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Epatha Rep Says Law and Order Decision Final; True Blood Stars Re-up

Roger Friedman
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Yesterday I told you that insiders at “Law & Order” really feel that S. Epatha Merkerson will sign a new contract. She said previously that she was leaving. Her rep told me yesterday that she’s really, really leaving. “It’s not a contract ploy,” he says. Somehow, I still think she’ll be persuaded to stay for one last record breaking season. That is, if Dick Wolf doesn’t kill off her character at the end of this season…

…And I hear the folks at HBO had to ante up “a lot” to get the cast of “True Blood” back for its next season. No, Anna Paquin won’t be paid twice since she announced she’s bi-sexual…

…We know that Matthew Rhys re-signed for another season of “Brothers & Sisters,” as did other cast members. But will ABC renew the show? The ratings are terrible, and the show is simply adrift. What could have been “Knots Landing” meets “thirtysomething” has lost all focus. They should try and get the creator, Jon Robin Baitz, back on board. Especially embarrassing is the waste this season of Rachel Griffiths on an idiotic story line involving a French stud boyfriend…

Here in New York, we lost something special last week: the Joey Reynolds show on WOR Radio. WOR Radio has really become a creepy outpost for right wing conservative radio buoyed by commercials for wacko products. There’s nothing entertaining about listening to hate-filled Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and even John Gambling III (who has really gone ’round the bend since returning to the station after an 8 year absence) rant on and on. Now the once great station has canned the lovable Reynolds for syndicated George Noory, who talks every night about UFOs, ESP, and cosmic happenings. Reynolds gave the station a heart and soul, now something it lacks sorely other than New York institution Joan Hamburg. I sure hope Joey lands somewhere soon. He knew that New Yorkers have no time for space ship watching. We’ve got real stuff to do…

Will “The Addams Family” Be Critic Proof?

Roger Friedman
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It was a long time coming, but “The Addams Family” opened last night on Broadway. The reviews are scathing, and the question is: Can a show with millions in pre-sales overcome the critics?

“The Addams Family” took in nearly $1.4 million last week in previews. It was third at the box office behind “Wicked” and “The Lion King.” A new show, not even opened, such a hit? It’s never happened before.

You could see why at last night’s premiere. Stars Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth were met with adulatory applause from an audience that was part celebrity and part real people. Among the stars who showed: Matthew Broderick (with a bodyguard no less) plus Bob and Lynne Balaban, Nora Ephron and Nick Pileggi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kodb, Tony Roberts, Tova Feldshuh, and “Ray” director Taylor Hackford.

The crowd loved the show, as did the “real” audience I saw it with a couple of weeks ago. But “The Addams Family” is taking a drubbing from theater critics. And they’re right. The show is a mess, from top to bottom. The songs by Andrew Lippa are so awful that one of them includes a comedy line about “Schindler’s List.” Ouch! What was Lippa thinking? The songs do nothing to drive the story along; many of them are just self contained, with terrible lyrics. A couple of them sound like Meat Loaf’s cast offs.

And then there’s the script: it is baffling how this slight plot line mirrors a movie in which Nathan Lane once starred: “The Birdcage.” In this version, Wednesday Addams is now more Marilyn Munster, the “normal” member of an odd family. She wants to marry a normal boy and so invites his normal family to dinner. Sound familiar? Soon this conservative Ohio couple (Terrance Mann, Carolee Carmello) are loosening up and getting wild.

“The Addams Family” grinds to a halt somewhere in there. I particularly objected to the constant references to death and love of it; the Addamses are obsessed with it, but nothing explains why or who they are. And in this version, their mansoleum of a mansion is planted in Central Park. Huh? Cousin It is seen in passing, and Grandmama (Jackie Hoffman) is the most annoying character on Broadway in many seasons.

But still: the audience wants to see this show. It various flaws will matter not, I think, to the average theatergoer. No Tony’s for the show, book or score unless the committee takes one of Grandmama’s potions before voting. But the actors will be nominated, and that should give it some help. My guess is “The Addams Family” runs for as long as Lane and Neuwirth can stand it, or need the paycheck.

