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“Silence of the Lambs,” “Grey’s Anatomy” Star Brooke Smith Starting Her Own Emmy Campaign for Her Work on “Big Sky”

Roger Friedman
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“Silence of the Lambs,” “Grey’s Anatomy” Star Brooke Smith Starting Her Own Emmy Campaign for Her Work on “Big Sky”

I am totally down with this.

Brooke Smith was so good on “Big Sky” this season, she’s starting her do-it-yourself Emmy campaign.

You know Brooke from “Greys Anatomy” and “Silence of the Lambs,” among dozens of credits. She was a standout on “Big Sky” as Merilee Legarski, wife of the murderous psycho crazy sheriff played by John Carroll Lloyd.

Brooke writes:

As the daughter of PR guru Lois Smith, I understand the importance of campaigning for awards. I can’t afford a publicist, but I did pay the fees and submit myself for consideration to be nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for my work as Merrilee Legarski on David Kelley’s “Big Sky.” Because of the “stay in your lane” mentality of Studios, they won’t include me in any FYC panel discussions or press, or even put my name in the cast list on the Big Sky FYC page because I was a “recurring character” and not a “series regular”. I appeared in 8 out of 10 episodes (more than some of the other actors who were “series regulars”) and I was paid a lot less than everyone else, but I made peace with that because of the incredible material David E. Kelley was writing for me. I told myself that as long as I had great stuff to do on Big Sky playing Merrilee Legarski, I would survive being alone + away from my family in Vancouver for 6 months during a global pandemic. 
 
Even though I know about publicity and what it does, I have always believed that if you do good work, people will notice. It’s difficult to compete when FYC ads in trade magazines start at about 10k, and most actors have teams helping them to get the word out. But I am very proud of my work on this show, so I am trying to do a DIY campaign myself. I am emailing tv critics and trade magazines directly to ask them to vote for me if they liked my work on the show. What have I got to lose? “
OK Emmy voters. Best Supporting Actress Drama. Why can’t a great actress on a network show get nominated? Let’s start here !

RIP The Great Lloyd Price, R&B Pioneer, Age 88, Had Hits with “Stagger Lee,” “Personality”

Roger Friedman
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RIP The Great Lloyd Price, R&B Pioneer, Age 88, Had Hits with “Stagger Lee,” “Personality”

Lloyd Price has died at age 88. He was an R&B and rock pioneer, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with lots of hits including “Stagger Lee,” “Personality,” and “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.”

Lloyd was an entrepreneur, too. He was always cooking up ideas for tours and documentaries. He was part of the great soul tour hosted by Peter Wolf of J. Geils with Sam Moore, Jerry Butler, Chuck Jackson, Percy Sledge, Irma Thomas, and Gene Chandler. I saw it at the Beacon Theater on July 16, 1998 and it changed my life. Sam and Jerry wound up in my film, “Only the Survive” directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Lloyd was one of a kind, a trailblazer, and a great talent. His videos are below. His bio is here.

Condolences to his family and wide circle of friends and fans and admirers. He had “Personality” to spare.

 

 

Exclusive: Michael Jackson Estate Legal Team Adds Tom Mesereau to Arbitration Case Over “Leaving Neverland” Doc

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Michael Jackson Estate Legal Team Adds Tom Mesereau to Arbitration Case Over “Leaving Neverland” Doc

EXCLUSIVE

I’m told the Michael Jackson estate is preparing for battle with HBO in their arbitration case over the documentary, “Leaving Neverland.”

They’ve added to their legal team Thomas Mesereau, the superstar defense lawyer who brilliantly convinced a jury to acquit Jackson in his 2005 child molestation and conspiracy trial. The other members of the team are Bryan Freedman and Jonathan Steinsapir.

Adding Mesereau is a sensational idea because he put Wade Robson, one of the main subjects of the Dan Reed film, on the stand as a defense witness to support Jackson in the 2005 trial. If Robson testifies in the arbitration, which seems likely, he would be facing Mesereau in a much different way this time.

