Support independent journalism, free from the trades and other publications that are part of the tinsel town machine.
For 12 years, Showbiz411.com has been covering Hollywood, Broadway, the music business and the business of celebrity. Ads are our main source of funding, but contributions (not tax exempt) from readers who enjoy the scoops, exclusives, and fact based reports are always welcome and very appreciated. To inquire about ads, email us at showbiz411@gmail.com.
(EXCLUSIVE) Now that Madonna’s on the mend, and looking good, we’re back to business.
It does seem the 2021 economy got to her bottom line. New numbers are out for Madonna’s charitable foundation, called Ray of Light. They indicate that the Material Girl should get back to work as soon as she feels well enough to do it. (She starts her postponed tour in October in Europe.)
The most immediate thing that jumps out from Ray of Light’s Form 990 filing is that Madonna cut her giving by almost 75% from 2020 and around 50% from 2019.
In those years she donated, respectively, $2.1 million and $1.1 million to a small group of organizations.
In 2021, the number fell to $584,500.
Madonna’s net worth is reported to be $850 million.
The luckiest group: the Kabbalah Center of Los Angeles, a shady cult that has been investigated many times. Madge is loyal to these people no matter what happens. She gave them $100,000 in 2021, a 50% chop from 2020.
Kudos to the publicist who placed stories today bout Chris Young’s country single. “Young Love and Saturday Nights.”
The song is a rip off of David Bowie’s rock classic “Rebel Rebel.” It’s the same same with different lyrics. The AP article marvels at a word sent to them by the publicist (who deserves a raise) — ‘interpolation.’ They’d never heard it before!
The gist of this thing is that the Bowie estate was somehow convinced to allow Young and his co-writers to adapt the song since they had no original ideas of their own. Hence, “Rebel Rebel” became the Young song, and Bowie gets a credit on a country single.
The whole idea is laughable. It’s also not new. The greatest ‘interpolation’ came 30 years ago when Puff Daddy lifted Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” and turned it into “I’ll Be Missing You.” After Sting’s lawyers arrived, the Police front man got the publishing money forever. Was it worth it?
Other famous examples include Vanilla Ice turning Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” into “Ice Ice Baby” and .MC Hammer making “U Can’t Touch This” from Rick James’ “Super Freak.”
in Latin, Interpolation means cover record with different lyrics. Kanye West has interpolated plenty of old hits, so have Alicia Keys and many other stars. This is not a new idea, except at the Associated Press.
The irony in the Bowie/Chris Young situation is that apparently no one cares. “Young Love and Saturday Nights” has been out for 11 days. It does not appear on the iTunes top 200. On YouTube, the video has just 82,000 views. On Spotify, there are only a half million streams.
Could it be country music lovers smell a rat?
The winners are the Bowie estate and Warner Chappell Music, which owns the rights to Bowie’s music. They got their money regardless of whether the record ever takes off.
Mondays box office showed a little weariness in the “Barbie” world.
The plastic, fantastic phenom took in just $15 million, down 49% from Sunday and 43% from last Monday
Domestic total is now an eye popping $366 million US and $789 million worldwide. Don’t worry, the billion dollar make is coming soon.
No one could ever have foreseen this: “Barbie” bigger than Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible.
So what about a sequel? Director Greta Gerwig told the NY Times that she has no plans for one at the moment. But trust me, Mattel does. There will be a massive negotiation to get all the principals back together. The story writes itself since Barbie is now in the “real world.” Will she survive? Will Ken join her? Will the sequel be called “A Doll’s House”?
Mattel already has plans for 17 movies based on their toys. With “Barbie” eyeing $1 billion, there’s no way the company will leave that sequel money on the table. Just wait til Warner Bros. suggests adding Barbie and Ken to the DC Universe for a cross over!
I’m a little late getting to Jackie Martling’s documentary, “Joke Man,” but I’ll tell you, this is what we need in the middle of a gross, hot summer.
Jackie is known to millions from Howard Stern’s radio show. Ultimately, he left to be his own star, a designation he deserved, and eventually I think they made up. Kinda. But if you want to know what made Howard so outrageous in his heyday, the answer is Jackie Martling. Nothing was off limits. He was labeled a bit of a savant, hence the nickname “Joke Man.”
Jackie’s metier is bathroom jokes. His stories are filthy and he knows enough punch lines to set a room of drums ready for rim shots. The thing is, he’s so sweet in his own way (I hope he doesn’t mind that) that even the worst of them — worse than, for example, “the Aristocrats,” the dirtiest joke ever — that it’s all good. Martliny has developed a rep for serving up zingers delivered in apple sauce.
You’ll be surprised by some of Jackie’s friends who are interviewed in the film. One of his BFFs is Willie Nelson, of all people. There’s also actress Sean Young, billionaire Mark Cuban, and magician Penn Jillette. Also, another ex Stern comedian Artie Lange, is featured. He and Jackie compare notes about being ostracized from Stern’s world. There are several more cameos, too.
How many people love Jackie Martling? His ex wife very astutely provides her own story arc and observations about him. They are still in touch and she’s charming. Jackie’s on tour this summer and fall, and I swear, watching this doc — well directed by Ian Karr — will make you want to go to one of his shows.
“Joke Man” is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and most streaming services.
Angus Cloud, the 25 year old actor who played Fez on “Euphoria,” has died at his family’s home in Oakland, apparently from an overdose. Angus was in a deep depression after the May death of his father. Conor Hickey, age 66, an Irish rugby “legend” and Cloud”s best friend.
His family put out a statement:
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” Cloud’s family said in a statement. “As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.
“We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.”
