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Caitlyn Jenner Receiving Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year Award

Roger Friedman
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Caitlyn Jenner Receiving Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year Award

My favorite Seinfeld episode is the one where Dr. Tim Watley converts to Judaism and starts making jokes that include rabbi’s. Jerry accuses Tim of becoming Jewish “for the jokes.” In the same way, I am convinced that Bruce Jenner switched sexes just to get awards. After all, he wasn’t getting any trophies any more as Bruce, but he used to get lots of them. How to get some more?

Of course, I am joking. But look at this: Caitlyn Jenner is now being honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from Glamour Magazine.  She’s listed among a group that includes Victoria Beckham, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Holmes, Cecile Richards, Reese Witherspoon, the Women of Charleston, and the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Really?

This is all happens on November 9th at Carnegie Hall. Bravo to Caitlyn. She’s made very profitable lemonade from lemons. She is the American success story!

 

photo via Glamour by Ben Hassert

Exclusive: Which Two NFL Senior Execs Were Loaned a Total of $2.5 Mil by Organization?

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Which Two NFL Senior Execs Were Loaned a Total of $2.5 Mil by Organization?

The National Football League is still registered as a not for profit foundation. That’s why we can tell you this: their incredible finances are available online.

According to the NFL’s Form 990 filed for 2014, the organization made huge personal loans to two different senior executives in 2013. One was for $2 million. The other was for $500,000, which looks like it was repaid. According to the form, a quarter of the $2 million loan has been paid back. Outstanding still is $1.5 million.
nfl loans
Which executives needed such big loans? And wow, by the way– what a great life these people are living. All the top NFL execs already make millions and millions in salary and bonuses, starting with Roger Goodell, who made $35 million in 2013. See the chart below. Waiting now for a response from the NFL.
nfl salaries

The Beatles “A Day in the Life” Video Here at Last, But it’s Ringo’s Drumming That Stars

Roger Friedman
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The Beatles “A Day in the Life” Video Here at Last, But it’s Ringo’s Drumming That Stars

The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” is a remarkable recording, of course. It ends “Sgt. Pepper” with a gravity from which popular music has never recovered. Now we’ve got the video coming on the Beatles “1 + 1” collection which comes November 13th. This is an actual must have box set with a CD of the Beatles’ 27 number 1 hits all remixed after all this time in new enhanced stereo– and superior even to the 2009 box set. There’s also two DVDs (plain or Blu Ray) with all recovered, enhanced, or discovered videos– including “A Day in the Life.”

On this track in particular, listen for Ringo. He is an amazing drummer. He gives these records a sophisticated personality that is too often underrated.

 


 

Carly Simon’s Hot New Memoir to Be Accompanied by Two CD Set from Rhino

Roger Friedman
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Carly Simon’s Hot New Memoir to Be Accompanied by Two CD Set from Rhino

EXCLUSIVE I’m happy to announce a big two CD set of Carly Simon’s great songs, set for release to accompany her memoir, “Boys in the Trees” from Flatiron Press/Macmillan. The book hits stores on November 24, just four days after the Rhino album “Songs from the Trees” makes its debut. 

The album, Carly says, “serves as an additional way to look at my stories. Most of these songs are precursors to what eventually became the book. As the narrative only goes up to 1983, there are many songs to follow. If you feel like playing this puzzle, there are clues of how to cross-reference the songs with the chapters, pages and words.”

And guess what? We get two new songs– one written her son Ben Taylor (one of the two kids she has with James Taylor) and “Showdown,” a long unreleased recording from the million selling 1978 album Boys In The Trees.

If you think Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, and all of today’s hot female singers are having a wild time, I point you to Ms. Simon– she’s their hero, and the original.

