Saturday, August 6, 2011
AMY WINEHOUSE: PATRICK KIELTY FACES BACKLASH OVER AMY GAGS
AMY Winehouse fans have blasted TV bosses for screening sick jokes about their tragic idol.
Patrick Kielty, the Irish stand-up comedian, riled Amy Winehouse fans when his rants, including branding Amy a smelly tramp, were broadcast.
In an old routine Kielty, 40, slammed the tragic songbird as “dirty”.
And his disgusting one-liners included: “She looks like she has pissed in more sinks than she’s washed in.”
Kielty made the string of cruel jibes in a show filmed several years ago for the Live At The Apollo series.
But fans and friends of Amy slammed cable station Comedy Central for repeating the episode. Bosses aired the show just days after Amy, 27, was found dead at her £2.5million home in Camden, north London.
A close pal of the Back To Black singer fumed: “It’s unbelievably distasteful timing. Her family could easily have tuned in. What a shambles."
One fan ranted online: “This is sick, sick, sick. Arseholes for showing this.”
A spokesman for Comedy Central said: “We would like to apologise. The airing of the episode was an oversight.”
The outrage came as Amy’s family announced her 10-room home will be used as the base for a rehab foundation in her memory.
Coldplay debuts new music, honors Amy Winehouse at Lollapalooza
CHICAGO – Chris Martin’s signature bounce is adjusting to a whole new setlist, if Coldplay’s show last night is a testament.
The British band made a live concert return to the U.S. headlining Lollapalooza day one (Aug. 5), and brought a graffiti-spattered pocketful of fresh tracks, many of which made their American debut.
Leaving their rustic French Revolution “Viva La Vida” days behind, the four-piece band opted instead for a slicker and, at times, more colorful stage show. Frontman Chris Martin acoustic guitar had scratches and characters etched into it’s slate façade, like a blackboard, while guitarist Jonny Buckland’s electric axe was tagged by colorful marker all over the body. The organ and piano were painted up with various geometric designs, a reflection of the multi-colored laser light pattern that shot out from the back of the stage whenever the band performed a new song. Otherwise, it was all basic and bold colors that shone in monochrome on the stage, like a bath of spray paint. The giant, high-flying balloons in the audience still abounded.
It’s right in line with what the band has said was the inspiration for their new, forthcoming album, which will likely include the single (and show-closer) “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” That track’s music video brandishes one of the biggest nods, to American graffiti and street art. And while this pop-rock band may have little urban influence about it, they nonetheless have made some new tracks that reflect the rainbow.
[Jump...]
“Concrete canvas, I'll go making my mark / Armed with a spray can soul,” Martin sings on “Hurts Like Heaven” -- as opposed to Hell -- which opened the show and thus made its American debut. It’d been performed only a couple times before live, starting in May this year, but this banger took to the audience quite well, the front row already drenched as much as Martin. (He took the sweat straight into “Yellow,” the band’s very first smash hit; the stage and video screens in the back were awash in, you guessed it, yellow.)
Another painterly suggestion arrives at the end of fresh “Charlie Brown,” Martin explaining, “We’ll be glowing in the dark.” This song also has only made a handful of appearances (listen) since the band took to festivals in May, but it certainly lifted the midsection of a slower setlist. This big, four-on-the-floor pop track gives way to a dance-rock bridge section and gang vocals; Martin’s verse melody reminded me of Bruce Springsteen’s “I'm Goin' Down,” and may even be tipping its hat with the line “Took a car downtown where the lost boys meet.”
Coldplay are adept at both this arena-filling sound, and at the softer, sensitive sonics that help tracks like faux-blues song “Trouble” or megahit “The Scientist,” or transitioning “Lost!” to its crippled brother “Lost?” That’s how new “Us Against the World” can be categorized, its sad, solo trek of desperation peaking with the occasional help of harmony vocals on the chorus, “Slooooow it down.” The audience obliged the request.
And the sun-soaked attendees were also only a little mixed on Martin’s unexpected tribute, a somber take on the chorus of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab,” which appropriately segued into “Fix You,” each song touching on those individual songwriters’ fascination with addiction (of all sorts). The now-deceased singer’s voice would have popped right over that cordial funeral organ sound, but Martin merely made his point and soberly moved on.
