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Beloved Actor George Segal Dies at Age 87, A Movie Star Who Found New Careers in Sitcoms

Roger Friedman
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Beloved Actor George Segal Dies at Age 87, A Movie Star Who Found New Careers in Sitcoms

George Segal has died, according to reports. The great actor was 87 and passed away from complications from heart surgery.

I know you may know his name from “The Goldbergs” sitcom on ABC, or remember him from “Just Shoot Me,” but George Segal was a movie star once. And a really great one. In 1966 he co-starred with Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Sandy Dennis in Mike Nichols’  “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” He won an Oscar nomination for that role. That classic launched him, and after that Segal appeared in a number of quality TV dramas, productions of Broadway plays on TV, and movies.

He really hit his strike in the early 70s with “Where’s Poppa?” with Ruth Gordon, “What’s Up Pussycat” with Barbra Streisand, “The H9t Rock” heist movie with Robert Redford, then my favorites– a pair of knockouts– “A Touch of Class” with Glenda Jackson and “Blume in Love.” He was a star. There are a couple more from that time, too: Robert Altman’s “California Split” with Elliot Gould, and “Fun with Dick and Jane” co-starring Jane Fonda.

As he got older, Segal transitioned more into television, but there was still the occasional film in which he roared like David O. Russell’s 1996 “Flirting with Disaster.”

Segal made a name for himself in the last two generations in TV. But to me played the great Jewish leading man. Not Woody Allen’s shmoe, but an unlikely romantic hero who was clever and good looking enough to win the leading lady. This was not something to be sneezed at.

After his second wife died, Segal married his childhood sweetheart. He had two children from his first marriage. He had four short stints on Broadway. Born in New York, lived in Los Angeles and was mostly an L.A. guy. I met him once or twice but by then he was fully in the TV world. I like to think he was a mensch, he always seemed like it. His work will live on.

Bob Balaban Directs Group of Broadway All Stars This Weekend Including Jessica Hecht and Harris Yulin in Virtual Play Reading

Regina Weinreich
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Bob Balaban Directs Group of Broadway All Stars This Weekend Including Jessica Hecht and Harris Yulin in Virtual Play Reading

“All families are the same, but like snowflakes, they are different,” said actor Bob Balaban recently by phone, explaining the rich detail of the play “Squeaky,” which he will direct this week for a March 28th Guild Hall Zoom reading. Click here to buy tickets.

A group of Broadway all-stars — Jessica Hecht, Marc Kudisch, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Ben Shenkman, and Harris Yulin– are featured in the play based on playwright Jeff Cohen’s family experiences, noted Balaban, “Squeaky works well because it is so accurate to the details Jeff Cohen lived.”

Many families find themselves in situations, the sons in conflict as to how to deal with their parents’ golden years, particularly if problems with dementia arise—but these parents!

“Plays are difficult to write, finding subjects that excite me; then, it’s a puzzle to make them stage worthy,” Cohen told me a few weeks ago by phone from Florida. “One of the challenges was to write an autobiography for the stage and use real names, and to try to avoid being the great hero of my story.”

Jeff Cohen grew up in Baltimore; his father played tennis at the country club, and the dialogue grew out of Cohen’s memory of that. Stan, his father, was called Squeaky because of the way he laughed. Jeff remembers one friend saying, Squeaky’s squeaking. The story attracted not only Balaban to direct, but a dream cast, all noted stage and screen actors.

An outsized, charismatic character, Squeaky will be read by Harris Yulin. The exchanges between Jeff and his brother Rob, a conman, will be read by the actors Marc Kudisch and Ben Shenkman. Connie, who watches over Stan will read by Latanya Richardson Jackson. And their mother Sandy– trust me, you could not invent a character as brilliantly skewed as she is in just one scene– is Jessica Hecht.

Prior to Squeaky, Cohen won much praise for “The Soap Myth,” a meditation on Holocaust denial that starred Ed Asner and Tovah Feldshuh. Maybe Guild Hall will have a full production once the pandemic eases.

Cohen said he never set out to be the chronicler of the Holocaust, although he is now sending around a new play, “The Righteous,” about Eduard Reinhold Karl Schulte, a German industrialist who warned the world about the final solution, and whose identity was not known until the 1980’s. “He risked everything and accomplished very little,” said Cohen. While Squeaky is a departure, it nonetheless stars an unforgettable character.

