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Spike Lee’s Excellent New Movie “Highest 2 Lowest” Hidden at Theaters by Apple, A24: Thank Them for No Box Office Story Today

Roger Friedman
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Spike Lee’s Excellent New Movie “Highest 2 Lowest” Hidden at Theaters by Apple, A24: Thank Them for No Box Office Story Today

If Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” had really been in theaters today there would have been a weekend box office story today.

But Apple and A24 are hiding “H2L” in as few and as remote theaters are they can pending its arrival on Apple TV Plus in a couple of weeks.

They’ve only released this exuberant, sensational film to any theaters to qualify it for Oscars consideration — which it deserves.

But the two studios are doing Spike and the audience a great disservice. If there were one film this year that demands being on a big screen, it’s “Highest 2 Lowest.” Not just for the incredible cinematography, but for the award winning score and music mix.

“Highest 2 Lowest” also demands an audience. It’s not meant for sole viewing on a phone or laptop. The drama and laughs are too big to shove into those empty portals. When then there’s a little surprise moment with the fantastic Jeffrey Wright, you need someone next you to say, “Huh?”

“H2L” is playing in some of New York’s hardest to find theaters. The studio and streamer show their disdain by not even booking it in AMC Lincoln Square on 68th and Broadway. It’s only playing in two or three theaters in Brooklyn, where it was shot and is portrayed. Really shameful.

Apple lucked out with “CODA” a couple of years ago, even though they didn’t deserve it. Instead of thanking their lucky stars, they just went back to their old ways. I guess Tim Cook is too busy giving Trump gifts to think about how Apple will affect the history of cinema going forward.

Go see “H2L” on any screen near you, now before it’s confined to a little silver card case.

Watch Andie McDowell’s Daughter Margaret Qualley Trying to Set Up Her Mom with Former Co-Star (and Frenemy) Bill Murray

Roger Friedman
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Watch Andie McDowell’s Daughter Margaret Qualley Trying to Set Up Her Mom with Former Co-Star (and Frenemy) Bill Murray

This is an instant classic from the Tonight show.

Margaret Qualley was a guest this week with Jimmy Fallon. She admits that she encountered Bill Murray backstage and offered to set him up with her mom, the great Andie McDowell.

Turns out the former co-stars of “Groundhog Day,” who never got along, now each are living in Charleston, South Carolina. (Is there room for both of them in that sweet little town? Sounds like…”Groundhog Day”!)

Qualley side eyes Murray big time. It would have been fun to see his reaction.

Sad News: “General Hospital” Star Tristan Rogers aka Robert Scorpio, Dead at 79 After Long Battle with Cancer, Played Role with Panache

Roger Friedman
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Sad News: “General Hospital” Star Tristan Rogers aka Robert Scorpio, Dead at 79 After Long Battle with Cancer, Played Role with Panache

Very sad news: “General Hospital” star Tristan Rogers has died. He played superspy and leading man Robert Scorpio on and off for over 40 years.

Rogers made a farewell appearance recently on the long running ABC soap after leaving the show last November. For a couple of years at least it’s been clear to viewers that he was losing ground in his fight with cancer.

When Rogers arrived on “General Hospital,” he was the unique star, an Australian version of James Bond. He was integrated to the main story — as if 007 would become the police commissioner in an upstate New York backwater — but always played the part with intelligence, wit, and panache.

During the last four decades, Rogers left and had stints on other shows like “The Young the Restless” (where he played a charming con man) but he was always the debonair Scorpio.

Rogers despite his illness kept going on “General Hospital.” He had taken to sitting during scenes over the last year, and looked exhausted, but in real 007 style, he never gave or gave up.

“General Hospital” has lost a lot of actors from its heyday in the 1980s this year and last including Leslie Charleson, Denise Alexander, Jacklyn Zeman, and Chris Robinson. Recently, actor Kin Shriner, who’d also been there for four decades, was shelved without explanation. Only a couple of familiar faces remain. It’s the end of an era.

