Monday, November 18, 2024
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Motown Rules as Friars Toast Smokey Robinson

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A great New York night: the Friars Club took over the Waldorf Astoria main ballroom and toasted Motown’s Smokey Robinson and Steiner Studios founder David Steiner.

Steiner probably drew the big donor crowd, which was fine. He’s a lovely guy. But it was Smokey who brought the music. The Supremes’ Mary Wilson, a glamorous and stunning 66 years young, paid tribute by bringing the house down with “I Am Changing” from Dreamgirls, Norah Jones’s “Don’t Know Why,” and invited the audience on stage for a singalong on “Stop! In the Name of Love.”

The Temptations–all new members along with founder Otis Williams–performed songs Smokey wrote for the group during their heyday including (my all time favorite) “Since I Lost My Baby.” Paul Shaffer described Robinson’s “My Girl” as the greatest pop composition ever from the rock era. Well, it does stand tall with just a few others, maybe, including “Hey Jude,” “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Allen Toussaint brought a little New Orleans to the proceedings with his own funky versions of “Tracks of My Tears” and “I Second that Emotion.”

The Friars night was hosted by legendary comedian Freddie Roman, who is always a hit, and ornamented by hilarious Friar Stewie Stone. Tracey Morgan made an appearance, was subdued most of the night with his 18 year old son in attendance. Is he anything like Tracey Jordan, his character on “30 Rock,” I asked? “Like Tracey, No,” Morgan said, “I’m much wilder.”

Also in the audience: Mike Stoller, songwriter with Jerry Lieber of so many classic rock hits, with wife Corky. And a big highlight was a rare performance by Chuck Jackson, the great R&B hit maker of the 60s and Robinson’s close friend. Chuck belted out “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and his own smash, “Any Day Now” with his still stunning baritone.

Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell performed for Steiner, showing off his Tony award winning range on “The Impossible Dream.”

An odd no-show for the night was Jerry Lewis, whom the Friars say sent a message last week that he was coming and to save him a spot. He just never materialized.

Oprah Winfrey sent a video taped message for Smokey which was played toward the end of the evening. She was so excited that she attempted to sing a couple of lines from his songs. “Keep your day job,” Freddie Roman cracked wise as the video ended.

With all the talent assembled in the room, still the sweetest sound of the night: Smokey himself singing lead on the big group ending “My Girl.” His beautiful tenor falsetto is completely intact. It’s not just sweet, but hypnotic. Smokey is just a rare treasure. I did ask him for whom he wrote “My Girl.”  He replied, “The Temptations.” I said, “No, who’s the girl?” thinking it was his first wife, Claudette. “I honestly don’t know,” he said, with a laugh.

Madonna: Lady GaGa Either Rips Her off or Salutes Her

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niqrrmev4mA&feature=player_embedded

Is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery?

Madonna must be trying to control all of her emotions right now on this subject. Photographer Steven Klein, who’s worked with Madonna a lot in the past, is the director of Lady GaGa‘s new eight and a half minute video “Alejandro.”

Eyes closed, “Alejandro” certainly sounds just like a Madonna record, from top to bottom. Stephanie Germanotta‘s voice is processed just the way Madonna’s was during her the late 80s and early 90s, from “Express Yourself” and “Like a Prayer” through “Justify My Love.”

But open your eyes, and Lady GaGa and Klein are just regurgitating “Vogue” or “Justify My Love.” We’ve been here, he’s been here, only Ms. Germanotta hasn’t been here. The only thing completely different about her Madonna worship is that GaGa plays the piano herself. She may even be writing the songs.

Isn’t it funny that no one thought to totally rip off Madonna years ago? I guess one obstacle was the money needed to make such an enterprise successful. But Germanotta obviously has convinced her backers this is the moment for Madonna redux. It has to be embarrassing for Klein, who must know that he’s made either a Madonna rip off or a tribute. I guess it will depend on how he spins it to the Original GaGa.

“Variety” Revives Ancient Greek Legislator in Headline

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Variety, ever hoping to stay current, has revived an ancient Greek politician in their headlines today.

The lead story in the Hollywood trade mag may confuse young readers. “Solons Hammer Comcast on Diversity” is the ‘top story’ on Variety.com which is pushed out to subscribers.

Now, it’s not “salons” as in beauty parlors or cocktail parties with glib talk.

Solon was the original Greek politician, circa 1600 BC. He was credited with massive reforms in various areas, and left a lasting imprint.

The term “solons” became shorthand for politicians or legislators as American journalism took off in the 1930s. It was simply short headlines in narrow columns. However, no respectable paper still uses it. “Solons” reeks of mustiness and corniness. I don’t think I’ve actually seen it used in a modern report since 1970.

