Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

9 months ago

August 23, 2022

G. H. HARDING

G.H. HARDING

TRY SOME BUY SOME MORE GET BACK — (via Ultimate Classic Rock) Director Peter Jackson says he’s in talks with Disney and Apple about releasing an extended cut of 2021’s The Beatles: Get Back.

He describes both companies as “reluctant,” however, in an interview with Kim Masters’ The Business podcast. “They say — and they might be quite right — that there’s no market anymore for extended cuts. But I know that there’s five or six hours of fantastic material that we didn’t include, and I don’t want it to go back into the vaults for 50 years,” Jackson argued. “So, let’s just say that it’s a conversation that’s happening, but it’s not necessarily a definitive one at this point.”

Jackson also recalled regularly speaking with Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who directed the original 1970 Let It Be film from which the Get Back footage is derived. “He’s got a fantastic memory and he and I have become friends,” Jackson said, explaining that he would call Lindsay-Hogg to ask him about particular camera shots. “And most of the time he could remember what I was talking about. … I just wanted to honor the footage that was shot.”

Jackson has already confirmed that he’s in discussions about making a new Beatles movie, though further details weren’t yet available. “I’m talking to the Beatles about another project, something very, very different than Get Back,” he told Deadline. “We’re seeing what the possibilities are, but it’s another project with them. It’s not really a documentary … and that’s all I can really say.”

Interesting thoughts for sure. I watched Jackson’s movie and loved it, although it didn’t go on a tad too much. Face it, for fans, it was manna from heaven. But, like some many legacy acts out there right now … where do you draw the line.

There’s no question that fans for the group -old and new- are legion. Maybe a limited number of copies is the way to go. Would I watch it? You bet your life.

SHORT TAKES — $23.00 to get into Manhattan under the proposed new Congestion Pricing edict circulating in the ether? Don’t think it will fly at all. It’s clearly a cash-grab.

Stay tuned …

Ashley Suppa

Singer/songwriter Ashley Suppa, who also doubles as the bassist for the all-girl band Plush, begins a tour with them and Alice In Chains next month … Most folk don’t remember NBC’s Midnight Special which debuted in 1972. The acts that appeared on the show spanned the 50’s,60’s, and 70’s. They included Chuck Berry; Blondie; Aretha Franklin; Prince; Tom Perry; Aerosmith; AC/DC; Elton John; Fleetwood Mac; and David Bowie. ELO appeared seven times more than any other group. For new acts, it was always Ed McMahon’s Star Search, but for established acts, MidnightSpecial. Ultimate Classic Rock ran a great article the other day. Check it out: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-midnight-special-tv-show/…

Ryan Gossling

We finally got to watch Netflix’s The Gray Man, which is the first movie that the cable-net funded. When it was released it was lambasted by almost every legitimate critic, but we kind of liked it. Ryan Gosling in the lead role was pretty good and Chris Evans as the bad-guy was a tad over the top, but serviceable. Directed by the Avengers’ Russo Brothers, it was pretty good, though there were a few too many explosions and gun-fights. Overall I’d definitely give it a GO-SEE if you haven’t already. Funnily enough, out of all the tawdry reviews I read, I don’t remember one mentioning it was based on a book. And, a sequel is in-the works … Gary Busey was charged in Cherry Hill, New Jersey with three counts of sex crimes at the Monster Mania convention? Busey, who always seems to be one card short of a full deck, is one interesting dude, but these conventions are curious events where the fans are sometimes a tad too touchy-feely. A thorough investigation needs to happen …

Anthony Mason and Micky Dolenz

Monday’s CBS Morning News profile on Micky Dolenz was everything we wanted it to be. 8-minutes in prime-time is exceptional any way you look at it. Anthony Mason did his usually brilliant work and Dolenz was very candid. There was also a quick snippet, from Dolenz’s own video collection of the full band in rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967; never seen before and it was pretty cool. Just excellent. The first-part of the interview was done at Justin Theroux’s downtown-bar Ray’s. Bravo to Mason and producer Rebecca Castagna. If you missed it, take a look:

Debbie Gibson got 5 out of 5 balloons in Broadwayworld.com’s review of the songstress cabaret show (celebrating the 35th anniversary of her debut album Out Of The Blue) at 54 Below.

