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THE WEB GOSSIP
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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Jeremy PivenENTOURAGE ENDS? --- We did catch the series finale of HBO's ENTOURAGE two weekends back and immediately loved the last moments of the show where everything and everyone ends happy … or, do they? Say what you will about Jeremy Piven, but this last episode found him ripping up the scenery and delivering a (dare I say?) Emmy award-winning performance. I watched the first episode of this last season, but, frankly, couldn't watch it anymore. But, I kept hearing that his performances were off the map (personally, we will always love him for his short run in the TV show Cupid several years back). Sure, he's indulgent, but what a great actor; totally captivating and scintillating intense. Actually, everything I've seen him in has been great. This last show found him reconciled with his wife (whose name was finally revealed to be Melissa) but, just done so amazingly well, I almost teared up. In his office he listens to a tape that his daughter had found and he realized then and there, that his family was all and what he needed. Brilliantly performed. The other characters carried forward with the same sort of silliness that was tough to take; in fact, this season and last bordered somewhat on insanity if you ask me. I mean, how many times can you repeat one great plot line. But, this last episode delivered 100%. There was a final coda where Ari (Piven) was called at his new home in Florence, and offered that opportunity to run a major telecommunications company. Here's hoping the payoff will be the long-spoken about Entourage movie. Let's face it; this show was terrific; delivering for almost 8 years just great written material. Piven … just amazing!
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Adele ADELE --- Adele's “Rolling In The Deep” has already been the biggest single so far this year; but, her haunting current single “Someone Like You” is an atmospheric gem of a song. I don't know whether you've seen the video for the song yet, but it debuted last week and shows the singer, dressed in black (and, looking quite striking) strolling through the deserted streets of Paris; with one camera, that swings ever so effortlessly around her; it is positively beautiful. Directed by Jake Nava ...its a class act for sure. The song is to me is as strong as her last one, but evidences a real haunting quality. In fact, the more I listened to it, the more it reminded me of “Closing Time” by the late-great band Semisonic. Turns out, the song was co-written by Dan Nelson … of Semisonic! MTV just dubbed her the Queen of Pain for this desolate, painful and desolate track. Brilliant!
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Micky DolenzGLEN & MICKY --- Surely you know that on many of those early Monkee records; the instruments were performed by the some of the best musicians in L.A. … a group that came to be known as The Wrecking Crew. There seem to be many reasons why that moniker stuck; but, the best we've heard (and, most reliable) is that it was a sarcastic, somewhat derogatory term that several of the more-regular musicians on the scene came up with: meaning that this new crop of long-haired, dope-smoking, crazy musicians coming on the scene … would wreck everything. There's a tremendous documentary by Denny Tedesco (son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco) that is a great, great back story into those momentous times. Their guitarist many times was a young fella' by the name of Glen Campbell, who would go onto just staggering worldwide success. We all know the sad, tragic turn his story has taken and that the artist is now on tour … his last tour, called The Farewell Tour. This Friday, the tour rolls into L. A. at Club Nokia and none other than Micky Dolenz will be attending. It should be a palpable moment for sure. We'll have details.
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Alec BaldwinTHIS SUSPECT IS A KEEPER --- Maria Bello's Prime Suspect on NBC is not drawing viewers as it should be: it is spot-on excellent. Based on the BBC- show which starred Helen Mirren; Bello is excellent as Jane Timoney, the sole female cop in an all-male, and Irish, squad. On the first episode, the lead Detective suffered a fatal heart attacked which moved Timoney to the top of the list as the next proper-detective; it moved her up, but didn't earn her any points from her fellow cops. It is gritty, shot terrifically well and downright engaging. If you haven't watched this show yet - and, truth be told there's only been two episodes - give it a shot. She's great! we've been fans since she was on ER years ago and her role in 2003's The Cooler (with Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy) was great. Save this show!
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Kim Kardashian
REALITY CHECK --- Perhaps the most significant thing of the new television season so far, is the fact that reality shows appear to be on the decline. Let's face it; it was only a matter of time. With all due respect, the likes of Snookie; Kim Kardashian; Bethenny Frankel; Kate Gosslin ... have definitely overstayed their welcome. Don't' get me wrong ... they were fun in the beginning ... but, now anyone can have a reality show ... and, is that a good thing? It was funny a few issues back when the great-Kate complained to People magazine that she didn't know where her life would go now that her reality-show had been canceled. How about getting a real-job?****
ON THE FRINGE --- We've been die-hard fans of this sci-fi shows since it debuted three years ago. The season-ender was that one of the lead characters Peter Bishop, was essentially erased from the show and the character's memories. Two episodes into the new season and he has not yet been returned. In fact, Friday's episode basically dealt with several new characters and John Noble hardly appeared. I think it is highly presumptuous to assume that the show's fans will put up with this much longer. Joshua Jackson, who portrays the character, is astonishingly terrific, but these days ... things happen in a flash and if the producer are not careful ... the show itself will be erased! C'mon guys ... get it together.
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CULTURE CLUBBED --- Bobby Watman's 80's-retro venue Culture Club re-opened last night in NYC at their new location on 20 West 39th Street … right down from Lord & Taylor no less! Bobby graciously greeted everyone as they entered the third-floor media reception. We spied PR-pasha David Salidor with his artist Dayme; Valerie Nome from OK Magazine; and, musician/producer Victor Kastel. Watman has cannily tapped into a very, trendy genre here; the DJ blasted everything from Duran Duran to Billy Idol and Tiffany. As the terrific retro-band Rubix Kube has shown us; music from the 80's is bigger than ever. In fact, from what I hear -and, I am constantly asking- it's the #1 form of live music everywhere. Almost all recognizable bands … have a tribute band attached to them. Some, like u2 have several. Congrats Bobby!
Photos By: Derek Storm/RD/Orchon/Retna
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CULTURE CLUBBED --- Bobby Watman's 80's-retro venue Culture Club re-opened last night in NYC at their new location on 20 West 39th Street … right down from Lord & Taylor no less! Bobby graciously greeted everyone as they entered the third-floor media reception. We spied PR-pasha David Salidor with his artist Dayme; Valerie Nome from OK Magazine; and, musician/producer Victor Kastel. Watman has cannily tapped into a very, trendy genre here; the DJ blasted everything from Duran Duran to Billy Idol and Tiffany. As the terrific retro-band Rubix Kube has shown us; music from the 80's is bigger than ever. In fact, from what I hear -and, I am constantly asking- it's the #1 form of live music everywhere. Almost all recognizable bands … have a tribute band attached to them. Some, like u2 have several. Congrats Bobby!
Photos By: Derek Storm/RD/Orchon/Retna
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