Balaban said they go into rehearsal and filming early this week, a few days ahead of the filmed reading on March 28th at 7:30 pm. “I don’t have to worry about providing backstory to these actors; the background detail is so rich. Reading through is enough of a rehearsal for these actors. If I have a few notes, I will give them” said Balaban. And when I point out this is the second Passover seder, he quipped, “It’s ok, these characters are Jewish.”

 

Disney Moves “Black Widow” to July Theaters and Streaming with $30 Ticket, Pushes All Films Through Year

Roger Friedman
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Disney Moves “Black Widow” to July Theaters and Streaming with $30 Ticket, Pushes All Films Through Year

Wanna see Scarlett Johansson in “Black Widow”? Well it won’t be in May, as planned. Disney has abandoned May for July 9th, when it will show “Black Widow” in theaters and on Disney Plus. The latter will be $30 after you’ve subscribed. Get six people in the room with you.

“Black Widow” was ready to go more than  a year ago. My joke is she’s been a widow so long it’s a wonder she hasn’t remarried!

“Cruella,” another take on “101 Dalmatians,” will come to Disney Plus on Memorial Day, Monday May 28th. That will also cost $30 over the Disney Plus subscription. I guess Disney figures by the last day of Memorial Day weekend you’ll be desperate enough to pay anything to occupy the kids.

More Disney changes: Pixar film “Luca” will just go to Disney Plus on June 18th with no extra fee. “Free Guy” (Aug. 13), “The King’s Man”(Dec. 22), “Deep Water” (Jan. 14, 2022) and “Death on the Nile” (Feb. 11, 2022) are getting theatrical releases, as is “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” on September 3rd.

This past year, the Academy allowed movies to play online and streaming to qualify for Oscars. It’s unknown whether that will continue with this new crop of films.

 

Paul McCartney Graduates from Yellow to Green Submarine in Children’s Book Coming this Fall

Roger Friedman
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Paul McCartney Graduates from Yellow to Green Submarine in Children’s Book Coming this Fall

Paul McCartney does not stand still, or even sit down, at age 78 (and 79 coming in June).

In September he’ll publish an illustrated children’s book called “Granddad’s Green Submarine.” It’s a sequel to his last children’s book called “Hey! Granddude.”

Of course, Paul is famously associated with a Yellow Submarine of long ago.

This Sub is Green, however, and may run on something other than fossil fuels.

That’s not all Paul is doing. Next month comes “McCartney III Reimagined,” with a bunch of recording artists covering songs from Paul’s acclaimed “McCartney III” album which was released in December 2020.

In August, of course, we get the “Let it Be” 50 th anniversary project one year late in the form of Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary and maybe some kind of album to go along with it.

Oh yeah, and Paul is still working on the Broadway musical of “It’s a Wonderful Life” for 2022.

As for the book, Paul says on his website:

“I’m really happy with how ‘Hey Grandude!’ was received as this was a very personal story for me, celebrating Grandudes everywhere and their relationships and adventures with their grandchildren. I love that it has become a book read to grandkids at bedtime all around the world. I always said if people liked the first book and there was an appetite for more I would write some further adventures for Grandude – so he’s back and this time with his special invention, Grandude’s green submarine!”

 

“American Idol” Ratings CRASH 24% Overnight, 40% in Demo, Lowest Ever, After Using and Dumping Claudia Conway

Roger Friedman
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“American Idol” Ratings CRASH 24% Overnight, 40% in Demo, Lowest Ever, After Using and Dumping Claudia Conway

The universe, and the public, punished “American Idol” last night.

Ratings dropped 24% from Sunday night, and 40% in the key demo, down to 4.7 million.

Seven weeks ago when “Idol” returned on February 14th, the number of people who watched was 6.9 million. You do the math. TWO MILLION people are gone.

The show is being punished for using teenager Claudia Conway, daughter of miserable Kellyanne Conway, who had no business being on “Idol” and was included and encouraged for ratings.

Well, that didn’t work out, did it?

The whole presence of Kellyanne, who should be Public Enemy Number something after four years of lying for Donald Trump, was enough to turn anyone’s stomach.

But then putting Claudia through this, making her think she had a chance, and then watching it all fall apart, yikes. The level of cynicism was off the charts.

