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NYC Wrap Up: Jane Fonda’s Boswell, French Cinema Pix

Roger Friedman
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NYC Wrap Up: Jane Fonda’s Boswell, French Cinema Pix

Jane Fonda‘s biographer, Patricia Bosworth, was saluted last night by Broadway producer Judy Gordon on the Upper East Side. Patti’s book, “Jane Fonda: The Public Life of a Private Woman,” is a New York Times bestseller, the latest of Bosworth’s many terrific tomes (do read her much acclaimed bios of Montgomery Clift, Diane Arbus, and of her own father, the lawyer for the Hollywood Ten). Gordon’s A list guests included famed actor Michael Murphy, Kathryn Altman (widow of famed director Robert Altman), author Stephen Schlesinger and his legendary mom Alexandra, former French Vogue editor Joan Juliet Buck, Olympic champ and sports analyst Dick Button, writer David Black, famed director (and yes, the father) Robert Downey Sr., legendary Broadway and “Saturday Night Live” choreographer Pat Birch, producer Dennis Grimaldi, and writer-producer Maria Cooper Janis (who also happens to be the lovely daughter of Gary Cooper). After the party, a few of the guests repaired to Elio’s on the Upper East Side where we reminisced about the much missed Elaine Kaufman. Elio, owner of the restaurant, once worked for Elaine. His restaurant, long established down the street, is one of its successors…(Note to Elaine, who considered Elio a traitor: we have to eat somewhere!)…

…Meanwhile: until October 4th, you can see the startlingly wonderful photographs taken by France’s most treasured film export (and expert) Catherine Verret at the Furman Gallery in Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. Catherine is well known to the New York film crowd as the doyenne of French cinema in this city. Her photography turns out to have been a hidden second career. The exhibit, “New York Mon Amour: A View of French Cinema,” includes Jeanne Moreau. Charlotte Gainsbourg. Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Jean Reno and many others. It’s very interesting since Catherine has been responsible for almost 40 years for exposing America to French film through UniFrance and the French Film Office. She was celebrated last week with a magnificent reception at the French embassy on Fifth Avenue in the landmark former Payne Whitney mansion designed by Stanford White. (Yes, those Whitneys.)  PS In real life, so to speak, Catherine is long married to Pierre Vimont, the former French ambassador to the United States…

Erin Burnett Gets the CNN Top Brass Out for Her Debut

Roger Friedman
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Erin Burnett Gets the CNN Top Brass Out for Her Debut

Erin Burnett is about to take over CNN’s 7pm spot, and everyone is happy about it. On Tuesday night, the top brass from CNN tossed Erin quite a lovely pre-debut gala at Robert restaurant on Columbus Circle that was so packed with important peeps that it was almost frightening. My favorite moment: talking to Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman and journalist Judith Miller, when all of a sudden a man arrived bringing Zuckerman a glass of liquid refreshment from the bar. It was none other than JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon, who’d volunteered to snake through the packed room and return with beverages. How incredibly helpful!

And then Time Magazine’s John Huey and CNN’s Greg D’Alba were chatting, while Anderson Cooper, Erin Moriarty, ABC News’s Bill Blakemore, and Dan Abrams were all milling about. CNN was represented by chiefs Ken Jautz and Mark Whitaker, who greeted veteran White House reporter Bob Jamiesen, Connie Chung and Maury Povich, Gerry Byrne, Jill Brooke, Jami Floyd, Bonnie Fuller, CNN.com’s Susan Grant, Joy Behar and Piers Morgan. There was much talk about how well CNN is doing, beating MSNBC and finally gathering a head of steam under its new regime– a relief after a couple of years of reorganization.

Erin Burnett, by the way, is smart — and fun. Her show may indeed by the lynchpin CNN needed now that their other shows–Cooper’s 360, Piers Morgan etc–have all fallen into place.

PS Network news correspondents don’t always get a lot of attention. But I really loved meeting Bill Blakemore, who’s been at ABC a long, long time doing great features. It turns out he’s a big of Stanley Kubrick and is something of a Shakespeare fan. Who knew?

Exclusive: Sly Stone is NOT Homeless (Update)

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Sly Stone is NOT Homeless (Update)

Rock icon Sly Stone is NOT homeless even though he’s living in a van. The New York Post story that’s caused such a sensation was paid for by the writer of the piece. I can tell you both of these truths are according to a source close to Stone. This isn’t to say that Sly–real name Sylvester Stewart–isn’t in perilous financial shape. It’s also not to say that his $50 million lawsuit against former manager Jerry Goldstein isn’t valid. I’ve been writing about Goldstein’s abuse of Stone for years–I wrote about it in the New York Post at least 15 years ago.

