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Rosie O’Donnell Frees the Handbag

Roger Friedman
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108095 ephrons rosie Rosie ODonnell Frees the Handbag
Nora Ephron, Rosie O’Donnell and Delia Ephron on Thursday (Getty photo)

Broadway and its environs were hot last night, with Tracey Letts‘ “Serious Donuts” opening to raves on one corner with Michael McKean — our old pal from “Laverne and Shirley”– minted as a new star.

Along West 43rd Street at the Westside Theater, off Broadway but right in the middle of the theater district, Nora Ephron is back. She and her equally talented sister Delia Ephron have adapted a book called “Love, Loss and What I Wore” into a fast-paced reading of zingers and poignant observations.

The cast of five women will rotate over the next 12 weeks. Right now it features Rosie O’Donnell, Natasha Lyonne and Tyne Daly; more familiar faces are lined up. It’s’ a little like the theater piece Bob Balaban directed a few years ago about people who were wrongly sent to Death Row. So I’m calling the Ephrons’ work “The Exonerated, With Handbags.”

Candice Bergen and husband Marshall Rose were front and center last night, as was Nora with hubby Nick Pileggi, Delia and a throng of Ephronistas. Candice, looking beautiful as ever, had the distinction of watching her Audrey Hepburn-like 23-year-old daughter Chloe (her father was the great, late director Louis Malle) conduct interviews for the New York Observer. “It’s my second day as an intern,” she chirped. Louis would be proud!

Also on hand: Martin Short and his wife, Nancy, plus HBO documentary czar Sheila Nevins, and the great Mary Wallace, wife of “60 Minutes” legend Mike Wallace.

Daly can do no wrong, and she was spot on as sort of the leader of the five gals who tell stories of how different clothes and accessories punctuated their lives. The way the Ephrons have set it up, the lists of garments and their fabrics read like the recipes from Nora’s classic “Heartburn.” It works.

Lyonne was maybe the biggest surprise since, despite many movie appearances scattered over the past decade — the 30-year-old has had countless well-publicized personal problems. She’s back, she looks great, and has laserlike comic timing. If she’s serious about returning to work, Lyonne should be fine.

Rosie, of course, is another story. Decked out in Eileen Fisher — the designer is also a punchline in the play, much to Rosie’s chagrin — O’Donnell pretty much stole the show. (Not easy to do with Tyne Daly.) She even gets to perform a part of the play that she wrote for Ephron about her own late mother — it’s wonderful. Rosie brought two of her four kids, Parker and Chelsea, ages 14 and 12, and they are the nicest kids around. Rosie’s monologue about handbags brought down the house and shows that, as an actress, she’s matured into quite a comedienne.

When the material’s good — not just the fabric, but the words — it helps.

Polanski Case: “Chinatown” Director Should Know About L.A. Law

Roger Friedman
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Marina Zenovich isn’t too pleased with Los Angeles District Attorney David Wells. Wells’s interview with Zenovich in her film, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired,” formed the foundation of her argument–that there was malfeasance with the D.A.’s office and Judge Rittenbrand in the original Polanski case circa 1978.

Now Wells says he lied to Zenovich on film, and recants his statements. There is not a ring of truth to Wells’s new statement. If he really lied on film, he would be eligible for an Oscar. And win.

Corruption in Los Angeles law enforcement? Polanski knows all too well about it. That’s the irony. His signature film. “Chinatown,” is the ultimate chronicle.

Here is Zenovich’s statement from Zurich, where she’s filming a sequel:

‘I am perplexed by the timing of David Wells’ statement to the press’that he lied in his interview with me for the documentary “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.”’Since June of 2008, the film has been quite visible on’U.S. television via HBO, in theaters and on DVD, so it is odd that David Wells’has not brought this issue to my attention before.

‘For the record, on the day I filmed Mr. Wells at the Malibu’Courthouse, February 11, 2005, he gave me a one-hour interview. He signed a’release like all my other interviewees, giving me permission to use his’interview in the documentary worldwide.’ At no time did I tell him that the film’would not air in the United States.

‘Mr. Wells was always friendly and open with me.’ At no point in the’four years since our interview has he ever raised any issues about its content.’In fact, in a July 2008 story in The New York Times, Mr. Wells corroborated the’account of events that he gave in my film.

‘I am astonished that he has now changed his story.’ It is a sad day’for documentary filmmakers when something like this happens.’

Mary Wilson: Supreme Star Takes Manhattan

Roger Friedman
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Mary Wilson is back in town.

The Supreme with a heart has never been taken seriously as a lead singer. She was always considered one of Diana Ross’s “back up” singers.

