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Ozzy Osbourne Gets Physical: Second New Album in 2 Years Selling Like Crazy, But Not Streaming, Just CDs, LPs, Downloads

Roger Friedman
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Ozzy Osbourne Gets Physical: Second New Album in 2 Years Selling Like Crazy, But Not Streaming, Just CDs, LPs, Downloads

Ozzy Osbourne is having a Renaissance.

His second solo album in less than two years, “Patient Number 9,” is a hit. Released last Friday, the album will sell 63,000 copies by Friday according to hitsdailydouble.com.

Ozzy’s last album. “Ordinary Man,” sold 77,000 in its first week back in February 2020.

The amazing thing about all this is that Ozzy’s last album before “Ordinary Man” was released back in 2010. His fans lasted a whole decade and never forgot him!

Ozzy, who suffers from neurological issues, is nonetheless on tour. He’s 73 and nothing will stop him. Last night he played the LA Rams season opener (see below) and killed it.

As has been previously noted, Ozzy, famous manager wife Sharon, and their family are moving back to the UK to film a documentary series. They know who their fans are, and those fans loved their old MTV show.

Ozzy’s place in the record biz is old school, too. Of those 63,000 copies, only 4,000 are coming from streaming. He’s selling CDs, LPs, and downloads. His audience wants to own the music, not just flip through it.

“Blonde” Director Andrew Dominik On Marilyn Monroe’s Life and Trippy Film: “To me, it’s all fiction”

Leah Sydney
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“Blonde” Director Andrew Dominik On Marilyn Monroe’s Life and Trippy Film: “To me, it’s all fiction”

“Blonde” had its Hollywood premiere last night at the TCL theater. Writer/Director Andrew Dominik addressed the packed crowd.

“We’ve been chasing Marilyn’s ghost around Los Angeles. We got close to Marilyn. We shot in the actual apartment she lived in with her mother, we shot in the house she died in. Might be a strange thing to do in a film that is admittedly fictional but to me it’s all fiction. It’s very difficult to step outside of our fears and desires and sink into their own violation. All of us are telling ourselves the story of what’s happening, I’m doing in right now at this very moment, That is perhaps the real subject of this movie.”

Dominik then went on to thank “Netflix for supporting our vision. I want to thank Jeremy and Brad [meaning Pitt, their Plan B productions produced the film.]” He also paid homage to the author, Joyce Carol Oates; her book “Blonde” is which the film is based on. Oates was not there but Dominick remarked ” I spent years inside her head.” He ended with “I hope I make a believer out of you.”

Ana de Armas, who is sensational as Marilyn then told the crowd, that “this screening feels so special. We did the film three years ago. Finally you guys going to see it. This is why it is so beautiful to be here, where Marilyn had been so many times. Hopefully you’ll get to know Norma Jean even more, that you’ll love and respect her even more.”

I spoke with Ana at the after party at Musso & Frank Grill and she told me she but her total trust in Dominick. “I put myself in his hands. It was difficult. I did all the research I could, and tried my absolute best.” Dominick told me that it is indeed a horror film about Marilyn. “It had to be. She was in unbearable fucking pain all her life.” Adrien Brody, who plays Arthur Miller, was there with significant other Georgina Chapman. Bobby Cannavale is a stand out as Joe DiMaggio, he wasn’t able to attend.

The film is NC-17, with nudity and a couple of jaw dropping scenes. De Armas gives a truly brave, powerhouse performance. Dominik’s vision puts together the most known parts of her life in a collage that’s trippy combined with despair. At two hours and 45 minutes, “Blonde” is most definitely ambitious, Dominick goes all in. The photography and production design are tremendous and artful. It’s uncomfortable to watch, but engaging and mesmerizing at the same time. Sure to be divisive, but definitely worth seeing.

Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jean Smart, Tobey Maguire in the Trailer for “Babylon” from “La La Land” Director

Roger Friedman
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Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jean Smart, Tobey Maguire in the Trailer for “Babylon” from “La La Land” Director

Here comes “Babylon” from “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle. The trailer features Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jean Smart, and if you look closely, Tobey Maguire.

The much anticipated film has a huge cast and a strong pedigree, with lots of award winners above and below the line. Paramount is releasing it with strong hopes for Oscar gold. I’m psyched. After “The Fabelmans” and “Empire of Light.” we need some Best Picture contenders.

Emmy Awards Trounced in Ratings by Football, Not a Surprise as Network Shows Ignored Again

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Awards Trounced in Ratings by Football, Not a Surprise as Network Shows Ignored Again

The 2022 Emmy Awards, you may have heard, were a gigantic ratings disaster.

The NBC show on Monday night scored just 5.924 million viewers, the smallest ever audience. But what did anyone expect?

Monday Night Football was shown not just not on ABC but over at ESPN as well. Their totals came to almost 17 million fans. That didn’t leave much room for the Emmys.

