Saturday, December 20, 2025
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“Fantastic Four” Takes First Steps to $120 Mil Weekend with Huge Previews, Plus French Classic Makes $62 in 1 Theater

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The Marvel Universe got a big boost last night.

“Fantastic Four: First Steps” raked in $24.4 mil in previews.

The weekend looks at $120 mil plus.

Great reviews and word of mouth are building toward a mega hit.

What a box office summer! Week after week of blockbusters is what Hollywood needed. “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” even “F1” — they’ve each done their job. And that doesn’t take in “Lilo and Stitch” or “Sinners,” “Minecraft Movie,” or “Final Destination.” Not bad!

For some reason, about 7 people showed up last night at the only theater where the re-release of Claude Lelouch’s classic “A Man a Woman” is still playing. Gross was $62.

Keep refreshing..

Mariah Carey Releases Incomplete “Sugar Sweet” (Seven Writers Including Her), After Odd “Kimmel” Outing

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Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Mariah Carey made a rare appearance.

She didn’t sing, she talked. A little.

The occasion was release of a new single called “Sugar Sweet.” The song, debuting at number 5 on iTunes, is sung with two other performers: Kehlani and Shenseea. It’s basically a chorus searching for a song even though there seven writers credited including Carey herself.

On Kimmel, guest hosted by Fortune Feinster, it looked like Mariah had trouble moving her mouth and her head. She barely opened her mouth while talking. And when she had to move her head she seemed to have trouble balancing some kind of wig or fall that was attached to her.

Altogether, this was not a promising launch for her 16th album, coming in late September.

On Twitter X, where usually her fans rave about Mariah, there was disappointment about the song and the appearance. Mariah’s previous single, “Type Dangerous,” was a flop.

As I’ve said earlier this month, these concocted songs and productions are a waste of time at this point. Carey refuses to sing actual songs with actual musicians, relying on hip hop shortcuts. It sounds like she’s releasing music from the 90s and 00s, and not acknowledging any passage of time. It’s time, in fact, to grow up.

Confirmed: Michael Jackson Movie Will Be a Celebration of His Heyday, Not a Courtroom Drama or Downer

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EXCLUSIVE

As I told you last night, the Michael Jackson movie, “Michael,” will be a celebration of the King of Pop’s life.

There won’t be any courtroom drama. No discussion of arrests, accusations, lawsuits, etc.

Michael’s death will not be included.

“Michael,” like the “MJ” musical, will tell the story of the Jacksons growing up, forming the Jackson Five, and the success of the group as kids.

Then we’ll get the story of how Michael triumphed with “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” The movie is going to end on a high note and not sully Michael’s memory.

This makes sense. The audience is not going to see a documentary. This is a musical entertainment. We’re going to find out what his childhood was like, and how the great hits were composed and performed.

That’s a relief. Again, we want to be entertained. Michael’s fans are going to love this movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in what could be a star making role. John Logan — who has incredible credits — wrote the screenplay.

I’m told “Michael” will also have a normal run time of two to two and a half hours. The final cut hasn’t been delivered yet.

So we wait until April 24, 2026. My guess is audiences will be dancing down the aisles.

Watch the Trailer for “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” with Guest Stars Paul McCartney and Elton John

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The first trailer for “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” has dropped.

The sequel to the 1984 mockucomedy is coming September 13th.

All of the original members are back, starting with Rob Reiner as director Marty plus David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer).

Also returning is Fran Drescher as band publicist Bobbi Fleck, and Paul Shaffer as Artie Flufkin the head of the record company. The ubiquitous Questlove is the new drummer. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood also make appearances.

Crossing fingers the long awaited sequel is very funny. I watched the original high as a kite at the old Waverly Theater on Greenwich Avenue, now an Equinox. If only I could do that again.

Dear Donald Trump: “The View” Remains the Number 1 Rated Daytime Talk Show, Also They Go on Hiatus Every Single Summer

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Dear Donald Trump:

Just so we’re all on the same page about “The View.”

Despite your assertion that no one watches it — like you said incorrectly about “South Park” — “The View” remains the number 1 rated daytime talk or news show, beating the “Today” show in its post-9am slots.

Season to date, “The View” is up in Total Viewers (+5% – 2.562 million vs. 2.434 million) and Women 18-49 (+2% – 151,000 vs. 148,000), versus the comparable weeks last season, to its most watched in 4 years — since the 2020-2021 season.

They do hate you, even the conservatives on the panel.

