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FYC: Actor Ashton Kutcher, Who’s Done So Well In Tech, Muses About Director Mike Nichols and the Meaning of Twitter, Macro vs. Micro Thoughts, Etc

Roger Friedman
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FYC: Actor Ashton Kutcher, Who’s Done So Well In Tech, Muses About Director Mike Nichols and the Meaning of Twitter, Macro vs. Micro Thoughts, Etc

Ashton Kutcher is musing about late director Mike Nichols and the meaning of Twitter.

I’m not sure what it all means, but Kutcher has done so well in tech that it must be important.

For your consideration, here, in the Twilight Zone. Kutcher makes striking sense the second time you read it. We could use more of this reasoning.

I’ve found current X to be an emotion reflection on a fleeting moment with brief insightful snippets that compound over time. The danger is when you replace deep learning and understanding with the emotional whims of people who’s character you do not know. Only more exemplified by the reductionist reactions of those who don’t know you.

Transpo Secretary Sean Duffy’s Reality Show “The Great American Road Trip” is a Bust: Only 23,000 Views Total Over Six Episodes in 3 Days

Roger Friedman
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Transpo Secretary Sean Duffy’s Reality Show “The Great American Road Trip” is a Bust: Only 23,000 Views Total Over Six Episodes in 3 Days

When planes were crashing and trains were derailing, Trump’s transportation secretary was busy doing something else.

Sean Duffy and his family, it was revealed much later, were filming a reality show for YouTube.

It made sense. Duffy and his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy (now a Fox News contributor) met on MTV’s “The Real World.” They are totally manufactured people who have lived like they were on “The Truman Show” for 30 years.

But now “The Great American Road Trip” has debuted on YouTube. There are six episodes, about 25 minutes apiece.

No one is watching them.

So far, “The Great American Road Trip” has amassed a total of 23,000 views over the six episodes.

Episode 2 got a little jolt when I — and a few others subsequently — revealed that Duffy didn’t want his bright, articulate daughter to go to Harvard because it would “corrupt and pervert” her. it was a cringe episode that showed the Duffy’s to be backward, small minded people afraid to let their child discover the, uh, actual real world.

But even that publicity didn’t help. I don’t think anyone was surprised to learn that these two morons from a reality show were of no value whatsoever.

The biggest revelation was that they have nine children — nine! — and that soon each one will start rebelling. That’s the series I’d like to see, when the first one says their gay, trans, or brings home a non white companion.

Luckily the government did not pay for this waste of time. Forbes estimates that corporate sponsors kicked in around $5 million. The same sponsors — like Boeing, Toyota, Shell, Google, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, United Airlines, Lyft and CRH (a provider of building materials for highways and other critical infrastructure) are said to have spent $100 million lobbying Congress last year.

So basically, donations were a shakedown, like everything else in the Trump administration. It’s a protection racket.

It’s all money flushed down the toilet. And who knows what will happen to the daughter who wanted to go to Harvard? The parents want a Catholic school, like Boston College, and will probably get their way.

“The Odyssey” Starting to Lose A Little Steam at the Box Office After Wildly Successful Summer Ride, Sets November for Home Video, Streaming

Roger Friedman
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“The Odyssey” Starting to Lose A Little Steam at the Box Office After Wildly Successful Summer Ride, Sets November for Home Video, Streaming

Believe it or not. “The Odyssey” is finally losing a little steam at the box office.

Of course, it’s made $1.3 billion worldwide, about half of that in the US.

And it’s playing like gangbusters.

But Universal has set the date for streaming to begin, and DVDs and Blu-Rays to hit the stores. It’s November 17th.

By then, “The Odyssey” should be well past $700 million in the US — and well on its way to a dozen or more Oscar nominations and eventual win.

Chris Nolan’s epic is still playing in 3,200 theaters, so don’t worry. See it in IMAX or at least on a big screen. I can’t imagine anyone watching it on their phones. God forbid!

Legend Faye Dunaway Getting a Special Award During Venice Film Festival, So Is Billionaire’s Daughter Nicola Peltz Beckham For Just Being Herself

Roger Friedman
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Legend Faye Dunaway Getting a Special Award During Venice Film Festival, So Is Billionaire’s Daughter Nicola Peltz Beckham For Just Being Herself

Want to good laugh?

Faye Dunaway, a famed actress and Oscar winner, is getting a special award during the Venice Film Festival. It’s called the Kuneo Award. It’s not part of the Festival, but happens at the same time.

Good for her, Faye deserves it for her fine work in so many films like “Chinatown,” “Network,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.”

But then, an award is also going to Nicola Peltz Beckham. She’s the daughter of billionaire Nelson Peltz. She’s married to the Beckham kid who makes grilled cheese on TikTok and won’t speak to his parents.

Nicola, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “has been plucked to receive a rising star award for her work as an actress, producer and budding filmmaker.”