But there it is today, in Variety. Everything old is new again. Solon –wherever he is–must be thrilled to be included in the same breath as Sandra Bullock and other names of the day! Maybe he’ll hire a publicist. Soon Solons will be appearing in US Weekly, at radaronline, and The Wrap. Deadline Hollywood already is speculating that Solon will get a pilot on the CW. Welcome back!

Helen Thomas Complete “Palestine” Video: Sad Ending

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc4OeRu7cfs&feature=player_embedded

The full video with Helen Thomas is not that much longer than the original. But Rabbi David Nesenoff has put up the full one minute and fifty eight seconds.

After the 89 year old tells him the Jews should return to Poland or Germany, Nesenoff asks Thomas if she’s familiar with the Palestinian religion. She answers in the affirmative. “Very much. I’m of Arab background.

More poignantly, Nesenoff asks Thomas whether she’d recommend journalism as a career to his son and the son’s friend, who are standing there wearing yarmulkes. “Go for journalism,” she tells the young men as she walks away. “You’ll never regret it.”

The story of Thomas’s downfall this week is one that will not soon be forgotten. It boggles the mind that she managed to go so long in the White House press corps, where her opinions were apparently well known, without being exposed. I suppose part of it is that she was for dozens of years associated with a moribund organization, UPI, which was proud to have any employee who had any connections left in Washington.

“Mad Men” Secrets for Season 4: Security is Tight

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Want to know what happens in season 4 of “Mad Men”? Even the cast is held to top, top secrecy.

Apparently before every read-through of a script, the cast and crew are read a reminder that they are part of something lucrative and that their confidentiality is required.

Consequently, everyone is scared to talk, about the smallest detail.

Little is known so far, and the production has only now just wrapped Episode 5, of 13.

This much is gleaned: the show picks up more or less right after it ended in Season 3. It’s the beginning of 1964. This could mean the arrival of The Beatles in America and on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It’s also the start of color TV.

The first new episode is called “Public Relations.” The second is titled “Distress Signal,” followed by “The Fine Print,” and “Dominion.”

If there are guest stars, they are being kept under wraps. Listed as appearing in the two shows are the main cast members, as well as some minor players like Allison, Don’s secretary from last season. There’s no listing for Bryan Batt, who played the popular closeted gay art director Sal. But that doesn’t mean a thing. There’s also listing for Henry Francis, Betty’s lover.

But a new young ad man may be introduced in the person Blake Bashoff as Matt Kerney. Bashoff most recently had a minor but recurring role on “Lost.”

Episode 4, “Dominion,” was directed by award winner John Slattery, who plays witty Roger Sterling.

And while Betty, Peggy, Joan, Roger Sterling, Bert Cooper and Pete, Paul and Harry are all listed for each of the episodes, and possibly Jared Harris‘s Lane Pryce, the show is still about one man: Don Draper. If Jon Hamm doesn’t win the Emmy this August for Best Actor, something really is very, very wrong. Not since George Clooney has a TV actor looked so ready to jump to the big screen. The Emmy voters won’t have many more seasons to show they knew him first.

The Emmys should prove a boon to “Mad Men” since the nominations are announced on July 8th, a week before the sizzling drama returns to AMC. Nomination wise, Hamm is a cinch for Best Actor. January Jones is a lock for Best Actress. Elizabeth Moss may wind up settling for Supporting Actress. But both she and Christina Hendricks had diminished screen time this year. John Slattery and Bobby Morse look good for supporting actor, although Vincent Cartheiser‘s Pete had the great Russian au pair episode.

And “Mad Men” had plenty of good guest star parts including Jared Harris –who’s now presumably been promoted to regular cast member–and Chelcie Ross as Conrad Hilton.

Michael Fassbender: Choice Between Spider Man and X Men

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Michael Fassbender had a hot year last year, in Quentin Tarantino‘s “Inglourious Basterds,” and in Steve McQueen‘s “The Hunger.”

He also proved himself a good dancer in Cannes with Robin Wright Penn at the big “Basterds” party.

Now Fassbender is in–as his “Basterds” David Nivenish character might say, a bit of a pickle.

He’s being pursued, I hear, for two different Marvel comics movies. Matthew Vaughn is said to want him for “X Men: First Class.” Fassbender would play young Magneto, the precursor for Ian McKellen‘s later character. (Because of early senility, I mixed Magneto up with Professor X/Charles Xavier in an earlier version of this story. This is also largely due to my hearing Paul McCartney singing “Magneto and Titanium Man” in my head. Sorry.) James McAvoy is already signed to play Young Xavier.

