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Jackson Movie Price Now Up Around $75 Mil

Roger Friedman
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The price that Sony Pictures will ultimately pay for the Michael Jackson movie?

Originally it was $60 million. But since the Jackson estate has backed off the idea of a televised memorial from London on August 29th, Sony is going to end up paying a higher price.’This may be because with NBC Universal willing at one point to pay $10 million for the TV project, Sony needs to keep that off the air to protect its movie’s market share.

The new price is said to be $75 million. And that’s not final yet. I’m told it could still go a little higher.

Sony declined comment.

“This Is It,” as the film is tentatively called, is still scheduled for an Oct. 30th release. The August 29th shows are dead, however. What may still be on is some kind of tribute Joseph Jackson wants to organize for the same date. He has no venue or production and is relying on’ex-con Leonard Rowe to produce it, so I’d wait on getting out my credit card just yet.

The movie, however, is turning into an event. “Everyone will go see it so they can make up their own minds,” says a source. “Was he sick? How did he look? Did he know this really was ‘it’?”

The feeling at Sony, which is intent on being the Michael Jackson company, is that Europe and Japan will be even bigger than America sales-wise. They’re probably right. Michael never lost his luster abroad.

Meanwhile, the executors of the Jackson estate were in court yesterday getting permission to do some licensing. They’re re-publishing Michael’s autobiography, “Moonwalk,” with Shaye Areheart Books. Areheart was assistant to Jackie Onassis back when she published the book at Doubleday. Other licenses were also approved, although I’m told the estate is playing it safe right now, and not doing too much. Just enough, they say.

Katherine Jackson’s Own Words: Her Rocky Marriage

Roger Friedman
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picture 34 Katherine Jacksons Own Words: Her Rocky MarriageAs a family court date for the Jackson family looms on August 3rd, here’s something to chew on: the words of Katherine Jackson about her rocky marriage and near divorce.

We know that Katherine Jackson twice filed for divorce from Joseph Jackson, in 1973 and and 1979. Each time she pulled back the papers. He even fathered a daughter, Joh’Vonnie, from an outside relationship.

Katherine published an autobiography called “My Family, the Jacksons,” co-written with Richard Wiseman, in 1990, from St. Martins Press. Here’s an excerpt:

“I didn’t believe it right up until I got a call from a friend in 1974, informing me that Joe was having an affair.

“I knew the girl in question…Originally she had been interested in Jackie…I was devastated…I didn’t think I could forgive him for what he’d done. I remained in this muddled state for longer than I’d care to admit: seven years. During this period, I heard rumors of other affairs. But I still couldn’t bring myself to file for divorce., even though a couple of times I came close…In 1981, I finally did file for divorce. But to my amazement, Joe wouldn’t move out.

“My attorney told me I could get a restraining order against Joe, and if he still refused to leave the house, have the police forcibly remove him.”

Ultimately Katherine Jackson feared bad press’”they would jump all over it”’so she let Joe Jackson stay in the house and decided to try and forgive him. She withdrew these divorce papers as well.

In the book, she did include a quote from eldest daughter, Rebbie, who left home at 18 and married rather than stick around and live through the dysfunction in the Jackson household.

Rebbie says: “What my father did got to me. There were times when I couldn’t stand being in his company, because I’d start thinking about his affair…I encouraged her to leave him. I knew that he was damaging her spirit, that she couldn’t possibly have peace of mind.”

‘Bruno’ Is a Bust at Boxoffice — He’s No Borat

Roger Friedman
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bruno 173x300 Bruno Is a Bust at Boxoffice Hes No BoratBruno — the skanky, over-publicized and underwritten gag character — is a bust at the boxoffice.

After 12 days in release, Sacha Baron Cohen’s sometimes funny, often not gay send up with Mel Brooks overtones (and not the good ones) has grossed. just $52 million domestically.

