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First Borat “Victim” Alan Smith, UPS Store Owner in Suburban Atlanta, Thought He Was Part of Training Film for Russians

Roger Friedman
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First Borat “Victim” Alan Smith, UPS Store Owner in Suburban Atlanta, Thought He Was Part of Training Film for Russians

Exclusive: Alan Smith is the nicest and most congenial owner of a UPS store in suburban Atlanta. His place is called the PMS Center (the funny part of the name is real and unintentional). A couple of weeks ago a friend called and him said he saw the store in the trailer for the new “Borat” movie. Immediately, Alan knew what he must be talking about.

“I did not know who they were when they were here,” Alan told me today. He meant Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as Borat. In the film, which debuts on Amazon Prime this Friday, Borat sends faxes back and forth to the president of Kazakhstan. The faxes that come back have a Russian looking masthead. Alan told me he really sent faxes to a Russian number. “Borat” paid him for everything.

“They were here from 8am to 2pm, all day,” Alan said. “They told me it was a training video for Russians, and that it would be shown on Public Television in either Georgia or Florida.” Alan has learned the hard way, like so many of Sacha Baron Cohen’s “victims” over the years, this wasn’t true.

He was relieved to hear that he comes across very nicely on screen, very patient and friendly. That might not be true of all the real people in “Borat Subsequent Movie Film.” (He was interested in seeing clips, which I could not help him with. I guess he’ll have to wait til Friday.) By the weekend, PMS UPS in Coweta County is going to become a landmark, I’m afraid, and Alan a movie star. I hope he’s ready.

“You’re my first call,” he said. “I guess there will be more.” There will be, Alan. There will.

PS He’s voting for Trump. I liked him anyway. I asked him to reconsider and he said he would, but I think he was just being nice.

RIP Great Blues Rocker Spencer Davis, His Group with Stevie Winwood Produced Classic Hits “Gimme Some Lovin'”,”I’m a Man”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Great Blues Rocker Spencer Davis, His Group with Stevie Winwood Produced Classic Hits “Gimme Some Lovin'”,”I’m a Man”

Spencer Davis has died age 81 from a heart attack at his home in California.

Well, I cannot tell you what The Spencer Davis Group meant to me. “Gimme Some Lovin'” featuring Stevie Winwood and his brother Muff Winwood is a high point of all of rock and roll. So is “I’m a Man.” There is nothing you can compare this with now. I feel like a part of my childhood died.

Spencer Davis was Welsh, but lived in northern California because when you’re a great rock star, you need sunshine and warmth. Rest in peace. You gave us great gifts.

Fleetwood Mac: Here Are Three Great Songs from the Band’s Early Years Before “Dreams” Became Soap Opera Filled Nightmares

Roger Friedman
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Fleetwood Mac: Here Are Three Great Songs from the Band’s Early Years Before “Dreams” Became Soap Opera Filled Nightmares

Want to know what Fleetwood Mac was really like before they were ruined by fame and soap opera?

Up until 1975, they never heard of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. It was Mick Fleetwood, the McVies, Bob Welch, Danny Kirwan, Peter Green. THAT was Fleetwood Mac.

Here are three songs that typified their coolness. Rhino has a box set now from that era that far outshines what came later.

Hynotized:

Bare Trees:

Heroes are Hard to Find:

and I’ll concede “Over My Head” by Christine McVie from the 1975 self titled album. I’d love to know what she thinks of all the changes that went on.

Does Ryan Seacrest Have COVID-19? Kelly Ripa Says Awaiting Test Results, Still AWOL from Show After Maskless “American Idol” Video

Roger Friedman
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Does Ryan Seacrest Have COVID-19? Kelly Ripa Says Awaiting Test Results, Still AWOL from Show After Maskless “American Idol” Video

Ryan Seacrest is not back on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” This morning he was AWOL again.. His radio show from Los Angeles, “On Air,” on KIIS FM, sounded pre-recorded as well.

So where in the world was Ryan? This was better than a soap opera cliffhanger considering Seacrest had a fatigue emergency a few months ago. Live on the air it looked like he suffered a mini stroke or Bell’s Palsy. It was announced that he was just exhausted.

Kelly Ripa announced he was awaiting results from a COVID test. But that doesn’t explain his absence since Seacrest could have Zoomed in if he didn’t have symptoms. He also must have had a 15 minute test. It’s hard to believe he, Disney or ABC doesn’t have access to the fastest test.

But in a video posted on Twitter from “American Idol” on Saturday he didn’t look well, and no one in the video wore masks.

Stay tuned…

 

 

Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 “Dreams” Has Sold 1.3 Mil Copies THIS YEAR, “Rumours” Album Back in the Top 10

Roger Friedman
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Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 “Dreams” Has Sold 1.3 Mil Copies THIS YEAR, “Rumours” Album Back in the Top 10

It;s a sign of something, maybe that today’s music is so bad. But Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” which I wanted to fling across a backyard in 1977, is back in the top 10. It’s been 43 years.

