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Michael Jackson’s “Secret Kid” Keeps Fake Story Going

Roger Friedman
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Are people daft? Sometimes I think so. Witness the story of Omer Bhatti, the faker who wants to be Michael Jackson’s son.

When Omer was 12, his biological parents Riz and Piz Bhatti took him from Oslo to Tunis, dressed him up like Michael Jackson, and had him moonwalk in the lobby of a hotel. This was in 1996. There are plenty of witnesses.

Jackson’s tour crew saw this spectacle and thought Jackson, who no longer traveled with 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, would get a kick out of it. He did. He literally kept Omer, and retained his parents. They spent the rest of Jackson’s tour with him. When they returned to Neverland, Riz became a chauffeur. Pia was the original nanny for Prince Michael I. Omer became Michael’s ward.

In 2005, when Jackson was on trial for child molestation, at least two people who’d known him a short time, told me that Jackson told them Omer was his son. It was a lie. But Jackson needed a reason to explain why this boy was living in his house.

During Jackson’s arrest on November 18, 2003, the police found 20-year-old Omer at Neverland. Even Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who was obsessed with Jackson, didn’t bother to ask who he was or what he was doing there.They didn’t even know that earlier in the summer of 2003, Omer had been arrested in Oslo for possession of marijuana.

Clearly, Riz and Pia Bhatti had had a plan way back in 1996, and it worked. Now they don’t seem to care that Omer is claiming to be Michael’s biological son. It’s good for business. In Oslo, for years, Omer has done his Jackson-imitation act.

The British press loves the story, even though they know it’s not true. Today they’re “reporting” that Omer will star in a Jackson biopic. They say Michael’s family — meaning Joe Jackson– has approved it. Michael’s executors have not. This should be good when the estate has a trial in November, since the Jackson family cannot think of enough ways to exploit Michael. Joe Jackson tells reporters that he thinks Omer is Michael’s son. Again: are people daft or what?

Exclusive: John Edwards’ Aide Finds Publisher for Scandal Book

Roger Friedman
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Former Senator John Edwards’ ex-aide, Andrew Young, has found a book publisher for his tell-all memoir.

Sources confirm that St. Martin’s Press’s Thomas Dunne Books will publish the tell-all by Young (not to be confused with the former mayor of Atlanta). Neither the book’s editor, Pete Overton, nor Young’s agent, David McCormick, returned calls or answered emails.

However, the word from inside this project is that Young’s book proposal finally found a home after this past Sunday’s tabloid-y front page story in the New York Times. The story gave no new information about Edwards or Young, but promoted Young’s book. It was a masterstroke of publicity.

If you’re not up to speed on this, here’s a recap: Edwards had an affair with videographer Rielle Hunter that culminated in her pregnancy. When the news got out, Young–who was Edwards’ lackey–said he was the father of the baby. No one name, however, went on the birth certificate. Young let Hunter live with him, his wife, and children in North Carolina, and went around taking the heat for Edwards. The Youngs and Hunter eventually moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where campaign donor Fred Baron paid their expenses.

But when Baron died suddenly in October 2008, Young and Hunter were left adrift at sea. Hunter and her baby daughter went to live with a friend. Young, on the other hand, decided he had no recourse but to sell his story to the highest bidder.

Now, as Hunter prepares to move closer to Edwards in North Carolina, Young will tell everything about what happened in their odd saga. Some sources warn, though, that Young had better be careful in what he offers St. Martins for publication. “He has a lot of pictures that don’t belong to him,” warns a source.

What Young will presumably describe is the whole cover-up of the affair and the baby’s paternity, how Edwards may have funneled money to Hunter, how Young’s family dealt with the deception, and a pretty interesting inside look at a man who might very well have been elected president of the United States.

Two Days on Oprah? Whitney Sells 165,000 CDs

Roger Friedman
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How many CDs can you sell after two days on the “Oprah” show? The answer: 165,000 copies.

That’s what Whitney Houston sold of her “I Look to You” CD after spending last Monday and Tuesday spilling her guys and singing like crazy on Oprah’s show.

That puts “I Look to You” at just about 500,000 copies sold since its release three weeks ago. This means Whitney should be on her way to 1 million sold in the U.S., and a platinum record.

Michael Jackson Movie Clip Shows Him in Good Form

Roger Friedman
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A clip of the song “Human Nature,” sung by Michael Jackson during concert rehearsal, has turned up on YouTube.

The song, I am told, is not even being used in the movie “This is It,” set for release on October 28th. But someone somehow got hold of it, and here it is.

The weird part is that Sony’s security surrounding “This is It” is said to be overzealous and out of control. One insider told me recently: “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

I guess it didn’t work so well, unless the “Human Nature” clip was intentionally leaked.

But it does show Michael singing very well, moving well, coherent, with it, and right on the money. This should shoo off the naysayers who claimed that Jackson was being “worked” into the ground and couldn’t handle rehearsal. He’s clearly ok here.

