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Exclusive: Don’t Expect $40 Mil Melania Trump Documentary from Amazon Until January, Will Definitely Skip Awards Season

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Don’t Expect $40 Mil Melania Trump Documentary from Amazon Until January, Will Definitely Skip Awards Season

You may have heard that Melania Trump is getting her own documentary.

Amazon has paid the Trumps $40 million so Brett Ratner, of “Rush Hour” and “Tower Heist” fame, can put together what will undoubtedly be a work of fiction.

When the documentary was announced, it was said that it would be released this fall. Indeed, Ratner has been filming since last November, mostly in Palm Beach since Melania spends almost no time in Washington or the White House.

Now sources say Amazon has decided to hold off a release until at least January 2026. “There will be no Oscar campaign,” I’m told, which makes sense since the possibility of “Melania” making even the Academy long list is funnier than any comedian could invent.

Of course, avoiding awards season will lessen the chances of mockery. And there will be plenty.

According to New York Magazine and Puck, Elon Musk — now at odds with Trump — is a major character in the film. It’s unclear what we’ll see of Barron, or if his voice will be heard for the first time. It’s unlikely that the actual facts of Melania’s immigration to the US will be discussed.

Trump Parade: Forecast Calls for Pain, and Rain, Thunderstorms, But Smooth Sailing for the Pope in Chicago

Roger Friedman
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Trump Parade: Forecast Calls for Pain, and Rain, Thunderstorms, But Smooth Sailing for the Pope in Chicago

It’s good news, bad news weatherwise this weekend.

The universe is going to speak loud clear apparently.

In Washington, Donald Trump’s military parade is going to be washed out. The report is 47% chance of rain and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon. It will be nice and hot at 83 degrees. Similar weather is expected for Sunday, so the parade can’t just be put off by a day.

Trump is frittering away $130 million on the parade, a waste of money while he’s cut services, fired thousands of government workers, erased science, and backed fascism. Looks like the tanks and heavy militia will be getting soaked. Serves ’em right. 

However, in Chicago, it will be a cool 71 and cloudy for Pope Leo’s big gathering at the White Sox stadium. Leo won’t be there, but he’ll be broadcast live from the Vatican on huge screens. There are other programs scheduled, and the event is sold out.

Doesn’t that sound like divine intervention?

RIP Actor Chris Robinson, 86, The Last of the Famous “General Hospital” Foursome That Brought the Show Back to Life

Roger Friedman
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RIP Actor Chris Robinson, 86, The Last of the Famous “General Hospital” Foursome That Brought the Show Back to Life

Actor Chris Robinson has died at age 86.

For 7 or 8 years he played the adulterous hero Dr. Rick Webber on “General Hospital.” He’s the last of four actors who brought the show back to life in the late 70s including the recently passed Denise Alexander, Leslie Charleson, and Stuart Damon.

These four were written into a story about two couples with Robinson and Charleson’s characters having an open affair. It was a big scandal in fictional Port Charles, and a huge hit on TV at a time when there were three networks and a dozen soap operas.

Robinson had a long acting career with many credits including an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in which he plays a young hooligan terrorizing Inger Stevens at her beach house.

After “General Hospital,” Robinson had another soap run on “Another World.”

Along with his 70s prime time appearances, he was also a director of both tv and film including episodes of classic dramas like Baretta, Cannon, and Barnaby Jones.

While on the show, Chris launched the careers of John Stamos, Rick Springfield, and Richard Dean Anderson. He was also the original Vick’s TV commercials spokesman who famously coined the phrase “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

Condolences to all.

Broadway: “Smash,” the Musical Made from a Failed TV Show, Will Close June 22nd After Receiving No Love from Tony Awards

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “Smash,” the Musical Made from a Failed TV Show, Will Close June 22nd After Receiving No Love from Tony Awards

“Smash,” the musical based on a failed TV show, is done.

The Musical will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, June 22, 2025 after 32 previews and 84 regular performances at the Imperial Theatre.

It’s certainly sad for everyone involved. But “Smash” had no Tony nominations and wasn’t even allowed a showcase on the Tony show.

Last week, “Smash” played to 66% capacity at the Imperial. Once it failed to get love from the Tonys on May 1st, the writing was on the wall.

“Smash” won’t be alone soon. Threats of closure linger at “Boop,” “The Last Five Years,” and a couple of other shows. Summer is rough, and it’s expensive to keep shows going that have no real following.

