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Michael Jackson Breaking News: Oprah Interviews Singer’s Surrogate Family

Roger Friedman
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29
Michael Jackson Breaking News: Oprah Interviews Singer’s Surrogate Family

What to do when so many people question the truth? Go on “Oprah.”

I am told that the whole Cascio family appears on “Oprah” on December 6th to showcase Eddie Cascio’s tracks from Michael Jackson‘s new album.

Eddie is joined by his parents, Dominic and Connie, as well as brother Frank and sister Nicole.

The family talks with Oprah about their long relationship as Michael’s surrogate family, and the evolution of the music Michael made at their house in New Jersey in 2007.

Originally, the family didn’t want to go to the show, but Sony Music thought it best just to put the whole story out in the open. “Michael” the album is released on December 14th. The single, “Hold My Hand,” is already on the radio and on ITunes, featuring Akon.

Eddie Cascio has three tracks on the new “Michael” album–“Breaking News,” “Monster,” and “Keep Your Head Up.” There are nine more in the vault.

Also on the show is Michael’s long time producer Teddy Riley, who worked on the tracks and vouches for their veracity.

Fran Lebowitz Is Right…Most of the Time

Roger Friedman
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2
Fran Lebowitz Is Right…Most of the Time

I just caught up with Martin Scorsese‘s HBO film, “Public Speaking,” about humorist Fran Lebowitz.

Lebowitz came to fame in 1978 with her collection of essays called “Metropolitan Life.” The essays were drawn from columns she published in Andy Warhol’s Interview called “I Cover the Waterfront.” They caught the eye of my late friend, Laurie Colwin, herself a New Yorker short story writer and novelist (“Happy all the Time”) who worked for the late editorial legend, Henry Robbins, at E.P. Dutton. (He was John Irving‘s editor on his key books like “Garp.”)

I remember Laurie telling me a few years later how Fran came to them broke. “She had nothing. I said, ‘We have to publish her.’ And they did. Dutton also published the sequel, “Social Studies.” Fran stopped writing for Interview. And that was that, other than a children’s book.

I’m not clear how she became court jester to people like Calvin Klein, Barry Diller, Toni Morrison and Graydon Carter other than the fact she’s amusing and fun. I knew her in the mid 80s because she was friendly with Paloma Picasso and her first husband, who were very close to her for a time. She’s also been bff’s with Lisa Robinson, who was the New York Post’s talented rock journalist (and for years since with Vanity Fair). The two women look very cute in their Studio 54 clip in “Public Speaking.”

My only real intersection with Lebowitz was in 1994. I’d interviewed her for New York Magazine about being a summer houseguest in the Hamptons. The snarky editors over me described her in the piece as a “freeloader.” She subsequently had me thrown out, physically, of a party at the Royalton Hotel courtesy of Brian McNally. Frank DiGiacomo, then with Page Six, walked out in solidarity with me. I’ve never spoken to her again.

Mostly I remember her circa 1979, standing in the drizzle at the corner of 11th St. and 6th Avenue, scowling, wearing a man’s raincoat, smoking a cigarette.

Scorsese obviously finds her funny. He captures that well. I can’t remember a time when I’ve seen Lebowitz smile in public. In “Public Speaking,” she smiles a lot, and laughs broadly. It’s a relief. Much of the charm from those two early books comes back here with a flash. It’s been missed. She says she’s right most of the time. She is right a lot of the time in “Public Speaking” about a lot of things– New York tourists, walking in the city, the decline of the sophisticated audience, large children in strollers. She’s also right that all we’ve done for thirty years is recycle the culture, waiting for something new. She really isn’t Dorothy Parker. She’s Mel Brooks. Which is just fine. When she hits a riff, Lebowitz is a hoot.

I also really liked her cufflinks.

Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Forgotten by Hollywood Trade Mag

Roger Friedman
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8
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Forgotten by Hollywood Trade Mag

I know it’s hard converting from a trade magazine to a hybrid whatever.

But maybe The Hollywood Reporter could try and get its music coverage together a little.

In this week’s ‘big think piece’ about “American Idol” they managed to forget entirely Jennifer Hudson. Remember Jennifer, boys? She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in “Dreamgirls.” It was only a couple of years ago. She’s also had a hit album and two hit singles. She’s also starred in “The Secret Life of Bees” and just finished starring in “Winnie Mandela” with Terrence Howard. Hudson has a new album scheduled for early next year with songs by Alicia Keys included.