And they are the pleasures of seeing the show. Lane is full of shtick. Neuwirth is quintessential Morticia even though they haven’t given her enough to do. You really have to wait into Act 2 to see Neuwirth, the former star of “Chicago,” show her stuff. She’s worth the price of admission.

Law & Order: Epatha May Stay, Meloni In, Erbe Back?

Roger Friedman
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It’s spring, and a young man’s fancy turns to the soap operas at the various “Law & Order” shows.

I can tell you that sources say S. Epatha Merkerson may not be leaving “Law & Order” so fast. Even though Merkerson announced that she was exiting her role after 20 seasons, I am told that this is just a negotiating ploy. “L&O” grand poobah Dick Wolf is notoriously tough on money. But Merkerson is the show’s only tie to its past. She started there in 1993. Next season, if it’s renewed, “L&O” would become the longest running series ever. It doesn’t seem possible that NBC and Wolf won’t make that p.r. hook happen. And they can’t do it without Merkerson. So hold on. Lt. Anita van Buren may yet play out a final record breaking season.

And there’s more: Chris Meloni is now saying he’s staying with “Law & Order: SVU.” In February, he gave some quote that he was out. But “SVU” can’t function without Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, who’ve become savvy negotiators themselves. Merkerson probably took a page from their book. See how this works?

And finally: the word from the set of “Criminal Intent” is that Jeff Goldblum and Saffron Burrows are not getting along, that Burrows may not be working out, and the stage could be set for Kathryn Erbe–whom I reported exclusively months ago was purged along with Vincent D’Onofrio and Eric Bogosian–might be brought back around Episode 5.

Hold on, because it’s all volatile, and anything could happen. One thing’s for sure: fans continue to write this column saying they are agree that D’Onofrio and Erbe are gone, and that they won’t watch a Goldblum-only show.

As far as the original “L&O”: Wolf should make sure Merkerson is there, and bring back as many of the living alumni as possible next season for an all-star send off. Fans want to see Paul Sorvino, Michael Moriarty, Richard Brooks, Jill Hennessy, Angie Harmon, etc. It could be a bonanza!

Can TV’s Two Best Comedy Stars Have a Movie Hit?

Roger Friedman
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Shaun Levy’s new comedy asks the question: “Can TV’s two biggest sitcom stars have a movie hit?”

The answer is: maybe.

Steve Carell comes from “The Office,” Tina Fey from “30 Rock.” Their shows play back to back on Thursdays on NBC, which also begs the question: why isn’t this movie with Universal instead of 20th Century Fox? But that’s another story.

Together, Carell and Fey play a married suburban couple looking for a little fun in the city on “Date Night.” The movie premiered last night at Ziegfeld in a rather odd opening. Aside from the cast and a few of Tina’s 30 Rock-ers like Alec Baldwin and Jane Krakowski, there were no celebrities except for Hugh Jackman, Regis and Joy Philbin, and Dick Cavett. It was a little weird. The premiere had no introduction either; the film started, albeit 30 minutes or more late.

“Date Night” is a solid popcorn comedy for spring. Need a grade? I’d say Bplus with potential. It does have many cameos, from Mark Ruffalo to Mark Wahlberg to James Franco (who almost steals the film) and Mila Kunis and Ray Liotta. It runs the gamut from the cerebral to the ridiculous, with heavy doses of Tina Fey’s comedy strewn throughout the mix.

“Date Night” is also mercifully short. They don’t belabor the point. The movie is really just about Steve and Tina goofing off each other. There’s a little bit about marriage to make things thoughtful. But then again, for a cerebral comedy, I’ve never heard the words penis and vagina so often.

What “Date Night” did make me think is that it would be funnier if Carell’s crowd from “The Office” got tickets to see Tina’s show on “30 Rock” and the two groups wound up crossing paths.

Meanwhile, the after party was one of these “filmmakers only” things, so others made the best of it. Over at Sirio Maccione’s perenially great Osteria del Circo (run by his famous son Marco), several audience members decided to treat themselves including producer Marty Bregman, the Philbins, Peggy Siegal and Susan Hess.

