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Remembering Jerry Blavat, 82, Philly’s International DJ and TV Personality Extraordinaire, The Geater with the Heater

Roger Friedman
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Remembering Jerry Blavat, 82, Philly’s International DJ and TV Personality Extraordinaire, The Geater with the Heater

Jerry Blavat died this week at age 82. He battled myasthenia gravis, a neuro muscular disorder that is a cruel disease.

Jerry was Philadelphia’s music diplomat, an international celebrity, deejay, and TV personality. Everyone in the music business knew him and loved him. He was indefatigable, a total music cheerleader. We were not close pals, but I admired him. He was always there to root for people. I remember how much he liked Phoebe Snow back in the day, and he was also a fan of my film, “Only the Strong Survive.”

“The definition of the word mensch is Jerry Blavat,” says my friend Joyce Moore. She knew him a long time but not even as long as her famous husband, Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave. It was Jerry who stood down the infamous Morris Levy, owner of Roulette Records, when the duo wanted to break their contract and move to Atlantic Records. Blavat, Sam recalls, marched them into a Miami club and secured Levy’s reluctant agreement.

Everyone in rock and roll has a Blavat story. He simply loved the music, loved the business. On radio he was nicknamed “The Geater with the Heater.” He literally made groups like the Four Seasons and the Isley Brothers, was instrumental in the careers of Todd Rundgren and Daryl Hall, and everyone from Philadelphia International. If there’s Mt. Rushmore of disc jockeys, with Cousin Bruce, Alan Freed, Murray the K, and Wolfman Jack, Jerry Blavat is there with them.



Review: Michael J. Fox Remarkable Documentary “Still” Example of How to Live an Uncompromising Life with Parkinson’s

Roger Friedman
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Review: Michael J. Fox Remarkable Documentary “Still” Example of How to Live an Uncompromising Life with Parkinson’s

Eight years ago, in 2015, actor Michael J. Fox had holes drilled in his head to stop the shaking from Parkinson’s Disease. The surgery was so dangerous and experimental that it’s not even mentioned in Davis Guggenheim’s extraordinary documentary about Fox, called “Still,” now at the Sundance Film Festival.

Maybe the drilling worked. It must have since Fox, unbelievably, is still there. But he is not “Still.” He can’t remain still. On camera the 61 year old star of “Back to the Future” and numerous movies and TV series, looks like a wreck. He has suffered without complaining since his rare diagnosis in 1990. Even with Guggenheim’s cameras rolling, Fox won’t admit he’s in severe pain. Why not, the director asks? “You didn’t bring it up,” Fox replies.

This documentary will debut on Apple TV Plus. I implore you to watch it, and not. You will be in tears for much of it, as Guggenheim tracks Fox’s rocket like trajectory from “Family Ties” to “Back to the Future” and up, up, up, only to crash with his diagnosis. and keep it quiet for seven stunning years as he married, became a father, and kept working, working, working. He also became an alcoholic, trying to hide the pain with constant drinking.

Luckily, Fox had made a brilliant choice in a wife early on with actress Tracy Pollan. Mother of his four children, Pollan has soldiered her way through this journey. We see her but don’t hear a lot from her, which is too bad since she could certainly write a book. She herself had a blossoming career when she married Fox, and has mostly given it up to be devoted wife and mother. You’ll learn in the film how much Fox appreciates her.

Fox gives Guggenheim access into his home and therapy just enough so we get the idea. We are not there during perilous moments. We just hear about Fox falling down, breaking bones, and so on. Anyone who’s had a family member or friend with Parkinson’s will watch this film agog that Fox is even still alive at this point, that his family still has a sense of humor and that they’re not all drinking. Living with Parkinson’s is no sitcom. Like MS or ALS, it’s bent on total destruction. Somehow this family is making it. I have no doubt this film received a standing ovation at Sundance. You’ll do the same in your living room.

In November Fox was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar, by the Academy at the Governor’s Awards. It’s hoped he’ll be featured on camera at the Oscars in March to accept the award in person. His speech is below. Ironically, next year, “Still” may be up for an Oscar itself.

Lisa Marie Presley Gets A Graceland Send Off with Surprise Speaker Sarah Ferguson, Axl Rose Singing, Priscilla Presley Reading Granddaughter’s Tribute

Roger Friedman
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Lisa Marie Presley Gets A Graceland Send Off with Surprise Speaker Sarah Ferguson, Axl Rose Singing, Priscilla Presley Reading Granddaughter’s Tribute

Lisa Marie Presley received a classy send off memorial today at Graceland.

The big surprise speaker was Sarah Ferguson aka “Fergie,” Duchess of York and ex wife of Prince Andrew. Who knew she and Lisa Marie called each other “sissie” as in sister? Fergie mentions her late mother in law, aka Queen Elizabeth, so we’ve got the UK royalty invoked at Memphis royalty.

