Friday, October 11, 2024
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Daytime Emmys: “World Turns” Gets Last Laugh on CBS

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CBS may have cancelled the 54 year old soap, “As the World Turns,” but the show got the last laugh at the network’s expense tonight. It picked up three of the four major acting awards for Michael Park, Maura West and Julie Pinson in Best Actor, Best Actress, and Supporting Actress.

Even though CBS carried the Daytime Emmys, they still managed to kick dirt in “World Turns” direction. They ran a sad, minute long tribute to the show rather than focus attention on its cruel exit from TV. The acting awards will be a nice consolation to the cast and crew. But really: this Daytime Emmy show was an ad for Las Vegas. The soaps were an after thought.

If only Procter & Gamble, the main sponsor of “World Turns,” cared about the show.

coincidentally, CBS soaps won all the big awards for the night, including Best Daytime Drama and Best Writing to the otherwise incoherent show “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

For the umpteenth time in a row, the Daytime Emmys screwed Regis Philbin, even though they needed him for ratings as host of the awards show. He lost Best Talk Show to Dr. Oz and Best Talk Show host to Ellen DeGeneres. Boo-hiss. Sorry, Reege, you were robbed!

Jackson Kids Go to Hawaii with Unofficial Guardians

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Michael Jackson‘s kids–Prince, Paris, and Michael–are on a fun filled vacation in Hawaii.

However: they are not with their guardian, grandmother Katherine Jackson. She’s been busy in Indiana and in Beverly Hills commemorating the anniversary of Michael’s death.

So who’s with the kids? Their cousins, the sons of Tito Jackson,  Taj and Taryll Jackson, and some bodyguards. Almost 37 and 35 years old, the pair of cousins are fast becoming Michael’s kids surrogate dads, or big brothers. (Tito Jackson had his kids young–he’s only 56.)

The trip, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, is being paid for their father’s estate. And while no one begrudges the kids a vacation, it does raise the question in their custody: where are the legal guardians?

The tabloids were so excited to get pictures of the kids, none of them stopped to ask what the heck was going on.

Not even nanny Grace Rwaramba is with them.

The children have five uncles and three aunts, but none of them are in Hawaii supervising a 13 year old, a 12 year old, and an 8 year old. This may seem a little unorthodox. The terms of Michael Jackson’s will left guardianship of the kids to his mother only. If she wasn’t able to fulfill the duties, Diana Ross was to step in. It’s unclear if Diana has even met these kids since Michael’s death.

Sources say, though, that Debbie Rowe, biological mother of the eldest two kids, knew before she left for Japan that the kids would be with their cousins, and discussed it with Mrs. Jackson. “She’s very happy they’re with Taj and Taryll,” a friend says.

Mickey Rooney Serenades Michael Jackson Fans at Event, Corey Feldman Makes Speech

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EXCLUSIVE FIRST REPORT

Mickey Rooney serenaded the Michael Jackson fans at the Beverly Hilton tonight. The 85 year old entertainer was a child movie star.

Corey Feldman made a speech.

Genevieve Jackson, Randy’s daughter, performed. But Randy Jackson has made proclamations denouncing the whole event tonight.

Whatever. There was also supposed to be a performance by Marshall Thompson, the remaining member of the R&B group The Chi-Lites. Thompson has become Joseph Jackson‘s bucket boy, following him around and saying he’s got a record label with Jackson.

Both Katherine and Joseph Jackson showed up. Katherine didn’t sign copies of her book, “Never Can Say Goodbye.” She was surrounded by bodyguards, sources say, but seemed to be having a good time.

Majestyk the Magician did a few tricks. Cousin Anthony Jackson spoke. There were officials from Brazil.

The money from the event at the Beverly Hilton is supposed to go to Jackson Family Foundation even though it doesn’t exist and has no registration for a 501 c3 designation. Insiders say the foundation organizers may try and use an existing foundation and merge with them, by passing regular registration.

Sources say tables were full and people are standing at the BHH ballroom. Tickets ranged from $105 to $500 VIP seats.

Voice Plate, the group that sponsored the event, gave Michael Jackson a posthumous Humanitarian of the Century Award. They didn’t say which century. This one is only 10 years old, and Jackson didn’t do much for charity since the 1990s.

Tom Cruise Knight and Day: Beaten to a Pulp By Adam Sandler

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Tom Cruise had a bad Friday, the third day of release for “Knight and Day.” The film made $6.35 million, versus over $14.5 million for Adam Ssndler’s “Grown Ups.” The former film took three days to make a little less than what the latter did in one night.

Cruise was never a huge box office draw on his own. His biggest hits, “The Firm,” “Rain Man,” and “A Few Good Men,” were ensemble pieces with talented supporting casts and well thought out, well executed scripts.

Films like “Vanilla Sky” and “The Last Samurai” were not good, and not blockbusters. They averaged $100 million domestically, but cost a lot, too.

