Friday, December 19, 2025
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Will Smith Writes an Autobiography: Will It Include Scientology, Infidelity, Failed Private School, Donations to Nation of Islam?

Will Smith has written an autobiography (with Mark Manson). “Will” will be published on November 9th by Penguin Press.

No doubt “Will” covers Smith’s Philadelphia childhood, rapper career, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and early movie successes with “Bad Boys” and “Independence Day.” All good.

And when you meet Will Smith, he is relentlessly polite, engaging, and cheerful. All that should come across in the book.

But what remains to be seen is how candid and forthcoming Smith will be about real subjects. For example, he and wife Jada Pinkett Smith started their own private school in Calabasas, California in which they placed their own kids, Jaden and Willow. The school was run by a Scientologist and taught the curriculum. At the time, Will said in interviews that he was open to all groups. This was after he and Jada had become swept in Tom Cruise-mania.

Eventually the school went under, and disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

For years, Will and Jada have also run a sketchy 501(c)3 charity that has given money to odd groups including the Nation of Islam.

More recently, rumors of the Smiths’ open marriage bubbled upon on Jada’s Red Table talk show on Facebook. It was certainly made clear just before the pandemic that each of the spouses had led their own lives and that fidelity was not observed.

So as an honest autobiography from Will Smith would be welcome, who knows what “Will” will reveal. But almost certainly, we’ll get the story of how Will became a rare Hollywood mega star, self-made by sheer dint of hard work.

Will and Manson put this video up in 2018. Will said of choosing a publisher, “I’m very confident we’ll go with the…highest bidder!”

RIP “In the Heights” Not Just Here But Everywhere Around the World, a Head Scratcher for Its Time

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The final weekend tally is in. “In the Heights” est morte.

Not just here, but everywhere.

The Jon M. Chu directed musical could not get past $20 million in its second week of release. It finished its 14 days at $19.6 million. If Warner Bros. keeps it in theaters over the summer “In the Heights” might get near $40 million, but it’s doubtful.

Even worse, the international audience seems to have no interest in it. It made just $2 million this weekend in other countries, the biggest audience being the UK. And they may have come because of the “Hamilton” connection to Lin Manuel Miranda. In Mexico and Spain, where you think there might have been some enthusiasm, there was none.

It’s a headscratcher, but this thing went wrong fast. Even opening the Tribeca Film Festival didn’t help, maybe because Tribeca and Washington Heights are literally almost 200 blocks apart.

The biggest blow was Lin-Manuel, who everyone loves, allowing himself to apologize for his own work. He killed the movie with that mea culpa. If he didn’t believe in his award winning popular musical, who should? If you bow to social media pressure, you will never hear the end of it, friends.

Not a Shock: Edgar Wright’s Documentary about Very Cult Group Sparks Made No Money Over the Weekend

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It should come as no surprise that Edgar Wright’s labor of love, a two and half hour documentary about the rock duo called Sparks, made no money over the weekend.

The bigger surprise is that Focus Features released it to theaters. Almost no one has heard of Sparks, and if they did, they were part of a very inside cult clique.

Sparks is Russell Mael and his brother Ron. They’ve been around since 1967, when I was 10. All through the 70s, when the classic rock canon was established, Sparks had no hits at all. None. I’ve never heard of any of their songs or had any interest in them. No one did. I was into everything from the Beatles to Hendrix to Steely Dan, all of the R&B music of the 70s, then punk, new wave, quirky music, Wreckless Eric, and so on. I thought by then Sparks was gone.

They have persisted, the Maels. The documentary explains how that happened. The 80s, 90s, aughts. The brothers are in their 70s. They’ve never collaborated with anyone even remotely well known, participated in any high visibility activity, been cited suddenly as influences.  Their last top 100 album was in 1983 and it peaked at number 88. Their 10 fans probably think I’m some dunderhead too stupid to get them. They’re right! I feel that away about They Might Be Giants, as well. They might have been, but I never got it.

I don’t think I’ve even heard these groups played on Little Steven’s Sirius Radio station, they really get into obscure stuff.

So now, Sparks has sold 3,000 albums this year according to Buzz Angle/Alpha Data. And that’s all in the last couple of weeks thanks to the documentary and press about them. They have a new album on BMG called “A Steady Drip Drip Drip” which is an apt title for their life story.

Over the weekend, Wright’s documentary made $265,000 in over 500 theaters. The per screen average was $496. My guess is this will be the high. Maybe “Sparks” will be a streaming or cable hit. Anything is possible. To me, Sparks will always be a steakhouse on 45th St. where there was a mob hit. Call it an East Coast thing.

I don’t blame Edgar Wright. He’s a famous director, he can get financing and distribution, and this was his passion. He loves music. “Baby Driver” is one of the great films of this century. So more power to him. He’s probably planning a narrative film based on the doc, with Ansel Elgort playing both Maels. I wouldn’t miss it.

