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Jack Schlossberg really wants to go to Washington.
The grandson of President John F. Kennedy has brought out his biggest gun for an endorsement.
That would his mother, Caroline Kennedy, whom Jack calls “the greatest of all time.”
The primary in the congressional race in New York’s 12th district takes place soon, on June 23rd.
There are many qualified candidates. Schlossberg is charismatic, but has never had a job, let alone experience as an elected official. He spent most of last year posting worrying Instagram and YouTube videos, often mocking his loony toons cousin, Robert Kennedy Jr. Shaving his head, having odd interactions with his video fans, Jack seemed to be having a nervous breakdown. Later, he attributed his bizarre stunts to his reaction that his sister, Tatiana, was dying at age 35. (She ultimately passed, tragically.)
Caroline’s endorsement of her son may help Jack’s case. It can’t hurt. She’s a good mother. And the Kennedy name — if it’s the right part of the family — carries a lot of weight.
He’s dropped his dresses and other machinations, put on adult men’s clothing, and turned himself into a crooner.
In London, at the Southbank Centre last night — collaborating with the Jules Buckley Orchestra and House Gospel Choir for a special concert created exclusively for his curation of Meltdown 2026 — Harry performed Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
The performance is perfect. Even Art Garfunkel would have to admire Harry picking up this legacy.
Harry is reinventing himself as a serious artist, and it’s working. By the time he hits Madison Square Garden this summer, there’s going to be a whole new gestalt. It’s a very smart move.
He’s so terrified of tomorrow’s opening of the Obama Presidential Library, he’s saying “the Iranians” called the beloved former president a “stupid son-of-a-bitch” at the G7 meeting of international leaders.
Trump, of course, failed to put together his Great American State Fair when even Milli Vanilli refused to perform at it.
Now he’s got to witness a raft of stars take the stage on a livestream Thursday at noon Eastern, to support Obama.
Added to the A list names is Steven Spielberg, who will get to see Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Bono and The Edge, John Legend, The Roots, Common, Jennifer Hudson, and Marc Anthony on stage.
The Obama concert and opening are a total diss on Trump, who has no one popular or contemporary to support him from the entertainment world.
The livestream will be on YouTube and also carried, to some degree, on CSPAN.
At the very bottom, which is where he belongs, see Trump saying the Iranians called Obama “A stupid son of a bitch.” This is Trump backed into a corner like a rat.
Trump: “You know what the Iranians did? They laughed at Obama and they said he’s a stupid son of a bitch.” pic.twitter.com/2l712bUV2d
Two years ago, the Rolling Stones — in their 60th year — turned in an excellent album called “Hackney Diamonds.” It was maybe their best album of new music in over 30 years. Who’d a thunk it? Andrew Watt produced, Lady Gaga sang on one masterpiece, and it was all good.
Now comes “Foreign Tongues,” also produced by Watt, which somehow tops “Hackney.” It’s a career highlight, unexpected because let’s face it, the remaining Stones could just coast at this point. Their legacy is secure in rock history.
And yet, “Foreign Tongues” is so good you have to listen to it a couple of times to make sure you’re just not overreacting. It’s also kind of amazing because their contemporary, Paul McCartney, just gifted us with his sensational “The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” also produced by Watt.
Watt’s up with that? (Sorry.)
We already knew two singles, the blues number “Rough and Twisted,” and the very Stones-y “In the Stars.” On past Stones albums post 1980s, that pair would have been enough to satisfy everyone. Because think of it — a Stones live show, always electric, has to accommodate a monster list of hits, so they can only add in one or two new songs.
But “Foreign Tongues” has a robust 14 tracks, and not one of them is a sleeper. More than even with “Hackney,” the boys — so to speak — and Watt decided to make this album one after another. No coasting, far from it. The work that went into “Foreign Tongues” is evident. But there’s also a lot of magic.
When the album was first being talked about, they promised a track called “Mr. Charm” as the launch single. That didn’t happen, but now we have it and I can see why they will wait until the album drops on July 10th. “Mr. Charm” is a home run. Will radio play it? Probably not. Classic rock radio ignores all new material. But “Mr. Charm” sounds like a missing track from 1978’s “Some Girls.” It’s kind of dizzying to think 80 years could pull off a rock track this good.
Between now and the 10th we will probably get the mid tempo “Jealous Lover,” more in the realm of “Wild Horses” with Mick Jagger’s not so often heard anymore falsetto slicing through a blues-pop foundation made for radio and Spotify. This is one full of beats and claps, and repeated lyrics that should make it a big streamer.