And Goldstein is famous for his financial problems with former clients–the group War is primary among them. But just to clarify–Sly is living in that van by his own choice. My source says that Sly’s attorney, Robert Alan, rented him a very nice home in Woodland Hills, California with four bedrooms, a pool, etc. (Alan declined to comment.) Sly just refuses to go there. Another friend tells me, “Sly always liked living in Winnebagos. He never liked being in a house.”

Indeed, Stone is going to look at a couple of new vans this week, I’m told. And it’s not like he’s living in a beat up panel van. His accommodations are fine for what they are. “He’s too paranoid to come inside,” says a friend. This is the result of 40 years of drug abuse.

But this is the way Stone has operated for more than 25 years–sell anything for quick cash.

There’s so much more about his lawsuit against Goldstein that will come to light soon. Once depositions are completed, and a trial date is set, things will get very interesting.

 

Tony Bennett Hits #1, Beats Demi Lovato and all the Young Kids

Roger Friedman
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Tony Bennett Hits #1, Beats Demi Lovato and all the Young Kids

Tony Bennett’s “Duets II” comes in at number 1 this week. It sold over 166,000 copies according to hitsdailydouble.com, beating Adele, Demi Lovato, Lady Antebellum and all the kids in the top 10. Bennett is 85 years young, so this some achievement. The only older act out there right now is Doris Day, who’s having a hit in the UK and soon here with her “My Heart” album. Bennett almost got himself in trouble last week with odd comments about 9-11 he made on the Howard Stern radio show. But the combination of the album’s strengths, Bennett’s good will, and the pr effect of his 85th birthday celebration at the Metropolitan Opera really helped. He’s also getting a pr boost from Amy Winehouse’s final recording. Congrats, Tony! “Duets II” is on its way to the Grammy awards, and probably Album of the Year.

“Gotti” Casts for 80 Roles, Including Sammy the Bull and “Veal Chop”

Roger Friedman
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“Gotti” Casts for 80 Roles, Including Sammy the Bull and “Veal Chop”

“Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father,” has sent out a casting call for 80 roles. The Barry Levinson-directed film, produced by Marco Fiore aka Marc Fiore (see this column: http://tinyurl.com/5u5mxx9), has also added writer James Toback and a man named Salvatore Carpanzano as executive producers. Toback is highly regarded and well established. Salvatore J. Carpanzano, touted as an “international business man who’s helping with the financing of the film,” has no movie credits but a very colorful resume within the judicial system nonetheless. The only references to a Salvatore Carpanzano anywhere on the internet all involve lawsuits and arrests.

As for the 8o roles: several are for children, but there are plenty of spots for adults. They’re casting the whole Gotti family (the Von Trapps of 2012) including Grandma (her nickname is “Fresh Mouth”), plus faves like Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Anthony “Gas Pipe” Casso, Vinnie “Veal Chop” Lombardo, and Tony “Roach” Rampino (description: “he enjoys breaking heads”). There will also be real life types like Gotti attorney Bruce Cutler, nasty hotel owner Leona Helmsley (she apparently held a screening for the Gottis in her hotel kept the FBI out), and Mike Wallace of “60 Minutes” portrayed in “Gotti.”

Sounds like fun!

 

Rock Hall 2012: No Sting or Bon Jovi, But The Cure Makes the Cut

Roger Friedman
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Rock Hall 2012: No Sting or Bon Jovi, But The Cure Makes the Cut

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has issued its list of nominees for 2012, and it’s a doozy. No Sting or Bon Jovi, but plenty of stale weirdness. Among the oddest choices: new wave pop group The Cure, rappers The Beastie Boys, and Eric B. and Rakim, and disco queen Donna Summer. On the holdover list from ballots past: Donovan (who’d have gotten in 25 years ago if anyone would vote for him), the deceased Laura Nyro (who makes almost every ballot just for kicks), Freddie King. The Spinners--well, they’ve waited so long there almost are no Spinners; Rufus with Chaka Khan–a strange choice; War– a good choice, and then a clutch of middling rockers: Heart, Guns ‘N Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and one stand out–Joan Jett.

