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Emmy Awards Tank in Ratings for Many Reasons: No Host, No Orchestra, No Celebration of TV, and Gwyneth Paltrow

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Awards Tank in Ratings for Many Reasons: No Host, No Orchestra, No Celebration of TV, and Gwyneth Paltrow

Have you ever seen Oscar winner and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow on TV? Well, maybe once, on “Glee.” Oscar winner and movie star Michael Douglas? Yes, on “The Streets of San Francisco” in 1969. But they gave the two biggest awards of the night on the Emmys last night at the end of the show. And that was just one of the reasons viewers had tuned out in droves in third, grueling hour of the 2019 Emmy Awards on Fox.

The ratings last night were the lowest ever. Just 6 million people watched from 8 to 10pm, and then 400K left for the last hour. Just 5.4 million stayed to see which shows won Best Comedy and Best Drama.

Meanwhile, 17 million watched football.

The drop from last year’s 10 million viewers was 23%. And the 2018 numbers were already an 11% fall off.

The show had no host, no live orchestra, and no celebration of the thing it was awarding: television.

The biggest problem with the Emmys was that almost nothing on broadcast television– you know, the free stuff that millions watch — was acknowledged. The Emmys have become the Cable Ace Awards. Everyone who wins comes from cable or internet platforms– you’ve got to pay for it. Even serious actors on network shows– say Linda Hunt on “NCIS” — are ignored. Or really serious stars, like Paul Giamatti and Damien Lewis, from Showtime’s “Billions.”

The big winner for the night was Phoebe Waller-Bridges and her comedy, “Fleabag.” There is no measurable audience for “Fleabag.” No one knows how many people watch it, other than Emmy voters who receive screeners and Amazon subscribers. So if the Emmys are counting on ratings from those groups, good luck.

Then there’s the whole no host thing. The show seemed driven by artificial intelligence. Often, nominees’ names were read by an eerie voiceover, and the voice was neither warm nor witty. Where was the humanity? Even worse, Fox didn’t cough up money for a live orchestra in the Microsoft Theater. The music was all canned, and there were weird choices of disco and other songs that had absolutely nothing to do with the shows or winners. When the “Game of Thrones” theme music was played while two presenters — Anthony Anderson and Randall Park– ambled on stage, even they questioned what the heck was going on.

Why do the Emmys have no presenters or a host from the 90s– the decade most fetishized in nostalgia now? Why is there no one from the rerun shows so loved, and coveted by syndicators, to anchor the proceedings? I love Michael Douglas, and I know he’s on Netflix’s “Kominsky Method,” but TV fans want to see Mark Harmon, or Jerry Seinfeld, or even Carol Burnett, hand out the final statues. And with all the press going on this week, why didn’t they have a “Friends” 25th anniversary tribute? I’m sure Gunther is available.

Emmy Awards Winners Shockers as Fleabag Takes Comedy, Other Awards

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Awards Winners Shockers as Fleabag Takes Comedy, Other Awards

The Emmy awards were totally nuts this year. Fleabag won Best Comedy for Amazon Studios and swept the comedy awards. Veep in its last season was snubbed.

In drama, Games Of Thrones did win best show for its final season. Peyer Dinklage won best supporting actor. HBO and Amazon were the big winners. Broadcast TV got very little save for Saturday Night Live.

Getting Ready for The Emmys: Patricia Arquette, Henry Winkler Honored by Creative Coalition, BAFTA Brings the Brits

Roger Friedman
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Getting Ready for The Emmys: Patricia Arquette, Henry Winkler Honored by Creative Coalition, BAFTA Brings the Brits

The Emmys, first of all, are not the Oscars. There isn’t much buzz in Hollywood over Emmy weekend, just a low hum. The Television Academy hosts a party for nominees on Friday night but they don’t allow press inside, so whatcha gonna do? It’s their prerogative.

The networks are likewise scared of press, so NBC also keeps press out of their Saturday night event. Showtime — with few nominees– had a similar party. But their event was in a multi-purpose space where real A listers ate and drink apart from the Showtime guests. So I ran into the triple A director/producer Ridley Scott, plus actors Armie Hammer and Ben Whishaw, and had great chats with them.

Everyone is pointed toward HBO’s big gala tonight with the expectation that the cabler with gobble up prizes for “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” and “Chernobyl” in the multitudes.

