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Review: For Every Beatles Fan, “McCartney 3, 2, 1” is a Must-See Rare Look Under the Hood at How the Songs Were Created

Roger Friedman
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Review: For Every Beatles Fan, “McCartney 3, 2, 1” is a Must-See Rare Look Under the Hood at How the Songs Were Created

In all, I published three pieces this week on the excellent six part Hulu doc, “McCartney 3, 2, 1.” This is the last one.

Rick Rubin was the founder of DefJam Records. He made a mint there. He sort of talked himself into being a mythic figure. At one point he was the head of Sony Music, which he nearly destroyed. He cost them a fortune, and left. He gained new fame as the producer of Johnny Cash’s last albums. The final one included the Nine Inch Nails cover, “Hurt,” which won acclaim and awards.

How Rubin wound up with McCartney is a mystery to me. They’ve never had anything to do with each other. But somehow McCartney felt like talking a blue streak to this odd looking fellow. Maybe Paul thought he was Father Time. In any case, it worked.

In the last two segments, they talk about the Beatles breaking up and Paul moving on. Paul says, “I was heartbroken,” although– this is another story– he instigated the break up. In the segment he plays “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which is among the greatest pop songs of all time. In the final segment he remembers how he dreamt “Yesterday,” and didn’t trust that it was original. They talk about “A Day in the Life,” although I wish Rubin had asked him more about the piano work.

There could be six more episodes. I wish they’d go back and finish. But to have these six is a pleasure, and they are gems. Me? I can’t get enough of this stuff.

Hulu Doc: Paul McCartney Names Top 2 Fave Beatles Songs, Talks How He Saved “Come Together,” And Being Right in Arguments

McCartney Hulu Doc: A New Song, An Unreleased Beatles Song, Personal Motto: “Forge ahead constantly…in music and in life”

Paul McCartney Hulu Doc: When They Fought He Called Lennon “Four Eyes,” John Called Him “Pigeon Chest”

UPDATE: Dick Wolf Won’t Have All Thursday Law & Order at NBC as “For the Defense” Vanishes into Thin Air

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE: Dick Wolf Won’t Have All Thursday Law & Order at NBC as “For the Defense” Vanishes into Thin Air

Remember when we were all excited about Dick Wolf having the whole of Thursday night this season?

Not happening.

“Law & Order For the Defense” just never happened. NBC announced the new show in May, making Thursday all Wolf, all L&O with “SVU” and “Organized Crime.” Carol Mendelsohn of “CSI” fame was producing.

But it turns out no one was “For the Defense.” They never cast the show. Sources confirm for me that Wolf’s company never actually knew what it was about, there were no scripts. It was just a title.

Who can blame Dick? He has so many shows on the air, it’s not possible to run them all. He’s got three “FBI” shows on CBS. He’s got three other shows on NBC with the “Chicago” trilogy. Obviously, someone forgot to actually map out “For the Defense.”

But you know, it’s July 15th. What were they doing all this time? No one asked me, but I’d say that “For the Defense” sounded like the original “Law & Order.” Maybe they should just revive the classic. Instead of having “Law & Order OG” it could be “OG Law & Order.” Where the heck is Dann Florek?

Now NBC has a sinkhole on Thursdays at 10pm which they’ll fill with more episodes of “Organized Crime” and eventually “The Blacklist.”

Here’s the Trailer for Lifetime’s Beautifully Cheesy “Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace” Coming in September

Roger Friedman
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Here’s the Trailer for Lifetime’s Beautifully Cheesy “Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace” Coming in September

There’s nothing better than a cheesy Lifetime movie to brighten the day.

Here’s the trailer for “Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace.” Jordan Dean (The Punisher) and Sydney Morton (She’s Gotta Have It) star as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Leading into the premiere of the third installment in the Harry & Meghan franchise, Lifetime will present encore airings on September 6th of William & Kate at 1pm ET/PT followed by Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance at 3pm ET/PT and Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal at 5:30pm ET/PT.

It’s unclear who plays Oprah since no one is listed yet. Cross fingers it’s someone good.

