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Fox News Skips Inaugural, Promotes “Left Wing Insurrection” on Web Site, Lays Off 20 as Main Purpose Flounders

Roger Friedman
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Fox News Skips Inaugural, Promotes “Left Wing Insurrection” on Web Site, Lays Off 20 as Main Purpose Flounders

There was an inaugural celebration on television last from 8:30pm to 10pm. It was literally on every broadcast and cable outlet except one: Fox News and Fox affiliate stations. The later showed The Masked Dancer.

Fox, still owned by Rupert Murdoch, is floundering in the ratings. They don’t know what to do. Their main purpose is under attack. With revenue declining, they laid off 20 people from Fox News.com.

On the Fox News home page, they’re doubling down on trying to attract the right wing, ultra conservative who still believe Trump won the election. They’re promoting Antifa, an “organization” that doesn’t actually exist.

The main headline reads: “Left Wing Insurrection: Unrest explodes across West as Biden sworn-in; clashes with police, attack on Dem Party offices”

All the sub heads are anti-Biden. There’s a sub story headline that’s really LOL: “CNN exec roasted for declaring Biden’s inauguration fireworks ‘inspire our friends and shake our foes’..” Hey Rupert: that’s exactly what the fireworks did.

Meantime, Trump tried to scare his followers that the stock market would collapse once he was removed. Instead, the market zoomed up yesterday and has stayed up today.

Rupert, you old man, wake up. Or let your sons take over. To quote a pop song, “You’re out of touch, you’re out of time.”

 

Boom! 7 of Top 10 iTunes Songs Come from Biden Inauguration TV Show, Albums Take Spots in Top 10, Too

Roger Friedman
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Boom! 7 of Top 10 iTunes Songs Come from Biden Inauguration TV Show, Albums Take Spots in Top 10, Too

Last night’s 90 minute Biden Inauguration show was a hit for all its performers, and the songs they sang.

The show, which aired on every network except Fox News and its local affiliates, sent 20 records into the iTunes top 100 chart.

Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemon’s “Better Days” is number 1. “Undivided” by Tim McGraw and Ty Hubbard is number 2.

The big news is that “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals, first a hit in 1998, is number 4. It’s not the only older song to hit the chart. “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, sung by Demi Lovato, is in the top 10. So Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These.”

The show was a boon to performers’ catalogs!

Elsewhere in the top 100, the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” has popped up because of the terrific performance of the song by Jon Bon Jovi. Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” is also in the top 50.

John Legend’s amazing rendition of “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone has sent the original into TWO spots. The funny thing is, that song has been in a commercial or two this year, but Legend’s version did the trick. John Legend should really release an album of all the covers he’s one. That one, last night, was phenomenal.

The show also propelled a bunch of associated albums into the iTunes Top 200 albums. The Black Pumas have two albums in the top 3, followed by New Radicals, and Foo Fighters.

 Here are some highlights:

Watch Gregg Alexander and New Radicals Perform at Virtual Parade, and Here’s How I Introduced Him to Joni Mitchell

Roger Friedman
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Watch Gregg Alexander and New Radicals Perform at Virtual Parade, and Here’s How I Introduced Him to Joni Mitchell

Yes, Gregg Alexander and New Radicals did perform on the Virtual Parade today. I didn’t know how to find it, but the clip is below.

I’ve known Gregg for some time, I’m honored to say, as well as his sometime collaborator Danielle Brisebois. Years after the New Radicals were a hit, they wrote the songs for “Begin Again,” the wonderful John Carney film. I was so knocked out, I had to know them.

A short time later, I introduced Gregg to Joni Mitchell at Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy dinner. She actually said that she liked “You Get What You Give” so much it stopped her from quitting the business in 1999. That was BIG. Read the story here.

Gregg reformed New Radicals for today’s tribute as a salute to Joe Biden and his son Beau. And the video is tops! PS If you get a chance, rent or stream “Begin Again.” You’ll be thrilled that you did!

