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Song of the Summer: Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar,” Released in December 2019, Finally Hits Number 1 on iTunes

Roger Friedman
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Song of the Summer: Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar,” Released in December 2019, Finally Hits Number 1 on iTunes

Congrats to Harry Styles! He’s got the official song of the summer. “Watermelon Sugar.”

Percolating for months, “Watermelon Sugar” has finally hit number 1 on iTunes. The single was released December 13, 2019 after debuting on his “Fine Line” album. The album is number 14 after spending a few weeks in the top 5 this summer.

“Sugar” is the second hit on the album after “Adore You,” which has hung in there even though it didn’t get to the top.

This is when you crown the Song of the Summer. It’s been there for months, it’s finally cresting, it’s everywhere, and people are saying, “You know, I like that song. Pass the iced tea.” Or margarita.

Harry wrote the song with Mitch Rowland, Tyler Johnson, and Thomas Tull. They took their inspiration from Richard Brautigan’s post-apocalyptic novel, “In Watermelon Sugar.” These guys have really studied 1969 closely.

So how did this happen? I mean, besides the hard work of the Sony-Columbia radio people who stuck with the idea of making Harry a superstar? Was it just the association of summer, watermelon, and so on? Maybe.

But also, “Watermelon Sugar” is a throw back to 1969 pure pop, like the Archies’ “Sugar Sugar.” It’s short and concise and ever so catchy.

And get this: the video has 75 million plays on YouTube.


 

 

Happy Birthday Tony Bennett, 94 Years Young Today: Thank You for Flying Us to the Moon

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday Tony Bennett, 94 Years Young Today: Thank You for Flying Us to the Moon

Can it really be four years since Tony Bennett’s 90th birthday dinner at the Rainbow Room? No one who was there has gotten over it!

Today we wish Tony a happy 94th! You can see from his Twitter feed he’s been painting and cooking, and enjoying his quarantine. You know that if things were normal, Tony would be on the road this week, singing his heart out.

I’m looking forward to next year at Radio City, where Mr. Bennett will undoubtedly knock us over for his 95th turn around the planet.

One of my fond memories of Tony and his wife Susan was from a post Emmy Awards party — he’d just won some Emmys, of course — at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. There was a big buffet, and lots of tables. But there were Tony and Susan, eating off paper plates sitting on a visitor’s bench, while thousands of regular people had been catered to. No preening or fawning for Tony Bennett. When I asked if they needed help, Tony just waved at me. “We’re good!”

One of the great things about the last three decades is the rediscovery and revival of Tony’s career. I guess it’s true that nice guys finish last. And we never want him to finish. He survived the Beatles, and 70s rock and disco, rap, punk, New Wave, modern technology. He embraced new artists like Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga with fervor.

And still there’s nothing like just listening to Tony’s buttery rich voice on its own, no duets, just him, flying us to the moon.

Happy Birthday, Tony! And thanks for all the gifts you’ve given us!

 

 

“Cocoon” Director Ron Howard Remembers Actor Wilford Brimley: “He asked me to throw out the script & let him improvise”

Roger Friedman
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“Cocoon” Director Ron Howard Remembers Actor Wilford Brimley: “He asked me to throw out the script & let him improvise”

Ron Howard’s 1985 film “Cocoon” is among his best and the very best of all films of the 20th century.

>When star Wilford Brimley died yesterday at age 85, Howard chimed in on Twitter with a reminiscence:

“RIP #WilfordBrimley We didn’t always see eye 2 eye but I owe this Cocoon scene to Wilford  while fishing w/the boy. I agreed & shot a few 3-camera set-ups & he was brilliant & honest youtu.be/7YBDiWnX5ig via

Howard, who gets along with everyone, that news was a bit of  a surprise. A Twitter responded and asked what exactly he meant. Howard replied:
“Wilford said the script was good but the scene could be better. He was right. He was a very inventive and thoughtful actor. His influence on the movie was wonderful”

Here’s the famous scene again. It made Brimley’s career:

 

James Corden Is NOT Taking Over Ellen DeGeneres’s Show, He’s Locked in to CBS For Two More Years

Roger Friedman
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James Corden Is NOT Taking Over Ellen DeGeneres’s Show, He’s Locked in to CBS For Two More Years

Everyone, please, calm down.

James Corden is not jumping from the CBS “Late Late Show” to take over Ellen DeGeneres’s spot on afternoon TV.

This was a beautifully trumped up story in a UK tabloid without a shred of fact or evidence. Nevertheless, it was repeated everywhere today by people too lazy to even think about how such a crazy thing would work.

Corden, first of all, is contracted to CBS for “The Late Late Show” for two more years. Solid years. Through August 2022. He can’t walk out of it just because of a gossip item.

Telepictures, Ellen’s producer and employer, can’t just will Corden to their payroll. And if Ellen’s show ends now or at the end of this season, they can’t wait to see who’s available. They have to start developing a replacement show now.

More importantly, Corden is locked into CBS with his producer, Ben Winston, and his Fulwell 73 Production company.  This year, Winston takes over producing the Grammy Awards for CBS. Corden has hosted in the past and may again. Corden is also tied to the Tony Awards through CBS, which he often hosts. CBS isn’t letting him leave so easily, and there’s no indication that he wants to exit anyway.