“Clocks” kicked off Coldplay’s one and only encore, and roof-blasting “Waterfall” capped it. All the other smash hits were demolished adeptly, particularly on personal favorite “Shiver,” played in the pocket from note one. “This was the first song we ever played in America,” Martin said, preceding it.
“Violet Hill” always sticks out to me, with its Survivor-like Classic Rock underpinnings, and the extended version of “Everything’s Not Lost” had me checking my voicemails and eyeing the bathroom. But with a hit-parade like Coldplay’s, these moments didn’t last for long. The crowd was thrown the lead mic on “Viva La Vida,” or Martin would spontaneously take a knee or lay on the ground like a pool, keeping all guess what he’d pop up to offer next.
Reg Traviss 'in a really bad way' after Amy Winehouse death
The 35-year-old film director - who had been dating the 'Rehab' hitmaker on and off for two years - is struggling to deal with his loss after the troubled singer was found dead at her home in Camden, north London on July 23 at the age of 27.
Sam Shaker, a close family friend who hosted a party to celebrate Amy's life at his club Jazz After Dark last week, said: "Everyone was enjoying that evening. It was a celebration of Amy's life but Reg was just sitting in the corner drinking. He feels terrible and is in a really bad way."
However, while Amy and Reg were talking about marriage, Sam explained her "heart was always a little" with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil - who openly admits to introducing her to drugs - and she still used to call him in prison on a regular basis.
Sam added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Amy and Reg had talked about being engaged but there was no ring. She wanted to be with Reg but her heart was always a little with Blake. I told her many times not to call Blake but they were always in touch."
Reg recently admitted he had been going through "hell" since his "darling" Amy was found dead.
He said: "The last three days have been hell. We have suffered a terrible untimely loss and want peace.
"I can't describe what I am going through and I want to thank so much all of the people who have paid their respects and who are mourning the loss of Amy, such a beautiful, brilliant person and my dear love. I have lost my darling who I loved very much."
Lady Gaga To Play Amy Winehouse In Biopic? Dear God, Say It Ain't So!
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"Lady Gaga may soon be parlaying her talents into the big screen: The pop singer is reportedly in talks with Hollywood producers about playing Amy Winehouse in a new film about the singer`s tragic life."
Amy Winehouse was a gifted singer and an a talented songwriter, her confessional lyrics spoke of love, pain and betrayal. Listening to a Winehouse song puts you through an emotional wringer -- you tap your toes and clutch your heart at the same time.
Amy`s personal life blended with her public life, her messy and dissolute lifestyle was played out in the pubs of London and in the UK tabloids.
Amy did little to protect her brand, she didn`t care about polishing her image. The troubled singer`s passions in life were her music and addictions. Amy was as real as an overdose, she was the essence of authenticity.
Lady Gaga is a gifted singer, but a hack songwriter. Her controversial lyrics are meant to make the cash register ring. Listening to a Gaga song is like chewing bubble gum, after a few minutes the taste is gone and you spit it out.
Lady Gaga`s personal life is just that -- personal. All we see of the pop diva is her fake persona, we see the shell, but we never see the soul. Lady Gaga is the epitome of artifice, there is nothing real about her. Her accent is fake, her music is a poor imitation of Madonna, and her public personality is a put on.
It`s bad enough that Lady Gaga has been playing Madonna for years, I would be outraged if Lady Gaga is chosen to play Amy Winehouse in a movie.
Amy Winehouse - Officials Appeal For Return Of Amy Winehouse Street Signs
Fans scrawled tributes on several signs close to the house in Camden, north London, where the singer was found dead on 23 July (11), and officials at Camden Council had planned to donate the plaques to Winehouse's family as a memorial.
However, four of the signs have been stolen, and council bosses are urging whoever is in possession of them to turn them into a police station.
Deputy council leader Sue Vincent tells the Bbc, "We are appealing to the good nature and conscience of the person or persons who stole the signs and are asking for them to be returned.