Exclusive: Jacko Movie, Soundtrack Have New Song

Roger Friedman
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Here’s something new I can tell you now exclusively: Michael Jackson’s “This is It” film will’ include a brand new song, which Michael wrote for the tour.

The song is called “This is It.” After Jackson died, it was finished by producer John McClain, who is also one of Michael’s executors.

The new song will be included in the film and on the two-CD soundtrack scheduled for release right after the movie has its two-week run. I told you months ago when the movie was being shopped that it would be accompanied by a soundtrack. As I pointed out, Jackson has never had a “live” album.

Even the Jackson family should be surprised by the new song, but they’ll hear it when they see the first draft of the movie, sources say, in the next week.

Big ‘Basterds’ Boxoffice Beats ‘Pulp Fiction’

Roger Friedman
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Quentin Tarantino has a new all-time boxoffice hit. “Inglourious Basterds” passed “Pulp Fiction” this weekend with over $109 million in U.S. tickets sold. “Basterds” has also made $83 mil in its overseas release so far. It’s also the first $100 million movie for the Weinstein Co. The movie, which features Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, and Christoph Waltz in a a talked-about Oscar-certain performance, has legs! It could finish its theater run with $300 million worldwide. Wunderbar!

… Jennifer Hudson, hot off her VH-1 Divas duet with Stevie Wonder, goes into the studio this week to record with Rod Stewart for his new album. They’re remaking the Jerry Butler–Betty Everett hit “Let It Be Me,” sources say. Looks like Rod’s theme may be R&B hits … Hudson would be wise to put all these duets and special performances on one CD. She wowed MusiCares earlier this year with Neil Diamond’s “Holly Holy,” and then commanded Michael Jackson’s memorial service at the Staples Center with “Will You Be There.”

CBS’ “Guiding Light” is now gone after 72 years. The last show was on Friday. The cast did its best, but Procter & Gamble gave them a cheap send-off. There weren’t even any clips from the past! Oh well, P&G has whittled itself down from more than a half-dozen soaps to just one. I’d love to read their corporate strategy report about how to get out of the business. Anyway, P&G now sets its sights on “As the World Turns.” And then there will be none.

Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Strikes Gold at Radio City

Roger Friedman
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Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Strikes Gold at Radio City

You know it’s a good night when Aretha Franklin not only sells out Radio City Music Hall but hires an 11-piece horn section to augment her own splendid orchestra.

And so the Queen of Soul stormed the stage at New York’s premier concert hall on Friday night, awash in black crepe, a shortish haircut, and a voice that was ready to be let loose on the world. It was the second of two nights at Radio City, but Aretha made it seem fresh and new.

Her 90-minute show covered lots of hits, from “Respect” to “Baby I Love You,” “Daydreamin’” and “Angel.” They were the full versions, too, no medleys or sing-a-longs. Beautiful. Franklin stopped the show with “Don’t Play That Song for Me” (recently revived by Sam Moore), which was co-written by the late Ahmet Ertegun. On her own “Call Me,” she swooped and trilled like it was 40 years ago.

There were also the big ballads, like the moving “One Night With the King.” And she’s added the key song from the musical “Sunset Boulevard,” “It’s as if We Never Said Goodbye.” Great choice. She even introduced a “celebrity” in the audience — the man who drove her tour bus more than 30 years ago. Aretha reminisced off the cuff about keeping the man awake so he wouldn’t fall asleep at the wheel on long overnight drives.

Franklin made just one mini intermission, doing a quick change, allowing H.B. Barnum’s orchestra — featuring Franklin’s son Teddy Richards – to let loose on a jammin’ jazz version of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Another Star.”

No, it wasn’t a night for “Until You Come Back to Me” or “Nessum Dorma.” But it was a chance to go to church as Aretha took over the piano to play gospel improvisations and lead the band through parts of her “Amazing Grace” album. This is the Aretha we love the best, where genius just oozes into the keys and her whole Memphis/Detroit background comes pouring out. There’s nothing and no one else like it. Amen. She’s 67 and she just keeps getting better!

Now it’s time for a new Aretha album. Clive Davis, are you listening? It’s time to catch lightning in a bottle.

Emmy Awards: It’s All Good … or Is It?

Roger Friedman
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The Emmy Awards, watched safely from home, were a part of a night of ironies.

“Mad Men” won best drama, but it was more important to actually watch “Mad Men” during the Emmy Awards’ final hour. Jon Hamm, who should be winning best actor every year, is losing to Bryan Cranston, from a show called “Breaking Bad” that is no “Mad Men.” Ironically, “Breaking Bad,” like “Man Men,” is on AMC. AMC? Unless I mark it on my remote as a favorite channel, I can’t even find it. At AMC, they must be laughing. And popping as many champagne corks as the guys at Sterling Cooper.