So “Idol” loses, disgracefully. You could tell the judges weren’t happy with this whole idea in the first place. Kudos to Katy Perry for being gentle.

TV: “Genius Aretha” Is A Hit for Nat Geo, Opening Night Ratings Tie Series’ Top Ratings for “Einstein”

Roger Friedman
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TV: “Genius Aretha” Is A Hit for Nat Geo, Opening Night Ratings Tie Series’ Top Ratings for “Einstein”

Aretha Franklin should be happy about the ratings, if not the content of “Genius” mini series on Nat Geo.

“Genius Aretha” scored a whopping 1.38 million on Sunday night in two consecutive hours. Nat Geo’s Genius Einstein series hit that same number only once, when it debuted four years ago. The subsequent “Genius” series, about Pablo Picasso, did a fraction of those numbers, even with Antonio Banderas as the artist.

“Genius Aretha” continues tonight and tomorrow night at 9pm for two hours each. The show is strong on performances from stars Cynthia Erivo and Courtney B. Vance, but light on facts and an accurate depiction of just about everyone in it. Aretha’s family is protesting the series, and with good reason. Their family history and their famous aunt’s life are not exactly on target.

But that works both ways. Sadly, Reverend CL Franklin and Aretha’s husband, Ted White, were worse in real life than their on screen characterizations. But Aretha herself, and her sisters, were a lot better.

Insiders are also aghast the depiction of Aretha’s long time manager, Ruth Bowen, as a hefty woman. She was far from it. The real Ruth Bowen was such a powerhouse, but she was physically on the small side, trim, and very pretty. Ruth can’t be happy about the way she looks in this movie. I’m sure she and Aretha are in deep talks in heaven.

Still, it’s a tribute to Aretha and to Erivo that the series did so well on Sunday night. We’ll see tomorrow if the audience stayed.

Van Morrison’s Cheeky Excuse for Anger over Anti-Lockdown Record “Stand and Deliver”: It’s “Only a Song” Is New Single

Roger Friedman
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Van Morrison’s Cheeky Excuse for Anger over Anti-Lockdown Record “Stand and Deliver”: It’s “Only a Song” Is New Single

Van Morrison sounds like he knows he made a big mistake with his crazy “Stand and Deliver” anti-lockdown song over the winter. (Remember, he got Eric Clapton to sing it, and likened the lockdown to slavery, of all things.)

Well, forgive and forget. Now Van’s new release is called “Only a Song.” In other words, “Stand and Deliver” was only a song, move on. Okay, I guess. Why not?

Morrison sounds more like himself than ever before in “Only a Song” which a definite “Moondance” feel to it. When you’re a musical genius, and a little cynical, you can do this sort of thing. Van’s next album (he’s very prolific) hits in May, it’s called “Latest Record Project, Vol. 1” and seems to have over 20 songs on it including “Stop Bitching, Do Something.”

The lyrics to “Only a Song” really stab “Stand and Deliver” in the back. And you know, that song is NOT included on the new album. LOL. It was only a song!

Did you ever think Van Morrison would be in the news this much? If you’re wondering what to listen to besides “Moondance” in the Morrison repertoire, I recommend the 2012 “Born to Sing: No Plan B,” one of his very best in a catalog of classic recordings.

All pretty amusing considering ol’ Van is a young, young 75.

Radio Makes the Oscar Star: Nominated Movie Song “Seen (Io Si)” Turning into a Surprise Hit

Roger Friedman
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Radio Makes the Oscar Star: Nominated Movie Song “Seen (Io Si)” Turning into a Surprise Hit

You do know that Diane Warren has 12 Oscar nominations now. Her latest is for “Seen (Io Si)” from the Netflix Sophia Loren movie, “The Life Ahead.”

So guess what? All of a sudden, Laura Pausini’s record, sung in Italian, is getting American airplay.

MediaBase, which tracks radio spins, puts “Seen” at number 19 this week. Eleven stations picked it up, making it the second most added new single of the week, just behind Bon Jovi. The Pausini record had more new “adds” at Adult Contemporary radio than Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, or Taylor whatsername.

And why not? It’s a great record from a talented singer, and writer of dozens of hits from Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” to Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” among others.

It’s time for Warren to get her Oscar, and a gold record as Pausini’s single takes on a life of its own!