By contrast, “Borat,” Bruno’s older, wiser, smarter cousin, had $72 million in the till at the end of its 12th day. “Borat” went on to earn a total of $128 million in the U.S. “Bruno” will be lucky to hit $75 million–very lucky.

Of course, “Bruno” is not the spectacular dud that “I Love You, Beth Cooper” has turned out to be with only $11.5 million in ticket sales for the same time period. I’ve rarely seen such brutal reviews as there were for this misguided enterprise. And there’s also “Land of the Lost,” with less than $50 million after 50 days.

But “Bruno” will be one for the study classes. Cohen overhyped this thing beyond any and all expectations. Months before “Bruno” was released, you felt like you’d already seen it. And then when you did see it, it was coarse, vulgar, in bad taste, and really just bad. “Borat” was all those things, too, but it had heart, and structure. “Bruno” lacked direction. It was just a battering ram to the senses. And a disgusting one.

Where was all the sublime wink-wink undercurrent of “Borat”? In “Bruno” you felt the desperation once Cohen launched himself onto Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards. Wasn’t that what Howard Stern did years ago? Wasn’t Cohen supposed to be more sophisticated than that? One of the many great moves with “Borat” was that it just snuck up on us. There was no overkill. First in Cannes it was a cult hit. It was cool. Then it came to America with some buzz. With “Bruno,” not to make a sick joke, it was just forced down our throats.

Maybe it’s time for Cohen to just do some acting, as he did in “Sweeney Todd,” and give the candid camera thing a rest. We get it. People are stupid. They fall for tricks easily. There are plenty of hicks, racists, and idiots out there. And now not only have we seen them, we feel sorry for them.

John Michael Higgins: One of the Good Guys

Roger Friedman
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john michael higgins John Michael Higgins: One of the Good GuysJohn Michael Higgins — here’s a good interview I just read promoting his part in “The Ugly Truth,” opening Friday. Higgins — his friends call him Michael — is one of the good guys. He’s also part of Christopher Guest’s remarkable repertory company that includes Catherine O’Hara, Michael McKean, Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, Harry Shearer, and Eugene Levy.

Here now, a little Higgins, at http://tinyurl.com/n3jl3k

Rock Hall Mega Show Leaves Out: Dylan, McCartney, Stones

Roger Friedman
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starr mccartney 300x214 Rock Hall Mega Show Leaves Out: Dylan, McCartney, StonesThose Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows set for October at Madison Square Garden: they’re already causing controversy.

Missing from the rosters on both nights are just about everyone important: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Elton John, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Steve Winwood, not to mention the Kinks and the Who, Fleetwood Mac, and so on.

The listings omit both women and blacks with the exception of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. How sad, and stupid. Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie–all missing. Al Green, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Sam Moore, Booker T, Mavis Staples, Gene Chandler, Percy Sledge, all the doo-wop groups, Dion and the Belmonts– missing.

What this is: a Rolling Stone magazine celebration cloaked as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Otherwise, Chubby Checker would start the show with “The Twist.” But he’s not even in the Rock Hall. So there!

And where are the chicks, so to speak? Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, who made Rolling Stone so big in the 70s? Or all the punky rock groups from the Phil Spector era, or Darlene Love? Something tells me there are going to be lots of medleys led by the indefatigable Paul Shaffer, in between the big acts already announced. It will be like one of those hideous PBS singalongs from Pittsburgh.

And what of the O’Jays, the Dells, the Chi Lites, the Stylistics and Earth Wind and Fire? Blondie, the Cars, the Ramones, the Pretenders and Talking Heads? Elvis Costello? Patti Smith? George Clinton?

And Joel Peresman gets $376,000 a year. It boggles the mind.

Jacko’s Dr. Murray: Doc Dad Was Punished for Similar Rx’s

Roger Friedman
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picture 33 Jackos Dr. Murray: Doc Dad Was Punished for Similar RxsMichael Jackson’s Dr. Conrad Murray, now under investigation by the LAPD for possible manslaughter in Michael’s death: medical malfeasance may be in his genes.