 

The Amazing Story of Disney’s “Cruella” and How it Went from Bomb to Unexpected Hit

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You know, I really liked “Cruella.” I said so in my review.

Then came the naysayers, and the $30 surcharge to see it on Disney Plus. “Cruella” opened on May 28th against “A Quiet Place 2” and didn’t do so well. In fact, Disney started cutting its theater count and box office starting falling. On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of last week, “Cruella” dipped significantly below $1 million a day.

But then! Lo and behold! A trend popped up. Down from its high of 3,922 theaters to 3,100, “Cruella” has just had a terrific weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday– respectively $1.5 mil, $1.9 mil, $1.7 mil. It’s up to $64 million US and $138 mil worldwide. Word of mouth must be good, and should be good. Emmas Stone and Thompson are a hoot, the whole thing is a lot of fun. Who cares that Cruella kills her adoptive mother? Get over it!

So maybe they’ll get to $75 million or more. And maybe instead of spending $30 over and above the Disney Plus sub, people are going to the movie theater to see those amazing sets and costumes. They’re award winners, by the way. and must be seen on a big screen.

“Cruella” gets a happy ending, and I’m very pleased. Plus, the soundtrack is a hit, Now we need a Volume 2.

RIP Joan Benny, 86, Daughter of Famed Comedian Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone, Best Selling Author (UPDATED)

It does seem that Joan Benny, the beloved daughter of famed comedian Jack Benny and his wife Mary Livingstone, has died at age 86 from pancreatic cancer.

There’s no official word, but several mentions have been made of Joan’s passing on Facebook. A friend, Vivian Serota, confirmed that she placed an obit in the New York Times’ paid obit section today.

According to the Facebook reports, Joan Benny died on June 10th, a week shy of her 87th birthday. She leaves four children and several grandchildren.

Joan was the author of “Sundays at Seven,” a bestselling memoir about her parents. I met her a few times over the years, and being a huge Jack Benny fan, was thrilled. She was a lovely lady.

Official obit:

Joan Benny died peacefully at home on June 10th, just seven days before her 87th birthday. Joan died of Pancreatic Cancer, ironically the same disease which took her famous father, Jack Benny.Joan grew up surrounded by fame, with movie magazines running feature stories about her family. Her first wedding drew huge press attention, mainly because her father paid for an extremely lavish and expensive wedding, despite his professional persona which was notoriously stingy.

Professionally, Joan had her own brushes with fame as she stood in for her mother in the last years of her father’s radio broadcasts. She also appeared as herself in several of the radio and television episodes. She was one of the most memorable contestants on Password in the early 60’s. The most entertaining were the games when her father was her opponent. These Password episodes can still be seen on Youtube.

Joan published “Sunday Nights at Seven” following her father’s death in 1974. Its title was an homage to the day and time when the Jack Benny Show aired. The book consisted of large parts of her father’s unpublished autobiography combined with her own memories and thoughts about growing up with a famous father in the heyday of Hollywood where stars like Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, Ronald Coleman, Joan Crawford and George Burns were frequent visitors.

Ms. Benny leaves behind four grown children, Michael Rudolph, Maria Rudolph, Robert Blumofe and Joanna Meiseles, as well as seven grandchildren.

 

 

Box Office: “In the Heights” Only Made $4 Mil During the Week, Cancel Culture Destroys A Film’s Chances

What happened here is quite sad.

“In the Heights” made only $4 million during the week, bringing its total through Thursday night to $15.4 million. It’s pretty much DOA. This weekend will be crucial for its future. But I’m afraid the news is bad.

UPDATE: Friday night box office was only $1.4 mil, looking at $4mil tops for the weekend, maybe hitting $20 mil total.

The Jon M. Chu directed adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit got great reviews from critics, at one point up to 99%.

But it turned out to be for a very niche audience.

The first big problem was that there was no breakout song for people to hum or whistle, or want to hear on the radio. While the soundtrack sold well this week, it’s not a big crossover hit like “The Greatest Showman.”

Then, disaster stuck as cancel culture came for the movie and anyone who supported it. The Latinx community criticized “In the Heights” for not having Afro-Latin cast members with dark skin. They said it didn’t represent the real community of Dominicans in Washington Heights.

Even Rita Moreno, the EGOT Winner and beloved 89 year old actress, was accosted by the social media lynch mob for voicing her support of the film. She actually apologized! She shouldn’t have done that. Rita Moreno has nothing to apologize for. These stupid people do.

So “In the Heights” is dead, killed by the mob. Its music, culture, colors, ebullience, all wrecked. I hope everyone is happy now.

 

 

“Springsteen on Broadway” Backtracks on Astra Zeneca Vaccinated Fans: Now All WHO Approved May Come

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WHO are you? WHO? WHO?

