Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Donate
Home Blog Page 166

After All These Years: SHOF Still Doesn’t Include Steely Dan, Heart, Blondie, Bread, Doobies or George Clinton, Kenny Loggins

Roger Friedman
-
0
After All These Years: SHOF Still Doesn’t Include Steely Dan, Heart, Blondie, Bread, Doobies or George Clinton, Kenny Loggins

You have to ask yourself: how is this possible?

After all these years of gala dinners and hoopla the following songwriters are still not in the Songwriters Hall of Fame:

Steely Dan, Heart, Blondie, the Doobie Brothers, George Clinton, or David Gates from Bread? Really? The Guess Who?

All of these groups have been “nominated for induction” this year. Just put them all in.

Not to mention REM and Tracey Chapman (who will get in this year, absolutely because “Fast Car” was revived on the country charts).

And then there’s Narada Michael Walden, Chuck D and Public Enemy, and Maurice Starr. Plus Bryan Adams, Timbaland.

How is it possible that Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, who wrote all these songs — Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got), Don’t Pull Your Love, Nightshift, One Tin Soldier (Theme from Billy Jack), and We Built This City — weren’t in a long time ago?

David Gates, 82, had more than a dozen top 10 hits with Bread in the 1970s that are still played now.

Back on the nominees list is Tony Macaulay, who wrote top 70s hits like Baby Now That I’ve Found You, Build Me Up Buttercup, Don’t Give Up On Us, Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) . He’ll be 80 soon. Should we wait til they’re dead?

Unfortunately the SHOF voting tends to be dependent on publishing companies pushing their people in. Tracy Chapman is already a cinch. My guess is Timbaland and Chuck D will each somehow get in no matter what.

As for all the others I mentioned at the top, this is kind of ridiculous. Kenny Loggins? Again, a dozen or more hits solo and with Jim Messina.

Oscar Winner, Activist Susan Sarandon Dropped by Talent Agency UTA Over Anti-Jewish Statements, May Cause Trouble for New Movie

Roger Friedman
-
0
Oscar Winner, Activist Susan Sarandon Dropped by Talent Agency UTA Over Anti-Jewish Statements, May Cause Trouble for New Movie

Susan Sarandon has turned herself into a pariah in Hollywood.

I’ve confirmed that talent agency UTA has dropped the Oscar winner over her continued anti-Jewish rants.

Sarandon recently said at a pro-Palestinian rally that American Jews were now finding out what it’s been like for American Muslims.

“There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country,” Sarandon told a crowd at a recent New York event.

Sarandon for years has had odd, contentious out of step political ideas that have manifested into the public. She has supported outlier presidential candidates like Ralph Nader and Jill Stein. A very talented actress, she has never read the room in any situation. The result has been a much diminished career from her heyday.

But this latest episode may be her undoing. It may also cause trouble for a movie she’s filming called “The Fabulous Four,” with Bette Midler, who is Jewish and may not be so thrilled by Sarandon’s comments. The movie is a comedy about four old friends.

Additionally damning, Sarandon has been supporting famed antisemite Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd, on Twitter X.

All of this is very disappointing. I’ve known Susan a long, long time. Other than sounding antisemitic, she’s a terrific person. (Aside from everything else, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?) Her downfall is being almost too articulate. She doesn’t care what people think of her stands on various subjects. This may be the last straw.

The NY Post’s Page Six has also reported the UTA news.

Bruce Springsteen Has Stopped His Bellyaching: Rocker Says Peptic Ulcer Problem Resolved

Roger Friedman
-
0
Bruce Springsteen Has Stopped His Bellyaching: Rocker Says Peptic Ulcer Problem Resolved

Bruce Springsteen has stopped his bellyachin’.

Apparently, on his SiriusXM Radio show, the beloved rocker says his peptic ulcer has healed. Springsteen cancelled all of his fall shows through the end of the year because of the extreme pain in his tummy.

