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Happy Birthday Carly Simon, Still Not in the Rock Hall: Watch A Rare Video of Her on Howard Stern Performing Live

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday Carly Simon, Still Not in the Rock Hall: Watch A Rare Video of Her on Howard Stern Performing Live

Carly Simon is still, unaccountably, not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She had tons of hits and won an Oscar, god’s sake.

Anyway today is her birthday– happy birthday, Carly! Here’s a rare clip from Howard Stern from 2002 in which she performed some of her songs. What a voice! What a face!

Carly just appeared two weeks ago as Clive Davis’s guest on Richard Weitz’s Quarantunes Zoom show. Alas there are no clips as yet. But she and her band–which included her son, Ben Taylor, and actor Tony Shalhoub– really knocked it out of the park live from her Martha’s Vineyard barn on “Anticipation.”

She’s a keeper!

 

“Days of Our Lives” Star Melissa Reeves Under Fire for Anti-BLM Likes On Social Media, Not Apologizing Fast Enough

Roger Friedman
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“Days of Our Lives” Star Melissa Reeves Under Fire for Anti-BLM Likes On Social Media, Not Apologizing Fast Enough

It’s really a soap opera over at NBC soap  “Days of our Lives.” Actress Melissa Reeves, who’s been on the show on and off since 1985 and plays a central character, is under fire on social media. On Twitter she “liked” comments against Black Lives Matter made by right wing pundit Candace Owens, who herself is black but has made a career out saying and writing ugly stuff.

Owens’ comments were decidedly against Black Lives Matter. And Reeves, who has noted conservative views in the past, agreed with them. The result is a firefight among soap fans. Even worse, Reeves immediately drew the ire of a fellow castmate, Linsey Godfrey, who denounced Owens and criticized Reeves. Godfrey is white, but she was joined in her views by actor Lamon Archey, who is black. He’s one of three regular black actors on “Days,” out of a cast of 40.

Godfrey’s attack is commendable considering she’s a newer addition to the cast and doesn’t have that much leverage. Reeves is one of about a dozen “permanent” players. Insiders say she’s on now right in a supporting role but has a big storyline coming up in the fall. Godfrey, who’s much younger than Reeves, seems like a dedicated activist and isn’t going to give up the fight. Reeves, meanwhile, is taking a long time to fix her PR situation or apologize. Even though soap fans are largely conservative, this may spell trouble for her in the long term.

Godfrey writes on Twitter today: “There is no difference in opinion when it comes to racism, homophobia, transphobia or xenophobia There is no difference in opinion when it comes to racism, homophobia, transphobia or xenophobia If you disagree, you’re a part of the problem. It’s says A LOT about you. We see you.”

“Days” is averaging around 1.7 million viewers a week since the pandemic started, down from around 2 million. But that’s better than ABC’s  “General Hospital,” which has stopped reporting ratings since going into reruns. They’re said to be around 1.2 million or lower.

 

The Dixie Chicks Change Their Name to “The Chicks” And Stay Political As they Release New Black Lives Matter Single “March March”

Roger Friedman
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The Dixie Chicks Change Their Name to “The Chicks” And Stay Political As they Release New Black Lives Matter Single “March March”

The Dixie Chicks are longer “Dixie.” They’re just Chicks. In light of everything that’s going on in the world, Natalie Maines and co. have dropped their name that refers to the South.

They won’t be whistlin’ Dixie any more. I guess no one will.

All the art on the website has been changed for their new single and album, “Gaslighter.” Unless they’re gaslighting us.

Their new single is called “March March,” in honor of Black Lives Matter, and it’s in memory of the people who’ve been killed the police.

 

 

(Listen) Black Lives Matter But What About Black Music? Topical Anthems of the Day Are Getting Little Radio Play or Sales

Roger Friedman
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(Listen) Black Lives Matter But What About Black Music? Topical Anthems of the Day Are Getting Little Radio Play or Sales

Black Lives Matter but what about Black Music? Today’s R&B stars are trying to emulate Marvin Gaye and others who brought issues into their music in the early70s. If this were the 70s and there wasn’t a radio monopoly, you’d be hearing HER Music’s “I Can’t Breathe” on every station.

As such, the song– which should be an instant hit– is number 38 on iTunes after 5 days. With all the crap being streamed, you’d think this song would have an impact. Marvin Gaye is rolling in his grave. There’s also no sign of Alicia Keys’ cover of “Perfect Way to Die” at all on iTunes, like it doesn’t exist.

