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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

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.

 

Listen to New Music from Van the Man Morrison: “Dark Night of the Soul” Comes from New Album October 25th

Roger Friedman
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Listen to New Music from Van the Man Morrison: “Dark Night of the Soul” Comes from New Album October 25th

I love Van Morrison. I wish he were coming back to New York, but he’s off to the West Coast and to London to promote his new album, coming October 25th. The album is “Three Chords and the Truth.” The single is below, “Dark Night of the Soul.” He just gets better and better.

 

Three Chords And The Truth features the tracks:

March Winds In February
Fame Will Eat The Soul
Dark Night Of The Soul
In Search Of Grace
Nobody In Charge
You Don’t Understand
Read Between The Lines
Does Love Conquer All?
Early Days
If We Wait For Mountains
Up On Broadway
Three Chords And The Truth
Bags Under My Eyes
Days Gone By
 

 

Madonna Surprises With the Launch of Ambitious, Intimate “Madame X” Show, A Sometimes Over Stuffed Attempt at an Avant Garde Broadway Show

Roger Friedman
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Madonna Surprises With the Launch of Ambitious, Intimate “Madame X” Show, A Sometimes Over Stuffed Attempt at an Avant Garde Broadway Show

It turns out Madonna — the queen of re-invention —  is human. She admitted last night during the first performance of her Madame X show at Brooklyn’s Howard Gilman Opera house: “The one thing I need is sleep. I’m tired.” She added that she could use a nap.

But the 61 year old pop icon didn’t show any signs of weariness last night as she launched this ambitious, complex production. The good news about Madonna’s Madame X show is that there is no bad news. Not really. So everyone can relax. There’s no incentive to throw tomatoes.

Quite the opposite: I was impressed, and I think anyone who stops into the Gilman will be surprised to find Madonna, in a stripped down setting, is actually real and just a celebrity hologram. She’s very endearing in an intimate venue. Also considering that this performance of “Madame X” was the very first, you have to give her credit. She’s producing a Broadway show in progress.

Indeed, if we come back to “Madame X” in a month, it’s going to be even more together, which isn’t to say it’s not a compelling two hour and fifteen minute entertainment now. But right now “Madame X” is like several Broadway shows happening at  once. Most of it works, some of it doesn’t. It needs time to gel. The pieces are good, but they don’t all fit together yet. (The sets are Broadway-level, even better, with terrific lighting. The staging runs from elaborately ornamental to elegantly minimalist. There are excellent video projections, too.)

What we get theme wise are more than a few things: Madonna’s lifelong grappling with Catholicism; her adventures in Lisbon as a “soccer mom,” as she says; her discovery in Portugal of that country’s music and that of Cape Verde, off the coast of Africa; political Madonna, who is advocating for LGBTQ, women’s rights, abortion rights, and gun control. Plus modern dance, jazz and ballet, and even a dance video from Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes. That’s a lot of themes.

A lot of this is set to showcase songs from the “Madame X” album, which didn’t sell well and didn’t come off well when it arrived. Surprisingly, those songs have been made into convincing theatrical pieces. You see, Madonna is not performing her greatest hits. If you’re coming to the Gilman for “Like a Virgin,” you’re in the wrong place. (There are financial reasons, too, for ditching the early hits– she didn’t write them and she’s probably tired of paying those songwriters.)

This doesn’t mean there aren’t nods to the 80s Madonna. Early in the show there’s a lovely a cappella moment of “Express Yourself.” You will also hear “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Frozen,” “La Isla Bonita,” and, very successfully, “Vogue.”

Last night’s show started an hour late, at 10:30pm, but Madonna did apologize and explain that later. There are other details that I’ll explore later this week in a real review. Last night, Rosie O’Donnell and Debi Mazar, her good friends, showed up to give support, and Rosie–who received cheers from the audience– got be part of a little “business.” The audience loved it.

And that audience– a group of people from Asia had flown here, and used Madonna’s lateness for a nap. The woman behind me came from Paris. There was a crowd from Brazil.

(Also be warned: your phone is locked into an airtight container upon arrival. It must be unlocked at the end of the show. No photos, no videos, no social media. Hence, no photo to go with this story.)

By the time you get to the last number, it’s well worth it. “Like a Prayer” finishes the show proper and leaves everyone on a high. But again, I think Madonna is doing some interesting work here. She’s trying pull off something much tougher than her arena or stadium shows, and you can already see the payoffs. She’s making a connection with the audience while ideas are settling in. The fans will love to watch it, and out of this will evolve a butterfly. I’d be first in line to return.

