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Elton John Oscar Party, Co-Hosted by Lady Gaga, Raised $8.6 Mil for AIDS Research — And Elton Satellited In For a Private Show!

Roger Friedman
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Elton John Oscar Party, Co-Hosted by Lady Gaga, Raised $8.6 Mil for AIDS Research — And Elton Satellited In For a Private Show!

Elton John was on stage somewhere in the heartland Sunday night. He couldn’t even be at his own Oscar party in Hollywood. But the party was a smash anyway, co-hosted by Lady Gaga, David Furnish, Eric McCormack, Billy Porter, and Brandi Carlile. EJAF, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, raised $8.6 million for AIDS research and funding of projects to end the terrible epidemic.

Unlike the Vanity Fair party the annual Elton soiree is thrown for a purpose. The only people who benefit from the Vanity Fair ratf*ck are Conde Nast and their advertisers. Late in the evening, around 12;45am, we ran into three guys in their 60s from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn who were right out of central casting for “Goodfellas” or “The Sopranos.” They’d actually bought their way into the VF party!)

The A List Guests at EJAF included Casey Affleck, Saweeti, Demi Lovato, Kevin Costner, Zooey Deschanel, Donatella Versace, Fran Drescher, star sisters Rosanna and Patricia Arquette, Christina Hendricks, Chris Pine, Lucy Hale, Heidi Klum, Chris Sullivan and Chrissy Metz, Andrew Rannells, Sofia Richie, Liam Payne, Beck, Bobby Berk, Emily Hampshire, Nukki Haskell, Kathy and Rick Hilton, among others.

To the delight of the attendees, Elton John joined via satellite from his rescheduled Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour stop in Lincoln, Nebraska, to express his appreciation for their support and treat the crowd to a special performance of “Your Song” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

Live at the party Brandi Carlile and surprise guest John Wesley Rogers performed a duet of “Rocket Man.” How cool was that?

PS Everyone went by strict protocols, with vaccine cards double checked, and many with new COVID tests.

 

 

How Could Power of the Dog Win the Oscar? Even Netflix Subscribers Didn’t Watch It

Roger Friedman
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How Could Power of the Dog Win the Oscar? Even Netflix Subscribers Didn’t Watch It

There’s a lot of handwringing post-Oscars about “The Power of the Dog.” Netflix spent at least $20 million on the Academy Award campaign and yielded exactly one statue, for director Jane Campion.

Otherwise, “Power of the Dog” did not resonate with Academy voters. Nor did it catch on with Netflix subscribers. Today Netflix is trumpeting that Ryan Reynolds has three movies on its top 10 list of original movies. But what they’re ignoring is that “POD” isn’t even on that list.

Another Oscar nominee, “Don’t Look Up,” is the second most watched movie in Netflix’s history among their originals. It should be: the budget for that all star began with $30 million for Leonardo Di Caprio and $25 million for Jennifer Lawrence. With Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Tyler Perry, Jonah Hill– the bottom line may have been $200 million.

The numbers below are based on hours viewed in their first 28 days on Netflix.

PS Maybe Netflix should get out of the awards business and just make entertaining, broad audience pleasing movies.

1. Red Notice, 364 million hours
2. Don’t Look Up, 359.8 million
3. Bird Box, 282 million
4. Extraction, 231.3 million
5. The Unforgivable, 214.7 million
6. The Irishman, 214.6 million
7. The Adam Project, 209.7 million
8. The Kissing Booth 2, 209.3 million
9. 6 Underground, 205.5 million
10. Spencer Confidential, 197.3 million

RIP Tears for Paulie Herman, De Niro Associate, “Sopranos” Actor, Beloved Hollywood Restaurateur

Roger Friedman
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RIP Tears for Paulie Herman, De Niro Associate, “Sopranos” Actor, Beloved Hollywood Restaurateur

I am so sorry to hear that Paulie Herman has died. He was 76, and a beloved character on both coasts.

Paulie may be known to you as Robert De Niro’s pal in “Silver Linings Playbook.” He also had a recurring role as “Beanie” in “The Sopranos.” He was in “Casino” and “Goodfellas,” also, on the TV show, “Entourage,” and the Jeff Bridges movie, “Crazy Heart.”

I met Paulie over 30 years ago when he and his brother Charlie ran the famed Columbus Cafe on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. It was supposed to be the Upper West Side version of Elaine’s, and for a time, it was. On Wikipedia it says the place was “frequented by actors, ballet dancers, gangsters, and FBI and DEA agents.” This was completely true. I met a lot of eclectic people there during its short run. Regis Philbin and DeNiro were among the partners.

