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Hunter Biden’s Performance as Eddie Haskell on “CBS Sunday Morning” is a “Beautiful Thing,” May Alter Oscar Race for Best Actor

Roger Friedman
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Hunter Biden’s Performance as Eddie Haskell on “CBS Sunday Morning” is a “Beautiful Thing,” May Alter Oscar Race for Best Actor

Hunter Biden has suddenly jumped out front in the Oscar race. After his performance on “CBS Sunday Morning” this morning, Hunter’s work as Eddie Haskell (look it up, kids) may push him past Chadwick Boseman and Anthony Hopkins for an Academy Award.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Joe Biden, and Jill Biden. I support his presidency totally. But this whole campaign to rehab Hunter with this book, “Beautiful Things,” is a hoot. Whoever set up that segment on “Sunday Morning” today deserves the PR award of the century.

Indeed, the whole book idea is great. The idea is to admit everything, cry a lot, and get everyone’s sympathy. If he’d just stayed quiet and in the background, I wouldn’t have given Hunter another thought. But this campaign is so cynical, I burst out laughing.

Also, really a segment lasting nine minutes and 44 seconds in which not a serious question is asked is the last straw. And since he’s offering his personal life up for inspection, what happened to the woman he had a baby with, didn’t want to take responsibility while he was dating his sister-in-law? I really wanted Tracy Smith to ask him about all that. Plus, his new wife and baby. If you’re not going to get into his business life, at least talk about that.

Oh, Eddie Haskell. Without a doubt.

Jon Voight’s Anti-Abortion “Roe v. Wade” Movie is Out, with a Zero on Rotten Tomatoes, and No Distribution

Roger Friedman
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Jon Voight’s Anti-Abortion “Roe v. Wade” Movie is Out, with a Zero on Rotten Tomatoes, and No Distribution

Who knew?

Jon Voight’s anti-abortion movie, “Roe v. Wade,” has had a stealth release for Easter weekend. There are five reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, all negative. One is from the New York Times, which called it “hammy.” The score: Zero.

You can buy the DVD for “Roe v. Wade” but you can’t rent it or stream it on Nextflix, Apple or Amazon. The movie has no distribution. It’s not in theaters.

“Roe v. Wade” is a screed against abortion co-directed (and financed) by Nick Loeb, the moronic rich kid who dated “Modern Family” actress Sofia Vergara and then sued her for her stored eggs. (Even though they’d broken up he wanted her children.)

Loeb is the son of 90 year old former Reagan appointee ambassador John Loeb, a top Republican donor (major money to McConnell, et al). In 1996, Nick’s mother, Meta Martindell Harrsen, killed her estranged third husband, Jeffrey Bauer, and then herself in a tabloid scandal murder suicide. (Her married name was Meta Bauer, coincidentally one of the first soap opera characters on TV from the 1950s.)

Nick’s claim to fame, other than trying to hijack a TV star’s fertilized eggs, was marketing a condiment no one wanted called Onion Crunch. (See if you can find it in your grocery store.)

Nick has taken his father’s money — John Loeb is from the famed Loeb-Lehman banking and real estate dynasty– to underwrite “Roe v. Wade,” which has an all star cast of D Listers including himself (he acts in it), ex wacky Fox Newser Stacey Dash, former kid star Joey Lawrence, Jamie Kennedy (still alive), Corbin Bernsen (mother Jeanne Cooper turning in her grave), nut job right winger Robert Davi, and Duke of Hazzard John Schneider. Sadly, Steve Guttenberg is involved. So is Kelsey Grammer’s daughter, Greer.

In this Supreme Court untelling of the “Roe v. Wade” case, Voight plays Supreme Court Justice Warren Berger. Voight is old now, and has destroyed most of what his stellar career that came from movies like “Midnight Cowboy” and “Coming Home.” He lost his mind some time ago endorsing Trump over and over, sucking up to him until he got a quote-unquote Presidential Medal of Freedom. It’s hard to imagine that he and daughter Angelina Jolie (herself in hot pursuit of trying to destroy former baby daddy Brad Pitt) have much to discuss at a dinner table.

“Roe v. Wade” so far can’t be streamed in any conventional place. Maybe one day it will drift onto a platform by accident until some subscriber complains. But it’s likely just a vanity project, money out the window for Loeb, his father. and something called the Susan B. Anthony List Inc. which is billed as an executive producer. They’re a 501 c3 from Virginia that pays million in salaries to its executives while promising its donors it will eradicate abortion. Suckers.

 

Rapper DMX, 50, Is in “Grave Condition” and Possible “Vegetative State” After Overdose, Heart Attack

Roger Friedman
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Rapper DMX, 50, Is in “Grave Condition” and Possible “Vegetative State” After Overdose, Heart Attack

Influential rapper DMX is in what’s described as grave condition and a possible vegetative state after an overdose and a heart attack.