There’s also the oddest one: The Small Faces/The Faces, which was probably chosen so that Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood could be exhumed for the ceremony. There’s no Sting, no Bon Jovi (and I’m told they are not pleased at all at this point). Steve Cropper‘s bid to get the 5 Royales in by making an entire all star album of their music– called “Dedicated”– fell on the deaf ears of the Jann Wenner run nominating committee.

The Cure? Eric B. and Rakim? It’s a joke. Look. I love one Cure single–“Just Like Heaven.” Two percent of the population even knows who they are, maybe apart from “Friday I’m In Love.” Why not Billy Idol? And still, not in the Hall, and never to be I guess at this point, are Chicago, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, The Moody Blues, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, the 5 Royales, Mary Wells, Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren, and so on. (Fill in the blanks.)

One irony: The Cure and the Spinners are each led by men named Robert Smith. The Spinners’ Bobbie Smith–who I’m sure has never heard of The Cure– is one of two original members of that group who are still active. He’s 75 and sang lead on most of their hits. Most of the past Spinners are in heaven including Phillippe Wynne, who sang the lead on a lot of those hits. But it would be nice to show some respect and vote them in already. Other than that, my guesses for finalists would be Donovan, Guns ‘N Roses (just for the drama of Axl Rose and Slash at each others’ throats), Laura Nyro (enough already), War, and Joan Jett.

All in all: blech.

PS Joel Peresman, the exec in charge of this catastrophe, earned $500,000 last year according to the group’s latest tax filing. Nice work if you can get it.

 

Whitney Houston to Sing Gospel Songs in “Sparkle”

Roger Friedman
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2
Whitney Houston to Sing Gospel Songs in “Sparkle”

Exclusive: The remake of “Sparkle” is on the road to starting next month. Whitney Houston, already announced, will play Jordin Sparks‘s mother. In this version, Whitney’s character will not be a maid but a former R&B star who’s gone back to the church. I am told that Whitney will sing two gospel songs in the film.

The rest of the soundtrack is divided between the original Curtis Mayfield songs and four new songs from R. Kelly. Added to the cast: pop star Cee Lo Green, and actor Derek Luke. Debra Martin Chase and Howard Rosenman are producing, Salim Akil is directing from a script by his wife, Mara Brock Akil. “Sparkle” will be released by TriStar/Sony in 2012 or 2013 at the latest, not 2014 as stated in the imdb.

And what about Whitney? My source say she’s in great shape, and never looked better.

Exclusive: Alana Stewart Responds to Critics of Farrah Fawcett Foundation

Roger Friedman
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0
Exclusive: Alana Stewart Responds to Critics of Farrah Fawcett Foundation

Alana Stewart just sent us this message:

I would like to make a few statements regarding the inquiry by The California Attorney General’s Office into the Farrah Fawcett Foundation.

First, the Farrah Fawcett Foundation welcomes any and all inquiries into the operations and management of our works and endeavors towards keeping the memory and legacy of my dear friend, Farrah Fawcett, alive. I have insisted upon transparency within the Foundation since its inception and we will remain transparent.

Secondly, I have taken on this initiative impeccably and honorably with the single goal of ensuring that Farrah’s wishes of funding alternative methods of cancer research, clinical trials, prevention and awareness were met, as well as helping people who are suffering from cancer presently. To date, the Foundation has made great strides towards meeting this objective and assisted a great many needy individuals lacking the means or wherewithal to afford proper and adequate medical attention. We will continue to do so.

Third, there has been a plethora of misinformation in the media spread by a few disgruntled ex- employees of Ms. Fawcett’s, looking to bring down the Foundation for their own self-serving and misguided needs.

Let me be clear, The California Attorney General’s Office is not looking into nor has there been any mention by them of “fraud,” “mismanagement of funds,” or “diversion of assets” by the Farrah Fawcett Foundation as has been widely and erroneously reported in the media. The story was started by Jim Vojtech for ABC News who named Gregg Lott, a convicted felon who has done prison time in Texas, as one of his sources.  Mr. Vojtech used the above wording, “fraud, etc.” which is absolutely untrue. The California Attorney General’s office is conducting a “correspondence audit”, which I understand is a relatively routine process that is typically resolved  simply by providing the information requested and once that is done, the matter is closed.
Let me state emphatically, everything has been followed to the letter of the law by myself and the employees of The Farrah Fawcett Foundation. The foundation was formed by Ms. Fawcett herself with Jane Peebles, one of the most knowledgeable and respected foundation attorneys in the state. Ms Peebles still oversees the Foundation and advises us on every transaction and the running of the Foundation. It has always been my goal to follow the wishes of Farrah and to run the Foundation professionally and to the letter of the law.
I am convinced that the correspondence audit  will prove once and for all the absence of any impropriety whatsoever, and the complete and utter integrity of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. It is my hope that people will continue to support the work of the Foundation and that they will not pay attention to false, unsubstantiated statements spread by malicious individuals.