I don’t know if Regis liked the movie; he’ll talk about it on his show. But I should think this Friday, at least, will be “Date Night” everywhere. It’s worth just seeing the two stars do their thing. And PS: Mark Wahlberg does a perfect job spoofing himself.

Sting Will Make His Debut at NY’s Metropolitan Opera House

Roger Friedman
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It seems like it should have already happened by now. Sting, the world renown rock star, is going to make his debut at the Metropolitan Opera.

He won’t be doing “Tosca” or “Aida,” though. Sting is going to bring himself and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra into the famed met for two nights — July 13 and 14– as part of his summer symphony tour. Those famous Chagalls in the front windows are going to get a taste of “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle,” and “Brand New Day” in bold new ways.

Well, nothing is new for Sting who has been in movies, on Broadway, led lute concerts, performed in sacred cathedrals, gone unplugged, plugged, you name it. He even performed in an opera in Paris written by Elvis Costello cohort Steve Nieve. Oh yeah, and he wrote a bestselling memoir.

Sting is currently on a symphony tour, but will also play the “Today” show plaza next month and host the Rainforest Foundation concert at Carnegie Hall. He’s also participating, with wife Trudie Styler, in a big Earth Day celebration on April 25th in Washington DC.

Sting is very busy and a man who tries to be in more than place at one time. That’s why I think it’s funny that Xerox is sponsoring the tour. Maybe they can help him!

Spider Man Broadway Show Promised for Fall (Or Winter)

Roger Friedman
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“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” is coming. Really. This fall.

Original producer David Garfinkle tells me the $45 million Julie Taymor-U2 extravaganza has its money in place. There will be announcements shortly concerning a schedule and a replacement for Evan Rachel Wood, who bowed out of the part of Mary Jane.

Garfinkle says it’s all in hand, and that Alan Cumming and Reeve Carney are still all set. “Everything is ready. We’re getting ready to make some announcements.”

“Spider Man” has been in trouble forever. Recently a Broadway investor told me the budget was up to $52 million and that it would take five years to recoup investments if the show sold out every night and the entire audience bought T shirts. Who knows? The beauty of “Spider Man” succeeding is that would put the naysayers in their places forever.

So who should play Mary Jane? They’re going to need a name, a great girl who can sing and dance and be funny. It’s so hard to find one of those in New York!

Rielle Hunter: Oprah May Not Know About Her ‘24′ Role

Roger Friedman
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John Edwards‘ ex mistress and babymama Rielle Hunter is obviously not getting what she expected from the former U.S. senator.

First she did a sexy photo spread and interview with GQ magazine. Now she’s sitting down with Oprah for an hour long fess up during May sweeps. Edwards obviously has not come up with what Hunter demanded. The tawdry saga continues. (Let’s hope Oprah doesn’t bond with her the way she has with Kirstie Alley, Sarah Palin, and John Travolta.)

But sources in LaLa Land tell me that the big May sweeps finale of  Kiefer Sutherland’s show, “24,” would be much more exciting if Hunter’s “story arc” from the series were included. Sources there are still talking about Hunter’s days on their set and at their parties prior to (and during) her Edwards episode. She was quite popular — in fact, too popular.

According to sources, there was some surprise and anxiety expressed when Hunter’s pregnancy was revealed a couple of years ago. These insiders say Hunter had a close relationship with a member of the ‘24′ family–and I am not talking about Sutherland.

Hunter clearly came to Hollywood with dollar signs in her eyes when she divorced husband Kip Hunter in 2000. and moved to Hollywood. “It was clear,” says Emmy-nominated cinematographer George Mooradian, “that she wanted to be in the movie business.”

As I wrote in 2008:

In 2000, Lisa Druck re-emerged in Los Angeles as newly single Rielle Hunter, writer and producer of a 20-minute-long comedy called “Billy Bob and Them,” which she also acted in and self-distributed.

Mooradian worked on “Billy Bob and Them.” When he met Rielle, he said, she was just getting or had gotten a divorce.

He conceded he was paid about $50, if that, to shoot the low-budget film in Hunter’s “very nice” Los Angeles-area home that he supposed she’d gotten in the divorce.