Based on the trailer, AMC is preparing a “Harry & Negan” episode of “The Walking Dead.” Just kidding!

amFAR’s Big Sponsor This Year is Film Festival from Saudi Arabia, Which Deports People with AIDS and Treats Gays as Criminals

Roger Friedman
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amFAR’s Big Sponsor This Year is Film Festival from Saudi Arabia, Which Deports People with AIDS and Treats Gays as Criminals

Well, this makes sense. (Just kidding.)

amFAR is the organization that raises money for AIDS research. Red Sea International is a foundation owned by the Saudi Royal family to underwrite their inaugural film festival this coming December in Jeddah. Red Sea has billboards up all over Cannes, and has been busy sponsoring events there since last week. (Cinemas were outlawed for 30 years until recently in Saudi Arabia.)

In Saudi Arabia, being gay or trans is completely illegal. Having AIDS is worse. if you are a foreigner who has AIDS, you’d be deported. If were openly gay, you’d be considered a criminal, and punished in one of many violent ways. The country does not recognize same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships, or civil unions.

So guess who’s sponsoring amFAR’s annual gala in Cannes tomorrow night? Why, the Red Sea International Festival. Red Sea is overseen by the Saudi Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud. He’s a close friend of, and relative, to MBS, Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia who ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

According to the New York Times, the Prince really likes art. He was the winning bidder, for $450 million, of the only available painting on the market by Leonardo da Vinci. He doesn’t know anything, presumably, about Leo’s personal life. (He was not a ladies’ man.)

amFAR can take Saudi money but they can’t visit the country to thank them. No one from amFAR would be allowed to visit the country, They’d be thrown right out, if not arrested, tortured, or killed.

According to Wikipedia: “Foreigners who are applying for a work visa are required to demonstrate that they are not infected with the [AIDS] virus before they can enter the country, and are required to get a test upon arrival at a government accredited lab. To be issued their first work permit, they are also required to perform the test again before the renewal of a residency or work permit. Any foreigner that is discovered to be infected will be deported to the country of origin as soon as they are deemed fit to travel. Foreigners are not given access to any HIV medications and while awaiting deportation may be segregated (imprisoned) from the rest of society.”

So it makes sense that amFAR, which has lost many of its corporate sponsors, is taking money from Red Sea with one hand, pushing up their COVID masks over their eyes to ignore the reality of this situation.

Presumably, the Red Sea Festival will send some kind of contingent to the amFAR dinner they’re paying for, maybe just to hear Alicia Keys. The delegation would be lead by Red Sea’s artistic director, Edouard Waintrop, former head of the Cannes Directors Fortnight. amFAR guests shouldn’t be too surprised, however, to see Prince Badr and his co-horts. How they’ll react when they realize what amFAR stands for is another story. Maybe Kevin Frost, the org’s CEO, who gets paid $600,000 a year, will just tell everyone to leave the word “AIDS” out of the announcements.

 

Happy 75th Birthday to the Gorgeous, Talented Linda Ronstadt, All Time Sweetheart of the Rodeo

Roger Friedman
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Happy 75th Birthday to the Gorgeous, Talented Linda Ronstadt, All Time Sweetheart of the Rodeo

There simply was no one else like Linda Ronstadt at the height of her fame. That big voice! Coming out of that little body! Rockin’. Plaintive. Soulful. She had it all.

There is no other album like “Heart Like A Wheel,” the record that broke through for her. Producer Peter Asher, an amazing band, and a selection of songs that all sounded cool. She even made Paul Anka hip covering “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” the hit Anka wrote for Buddy Holly.

And all that Buddy Holly, Linda made him cool again too 15 years after his tragic death. Her versions of “That’ll Be the Day” and “It’s So Easy” remain as compelling as her Smokey Robinson hits– “Ooh Baby Baby” and “Tracks of My Tears.” Linda’s take on Betty Everett’s “You’re No Good” solified her as a soul singer.

So is she soul, pop, country? Any song she chose to re-interpret became her own. And then she took Broadway with “The Pirates of Penzance,” real deep country with Dolly and Emmylou, orchestras with Nelson Riddle, duets with Aaron Neville, and on and on.

Happy birthday, Linda!

Triumph: Hamptons Cancer Fundraiser Takes in $400K Despite Pandemic, Celebs A Listers Pony Up for the Cause

Roger Friedman
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Triumph: Hamptons Cancer Fundraiser Takes in $400K Despite Pandemic, Celebs A Listers Pony Up for the Cause

Last Saturday night’s Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Fund summer gala was a hit despite the pandemic and social distancing.