Both Robson and James Safechuck have seen lawsuits filed against the Estate dismissed by the court in the last year. Their credibility has been severely damaged by many contradictions in their recollection of alleged sexual abuse. Both men were steadfast supporters of Jackson during his trial and after his 2009 death, but suddenly remembered abuse in 2013.

On the stand in 2005, Robson, his mother, and sister all testified on Jackson’s behalf. They stayed at Neverland during the trial. Robson even asked Jackson to be married at the Neverland Ranch, where he later said abuse took place. He also dated Jackson’s niece for some time.

At the heart of the Jackson estate’s suit against HBO is an agreement between the cabler and Jackson dating back to 1992 in which HBO promised never to besmirch the singer. It was part of a deal for a concert film. HBO tried to get away with breaking the agreement but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Jackson estate.

The court said: “The contract contained a broad arbitration clause that covers claims that HBO disparaged Jackson in violation of ongoing confidentiality obligations. We may only identify whether the parties agreed to arbitrate such claims; it is for the arbitrator to decide whether those claims are meritorious.”

The arbitrators are being chosen now, and the actual process should begin within the next month, I’m told.

Tuesday: Help Stop the “Maisels” from Wrecking Lower 5th Avenue with a 200 Foot Billionaire’s Tower

Roger Friedman
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Tuesday: Help Stop the “Maisels” from Wrecking Lower 5th Avenue with a 200 Foot Billionaire’s Tower

Joel Maisel isn’t a real person, but his portrayer on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is actor Michael Zegen.

On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will hear another plea to stop Zegen’s real life real estate developer brothers from knocking down two 170 old buildings in the landmarked Greenwich Village Historic district.

Josh and Marc Zegen own a real estate development company called Madison Realty Capital. They want to demolish14-16 Fifth Avenue, between 8th and 9th Streets, and replace the two small unassuming structures with a 230 foot tower of mindblowingly expensive apartments only billionaires could afford. The ground floor would be some kind of expensive retail establishment that no one in our neighborhood wants or needs.

We would like a supermarket, but they’ve been driven out of the area by greedy real estate developers and landlords.

Click here to sign the petition to stop the demolition.

Apparently, the new building would have fewer apartments than the ones already there. And the people who live in 14-16 would be replaced by Wall Street financiers and foreign investors.

Ironically, I reported that last week a brawl broke out just two blocks away during a remote shoot for “Mrs. Maisel.” Star Rachel Brosnahan was accosted by a Washington Square habituee who put another man in a headlock. Michael Zegen wasn’t there. But his brothers can always describe the incident to their prospective buyers of $30 million apartments.

Glenn Close, Classy as Ever, Responds to No Oscar Win After 8 Noms: “First of all, I don’t think I’m a loser”

Roger Friedman
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Glenn Close, Classy as Ever, Responds to No Oscar Win After 8 Noms: “First of all, I don’t think I’m a loser”

Classy, classy, classy Glenn Close is a WINNER. She’s won 8 Oscar nominations. And she tells the AP, “I don’t think I’m a loser.”

Far from it.

Glenn will get her Oscar and maybe more than one. And it doesn’t matter. She’s got it right. I do think she’s got to make her “Sunset Boulevard” musical film. Singing “As If We Never Said Goodbye” will win her dozens of awards. On Broadway she got standing ovations every night in the middle of the show. (She also has THREE Tony Awards! That ain’t chopped liver!)

Long may she reign. Viva Glenn Close!

Van Morrison Outs Himself as a Right Wing Anti-Semite with New Album, Song: The “Moondance” Is Over

Roger Friedman
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Van Morrison Outs Himself as a Right Wing Anti-Semite with New Album, Song: The “Moondance” Is Over

The “Moondance” is over.

After almost years of hits, Van Morrison has outed himself as a right wing anti-Semite on his new album, “Latest record Project, Vol. 1.”