Farrah Fawcett’s Foundation Is Ok Despite Report

Roger Friedman
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0

No good deed goes unpunished. Plant a story on the inter-web and watch it grow! By Sunday night, the world probably thought the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, started by the late star and run by her best friend, was in hot water with the California State Attorney General. But it’s not true. The Farrah Fawcett Foundation received a typical letter from the California AG office for an audit. They complied. The beginning of the letter is attached to this story, obtained exclusively here.

Alana Stewart, Fawcett’s best friend and co-producer of the hit documentary that aired on NBC before she died, takes umbrage. She tells me the churning of the waters has to do with a couple of disgruntled exes–an employee and a past boyfriend of Farrah’s–and of a former business partner who didn’t get his way. Indeed, I’ve checked the three published Form 990s for the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, and they are fine. There is no malfeasance.

For the next filing, Stewart says we’ll see a couple of changes. She is now taking the meager sum of $60,000 a year as a salary. Plus, the foundation finally moved into regular offices, so a rent increase is shown. Saya Alana: “In 2009, we had no offices. They took two old office rooms in the building and made them into a great office, construction, decorating etc. was an expense, but a reasonable one. Is that what you mean? They started construction the latter part of 2009, I believe.”

Otherwise, the FF Foundation — spurred by Fawcett’s bequest of over $3 million in 2009– is on its way.

Indeed, the FF Foundation has already given away $85,000 in 2009, and closer to $250,000 in 2010. Their recipients include a research doctor in whom Fawcett placed her trust; The Angeles Clinic in Los Angeles; and Texas’s MD Anderson Center. Says Alana, who became a grandmother five weeks ago: “Everything we’ve done has been done to the letter of the law and overseen by the foundation attorney who Farrah originally formed the foundation with (in 2006, 2 mos. after she was diagnosed with cancer). We have all backup for everything. The foundation doesn’t do any of the book keeping or check writing. It’s all done by the treasurer, one of her business managers.”

Ironically, Alana did not receive any money from Farrah in the “Charlie’s Angels” star’s will. Bequests were made to the foundation, to Fawcett’s son and nephew, and to one other person– Greg Lott, a long ago boyfriend, for $100,000. It’s Lott who insisted in wire reports that the Foundation was being investigated. Lott and few others, Stewart says, have banded together on Facebook to try and malign her and the work the Foundation is doing. Stewart says she’s contacted powerhouse attorneys Howard Weitzman and Marty Singer, particularly about a nasty Facebook posting which smears her own biography.

 

FFF.AG.letter-515x325

 

Roberta Flack Kills The Beatles Softly With their Songs

Roger Friedman
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Roberta Flack Kills The Beatles Softly With their Songs

Roberta Flack’s Beatles album is ready. I think I first reported this project in the 1870s. But it turns out, it was worth waiting for. The first “single,” an ingenious cover of “We Can Work It Out,” is ready tomorrow. You can hear it at this website address for now: http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/pressclips/newreleases/robertaflack/newreleases.html.

The Flack-Beatles project came about as an idea with Sony/ATV Music to help revive Beatles songs in new formats. At first there was talk of it coming out on Sony, or on a Sony/ATV label. But now Flack is signed to 429 Records, the same indie company that released Robbie Robertson’s excellent new album, “How to Become Clairvoyant.” Their other artists include many faves like Marshall Crenshaw, Joan Armatrading, Dr. John and Steve Cropper’s current rave up of Five Satins’ songs, produced by Jon Tiven.

One of the principals of 429 is Strauss Zelnick, who was head of BMG Group ten years ago and got snarled up in the whole Clive Davis-J Records saga. Zelnick left and became a star in the video game world. The Beatles album–which will be released by Sony in Japan–hits stores next February. In the meantime, there are three terrific tracks.

By the way, among Roberta Flack’s greatest accomplishments is her Arif Mardin produced album with Donny Hathaway on Atlantic Records. If you don’t know it, get it now from amazon or ITunes or wherever. Their version of “You’ve Got a Friend” is the best of all.

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