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Kanye Goes Crypto: Launches Memecoin That Soars to $3 Billion, Drops Under $1 Billion: Critics Question Pump and Dump Scheme

Roger Friedman
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Kanye Goes Crypto: Launches Memecoin That Soars to $3 Billion, Drops Under $1 Billion: Critics Question Pump and Dump Scheme

Critics are already question whether Kanye West’s memecoin is a pump and dump scheme.

The coin, called YZY, soared to $3 billion value, then immediately crashed to around $1 billion. It fell under $1 billion briefly this morning before climbing back to that level again.

For West, this could be a get rich quick scheme. Known as Ye, West has lost all his fashion contracts, is persona non grata in the music world. It remains to be seen what his coin is based on.

Ye is more closely identified with antisemitism, a love of Hitler, and sporadic outbursts than any kind of financial success. Why would anyone waste time on this?

You can follow along here.

Broadway: Big Stars Like Tom Hanks, Laurie Metcalf, Keanu Reeves Are Coming to Town, But So Far Ticket Sales Are at a Crawl

Roger Friedman
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They say if you bring big stars to Broadway, the audience will show up.

But so far the fall season is looking tenuous at best even with three big names about to hit the stage.

Shows starring Tom Hanks and Kelli O’Hara, TV’s Laurie Metcalf, and movie star Keanu Reeves are crawling at the box office. It’s not hard to discover: one look at Telecharge and other sites show theater seat maps full of dots waiting to be filled in.

Hanks and O’Hara are off Broadway this fall at The Shed in Hudson Yards. Who’s bigger than Tom Hanks, you ask? He has two Oscars, a Tony nomination, and a list of hits that goes on forever. But as of now, “This World of Tomorrow,” based on his short story. is about half sold. There are good seats available every night, even weekends, at all prices.

This should come as a shock. Not only is Hanks one of our top, top, top actors, O’Hara has Tony Awards for singing and a new following from “The Gilded Age.”

The same situation is happening on Broadway at the Booth Theater for Laurie Metcalf. The star of “Roseanne” and “The Conners” has two Tony Awards, four Emmys, and an Oscar nomination. She’s considered theater royalty with her Steppenwolf background.

Yet, “Little Bear Ridge Road,” a new play directed by Joe Mantello, also an award winner, is in the same boat as the Hanks play. The seat maps online show tickets every night, at any price, in any section. It’s wide open.

This is doubly ironic considering this is the producer comeback for Scott Rudin, who was cancelled and off bounds for five years. In the past, Rudin would bring in a big star, be nasty to everyone, and sell out. Not happening this time.

More shockingly: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, stars of the “Bill and Ted” movies, are booked from September through January in a revival of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.” They may have to wait for an audience.

Reeves has made millions with “Speed” and “John Wick” movies. You’d think he’d have sold out his run. But so far the Hudson Theater looks like The Shed and the Booth.

What’s causing this scenario? Lack of tourists would be the number 1 cause. It’s estimated that 20% of NYC tourism is missing this year. Millions will be lost because Canadians are boycotting the US over Trump. Other foreigners are terrified of being swept up by ICE by mistake. They’ve also been told that Times Square is dangerous even though it’s not.

Where is the I Love NY Campaign? No one is generating buzz about the thrills and safety of the city. As I write this, a former aide to Mayor Eric Adams may have tried to bribe a reporter. Andrew Cuomo is out of touch with reality. Zohar Mamdani is scaring off suburban Jews and big business.

SOS!

Kristi Noem Sees a Border Wall and She Wants to Paint it Black: Today’s Distraction from Epstein Sent Dog Killer on Empty Gesture

Roger Friedman
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Kristi Noem Sees a Border Wall and She Wants to Paint it Black: Today’s Distraction from Epstein Sent Dog Killer on Empty Gesture

Kristi Noem see the border wall and wants to Paint it Black.

The Rolling Stones song comes in handy today, as the Secretary of Terror and Cruelty actually painted a border wall black. She said Donald Trump told her the black paint would heat up and prevent immigrants from climbing over it.

They both ignored the fact that this isn’t true, the black paint is no deterrent, and that fleeing illegals can just put up a ladder and go right over the top of the wall.

But the black does go with everything, and will make the Wall look that much more chic.

“South Park” Lampoons Trump’s Tiny Penis, Chat GPT, Tim Cook Bearing Gifts, Ketamine Addiction, and Satan Trying to Escape White House

Roger Friedman
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“South Park” Lampoons Trump’s Tiny Penis, Chat GPT, Tim Cook Bearing Gifts, Ketamine Addiction, and Satan Trying to Escape White House

It was a more subdued but nonetheless shocking episode of “South Park” tonight.

The focus was far away from the South Park kids as Randy Marsh becomes addicted to both ketamine and Chat GPT while trying to save his marijuana farm after ICE agents abduct all his Mexican workers.

