is back on “General Hospital.”

Burton was fired in November 2021 from the ABC soap when Disney required all employees to be vaccinated for COVID. He refused, citing his right to be careless and stupid among his fellow castmates and crew. Burton went over to “Days of our Lives” for a year. Yesterday he announced he was leaving that show. (Another actor, Ingo Rademacher, was also fired after he claimed religious reasons for not getting the shot. He sued ABC and lost.)

Tonight, at the end of ABC’s 60th anniversary of “GH” show, Burton appeared in the closing segment. He’d better hope there isn’t another pandemic.

The 60th anniversary show followed the most insipid special in some time — the Golden Bachelor’s free ad supported wedding. I only watched the last half hour and it was like having nails driven through the palms of your hand.

From the “General Hospital” special the main takeaway — other than Burton’s return — was the alarming facelift on pop star Rick Springfield. He could barely speak, his mouth was so tight. Jesse’s Girl would be very shocked.

UPDATE “Saltburn” Retro Disco Hit “Murder on the Dance Floor” Goes Top 20 on iTunes, Number 1 Spotify Viral

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Sophie Ellis Bexter is turning into the Kate Bush of 2024.

The Brit disco singer has hit number 1 on Spotify’s viral US singles chart with “Murder on the Dance Floor.” The song is featured at the end of the movie “Saltburn,” when star Barry Keogh dances naked through a castle he’s inherited by killing all of the family that owned it.

“Murder on the Dance Floor” has also hit number 19 on iTunes singles chart, a fact that may convince radio programmers to start adding it to their top 40. The people have spoken!

The song was originally released in 2002 and was a modest hit in the US, and much bigger in the UK. Producers of this year’s Oscars show should consider getting Ellis-Bexter to come perform the number to some montage or clip package, and have Keoghan do a little dance in his tuxedo.

5 Big Reasons Meghan Markle Could Make a Surprise Appearance on Sunday’s Golden Globes, Starting with Oprah

Could Meghan Markle be headed to the Golden Globes?

If the Globes could pull off a Markle appearance, the probability of big ratings would be front and center.

There are a few reasons for the former British Duchess could show up on the CBS show.

Reason number 1: a “Suits” reunion with actors Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht. The two men are already advertised as presenters. Adding Markle would be the cherry on the sundae.

Number 2: Oprah. Markle and Prince Harry had their famous interview with her on CBS. Oprah is coming, and the reasons are weird. Maybe a Markle connection is the reason.

Number 3: Netflix. A “Suits” reunion would be great for the already booming ratings for the former USA Network law soap opera. It’s possible they could weight in on Markle joining the proceedings.

Number 4: An in-kind donation from one of these entities to Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation. Archewell needs the dough, and a donation could come from the Globes 501c3, CBS, or Netflix. This would be a motivating feature.

Number 5: The Globes and Markle share a publicist in the great Keleigh Morgan of Sunshine Sachs. The firm just returned to the Globes, and Morgan was Markle’s publicist until a couple of years ago.

Britney Spears Deactivates Instagram Account After Announcing Retirement from Music Industry

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Lots of craziness after the latest Britney Spears post on Instagram.

“Just so we’re clear most of the news is trash!!!” the singer wrote on Instagram.
“They keep saying I’m turning to random people to do a new album … I will never return to the music industry!!!”

The BBC and other outlets linked to this post. But now it’s gone, along with Britney’s account. She’s deactivated the whole thing. She’s done it before, and it came back. So who knows?

The pop tart still a Twitter account, but hasn’t posted there since before Christmas.

Her book. “The Woman in Me,” a bestseller for all of December, is on its way off the charts.

Could she make another album? Sure– why not? Get some good songs assembled, make Britney listen to a producer, have some guest stars and she’s good to go. A couple of salacious videos won’t hurt either!

Martin Sheen Endorses Joe Biden, “West Wing” Pal Bradley Whitford Says Actor Has Nothing to Do with RFK Jr

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Martin Sheen has nothing to do with Robert Kennedy Jr.

The famed actor supports Joe Biden for president. So says his “West Wing” pal Bradley Whitford who wrote on Twitter:

There’s a story going around saying that Martin Sheen is supporting @RobertKennedyJr for president. The story is incorrect. Martin asked us to post this on his behalf. “I wholeheartedly support President Joe Biden and the democratic ticket in 2024. Sincerely, Martin Sheen”

Sheen was advertised by a conservative book publisher as a participant in a birthday fundraiser and birthday party for Kennedy. Dionne Warwick was also, and she disavowed it yesterday. The event itself has disappeared.

Dionne Warwick Says She Most Certainly Will Not Be Performing at RFK Jr Fundraiser, Knows Nothing About It

UPDATE: Golden Globes Couldn’t Get Anyone for Lifetime Achievement Awards, So There Won’t Be Any

I guess someone has to tell Carol Burnett that no one will get the award named for her this year at the Golden Globes.

Maybe call them the Foldin’ Globes. But there will not be Lifetime Achievement Awards at Sunday’s ceremony. No Burnett for TV. No Cecil B. DeMille for movies.

Apparently, since they haven’t mentioned it, no more Mr. or Miss Golden Globes, the honor they used to bestow on the child of a movie star. I guess it would be called the Nepo Baby Award now.

Anyway, what a mess. They couldn’t convince anyone to receive an honor. It also looks like the names I published in the last piece, 17 people including Oprah Winfrey, will be the presenters. It’s not really an A list bunch but it is what it is.

See you Sunday night at 8pm on CBS, not Saturday night as their website still says. The countdown clock now reads 2 days, 4 hours, which would be Saturday, not Sunday.

PS Still unclear if all the nominees are showing up. Or the members of the former Hollywood Foreign Press now Golden Globes committee.

Golden Globes: Just Handful of Presenters Known, No Lifetime Honorees, CBS Countdown Clock on Website Says Show is on Saturday