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Irony for Michael Jackson: ‘We Are the World’ at 25

Roger Friedman
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Irony for Michael Jackson: ‘We Are the World’ at 25

jackson michael Irony for Michael Jackson: We Are the World at 25Tonight everyone will get to hear the new edition of “We Are the World,” 25 years after Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Quincy Jones made history.

It’s an ironic moment for Michael Jackson, whose alleged murderer was arraigned this week. It’s ironic especially since it features Celine Dion.

Dion was one of the singers whom Jackson enlisted in October 2001 for his “What More Can I Give” single. With a panoply of stars, Jackson tried to re-create the “We Are The World” vibe for the people who’d been affected by Sept. 11.

It didn’t work. Sony’s Tommy Mottola didn’t want Michael’s charitable efforts interfering with the release then of his first album since the mid ’90s, “Invincible.” He wouldn’t let Jackson release it on Sony and stopped “What More Can I Give” from coming out elsewhere.

The tug-of-war went on forever. After Hurricane Rita (which followed Katrina) in 2005, Jackson again tried to release “What More Can I Give.” Again, he had no luck.

Michael did use the song to some effect just once. With his producing partner Marc Schaffel, Jackson gathered together a bunch of stars’ and performed the song live on the Washington DC ABC special for 9-11 in October 2001. But it was a lost cause. Mottola pounced on the fact the Schaffel had a porn business on the side. The song was never heard again.

Part of Jackson’s problem in the years following “We Are the World” was that he really thought he could save the world. The “we” turned to “I.” He stopped understanding that it does “take a village.” His megalomania stemmed from his isolation, his drug abuse, his paranoia and belief in his self-importance.

One aspect of this was his increased denial over the years that Quincy Jones had collaborated with him on all those projects. Michael — who was known for being petty and disloyal — couldn’t bear to face the truth. Thus, “What More Can I Give” sounds just like a 1985 song from “Bad” called “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” And “Invincible” is a throwaway album. On one song called “Cry,” written for him by R. Kelly, Jackson complains he can’t change the world all by himself. Yikes.

Jackson’s charitable giving wasn’t much better after the “We Are the World”/USA for Africa era died down. His Heal the World organization ran aground. He got involved with questionable people. He often made promises on a global scale and didn’t keep them. He wanted naively to re-create the success of “We Are the World” on his own, not realizing it wasn’t possible.

So the release tonight of “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” is bittersweet. So, too, will Michael’s video clip in it from 1985, before his life went haywire. But it probably reflects his truest intentions before even they became perverted and distorted. It’s really the great legacy he leaves behind.

P.S.: Listen tonight to the lyrics of the song. Quincy told me recently that when he first heard it, there was a line “There’s a choice we’re making/We’re taking our own lives.” Q, ever the master, changed it to “We’re saving our own lives.”

Meryl Streep Wanted for ‘Arthur’ Update

Roger Friedman
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Meryl Streep Wanted for ‘Arthur’ Update

59110031When he was alive, John Gielgud was considered one of the very, very best actors in the world.

So who would play the part of Hobson, the title character’s valet, in a remake of Gielgud’s most famous American film, “Arthur”? Why, Meryl Streep, of course.

The word from inside the remake, which stars Russell Brand as the title character, is that everyone is desperate for Meryl to take the role. As of two weeks ago I knew about this, but insiders said Streep hasn’t even been told of the offer. By now, presumably, she has.

A new script for the updated Arthur is being written by Peter Baynham (he writes for Sacha Baron Cohen) based on the characters invented by the late Steve Gordon. It’s not clear yet who would direct.

And who would play Arthur’s girlfriend, the part filled by Liza Minnelli so famously? “I’d just go back to Liza,” Russell Brand said jovially when I asked him recently. “There’s no one like her.” But something tells me Lady Gaga could be ready for her first movie, dontcha think?

By the way, Gielgud was older than Streep by 20 years when he played Arthur. She may deem herself too young. Better choices might be Maggie Smith or Judi Dench. Just sayin’ …

Jamie Foxx Mimics Ray Charles in New ‘We Are the World’

Roger Friedman
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Jamie Foxx Mimics Ray Charles in New ‘We Are the World’

The new version of “We Are the World” went up on iTunes last night, and you can see it everywhere at 2 p.m. Saturday. Get all the info at www.world25.org.