Debbie Gibson

Take a read here: Review: Debbie Gibson Sings and Celebrates The OUT OF THE BLUE 35TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT At 54 Below (broadwayworld.com) … RIP To Twin Peaks’ Lenny Von-Dohlen. Read Deadline’s obit: https://deadline.com/2022/07/lenny-von-dohlen-dead-twin-peaks-electric-dreams-actor-1235060380/

Happy Bday to composer John Williams and Lora Evans!

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Larry Flick; Evan Levy; Ross Zapin; Anthony Pomes; Gary Dell’Abate; Elizabeth Neff; Chuck Taylor; Chuck Arnold; Fred Zarr; Larry Yasgur; Terry Jastrow; Paul McCartney; Alec Baldwin; Dan Abrams; Michael Lewittes; Joanna Malloy; James Edstrom; Barry Fisch; Vito Bruno; Nick Prince; and BELLA!

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G. H. HARDING

G. H. Harding is a four decades insider to the entertainment world. He’s worked for record companies; movie companies; video-production He’s worked for record companies; movie companies; video-production companies and several cable outlets. His anonymity is essential in bringing an unbiased view to his writings on pop culture. He is based in NYC.

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

TINA TURNER — Talk about a voice of a generation … my generation for sure. I think one of the first records I ever listened too was one from Ike & Tina Turner and Tina immediately caught my ear and eye. 1973’s “Nutbush City Limits” and later “Proud Mary.” Tina was simply dazzling. She passed Wednesday in Switzerland after a lengthy illness and surviving a stroke.

12 Grammys; 3 Grammy Hall of Fame awards; a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; the first Black artist and the first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone; and, in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. And she had her biggest hit when she was in her 40’s. Tina was a ground-breaker in every sense of the word.

From “Nutbush City Limits” to her stunning album, Private Dancer, she was a fierce innovator.

Tom Cuddy with Tina Turner

Author Mark Bego who did two tomes on Tina said: “The passing of rock legend Tina Turner is truly tragic. She was an amazing force of nature as a singer, performer, actress, and international inspiration. Having started out with ex-husband Ike Turner, as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the 1960’s, Tina broke free from an abusive marriage with Ike, and became a solo legend on her own. I was privileged to tell her story in the books Tina Turner: Break Every Rule in 2003, and a German language update in 2009 called Tina Turner: Die Biografie. Her story, her legend, and her timeless music will live on.”

For those in the know: British-singer John Miles (“Slow Down”) toured with Tina in 1987. I knew Miles … great, great talent. Here she is with WOR’s Tom Cuddy, back when he was running WPLJ.

Paul Simon

SIMON OF THE TIMES — (Via Deadline) Singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who at 81 has just released his 15th studio album, titled Seven Psalms, has revealed a recent hearing loss in his left ear and says the condition has left him doubting he’ll tour again.

In an interview with UK’s The Times, Simon said the hearing loss struck while he was writing the new album. “Quite suddenly, I lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and nobody has an explanation for it,” he told the publication. “So everything became more difficult.”

The Graceland singer said he was more frustrated and annoyed than angered by the hearing loss “because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself.” The condition, however, has not improved, and he now has doubts that he’ll perform live again, a decision reinforced by both a 2020 bout with Covid and his lack of enthusiasm for singing some of his old songs.

“The songs of mine that I don’t want to sing live, I don’t sing them,” he told The Times. “Sometimes there are songs that I like and then at a certain point in a tour, I’ll say, ‘What the f*ck are you doing, Paul?’ Quite often that would come during ‘You Can Call Me Al.’ I’d think, ‘What are you doing? You’re like a Paul Simon cover band. You should get off the road, go home.’”

Simon, who lives on a large Texas ranch with wife Edie Brickell, reflected on the recent losses of Gordon Lightfoot and Jeff Beck, noting, “It’s just the age we’re at…My generation’s time is up.”