Linda Ronstadt Sells Her “Catalog” to Irving Azoff, But She’s in A Bind as a Non-writing Performer

Roger Friedman
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Linda Ronstadt Sells Her “Catalog” to Irving Azoff, But She’s in A Bind as a Non-writing Performer

Big announcement today that music mogul Irving Azoff has bought Linda Ronstadt’s “catalog.” It’s a grand gesture on Azoff’s part. I know, because he has a fondness for Linda. We all do.

But a catalog usually means publishing, and Linda doesn’t really have any. She didn’t write any of her hits or any of her album tracks. Others did, and they get paid when her records are played.

Indeed, Linda falls under the category of non-writing performer. There is no royalty for performers. When their records are played on the radio, they get NADA. Nothing. Zip. Performers are paid for records sold. Unfortunately, records don’t sell anymore.

There have been bills in Congress to cure this situation. The Obama Administration backed such  a bill. But radio station owners refuse to pay this royalty, they want their music for free. They are stuck paying songwriters but will not compensate singers or musicians. Period.

So the legislation just sits there. Frank Sinatra never got paid, Judy Collins only if she had a writer’s credit. Dionne Warwick doesn’t get money from her Bacharach and David hits. And so on. Aretha Franklin, at least, wrote some of her hits. But all the Motown groups, for example, like the Supremes, Temptations, and Four Tops, are left high and dry. Motown writers like Smokey, Stevie, Marvin– they get paid as composers, not performers.

So back to Linda. Azoff’s company will try to market her records into commercials and movies where she can get some cash. Linda had a hit with Buddy Holly’s “It’s So Easy,” which should be in commercials. Ditto “Heat Wave” (cover of Martha Reeves’ hit), Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA,” and so on. Why hasn’t Linda’s “You’re No Good” been in a great movie?

Guess who won’t get paid when these records are used? Producer Peter Asher. Producers are paid fees, at least they were back in the day. They usually don’t share in a record’s future success.  This is why nowadays credits for songs go to producers as writers and there are 20 of them per song. And this is why Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola were prescient about making Mariah a “writer” from the get go, sticking her name on every song. Otherwise, she’d been in Linda’s boat.

Azoff had this to say today about Linda: ““In 1972 when I arrived in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams in the music business, as fate would have it, I soon thereafter became best friends and manager to Glenn Frey and Don Henley,” Azoff said. “Without Linda Ronstadt and John Boylan, there would have never been an Eagles [who got their start when Ronstadt and Boylan recruited Frey and Henley for her band]. We were friends and family and grew up together, and what a ride it has been. The countless tours with the Eagles and Linda and their collaborations are the backbone of the history of Southern California music.”

PS Just back to the performers: this is why there are oldies acts tours and so on. The only way to make money if you didn’t write your hits is to have live gigs. So we’ve got artists touring into their 80s. And this why the pandemic has been so devastating for the music icons who’ve lost that income stream over the last year.

Cannes Film Festival May Move Again, to October, As COVID Rises in France, Paris in Lockdown

Roger Friedman
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Cannes Film Festival May Move Again, to October, As COVID Rises in France, Paris in Lockdown

The Cannes Film Festival usually starts in the second week of May. But this year, with the pandemic, the Festival took preventative measures and made the wise decision to move to July, just between the American Independence Day and Bastille Day.

Sacre bleu!

But now Paris is in lockdown again for four weeks, COVID is rising throughout France, and there’s a problem with vaccinations.

Because of this I’m hearing there is a consideration seriously underway to move the Festival to October. This would be after Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and the New York Film Festivals.

Just hearing this, I’m thinking Thierry Fremaux must be having a nervous breakdown. The poor man. He didn’t get to have a 2020 Festival. And now this. He could show all the 2020 movies at this point in a sidebar. And no one knows what’s happened to Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch.”

Fall movies for festivals are a big question, too. Where will Steven Spielberg unveil “West Side Story”? (By now the young actors have grandchildren of their own!)

And wouldn’t October Cannes be the right place for a James Bond “No Time to Die” premiere, with a performance from Billie and Finneas?

I will go whenever they have the Festival de Cannes, in any month and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s still the premier international film festival. We can drink to that! And anyway, it’s still over 60 degrees F in early October on the Cote d’Azur. Doesn’t sound bad to me!

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