Justin Bieber opens the song, but is followed in quick succession by Jennifer Hudson – who just about steals the whole recording. Quickly we see and hear Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, and of course Barbra Streisand.

One of the many treats of the new recording: Jamie Foxx. He gets a solo as himself early on, and then later cracks J-Hud up when he’s imitating Ray Charles. It’s a nice nod to the original record from 1985.

And yes, there is a lot of Michael Jackson, his voice ringing clear and true. I don’t know if much can be said for sister Janet, who seems to be mouthing the lyrics and not really singing. In the long form video, there’s also not terribly impressive vocals by Michael’s nephews. Ouch.

But Fergie and will.i.am, Wyclef Jean–singing in Haitian, and plenty of others get face time. Gladys Knight doesn’t have a solo but she’s front and center in the video as is Natalie Cole. Adam Levine from Maroon 5 has a nice solo, and Pink does, too. Carlos Santana gets lost a little bit in the mix. But with 85 artists, what can do you?

All in all, it’s a brilliant effort considering it was made ten days ago. Director Paul Haggis has cut in moving footage from Haiti, and producer RedOne did an excellent job with a rap section in the long version. Now it’s time for the downloading to begin–$2.99 gets you the song and the video from ITunes, and all the money goes to Haiti. All of it.

Breaking News: I Will Now Appear in 3D Only

Roger Friedman
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Breaking News: I Will Now Appear in 3D Only

42159 3 D glasses 90x90 Breaking News: I Will Now Appear in 3D OnlyI realize that I can no longer hold out. So I am making this announcement today.

Because of the enormous success of “Avatar,” and because the last two “Harry Potter” movies are going to be filmed similarly, I’ve decided to appear only in 3D from now on.

This decision first occurred to me while I was watching Barbra Streisand being filmed by Paul Haggis during the recording of “We Are the World.” Barbra, someone said, is in 3D! She’s never done that before.

Of course, the person who said this was young and didn’t realize that Streisand had groundbreakingly been in 3D a lot before, for all of her 67 years. She just hadn’t announced it. And of course, she didn’t go in public much. I’d seen her at a party with a lot of movie stars just a few weeks earlier. All of those stars were 3D as well, including Elton John, Shirley MacLaine, and Joan Collins.

They just hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.

At the “We Are the World” taping, Barbra said aloud, “I wonder how my nose will look in 3D.” But of course her nose had always been in 3D. Again, no one had brought it up. But you could walk up to it, touch it, walk around it. It felt like her nose was right there with you! When she sneezed, you felt like offering a hanky. This was before even “Yentl,” dating all the way back to “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

How will I maintain my new 3D disposition? For one thing, I will always be seen with objects around me at various distances. Thus, I will have depth. Not the kind of depth of a deep thinker, but a sense of depth around me, to my sides, in front and behind, above and below. People will feel as they get near me, I feel like I could stick my hand out and touch him.

Just don’t, please.

Another good thing about my plan: My technicians have worked so hard on new discoveries that special glasses needn’t be worn to see me in 3D. If one wants, you may wear glasses, in particular sunglasses and hopefully expensive ones. I like Prada, Gucci and Chanel. But unlike with other kinds of 3D attractions, no spectacles will be necessary. You’ll be able to see me in 3D by the naked eye.

I am not an inventor. I liken my announcement to when’ Madonna put out a record called “Vogue” five years after people started Vogueing in discos. But she synthesized the phenomenon. That’s what I am hoping to do with my decision to go 3D. Some people may not believe me at first. That’s why I will carry’a water pistol with me. And maybe a joy buzzer.

‘Basterds’ Brings Old Hollywood to Musso and Frank

Roger Friedman
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‘Basterds’ Brings Old Hollywood to Musso and Frank

rcorman Basterds Brings Old Hollywood to Musso and FrankThe combined ages of the Hollywood elite who celebrated Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” for lunch on Wednesday was about a thousand.