Jerry Schilling, who’s been with the Presleys since the 60s, gives a touching tribute as well. Axl Rose, of Guns n Roses, speaks without notes, then sits at the piano and sings “November Rain.” We’ve never seen him without long hair and a bandana. He’s wearing a wool overcoat and regular scarf. That alone is memorable.

Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla, no doubt still in shock, read off her phone a very sweet note from one of the 14 year old twins. She observer her mother died of heartbreak. Lisa never got over her son’s suicide last year.

Finally, eldest daughter Riley Keough’s husband, reads a touching note from his wife. He also reveals they have a daughter. No one knew that. Keough is a respected actress and now will take charge of her mother’s estate

The whole memorial was put together by Lisa Marie and Priscilla’s business partner, Joel Weinshanker, who himself seems genuinely shaken. It’s unclear if his partner, Shaquille O’Neal, made the trip.

You can watch the whole thing here. Rest in peace.

Box Office: Blue Valentine as “Avatar 2” Crosses $600 Mil, “Otto” Is a Grumpy Hit

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Blue Valentine as “Avatar 2” Crosses $600 Mil, “Otto” Is a Grumpy Hit

Amazing as it seems, “Avatar 2” is about to hit another milestone. The James Cameron sequel will cross $600 million tomorrow. Either there’s nothing to see, or people are bored, or they’re going back over and over to figure the whole thing out. Anyway. This is The Way of Water. It flows.

Marc Forster’s “Man Called Otto” starring Tom Hanks is a bona fide hit. They’re up to $35 million. Who’d a thunk it? Hanks as a grumpy curmudgeon has hit a note with the audience. It’s a little like “Forrest Gump” as a senior citizen. Did I think it would strike a nerve? No. But Tom’s actress wife Rita Wilson has turned out to be a very wise producer. After all, she brought us the “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” movies. There’s another one coming soon. Plus, Rita wrote and sang the song in “Otto.” Good deal.

Another hit: Searchlight’s “The Menu” coming close to $40 million shortly. Very quietly done, under the radar, but the movie has caught on like crazy. A satisfying meal!

Sundance Review: Daisy Ridley is More than Star Wars’ Rey in Quiet, Quirky Character Study

Roger Friedman
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Sundance Review: Daisy Ridley is More than Star Wars’ Rey in Quiet, Quirky Character Study

I think we all wondered what was next for Daisy Ridley. She burst on the scene as Rey, the heroine of the final three “Star Wars” movies. Smart and beautiful, yes. But what about acting?

Now we know thanks to a quirky little character study that’s playing at the Sundance Film Festival. “Sometimes I Think About Dying” takes place in a small, unattractive town on the Oregon coast. Fran works in an office much like “The Office.” She’s like the Ellie Kemper character, only deeply depressed. Everyone around her is having fun just living. But Fran is nearly comatose. She comes and goes from her apartment and has no discernible life.

Into the office comes Robert, who’s loud, gregarious, twice divorced, a total opposite played by Canadian actor Dave Merheje. But he likes Fran right away, and tries to draw her out. Will it work? Yes we’ve seen this kind of thing before, but it’s all in the execution. Director Rachel Lambert does a lovely job fleshing out the characters, and the production benefits from stunning cinematography by Dustin Lane. (I want a print of the darkened boats in the marina– gorgeous.)

In the first 15 minutes sometimes I felt like dying, the movie is so slow to establish a pace for Fran. But hang in there– the pay offs come, and they’re worth it. If the Spirit Awards really existed, this would be a perfect film for them to celebrate. Let’s hope this fares better than “To Leslie,” this year’s slip through the crack indie film.

The End Has Come for “NCIS Los Angeles” After 14 Seasons Without Any Word About Beloved Actress Linda Hunt

Roger Friedman
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The End Has Come for “NCIS Los Angeles” After 14 Seasons Without Any Word About Beloved Actress Linda Hunt

The end has come for “NCIS Los Angeles,” one of many shows on network TV still playing and you had no idea.

It will live on in the zombie world of syndication, where most procedurals go. Will it turn into a “Law & Order” phenom? Only time will tell.

“NCIS LA” has been om for fourteen years. 14! CBS changed regimes so many times that no one remembered what was going on. The show was a boon for LL Cool J, who got to host the Grammys many times and turned the whole run into a Kennedy Center honor (also on CBS). LL Cool J’s success may have been the show’s great accomplishment.

Declining ratings were the cause of death. “NCIS LA” had long been under 5 million viewers a week. Sandwiched into the January 9th three way “NCIS” special, the show finished third to the classic edition “NCIS” and “NCIS Hawai’i.”

And what happened to Oscar winner Linda Hunt aka Hetty, the head of the NCIS in Los Angeles? She vanished from the show a couple of years ago. Any time there was a question of her return, the show’s EP just bluffed and said she expected her back, But that was never going to happen, and now — unless there’s some miracle or fudging — it’s not likely. We can only hope that Hunt, who is 77, is safe and comfortable and living her best life.