"We are not concerned with who took them, and will not be investigating this if we get them back. The signs can be returned to any police station in Camden and no questions will be asked."
A statement from the council adds, "Since Amy Winehouse's passing, fans have left messages on the signs, with the remaining street signs being given to the family."
The news comes as it emerged that Winehouse's relatives plan to turn the late star's house into the headquarters for a charity set up in her name. The Amy Winehouse Foundation's full mission statement will be unveiled on 14 September (11), on what would have been Winehouse's 28th birthday.
How could they fire Jerry Lewis?
The program will also be shortened this year from twenty hours to a mere six. And I bet they still have trouble filling the bill. Good luck getting Tony Orlando this year.
Once upon the time the Jerry Lewis telethon was a highlight of the year. Twenty hours of the highest camp, schmaltziest schmaltz, cheesiest cheese, and glitziest entertainment ever assembled on one stage. And it was all live. Jaw-dropping moments were as common as a check of the tote board. I even wrote about it a couple of years ago.
Jerry created this faux Vegas main showroom format, which was already dated in 1966 when he first introduced it. Over the years it became a time piece. Singers still in tuxedos and formal gowns – at 7:00 AM. Wayne Newton -- the major headliner. Lounge comics trotting out material that I’m sure killed in 1955. Puppeteers. Bird acts.
And it was all held together by Jerry. No comedian has ever taken himself more seriously, and in an unintentional twisted way, that only made him funnier. One minute dripping sincerity, the next crossing his eyes and acting like a moron. Genius! Sheer genius!
Add to the mix the fatigue factor. Put someone like that on live television with major sleep deprivation and by hour 15 you’ve got real theater. Crying, badgering, doing rat pack racial slurs. You never knew what you were going to get… from moment to moment. And again, that was the brilliance of it all. That was the appeal. Once Jerry took his tie off you were on high alert for hilarity.
Plus, it was all for a really good cause.
Say what you will, Jerry raised millions and millions for MDA. His telethon became a part of American culture. He is 85. You knew it was just a matter of time. But to not let him go out in a dignified way, on his own terms, that’s unconscionable.
As far as I’m concerned there is no more MDA telethon. And it’s too bad because Nigel’s kids need the help just as much as Jerry’s.
Thanks again for everything, Jerry. I’ll never be able to hear Rockabye My Baby With a Dixie Melody ever again without crying… and laughing.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Love, etc.: Zara Phillips gets married in yet another royal (sort of) wedding
• Married: Zara Phillips and longtime boyfriend Mike Tindall Saturday in Scotland. The bride, 30, is Queen Elizabeth’s oldest granddaughter but wasn’t given a royal title at the request of her mother, Princess Anne. The groom, 32, is captain of England’s national rugby team; the couple was introduced in 2003 by Phillip’s cousin, Prince Harry. The bride wore an ivory silk and satin gown by Stewart Parvin and a diamond tiara from her mother. Royal watchers were quick to note that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, wore a cream-colored outfit — the same one she wore to another wedding five years ago. Just like, you know, real women do. (See a gallery of photos from Zara Phillips’s wedding.)
Kate recycles two dresses for Zara Phillips' royal wedding weekend
(CBS) Royal watchers got a sense of deja-vu over the weekend when the Duchess of Cambridge recycled two outfits from her wardrobe for Zara Phillips' wedding celebrations in Scotland.On Friday, Kate arrived to a pre-wedding yacht party wearing a green silk "Maja" dress by Diane Von Furstenberg that she also wore during an event in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The duchess wore the dress when she and Prince William attended a reception at the British Consul-General's residence during their three-day trip to the area.
For Phillips' wedding the next day at Edinburgh's Cannongate Kirk, Kate wore a cream-colored coat dress paired with a matching angled hat and nude heels. She wore the same frock five years ago, to Laura Parker Bowles' wedding in 2006. That time, she topped the outfit with a festive fascinator and chose different heels.
The duchess has recycled outfits before - during her tour of Canada with William, she wore same the cream Reiss dress that she sported for her official engagement portrait last year. On that same trip, while at a reception for young Canadians, she wore a black and white dress wrap dress by Issa decorated with a pattern of birds - the same dress she wore upon arriving to London's Goring Hotel on the eve of her wedding day.
