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Chasing Cuomo: NY Post Confuses Harvard Economist Jeffrey Sachs with Long Island Dentist of Same Name

Roger Friedman
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Chasing Cuomo: NY Post Confuses Harvard Economist Jeffrey Sachs with Long Island Dentist of Same Name

In their piece today about where NY Governor Andrew Cuomo would live if he were expelled from the governor’s mansion, the NY Post has managed to make a huge mistake. I’m shocked.

They’ve confused former longtime Harvard economist Jeffrey Sachs with perennial Cuomo family pal Jeffrey Sachs, a dentist from Long Island who’s been involved in state government since Andrew became governor. He now has a firm called Sachs Policy Group. Back in the 90s, Jeff Sachs used to roll with Chris Cuomo when he was just starting out as a TV correspondent, and his then bff Leonardo DiCaprio. I wrote about them all in the original New York Observer back in 1999.

A simple look at Google would have revealed a 2011 New York Times article all about the latter Sachs, who hails from the Five Towns and whose popular nephew, Shawn, is partners with Ken Sunshine in the PR firm Sunshine Sachs that represents the vey same Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.

The Post says it called the real Dr. Sachs’s office at Columbia University, where he is director of the Center for Sustainable Deuvelopment, to ask if he was still friends with Cuomo and got no response. I’ll bet! They must have wondered what the heck was going on.

Also, neither Sachs spells his first name “Jeffery.”

 

Behold Barack Obama’s Burgeoning $430 Mil Foundation As He Welcomes Hundreds of A Listers to 60th Birthday Party

Roger Friedman
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Behold Barack Obama’s Burgeoning $430 Mil Foundation As He Welcomes Hundreds of A Listers to 60th Birthday Party

Happy Birthday, Barack Obama. Turning 60, celebrating with hundreds of celebrities on his $12 million estate on tony Martha’s Vineyard. Mazel tov!

Already, Beyonce and Jay Z, Stephen Colbert, Eddie Vedder, and multitudes more are landing on the little island staying in youth hostels. I’m sure they’ll all be renting bikes or hiking up the party!

Some guests were disinvited, possibly, because the party posed a COVID threat. But I’ll tell you who did not get that call: donors to the Obama Foundation. They’ve given hundreds of millions of dollars. You can bet they’ll be right there in the backyard, asking for a tour of the mansion and trying to steal the handtowels.

The Obama Foundation has taken the place of the Clinton Foundation as a money maker and employer. Current net assets are listed at $430 million.In 2019, according to their Form 990 filing, revenue was $139 million, down from 2018’s $164 million.

Dig this: according to its Form 990 tax filing for 2019 the Obama Foundation paid $3.7 million to its top employees. That was $600,000 more than they doled out in grants to charitable groups.

Total salaries (including taxes and benefits, etc, the whole deal) came to — drum roll, please — over $24 million. That’s TWENTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS. Nice work if you can get it!

The top guy, David Simas, was paid around $660,000. Right behind him was Robbin Cohen, with $600,000. About a dozen others split that $3.7 mil, all with six figure salaries.

Together they decided to donate $3.1 million to other groups. The lions share of it was $2 million to National Archives Assembly, which is digitizing all the materials from Obama’s 8 years in office for use in his eventual Chicago library commemorating his administration. The rest of it was divvied up to 13 organizations, none of whom received more than $150,000.

By contrast, the Clinton Foundation, the former behemoth ex-prez org, listed just $312 million in net assets for 2019, and revenue of 28.5 million. Their top guy, Kevin Thurm, only gets $400,000 a year.

Listen, I love Barack Obama. I voted for him twice. I hang on his every word. But this does seem… excessive, no? But I won’t bum him out on his birthday. Good luck with the party, sir!

Box Office: New Pandemic Fears Make Audience Cautious about “Suicide Squad,” Flick Eyeing Lower Numbers Than Hoped

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: New Pandemic Fears Make Audience Cautious about “Suicide Squad,” Flick Eyeing Lower Numbers Than Hoped

The combined total of Thursday previews and last night’s premiere are a little disappointing for the raved about DC Comics film, “The Suicide Squad.”

