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CBS Sunday Morning Giving Right Wing Actor Jon Voight Forum for Anti-Abortion Views, Filmed at $20 Mil Beverly Hills Mansion

Roger Friedman
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CBS Sunday Morning Giving Right Wing Actor Jon Voight Forum for Anti-Abortion Views, Filmed at $20 Mil Beverly Hills Mansion

I don’t understand what’s going on at the “CBS Sunday Morning” show.

On Sunday, they’re letting right wing actor Jon Voight spout his anti-abortion views to promote his movie, “Roe v. Wade.” This is a re-telling the Roe v Wade case from an anti-abortion perspective. The movie is funded by anti- abortion deep pockets including Nick Loeb, the guy who sued actress Sofia Vergara for her fertilized eggs after they broke up.

“Roe v. Wade” has been reviewed by just 5 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, all rotten. It has a Zero (0). Why would “Sunday Morning” give Voight this forum when they know it will spur interest, if not sales, that this film doesn’t deserve?

Voight’s publicist, Valerie Zucker, has sent out a press calling the movie, which has been panned and is not being distributed to theaters, the “true story” of the case.

From a press release: “This role was important for me as people have taken termination of pregnancy lightly,” says Voight. Voight said of the Landmark ruling, “You can’t help to wonder what would have been.”

Also from the press release, the tidbit that the interview with Ben Mankiewicz, from TCM, was filmed at a $20 million mansion in Beverly Hills. We should know it wasn’t Voight’s home. Is that a truthful profile of Voight? Where he does actually live? Will they ask about his relationship with daughter Angelina? She cannot possibly be a fan of “Roe v. Wade.”

To wit:

CBS was provided an exclusive use for the Jon Voight interview at a private residence located at 1005 N. Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. The French Provincial style home is 14,000 sq. ft. on 30,000 sq. ft. lot with 8-bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms, 4-car garage, private tennis court and much more. The residence is for sale at $19,795,000.

It’s difficult to understand what’s going on at “Sunday Morning.” Two weeks ago they promoted Hunter Biden’s book, giving the “author” a big fat kiss. The book is terrible, Hunter came off like Eddie Haskell, yet the “Sunday Morning” appearance put the book on the best seller list for two weeks. (It’s dead now, number 540 on amazon.)

Well, the ratings will be good among the conservative right. I’ll watch, but not before taking medicine for nausea.

PS Very surprised Voight has engaged a PR firm owned by two women to represent him in this endeavor. Zucker and Lewis is out of Miami, and they represent a lot of clients who might take umbrage at this project.

 

 

 

Book Biz Bust: Publisher Puts Brakes on Blake Bailey’s Philip Roth Bio But Amazon Is Still Selling it in All Forms

Roger Friedman
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Book Biz Bust: Publisher Puts Brakes on Blake Bailey’s Philip Roth Bio But Amazon Is Still Selling it in All Forms

Now what?

An avalanche of accusations against Philip Roth biographer Blake Bailey today in the New Orleans press spread quickly to publisher WW Norton. They immediately said they were putting the brakes on the 900 page tome, not promoting it or thinking about it anymore.

But you can buy it on Amazon in all forms, so that didn’t work.

Bailey is accused of serious stuff, like rape, by former students, all female, who say in interviews they were “groomed” by Bailey, their teacher, from the 8th grade. When they got above 18, they say he pursued them. One says she was raped.

Bailey denies all accusations.

Here’s the big interview with Eve Peyton.

Bailey’s emails with one woman are reprinted. In one he admits his behavior toward the woman was “deplorable” but he didn’t have sex with minors. Well, that’s a relief!

The women in Philip Roth’s novels always came off as objects. Then we learned how badly he treated actress Claire Bloom. Now it turns his biographer is no better or maybe worse. Could anyone have predicted this?

Peyton claims she was raped by Bailey after she became of legal age. In an email, Bailey– thinking this is a defense– wrote to her:  “For what it’s worth, you weren’t in 8th grade when the night in question occurred; you were in your 20s and I was in my 30s (just), and for the record I wasn’t attracted to you when you were in 8th grade and have never laid a glove on any student, while she was my student, including college and grad school students.”