SHORT TAKES — Brutal review of HBO’s The Idol in Roger Friedman’s always prescient Showbiz 411. Friedman goes to great length to say that the machinations of the music business are not accurately portrayed in the show at all. Truth be told: They’ve never been accurately portrayed. To me, the closest they even came was in Martin Scorsese’s brilliant Vinyl. Euphoria’s Sam Levinson is the force behind this one and I didn’t have any desire to watch it. After reading Roger’s take on it, I probably never will. Check it out here: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/05/22/cannes-hbo-unveils-the-idol-starring-the-weeknd-abel-tesfaye-and-lily-rose-depp-in-vulgar-gross-outsiders-take-on-pop-life…

Q1043 in NYC giving away DVDs of the recent Neil Bogart-inspired movie Spinning Gold. Sadly, when Justin Timberlake stepped away from portraying Bogart, this movie was DOA. It came out with nary a whisper, terrible reviews and was literally over in three days. I knew Bogart and this could have been a great, great movie. Sad for sure

Eppy; Robert Miller; and David Salidor

We wondered about Robert Miller’s Project Grand Slam (seen here with Eppy from My Father’s Place and PR-pasha David Salidor) and emailed him? No response so far. We’ll keep you posted … NBC just announced that The Blacklist finale will air -two hours- on Thursday, July 13. Suffice to say, it was a sensational show …

Bob Dylan

Happy BDay to Bob Dylan; Mike Myers; Cillian Murphy; and Frank Oz.

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Tony King; Mark Bego; Michael Leon; Adriana Kaegi; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Mark Knopfler; Daryl Easlea; Russ Titleman; Donnie Kehr; Cori Gardner; Benny Harrison; Steve Walter; Jeff Smith; Vinnie Zuffante; Marion Curtis; Angela Tarantino; Michael Fuchs; Sasha Prendes; and ZIGGY!

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

5 days ago

May 23, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

GABRIEL’S GOLD — I first met Peter Gabriel eons ago at a Prince’s Trust event in London. He was sitting with the actress Rosanna Arquette, and I just formed an immediate connection with him. I was with another client, but we just clicked and ended up talking for several hours. I’ve followed his music before and certainly after and he latest album, I believe his first in 21 years, i/owill be out shortly and he’s been releasing tracks one by one – believe it not, whenever there’s been a full moon.

The tracks released so far are just magnificent, but the most recent one, “Four Kinds Of Horses” is totally mesmerizing. If you’re a fan, it’s up there in the caliber of his “Mercy Street.” I listened to it several times last week and was lulled into pure happiness. One poster perhaps said it best: ” This album’s Mercy Street. Complete atmospheric immersion, tapping into places in the soul we did not yet know existed. Transformative.” Well said.

It is one of the best things he’s ever done. Check it out here:

CHURCH AND STATE — Sunday’s penultimate episode of Succession was as brutal and emotional as ever. The three siblings, joined by their mother at Logan’s funeral, were awash in emotion, but not enough to dissuade them from further business angling. Roman ultimately broke down while he was delivering an eulogy and ended the show wandering aimlessly in a protest taking place. Logan’s brother Ewan, essayed by James Crowell, delivered a blistering indictment of Logan … on point for sure. And, Cromwell knocked it out of the park for sure.

Kendall and Shiv pursued their own affairs and it was clear by the episode’s end, that both brothers knew, she was siding with Lukas Matsson. Tom was barely in the episode at all and even missed Roy’s funeral; although he claimed to be the last one with Logan when he died.

The episode was written be creator Jesse Armstrong and was as powerful as ever, Truly a great show and one that I will miss. Get ready for next week 90-minute finale. It should be nothing short of stunning.

GUESS WHO DON’T SUE — What major 80’s blue-eyed soul singer was about to pact with a English-based label for his new album, when at the last minute he (and his manager) changed their mind and released it themselves on their own label?

The album is 3 weeks old with nary a review nor any major airplay.

Anyone can release their own album these days; but, the key is the support staff and street team … much needed these days with social media. I remember back in the day when a major ad agency took a two-page ad out themselves: the first page said, this is what happens when you don’t advertise. The second page: totally blank.

It does take a village indeed!

