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Will Smith as the Genie in “Aladdin 2”? I Wouldn’t Count On It, Even with Blue People ‘In’ Right Now

Roger Friedman
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Will Smith as the Genie in “Aladdin 2”? I Wouldn’t Count On It, Even with Blue People ‘In’ Right Now

Because of Avatar 2: The Way of Water, blue people on screen are really in right now.

But one blue person who I don’t expect to be showing up anytime soon is the Genie from “Aladdin” in a sequel.

No, Will Smith is not likely to be reprising that role in the near future, even though someone planted a trial balloon item in the UK Sun today.;

Smith is not yet out of the dog house for his Oscar slap against Chris Rock almost a year ago. His career is basically on hold. Apple had so much trouble with “Emancipation,” I’m told other studios are taking a breather.

Plus, Disney is not going to bring Will Smith back, especially with his ten year (now I guess nine) suspension from the Academy. First, we’re going to have to get past the first anniversary of the slap on March 12th, and see what that brings. Then there’s going to have to be some kind of reckoning with Chris Rock — a real sense of contrition and apology — before everyone moves forward. That slap was heard and seen around the world, and it’s going to take time before it fades.

Not A Shock: Showtime to Be Merged with Paramount Plus, Three More Shows Cancelled

Roger Friedman
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Not A Shock: Showtime to Be Merged with Paramount Plus, Three More Shows Cancelled

Put a fork in “American Gigolo,” “Let the Right One In.” and the upcoming “Three Women” on Showtime cable. They are all cancelled as Showtime is being rebranded as Paramount + Showtime, or some unwieldy nomenclature. The fact is, Showtime is over.

This has been in the wind for some time, as David Nevins was removed as the leader of Showtime last year and other shows like “City on a Hill’ were cancelled. “Billions” is coming into its final season. That leaves “Yellowjackets” and “The Chi.”

As I read it, whatever’s left of Showtime in the present will remain on “Paramount+ with Showtime,” but there will be a $9.99 per month subscription service — akin to HBO Max — if you want to see older shows, or some that will only be available there. And that’s where all the Taylor Sheridan shows like “Yellowstone” will be playing. It will be funny if customers confuse “Yellowstone” with “Yellowjackets.” They might cannibalize each other. (LOL.)

Showtime has run a distant second to HBO for decades. In recent years they’ve not made any effort to get Emmy Awards or have any distinction. Soon the word Showtime will be like Oldsmobile, a brand of the past. Let’s hope things improve for them as Paramount+.

“Today, we’re announcing that we will be fully integrating Showtime into Paramount+ across both streaming and linear platforms later this year, providing even more popular franchises and hit originals for viewers to enjoy,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said in a memo Monday. “To reflect this change, both our premium streaming tier on Paramount+ and the Showtime linear network will become Paramount+ With Showtime in the U.S.”

Michael Jackson “Double” Nephew Set to Play King of Pop in Estate Approved Film

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson “Double” Nephew Set to Play King of Pop in Estate Approved Film

An actor has been tapped to play Michael Jackson in an upcoming film. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s “double” nephew, will play his uncle in film.

Jaafar is the sixth of seven children of Michael’s older brother, Jermaine Jackson. Jaafar’s mother is Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza . But there’s a twist: Alejandra had two children with Jermaine’s younger brother, Randy, with whom she was in a relationship before the one with Jermaine. So her children are first cousins to their half siblings. It’s a unique situation.

Jaafar, whose name may have been inspired by “The Lion King,” looks a lot like Michael before the plastic surgery and the vitiligo and skin whitening. He’s also talented, as witness the video below. He says in a Tweet: “I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”

It’s ironic that it’s Jermaine’s child who will play Michael. The tension between the two brothers built to a peak while Michael was alive, and after the younger brother split from the Jackson 5 to have a huge solo career. Jermaine resented the success, and wrote a damning book about Michael. On the other hand, Michael’s long time PR man, Bob Jones, wrote in his book that Michael subverted Jermaine’s career.

The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua and producer by Graham King, has nothing to do with the hit Broadway musical, “MJ.” It’s unclear if it will, like the musical, go beyond the “Thriller” years and cover the less savory parts of Michael’s life. Because the estate is controlling it, that’s doubtful, however — and also, nothing anyone wants to see on the big screen.

