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.
Mel Gibson actually thinks the new owner of Warner Bros, David Zaslav, is going to make a movie with him. The movie in question is “Lethal Weapon 5,” which no one — no one — wants to see.
Gibson actually told Screen Rant: “It’s [coming along] great, we’ve got a really good screenplay that I developed. Well, Donner developed it, Richard Donner, of course, developed it with Richard Wenk, and they had a really good template. I had the honor of sitting down, after Richard passed away, with the writer and doing a couple more drafts and trying to do it in the spirit of what we thought Donner might [want], because I knew the guy so well. We tried to get that flavor, and we were pretty happy with what we came up with. The only delay is now with all the shake-up at Warners, with Discovery coming in and the new boss, and they chop everyone else up and throw them away and get new people. It always takes time for these companies to regroup, so that’s been a delay, but I’m pretty confident we’ll get this one up on its feet, probably shoot it in the first quarter of the New Year.”
It’s hard to imagine that Zaslav, who is Jewish, would commit fifty or sixty million dollars to Gibson, who in 2006 told a Los Angeles cop that “the Jews caused all the wars” and also denies the Holocaust happened. Gibson’s history of anti-Semitism is now so codified he is a pariah in the business. Also, he’s a noted racist. Zaslav doesn’t need that headache.
I hate to say it but his bizarre toadying up to the new CNN owners has paid off. Tapper’s been tapped for a 9pm show on CNN starting October 10th and lasting at least through the elections on November 8th.
Social media observers have noted Tapper’s troubling turn to the right in recent weeks. He plugged Jared Kushner’s idiotic book on Twitter. In the last few days he did a spot on the banning of books and then noted that “progressives” were as responsible as those on the right. The rep from PEN America managed not to faint when he responded that it was mostly right wingers who want to clamp down on books.
Tapper has turned out to be the ultimate company man in his diligent pursuit of not getting fired or moved to 2am. He’s been a disappointment, for sure. The worry now is that CNN is sending him up against crazy Sean Hannity on Fox because he, Tapper, will start espousing this new “there are good people on both sides” attitude to win Hannity’s viewers.
Here’s the new CNN afternoon schedule:
4 pm The Lead, anchored by John Berman and Brianna Keilar
5 pm The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer
7 pm Erin Burnett OutFront
8 pm Anderson Cooper 360
9 pm CNN Tonight, anchored by Jake Tapper
10 pm CNN Tonight, anchored by Alisyn Camerota and Laura Coates
Jeff Garlin, so funny on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” saw his other character, Murray, killed off “The Goldbergs” last night.
Garlin was ousted, or left by suggestion, after nine seasons last year when some on that show complained about his behavior.
Now Garlin, a gifted comic actor, says he suffers from Bipolar disorder. He posted a short announcement to Instagram.
My question, don’t almost all comics and most actors have this? Isn’t it what makes them fearless and funny? They swing from highs to lows. It’s almost a perquisite to the job.
So I think “The Goldbergs” handled this badly. Murray was the only interesting character on the show. Now that he’s gone, there are rooms to be painted in all our houses.
Harry Styles closed his historic run of 15 consecutive shows at Madison Square Garden last night. During that time he also promoted two movies, “Don’t Worry Darling” and “My Policeman,” in Toronto, Venice, and New York.
Spotted at the Garden last for his ebullient finale were a bearded Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and Gayle King. (There was an unconfirmed Anne Hathaway sighting as well.) King took the stage, as she does, to proclaim Styles’ run a Big Deal near the end of the show, and present a banner that will hang in the Garden to mark the occasion.
The audience, composed largely of teen girls, was wild and loud. They love Harry. To celebrate the final night, different colored boas (made of polyester, now all over my clothes) were placed on each seat. That’s because Harry is famous for wearing boas. And glitter. The crowd was having its own early Halloween as nearly everyone was wearing something sparkly and fabulous.
By contrast, Styles — known for outrageous costumes — was rather tame. He wore a pantsuit that looked like it was made from crime scene tape and wrapping paper from the Party Store. Alternately, he looked like a Men at Work sign with zigzagging juxtaposed colors. But for Harry, it was the equivalent of a business suit compared to past ensembles.