More details on Friday.

“Silicon Valley” Star, Verizon Pitchman Thomas Middleditch and Wife are Swingers: “You can go to that party, of course. You pay the fee, you’ll go.”

Roger Friedman
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“Silicon Valley” Star, Verizon Pitchman Thomas Middleditch and Wife are Swingers: “You can go to that party, of course. You pay the fee, you’ll go.”

Thomas Middleditch, the nerdy guy from “Silicon Valley” and those Verizon commercials? He and his wife, Mollie, are swingers. As, in they go to orgies, have sex with strangers, and so on. They swap partners. This is not a joke.

Middleditch has told this to Playboy, and he’s not making it up. He says: “To be honest, swinging has saved our marriage. We have different speeds, and we argue over it constantly, but it’s better than feeling unheard and alone and that you have to scurry in the shadows. By the way, it’s now called being “part of the lifestyle.” The term swinging is old.”

And Silicon Valley thought it had a hot potato in the star they ousted, TJ Miller. They thought he was a headline maker!

Middleditch’s publicist must be popping Xanax right about now. But this should bring more eyes to HBO this fall for the final season. Verizon? I don’t know. Maybe they’re into it.

The actor continues: ” I self-deprecatingly call myself a pervert, but that’s not what it is. I just like it. I’m sexual. I’d always thought I was a romantic and that when I fall in love, that stuff fades away. It does for some years—enough to be like, “I should get married, and I’ll be different.” But it’s part of me. If that’s part of your being and it feels important to you, find a way to explore it, because repression sucks.”

Writer Ryan Gajewski got a good one here. Congrats!

Supreme Charity: The Great Mary Wilson Wows the Crowd at Project Angel Food 29th Annual Gala Honoring Jamie Lee Curtis

Leah Sydney
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Supreme Charity: The Great Mary Wilson Wows the Crowd at Project Angel Food 29th Annual Gala Honoring Jamie Lee Curtis

Project Angel Food, founded by Marianne Williamson 30 years ago to feed people with HIV/AIDS then expanding to serious illnesses, recently had their 29th annual Angel Awards Gala in Hollywood.  Mary Wilson reigned supreme, Marianne was lauded and eloquent, Danny Trejo brought the crowd to tears and Jamie Lee Curtis, who was given the Project Angel Food Humanitarian Angel Award, was fierce in her determination to make sure the less privileged and voiceless be treated with dignity.

Jami Morse Heidegger and Klaus Heidegger (skincare creationists of Retrouve and Kiehl’s since 1851) were honored as well with the Project Angel Food Leadership Award.  Their good friend Robert Kennedy Jr introduced them and noted poignantly that “I first met them in New York in 1987 with my cousin John (the late JFK Jr.) He went on to say that they “are the most genuine philanthropists I know.”

Danny Trejo the actor and food impresario (he generously catered the event,) said movingly, “I believe there are two kinds of people in this world, those that want to make a difference and those that are taking up space.”  He then revealed, “For a long time, I was a taker.  By the grace of God my life has changed.  PAF is a blessing.”

Sean Hayes then presented his good pal Jamie Lee Curtis with the Humanitarian award.  Sean said that, “She’s a voice for injustice.  She is one of the most ball busting funny and in your face present people I’ve ever known.”  Classy Jamie first paid tribute to the group, staff and volunteers.  “We are because of all of you, because of the efforts that you have put forth.  Nothing to do with me.”  Jamie then went on to say how many of her friends fell victim to AIDS.  “I always felt a little bit of a handicap.  I was the child of famous people.  I just always felt somehow that I needed to be a little quiet.  I’m married to a very quiet guy. I can only imagine what’s it’s like, poor guy.  A woman that I respect as much as I respect any human being on earth is Marianne.  Because of her work I realized that life is short and that we are here for something.  That I need to own it live it, love it, learn from it and deliver.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, the Dreamgirl diva/actress herself, introduced her good friend the Supreme Angel Mary Wilson who went on to entrance the crowd with “Love Child” and other hits.   The audience stood and cheered and danced for the divine Mary who sounds and looks better than ever.  Other highlights were Maelyn Jarmon, the season 16 winner of “The Voice” who began the night with a stirring version of “Hallelujah.” Included were video clips of Whoopi Goldberg who said that, “there is no better organization than PAF,” and Sharon Stone who said, “For Life, for love, as long as it takes.”

