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James Bond “No Time to Die” Chooses Zurich Film Festival for Opening Same Day as London Premiere, Then US Waits

Roger Friedman
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James Bond “No Time to Die” Chooses Zurich Film Festival for Opening Same Day as London Premiere, Then US Waits

Maybe James Bond doesn’t like America.

After waiting and waiting for “No Time to Die,” MGM is making US wait some more.

The American premiere for the last Daniel Craig James Bond movie is October 8th. But on September 28th, the movie will unfurl at both London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Zurich Film Festival.

Not the New York Film Festival, mind you. And Americans will just hear about all this from across the pond. Very odd.

Of course, Bond is British so London gets to see the movie first. But Zurich? And will the cast fly back and forth from the UK to Switzerland on opening night so they can do press in both places? There may be No Time to Fly!

Well, the new MGM is handling all this, the studio which still hasn’t been subsumed into Amazon despite their big announcement in May. Their Aretha Franklin movie “Respect” is losing 600 screens this weekend, and heading to $30 million write off. Sean Penn’s “Flag Day” expands this weekend to 48 theaters but will never see a wide release, or even semi-wide at this point. Why these two films weren’t held until the fall for Oscar buzz is beyond me.

So we wait until October 8th for James Bond and Daniel Craig’s last waltz. Crossing fingers it’s a great one, and then looking forward to what comes next from producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson.

 

William Shatner’s New Music Video Addresses His Missing Leonard Nimoy’s Funeral: “That one stung for years”

Roger Friedman
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William Shatner’s New Music Video Addresses His Missing Leonard Nimoy’s Funeral: “That one stung for years”

Originally I was going to write that William Shatner, who turned 90 in March, was planning to attend a fan convention called Wizard World in Chicago this October. How crazy this that?

It also turns out that Shatner has made an album, with videos, put out by Jonas Brother Joe on his record label. This morning he released two videos, “Clouds of Guilt,” and “So Far from the Moon.” Jonas sings on the former, Brad Paisely on the latter.

On “Guilt,” Shatner notes that missing a friend’s funeral– “Star Trek” co-star Leonard Nimoy– was a mistake. “That stung for years,” he chants. He also mentions a litany of personal failures and successes, from his marriages to taking credit for the Apollo moon launch.

He is irrepressible. You gotta love him. From his legendary “Twilight Zone” appearances to “Star Trek” to the crazy commercials, Shatner has never loosened his grip on celebrity. And he’s Canadian! And Jewish! What a combo!

Rolling Stones Post an Official Poignant Tribute to Charlie Watts Set to “If You Can’t Rock Me”

Roger Friedman
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Rolling Stones Post an Official Poignant Tribute to Charlie Watts Set to “If You Can’t Rock Me”

The Stones just posted their official tribute to Charlie, and you will tear up, trust me.

(Listen) Diane Warren’s “Cave Sessions” is a Rogue’s Gallery of Hits from Superstars, Vets, and Hot Newcomers

Roger Friedman
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(Listen) Diane Warren’s “Cave Sessions” is a Rogue’s Gallery of Hits from Superstars, Vets, and Hot Newcomers

Diane Warren wrote all these songs. And they are all hits. “The Cave Sessions” is a rogue’s gallery of hits from superstars, vets, and hot newcomers. They’re in English, they’re in Spanish. They have hooks that will get stuck in your head right now. Rita Ora– “Seaside” and LP– “Domino” — are my lead offs. But then you start to dig in and hear all these melodies and cool turns of phrase. Maren Morris, Ty Dolla Sign, Celine Dion, John Legend all in one space? Celine– this “Superwoman” reminds me of her Jim Brickman song, “It’s All Coming Back to Me” — which is great because Warren gives her some BITE. John Legend– finally singing a great song after a long stretch of being stuck in the mud. LP– a she? a they? a them? “Domino” is radio ready. And Rita Ora and Sofia Reyes know when they’re singing it that “Seaside” is a radio smash.

Press play, kids.

Kanye “Donda” Listening Party 3: Lights Himself on Fire, Replaces Jay Z with DaBaby, Features Marilyn Manson, Remarries Kim in Mock Ceremony

Roger Friedman
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Kanye “Donda” Listening Party 3: Lights Himself on Fire, Replaces Jay Z with DaBaby, Features Marilyn Manson, Remarries Kim in Mock Ceremony

Kanye West’s third listening party for his unreleased album, “Donda,” was a strange affair, of course.