The film, he said, didn’t have much of a plot. “It was very New Age-y. It had something to do with altars and temples and crystals.” The shoot lasted two days.

Mooradian told me: “She definitely had some connection to the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, and there was an offer to meet the Dalai Lama.”

Things have definitely changed. Hunter’s name sends a cold chill up the spines of the ‘24′ gang– and their show is about terrorism!

And there is still a much disputed story about Hunter’s friendship with actor Jeff Goldblum before he got added to “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and moved to New York. Hunter denies it, but the LA peeps can’t stop talking about it.

Carly Simon’s Dad Had the JUMP on Everyone

Roger Friedman
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Carly Simon’s dad, Richard Simon, was the co-founder of publishing giant Simon & Schuster (like you didn’t know that).

One of Simon’s famous successes was editing and publishing a book by famed Latvian photographer Phillippe Halsman called The Jump Book.” It featured pictures of the great celebs of the day–from Marilyn Monroe t0 Danny Kaye to Richard Nixon, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin–all, well… jumping.

Halsman had invented something called “Jumpology,” meaning he asked his celebrity subjects to spring up and down for him at the end of a shoot. He had plenty of access to them since he was responsible for shooting 101 covers for Life magazine.

Halsman also had a crazy life story which probably appealed to Simon, the savvy publisher. In 1928, at the age of 22, Halsman was convicted–wrongly–for killing his own father on a ski trip in the Austria Alps. The conviction was considered anti-Semitic. By the time Albert Einstein and others helped free him, Halsman had spent two years in prison. He relocated to Paris but eventually fled the Nazis for the US in 1940, where he became a star.

Now after all these years, “The Jump Book” is back. Fifty of the original 178 prints are being shown this month in New York at the Lawrence Miller gallery at 20 West 57th St. The photos are magnificent, gorgeous and rare. The Simon & Schuster book, unfortunately, is way out of print. The few copies still around go for around $200. And guess who wrote the forward back in 1959? None other than Mike Wallace! (This was before “60 Minutes.”) Someone–maybe even S&S–should reprint that book and commission a new one. (Brigitte Lacombe, hello!)

Anyway, Halsman– to paraphrase Carly Simon–obviously didn’t have time for the pain. But we should have time to enjoy his work and contemplate a life well lived.

Live Earth Is Back, Plans Big Day in Chicago

Roger Friedman
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Remember Live Earth, aka 07-07-07? It was the worldwide rock concert that ended with a Police concert at Giants Stadium.

Now Live Earth organizer Kevin Wall is announcing a new mega event for Chicago and the world on April 18th.

His Live Earth group is sponsoring the Dow Live Earth Run for Water– billed as the largest ever global water initiative ever.  Over a 24 hour period, there will be a series of 6K run/walks all over the world. The culmination of this will be a Chicago concert featuring the group Collective Soul and Grammy winning legendary performer “Soul Man” Sam Moore.

Here are the cities included in the world wide walk:

Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Chicago, IL, USA; Hong Kong, China; Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia; London, UK; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Manchester, UK; Melbourne, Australia; Mexico City, Mexico; Milan, Italy; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York, NY, USA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; São Paulo, Brazil; Singapore City, Singapore; Stockholm, Sweden; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., USA. www.liveearth.org.

Madonna Film: God Save the Queen for Real

Roger Friedman
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My colleague Baz Bamgiboye reported from London in Friday’s UK Daily Mail:

“Madonna’s film “W.E.,” a fantasy based on the Abdication Crisis and what became of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, will be full of what one could term pure ‘Madge’ touches.

Madonna, who has become an expert on the constitutional matters of our country through her research for the film, which begins shooting soon, has included some surreal moments in her screenplay.

She has the Sex Pistols song, “Anarchy,” blasting away during a scene set in 1935. In another segment, she has the Duchess, now 70, twisting away to the Sex Pistols’  “God Save The Queen” as her pugs nip at her heels, while her husband, the former King Edward VIII, lies dying on the other side of the room.”

All I can say is, I cannot wait for this movie! Madonna: Action!

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