“Smash” featured a lot of really talented Broadway veterans. But no one really knew why it existed. The TV series was a flop. So why would people come see it for $250 a head? I still don’t get that.

RIP. New shows start arriving in August. That’s Broadway.

ABC News Throws Terry Moran Under the Bus After 30 Years Over Accurate “Hater” Tweet About Stephen Miller

Roger Friedman
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ABC News Throws Terry Moran Under the Bus After 30 Years Over Accurate “Hater” Tweet About Stephen Miller

The word is, ABC News has thrown Terry Moran under the bus.

They’re severed ties with the much respected journalist after 30 years because of Terry’s Tweet about Trump’s most evil sidekick, Stephen Miller.

Terry tweeted that Miller, who is either Satanic or from the Lizard Planet in another galaxy, is a “world class hater.” (See below.) Terry was correct. Even his relatives have denounced Miller.

ABC says: “We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post – which was a clear violation of ABC News policies – we have made the decision to not renew. At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism.”

We’re at the point where Trump scares even the mainstream media. It’s very sad. ABC News already caved and paid Trump $15 million for something George Stephanopolous said. There should be a chill in the air at ABC News today. No one is safe.

Moran joined ABC News in 1997 and has won many awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, the Emmy Award, the Merriman Smith Award from the White House Correspondents’ Association (twice), and the Thurgood Marshall Journalism Award. He’s been a steady, reassuring presence for almost three decades.

Let’s hope we see Terry soon, after gets a break from this viciousness and disloyalty.

Here is Terry’s tweet, since deleted. Finally, someone spoke truth to power. I hope he makes a lot of money on the lecture circuit and writes a great book.

Oprah Winfrey Raises a Glass, Woodward Bernstein Reunite to Raise $1.1 Mil for Literacy Partners’ Life Saving Programs

Roger Friedman
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Oprah Winfrey Raises a Glass, Woodward Bernstein Reunite to Raise $1.1 Mil for Literacy Partners’ Life Saving Programs

Sorry I couldn’t have been at the Literacy Partners gala last night at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. I was still hung over from the Tony Awards!

The late night Tonys didn’t stop Oprah from showing up as a Special Guest. The other guests were pretty remarkable including a reunion of (honoree) Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, plus other honorees Erroll McDonald, Cynthia McFadden,  Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Liz Smith, who put Literacy Partners on the map, would have been so happy to see her dear friend, Cynthia McFadden, get her award from the latter’s son, Spencer McFadden Hogue. Liz, that’s a godwink!

Some of Liz’s other pals were in the house including “60 Minutes” stalwart Lesley Stahl, and legendary book agent Joni Evans, plus heavy hitter publishers Jonathan Karp (CEO Simon & Schuster) and Jon Yaged (CEO, Macmillan). Also present: philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and famed psychoanalyst Elizabeth T. Peabody, plus Literacy Partners chief Asaf Bar-Tura, Courtney E.K. Lewis, and Elyse Mayer.

The event placed the spotlight firmly on the impact of adult literacy and the role community plays in empowering families through education. Proceeds from the gala directly support Literacy Partners’ life-changing programs for adults, parents and caregivers from 30 states and Puerto Rico. focusing in particular on high-need regions such as New York City, Philadelphia, Nevada, and San Diego.

Liz, Iris Love, Arnold Scaasi, and Parker Ladd had margaritas in heaven.

PS Congrats to Errol McDonald. 40 years ago, he stopped by my office at the Atlantic Monthly Press wearing headphones connected to a shiny black object about 8 x 8 inches. (I was six, he was seven.) What is that, we asked Erroll? “It’s a portable CD player,” he said. He was always ahead of everybody! Time flies!

Mick Jagger Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of His Only Record with David Bowie, from Live Aid, Also Salutes Sly Stone

Roger Friedman
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Mick Jagger Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of His Only Record with David Bowie, from Live Aid, Also Salutes Sly Stone

This summer will mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid.

At the end of the night, Mick Jagger and David Bowie performed the Motown classic, “Dancing in the Street,” by Martha and the Vandellas. Afterwards they recorded and released it as a single.

For the anniversary there’s a remastered version on streaming and you buy it on amazon in a collector’s edition.

Mick just posted it. As he says, what a shame he and Bowie didn’t do more together. Musically, that is.