Longtime Supporters Pauley Perrette (she has a PAF van with her name on it) and Eric and Janet McCormick were greeting volunteers.  Jennifer Tilly, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Bruce Vilanch, Beverly Johnson, Nicolette Sheridan, Lawrence Zarian, Sam Rubin with his KTLA co-hosts, Corky Hale and Mike Stoller, San Manuel Casino’s Running Bear Ramirez and more attended this lovely and truly worthy event. Kudos to Executive Director Richard Ayoub, Director of Philanthropy Mark McBride, the staff and countless volunteers of PAF.  Ayoub aptly summed it up by saying, “This kitchen belongs to all of us, because it is our heartbeat, a heartbeat that literally keeps thousands of people alive each year.”

Broadway Bonanza: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell Will Star in New Production of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” in March 2020

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Bonanza: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell Will Star in New Production of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” in March 2020

The announcements are starting to come in for Tony Award-aimed shows next spring on Broadway.

Now we learn that Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell will appear in David Mamet’s great play, “American Buffalo” next March. Neil Pepe is directing. Jeffrey Richards, Steve Traxler, and Stephanie P. McClelland are producers.

Whenever I think of “American Buffalo” I think of Al Pacino, so this is a fresh take and a very exciting one. Fishburne has a Tony and an Emmy. Rockwell has an Oscar and a Golden Globe award.

This has to be better than the ill-fated version of “American Buffalo” from 2008 with Cedric the Entertainer, John Leguizamo, and Haley Joel Osment. That one played for a week. (What were they thinking?)

Pacino headlined the 1983 version, with 100 performances in a limited run. The original Buffalo starred Robert Duvall, John Savage, and Kenneth McMillan in 1977. The 1996 movie starred Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Franz.

Taylor Swift Sold So Many Copies of “Lover” Her Tour Next Year Will Be Just Four Dates in the United States

Roger Friedman
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Taylor Swift Sold So Many Copies of “Lover” Her Tour Next Year Will Be Just Four Dates in the United States

Owners of stadiums and arenas who expected a Taylor Swift tour for her “Lover” album are probably fuming mad this day.

That’s because Swift, a Gulliver in the Lilliputia of the music biz, has opted to perform at only four shows in the US next summer: two in Los Angeles, and two in Foxboro, Mass near Boston.

That’s right: Taylor will open the new SoFi Stadium in Ingelwood, California on July 25th and 26th. Then she’ll do two dates at Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots the following week.

She will bypass the New York metro area completely (so much for “Welcome to New York,” huh, Taylor?). She’ll ignore all the other major markets in the country. No Giants Stadium, no Madison Square Garden.

Swift has a few other dates planned for Europe, and that’s it.

So she either thinks she made enough money from her “Lover” album or it’s just hubris. She’s also using Messina Touring Group  to promote the four shows, snubbing Live Nation and AEG (although the latter partners with MTG).

The concert business is already struggling. Swift won’t have many fans on the touring level with this news.  I’m not sure if that’s such a good strategy. Those local promoters have long memories. One day when Swift is not at the top they may recall this episode with less than good feelings.

PS Taylor better calm down. “Lover” is in decline already, having sold about 1.2 million copies in the US. Big hit first week, 89% off second week, another 45% off third week. It’s going to be down another 50% this week. By next summer, “Lover” will be a memory.

France Snubs Roman Polanski, Doesn’t Include His “Officer and a Spy” on Short List for Oscar Submissions

Roger Friedman
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France Snubs Roman Polanski, Doesn’t Include His “Officer and a Spy” on Short List for Oscar Submissions

France has snubbed Roman Polanski.

The French film academy has submitted a list of titles for their possible Oscar submissions and omitted Polanski’s new “An Office and a Spy.” The film, starring Oscar winner Jean DuJardin, was shown to ovations at the Ve3nice Film Festival. Polanski received the Silver Lion for Best Direction.

But France has submitted several titles on a short list. They will then choose from among them including “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and the newest telling of “Les Miserables.”

The sad irony here is that Polanski has lived in France as a French citizen for three or four decades.

This year, Polanski– who won Best Director at the Academy Awards in 2003 for “The Pianist”– was expelled from the American academy in wake of the #MeToo Movement.

France, by the way, has not won the Best Foreign Language film Oscar since “Indochine” in 1992. They haven’t had a film in Oscar competition since 2015’s “Mustang.”