Cloud became very popular on “Euphoria,” a show that exploits the trauma of young people. Recently singer Dominic Fike said that he was high for most of season 2. Another actress has elected not to return.
Cloud was signed recently for “Scream 6.”
keep refreshing…
Contact a Lifeline Center
Never keep it a secret if a friend tells you about a plan to hurt themselves. Call 988 so that you can find out what resources are available in your area, or encourage your loved one to call. Calls are routed to the Lifeline center closest to your area code that can provide you with local resources.
Brooke Shields can do anything. She’s had books, a documentary, TV shows. She was a model, is an actress. And everyone likes her, which is unique in the celebrity world.
Now Brooke, a Princeton graduate, will bring a one woman show to New York’s esteemed Cafe Carlyle from September 12th to the 23rd. The show is called “Previously Owned by Brooke Shields.” It’s directed by Nate Patten and co-written by Patten and Brooke. Music direction and arrangements are by Charlie Alterman. Special material comes from Matthew Sklar and Amanda Green.
Brooke can sing, so I’m curious to see how she mixes original songs with older ones, which ones she chooses. She’ll be a knockout!
Pee Wee Herman is dead at age 70. Paul Reubens was a gifted comedian and actor who had a troubled career.
Herman’s “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” began as a TV show and went on to become successful movies.
A post from his publicist, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed the death. Variety confirmed it as well. The cause of death was cancer.
Reubens’ career came to a screeching halt in 1991 when he was arrested in Sarasota, Florida, for masturbating publicly in an adult theater. Much of his work ended, and though Pee Wee Herman remained iconic, the scandal stuck to him. He appeared occasionally on talk shows, but his movie and TV careers were over.
Over his career, Reubens was nominated for 17 Daytime Emmys. He won two of them. He was also nominated for three Emmy Awards. “The Pee Wee Herman Show” also ran for 62 performances on Broadway in 2010-11.
Condolences to family and friends. They ask that donations be made in the memory of Paul Reubens’ parents to Stand Up for Cancer or organizations that are involved in Dementia or Alzheimer’s care.
A Facebook post from his account reads: ?Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness. Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
Paul McCartney hasn’t just been relaxing all summer in the Hamptons, taking in “Oppenheier” with Steven Spielberg.
He’s also been planning a big tour of Austtalia and New Zealand and who knows where else:
At 81, Paul is bouncing around like a teenager. He’s got plenty of songs to sing, and millions of fans who want to see him.
McCartney’s US tour last year was a blast. And after seeing Bruce Springsteen several times lately on his tour, Paul accepts the challenge!
PS Paul also has an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London called “Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm” Exhibition which closes October 1st. More than 250 photos from Paul’s personal archive. A fascinating look at an international cultural phenomenon, definitely a must if you’re in London!
You may remember how Lady Chablis, a real person, became a national sensation after appearing in the John Berendt best seller, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Chablis was in every gossip column thirty years ago.
Then came the Clint Eastwood directed movie, starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack as the actual two main characters. Lady Chablis was used for spice and entertainment. CHablis Deveau — who ultimately died in 2016 — played herself. She was a trailblazer. Chablis was indeed one of the first transgender performers to cross over into the mainstream.
Meanwhile, in Savannah, Georgia, “Midnight” tours and merchandise became their own economy.
Now a Broadway team will try and workshop a musical this week of “Midnight” here in New York. Stephen Pasquale will play the part of Berendt (Cusack in the movie). But the top billing now goes to Lady Chablis, played by recent Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee. With Ghee’s award for “Some Like it Hot” making them/him hot hot hot right now, it seems like Lady Chablis will be the show stopper in this musical. (I’m surprised Billy Porter isn’t doing this since Ghee has “SLIH.”)
Director is Rob Ashford, music and lyrics are by Jason Robert Brown, and Taylor Mac — who wrote very bad “Gary” A Sequel to Titus Andronicus”) with Nathan Lane — just the memory of it is upsetting — is the book’s author.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga‘s extraordinary friendship and musical collaboration dates back to 2011. Their meeting changed both of their lives and led to huge success with two albums, a tour, two MTV shows, and two amazing Bennett birthday performances at Radio City Music Hall.
When Tony died last week there was no word from Gaga among the hundreds of tributes. tony’s son, Danny, told me they’d been on the phone all day after his passing was announced. She was obviously grieving her great pal. But now she’s written a tribute on Instagram. I’ve broken it into paragraphs.
“I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together. With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power. We transported ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it wasn’t an act. Our relationship was very real. Sure he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirits high and my head screwed on straight. “Straight ahead,” he’d say. He was an optimist, he believed in quality work AND quality life. Plus, there was the gratitude…Tony was always grateful. He served in WWII, marched with Martin Luther King Jr., and sang jazz with the greatest singers and players in the world.
“I’ve been grieving the loss of Tony for a long time. We had a very long and powerful goodbye.
“Though there were 5 decades between us, he was my friend. My real true friend. Our age difference didn’t matter– in fact, it gave us each something neither of us had with most people. We were from two different stages in life entirely–inspired.
“Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s has been painful but it was also really beautiful. An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a persons life. There’s such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity. All I wanted was for Tony to remember how much I loved him and how grateful I was to have him in my life. But, as that faded slowly I knew deep down he was sharing with me the most vulnerable moment in his life that he could–being willing to sing with me when his nature was changing so deeply. I’ll never forget this experience.
“I’ll never forget Tony Bennett. If I could say anything to the world about this I would say don’t discount your elders, don’t leave them behind when things change. Don’t flinch when you feel sad, just keep going straight ahead, sadness is part of it. Take care of your elders and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical. And pay attention to silence—some of my musical partner and I’s most meaningful exchanges were with no melody at all.