The advice he gets sends his employee, Towelie, a walking talking towel, to Washington to see Donald Trump and arrange for the declassification of marijuana as a drug.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone bring us to militarized Washington and a White House with a long line of sycophants waiting to give Trump gifts. One of them is Tim Cook from Apple, whose gift is derided by Trump — as are all of them.

Meantime, Trump’s tiny penis is shown in various frames, especially in bed naked again with Satan, who’s trying to escape the White House. (It’s also shown when Towelie visits the Lincoln Memorial, where Trump’s statue has replaced Lincoln’s, and his tiny penis is exposed.)

The episode ends with Satan realizing he can’t get away from Trump, and Towelie stuck in a White House bathroom.

More than the ongoing Trump mockery, “South Park”‘s sly satire tonight has more to do with Chat GPT and how people have become reliant on its mind numbing answers and advice. Randy becomes a slave to AI, and then to Ketamine which he’s been told is how “real techies” deal with it.

Not a blistering episode, but keen satire. Next episode September 3rd.

Will Smith’s Oscar Slap Still Heard Around the World as Star Shrinks Charitable Giving to a Fraction of the Old Days

Roger Friedman
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Will Smith’s Oscar Slap Still Heard Around the World as Star Shrinks Charitable Giving to a Fraction of the Old Days

In 2021, Will Smith was on top of the world.

One of the biggest movie stars ever, Smith lived in a $42 million mansion so big that it had its own zip code. He was starring in several movies at once including “King Richard,” for which he would win an Oscar in 2022.

Smith had a 501c3 from which he and wife Jada Pinkett dispensed gifts to various charities. Will deposited over $2 million into Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation in 2021. They gave away $881,000.

But then came those 2022 Oscars. A violent Will slapped Chris Rock on stage, live all over the world. He was banned from the Motion Picture Academy for 10 years. Jobs were canceled. He’s never seemed contrite or apologetic.

What happened next to the Foundation?

Later in 2022, Will deposited 365,870 into the 501 c3. Only $200,000 came from him. The balance was donated by his production company. He gave away $336,500.

In 2023, things got worse. Will’s contribution to the foundation was $275,000. Disbursements to other charities were just $215K.

Back in the heyday of the Will and Jada Smith Foundation, the couple gave away millions, created a private school (now closed) that taught Scientology, and contributed to the Nation of Islam.

It’s not like they’re broke. There are reports the Smiths have been selling off extra homes. But just the maintenance of that $42 million spread must be unreal, including property taxes.

Right now, Smith has about a half dozen acting projects in the hopper. But his attempt to revive his music career failed miserably. And it remains to be seen if he’ll ever be accepted in the mainstream again.

Please Watch This Video: Is This Our America? Federal Agents Restraining a Man, Screaming in Agony, on the Washington Mall

Roger Friedman
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Please Watch This Video: Is This Our America? Federal Agents Restraining a Man, Screaming in Agony, on the Washington Mall

This happened today.

No one is stopping it. Is this America? Is this what you really want? I know there are sick people who will think Yes, get him. But if it happened to you or someone you knew, you wouldn’t feel that way.

I love the people on the sidewalk. They’re what we call “the good Germans.” They see nothing.

This is so disgusting, it makes my blood boil. We are letting thugs rule the country thanks to Donald Trump and his goon squad.

Forget about uneducated MAGA and those people. How about Democrats and independents who voted for Trump? How can you sleep?

Warning About Google AI: Report from Expert Sees Website Traffic for NY Times’ Wirecutter Is Dropping Fast as Google Kills The Internet

Roger Friedman
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Warning About Google AI: Report from Expert Sees Website Traffic for NY Times’ Wirecutter Is Dropping Fast as Google Kills The Internet

Internet sage Glenn Gabe has an alarming report on his site.

Traffic for the NY Times’ site Wirecutter has gone off the deep end.

Wirecutter is NY Times site that covers family stuff, electronics, home issues, etc. It’s the equivalent of what New York magazine was decades ago, all about helpful and cool stuff. There are lots of reviews of cell phones, vacuums, etc, plus practical things we need to keep going in this crazy world.

Gabe noticed that in the last month, Wirecutter — like every website — is spiraling out of control. Google, I surmise, is killing Wirecutter with AI. When someone searches for “best vacuum,” they’re getting Google’s AI answer. Previously they would have clicked on Wirecutter’s blue link.

But Google AI and all AI are ravaging websites, destroying the internet now no what kind of defense is put up. This is a frightening story and one that should be taken seriously because it’s happened to every website. If it can happen to the New York Times, it’s happening to you.

Here’s the link.

Cardi B’s New Single DOA as Atlantic Records, Despite “Ordinary” Hit, Lays Off 30 to 40 People Including 4 Main Promo Execs

Roger Friedman
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Cardi B’s New Single DOA as Atlantic Records, Despite “Ordinary” Hit, Lays Off 30 to 40 People Including 4 Main Promo Execs

Atlantic Records is in a hot mess.

