Support independent journalism, free from the trades and other publications that are part of the tinsel town machine.
For 12 years, Showbiz411.com has been covering Hollywood, Broadway, the music business and the business of celebrity. Ads are our main source of funding, but contributions (not tax exempt) from readers who enjoy the scoops, exclusives, and fact based reports are always welcome and very appreciated. To inquire about ads, email us at showbiz411@gmail.com.
The new “Scream” movie scored $3.5 million on Thursday night in previews. That’s a big number and it points to a huge weekend.
This is the fifth “Scream,” the first since 2011. The other four were all hits even if the last couple of them were weak sequels.
But let’s not forget the story of “Scream.” The first one was in 1996 and was so big that the sequel came the next year, no waiting. The third one was in 2000. And despite the fact that Wes Craven directed them, and Kevin Williamson wrote the first two, it was Bob and Harvey Weinstein who produced them, distributed them, and made them popular.
Indeed, “Scream” — which Bob Weinstein made under the Dimension banner at Miramax — made so much money that Harvey used to joke that was how he got to make his artier Oscar winning films. “Scream” also put Dimension Films on the map, putting the division in a position to create many other hits including four “Scary Movie” installments, the “Spy Kids” films, and even the award winning “The Others” starring Nicole Kidman.
Everyone hates the Weinsteins now, and Harvey’s in prison for 23 years unless he gets out on appeal, which seems unlikely but you never know. Still, history can’t be rewritten. If “Scream 5” turns out to be the monster hit of the weekend. the success reaches back to the halcyon days of Miramax/Dimension and its run of intentionally non Oscar money making hits.
We’re on tenterhooks this morning, waiting for an announcement from The Recording Academy.
As you know, the Grammy Awards were supposed to take place on Monday, January 31st in Los Angeles. They would have been preceded over that weekend by the Musicares Person of the Year dinner honoring Joni Mitchell, and Clive Davis’s all-star Grammy pre-dinner party.
But COVID wrecked all that. Los Angeles is seeing its highest rates of infection in a year. The Staples Center would be a petrie dish, ditto the LA Convention Center. So the weekend was postponed.
Now we wait this morning for a new date. All signs from reports point to April 3rd, in Las Vegas, maybe the from the MGM Grand Hotel. That would certainly be a change of pace for everyone involved, but being flexible is the key to survival here. Harvey Mason and his leadership are making all the right, cautious moves at the Academy. But all those Recording Academy people in Vegas? The mind boggles!
I don’t know why it seems like a surprise, but Elvis Costello’s “The Boy Named If” is maybe a masterpiece. And the surprise comes because it’s Costello’s second in three years. His “Look Now,” released in October 2018, won a Grammy Award just in February 2020.
Costello is 67, and has been working away as a provocative and witty songwriter for almost 45 years. His first album, “My Aim is True,” was one of those extraordinary debuts in 1977 that heralded a new generation of punk and New Wave. But it was deceptive. Costello’s most famous song isn’t a rock number. It’s a seething ballad. “Alison” says more about Costello than anything. He loves to rock, but his heart remains in show tunes, R&B, jazz, folk, country. He is elemental in that way.
So many dozens of albums and songs, beloved by his fans, led up to “Look Now.” It’s the kind of album you can play over and over and keep discovering new cool moments, riffs, turns of phrase. “Look Now” was followed by “Hello Clockface,” which was a place holder– several good songs, but no cohesion. After four decades, Costello was allowed.
But now comes “The Boy Named If,” a baker’s dozen of head on classics, very eclectic all. Some sound like they could be from Brecht-Weill. “The Man Love You to Hate” is one of those, and it’s rave up comes pretty way in. on track 10. Indeed, the end of this album is almost better than the beginning, and that’s saying a lot. The record concludes with “Mr. Crescent,” one of the most beautiful songs Costello has ever written.
“The Boy Named If” was recorded remotely, which makes it even more of a triumph. All the musicians were in different places, separated by COVID restrictions. How producer Sebastian Krys and Costello turned this into a seamless production is the huge achievement. (Luckily I got to hear some if it live this fall so I know it can be played, and how good it sounds in front of an audience.) From the blazing kick off of “Farewell, OK.” through “Magnificent Hurt” and track four, “The Difference,” Costello and his Impostors never let go. They just grab you by the throat as if it were 1978 and this was “This Year’s Model,” his second record.
Some of the songs are light, many are dark. Costello always says he considers the fourth track of album to be key. So “The Difference,” a harrowing tale sung in abused daughter’s voice, is the place where “The Boy Named If” has to make itself work. And what starts a romantic recollection turns into something nightmarish and unforgettable. And there is also traditional Costello wordplay, as in “Trick the Truth Out.” There’s also some nice name dropping used to good purpose:
Mussolini and his mistress in defeat
The Marxists cheer a working girl
Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Karl
She’s tattooed from her head to toe
She’s inky like a girl I know
A contagion of invidia
Just like the famous Lydia
Just like Helen, late of Troy
The Myna Bird, the Myrna Loy
Bud and Lou were wrestling in the parlour
Playing cards with Gustav Mahler
We are calling every hand and every hold
I will write more about “The Boy Named If” over the weekend. The members of the Imposters– Steve Nieve (keyboards), Davy Faragher (bass and vocals), Pete Thomas (drums, percussion)– deserve their own plaques for the most interesting work done by any group on any record in recent memory. How the four of these people make this enormous, rich, textured sound is their secret, and again, they did it apart from each other!