At the same time, Fassbender is being pursued to play the villain in “Spider Man 4,”  aka “No Toby Maguire Here.”

Two different movies from Marvel, but two different studios: Fox for the first, and Columbia for the second. He can’t do both.

Either way, Fassbender can’t lose. He’s got four films coming out in 2010 alone including “Jonah Hex.” By the time he’s a supercomic villain, he’ll be a bona fide movie star.

Empire State of Blog: Keitel Sups, Soap Spoofs, IPad Scares

Yes, that was Harvey Keitel having dinner at the Waverly Inn the other night. The Waverly remains the hot spot of the West Village despite losing our pal, chef John deLucie to the new Lion, east of Sixth Avenue…

Hilarious: “One Life to Live” ‘s ad-libbing Tuc Watkins got a dig in on Scientology on Monday, claimed he was the minister who married Tom and Katie, and wore Joseph’s amazing technicolor dreamcoat from a road production; the show played Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming” during a great wedding episode as well. Star Bobby Woods (pictured) is a big friend/fan of legend Sam Moore

…Megabillionaire Ron Burkle seen at T-Bar at Savanna‘s in Southampton…No idea if his Miramax deal is on or off…Phillippe Chow in Easthampton hosted an eclectic group: Blackstone Group’s Stephen Schwartzman, Stavros Niarchos, Vito Schnabel, Devon Aoki, and deejay Paul Oakenfold…Not, believe me, at the same table…

Vice President Joe Biden‘s Secret Service shacked up at the Southampton Inn and had lunch at the restaurant Oso. Where was Biden? Being Vice President…

…the new food destination for those heading back to the city from the Hamptons is Gregory Baumell‘s amazing Stone Turtle in Island Park, just off the L.I.E. past Rockville Centre. Baumell is the star who made the Half King such a hit in Chelsea…He serves something called a Chocolate Ashtray stuffed with vanilla ice cream…

…Last Friday night, stopped into the Apple store on Fifth Avenue around 1:40am after decamping Elaine‘s. Manager Amy insisted she’d never heard that AT&T’s unlimited data plan was ending on Sunday. I told her it had been in the New York Times. “Unless Apple tells us so, I don’t know anything about it.” IPads may be the greatest thing ever invented, but those staffers come off like cult members…Weird…

And like the Lost City of Atlantis, AT&T World Net Service disappeared a few days ago. AT&T fobbed off their email business on Yahoo. No notice to the customers. The result was that all Blackberry’s and other devices were disconnected and had to be re-validated. I lost all the emails on my Blackberry. There is no one to call. The AT&T 800 number is gone. Email to the press rep, one Mark A. Siegel, went unanswered…

Update: Helen Thomas Resigns, Leaves White House Press Corps

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Helen Thomas has retired. Her career ends in disgrace thanks to comments she made on May 27th to Rabbi David Nesenoff at a White House event.

Thomas was criticized today at a White House press briefing. Here’s the link: http://www.politico.com/singletitlevideo.html?bcpid=19407224001&bctid=90405445001

The New York Times, which did not even mention what was going on previously, now reports the story online.

The Times has simply ignored the entire Thomas fiasco, even though: Thomas’s lecture agent has dropped her, her co-author has disavowed her, and there’s an open letter to her in today’s Jerusalem Post.

The Times–and all the New York newspapers–have completely ignored the fact that man who interviewed Thomas and posted the now infamous video on You Tube is a rabbi who lives right here on Long Island. Considering how much the papers want to increase their local coverage, you’d think they’d be camped out on Rabbi David Nesenoff‘s front yard. Nada.

See the video at www.rabbilive.com.

The last reference to Rabbi Nesenoff in the New York Times was in 1996.

Maybe it didn’t happen. Maybe the eldest member of the White House Press Corps didn’t insist on video that the Jews in Israel “get the hell out of Palestine” and return to “Poland or Germany.”

Meantime, the Times story today on jailed money manager Ken Starr reflects a complete lack of knowledge of anything in that story. Starr’s been in jail since June 1st, but the Times can only get movie director Robert Benton to say he can’t help but feel sorry for him. There’s curiously no mention of Starr’s business partner and connected at the hip pal, Marvin S. Rosen, former Democratic National Party fundraiser from 1995-97 for President Clinton.

Business writer Nelson Schwartz also somehow missed the point of the lawsuit brought by the estate of Joan Stanton against Starr. The other defendant was film producer and Planet Hollywood owner Keith Barish, who settled with the estate. Starr, the Stanton lawyers complained, had directed Stanton’s millions into Barish’s failing Planet Hollywood despite instructions not to make that investment. Barish isn’t even mentioned in today’s Times story.