Little Steven van Zandt confirmed to me weeks ago that Bruce had been playing in pain toward the end of the summer and in the Meadowlands shows.

But Bruce already seemed pretty well in the last few weeks. He played a charity show in New York recently and reportedly sounded and acted like his old self.

Bruce also appeared at the New Jersey Hall of Fame ceremony in which his wife, Patti Scialfa, was honored.

You can tell the ulcer hasn’t changed Bruce’s eating habits. He’s been spotted at a diner in Freehold, New Jersey a lot lately. Maybe he’s trying the rice pudding!

Springsteen and the E Street Band will spend 2024 making up the shows they missed.

Scooped Here: The Rolling Stones Announce US Stadium Tour Sponsored, Appropriately, by AARP — for “Hackney Diamonds”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Scooped Here: The Rolling Stones Announce US Stadium Tour Sponsored, Appropriately, by AARP — for “Hackney Diamonds”

The combined ages of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood will be 236 next spring.

So it’s only appropriate that AARP will be the sponsor of their next — and possibly final — stadium tour.

The tour will take the Stones to the Meadowlands and Giants Stadium in New York/New Jersey, as well Soldier Field in Chicago and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The band will be promoting “Hackney Diamonds,” their raved- about new album.

I told you a few days ago that this was going to happen. Having seen the group last month at a New York nightclub, I can tell you they are ready to get there and play up a storm.

How expensive will these tickets be? Through the roof, I expect. How can they not be?

But at least AARP will be there with easy access for the aging crowd! And maybe Lady Gaga will join them on a couple of dates!

THE ROLLING STONES – STONES TOUR ‘24 HACKNEY DIAMONDS
sponsored by AARP

Sunday, April 28, 2024                            NRG Stadium                               Houston, TX
Thursday, May 2, 2024                            Jazz Fest                                        New Orleans, LA
Tuesday, May 7, 2024                              State Farm Stadium                   Glendale, AZ
Saturday, May 11, 2024                          Allegiant Stadium                       Las Vegas, NV
Wednesday, May 15, 2024                    Lumen Field                                 Seattle, WA
Thursday, May 23, 2024                         MetLife Stadium                         East Rutherford, NJ
Thursday, May 30, 2024                         Gillette Stadium                         Foxboro, MA
Monday, June 3, 2024                             Camping World Stadium              Orlando, FL
Friday, June 7, 2024                                 Mercedes-Benz Stadium              Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, June 11, 2024                           Lincoln Financial Field               Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, June 15, 2024                          Cleveland Browns Stadium              Cleveland, OH
Thursday, June 20, 2024                         Empower Field at Mile High              Denver, CO
Thursday, June 27, 2024                         Soldier Field                                 Chicago, IL
Friday, July 5, 2024                                   BC Place                                         Vancouver, BC
Wednesday, July 10, 2024                      SoFi Stadium                                Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, July 17, 2024                      Levi’s® Stadium                           Santa Clara, CA

Exclusive: Ariana Grande Sees “Spamalot” on Broadway for the Fifth Time, Brings Superstar Songwriter Max Martin and “SNL” Star Bowen Yang

Roger Friedman
-
0
Exclusive: Ariana Grande Sees “Spamalot” on Broadway for the Fifth Time, Brings Superstar Songwriter Max Martin and “SNL” Star Bowen Yang

I was a little reluctant to go see the new revival of “Spamalot” on Broadway Monday night. I felt like I knew the show, and wasn’t so excited. I was wrong. The new version is energized by a terrific cast including many Tony winners and Broadway favorites like James Monroe Iglehart, Christopher Fitzgerald, Michael Urie, and Leslie Kritzer. It was like medicine for the soul, hilariously funny and expertly assembled by director Josh Rhodes.

Also in this ensemble group of musical comedians and dancers is Ethan Slater, who plays 8 parts effortlessly changing gears. His compact frame suggests he might have been a gymnast and his comic face assures him a long career on Broadway.