The news was reported by TMZ that DMZ, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was rushed to White Plains Hospital in Westchester County, New York. It doesn’t sound good.

Simmons has had a lifelong struggle with addiction and substance abuse. He’s been in rehab many times. He’s also recently been in jail for tax evasion.

Sending prayers and good wishes to his family.

Taylor Swift Will Drop Re-Recorded “Fearless” Album Next Friday, April 9th with Special Guest Keith Urban

Roger Friedman
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Taylor Swift Will Drop Re-Recorded “Fearless” Album Next Friday, April 9th with Special Guest Keith Urban

Hello, Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta: Taylor Swift is dropping her re-recorded “Fearless” album on Friday, April 9th. The $300 million Braun got for selling Taylor’s masters to an investment firm is going up in flames. (I’m surprised they haven’t asked for their money back.)

Taylor writes: “I’m really honored that @KeithUrban is a part of this project, duetting on That’s When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy. I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me endlessly.”

Two singles from the remastered album have already been hits. Watch the album hit number 1 on April 16th without too much trouble.

UPDATE: “Law & Order SVU” Benson-Stabler Cross Over Ratings Better than Expected, Re-run Tonight on NBC

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE: “Law & Order SVU” Benson-Stabler Cross Over Ratings Better than Expected, Re-run Tonight on NBC

Thursday night’s ratings for the “Law & Order SVU” cross over were even better when they were all counted.

“SVU” actually reaped just over 8 million viewers. “Organized Crime” hit a 7.8 million.

The return of Chris Meloni to the “Law & Order” fold was such a huge hit that the shows will be repeated tonight on NBC.

Of course, the question now, is what next? They killed off Benson’s wife and doubled down on the long-simmering unconsummated romance between Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Meloni). If these two ever hook up they’ll be grandparents!

A number of viewers commented on the possible issues set up with the “Organized Crime” pilot. It seemed built for a movie not a TV series, with Stabler on a mission to avenge the death of his wife. Dylan McDermott seems like he’s playing Stabler’s nemesis in a long term arc. That’s not exactly how “Law & Order” has proceeded in the past. Instead of a continuing plot, the shows are usually self-contained with occasional references to old stories. We’ll see how this plays out.

RIP Arthur Kopit, 83, Three Time Tony Award Nominee, Author of “Nine,” “Wings,” “Oh Dad, Poor Dad”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Arthur Kopit, 83, Three Time Tony Award Nominee, Author of “Nine,” “Wings,” “Oh Dad, Poor Dad”

Arthur Kopit, the legendary dramatist, died yesterday morning at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Garis; his children Alex, Ben, Kat; his grandchildren Arthur, Beatrix, and Clara; and his sister, Susan.

Kopit was a three time Tony Award nominee: for the book for the musical, “Nine,” for his plays “Wings,” and “Oh Dad Poor Dad, Momma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad.” He was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize twice, for “Indians”: and for “Wings.”

He was beloved by his lifelong friends from Long Island with whom he grew up in the Five Towns, including my uncle. Condolences to his family.

from his official obit: Throughout a career spanning seven decades, Arthur Kopit authored an extraordinary string of admired, acclaimed, and award-winning stage works, beginning with Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad, which Jerome Robbins directed on Broadway while Kopit was still an undergraduate at Harvard. His other works include Indians (Tony Award Nominee, Finalist for Pulitzer Prize); Wings (Tony Nominee, Finalist for Pulitzer Prize); End of the World, with Symposium to Follow; a new translation of Ibsen’s Ghosts; the book for the musicals Nine and Phantom (both with scores by Maury Yeston); the book for the musical High Society; Road to Nirvana;  BecauseHeCan (originally entitled Y2K); A Dram of Drummhicit (written with Anton Dudley); and numerous one act plays.

His most recent projects include Discovery of America, a play based on the journals of the Spanish conquistador, Cabeza de Vaca; and two new plays, Secrets of the Rich and The Incurables. Mr. Kopit was a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Lark Play Development Center, where he headed the Lark Playwrights’ Workshop, influencing and mentoring countless young playwrights. He was, right up to his death, a tireless advocate for playwrights, theater makers, theater companies, and especially The Lark.

Kopit’s longtime friend and “Nine” collaborator Maury Yeston said, “Arthur was one of the most uncompromisingly original writers that America ever produced. A genuine born playwright, his work possesses the kind of universality that is understood by the entire human race, across all cultures and languages. The worlds he created come to life inside the minds of every audience member who has the good fortune of attending one of his shows. But his greatest trait – even beyond his enviable brilliance – was a generosity that knew no bounds.”

