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Taylor Swift Has 9 of Top 20 iTunes Albums After Disney Plus Eras Tour Movie Launch

Roger Friedman
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Taylor Swift Has 9 of Top 20 iTunes Albums After Disney Plus Eras Tour Movie Launch

I guess the Disney Plus launch of the Eras Tour movie was a hit.

Disney released the Taylor Swift concert film on Thursday. It includes five extra songs unseen in the theatrical version.

Did Swifties like it? Well, the singer now has 9 of the top 20 albums on iTunes. Fifteen of her tracks dot the top 100 iTunes singles.

Over on amazon, she has all of her albums in the top 40 CDs and LPs.

So, yeah, I guess “Eras Tour” is a hit on Disney Plus.

The movie made $250 million in its original release. No word from Disney yet on how many people are watching it on their platform, but let’s take a wild guess: Swift fans are watching it over and over.

As for the charts, my question is: Who could be left that doesn’t own all the albums in all their forms? You’d think the audience would be saturated by now. But the sales — in monstrous numbers — just keep chugging along. Without Swift there would be no record business. Or maybe, we’d see 20 spots open up to other artists on the top 100.

I’m surprised there is no Sirius channel dedicated to Swift. But maybe that’s in te offing — if the singer doesn’t buy Sirius XM as an investment!

Kennedy Family Gathers at White House for Photo Supporting Biden, Repudiating RFK Jr. (See Inside)

Roger Friedman
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Kennedy Family Gathers at White House for Photo Supporting Biden, Repudiating RFK Jr. (See Inside)
The Kennedy family gathered at the White House today for a photo to show their support for Joe Biden. They also did it to make clear their feelings about cousin Robert Kennedy Jr’s absurd campaign. Most of the cousins are there with the exception of Caroline and her son, Jack, who’ve already given Biden their endorsement. Ditto the Shrivers. This is quite a statement. Robert Kennedy Jr is apparently announcing that Nicole Shanahan will be his running mate. There’s enough dirt on to fill several books, starting with short marriage to Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google. As for Bobby Jr, when someone says Do I have to paint you a picture? Here it is!

Box Office: “Panda” Beats “Dune” 2nd Week in a Row, “Society” Not Magical, Sony Hopes “Ghostbusters” Hits

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Panda” Beats “Dune” 2nd Week in a Row, “Society” Not Magical, Sony Hopes “Ghostbusters” Hits

The Box office this weekend was notable for one thing: “Kung Fu Panda 4” beat “Dune Two” for the second week in a row.

The Panda only did it by $900,000. And after all, “Dune” shed 277 theaters while “Panda” added 32. “Dune” has also made $205 million, so Warner Bros. probably doesn’t care at this point. “Panda” has $107 million.

But where was the Dune-Panda marketing a la Barbenheimer? Seems like a missed opportunity! We will never know “Kung Fu Dune”!

Focus Features released a film called “The American Society of Magical Negroes.” I’d never heard of it and apparently no one else did, either. Total for the weekend was $1,250,000. On Rotten Tomatoes, 50 critics gave it a 30% rating. Audience members were at 61%. The title didn’t help.

On Thursday night we get the latest “Ghostbusters” from Sony, which has two stinkers in theaters right now. Their one shining light was the romcom, “Anyone But You,” now on home video. Another flop, they don’t need. But “Frozen Empire” should have a big Thurs-Fri opening, and then we’ll see about word of mouth.

No Sour Grapes: Larry David Gives Star of His 1998 Movie Role in Brilliant “Curb” also featuring Lori Loughlin

Roger Friedman
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No Sour Grapes: Larry David Gives Star of His 1998 Movie Role in Brilliant “Curb” also featuring Lori Loughlin

I finally got around to last week’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and it was brilliant.

For one thing, Lori Loughlin sends herself up over the college admissions scandal. Her manager whoever deserves a medal for agreeing to this as Loughlin handles her role as an applicant to Larry’s country club with aplomb.

There’s another guest bit, from Sienna Miller, playing herself but as an actress who can only perform well on screen if she’s eating fruit. She’s about to be fired from a film because she’s so dull until Larry reminds her of her love of citrus.