Dr. Murray’s biological father, whom he met at age 25, was the late Dr. Rawle Andrews of Houston, Tex. Dr. Andrews died in 2001, but was a respected Houston physician.

However: Dr. Rawle Andrews medical license came under review and severely limited’according to the Texas Medical Board’from 1994 to 1999.

Dr. Andrews was found to have prescribed “controlled substances and substances with addictive potential to [two patients, names reduced to initials] for extended periods of time without adequate indication.”

The board particularly cited four “dangerous” drugs in their order:

Stadol’a powerful pain reliever used for migraines after surgery’connected to Demerol

Nubain’another powerful pain reliever, delivered through IV, equivalent to morphine and used as a supplement to anesthesia;

Talwin’ yet another monster pain reliever/narcotic used before surgery and anesthesia

Phenergan’a more moderate pain killer but also an antihistamine used for itching and swelling.

If any of these turn up in Michael Jackson’s toxicology report, the parallels may be more than just a coincidence. What probably killed Jackson was an overdose or misuse of anesthesia-based drug Diprivan. Certainly, Dr. Murray knew that his father had had disciplinary action taken against him for prescribing and administering similar drugs.

The citation reads: “Agreed Order entered restricting license for 5 years for prescribing or administering a drug or treatment that is non therapeutic in nature or non therapeutic in the manner the drug or treatment is administered or prescribed.”

Both Dr. Andrews and his son, Dr. Murray, are graduates of Nashville’s Meharry Medical College.

Andy Rooney Chokes Up, Can’t Say Goodbye to Walter Cronkite

Roger Friedman
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Walter Cronkite’s funeral at St. Bartholomew’s Church this afternoon was sadder than I thought it would be. He was 92, after all. But Walter was one of the most beloved people in the world, especially in this town.

His oldest friend, Andy Rooney, who’s never at a loss for words, got up to speak. But for once words failed him, he choked back tears, and sat down. I hope one day we get to hear what he had to say.

gibson walters 300x210 Andy Rooney Chokes Up, Cant Say Goodbye to Walter CronkiteThe audience, as you might imagine, was stocked with the top folks in broadcast journalism. From CBS: Don Hewitt, Les Moonves, Harry Smith, Katie Couric, Bob Schieffer, Morley Safer, Russ Mitchell, Bill Plante, and Dan Rather. Connie Chung, John Roberts, ex of CBS, now of CNN, and Jeff Greenfield were there. From NBC: Tom Brokaw (with wife Meredith), Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Lester Holt, Brian Williams. From ABC: Diane Sawyer as well as Charlie Gibson and Barbara Walters (pictured). I think Walter would have been amused to see Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, and former Mayor David Dinkins.

No, I did not see Lesley Stahl, Steve Kroft, Bob Simon, or Mike Wallace. They may have been out of town. Nor did I see Jane Pauley, Elizabeth Vargas or about a half-dozen others. But the big stars showed up, and in force.

Walter’s companion of the last few years, Joanna Simon, was front and center, accompanied by Maria Cooper Janis (daughter of Gary Cooper) and Byron Janis, her famous musician husband. Jim Rosenfield Sr., who used to run CBS, as well as his anchorman son Jim Rosenfield Jr. were there, as were dozens of former CBS execs and producers including Fred Rappaport and Shirley Wershba.

A New Orleans marching band played “When the Saints Go Marching In,” Walter’s son Kip and a couple of friends spoke including Sandy Socolow, who produced “The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite,” and Bill Harbach. It was as concise and graceful a service as one of Walter’s broadcasts, sharp and to the point. There was no extra sentiment, but it was heartfelt and moving. You couldn’t ask for much more than that from a funeral. As opposed to some recent memorials, there was no blubbering, Friars Roast or attempts to make money.