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall delay honeymoon
(CBS/AP) LONDON - Zara Phillips says her wedding to rugby player Mike Tindall was amazing, but she is disappointed that she and her new husband are too busy to go on their honeymoon.Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter and a former equestrian world champion, went back to work on Tuesday to launch a range of children's equestrian clothing.
Zara Phillips to parade Toytown at Gatcombe
Zara Phillips on Toytown winning the European Championship at Blenheim in 2005 ZARA PHILLIPS will officially retire her “horse of a lifetime” Toytown on the final day of The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park this Sunday.
Eighteen-year-old “Noddy” will be paraded in the main arena at 1.45pm on Sunday, so that his fans can pay tribute to the legendary chestnut horse with the distinctive white flecks that has provided Zara - and British eventing - with so many special moments over the last decade.
Phillips, who married England and Gloucester Rugby star Mike Tindall last Saturday, said: “Toytown is my horse of a lifetime and he has given me more than I could ever have dreamed of.
“It seemed fitting to give him a proper retirement ceremony at home, at Gatcombe Park.”
Noddy will enjoy his retirement hacking out in the Gloucestershire countryside and grazing at home on the Gatcombe estate where “he will be thoroughly spoiled”, according to his rider.
Noddy’s rise to stardom has been well documented. He was spotted as a gangly seven-year-old by Zara’s father, captain Mark Phillips, when his then-owner Meryl Winter was at a pony club instructor’s seminar. He was purchased a few months later.
Phillips and Noddy quickly struck up a relationship and she was crowned British Under-25 Champion at Bramham in 2002.
Twelve months later, the pair headed to Burghley for their first crack at a CCI**** – a competition that unfolded into one of the sport’s greatest ever showdowns.
Phillips and Noddy headed the eventual winners Pippa Funnell and Primmore’s Pride going into the final showjumping phase, but one rail down - in the phase that was unquestionably the only chink in his armour - relegated Noddy to second.
The result did, however, prove that the young combination was a serious force to be reckoned with.
A leg injury ruled Noddy out of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, but he returned with a vengeance in 2005 to win team and individual gold medals at the Blenheim European Championships.
Twelve months later he was part of the British squad for the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, where, once again, he took the individual honours and the team won silver.
Noddy made his final team appearance at the Pratoni European Championships in 2007, where he finished sixth individually and helped Britain secure team gold.
The gelding accumulated 1421 British Eventing points in his illustrious career and, fittingly, completed his last ever event at “Little” Gatcombe in September 2009.
Zara Phillips - Zara Phillips Delays Honeymoon To Launch Clothing Line
Despite the lavish wedding, with guests including Kate Middleton, Prince William and Queen Elizabeth Ii, Zara returned to work just two days later to launch her children's range of equestrian clothing. The 30-year-old said the couple had a busy life and were forced to delay the post-wedding trip, adding, "We're kind of missing the quiet period where we can catch up and have some sleep". Tindall arrived back at England's five-star training camp on Monday lunchtime to begin preparations for his team's upcoming World Cup campaign. The couple's nuptials were considerably more low-key than the royal wedding in April. Phillips, who does not use a royal title, has also decided to keep her maiden name for professional and sponsorship purposes but will be known as Mrs Tindall in private.
A former Bbc Sports Personality of the Year, Zara Phillips is reportedly keen to represent Team GB in the London Olympics 2012.
How we got our first SIMPSONS assignment
DyHrdMET gets us started.
Can you tell the story of how you got to THE SIMPSONS and came up with this story idea?
My partner, David Isaacs and I were friends with Sam Simon and had worked with him on a couple of other shows. When he became the showrunner for THE SIMPSONS he asked if we would write one. At the time they paid much less than a standard live-half hour sitcom. Because they were animated, the studio was able to get away with paying essentially the same as a Saturday morning cartoon. But we were fans of the show, wanted to help Sam out, and my kids were little at the time and Sam promised them jackets and toys. That’s really why we did it – for the swag.
There are a lot of inside jokes and references to the International League in that episode – shamelessly so.