Norton is still selling “Philip Roth: A Biography” and look, it’s probably an important book about a great writer. But the guy sounds like a pig. At least his literary agent, The Story Factory, has fired him. And he’s unlikely to be nominated for Book awards next fall.

I’ve emailed two marketing people at Norton for a response, but they’re not responding. I’m not surprised.

I’m using a photo of Philip Roth because he was a literary giant and an actual celebrity. Bailey’s picture maybe we can look for in post offices.

 

“Jeopardy!” Fans Get Their Way: LeVar Burton Will Finish the Season as Guest Host, But Will He Get the Job?

Roger Friedman
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“Jeopardy!” Fans Get Their Way: LeVar Burton Will Finish the Season as Guest Host, But Will He Get the Job?

Two hundred forty six thousand people can’t be wrong.

LeVar Burton has finally been asked to guest host “Jeopardy!” After a petition with 246,000 signatures has blossomed imploring producers to sign him up, it’s happened.

Burton will join George Stephanopolous and Robin Roberts — ABC promoting “GMA” since “Jeopardy!” runs on ABC stations, and sportscaster Joe Buck in the last round of guest hosts.

The season will end with this group and return in September with a permanent host. The competition is between Burton and Ken Jennings, the first guest host and the only one so far to maintain the ratings at 6 million.

Burton is campaigning for the job, and he certainly seems to have a following. Jennings does, too, and he’s a contracted consultant to the show.

Stay tuned!

Burton wrote on Twitter: THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time.

UPDATE Clive Davis Scores First Interview with Superstar Joni Mitchell Since Illness for Grammy Gala Zoom

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE Clive Davis Scores First Interview with Superstar Joni Mitchell Since Illness for Grammy Gala Zoom

I am really, really jealous. And intrigued.

Music mogul Clive Davis tells me he’s scored the first interview with superstar legend Joni Mitchell since her 2015 brain aneurysm.

The interview will be part of Clive’s May 15th Grammy Zoom Gala that features a panoply of A list stars. Davis interviews Paul Simon, Elton John, and a host of big names. HER, the hot hot hot female pop R&B star, is among the performers.

But the Joni interview is a BIG deal. Clive says, “We chose a great performance of Joni singing Both Sides Now for the piece.” What did they talk about? “Oh, you’ll have to wait and see. I don’t even know how we’re going to edit it down. There’s so much great stuff. We talked for a long time.”

I know the feeling. I once had a six hour phone interview with Joni back in the day. It was a transformative experience.

Clive’s last Zoom Gala had over 2,000 guests on, more than a third of them were celebrities, stars, VIPs. The event went on for five hours.

What’s so great about Joni being involved: she started coming to Clive’s pre-Grammy dinner a few years ago, with producer Richard Perry. Joni, who is very critical when she’s watching performances, fell in love with the event. She’s returned year and year. Now we’ll hear her talk a little about her career and recovering from her illness, which she’s done beautifully.

If you want to catch up on Joni pre-event, go to rhinorecords.com and discover her new box sets. Joni’s transformation from folk and pop to jazz and beyond is breathtaking. My favorite album is “The Hissing of Summer Lawns.” And then, listen to Tina Turner sing “Edith and the Kingpin” on Spotify. It will blow your mind.

Speaking of Tina, Clive also interviewed Oprah Winfrey about Tina for the Zoom Gala. Oprah never lets other people interview her. That should be something!

Clive is already the greatest music man, record exec etc in history. Now he’s turned into a historian and journalist for the ages. He’d better turn all of these pieces into a documentary. A second “Soundtrack of our Lives.”

“Music Man” Star Hugh Jackman Says Scott Rudin Has Stepped Away But There’s Trouble in River City with a Capital T

Roger Friedman
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“Music Man” Star Hugh Jackman Says Scott Rudin Has Stepped Away But There’s Trouble in River City with a Capital T

“Music Man” star Hugh Jackman is not leaving the show, don’t worry. He’ll still be starring in the musical revival this winter even with the scandal surrounding producer Scott Rudin.