Mick also saluted Sly Stone:

Vanity Fair Staff Freaks Out: Anna Wintour Chooses Daughter’s Childhood Friend with Little Serious Editing Experience (UPDATED)

Roger Friedman
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Vanity Fair Staff Freaks Out: Anna Wintour Chooses Daughter’s Childhood Friend with Little Serious Editing Experience (UPDATED)

The staff at Vanity Fair, I am told, is up in arms.

To succeed editor in chief Radhika Jones, Anna Wintour has chosen her daughter’s childhood friend — who has no experience running or editing a major magazine.

Mark Guiducci, sources say, is a childhood friend of Wintour’s daughter, Bee Shaffer. They have been friends for years. There are pictures of them all over the internet. Guiducci has also written at least one feature about Shaffer.

Guiducci is currently creative editorial director at Vogue, Wintour’s main concern.

A source says: “He’s the most disliked person in the Conde Nast building. Staffers went to Anna begging her not to hire him.”

According to the NY Times: Guiducci started his career at Vanity Fair as an assistant and held a number of roles at Vogue, before becoming the editor in chief of Garage, an art publication owned by Vice Media. He returned to Vogue in 2020 as creative editorial director, where he helped to start Vogue World, an annual fashion and cultural show.

At Vogue World, I am told, Guiducci had a rocky time and wasn’t very popular in the Conde Nast building.

There were so many top editors to choose for the new “global editor” of Vanity Fair. This reeks of low pay, and total subservience to Wintour. Guiducci has no Hollywood connections, which is also a problem. Entertainment editor Jeff Giles, much respected in the business, is also on his way out.

Vanity Fair is now known more for parties than journalism. This choice won’t help their circulation, either, which has been in a nosedive since Jones took over.

Hip Hop Star Doechii Denounces Trump at BET Awards for “Ruthless Attacks” in L.A.: “What type of government is that?”

Roger Friedman
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Hip Hop Star Doechii Denounces Trump at BET Awards for “Ruthless Attacks” in L.A.: “What type of government is that?”

Newish hip hop star Doechii won just more than just an award last night.

On the BET Awards, 26 year old Doechii was the only artist to speak out against Donald Trump and about the violence in Los Angeles.

Doechii’s eloquent and brave statement got rousing applause from the audience in the Microsoft Theater. As she said, this was going on “just outside the building” — literally just a few blocks away a protest was going on that included ICE and unidentified men in masks with machine guns causing “fear and chaos.”

Listen to this speech. Doechii — real name Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon — should be carried high on shoulders this morning. We need more artists to speak up in such a cogent manner.

She said:

“I do wanna address what’s happening right now outside of the building,” she declared. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.”

“What type of government is that?” Doechii asked. “People are being swept up and torn from their families, and I feel it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people.”

“For Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza,” she went on. “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate, and we protest against it. Thank you, BET.”

This is what she was referring to, happening simultaneously a few blocks away:

Tony Awards Up 38% As Cynthia Erivo “Wicked” Fame, “Hamilton” Reunion Cause Best Showing Since 2019

Roger Friedman
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Tony Awards Up 38% As Cynthia Erivo “Wicked” Fame, “Hamilton” Reunion Cause Best Showing Since 2019

The Tony Awards on Sunday were a big hit.

Ratings were up 38% from last year. The beautifully executed show boomed on host Cynthia Erivo’s popularity from “Wicked,” and a 10th anniversary reunion of “Hamilton.”

This year’s Tonys achieved a level of chemistry that just hit right. First of all, there wasn’t much competition on Sunday night. Second, producers Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner found a perfect balance between attracting and offending audiences that might have Baway in the past.

Darren Criss, star of “Maybe Happy Ending,” also brought along his fans from “Glee.” Nicole Scherzinger, from “Sunset Boulevard,” has a big following from many appearances on TV talent shows. That they each won on Sunday didn’t hurt, for sure.

Total numbers were 4.85 million, up from 3.53 million.

The show was well paced, also, with the list of awards presented tossed in the air. Best Actress in a Play was first, and if you didn’t have the ‘run of show’ in front of you, you wouldn’t know what was coming next. That led to a little mystery. Even in the theater at Radio City, where no one had information, the audience remained glued to their seats.

A very clever gambit was starting with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter from the “Bill and Ted” movies promoting their upcoming Broadway adventure. For once the Tonys got it right putting popular mainstream faces in front of the home audience.

Erivo will almost definitely be asked back for next year considering she will likely win an Oscar for the second “Wicked” film — also a cinch blockbuster. She was warm and funny and witty, a rare combination at this point. She couldn’t have done better.

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