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New Year’s Eve: “Spider Man” Makes 15 Times “Matrix” Box Office, Heads Home to $600 Mil

Roger Friedman
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New Year’s Eve: “Spider Man” Makes 15 Times “Matrix” Box Office, Heads Home to $600 Mil

People went to the movies last night, on New Year’s Eve. At least, they went to one movie.

“Spider Man: No Way Home” raked in another $15 million, and heads to a total of $600 million by Sunday night. The party is slowing down, of course, because at this point anyone who wanted to see the three Peter Parkers has seen it. But there will be a push toward $700 million. We’ll see how far that gets.

In the process of scaling box office heights, “No Way Home” made 15 times as much as “Matrix:Resurrections” last night. “Matrix 4” aka stands at $28 million. They will crack $30 million this weekend, but Warner’s has lost millions here even with HBO Max showings. “Matrix 5” will be performed in wheelchairs and walkers, a la the old lady dance number in “The Producers.”

Welcome to 2022. We are days away from seeing “355,” and “Ocean’s” type movie Jessica Chastain has put together. Reviewers see it at the last minute before its release. I’m sure it’s fun. And that’s all it has to be.

Beloved Actress, Activist Betty White Dies at 99, Famous For “The Golden Girls,” Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Being Herself

Roger Friedman
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Beloved Actress, Activist Betty White Dies at 99, Famous For “The Golden Girls,” Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Being Herself

Three weeks before her 100th birthday, Betty White has died. She was 99 and 9/10.

A huge animal activist, Betty was probably the most beloved of all Hollywood celebrities. An actress with numerous awards for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls,” she’d become famous on the game show “Password,” when she met her husband, Allen Ludden.

Betty won five Primetime Emmy Awards: two for playing Sue Anne Nivens, the Happy Homemaker, on “MTM.” Two more for playing ditzy Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.” And one more for guest hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 2010 after a public outcry to get her on the show. She had over a dozen nominations throughout her career, her last three being in 2012, 2014, and 2015 for a reality show she hosted. Her first Emmy nomination was in 1951!

What a life she lived. Her marriage to Ludden was cut short when he died of cancer and she never remarried. She just refocused her life on her animal activism, which was known worldwide. And in 1974, with Cloris Leachman leaving “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as acerbic Phyllis, White was introduced as man-crazy Happy Homemaker Sue Anne Nivens, a Martha Stewart before her time. Producers were so jarred by White’s makeover from “Password” princess to edge Sue Anne they hired her immediately.

A few years later, White’s other high point came when she joined Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan in “The Golden Girls.” Her Rose was from Minnesota, was Norwegian, and had endless, pointless, and hilarious stories about growing up with that background. With those two shows, White left her mark permanently on the history and culture of television.

Two days ago People magazine ran a funny story about Betty and her “The Proposal” co-star Ryan Reynolds. I doubt Betty was giving quotes or interviews, but it was still cute. And the perfect way to exit.

 

 

 

 

Year End: Adele Sales of “30” Album Finally Exhausted with 49% Drop, Everyone Has Their Copy

Roger Friedman
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Year End: Adele Sales of “30” Album Finally Exhausted with 49% Drop, Everyone Has Their Copy

Sales of popular music came to an end last night for the week with a twist: Adele’s “30” album fell 49% after Christmas to 100K. Total sales are around 1.6 million in the US.

Takeaway: everyone who wanted a copy of “30” now has one. Supply and demand have met each other.

Sales dropped precipitously in the post-Christmas blahs, what with COVID and the Cron stalking us. Adele’s “30” was the only album to sell 100,000 copies. The number 50 album, according to hitsdailydouble, was Dua Lipa’s “Future Nostalgia,” with 17,224 copies.

So now what? We’d better get some surprise releases because there’s nothing too exciting coming up in the next 90 days. I can tell you that Elvis Costello’s “The Boy Named If” is a five star recording equal to the best material in Costello’s 40 plus year career. It’s coming from Capitol, not Concord– the Capitol Universal people obviously heard it and went crazy.

Otherwise, it’s time for a Beyonce album to jolt the marketplace. And Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band album is out there somewhere.