Cruise’s big films were always the franchise entries: the Mission Impossible series, the Bruckheimer films.”Eyes Wide Shut” was a financial disaster. Steven Spielberg batted .500 with him–“Minority Report” did about $135, “War of the Worlds” about $235 million.

In his long resume, only “Jerry Maguire” stands out as an artistic and commercial achievement with $152 million and a Cruise Oscar nom. It’s Cruise’s best film, hands down. His other Best Actor Oscar nomination was for “Born on the Fourth of July.” It brought in only took in $79 mil.

“Knight and Day” may crawl out of the weekend with around $22 million for five days. That number pays Cruise’s salary. This is a $100 million film, so this daunting result is considered trouble. Will it make Paramount reconsider “Mission: Impossible 4”? I don’t think so. But for that project to work, the movie cannot be a star vehicle. Paramount should revert to the real “MI” premise of a team working together. Get a great cast of newer actors and one hot old timer, and surround Tom so that the film is not dependent on him. Otherwise, the mission may very well be impossible.

Michael Jackson Doc Draws 5000 to Press Preview in Japan

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“Michael Jackson: Inside the Private World” is a hit in Japan.

On Thursday night, 5000 people showed up for a press preview that accommodated only 200 people at a venue behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Tokyo. A Japanese singer appeared and sang “Human Nature.” The town, apparently, went wild.

Since then, the film, which was licensed to Japan by Jackson partner Marc Schaffel, has sold out all its shows. It’s expected to take in between $5-$8 million.

The Jackson estate has settled its issues with the distribution company, and all is well for an uninterrupted release. Both Schaffel and Debbie Rowe, mother of Michael’s two eldest kids, were there for the premiere. On Wednesday, Rowe was the guest of a Buddhist temple where a special tour and ceremony were set up for her.

The two hour movie includes a lot of intimate behind the scenes stuff with Jackson and his family, and at Neverland, It also features Japanese fans talking about Michael. It will be edited down to a more manageable 90 minutes when it’s sold in other countries.

Woody Allen Picks His Best Films–And He’s Kinda Right

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Woody Allen has picked his six best films for a British newspaper.

They are: “Purple Rose of Cairo,” “Match Point,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Zelig,” “Husbands and Wives,” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Is he wrong or right? I’d rank them a different way, and start with a different film: “Hannah and Her Sisters” is Woody’s masterpiece from the 1980s, a great summing up of “Annie Hall,” “Manhattan,” “Interiors,” and all the films that come in between 1977 and 1986. For me “Hannah and Her Sisters” is the touchstone.

(Don’t knock “Interiors,” either. Maureen Stapleton, Geraldine Page, and E.G. Marshall are outstanding.)

Woody is right about “Zelig.” It’s a masterpiece. The idea of a Zelig, a person who’s kind of everywhere and exists in a vacuum, has been adopted into the culture. Plus, “Zelig” very cannily addresses the idea of a publicly created celebrity and we will tear that person down eventually. Woody was prescient.

There is some debate about “Match Point” vs. “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The latter is crude in its execution, and still shocks. Are they really going through with this murder? “Match Point” is more refined, which maybe is why Woody likes it so much. I do, too. The same themes were repeated in the less good, “Cassandra’s Dream.”

He is also correct about “Bullets Over Broadway,” but shouldn’t forget its companion piece, “Radio Days.” Dianne Wiest is sensational in each. I would put into this category “Broadway Danny Rose,” which is a little gem that shouldn’t be considered a throwaway. (The stuttering ventriloquist is worth the whole movie.) Quite the opposite. And it’s Mia Farrow‘s best work, which probably Woody doesn’t want to think about.

“Vicki Cristina Barcelona” is quite rightly on the best list, as is “Purple Rose of Cairo.” The latter breaks the fourth wall and brings characters off a screen into “reality.” It is oft-copied. So is “Everyone Says I Love You,” in which characters broke into song. Watch that film again. It’s another one that was derided, then imitated frequently. It’s full of good madcap stuff, too, including a hockey game in the foyer of a Park Avenue townhouse.

What did Woody leave out? “Alice,” is kind of a lost jewel, and works even more in light of the recent Wall Street excesses. He dismisses his early comic work in “Bananas,” “Love and Death,” and “Sleeper.” And there’s no discounting when we really fell in love with him, over “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan.”

Woody has enormous CV that also includes his segment of “New York Stories,” films like “Small Time Crooks” and “Whatever Works.” There’s also fondness for “Shadows and Fog,” which is really a short story, and “Stardust Memories” (which makes mention of his “earlier, funnier comedies.”)

I have a personal thing for “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” by the way, because it’s the last one with Diane Keaton. Alan Alda is quite funny in it. The ones I can’t really watch again: “Curse of the Jade Scorpion,” “Sweet and Lowdown,” “September,” “Another Woman.”

