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Wednesday, April 2, 2025
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Farrah Fawcett Died One Year Ago Today, Too

Roger Friedman
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Farrah Fawcett Died One Year Ago Today, Too

Everyone is going ga-ga over the anniversary of Michael Jackson‘s death on Friday.

But today also marks the first year since the passing of Farrah Fawcett. Her death was a little overshadowed by Jackson’s last year.

Farrah was first and f0remost The Sex Symbol of the 1970s. But she went on to prove herself a dynamic actress who wasn’t afraid to take on challenges. As she got older, she allowed herself to be funny, goofy and mischievous. As good as she was in TV movies like “The Burning Bed” and “A Murder in Texas,” she was also hilarious in her short lived sitcom with Ryan O’Neal, “Good Sports.”

So let’s not forget Farrah today (even though the Oscars managed to last March). She was just as much a part of American pop culture as Michael Jackson, and a helluva lot prettier!

Michael Jackson Memorial Set for Friday Morning

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Memorial Set for Friday Morning

There’s a private memorial service set for Michael Jackson for tomorrow morning, Friday, June 25th, at Forest Lawn Glendale.

Michael’s brother, Randy, sent out the invites. The guests will include his brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joe Jackson will be there. Katherine Jackson will not. As I reported before, she and Michael’s kids are out of town to escape the circus like atmosphere already growing around the anniversary of Michael’s death.

Other guests will be similar to last year’s final funeral, including Jackson’s executors, his former lawyers like Tom Mesereau, and perhaps a few celebs like Macaulay Culkin. Otherwise, there will be no press this time. Last year, the first speaker was ex-con and Joe Jackson intimate Leonard Rowe. One can only hope there’s no repeat of that episode.

Rowe is not the only Joe Jackson crony lurking about these days. TMZ printed a picture today of Katherine Jackson with her business partner, Howard Mann. They failed to recognize the man on her left. It’s Lowell Henry, a one time “assistant” to Berry Gordy in the Motown days. Henry has somehow re-inveigled his way into the Jackson family. When I met him the other day at the Beverly Hilton–where he’s working on Saturday’s event–he tried to pretend he was someone else.

Hilarious. The cast of Joe Jackson supporting players never ceases to amaze me. Last year it was Marshall Thompson of the Chi Lites, wearing a wide brim white hat and a zoot suit, carrying Joe’s water.

Tom Cruise Film Flop: Meager $3.8 Million Opening for “Knight and Day”

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise Film Flop: Meager $3.8 Million Opening for “Knight and Day”

It’s bad news for Tom Cruise. “Knight and Day” took in only $3.8 million last night at the box office. The $100 million film now stands to make around $20 million, if 20th Century Fox is lucky, for the five day opening run.

What makes this worse than ever: Cruise’s last movie, the godawful “Valkyrie,” made $8.5 million on its opening day. Of course, it was Christmas, but still…”Valkyrie” didn’t even have Cameron Diaz in a bikini or fancy exotic locations.

After the millions Fox has spent to promote this thing, especially overseas, “K&D” is a disappointment, certainly. But there were warning signs, as I said last week: no U.S. premiere, and then the 500 sneak previews on Saturday.

Bad reviews didn’t help. “K&D” has registered only 52% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even those reviews counted as positive weren’t so good. They were stretching. And hyping “Jerry Maguire” in the TV ad quote has only made the studio seem more desperate.

Is Tom Cruise washed up? No, because no one ever is in Hollywood. Look at Elliot Spitzer. He spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on hookers while he was Governor of the State of New York. Now he’s gotten a prime time show on CNN.

But Cruise is going to have to do some serious re-thinking about his career and public stance. And it doesn’t mean more of the annoying and slightly anti-Semitic Les Grossman character.

To be continued…

Michael Jackson Finances: Bloomberg, Most Everyone Else Gets It Wrong

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson Finances: Bloomberg, Most Everyone Else Gets It Wrong

The proliferation of articles about Michael Jackson‘s finances is getting stronger as tomorrow approaches. Most of what you’re reading is incorrect.

The strangest story came today from Bloomberg News. It was titled, “Jackson Advisers to Keep Stake in Beatles Catalog.” It should have been followed by a story called, “The Sky Is Blue.”

