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The Rolling Stones, Martin Scorsese, Longtime Friends, Release Respective Best Work in Years — And in Their 80s!

Roger Friedman
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The Rolling Stones, Martin Scorsese, Longtime Friends, Release Respective Best Work in Years — And in Their 80s!

On Friday, there are two big entertainment releases.

In movies, we’ll get Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” In music, The Rolling Stones are releasing “Hackney Diamonds,” their first album of original material in 17 years.

Scorsese and all of the Stones are now 80 years old or more. They’ve worked together a lot in the past. Scorsese filmed a documentary with them called “Shine a Light” in 2008. The Stones’ music has been used in many Scorsese films.

Now, by coincidence, they each have new projects launching on Friday. The stars have aligned because both “Killers” and “Hackney” show artists working at the top of their respective games. What are the chances?

The album and the movie should give hope to everyone who’s worked a lifetime in their discipline hoping to see it pay off.

For Scorsese, “Killers” could very well win him and the movie many Oscars, it’s that good, a tour de force. When I saw it in Cannes back in May, it was clear “Killers” would join the ranks of “Mean Streets,” “Goodfellas,” “The Departed,” “Raging Bull,” and so on as one of Scorsese’s classics. Known for mob movies, Scorsese here presents a self-made mob subtly at play as Robert DeNiro’s self-possessed megalomaniac character loses all conscience as he designs a killing spree while proclaiming simultaneous friendship to his victims. It’s chilling.

With the Stones, “Hackney Diamonds” is extraordinary — first because of the time since the last original album. And second, that they were able to recapture the grit and glamour of their earliest work. Two songs are already out, but when fans hear the unbridled youthful sound of pounding rock and blues in an album made by men the ages of their grandparents, they should be in awe (not to mention Paul McCartney, 81, on thundering bass).

It may be the closing of an era is upon us. but what a way to go out!

Brian Cox, The Face and Voice of McDonalds and DirectTV, Making Millions, Crabs About Losing “Anonymity”

Roger Friedman
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Brian Cox, The Face and Voice of McDonalds and DirectTV, Making Millions, Crabs About Losing “Anonymity”

“Succession” star Brian Cox tells The UK Guardian: “I’ve lost my anonymity and I’ve realized that that was what was important to me. I haven’t ever experienced anything like this. I mean, you ask for success in your work, and you get it, and then you have to deal with the consequences. I’ve always valued my privacy, but that’s gone. I’ve been very lucky that I’ve had it for so long. You know, I’ve been doing this for over 60 years. And finally it’s over.”

Prior to being in “Succession,” Cox was largely unknown. He played a pedophile in an indie movie called “L.I.E.”

With “Succession,” Cox became the ubiquitous face and voice for McDonalds, and the voice of DirectTV, in commercials. You can’t get away from him. He chose this path. Fame and fortune weren’t forced on him.

Hold the pickles, Brian, hold the relish.

Robert Kennedy Jr Happily Accepts Endorsement from Ex-Con Rapper Beanie Sigel (Here Are His Creds Including Multiple Prison Stays)

Roger Friedman
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Robert Kennedy Jr Happily Accepts Endorsement from Ex-Con Rapper Beanie Sigel (Here Are His Creds Including Multiple Prison Stays)

Presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy Jr. is very excited about his latest endorsement. It’s from ex-con rapper Beanie Sigel, whose “rap sheet” has no lyrics but plenty of crimes.

This is who Kennedy thinks is a proper person to vouch for him. It’s like candidacy is a cross between “Veep” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” I guess Cheryl Hines will be having Beanie over for dinner any day now.

All of this comes from Wikipedia:

In 2002, Sigel was arrested and charged with a federal weapons charge in West Philadelphia. He would later serve a year in federal prison.

Sigel was arrested in January 2003 after allegedly punching a 53-year-old man in the face, fracturing his eye socket. On July 3, 2003, Sigel turned himself in to Philadelphia police and was charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing six shots from a 9 mm handgun at a club door, injuring two people. He was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of a criminal instrument. His first trial ended in a hung jury. A second trial resulted in a not-guilty verdict.

In 2004, Sigel was convicted of federal weapons charges and sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison.


Sigel was shot multiple times during a robbery in Philadelphia on May 25, 2006. He was able to flee the scene and drive himself to a local hospital. One month prior to this incident, Sigel was released from prison after serving a brief stint for child support charges.

On August 15, 2009, Sigel was arrested on a drug possession charge while traveling to a concert in New Jersey. He was found in possession of nearly 50 grams (1.8 oz) of marijuana in his vehicle.

Sigel was charged in 2010 with three counts of failing to file tax returns on income of over $1 million between 2003 and 2005. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 25 months in prison.

