Saturday, December 20, 2025
Donate
Home Blog Page 409

Scandal at NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” as Executive Producer Investigated for Misconduct, Toxic Culture Exposed

Roger Friedman
-
0
Scandal at NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” as Executive Producer Investigated for Misconduct, Toxic Culture Exposed

Like sands through an hourglass, it’s taken a long time for the backstage scandals at NBC’s Days of our Lives to be exposed.

Yesterday, Deadline.com reported that Executive Producer Albert Alarr is being investigated for creating a toxic culture at the 59 year old soap opera, and for misconduct leading to constant overturning of the younger members of the cast.

“Albert has a habit of belittling people, especially people he wants to put down,” a source told Deadline. There were also allegations against Alarr of groping, and using the F word with actors in sex scenes.

“Days” has a whole front line of stars over 50 who’ve been with the show for decades. Later this summer they will give a final send off to actor John Aniston, whose character, Victor Kirakis, will get a funeral. Aniston died in real life last November at 89.

But there’s also a large number of younger cast members who come and go from the show erratically. A few months ago a raft of them were let go, or moved from regular status to recurring. Some of them, like Lindsay Arnold, who’d taken off like a rocket with the audience, simply said thanks, no and just exited.

Recently, 13 year veteran Camila Banus announced she was leaving. A Twitter account announced the show was casting for what seemed to be her replacement. The wording sounded like something for a porn film not a respectable TV show:

“Mid to late 30’s dark haired female, Latina preferred.

Actress should be willing to show off body in scenes. Professional actress only. Heavy dialog in first scenes.”

Some of the comings and goings at the soap could be attributed to budget or storylines, but so many is unusual. Corday Productions and Sony TV say they’ve been conducting a deep investigation into Alarr, but it’s been going on since March. It’s not like they’re new to these kinds of revelations. A similar situation existed at their CBS show, “The Young and the Restless,” last year, resulting in the dismissal of its EP, Anthony Morina, who responded by suing the company.

Keith Richards Wishes Mick Jagger a Happy 80th Birthday: “Give me a call, let me know what it’s like”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Keith Richards Wishes Mick Jagger a Happy 80th Birthday: “Give me a call, let me know what it’s like”

The best 80th birthday greeting Mick Jagger could get is from his bandmate and writing partner for 60 years, Keith Richards.

“Give me a call, let me know what it’s like!” smirks Keef, who himself will turn 80 this December. Age turns out not to be an issue for these legendary rockers. The Stones are releasing a new album this fall and will likely go on one more US tour to promote it. Maybe this time around they’ll agree to be the Musicares People of the Year, something they’ve avoided for years.

Anyway, Mick always said he couldn’t imagine being rock and roller when he was 40. Happy Birthday, Mick!

Tears for Spears: Britney’s Hoped for Hit New Single with will.i.am, “Mind Your Business,” Fails to Launch

Roger Friedman
-
0
Tears for Spears: Britney’s Hoped for Hit New Single with will.i.am, “Mind Your Business,” Fails to Launch

First, Madonna had this problem. She tried to kickstart her career with a duet featuring Sam Smith. Remember “Vulgar”? It sold around 30,000 copies, mostly streaming.

Now, Britney Spears faces a similar dilemma. Her new duet with will.i.am, called “Mind Your Business,” is a stiff.

Released last Thursday night, “Mind Your Business” is at number 45 on iTunes, and nowhere on the Apple streaming chart. On Spotify it’s’ had about 2.6 million streams. It’s also not on the Spotify Top 50 daily chart for streaming songs.

Britney had a novelty hit last year when Elton John welcomed her on to a remake of “Tiny Dancer.” But that had the advantage of being an existing song. “Mind Your Business” is the 4th time Britney and will.i.am have recorded together. But unlike his Black Eyed Peas songs with Fergie, this isn’t an actual song. It’s a dance track with Britney sometimes saying the word ‘bitch’. This worked for her a long time ago, but now it’s an outdated idea.

If Spears is going to make a new album, she has to get actual songs. She needs songwriters like Diane Warren or Max Martin. She needs a producer with a vision. Putting out one offs is not going to get her anywhere.

Told Ya: Venice Film Festival Will Feature New Work from Woody Allen, Roman Polanski Despite Controversies

Roger Friedman
-
0
Told Ya: Venice Film Festival Will Feature New Work from Woody Allen, Roman Polanski Despite Controversies

I told you 10 days ago — new movies from Woody Allen and Roman Polanski would be featured in the Venice Film Festival.

Allen’s wonderful “Coup de Chance,” and Polanski’s “The Palace,” will each run out of competition.

Polanski can’t go to Venice, obviously. Allen may not be up to the trip.

But guess what? The actors can go, they’re all foreign and don’t belong to any American unions! And in Venice, that will go a long way.