But those in the know, know Mary has an amazing voice and a vibrant stage presence. She proved it last night at Feinstein’s at the Regency, where she’s in week two of a sold out run doing a jazz numbers mixed with a few Supremes songs.

Mary has one more show tonight, and two each on Friday and Saturday.

Looking a decade younger than her 65 years, Wilson reminisces just a bit about the Supremes, and includes a few re-arranged gems like “My World is Empty Without You” and “Come See About Me.”

But she also covers Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” sort of magnificently, as well as Sting’s “Fields of Gold” and several standards. Her earthy voice is a cross between Tina Turner and Gladys Knight, and she’s hitting notes that some of the younger divas wish they could find. Her version of Norah Jones’s “Don’t Know Why” gives the song a heretofore unknown sexiness.

P.S. Mary’s been such a hit at Feinstein’s, they held her over for an extra week. Over New Year’s she holds forth at Palm Beach’s Colony Room for a week. It’s the place to be, in that case!

Preview: Seinfeld Cast, Larry David in Brilliant Reunion Shows

Roger Friedman
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Fans of “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” know that this Sunday, worlds will collide. That’s when Larry David’s brilliant HBO show “Curb” reunites Larry with the cast of “Seinfeld.” In Sunday’s episode, self serving Larry decides to produce a “Seinfeld” reunion show for NBC as a way of getting back his estranged wife, Cheryl (Cheryl Hines).’ Logical? Don’t ask. Somehow he persuades Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Drefyus and Michael Richards to go along with him.

The story arc begins on Sunday but then lays dormant for two episodes. On October 25th, in episode six, it picks up again through episode 10. Last night HBO screened 3 and 6 for an invited audience at the Time Warner Center that included Larry David, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, comic Susie Essman (who plays Larry’s agent’s wife), Patricia Clarkson, Regis and Joy Philbin, Caroline Kennedy and Ed Schlossberg, Bob and Lynne Balaban, Steve Buscemi, a variety of media types including Dan Abrams, Ashley Banfield, Hoda Kotb, Dave Zinczenko, Kenneth and Maria Cuomo Cole, Kerry Washington with writer Lawrence O’Donnell, Joni Evans, and so on. It was quite a group.

More to the point: in episode 6 fans will see something never seen before ‘ David and Seinfeld together, in a scene of improvised dialogue, riffing off each other. It’s brilliant, recalling Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. In Jerry’s comic book world, it’s like watching a match up of Batman and Superman. Seinfeld told me that was exactly right. “We approached it like a meeting of super heroes.”

What becomes clear this Sunday and even more obvious later: “Seinfeld” and “Curb” are unlike each other. What’s sort of amazing is watching how the Seinfeld Four become enmeshed in fictional Larry David’s world, or rather victimized by it. The Larry David “character” of “Curb” lies, manipulates, and maneuvers through life. We’ve never really seen him work. Now we see him trying to produce the “Seinfeld” reunion and in the process, have to deal with these actors who once starred on his hit show. (It’s very meta-meta, too, since it’s actors playing parts of actors who once played parts. Yikes!)

Already in the first two episodes this season, “Curb” has moved into a hyper gear. It’s super charged with ideas, weaving semantics throughout, exploring situational absurdities. They are literally piling on. Last week, Larry man-hugged an acquaintance reluctantly and broke the guy’s reading glasses ‘ dangling on a cord ‘ by accident. The man wants to send him a bill for repairs. A debate ensues about the hug that turns into one of many existential plays within a play.

Now David and Seinfeld add the four actors from the original show, and it’s like a quadruple ping pong match. In episode 6, Jerry and Larry (who is part Jerry and part George) are working in an office at a desk, trying to write. An absurd plot begins with their secretary, leading the men to describe each other’s strong suits and weaknesses. It’s marvelous, not to be missed. Forget “30 Rock.” This is what the Emmy was invented for. Don’t miss’ a word of it.

And P.S.: Meg Ryan ‘‘star of comedies from the late 80s and early 90s ‘ has an uncredited cameo.

“Precious” Star Mo’Nique: Publicist Quits As Actress Refuses to Cooperate

Roger Friedman
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After promising she’d be there, BET talk show host and comedienne Mo’Nique will not be attending Saturday’s New York Film Festival premiere of “Precious.” And her publicist of two weeks has just quit as well.

You may recall I wrote a story last week in which everyone connected to the film swore she’d be there. Well, it’s not happening. Cited by me and everyone else who’s seen the film as a possible Oscar nominee, Mo’Nique just doesn’t get it or doesn’t want it. She’s missed the Cannes and Toronto film festivals, and has done virtually no press for “Precious” since she appeared at the Sundance Film Festival last January.