SHORT TAKES — The long-talked about Dave Mason autobiography, Only You And I Know, will now be out on November 14. It was originally supposed to be out this week. I wonder what caused the delay? Maybe he remembered more stories about The Moke or Teddy Slatus? …

David Zaslav

David Zaslav (Zaz The Butcher) was met with boos and angry chants from students after taking the stage at Boston University on Sunday to accept his honorary degree and give the 2023 commencement speech. Those cries began as early as the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO’s introduction by BU President Robert A. Brown during the 150th commencement exercises at Nickerson Field. As Brown spoke to Zaslav’s “passion for documenting and sharing the human story on a global scale,” the chants and booing immediately picked up, followed by what would become a constant ebb and flow of calls throughout his 20-minute speech. A plane even flew by with a banner proclaiming Pay Your Writers. Face it, this guy’s a joke for sure …

Micky Dolenz -photo by Jane Blunkell-

Micky Dolenz’s solo show in Davenport, Iowa this weekend, apparently was off the charts. Our spy reports that SRO-crowd was terrifically energetic; especially on a terrific version of The Beatles’ “Get Back.” Thanks to Jane Blunkell for the attached shot. Dolenz is at Abbey Road On The River this week and Louisville Public Media did a nice interview with him. Check it out here: https://www.lpm.org/music/2023-05-22/shines-catchup-with-micky-dolenz-of-the-monkees … I caught the Bob Clearmountain interview on Inside Power Station on NYC Life Channel this weekend and it was pretty good. Stephen Webber, Director of BerkleeNYC was not the best interviewer I’ve ever seen, but he held up. To tell you the truth, I’d never heard of this channel or show, but frankly, it was pretty well done.

The Power Station, for those that don’t know, was one of the premiere studios in NYC before going through a series of management changes and now Berklee School of Music owns it. As the interview with Clearmountain abruptly ended, they showed a video and interview from a current student there; so it’s as much a promo move from Berklee as anything else. I wonder what actual artists were interviewed for the show. I’d love to see Springsteen interviewed or even Duran Duran. These behind-the-scenes docs are gaining prominence for sure. Latino-artist Thalia announced one last week and there’s a slew coming. Stay tuned …

James Mangold

And, the new Indiana Jones movie debuted at Cannes last week and received not the best reviews and much chatter was about its director James Mangold and whether he was a good choice. I’ll see it for sure as I’m a fan of the series, but Sunday I caught the tail-end of Ford vs. Ferrari, which I loved the first time I saw it and loved it again. I had forgotten that Mangold directed that one too and to me, did just a brilliant job. Bravo! … Happy Bday Bernie Taupin!

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Race Taylor; Tony King; Rob Dickins; Daryl Easlea; Glenn Gretlund; Ian Lee; Mikael Wood; Robert Evans; Roger Friedman; Angela Tarantino; Robert Funarto; Michael Fuchs; Brian Cox; Kit Lambert; Chris Stamp; Decca Records; Lifehouse; Benny Harrison; and CHIP!

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

7 days ago

May 21, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

CLAPTON’S 32 — 32 years ago (1992) Eric Clapton released 24 Nights which chronicled his stay at London’s Royal Albert Hall. With a terrific band, featuring Ray Cooper; Steve Ferrone; Nathan East, Phil Palmer, Alan Clark and Greg Phillinganes they sauntered through his impressive song catalog. One night, he was backed by an orchestra with no less than the late-Michael Kamen conducting the National Philharmonic Orchestra. It was in a word, exquisite.

There have been numerous videos on YouTube, but now, 32 years later, we get the whole concert with all the different bands. One night was a blues night with Jimmy Vaughn, Albert Collins and Buddy Guy included. Just superb. They even released a terrific trailer. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0g9pXOnM4

As great as it is, I wonder why it took so long to release it? Clapton was in his rock-god persona then; dripping in Versace and is totally spot-on. Versace even designed his guitar strap!

“White Room,” “Badge,” “Pretending,” “Sunshine Of Your Love””and “Bad Love” are among my favorites and Phil Collins sitting in for a run at Dylan’s “Knocking On Heaven’s Door is pretty special too. Clapton was at that point hitting a high note for sure. Everything was clicking.

We waited and were finally rewarded. Just a perfect set.

SHORT TAKES — Jann Klose is joined by Annie Haslam at his Sellersville Theater concert on May 25 in Philadelphia … (Via Deadline) Apple TV+’s praised dramedy Physical, starring and executive produced by Rose Byrne, will wrap its run with its upcoming 10-episode third season, which will debut August 2. Sources tell Deadline that Season 3 of the half-hour series, from creator and executive producer Annie Weisman and Tomorrow Studios, was written as a final chapter and will provide fans with a satisfying conclusion (while also leaving some things open-ended). Sad for sure, but the well seemed to have dried somewhat in Season 2. Byrne is simply stunning in this take-off on the rise of all the exercise-videos of the 80’s.

