Thursday, October 3, 2024
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Dominion May Settle With Fox News and Deny Us The Opportunity to Gloat Like Crazy

Big news as we go to sleep on the East Coast.

Dominion Voting Systems may settle their $1.6 billion defamation case against Fox News and deny us the opportunity to gloat as Rupert Murdoch’s crazy empire is exposed to the public.

It was announced this evening that the Delaware trial has been put off until Tuesday as the two sides negotiate with each other.

Monday was supposed to finish jury selection and feature opening arguments. Then the fun would begin with Fox News stars as well as Murdoch on the stand.

Murdoch et al have already been deeply embarrassed by release of the depositions showing that everyone at Fox News knew there was no voter fraud in the 2020 election but promoted that idea to their viewers hike up ratings.

The whole gang of on air jackals including Carlson, Hannity, and Bartiromo have all been exposed as liars. The Fox News audience doesn’t care. They are rubes who want whatever crap Fox is serving, true or not. If Dominion settles, even with apologies from Fox and a huge cash settlement, those viewers will continue to think they’ve won, that the lawsuit was a fraud, and so was the 2020 election. These are also the people that think John Kennedy Jr. is alive.

What should Dominion get besides $500 million? How about Rupert his team coming out on the plaza at 1221 Sixth Avenue with their hands on the air?

Stay tuned for a possible early end to what could have been the best Fox News show in a long time.

Box Office: “Super Mario” Defies Logic with $350 Mil in 2 Weeks, “Air” to Spare As Only Original, Non-Sequel Hit of Season

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How, or why? are the questions for the box office.

This weekend “Super Mario Brothers,” an animated film based on a video game from 30 years ago, made $87 million.

This was its second weekend in release. The total now is near $350 million, which it will surpass on Monday.

Why? How? Multiple viewings? For what reason? Nostalgia? Boredom?

Timing is everything, I guess. Mario and Luigi really knew when to come back. I can’t wait for Oscar-baiters to suggest because it’s made so much money, “Super Mario” should have a Best Picture nomination. What will Ms. PacMan say?

Back in reality, Ben Affleck’s “Air” is quality phenom. Its made $33 million in two weeks and should push nicely to $50 mil before getting to Amazon Prime. This is the only original film drama-comedy, non sequel, non comic book movie for people looking for cinema. Many, many awards are ahead in future.

In lesser words, the much-despised “Beau is Afraid” — which seems to be a three hour Emperor’s New Clothes — opened in four theaters and made $320,396. Yes, three hours and apparently not much happens. The “EEAAO” crowd loves it, which means it’s a lot of hooey. Joaquin Phoenix will not get awards attention because of all his focus in the fall will be on “Gladiator 2.” One day I will see this thing and fast forward through it.

Exclusive: COVID Knocks Out Bruce Springsteen, But Little Steven, Music Legends Put on Sensational Show for Boss’s First American Music Honors

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Guess who has COVID? Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. Is it a big shock? No, since Bruce just finished the first leg of a hugely successful tour that included him dancing in the dark through thousands of fans in dozens of arenas.

Bruce, joked Jon Stewart last night at the first annual American Music Honors at Monmouth University’s 700 seat Pollak Theater, looked healthier on video than the comic (who has nothing wrong with him).

Well heeled guests at The Honors — given for Bruce’s Musical Archives at the school — were a little disappointed by Bruce and Patti’s absences but understood “these things happen.” They were still in for a night of treats as Little Steven van Zandt, R&B legends Sam Moore and Darlene Love, and Steve Earle put on an off the hook show backed by Little Steven’s Disciples of Soul. Local dynamo turned legend Southside Johnny chimed in as well.

In the audience: Garden State Governor Phil Murphy (who declared next September 23rd Bruce Springsteen day in New Jersey), Bruce’s manager Jon Landau, Warner Bros movie exec Toby Emmerich, Sony Music exec Julie Swidler, ex-Sirius XM brains Steve Leeds and Tracey Jordan, and rocker Michael des Barres.

The evening began with a sumptuous buffet feast in the school’s gorgeously ornate Great Hall. Then guests were shuttled through the fog-laden campus to the Pollak, causing Stewart to proclaim on stage, “Now we’ve made it!”

The awards inductions included Springsteen — via video — honoring Love and van Zandt; Southside Johnny live on stage praising Moore, of “Soul Man” fame, and E Streeter Gary Tallent toasting Earle. All of the honorees performed with the Disciples of Soul, with Moore, 87, seated on a stool in front of the band, wowing the crowd with searing versions of “I Thank You” and big final group version of “Soul Man.” Love reminded the room of her Phil Spector days with a rousing wall of sound “River Deep Mountain High.” All of this had the room up on its collective feet and cheering and singing along.

The big finale: Southside Johnny and Little Steven leading the crowd in the Asbury Park local anthem, “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” still a soaring declaration of soulful, boozy fun with a Stax inspired horn section that never fails.