On August 29, 2012, two weeks before reporting to prison, Sigel was arrested again in Philadelphia on drug, weapons, and conspiracy charges after being pulled over by police. Officers found a fully loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun inside the vehicle, as well as $4,500 in cash, an unlabeled bottle of codeine cough syrup, and various pills. Sigel began his 24-month sentence for failing to file tax returns at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia on September 12, 2012. Additionally, he was sentenced six to 23 months in county jail for illegal possession of prescription drugs, to be served concurrently with his federal sentence.

On August 14, 2014, Sigel was released from Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill and was reported to be serving out the rest of his sentence in a halfway house in Philadelphia. Sigel was wounded in a drive-by shooting outside his Pleasantville, New Jersey home on December 5, 2014. He was rushed to the hospital where he had a lung removed due to complications during surgery. According to police, Sigel was not the intended victim.

Bruce Springsteen Has a New Single Out Called “Addicted to Romance.” But His Rabid Fans Have Ignored It– Sales Only 2,377

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Has a New Single Out Called “Addicted to Romance.” But His Rabid Fans Have Ignored It– Sales Only 2,377

Hmmmm…

I was all excited a couple of weeks ago about Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa’s single, “Addicted to Romance.”

The song is from the movie, “She Came to Me,” directed by Rebecca Miller. The movie is an indie, and barely distributed by Vertical Releasing. It’s done no business. Still, one would think “Addicted to Romance” would have its own life.

One would be wrong.

“Addicted to Romance” is DOA. It’s sold 2,377 copies, according to Luminate. Around 600 came from streaming. Not a single radio station has played it. I’m not even sure Bruce’s Sirius XM channel has done anything with it. There are fewer than 1,000 views on YouTube.

Clearly, Sony, Bruce’s label, has done nothing with it. Of course the radio problem is because Bruce and Patti are not Justin and Ariana, and Top 40 isn’t going to play it. But classic rock stations? Adult contemporary?

Give it a spin, kids. This is very disrespectful.

Remembering Stars: Piper Laurie Was Magnificent in Twin Peaks, Mark Goddard’s Six Degrees of Jack Nicholson, Lara Parker, Phyllis Coates

Roger Friedman
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Remembering Stars: Piper Laurie Was Magnificent in Twin Peaks, Mark Goddard’s Six Degrees of Jack Nicholson, Lara Parker, Phyllis Coates

Several beloved actors have passed away recently. Among them was Phyllis Coates, age 96, the original Lois Lane on “The Adventures of Superman.” For little boys of a certain age, Coates is seared into our brains. She was lovely. She appeared in the two part “Mole Men,” episodes that remain outstanding after 65 years. Everyone from “Superman” is gone now. Very disconcerting.

Piper Laurie was already a highly respected, well regarded actress when she starred in the original “Twin Peaks” back in 1988. She’d been nominated for three Oscars and nine Emmys (she won one). She starred twice on Broadway over her long career. She was memorably in the movie, “Carrie.” But it was her role as the imperious and mysterious paper mill owner Catherine Martell on “Twin Peaks” that cemented her legacy. (She also played a Japanese man when Catherine briefly “died.“) One of my most fun nights at an Academy party was in 2019, I think, when I got to hang out with Laurie and her old pal, Ed Asner. There will never be people like this again.

Mark Goddard was a star of “Lost in Space,” for three seasons in the 60s before “Star Trek.” The first season is must see until Goddard, and the other adults — June Lockhart and Guy Williams — were back-burnered for the cartoonist saga of Will, Dr. Smith, and the Robot. Goddard was the single guy who was supposed to be romancing the hot young girl on the show (Marta Kristen).

The show was over in 1968 but Goddard stayed hot enough to romance and marry Susan Anspach, herself very hot in the biz because she was in “Five Easy Pieces” with Jack Nicholson. Anspach had a child with Nicholson, but the famous actor wouldn’t acknowledge him. Anspach married Goddard, and the kid — Caleb — took his name. Nicholson has never acknowledged Caleb or a daughter who also claims paternity, (They all look just like him.)

PS June Lockhart is still alive at age 98.

I never watched “Dark Shadows” as a kid. but you knew it was on while you were doing homework. Lara Parker was a knockout on the show. Now she’s passed away at age 84. She played Angelique, a witch. David Selby, Jonathan Frid, and Kathryn Leigh Scott were among the other stars. I guess “Outlander” now is the equivalent, with time travel and parallel stories. Parker’s memorably big round eyes were very fetching, even if she was conjuring spells or hanging with vampires. RIP.

“Saturday Night Live” Comes Roaring Back Up 19% from 2022 Premiere Thanks to Pete Davidson, Ice Spice, Taylor and Travis

Roger Friedman
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“Saturday Night Live” Comes Roaring Back Up 19% from 2022 Premiere Thanks to Pete Davidson, Ice Spice, Taylor and Travis

Fans were clearly starved for some “SNL.”

