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Super Bowl Doesn’t Break Any Records, But Brings In A Healthy 99.1 Million Sports Fans

Roger Friedman
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Super Bowl Doesn’t Break Any Records, But Brings In A Healthy 99.1 Million Sports Fans

Super Bowl LVI didn’t break any records on Sunday but it did bring a lot of viewers and sports fans.

What’s interesting is that it killed off an average of about 100,000 viewers from cable shows like “Euphoria” and “Billions,” setting them back into the 200,000 range. The episodes of those shows will have a lot of delayed viewing this week.

The match between the LA Rams and Cincinnati Bengals brought in 99.1 million pairs of eyes officially, close to 100 million total. Everything worked: the game was exciting and close, the halftime show was a knockout, the commercials were all hits especially the news that Meadow and AJ Soprano are alive and driving a Chevy, and that Larry David was happy to sell out to some bitcoin thing that no one understood.

The result of all this was high numbers in the key age groups, making the network and ad sales people very, very happy. They won the game, not the Rams. And the fall off at 10:24 pm gave the Winter Olympics on NBC 21 million viewers who cried, in unison, “The Olympics are still on? What?”

Also, as I wrote yesterday, all the performers from the halftime show have sold a boatload of music in the last 48 hours on iTunes and other platforms.

Need a “Bridgerton” Fix Today Besides the New Trailer? How About The Unofficial Musical?

Leah Sydney
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Need a “Bridgerton” Fix Today Besides the New Trailer? How About The Unofficial Musical?

“Dearest gentle reader, did you miss me?”  so says Lady Whistledown, narrated by Julie Andrews in the trailer for season 2 of the Netflix mega hit, “Bridgerton” which dropped today; the show debuts on March 25th.  The fair lady was revealed to be in the finale the anonymous gossiper Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).

Devoted fans are already lamenting that their heartthrob the Duke of Hastings is not returning.  He was played by now worldwide heartthrob Regé -Jean Page.  Fear not; the trailer is bursting with racy romantic scenes between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (newcomer Simone Ashley).

If you must have a “Bridgerton” fix now, check out Barlow and Bear, Aka Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear’s Grammy nominated album, “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,” their own unique take on the wildly popular series.  #BridgertonMusical has garnered more than 260 million viewers and over 48 million likes to date. Fans are loving the songs “Ocean Away” and “Burn for You.”

Barlow is a TikTok star, and Bear has been a composer and recording artist since the age of 5, working with such powerhouses as Quincy Jones who has said of his protegee, “I’ve been in the business for over 70 years and I have yet to see another artist like her.”

Now back to Rege, even though fans have been hoping for a cameo, creator Shonda Rhimes has said that she doesn’t think he will return to the series. “Here’s why,” she said. “He’s an enormous star now. As I like to say, the idea that we would write Regé to stand around in the background doesn’t make any sense at all to me. What would he do? is what I like to say.” Maybe play James Bond?  That’s what the internet is blowing up about.  Let’s see.  Could be?  In the meantime though, fans can now listen to the soothing voice of Julie Andrews telling us that, “this author has been doing one thing; honing my skills, no even better, I’ve been sharpening my knives.  For all of you!”

 

Super Bowl Bump: Halftime Stars Rock 8 of Top 10 iTunes Singles, 6 of Top 10 Albums

Roger Friedman
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Super Bowl Bump: Halftime Stars Rock 8 of Top 10 iTunes Singles, 6 of Top 10 Albums

The Super Bowl paid off handsomely for all participants.

Not only did the Rams win, but do did all the musical guests.

Currently, Mary J Blige has the number 1 album, “Good Morning Gorgeous.” She also has the number 4 single with her classic hit, “Family Affair.”

Indeed, 8 of the top 10 singles on iTunes are by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent. On the album chart, 6 of the top 10 are by the Avengers of Hip Hop who performed on Sunday night.

After that, both charts are littered with releases from Mary J, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar.

So the appearances didn’t just help, they made the records skyrocket.

For Mary J, this was the best possible album launch of her career.

Of course, this also knocked Adele’s “30” album out of the top 10 and sent other current hits scurrying to the bottom of the charts. They’ll be back, I’m sure, but there’s nothing like a Super Bowl sales bump!

 

Happy Birthday Maceo Parker, Key to James Brown’s Music. Most Brilliant Sax Man Alive

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday Maceo Parker, Key to James Brown’s Music. Most Brilliant Sax Man Alive

Happy Birthday to Maceo Parker, who turned 79 years young today.