Hudson finished seventh in “American Idol” during season 3, 2004. Fantasia Barrino won the competition. But Hudson is now arguably the biggest star to come out of “AI,” eclipsing even Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

If only The Hollywood Reporter had remembered her!

PS THR: Sony moved on to Simon Cowell’s “X Factor,” which makes sense: it’s the next big thing. Universal will have to do a lot to revive “American Idol,” although it’s quite likely that their very own L.A. Reid will head there as a judge or mentor.

Susan Boyle Makes Sony An Offer it Can’t Refuse

Roger Friedman
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2
Susan Boyle Makes Sony An Offer it Can’t Refuse

You know, I love to harpoon the record companies when they do something weird. Warner Music is a favorite subject because they can’t get anything right, don’t do much to market their new releases, and recently got rid of a slew of marketing people.

But sometimes, people get it together. Sony Music’s Columbia Records has the #1 and #2 albums this week: Susan Boyle‘s “The Gift’ sold over 330,000 copies, and Jackie Evancho‘s Christmas album did around 240,000.

Not only that: the “Glee” Christmas album came in around 160,000 copies. Wow.

This means that Rob Stringer has three big hits in the top 10. None of them are likely to go away, either. And then on December 14th, Stringer launches Michael Jackson’s “Michael.”

Columbia also has both Bruce Springsteen releases on the charts this week–his box set and the individual album, “The Promise”; plus Susan Boyle’s original album came back. Not bad!

And: stand back, because Columbia Records will be the home of “X Factor” next year.

Wait: did I mention Train, which had the most ubiquitous record of the year with “Hey Soul Sister”? (I bark when I hear it at this point.)

Even so, Stringer got strung up today when the NY Daily News, otherwise on the money, picked up some wacko story from a blog saying that Stringer was like the “Fredo Corleone” of Sony because he’s the brother of Sony chairman Sir Howard.

While not everything Stringer does is perfect–he didn’t get the new Paul Simon, for example–the numbers don’t lie. And contrary to a recent, misguided report, Sony’s Epic label was in trouble long before any of these people came along. The last time there was a sign of life at Epic was when Charlie Walk buzzed through there like Sammy Glick, making records like Shakira and Wyclef’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls” sizzle on radio.

Fredo Corleone? Wrong brother. I’d say Michael Corleone. Pay attention, kids.

Spider Man On Broadway: First Videos from Inside the show

Roger Friedman
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1
Spider Man On Broadway: First Videos from Inside the show

Two new videos have gone up from “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark.” Here are the links. While they are promotional, they’re still pretty interesting. Previews begin this Sunday, November 28th at 6:30pm. It’s not opening night, but expect everyone who’s anyone to be there.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=121115394618089

http://tinyurl.com/268uvf7

Paul Simon: Download New Free Christmas Single Here

Roger Friedman
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1
Paul Simon: Download New Free Christmas Single Here

Paul Simon– I told you last May that he was ready with a new album that would be great, that he was so excited about.

Now you can download for free, for the next four days, a new single called “Getting Ready for Christmas Day.” Just go to www.paulsimon.com and fill in your email address. You will receive a link instantly–and the song is terrific.

“Getting Ready for Christmas Day” is Paul Simon multimedia–he mixes his own music with a sampled 1941 track from Rev. J.M. Gates, preacher and gospel artist.

Paul Simon, archivist, is never less than fascinating: think of “Graceland” or “Loves Me Like a Rock.” No one is better at mashing up bits and pieces of older music, like found art, with his own new material.

Thanks for the gift, Paul. Look forward to the new album in the spring.

PS The Hear Music/Concord Records logo is now on Simon’s site. I guess that’s his way of saying the new album will be coming from them, and not Sony. It’s all good.

Leo vs. Leo: Two Studios in Oscar Dogfight for DiCaprio

Roger Friedman
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2
Leo vs. Leo: Two Studios in Oscar Dogfight for DiCaprio

Was Leonardo DiCaprio a Best Actor nominee in Martin Scorsese‘s “Shutter Island”?

Or was he a Best Actor nominee in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception”?