Woody picked “Husbands and Wives,” which I detested for its shaky camera work and plot line that seemed to warn Mia Farrow about the approaching scandal. The one that still fascinates me: “Deconstructing Harry,” which is as much of a send up of Philip Roth as “Zelig” was of Warren Beatty and “Reds.”

So is Woody right? What are your favorites of his films?

Cindy Adams May Be Back “In a Month” at Her Post

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I’ve received so many emails from fans of famed gossip columnist Cindy Adams. It should make her feel much better!

This week I spoke with Cindy’s office. Her assistant says she’s home, recovering–presumably from anemia or some other sticky malady–and will return to her column “probably” next month.

Cindy’s last column was on May 20th.

No doubt when Cindy does reappear in the New York Post, her first column will be a humorous one about what happened to her. Cindy’s first person columns are always a stitch, and even a better read than her regular gossip round ups.

So get better, Cindy. Frankly, it’s hot out, you’re not missing anything. All the celebs will put their scandals and sorrows on hold until you get back. Or else!

See you at Patsy’s!

Michael Jackson Parents, Kids, LaToya and 2 Brothers Skip Memorial

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Michael Jackson had a private memorial service today at Forest Lawn Glendale.

His parents didn’t show, neither did his kids. Sister LaToya was absent, according to guests, as well as brothers Marlon and Jackie. Sister Rebbie was also not seen. La Toya was in town. She even made money from a bunch of pr appearances this week connected to the anniversary.

Jermaine, Randy, Tito and Janet were there, however. So was former manager and publicist Raymone Bain. There were 60 guests in all, and no celebrities, not even Macaulay Culkin.

Jackie Jackson was recently put on the estate’s payroll. So his absence is strange.

More to come…

Tom Cruise Flick Has Biggest Day-to-Day Drop at Box Office

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Tom Cruise is not having a good week. “Knight and Day” dropped 8.7% from Wednesday to Thursday, its second day of release. That’s the biggest single drop in top 10– and all the other movies have been out for a week or more.

Something is turning people off to “K&D” in a big way. It did only $3.4 million on Thursday, which means a long, hot weekend is beckoning.

At the same time, for example, “Toy Story 3” dropped only 3%, “Karate Kid” 5.9%, and “Shrek 1000” was up 10%. Even relative dogs like “Sex and the City 2,” “Get Him to the Greek,” and “Killers” were up a little. Of all things, “Robin Hood” was even up 14%!

Today brings Adam Sandler and co. in “Grown Ups.” You know it’s awful, but theaters are air conditioned, babies need to be sitted, and pop corn with a little butter is always a good snack. It’s going to push “K&D” down the list. The only bright spot may be foreign ticket sales. “K&D” was filmed so people in Spain and other non English speaking countries would get a kick out of seeing their locales on the screen. Also, incoherence isn’t an issue with subtitles. So Cruise may make some of his dough back there.

And no one will ask why the main characters are named Knight and Day!

Oscars Invite Precious Actresses, Bono, The Edge, Adam Sandler, Tony Soprano to Join Academy

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Guess who gets to vote this winter in the Oscars? A whole bunch of new, interesting, talented people. Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invites in a new group to participate in the Oscar process. This new round will replace some beloved voters who’ve departed, and some who let their dogs and housekeepers decide the Best Picture.

In music, Bono and The Edge from U2 are in, thanks to scores they’ve written for “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”

In the acting category, the Academy has asked the following: “Precious” actresses Mo’Nique–who thumbed her nose at the Oscars all last season, and first timer Gabourey Sidibe; Adam Sandler, who’s a lot of fun but unlikely ever to receive the gold statue; plus last year’s winner Christoph Waltz, nominees Jeremy Renner, Vera Farmiga, Saorise Ronan, Anna Kendrick, and Carey Mulligan.Also on the list is James Gandolfini, Shaun Toub, and, the affable Ryan Reynolds.

There are some nice less glitzy additions, too: Peter Riegert, who’s such a good character actor; the really wonderful LaTonya Richardson (Mrs. Samuel L. Jackson, too); Sam Robards, son of Lauren Bacall and Jason Robards; droll Miguel Ferrer; and past nominee Peter Saarsgard. Zoe Saldana is also joining, but as herself, not her avatar.

On the documentary list: my pal Frazer Pennebaker, who runs the show for Pennebaker Hegedus Films; Davis Guggenheim, Osar winning director of “An Inconvenient Truth;” “Super Size Me” creator Morgan Spurlock; and Nancy Baker, who made the excellent “Born into Brothels.”

New directors include two Oscar nominees from this year: Lee Daniels of “Precious” and Lone Scherfig, of “An Education.”

The new writers comprise Geoffrey Fletcher, “Precious,” Tom McCarthy, “The Visitor” and “The Station Agent,” the duo from “District 9,” novelist Nick Hornby, the duo from “Star Trek.” and Oscar winner Mark Boal, from “The Hurt Locker.”

Folks, many DVDs, invites, and cocktails are coming your way. Don’t squander them!