The song that’s making people angry is “They Own the Media,” which doesn’t name its enemy but it seems pretty clear. And on YouTube, the comments coming in are all in agreement.

It’s a sad end to a great career. But the heyday of that career was 40 years ago.

Back in March, Van released a track called “Only a Song,” that I wrote about. I thought it was funny, that he was sending himself up. But it’s not only a song, Van. Words have meaning. I retract that whole review.

This album follows Morrison’s anti-lockdown song, “Stand and Deliver,” which compared wearing masks and social distancing to slavery. He got Eric Clapton to record it. I wonder if Clapton regrets that now.

“Stand and Deliver” isn’t on the new album, which has 28 tracks of a kook sounding off like Archie Bunker from his easy chair. In the press version of the album I received digitally in late March, “They Own the Media” was the third track. But now it’s been sent to almost the very end. Nevertheless, it’s standing out like a sore thumb on a bloody hand.

Here are the lyrics. After reading them, my first thought was to say: Van, Jackie Wilson said, go to hell.

And you know the problem? The music on the album is swell. All the crazy lyrics like “Stop Bitchin’, Do Something” are set to his brand of upbeat and moody jazz. This track, which you can hear below, has beautiful horn work. But that doesn’t negate the message, and maybe the way Van Morrison has felt all along. What a shame that he’s turned into a little shit.

They tell us that ignorance is bliss
I guess by those that control the media, it is
They own the media, they control the stories we are told
If you ever try to go against them, you will be ignored

‘Cause they control
They control
They control

They control the narrative, they perpetuate the myth
Keep on telling you lies, tell you ignorance is bliss
Believe it all and you’ll never get, nеver get wise
To thе truth, ’cause they control everything you do

Everything you do
Everything you do
Everything you do

They control the narrative, they perpetuate the myth
Keep on telling you lies, tell you ignorance is bliss
Believe it all and you’ll never get the truth
Never get wise, wise through their lies

Through their lies
Through their lies
They control the media
They control the media
They control the media

Billie Eilish Fans Reject New Single, “Your Power,” Downloading Only Six Thousand Copies, Never Made iTunes Top 10

Roger Friedman
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Billie Eilish Fans Reject New Single, “Your Power,” Downloading Only Six Thousand Copies, Never Made iTunes Top 10

After eight days, Billie Eilish’s “Your Power” is at number 36 on iTunes. The new single, about a teacher who took advantage of his student, never made the top 10 on iTunes.

The single was rejected by fans, who downloaded only 6,000 copies. They did stream it, pushing the number to 160,000.

But streaming is a passive sport, and doesn’t generate a lot of income for the singer. And a song doesn’t have to be streamed all the way through. Eilish and brother Finneas have a good start to the single, but it falls apart a minute into the song.

“Your Power” comes from a new album which will be released on July 30. A snippet of the title track sounds promising.

This was a wild PR week for Eilish, who appeared on the cover of British Vogue in a bustier with platinum blonde hair, very Madonna or Lady Gaga. It was a big change from her grunge look of overalls and sharply colored hair. Did the Vogue cover turn off her core fans? Well, everyone grows up. I thought she looked great!

On the plus side, “Your Power” has 46 million views on YouTube. That sounds good, but that and $3 will get you a subway ride. (Just kidding! An Uber!)

 

 

Shocker: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Says She Won’t Run for Second Term

Roger Friedman
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Shocker: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Says She Won’t Run for Second Term

Here’s a shock: Keisha Lance Bottoms, the popular and successful mayor of Atlanta, is throwing in the towel. One term was enough for her. She’s out, and won’t run for a second term. She doesn’t really say why, except that she’s done, and hopes the Democratic party there will find a new candidate. I know nothing about Atlanta politics, but this must throw the city into a state of political turmoil. It doesn’t seem like Bottoms has a health issue, so who knows what’s going on? She was an up-and-comer. This is a disappointment, certainly.