As a Democrat and a liberal, I’d hate to think these omissions are because Thomas has stood for progressive politics and Rosen is a Democrat.

PS The Washington Post has equally avoided the Thomas story, making passing reference in a blog (written by someone from the Conservative right) and a short summary of it in Howard Kurtz’s column today.

Golden Globes Re-elect Same President for 8th Time

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Is it the Hollywood Foreign Press or Cuba? The organization that administers the Golden Globes has re-elected Philip Berk for the 8th time. And they’re proud of it.

Berk says he’s a correspondent for Australia’s FilmInk and Malaysia’s Galaxie magazine. The former carries just one of his stories, an interview with Johnny Depp, on its website, from 2008. The publisher, Dov Kornits, tells me via email this is because FilmInk’s website is really just news and reviews, and that Berk writes features for them.

FiilmInk has two other correspondents in Los Angeles and two more in New York. None of them belong to the Hollywood Foreign Press, only Berk.

Over at Galaxie, the only reference to Berk on their website is his role as Golden Globes president. Their correspondent posted a story about meeting Berk and his family in Berk’s Beverly Hilton Hotel suite on the day of the Globes. There’s also a long description of the backstage green room, to which no other press person is allowed.

According to Galaxie: “Furnishings in the Presenters Lounge include vintage Lalique pieces shipped from France valued at US$800,000 including an antique dining table from 1920 with the signature of Renea Lalique, exquisite furniture from Moura Starr including a leather sofa and black crystal coffee table valued at US$400,000, and hand-embroidered black and white silk drapes valued at US$25,000. There are also art masterpieces on loan from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and the Yehoshua Kovarsky Family Trust estimated to be worth more than US$1,000,000.  There are also bronze sculptures by famed sculptor Gilad Ben-Atzi in addition to a crystal chandelier.

“It’s only fitting that they be pampered with luxurious and glamorous accommodations before they venture on stage to present a Golden Globe before multimillions of viewers in 160 countries worldwide,” said Mr. Berk.”

He’s right; it’s only fitting.

Anywho, here’s a picture of a very happy President Berk backstage with Alfre Woodard and her daughter, Mavis, last season’s Miss Golden Globes. The HFPA pays its president approximately $72,000 a year.

The Berk election, by the way, was not without controversy. Berk lackey Jenny Cooney was not elected with him. Neither were a couple of other candidates whom the President endorsed. According to sources, Berk himself was unopposed as he is really serving the second year of a two year term. No word on the whereabouts of Berk waterboy Munawar Hosain, party animal extraordinaire.

Exclusive: Helen Thomas’s Rabbi- Interviewer Speaks

The rabbi-journalist who got the explosive interview with veteran reporter Helen Thomas spoke to me tonight exclusively.

Rabbi David Nesenoff is a journalist and filmmaker from Long Island who has his advanced degree from the Jewish Theological Seminar. He went to the White House on May 27th with his 17 year old son and the son’s 18 year old friend on a press pass. Both boys as well as the Rabbi wore yarmulkes and tsi-zit. They were obviously religious Jews.

And that’s what shocked Nesenoff when Helen Thomas told him — as he filmed her on his Flip camera– the Jews should “get the hell out” of Israel and go “home” to Poland or Germany–places they’d been tortured and killed in, and escaped from during the Holocaust.

“There’s anti-Semitism in the world,” Nesenoff told me. “And it’s sitting a foot from the president.”

Nesenoff says he isn’t aligned with any political party or ideology. He’s basically pro-Israel and is happy to meet any politician who agrees with him. Thomas surprised him, he says, because she knew who she was talking to. “She must have felt comfortable to just tell us how she felt.”

“It was shocking,” he said. The reason it took a week or more to post the video interview on his site, www.RabbiLive.com, or YouTube? “My 17 year old son is my webmaster and this week was finals,” he laughs. “So we had to wait.”

Nesenoff says there’s a little more that he’ll post, including a conversation with Thomas on the state of journalism. Once she made her “Poland” remarks, Nesenoff says there wasn’t much time to respond. Thomas was whisked away by a helper or page.

The Rabbi, by the way, has credentials: one film he worked on went to Sundance a few years ago, another garnered several prizes. A few years ago Nesenoff worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an intervention consultant on a famous racial hate crimes case with Denny’s.

More recently he’s consulted Mel Gibson on the aftermath of his DUI arrest and anti-Semitic crimes. The rabbi says, by the way, that Gibson still has not really apologized for what he did. “You can’t just say you’re sorry for what you’ve done. You have to become the Poster Boy for apology, and he hasn’t done it,” Nesenoff says.

As for Helen Thomas, Nesenoff is all for sitting down with her and talking this out. “I’m into expose and propose,” he says.