And the Grammys? I think we’ll know what’s going on by next week.

Julian Lennon Says He Has Omicron, Taking Ivermectin as a Cure Despite FDA Warnings

Roger Friedman
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Julian Lennon Says He Has Omicron, Taking Ivermectin as a Cure Despite FDA Warnings

John Lennon’s eldest son, Julian, a successful musician and artist, says on social media that he has COVID. Instead of heeding the advice of doctors, however, Lennon says he’s using ivermectin as a cure. This is despite FDA warnings not to take the drug commonly used for horses.

Julian writes on Instagram: “The Beginning of the End…. Hopefully 🙏🏻 (I decided this course of healing, after consultation with DRs outside of the US, where treatment, administered correctly, helped greatly & swiftly with recovery… Each to their own, but insulting my intelligence because of MY choices, well, there’s not enough medication in the World for that).”

Julian’s younger half brother, Sean Ono Lennon, responded  quickly on the same Instagram thread. He wrote: “People saying Ivermectin is for horses here have never looked into this at all. It is not ‘for horses.’ Especially not the ivermectin humans take. In fact it is ‘for humans.’ And the one for horses is ‘for horses.’”

Julian had previously written, on December 30th around 3am New York time: “Omicron finally got me. Happy Holidaze they are not 😢Stay Safe out there! ”

Lennon is thought not to be in the United States even though he lives in Los Angeles and also the south of France. In February 2020 there were reports that he had a cancerous growth removed from the top of his head.

I always thought of Julian as incredibly sensible so this ivermectin news is a little alarming.The Food and Drug Administration is quite clear warning people not to use this drug in the treatment of COVID. No one is trying to insult Julian’s intelligence. But everyone hopes he doesn’t cause harm to himself in the use of ivermectin. Even though the drug has been roundly criticized by the CDC and health professionals, some people have sought it out after taking the advice of right wing pundits and unqualified influencers. Those include people Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and conservative radio host Joe Rogan, each of whom is a total nutcase and not to be taken seriously about anything but football and beer.

Let’s hope Julian, who had a hit song called “Too Late for Goodbyes,” gets proper medical care immediately.

 

 

 

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Dangerous: “MJ” MIchael Jackson Musical Cancels Tonight’s Show for “Non-COVID Related Reason”

Roger Friedman
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Dangerous: “MJ” MIchael Jackson Musical Cancels Tonight’s Show for “Non-COVID Related Reason”

Very smart of “MJ The Michael Jackson Musical.”

They don’t wanna be startin’ something. So there’s no show tonight after last night’s show had two performers out with an undisclosed malady.

Their announcement says “non COVID related.” Uh huh. But as I wrote earlier today, last night the main adult actor who plays Michael, Myles Frost, did not return from Act 1. After intermission, his understudy went on. Before the show, five other understudies replaced sick cast members.

Maybe Patti Lupone’s toilet can explain all of this to us!

“MJ” had no show scheduled for December 31st, so they’ll be back on New Year’s Day.

Also, “Moulin Rouge” is out tonight.

Here’s the insert from last night’s Playbill before Frost got frozen

Oscars: There’s a Gathering Storm for Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in “Respect” as Voters Catch Up

Roger Friedman
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Oscars: There’s a Gathering Storm for Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in “Respect” as Voters Catch Up

For months now we’ve been told told told by Oscar prognosticators that Kristin Stewart was in the lead for “Spencer.” It’s been hammered home over and over. I have no problem with Stewart getting a nomination but there are other movies and performances.

Right now the Best Actress race is very white. In addition to Stewart, there’s Lady Gaga for “House of Gucci,” Nicole Kidman for “Being the Ricardos,” Olivia Colman for “The Lost Daughter,” and Penelope Cruz for “Parallel Mothers.”

But no Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in “Respect.” So far, there’s been little excitement in the Gold Derby world. But I’m starting to see it among Oscar voters and those who are catching up with “Respect” on VOD, etc.

“Respect” is a bunch of great performances lurking in a mediocre movie. Liesl Tommy and her screenwriter did a poor job when it came to accuracy, and they resisted any assistance. So that made for a disappointment in the telling of Aretha’s story.