Latest Kennedy Center Shock: Exec in Charge of Theater Productions Out After Insiders Thought He’d Be Running the Show

Roger Friedman
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Latest Kennedy Center Shock: Exec in Charge of Theater Productions Out After Insiders Thought He’d Be Running the Show

I know, Putin and Trump are rolling in the hay but back in Washington, the Kennedy Center is still mired in trouble.

The New York Times reported today that Jeffrey Finn, the long time producer who brought the Broadway shows into the Kennedy Center, is out. Finn has been booking Broadway shows there since 2016. Sources told me he was the glue holding the place together.

Indeed, I was also told this week that within the Center, there was speculation that Finn might be promoted to run the Center under Trump lackey Richard Grennell. The news of Finn’s departure was a surprise.

But was it really? Yesterday’s announcement of the Kennedy Center honorees was a travesty. Trump says he will host the annual show , which will feature five completely low end choices including Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford of “Phantom of the Opera,” disco queen and one hit wonder Gloria Gaynor, country singer George Strait, and B list rock group KISS.

For Finn, the Crawford choice might have been his last straw. A nice man who lucked out in one role, Crawford’s career is minor compared to many Broadway and theater greats.

The lunacy at the Kennedy Center since Trump took over has become a daily undertaking of destruction. Why? The Kennedy Center is the national home to the arts, and a tribute to late president John F. Kennedy. As Kennedy’s grandson said today in a mocking video, Trump is obsessed with his grandfather. He wants to destroy his legacy, by suggesting that the theater complex be renamed for Trump or the opera house be named for wife Melania.

Finn was already backed into a corner accepting productions of non union touring shows like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Moulin Rouge” for the coming season. “Hamilton,” which had already been a success at the Kennedy Center, canceled its run entirely. Performers from “Les Miserables” refused to appear the night Trump was there for a fundraiser.

Everyone who worked at the Kennedy Center in a significant role is now gone. Trump has had his way in wresting control of a symbol and creating a constant distraction from his real issues like two wars, inflation, mass deportation, and Jeffrey Epstein. We can’t take our eye off the ball, even as Trump’s next move will to be, maybe, adding a batting cage to the Kennedy Center.

PS So far The Kennedy Centers has no producer for its CBS show. All the regular candidates have turned it down. “Would it ruin someone’s career to say yes?” someone who’s been involved before asked me yesterday.

Yes.

Hollywood Comes to the Hamptons for Superstar Fundraiser: Julianne Moore, Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Wendell Pierce — More!

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Comes to the Hamptons for Superstar Fundraiser: Julianne Moore, Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Wendell Pierce — More!

East Hampton is bracing itself for the biggest celebrity event in years.

Two dozen stars will descend on Guild Hall the night of August 25th for a benefit reading of the Oscar winning screenplay for “All the President’s Men.”

This unique gathering is to raise money for a former Manhattan church at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th St. The landmark building is called The Center at West Park, and it’s in constant danger of being torn down by developers.

The great John Benjamin Hickey is directing this massive read that stars Julianne Moore, Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Wendell Pierce, Nathan Lane, Alec Baldwin, Corey Hawkins, J Smith-Cameron from “Succession,” Talia Balsam, CNN’s Dana Bash, Ali Wentworth, Victor Garber, Spencer Garrett, Maddie Corman, Andy Cohen, Ramy Youssef, and several others.

It’s hard to imagine all these people on the same stage. What will the audience be like? You can expect Carl Bernstein, who wrote the book and did the legendary investigative reports in the Washington Post with Bob Woodward.

All of this to save WestPark, an important New York landmark that is threatened with removal and replacement. We don’t need any more $5 million condos, that’s for sure!

“All the President’s Men” screenplay was written by the legendary William Goldman. The movie was directed by the towering Alan Pakula. The movie won four of its eight Oscar nominations including screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Jason Robards. It’s the paradigm for every movie since then about journalists and a stunning work.

Tom Cruise Turned Down Trump Offer of Kennedy Center Honor, Citing Work Conflict, But He’s Not Shooting Anything in December

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise Turned Down Trump Offer of Kennedy Center Honor, Citing Work Conflict, But He’s Not Shooting Anything in December

Tom Cruise didn’t want to be part of Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center travesty.

