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Bruce Springsteen Drops Burt Bacharach-Influenced “Sunday Love,” Subtle Nod to Etta James Classic

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Drops Burt Bacharach-Influenced “Sunday Love,” Subtle Nod to Etta James Classic

Where is Dusty Springfield when we need her?

Or, for that matter, Etta James?

The latest Bruce Springsteen release from June 27’s “Tracks II” box set would be covered by her in a minute.

“Sunday Love” is the song Burt Bacharach and Hal David never wrote. It’s also a subtle nod to Etta James’s “Sunday Kind of Love.” It’s a laid back, jazzy totally 60s number that shows Bruce in a wistful way. It’s his most coverable song since “Fire” and “Because the Night.” If I were Adele, I’d record it right now and put it out for summer. (Also, if I were Adele, I’d be working on an album.)

Bruce has released five tracks from the box set, each has been terrific. So looking forward to spending a summer with “Tracks II.”

Kennedy Center “Les Miz” Debacle: Boos for Trump, Drag Queens, Empty Seats, $2 Mil Donors Mixed with Guests in Jeans, Missing Cast

Roger Friedman
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Kennedy Center “Les Miz” Debacle: Boos for Trump, Drag Queens, Empty Seats, $2 Mil Donors Mixed with Guests in Jeans, Missing Cast

Wednesday night’s Kennedy Center showing of “Les Miserables” was quite the scene.

While high rolling Trump donors were taking their seats, so were a lot of other less well dress — or more flamboyantly dressed — audience members.

Drag queens invaded the theater before Trump, Melania, and the Vances arrived. There are picture and videos galore.

Then came the public. People who had purchased tickets before Trump announced this was a fundraiser were all over the place, say my spies. They wore jeans. Some had anti-Trump T shirts. Because they’d bought tickets earlier, they sat cheek by jowl with formally dressed patrons who’d paid steep fees.

When the lights went down, I’m told, roughly 100 people were ushered down from the balcony to the empty seats in the orchestra. They made a lot of noise because the show had already started.

A source told me they’d been given free tickets. Another source reported that tickets were being handed out to fill the auditorium.

The only members of Congress spotted were Ted Cruz and Gym Jordan. The latter has likely never seen a Broadway musical.

As for the cast of “Les Miz,” understudies were used but not specially credited. The playbill included no mention of them. But I’m told about 10 main cast members each took an official day off.

Sad News: Brian Wilson, Beloved Founder of the Beach Boys, Dies at 81, American Icon, Five Star Composer, Singer

Roger Friedman
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Sad News: Brian Wilson, Beloved Founder of the Beach Boys, Dies at 81, American Icon, Five Star Composer, Singer

It’s a very sad day in pop and rock & roll.

Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson has died at age 81. He suffered from neurocognative disorder akin to dementia.

With his brothers and cousin Brian formed The Beach Boys in 1961 and went on to overwhelming international success. Their records and Brian’s songs are literally the American soundtrack, from “California Girls” to “Good Vibrations” to “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?”

Wilson’s life was a roller coaster of fame and success that led to struggles with drugs and mental illness. He spent years in the “wilderness” when he came under the spell of Dr. Eugene Landy, a Svengali who nearly cost him his life.

Brian was eventually saved by his family and his second wife, Melinda, who died last year. Among his children are Carnie and Wendy, who make up two thirds of the group Wilson Phillips.

I was lucky to meet and talk with Brian many times. When he published his first memoir in 1991, written with Todd Gold, the publisher held a small book party. Brian played the piano and sang his songs for the first time up close. It’s a memory I will always cherish. He also performed and toured constantly in the last 20 years, and played the Rainforest Foundation show with Sting and Trudie Styler at Carnegie Hall.

There will be plenty obits today and evaluations of Brian’s work. But just listen to those songs, like “Surf’s Up,” another masterpiece. Even the arranging on something like “I Can Feel Music” is complex and masterful. Watch all the Beach Boys records go to the charts this afternoon.

The music will live forever. Viva Brian Wilson. He’s finally out of pain, and reunited with brothers Carl and Dennis. God bless.

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:

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