And then there’s the question of why– aside from more money–would Corden want to have a syndicated talk show instead of the “Late Late Show.” He’s a Tony winner himself. A few years ago he beat the formidable Philip Seymour Hoffman (in “Death of a Salesman”) for Best Actor in a Play, for hilarious turn in “One Man, Two Guvnors.”

Before the offer from CBS, there was talk of him starring on Broadway in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He’s also had a movie career, starring in “Into the Woods” and — less favorably — “Cats.” Corden will be doing more film and Broadway in years to come.

And my guess is Ellen is staying for at least one more season. She’s going to make big mea culpa, change producers, and pull it together. She’s not going to throw out 17 seasons without a proper send off year and a big finale I’ll bet Brad Garrett and Lea Thompson are her first guests in September.

Wilford Brimley, Character Actor Who Conyeyed Old School Warmth, Star of “Cocoon,” Dies At Age 85

Roger Friedman
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Wilford Brimley, Character Actor Who Conyeyed Old School Warmth, Star of “Cocoon,” Dies At Age 85

When Ron Howard’s great movie, “Cocoon” was a massive hit in 1985, Wilford Brimley seemed like he was 85 years old. He was just 50, but the gang he was with– including Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Don Ameche– they were all at least 20 years his senior then. But Brimley was such a breakout star in “Cocoon”– after almost 20 years of lowkey terrific performances in good movies and bad TV shows–that everyone thought of him as a grandpa. And he made it work like crazy.

Wilford Brimley, RIP, age 85. He died today in Utah after an illness. Condolences to his family.

Brimley’s mid life rise to stardom is ironic because “Cocoon” about not ignoring older people. And after that, he would not be ignored. After “Cocoon,” it seemed like he was everywhere— TV, movies, commercials, you name it. But he was always a welcome presence.

If “The Ellen Show” Is Over, What About “Ellen’s Game of Games,” All the Merch, the Brand, Telepictures?

Roger Friedman
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If “The Ellen Show” Is Over, What About “Ellen’s Game of Games,” All the Merch, the Brand, Telepictures?

I’m getting calls all day and night about Ellen DeGeneres. Either she wants off her 17 year old talk show now, or Warner Media, which owns Telepictures, wants her out, or there’s some combination of those stories.

But what about the rest of Ellen’s empire? And what about Telepictures?

First, Ellen: Telepictures produces her “Game of Games” shows for NBC. It’s a big hit, terrific ratings. But the same producers now accused of all sorts of malfeasance also produce that show. They’ve only done 38 episodes over three years, but NBC uses it as a loss leader.

If DeGeneres and Telepictures are coming to a split, it may well include this show as well. Realistically, they can’t make that show with people they’ve just fired from the main show. Maybe NBC can save it and hire a new host. They’ve already got Jane Lynch doing the “Hollywood Game Night.” Isn’t this where they call Tiffany Haddish?

If “Ellen” goes, so goes her website and all the merchandise. The party would really be over. The site is hosted on Telepictures’ site as “Ellen Tube.” But if the Tube is corked, DeGeneres will have to call Jay Leno to find out how to completely reinvent her business.  And it’s a big business that’s been going on for 17 years.

Telepictures: they are a tried and true producer of reality and talk shows. They have TMZ, The People’s Court, Judge Mathis. The Real, and Extra. If Ellen is over, they have no talk show for the first time in eons. Their last really big talk hit was Rosie O’Donnell’s original show, which ended in 2002, the year before “Ellen” started.

Before that they’d had many non starters, shows than ran one season in syndication. Queen Latifah, Bonnie Hunt, Sharon Osbourne, Caroline Rhea all made a fun for it and failed with Telepictures. Remember Maureen O’Boyle? Telepictures also had a major issue with Jenny Jones, whose show was the subject of a famous lawsuit after a gay man revealed a crush on a co-worker, then that guy went home and killed the guest. “The Jenny Jones Show” never got over the scandal.

New talk shows and hosts are very difficult to develop into hits. This year was a rarity with Kelly Clarkson and Tamron Hall breaking out big time. But there are plenty of dead bodies that preceded them. Drew Barrymore is coming. But if you think Ellen is difficult to work with, just hold on. Even if her bff producing partner Nancy Juvonen has her on a short leash, Barrymore’s launch will be a revolving door. She is not easy, despite her cream puff persona. And the EP already assigned to her has presided over many failed shows already. So we’ll walk a thin line on that one.

 

 

Watch Ellen DeGeneres’s Beginning of the End When Dakota Johnson Destroyed Her On Air Last November

Roger Friedman
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Watch Ellen DeGeneres’s Beginning of the End When Dakota Johnson Destroyed Her On Air Last November

The beginning of the end for Ellen DeGeneres came last November. The executioner was Dakota Johnson. She said Ellen had been invited to her birthday and didn’t come. She said to Ellen, live on the air, “I didn’t think you even liked me” and expressed surprised Ellen would even want to be invited.