The Reporter says of the 31 year old, “Beckham wrote, directed and starred in [a movie called] Lola. Her resumé, which dates back 20 years, includes roles in The Last Airbender, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Bates Motel, Holidate, Welcome to Chippendales and The Beauty.”

I needed this laugh, which also involved a spit take. I don’t recall Peltz’s stunning career going back 20 years, but I might have been out of town. The aforementioned “Lola,” which existed in 2024 thanks to Vertical Releasing, merited but two reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and no rating.

Each review was half a star. One of them said: Lola feels like a film where the script is almost nonexistent…There was little to think about or emotionally connect with, and the film remains flat from start to finish.”

The other said: “Her acting felt stiff, and I found her performance annoying.”

Maybe this all sounded different in Italian. I do know Kuneo, translated to English, means “donation.”

I know it’s funny, and the award is bogus, but think of all the deserving up and coming filmmakers who could benefit from the attention. But maybe she can teach them how to make French toast.

Confirmed: Oscar Winner Woody Allen at 90 Preparing to Shoot 51st Film in Spain This Fall, Also Finishing Up New Book and Stage Play

Roger Friedman
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Confirmed: Oscar Winner Woody Allen at 90 Preparing to Shoot 51st Film in Spain This Fall, Also Finishing Up New Book and Stage Play

Exclusive:

Woody Allen will turn 91 this November but that’s not stopping him.

By the time the Oscar winning director and writer reaches his birthday, he will have filmed his 51st movie in Madrid, Spain.

I’ve confirmed that Woody will make the film, possibly called “Madrid,” in September and October. No cast has been announced yet. This was the film he was supposed to shoot last spring, but now he’s ready.

I’m also told that Woody is putting the finishing touches on a second novel, and on a stage play.

Spain has proved to be a good luck setting for Allen. His “Vicki Cristina Barcelona” is a classic, and Penelope Cruz won her Oscar in that film. An all time classic.

Allen’s last movie, “Coup de Chance,” shot in France, received raves and a healthy life on video after its release.

His most famous movie, “Annie Hall,” was recently shown on TCM as part of a Diane Keaton tribute. Now 50 years old, the film — like all of them — stands up beautifully. There’s always been a lot of talk about how “Annie Hall” was shaped from footage shot with a different idea. Who cares? The finished product is so full of heart, humor, and wisdom, not to mention laugh out loud funniness.

I can’t wait to see “Madrid,” or whatever it’s finally called. A Woody Allen movie these days is a gift!

PS Don’t forget, I told you the Carnegie Deli is re-opening soon on Seventh Avenue. It was the setting for one of Woody’s most hilarious films, “Broadway Danny Rose.” The Carnegie should definitely have a Danny Rose sandwich!

Gwyneth Paltrow Strikes Out Sending Herself Up After Sam Altman Dinner Invite Incites Mass Disappointment That She Embraces Open AI Chat GPT

Roger Friedman
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Gwyneth Paltrow Strikes Out Sending Herself Up After Sam Altman Dinner Invite Incites Mass Disappointment That She Embraces Open AI Chat GPT

I told you a couple of days ago that Gwyneth Paltrow was hosting a celebrity dinner in the Hamptons for Open AI/Chat GPT creator Sam Altman.

The invite for August 29th leaked out, and immediately Gwyneth was denounced for supporting AI at a time when original content creators are suffering at its hands.

Paltrow thought she’d fight back by posting send ups of her own invite, making the honoree either “Sex and the City” character Samantha Jones, or Shrek. See below.

This only made things worse. Paltrow has now called attention to this regrettable decision. Granted, her Oscar is almost 30 years old and Paltrow doesn’t do much acting anymore. She’s basically the president of Goop. But Hollywood, music, theater, publishing are all under attack from AI. She did not take the side of human artists. Imagine if her beloved parents — Blythe Danner and the late Bruce Paltrow — had their work stolen or desecrated by AI.

(Listen) 17 Time Oscar Nominee Diane Warren May Finally Have Oscars Best Song with “By Any Means,” Featuring Isley Brothers and David Kushner

Roger Friedman
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(Listen) 17 Time Oscar Nominee Diane Warren May Finally Have Oscars Best Song with “By Any Means,” Featuring Isley Brothers and David Kushner

Songwriter Diane Warren has 17 Oscar nominations for Best Song, and no wins.

It’s become the inside joke of Hollywood. Diane is the Susan Lucci of the Oscars!

But she may have her winner at last. Her song, the title track from the new movie “By Any Means,” is a hit. “By Any Means” is performed by the famed Isley Brothers with Nashville artist David Kushner (no relation to the Trump people).

There are actually two versions. The film version is the ‘real’ one, the soundtrack one is edited. I like the first one better. In each, the production swells with blues and gospel, and is maybe Warren’s catchiest song in years — which is saying something!