Famed B-movie director Roger Corman, 95-year-old legend Norman Lloyd (Dr. Auschlander from “St. Elsewhere”) and Oscar winner Martin Landau hosted the lunch at the equally old and similarly robust Musso and Frank in Hollywood. The event was sponsored by Insignia Productions’ Ranee Bartolacci and organized by Tarantino fan Norah Lawlor of Lawlor Media in New York.

The other guests were people who know their Oscar movies: Cloris Leachman, Ron Howard, Jacqueline Bissett, plus Karen Black, John Milius, Tom Skerritt, Irwin Winkler, JoBeth Williams, Michael Nouri, Ron Perlman, Wayne Kramer, Bruce Davison, Frank Capra Jr, Ron Yerxa, Jon Voight, and the ever popular Norby Walters.

The group toasted Tarantino, partner in crime Eli Roth, and producer Lawrence Bender.

Everyone got a good chuckle when Norman Lloyd stood up suddenly and said, “Quentin, I’m available!”

Cloris Leachman, 83, who was supposed to be in the flm but wasn’t, got a big laugh when she answered, “I was available!”

Oscar Voters: Extra Time Could Change Minds

Roger Friedman
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Oscar Voters: Extra Time Could Change Minds

sbullock Oscar Voters: Extra Time Could Change MindsHello Academy voters.

I can’t recall a time when the deadline for getting in those ballots with final votes was so far away! Today is Feb. 10. March 2, when ballots are due, is basically 20 days away. That’s like three weeks!

And time has a way of letting ideas chew themselves over. Like, how did “The Blind Side” and “District 9” wind up as best picture nominees? Is Sandra Bullock really the best actress, or just someone we like a lot?

More awards coverage

This year there are 10 best picture nominees. But let’s face it, when you rank them, really five are the best actual films. Those are: “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious,” “Up in the Air” and “An Education.” Well made, well crafted, each as good as anything from a previous best picture list.

Then there’s “Avatar.” No acting, no writing. No real editing, because “Avatar” is essentially a video-slash-cartoon. Its effects, especially the 3D, make it a spectacle. But best picture? Not exactly. The directors and producers guilds already decided that. Maybe it’s the best technological achievement on film. And the glasses were cool!

Front-runners are often harmed in Oscar voting when too much time lingers. Last year, “Slumdog Millionaire” was starting to wear on people. If there had been two more weeks before the ballot deadline, there could have been an upset. Voters start to watch errant DVDs, things they’ve passed up.

Last year, it was “The Reader.” Suddenly there was buzz. It was too late. But this year, hmmm. My guess is, a lot of people who never actually watched “The Hurt Locker” have finally popped it into a DVD player. Ditto “Basterds.” “Up in the Air” is probably getting its due at last.

Anything can happen. But one thing’s for certain: Three more weeks could turn the tide for any of them. Just listen for friends who say, “Gee, I never realized how good [blank] was. It really deserves it.”

And don’t forget: Actors vote for movies with actors, not ciphers, no matter what color they are.

Jackson Family ‘Lawyer’ Ordered to Ethics School

Roger Friedman
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Jackson Family ‘Lawyer’ Ordered to Ethics School

It’s never quite the end for peripatetic Brian Oxman.

The man who calls himself the Jackson family lawyer has finally gotten his disciplinary action from the California State Bar.

According to the Daily Law Journal, Oxman’s probation began Jan. 21. He signed a stipulated settlement with the Bar. He received two years stayed suspension and ‘ get this ‘ must attend ethics school. I know a lot of people who would like to attend that graduation ceremony!

Oxman has been suspended before, in the 1990s. This time his punishment relates to a 2002 divorce case. Oxman represented the wife. He claimed ‘ without ever backing it up ‘ that the husband and his lawyer threatened a marriage counselor.

Of course, maybe he just dreamt it since Oxman has a habit of dozing in court.

The Jacksons had better think of another attorney if they’re going to file a civil claim against Dr. Conrad Murray, now charged in the manslaughter’of Michael Jackson.

This week Oxman tried to pry loose Michael’s medical records from UCLA by saying he needed them to prove an unrelated issue concerning the publication of the singer’s picture after he died. Michael’s estate attorney, Howard Weitzman, quickly pointed out that Oxman was misreading the law.