But the real surprise guest star is Craig Bierko, who starred in Larry David’s huge 1998 flop movie, “Sour Grapes.” The film preceded “Curb” by two years, but was highly anticipated because of “Seinfeld.” It was painful to watch and has a 27% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Why hasn’t Bierko been on “Curb” all this time? David certainly owes him. The New York actor has worked steadily over the years, and was a big hit on Broadway with the 2000 revival of “The Music Man.” He famously turned down “Friends,” where he could have played Ross. In Sunday’s episode, Bierko was Man in the Theater — he didn’t even get a name, but he parries with Larry when David drapes his jacket on the back of his seat.

Episode of the final “Curb” season was the best by far but was murdered in the ratings last Sunday by the Oscars. HBO should really spotlight it again. The “Curb” team created within the episode two fake movies for Miller, and a fake stage play about Abraham Lincoln starring Loughlin and Ted Danson. There’s also a running incident of Larry learning the Gettysburg Address while urinating. It was classic Larry David a la “Seinfeld” and “Curb.”

My only quibbles with the episode: another run in with an Asian (the waiter from the Chinese restaurant with the dead fish) is one. The other was the bathroom humor about someone drawing penises on Susie’s billboard for her Catch As Caftan company. It wasn’t clever, except the punchline at the very end. (There is a funny bit about Jeff standing up for Susie that underscores their miserable marriage.)

Anyway, Miller should get a Guest Actress Emmy nod for her work, Loughlin has deftly returned to TV, and for the most part, “Curb” finally returned to form. New show tonight…

Paul Simon Says He’s Grown to Love Frank Sinatra Singing “Mrs. Robinson”: “It’s so funny!”

Roger Friedman
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Paul Simon Says He’s Grown to Love Frank Sinatra Singing “Mrs. Robinson”: “It’s so funny!”

Paul Simon told Stephen Colbert this week that he’s grown to love Frank Sinatra’s version of “Mrs. Robinson.”

“It’s so funny”! Simon tells Colbert. He also says his favorite cover of any of his songs is, of course, Aretha Franklin singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

The Colbert-Simon interview is below and it’s excellent. I think Paul was promoting the Alex Gibney doc about him called “In Restless Dreams.” It’s in two parts. It’s streaming somewhere. Who knows? Look around for it. Gibney did a great job. I saw it at the Hamptons Film Festival last fall.

Michael Jackson’s Youngest Son, Bigi, Quietly Won Best Drama at Santa Monica Film Festival

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Youngest Son, Bigi, Quietly Won Best Drama at Santa Monica Film Festival

(EXCLUSIVE) Remember Michael Jackson’s youngest son, Blanket? The one he famously dangled out a hotel window in 2002?

Well, last month — very quietly — Bigi Jackson, as he is known now — won the prize for Best Drama at the Santa Monica Film Festival. The short film is called “Rochelles.”

The 22 year old beat about a dozen other competitors with “Rochelles.” I am not kidding. The short film’s plot is described as: “Two friends are put at odds when a prestigious restaurant makes them compete for a coveted position in its kitchen.”

This is great news. It’s been almost fifteen years since Michael Jackson was killed by Dr. Conrad Murray. His three children — including Prince and Paris — have thrived as adults.

Bigi’s film success is ironic considering a big studio feature film is being made about Michael for release next year. That film called “Michael” is approved by Jackson’s estate and stars his nephew, Jafaar, as the King of Pop.

There’s a report in Matthew Belloni’s Puck newsletter that the screenplay for “Michael” will show not only the singer’s musical successes, but his 1993 experience of being accused of child molestation by the family of Jordan Chandler. Ultimately, there was no arrest or trial, and Jackson paid off the Chandler family to avoid a drawn out fight.

Belloni says one scene would show Jackson being strip searched naked by the police. Why would the Estate want that in the movie? I’m told exclusively that the idea is to show the humiliation Jackson unnecessarily suffered, and he overcame it. After the Chandler episode, Jackson went on to more fame and glory. The movie will not show his 2003 arrest and subsequent trial for child molestation and his subsequent acquittal. Santa Barbara DA Thomas Sneddon, who carried on a vendetta against Jackson for more than a decade, will not be depicted.

But congratulations to Bigi on his win. His father dabbled in film — like “Thriller” and “Captain EO” — and always dreamed of being a real director. He’d be very proud.