 

 

 

Watch the Really Nice, Smart Jen Psaki Give the First Normal White House Press Conference in 4 Years

Roger Friedman
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Watch the Really Nice, Smart Jen Psaki Give the First Normal White House Press Conference in 4 Years

After lyin’ Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Hogan Gidley, Kayleigh McEnemy… watch Jen Psaki run the first normal press conference at the White House in four years. Psaki is nice, smart, lovely. No pushover but she’s not going to lie to our faces and disrespect the press corps.

Peace.

Inauguration Goof: Bidens Inadvertently Snub Actual Official U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, First Native American Named to Post

Roger Friedman
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Inauguration Goof: Bidens Inadvertently Snub Actual Official U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, First Native American Named to Post

Everyone loved 22 year old Amanda Gorman when she read her poem this morning at the Presidential Inauguration. Only one problem: Gorman was introduced as the Poet Laureate of the United States. She is not the Poet Laureate, however. She’s the Youth Poet Laureate of the US.

Inadvertently, the Biden-Harris inaugural committee snubbed the actual US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, of Oklahoma, Texas. Two and a half times the age of Gorman, Harjo is a much respected and published writer named the 23rd Poet Laureate two years ago by the Library of Congress.

Harjo, I’m told, was surprised this morning when she heard Gorman’s introduction. But she’s not upset. “It’s not her style,” says a source.

Still, the first Native American, a woman, as Poet Laureate? That was an opportunity kind of blown by the inaugural committee.

Harjo is the author of nine books of poetry, several other writings, and two memoirs including one I actually read years ago called “Crazy Brave.” She’s also a musician and a performer of note. She’s been interviewed by Oprah on TV, and Oprah recently selected an anthology she edited, “When the Light of the World was Sub­dued, Our Songs Came Through — A Nor­ton Anthol­o­gy of Native Nations Poet­ry,” as one of her favorite books of 2020.

Harjo’s appointment is no trivial thing. This is the pinnacle of success for a poet in America. Past laureates include such superstars as Robert Penn Warren, Louise Gluck, Stanley Kunitz, Robert Lowell, Maxine Kumin, James Dickey, and, of course, Robert Frost.

Appearing on the Inauguration certainly turned Gorman into a star. Now she has two books at the top of the Amazon best seller lists.

Twitter Relaunches POTUS, FLOTUS and Press Secretary Accounts to the Bidens and New Spokesperson

Roger Friedman
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Twitter Relaunches POTUS, FLOTUS and Press Secretary Accounts to the Bidens and New Spokesperson

Twitter –not my favorite company right now — has made inaugural changes.

They’ve turned over the @POTUS, @FLOTUS, and @PressSec accounts to the new occupants of the White House.

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Jen Psaki now have the handles that used to belong to the people who are blessedly gone from power.

President Bidem starts with 4 million followers, Dr. Jill has 1 million. Psaki has 260,500 followers on her new account, and 295,000  under her private account.

Former accounts of Melania Trump and Kayleigh McEnemy are archived. The former account of the ex-president is also archived, ending on December 23, 2020 when it was suspended. Other members of the crime family still have accounts, although I’ve stopped following them now– no need t0–and I imagine others will follow suit.

On this day we also discharge the accounts of the Conway family, who no longer matter. Yesterday they had a brief last hurrah when daughter Claudia put up videos on TikTok accusing her mother of abuse. I hope they get the help they need so desperately. And I hope never ever to see or hear the mother again.

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Media Magnate: Bonnie Fuller Goes Indie, Buys Out Hollywoodlife.com from Penske Publications

Roger Friedman
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Media Magnate: Bonnie Fuller Goes Indie, Buys Out Hollywoodlife.com from Penske Publications

Many, many congrats to Bonnie Fuller. As of the end of this month, she’s taking her baby– Hollywoodlife.com — away from Penske Media. She’s bought herself out and is going independent. This is a big deal. Hollywood Life really was Bonnie’s creation. She’s what I’d call a quiet genius.