Venice Film Fest Rolls the Dice with Star Directors, No SAG AFTRA Actors Like Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Niecy Nash

Roger Friedman
-
0
Venice Film Fest Rolls the Dice with Star Directors, No SAG AFTRA Actors Like Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Niecy Nash

The Venice Film Festival will be light on American stars. But they’re hoping for international ones, not members of SAG AFTRA, and star directors to fill their spotlight. They lost their opening film, “Challengers,” from Italian Luca Guadagnini, with Zendaya and Josh O’Connor. They’ve got movies by Ava Duvernay, David Fincher, and Michael Mann. But no actors from those movies unless the strike is quickly resolved by the end of August.

The studios had better get their act together, pronto! Until then no Hugh Jackman, no Michael Fassbender, no Emma Stone! And no Niecy Nash!

“Lubo,” Giorgio Diritti (Italy)

“Origin,” Ava DuVernay (U.S.)

“The Killer,” David Fincher (U.S.)

“Memory,” Michel Franco (Mexico, U.S.)

“Io Capitano,” Matteo Garrone (Italy, Belgium)

“Evil Does Not Exist,” Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Japan)

“The Green Border,” Agnieszka Holland (Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium)

“The Theory of Everything,” Timm Kröger (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

“Poor Things,” Yorgos Lanthimos (U.K.)

“El Conde,” Pablo Larrain (Chile)

“Ferrari,” Michael Mann (U.S.)

“Adagio,” Stefano Sollima (Italy)

“Woman Of,” Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert (Poland, Sweden)

“Holly,” Fien Torch (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, France)

HORIZONS

“A Cielo Aperto,” Mariana Arriaga, Santiago Arriaga (Mexico, Spain)

“El Paraiso,” Enrico Maria Artale (Italy)

“Behind the Mountains,” Mohamed Ben Attia (Tunisia, Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

“The Red Suitcase,” Fidel Devkota (Nepal, Sri Lanka)

“Tatami,” Guy Native, Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Georgia, U.S.)

“Paradise is Burning,” Mika Gustavson (Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Finland)

“The Featherweight,” Robert Colony (U.S.)

“Invelle,” Simone Massi (Italy, Switzerland)

“Hesitation Wound,” Selman Nacar (Turkey, Spain, Romania, France)

“Heartless,” Nara Normande, Tião (Brazil, France, Italy)

“Una Sterminata Domenica,” Alain Parroni (Italy, Germany, Ireland)

“City of Wind,” Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir (France, Mongolia, Portugal, The Netherlands)

“Explanation for Everything,” Gábor Reisz (Hungary, Slovacchia)

“Gasoline Rainbow,” Bill Ross, Turner Ross (U.S.)

“En Attendant La Nuit,” Céline Rouzet (France, Belgium)

“Housekeeping for Beginners,” Goran Stolevski (North Macedonia, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo)

“Shadow of Fire,” Shinya Tsukamoto (Japan)

“Dormitory,” Nehir Tuna (Turkey, Germany, France)

HORIZONS EXTRA

“Bota Jonë,” Luàna Barjami (Kosovo, France)

“Forever Forever,” Anna Buryachkova (Ukraine, The Netherlands)

“The Rescue,” Daniela Goggi (Argentina, U.S.)

“Day of the Fight,” Jack Huston (U.S.)

“In the Land of Saints and Sinners,” Robert Lorenz (Ireland)

“Felicità,” Micaela Ramazzotti (Italy)

“Pet Shop Boys,” Olmo Schnabel (Italy, U.K. Mexico)

“Stolen,” Karan Tejpal (India)

“L’Homme D’Argille,” Anaïs Tellene (France)

OUT OF COMPETITION – SERIES

“D’argent et de sang” (Episodes 1-12), Xavier Giannoli, Fredéric Planchon (France, Belgium)

“I Know Your Soul” (Episodes 1-2), created by Jasmila Zbanic and Damir Ibrahimovic, directed by Alen Drjević and Nermin Hamzagic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

OUT OF COMPETITION – NON-FICTION

“Amor,” Virginia Eleuteri Serpieri (Italy, Lithuania)

“Frente A Guernica,” (Uncut Version) Yervant Gianikian, Angela Ricci Lucchi (Italy)

“Hollywoodgate,” Ibrahim Nash’at (Germany, U.S.)

“Ryuichi Sakamoto — Opus,” Neo Sora (Japan)

“Enzo Jannacci Vengo Anch’io,” Giorgio Verdelli (Italy)

“Menus Plaisirs,” Frederik Wiseman (France)

OUT OF COMPETITION — FICTION

“Society of the Snow,” J.A. Bayona (Spain, Uruguay, Chile) – Closing Film

“Coup de Chance,” Woody Allen (France, U.K.)