Lorne Michaels kicked off his 49th season with a big success. Total viewers were 4.8 million, up 19% from last year’s premiere. In the key age demo, they were up 31% thanks to Pete Davidson and Ice Spice. It didn’t hurt to have surprise appearances from the number 1 PR people in the world, Taylor Swift and Travis Bickle, er, Kelce.

This week, host and musical guest is Bad Bunny. The following week, for Halloween, comic Nate Bergatze and Foo Fighters take over for a ratings sweep triumph!

The show was uneven, and I didn’t like Davidson’s opening monologue. But his cold open was excellent, and that set the tone for the night.

There really has to be more political material. The satire and sending up of Gaetz, Boebert, et al, now Jim Jordan is ripe for the picking!

Rust Never Sleeps: Alec Baldwin Still in Hot Seat as Prosecutors Will Present Halyna Hutchins’ Shooting Death to Grand Jury — After 2 Years

Roger Friedman
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Rust Never Sleeps: Alec Baldwin Still in Hot Seat as Prosecutors Will Present Halyna Hutchins’ Shooting Death to Grand Jury — After 2 Years

“Rust” really never sleeps.

Now the New Mexico special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis say they’ll present a case against Alec Baldwin to a grand jury for indictment.

Two years ago, Baldwin allegedly fired a prop gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. He says he never pulled the trigger. For a while it seemed like there would be no case. In January 2023 Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Those charges were dropped. But over the summer evidence came in that the trigger was pulled. Somehow. By someone.

“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” the prosecutors said in a statement. “We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.”

Since this tragedy, which included the director of “Rust” getting wounded from a shot, Baldwin has settled civil suits including one with Hutchins’ husband. Baldwin is outspoken, and a lightning rod for controversy. But no one could believe he intended to shoot a loaded gun, let alone kill someone. I don’t think the grand jury will indict him. They will likely see this as the DA’s office trying to save face.

Movie Studio Selling Priscilla Presley Cosmetics on Website to Promote New Movie

Roger Friedman
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Movie Studio Selling Priscilla Presley Cosmetics on Website to Promote New Movie

It isn’t easy promoting movies, or paying for them.

A24 hasn’t scored a hit since foisting “Everything Everywhere All at Once” on an suspecting public. But now they’re hoping for a hit with “Priscilla.” from Sofia Coppola.

“Priscilla” played a the New York Film Festival and opens soon, I guess. Meantime, A24 sent me an email today to buy Priscilla Presley’s cosmetics.

“Priscilla” is the “Elvis” movie from last year, told in reverse. I wish Warner Bros. had sent promotions for something, like Graceland-branded track suits.

“Priscilla” opens November 3rd.

From news@A24.com:

Recreate Priscilla Presley’s iconic 60s winged eye look from Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla with the new Priscilla x Half Magic set. Includes Eyelectric Ultra-black Mascara, Magic Flik Black Liquid Eyeliner and the Wing Magician Reusable Wing Guide.

Trump Ignores Gag Order, Reprints Article on Social Media Giving NY Attorney General Letitia James’s Home Address

Roger Friedman
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Trump Ignores Gag Order, Reprints Article on Social Media Giving NY Attorney General Letitia James’s Home Address

Donald Trump is under two gag orders but he doesn’t care.

On his Truth Social he’s linked to an article written by nutjob Laura Loomer. In the article, she reprints the home address of New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Loomer’s so called reason for doing this is to show that the building has hazardous violations.

In reality, it’s a veiled way of threatening a public official.

Trump has been warned not to mess with his prosecutors any more on social media. He calls James nicknames like “Peekaboo.” He refers to Jack Smith as deranged.

Trump was prohibited in a gag order issued by New York Judge Arthur Engoron from posting about or disparaging anyone who works for the court. It will be interesting to see if Engoron considers this contempt of his order.

PS I am not linking to Loomer.

Jada Pinkett Smith Book Debuts at Number 3 on Amazon Behind Rachel Maddow, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Roger Friedman
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Jada Pinkett Smith Book Debuts at Number 3 on Amazon Behind Rachel Maddow, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

After eviscerating Will Smith and her marriage on every media platform available, Jada Pinkett Smith did not debut at number 1 this morning.

On Amazon, Jada’s “Worthy” starts at number 3 behind Rachel Maddow’s “Prequel: An American Fight Against Facism,” and David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

You have to give Jada’s publicist credit. No stone has gone unturned. Even last night she appeared on Colbert, despite the host having COVID. She’s been on every talk show, made videos galore, she’s talking to people on the street.

But all the negativity may cause a backlash. So far on Amazon there are just a couple of reviews. Three of them are pans, one is positive. The overall feeling is that people want Jada to stop. She gets it, so now she’s contradicting herself, saying she’s working on her marriage. LOL. She may be drugging Will Smith at this point.

“Killers of the Flower Moon,” meantime, opens Thursday night as a Martin Scorsese movie. Last night’s premiere and screenings produced rave reviews all over social media. It’s the best movie of the year.

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