Last week, four main promo execs were laid off. But they weren’t alone. I’m told the company was gutted with 30 to 40 laid off throughout the staff.

This really hurts because Atlantic has had one bright spot all year: Alex Warren’s song “Ordinary,” which has stuck in the top 3 on the charts for weeks and weeks.

But that’s it for Atlantic. A new blow is a single drop last Friday by rapper Cardi B. “Imaginary Playerz” has only gotten as high as number 15 on iTunes. It hasn’t registered at all on Apple’s Top 100 Streaming list, or on Spotify. The song largely samples an old Jay Z hit called “Imaginary Players.”

Prior to this single, another one, called “Outside,” has amassed just 21,400 downloads, plus streaming that takes it up to over 400,000. But that doesn’t bode well for Cardi B — whose second full album (first in 7 years since her debut) — is coming on September 19th.

Ten months ago, Atlantic already slashed a huge number of executives as it fell under the control of Elliot Grainge, whose father is the legendary Universal Music chief Lucien Grainge. Elliot and his team promised lots of hits, and so on, but so far none of that has come to pass.

Atlantic is part of the Warner Music Group, which has its own problems overall and promises of more layoffs throughout the corporation. Warner Records itself has had more luck breaking acts — with Sombr coming up this Friday — but is still living on legacy acts. Two weeks ago Warner Records laid off and reorganized in the face of shrinking sales.

But what can these companies do? Streaming has eaten downloading and CDs, the latter destroyed. Sales are minimal. Releases are few and far between, with no headlining making artists other than Taylor Swift.

But what

Carrie Coon, Mrs. Russell from “The Gilded Age,” Coming to Broadway This Fall in Her Real Husband’s Play (Tracy Letts)

Roger Friedman
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Carrie Coon, Mrs. Russell from “The Gilded Age,” Coming to Broadway This Fall in Her Real Husband’s Play (Tracy Letts)

When we last saw Bertha Russell, she was aghast that her husband left her.

That was on “The Gilded Age.”

Now Mrs. Russell’s portrayer, Carrie Coon, is coming to Broadway this fall. She’ll star in her award winning playwright husband’s “Bug.”

The husband, Tracy Letts, actor and writer, is best known for “August Osage County.”

By the time she gets to the Samuel G. Freedman Theater, Coon may have an Emmy for “The White Lotus.”

That’s quite a year!

“Bug” last played at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater in 2021.

The full cast of the 2021 production will reprise their performances on Broadway, including  Namir Smallwood, Randall Arney, Jennifer Engstrom and Steve Key.

Set in a seedy Oklahoma motel room, Bug centers on the unlikely romance between a lonely waitress and a mysterious and paranoid drifter. The longer they talk, the more the waitress begins to adopt his neuroses. The work premiered at London’s Gate Theatre in 1996, with a revised version playing Off-Broadway’s Barrow Street Theatre in 2004, winning the Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for Best Play. A movie adaptation was released in 2006 directed by William Friedkin, starring Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, and Harry Connick, Jr.

This production will be notable for its acting and writing, and also its opening night. Almost all of “The Gilded Age” cast lives in New York. The Freedman theater is small, so you can imagine that red carpet!

Claim: Controversial Country Star Morgan Wallen Not Submitting 4 Million Selling “I’m the Problem” for Grammy Consideration

Roger Friedman
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Claim: Controversial Country Star Morgan Wallen Not Submitting 4 Million Selling “I’m the Problem” for Grammy Consideration

Morgan Wallen is certainly the outlier in popular music.

The country star sells millions and millions of streaming music but is not taken seriously by anyone.

His latest album, “I’m the Problem,” has steamed the equivalent of almost 4 million copies. Of course, less than 10% are actual sales. Maybe 250,000 in CDs, LPs, and and paid downloads. Otherwise, it’s all in the air.

Anyway, Wallen — according to hitsdailydouble.com — has not submitted “I’m the Problem” for Grammy consideration. The deadline is August 31st.

That means no Wallen on the Grammys next winter.

What’s the problem? Is he the problem?

The Grammys don’t care much for Wallen. He’s never gotten any Grammy nominations. He was accused of using the N word on a home video and only got his hand slapped. His punishment is to just keep making more money, money, money. Whatever mansion he lives in is lined with expensive beer bottles and gold records from the RIAA.

Year to date, according to Luminate, he’s sold a total of 6 million equivalent sales, with a total of 303,000 in physical sales.

The streaming is what his sales are all about, which means someone’s just hitting the play button on Spotify over and over.

But those physical sales — iTunes is always listing “I’m the Problem” in the top 10. In reality the album sold an actual 4,000 copies last week which demonstrates how anemic record sales really are.

So no Morgan, no cry at this year’s coming Grammys — which just clears the path for country artists who deserve the accolades.

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