“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” Wes Anderson (U.S.)

“The Penitent,” Luca Barbareschi (Italy)

“L’Ordine Del Tempo,” Liliana Cavani (Italy)

“Vivants,” Alix Delaporte (France, Belgium)

“Welcome to Paradise,” Leonardo di Constanzo

“DAAAAAALI!,” Quentin Dupieux (France)

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” William Friedkin

“Making of,” Cédric Kahn (France)

“Aggro Dr1ft,” Harmony Korine (U.S.)

“Hit Man,” Richard Linklater (U.S.)

“The Palace,” Roman Polanski (Poland, France)

“Snow Leopard,” Pema Tseden (China)

“Barbie” Fever Cools Down as Feminist Fantasy Film Drops 40% on Monday, Only 2nd Best Selling Doll on Amazon

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Barbie” Fever Cools Down as Feminist Fantasy Film Drops 40% on Monday, Only 2nd Best Selling Doll on Amazon

The “Barbie” movie is a phenom, no doubt.

The droll doll film with feminist overtones is already in the pink after a $162 million weekend. It’s the 4th biggest opening weekend of all time.

On Monday, however, “Barbie” fever cooled a little as the box office dropped 40% from Sunday to just $26.1 million. It’s a big drop but it’s also the best ever Monday for Warner Bros. After “The Flash” debacle, there’s a sigh of relief in the air!

Nonetheless, “Barbie” will likely cross the $200 million mark today after six days of release. Worldwide including the US is up to $400 million after today. That’s quite an accomplishment for director Greta Gerwig, and all the marketing people at Mattel and Warner Bros.

Alas, the number best selling doll on Amazon is called “Polly Pocket Play Set,” not from Mattel. But Barbie dolls are selling very well. Don’t worry!

PS It’s a little early and kind of absurd for “Barbie” Oscar prognostications. That fever needs a Tylenol, too!

Meet Polly here:

Remembering Tony Bennett: Documentary Is Coming Detailing Lady Gaga Relationship, Family Overcome by Public Reaction to Passing

Roger Friedman
-
0
Remembering Tony Bennett: Documentary Is Coming Detailing Lady Gaga Relationship, Family Overcome by Public Reaction to Passing

EXCLUSIVE Tony Bennett‘s family is overwhelmed by the response to his death last week at age 96 (almost 97).

In particular, the front page obit in the New York Times just knocked them out, as well as pieces today in the paper. “It’s like a head of state dying,” Tony’s son and manager Danny told me.

The family does not know yet what they will do next. “Tony wasn’t into funerals,” Danny said. A memorial concert down the road is possible. Before Tony died, they were already planning a big centenary celebration for Tony’s 100th birthday three years from now.

The reason Tony has had such an outpouring of love from the public? He himself exuded love. He spoke to everyone. He was not a prima donna. He was a man of the people. He was a superstar and didn’t really care.

“Everyone has a story about meeting Tony Bennett,” Danny said. The one person who really has a story is Danny. “I didn’t revive his career,” he said, “I think I revived his audience. But Tony was always the same. It’s not like he started singing [contemporary pop songs]. He stuck to the classics. I remember him telling Gaga once, Just sing the words. Don’t improvise They knew what they were doing.’ She loved that.”

The relationship with Lady Gaga was extraordinary. Danny says he was on the phone with her all day last Friday. She’s very sad, of course. They loved each other and spoke the same language. I’m told that a documentary is being finished about their 10 year friendship.

Tony’s death was not unexpected because of his Alzheimers. But he had nothing else wrong with him Danny said. A few days before he passed he actually came into the living room and said to his adoring wife, Susan, What would you like to hear? Accompanied by piano, Tony sang Susan his first hit, “Because I of You.” The last words he said to Danny, his son says, were “Thank you.”

I’ve been covering celebrities etc since the 1980s. I have rarely met anyone as self effacing as Tony Bennett, or a family so devoted to their patriarch. Tony Bennett’s legacy will last forever. Believe the Benedetto’s will make sure of it.

PS I told Danny that the famous photographer Jill Krementz sent me this picture she took of Tony with Aretha Franklin because she knew how much both of them meant to me. That’s a big deal. I’m very grateful to her.

copyright c2023 Jill Krementz all rights reserved.

photo of Tony alone c2023 Showbiz411

Elon Musk Changes Twitter Name to X, But Microsoft Owns An X Trademark for All Computer Related Items That Could Be a Problem

Roger Friedman
-
0
Elon Musk Changes Twitter Name to X, But Microsoft Owns An X Trademark for All Computer Related Items That Could Be a Problem

This should be interesting.

Turns out Microsoft owns the trademark for “X” for everything related to computers, etc. including all the items stated below.