Ellen looked startled and combative. When she questioned Dakota’s statements, Johnson insisted he had been invited. “Ask anybody,” Dakota says, gesturing to a staff that Ellen either doesn’t know or doesn’t listen to.

Extraordinary. Go, Dakota!

A Delighted Looking Adele is Basically Unrecognizable in New Photo Showing Off New Head While Celebrating Beyonce Video

Roger Friedman
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A Delighted Looking Adele is Basically Unrecognizable in New Photo Showing Off New Head While Celebrating Beyonce Video

Um, this is Adele. She posted it to her Instagram account. She’s celebrating a new Beyonce video by dressing up in a similar outfit to the dancers.

Only, it appears that Adele has a whole new head. She looks nothing like herself, but she is smiling so she’s happy with whatever she’s done.

I’m so confused. The ballsy tell-it-like-it-is singer seemed so confident in her own skin. But evidently not. She wanted a change, a complete makeover.

Meantime, she hasn’t released a new record in four and a half years.

Sean Penn, Almost 60, Marries Vincent D’Onofrio’s 28 Year Old Daughter, His Kids Are 29 and 27 So She Fits Right In

Roger Friedman
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Sean Penn, Almost 60, Marries Vincent D’Onofrio’s 28 Year Old Daughter, His Kids Are 29 and 27 So She Fits Right In

Congrats to Sean Penn. He’s taken his third wife. The 59 year old Oscar winner has married Leila D’Onofrio, the 28 year old daughter of actor Vincent D’Onofrio. I will not make a joke about “Criminal Intent.” Or “Law and Order.”

Penn has two children. Daughter Dylan is 29. Son Hopper will be 27 next week. So Leila will have a lot in common with them. That’s important because as Sean turns 60 on August 17th, I know from personal experience that naps are needed and so refreshing. The three young people can entertain each other.

In Hollywood, this sort of thing is the norm. Dennis Quaid just married a young woman– his third or fourth wife– who is about the same age as his son, Jack. I saw Dennis and his then fiancee backstage in 2019 at Willie Nelson tribute and he didn’t look so great. Having a young woman around can be a help and hindrance. At 66, Quaid is 39 years older than his wife, whose name doesn’t matter.

Sean has done incredible philanthropic things, especially with Haiti. He’s also got a long line of memorable acting credits including “Mystic River,” for which he won that Oscar.

How does D’Onofrio feel? He just turned 61 in June. Will he call Sean ‘dad’? How does Madonna feel? Sean’s first wife is 61 herself, almost 62. But her boyfriends are selected from foundling hospitals. So she will send Champagne.

PS Sean’s marriage was not announced in the New York Times, but by Hollywood seer Irena Medavoy, the great wife of beloved producer Mike Medavoy. She refers to Penn as “being like a son” to Medavoy, which is pretty nice. So there’s that.

 

Ellen DeGeneres In Free Fall as Celebrity Pile On Begins: “Back to the Future” Star Lea Thompson Says Negative Treatment Stories are “True”

Roger Friedman
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Ellen DeGeneres In Free Fall as Celebrity Pile On Begins: “Back to the Future” Star Lea Thompson Says Negative Treatment Stories are “True”

The title of this episode is “Everybody Hates Ellen.”

“Back to the Future” star Lea Thompson backed actor Brad Garrett on Twitter in his sentiments expressed about Ellen DeGeneres yesterday.

Responding to a People magazine tweet about Garrett criticizing Ellen for treating her guests badly, Thompson wrote “True story, it is.”

That makes two major Hollywood celebs who’ve come clean on their experiences with the Ellen show. Will this kick open the floodgates? Once at the top of the ratings heap, “Ellen” is now struggling as staff and ex-staff have exposed the “toxic” situation backstage.

click here for all of today’s entertainment headlines

In the process, executive producer Ed Glavin is gone. The two remaining top producers are under fire as well. The show is under and internal investigation. Buzz Feed has spoken to over 50 staffers who’ve spoken of sexual and other kinds of harassment.

But for actors who are the bread and butter of “Ellen” guests to start speaking up, that’s trouble. If Telepictures, the company that produces “Ellen,” pulls the plug– or allows DeGeneres to end the show on her own– the financial ramifications are huge. And it’s not so easy to start a new show with a new host. Most syndicated shows fail in their first season. It took a while for “Ellen” to catch on. And for her to leave in disgrace would pretty much wreck her “brand.” DeGeneres’s popular “Game of Game Shows” on NBC would likely be affected negatively as well.

Garrett, a big and popular star of “Everyone Loves Raymond,” had Tweeted: “Sorry but it comes from the top ⁦@TheEllenShow Know more than one who were treated horribly by her.⁩ Common knowledge.” That was in response to Variety Tweet about DeGeneres’s public “apology” in which she took no responsibility for the overwhelming negative accusations and anecdotes. Thompson then responded (see below).

Garrett and Thompson are respected in TV circles, and that’s what hurts. If the guests who aren’t Justin Bieber or Jennifer Aniston– who Ellen sucks up to like crazy at least on camera–won’t return to her set, “Ellen” is over.

 


Ellen-Jennifer photo c2020 Norah Lawlor

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