Radio programmers? Smiling faces, sometimes, they don’t tell the truth.

adding this video too:

80 Days in Hospital: Broadway Star Nick Cordero “has a little bit of a new infection…but it’s under control” says wife

Roger Friedman
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80 Days in Hospital: Broadway Star Nick Cordero “has a little bit of a new infection…but it’s under control” says wife

Over 80 days in the hospital, still just described as “alert” but not talking Broadway star Nick Cordero is still suffering from the effects of COVID-19 and other issues. His wife, Amanda Kloots, reports on Instagram tonight that he’s had a “little bit of a new infection” but “it’s under control” and nothing to worry about.

Kloots keeps an upbeat outlook even though Cordero has seemingly plateaued in his condition with no obvious sign of progress. She said he was “Alert.” Previously she has said that means he moves his eyes up and down but otherwise offers no contact after mini strokes, a leg amputation, serious issues with his lungs, and infections.

It is unclear why Cordero hasn’t been moved to a rehab situation yet. It may be that his condition is still too precarious. Meanwhile, well meaning “friends” continue to leave what I would call idiotic videos on Kloots’s Instagram Stories which are doing nothing for Cordero and just seem embarrassing. Does he really need an Elvis impersonator posting everyday? The whole thing seems to contradict the gravity of the situation.

We’ll stay up to date.

Mini Series About Former FBI Director James Comey, Starring Jeff Daniels, Moved to September, Before Election

Roger Friedman
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Mini Series About Former FBI Director James Comey, Starring Jeff Daniels, Moved to September, Before Election

Former FBI director James Comey is sort of responsible for this mess we’re in. His letter about Hillary Clinton’s emails in 2016 made her look suspicious, and cost her the election, many feel. The result is this disaster we are now all in.

Of course, Comey’s inadvertently helping Donald Trump didn’t put him in good stead with new lamentable president. The result was his being fired, testifying in front of Congress, and writing a book.

Now that book will be a Showtime miniseries come late September. Showtime has moved up the date from after the election to before, maybe to convince Trumpers of what an idiot their candidate is. Who knows?

Jeff Daniels plays Comey in “The Comey Rule,” written and directed by Billy Ray. The series will launch on September 27th, just in time to make an impact, one hopes, with those who still think Trump should remain as president. Brendan Gleeson plays Trump, Holly Hunter is Sally Yates, but no one seems to be playing Hillary Clinton.

Daniels plays heroes in conflict, so we can guess which way this is going.  And while I’m sure “The Comey Rule” will be excellent TV fare, Comey will get off scot-free for causing all this trouble. Meantime, after Hillary Clinton was excoriated for using a private email server, it turns out many in the Trump White House have done the same thing and gotten away with it.

Hugh Jackman’s “Music Man” Broadway Revival Sets Opening for May 2021– After Usual Tony Award Eligibility

Roger Friedman
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Hugh Jackman’s “Music Man” Broadway Revival Sets Opening for May 2021– After Usual Tony Award Eligibility

I guess producer Scott Rudin doesn’t care if his very very expensive “Music Man” revival gets Tony Awards in 2021.

Rudin has set the date for the opening of “The Music Man” for May 20, 2021. If next year returns to normal, the Tony eligibility period will end on April 30th, 2021.

Whoops!

“The Music Man” starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster was supposed to open this October, but obviously had to be postponed because of coronavirus. Now Rudin says it will begin previews on April 7th at the Winter Garden Theater and open six weeks later.

Meanwhile, all the shows from this season that missed the Tonys will be chomping at the bit to have a regular awards schedule next spring. I can’t think they’re going to wait until “The Music Man” opens and then have the Tonys in when? July?

Rudin doesn’t care. He has his stars and wildly overpriced tickets. But wait– will even Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster merit the kind of price gouging Rudin pulled off for “Hello,Dolly!” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”? That model may be out the window by next spring. It’s hard to imagine that even the most devout theatergoer will want to spend $500 and up on premium seats.

Will there trouble in River City? Stay tuned!

PS One clear sign of trouble in Times Square: McDonald’s announced that they’re closing their four story flagship shop on 42nd St. in the heart of the district. Lit up with neon and glowing as a beacon of the Times Square redevelopment, that McDonald’s is a significant part of The Great White Way. Even though the food is inedible, the situation is dire.