As I recall, the three of us (me, David, and Sam) worked out the story in a morning. I’m here to tell you, the real creative force behind THE SIMPSONS was Sam Simon. The tone, the storytelling, the level of humor – that was all developed on Sam’s watch.
Writing the script was a blast. I remember saying to David that there was so much you could do with these characters that I thought THE SIMPSONS could go five or even six seasons. They’re on what, year 35?
From purplejilly:
How would someone get to be a freelance script writer? For example if someone had a job, kids, and couldn’t afford to leave that job, but just wanted to write scripts on the side? Has that ever happened? Are there any successful freelance scriptwriters for TV?
I wish I could be more encouraging. But there are very few scribes today making a decent living as a freelance television writer. And if they do, chances are they’re veterans and getting these assignments from producers they’ve worked with before.
The WGA contract requires shows to farm out a minimum number of freelance assignments. But generally producers give those out to writers’ assistants or people they know, or in rare cases, young writers who’ve impressed them enough that they want to give ‘em a shot to see what they can do.
When I broke in (just after the Ice Age) there were smaller staffs and most shows had plenty of slots for freelancers. That’s how most writers got their first break – by getting a freelance assignment and delivering the goods. Now writers often get hired on staff based purely on their spec scripts. It’s a gamble that can sometimes backfire. Much less risk giving someone a freelance assignment. The first eight scripts we sold (including MASH) were as freelancers. But again, this was awhile ago. The continent of Atlantis was still on the map.
How you get a freelance assignment? Producers are intrigued by your specs, you have a good agent who talks you to the heavens, or you know the producer in some capacity. It’s hard to do under ideal conditions but almost impossible from long distance. Again, wish I had better news.
And finally, from Paul Eisenbrey:
I have a baseball related question. Specifically, about sportscaster grammar. Every once in a while, just often enough to be disturbing, one of you will say something like "that ball was hit a mile off the bat of Bud Cort", or "That young man has come quite a way at just 24 years of age". "Off the bat of"? "Years of age"? Who talks like that? It's as if Yoda got a gig in the broadcast booth.
Seriously (well, sort of...) is there a book of broadcast grammar that recommends such sentences? Or does stress of having to remember to give a plug every 43.23 seconds cause it? Or is ad-libbing for three and a half hours just very difficult (I couldn't do it, anyway) and sometimes oddball sentences just pop out? Or do you guys have a bet going to see how long you can get away with that sort of grammar before someone complains?
Let me know. In the meantime, it is time for me to make the dinner of Paul.
Grammatically incorrect phrases get repeated so often they just become accepted. Announcers don’t even think of them as oddball. The phrases just evolve.
Back in the '40s and '50s the style was much more formal (Chris Berman would last maybe five seconds) and I suspect phrases like “off the bat of” and “years of age” stem from that era.
Here’s the one that drives me crazy, and to my knowledge, I’m the only one who doesn’t say it. “On the night, Pujols is two-for-three.” It’s not ON the night… it’s FOR the night.” So I always say “For the night”, and for all I know the audience thinks, “That’s just weird. Doesn’t this guy know English?”
What question have you?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Bubba Smith 1945-2011
He was a series regular in OPEN ALL NIGHT -- a 1980 sitcom about an all-night convenience store. My writing partner, David and I wrote two episodes and guested in one of them. So yes, I acted in a show with Bubba Smith. He generally played the soft-spoken big man who you did not want to cross. In person he was just the soft-spoken big man. Of course I never said to him, “Y’know, the Oakland Raiders are just a bunch of pansies”. But he was a delightful guy. And what impressed me most was how serious he was about acting. It wasn’t just a lark. He put the same effort into learning how to play comedy as he did crushing quarterbacks into powder. You’d think directors and producers would be intimidated giving this 6' 8" bruiser notes but he was extremely receptive. And the results paid dividends. He was very funny, in an understated way that fit perfectly with his giant presence.
Bubba also guested for us on THE MARY SHOW. He played himself. I still love the premise. John Astin, as the theater critic, panned Bubba’s performance in a play that had just opened. So Bubba, furious, comes up to the newsroom to the beat the crap out of John. Name me one actor who hasn’t fantasized that same scenario. In the show, John talks him out of it and instead winds up coaching him. Watching Bubba Smith try to give a performance using John’s acting method was a hoot.