Back in 2002 she relaunched US Weekly under Jann Wenner and made it competitive for the first time with People magazine. It didn’t hurt that Britney Spears was having a weekly meltdown, and Bonnie was right on top of it! (I used to joke with her, what if Britney ever pulls it together? Luckily she never did!)

Bonnie has turned Hollywood Life into a thriving business. She gets all the credit. She really saw he intersection of celebrity, Hollywood, cosmetics, fashion, and kept her audience young. And she’s her own boss. Mazel tov!

Here’s the press release:

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced today that after a decade of partnership and co-ownership of Hollywood Life, founder Bonnie Fuller, President and Editor-in-Chief of Hollywood Life, will buy-out PMC’s stake in the company and assume full ownership and operations for the business effective January 31, 2021.

Fuller first partnered with PMC in 2009. She has been credited with helping create the modern celebrity news category when she relaunched Us Weekly for Wenner Media in 2002. In addition, Fuller launched the American version of Marie Claire and in 1996, she was appointed editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, succeeding the legendary Helen Gurley Brown.

Under Fuller’s leadership, HollywoodLife.com launched in 2009 as a website and key destination for millennials and Gen-Z women. The site covers celebrity, entertainment, fashion, beauty, women’s issue news and more. Hollywood Life is committed to delivering news, service information and informed opinions to its’ audience, including written and exclusive video content. Fuller is responsible for the dynamic growth of the site and brand. Daily content is created for the website as well as it’s lively and extensive social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, often featuring live interviews with talent and more. The brand also has a popular weekly podcast co-hosted by Fuller, featuring interviews with top entertainment talents and female leaders.

“Bonnie Fuller is an undeniable talent and pioneer in entertainment news. Over the last decade, she and the first-rate Hollywood Life team have built an exceptional brand. We are excited to support the transition to a fully owned Bonnie Fuller organization, and watch this dynamic entrepreneur take Hollywood Life forward,” said Chairman and CEO, Jay Penske.

“Jay Penske and PMC have been tremendous partners who have unwaveringly supported Hollywood Life, and I am grateful and very excited for the opportunity to build upon our success. As we transition to an independent company, we will continue to evolve and explore ways we can expand our engagement with our very loyal audience.” said Bonnie Fuller, President and Editor-In-Chief, Hollywood Life.

 

Tribute: Alex Trebek’s Last Week on “Jeopardy!” Jumps 29% from Previous Week, Final Episode is Huge

Roger Friedman
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Tribute: Alex Trebek’s Last Week on “Jeopardy!” Jumps 29% from Previous Week, Final Episode is Huge

God bless Alex Trebek.

His final week on “Jeopardy!” was huge, and even bigger was the rating for his final show.

Overall, he an average of 11 million viewers from Monday to Thursday, January 4th through 7th. That was up 29% from the previous week.

But the final show, on Friday the 8th, scored a whopping 14 million fans. That’s pretty great.

Now TV insiders will be studying the ratings for Ken Jennings, who came in a temporary host after Trebek’s exit. Jennings is supposed to be the permanent replacement, but there will be a faux ‘audition’ period with people like Katie Couric and football player Aaron Rodgers doing guest weeks.

But the reality is that “Jeopardy!” is filmed in Los Angeles. It’s not moving. Most of the guest hosts have other jobs or live in New York. Jennings was made a consulting producer on the show last year to groom him as Trebek’s replacement. He’s done a fine job so far.

“Live with Kelly and Ryan” is still the number 1 syndicated talk show. “Drew Barrymore” continues to flounder. Ellen DeGeneres is waiting for new episodes to air, otherwise her holiday reruns remain at less than a million, 900,000– a series low.