Also anything with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Isley Brothers — now in business for over 60 years — is a treat. Superstar music supervisor Bonnie Greenberg knows that, and worked to pull this unique collaboration together.

“By Any Means” opens September, directed by Elegance Bratton and starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg. Also in the wildly talented cast are the great Giancarlo Esposito, Oscar nominee David Straithairn, Josh Lucas, Nicole Beharie, Tony winner LaChanze, Lisa Gay Hamilton, and Ethan Embry. Sounds promising!

Watch: Rosie Taunts Trump “You’ll Never Be Obama,” Savages RFK Jr “SpongeBob Small Pox” on Final Night of Kimmel Guest Run

Roger Friedman
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Watch: Rosie Taunts Trump “You’ll Never Be Obama,” Savages RFK Jr “SpongeBob Small Pox” on Final Night of Kimmel Guest Run

updating…

Rosie O’Donnell closed out her incredible four night run tonight guest hosting for Jimmy Kimmel.

The big finale was a killer version of “Oh Danny Boy” changing the name to “Donny.” Trump finally got a hilarious kick in the pants from Rosie, but done with elegance and wit — two things he lacks! See video below.

She also called Trump “the orange Voldemort.”

Rosie began the monologue by joking that Trump, who is obsessed with her, spent more time with her this week than Melania! She also attacked RFK Jr brilliantly:
She said: “According to new reports cases of COVID are surging in almost every state right now but don’t worry people because our fate is in the hands of the secretary of health and human sacrifice.”

She called RFK Jr “SpongeBob Smallpox” and asked “if you can trust the medical advice of a guy who pulled over during a road trip to cut the penis off a dead raccoon? Strange man, strange and I don’t like any of his thoughts on autism.”

Rock Legend Neil Young Drops Stunningly Beautiful 11 Minute Single Called “Second Song,” Leading Up to New Album Next Month (Listen)

Roger Friedman
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Rock Legend Neil Young Drops Stunningly Beautiful 11 Minute Single Called “Second Song,” Leading Up to New Album Next Month (Listen)

Neil Young — we know he’s a genius. He also has a voluminous catalog, akin to Bob Dylan — that you can study on his brilliantly curated website.

Most people think of “Heart of Gold” or “After the Gold Rush,” or Crosby Stills & Nash, but Neil Young encompasses a huge amount of space in the rock canon.

Now he’s dropped a stunningly beautiful 11 minute song. Eleven minutes seemed daunting but once I heard it, I was hooked. It’s like a folk incantation, and a dreamy waltz. What’s even more exciting — “Second Song” is produced with another legend, Lou Adler, who’s 93. Adler is responsible for a huge chuck of rock history, from “Monterey Pop” to Carole King’s “Tapestry” to being there when Sam Cooke recorded “A Change is Gonna Come.”

“Second Song” is also the title of a new album coming out on September 18th. But listen to this now, just take the time with it. We’re so lucky to get something of this magnitude these days.

Two of the verses:
“I dream a way of living
A way of sharing what we find
A way of walking slowly
Through the smokey leaves of time”

“The world needs all her song birds
She needs her music in the sky
Guiding souls both in and out
Showing weakness how to fly”

Rupert Murdoch Donated $2 Million Today to Melania Trump’s Bogus “Be Best” Campaign with Inappropriate Check from Fox Corporation

Roger Friedman
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Rupert Murdoch Donated $2 Million Today to Melania Trump’s Bogus “Be Best” Campaign with Inappropriate Check from Fox Corporation

Melania Trump resurfaced today at the White House.

The main focus was that she joked about being back after presumed missing for weeks. Or that the Trumps had little contact because of his latest personal issues.

What everyone missed was the inappropriate was the presentation of a $2 million check from Fox Corporation, aka Fox News, aka Rupert Murdoch, for Melania’s bogus Be Best Campaign and Fostering the Future network.

On August 22nd and 23rd, IndyCar will race cars around the White House on Fox TV and Fox One Sports for its Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

Be Best, aka Melania, says that it’s given millions to foster care for children. But there is no public accounting for any money that’s gone in or out of the fund. Nothing. It’s just a big money swamp with no information. They claim that Twenty-six colleges and universities across the nation have established Fostering the Future programs.

There is no actual evidence of foster children benefiting from Be Best, but Trump has broken up thousands of families via mass deportation. In a sense, he’s created a foster child emergency.

The Trumps have already used the White House as a stage for World Wrestling, so race cars seem like an obvious choice in the destruction of the property while they add their $400 million bunker. Monster Trucks should probably come next.

But wait — $2 million from Fox Corporation? For a show already being broadcast on the Fox network?

This sort of thing used to be inappropriate, and a conflict of interest for any news organization. But Fox News is Trump’s state media no matter how much he complains about them. Murdoch pandering to the latest Trump grift is no surprise. The surprise is that no one complains about it. This kind of corruption has become accepted during the Trump administration.

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