Celebrity
The Glorious Corner
LANTERNS — When Lanterns was announced for HBO/MAX with Damon Lindelof attached, I knew there’d be some sweeping changes … and there were. Lindelof did Lost; Watchmen and The Leftovers; all of which I loved. Were they sometimes hard to follow? Definitely, but terrifically well written.
Damon Lindelof
I read Green Lantern as a comic and loved it. There are hundreds of Lanternsthroughout the universe, sort of watching over us. Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) was the first Lantern from Earth and we pick up the series as he’s training perhaps his replacement, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Stewart hasn’t yet worn the ring, but follows Jordan’s rules to a tee.
They travel to Rushville, Nebraska, where an allied element has been building. Jordan does find an alien and finds there’s something sinister afoot.
I liked the show enormously. Chandler and Pierre are sensational. It’s a bit different than the comic, but I’m in.
ZZ Top
SHORT TAKES — Frank Beard from ZZ Top has passed. I met the band when they were first introduced via London Records. They hit it big on Warner’s, but they were as much fun as you can imagine. Their manager, the ebullient late-Bill Ham, was unique; totally unique. Rest easy Frank …. 8/18/66 – The Doors officially sign with Elektra Records. They commit to seven albums …
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere from TV’s Heroes has passed as well. She was dynamite on that show as cheerleader Claire Bennett; immortalizing the phrase save the cheerleader; save the world. I had heard repeatedly that fame caused her much distress. Sad, as she was excellent …
Heroes
Micky Dolenz talks to Billboard’s Gary Graff Friday and resumes his tour the following week … Columbia House is officially shutting down this week after 71 years. I didn’t even know they were still in business. Many started their first record collection with the House. 12 CDs for a penny? What a deal. Heck, they had a good run … Madonna topped the 2026 VMAawards with 11 noms. The videos were great, as w team-Madge now is whether she’ll tour. She should, so stay tuned … And, got myself into a Lou Reed mood this week. Check out “Caroline Says” from his epic Berlin album; performed at Brooklyn’s St. Ann’s Wharehouse:
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Lee Jeske; Marjorie Schwartz; Tracy Redling; Barry Schiff; Tone Scott; Bill Coleman; Larry Flick; Steve Leeds; Anthony Pomes; Bill McCuddy; Race Taylor; Scott Shannon; Cousin Brucie; Don Wardell; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Walt Mcquire; Chris Blackwell; August Darnell; Deb Caponetta; Billy Smith; Anne Adams; Edna Gundersen; Alison Martino; Robert Funaro; Paul Anka; and BELLA!
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G.H. Harding
CARREY IS MISSING — When The Mask came out in 1994 and introduced us to Jim Carrey, we immediately knew he was an actor of extraordinary talent. Directed by the late Chuck Russell, it was just masterful in every way. It also introduced us to a new actress named Cameron Diaz.
To be honest, I began to think of him as the best comic-actor since Andy Kauffman and then he went onto to do Man On The Moon (directed by Milos Forman) about Kauffman. Again, just a superlative role for him and a great tale about the late-comic.
The Truman Show (directed by Peter Weir) showed audiences he had just a terrific range. Not only was it a tremendous story, but again just a terrific performance. Ed Harris wasn’t that bad either!
Dumb and Dumber and Liar, Liar were great, but then he did Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind which for me, proved once and for all, where he was headed. Carrey was a thinker and probably much more so than audiences thought. He paints, he draws … a true renaissance man.
But of late he’s gone silent and many say he’s departed acting for good. Sure, there’s a Grinch movie every so often, but I suspect that’s more for the huge payday, than the content.
Some personal travails have followed and probably given him even more reason for pause. The Telegraph in the U.K. ran an interesting piece the other day, which made me think about him and how much I miss him.
Take a read: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/10/26/hollywood-extrovert-jim-carrey-fade/
Come back Jim … soon!
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
WEBBER VS. RICE — Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice first gained worldwide prominence with their stupendous Jesus Christ Superstar opera. in 1971 It was good, dammed good, but there was a constant rumor that side 2 was side 1 backwards. The opera had Ian Gillan as JC and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. There even was a movie in 1973; many stage productions and a pretty grand TV production several years back.
The fact remains that it’s a staggeringly good play with some terrific music. Webber and Rice would split years later but it was recently announced they’d re-group for a new work called Sherlock Homes and the 12 Days of Christmas. It would have been their first collaboration in 40 years.
Rice told the Times on Wednesday (October 21) that his former partner’s songs had been “ditched” after Lloyd Webber allegedly withdrew his score. Webber claims that Rice’s contract called for more than Webber wanted to give. It’s also note worthy that Rice’s children are producing the play.
Whatever the true reasons, this re-collaboration would have been monumental. The two have enjoyed success beyond their wildest dreams and unfortunately, with this latest development, the work they did collaborate on we won’t hear.