I say all of this with a lot of cockeyed optimism. The McCartney album is just as good but is having trouble selling 100,000 copies. Is it because all the fans are dead? No younger people care to hear perfectly executed music made by musicians playing actual instruments? Do they have to feature Lady Gaga to get the attention of the current generation? What miserable conclusions.
I, however, will listen for the rest of the year to “Divine Interruption,” “Ringing Hollow,” and “Hit Me in the Head.” The former, with Mick yelling “Dance in the flames,” is rapid fire. “Some of Us,” a fresh take on a long available demo, brings together Jagger and Keith Richards in a rare duet — a little gem among these gaudy jewels. There’s also “Covered in You,” hidden at number 11, with delicious lyrics and hooks.
Over the next week we’ll get into the last four tracks, and all of the lyrics, including “Covered in You,” . But the main thing to know now, is that the Stones have delivered something we don’t deserve. Like “Dungeon Lane,” this is the real thing. These two will be on constant play in my car. Also, Watt has so lavished them in aural richness that you want to hear them through real speakers or great headphones, not just as background music for a subway ride.
Thursday’s opening of the Obama Library in Chicago sounds like it will be off the hook.
Performances are expected from Stevie Wonder, Bono and the Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Eddie Vedder, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Christina Aguilera, and the Roots.
Unlike Trump’s failed Milli Vanilli show with D list performers. Yeah, they couldn’t get Milli or Vanilli.
The whole opening will be livestreamed on YouTube. We’ll pick it up here, too.
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Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama speak at Presidential Center Stakeholder Reception.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West apparently don’t believe in them.
The former husband and wife are sending their 13 year old daughter, North West, on a 13 stop rapping tour this August.
She will open for a 21 year old named Molly Santana, who I hope is no relation to Carlos.
This kid obviously is not going to school, or playing field hockey, or riding a bike.
In a press release, North West — wearing a bright blue wig and sporting a grill — is described as a “13-year-old producer and artist…She released her debut single “PIERCING ON MY HAND” in February and made a surprise live performance of the song during Ye’s sold-out Sofi show. Prior to her solo music, North has collaborated on releases from FKA Twigs, Lil Novi, and skaiwater. North is set to make her festival performance debut at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash in Chicago June 12th. Despite her young age, North West has also already gained a reputation as a fashion icon, with her unique and stylish outfits regularly making headlines and inspiring trends.”
It’s no surprise that Kim and Kanye have turned into negligent parents. You’d think someone around them would put a stop to this nonsense now. The couple has three more kids, and I’m sure they’re figuring out how to exploit them already.
Here’s the garbage being spewed by these self aggrandizing people:
“Toy Story 5” brings the Pixar franchise, which started 30 plus years ago, to an emotional, profound full circle. Somehow that makes it relevant today and yet continues where they started.
“Toy Story 5” — written and directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris — picks up after the events of the fourth installment, which ended with Woody departing the group to help abandoned toys find new owners alongside Bo Peep. In his absence, Buzz and Jessie the Cowgirl stepped up as leaders of Bonnie’s playroom. Woody comes back into the fold when an iPad-like tablet named Lilypad disrupts the group’s dynamic, forcing the whole gang to reunite for a new adventure.
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack return to their iconic roles, joined by a clever Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants. The filmmakers wisely give Jesse the story she deserves. She and Woody go on a similar journey of discovering what the life cycle of a toy really is. No matter what age you are, the audience will relate to finding meaning in your own self -worth; that you are valuable and not useless.
Cusack’s Jesse knows that she and the other toys agonize about being abandoned. Then she realizes that the same thing happens with devices because devices get better and shinier and the old ones get thrown away, too. The film appeals to all because of the nostalgia factor and the relatability of any age. What is indeed our purpose in life? How do we deal with change of being tossed aside?
Yes, there is the reality that because of devices, kids will abandon their toys. Toys will always triumph because this film touchingly shows that as long as children use their imagination they will always have play time with their magical toys. Taylor Swift’s song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which she played at the premiere, fits beautifully in the film. (At the premiere, Taylor also joined Randy Newman for a duet for his famed hit, “You Got A Friend In Me.”)
Is there going to be a ‘Toy Story 6’? An insider told me that, “Yeah, we can go from kid to kid. and have new adventures.” For now, ‘Toy Story 5’ is a poignant, genuinely moving film which will appeal to all ages and is destined to become another Pixar classic.
Taylor Swift spent the overnight hours last night at Electric Lady Studios, the famed home of Jimi Hendrix on West 8th St.