It was also the return on HBO of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” It occupied the 10-10:30 slot, during “Mad Men” and the Emmys. It was like TV gridlock. You had to DVR “Mad Men,” watch “Curb” and the last half hour of the Emmys, and then immediately play “Man Men” back or watch its AMC repeat. Hard work!

The Emmy’s are probably better with Neil Patrick Harris as host, but really, they’re the same as ever. “Mad Men” did win, and AMC even managed to congratulate Matthew Weiner on his writing award while the show was playing on their channel. Fast! “30 Rock” won best comedy, although it’s unclear why at this point. It’s still funny, but it’s no “Office.” I feel for “The Office” people and Steve Carell. They have the best show. It’s sublime.

Over at HBO, a few bets were lost on “Grey Gardens.” The retelling of the Beale sisters’ story won best made-for-TV movie, but Jessica Lange beat co-star Drew Barrymore. The Emmy voters must have a sixth sense. I hereby bestow upon them new confidence and admiration. HBO still rakes in the Emmys. And after taking a look last night at Jason Schwartzman in “Bored to Death,” I can see that next year HBO will bring a bunch of new nominees to the table.

On the other hand, their ace in the hole, Jeremy Piven, looks like he’s toast, awards-wise. He actually lost best supporting actor to Jon Cryer, for “Two and a Half Men.” Last winter he lost the Golden Globe, too, after being their darling. The mercury poisoning thing has really damaged him. Jon Cryer? I cannot even watch Conchata Ferrell debase herself on that thing. Rent a movie called “Heartland,” 1980, to see her real work.

Meanwhile, “Curb” vs. “Mad Men” was a draw. The return of “Curb” featured the genius work of Catherine O’Hara, and a dizzying volley of language and semantics. It was absolutely hilarious. Larry David still has the black family living with him, but it does look like the plot line is get back together with Cheryl. Susie Essman and Jeff Garlin remain the unsung heroes of this show.

On “Mad Men,” the show got a little slapsticky. However: The man Don met a couple of weeks ago revealed himself as Conrad Hilton. This would have been Paris’ great grandfather, once married to Zsa Zsa Gabor. He would have been 75 years old when he met Don Draper. In real life, Hilton lived until he was 91, and died in 1979.

Betty Draper remains a scary figure and possibly the worst mother in the history of television. “I’m bored,” little Bobby tells her. She replies: “Go bang your head on the wall.” Why not just get out the hangers now? And little Betsy? She’s either on her way to juvie, or to being Kathy Boudin.Either way, it’s not gonna be pretty. I’m just sayin’…

John Edwards’ Confession: Not So Fast

Roger Friedman
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The report in yesterday’s New York Times that former senator John Edwards is about to claim his illegitimate baby daughter? It’s not happening so fast.

So says a source who tells me: “All that story is is regurgitation of old misinformation combined with false light and repackaged with bits of Andrew Young’s book, probably leaked by his agent to heighten interest.”

Indeed, it’s been several months since Young, an Edwards aide who helped cover up the whole scandal of the senator, his mistress, and their baby, started shopping his book proposal. Apparently he was able to persuade the Times that Edwards was about to spill the beans, thus making the book a hotter property.

Alas, I am told that Rielle Hunter — and her now 18-month-old daughter Frances Quinn — is still living with a friend in New Jersey. She has no plans to move near the Edwardses in North Carolina. Young has still not sold his book. The entire scandal suffers from inertia, which isn’t good for tabloid headlines.

As for Elizabeth Edwards, her book, “Resilience,” is listed at number 2,400 on amazon. “Resilience” garnered a mere 88 customer reviews, not a lot, after initial interest cooled off. She just opened a home furnishings store called Red Window in Chapel Hill. The Web site isn’t finished, but it doesn’t look like they carry cribs.

Charlize Causes a ‘Burning’ Sensation

Roger Friedman
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charlize theron 218x300 Charlize Causes a Burning SensationOscar winner Charlize Theron caused some problems the other night at the premiere of her new film, “The Burning Plain.”

Theron, who’s one of the movie’s producers, didn’t win any friends when she left as the movie started to screen and never returned, not even to the party that was held for her at the Box downtown.

According to insiders, Theron did work the press line before the film. She brought her mother along, and insisted that she be included in the pictures. There was no sign of Stuart Townsend, her longtime steady beau, however.

When director Guillermo Arriaga (”Babel”) introduced the film, Theron didn’t bother to leave her seat. She just waved to the crowd instead of coming forward. When the lights went down, Theron split and eas not seen again all night. An explanation was offered that she wasn’t feeling well.

“Burning Plain,” which opens today, also features Kim Basinger, who rarely works anymore but has gotten high marks from advance audiences. But she’s done just about nothing to promote the film. Maybe both actresses knew the fairly negative review that would come from Tony Scott in today’s New York Times. But in a year when there are few possible best actress nominees, they might have been a little more cooperative.

At least they didn’t ask for money to promote the film. That’s the only positive I can think of.

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