SONGS FROM THE TREES (A MUSICAL MEMOIR COLLECTION)
Track Listing

Disc One
1. “Boys In The Trees”
2. “Winken’, Blinkin’ And Nod” – The Simon Sisters
3. “Orpheus”
4. “Older Sister”
5. “It Was So Easy”
6. “Embrace Me, You Child”
7. “Hello Big Man”
8. “Two Hot Girls (On A Hot Summer Night)”
9. “It Happens Everyday”
10. “His Friends Are More Than Fond Of Robin”
11. “I’m All It Takes To Make You Happy”
12. “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be”
13. “I’ve Got To Have You”
14. “Anticipation”
15. “Legend In Your Own Time”
16. “Three Days”

Disc Two
1. “Julie Through The Glass”
2. “We Have No Secrets”
3. “You’re So Vain”
4. “Mind On My Man”
5. “Mockingbird”
6. “After The Storm”
7. “Haunting”
8. “In Times When My Head”
9. “You Belong To Me”
10. “We’re So Close”
11. “From The Heart”
12. “Come Upstairs”
13. “The Right Thing To Do”
Bonus Selections
14. “Showdown”
15. “I Can’t Thank You Enough”

Oscar Spotlight is on Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton in “Spotlight,” Story of Intrepid Boston Reporters

Roger Friedman
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Oscar Spotlight is on Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton in “Spotlight,” Story of Intrepid Boston Reporters

Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” moves up in the Oscar race to first position as it gets ready to open on November 6th (next Friday).

“Spotlight” boasts a sensational ensemble cast who play Boston Globe reporters and editors unearthing a pedophilia scandal involving 90 Catholic priests. It’s a riveting full on three act film that never flags as the paper’s investigative unit, called Spotlight, puts together a story that takes on Boston’s Archdiocese and then Cardinal Bernard Francis Law.

Last night the movie premiered in New York with a swell after party at the Harvard Club. Tonight, “Spotlight” hits Boston’s Coolidge Corner, with the last premiere set for Los Angeles.

This is a movie that is so good the audience breaks into applause before the credits roll, just as the last scene goes to black. But there is silence later. When the incredibly full crowd left the Ziegfeld, it was a somber event. “Spotlight” ends but the abuse, we know, keeps going.

Still, we can celebrate fine movie making. A lot of the cast was in attendance last night– from Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton to Liev Schreiber (with Naomi Watts), Brian D’Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, and Len Cariou (the original star of “Sweeney Todd” on Broadway, thank you very much). Missing: Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Jamey Sheridan, and the wonderful Paul Guilfoyle (of “CSI” fame– great casting).

There were plenty of the stars’ friends, too, including Patricia Clarkson (so good in Learning to Drive), Bobby Cannavale and Peter Dinklage, who all starred in McCarthy’s “The Station Agent” some 12 years ago, as well as “Foxcatcher” director Bennett Miller, Carla Gugino, Katrina Snowden, and the immortal Kathleen Turner.

Newish Open Road films can breathe easy– they will take “Spotlight,” McCarthy and even composer Howard Shore– whose haunting score propels the tension of the investigation– to the Oscar finals without a doubt.

“Spotlight,” I am happy to say, held up beautifully from its opening in Toronto six weeks ago. McCarthy manages to illuminate the reporters’ attack on the story with a perfect sense of rhythm. Kudos to editor Tom McArdle, who’s worked with McCarthy on all his terrific films, even the bad one (“The Cobbler”).

“Spotlight” is a Big Idea film, on an Important Subject. McCarthy could have made something clinical. But the script and the actors have unique chemistry. The characters are so well delineated that you come to root for them– and that’s all you need to reach a wide audience.

PS Michael Keaton– we talked about the long time he took off before returning with “Birdman,” “Spotlight” and next year’s “The Founder,” in which he plays McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. For a while there, it looked like he wasn’t coming back, I said.

“Yeah, but it was worth the wait, wasn’t it?” Keaton replied. Indeed.

Adele Rolling in the Dough Again as “21” Album Sells Like Hotcakes, “Hello” Single Tops Charts

Roger Friedman
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Adele Rolling in the Dough Again as “21” Album Sells Like Hotcakes, “Hello” Single Tops Charts

Lo and behold, fans cannot wait for Adele’s “25” album. They’ve sent the “21” album, now four years old, back into the top five on Amazon and iTunes each. You’d think everyone has it by now, but new pop star Shawn Mendes Tweeted today that he listened to “21” for the first time all the way through and loved it.

