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Box Office: “Michael” Falls Again as Biopic That Took Off Like a Rocket Shows Fatigue Even Among the Faithful

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There’s no question that the Michael Jackson movie, “Michael,” has a wild launch.

Making $97 in the first five days of release is pretty extraordinary.

But “Michael” really got negative reviews, and they’re starting to have an effect.

Last night, “Michael” dropped 9%, after falling 35% the previous day, and 70% on Monday. Tuesday was the only winning day of the four this week.

The slowdown was inevitable. The musical biopic could easily earn another $30 million this weekend. But it will have competition from “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which features songs by Lady Gaga.

Social media is also ablaze with hopeful news about a part 2 for “Michael.” Lions Gate is trying to puff up the idea at least during this theatrical run to keep enthusiasm encouraged. But I seriously doubt such a film would ever be possible unless it was called “Law and Order: Michael Jackson.” Two hours of Michael denying he’s a pedophile? No number of songs could mitigate that reality. And the movie would end with a murder and funeral? Not a great idea.

Also, would a Part 2 include the details of the 2003 arrest and 2005 trial? All the money woes, Michael squandering funds on mountains of worthless trinkets, and so on? I’d like to see the scene of Michael calling Ron Burkle from the Santa Maria courthouse bathroom begging for a loan. Again, best left on the cutting room floor.

Oscars Make New Rules About AI, Humans, Songs, and the Number of Times An Actor Can Be Nominated In the Same Category in One Year

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Lots of new rules for the Oscars.

For one thing, no more nominated songs that only appear after the credits roll. Studios and producers can no longer tack on a hit song, even if it was written for the movie. Some sign of that song must appear in the actual movie.

This is good. Songs must be integrated into the film.

The Oscars are also allowing actors to be nominated twice in the same category. No more category shopping. If an actor is in two hit movies in one year, and the lead in each, or supporting in each, it’s okay to nominate them for both as long as they get the votes.

So, think of it: back when Kate Winslet was lead in both “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road,” she had to choose which one would be promoted to voters. Now she wouldn’t have to make that choice.

Of course, this could could cut down on the number of actors in a category. What if Leo is in two great movies? He could be nominated for Best Actor in each, making only three other slots open.

The Academy is also cracking down on AI. Acting, writing, everything must be done by HUMANS. If AI is used in the making of a film, the Academy can ask for more information to see if it affects the movie.

There are also new rules in the categories of casting and International Films.

Don’t like the new rules? Tough. We have to put up them in baseball, too. Change sucks. Get over it!

Stephen Colbert Is Going Out with Guns Blazing: Barack Obama Will Be His Only Guest Next Tuesday

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Stephen Colbert is not leaving CBS quietly.

His only guest next Tuesday will be one for the books.

Former President Barack Obama is the only guest set for May 5th.

Is Colbert making a point? You bet. The whole hour will be devoted to the state of the union and the world. Obama’s not coming to talk about his music preferences.

The topic will undoubtedly be Donald Trump and his wars against Iran and us.

If Jimmy’s Kimmel and Fallon were cool, they’d show reruns that night so all the focus would be on Colbert.

Losing Colbert is one of the worst things ever to happen to TV late night or at any hour. We can only hope he’s got a deal to announce for this fall with Netflix, HBO, or someone.

Obama was last on Colbert six years ago:

One Direction’s Zayn Cancels US Tour as New Album Stiffs, “Health Scare” Provided as Reason for Stepping Back

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Former One Direction star Zayn Malik remains his own worst enemy.

This morning Zayn canceled his US tour dates supporting his new album called “Konnakol.”

The album hasn’t sold very well, and the tour wasn’t generating enough sales for the arenas it was booked for.

But the excuse for all this is Zayn’s health. A couple of weeks ago he posted a photo from a hospital bed and said he was working with a cardiologist.

Zayn is 32 years old, and his most evident health problem is being covered in tattoos.

Then there was a rumor he got into an actual fistfight with another One Direction member, Louis Tomlinson, at a taping for a Netflix documentary. The series was canceled consequently. Apparently Zayn made a joke about Louis’s dead mother. Malik punched Tomlinson, and possibly caused some scars emotionally and physically.

“Konnakol” has sold just 25K CDs and downloads, and a total 44K with streaming. There’s been no groundswell for it, and and also not hit single to propel it along. The singer could not sustain a tour under those conditions.

Does Zayn really need a cardiologist? Well, he might be heartbroken. But his pro-Palestinian stance isn’t winning him any new fans, either.

So no Zayn for a while. And he’s left with album that’s not going to pick up the slack.

Devil Wears Nada: Anna Wintour Put Meryl Streep on the Cover of Vogue, But Couldn’t Land Her for the Silly Met Ball

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Guess who’s not going to the Mwt Ball on Monday?

Why, three time Oscar winner Meryl Streep.

I’ve confirmed that the star of “The Devil Wears Prada” is declining to attend because Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is the sponsor. Bezos recently spent $75 million on the Melania Trump documentary. Next up, he’s considering relaunching “The Apprentice” TV show with Donald Trump Jr.

Streep is too Earthbound and sensible to spent an evening making small talk with the likes of Mrs. Bezos, Lauren Sanche, and various Kardashians.

Wintour tried everything to ingratiate herself with Streep including put herself on the cover with world’s greatest actress.

It didn’t work. Meryl buys her clothes off the rack. Other than the “Prada” promotional tour, she doesn’t have a stylist. Fried chicken was on the menu for her birthday last year at a road house in Massachusetts.

All of this is why we love Meryl Streep. I really think she silently considers, Would Katharine Hepburn do that? And uses that as her template.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” made $10 million in previews last night. But the reviews are middling at best – except for Meryl’s. The $10 mil barely pays for part of the money Disney has squandered on marketing. We’ll see what the box office is by the time Wintour and crew head down Monday’s red carpet.