Slimed: Dan Aykroyd Skipped Tonight Show and “Ghostbusters” Press Today for an “Out of Town Commitment”

Roger Friedman
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Slimed: Dan Aykroyd Skipped Tonight Show and “Ghostbusters” Press Today for an “Out of Town Commitment”

Dan Aykroyd was AWOL today from doing press for “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Tonight the rest of the main cast appears on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, but not Aykroyd. The balance of the cast was told Dan had to cover an “out of town commitment.”

This part is unusual because Lorne Michaels produces the Tonight show, and Aykroyd got his start with Michaels on “Saturday Night Live.”

But Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, and Ray Parker Jr — who sings the famous theme song — appear with Fallon in Ghostbusters outfits.

Honestly, Murray looks relieved. On Thursday when the gang was on CBS Mornings and doing other interviews, Murray and Aykroyd didn’t appear to so chummy. Dan was his usual cryptic self, I’m told.

Aykroyd has roots in Chicago and Toronto, but lives in Los Angeles where he’s been separated for two years from long time wife, actress Donna Dixon. What could take him from New York in the middle of a press tour for a big studio movie? Good question.

Meantime, early comments on Twitter haven’t been so warm for “Frozen Empire.” Actual reviews are embargoed until next Wednesday, just 24 hours before the latest iteration opens in previews.

Ariana Grande Shakes Up Quiet Chart with Biggest=Release So Far This Year, Plus Elton’s “Diamonds” Are Forever

Roger Friedman
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Ariana Grande Shakes Up Quiet Chart with Biggest=Release So Far This Year, Plus Elton’s “Diamonds” Are Forever

We needed Ariana Grande, that’s for sure.

She debuts at number 1 today with “Eternal Sunshine.” And here comes the sun — 225,000 copies including 78,000 CDs and downloads.

Without Ariana, it’s quiet out there. It should be noted that Republic Records, home of Ariana and Taylor Swift, has 7 of the top 10!

Next week comes Justin Timberlake, and three weeks later Beyonce.

Guess what’s back on the top 40? Elton John’s “Diamonds” album. It’s sold 180,000 copies since the first of this year. The total altogether is almost 8 million! There are several versions, but the main one is a single CD with 17 greatest hits. “Diamonds” seem to be forever, the album was first released in 2016 as a box set. Not surprised. Great songs never wear out!

Neil Young Back on Spotify Along with CSN: Joni Mitchell Returning Too? Did They Tell Her?

Roger Friedman
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Neil Young has caved to Spotify.

After removing his music to protest podcaster Joe Rogan, Neil has put all his music back on Spotify.

Also back are David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. When Neil left, so did they. Now they’re all back.

But Joni Mitchell’s music has not returned to the streamer. Remember, she exited in sympathy with her pals. It was a lovely gesture. But where did it get her? She lost a lot of revenue she would gained since the whole gang walked off two years ago.

Joni posted in January 2022:

“I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify. Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”

Let’s hope she’s coming back, too! No one should let Joe Rogan affect their lives!

New Music: Timberlake NSync Reunion a Hit, Shaky Starts on Chart for Bon Jovi, Zayn

Roger Friedman
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New Music: Timberlake NSync Reunion a Hit, Shaky Starts on Chart for Bon Jovi, Zayn

We got a lot of new music that debuted overnight on the charts. Some did well, others not so much.

Justin Timberlake’s new album, “Everything I Thought It Was” opens at number 1. The album already had a hit single with “Selfish.” Now a few more have climbed onto the iTunes top 100.

Of all the singles, “Paradise,” which reunites Justin with NSync, is already number 4. Another one, “No Angels,” is the official new release with a video to boot.

Also out and holding at number 2 is Kacey Musgraves’s album, “Deeper Well.” The title track is a hit, too, over on the top 100. Look for this album to build and have staying power.

But there’s some bad news, too: already struggling is Bon Jovi’s new single, “Legendary.” It opened at number 32 and doesn’t seem to be catching on. The album it comes from, called “Forever,” doesn’t hit for 90 days, so maybe other tracks on it will take off. Three months seems like a long lead time, but who knows?

Really in trouble already is One Direction’s Zayn Malik. He sings “What I Am” including the expression “fucked up” like he’s Teddy Swims. The song is catchy but no one can play it because of the language. Zayn is the most self-defeating recording act in some time. “What I Am” is not on the top 100 so far. Whoops!

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