Over 300 people went to the tented event on the sweeping Bridgehampton property of Maria and Kenneth Fishel. Guests included Chris Wragge, anchor of CBS 2 Morning News, Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson of The NY Giants, Ramona Singer of RHONY. They all enjoyed a performance by “Freestyle Love Supreme,” a Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical Improv Group, that brought almost all of them onto the dance floor.

This year’s honorees included HUGO BOSS, Fashion Inc represented by Rodolfo Esparza III; Dr. Kenneth Mark, Skin Cancer & Cosmetic Dermatology Expert; Natalie Cohen Gould, Co-founder of Come Back Cycle, Dir. of Wholesale, FP Movement; and Chef and Restaurateur David Burke, David Burke Hospitality Management.

The event was co-chaired by Mark D. Friedman of Brown Harris Stevens, Jessica Mackin of James Lane Post, and Randi Schatz. SWCRF founder Samuel Waxman MD, along with event committee members Christine Arlotta, Antonella Bertello, Erica Fineberg, Jacqueline Frank, Norah Lawlor, Jamie Koff, Christine Prydatko, Suzanne Sabet, and Michael Snell were in attendance.

The delicious food was supplied by a huge number of vendors including my personal favorites at Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake (you eat this and it’s magic!), the Golden Pear tea-and-coffee shops that keep the Hamptons well fed, plus A la Mode, Arlotta Food Studio, Bareburger, Beauty & the Broth, Bimble, Centro Trattoria, Chef Julian Medina, Chef Scott Kampf of Southampton Social Club and Union Sushi & Steak;  David Burke Hospitality Management, Halo Sport, Herradura Tequila, Kurly Kurtosh, Magnolia Bakery, MarieBelle New York, Milene Jardine, Out East Rose, Pompette, Rust & Gold, Simple Vodka, T-Bar Steak & Lounge, Taub Family Companies, and Woodford Reserve.

The Hamptons Happening was The 17th annual celebration of health and wellness, and the culmination of The Global Walk to Flatten the Cancer Curve with SWCRF partner, Walk with a Doc. The Global Walk to Flatten the Cancer Curve officially started on June 30th, 2021 and culminated at the SWCRF’s 17th Annual Hamptons Happening. The virtual walk raised international awareness and funds for life-saving cancer research. Participants logged their steps during the 11 days with the aim of accumulating 25,000 miles, enough to travel around the world. The virtual fundraising walk collected $100,000 for cancer research.

The incidence of cancer is rising around the world and advanced age is the most significant risk factor. More than 60 percent of Americans diagnosed with cancer are 65 and older. SWCRF, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and National Institute on Aging, is leading the way in funding the scientists who are working towards the next breakthrough in cancer treatments. Currently, SWCRF is funding 50 renown investigators on three continents, each working together to develop less toxic cancer treatments.

 

 

 

Not Nirvana: A Member of the Foo Fighters Camp Gets COVID, Cancelling LA Forum Show This Weekend

Roger Friedman
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Not Nirvana: A Member of the Foo Fighters Camp Gets COVID, Cancelling LA Forum Show This Weekend

COVID is on the rise along with the Delta variant.

The result is not good for live performances. Foo Fighters have just canceled their show set for July 17th at the Los Angeles Forum.  The group says they’re canceling because someone in their organization tested positive for COVID. Who exactly isn’t specified, but now everyone has to be careful.

The sad irony here is that the Foos re-opened Madison Square Garden last month with the first new show in over 14 months. It was a big celebration of the end of COVID. And now they’d been hit with it.

In New York, the Governor’s Ball — set for a three day weekend in September — is having trouble with slow sales. They’re hitting social media like crazy to sell individual day tickets for the Friday and Sunday, on which Billie Eilish and Post Malone are the main stars at CitiField. Only Saturday is sold out.  Fans are not convinced about being in large crowds. CitiField capacity is 45,000.

Please, everyone, get vaccinated!