Jackman sent out a statement, all in CAPS, although I’m not sure that means he’s screaming. The statement below says basically Rudin is stepping back and they’re all moving on.

“I hope and pray this is a journey of healing for all the victims,” says Jackman, “and the community.”

It’s a tepid response, I think. I’m frankly a little surprised by it. There’s still trouble with a capital T in River City.

Here’s the statement:

“I WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I RESPECT AND APPLAUD THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPOKEN UP ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH SCOTT RUDIN. IT TAKES AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO STAND UP AND STATE YOUR TRUTH. THIS HAS STARTED A CONVERSATION THAT IS LONG OVERDUE, NOT JUST ON BROADWAY, AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, BUT ACROSS ALL WORKFORCE. THE MOST IMPORTANT VOICE WE NEEDED TO HEAR FROM WAS SCOTT RUDIN, HE HAS NOW SPOKEN UP AND STEPPED AWAY FROM THE MUSIC MAN . I HOPE AND PRAY THIS IS A JOURNEY OF HEALING FOR ALL THE VICTIMS AND THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE CURRENTLY REBUILDING THE MUSIC MAN TEAM AND ARE ASPIRING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT ONLY SAFE, BUT ENSURES THAT EVERYONE IS SEEN, HEARD AND VALUED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.”

Lincoln Center’s NY Film Festival Sets September 24th for Hybrid Festival of In Person and Virtual Screenings

Roger Friedman
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Lincoln Center’s NY Film Festival Sets September 24th for Hybrid Festival of In Person and Virtual Screenings

The New York Film Festival will be a hybrid one.

They’ve just sent out a query for film submissions and also announced their dates. The festival begins September 24th and it will a mix of in person and virtual screenings.

The pandemic has hobbled all the festivals. Lincoln Center isn’t open now, and they’re not taking chances in the fall. The pandemic has really hit the finances of the Festival which can’t do fundraising galas like their Chaplin Awards.

It’s interesting how the Film Society of Lincoln Center is wording all this. The Tribeca Film Festival, which runs in June, many months earlier, is thinking people will come to theaters to see their films. They’re holding a big premiere night at the 3,000 seat United Palace Theater in Washington Heights.

The New York Film Festival depends on the Walter Reade Theater, Alice Tully Hall, and Geffen Hall for premieres. Geffen is closed for renovations. But Alice Tully and Walter Reade in September? Even with limited seating? We’ll see.

Which Demi Lovato Song Will Debut on “Law & Order SVU”: “Demi has written some great songs about hitting bottom,” says producer

Roger Friedman
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Which Demi Lovato Song Will Debut on “Law & Order SVU”: “Demi has written some great songs about hitting bottom,” says producer

A “classic” Demi Lovato song will be featured on tomorrow night’s “Law & Order SVU.” Lovato is currently embroiled in a scandal after getting into a fight with a yogurt shop. The plot of the episode has nothing to do with that.

Says producer Warren Leight on Twitter: “The episode takes place on the worst day of guest star Sarita Choudhury’s character’s life. We’ve all had a day, or many days, like that in the last year. Demi has written some great songs about hitting bottom. Start there…”

Leight tells me exclusively: “Existing recording. really glad we were able to get it. Sarita Choudhury is great in the episode, by the way. And Carisi and Rollins have almost all their scenes together.”

Choudhury is featured in tomorrow night’s episode called “In the Year We All Fell Down.” She plays a restaurant owner who’s been shut down during the pandemic and finally snaps.  She’s recurred as a character on “SVU” but she’s best known from Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala and dozens of film and TV roles.

Lovato is promoting her YouTube documentary and hit album called “Dancing with the Devil.”

“SVU,” by the way, is on a ratings roll in its 22nd season. It’s the hottest show on NBC right now.