Maceo, his name is known because James Brown shouts out so often on his dozens of hit records. Mr. Brown’s music (we were always asked to call him Mr. Brown) depended so much on Maceo blowing his sax or other horns that were available. The more I listen to James Brown over the years (and thanks to Sirius Soul Town for programming so much of it), the more I am in awe of the intricacies of the records And it’s Maceo who always sounds fresh and inspired, never old, always original. God bless.

 

Oscars News: Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall Will Be Hosting Trio for ABC Broadcast March 27th

Roger Friedman
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Oscars News: Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall Will Be Hosting Trio for ABC Broadcast March 27th

Variety had a great scoop earlier this afternoon. Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall will be the three hosts for the Oscars on March 27th.

The big announcement will come tomorrow morning on “Good Morning America.”

Variety says the Academy talked to men, notably Jon Hamm, but he dropped out.

These three women are eclectic choices. But they’re all capable, and at this point the idea is to get the job done without embarrassment. This trio should be able to do that and more. Schumer and Sykes are very funny. Hall is an accomplished actress who is doing comedy lately in a movie we saw via Sundance called “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul!”

Why the Academy didn’t go for some of the names bandied about on Twitter is clear: they weren’t available. A lot of people wanted Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez from the Hulu series, “Only Murders in the Building.” Another group campaigned for Tom Holland and Zendaya from “Spider Man.”

But what we want or desire on social media isn’t necessarily practical. The Oscars are a month late this year. Actors are busy and have schedules. So you can’t just call people up and say Come on over. A lot of work is involved.

So we look forward to Schumer, Sykes, and Hall (sounds like a law firm) to get us through the three hours on March 27th. There should be five great musical performances, and plenty of entertainment for everyone.

The Oscars Make A Slight Move to Improve Popularity with Public Vote for Favorite Movie

Roger Friedman
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The Oscars Make A Slight Move to Improve Popularity with Public Vote for Favorite Movie

The Oscars are making a slight move to improve popularity.

Sort of taking a page from the People’s Choice, the Motion Picture Academy is reportedly going to let fans vote on Twitter for their favorite movie of the year. The film doesn’t have to have been nominated. It’s likely that “Spider Man: No Way Home” will win that vote, and that will make everyone happy.

The Academy is trying to reach out more to the public. Three Twitter users who cast their votes during between today and March 3rd, the deadline for the public vote will be selected — along with their guests — to have an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to present an Oscarat the 2023 ceremony.

Times change, and the Academy must change with them. No one who’s “old school” wants to do this, but it has to be done to make the Oscars more populist and inclusive.

The Twitter hashtag is #OscarsFanFavorite. Who knows? Maybe “House of Gucci” will beat “Spider Man.” You never know. @LadyGaga fans, get moving!

PS Already Zack Snyder’s Justice League is picking up a lot of votes!

 

“Juno,” “Up in the Air” Director Jason Reitman on Death of Dad Ivan Reitman: “I’ve lost my hero”

Roger Friedman
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“Juno,” “Up in the Air” Director Jason Reitman on Death of Dad Ivan Reitman: “I’ve lost my hero”

Jason Reitman, son of director Ivan Reitman, is not alone grieving his dad today. The “Ghostbusters” director is receiving hundreds of tributes on social media.

Jason writes: “I’ve lost my hero.
All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story.
He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter.
Thank you for the kind messages. Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier.”

I know the feeling. I lost my dad a year ago December and it’s just terrible. Jason, sending all condolences.

I’m a little surprised that the Toronto newspapers didn’t make a bigger deal of this. The Reitman family has been hugely important up there. Ivan Reitman’s father Leslie and his mother Klara brought him to Toronto from Eastern Europe in 1950. They were Holocaust survivors. Klara was in Auschwitz. Leslie ran a dry cleaners and then bought a car wash in what was a run down warehouse district. They donated property to create a headquarters for the Toronto Film Festival. Neither the Globe and Mail nor the Toronto Sun mentioned that today, or that the corner is called Reitman Square.

Get with it, Toronto media.

RIP Ivan Reitman, Beloved Director of “Ghostbusters,” “Dave,” Producer of “Animal House,” Schwarzenegger, Bill Murray Hits

Roger Friedman
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RIP Ivan Reitman, Beloved Director of “Ghostbusters,” “Dave,” Producer of “Animal House,” Schwarzenegger, Bill Murray Hits

more on Ivan Reitman here

Director Ivan Reitman has died at age 75. It’s a shock and very sad news. Ivan was a hugely popular member of the film world as a director, a producer and father of Jason Reitman, whose “Up in the Air” he produced.

The reports say Reitman died in his sleep at his home in Montecito, California. But the Reitmans are from Toronto, and were well known property holders there and much respected.