HBO’s “White Lotus” — “Fantasy Island” with Balls — Fails to Find an Audience on Its First Outing

Roger Friedman
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HBO’s “White Lotus” — “Fantasy Island” with Balls — Fails to Find an Audience on Its First Outing

HBO’s “White Lotus” was no “Mare of Easttown” on Sunday night, more of a deputy mayor.

The first episode of the limited series pulled in just 420,000 viewers in fast overnights. It may pick up a few more fans in delayed viewing, but basically, that’s it.

Will “White Lotus” blossom and become a water cooler show? I’m not sure that’s possible. Unlike “Mare,” this mini series is static. There’s no mystery laid out up front, and the characters are a little weasely.  They’re white and rich and not very interesting. Jennifer Coolidge is thrown in, and we love her, but unless she kills someone soon, forget it.

The big shocker in the first episode is that Steve Zahn whipped out his manhood and grasped it full frontal with a close up on his scrotum. I think we could have all done without that. Was that supposed to be cutting edge? Sexy? Even Connie Britton, who plays his wife, was unimpressed.

“White Lotus” is really just “Fantasy Island” or any of the other 80s Aaron Spelling shows like “Love Boat” or “Hotel.” It’s just a summer filler until the good stuff comes back.

EXCLUSIVE Golden Globes Update: 60 Members Were on Zoom Call, Group Favors New Deal

Roger Friedman
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EXCLUSIVE Golden Globes Update: 60 Members Were on Zoom Call, Group Favors New Deal

Here’s an update on the earlier story about the Golden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and Eldridge Partners aka Todd Boehly.

According to my sources, around 60 of the almost 90 members of the HFPA were on the Zoom call today with Eldridge hearing the proposal. I’m told the group is favorably inclined to the deal being offered.

The HFPA is NOT Selling the Golden Globes to Boehly. What I’m told, in fact, is that the HFPA will continue in its present form with added members as a 501 c3 foundation, so their philanthropy and other activities will continue unchanged, but with a more diverse membership.

The big change is that they will partner with Eldridge on a Limited Liability Corporation for the Golden Globes and any other broadcasts. That company will not be registered as a charity, but for profit. The Eldridge proposals will be instituted, so that journalists will be added to the group at large, diversity will be instituted, and there will be more checks and balances.

But this way the Golden Globes will be separate from the HFPA’s other responsibilities, and voting on the Globes, etc will answer to the new LLC.

It does sound like a solid solution to the Globes’ current issues.

And I can tell you exclusively that once this is settled, the HFPA will announce their 2021 grants and philanthropic donations as they have done every summer. So we can expect that in late August. Maybe if Eldridge can sort this all out. NBC will re-think the 2022 hiatus and re-schedule the Globes for later in January, after the Critics Choice Awards on January 9th, 2022.

Report: Would the Hollywood Foreign Press Sell the Golden Globes to Dick Clark Productions Owner?

Roger Friedman
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Report: Would the Hollywood Foreign Press Sell the Golden Globes to Dick Clark Productions Owner?

Hmmm… here’s an interesting twist.

The New York Times and LA Times are reporting that Dick Clark Productions’ owner, holding company Eldridge which is owned by Todd Boehly, Zoomed with members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today.

Boehly, who also owns MRC (so many names) and is in business with Variety owner Penske Media, wants to buy the Golden Globes.

In short: the Globes are in the middle of a scandal voer having no Black members and were put on hiatus by NBC for this coming winter. Dick Clark, NBC, and Boehly are losing millions in the process. They want to wrest away control of the Globes from the HFPA, restore some integrity, and get back on the air.

Will the HFPA agree? The NY Times says: “the core components involve the speedy addition of 50 journalist voters to the current group of about 80, with an emphasis on diversity; the creation of a spinoff, for-profit Golden Globes company in partnership with Eldridge that would be governed by a 15-member board; and tougher and more transparent requirements for reaccreditation as an H.F.P.A. member, which must be done annually.”

Well, good luck getting the HFPA to agree to this. They love the money from NBC and love spreading it around. The power of the Globes is all they’ve got. But they might be persuaded to do something like this if NBC otherwise never allows them back on the air.

What I don’t understand is why the HFPA has done nothing for months now to fix their situation. They seem lost. By now they could have added a dozen Black members and shown a good faith effort to right their ship. But so far, zip.

Stay tuned…

 

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