Ratings: Dwayne Johnson’s “Young Rock” Drops Like a Rock, Falls 13% as Show Cannot Sustain Audience

Roger Friedman
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Ratings: Dwayne Johnson’s “Young Rock” Drops Like a Rock, Falls 13% as Show Cannot Sustain Audience

Dwayne Johnson may run for president, but not as a TV star.

His TV series, “Young Rock,” can’t sustain an audience.

Last night the NBC series dropped 13.8% after rising the previous week by just about the same amount. Only 2.62 million viewers tuned in last night.

The series, about Johnson’s early days and teen years before becoming The Rock, kicked off in February with 5.6 million fans. It immediately fell off by 32% the next week and just kept dropping– like a rock.

I can’t imagine why NBC would keep the show for another season. It’s had no traction and no uptick. The TV audience clearly isn’t interested in this story.

“Young Rock” was beaten soundly at 8pm by the Fox show “The Resident” and an “NCIS” rerun. “Young Rock” is also destroying its follow up show at 8:30, starring “SNL” veteran Kenan Thompson. “Kenan,” under 2 million, will likely also not be renewed. Thompson is no doubt frustrated. But NBC needs to give him a variety sketch show. The sitcom is not the place for him.

 

 

(Watch) Jane Fonda Tells Jimmy Fallon of George Floyd Verdict: “Right now the anvil of justice is hot”

Roger Friedman
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(Watch) Jane Fonda Tells Jimmy Fallon of George Floyd Verdict: “Right now the anvil of justice is hot”

Jane Fonda looked fantastic, of course, last night on the Tonight Show.

She also opened her two part interview with a trenchant and powerful declaration after the George Floyd verdict.

“Right now,” she said, “the anvil of justice is hot. And we have to seize it and make sure we use it to bend the arc of history in the direction that Martin Luther King said, in the direction of justice.”

Wow. Fonda and Fallon discuss activism and how Fonda first became politicized in Paris in 1968 during the first segment.

On a lighter note, in the second segment, playing a game called “First Last Best” Fonda describes her best kiss, back in 1959, with actor James Franciscus, who played hot teacher “Mr. Novak” on TV and was married to Shelley Winters.

Hollywood Shake Ups as Golden Globes Racism Trouble Deepens, Producer Scott Rudin Loses Main Movie Partner

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Shake Ups as Golden Globes Racism Trouble Deepens, Producer Scott Rudin Loses Main Movie Partner

We’re waking up to a lot of changes in Hollywood.

At the Golden Globes, where things couldn’t be worse, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor Dr. Shaun Harper gave up and left after the controversy over Phil Berk. Even though Berk was dismissed from the HFPA after his crazy racist email, Harper apparently felt he was getting nowhere. The group is supposed to make significant changes by May 6th. So far they’ve done nothing.

And others are reportedly jumping from the HFPA ship including Sunshine Sachs, their PR agency, and Judy Smith’s firm Smith & Company. She was the basis for the Olivia Pope character of a spin doctor in the TV series, “Scandal.” In the case of the former, if there ain’t no Sunshine for the HFPA they are really in trouble. After years of having wonky PR, Ken Sunshine gave the Globes an appearance of respectability.

Back here in New York, Scott Rudin’s comeuppance is snowballing. Variety reports that indie house A24 has severed ties with him. In the last few years, Rudin’s main movie deals have been with A24. This cuts him off from the Coen Brothers’ “MacBeth” with Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington, a prestige picture he was counting on riding to the Oscars next year.

Variety’s Gene Maddaus did a great job speaking to friends of the former Rudin assistant who killed himself last year, Kevin Graham-Caso. His brother had posted an emotional video about Kevin’s time with Rudin, but Maddaus got to the core of Rudin’s villainy. Rudin apparently pushed Kevin out of a moving car.

Meanwhile I can tell you exclusively that “ghost producers” are coming in to take over Rudin’s existing Broadway shows when they re-open this fall.

Once again, the Hollywood-Broadway table is being reset as scandal expunges power players. The kings are dead, long live the new kings.

 

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