The album’s success is propelled by the single “Dreams,” which has sold including streaming 1.3 million copies this year. Last week it sold 147,000 copies according to Buzz Angle. So far, on Friday and Saturday of this week it has sold another 34,600 copies. Are you kidding?

“Rumours” year to date has sold 53,800 copies CDs and downloads. Including all the streaming of “Dreams,” the total is 405,400.

In 1977, I was listening to Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and so on. After 1975’s “Fleetwood Mac” album I was satisfied that easy listening FM rock was over. That album was great, and that was enough. But no, “Rumours” came along and became like the Pet Rock of rock music. Everyone had it. I did like “Go Your Own Way.” But I did stop thinking about tomorrow every time these songs came on the air. The real Fleetwood Mac was dead.

But here it is, it’s all back because of a viral video on TikTok of a guy skateboarding with Cran Raspberry juice. The guy couldn’t have chosen Elvis’s “Sneaky People”? Or the Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” or the Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant”? Also from ’77, Television, Steely Dan’s classic “Aja,” Bob Marley’s “Exodus,” Billy Joel’s “The Stranger,” Ian Dury’s “New Boots and Panties.” It had to be “Rumours”??????? Oy vey. Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” was number 1 for NINE weeks in 1977. But no. “Rumours.”

Well, there you are. Spam– the edible substance–never goes away.

PS As it happened, “Tusk” came next and was eons better. It didn’t sell 2 copies.

Oscar Winner Beloved Actor Jeff Bridges, aka “The Dude,” Says He Has Lymphoma But “Prognosis is Good”

Roger Friedman
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Oscar Winner Beloved Actor Jeff Bridges, aka “The Dude,” Says He Has Lymphoma But “Prognosis is Good”

Oscar winner and beloved actor Jeff Bridges, age 70, revealed this evening on Twitter that he’s been diagnosed with lymphoma.

He wrote:

“As the Dude would say.. New S**T has come to light. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good. I’m starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery.

“I’m profoundly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. And, while I have you, please remember to go vote. Because we are all in this together. Vote.org Love, Jeff”
There are few actors as beloved as Jeff Bridges, famous for his role as The Dude in “The Big Lebowski,” Oscar winner from “Cray Hearts,” with a long resume of great performances and films including “Starman,” “The Last Picture Show,” “True Grit,” and the recent classic “Hell or High Water.” In addition to his win, he’s had 6 Oscar nominations. Some other titles: “Cutter’s Way,” “Winter Kills,” and, of course, “Heaven’s Gate.”
Of course, Jeff comes from a Hollywood dynasty family. His father was Lloyd Bridges, his brother is Beau Bridges. He’s a great guy, everyone is sending him love on social media. He’s going to beat this thing without thinking twice. That’s the way the Dude would want it.

The Great Actor Wendell Pierce Says He’s Prepping a Movie in Which He’ll Play Blues Legend B. B. King

Roger Friedman
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The Great Actor Wendell Pierce Says He’s Prepping a Movie in Which He’ll Play Blues Legend B. B. King

TV, movie and stage star Wendell Pierce has Tweeted that he’ll play blues legend B. B. King in a new biopic. More details are on their way. But Wendell, who wowed theatre audiences in London’s West End, in “Death of a Salesman,” and has plenty of accolades here, will be ripe for an Oscar nod with this one. The title is “The Thrill is On.” Screenplay is by Melora Donoghue and Michael Zanetis based on the friendship of Zanetis with BB King. Wendell wrote on Twitter: “I promised BB King before he died, I will honor him and his creative genius. An American Icon.”

UPDATE: As far back as 2012, BB King– then alive– sued and tried to stop this project. At the time, Patrick Fugit of “Almost Famous” was going to play Zanetis and Frank Capra III was producing.

The story was,a ccording to the Hollywood Reporter, that Zanetis moved from the Indiana farmlands to the California beaches in 1977 to pursue his dream of working in the music business. B.B. King’s son, Willie, is said to have arranged a chance meeting between Zanetis and his father, which sparked a three decades long relationship. King helped his young follower cope with his father’s death, performed at the opening of the Michael’s Supper Club (a California venue founded by Zanetis), and inspired his career in the music industry. In turn, Zanetis purportedly made a promise to King to help the musician get a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, which happened in 1990.

it’s unclear how the lawsuit worked out, or if all parties have reached an agreement. Stay tuned…

CNN Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin Steps Away from Network, Suspended by The New Yorker After Embarrassing Mistake

Roger Friedman
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CNN Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin Steps Away from Network, Suspended by The New Yorker After Embarrassing Mistake

Who’s Zoomin’ who, my late friend Aretha Franklin sang once.

Jeffrey Toobin got caught with his pants down on a Zoom call with the staff of the New Yorker and WNYC. Vice says he was masturbating on a video call in front of them. He’s been suspended by the magazine and has “stepped away” from his role as legal analyst on CNN.