It’s an enviable position, and one in which DiCaprio has been before. He was nominated for “Blood Diamond” the same year he was great in Scorsese’s “The Departed.” But the former film won the campaign and the nomination.

Four years later, it looks like Scorsese will get the upper hand. There’s a big promo blitz for Leo in “Shutter Island.” Paramount has just bulked mailed a huge color brochure delineating DiCaprio’s movie career, culminating in “Shutter.” It’s war.

Which is a better film? Well, it depends on whom you ask. If anyone knew what actually happened in “Inception,” it would help. “Shutter Island”–while still a twisty mystery–does actually have a more solid premise.

Also interesting is the way the studios play it. Last time, with both “The Departed” and “Blood Diamond,” Leo was with Warner Bros. “Inception” is Warner’s. “Shutter” belongs to Paramount. But it does seem that Scorsese will be the trump card here. And “Shutter” screeners are already out. I just watched mine, and it plays great on big flat screen TV. It’s a terrific film. Of course, the “Inception” DVD should be pretty popular, as everyone tries to figure out the film.

DiCaprio is oft-nominated, but has never won an Oscar. He came close with “The Aviator.” Even with two films, he’s still running fourth or fifth back in a pack that includes Colin Firth, James Franco, Robert Duvall, and Mark Wahlberg.

David Duchovny Opens Off Broadway, Gets Surprise Visit from “X Files” Co-Star

Roger Friedman
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7
David Duchovny Opens Off Broadway, Gets Surprise Visit from “X Files” Co-Star

David Duchovny got a big surprise tonight. For his opening off Broadway in Neil LaBute‘s “The Break of Noon,” former “X Files” costar Gillian Anderson flew in from England. She’d told him she’d come, but Duchovny looked shocked when he actually saw her. Talk about support!

Major points to Duchovny, famous for his TV and film work. He made his stage debut at the Lucille Lortel Theater– battling a cold. When the lights went up on Duchovny as a man who’s survived a deadly shoot out in his office, he is totally alone. He’s never done a play before anywhere, he told me later. Maybe in grade school.

The theater is small; you could tell had a bad cold. But in front of his wife, Tea Leoni, her parents, aunt and uncle, plus Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, Jessica Hecht, Eric Bogosian and an array of New York’s theaterati, Duchovny acquitted himself nicely. Even if he had to wipe his nose a few times during La Bute’s opening monologue.

Duchovny co-stars with Amanda Peet, and New York theater vets Tracee Chimo, and John Earl Jelks— all of whom make an excellent ensemble as the story of John Smith’s survival–a coworker has killed 37 people but spared him–unravels. In the process, Smith has a religious conversion, and LaBute walks carefully as he sends up but doesn’t mock John’s new found Christianity.

At one point, Amanda Peet’s character–playing John’s ex wife–demands from him, “I want the truth.” It sounded like a line from the “X Files.” Anderson told me she got a good laugh when she heard it.

Duchovny told me later he’s no longer terrified when he steps on the stage. Still, it takes a lot of courage to do what he’s challenged himself with. Luckily, it goes very well. The short run ends December 22nd, when the rest of the cast heads to L.A. What about Duchovny? “I’m staying here,” he said. “I have a family.”

Tea Leoni, standing just to his side, nodded happily in agreement.

American Music Awards: The Usual Embarrassment, Save for Bon Jovi and Santana

Roger Friedman
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8
American Music Awards: The Usual Embarrassment, Save for Bon Jovi and Santana

Yes, I do feel like an old curmudgeon now.

Watching the “American Music Awards” — granted using DVR and going back and forth, not in real time by any means– was torture. No one’s ever respected this hoary broadcast, but this year it seemed more cynical and calculated than usual.

Luckily, for the audience, too, Bon Jovi awakened the crowd at the Nokia Theater from their group coma. The group seemed like the first to sing live, without corps of dancers, fireworks, and other paraphernalia to mask their insufficiencies. Once Bon Jovi worked its way through its new single, you could see the audience actually leap up and start dancing to “You Give Love A Bad Name” (corrected–sorry!) and “It’s My Life.” It was like a jolt of plasma.