PS No pictures or videos during the show– we all had to put our phones in those confounded pouches. But here’s Sam Moore in rehearsal, sounding even better than he did sixty years ago!

c2023 Showbiz411

Ryan Seacrest Is Absolutely Close to His Family: They’re Still on His Foundation’s Payroll Making Big Bucks

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Ryan Seacrest left “Live with Kelly and Ryan” today after six years.

A lot was made of his big send off, complete with members of his family in tow. The press pitch on “Access Hollywood” was that they’re a close, close family.

Indeed, they are. As I’ve reported before, Ryan keeps his sister and father on his payroll at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. That hasn’t changed over the years.

In 2020, sister Meredith was getting close to $300,000 as Chief Operating Office. Dad Gary gets $95,000 a year as legal counsel. These are good gigs!

An actually qualified person named Nicole Mead gets $100,000 as Senior Director.

What does Nicole do? According to her official bio, “Nicole enjoys spending her free time traveling, exploring the National Parks system, attending live music events and volunteering with a handful of Nashville non-profits.”

Good for her!

What does the Ryan Seacrest Foundation do? A little unclear. According to their 2020 Form 990 Tax filing, they gave 10 hospitals $10,000 each, and $25,000 to the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Florida. So that’s $125,000 total, although they claim $1.3 million in grants and donations. It’s unclear how this was added up.

Seacrest returns to “American Idol” and his LA-based radio show, and producing the Kardashians’ reality show. On Monday, Kelly Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, becomes the new co-host.

Regis Philbin, I might add, is turning in his grave. (I do miss Regis.)

TV: “Grey’s Anatomy” Shows Its Age, Fell to Lowest Numbers Of All Time Last Night with Two New Episodes

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You know, the party over at “Grey’s Anatomy” is over.

Last night’s ratings were the lowest of all time, and the lowest of this 19th season.

There were two episodes last night. The first one had 3.255 million viewers– low but not the worst. Whatever happened, however, didn’t retain the audience. The 10pm show fell 12% to 2.857 million. Most shows would be cancelled.

“Grey’s” lost another long time actor last night. Plus, its nominal star, Ellen Pompeo, is gone. They kill off characters left and right to stay within their dwindling budget. The long time showrunner, Krista Vernoff, is exiting at the end of this season.

My guess is, next season, number 20, will be the wrap up.

Even worse: The “Grey’s” spin off, “Station 19,” preceded it at 8pm with 3.76 million viewers. “Grey’s” couldn’t hold its lead in audience.

What to do? Next fall have Patrick Dempsey return as his old character’s lookalike cousin, McDoozy.

Is Someone in the Murdoch Camp Giving Stories to “Succession”? This Week’s Episode Has Someone’s Fingerprints On It

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This week, the Murdochs and the Roys have come perilously close to each other.

In his excellent piece in Vanity Fair, Gabriel Sherman writes about Rupert Murdoch — his short marriage to Jerry Hall, his two week engagement to Ann Leslie Smith, multiple hospitalizations and illnesses. Sherman also reveals that eldest son Lachlan has had mental health issues.

At the same time, in this Sunday’s coming episode, the now dead Logan Roy’s reputation is sullied as his surviving staff recommends explaining his will and subsequent board decisions by claiming Logan had physical and mental issues of his own (He didn’t.)

Plus, the news about Lachlan makes him seem more and more like Kendall Roy, Jeremy Strong’s nuanced second oldest child, who’s had more than his share of problems. Kendall reveals that he’s used a therapist for help.

click here to read all of today’s Showbiz411 headlines

Sherman says there was actually a clause in the Hall divorce preventing her from giving the “Succession” writers any plot ideas. The British press speculated this year that James Murdoch has been the one feeding “Succession: ideas about his family.

Of course, all of “Succession” could just be lucky guesses by writer Jesse Armstrong, the show’s creator, who has put two and two together from public knowledge. But the line between fiction and non fiction has always been blurred. Shakespeare based all his plays and characters on existing people and situations. Paul McCartney knows where to find Penny Lane. And so on.

Box Office: Top Notch Ben Affleck-Matt Damon “Air” Has Made a Tremendous $25 Mil in 9 Days

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“Air” is a hit.

The Ben Affleck directed comedy about how Nike got Michael Jordan to be their spokesman is a rarity these days.

Starring Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Affleck, and Jason Bateman, “Air” has taken in $25 million in just 8 days.

“Air” is an original film, not based on other material, and not a sequel. This is almost unheard of these days.

Eventually, “Air” will come to Amazon Prime. And in the fall it will be in all the awards races. Amazon paid a fortune for it, but it was worth the money. “Air” sends a signal that Amazon Studios movie side is serious now about being in the game. (TV side is another story.)

“Air” is by far the best movie so far of 2023. Nice to see how it’s worked out!