He had dropped out of sight of late. I hope his last years were happy ones. I’m sure the tributes will talk about how big he was, how fierce he was, how popular he was. But I want to add how funny he was.
So long, Bubba. Thanks for the hits… and the laughs.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Jessica Harper responds
I'm always amazed when I mention someone in my blog and that person responds. Jessica Harper filed a comment regarding my recent post about meeting her in a bank. Here's what she had to say (for the two or maybe three of you who don't read the comments). Thanks, Jessica. You're a sweetheart.
That is one fabulous story!
I would be lying if I said I remember the bank part (I DO remember the script) but I'm sure you were a perfect gentleman or I would have cut that conversation short!...and you were very gracious about the audition...these qualities make you a rare and compelling person in Hollywood!
Thanks for your kind words, and for sharing my link with the world. Hmmmm....wonder where we'd be today if I HAD gone out with you...? Food for thought...!
All the best Ken!
Jessica
A very rare treat
Okay... as promised...
This is an episode of television you'll want to see. It hasn't aired in thirty years. This is from the short-lived ABC series, THE ASSOCIATES. James L. Brooks & company, the creative team behind TAXI is also responsible for this forgotten gem. The series is about a group of young upscale lawyers, starring a very young Martin Short.
This episode in particular is very special and should resonate as much today as it did when it first aired. The subject matter is television network censorship. Short is asked to get involved in a dispute between the network censor and a sitcom showrunner over a scene the network finds offensive. Actually, I give ABC a lot of credit for airing it.
The episode was written by Ed. Weinberger & Stan Daniels. They won a WGA Award for it (duh). Sincere thanks to Howard Hoffman for taping and saving it all these years.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts.
THE ASSOCIATES - The Censors - April 10, 1980 from Howard Hoffman on Vimeo.
This is an episode of television you'll want to see. It hasn't aired in thirty years. This is from the short-lived ABC series, THE ASSOCIATES. James L. Brooks & company, the creative team behind TAXI is also responsible for this forgotten gem. The series is about a group of young upscale lawyers, starring a very young Martin Short.
This episode in particular is very special and should resonate as much today as it did when it first aired. The subject matter is television network censorship. Short is asked to get involved in a dispute between the network censor and a sitcom showrunner over a scene the network finds offensive. Actually, I give ABC a lot of credit for airing it.
The episode was written by Ed. Weinberger & Stan Daniels. They won a WGA Award for it (duh). Sincere thanks to Howard Hoffman for taping and saving it all these years.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts.
THE ASSOCIATES - The Censors - April 10, 1980 from Howard Hoffman on Vimeo.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Who would play you in the movie?
Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick are already speculating on who would play them in the movie. (Too bad Groucho is dead, Keith.)
But it brings up the question – say there was a movie of your life – who would play you in the movie? Now your first response might be – YOU. Why not play yourself? Well, that’s only been partially successful in the past. Ann Jillian pulled it off in THE ANN JILLIAN STORY but Jackie Robinson not so much in THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY.
Ann at least is a real actor. The truth is good actors will usually do a better job of playing you than you. Raymond Massey was a much better choice to play Abraham Lincoln than Lincoln himself, and not just because he was dead. Massey brought out a warmth that those who knew Lincoln admitted he didn’t have.
So if a Hollywood actor/actress were to play you, who would it be? After the joke answers of George Clooney and Penelope Cruz, which star best resembles you in looks and personality? After the second joke answers of still George Clooney and Penelope Cruz, who would it be?
Probably for me, if I’m being honest, Ann Jillian. Damn, it’s hard to play this game and not give joke answers.
Okay, for real – maybe David Strathern. Possibly Steve Colbert. Someone tall, dark, believable as a blogger.
So what about you? And how many joke answers until you settled on one that’s believable?
Here’s the thing that worries me about my movie. I can understand a studio not letting me play myself. But they probably wouldn’t let me write it either.
Note: Come back tomorrow. I've got something really cool.
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