The Washington Post says Cruise turned down Trump’s offer of an honor, citing scheduling conflicts.

But the Kennedy Center event is usually the first week in December. Cruise has nothing in production set for that time. He will have finished “Broadsword,” and maybe in pre-production for “Top Gun 3.”

Even if he were in a shoot, a two day jaunt to Washington, DC would be nothing for globe-trotting Cruise. And nothing is required besides just showing up. Others would have done tributes to him.

Cruise may not be the only potential honoree to decline being involved in Trump’s crapfest. That’s the likeliest reason the list of honorees is so dreadful. Who would say yes other than a small group of right wingers? Better yet, who will appear in the presentation? And who will be in the audience? The mind boggles.

Cruise can easily wait it out until 2029, when he would definitely be candidate for a Kennedy Center honor. Who knows what his personal beliefs are? But as a savvy box office man, he’s wise enough to know that doing anything to support Trump would turn off a chunk of his audience.

Carly Simon Coming Around Again: Remake of 1986 Hit with Alanis Morissette Jumps to Number 3 on iTunes Top 100

Roger Friedman
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Carly Simon Coming Around Again: Remake of 1986 Hit with Alanis Morissette Jumps to Number 3 on iTunes Top 100

Surprise!

As Clive Davis says, great songs never die. He should know. Back in 1986, he signed up Carly Simon and had a huge hit with “Coming Around Again” from the movie, “Heartburn.”

Almost 40 years later, Simon is back with the same song and it’s number 4 in iTunes.

This time, Simon sings with Alanis Morissette. It’s the latter’s record, but Carly is featured since she wrote it. They recorded it for a new movie called My Mother’s Wedding, directed by Kristin Scott Thomas starring Sienna Miller and Scarlett Johansson.

The movie is not getting great reviews, but the song is a hit. It’s time for younger artists to hit that Carly Simon catalog. It’s a treasure trove!

Exclusive: R&B Legend Gladys Knight is Just Fine, Doesn’t Have Dementia, and Is Not Being “Forced to Tour” — I Just Spoke to Her

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: R&B Legend Gladys Knight is Just Fine, Doesn’t Have Dementia, and Is Not Being “Forced to Tour” — I Just Spoke to Her

Gladys Knight is A Okay.

I just spoke to the R&B legend and her husband, William McDowell. They were in their car driving in North Carolina, and picked up the phone when they saw my number.

Yesterday they spoke to Dionne Warwick.

Why all the calls? A rumor went out on the wire that Gladys had dementia and was being “forced to tour” by William, who is also her manager.

The scurrilous reports came from Gladys’s son, Shanga, filing a complaint against them in NC alleging elder abuse. It was very alarming. Gladys is a national treasure.

But good news: the famed singer of “Midnight Train to Georgia” is perfectly fine, well and alive, and making perfect sense.

Gladys told me, by the way, she will likely be in attendance at the US Open. She’s a huge tennis fan.

Gladys will also be on tour with her pals Patti Labelle, Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan again soon. Believe me, they won’t let anything bad happen to her.

As for the son, Shanga, we’ll stay out of private family matters. But he needn’t worry about his amazing mom!

Here’s Gladys performing at Clive Davis’s 2024 Grammy pre-party.

Trump’s Kennedy Center for the Walmart Crowd Ignores Awards Charter: No Classic Music, Dance, Jazz, Latin Inductees

Roger Friedman
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Trump’s Kennedy Center for the Walmart Crowd Ignores Awards Charter: No Classic Music, Dance, Jazz, Latin Inductees

Much will be written about the crappy choices made by Donald Trump for his version of the Kennedy Center Honors.

Everything about his choices violates the Honors’ charter and reason for being.

The nominees are country star George Strait, “”Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, disco queen Gloria Gaynor, plus rock group KISS, and “Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford.

Trump, a Luddite who has no cultural background, went for the Walmart crowd. He wants Tiffany & Co. to strike a new medal for this group, but it’s really Kohl’s which should have the contract. Nothing about this group says “Tiffanys.”

