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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Reports from TMZ and elsewhere say Hulk Hogan has died at 71.
The famed, colorful wrestler had been in ill health for some time after multiple surgeries.
Hogan died of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
It was just a year ago that he made a fool of himself on the stage of the Republican National Convention supporting Donald Trump.
Terry Gene Bollea was born in 1953. You can read his long bio at Wikipedia. He was flamboyant and outspoken, and incredibly popular as a wrestler before getting into show business 30 years ago.
Condolences to family, friends, and legions of fans.
“It is a privilege to lead ’60 Minutes’ and its formidable team of journalists,” Simon said in a prepared statement. “’60’ is in a class of its own, upholding a legacy of extraordinary and thought-provoking journalism for more than half a century. I’m deeply committed to this level of excellence and I look forward to delivering an exciting season of signature ’60’ stories that cover a wide range of subjects for a broad audience and engage viewers with their world.”
How Simon — daughter of late great “60 Minutes” correspondent Bob Simon — will deal with the new owners of CBS after the embarrassing lawsuit settlement with Donald Trump remains to be seen. Will the show pull punches or forge ahead in its exposes of Trump, Epstein etc?
Tonight, “South Park” — a Paramount TV show on Comedy Central– returned with a new season opener that has already caused an avalanche of press since its debut at 10pm Eastern.
They eviscerated Donald Trump in short order, including mocking his penis size.
The trailer gives some evidence of the episode, which peels paint off the walls. The whole episode will be on Paramount Plus later today, we hope.
“South Park” lampoons the CBS Paramount settlement, the cancellation of Colbert, and about two dozen other things including a naked Trump in bed with his lover, Satan, who complains that Trump is worse than his previous lover, Saddam Hussein.
There’s a lot of talk lampooning “60 Minutes” and Paramount settling the lawsuit with Trump. But what viewers may find more shocking is Jesus himself telling the people of South Park that he’s being sued by Trump for failing to get religion into schools.
Also, two of the South Park kids attempt suicide (a gas hose in a car) because they fear Woke is dead and not coming back.
It’s just a matter of time before Trump threatens to sue Paramount again.
How Trey Parker and Matt Stone got this on the air is a wonderment. They just signed a $1.5 billion contract with the company.
A decision has finally been made about the Michael Jackson biopic.
Lionsgate has set a release for April 24, 2026.
“Michael” will be one film, not two. It will likely be a celebration of Jackson’s music and avoid the legal troubles that plagued him starting in 1993.
The Antoine Fuqua directed film will cover the beginnings of the Jackson Five through Michael’s triumphs with “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.”
The movie has been delayed as everyone involved debated what to release — a two parter, a film that covered allegations against Michael, etc.
But the best thing for fans and the Estate is to not address any of that. Michael’s music has overcome the craziness. As time passes, the legal difficulties fade from memory. If you’re interested in what came later, watch a decent documentary (not “Leaving Neverland”).
Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew (Jermaine’s son) plays the King of Pop. The great John Logan wrote the screenplay. Other actors include Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s parents, plus Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke.
Jimmy Olsen — aka Skyler Gisondo — was quite the ladies man in the new “Superman.”
Now he’s going to bring Ariana Grande home to “Meet the Parents” in the 4th installment of the comedy series. The other chapters are “Meet the Fockers” and “Little Fockers.”
The Insneider newsletter reports the Gisondo has been hired to play Ben Stiller and Teri Polo’s son. Is that even possible? Wasn’t the first movie like a week ago?
Anyway, what’s shaping up is that Skyler will bring his girlfriend, played by Ariana Grande, to meet Stiller, Robert De Niro and so on. Will she outwit them and prove she’s worthy of their son and grandson?
Blythe Danner also stars as Ben’s mom. No word yet on whether Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand will reprise their roles as the Fockers, parents of Stiller’s character. The budget may not be big enough for all these stars.
Will Ariana sing a new song for the movie? She should. John Hamburg, hilariously talented, writes and directs for November 2026.