The box office came in at just $12.5 million, meaning the weekend will total around $28 million. Compare that to “Black Widow” from a few weeks ago which had a $40 million opening.

New fears about COVID variants are making audiences more cautious about hitting the movie theaters. Luckily “The Suicide Squad” is on HBO Max, so people can see it there. But really good films like “Stillwater” and “The Green Knight” (don’t ask me, I haven’t seen it) which aren’t on streaming are suffering from small attendance.

One blockbuster that has fizzled is “Jungle Cruise,” which dropped 67% from last Friday and is heading into “Titanic” waters not in a good way with $54 million at the box office. And that one is available on streaming via Disney’s Premier Access.

 

“Hollywood Squares” Original Host Peter Marshall Mourns Death of 68 Year Old Son from COVID, in Hawaii

Roger Friedman
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“Hollywood Squares” Original Host Peter Marshall Mourns Death of 68 Year Old Son from COVID, in Hawaii

Peter Marshall, beloved famed host of the original “Hollywood Squares,” is mourning hthe death of his son from COVID. Dave La Cock was 68 and lived in Hawaii. (La Cock is Marshall’s real last name.)

Marshall, 95, wrote on Twitter: “In loving memory of my free-spirited son, David, whom we just lost to COVID. He was joyful, beautiful, magnificent, giving, doting & talented. He made this a better world. He made our family’s lives sweeter. I urge you to get vaccinated-if not for yourself, for those you love.”

LaCock was a pineapple farmer, artist (painter), and a hippie in the best sense of the word from what I can tell. But according to a GoFundMe Page he was hit with COVID on June 30th and went into a rapid decline. On July 5th David was intubated and put on a ventilator. You can read the whole story here on that page.It’s unclear if LaCock was vaccinated. (Anyone with that info you’re welcome to email us at showbiz411@gmail.com.)

A couple of years ago, Peter Marshall came into New York from California to celebrate a documentary about “Dick van Dyke Show” actress Rose Marie at Sardi’s. I had the pleasure of meeting him there, and walking with through Shubert Alley afterwards. He was just the nicest guy, a real gentleman, and this must be a blow to him and his family. Condolences to all of them.

Help Wanted: Global Citizen Still Looking for Music Relations Director Six Weeks Away from Another Poverty Curing, Hunger Ending Concert

Roger Friedman
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Help Wanted: Global Citizen Still Looking for Music Relations Director Six Weeks Away from Another Poverty Curing, Hunger Ending Concert

Back on July 5th, Global Citizen posted a help wanted ad on LinkedIn for a Director of Music Relations. They’re still looking.

Global Citizen is the sketchy “non profit” that gives no money to the hungry or poor but spends millions entertaining celebrities and paying their execs to put on rock concerts.

So it’s worrisome that they don’t have a Director of Music Relations just six weeks before another one of their phony baloney global concerts set for September 25th. Of course, not everyone trying to solve Global hunger wants to spend their time separating red M&Ms from blue M&Ms for rock stars. Maybe the irony isn’t lost on everyone.

Global Citizen founder Hugh Evans is earning at least $400,000 a year from the “non profit,” and he has 8 other top execs making six figure incomes including CEO Elizabeth Henshaw (over $400,000 also). Global Citizen also claimed on their Form 990 for 2019 that they paid $10 million for salaries that year. Couldn’t one of those people wrangle the Dom for their various performers?

So what are some of the qualifications for a person working to eradicate poverty and hunger?  According to the posting:

7-10 years of experience working with high profile artists at live entertainment events and broadcast events

Must have a current network of relevant artists, managers, agents, publicists in the music industry

Proven track record of handling celebrities professionally and adhering to strict confidentiality and non-disclosure of information

You can feel empty stomachs just filling up right now on caviar, veggie platters, avocado toast, and chocolate mousse cups — all very popular in Somalia.