The play’s debut is set for late next month. Here’s more from Broadwayworld.com: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrew-Lloyd-Webbers-Songs-Cut-From-Musical-Written-With-Tim-Rice-Ahead-Of-London-Run-20261022
SHORT TAKES — We just got the new Alice Cooper memoir Devil On My Shoulder (Da Capo) and it looks like a great read. Stay tuned … Andy Burns from Toronto’s BiffBamPop did a superb Micky Dolenz interview. Take a read: https://biffbampop.com/2026/10/28/exclusive-interview-micky-dolenz-on-new-music-the-monkees-and-more/ … Beatles-engineer Phil McDonald has passed. From Mojo: https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/the-making-of-all-things-must-pass/ … (Via Deadline) After running Star Wars for years, Kathleen Kennedy is now taking on the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies that aren’t anywhere near a galaxy far far away.
In fact, with less than two years to go before LA28 kicks off on July 14, 2028 at both SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, the former LucaFilm boss and now independent producer has to hit the ground running. As of today, multiple Oscar nominee Kennedy will take over Peter Rice’s old job as Head of Ceremonies and Content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games … RIP Kenny McPherson
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Man Parrish; Mark Berry; Raul Rodriguez; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Ernesto Baldaro; Vinny Rich; Melissa Davis; Carol Ruth Weber; Mark Berry; Steve Thompson; Nile Rodgers; Maureen Van Zandt; Joel Diamond; Robey; Tommy Mottola; Daryl Hall; Ace Huttonson; Thomas Jay; Mike Wilkinsen; Kayla Espiritu; John Hughes; Bruce Glikas; Stormy; Vinny Rich; and BELLA!
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G.H. Harding
ONE MORE MAC ATTACK — I love Fleetwood Mac. They’ve been on the scene ever since I first gravitated to music. One show at the long-gone, much-missed Calderone Concert Hall in Hempstead, Long Island remains a major moment. Halfway through the show the power went out and they kept on playing. Just brilliant.
They’ve had a myriad of greatest hits albums; books from not only the members, but from the producers and engineers; photo arrays and now Apple+ has announced the first (really?) authorized bio-pic called The Chain – coming next year and directed by Frank Marshall no less.
“The Chain” is the only Fleetwood Mac song that all five are properly credited on. When The Mac jettisoned Lindsey Buckingham in 2018, they took a lot of heat and it does seem, with the re-release of the brilliant Buckingham- Nicks album, featuring the song “Frozen Love,” that some sort of final re-union is indeed in the works.
Heartbreaker-Mike Campbell was a solid replacement for Lindsey, but true-blue fans were still angered. For me, Buckingham lit a fire for the Mac which has never been equaled He’ll be back for sure.
Lindsey Buckingham
btw: My favorite Buckingham composition is “Make Me A Mask.” Check it out here:
Interestingly, the track is from a Mac-compilation called The Chain.
More from Deadline: https://deadline.com/2026/10/fleetwood-mac-documentary-frank-marshall-apple-1237170586/
SHORT TAKES — 15 years since her passing, Amy Winehouse is still a powerhouse. Much missed for sure …. Fascinating Bernie Taupin interview with Rick Beato.
Bernie Taupin
Taupin reminds that the famous Liberty Records ad that he and Elton responded too, was also responded to by one Jeff Lynne. Also, when asked for the lyricists he most admires, he answers with Leonard Cohen and Mick Jagger. Wild for sure. btw: His new album The Sea Has No Mercy is pretty good and he does indeed sound like Cohen a bit. Would love to receive a review copy but ShoreFire Media hasn’t green-lighted us. C.heck the Beato-interview here:
David Salidor, Micky Dolenz and Jim Kerr
SIGHTINGS: Q1043’s Jim Kerr at Cafe Luxembourg on the Upper West Side and PR-powerhouse David Salidor at Mikado in Brooklyn Heights ... Is there a new Alien movie in the works? Check this out: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/new-alien-movie-in-the-works-1236739216/ … Final rehearsals are going on now for Rockers On Broadway 33 next Monday, 11/2 at SONY Hall. Just added: Alexa-Ray Joel … Excellent Micky Dolenz interview from Chicago’s Third Coast Review. Check it out here: https://thirdcoastreview.com/music/2026/10/25/interview-micky-dolenz-brings-monkees-classics-to-joliet …
American investigative journalist Bob Woodward, 18th February 1985. He reported on the Watergate scandal in the 1970s whilst working for ‘The Washington Post’. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Between the celeb-tomes from Stallone and Douglas, veteran reporter Bob Woodward releases Secrets: A Reporter’s Memoir (592 pages so for 55 years. Believe me, this will be an eye-opener. Via Simon & Schuster … Aaron Sorkin wrote A Few Good Men when he was 25, while bartending at The Palace Theater. He’s 65 now. Amazing …From Deadline: Keanu Reeves is set to star in Maelstrom, a new Netflix action flick from Carry-On‘s Jaume Collet-Serra, sources have confirmed to Deadline. Reeves takes over the lead from Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson, who exited the project for undisclosed reasons. Reps for Netflix declined to comment … RIP Walter Koenig – Happy Bday Bill Wyman; David Furnish; and Christopher Gilman!