PS The most memorable on “NCIS LA” character, Owen Granger, was played by the late Miguel Ferrer, who died in 2017 from cancer. A breakout star from “Twin Peaks,” Ferrer gave “LA” edge. He and Hunt were terrific together. Ferrer was also the son of Rosemary Clooney and Jose Ferrer, two Hollywood greats, and the first cousin of George Clooney.

Miley Cyrus Sets a Spotify Record for Streaming with “Flowers,” Eyes 400K in Sales, Inspires Diane Keaton Dance Video

Roger Friedman
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Miley Cyrus Sets a Spotify Record for Streaming with “Flowers,” Eyes 400K in Sales, Inspires Diane Keaton Dance Video

Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” is a monster hit single. And you know what’s great about it? It’s a real song. Two people wrote it (with Miley, ‘natch). It’s so catchy it’s got poeple dancing around to it on social media, like Diane Keaton. (See below.)

“Flowers” set a Spotify record this week with 40 Million streams — the biggest number ever for one track in a week. Hitdailydouble.com says total sales including streaming should be in the 400,000 ballpark for week 1. That includes 75,000 in downloads.

People are playing “Flowers” over and over. It’s one of those earwig songs. Sony/Columbia should be thrilled. The album comes March 10th, it’s called “Endless Summer Vacation” which sounds like a combination of the Beach Boys and the Go Gos. It that’s the sound of the album, and there are more songs like “Flowers,” then hallelujah, Miley’s back!

Sundance Film Festival Opens for First Time Since 2020, Without Founder Robert Redford

Roger Friedman
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Sundance Film Festival Opens for First Time Since 2020, Without Founder Robert Redford

The Sundance Film Festival re-opened on Thursday, for the first time 2020. Sundance is located in Park City, Utah, and was the brainchild of Oscar winning actor-director-producer Robert Redford. He created it in the early 80s literally from nothing.

But this year, for the first time, there was no sign of Redford on opening night. He was there in January 2020, but he hasn’t been seen much in the last couple of years. Redford experienced a crushing blow in October when his son, Jamie, tragically died of cancer. He was 58.

Redford is 86 years old, which seems unbelievable to us and probably to him. His screen presence was always the epitome of youth. One of the thrills over the years at Sundance was seeing Redford at the opening of each festival. He would appear at the Eccles Theater at the 6pm screening and give a talk, often about politics or the environment, always very liberal and right minded. They were always brilliant and set the tone for the rest of the festival.

That ship may have sailed now. In all the reports from opening night I see no mention of him. Also, on social media many people seem surprised to discover that he created Sundance at all. There should really be mandatory reading of the history of the Festival so everyone knows his massive accomplishment.

Here’s hoping Redford is at home, comfortable and warm, staying away from crowds, and reveling in the knowledge Sundance continues as a tribute to him.

I am doing the festival virtually this year, seeing films online. My first reviews will appear beginning tomorrow.

Here’s the All Star Song “Gonna Be You” Sung by Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry, Written by Diane Warren

Roger Friedman
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Here’s the All Star Song “Gonna Be You” Sung by Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry, Written by Diane Warren

Last night, the stars of “80 for Brady” hit the Jimmy Kimmel show, and they were hilarious. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field, and Rita Moreno killed it, and looked amazing. They’re the new Golden Girls!

Today Diane Warren’s specially written song for the movie, called “Gonna Be You.” is out. It’s sung by no less than Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry.

I think this whole project is going to be a big hit, and a perfect antidote to winter blues. And PS, Warren will win the Oscar for Best Song in 2024. Can you imagine all these women appearing on the Dolby Theater stage? Wow!

And here’s Kimmel:

The Great Judy Collins Says David Crosby’s “Radio” Is Maybe His Best Song, She’d Already Recorded It

Roger Friedman
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The Great Judy Collins Says David Crosby’s “Radio” Is Maybe His Best Song, She’d Already Recorded It

Legendary singer and songwriter Judy Collins called in this morning from her sold out symphony tour about David Crosby. She’s performing with a huge orchestra, doing her famous “Wildflowers” in its entirety plus several of her hits. “It’s been an amazing experience,” she tells me. Collins comes to New York’s Town Hall on February 24th.

Judy told me she’s stunned by the death of David Crosby, whom she’s known for five decades. “It’s funny,” she said, “I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for weeks. I recorded his new song, Radio. Do you know it? I think it might be the best thing he’s ever written. I haven’t released it yet. I was hoping he’d add vocals to it.”

The idea of these two voices on a record together — think of the harmonies — is delicious. But sadly it won’t happen now.

Judy adds, “Nothing prepares you for all these losses.”

The great songbird continues her tour, but will take a break to come to the Grammys on February 5th. Her album of all original songs, “Spellbound,” is up for Best Folk Album. Plus, she never misses Clive Davis’s party, where she usually runs into her old pal, Joni Mitchell. They’ll have a lot to talk about this year.

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