But Slater, who previously starred in the title role of “Spongebob: Square Pants” on Broadway, is now finishing up the two films tied to the Broadway smash, “Wicked.” That’s where he met his famous girlfriend, Ariana Grande, who stars in the movie with Cynthia Erivo. (You may have read all about this in the tabloids.)

Anyway, there was Ariana Grande last night in person, sitting across the aisle from me. Her companions included mega pop hit writer Max Martin, “SNL” star Bowen Yang — who’s in the movie, the film’s assistant choreographer, Will Loftis.

Ariana Grande has an ironic name because she is tiny, with beautiful features, and a huge smile. We chatted during intermission. She said, “I’ve seen this show five times.” The reason was obvious. In the second act, Slater steals the show — which isn’t easy since everyone on stage is busy doing that.

What was she doing with Max Martin? In the past they’ve collaborated on about two dozen released tracks and two dozen unreleased ones. They’re working together now on new music since “Wicked” — in its two parts — is almost wrapped up.

“Wait til you see it,” she said, eyes twinkling. “I think you’re going to like it.” And the two parts? “You’ll see, we needed it.”

When the curtain came down, I noticed Ariana gave the same enthusiastic applause to all the cast members, not just Slater. But she would have been right to give him a fist pump, anyway.

Nice Broadway night, all by accident. Before the show, while I waited outside for my tickets, actress Elle Fanning scooted up 44th St. No one recognized her, but I did. She pointed to the marquee next to the St. James Theater, to the Helen Hayes Theater, where she will make her Broadway debut next month in a play called “Appropriate.” Sarah Paulson and Corey Stoll are among the cast. “We’re in rehearsal right now!” she told me with a big, delightful smile.

Broadway is buzzing! As they say in “Spamalot”: “Always look on the bright side of life.”

PS Leslie Kritzer had better get a Tony Award next June for this performance. She send everyone home on a puffy white cloud!

PS Here’s the performance I told Ariana Grande that stuck with me. She can sainnng.

Cliffhanger: “General Hospital,” ABC Say So Long to Actor Roger Howarth… For Now

Roger Friedman
-
0
Cliffhanger: “General Hospital,” ABC Say So Long to Actor Roger Howarth… For Now

“General Hospital” actor Roger Howarth’s three character, decade long run has come to an end on the ABC soap opera.

Howarth confirmed today that his latest character, Dr. Austin Gatlin Holt, did not survive being shot twice on Friday’s show.

Howarth is saying goodbye for now. He’s been with ABC soaps on and off for 30 years. He did a few years on CBS’s As the World Turns, as well. But he’s mostly known from ABC’s “One Life to Live,” as Todd Manning. That character is alive somewhere and could return to “General Hospital” at any time.

Howarth brought Todd Manning to “General Hospital” originally when the other soap was canceled by ABC. But then legal problems arose because ABC had licensed the rights to “One Life to Live” to a streaming company, so Todd Manning was replaced by Franco (who was named for James Franco, the actor who’d originated that role but returned to movies).

Dr. Holt, however, follows Howarth’s previous incarnation, Franco, to the grave.

Never say never on soaps, and Howarth is a brand name.

Howarth wrote on Instagram:

Three things that I know for sure…

1 Daytime fans are lovely and amazing and supportive and dedicated and I am deeply grateful to each sparkly one of them.

2 I enjoyed my time at general hospital and wish the cast and crew the best and continued success. It was a pleasure working with you all.

3 Life is amazing. We just don’t Ever know what’s gonna happen. How great!

Turn toward the light. Always.

Huge thank you to you all.

CBS Friday Ratings Staple Police Drama “Blue Bloods” with Tom Selleck Ending After 14 Seasons

Roger Friedman
-
0
CBS Friday Ratings Staple Police Drama “Blue Bloods” with Tom Selleck Ending After 14 Seasons

Get ready to say goodbye to “Blue Bloods.”