Jane Fonda sold 17 million of them! …

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Tuesday night in NYC there was a paparazzi-chase involving Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after they received an award of the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Many media-pundits termed it a near-catastrophic and after what happened to Harry’s mother, can you blame them? Amazingly there were no arrests, no summons issued … nada. Something is off here and hopefully in the coming days, new evidence will surface …(Via Crain’s) MSG in talks to sell former Hulu Theater for $1B to an Italian developer.

Felt Forum

Yes, this is important because the former Hulu Theater used to be the legendary Felt Forum; the bastard sister-to MSG. Saw many, many great shows there. A tad smaller, more intimate and the sound was great. It was also known at times as The Theater at Madison Square Garden; The WaMu Theater and The Paramount Theater. Sad passing for sure … Could Eddie Murphy be the next inspector Clouseau in a new iteration of the Pink Panther – following in the shadows of Peter Sellers and Steve Martin? I don’t think this is a good idea at all … RIP bassist John Giblin … HAPPY BDAY Mark Berry ; Howard Smiley; and Jerry Milani.

Charlie Minor

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Tony King; Amanda Naylor; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Angela Tarantino; Taylor Hackford; Dominic Patten; Lenny Beer; Jerry Love; Charlie Minor; Michael Leon; Mark Scheerer; Regis Philbin; Art Moore; Honey Rose Records; Jane Blunkell; Benny Harrison; and ZIGGY!

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

2 weeks ago

May 17, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

TAILGATE PARTY — Sunday’s Succession was another sensational epic. Written by creator Jesse Armstrong, it had more dialogue, I think, than any other episode so far. As I’ve noted in every recap so far, one must pay close attention to the dialogue to get the whole picture and the whole story.

This episode had the three Roy siblings carry on like never before. angling for control. The two brothers find out that Shiv is in cahoots with Matsson and suddenly as the election veers the another way, Shiv is suddenly panicked.

Cousin Greg at one point maneuvers his way into an odd position that more than one wag suggests foreshadows him taking full control. While I don’t buy that for a moment, I must admit that it sure would prove to be a cataclysmic ending to the show. Interestingly enough. Den Of Geek posited that same conclusion. Take a read: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/a-succession-theory-casts-greg-as-a-secret-mastermind/?utm_source=Den+Of+Geek+US&utm_campaign=dd557abbec-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_05_16_07_54&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-dd557abbec-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Next week is the funeral for Logan and James Cromwell as Logan’s brother returns.

Face it, Succession has quickly risen to the top of the food chain in terms of a great dramatic series. Right up there with Mad Men, The Shield, The Wire, Nip/Tuckand The Sopranos. Miraculous for sure.

MELLENCAMP —(Via Rock Cellar) Always one to imbue his songs with earnestness and thematic weight, John Mellencamp focused his new single, “The Eyes of Portland,” on the homelessness crisis in the United States.

With lyrics concerning the plight faced by far too many and footage of homeless areas of Los Angeles, the legendary singer/songwriter searches for answers:

All of these homelessWhere do they come from?In this land of plentyWhere nothing gets done

“The Eyes of Portland” is a track from Orpheus Descending, a new studio album from John Mellencamp slated for release on June 16 (its release date was pushed back two weeks from June 2).

It’s the second song shared so far from the record, following the similarly pointed “Hey God” and its lyrics regarding guns and the endless debates surrounding them:

Weapons and guns, are they really my rightsLaws written a long time agoNo one could imagine the sightOf so many dead on the floor

Hey God, if you’re still thereWould you please come downHey God, if you’re still thereWould you please come down

So what do you really have in mind for us nowWe know that you’re not on our sideA few words of wisdom written down

Ain’t enough to sustain us anymore

Orpheus Descending comes on the heels of Mellencamp’s November 2022 reissue of his classic 1985 album, Scarecrow, and was detailed as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fameer has a batch of tour dates coming in the weeks ahead.