Ironically, he’s a character in a movie that could win a lot of Oscars next February, Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” That movie goes back and changes Polanski’s real life history, saving his pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, from being murdered, in 1969. It’s possible that 8 years later Polanski would then not have been involved in the scandal that irretrievably changed his career.

Alas, all that is fantasy. And in this political climate, no matter how good “An Office and a Spy” is, it seems it will not be going into contention for the Oscars.

Review: “Downton Abbey” Premieres in NY Like a Rock Concert with Fans Cheering Giddy, Happy Movie Reunion

Roger Friedman
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Review: “Downton Abbey” Premieres in NY Like a Rock Concert with Fans Cheering Giddy, Happy Movie Reunion

We haven’t had a night in New York like the premiere of “Downton Abbey” in some time. Glamorous and star packed the event at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall followed by a party at the Plaza Hotel felt like the old days when we weren’t barking at each other and getting ulcers in the middle of the night from trade wars and children in cages.

Seeing “Downton Abbey” on the big screen with everyone back and looking swell, John Lunn’s symphonic theme music swirling around around our hearts and Julian Fellowes’ crisp, tight screenplay telling stories within stories…it was like seeing old friends from before the apocalypse. I think the Brits dealing with Brexit feel the same way. The movie is a smashing success in Britain.

Now that it’s a motion picture, “Downton Abbey” can afford big cameras, wide shots, panoramics that show the grandeur of the real Highclere Castle and its surroundings. Some might say that the movie is a TV episode on steroids, but it’s more than that. Director Michael Engler and Fellowes have shaped a movie going experience that’s such a delicious fantasy trip into the past, you’re a little groggy when it’s over.

You may already know that it’s not too long after the series ended, we’re still in 1927. The royal family– King George V and Queen Mary (parents of the stuttering King George VI of “King’s Speech” fame and rotten David, er, Edward who married Wallis Simpson) visit Yorkshire and stay at Downton for one night during a weekend of fanfares. The idea came to Fellowes from the royal couple visiting the area in 1912. “We just decided they visited again,” he told me last night.

With the King and Queen comes the royal staff, determined to supplant the Downton staff and order them around. That, of course, won’t do, so Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Patmore take matters into their own hands. This gives Fellowes a big canvas to work on. At the same time, son-in-law Tom Branson, the rebel Irishman, must deal with his loyalties. And the Crawleys can expect among their visitors a distant cousin (Imelda Staunton) whose fortune they expect to inherit.

Well, that’s the set up, and it works like crazy. Thee are many spoilers, I won’t give them away except to say no one dies and there are plenty of opportunities for one or two sequels. Nearly everyone involved expects them. Too many questions are left lingering. And everyone will want to see Alan Leech’s Branson get his pot of gold.

Engler keeps everything moving at a brisk pace, there is no slacking off although there are plenty of “moments.” One, between Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Violet, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) really resonates. Smith. who doesn’t care one way or another, deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her ripostes with Penelope Wilton (Mrs. Crawley) are like a daring game of table tennis. Each one scores quite a few points, although Smith manages to get and deliver the best lines.

All of the below the line production stuff is top top notch. You won’t find a Starbucks coffee cup on this set.

No, it’s not edgy and not even as sly as an individual episode because the “Downton Abbey” movie must fit in a lot of people and hit some expected notes. It’s a fan’s film, that’s for sure, of the highest order. Could I see it again? Why not? If only to see Mr. Moseley (Kevin Doyle) steal the show from everyone, including the Dowager Countess.  That’s worth 10 bucks right there.

 

Netflix Buys Worldwide Rights to “Seinfeld” Beginning in 2021 After Losing “The Office,” “Friends”

Roger Friedman
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Netflix Buys Worldwide Rights to “Seinfeld” Beginning in 2021 After Losing “The Office,” “Friends”

“Seinfeld” is moving to Netflix in 2021.

All 180 episodes of the classic comedy will switch over to Netflix for streaming when their run on Hulu is over. Netflix had lost the rights to “The Office” and “Friends,” so this is a big win for the platform service.

No one’s saying how much Netflix paid Castle Rock for the rights, or how much Steve Bannon could reap from this deal. (Bannon had a small piece of the “Seinfeld” pie.) More importantly the sale should be a boon for Larry David and the four principal actors: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. A wheel barrel of money will be backing up to their front doors.

Netflix is looking to shore up its content with NBC and Disney and everyone else starting their own streaming services. For that reason I don’t understand why “The Mary Tyler Moore” show and all its MTM spin offs are on YouTube for free. Very weird.

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