By the way, check out Vanessa Friedman’s piece on the Met Ball today in the NY Times. She goes a long way around to say that without Wintour, the Met Ball’s future is cloudy. Also, she mentions the huge anti-Ball poster campaign going on all over the city.

Pop: Madonna & Sabrina Debut at Number 1, But Fake AI Songs Take Up Four Spots in iTunes Top 10 and More Infiltrate Top 100

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Good news for Madonna.

Her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter is a hit. “Bring Your Love” debuts at number 1 today on iTunes. Hooking up with Sabrina, who’s young enough to be Madonna’s daughter, was a great move. Plus, dance record — very Giorgio Moroder — is good. Madonna may have a big summer thanks to Sabrina, writer/producer Stuart Price, and savvy management from Guy Oseary.

And good news for Lady Gaga, who dropped two more singles from “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” joining the hit, “Runway.”

Now the bad news. All those records I mentioned will be held back on the iTunes chart by non human, fraudulent music.

There are four fake AI singles on the iTunes top 10. Two are by “Eddie Dalton,” one is from “Inga Rose,” and one more from “Jada Monroe.” They are all completely fictitious and deeply offensive to real soul and R&B stars. They should also outrage real music stars who are vying for chart positions on iTunes.

Through the rest of the top 100 singles, there are plenty more of these frauds. There are more than a dozen in addition to the top four. There are plenty more on the album chart including two albums by “Eddie Dalton.”

iTunes doesn’t seem to mind being played. But they look ridiculous. Even Spotify says they’re going to start identifying AI releases.

Still waiting for word from the Recording Academy, RIAA, and other groups about the AI infiltration.

People are being played to be fools.

Lizzo Makes a Stunning Comeback Covering Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” And Adding Her Own Witty, Raunchy Material

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Lizzo — post lawsuits, some weight loss — is back.

She’s covering Meredith Brooks’s 1997 hit, “Bitch” and adding her own witty, raunchy material.

At first you’re thinking what??? But it works! Hard to believe. Give Lizzo some credit. This is her sassy snap back to all her naysayers and plantiffs.

If this isn’t a radio hit for the summer, I’d be very surprised.

The album of the same name comes out June 5th.

12 Year Old North West, Daughter of Kanye and Kim Kardashian, Releases Unlistenable 6 Track EP Including Song Called “Die”

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North West is 12 years old, the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

If she weren’t famous because of her parents, no one would care that she’s dropped a 6 track EP of atrocious, unlistenable music/

One of the songs is called “Die.” The opening lyrics are “I wanna die, wanna die/But don’t really wanna die.”

The EP comes to us via Gamma Records, just like Kanye’s “Bully.” Larry Jackson runs Gamma, which is funded largely by Todd Boehly’s Eldridge company and Apple Music.

North — who might be in fifth or sixth grade — doesn’t seem to spend any time in school. I guess it doesn’t matter if she can read, write, or do math since her parents are so wealthy. She’s already tricked out like Nicki Minaj. Her chance at having a decent intellectual life is shot.

According to a press release, North is set to make her festival performance debut at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash in Chicago June 12th. So she will not be in class that week, in case anyone cares.

I know — I’m so conventional. But they’re creating a monster, and one who can’t write music or sing, but can make noises with a computer.

I guess cursive writing is out, too.


Fickle Fame: Timothee Chalamet Fan Site Giving Up, Transitioning to “Heated Rivalry” Star Connor Storrie: “Don’t deny the obvious”

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Fame, as we know, is fickle.

This year, Timothee Chalamet reached a boiling point, and then boiled over. Not getting the Oscar for “Marty Supreme” didn’t help. The whole Kylie Jenner saga was worse. Also, the orange ping pong balls, and the putting down of ballet and fine arts.

Now Club Chalamet, a big fan account on Instagram, is transitioning away from the “Dune” star. They’re moving on to “Heated Rivalry” actor Connor Storrie. That’s life, as Sinatra sang.

Account owner Simone Cromer says in her post: “I’m proud of all the work I have put into this community, as I don’t believe in half-assing anything that I believe in. But once I don’t fully believe in it anymore, I have to recenter my focus on things I believe in and that make me happy.”

Now Storrie will get her attention on a newly christened Insta account. She writes: “I have identified Connor Storrie, in particular, as an actor who will have a remarkable career in film and TV, and he will certainly win awards; he’s definitely a future EGOT-type talent.”

There’s no mention of what Simone is doing with her ping pong balls or “Marty Supreme” jacket.

Box Office: “Michael” Dropped 36% on Wednesday as Front Loading Looks Like This Year’s Trend, “Prada 2” Faces Challenge

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“Michael,” the movie, is moonwalking all over the place.

On Monday, after the incredible start, “Michael” dropped 70% in receipts.

On Tuesday, fans wrote to me because box office rose 44% and spiked at $11 million. The social media types kept exclaiming it set a record for a Tuesday in an even numbered year during a full moon.

But yesterday the biopic fell back to the $7 million range, down 36%.

The fact is, “Michael” is very front loaded. How it will do this weekend it still in debate, with “Devil Wears Prada 2” coming in hot PR wise. Will “Michael” hold on to the lead?

“Prada” is probably even more front loaded. Whoever wants to see it will do this weekend. There are estimates of an $80 million weekend. But reviews have been mixed to not good, giving “Prada” a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. The problem is, many reviewers who assigned a “fresh” to “Prada” were just vamping. The reviews are actually kind of negative for the movie, but everyone loves the cast.

Front loading is the new trend for movies with flashy wrapping and hollow insides. These surging weekends lead to calmer followup.

We’ll see how “Michael” and “Prada” do tonight.