In Chicago, at Soldier Field, Kanye put on a show, a spectacle that was simultaneously meaningless and weird, offensive and bizarre.

With a replica of his childhood home topped by a cross set in the center of the stage, Kanye welcomed recent alleged rapist Marilyn Manson. Then he replaced a verse of one of his new songs originally sung by Jay Z with Da Baby, the rapper currently cancelled for making anti-gay remarks in public.

Later in the show, Kanye set himself on fire, had to be extinguished, then participated in what looked like a wedding ceremony with someone who looked like his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

I am not a “Donda” expert, but online people who watched said they didn’t care for this version of the album, and preferred the last listening session in Atlanta.

What Kanye has become is a circus master. It’s all flash and show, there’s very little substance. Limousines circled the house, there were armies of extras marching around on stage. No one who was watching had any idea what was going on.

Did Kanye?

There were many references to Jesus, God, and Christ. But it’s all just a collage, like spin art religion, sound and fury signifying nothing.

I’m trying to imagine what the real Donda, Kanye’s late mother, would think of all this. Is it mental illness as performance art? And why do people pay money this, and stare? I’m surprised by the comments online. No one likes “Donda,” but they’re convinced it’s some kind of masterpiece they just don’t understand and will love one day.

And no “Donda” release followed. Of course. Because there is no “Donda.” The album doesn’t exist in all likelihood. It’s just a work in progress designed to lure ticket buyers to stadiums to buy expensive merchandise.

Patti Smith Releases 7 Song EP for Spotify Covering Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan

Roger Friedman
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Patti Smith Releases 7 Song EP for Spotify Covering Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan

Patti Smith has just released a Live at Electric Lady seven song EP on Spotify. She performed these songs when I saw her at City Winery NYC this past spring. It was such a lovely show, and she was in very good form.

I’m glad she decided to preserve the recordings. Maybe she’ll release a full show on CD, the venue her fans would prefer. (Older folks are not into streaming.) But I pay for Spotify like everyone else, and I can share the songs with you, too. As I wrote last spring, these are all inspired choices, especially Stevie Wonder’s “Blame it on the Rain.”

Anti-Vaxx “General Hospital” Star Calls Critics “Morons” and “Bigots” and “Terrible People” on Social Media

Roger Friedman
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Anti-Vaxx “General Hospital” Star Calls Critics “Morons” and “Bigots” and “Terrible People” on Social Media

Australian actor Ingo Rademacher, on and off with “General Hospital” for 25 years, is angry with his fans. In an Instagram video he calls them “morons,” “bigots,” and “terrible people.” I think he’s trying to get his character killed off, I’ve never seen anything so stupid in my life.

Rademacher says fans started a Twitter hashtag to get him fired when they learned that he was against vaccinations. I wrote the other day that Rademacher was participating in anti-vaxx rallies. It’s possible to infer from his past interviews that he’s never had his children vaccinated for anything. (He might consider getting one for distemper.)

At least two of Rademacher’s “GH” screen partners have tested positive for COVID-19. One of his castmates complained on Twitter about actors on the show who weren’t vaccinated. It seems impossible that ABC/Disney doesn’t require everyone on the GH set to be vaccinated simply because they work in such close proximity. “GH” has a large cast that includes children, teenagers, and people over 65. Everyone needs to be protected.

Rademacher wrote a statement next to his video on Instagram which should ensure his unpopularity at least at in person fan events. He wrote: “To all the bigots that called for my firing at GH and made #fireIngo trend 🙏 (thanks for the press btw) about a post of mine that is factually correct. Getting vaccinated does not stop you from spreading the virus. That’s straight from the CDC. Mandating any vaccine is wrong but especially one that doesn’t help stop the spread, that’s nothing short of crazy talk. If you want to take the vaccine, take it. Just know you’re doing it for yourself, not to save anyone else. You’re not a hero.”

He obviously does not take advice from a publicist or anyone else. He’s putting people at work at risk, and his career on the line. He must know that in daytime drama, characters are killed off or sent on expeditions to Russia with the clack of a computer key.