The ostensible reason for this absence is that her BET talk show starts next week and she’s taping shows. But she’s not taping on Saturday or Sunday, so that dog doesn’t hunt. And the first show, for Monday, is in the can.

I did tell you that Mo’Nique has gotten herself a reputation for demanding money for showing up to promote “Precious.” It’s a first in Oscar history.

Last week I spoke to one of her representatives, who said, “It’s just supporting actress. It’s not lead, is it?” What the heck! It would be nice if someone close to Mo’Nique will explain her behavior soon. Otherwise, her “cinch” Oscar is about to fade away.

“Precious” will go on and be just fine without Mo’Nique. Gabby Sidibe is a likely Best Actress nominee, and Mariah Carey’s extraordinary performance as social worker Mrs. Weiss could land her in Best Supporting Actress ‘ Mariah will be thrilled with a Supporting nom.

Meanwhile, Mo’Nique’s publicist of two weeks, Tresa Sanders, has just quit. Sanders ‘ whose experience includes’Mary J. Blige and other hip hop divas ‘ came on to help Mo’Nique with her talk show and with “Precious.” She quit yesterday after trying to explain why Mo’Nique wasn’t coming to New York.

Comcast Wants NBC Cable Units; Secret Plans From 2005

Roger Friedman
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NBC for sale? You betcha. I reported it in February 2007 in my old column. You can read it here.

The fact is, the secret plans were drawn up in 2005-2006. When I published that column, Jeff Zucker was on his way in, and Bob Wright was on his way out. And now several outlets are reporting that Comcast is kicking the NBC tires. What they want, specifically, are Bravo, USA, Syfy and Oxygen — not necessarily NBC or Universal Studios.

But Comcast ‘wasn’t the only conglomerate interested ‘in NBC Universal, according to the 2005 plan. Time Warner would have come in as well to to take the film ‘portion, and kept the ‘Universal banner and Focus Features. Warners would have also gotten NBC, and assimilated NBC News and MSNBC into ‘CNN.

“If Jeff Immelt can get the money from Comcast, he’ll take it,” says an NBC insider.

There is nothing worse right now in TV land than the Jay Leno debacle on NBC. Leno, a great comedian, has been stuffed into a box without holes. He can’t breathe. The audience doesn’t want him at 10 p.m. They want hourlong dramas, and not just the ones produced by Dick Wolf. Where is the 2009 version of “Hill Street Blues,” “St. Elsewhere,” “LA Law,” “ER”? Jay’s show may be cheaper to produce, but at what cost?

Michael Jackson Ripped Off in Death (Again)

Roger Friedman
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Some people have no shame.

Now the Michael Jackson estate has filed suit in Los Angeles against a bunch of people who’ve hijacked Michael’s old Heal the World Foundation. They’re passing it off as their own and claiming Michael is their president emeritus.

This is too much. The real Heal the World was shut down several years ago. Nevertheless, two people who had nothing to do with Michael Jackson ‘ Melissa Johnson and Mel Wilson ‘ decided to reactivate the name, apply for a bunch of trademarks, and carry on as if Michael were running the show from the grave. He is not. This new Heal the World Foundation has nothing to do with Michael Jackson at all. But you have to give these people credit for chutzpah: they have photos of Michael on their website, and write about him like they’re old friends.

What’s next? We can only imagine.

Just in case Michael Jackson’s fans are interested, there is currently no ‘ I mean zero, none ‘ charity officially sanctioned by his estate or left behind by him in his name.

Jennifer Hudson Finds the Emerald City

Roger Friedman
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Want to hear something amazing? Look around on You Tube today for a video of Jennifer Hudson performing “Over the Rainbow” last night in Central Park. Hudson was featured during a live show preceding Netflix’s free outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz” in celebration of the film’s 70th anniversary. Hudson took the outdoor srstage at the Rumsey Playing Field, and unleashed “Ease On Down the Road” and “I Believe” with unprecedented power. But the precision and soul of her “Over the Rainbow” was startling. She’s turning into the great R&B diva of the new generation.

It’s hard to imagine that “The Wizard of Oz” and “Gone with the Wind” were each released in 1939, and directed more or less by the same man, Victor Fleming (he had help on each of them). Now “Oz” returns in a remastered DVD with glorious color and sound. It’s so good that Netflix didn’t mind putting it up on a big drive-in screen in front of 4,000 people who sang along, laughed, cried, and applauded in the middle of scenes last night.