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Tony Seidl; Steven J. Immerman; Maria Milito; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Dan Zelinski; Steve Walter; Peter Abraham; Kent Kotal; Vinny Rich; David Adelson; Roy Trakin; Merle Ginsburg; Bill Maher; Chuck LaBella; Tony King; Pete Bennett; Fred Goodman; Juggy Gayles; Mark Berry; Man Parrish; Mike Wilkinsen; AND Sadie!
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G.H. Harding
MEET ME AT REBOOT CITY — On Wednesday, re-boots of Coach; Glee and Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea were announced. I watched all of them and Voyage was a stone-cold classic. Actually to me, that’s the classiest re-boot of the bunch.
Daisy Ridley
Voyage will topline Star Wars-star Daisy Ridley … sort of doing away with the characters David Hedison and Richard Baseheart portrayed on the TV show. It seems they’ve tweaked it a bit too, but the story was of the Seaview, the world’s first nuclear submarine. The shoe ran for 4 seasons and introduced The Flying Sub in the last.
SLOW HORSES FINALE — Let’s face it, Slow Horses Season 6 was totally … slow.
Jack Lowden
Jack Lowden running around in a black suit could have been the highlight. Then, Wednesday night came the season finale (Judgement Day), which reminded this writer of their very first season. It was just sensational. Yes, there were severe losses and Gary Oldman was his usual terrific self, but the final 20-minutes had a heart-to-heart talk between Lowden and his father Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving) which was grand and poignant and then a killer-ending which saw Lowden (aka River) possibly poisoned.
Rent’s 30th anniversary is next Monday and some of the name set to appear are: Original cast members set include Tony winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tony winner Idina Menzel, Tony nominee Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega, Fredi Walker-Browne, Yassmon Alers, Giles Chiasson, and Rodney Hicks. Announced Rent alumni include Tony winner Natalie Venetia Belcon, Adam Chanler-Berat, Tony nominee Nicholas Christopher, Merle Dandridge, Trey Ellett, Jordan Fisher, Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jose Llana, Jai Rodriguez, Antonique Smith,Tony nominee Epgraim Sykes and Tony winner Aaron Tveit.
G.H. Harding
AMANPOUR EXITS CNN AFTER 43 YEARS — 43 years is a good run anywhere these days … right? CNN’sexemplary Christiane Amanpour, one of the earliest voices to ever emanate from the channel, is leaving after 43 years. She’ll still have a podcast on CNN, so she won’t be totally disappearing.
FALL TV FORECAST — We’re well into the “new” TV season and I have to say, it’s been a bit lackluster. even my personal favorite Slow Horses (Apple) which suffered a showrunner change and turned the show into just another cops ‘n robber show. Gary Oldman is still phenomenal, but he’s in it far less now.
Believe it or not, but NCIS with the return of Michael Weatherly, has been the highlight with a terrifically well written first episode and the energy ramped up like never before.
Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon, who was the star for 18 seasons, has returned as well and his presence is terrific. Looking noticeably older, he’s a welcomed addition.
Version 1.0.0
New memoirs from Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Rick Wakeman … Rockers On Broadway, 11/2 at SONY Hall , honoring Corey Glover from Living Colour …
(ViaDeadline) Before social media even existed, Christie Brinkley was documenting her life through letters, journals and home movies. The star has opened up this trove for Uptown Girl: The Christie Brinkley Story, the upcoming doc series about her life. Brinkley has previously let some of the material be used in HBO doc Billy Joel: And So It Goes about her ex-husband Joel, but held plenty back for her own film. She asked the HBO filmmakers to send thumbnails of the footage they wanted and when she wanted to keep it back, the message to the producers was, ‘Nope, that’s for me.’ “These are films never before seen,” Brinkley told Deadline about the archive used in the new series, which is produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television. The doc was greenlit by streamer Fox Nation and will bow in 2027. Over three parts it will take in Brinkley’s early years as an artist before fame, life on the road with Billy Joel, and marriage, motherhood and private heartbreak, as well as the helicopter crash that nearly claimed her life … Christopher Nolan’s thriller The Prestige will to return theaters on January 29, 2027, in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary. Walt Disney Studios will re-release the film that stars Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, and features the late David Bowie as physicist Nikola Tesla. The re-release will give audiences the chance to see the film on 70mm and IMAX for the first time, and it will also be presented in 35mm and Digital 2D formats … Happy BDay Raspin Stuwart!