Maddow Trounces Hannity Again, Fox News Fires 1 Top Staffer, Ousts Another Who Predicted Trump Loss as Ratings Continue to Crash

Roger Friedman
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Maddow Trounces Hannity Again, Fox News Fires 1 Top Staffer, Ousts Another Who Predicted Trump Loss as Ratings Continue to Crash

Friday night: Rachel Maddow scored 3.993 million viewers on MSNBC and trounced Sean Hannity on Fox, who had just 2.723 million. It’s a ratings massacre.

Fox News ratings continued to crash on Friday night after a terrible week that saw much of its audience either leave, fall asleep, or die. Whatever, they’re gone.

Tucker Carlson had the highest Fox ratings on Friday, with 3.1 million viewers at 8pm. He was tied, basically, with Anderson Cooper on CNN.

But after Carlson, Fox collapsed, particularly Hannity and Laura Ingraham’s shows. At 10pm, following Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell shmeared Ingraham.

Now this morning Fox News has fired a top staffer who presided over Election coverage back on November 3rd, and ousted another one.  Chris Stirewalt and Bill Sammon were punished for correctly predicting early on election night that Arizona was lost to Donald Trump.

The New York Times also says that 20 people at Foxnews.com were laid off yesterday.

All of this is surprising. I’m often told that Lachlan and James Murdoch are pushing to mainstream Fox News because they’re embarrassed about its right wing bent. But all of this, plus Maria Bartiromo’s rewards for pushing Trump’s crazy election theories, indicate that Rupert Murdoch is prevailing and keeping Fox right on the fringe of lunacy. Rupert is afraid that Sinclair, Newsmax, and OANN are all coming for his nutty audience, and he wants to hold on to them. But the conservative right wing conspiracy theory audience is leaving, and fracturing into pieces.

Crime Pays: Trump Pardons Leonardo DiCaprio’s BFF, Art Dealer Helly Nahmad, Convicted in International Gambling Scheme

Roger Friedman
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Crime Pays: Trump Pardons Leonardo DiCaprio’s BFF, Art Dealer Helly Nahmad, Convicted in International Gambling Scheme

EXCLUSIVE Among Donald Trump’s 143 pardons and commutations: Helly Nahmad, the Madison Avenue art dealer who went to jail after he was convicted in an international gambling scheme. Nahmad spent a year in jail and a halfway house, and was remembered fictionally in the Aaron Sorkin movie, “Molly’s Game.”

Helly had unusual pull with Trump. He’s the BFF of Leonardo Di Caprio, a movie star with liberal public relations but a reality of friends who are convicted felons, questionable business dealings, and a private foundation that espouses help for the environment and has zero transparency. Nahmad’s pardon, the press release says vaguely, “is supported by members of his community.” Art dealers? I don’t think so. Gamblers? Maybe.

Nahmad, it should be noted, is a Trump pal and tenant. He ran an illegal gambling ring worth $100 million out of his apartment in Trump Tower in New York. He owns the building’s 51st floor, which reportedly cost a collective $21 million. He’s really going to have to tip the staff this year!

Coincidentally, another Hollywood name turns up in the official press release for the pardons. Michael Ovitz, also a close friend of DiCaprio, supported the pardon of Anthony Levandowski who, according to the release, pled guilty to a single criminal count arising from civil litigation. Ovitz is the former founder of Creative Artists Agency, and a major art collector. It’s not unreasonable to think he also supported Nahmad’s pardon.

You can read all about Helly and Leo here. I’ve no doubt they’re popping Champagne and laughing this morning. Leo has a history of friends in prison. In 2000, his financial advisor, and Ovitz’s “spiritual advisor,” Dana Giacchetto went to prison for creating a Ponzi scheme among Hollywood creatives like the group Phish and talent manager Rick Yorn. Giacchetto late committed suicide. Leo’s also been involved in the scandal surrounding the misuse of public funds in Malaysia, aka 1MDB, that resulted in funding of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the laundering of Malaysian money via DiCaprio’s foundation, and Leo having to return paintings and other gifts given to him.

 

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