“Ghostbusters” was the most famous movie he directed and produced, and of course, it became an institution. The new version directed by Jason, has been a hit for months. Reitman also directed one of the great satires of all time, “Dave,” as well as hits starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Murray. Ivan co-produced “Animal House,” the landmark 1978 comedy starring John Belushi and a group of actor who would go on to fame and fortune.

The Reitman family is legendary in Toronto. Ivan’s father and mother survived the Holocaust in Hungary. His mother was in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Reitman was born in 1946 and the fmaily and emigrated to Canada in 1950 as refugees. Ivan’s father bought a car wash downtown and adjoining land. That is now where the Bell Lightbox sits as the cornerstone of the Toronto Film Festival. In 201o, the block where the Lightbox stands was renamed Reitman Square.

Ivan Reitman was a wonderful guy, talented director, and great family man. He was a pleasure to know for everyone in show business. My condolences to his devoted family.

“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement. “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”

Mary J Blige Leads the Avengers of Hip Hop in Cool, Sophisticated, “Clean” Half Time Show

Roger Friedman
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Mary J Blige Leads the Avengers of Hip Hop in Cool, Sophisticated, “Clean” Half Time Show

Mary J Blige was such a success at the Super Bowl half time show that she right now has the number 2 single and album on iTunes.

Everyone in this “Avengers” of hip hop was spectacular including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and 50 Cent. And all of their albums have taken off on iTunes. not just Mary J.

But it was Mary J who just killed it, as the only woman she knocked the show out of the park. She was smart to perform her two biggest hits, “Family Affair” and “No More Drama.” There was no drama on stage, and none of these rappers cursed or used the N word. It was hip hop mainstream, and it worked like a charm!

To watch the video you have to click on the YouTube link below. The greedy morons at the NFL wouldn’t allow embedding of their videos on other sites– even though they’d get the same money from the ads.

WHAT I DON”T UNDERSTAND: an all Black halftime show, commercials mostly directed at the Black audience, which is all good. But Colin Kaepernick never got a job, or his career restored, or an apology. And he was right about everything.

Kanye Off His Meds and Off His Rocker On Instagram, Attacking Pete Davidson, Kim, Hillary Clinton, Jeff Bezos

Roger Friedman
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Kanye Off His Meds and Off His Rocker On Instagram, Attacking Pete Davidson, Kim, Hillary Clinton, Jeff Bezos

Kanye West is off his meds and off his rocker. It’s legitimately a sad story because it happens about once a year when Ye, who suffers from bipolar disorder, completely loses it and unleashes his unedited self on social media.

In this new episode, Kanye has been attacking his ex, Kim Kardashian, her boyfriend, Pete Davidson, and anyone who Pete likes which means Hillary Clinton. Kanye claimed Jeff Bezos “bought the Wall Street Journal” (he didn’t, he owns the Washington Post) and called Hillary Clinton “trash” because Davidson had gotten a tattoo of her on his arm.

Kanye’s posts have been so crazy that he put up a photo of himself holding a legal pad that reads: “No my account has not been hacked” with today’s date.

It was only two days ago that Kanye appeared at the end of the screening of his Netflix documentary and made outrageous claims about Apple Music offering him $100 million to put his “Donda” album on their service. (I’m assured that this is a total fantasy. And of course, “Donda,” with no advance, is simply on iTunes earning him the regular fees per play.)

Kanye has been dating Julia Fox (actress? model? I’m not sure what she is) and posting pictures of PDA wherever he can. But in his manic or depressed state he wants Kim back and says so in other posts Davidson, who is 16 years and a whole generation younger than Kanye, is trying to deal with the craziness. (Davidson knows a thing or two about all this since on “SNL” he’s declared that he deals with mental illness himself.)

Davidson posted a message to Kanye that Ye himself reposted about Kanye’s kids with Kim saying he hoped to meet them one day (it’s a little surprising that he hasn’t already). Kanye’s response on Instagram: “You will never meet my children.”

Meantime, Kanye has also been posting memes supplied by fans, of fake movie posters showing him vs. Kardashian and Davidson. He’s tried to include “SNL” player Michael Che in this fracas, but Che responded on Instagram with his first and ever post to the site: “Sorry, Ye, But I would never betray my friends.”

So this will just go on and on now until someone shuts Kanye down. If Russian invades Ukraine, he may take it personally. If the Rams lose to the Bengals, who knows what will happen? You have to feel sorry for those kids, who are now getting older and starting to grasp what’s going on here.

By the way, “Donda 2” is supposedly being released on 2-22-22. But who knows? It took most of last summer to get “Donda 1” out. And we still don’t know how that was accomplished, who took charge or organized it. DefJam allegedly just issued the album at one point because they couldn’t wait any more.

 

 

 

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