There’s no question that Michael Jackson’s estate will continue to be a partner in Sony/ATV Music, the company that contains the Beatles catalog. And there’s no consideration about selling the fifty percent stake. I’m not sure how that became a headline.

For one thing, Michael’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, hold seats on the board of Sony/ATV. They’re not going to give those up. They represent power and a certain standing in the music business.

Second, even though Michael’s famous $500 million or so loans with Barclays come due this year, Sony Music will be right there to refinance them. Sony, as I’ve said in the past, has no interest in shutting Jackson down, etc. They’re in business now with Michael Jackson forever. Forever. And it’s a big business. On their bottom line, Michael Jackson CDs did better last year than almost any other acct. There’s an unlimited future in unreleased tracks and repackaging.

I was the first to write about Michael Jackson’s perilous financial state way back in 2001. It amuses me to see all these newcomers getting spun, especially by “financial advisers” whom no one has ever heard of.

Jacksons: As Tributes Near, Family Leaves Town-Book Sells 25,000 Copies

Roger Friedman
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Jacksons: As Tributes Near, Family Leaves Town-Book Sells 25,000 Copies

Michael Jackson‘s immediate family will not be around this week for all the tributes that are about to take place.

As preparations occur at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for Saturday’s Jackson Family Foundation event, fans may be disappointed not to see the main players: Katherine Jackson and her grand kids.

I am told that Katherine has already left the L.A. area has headed to Michael’s birthplace in Gary, Indiana.

And Michael’s kids–Prince, Paris, and Blanket–will also be far removed from the circus planned across the street from their home in Encino, California. There was a plan to take them to London. They may also be somewhere else. But they’re not in California, trust me.

Meantime, Katherine Jackson‘s book publisher, Howard Mann, tells me he’s sold 25,000 copies of her book, “Never Can Say Goodbye,” since Monday. That’s quite an accomplishment. The book will be sold physically at the Bev Hilton event. Otherwise, it can only be obtained online.

But there are issues with that book, and possibly, Mrs. Jackson’s partnership. Stay tuned…

James Franco’s Art Show Opens: Freaks, Geeks, and Tweaks

Roger Friedman
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James Franco’s Art Show Opens: Freaks, Geeks, and Tweaks

Thanks to a website called www.onlocationsvacations.com and a writer named Christine, we have some pictures and thoughts on James Franco‘s first curated art show. It opened at the Clocktower Gallery here in New York on Tuesday night. I’ve been on the Other coast, but promise to get over there this week and figure out what our boy is up to with all this. In the meantime, we can ponder these photos.

Franco, by the way, opens soon in Columbia Pictures’ much anticipated “Eat, Love, Pray.” And he’s back on “General Hospital.” His mom, Betsy, a well known children’s book author, will play his character’s mother this time around.

Hollywood Swinging: X Men, Paltrow’s Secret, Liza and Bruce

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Swinging: X Men, Paltrow’s Secret, Liza and Bruce

I told you some time ago — exclusively–that Michael Fassbender, hot as a pistol, had to choose between roles in the new “X Men” and “Spider Man.” I am told he has made his choice, and will appear in “X Men: First Class.” James McAvoy and Benjamin Walker are also cast in Matthew Vaughn‘s upcoming blockbuster. All this news makes me want to see this movie before it’s even made!…

….Jake Paltrow, blue eyed younger brother of Gwyneth, has a secret. Shhhh. Paltrow, an accomplished director, is making a hush hush secret documentary with “Fantastic Mr. Fox” writer-director Noah Baumbach. They’re shooting in Los Angeles this week, after having shot in New York. Paltrow was spotted by yours truly this week at LAX touting a camera tripod off the baggage carousel. He won’t say what the film is about, or even if it’s got a script or a narrator. And what about big Sis, since I know you wanted me to ask? Sad for the tabloids, lovely Gwyneth is still married, living in London, raising her kids. She is not working this summer. That’s all I got! I tried!…Hey–rent Noah’s film, “Mr. Jealousy.” It’s a little gem…

…Bruce Springsteen is a closet Liza Minnelli fan. Well, he knows good showmanship and a set of pipes. So and the family stopped in backstage at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park last week to wish Liza well on her forthcoming album, “Confessions.” and her national tour…

“As the World Turns” wraps 54 golden years this week as the Cadillac of soaps. This means after over five decades, Procter & Gamble has at last exited the world of daytime dramas. What a pity: P&G never respected its shows, and in the 1990s determined to get out of the business altogether. Many generations grew up on “As the World Turns,” “Edge of Night,” “Search for Tomorrow,” “Another World,” “Guiding Light,” and “The Secret Storm.” The shows ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime, and often represented the best acting, directing, and writing in New York. The word is that “World Turns” will air its last week of shows in September with a whimper. I hope this is not true. Everyone deserves better.

