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THE WEB GOSSIP
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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Arsenio HallARSENIO RE-DEUX? --- Can Arsenio Hall, after a 17-year hiatus return to TV … and, have success? He quit his show originally in 1994 and was asked this weekend whether he'd consider making a comeback: “I'd have to change my name to Nick Cannon and live with Mariah Carey. But I think it's a perfect time for that personally. Give me a microphone. My son's 11 and he can drive himself to school. I'm ready to host!” But, he did say somewhat more seriously: “It's pretty crowded out there. I'm not sure if it's too crowded for a 55-year old guy to re-emerge, but if they give me a little daylight I'm gonna' slide into it.” My memories are that when he was on the tube, Hall was funny ... but, with such a competitive field out there today, I think he'd find some real trouble in getting some traction today. One thing's for sure though, on his original show, he was best remembered for bringing more new acts to the screen than anyone else. Perhaps one of the show's most noted guest stars was then-Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Bill Clinton, who performed a rendition of Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel on the saxophone during his appearance in June 1992. However, the ratings for Hall's program began to struggle and he also butted heads with Paramount, his distributor. The tension arose from Hall's invitation to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in February 1994. Hall gave the entire hour to Farrakhan and did not do anything else besides conduct an interview. The program was canceled in May 1994. Plus, he's been away so long, it'd be tough to suddenly slip back into the public consciousness. Stay tuned!
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Baron WolmanBARON BARON --- Rolling Stone's first chief photographer collects his classic photos and the inside stories behind them in new book. London's Omnibus Press has joined forces with Rolling Stone's chief photographer during their first three years (1967-70) for a new book called The Rolling Stone Years, which features both his classic photography and the inside stories behind them. The 176-page volume is filled with photos and text; among them Jimi Hendrx, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Santana, among others. Wolman not only witnessed what is without a doubt one of the most fertile period in rock music, but his photographs helped shape it. RS magazine encapsulated and distilled some of the most noteworthy events and changes as they were taking place and his photos only add to the fervor. As I posited last time, I feel the current edition of the magazine is among their strongest ever, but these early days and early photographs helped define an era that even now, is still talked about with shock and awe. The book is enjoyable on both a music front … and, on a sociological one. A must-read/see for sure!
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James FrancoAPES RISE --- I just caught James Franco on the Today Show tub thumping his newest movie outing Rise of the Planet of The Apes. As we've observed, it looks great ... but, the real plus here for me (and, you I hope) is that it's a prequel to the 1968 first movie with Charlton Heston. That movie was an instant classic, and as Matt Lauer offered ... I didn't sleep for three weeks! That said, I am completely amazed that Franco barely referenced that; in fact, he spoke more about the somewhat spectacular special effects and work of Andy Serkis, who in all fairness, from what I've seen, does a stellar job; acting attired in a motion-capture suit ... after all, he plays the main ape Ceasar. Seems to me, the prequel fact is the real treat here. Anyway, we'll see it all this Friday when it opens. Interestingly enough, a recent viewing of posts about the movie, claim the effects are just so so!
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David SalidorREAL RECORDS SURFACES IN SEPT --- We told you last year that PR-man David Salidor was launching his own record label ... well, come September will be the official roll-out of his Real Records. Says Salidor, "With the record business having it's best and most productive period in years, now's the right time to launch a new label. I also think the powers-that-be are being more cautious and with that new attitude, more aware of music out of the U.S. Look at the success with Mumford & Sons, Adele and Florence & The Machine ... Now is a great time."
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CLAIRE O'CONNOR – It's always a tragedy when a colleague passes, but in the case of Claire O'Connor, it was, is, and will always be a special case. I first met her in 1986 when a performer I was interviewing performed her first-ever show at the Limelight; then one of the premiere clubs in New York City. It was actually as part of a show produced by one Max Sabrin, then one of the better-than-average producers in NYC. The show went off without a hitch; a brilliant club-debut if you will and Claire brilliantly orchestrated several interviews with the soon-to-be-star, mine included, and went about her business. It was my first meeting with her and I knew instantly (and, certainly welcomed it) this kid knew what she was doing. I sort of lost track of her for the next several years, although I knew she and fellow-PR John Carmen worked on several projects together. Fast forward to about the early 90's and she was the PR-point person for Steve Walter's Cutting Room emporium on 24th street. That club quickly became the place for the best new music around; not to mention the likes of seeing Sting; Neil Young; Al Stewart; Jimmy Webb; or, Donovan up close and personal. She deftly worked the PR-end of it and did a marvelous job. When the club closed down almost two years back, it was a major loss on almost every end. Much like losing Celebrity Bulletin's Bill Murray last year, Claire's passing is a substantial loss. She knew what to do; how to do it; and, did it as well as she could. PR today is something everyone has today … and, needs. And, she did it with class and style. So long kid, you'll be greatly missed.
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CLAIRE O'CONNOR – It's always a tragedy when a colleague passes, but in the case of Claire O'Connor, it was, is, and will always be a special case. I first met her in 1986 when a performer I was interviewing performed her first-ever show at the Limelight; then one of the premiere clubs in New York City. It was actually as part of a show produced by one Max Sabrin, then one of the better-than-average producers in NYC. The show went off without a hitch; a brilliant club-debut if you will and Claire brilliantly orchestrated several interviews with the soon-to-be-star, mine included, and went about her business. It was my first meeting with her and I knew instantly (and, certainly welcomed it) this kid knew what she was doing. I sort of lost track of her for the next several years, although I knew she and fellow-PR John Carmen worked on several projects together. Fast forward to about the early 90's and she was the PR-point person for Steve Walter's Cutting Room emporium on 24th street. That club quickly became the place for the best new music around; not to mention the likes of seeing Sting; Neil Young; Al Stewart; Jimmy Webb; or, Donovan up close and personal. She deftly worked the PR-end of it and did a marvelous job. When the club closed down almost two years back, it was a major loss on almost every end. Much like losing Celebrity Bulletin's Bill Murray last year, Claire's passing is a substantial loss. She knew what to do; how to do it; and, did it as well as she could. PR today is something everyone has today … and, needs. And, she did it with class and style. So long kid, you'll be greatly missed.
Editors Note: The Web Gossip Is Written By Someone In The Entertainment Business, That Does Not Wish To Be Revealed. He Handles Many Celebrities And Has His Pulse On Everything In New York City And Beyond !
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