Costello knows this album is special. He’s selling an illustrated book with it on his website (I’m awaiting my order now). He’s doing all kinds of video promotion. A Grammy in 2023? Yes, sure. But a wide, appreciative audience for “The Boy Named If” would be the bigger reward.
I’m told Bob Saget’s funeral will be tomorrow, and of course, it’s private. This would be right since Bob was Jewish and can’t be buried on Saturday.
The outpouring of love for Saget online is overwhelming. John Stamos, in particular, seems bereft on Instagram. Everyone considered Bob their “best friend” and he was!
Sources tell me that Bob’s house has been filled with people every day, all day long, since his death was announced. The guests are not just limited to family, but include all the cast of “Full House” and “Fuller House,” even Lori Loughlin.
“It’s amazing that his fake family has been as devoted as his real family,” says a friend. “But that’s the way Bob was. He took care of everyone.”
A friend said: “Can you imagine? A big TV star like that, he died in a hotel room after a gig. Like a regular stand up comic.” The friend pointed out that Saget had been eager to get on the road, even for half-full theaters, just to make people laugh.
For me personally, Bob was one of the greatest gifts of my life. No matter how busy he was with his remarkable career, he was always there with his love, his humor and his giving heart for every event, celebration and important moment in my life as well.
When he heard I helped to found griefHaven.org, he was the first person to appear at our gala to receive the “Peace of Heart” award and support our grief work. When my retirement event took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in 2014, it was Bob who immediately volunteered to be the host and emcee for the night, and when my book, “Becoming Jewish” was published, it was Bob Saget who wrote the foreword.
You don’t want to die at 65. You want to die when you’re 95 and there’s no one left. Even as a private function, Saget will draw a huge crowd tomorrow because most of his friends are alive. But really. he’d loved that.
“Be My Baby” by the Ronettes has risen to number 1 on iTunes after the death of the great singer and pop icon was announced last night.
Plus “Baby I Love You” is number 21 and “Walkin’ in the Rain” is number 50. “Sleigh Ride” is number 84. A later version of “Be My Baby,” recorded just by Ronnie. is number 29. Just beautiful!
“Be My Baby” is perhaps the single greatest piece of pop to come out of the early 1960s. It’s soul, R&B, pop and rock all at the same time. The record features Ronnie Bennett Spector’s remarkable voice soaring through producer Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. In the live performance clips, you can see Ronnie almost levitating, sensing the power of the record and showing her joy at commanding it.
What we didn’t know then was how bad Spector was treating her, how he would rip her off, abuse her, and deny her rights to the songs that she made hits.
But Ronnie triumphed in the end. She was vindicated as her star rose and Phil was revealed as a sociopath and murderer.
Now let’s see more Ronnie Spector singles hit iTunes in her memory including “Baby I Love You.” “Don’t Worry Baby” and her singles with the E Street Band, Southside Johnny, and Eddie Money.
Broadway is suffering. The theaters are half full. Last week’s total gross was $18 million. It’s supposed to be $32 million. At least.
Now “To Kill a Mockingbird” with Greg Kinnear is shutting down until June. Then it will move from the 1500 seat Shubert Theater to the 1000 seat Belasco. I like Greg Kinnear but he wasn’t selling tickets. Barry Diller likes a return on his investments. They’d better find a different person to head up the cast in June.
The best musical of 2020, “Girl from the North Country,” is closing, as they are bleeding money. This is tragic. This shows has not had a decent chance. It opened as the pandemic gripped Broadway in March 2020. It didn’t get included in the 2020 Tony Awards. It’s eligible for the next Tonys, and I pray that it’s remembered. Mare Winningham, Jay O. Sanders, and the whole cast are spectacular. I just hope this one does come back in some form. My thanks to this show– I’ve seen it twice– for an unforgettable evening.
If you are in New York you have until the 23rd– go see “Girl from the North Country” if love you musical theater.
There are just no words to express how much I loved Ronnie Spector. I am so sorry to hear she’s died at age 78. She was a warrior. She was the voice of the Wall of Sound, the leader of the Ronettes, the prize jewel in Phil Spector’s crazy crown of thorns. As Keith Richards wrote in his book, “Life,” she taught the Rolling Stones how to dance, literally how to perform. (see story below) Ronnie never retired. She sued Phil and won. She married Jonathan Greenfield, and they were very happy.