The big events on Saturday were the Creative Coalition’s Emmy luncheon at Ocean Prime, followed by BAFTA’s annual tea poolside at the Beverly Hilton.

The CC’s Robin Bronk really pulled off a hit at their luncheon honoring Patricia Arquette, Henry Winkler, Anthony Carrigan, Terry Crews, and Bethenny Frankel. Four of the five were incredibly articulate and moving. I do wish Crews, however, would stop talking about his sexual peccadilloes and past infringements he brought to his marriage. There’s no such thing as being circumspect, especially in Hollywood.

Patty Arquette continues to be a gem of gems. She fights all the good fights, raises a family, and managed two Emmy nominations this season following her Oscar win for “Boyhood.” If she could give lessons in being a person, everyone in showbiz would be required to take them. And her dates for lunch were pretty impressive, too– artist boyfriend Eric White and actor brother David Arquette.

Over at BAFTA, the stars turned out despite the crushing heat. The lucky ones came after 4pm, when the sun began to dim! Emmy nominee Jared Harris, Ava Duvernary, Gina Rodrigues, Sandra Oh, the great Glynn Turman, Marie Kondo, plus Rachel Brosnahan– Mrs. Maisel herself– and Stellan Skarsgard were on hand. BAFTA is so important even Ted Sarandos, who runs Netflix, scoped out the scene. After all, next year, “The Crown” will be up for new awards.

Hear the Beatles’ Remixed “Come Together” and a Never Heard Outtake 6 Days Before the “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary

Roger Friedman
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Hear the Beatles’ Remixed “Come Together” and a Never Heard Outtake 6 Days Before the “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary

The 50th anniversary edition of “Abbey Road” is coming in just six days, on Friday, September 27th. We’ve already heard the remixed “Something” and “Oh! Darling.” Now we get “Come Together.” You can hear the remix and the outtake version that are included in the new box set right here.

“Abbey Road” 50th will be followed by “Let it Be” in March, and the “Let it Be” movie and a documentary about the making of “Let it Be.” And then, it will be over. The era of the 50th anniversary sets will be completed. It’s a little sad, but the Beatles appeared on “Ed Sullivan” in February 1970 and pulled the plug. All fans grieved. Paul McCartney’s self titled solo album appeared in April, and it was the dawn of a new era.

Come Together, remixed

Come Together, Take 5

As “Downton Abbey” Thumps Movies with Big Stars, More Peak TV Series Will Be Translated to Big Screen: “Breaking Bad” Coming, “Mad Men” Next?

Roger Friedman
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As “Downton Abbey” Thumps Movies with Big Stars, More Peak TV Series Will Be Translated to Big Screen: “Breaking Bad” Coming, “Mad Men” Next?

Turning “Downton Abbey” into a hit movie was a genius idea on the part of Julian Fellowes, Universal, and Carnival. Fellowes told me this week that he wrote the final episode of the series wrapping up all the plotlines, never expecting that a feature film would ever materialize.

But it did, and now “Downton Abbey” has made twice as much money in its opening as big budget films starring Brad Pitt and  Sylvester Stallone, respectively.

The Hollywood movie universe will take note immediately. Converting retired quality TV series into movies will be the nex trend, don’t you worry.

Already coming is an extension of “Breaking Bad” in the form of “El Camino,” starring Aaron Paul. Netflix plans to release “El Camino” for just two days into theaters before it goes to the platform. But you know, they should change their minds and let it have a two week run. Based on the “Downton” numbers, “El Camino” could soar even higher.

And then my vote for a movie from TV series next would be “Mad Men.” Creator Matthew Weiner left the door open for almost all the characters except January Jones’ Betty. But Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, John Slattery, Christina Hendricks have each soared since the series ended. Kieran Shipka  has too. Who wouldn’t want to see Sally Draper on a college campus in 1971? It’s perfect.

Which series would you like to see? “Walking Dead”? They’re working on that now. Just watch the Rick Grimes movies become screen hits!

Box Office: Genteel “Downton Abbey” Takes Brad Pitt’s “Ad Astra” and Stallone’s “Rambo,” Gives Studio Highest Debut Ever

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Genteel “Downton Abbey” Takes Brad Pitt’s “Ad Astra” and Stallone’s “Rambo,” Gives Studio Highest Debut Ever

Gentility and peak TV won the day at the box office Friday, and should command the weekend as well.