According to the ad, “In 2020 alone, Global Citizen’s artist relations team engaged over 250 artists and entertainers to support our various campaigns, broadcast programs and events.”

Check LinkedIn if you want to apply. September 25th is fast approaching, someone has to do this job!

And, oh yes, they’re also looking for a director of Business Development. Someone’s got to find the money to pay for all this!

 

ABC “20/20” Recycling Old Clips for Whitney Houston “Superstar” Special, Never Contacted Family

Roger Friedman
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ABC “20/20” Recycling Old Clips for Whitney Houston “Superstar” Special, Never Contacted Family

ABC is promoting a big Whitney Houston special for next Wednesday labeled “Superstar.”

But I’m told the special is just recycled “20/2o” clips and new interviews with many people who didn’t really know the late singer. (Only Brandy and Narada Michael Walden would qualify as actual friends.)

Insiders tell me that ABC didn’t even contact Whitney’s family or estate to let them know they were reviving their old material. The family found out through the publicist of someone who was contacted for an interview.

Needless to say, the “Superstar” special isn’t sanctioned by the Houstons.

There have already been two major documentaries about Whitney. One, directed by Nick Broomfield, appeared on Showtime. Another, which played the Cannes Film Festival, was made by the family and leveled accusations of child molestation against a family member.

“Superstar” won’t include footage from those films but will set Whitney up as a tragic figure who appeared on ABC shows many times, including famous interviews with Diane Sawyer.

This won’t be the first insult next week for the Houston family. I’m told that the Aretha Franklin movie, “Respect,” excludes Whitney’s mother, Cissy, who was Aretha’s chief backup singer on all her big hits on Atlantic Records– the period covered by the movie. Cissy and her group, the Sweet Inspirations, not only sang on the records but toured with Aretha in the 60s. Cissy Houston sang back up for Aretha a few years ago when the Queen of Soul made her final appearance on David Letterman’s late night talk show.

Emmy Awards Bellwether of Pandemic Reality: Mandatory Vaccinations, Negative COVID Tests, No Red Carpet, Limited Guests, No Parties

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Awards Bellwether of Pandemic Reality: Mandatory Vaccinations, Negative COVID Tests, No Red Carpet, Limited Guests, No Parties
In Southern California terms, I think this is called “harshing my mellow.”
The Emmy Awards on September 19th will be limited in all situations. The TV Academy just sent this note out to remind us all in the media that vaccinations will be mandatory, everyone needs a negative COVID test, there are no red carpets or parties and basically, stay away.
Of course, this isn’t their fault. This is the fault of idiots who have refused to vaccinate, thus increasing the illness and death rate and ruining life for everyone else. Many congrats!
Here’s the update:
Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of Emmy nominees, guests and media, the number of production personnel and staff must be limited at this year’s 73rd Emmy Awards.
Consequently, there will be a very limited (approximately a dozen outlets) Red Carpet for talent arrivals. In lieu of the traditional on-site media coverage, the Television Academy has partnered with CBS to create a virtual media center for the Emmys that will allow media outlets to connect directly with Emmy winners as they are announced on the evening of Sept. 19.
Plans are still underway for the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys. Be advised that there will not be a Red Carpet at any of the three shows, but we are planning for a very limited live Media Center to host our presenters and winners each night.
We will be launching credential applications for all fours shows in the next few weeks and will forward the link when available.
On-site media, crew and vendors for all shows will be required to test negative for COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination for admittance.

What Year Is It? Vanity Fair Puts 90s Star Puff Daddy On the Cover, Warns Away the Rest of their Readers

Roger Friedman
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What Year Is It? Vanity Fair Puts 90s Star Puff Daddy On the Cover, Warns Away the Rest of their Readers

What year is it again?

The September issue of Vanity Fair has an unusual cover subject: Sean “Puffy” Combs, 90s record mogul, who is a nice guy but as not part of 2021 as possible.