He’s overlooked classical music and dance, the staples that fill the actual Kennedy Center with audiences. No opera. No Jazz. No Latin influenced art. The great stars that should have honors — like Denzel Washington or Liza Minnelli — are not included. No Broadway star who is current. See below” Crawford is from long ago, and not even American.

The worst choice is Gaynor, who had one hit, “I Will Survive.” That’s it. She covers female and Black, and maybe even gay, so she bizarrely made the list.

Michael Crawford is, I’m sure, a nice guy. He played Barnaby in “Hello, Dolly!” His turn as the Phantom in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical for dullards was the extent of his leading man roles. But Trump knows the show, at least vaguely, just as he may know one or two songs from “Les Miserables.”

KISS — a B list band. Lots of fun, but nothing serious. Nothing remotely musical, just a lot of theater, makeup, and loud rock and roll.

Stallone — recently named as one of Trump’s “Hollywood ambassadors.” He’s famous for “Rocky” and “Rambo” movies. In the last couple of years he posted antisemitic tweets about “Rocky” producer Irwin Winkler because he thought Winkler should give him the “Rocky” rights back. Winkler made Stallone’s career, then revived it with “Creed.” I guess we’re lucky that Mel Gibson and Jon Voight weren’t chosen.

George Strait — country star, which fits Trump’s Cracker Barrel mentality. Very conservative. Lee Greenwood must be miffed.

So far, there’s no TV producer for the CBS show in December. Even Trump pal Mark Burnett, I’m told, is not getting involved as Trump has sent him to the UK as a special envoy.

Trump himself will host the show, which means good hate-watching for his blunders and blusters. How many times will he attack Joe Biden? It should be hilarious and the source for video memes galore.

But the CBS audience will not turn out for this show. The other networks can plan knockout competitive programming that will beat the new Kennedy Center/Trump awards handily. Just wait for NBC and ABC to come up with specials for that night. They’ll win, hands down.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono Getting 12 Disc Box Set “Power to the People” with Many Unreleased Tracks from Their Anti-Vietnam War Period

Roger Friedman
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John Lennon and Yoko Ono Getting 12 Disc Box Set “Power to the People” with Many Unreleased Tracks from Their Anti-Vietnam War Period

Sean Ono Lennon is really work to cement his parents’ legacy, especially John’s post-Beatles.

He’s put together a massive box set called “Power to the People” with 12 discs covering the couple’s anti-Vietnam war period.

The central part is a whole remixed “One to One” concerts, with spanking new versions of the two main shows, and a hybrid of the two shows.

There’s a lot to unpack in this box for Lennon-Ono fanatics. “The One To One concert was our effort in Grassroots Politics,” writes Yoko Ono Lennon in the Preface to Power To The People. “It embodied what John and I strongly believed in – Rock for Peace and Enlightenment. And this one in Madison Square Garden turned out to be the last concert John and I did together. Imagine Peace. Peace is Power. Power To The People!”

(It was indeed the last concert John and Yoko did together as he left her shortly thereafter for May Pang, and recorded big hits over an infamous 18 month period.)

The package includes a 204-page deeply researched hardback book designed and edited by Simon Hilton featuring an oral history about all the included music through the words of John & Yoko and those involved sourced from both archival and new interviews. The book is illustrated with unseen photos, lyrics, drawings, tape boxes and memorabilia. Additionally, the set includes a newspaper print poster, sticker sheets and a VIP envelope containing replica concert tickets, backstage and aftershow passes that “have all been uniquely reproduced with textured, archival materials.”

OK, cool. I’m more interested in the dozens of unreleased home studio and demo tracks, especially the ones recorded at the St. Regis Hotel, and four tracks recorded with folk great Phil Ochs in Michigan.

Again, there’s a lot here, and if you’re interested in a graduate class in John & Yoko’s peace work, it sounds like the gift of a lifetime. The whole thing is outlined in painstaking detail at www.johnlennon.com.

Here’s the newly remixed, sparked up “Come Together” from the “One on One” concert.

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