It’s an insane episode. Toobin said he was sorry he’d forgotten to mute the video button on the Zoom call. He didn’t say he was sorry about taking out his penis in front of strangers during a work call.

Toobin’s previous Page Six like scandal a decade ago involved having an affair with the daughter of CNN journalist Jeff Greenfield, and having a child with her that he denied.

One day his obit is going to be must-read.

Toobin said: “I made an embarrassingly stupid mistake, believing I was off-camera. I apologize to my wife, family, friends and co-workers. I believed I was not visible on Zoom. I thought no one on the Zoom call could see me. I thought I had muted the Zoom video.”

Toobin obviously didn’t use the Invisibility app on his iPhone 13.

This couldn’t be a worse time for Toobin to be in trouble. He’s in heavy demand at CNN leading up to the election. If there’s a brouhaha with the voting that requires legal action going up to the Supreme Court, he’s the one they’d be counting on. Now that seems highly unlikely. Ditto his work during the Amy Coney Island Barrett vote.

According to reports, The New Yorker has taken this pretty seriously. (WNYC hasn’t chimed in yet.) Editor in chief David Remnick sent this memo to the staff: “Dear All, As you may have read in various news reports today, one of our writers, Jeff Toobin, was suspended after an incident on a Zoom call last week. Please be assured that we take such matters seriously and that we are looking into it. Best, David.”

Toobin’s mother was the late, great network correspondent Marlene Sanders.

 

 

Morning Mystery: Ryan Seacrest MIA from “Live with Kelly and Ryan” with No Explanation or Replacement

Roger Friedman
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Morning Mystery: Ryan Seacrest MIA from “Live with Kelly and Ryan” with No Explanation or Replacement

Where in the world is Ryan Seacrest? The over worked DJ and co-host of “Live with Kelly and Ryan” was missing from the show this morning.

Kelly Ripa gave no explanation for his absence.

Earlier this year, Seacrest gave fans a scare when it looked like he had a stroke or an attack of Bell’s Palsy on the air. It was explained that he was overtired from all his work, including hosting “American Idol,” and took some time off.

This morning’s absence was strange in that was unexplained and Ripa looked surprised. There was no substitute host.

Maybe he was suffering from Top 40 poisoning. If you had to listen to that stuff all day, you’d be sick, too!

I’ve sent a message to someone connected to the show, no answer yet. And no word on Twitter or anywhere else. Seriously, hope Ryan is ok!

Condolences: Robert Redford’s Oldest Child, Son Jamie Redford, Dies at Age 58, Documentary Filmmaker

Roger Friedman
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Condolences: Robert Redford’s Oldest Child, Son Jamie Redford, Dies at Age 58, Documentary Filmmaker

Over the weekend, Robert Redford’s oldest living child, son James Redford, has died at the age of 58. Jamie Redford was a highly regarded documentary filmmaker, producer and director of films “Resilience” and “Playing for Keeps,” and chairman of the Redford Center. Born in 1962 to Redford and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, Jamie leaves wife Kyle and children Dylan and Lena. His younger siblings are Amy Redford, Shauna Redford, and his older brother, the late Scott Redford, who died in infancy in 1959 from cot death, now known as sudden infant death syndrome.

Condolences to Jamie’s family and friends. There’s an outpouring of eulogies on the internet. No cause of death is given, but in 1993 Redford received two life-saving liver transplants in 1993 after a rare complication to ulcerative colitis blocked his own liver’s bile ducts. In 2010, he recalled in an interview: “I was hospitalized for internal infections and bad fevers when I was transplanted.” The first transplant didn’t work thanks to a blood clot. “After the second one everything went well and it has been smooth sailing ever since. Every once in a while I have an episode of rejection and I have to adjust my meds a little bit.”

Kyle Redford wrote on Twitter: “Jamie died today. We’re heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed. As his wife of 32 yrs, I’m most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together. I don’t know what we would’ve done w/o them over the past 2yrs.”

His film company with Karen Pritzker called KPJR Films posted this message to Facebook:

It is with broken hearts and great sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Jamie Redford. Jamie was a light in this world who used his time and talent to raise social issues to the forefront through world class documentary filmmaking. He provided voice to those underserved and overlooked and amplified solutions that will provide hope to many for generations to come. Those of us who worked with Jamie, know that it was an honor – a once in a lifetime opportunity – to experience his ability to create media that had a global impact and inspired change. We will forever be grateful for Jamie’s ability to lead, to create, to care with kindness, fairness and an authentic style that embodied trust and confidence. Jamie was very special to us at KPJR Films and at this time we ask that you keep Jamie and his family in your thoughts and prayers and honor his life by continuing to impact the world with positive energy and hopefulness.

 

photo of Robert Redford, Jamie Redford and Jane Fonda c2020 Linda Solomon

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