Paulie knew everyone in Hollywood and the New York movie scene. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say he was one of Robert DeNiro’s closest pals. They were very tight. When De Niro and his restaurant pals opened Ago on Melrose in West Hollywood in 1998, Paulie was sent to run it. And he kept it going until the end of 2019, when the restaurant lost its lease.

Paulie was loyal as they come. He was a great friend and acquaintance. At Ago he always greeted me with a hug, made sure I always had a great table, we’d reminisce about Paul Sorvino singing at Columbus or the night in 1986 — yes, 1986 — when novelist William Kennedy’s wife Dana showed Francis Ford Coppola her “cell phone” — it was like a brick — and let him use it to call his young daughter, Sofia.

Paulie, you will always be missed. RIP.

PS Tony Danza already posted a tribute. There will be more, believe me.

Robert De Niro:

“I am very sad about the passing of Paul Herman.  He was a wonderful actor as well as a dear friend.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, and by the profession he so proudly served through

the quality of his work.

Rest in Peace, Paul.”

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tony Danza (@tonydanza)

 

Will Smith Gets Support from Double Murderer OJ Simpson: “I understand the sentiment”

Roger Friedman
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Will Smith Gets Support from Double Murderer OJ Simpson: “I understand the sentiment”

Will Smith has gotten support from former football star, ex con, and double murderer OJ Simpson on Twitter.

Simpson was found responsible for the deaths of his ex wife Nicole Brown, and Ronald Goldman, by a civil jury in 1996.

He says Smith was wrong to slap Chris Rock on the live Oscar show. But Simpson says. “I understand the sentiment.” Like Smith, Simpson was unable to control his rage when he came upon his ex and her friend in an innocent situation on June 12, 1994.

So at least Will has one celebrity supporter. I’m sure he appreciates it.

PS We don’t talk about OJ.

Oscars Didn’t Spur Beyonce Sales, But “Bruno,” Billie Eilish Bond, and Reba All Run Up the Charts

Roger Friedman
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Oscars Didn’t Spur Beyonce Sales, But “Bruno,” Billie Eilish Bond, and Reba All Run Up the Charts

The title of Beyonce’s Oscar nominated song was “Be Alive.” But since she taped a video and her performance wasn’t live, sales of the single on iTunes have been minimal since Oscar night.

But other songs connected to the wild Sunday night show are running up the charts.

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which wasn’t nominated but performed anyway because it was from a Disney movie (ABC owns Disney) is back up to number 2.

Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die,” which won the Oscar, is at number 6.

More interesting: Reba McEntire’s live performance of “Somehow You Do,” the Diane Warren song, is number 15. It’s never been on the charts. But Reba was so profoundly moving in her delivery, fans have responded. Very nice to see.

Also on the charts is the “Encanto” song that was nominated, “Dos Oruguitas,” which no one can actually sing. And Lady Gaga has three older hits on the chart. Lady Gaga’s presentation of Best Picture with Liza Minnelli was one of the highlights of the night. Gaga is so warm and respectful with older stars like Liza or Tony Bennett, it’s magnificent. As someone said to me, “She was raised right.”

Oscar Weekend Wrap Up: Rita Moreno, Diane Warren Light Up 15th Annual Women in Film Event

Leah Sydney
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Oscar Weekend Wrap Up: Rita Moreno, Diane Warren Light Up 15th Annual Women in Film Event

There was no better way to start the Oscar Weekend  than to get off the elevator at the Bar Lis at the Thompson Hotel in Hollywood and to immediately chat with the irrepressible Rita Moreno.

The first ever EGOT was honored at the Women In Film 15th annual Oscar Party celebrating the 2022 Women Oscar nominees. As she was being feted I asked her, “How does it feel to be you? “She laughed then replied “I don’t think of that.  I just love being respected for my work. I’ve gotten a lot of attention this year, and it’s very, and I mean, very nice!”

Steven Spielberg,  her “West Side Story” director, has become a good friend.  She confirmed that, “Steven and I are so close. He’s my darling, darling friend. I adore him.” How about Tom Brady who’s producing and starring in the film she just started “80 for Brady” that Rita is doing with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Sally Field? She quipped, “We’re just starting our second week.  He’s producing and he’s in it.  I haven’t met him yet, sure looking forward to it!”

Co-hosted by WIF Board President Emerita Cathy Schulman and Oscar winning artist, H.E.R, the event was packed with nominees, celebs and industry insiders.  Nominees included Songwriter Diane Warren, Director Jane Campion, Composer Germaine Franco, Writer, Director Sian Heder, Producer Kristie Macosko Krieger, DP Ari Wegner, Producer Laura Berwick and more.  Gracious H.E.R told the crowd, “I can’t believe I’m a part of this and still can’t believe I won an Oscar!  To me, it’s all about women supporting other women.  The moment we realize we are unstoppable together, the stronger we will become.  When it comes to achievements like these I always say, it’s confirmation but not validation.  Always know your worth and value.”