Armie Hammer Eating His Heart Out After Exiting Broadway Play, “The Minutes,” by Tracy Letts

Roger Friedman
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Armie Hammer Eating His Heart Out After Exiting Broadway Play, “The Minutes,” by Tracy Letts

Armie Hammer is thinking of recording a version of the Rascals’ “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore.”

Seriously, potential cannibal Hammer, who’s lost all his movie and TV jobs, is now out of the Tracy Letts’ “The Minutes,” directed by Anna D. Shapiro. The Broadway play shut down in previews a year ago and never opened. The word is they will try and start it up again this fall or the spring of 2022, But not with Hammer.

Hammer said in a statement: “I have loved every single second of working on The Minutes with the family I made from Steppenwolf. But right now I need to focus on myself and my health for the sake of my family. Consequently, I will not be returning to Broadway with the production.”

The producers replied: “Armie remains a valued colleague to all of us who have worked with him onstage and offstage on The Minutes. We wish only the best for him and respect his decision.”

The great Blair Brown and Austin Pendleton, and Tony winner Jessie Mueller were also set to be in the cast, and I hope they return. But “The Minutes” probably pays scale for Broadway, which Armie can’t afford anymore. He’s lost all his work and needs movie of some kind when he finally sorts out of his various scandals.

Major League Baseball Moves the All Star Game from Atlanta, Will Movie Companies Follow Suit?

Roger Friedman
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Major League Baseball Moves the All Star Game from Atlanta, Will Movie Companies Follow Suit?

Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that the All Star Game will not be held in Atlanta this year because of the new anti-voting laws in Georgia.

Bravo to the MLB. Now will movie and TV companies do the same? Tyler Perry has a movie studio in Georgia. Disney/Marvel shoot a lot there, too. What’s happened in Georgia is criminal. Let’s see some liberal filmmakers take a stand!

Meanwhile, MLB, come to Yankee Stadium, please.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement in making the announcement:

“Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views. I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to help build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States. We proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.

“We will continue with our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during this season’s All-Star festivities. In addition, MLB’s planned investments to support local communities in Atlanta as part of our All-Star Legacy Projects will move forward.  We are finalizing a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly.”

Pop: Lil Nas X Takes the Week with “Montero,” Twerking with Satan, Sneakers with Drops of Blood

Roger Friedman
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Pop: Lil Nas X Takes the Week with “Montero,” Twerking with Satan, Sneakers with Drops of Blood

What a week for Lil Nas X. And we thought he was a one hit wonder with “Old Town Road.” He’s not.

Lil Nas’s second BIG hit is “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” finished the week at number 1. He beat Justin Bieber’s “Peaches” among other more mainstream projects.

In the complex, artful “Montero,” Lil Nas X twerks with Satan, offers gay themes, dances with the Devil, and religion gone wild. The video, which has had as many plays as the streaming audio– 20 million apiece– has the best graphics seen in a long time.

There’s even a piece in Time magazine explaining the symbolism!

At the same time that “Montero” took off, Lil Nas X caused a mini scandal by selling customized Nike sneakers containing a drop of blood. For people who couldn’t process this, the sneaker business became its own hot topic. Lil Nas X is smart, and knows how to play social media and PR. He got a huge amount of attention this week.

All told, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” had the total equivalent of 230,000 in sales. That came from 39.4 million in streams.

Will there be remixes? Somehow. An album? Inevitably.

The main thing is, Lil Nas X, flamboyant and thoughtful, is very smart, and he’s sticking around.

 

Justin Bieber Sold to the Koreans: Scooter Braun Sells Company to BTS Owners for $1 Billion

Roger Friedman
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Justin Bieber Sold to the Koreans: Scooter Braun Sells Company to BTS Owners for $1 Billion

Justin Bieber has been sold to the Koreans.

Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, has sold his company, Ithaca Holdings, to the group that owns South Korean boy band BTS, HYBE.

“Global opportunities for artists become exponential with this partnership,”Braun said. “This is an opportunity for us to make history and further innovate the music industry.”

“The two companies will work closely together leveraging our proven track records of success, know-how, and expertise to create synergy, transcend borders and break down cultural barriers,” said HYBE chairman and CEO Bang Si-Hyuk.

HYBE now also owns Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records, although Borchetta will continue to run it.

Braun’s artists besides Bieber include Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Tori Kelly.

The Carlyle Group, which invested in Ithaca Holdings four years ago, will sell off its minority stake as part of the deal.

HYBE was known until last October as Big Hit Entertainment. That’s when they went public.

Braun made the sale at the right time. The generation for his stars is coming to an end. Bieber’s sales are down, and there is no touring right now. When touring resumes, he’ll be able to package Bieber and Grande well beyond their record sales life, as well as combine them with BTS when their era cools off.

 

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