But is in a league by herself. Her singing is rapturous. She fully conveys Aretha’s artistry and voice. Forget all that hype about Franklin selecting Hudson. The fact is, Hudson studied Aretha. She gets her intonations, her attitude. It’s not a matter of singing. It’s one of delivery. So Tommy made mistakes about who sang background or whatever. JHud made no mistakes.

I knew Aretha pretty well. There are times in this performance that I could see Hudson understood things about Aretha and translated them. You know, Aretha Franklin was very smart. Once she got control of her life, after two children were born, she asserted herself. She knew the power of her gift. I think JHud saw inside of Aretha. In puzzling her out — because the Queen of Soul was a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle– Hudson put the pieces together. And they fit,

Aside from Jessica Chastain and “Tammy Faye,” no other actress threw herself into a role like Hudson. For me, these two actresses, Hudson and Chastain, plus Kidman, Cruz, and either Gaga or Stewart should make the top 5 this time around. Not having a Black actress would be a shame, but not having an actress who deserves the recognition, whatever race, would be worse.

 

New York Times: What’s Been Going On Besides COVID– Some People Are Out There Having Fun, Doing Good Things

Roger Friedman
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New York Times: What’s Been Going On Besides COVID– Some People Are Out There Having Fun, Doing Good Things

Young Friends of Save Venice Murano Nights event, held at Casa Cipriani, received a surprise guest when Jay-Z walked through the event treating Chair Lizzie Asher, host Casey Kohlberg and actress Patina Miller to an added dose of star power.

We hear former supermodel Ivy Nicholson, whose images were recently exhibited at a retrospective tribute to photographer Victor Arimondi by Artist Don Hershman at Salomon Arts Gallery, has passed away. Before becoming homeless in her later years, she was most known during her career as a Factory regular performing in many Andy Warhol films.

The 24th Annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Gala in New York City featured a live musical performance by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit and very special guest artist Warren Haynes.

Notable attendees included: Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Dr. Kevan Shokat, Deborah Kamali, Mark Fedyk, Erica Feinberg, Matthew Waller, Michael Nierenberg, Elin Nierenberg, Jonny Chris Wragge and Vinnie Cammarata.

The Viennese Opera Ball hosted a Swing Dinner Dance Gala, a change up to their traditional Opera Ball, at a private club in Manhattan. Notable attendees included: President of the Viennese Opera Ball Silvia Frieser, event chair and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Consul General of Austria in New York The Honorable Helene Steinhaeusl, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York Michael Haider, Sonia Nassery Cole, Michele Herbert and Richard Johnson.

Baron of dining Nello Balan just off the plane from visiting Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi rushed to Casa Cipriani.

We hear Keiko Aoki, widow of Rocky Aoki of Benihana is elevating New Yorker dinner parties this holiday seasons with her new concept for dining at Home. Chef Omakase customers experience a meal prepared by a private chef in their home from a choice of cuisines and menus.

Mike Milken’s Prostate Cancer Foundation celebrated its 25th Annual New York Gala at the Plaza Hotel bringing together the Worlds of Finance, Sport and Entertainment with Wall Street Titans including John Paulson, Leon Black, and Todd Boehly; Sports legends Yankees Joe Torre, Pittsburgh Steelers Owner Robert Citrone, and Anaheim Angels baseball team owner Arte Moreno. Entertainer Whoopi Goldberg helped Emcee the event which raised a breathtaking $5 Million for cancer research. The Entertainment centerpiece of the evening was Andrea Bocelli’s performance with his 10-year-old daughter Virginia Bocelli of ‘Hallelujah’ alongside David Foster and his wife Katharine McPhee.

Broadway Beat: COVID Stops “Come From Away” Again, Michael Jackson Actor Replaced at Intermission

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Beat: COVID Stops “Come From Away” Again, Michael Jackson Actor Replaced at Intermission

COVID: The Musical keeps going.