Adele is not only Rolling in the Deep, she’s rolling in the Dough.

The video for her new single “Hello” has been watched 95.2 million times since it was released last week. It’s broken a bunch of records. I’m amazed it hasn’t put more people to sleep. Very cleverly, the video has background noise so viewers can’t hack down the audio and get a free single. They have to buy it on iTunes or Amazon. Smart!

“Hello” is also getting good radio play on Adult Contemporary stations. Sleep apnea centers are also considering using it.

Don’t get me wrong– I love Adele’s voice. But let’s pick up the beat soon!

PS Between this and One Direction, Sony must be plotzing. Christmas comes but once a year!

Lionel Richie Fields Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, John Legend, The Roots for MusiCares Tribute

Roger Friedman
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Lionel Richie Fields Stevie Wonder, Demi Lovato, John Legend, The Roots for MusiCares Tribute

Lionel Richie’s going to have a MusiCares dinner that goes on All Night Long come February. MusiCares just announced the line up to perform Lionel’s classic songs and it includes Zac Brown, Lenny Kravitz, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, the Roots, Usher, Pharrell Williams, and Stevie Wonder; and singer/songwriters Luke Bryan and Demi Lovato.

The 26th annual Person of the Year dinner will happen Saturday night February 13th in Los Angeles with Rickey Minor as musical director. MusiCares involves a number of hugely important programs that benefit musicians with financial and health needs. Past honorees include Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young.
Sponsors include CenterStaging, Delta Air Lines, Double Platinum, FrameX, Gibson Guitars, Jackson Limo, and Sweetwater.
The Person of the Year dinner is one of my favorite nights of the whole year. Watch this clip to learn more:

Michael Moore: Steve Jobs Movie Sold Out in My Movie Theaters in Rural Michigan

Roger Friedman
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Michael Moore: Steve Jobs Movie Sold Out in My Movie Theaters in Rural Michigan

Big night for Michael Moore last night: “Where to Invade Next” got its first real airing for top filmmakers at a private screening and a cool dinner at Shun Lee West. Among the guests: DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, Barbara Kopple, and Laura Poitras, last year’s Oscar winner for “CitizenFour.”

Craig Unger, author of “House of Bush,” the book that inspired Moore’s “Fahrenheit 911,” and legendary journalist Gay Talese with publishing star wife Nan Talese were also in attendance, as well as award winning filmmakers like Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon.

There was a lot of talk about the film company releasing “Where to Invade Next” on December 23rd. They have no name. Tom Quinn and Jason Janego were the guys behind Radius, an off shoot of The Weinstein Company. They had a bunch of hits and an Oscar for “20 Feet to Stardom.” Now they’re being bankrolled by Alamo Drafthouse’s Tim League, and starting a new company. “Invade” is their first release. But they still haven’t clear a name or logo.They assured me they will by the time Moore’s film is released.

And what of Moore? Everyone at the dinner had ideas for his next film. I told him I thought a “Bowling for Columbine” sequel was needed as the mass shootings in the US have become an international disgrace. “That film is more relevant today than ever,” he said in agreement.

While we talked, reps for The Criterion Collection approached Moore and talked to him about exactly that film. “We just made a deal,” Moore said, with a broad smile. So “Bowling for Columbine” will get a new life after all. And not a moment too soon.

As for “Where to Invade Next”– Moore in his most hopeful film yet traveled to dozens of countries in just four months and made the movie instantly. It was totally stealth. “We kept thinking we’d be found out,” he told me, “but we got away with it. It was the best experience of filmmaking I’ve ever had.”

Moore importantly: Michael owns two movie theaters in rural Michigan. This past weekend, he tells me, “Steve Jobs” sold out. The movie didn’t do so well across the country. Why was it a hit there?  “I charge $8.50 and $6.50, and we hand sell each ticket.” Does Universal know he’s their success story? “Oh yeah,” he replied.