What the Nokia crowd–and people at home–had to endure was just a parade of such severe, manipulative phoniness you wonder why anyone does care about the music business. Of course, the height of all this now is Justin Bieber, the 16 year old vertically challenged kewpie doll who may have Duracell batteries planted in his back. Was it a wonder he won everything? His “team” was stationed in the front row to welcome him with hugs and high fives for every statue. He thanked Michael Jackson. Yikes.

Bieber, by the way, did one number seated in front a grand piano he pretended to play. The camera never did get around to the keys. And when he suddenly jumped up, the piano continued uninterrupted. Brilliant!

But you know, that’s the AMAs. Like the People’s Choice Awards, they just soldier on year after year. Does anyone wonder who chooses these “nominees”? And why the winners are the only ones who show up? That is, except for “Best Artist.” (Ahem.) Katy Perry looked suitably horrified when Bieber beat her even for that award. Her new husband, comic actor Russell Brand, had a most bemused expression. Eminem and Lady GaGa didn’t show. Kesha was probably happy just to be there.

Just before the end of the show, when the audience had likely wilted, Carlos Santana showed up with Gavin Rossdale. They peeled the paint off the walls on “Bang a Gong (Get it On).” For the second time in the excruciating three hours, life bloomed. But if the record companies are wondering where all the sales went, the AMAs were the proof they’ve needed.

And yes, the Beatles’ albums now take up half the top 20 on ITunes.

By the way: in keeping with tradition, none of last night’s performers are likely to be featured on the real awards show for music, the Grammys. That’s the unwritten law of the land.

John Lennon PBS Film: Here’s the Real Story

Roger Friedman
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34
John Lennon PBS Film: Here’s the Real Story

Monday night, finally, the screening of “LennonNYC” on PBS. This is the John Lennon film by Michael Epstein film you’ve heard so much about. Only one thing: as a document about Lennon’s life in New York and the US from 1970-1980, the film does much to erase May Pang’s role in his life. She was Lennon’s lover and confidante. These days, she’s a popular and beloved figure on the New York music scene.

Beatle fans will always debate certain arguments: Paul vs. John, Yoko vs. the Beatles. Let’s face it, despite being a talented avant garde artist and an interesting musical artist, Ono is hated by Beatles fans. She’s blamed for breaking up the Beatles and looking all the while like a dark figure from hell. In the film “Let it Be” she looks like death hovering over the group.

As a widow, Ono has done all she can to rewrite her history with Lennon. Even if Epstein (and isn’t it weird that his name is Epstein–the Beatles’ manager was Brian Epstein) didn’t give Ono official editorial control, she’s as in charge of “LennonNYC” as she was of the awful John musical that died on Broadway a few seasons ago.

The worst omission in “LennonNYC” is that of May Pang. Yes, she’s interviewed, but there’s no mention that she was Lennon’s lover. Cynthia Lennon wrote in her own memoir a couple of years ago that John continued to see May even after he went back to Yoko in late 1974 and through the time baby Sean was born (October 1975) for two more years. “The last time we saw each other was in ”78-79,” May told me. And they saw each other again in 1980 before Lennon died. They were always in touch with each other.

It’s really wild, actually, that Epstein is comfortable letting all this slide by–as if it never happened. He’s allowed Ono to minimize Pang and make it seem like she was a fun companion or something. This is completely idiotic.

http://tinyurl.com/26wzjuz

Lennon’s biggest solo hit during the early 1970s was his “Walls and Bridges” album. It’s May Pang‘s voice singing backup on “#9 Dream.” It was Pang who encouraged Lennon’s friendships with Elton John and his possible reunion with Paul McCartney. All of that’s omitted from this film. What a shame. But Pang has chronicled her time with Lennon in a 1983 memoir that she’ll update soon, and a book of photographs that really tells the story of that period. They’re each available on amazon.com.

As for the rest of “LennonNYC”: there’s some great home video and pictures, courtesy of Ono. The material with Sean in the last year of Lennon’s life is terribly moving. The film’s lump in the throat is John telling Sean “See you in the morning.” All of the inner circle provides elucidation, including Bob Gruen, Roy Cicala, Earl Slick, and Jack Douglas.

But a lot of “LennonNYC” is suspect biography. Too bad. After 40 years, you’d think we could have gotten the real story at last.

(See more below about Lennon’s 1974 Thanksgiving show with Elton John.)

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