Barbara Walters: Living with ‘Richard Nixon’?

Roger Friedman
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Barbara Walters: Living with ‘Richard Nixon’?

58807935Valentine’s Day approaches, but is it even sweeter for Barbara Walters?

The almost-81-year-old news vixen has had her share of romances, that’s for sure. In her most recent autobiography, she coughed up news that she’d had a long affair with former Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Brooke.

Her past loves included ex-husbands Lee Guber (now deceased, ran New York theaters) and Merv Adelson (former head of Lorimar Productions, the company that gave us “Dallas” and “Knots Landing”). She’s also been linked and inked in the press with everyone from Sen John Warner (Liz Taylor’s ex) to the odious and happily dead Roy Cohn, who was gay and used Barbara as a beard. (He also destroyed countless lives working for Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s.)

Now comes word that Barbara is living with actor Frank Langella (pictured here together), to whom she’d been linked last December. This would make Barbara kinda a cougar and Frank, well, a panther, or maybe just a Lion King. Langella turned 72 last month.

Anyway, a Barbara source says no it’s not true, that they’re just friends, etc. But where there’s smoke there’s fire. Another source’insists it is true. If they are living together, it would be in Walters’ magnificent Park Avenue aerie which is loaded with priceless art. Langella’s done very well as an award-winning actor, but Walters is a multi-multi-millionaire.

Of course, there are’weird aspects to this: for one thing, Langella played Barbara’s old pal, Richard Nixon, in “Frost/Nixon” to much acclaim. ‘He could just be entertaining her with his impression of the disgraced President. And then, of course, Langella once dated Whoopi Goldberg, now the moderator of “The View” and technically Barbara’s employee. At least she’s not dating Star Jones’s ex husband.

So, either way, love is grand, ain’t it?

Michael & Janet Jackson Duet in We Are the World

Roger Friedman
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Michael & Janet Jackson Duet in We Are the World

Less than 48 hours before “We Are the World 25″ premieres on the Olympics, I can tell you that the finished version has a duet of sorts with Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

It comes at the midpoint of the Quincy Jones produced record. Just like in the original version from 1985, Michael sings the bridge, with Janet joining in. The vocal and the video of Michael are taken from the original version of the record. On the new video, Michael’s image pops up from the old video, followed by Janet’s from the new one.

“It’s very emotional,” says an insider. The finished version was played today in its entirety just for the production staff.

I am told that leads and single lines are heard from Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Kanye West, Gladys Knight, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, and T Pain. Apparently there’s a smash solo vocal by Pink. Justin Bieber, 15, sings the opening lines.

A three-minute version will be heard during the Olympics. Following that, a longer version will be available on iTunes.

More importantly, the new website for the single has gone live at World25.org. And the group has already made a deal with YouTube for a channel so that donors can see their money at work in Haiti. Director Paul Haggis’ crew will be posting clips constantly of World25 putting the money to good use.

Lady Gaga Was Never Scheduled for ‘We Are the World’

Roger Friedman
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0
Lady Gaga Was Never Scheduled for ‘We Are the World’

ladygaga1 Lady Gaga Was Never Scheduled for We Are the WorldThere’s a lot of controversy going on about pop spectacle Lady Gaga, aka Stephanie Germanotta.

I told you last week that she declined the opportunity to be part of “We Are the World 25.” She turned them down flat.

By coincidence, Gaga’s producer, Red One (yes, that’s his name), aka Nadir Khayat, worked with Quincy Jones on the new “We Are the World.” Because of that there was talk of Gaga joining in, but it didn’t happen. At a meeting with about 20 people, apparently, Red One said he might be able to get Ga Ga. In the end, he couldn’t.

At no time did executive producer Randy Phillips ever promise Ga Ga to anyone. But all the people he did say were coming, came. And a few more, like Fergie, taped their parts later. Phillips and Quincy Jones put together 80 artists in about four days. It was an amazing achievement, frankly. I still haven’t gotten over seeing Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, India Arie, and so on all in one room. Yowza.

“We Are the World 25″ debuts on Friday.

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