And the Emmys, sorry, looked bad to begin with. The list of presenters was unremarkable. The list of nominees was predictably all from cable and streaming. There was no nod to anything mainstream, network, or otherwise unique. The most praised presentation came from Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, from the cult “Only Murders in the Building” from Hulu. The best speech was from Sheryl Lee Ralph, but that couldn’t have been promoted because no one knew it would happen.

Did they think giving Geena Davis, not a TV star, an award for promoting gender equality would make anyone tune in? What, are you kidding? If I had been watching TV Monday night (I was in Toronto seeing cool films), I would have flipped over to baseball or football immediately. How about tributes to popular people? Anniversary reunions of beloved TV casts? Something for the people who actually watch TV?

Indeed, the Emmys ignore the shows that get the 3 to 5 million viewers a night per show, like “Ghosts” and “The Conners.” Or even “This is Us.” The cable shows they honor, all high quality and “in,” get less than a million viewers, some less than half a million.

So, you know, NBC was lucky to get 6 million people. You reap what you sow.

Toronto: Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman Set Up for Oscar Buzz at Back-to-Back Searchlight Screenings

Roger Friedman
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Toronto: Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman Set Up for Oscar Buzz at Back-to-Back Searchlight Screenings

Just when you thought Fox Searchlight would just be a legacy, Disney Searchlight is back in the Oscar race.

Yesterday, the now slimmed down to one name– just Searchlight-debuted back to back hits at the Princess of Wales Theater in Toronto.

“Empire of Light” directed by Sam Mendes has been a little divisive so far on Rotten Tomatoes. But I’ll fight anyone who didn’t like it. Starring Olivia Colman, Toby Jones and incredible newcomer Michael Ward, “Empire of Light” is exceptional filmmaking. I had no qualms about it. Maybe it’s because it’s set in 1981 Britain by the sea and features ska hits from the Specials and others. But it’s also about the restorative power of films, a moment 40 years ago when theaters still meant something.

Colman plays Hilary, a damaged character, an older woman who suffers from schizophrenia and goes off her meds to feel alive. It’s Ward’s Stephen, a much younger man who is also Black, whose love, attention, and friendship save her. Roger Deakins’ precisely lush cinematography and a gorgeous art deco set of the Empire Movie Theater underscore this film’s beauty. Colman is set for an Oscar nomination, the whole film is awards worthy.

Searchlight’s second film of the day is the already much ballyhooed “Banshees of Inisherin” from writer-director Martin McDonagh. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are pals on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. Gleeson suddenly “ghosts” Farrell, dropping him for no apparent reason after a long friendship. Both actors are sensational although it’s Farrell who outdoes himself with a brilliantly textured performance. They should each get Oscar nods. McDonagh, whose “Three Billboards” was an awards favorite just three years ago, is a stellar playwright who creates memorable characters. Some of “Banshees” is a little grisly — be warned — and things take a bad turn in the third act, but this is lovely work and not to be missed.

And, you know what? It was great to hear the old 20th Century Fox theme music before each film. It warmed the heart!

Broadway: No Hugh Jackman, No More “Music Man,” Hit Show to Close After Star Exits January 1st

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: No Hugh Jackman, No More “Music Man,” Hit Show to Close After Star Exits January 1st

All last week there were no performances of “The Music Man” on Broadway because Hugh Jacknan was promoting his new movie, “The Son,” for which he’s received excellent reviews.

And now comes the punchline. “The Music Man,” currently the biggest hit on Broadway, is shutting down on January 1st, 2023 because Jackman is exiting, stage left. He’s got to hit the Oscar campaign trail.

Obviously what’s become clear is that without Jackman as Professor Harold Hill, “The Music Man” is too expensive to produce. Bringing in a replacement, even with a “name,” won’t cut it. Numbers will With Jackman, “The Music Man” averages $2.2 million a week. Without him, audiences aren’t so interested.

“The Music Man” is a Scott Rudin production funded by Barry Diller. Rudin is supposed to be uninvolved with decisions but this reeks of his handiwork. Rudin is the reason “To Kill a Mockingbird” never returned from its COVID break last June. Without Jeff Daniels, Rudin felt he couldn’t make it work. He killed the Mockingbird without thinking twice.

So hundreds of people lose their jobs. Some investors may lose their shirts. But someone’s got to pay for those 76 trombones.

“The Music Man” will have played a paltry 358 performances, making it one of the shortest runs ever for a totally sold out show.

Exclusive: Golden Globes NBC Return to Be Announced This Week, But Group Couldn’t Pull off Toronto Party

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Golden Globes NBC Return to Be Announced This Week, But Group Couldn’t Pull off Toronto Party

The Golden Globes are returning to NBC. I’m told the announcement will be made soon that the Globes will air on Tuesday, January 10th, just five days before the Critics Choice Awards.

The Globes have faced two years of scrutiny, investigation, and changes. They recently added 103 voters– not members, just various POC to pump up their diversification numbers. The only actual members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association remain largely the same. Those 97 or so veterans have been making the rounds at the Toronto, Telluride, and Venice Film Festivals.