There’s video her coming and going.
The word is that pals Alana Haim and Benny Blanco were there, too.
Are they rehearsing for her big wedding show at MSG? Probably. Are they making a record? Knowing Taylor, they could be making two! Or three!
TMZ says that a big stage is being built at Madison Square Garden for the post-wedding ceremony concert. I told you a few days ago, I’ve confirmed that the whole staff at MSG is talking only about the wedding and show. It should be a blast. As I wrote, both Jack Antonoff and the Bleachers, and the National, have no shows that night on July 3rd. They would be among the performers.
But don’t sleep on Travis Kelce and his brother going up the microphone. By the end of the night, even Patrick Mahomes will be quarterbacking a number!
Taylor Swift leaving Electric Lady Studios at 6AM after staying there for about 9 HOURS! pic.twitter.com/3OzOAsUyYq
Lots of changes for the Grammy Awards this morning.
For Album of the Year, the amount of original material is reduced to just 66%.
Best New Artists can be submitted four times until something clicks. This works out the problem of indie artists going to labels, and unrecognized label artists catching on with their third or fourth release.
There’s a special category for K Pop and Asian records.
Some of the R&B categories have changed to reflect featured and guest stars on records.
Gotta change with the times!
PS In Best Traditional Pop Performance this year, it’s going to be all about Paul McCartney, and also the Rolling Stones. Watch for Andrew Watt to receive Best Producer, Non-Classical.
NEW CATEGORIES Best Asian Pop Music Performance
This Category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).
Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance*
This Category recognizes excellence in contemporary R&B performances for works by established duos or groups, as well as collaborative works between solo artists, duos and groups. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
This Category recognizes excellence in singles and tracks that consist of a type and style of song and/or performance that cannot properly be intermingled with present forms of pop music. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).
Best Traditional Folk Album**
This Category recognizes excellence in albums of traditional folk recordings. Awards are presented to artist(s), producer(s), engineer(s)/mixer(s), and songwriter(s) of new songs, if other than artist(s), of greater than 50% playing time on the album.
Best Latin Song
This Category recognizes the achievement of songwriters for newly written Latin songs predominantly in the Spanish language (at least 51% of the lyrics). Awards are presented to the songwriter(s) of new material.
*With the addition of this new category, the Best R&B Performance Category has been revised and renamed Best R&B Solo Performance.
**With the addition of this new category, the Best Folk Album Category has been revised and renamed Best Contemporary Folk Album.
DEFINITION, ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA UPDATES Best New Artist
Category description language and guidelines have been refined and a maximum number of times an artist may be submitted increased from three to four. These updates provide greater clarity around an artist’s impact during the eligibility period and more flexibility in the number of times an artist can submit, reflecting the evolving nature of artist development.
Album Eligibility
The threshold of new recordings required on an eligible album is lowered from 75% to 66% to reduce the exclusion of entries that are widely recognized throughout the music industry as new albums.
Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album
Internet-only releases are eligible in Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album if the additional materials and album notes are part of the commercial download, ensuring albums released solely in digital form remain eligible for consideration.
Songwriters and Composers Recognition Expansion
Songwriters and Composers of new material on the winning albums in most genre album Categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates in parity with the recognition currently afforded to Producers and Engineers in those categories.
Soon, around a dozen plays and musicals will be gone. Some exits were planned up front. Some are sad surprises.
The latest news is that “Celebrity Autobiography” is done on June 21. They were supposed to stay through August.
This show should NEVER have been on Broadway. Its whole charm was being off and off off Broadway. It was a cool secret that demanded small houses. Whoever thought to put in the Shubert Theater was smoking something good.
Hopefully creators Eugene Pask and Dayle Reyfel can return to their origins.
“CA” has a rotating cast of dozens — way too many — and dozens of investors. But last week it played to empty houses — 27% capacity. There was no way they’d have made it through the summer.
Other shows closing or closed now are “Beaches,” “Chess,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Fallen Angels,” “Moulin Rouge,” “The Fear of 13,” not to mention the great limited run comedies “The Balusters” and “Becky Shaw.”
“Ragtime,” sadly will also wrap up in August after many extensions. New shows will come, and somehow “Chicago” will hang on, but this is definitely a course correction.
Ticket prices are way too high. Going to theater, in your car, paying tolls and a congestion fee plus parking, with a babysitter at home, having a modest meal — can cost $1,000. That has got to change. And fast! And, no, Mayor Mamdani, no one is biking to the theater with sandwiches made from home. Get real.
