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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

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

Bruce Willis Stars in a Die Hard Sequel At Last, Only it’s a Two Minute Big Budget Commercial for Die Hard Batteries

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Willis Stars in a Die Hard Sequel At Last, Only it’s a Two Minute Big Budget Commercial for Die Hard Batteries

Bruce Willis, who’s made several straight to video movies lately, is finally a new sequel to “Die Hard.” Only this time it’s a big budget two minute commercial for Die Hard batteries. It’s actually better than his last 10 movies.

There’s not much dialogue, and a lot of editing, but Bruce is still capable of turning on the charming smile, and looking like he’s playing John McClane. De’voreaux White and Clarence Gilyard Jr. reprise their roles from the original movie.

Die Hard Batteries obviously spent a lot of money on this, so it was a good payday for Willis. Bruce isn’t or can’t work that much these days, but he’s still got his swagger. Good for him!

A New Adele Album for Halloween? All Signs Point to Singer’s Much Awaited New Release on October 30th

Roger Friedman
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A New Adele Album for Halloween? All Signs Point to Singer’s Much Awaited New Release on October 30th

Now that Adele has been announced as the host of “SNL” next Saturday, all signs point to a new album on Friday, October 30th.

It won’t be next Friday, October 23rd. Sony/Columbia is dropping Bruce Springsteen’s “Letter to You,” and they can only have one number 1 at a time.

If the new Adele comes for Halloween, the timing is excellent. She’d have a clear path through November and into the holidays for what I expect would be a several million selling CD. Plus, she’d be in time for an appearance on the American Music Awards on Sunday November 22nd.

Sony would have only gotten one week at the top of the charts with Springsteen, anyway, no matter what a masterpiece it is. (And it is.) This way, Bruce can coast in top 10 for a bit after his debut.

So hold on. It’s going to be all Adele, all the time.

PS Ariana Grande? Who knows? She may drop this coming Friday to stay out of the way.

ADELE to Host “Saturday Night Live” Next Week, as Ratings Slip Again, with Host Issa Rae and Singer Justin Bieber, for Third Week in a Row

Roger Friedman
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ADELE to Host “Saturday Night Live” Next Week, as Ratings Slip Again, with Host Issa Rae and Singer Justin Bieber, for Third Week in a Row

Surprise! Adele will host “SNL” October 24th, with HER as the musical guest.  She’s either going to sing or explain why she has no new album. Weird. As I told you earlier this week, my sources said Adele was ready to drop a single and an album after 5 years’ absence. Read here about Adele. The last time Adele was on “SNL” was November 20, 2015, just as she launched her “25” album. Her new album could be dropping this coming Friday, October 23rd, or next, October 30th. I would guess the 30th, as Sony has Bruce Springsteen coming on the 23rd.

Adele writes on Instagram:

“Bloooooody hellllll I’m so excited about this!! And also absolutely terrified! My first ever hosting gig and for SNL of all things!!!! I’ve always wanted to do it as a stand alone moment, so that I could roll up my sleeves and fully throw myself into it, but the time has never been right. But if there was ever a time for any of us to jump head first into the deep end with our eyes closed and hope for the best it’s 2020 right?
Itll be almost 12 years to the day that I first appeared on the show, during an election…which went on to break my career in America, so it feels full circle and I just couldn’t possibly say no! I am besides myself that H.E.R will be the musical guest!! I love her SO much I can’t wait to melt into a flaming hot mess when she performs, then confuse myself while I laugh my arse off in between it all.
See you next week ♥️🤞🏻”


Last night’s report:

“Saturday Night Live” is slipping in the ratings.

It’s still ahead of the 2019 season, but the fervor of returning after a dreadful summer is wearing off.

Last night the show scored 4.5 million viewers. The key demo was 2.0. That was down from 4.7 million the previous week, and 2.2 million in the demo.

Justin Bieber, who was supposed to attract a younger audience, didn’t.

“SNL” started big three weeks ago when it returned to the studio with a live audience. They grabbed a total of 5.6 million and 2.9 in the demo. But the novelty wore off. And frankly, Jim Carrey hasn’t caught on as Joe Biden.

Last night’s show was also missing Cecily Strong, an important part of the cast. She’s shooting a series in Vancouver.

Also, the whole writing vibe is off. And Kate McKinnon– who was razor sharp as Savannah Guthrie– isn’t getting enough focus. She’s lost two big characters, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elizabeth Warren. Last week she broke character during a failing bit included in Weekend Update, and admitted that it was hard to do this stuff during the pandemic and the crazy election. But we need her!

Last year “SNL” averaged 4 million viewers a show except for the Eddie Murphy episode. So this season is ahead right now, but it’s dropping week by week.

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