G.H. Harding
SODERBERGH’S TURN AT BAT — (Via Deadline) As director Matt Reeves continues to attend to an ongoing personal matter, Steven Soderbergh is coming on to help finish principal photography for the final weeks of DC Studios’ The Batman Part II. The news comes after production was paused on the film so that Reeves could focus on the personal matter.
Steven Soderbergh
Soderbergh has been longtime admirer of Reeves work, and with Reeves unable to be on set, the Oscar-winning director offered to help with finishing principal photography. The two will work together and remain in communication until filming has ended, with Reeves taking over post-production duties when he is ready to return.
“As Matt Reeves continues to attend to an ongoing family matter, Steven Soderbergh, as an admirer of Matt’s work, approached Matt and will step in, with the full support of DC Studios, to help the writer-director complete the final weeks of principal photography on The Batman Part 2. Matt and Steven will work closely together with the actors and crew to fulfill Matt’s vision of the film.”
Soderbergh has long been a personal favorite (this year’s The Christophers is a stone-cold instant classic) of mine and his added tutelage here can only help. I loved what Reeves did on his first Bat-film and quite sure this second will be as good. No doubt at all.
5 EASY PIECES — We watched this 1970 classic over the weekend and aside from the fashion and hair-styles being somewhat dated, it held up miraculously well. Nicholson is just amazing once again as the disgruntled son Bobby Dupea and Karen Black and Susan Ansbach are just stellar, with Anspach just luminous.
The title Five Easy Pieces does not refer to five specific plot points or chapters, but rather alludes to beginner piano exercise pieces, reflecting main character Robert “Bobby” Dupea’s (Jack Nicholson) background as a former classical piano prodigy who abandoned his musical life. The title always confused me.
Bob Rafelson
Directed by Bob Rafelson (of Monkees-fame) his take is terrifically succinct and majestic. A classic for sure.
SHORT TAKES — Bob Lefsetz now has a podcast with Alissa Polack as one of his premiere guests. Bob’s great, but please don’t wear shorts. Does Felice let you wear them at home? …
Should Horse Carriage Drivers in NYC be banned? Hard call for sure, but if they’re eliminated, it’d be a huge blow to the NY-scenery. They’re talking about exploring automatic-carriage drivers, but what exactly does that mean? If you never been on one, it’s magical experience … (Via Deadline) The next season of True Detective is starting to take shape. Antonio Banderas has joined the cast of season five of the HBO anthology drama.
Nicolas Cage
This comes after Nicolas Cage confirmed that he was entering the universe at last week’s New York Comic-Con, more than a year after it was revealed that the Pig star was in talks. Production is set to start in 2027 for the show, which is being led by showrunner Issa López, who oversaw season four, Night Country … Musked? Interetsing and very disturbing artcile on the film Musk by Alex Gibney in The Washington Post. Check it out: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2026/10/16/this-filmmaker-spent-years-an-elon-musk-rabbit-hole-his-conclusion-sociopathic/ …Happy Bday Jeff Smith … RIP Bob Buziak
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Michael Domino; Carol Ruth Weber; Roger Clark; Roger Friedman; John Boulos; Angela Tarantino; Donnie Kehr; Cori Gardner; Tish DeVere; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Carol Ruth Weber; Robbie Woliver; Anthony Noto; Robert Funaro; Bill Murray; Amy Poehler; Abby Rose; Kevin Kane; David Ellison; Robert Evans; and BELLA!
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My View: Mikayla Smith Brings Love, Dreams & Me To The Maltz Theatre…A Story Worth Following
My View: The Dutch Treat Club… Where Every Table Can Be a Star-Studded Affair!
Barbara Barrie, Broadway’s Original Sarah in Companyand Oscar-Nominated Actress, Dies at 95
The Glorious Corner
Bryant Park Brings the Magic Back: Winter Village Opens and Sets Its 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting Date
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe Graces Dan’s Papers Royal Cover
Walmart Already Delivers the Groceries. Now It Wants the Dinner Order.
My View: Christine Ebersole With Billy Stritch…… A Fine Pairing
My View: Mikayla Smith Brings Love, Dreams & Me To The Maltz Theatre…A Story Worth Following
My View: The Dutch Treat Club… Where Every Table Can Be a Star-Studded Affair!
Barbara Barrie, Broadway’s Original Sarah in Companyand Oscar-Nominated Actress, Dies at 95
The Glorious Corner
Bryant Park Brings the Magic Back: Winter Village Opens and Sets Its 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting Date
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe Graces Dan’s Papers Royal Cover
Walmart Already Delivers the Groceries. Now It Wants the Dinner Order.
My View: Christine Ebersole With Billy Stritch…… A Fine Pairing
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