Over the last decade, moving from One Direction to a solo career dotted with smaller movie performances, Styles has become a phenom. You can see why: he’s endlessly cheerful, humble, gregarious. His public persona (which may be close to the private) is of an affable, amiable guy who’s a showman with a solid voice. He’s not a great musician on instruments, but that doesn’t matter. What’s drawing audiences is his innate charisma. It’s authentic. You can’t manufacture it.
The stage is very simple but in the round, or the rectangle, actually, with the standing room only on the floor — packed — and ramps running among the dancing boas on either side. Styles knows how to work this stage capably. Indeed, some of the best parts of the night was him interacting with the audience, reading their signs, and asking them questions. He’s very at ease in this setting, which is kind of amazing since there are 20,000 people around him.
I’ve always had trouble with Styles’ solo hits, they all sound like they’re constructed from pieces of old songs. The first seven or eight songs of the night, with the exception of “Late Night Talking,” all sound the same. But then he delivers a powerful update of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” and the show lifts off on its own, not just from the constant, cacophonous screaming. There’s a click in the room, and then his few big solo hits like “Watermelon Sugar,” “Sign of the Times,” and “As it Was” erupt.
The takeaway is that this is a guy who’s going to be around for the long haul. He’s going to make more hit albums and movies. He’s capable of a lot of things. If this were the 60s or 70s he’d be hosting “The Harry Styles Hour” on TV. He’s so comfortable on stage — he looks like he’s bursting to rock and not just pop — he could easily play Mick Jagger in a movie about the early Rolling Stones. He’d be perfect.
Every generation has had its pop superstars, whether it Fabian or Elvis or Ricky Nelson, and more recently Justin Timberlake. Now it’s Harry Styles’ turn, and he wears the crown well.
Come back around noon and I’ll add some pictures and a little video.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is right announcing that she’s suing Donald Trump for fraud. She’s also suing, among others, Trump’s children Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric.
James says she only started the investigation after Trump lackey Michael Cohen sang like a bird about what was going on at the Trump Organization. James called what the Trumps have done “The Art of the Steal” and said “no one, no one is above the law.”
On social media, James said: Today, I filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump for engaging in years of financial fraud to enrich himself, his family, and the Trump Organization. There aren’t two sets of laws for people in this nation: former presidents must be held to the same standards as everyday Americans. NY AG James Actions have consequences. We’re seeking to: ➡️Make Trump pay $250 million. ➡️Ban the Trumps from running NY businesses for good. ➡️Ban Trump and Trump Org from buying commercial real estate in NY for 5 yrs. ➡️We’re making a criminal referral to the U.S. Dept of Justice.”
You can read the full coverage at nytimes.com. To quote U2, “it’s a beautiful day.”
Last night he was supposed to be the first guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to promote the movie. But out came the insanely funny Kathy Griffin, who announced that she was filling in for him. It was noted that Harry Styles had spit on Pine. (Not true, by the way.)
Griffin joked: “Harry Styles once spit on me. I asked him to!”
She also revealed that she’d asked Monica Lewinsky if she’d voted for Hillary Clinton. The answer was Yes. See below.
Pine also refused to participate in a live Q&A for “Don’t Worry Darling” with IMAX on Monday night. The rest of the cast, except for Florence Pugh, participated from the Manhattan location, including Styles and director Olivia Wilde, who sat at opposite ends of the lined up chairs between Nick Kroll, Gemma Chan, and
Douglas Smith. Pine and Pugh each sent in videos that were played.
But clearly, Pine wants nothing to do with this movie, whether it’s because of Wilde and Styles’ alleged affair, or the attention Styles is getting. It makes no sense. Pine plays the heavy in the movie, does a fine job, and should just be enjoying the ride. I’m sure Warner Brothers isn’t pleased that he’s ducking promotion.
EXCLUSIVE: The word from the south of France is that Oscar winning actor and Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt is about to take on brands like Estee Lauder and high end cosmetic companies like Le Mer.
Pitt was spotted, according to sources, visiting his Chateau Miraval winery recently in the south of France. But it wasn’t just to go on a degustation (a wine sampling).
I’m told Pitt is getting into the lucrative skin care business. Sources say he’s going to launch a line of skin creams and essential oils under the brand Le Domaine. The creams will come from the grapes that aren’t used in making wine. (Brad, you see, would be master of his own domaine!)
Sounds crazy, no? But first of all, a trademark application has been made for the name Le Domaine this past July. The application was made in Orange, France for “cosmetic products; Care and beauty products for the face and body; Hair care products; Make-up products; Essential oils.”