Springsteen on Broadway has backtracked on its vaccine proclamation, to the relief of Canadians and other international tourists.

The show — sold out, and selling from scalpers at astronomical prices — originally said they’d only accept those who could prove they’d had FDA approved vaccinations.

But now the show says also WHO approved, meaning Astra Zeneca and maybe even Russian Sputnik are okay.

The website now reads:

“Guests will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO approved vaccine in order to attend SPRINGSTEEN ON BROADWAY and must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theatre with their valid ticket. “Fully vaccinated” means the performance date you are attending must be:

  • at least 14 days after your second dose of a FDA or WHO approved two dose COVID-19 vaccine, or
  • at least 14 days after your single dose of a FDA or WHO approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine.”

Can you imagine being in Canada and spending a couple thou on tickets only to learn your vaccine was no good? (Actually I can’t imagine either part of that question.)

So good news for all. Frankly, after what I saw around town last night, everyone’s just gone back to pre-times, no proof of vax, no masks, no temp taking. This thing had really better be over!

Taylor Swift’s Revenge Against Scooter Braun Continues: Re-recorded “Red” Album Will Drop November 19th

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Taylor Swift will not let up in her campaign against Scooter Braun. She’s determined to render his purchase and flip sale of her master recordings be worthless.

Taylor is dropping the re-recorded version of her album, “Red,” on November 19th. This will be her second re-recorded album designed to take the place of the original recordings. She owns the new ones.

In April, Swift released the re-recorded “Fearless” album to great success. The Taylor’s version of “Fearless” has sold 218,000 copies in CDs and downloads, a total over 500,000 copies including streaming. And that’s just in two months.

The new version of “Red,” she says, will have all 30 tracks she intended for it in the first place. Here’s what she posted:

 

Two Big Rock Birthdays June 18th: Paul McCartney and “You’re So Vain” Producer Richard Perry Turn 79

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Paul McCartney turns 79 today. You know who he is, we love him. He’s probably the most successful modern composer of all time. His work is indelible. From “Love Me Do” in 1957 to his recent “McCartney III,” Paul has written or co-written the greatest songs of our time.

In 1973, after the Beatles broke up, Paul was convinced by producer Richard Perry to write a song for Ringo Starr’s “Ringo” album. The song is called “Six O’Clock,” and Paul and Linda McCartney sang on it as well. Earlier that year, Perry had recorded the McCartneys singing backup vocals on Carly Simon’s “Night Owl.”

Perry, who also turns 79 today, just published his memoir, “Cloud Nine.” He’s the most successful record producer of the 70s, 80s. 90s, and aughts. Just about every hit by Carly, Ringo, Harry Nilsson, the Pointer Sisters, Leo Sayer, were all made by Perry. He also produced Diane Warren’s first hit, “Rhythm of the Night,” sung by El DeBarge. In 2000, it was Perry who launched Rod Stewart’s American Songbook collection, five albums that sold 26 million copies. Not bad!

“Cloud Nine” is a sensational read. It covers not only all those artists but three tracks Richard made with Tina Turner in the early 80s before her ‘comeback’ album “Private Dancer.” Tina was so grateful to him Perry was her date to the 1985 Grammy Awards when she won several statues. It was Perry’s recording of Tina singing the Beatles’ “Help” that paved the way for her revival.

Perry made nine hit albums with the Pointer Sisters, and singles like “Fire,” “Jump,” “I’m So Excited,” “Dare Me,” “Happiness,’ and so on. During a recent hospitalization, they visited him– courtesy of his ex-partner Jane Fonda, and serenaded him with “Slow Hand,” one of their top 10 collaborations. It worked! He felt better instantly. (That story will be for the next book.)

So there was rock and roll magic i the air on June 18, 1942. And we’re the luckier for it! Happy birthday, gentlemen.

PS Richard told me on my recent visit that the record he’s most proud of is Ray Charles’ “My World” which includes Ray singing “A Song for You.” I say his “perfect” record is Nilsson’s “Without You” but he says it’s Carly’s “You’re So Vain.” There are too many too choose from! A lot of people love Art Garfunkel’s “Breakway” album. And when you hear the opening of Ringo’s “Photograph,” it’s a stunning moment in rock history.

 

 

(Midnight Listen) Jennifer Hudson Sings New Song Written with Carole King from Aretha Franklin BioPic “Respect”

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Dropping at midnight: Jennifer Hudson sings “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” written by her with Carole King for the movie “Respect.”

Carole, of course, wrote Aretha Franklin’s famous “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.”

“Here I Am” will be up as a possible Best Song nominee for the Oscars next March. Even though Atlantic Records has the “Respect” soundtrack, Epic Records gets the single. But the song will be included on the movie’s soundtrack along with Jennifer’s other Aretha reimaginings.