Who’s Still Not in the Rock Hall? Sting, Dionne, Cher, Neil Sedaka, Cyndi, Rufus & Carla, Chubby Checker, Plenty More

Roger Friedman
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Who’s Still Not in the Rock Hall? Sting, Dionne, Cher, Neil Sedaka, Cyndi, Rufus & Carla, Chubby Checker, Plenty More

The Rock and Roll Gall of Fame will announce new nominations this Wednesday. Then there’ll be a vote and the wrong people will get in and the right people forgotten.

It’s a tradition.

Who’s still not in after all these years? Chubby Checker. This is really a black eye for the Hall. I don’t care if he was the 15th person to record “The Twist.” The fact is, he had a hit twice with it, in 1961 and 1963. He carried the flag for rock and roll. It’s time.

There are plenty of women still waiting including Cher, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, and Carla Thomas with her late father, Rufus. All of them should be in by now.

Cyndi Lauper is younger than those women, but she’s been eligible since 2009. She has classic rock hits and won a Tony Award. Her importance to human rights advocacy is enormous. Let’s go already.

Neil Sedaka: he’s really the only one from the Brill Building era not inducted. His songs like “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain,” not to mention “Love Will Keep Us Together.” are evidence of his importance. I’ll bet Elton John, who revived Neil’s career in 1975, would come and do the induction. What are waiting for?

This year’s rock nominee should be The B52s. Music, fashion, art, memorable songs that were hits– they’re a cinch.

My other “rock” choice would be Sting, as a solo artist. Already inducted with the Police, Sting has had enormous solo career since 1986. Tons of hits, incredibly eclectic musically, wildly successful, amazing philanthropist. Plus, Paul McCartney said in an interview in recent years that the one song he wished he’d written was “Fields of Gold.” That should be enough.

And there are still lists and lists of names: Tommy James and the Shondells, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Stevie Winwood, Marianne Faithfull, Patti Labelle and the whole group, and a raft of influential R&B acts from the late Mary Wells, to The Spinners and many, many more…

Send us your choices at showbiz411@gmail.com

Grammy News: Harry Styles Confirmed to Perform, Adele and Beyonce Will Attend, Taylor Swift? (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Grammy News: Harry Styles Confirmed to Perform, Adele and Beyonce Will Attend, Taylor Swift? (Exclusive)

Some news about next Sunday’s Grammy Awards.

Harry Styles is confirmed to perform and attend. He’s up for a bunch of awards and will likely win Album of the Year for “Harry’s House.” If nothing else, Harry seems to be the solution to the eternal question of Adele or Beyonce?

As for those two, they will be in attendance but they won’t perform. That’s what I’m hearing. Adele is playing shows Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas, so she can claim exhaustion I guess. I think she should just push herself past that and sing “Easy On Me.” She’s got a boatload of nominations, and why not?

Beyonce will also not perform, but hope to pick up some awards besides Album of the Year, I hear there’s one in particular she has her eye on — Best Electronic Music single. For the first time ever the Grammys will present that award on the air. Beyonce is the biggest star among the nominees. She’ll get her moment in the spotlight.

There are plenty of performers on this year’s show including Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Steve Lacy, Kim Petras, and Sam Smith. I’d be shocked if Miley Cyrus didn’t pop up, she has the number 1 record in the country with “Flowers.” She could steal the show performing it.

And Taylor Swift? Not coming. Wasn’t nominated for Album of the Year, only has Song of the Year, and probably won’t win. She has a lot of Grammys. She’ll be back, trust me.

Sad News: RIP Lisa Loring, 64, Played the Original Wednesday on “The Addams Family”

Roger Friedman
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Sad News: RIP Lisa Loring, 64, Played the Original Wednesday on “The Addams Family”

Lisa Loring has died. She played the original Wednesday on “The Addams Family” TV series in the 1960s. She was 64.

She’s the latest child star who’s died way too young. Last week, Lance Kerwin, also age 64, passed away.

Loring friends including “Lassie” star Jon Provost, posted this alarming news to Facebook:

“It is with great sadness that I report the death of our friend, Lisa Loring. 4 Days ago she suffered a massive stroke brought on by smoking and high blood pressure. She had been on life support for 3 days. Yesterday, her family made the difficult decision to remove it and she passed last night. She is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams.Beautiful, kind, a loving mother, Lisa’s legacy in the world of entertainment is huge. And the legacy for her family and friends — a wealth of humor, affection and love will long play in our memories. RIP, Lisa. Damn, girl…you were a ton of fun.”

The glamour shot I used with the story is far from what she looked like now. Those pictures are on Facebook.