She writes, and says in posted video:

“As Derek and I have given thoughtful prayer and consideration to the season now before us, it is with deep emotions that I hold my head high, and choose not to seek another term as mayor,” said Bottoms, who has scheduled a 10 a.m. press conference Friday at City Hall.

“People are entitled to their opinions, but don’t ever question whether or not I care,” she said at a press conference this week focused on crime. “My love for this city is deeper than probably many others standing here because my family goes back 100 years in the city. So whether I am mayor of this city or not, I will do everything that I can possibly do to keep our communities safe.”

How Much Did Ellen Pompeo Get? “Grey’s Anatomy” Starts Offloading Actors Beginning with Jesse Williams

Roger Friedman
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How Much Did Ellen Pompeo Get? “Grey’s Anatomy” Starts Offloading Actors Beginning with Jesse Williams

Ellen Pompeo’s season long contract negotiation meant her “Grey’s Anatomy” character, Meredith Grey, has been in a coma for months. She wasn’t even on last night’s episode.

But Jesse Williams was, the whole episode was about getting rid of his character, Jackson, after 12 seasons. Like so many actors before him, Williams has been chucked into the Shondland abyss because the “Grey’s” budget is shrinking and Pompeo is getting more money.

If “Grey’s” gets to its 20th anniversary it may just be Ellen Pompeo talking to herself. After 17 seasons, Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., and Chandra Wilson have made it from day one. Little by little, characters have been killed, maimed, and abandoned as their salaries increased.

Last year, Justin Chambers got the boot. This year, it’s Williams, who had to have a big salary after 12 years. Showrunner Krista Vernoff wrote him a big episode tonight setting the stage for Jackson’s move to Boston.

In imagined interviews, Vernoff would say she thought long and hard about writing Jackson off, and Pompeo would promise to have white wine spritzers with him after he gets off the unemployment line.

Jackson is the second actor to get the axe this season. Giacomo Gianniotti was sent into spritzer land in March when his character, Andrew DeLuca, died in the March 11 episode.

There are two more episodes left this season. Will anyone else be leaving Grey Sloan Memorial in service of Pompeo’s next contract? Stay tuned…

 

 

Broadway’s Back Pt. 3: Pandemic Delay May Have Been Best Thing After All for “MJ: Michael Jackson Musical”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway’s Back Pt. 3: Pandemic Delay May Have Been Best Thing After All for “MJ: Michael Jackson Musical”

UPDATED “MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical” was supposed to open in the summer of 2020. When Broadway shut down in March 2020, “MJ” was not selling well. There were a lot of questions about the sustainability of the show after a critical and panned documentary about Jackson aired on HBO. A lot of clouds hung over Michael Jackson’s legacy.

UPDATED: The producers say they were very happy with the advance sale. 

And then came the pandemic. Now “MJ” will open this winter, a year and a half later. Ironically, the pandemic might have been the best thing that ever happened.

The documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” came and went in March 2019. The ratings weren’t great. And many lawsuits emerged. The documentary was widely discredited by fans. And the principals saw their cases against Jackson’s estate dismissed from court.

A lawsuit brought by the Jackson estate against HBO will go to court ordered arbitration. The arbitrator will certainly know about the dismissals of Wade Robson’s and Jimmy Safechuck’s cases.

This week, a court ruled for the Estate in a major tax case. The government said the Estate owed $700 million based on much was earned after Jackson died in 2009. They said he was worth that much at his death. The Estate argued Michael’s image and career were worth about $7 million in June 2009. The IRS said the number was over $1 billion. A final ruling was the amount of $4 million.

Time has been kind to the producers of “MJ.” They probably should have waited a couple of years anyway. But now “MJ” can open without a cloud over it. The musical will encompass Michael’s early life, childhood, the Jackson 5 and his life through “Thriller.” The musical will end with everyone singing “Billie Jean” and dancing out of the theater.

Sanitized? Yes. Who cares? Naysayers can beat it.

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