Exclusive: That’s Suri Cruise Making Her Singing Debut in Mom Katie Holmes’s Moving New Film, “Rare Objects”

Suri Cruise, daughter of Katie Holmes (and yes, Tom Cruise), makes her singing debut over the end credits of Katie’s new film, “Rare Objects.” The film opens today in limited release and on amazon.com. I watched it tonight and it’s a lovely piece, the third film directed by Holmes as she peels away more and more layers of her talent for us. Nicely done.

Back to “Rare Objects” in a minute. (Oh? You want to know? Suri, who’s almost 17, has a terrific voice. If she wants to be a pop star at some point, she could pull it off with aplomb.)

I ran into Katie Holmes last night at Newel Antiques on East 61st St. where a little reception was thrown for “Rare Objects” by owner Jake Baer. It’s the most charming antiques store in New York, and they were happy to identify with cards all their rare objects that were used in the film. The great set decorator Beth Kushnick invited me, along with Jill Brooke (flowerpowerdaily.com) so we could see where she gets her amazing ideas. I didn’t realize until I got there that Katie would be there, too, along with some of the cast and production people.

Katie was not the one who told me about Suri singing with the band in the movie. Talk about “dropping the lede”! I only figured it out when I went right home and downloaded the film for a very worth it $14.99. There at the end of the music credits among the musicians, it reads: “Vocals: Suri.” Bravo! Aerial East is the featured singer.

I’ve known Katie Holmes a long time but I haven’t seen her in a long time, either. She’s turning into quite the indie film director, with three under her belt. She did tell me that she and Alan Cumming — who’s in this film — are writing a new screenplay but it’s still hush hush.

What did we talk about? A little about Suri, who’s in high school and “a great kid.” We talked about Katie’s love of theater, how she’s added “director” to her achievements, the difference between theater and film acting, and how much she loved her “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Michelle Williams in “The Fabelmans.”

“She always delivers,” Katie said of Michelle. “She’s going to get that Oscar eventually.”

I was impressed. When I met Katie it was in April 2005 at the opening night of “Steel Magnolias” on Broadway. She’d just moved to New York after having an indie hit with “Pieces of April.” She was learning about the city and excited to start the next phase of her career. Eighteen years later, Katie Holmes is confident, forthright, funny, and the mom of a teenager! Talk about a success story!

Go see it in a theater or download “Rare Objects” from amazon. You won’t be disappointed!

Nepo Crazy: Denzel Washington’s Other Son, Malcolm, to Direct “The Piano” Lesson Movie, His Film Debut

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Someone has to explain this to me, slowly.

One of the highlights of the past Broadway season was La Tanya Richardson Jackson’s production of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.” She directed it and it was superb. A plus. Everyone involved deserves Tony nominations.

“The Piano Lesson” starred John David Washington, Samuel Jackson, and Danielle Brooks in a most amazing performance, a stage turn for the ages.

So now comes word of the movie. LaTanya is out, and so is Brooks? Huh? Malcolm Washington, Denzel’s other son, will make his directorial debut. Another Danielle — Deadwyler, the star of “Till” — will take Brooks’s place. I really like Deadwyler, but she’s wrong for the part and the wrong Danielle, I’m afraid.

How do these things happen? It’s the mystery of Hollywood. I hope the Broadway production was taped for posterity. LaTanya did a great job. She should be back on Broadway again soon, I hope. She should have done the movie.

Buried News: NBC Gives Only 13 Episode Order for “Organized Crime,” Raising Questions About Chris Meloni’s Elliot Stabler

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Buried in their renewal news the other day was an NBC nugget: while “Law & Order” and “SVU” each got 22 episode orders for the fall season, “Organized Crime” got only 13.

Huh? “SVU” and “Organized Crime” have run in tandem every since the latter show arrived as a spin off. “OC” has never aired on its own independent of the 25 year old “SVU.” It’s just been used as an opportunity to milk the pseudo romance between Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson and Chris Meloni’s Elliot Stabler. They even killed off Stabler’s wife to achieve that goal.

But “OC” has never caught on. Its ratings are way below the other two shows. The Meloni show is now on its fifth show runner and never has achieved its own identity. No one knows what its purpose is, why it exists other than to have Stabler ready to flirt with Benson at a moment’s notice.

The idea was that “OC” would be the third part of an all-Thursday Dick Wolf block on NBC, the way he has the “Chicago” shows on NBC Wednesdays and “FBI” night on Tuesdays on CBS. To get “OC” on the air, NBC had to knock off the popular “Manifest,” which led to protests and Netflix taking on the other show so it could play out its cliffhanger plots.

So now what? What happens when “OC” runs out of shows? Will Wolf cede his third hour on Thursdays? Will Meloni move to “SVU”? Will all of “OC” be used as crossovers with “SVU”? And will we ever know what “Organized Crime” was about?

Literally, stay tuned…