Julian Fellowes’ delightful “Downton Abbey” transfer to the big screen knocked out both Brad Pitt’s “Ad Astra” and Sylvester Stallone’s “Rambo: First Blood” last night. Including Thursday previews, the Crawley family and their friends are the big box office winners today.

This means that Focus Features, the literary end of Universal Pictures, will have its biggest opening weekend ever with $31 million. This is quite an achievement. It’s due to Universal being under the same roof as NBC, which also owns Carnival Productions, the company that made the hit TV series broadcast here on PBS. Imagine if NBC had broadcast “Downton.”

On Thursday night, “Downton” easily took “Ad Astra” and “Rambo” in previews. This isn’t to say anything negative about “As Astra,” a gorgeous film with a sensitive lead performance from Pitt.

But “Downton” has its huge, devoted fan base as a foundation. And then, it’s really a lovely film, so well written, directed, and acted, you’re ready to see it again. And I’m pretty sure fans will do exactly that. Word of mouth should be excellent.

As Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and I joked at the splendid premiere this past week at the Plaza Hotel, “Downton Abbey” could become like the “Avengers” series, with 11 episodes! But really, we can expect a sequel or two definitely. Smartly, Fellowes has left the door open for Maggie Smith to return as the Dowager Countess even though she suggests that this is her last rodeo.

It should be noted too that “Downton Abbey” had the lowest theater count of the three movies in competition.

Friday numbers including Thursday previews: “Downton” $13.8 million, “Ad Astra” $7 million, “Rambo”–$7.1 million. The latter two are basically tied.

 

Critics Choice Names Documentary Lifetime Achievement Award for DA Pennebaker, This Year’s Recipient is Frederick Wiseman

Roger Friedman
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Critics Choice Names Documentary Lifetime Achievement Award for DA Pennebaker, This Year’s Recipient is Frederick Wiseman

The Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award has been named for the late DA Pennebaker, who passed away August 1st at age 94. The Pennebaker Award is the new name.

Pennebaker and his wife Chris Hegedus were the first winners of the Critics Choice Documentary Lifetime Achievement Award a few years ago. This year’s honoree, at Chris’s suggestion, is Frederick Wiseman. The awards are given out in November in Brooklyn at the BRIC center near the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

I have to thank Critics Choice’s Joey Berlin for bestowing this honor on my late friend and mentor, Penny (as he was known to family and friends). Shortly after Penny passed away, suddenly, I asked Joey if Critics Choice could name an award for him. After checking with Chris, he swept in action and came up with this terrific idea.

Penny and Wiseman were colleagues, competitors, and friends. I often heard Penny bestow lavish praise on Wiseman’s work. I know he’d be pleased that he’s the first recipient of an award named for him.

Penny and Chris are no strangers to awards. They were nominated for an Oscar in 1992 for “The War Room.” They won an Emmy for their Elaine Stritch HBO doc, “At Liberty.” Penny was the first documentary filmmaker to receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy in 2012.

By the way, Pennebaker Hegedus Films continues and thrives under the leadership of Penny’s son, Frazer Pennebaker, and his widow, filmmaker Chris Hegedus. New generations of Pennebakers are making films as we speak. Another son, Jojo Pennebaker, filmed 35 episodes of “Live from the Artists’ Den and has a film called “3 Days, 2 Nights” playing at the Hamptons Film Festival next month. Hegedus just helped on the making of “Cracked Up” and has several projects coming up. Meanwhile, new docs about Depeche Mode, David Bowie, and so on feature precious footage from the amazing Pennebaker archives.

(Listen) Macy Gray Sings “Hide the Hurt,” a Possible Best Song Nominee by Diane Warren from Darrell Hammond Doc “Cracked Up”

Roger Friedman
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(Listen) Macy Gray Sings “Hide the Hurt,” a Possible Best Song Nominee by Diane Warren from Darrell Hammond Doc “Cracked Up”

Lot of news here:

Diane Warren has not one but two possible Best Song nominees this season. She already has 10 nominations, let’s not forget.

So “Hide the Hurt” is sung by Macy Gray at the end of the documentary about “SNL” star Darrell Hammond, called “Cracked Up.” It’s playing in New York at the IFC Center and tomorrow night gets a premiere and Q&A in Los Angeles at the Laemmle in Los Angeles with Darrell, Macy, Diane Warren, and music supervisor/therapist Bonnie Greenberg.