Name the 10 best scenes in film. Certainly one of them, maybe the best, is Dorothy opening the door of her tornado tossed Kansas house, all black and white and dusty, to the spectacular color of Oz, the yellow brick road, Glenda the Good Witch, the Munchkins, and the ruby slippers. Seven decades have passed, but this was Dorothy opening the gate to a new world. Fleming’s film never stops from that moment to the one in which Dorothy and her pals ‘ Bert Lahr seemed more exceptional than ever last night as the cowardly Lion ‘ are first ushered in to see the Wizard. There’s no CGI, no fakery. Just awe that Fleming pulled this off, and burned down Tara almost simultaneously.

The remastered Oz is a two-disc set from Warner Home Video, released yesterday. I’m going to pick it up immediately, along with books by the great New York Times movie writer Aljean Harmetz on both “Oz” and “Gone with the Wind.” My new theory about “Oz” is that Toto is really the central character. More than Dorothy, Toto is is always in jeopardy and driving the action forward. Jacques Derrida could have a field day with this dog. His name means “all” or “altogether.” Brilliant! Maybe Harmetz can explain it for us.

James Bond, Wolverine Pull Out the Big Guns

Roger Friedman
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It was all the A list for Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman’s Broadway debut last night in “A Steady Rain.”

Among the crowd: Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephanie March and Bobby Flay,’ Ellen Barkin, writer-director Doug McGrath, director Darren Aronofsky, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, a gaggle of network executives, plus of course, Hugh and Daniel.

At the Harvard Club after party, the two men ‘ no doubt tired of looking at each other every night for 90 minutes ‘ took up opposite corners and received well wishers. Hugh left early, he said he had to take his kid to school in the morning.

Daniel Craig, the surprise of the show, is getting tired of being asked the same question: does he mind not having action, and just dialogue?

“I’ve done plays before,” he said, a little irritated, and rightly so. We do tend to peg these actors for what brings them to our attention. They have whole long histories. Daniel Craig’s background is in theater. And his future is there, too.

So what next? Playwright Keith Huff is writing a screenplay based on the play, and the movie is on. Look for a frenzy among actresses age 35 for the pivotal role of Connie, unseen in the play but upon which the movie will hinge. Kate Winslet, are you reading this?

P.S. Producer Fred Zollo spent the night grinning from ear to ear. “Steady Rain” is the steadiest ticket on Broadway.

Polanski Mess: Friends, Filmmaker Circle the Wagons

Roger Friedman
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polanski roman 250x300 Polanski Mess: Friends, Filmmaker Circle the WagonsThe Roman Polanski mess is becoming divisive, that’s for sure. Last night I appeared on Joy Behar’s new talk show on Headline News. Joy is on the fence, although I think she’s leaning toward extradition. The other panelist, Jeanine Pirro, kept shouting “Rape!” Yours truly took a milder stand.

Sources close to Polanski tell me, as we all know by now, that he will fight extradition. But what caused this situation? Switzerland, I think, has a lot to answer for. They’ve harbored U.S. fugitives for years. Marc Rich – an evil man who conducted business with enemies of the state and wouldn’t pay millions in taxes — lived there from 1983 until Bill Clinton pardoned him in January 2001. No one went near him, and Rich ran a worldwide billion dollar business with offices right under the FBI’s nose in White Plains, New York. I mean, who’s kidding who?

The answer is: more and more, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office was embarrassed by Polanski. First there was Marina Zenovich’s excellent documentary, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.” The film showed the lunacy of Polanski’s original judge, Lawrence Rittenbrand, and the malfeasance of the court.

Then starting last January 2009, Polanski’s lawyers — emboldened by the film — started filing motions against the court. Samantha Geimer, Polanski’s victim, also filed to have the charges dismissed. I am told that all through this year, Zenovich was filming in the courthouse. All of these things were like taunting the District Attorney: “Come and get me.”

Zenovich, by the way, has flown with her film crew to Switzerland. She’s making the sequel to “Wanted and Desired.”

You can read just about anywhere what Polanski did to Geimer in 1977 when she was 13 years old. It was obviously wrong. He made a plea bargain, served 43 days in prison, and expected that a final deal had been made with prosecutors. When he learned that Rittenbrand was going to ambush him, Polanski fled the U.S.

There are many things to say in Polanski’s defense thirty-one years later. He has never been accused of anything else. He is not a threat to the community, or the world. He’s been happily married for twenty years and has raised a family. It’s not unreasonable to say that this was an isolated moment in his life. Thirty-one years. As a judge said in a case I was once attending, where only 14 years had passed, “Murderers get off in less time.”

Indeed, in Los Angeles, celebrities accused of murder walk around as free men. O.J. Simpson is only in jail because of an unrelated case, in another state. Robert Blake lives a good life. It took two trials each to put away both the Menendezes and Phil Spector.

Without question it’s time to let the Roman Polanski story be over. He’s done his time. To paraphrase the Eagles’ “Desperado,” his prison was walking in a world all alone.

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