 

No Retirement at 85: Barbara Walters Has NINE Specials Coming from Discovery Channel

Roger Friedman
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No Retirement at 85: Barbara Walters Has NINE Specials Coming from Discovery Channel

Barbara Walters won’t retire, even though ABC tried like crazy to put her to rest. The 85 year old news legend has executive produced NINE specials for the Discovery Channel. NINE. You might say that this a big f-u to ABC, but they funded it through Discovery. Still, Barbara says hah! to The View. She’s too much. And she really worked on them, too, and told everyone what to do and how to do it. You cannot stop this woman (many have tried). I guess we can only salute her tenacity and perseverance. Rock on, Barbara.

 

JonBenét Ramsey: Inside the Mystery

Premieres Monday, November 2 at 10/9c

When 6-year old JonBenét Ramsey was murdered in her upscale Boulder Colorado home in December 1996, her parents were instantly under a cloud of suspicion for their daughter’s violent death. This year, JonBenét would have been 25-years-old. Barbara Walters sits down with JonBenét’s father, John, and revisits that night when he and his wife, Patsy, found the lifeless body of their daughter. For the first time ever, John attempts to put to rest the rumors that his son, Burke, was somehow tied to the crime scene. He also discusses how he thinks law enforcement botched the investigation, how he survived bankruptcy, and the untimely 2006 death of his wife Patsy from ovarian cancer. For the first time, we will meet John Ramsey’s new wife, Jan, and hear how she dealt with the controversy when some people told her that she was marrying a killer.

 

O.J. Simpson: Kato Speaks

Premieres Monday, November 9 at 10/9c

In one of the most famous murders of all time, Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman were stabbed to death in front of Nicole’s Brentwood, California condo. The evidence pointed to her ex-husband O.J. Simpson as the murderer, but the jury in the criminal trial found O.J. not guilty.  Now, 20 years later, Barbara Walters talks again to houseguest Kato Kaelin who discusses what he recalls the night of the murder. Kato Kaelin, now 57-years-old, says that he thinks O.J. Simpson is the murderer. O.J. is currently serving time in a Nevada prison until at least 2017 on an unrelated robbery conviction.

Jean Harris: The Headmistress Murderer

Premieres Monday, November 16 at 10/9c

After Jean Harris visits her lover, celebrity diet doctor Herman Tarnower, he is discovered shot dead within hours. What really happened that night?  Broadcast legend Barbara Walters takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the most lurid murder stories she has ever covered. Walters unveils never-before-seen footage from her infamous interviews with Harris, and reveals surprising new details about the crime, including Harris’ drug use, life behind bars, and struggles to turn her life around. For the first time, Jean Harris’ son, Jim Harris, sits down with Barbara Walters and shares what life was like with “mother.” And later, Barbara shares personal commentary on why Harris was the convicted murderer she grew closest to, and how she risked her own reputation to save her.

Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons

Premieres Monday, November 23 at 10/9c

Barbara Walters has a very unusual pen pal:  a young man who killed his parents. Erik Menendez, and his brother Lyle, brutally shot their mother and father to death in their Beverly Hills mansion one evening. But was the family hiding a horrible secret? Barbara reveals chilling details about the crime, the trials, and her exclusive interview with the brothers. Walters interviews Erik Menendez’s wife, Tammi and shares never-before-seen letters from Erik, describing his life in prison, his hopes, and regrets. Finally, Walters uncovers a stunning message from Erik’s childhood, a bombshell that could possibly grant the brothers a new trial.        

 

Kimberly Mays: Switched at Birth

Premieres Monday, November 30 at 10/9c

Two baby girls born at the same Florida hospital are sent home with the wrong families.  While one dies tragically, the other is embroiled in a dramatic tug-of-war as both families fight for custody of the girl each believes to be their daughter.  Barbara Walters uncovers the truth behind the most famous “switched at birth” story.  Who sent the babies home with the wrong families?  Was it an accident or foul play?  And what happened to Kimberly Mays, the young girl who survived?  Barbara talks to both families, and has an emotional reunion with Mays to find the truth behind a mystery that has taken more than twenty years to unravel.    