“The Conners” 4th Season Premiere Will Be LIVE with Two Time Tony Winner Laurie Metcalf, Emmy Winner John Goodman

Roger Friedman
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“The Conners” 4th Season Premiere Will Be LIVE with Two Time Tony Winner Laurie Metcalf, Emmy Winner John Goodman

Laurie Metcalf won back to back Tony Awards on Broadway for Lead Actress in 2017 and 2018. (Also four other Tony nominations in her career.) She has a long theater history in Chicago with Steppenwolf Theater Company.

Now Metcalf and co-star John Goodman — one Emmy award, several nominations, many Oscar noms that should have been — will get to show off their acting chops with a live broadcast of “The Conners.”

The “Roseanne” spin off will start its fourth season on September 22nd with a show performed live on the East and West coast feeds. Sarah Gilbert, who is great live after being on “The Talk,” plus all the other “Conners” regulars will be on hand. They should add Candice Bergen, who can do “live” with the best of them.

This is a gimmick since “The Conners” needs a ratings boost. But it’s also a clever way to use a talented cast. Let’s hope they play to Metcalf’s strengths, she’s the one we want to see do this!

(Video) Singer Rita Ora, More Known for Dating in the Tabloids, Has a Big Hit with Diane Warren’s “Seaside”

Roger Friedman
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(Video) Singer Rita Ora, More Known for Dating in the Tabloids, Has a Big Hit with Diane Warren’s “Seaside”

I have never understood who Rita Ora was. Is she a singer? A celebrity? An actress? A girlfriend to lots of famous guys?

Now that I’ve heard her sing “Seaside,” dropping tonight from Diane Warren’s album, “The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1,” I get it. She is actually a really good pop singer. “Seaside,” sung with Sofia Reyes and Reik, could be a breakthrough hit.

Can you blame me, though? Ora was recently pictured with “Jojo Rabbit” director Taika Waititi somewhere in the South Pacific. That’s usually how her name comes up. She’s been “linked to” a bunch of famous guys including, of course, Rob Kardashian, Bruno Mars, and Drake.

But records? She’s almost 31 and has released just two albums, neither of which did anything. In the UK she had a run of middling singles, but nothing here. And nothing recently.

So it’s a sweet surprise that “Seaside” is so catchy and well sung by Ora and her two compadres. When the video hits tonight or tomorrow, I’ll add it here. And I suggest radio programmers take it for a spin ASAP. You won’t be able to get it out of your head.

“The Cave Sessions” is full of potential hits, by the way. I love “Domino” with the singer LP. It’s a little reminiscent of “Exes and Ohs,” but better. Country fans are going to go crazy for “I Save Me,” with Maren Morris. (Pop fans, too.) Ty Dolla $ign, who I thought was a rapper, sings “Drink You Away” like an old fashioned crooner. Wait til you hear him. (And wait til country singers grab this song.)

And more: I’m not really a Celine Dion fan, but “Superwoman” sounds like a smash. John Legend on “Where’s Your Heart?” is his best track in ages. And, of course, there’s “She’s Fire” featuring G Eazy and Santana, already with over 3 million streams and blowing up everywhere. “She’s Fire” is also featured on Santana’s new album coming this fall. He doesn’t play guitar on other people’s records unless he likes the song. He told me over the weekend he loved doing “She’s Fire.”

So keep refreshing. I’ll have some updates on “The Cave Sessions” tonight…

 

Former Rolling Stones on Charlie Watts: Original Member Bill Wyman Checks In, Key Player Mick Taylor MIA

Roger Friedman
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Former Rolling Stones on Charlie Watts: Original Member Bill Wyman Checks In, Key Player Mick Taylor MIA

On the subject of Charlie Watts’s untimely and sad death, only one former Rolling Stone remains mum.

Mick Taylor, who famous played guitar and bass guitar as a member of the Stones from 1969 to 1974, has still not said a word about Charlie’s passing. Taylor joined the group in ’69 after Brian Jones left. Then Taylor resigned in ’74 after reportedly not getting along with Keith Richards. Taylor is heard on a number of key Rolling Stones records including “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile on Main Street.”

Meanwhile, Bill Wyman, the band’s bassist and original member from 1962 to his departure in 1993, called Watts “like a brother” on Instagram.

PS Stones records are selling and downloading like crazy. The “Hot Rocks” Greatest Hits is doing the best, but you guys should be downloading “Out of Time” from More Hot Rocks. One of Charlie’s best numbers.


 

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