Jackson Five Surprise! 273 New Tracks Discovered

Roger Friedman
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Jackson Five Surprise! 273 New Tracks Discovered

Howard Mann, the Toronto entrepreneur who bought a warehouse full of Jackson family paraphernalia, has a surprise for Michael Jackson fans and the singer’s estate.

He has the masters to 273 unreleased Jackson tracks. Some are Michael alone, some are duets with superstars like Tina Turner, and some are with the Jackson family.

A good chunk of them come from the 1975 CBS variety series featuring the whole family.

According to Mann, who seems to know his stuff, the Jacksons were between the end of their Motown contract that summer and the beginning of one with Epic Records.

“The recordings belonged to the Jacksons. I bought them with the contents of the warehouse,” Mann says.

Mann feels the recordings therefore do not belong to the Jackson estate, and he can release them any way he sees fit.

Meanwhile, Mann has gone into business–he tells me–with Katherine Jackson only, and not with Joseph Jackson. “My arrangements have nothing at all to do with Joe Jackson,” he says.

Mann also says he did not pay Katherine Jackson an advance for her book, “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Rather, they are business partners. It does seem that Mann has become The Man in the Jacksons’ life. But he says also his largesse is not responsible for the Jackson brothers reportedly all driving new cars.

“You’ll have to look elsewhere for that answer.” he says.

Michael Jackson’s Mom Comes Out Swinging Against His Accusers

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Mom Comes Out Swinging Against His Accusers

Michael Jackson‘s mother, Katherine, has come out swinging against her son’s accusers.

In her foreword to “Never Can Say Goodbye,” Mrs. Jackson makes pointed reference to the father of Jordan Chandler, the 13 year old boy who in 1993-94 received a $20 million settlement from Michael after accusations of child abuse.

Mrs. Jackson writes: “Most of what I’ve read or heard about Michael in the media was not the truth–especially the allegations of child abuse.

“Evan Chandler, the father of Michael’s first accuser, recently committed suicide. Though I can’t comment on why, I want to believe his conscience finally caught up with him and he was not able to live with himself after destroying an innocent person’s career and breaking his spirit.

“Michael loved children and he worked diligently and passionately to better the lives of the less fortunate–the last thing he would do is harm an innocent child.”

Mrs. Jackson observes: “Michael often saw the good in people and trusted many in the early part of his career, sometimes leading to pain and betrayal in his life.”

By the way, Mrs. Jackson’s business partner and publisher, Howard Mann, tells me that he has made no deal with website TMZ.com to republish pictures from the book. He says they just copied them and put them up without permission. They are low resolution and stamped with TMZ’s logo.

Katherine Jackson: NBC Buys Only Video Interview with Michael Jackson’s Mom

Roger Friedman
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Katherine Jackson: NBC Buys Only Video Interview with Michael Jackson’s Mom

NBC has bought an interview with Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine. The interview will air on Dateline on Friday night, opposite ABC’s big 20/20 piece.

The Katherine Jackson interview was produced by Michael’s former business partner, Marc Schaffel. It’s the only one with Mrs. Jackson made for the anniversary of Michael’s death.

Of course, the interview will promote her new book, “Never Can Say Goodbye” which went on sale today and which we told you about exclusively last week.

The interview covers a range of subjects including Michael’s kids, Debbie Rowe, accusations against Michael that he was a child molester, and of course, Michael’s death.

I’m told the bidding war between ABC and NBC was intense, but that ABC had already wrapped their project and there was no way to insert the material.

Meanwhile, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, some kind of preparations are being made for Saturday’s Jackson Family Foundation inaugural whatever. Mrs. Jackson says in a taped piece that she’ll sign autographs for “Never Can Say Goodbye.” The rest of it should be just as weird. Eveyone grieves in their own way, that’s for sure.

More to come, undoubtedly…

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