Check out the new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gjqeAjJ4q4

Martha Stewart

SHORT TAKES — I’m on the fence about Martha Stewart. On the one hand, her Sports Illustrated -at 81- cover looks great but her jail stint never seems to come up anymore in interviews. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it did happen. On the Today interview Monday she seemed to be channeling Candice Bergen. As I said – on the fence … Reba McEntire is Blake Shelton’s replacement on The Voice? Wow. I would have thought a more creative choice would have been in order …

Bad Sisters

Bad Sisters on Apple + just won a BAFTA award for Best Drama Series. I thought it was just tremendous and it will return for a proper Season 2 …

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cryrus’ video for the new single “Jaded” is more Peloton than anything else, but it’s a great track. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q-Y6wt1h3k …

Micky Dolenz

And, Micky Dolenz has just announced an LA date for his Monkees Celebration show at the Ace Theatre, Friday, September 22. Dolenz is also at next week’s Abbey Road On The River show as well.

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Adam Pollack; Alex Salzman; Ed Steinberg; Coati Mundi; Amanda Naylor; Ken Sharp; Andrew Sandoval; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Anthony Pomes; Adriana Kaegi; August Darnell; Terry Jastrow; Keith Girard; Mark Bego; Keith Barrow; Liz Rosenberg; Marion Perkins; Angela Tarantino; Tobe Becker; Robert Funaro; Michael Fuchs; and ZIGGY!

Celebrity

The Glorious Corner

Published

2 weeks ago

May 15, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

AFFLECK’S AIR — I’ve always enjoyed Ben Affleck’s work. Years ago, at a premiere for then-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow’s excellent Sliding Doors movie, I somehow ended up with Ben talking for almost an hour. I found him just excellent company; thoughtful, intelligent and very funny. His movie Argo was just excellent and this weekend I saw his Amazon film Airand found it most enjoyable.

Matt Damon

With a stellar cast including Matt Damon. Jason Bateman, and Chris Messina, the movie tells the story of Nike championing Michel Jordan and their soon-to come Air Jordan sneaker line. The script, from Alex Covery, was just excellent.

It details how Damon as Nike’s Sonny Vaccaro took it upon himself to visit Jordan’s mother in person ( a sensational Viola Davis) and persuaded her to accept his offer (from Nike) as opposed to Converse and Adidas. This could well be Damon’s best-ever performance as he is downright amazing. Affleck plays Nike’s Phil Knight, full of insecurities and an affinity for meditation.

I loved everything about this movie, although it could well benefited from a subtle edit. Also amazing is the use of catalog music from those days. Everything’s here from “Time After Time’ by Cyndi Lauper to “rock The Casbah” by The Clash and “Born In the USA: from Springsteen.

Just an enjoyable movie from start to finish. Bravo Ben!

Big Sky/Alaska Daily/The Company You Keep

SHORT TAKES — Canceled Friday was Big Sky; Alaska Daily and The Company You Keep. 3 ABC shows I actually enjoyed, although Big Sky was going downhill fast. As has been pointed out before: In the golden age of TV you got to do 26 episodes; now, it’s down to 6, if you’re lucky. Alaska Daily was just excvekllent and made me a Hilary Swank fan all over again and The Company You Keep was terrific.

Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia was just great. Sad for sure … On May 13, in 1970, The Beatles’ Let It Be movie premiered in theaters in NYC … PR-pasha David Salidor at Sevillain Brooklyn Heights …

Kelly Clarkson

The big news last Friday were reports in many media outlets about a supposed toxic work environment at NBC’s Kelly Clarkson Show. Eleven employees were said they were underpaid and overworked. You know, I’ve worked on these chat shows and yes, the workload is at times on overload, but the reality is that that’s how these shows work. Deadlines come each moment and you have to be at 100% all the time. The sad fact is that if indeed these eleven are unhappy, they should leave, because there are dozens standing by to take their place. The nature of the production is not going to change, but perhaps the personnel should. I do feel for them, but that’s the nature of this business … Happy Bday Jane Blunkell; Gene Cornish and Nancy Lee Andrews.

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Karl Jenkins; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Amanda Naylor; Jodi Ritzen; Mark Bego; Kent Denmark; Jann Klose; Steve Walter; Bobby Bank; Jeff Smith; Tony King; Donnie Kehr; Jesse Maidbrey; Cory Robbins; Steve Plotnicki; Manny Bella; Russell Simmons; Cody Gaier; Anne Leighton; Feliz Cavaliere; Benny Harrison; Rich Dart; and CHIP!