The Oscar nominees then came up on stage, as did Moreno, who at 90 is still every bit the activist she’s ever been. “I’ve had some amazing surprises tonight, which has delighted me beyond anything I can describe. Probably one of the best things that happened is when someone said to me, earlier this afternoon, would you wear this?”  Rita pointed to a pin they were giving out that said, ‘Bans Off Our Bodies.’ She continued, “As long as I’m around, I’m going to fight like fuck!” The crowd then chanted Rita’s name.  She went on to say about women’s rights, “I am so angry, we have to get better, get together and make this happen.  Before I go goddamit!”

Warren, a 13-time Oscar nominee, alas not a win yet, had the crowd laughing when she quipped, “this looks familiar, on yeah, I’ve been up here a lot!”  The goodwill and support for each other was clearly palpable in the room, and it didn’t hurt that many were sipping Don Julio cocktails and getting made up at the Charlotte Tilbury make-up station.  WIF is always the top tier event to kick off the Oscar weekend and after a two-year hiatus, this WIF event was truly welcomed indeed.

Oscars Ratings Higher Than Thought, Up 7 Mil from 2021 Even with Longer Show

Roger Friedman
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Oscars Ratings Higher Than Thought, Up 7 Mil from 2021 Even with Longer Show

The ratings for Sunday’s Oscars telecast were higher than thought.

The total viewers came to almost 17 million, up from 10 million in 2021. It’s still the second lowest rated Oscars of all time, but a clear improvement from last year.

Is your cup half empty or half full?

Even with movies that didn’t have big box office, a Best Picture that didn’t play in theaters, and a show longer than ever, the numbers are up considerably.

Factor in that once Will Smith snapped, lost his mind, and ran onto the stage to punch Chris Rock, word spread quickly on the internet. Traffic on this site rose so fast that we were knocked off our server for around 15 minutes! People tuned in for that last 40 minutes, which added to the numbers.

Some things didn’t work but others did. The three hosts — Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall — were very good, and so were the musical numbers. Amy as Spider Man was hilarious. What didn’t work were the In Memoriam, and the James Bond tribute. The latter was rather a disaster considering ex-Bond Timothy Dalton lives in LA, and Dame Judi Dench flew in from the UK. Neither was involved, nor was faux Bond George Lazenby.

But if the Oscars were up in audience with movies like “Belfast” and “CODA” imagine what they could be with films that have bigger fan bases. There’s always next year…

 

Here Are the Ingredients to Madonna’s New Release, A Possible “Frozen” Re-do 23 Years Later

Roger Friedman
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Here Are the Ingredients to Madonna’s New Release, A Possible “Frozen” Re-do 23 Years Later

Madonna is dropping a new single on Thursday night. It seems to be a remake of her 1998 hit, “Frozen.” It features 070 SHake aka Dani Moon aka Danielle Balbuena a 24 year old rapper singer from New Jersey who has worked with Kanye’s producer Mike Dean.

Is this like Elton John remaking his song “Sacrifice” with elements of “Rocket Man” and Dua Lipa? Maybe. That has turned out to be a winning formular.

Is there a formula here? Take these two songs and put them in a cocktail shaker and give the thing a fast few shakes. On Thursday night we’ll pour out the results.

PS Dani Moon was born the year before “Frozen” was released. FYI.

Watch the Oscars Backstage Interview with Billie Eilish and Finneas Conducted By This Site

Roger Friedman
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Watch the Oscars Backstage Interview with Billie Eilish and Finneas Conducted By This Site

Backstage at the Oscars Sunday night I was thrilled to interview Billie Eilish and Finneas after they won Best Song for “No Time to Die.” They were charming and disarming. I’m so glad that Billie has grown out of her morose, emo period. Her smile is infectious. And Finneas needs more recognition as a songwriter.

Will Smith Apologizes. But What Are the Consequences for the Slap Seen ‘Round the World?

Roger Friedman
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Will Smith Apologizes. But What Are the Consequences for the Slap Seen ‘Round the World?

Will Smith posted an apology to Chris Rock, the Academy, and the world today, on Instagram.

But what are the consequences for the slap seen ’round the world? How much rationalizing can one person do? This is unclear. Keep in mind, he didn’t go home after the show. He went out and celebrated his Oscar.

No joke warranted Smith’s response.

In the meantime, here’s what he has to say:

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

I am a work in progress.

Sincerely,

Will”

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