A few years ago she tried to launch a new show with her old hits, but Phil was still preventing her from performing them live without charging her. Phil died almost exactly a year ago, and Ronnie was too bereft, or perhaps too ill herself, to speak about it. I am so sorry because she a sweetheart gifted with talent and soul.
As the leader of Spector’s Ronettes, Ronnie Bennett blew the roof off with her actually indescribable, one of a kind voice. It was sweet and sharp and cut through Spector’s famous Wall of Sound like a knife. Every record she made became a lasting tribute to youth and yearning. In later years, after surviving her tumultuous marriage to Phil, Ronnie became a New York fixture with her Christmas shows at BB Kings. She sang the remarkable everlasting songs from the Spector Christmas album to sold out audiences every time she appeared.
In the 70s, Stevie van Zandt produced Ronnie with the E Street Band. She recorded Billy Joel’s “Say Goodbye to Hollywood.” It’s one of the best tracks ever. van Zandt wrote on Twitter: “ It was an honor to Produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years. Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time (thanks to Steve Popovich). Condolences to her husband and family.”
Ronnie also recorded hits with Eddie Money, including “Take Me Home Tonight,” instantly making that record memorable and important.
This is heartbreaking. Ronnie’s sister Estelle, who was one of the Ronettes, died of colon cancer in 2009. The family statement says Ronnie had a brief battle with cancer.
Condolences to Jonathan and her family.
Oh yeah, PS: I’ll fight anyone who says “Be My Baby” isn’t the single greatest pop performance of all time.
”
Here’s the statement from Ronnie’s family: “Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan.
“Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude.
“Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.
“In lieu of flowers, Ronnie requested that donations be made to your local women’s shelter or to the American Indian College Fund.
“A celebration of Ronnie’s life and music will be announced in the future.
“The family respectfully asks for privacy at this time.”
Songwriter Diane Warren, who’d been working with Ronnie in recent years, wrote on Instagram: “Ronnie Spector was the voice of a million teenage dreams including mine.The voice that turned pop songs into pop symphonies. We had recently been in contact as she wanted me to write the song for her upcoming biopic which I was so excited about. Years ago she recorded mine and @desmond.childs song Love On A Rooftop. We were so ecstatic.There are just too many greats leaving us right now. Sing in power forever Ronnie. Make the angels feel like teenagers again”
Scratch Billy Crystal from the list of potential Oscar hosts. He’s got other things to do.
Crystal is opening the musical based on his film, “Mr. Saturday Night,” with previews starting two days after the Academy Awards on March 29th. I have fingers crossed on this one. Music is by Jason Robert Brown and lyrics are from the amazing Amanda Green. John Rando is directing.
The big headline is that David Paymer has joined the cast. Paymer grabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor when the original movie was released in 1993. Paymer and Crystal have a long working relationship. They worked together on Crystal’s “City Slickers” movies, too.
I sure hope gets a set off credit, and “And David Paymer.”
The rest of the cast includes Randy Graff, Shoshana Bean, Jordan Gelber, Brian Gonzales and Mylinda Hull.
“Mr. Saturday Night” is the story of Buddy Young Jr., an outrageous and outspoken comedian who found fame, if not fortune, in the early days of television. Now, some 40 years after his TV career flamed out, Buddy seeks one more shot at the spotlight, and while he’s at it, one last shot at fixing the family he fractured along the way.
“Mr. Saturday Night” opens April 27th, right at the deadline for Tony Awards eligibility.
Adele’s “30” album has been a big hit but sales are starting to wane. So pants suited singer has released a new video for her second single, “Oh My God.” This single follows the monster hit, “Easy On Me.” The video is very artful, directed by Sam Brown, beautiful cinematography by Roman Vasyanov. This week “30” is projected to sell 45,000 copies, but this video may perk it up.
Fox News has done a tremendous favor to “Saturday Night Live” and Cecily Strong.
The right wing conservative network has added wacko Judge Jeanine Pirro to its 5pm show called “The Five.”
Judge Jeanine, as she calls herself, is a sad replacement for Judge Andrew Napolitano, who used to be the legal analyst for Fox.
On “SNL,” Strong has made a three course meal out of impersonating Pirro in dozens of segments. She’s been Emmy nominated several times and is wildly popular for the gag.
Pirro is easy to mock. At times on her weekend late evening Fox News she has appeared to be more than tipsy. She says outrageous things, and has been a full supporter of Donald Trump. In the process of becoming a celebrity, she’s also become a social pariah in New York.
Pirro will be added to a panel that includes insufferable lout Jesse Watters (who will soon be getting his own insufferable show at 7 pm), Dana Perino, and Greg Gutfeld. Harold Ford Jr., Geraldo Rivera, and Jessica Tarlov will rotate in the “liberal” chair.
“SNL” may now be tempted to start a whole “Five” parody sketch featuring Strong and other players. “The Five” is a place where ideas go to die.
I hope Cecily sends Fox a big bouquet of snakes this weekend!