Loring worked very little after “The Addams Family.” She appeared on the soap, “As the World Turns” from 1980-83 and occasionally turned up elsewhere. She had major substance abuse problems. Loring was married four times and had two daughters.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Loring’s mother died when she was 14 and she got married a year later. The marriage didn’t last long but produced a daughter and she had a second marriage that lasted five years and produced another child and a third marriage she calls “the biggest mistake of my life”: her husband was acting in pornography and she didn’t approve of it.

It’s another sad ending for a child TV star.

Review: All Star “80 for Brady” — with Fonda, Field, Tomlin, Moreno — Scores Touchdowns Even When Passes Aren’t Completed (I Liked It)

Roger Friedman
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Review: All Star “80 for Brady” — with Fonda, Field, Tomlin, Moreno — Scores Touchdowns Even When Passes Aren’t Completed (I Liked It)

What if Barbarella, Edith Ann, Anita from West Story, and the Flying Nun made a movie together? That’s the question posed by “80 for Brady,” a totally delightful comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field.

None of those estimable actresses would want to be remembered for those roles. They all went on to glory in many realms, they are serious, tough cookies who have remained at the tops of their respective games for decades.

And now here are they are in a “Golden Girls” type film based on the true story of four suburban Boston ladies who were huge New England Patriots fans and mad for Tom Brady circa 5 years ago. So off they went to watch their team and their dreamboat at the Super Bowl in Houston. The Pats played a memorable game against the Falcons, Lady Gaga sang, and the women got their bucket list adventure.

Does it work? Yes. If “A Man Called Otto” is a hit, “80 for Brady” is right on target. The set up is too good to be true: lots of comedy with four legends plus lots of A plus championship football. (The footage is top notch and woven into the movie very well.) It can’t miss, right?

Well, “80 for Brady” scores even when not completing passes. What I mean, it succeeds despite itself. The women seem to be directing themselves using decades of invaluable experience. The actual director, Kyle Martin, doesn’t appear to have any involvement. Many jokes as written and directed land flat, with watered down payoffs. The movie is saved ultinately by the charm of our stars.

It does help that the movie is well cast. Bob Balaban, Harry Hamlin and Glyn Turman are excellent foils for the women. There are contributions from Patton Oswalt, Billy Porter, and Sara Gilbert. There’s even a cameo from the great Sally Kirkland. We’ve got music from heavyweights John Debney, cinematography from John Toll, production design by Wynn Thomas. We are in the movie stratosphere here.

So we’ll ignore the minor deficiencies because we’ve got two two-time Oscar winners in Fonda and Field, the first EGOT in Moreno, and six time Emmy winner, two time Tony Award winner, Grammy winner and Oscar nominee in Lily Tomlin, who plays the main instigator of the Super Bowl trip, Louella, who has a lot of little secret that will be revealed. Tomlin is better here even than in “Grace and Frankie, and she’s the lead. Fonda, no slouch, is hilarious with her selection of wigs and outfits. (She looks particularly foxy in a mahogany colored Farrah Fawcett number.) Her Trish is a niche Patriots fan fiction writer who looks 55, not 85. Moreno, at 90, is a spitfire. And Field, the youngster of the group at 75 (as she cutely constantly reminds us), still has a third Oscar in her future.

The main thing about “80 for Brady” is that it’s smart, it meets the audience head on and never talks down to us. Women will flock to it with or without husbands or boyfriends. And their dates, should they go, will be impressed with the sports aspect. Brady has nothing to apologize for in his cameo, and Gronk is a hoot, of course, when he meets Fonda’s Trish. So it’s a win-win for everyone except the 2017 Atlanta Falcons.

Hey–one day we’re going to see a movie like this with Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, and Diane Keaton– and we’ll love it.

PS Stay til the end, the Dolly Parton-Cyndi Lauper et al Diane Warren song fits perfectly after a shelf-full of disco and R&B chosen by star music supervisor Randall Poster.

Books: Try Not to Hold it Against Julian Schlossberg, The Secret Ingredient in Broadway and NY Hits for Decades

Roger Friedman
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Books: Try Not to Hold it Against Julian Schlossberg, The Secret Ingredient in Broadway and NY Hits for Decades

Few people probably recognize the name Julian Schlossberg. But in New York, and Hollywood, he’s been the secret ingredient in dozens of successful Broadway shows and films for decades.