 

Mark David Chapman: The Man Who Shot John Lennon

Premieres Monday, December 7 at 10/9c

On December 8, 1980, music legend John Lennon crosses paths with a lonely, suicidal fan in front of his New York City apartment.  Hours later, Lennon is murdered in cold blood, shot in the back four times.  Who would kill a pop culture icon beloved by millions?  Barbara Walters shares her disturbing interview with Lennon’s murderer, Mark David Chapman, and traces his steps leading up to the crime.  She uncovers chilling new details from the person who knew Chapman best, his wife Gloria, in her first ever on camera interview. Still married to Mark David Chapman, Gloria Chapman shares revealing details about her husband’s plot to kill Lennon, and the couples’ life together after the murder.

 

Jim Bakker: Fall From Grace

Premieres Monday, December 14 at 10/9c

Jim Bakker had it all: fame, fortune, and respect as the world’s most successful televangelist.  But a sexual tryst and financial troubles cause him to lose his ministry, his marriage, and ultimately lands him in prison.  Barbara Walters takes a closer look at one of the ‘80s most colorful scandals, involving big money, big hair and the “prosperity” gospel.  Her interviews with Bakker and his family reveal what life was really like for the family behind the “PTL Club.”  What has Bakker been doing since he left prison?  Has he moved on from Tammy Faye’s tragic death?  Is he still preaching?  Barbara uncovers the unbelievable truth about what happened to Jim Bakker, and speaks exclusively to Bakker’s son, Jay Bakker, who reveals intimate, new details about his parents’ marriage and a surprising “revelation” about what his father is doing today.

 

Mary Kay Letourneau:  Forbidden Love

Premieres Monday, December 21 at 10/9c

Barbara Walters revisits the country’s most notorious teacher-student sex scandal. Mary Kay Letourneau, a popular and married sixth grade teacher, has an affair with her elementary school student, Vili Fualaau. Pregnant with Vili’s baby in jail, Mary Kay is sentenced to prison for child molestation. Upon her release, Mary shockingly becomes pregnant by Vili again, and is forced to return to jail. Why would a woman risk her family and freedom for an affair with an underage boy? What has happened since Mary’s release?  How are the couples’ two now teenaged daughters? Mary and Vili share exclusive details only with Barbara in a no holds barred interview.    

 

Robert Blake: A Hollywood Hit

Premieres Monday, December 28 at 10/9c

Robert Blake shocked and captivated viewers with his aggressive prison interview with Barbara Walters as he sat in jail waiting for a court date for the murder of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley. Blake cries for his daughter Rosie and trashes Bakley. This explosive prison interview is one of Walters’ most compelling, as Blake rants about the injustices he said he faced. Two weeks after the interview aired, Blake was freed on bail, and he credits Barbara Walters with saving his life. But did he get away with murder? Walters sits down with Bakley’s daughter, Holly Gawron, who tells us why she thinks Robert Blake killed her mother and how she thinks he got away with it.

 

Carly Simon: Punch Line to Her Warren Beatty Affair Almost Better than “You’re So Vain”

Roger Friedman
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Carly Simon: Punch Line to Her Warren Beatty Affair Almost Better than “You’re So Vain”

This is a bit of a tease, because Carly Simon’s wonderful memoir “Boys in the Trees” isn’t published until two days before Thanksgiving.

But I will tell you that the punchline to her encounter with Warren Beatty is almost better than any story about “You’re So Vain.” Actually, the punchline may be why she wrote “You’re So Vain.” I don’t know.

Maybe I will be able to divulge this anecdote closer to the time of publication. But it’s in keeping with Carly’s usual bluntness about her personal life. And very very funny.

“Boys in the Trees,” by the way, is getting a CD to accompany it from Rhino Records. We’ll be able to cue up the music to the page number in the book. (This is so smart, why doesn’t it happen more often?)

I’m told the rest of the book is just as honest about others as it is about Warren. I know there’s a Mick Jagger chapter. He does sing harmonies on “You’re So Vain.”

I like that Carly named her book after her hit 1978 album “Boys in the Trees.” But I thought she would call it “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain.”

I’ve pre-ordered my copy already from amazon. PS I do believe Ms. Simon has agreed to a book signing at Barnes and Noble in New York during Thanksgiving week. I’d queue up now, if I were you. This is a rare appearance.

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