Diane’s other song is “I’m Standing with You,” from the hit movie “Breakthrough,” which came out earlier this year. Videos for each song are below.

Michelle Esrick’s elucidating film (with cinematography by among others Chris Hegedus) tells the story of Hammond’s frightening childhood and abuse at the hands of his deeply disturbed mother. Hammond, a gifted comedian and mimic, finally reveals how he has battled depression and alcoholism by using comedy. He was at the time he left “SNL” their longest running player. Lorne Michaels then hired him to succeed the late legend Don Pardo announcing the opening of the show. I urge everyone to see this film.

Macy Gray’s reading of Warren’s song is just beautiful, and reflects Hammond’s fragility as well as that of all abuse survivors. It’s also so well produced and sung I’m sorry it’s not a viral hit on Spotify. Maybe it will be. “Heal the Hurt” is available there and on iTunes.

3 Way Box Office Brawl This Weekend: Well-Reviewed “Downton Abbey,” “Ad Astra” vs. Panned Stallone “Rambo” Installment

Roger Friedman
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3 Way Box Office Brawl This Weekend: Well-Reviewed “Downton Abbey,” “Ad Astra” vs. Panned Stallone “Rambo” Installment

Will bad review spoil the return of “Rambo”?

Will good reviews and a movie star, Brad Pitt, propel “Ad Astra” to the top of the weekend box office?

Or will the spoils go to “Downton Abbey,” currently number 1 wherever it’s in release?

Here we go. This weekend, we have a real horse race and the answers are still unclear. After Thursday night’s preview showings we may have a better idea.

On the one hand we have James Gray’s beautiful, ethereal “Ad Astra” starring Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones in a father-son saga set in outer space. The movie looks so good and realistic you’d they filmed it on Mars and Neptune. Pitt is outstanding even if the movie is more subtle than action oriented. Also, Donald Sutherland’s character just slips from view. But critics have given “Ad Astra” an 81 on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s highly recommended.

Then there’s “Downton Abbey,” also ranked high around 80. The movie episode of the TV series is number 1 in every country where it’s playing. Fans are gaga over it. I loved it. Maggie Smith snipes away, delivering well placed barbs. The whole cast is sharp, sharp, sharp. Michelle Dockery is a movie star. We can all thank Elizabeth McGovern who was pressed into service years ago to pitch the series when it was rejected. She and creator Julian Fellowes made it happen, and we couldn’t be happier.

Finally. Sylvester Stallone has exhumed “Rambo,” the lesser of his two famous movie creations, for one more round of violence. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 46. Critics hated it. (I haven’t seen it, and have no plans to.) But you know, “Rambo” could surprise us all and draw in big crowds. You never know. Some days it feels like the mid 80s, when this was in style.

But at least there is a horse race this weekend. We haven’t had one in a while. When friends keep asking me, Is there anything to see?— well, now you know.

Edward Snowden, Living in Exile in Moscow, Says He’s a Direct Mayflower Descendant of Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins

Roger Friedman
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Edward Snowden, Living in Exile in Moscow, Says He’s a Direct Mayflower Descendant of Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins

Happy Thanksgiving!

Who is a real American, anyway? The answer used to be: the pilgrims, the people who came over from England on the Mayflower in the 1600s. The expression “came over on the Mayflower” is used to describe that gang.

So guess who is a real American? Why, Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who is now living in exile in Moscow. He helped publish reams of classified documents, was featured in an Oscar winning documentary as Citizen Four, and is Public Enemy Number 1.

In his new memoir, “Permanent Record,” Snowden reveals a shocking detail: he’s from a Mayflower pilgrim family. Remember the famous pilgrim couple, John Alden and Priscilla Mullins? We learn this in first grade. They almost weren’t married because Myles Standish tried to get in the way. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a famous poem about the triangle. (Do they still teach this?)

Anyway, John and Priscilla had a daughter named Elizabeth. Snowden’s mother is her direct descendant, he says, down the line through all the women.

So the joke’s on us. Who’s a turkey now? But it makes sense. John, Priscilla, and Myles all left England because they were unhappy with the King. They wanted to start a new society. Four hundred years later, their descendant, Edward Snowden, basically did the same thing. Only the pilgrim family wound up in North Carolina. Snowden is in Moscow. And he ain’t coming back. At least, not while Donald Trump is in office.

 

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