Julian at 81 years young is now finally publishing a memoir on Tuesday called “Try Not to Hold It Against Me.” We won’t. Julian’s list of triumphs are numerous, but so too are his near-misses, the shows or movies he almost put together. It’s a fascinating read for anyone interested in show business.

The main thing is, he’s been the guiding hand behind comic genius Elaine May for decades, producing her plays and movies, as well as his involvement with Woody Allen and dozen of other stars. (I should add, he’s also one of the few in the biz who really understood early on the power of owning a film library.)

“Try” is filled with information I didn’t know and am now very happy to have in my head. Plus the book comes with a foreword by Elaine, who doesn’t usually write these things. But their friendship is long.

How ‘in’ is Julian? His third wedding was hosted by Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue in their Westport, Connecticut backyard for 80 people in a tent, with Peter Duchin conducting the orchestra. Get the picture?

Fifty one years ago, Schlossberg produced Elaine May’s first movie, the classic “A New Leaf,” which starred her and Walter Matthau. But things might have been different. Julian recalls that Cary Grant, considered a god of screwball comedy, might have been the lead.

He writes:

‘One day, as she [Elaine] was casting, she received a call from Cary Grant. He
had read the script and wanted to play the lead. His only concern was
the end of the film, where he had to be in the water—specifically the
rapids. I asked Elaine, “Why did you turn him down? He’d have been
perfect.” Elaine smiled and told me, “I knew nothing then. I didn’t even know about doubles or stand-ins. When Walter Matthau”—who played
the role—“didn’t want to go into the rapids, I told him I’d turned down
Cary Grant because he wouldn’t go in the water. Walter went in.”

And that’s how famous movies get cast.

It was Schlossberg who produced Woody Allen’s ill fated musical, “Bullets Over Broadway,” based on his hit movie. The musical was praised and people loved it, but without an original score (they used existing music) it was doomed. But it did launch the career of Nick Cordero (who six years later would be among the first to succumb to COVID). The producers originally thought they had Bobby Cannavale, but a film project interfered with the dates. Julian remembers:

“In rehearsal and in previews, I was constantly reminding Nick that
try not to hold it against me he was playing a killer. He needed to be meaner and tougher. I said I
was going to get him a little cute dog to kick before he first went on. We
would laugh. The last time I said, “Meaner, please,” he replied, “Julian,
I’m a Canadian.” But he did get tough, and was nominated for a Tony.”

“Try Not to Hold it Against Me” is peppered with famous movie names, like George C. Scott, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, Mike Nichols, and so on. But it also crosses over into the music biz. Schlossberg’s first job as a consultant after leaving Paramount Pictures was advising Allen Klein in a lawsuit between him and The Beatles over “Let it Be.” Almost a decade later he’d go on to co-produce the “No Nukes” concert film with Danny Goldberg, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, the Doobie Brothers, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Crosby, Stills, & Nash, and John Hall of Orleans.

Did I forget his Tony nomination for producing the play “Fortune’s Fool” in 2002 with Alan Bates and Frank Langella? Well, for more you’re going to have to read the book. And there’s a lot!

And PS, you know you’ve reached the heights when Al Hirschfeld draws you with May, Allen, and David Mamet. Wow!

“Top Gun Maverick” Wins AARP GrownUps Award: All the Notes from an Evening for Kids at Heart

Leah Sydney
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“Top Gun Maverick” Wins AARP GrownUps Award: All the Notes from an Evening for Kids at Heart

Grown-ups abounded at the AARP The Magazine’s 21st Annual Movies for Grownups Awards last night at the Beverly Wilshire.   Alan Cumming adroitly hosted the event, starting it with his cheeky take on “Hello Dolly!” 

The presenters and the winners all touted the advantages, obviously, of being a grown up. 

“Elvis” director Baz Luhrmann quipped, “In a world focused on youth, AARP celebrates experience, and age, I’m not just saying this because I just turned 60.”

Baz went on to thank producer Gail Berman, his wife production designer Catherine Martin and gave a shout out to his DP Mandy Walker, “only one of three women to be nominated for an Oscar as cinematographer in 90 years.’   He spoke lovingly of the Presley family and dedicated the award to Elvis. Baz told me earlier that this recent time of Lisa Marie’s death, has been, ‘sad, intense, like a roller coaster.’ 

Annette Bening gave an award to her longtime pal Judith Ivey for “Women Talking.”  Annette calling her “An actor’s actor.”  Judith thanked her father who is 95 and her mother, who just turned 101.  Judith laughed as she recounted their recent conversation.  “We talk about what we read in the magazine, that our favorite article lately was, “the best way to get up after a fall.” 