Second, and I sure didn’t know this, grapes are a major force in skincare. (Considering how many overly suntanned people look like raisins, I’m surprised!) But according to one skin care site: Grapes are known to improve skin elasticity and improve blood circulation, which keeps skin looking healthy and young. The antioxidants present in grapes help reduce the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. Grapes make a great home remedy for sunburns.
Pitt is 58 years old and looks 20 years younger. He’s considered “the Robert Redford” of our generation. In other words, he looks amazing. He could easily make a fortune from this endeavor if it goes forward.
That the grapes would come from Chateau Miraval is the most intriguing part of the story. Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought the estate in 2008 for $28.4 million, as they say “in happier times.” They were married there in 2014. Since their breakup the couple has fought over Miraval through the courts. Finally, last year Jolie sold her half to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli, company that owns Stolichnaya vodka. Stoli, they say, is controlled by Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler. Pitt sued Jolie, claiming that Shefler was in cahoots with Vladimir Putin. Stoli, of course, has denied that.
But Pitt’s biggest argument was that Jolie was supposed to give him right of first refusal in a sale, and did not.
But now it seems like Pitt has decided to make grapejuice from grapes (my spin on lemonade from lemons).
The “Bullet Train” star is already reaping the benefits of being in business at Chateau Miraval with the famous Perrin family, which produces many high quality wines there like Miraval Rose. He’s also reopened the legendary Miraval Recording Studios on the sprawling property.
Bonne chance, Brad Pitt! As the French say, to someone: La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin. “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”
I’m told that Woody Allen is not only not retiring, but he’s also begun casting his new film. He will shoot it in Paris momentarily, and it’s said to be a murder mystery along the lines of “Match Point.”
I do hope, by the way, if Woody makes another film after this it’s a comedy with Diane Keaton and some of his previous stars.
But back to Paris: I’m told the star of the new film is Valerie Lemercier, who won the Cesar Award — the French Oscar — for playing Celine Dion in the fictionalized “Aline.” Lemercier, as you will see below, speaks English. She is also 57, which should negate complaints from Woody’s naysayers that he only has young women as his lead characters.
Lemercier is no doubt excited. Woody Allen actresses tend to be nominated — and win– Oscars.
“Saturday Night Live” has announced the first three pairs of hosts and musical guests beginning October 1st. They are unexpected to say the least, and not really the gangbusters that they need.
First week premiere is Miles Teller, and Kendrick Lamar. Second week is beloved Irish actor Brendan Gleeson and Willow Smith, daughter of slap happy Will; and third week Megan Thee Stallion is filling both slots.
These are weird choices. Teller is not in any fall movie or Oscar release. While he was great in “The Offer,” that had a run last summer. Go figure. Gleeson is in the much praised coming movie, “The Banshees of Inisherin,” but it’s really Colin Farrell’s movie.
On the music side, Willow? Are you kidding? And Megan Thee Stallion would have been fine just as a musical guest, not host.
So what’s going on? Beats me. There are so many better choices for this fall. Is it hard getting hosts and musicians? Again, Willow, for freaks’ sake?
PS You may have heard Chris Redd is now the 8th cast member to leave the show. Redd is a star, big time. Too bad.
I told you last week that the Golden Globes had made their deal with NBC to return January 10, 2023.
What was announced today is that it’s a one year deal. Apparently, NBC wants to see how this all goes following two years of scandal regarding membership, diversity, and finances.
The Globes are now owned by the same person who owns their production company, Dick Clark Productions, and the hotel they take place in, the Beverly Hilton. That’s Todd Boehly of Eldridge Industries, aka MRC Productions, and formerly Guggenheim Partners. Boehly is also partnered with Penske Media in ownership of the Hollywood Reporter.
Core members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — about 97 people — will be paid $75,000 salaries to watch films, meet the casts, and write stories about them. The new 103 non-members will not get the salaries but be allowed to vote on the films and TV shows.
Will it work? Everyone hopes so because the Globes are an important marketing tool for Hollywood studios. Most of the public doesn’t know what’s been going on and doesn’t care. But if the Globes can produce rational nominations and winners, plus put on a good TV show, all the hesitancy will be gone. Boehly aligning everything should make the whole process more cohesive.
The Globes will air on a Tuesday night, January 10th, five days before the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, January 15th. And this year will be a hot one with a lot great films and performances vying for prizes.