X is the name Elon Musk has changed Twitter to. Did no one tell him?

Microsoft’s X is stylized in a different way than Musk’s. But it may not be sufficiently different. Musk’s X is white on black. which may get him off the hook since Microsoft’s X is described as ” consists of a stylized letter “X”. The left side of the “X” is white and the right side of the “X” is blue. The shaded square carrier represents background only and is not a part of the mark.”

Musk traded in his beautiful blue bird for this nonsense. Microsoft could immediately start its own Twitter like platform and use this logo.

Below are all the things the X trademark covers:

“Computer software for broadcasting, transmitting, receiving, accessing, viewing, uploading, downloading, sharing, integrating, encoding, decoding, displaying, formatting, organizing, storing, caching, transferring and streaming of data, text, games, game content, digital media, images, music, audio, video, movies and animations; application programming interface (API) software for broadcasting, transmitting, receiving, accessing, viewing, uploading, downloading, sharing, integrating, encoding, decoding, displaying, formatting, organizing, storing, caching, transferring and streaming of data, text, games, game content, digital media, images, music, audio, video, movies and animations; computer software for sending, receiving and organizing electronic mail, messaging, enabling internet chat and social networking; computer software for purchasing and subscribing to digital media content; computer software development tools; computer software for developing and publishing applications for interactive streaming; software development kits (SDK’s) for developing software for broadcasting, transmitting, receiving, accessing, viewing, uploading, downloading, sharing, integrating, encoding, decoding, displaying, formatting, organizing, storing, caching, transferring and streaming of data, text, games, game content, digital media, images, music, audio, video, movies and animations; computer software that enables users to designate specific content for future viewing; computer software for management and storage of digital media; computer software for accessing, browsing and searching online databases; software for filtering internet searches; audio recordings featuring music; video recordings featuring music, video games, movies and animations; computer software that allows gamers to live broadcast their games from a gaming console, or to watch games being played by others”

Robert Kennedy Angry His Antisemitism Rally Is Cancelled by Venue, Blames Dems, Doesn’t Get that Shmuley Boteach is the Reason

Roger Friedman
-
0
Robert Kennedy Angry His Antisemitism Rally Is Cancelled by Venue, Blames Dems, Doesn’t Get that Shmuley Boteach is the Reason

MONDAY: Kennedy says the event will go on. The group has rented out a party space on the edge of Manhattan– The Glass House on 12th Avenue. Makes sense. Kennedy and Shmuley already live in a ‘glass house’!

SUNDAY: If Robert Kennedy is this stupid he really should be elected to anything.

He was planning a bogus antisemitism rally for Tuesday night in New York at the Ethical Culture School. The rally was sponsored by shady “rabbi” Shmuley Boteach and his New World Values Foundation.

Shmuley, a barnacle for celebrities, and his wife take $600,000 a year in salaries and give no money away from their “foundation.” I reported this again, for the umpteenth time, over the last few days. The Ethical Culture School obviously read what I wrote and smelled something that wasn’t Ethical.

Kennedy, clueless or just stupid, wrote on Twitter X:

“The New York Society for Ethical Culture @EthicalNYC just CANCELED my event with @RabbiShmuley scheduled for tomorrow night. They’re evidently under tremendous pressure since they violated a binding contract and canceled without explanation. This shows the DNC’s fierce determination and awesome power to censor criticism of an embattled President. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VENUE for tomorrow in Manhattan. Stay tuned. Let @EthicalNYC know if you oppose this form of political censorship. Help us protect free speech!”

Kennedy’s father, uncle, and assorted smart relatives are turning in their graves over his either total dimness or complete denial. Below is the story I wrote. Good for Ethical Culture.

Please read this and pass it around. Enough is enough.

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

Broadway: “Funny Girl” Star Lea Michele Took the Weekend Off Because She Was “Under the Weather”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Broadway: “Funny Girl” Star Lea Michele Took the Weekend Off Because She Was “Under the Weather”

“Funny Girl” is surging at the box office as the production prepares to close over Labor Day weekend.

The fans are turning out to see star Lea Michele play Fanny Brice after her bravura performance on the Tony Awards.

But those fans were surely disappointed this past weekend. Lea Michele missed the shows on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. A message posted to the show’s social media said she was “under the weather.”

Standby Julie Benko filled in but she was ready anyway. Benko plays the Thursday night show, where she’s become the Understudy of the Year.

Indeed, the one person who got a lot out of “Funny Girl” is Benko. She started under Beanie Feldstein, who was often MIA. Then Lea Michele’s term brought the Thursday gig and plenty of fill ins.

Benko’s next gig once “Funny Girl” ends is starring in Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s “Harmony.” She finally gets to top line. It’s about time!

1...408409410...2,324Page 409 of 2,324

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com