Ironically, the network with the most visible mobile van shoved in front of the church was Fox News. Walter would have gotten a chuckle out of that. It was more because of Roger Ailes‘ respect for him, I’m sure, than anything their news broadcast might have had in common with the legendary communicator. God bless Walter Cronkite. A public memorial is planned for Lincoln Center, later this summer.

Mariah Carey Delays New Album Release

Roger Friedman
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carey mariah 263x300 Mariah Carey Delays New Album ReleaseAlas, there will be no major Diva Face Off at the next Grammy Awards.

That’s because Mariah Carey has decided that the unusually early August 31st deadline is not giving her enough time finish her new CD properly. “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” was supposed to be released by Island/Def Jam on August 25th. But now Carey has asked the label to give her at least three more weeks. The new date is September 15th, although even that could change.

Carey does have her hat in the ring, though, with the witty and catchy single “Obsessed” already getting lots of airplay. The song is a neat dig at Eminem, who ceaselessly needles Carey in song and and interviews. The “Obsessed” video, directed by Brett Ratner, is also a hit and should only help the single up the charts.

As for that Grammy deadline: we’re going to be celebrating summer music on January 31st. Does it really take that long to organize the year’s recordings into categories and vote on them? It only takes six weeks in the movie world. I’m just askin’…

Rock Hall Anniversary

Roger Friedman
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We told you in this space exactly one week ago that the Rock and Roll Hall of, er, Shame would be throwing a two day extravaganza in October at Madison Square Garden.

They announced it today. We gave you the list of performers for each day of the shows last week, too. It’s Bruce, U2, Paul Simon, etc.

Tickets go on sale on Monday. Proceeds, according to the Hall, will go to establishing a fund for the Cleveland Museum. But it’s really about Jann Wenner getting to preside over MSG for two days.

The Hall of Fame Foundation already has $14 million in assets, according to its 2008 tax filing. They say the shows will gross $5 million. But the foundation could write a check now with ease.

Did you know that Joel Peresman, who runs the Foundation for Wenner and used to be at the Garden, gets paid $376,823 a year in salary? That’s from non profit, nontaxed money. His job is to pick the nominated inductees every year.

Right after the Garden shows, the Hall of Fame says it will release a 10-DVD set of performances from 20 years of inductee concerts. I hope they have releases from all those performers. The big question is, will all the performers and MUSICIANS who played on those shows be paid a royalty? How about Paul Shaffer, all the band members and vocalists? Or will it all be treated as work for hire?

Meanwhile, rock fans are posting their unhappiness with this plan on the website for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. They’re angry that the shows aren’t in Cleveland, home to the museum. They don’t get it — the Hall of Fame threw them a sop in April with the annual induction show. It was a calculated effort. I actually announced these October shows in my old column last March.

Jackson: Despite Reports, There’s No Other Kid

Roger Friedman
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The British tabloids are all excited today that Michael Jackson might have another child.

He doesn’t. All they had to do was a web search to find my column from October 2004. The young man in question, Omer Bhatti, didn’t meet Michael until he was 12 years old. But why should that stop speculation?

Omer is the son Riz and Pia Bhatti. In the mid 90s, the Bhattis dressed Omer up to look like Mini-Me Michael and brought him to Jackson’s Tunis hotel. Omer did a little Jacko imitation, and Michael loved it. He took the whole family on tour with him. Later, he moved them all into Neverland. Pia Bhatti was the original nanny for Prince Michael I when he was born in 1997.

The Bhattis have had a long relationship with Michael. Even after the parents returned to native Norway, Omer stuck around Neverland. The police found him there in 2003 when they conducted a surprise raid.

One reason some people think Omer was Michael’s son was because Jackson used to tell them that. Back in 2004 when I wrote the original Omer story, several sources told me Michael had confided in them that this was the case. It was a lie, however. It either reflected Jackson’s desire to have children, or explained why he was keeping the boy at Neverland.

What does Omer do now? Why, he’s a Michael Jackson impersonator, of course. Really, you couldn’t make these stories up. No one would believe it.

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