Toronto Film Festival Announces Pared Down Event over Five Days with Physical Screenings After Laying Off 31 Full Time Positions

Roger Friedman
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Toronto Film Festival Announces Pared Down Event over Five Days with Physical Screenings After Laying Off 31 Full Time Positions

The Toronto Film Festival, aka TIFF, is making an effort to have some kind of event this September. But it won’t be anything like their regular, massive and important get together.

Today they announced a pared down five days of physical screenings with social distancing. The rest of it is going to be mostly digital. They also confirmed that they’ve laid off 31 people in top positions.

What can they do? By September 10th the corona virus may be right back to where it was, not just in Toronto, but for all the thousands of people coming from different locations.

The film list for those first five days is compromised by the moving of awards season in the US to February through April. There simply won’t be films available to make a premiere event. The handful of films they announced include Ammonite​, directed by Francis Lee (United Kingdom); ​Another Round​, from director Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark); ​Bruised​, the debut film from director Halle Berry (USA); ​Concrete  Cowboy​ by filmmaker Ricky Staub (USA); ​Fauna​, from director Nicolás Pereda (Mexico/Canada); ​Good Joe Bell​ by director Reinaldo Marcus Green (USA); ​Spring Blossom​, the debut film by director Suzanne Lindon(France); and ​True Mothers​ by director Naomi Kawase (Japan).

Other titles will be announced over the summer.

TIFF says it will also present its annual ​TIFF Tribute Awards​, honoring Meryl Streep, Taika Waititi, Mati Diop, and Joaquin Phoenix. But that will be a Zoom like event since I doubt any of those people are going to go to Toronto.

“TIFF has a proud history of programming award-winning films, expanding the conversation to include a multitude of voices, and in creating boundary-pushing initiatives for the industry. And this year we’ve added new innovations and ways to give back to the community. In doing so, we’re aiming to advance what a film festival is capable of delivering — for audiences and the film industry,” said ​Joana Vicente, Executive Director and Co-Head, TIFF​. “We could never have anticipated the global seismic changes we would be facing in 2020.We tapped into the original spirit of the Festival from when it began in 1976 as our guiding light. The distilled edition of TIFF 2020 reflects a deep love of film, passion for our loyal audiences, commitment to the industry and a whole lot of heart.”

One important note from me: TIFF will be back big time in 2021. They need funds to survive.  TIFF’s For the Love of Film Fund was launched earlier this spring and supports TIFF’s work to re-imagine the in-cinema experience in the digital age for its audiences, and invests in TIFF’s recovery and the future of film. The Koolum Foundation will match every dollar donated to the For the Love of Film Fund.

 

If You Like Just One Stevie Wonder Song, You Must Watch This Video: “The Universe is Watching Us”

Roger Friedman
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If You Like Just One Stevie Wonder Song, You Must Watch This Video: “The Universe is Watching Us”

Just watch this video. Don’t do anything else. Just listen to Stevie Wonder, a person I hold in such high regard. He doesn’t disappoint. His observations about our lives at this moment are absolute gold.

“I’ve heard the person in the highest place of this nation say, ‘There are fine people on both sides.’ That sounds noncommittal to me,” Wonder said about Trump without referring to him by name. “‘I have a great relationship with the Blacks.’ Peaceful protesters called ‘thugs,’ immigrants called ‘rapists.’ And from the very place that civilization began, Africa, I’ve heard this Commander-in-Chief call it an s-h-i-t-hole. Wow. One day, you will surely be sorry.”

(Listen) Paris Jackson, Gabriel Glenn as The Soundflowers Release 5 Track, 18 Minute EP of Folk Rock Songs

Roger Friedman
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(Listen) Paris Jackson, Gabriel Glenn as The Soundflowers Release 5 Track, 18 Minute EP of Folk Rock Songs

Paris Jackson and Gabriel Glenn as The Soundflowers have released their 5 track, 18 minute EP of folk rock songs. This is what you want to know: can Paris sing? Yes, sure. The songs are mellow with a country-Americana vibe. I’m surprised that considering all the music she’s plugged on Twitter, her own talents went in this direction. But the music is extremely listenable and commercial. It should have no trouble finding a home on many formats if someone works on it. I liked it, you will, too.

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