The cover line for the issue: Party Like It’s 1999. Why? Who knows? (The September issue usually kicks off the fall season. Is VF telling us there is no fall season? I think so. )

Combs has made a fortune, mostly from his association with Ciroc Vodka. He hasn’t had any kind of hit record in more than a decade, or longer. His celebrity heyday is long over. (No offense, that’s almost a good thing.)

The piece is so in depth that it lacks mention of his music mentor, Clive Davis, who put Combs’s Bad Boy Records on the map 20 plus years ago; or Ron Burkle, who staked him in his Sean John clothing line. Also omitted is Shyne, the rapper who went to jail for Combs after his famous trial. You may recall when Jennifer Lopez, aka JLo, dated Puffy. They were involved in a shoot out in a Times Square nightclub before going on the lam. Also brushed from this story is Puffy’s famous Champagne bottle attack on rap exec Steve Stoute.

And where is the outrage? Puffy gave a speech at Davis’s 2020 pre-Grammy dinner putting the Grammys on notice, giving them one year to change or else. That might have been a hook here. Alas not.

Yes, Vanity Fair is really doubling down on investigation journalism. The big news is Puffy is changing his name to Sean “Love” Combs and is starting an R&B label, whatever that means.

Meantime, Vanity Fair’s circulation is in the dumps, both on the newsstand and digitally. I’m sure this cover story should fix things.

Hilarious and Spot on “Suicide Squad” Saga Opens with $4.1 Mil in Previews, Don’t Miss This On Big Screen

Roger Friedman
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Hilarious and Spot on “Suicide Squad” Saga Opens with $4.1 Mil in Previews, Don’t Miss This On Big Screen

If you love super hero or action movies, or just witty movies with lots inside jokes, you don’t want to miss “The Suicide Squad” this weekend.

James Gunn has really made a terrific piece of entertainment. Last night, previews brought in $4.1 million. It’s better to see “TSS” on a big screen, but you can access it also on HBO Max.

Margot Robbie could get an Oscar nomination for playing Harley Quinn. In the first “SS”: movie, Harley was arresting enough to give her a solo film, “Birds of Prey.” I cannot say more strongly how this is leaps and bounds beyond those films. Just forget them. She is gorgeous, glowing, cute, capable, and insane. Some have said demented, but in the best way.

Idris Elba and Viola Davis, two tremendous talents, give “TSS” heft. Elba should have been doing this kind of stuff a long time ago. Who needs Nelson Mandela when you can play the rat-fearing Bloodsport? And there are tons of cameos and featured players woven into the story.

Put on a mask. sit socially distanced, and see “The Suicide Squad.” You’ll feel better for it!

 

Royal Flop: Posthumous Prince “Welcome 2 America” Fails to Catch Fire, Sells About 60K Copies

Roger Friedman
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Royal Flop: Posthumous Prince “Welcome 2 America” Fails to Catch Fire, Sells About 60K Copies

Prince’s much ballyhooed posthumous album, “Welcome 2 America,” was mostly unwelcome sales wise.

Despite a weird segment on “60 Minutes,” the album engendered little excitement. Total sales for the week including streaming came to just 60,000 copies. Of those, only 37K were paid downloads and CDs.

Sort of everything here was done wrong. But what I don’t understand is why the people involved didn’t release the track, “Hot Summer,” three weeks ago when were having a blazing hot summer. It’s a great single, perfect for radio, jingles, promotions. They had a marketing bird in the hand and did nothing with it.

Instead, we got the title track, which was kind of meh, and another one called “Born 2 Die,” which was a downer. The album actually has four or five strong, up beat songs that could have really blown up.

Plus, it probably doesn’t matter, but the track sequencing on that album is miserable. There’s no build up as you go through it. There’s no launching place. But of course, only old people listen to an album in order, even for a few minutes per track. So this is a moot point.

If the regular priced CD only sold 37,000 copies I wonder what happened to all the special editions. I guess we’ll see them floating around amazon and ebay.

 

 

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