The CBS Friday night staple is wrapping its 14 season run next May.

The police drama stars Tom Selleck and Len Cariou with Bridget Moynihan among others. They all leave very rich and happy.

“Blue Bloods” was the perfect comfort food CBS drama, emphasizing family and lightly touching on serious subjects. It’s already a hit in syndication and will run for years in reruns.

The family drama surrounded the aptly named Reagans (apt since Selleck, a noted conservative became popular under Ronald Reagan). The show’s central theme was family dinners with the Reagans which included Selleck as the chief of the NYPD, and his children and father were also cops or the District Attorney. This was a New York fantasy, but the audience outside of New York ate it up.

How will it all end? At that dinner table, no doubt, with someone passing the mashed potatoes and handcuffs.

Ryan Seacrest to Rock New Year’s Eve Show Six More Times on ABC Through 2029

Roger Friedman
-
0
Ryan Seacrest to Rock New Year’s Eve Show Six More Times on ABC Through 2029

If you’re planning your New Year’s celebrations, this is important to know.

ABC has announced a deal with Dick Clark Productions through January 1, 2029 with Ryan Seacrest Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.

Alas, this is the top rated show on New Year’s if you haven’t gone out or haven’t fallen asleep.

ABC says Rockin New Year’s Eve attracted 13.8 million Total Viewers last year, drawing in 17.9 million Total Viewers and hitting a 5.34 Adult 18-49 rating in the midnight quarter-hour.

You don’t have to watch it, there are other things to do. But maybe you’re in the hospital or you’ve been kidnapped, this is still a viable choice of entertainment.

Just kidding! God bless! Dick Clark is smiling down from heaven.

Disney May “Wish” This Movie Never Happened: New Animated Release Now Ranked 58 Out of 71

Roger Friedman
-
0
Disney May “Wish” This Movie Never Happened: New Animated Release Now Ranked 58 Out of 71

Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week by releasing “Wish,” a new animated film.

So far the reviews are dismal. “Wish” has a 53 on Rotten Tomatoes, which has ranked all 71 animated Disney films. “Wish” is tied for number 58. It’s the lowest rated Disney film of at least the last 20 years.

“Wish” stars Chris Pine (who’s not having a good year — his directorial debut met with rotten tomatoes galore at film festivals) and Oscar winner Ariana deBose. Disney was counting on two songs from “Wish” getting Oscar nominations, which might be hard if the movie is a bust.

Variety wrote: “The strategy behind “Wish” seems to be: If we do an homage to enchantment, the audience will be enchanted. True magic, however, can’t be recycled.”

Disney may wish “Wish” never happened if Wednesday night receipts reflect these reviews. It doesn’t help for any of the Wednesday movies this week that really bad weather is coming for most of the country. Stay tuned…

Billboard Music Awards Rewards Morgan Wallen with 11 Wins Despite “N” Word Scandal

Roger Friedman
-
0
Billboard Music Awards Rewards Morgan Wallen with 11 Wins Despite “N” Word Scandal

Morgan Wallen got away with it.

Less than two years after he was caught on video using the “N” word, Wallen was rewarded with 11 Billboard Music Awards tonight. He won more than anyone including Taylor Swift.

Wallen was caught on a tape that was sent to TMZ where he shouted the “N” word at a white friend as they came home after having a good ol’ time in a bar.

His agent and manager dropped him but his record company, Universal, didn’t do anything because Wallen was selling millions of records.

Other awards shows like the Grammys and Country Music Awards shunned him for a time. The Grammys recently made sure he got nothing.

But the Billboard Awards didn’t have a conscience. They went with Wallen even though their show wasn’t broadcast on TV for ratings. Wallen performed and picked up Top Album, Top Song, Top Country Album, Top Country Single, and Top Male Artist, among others.

Money talks, kids. Everything else is besides the point. And you wonder why no one believes in awards shows anymore. This is the height of cynicism.

1...165166167...2,147Page 166 of 2,147

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com