Last night at “MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical” actor Myles Frost, who plays adult Michael, didn’t come back for Act 2. He presumably tested positive for coronavirus. He was replaced by understudy Aramie Payton, who is said to have acquitted himself very well. Imagine being an understudy and being pressed into duty with no notice while the audience is busy peeing and getting drinks. These people are Talented and Brave!

Meantime. “Come from Away” has stopped again and will resume January 4th.

It’s a mess out there!

Review: “Sex and the City: And Just Like That” Goes There and There and There: Samantha Spoiler Included

Roger Friedman
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Review: “Sex and the City: And Just Like That” Goes There and There and There: Samantha Spoiler Included

WITH SPOILERS

Episode 5 of “Sex and the City And Just Like That” appeared in my email as a press link the other day from HBO. But when I clicked on it out of curiosity, it didn’t work. No one from HBO responded. Now i know why.

Episode 5 is called “Tragically Hip” and a lot happens in it. Miranda’s drinking and her attraction to Che (Sara Ramirez) is explored quite thoroughly. It may be a little too thoroughly for some. And just like that, we will all have to grow up.

Carrie has a hip operation after talking like and acting like “an old lady” at 55. That’s the scariest part of the episode. Also, the fact that she returns to a brownstone with a huge front staircase and more stairs inside seems impractical for someone with her financial resources. (Also, no mention of Mr. Big, the reason she is now rich. So much for that.)

Charlotte has the most interesting story. Her 12 year old biological daughter (they haven’t addressed that part yet) is fluid. They have changed their name to Rock from Rose. The story is being handled with sensitivity (I think, I hope). Evan Handler and Kristin Davis could get a ‘This is Us’ type spin off out of this.

And then there’s the return of Samantha Jones, sort of. Carrie mentions her in her podcast, Charlotte says she’d better warn her in London. So Carrie texts Samantha, who instantly responds with “Miss you.” For the first time in five episodes, the old theme music plays. Will there be a Kim Cattrall rapprochement before these 10 grueling episodes come to an end?

“And Just Like That” is certainly a show-by-show “woke” extravaganza. Nothing happens that isn’t on-the-nose about sex, gender, or race. Carrie wakes up to quite a scene in her apartment between Miranda and Che, and kind of loses it. I can see why. The fantasy is over.

PS Cynthia Nixon gets a great speech, and really gets to act. So that was worth it. (But once the character of Steve has to get all this news, he’ll be glad he has hearing issues. Sorry, my bad. I needed a joke somewhere!)

Jury Finds Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty on Five Counts for Aiding Jeffrey Epstein in Underage Sex Ring

Roger Friedman
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Jury Finds Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty on Five Counts for Aiding Jeffrey Epstein in Underage Sex Ring

Ghislaine Maxwell will spend the rest of her life in prison. She’s 60, but she could live a long time.

Maxwell was found guilty this afternoon in New York by a jury is aiding Jeffrey Epstein in his underage sex ring. Epstein “committed suicide” last year at age 66, so he can’t be prosecuted for his vast array of crimes. Maxwell’s lawyers argued that she was a scapegoat who was being punished in his place. They are right. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas, Ghislaine.

Maxwell is guilty on five of six charges. Interesting, she’s not the first Maxwell sibling who’s gone through a trial. After her father, billionaire Robert Maxwell, mysteriously died on his boat years ago, her brothers stood trial for dad’s crimes. They were acquitted. But what a family, huh?

Here’s the link to the NY Times coverage.

Maxwell operated freely through New York society from around 2008 to 2016. She had accomplices who worked for her, and accomplices that helped her pull off her crimes. A lot of people I saw her with during that time have gotten off scot-free. Their names disappeared into the swirl of more famous or infamous ones like Trump and Clinton accused of flying on Epstein’s plane or being entertained by him.

But there were plenty more, starting with socialites Glenn and Eva Dubin, who’ve been partially exposed in some press reports but still haven’t answered for their participation. Eva Dubin’s testimony, noted in the New York Times, is just the tip of the iceberg, I’ve been told numerous times by a variety of people.

I guess for tonight the main thing is Maxwell is guilty and staying in prison. More to come, I’m sure.

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