You made it seem today that “The View” is going on hiatus as some kind of punishment by ABC, or even you.

However, “The “View” always goes into reruns for August. They will return the day after Labor Day. You know this, but you figured you’d like to your illiterate base and make it seem like it was your call.

The reason Friday is their last show this summer is that July ratings period is over. That’s it. So they don’t need to come back starting Monday for the rest of August.

Also, Joy Behar is beloved in ways you will never be. See “South Park” for more.

Richie Sambora Drops New Hot Solo Single Tonight: “Born to Rock” Deserves Airplay on Classic Rock Stations

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So happy for Richie Sambora.

The ex-Bon Jovi guitarist and singer has his new first solo single in decades coming out tonight. (Wikipedia says he had others more recently, but I never heard of them and they couldn’t have been this good!)

“Born to Rock” sounds like perfection. Big sound, great guitar solo, and terrific rock vocals. Very catchy.

Classic rock stations: you owe Richie a break after 40 years. Play this record, please.

Carol Miller (my friend), this means you!

JFK Grandson to Trump: “Release the Epstein Files and I’ll Help You Change the Name of the Kennedy Center”

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Jack Schlossberg, gregarious son of Caroline Kennedy, yesterday reprinted charter rules for the Kennedy Center — named for his late grandfather John F. Kennedy. The bylaws indicate the Center’s name can’t be changed, that only plaques can be put up for big donors.

Schlossberg, like all of us, was objecting to naming the opera house after Melania Trump, who’s never seen an opera although she lives in a tragic one.

Now Jack offers Trump that if the Epstein files are released, he can help Trump change the name of the Center.

Does his mother know about this?

Stay tuned…

“South Park” Just as Popular as It Was in 1997: White House Lies About Show “Hitting Record Lows” After Anti-Trump Episode

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Donald Trump hasn’t said anything yet on his Truth Social.

But the White House released a ridiculous statement about “South Park” today after last night’s wild anti Trump episode.

They claim that “South Park” is a shadow of its former self.

In fact, after 28 years, “South Park” is booming. This week, creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker signed a new $1.5 billion deal with Paramount.

If you look at the ratings graph below, you’ll see the series has had consistent numbers every single year. Last night’s ratings won’t be known until tomorrow, but I’d bet they’re off the charts.

Here’s what the White House said:

“The Left’s hypocrisy truly has no end – for years they have come after ‘South Park’ for what they labeled as ‘offense’ content, but suddenly they are praising the show,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to Variety. Just like the creators of ‘South Park,’ the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows.”

HBO’s “The Gilded Age” Ratings Rise Again on Channel by 85K Viewers, Up to 4 Million on Max, Other Platforms

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HBO says “The Gilded Age” episode 5 has been watched by 4 million people since it aired Sunday night.

Back in the real world, episode had 620,000 viewers on the cable channel, up 85,000 from the week before.

“The Gilded Age” has solidified into a hit soap opera. This year the characters are drawn sharply as are the plots. The dialogue is very winning. There’s no reason why HBO wouldn’t renew for a 4th season.

This is not “Downton Abbey,” which was more leisurely and dramatic. Even with A list actors, “The Gilded Age” is fast fast fast, with quick edits and jumps of story beats to get to the end of the episode.

On Sunday, Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell faced headwinds from her husband, wealthy George Russell (Morgan Spector) who is losing patience with her as his business goes awry. Julian Fellowes knows good drama, so the upstart Russells are in line for some financial problems and maybe even some marital ones, as well.

There are four more episodes this season. Keep watching. It’s all heading toward respectable chaos.

Stand out special guest: the hilarious Andrea Martin as a psychic bilking Cynthia Nixon’s Aunt Ada in seances. Andrea Martin deserves a special Emmy just for existing.

RIP Great Jazz Trumpeter Chuck Mangione, 84, Had 14 Grammy Nominations, Enduring Instrumental Hit “Feels So Good”

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RIP Chuck Mangione, 84.

The famed trumpeter died in his sleep this morning at home in Rochester, New York.

Chuck had 14 Grammy nominations and something every jazz player covets: a rare instrumental hit single with “Feels So Good.” The track has earned Mangione millions and is used constantly after 40 years in commercials. It’s played on every soft jazz station in the world.

His many other credits included “Chase the Clouds Away,” which was used during the 1976 Olympic Games. Mangione performed “Give It All You Got” at the closing ceremony of the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.