In Toronto, I’m told an HFPA party usually thrown with InStyle magazine (now just a website) fell apart at the last minute. A source says, “No one could agree on anything.”

Back to the new voters: although diversity is the object, 41.7% of the new voters are White. According to the HFPA, the new voters are also 22.3 percent Latinx, 13.6 percent Black, 11.7 percent Asian, 10.7 percent Middle Eastern and 41.7 percent white, with 58.3 percent self-identifying as ethnically diverse.

The Globes will be welcomed back not for their critical appraisal of movies, but for the fun of the parties and so on. A source tells me that older members of the HFPA have been retired. And current members — the core 97 — could be receiving $75,000 a year salaries from parent company Eldridge Industries, which also owns Dick Clark Productions and the Hollywood Reporter.

Emmy Winners: HBO Reaps Rewards as “Succession,” “White Lotus,” “Hacks,” “Euphoria” Take Top Honors

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Winners: HBO Reaps Rewards as “Succession,” “White Lotus,” “Hacks,” “Euphoria” Take Top Honors

For HBO, Emmy Awards night was a sweet, sweet set of victories. “Succession” won Best Drama, “White Lotus” Best Limited Series, Jean Smart for Best Actress in a Comedy– “Hacks”, plus a raft of other awards.

HBO put together around 29 wins including for shows like “Barry” and “Late Night with John Oliver.”

Zendaya won Best Actress in A Drama for HBO’s “Euphoria,” beating a number of older, more accomplished actresses like Laura Linney for “Ozark.”

Netflix didn’t do too badly, either. “Squid Game” and “Stranger Things” led them to 11 wins. Lee Jung Jae won Best Actor in A Drama for “Squid Game,” probably because Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox split the vote from “Succession.”

Jennifer Coolidge won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for “White Lotus.” Murray Bartlett won Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for “White Lotus.” The series itself won 10 awards, the most of any show.

The only show on broadcast TV to make a dent in the Emmys was ABC’s breakout hit, “Abbott Elementary” which picked up three awards including Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for Sheryl Lee Ralph. It was much deserved and long overdue.

Music stars like The Beatles, Adele, and Lizzo picked up awards for their specials and documentaries.

Apple TV Plus once again hit it big with “Ted Lasso,” which was Best Comedy Series. Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldsmith won Best Actor and Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Apple also won a couple of awards for “Severance.”

The most glaring snubs were for Showtime’s “Billions,” which could have had at least 10 nominations if the CBS owned cable network would show some initiative. One of the great Emmy scandals of the last six years is no love for Paul Giamatti, who should be Best Actor in a Drama.

Emmys: Watch the Great Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing Acceptance Speech for “Abbott Elementary”

Leah Sydney
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Emmys: Watch the Great Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing Acceptance Speech for “Abbott Elementary”

Sheryl Lee Ralph just won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress for her role on the ABC hit comedy “Abbott Elementary” and she deserves another Emmy for her acceptance song/speech that brought the crowd to its feet. Sheryl belted the Dianne Reeves song, “Endangered Species,” which then prompted host Kenan Thompson to call her rendition,  ‘unreal and unbelievable’ and left Lizzo stunned. 

Mega-talented Sheryl was an original Broadway “Dreamgirl” in 1981, was nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award, and has been toiling in Hollywood for decades. She is truly one of the most genuine, gracious ladies in the business. Sheryl has long been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, she founded the D.I.V.A. Foundation. 

Sheryl is a trustee at Project Angel Food and continues her work worldwide.  She’s being honored this Thursday night by the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation aka ETAF at their The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS fundraising gala. She is receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award along Colin Farrell and Charlize Theron.  Brava to Sheryl!   DIVA Sheryl has a heart as big as her talent.  

Exclusive: Zombie Apocalypse as “Fear the Walking Dead” Filming Finale, Wrapping Ending Run After Eight Seasons

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Zombie Apocalypse as “Fear the Walking Dead” Filming Finale, Wrapping Ending Run After Eight Seasons

The era of Zombies is over at AMC. Or as the real Zombies sang, “it’s the time of the season” for a finale.

Sources tell me “Fear the Walking Dead,” the spin off of “The Walking Dead,” will follow the mothership show and wrap its run with its next season, number 8. “The Walking Dead” itself is ending with its next season, number 11. “FTWD” is filming the ending now.

Both shows have had huge declines in ratings. “Fear the Walking Dead” wrapped season 7 last June down 31% in overall audience and 46.77% in the key demo. The final episode had only 710,000 viewers.

The whole fervor for these shows is long gone. Plans for separate movie spin offs have been scaled way back, too.

For more than a decade AMC has feasted on its audience with this stuff. But all things must come to an end. Maybe AMC can get back to quality shows again like “Mad Men” but it’s unlikely.

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