“The Fablemans” Gabriel LaBelle gave an award to his co-star Oscar Nominee Judd Hirsch.  Gabriel noted, “I don’t know Judd like most of you know him because I wasn’t alive for most of his career!”  Judd, with the award in his hand, then gave sage advice to aspiring actors. “Eat well, exercise, don’t take drugs and wait for about 60 years and you’ll get one of these!” He poignantly added that ‘the best part of my role?  Uncle Boris gets to leave the film in a taxi!” 

Jamie Lee Curtis was gracious in her speech thanking her longtime agent Rick Kurtzman whom she went to high school and her equally longtime publicist; our favorite Heidi Schaeffer.  Jamie noted that as we grow older ‘we sort of know who we are and what we are about.” 

The luminous Sheryl Lee Ralph accepted her award for her role in “Abbott Elementary” and cut right to the chase.  “Thanks to AARP for shining a light on aging. Hey, I’ll happily stand up here as a grown-assed woman!” 

T Bone Burnett gave an award to his close friend Jeff Bridges.  “Jeff not only an old man, he’s THE old man. He’s is a human being of the highest order.” 

Winner Brendan Fraser noted “It feels a little weird for me to sit at the grown-ups table, cause let’s face it I’m a kid at heart.”  He recounted his past quirky films like “Nut Job” and noted that he’s an Oscar nominee now.  He admitted that if this recognition had happened to him when he was younger, “I wouldn’t have been able to pirate that equipment.” 

Glen Powell gave Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Top Gun” the final award of the night.  Glen rightly said that the film, “saved the movie business.”  After paying tribute to his late partner Don Simpson and the late “Top Gun” director Tony Scott, Bruckheimer noted, that “after four decades, this film came together when everyone seemed to need it the most.” 

The ceremony will air February 17 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS’ Great Performances, the PBS website, and app.

Here is the full winners list:

MOTION PICTURES

Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups

Top Gun: Maverick

Best Actress

Michelle Yeoh
Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Actor

Brendan Fraser
The Whale

Best Director

Baz Luhrmann
Elvis

Best Supporting Actress

Judith Ivey
Women Talking

Best Supporting Actor

Judd Hirsch
The Fabelmans

Best Screenwriter

Kazuo Ishiguro
Living

Best Ensemble

She Said

Best Intergenerational Movie

Till

Best Time Capsule

Elvis

Best Grownup Love Story

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Best Documentary

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

Best Foreign Film

The Quiet Girl (Ireland)

TELEVISION

Best TV Series

The Old Man

Best TV Movie/Limited Series

Black Bird

Best Actress

Sheryl Lee Ralph
Abbott Elementary

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges
The Old Man

RIP: Barrett Strong, Who Had the First Hit for Motown, with “Money (That’s What I Want),” Was 82

Roger Friedman
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RIP: Barrett Strong, Who Had the First Hit for Motown, with “Money (That’s What I Want),” Was 82

Reports are appearing on Facebook that Barrett Strong has died at age 82. Strong sang the first hit for Motown called “Money (That’s What I Want).” The song went on to become covered by dozens of other artists, most notably the Beatles in the early 60s, and the Flying Lizards in 1979.

Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement:

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Barrett Strong, one of my earliest artists, and the man who sang my first big hit “Money (That’s What I Want)” in 1959.   Barrett was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner Norman Whitfield, created an incredible body of work, primarily with the Temptations. Their hit songs were revolutionary in sound and captured the spirit of the times like “Cloud Nine” and the still relevant, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today).”   My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. Barrett is an original member of the Motown Family and will be missed by all of us.  

Strong went on to co-write a bunch of Motown hits with Norman Whitfield, including “”I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by both Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips; Edwin Starr’s “War,” “Smiling Faces Sometimes” by the Undisputed Truth; the Temptations’ “Cloud Nine”, “I Can’t Get Next to You”, “Psychedelic Shack”, “Ball of Confusion,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, among others. Strong received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1973 for “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. Strong and Whitfield also co-wrote the ballad “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me).”

Strong didn’t write “Money.” The song is credited to Motown founder Berry Gordy and his then secretary, Janie Bradford. (It’s their only collaboration of note.) So he didn’t reap much financial reward from the track. But presumably he made money with the Whitfield songs. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.

When Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1971, Barrett Strong left the label and recorded for Epic, and Capitol. Here’s one of his later singles:

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