Dave Chappelle’s The Closer, his controversial stand-up special that triggered backlash from offended trans people, has landed two nominations for the 2022 Emmys. The Netflix presentation was nominated for best pre-recorded variety special, and another for the director, Stan Lathan. Yes, despite all the rage. (Or because of it.)
Chappelle’s special is competing against Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s One Last Time, Adele’s One Night Only, Norm Macdonald’s Nothing Special (posthumous), and Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Harry Potter reunion.
I love the reactions of ET Canada‘s Carlos Bustamante and Morgan Hoffman to Chappelle’s “What’s In A Name.” They clearly don’t approve and can’t stress enough that Chappelle has caused emotional hurt among some in the trans community. They’re almost like an act, these two — a parody of Millennial sensitives.
“While Miramax employees respected Harvey’s talents, few liked him. ‘I never had a single personal conversation with Harvey…I don’t think he knew if I was married or had a family,’ said a former senior executive who worked closely with him. Most found him cold and remote. He had few industry friends outside Miramax. Despite their scorching verbal battles and sometimes rivalry, Bob remained Harvey’s best friend. And to those in the office, his only friend.
“But even that friendship didn’t last, as Bob voted to terminate Harvey from the Weinstein Company in October 2017, and no longer speaks to his brother.
“Today, Harvey has been transferred from a maximum security prison outside Buffalo, New York, to await trial later this year in Los Angeles. He resides in a medical ward of the Twin Towers correctional facility (450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles), relying on a wheelchair to move about. He is plagued by spinal stenosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, a steep cholesterol count, a weak heart fortified by a stent, and glaucoma that requires injections to stave off blindness.
“No longer does Harvey have four assistants hovering to execute his orders, or a car with four televisions to screen films as he was whisked to another meeting or premiere. In prison, his telephone calls must go through his lawyers. He has no internet access, and few visitors. Like his brother, his three adult daughters from his first marriage refuse to speak to him. His second wife, Georgina Chapman, divorced him and now dates and walks the red carpet with actor Adrien Brody.
“Harvey Weinstein is very much alone. And although he won’t accept responsibility, he can’t blame anyone but himself.”
Mary Elizabeth Truss, 46, is a British politician who’s been a Conservative Party member since ’96, when she was 20. She’s served in cabinet positions under Prime Ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson. She began serving as Foreign Secretary last year, and Minister for Women and Equalities in ’19.
Two days ago (7.10.22) Truss announced her intention to run in the Conservative Party leadership election, and thereby, if elected, succeed Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister. Her stated influences are Margret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and the former chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson.
“Why don’t you and others who cover NY theatre just spit it out about Beanie FeldsteinbailingoutofFunnyGirl eight weeks before the scheduled end of the run?
“Why the kid gloves? She wasn’t Streisandy enough, right? Which basically means she wasn’t quite knockout enough (a pretty but thin voice, couldn’t belt the songs like Streisand), which means that the producers made a mistake in hiring her.
“Plus she didn’t feel good about the reactions (no Tony nom) plus she kept missing shows, which indicates she wasn’t feeling a great deal of confidence, and so she either quit or was nudged aside. I’m presuming that nudged is closer to the truth.
“What’s this weird omerta I’m sensing from everyone? You all seem to be saying ‘we need to handle this story with kid gloves in order to let Beanie down easy.’ New York theatre is a tough realm, and sometimes shows and performances don’t work out.”
On 7.3.22 I stated that before he became the energizer bunny in a series of action franchise films, Tom Cruise was a real actor who delivered like a pro in several top-grade dramas. Mickey Rourke's criticism of Cruise is valid if you're focusing entirely on the franchise stuff, but he was excellent in the following 15 substantial films (in this order and excluding all of his high-powered, robo-bunny formula action franchise films): Jerry Maguire, Collateral, Risky Business, The Firm, Born on the Fourth of July, Rain Man, Jack Reacher, American Made, The Color of Money, Tropic Thunder, A Few Good Men, Edge of Tomorrow, Losin' It, Interview with the Vampire, Magnolia.
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I watched the first episode last March, and it’s clear that the focus is on what a wonderful, cooler-than-cool, super-glorious relationship Paul and Joanne had. They first met in ’53 or thereabouts, got married in 1958 and stayed together for 50 years. Paul died on 9.26.08.
To me the relentlessly celebrated mythology of Paul and Joanne’s marriage has always felt a tiny bit bothersome. As in less than trustworthy.
No marriage is easy or perfect or without issues. A workable, tolerable marriage is almost always the result of very hard work — all kinds of soul-barings, renegotiations and reappraisals at the kitchen table. Which is why portrayals of the Newman-Woodward marriage never seemed quite real to me.
If Ethan’s miniseries goes there, fine. But if he avoids it, he’s a sidestepper.
Friendo who knows the Newman-Woodward story and has dealt with the Newman family: “I haven’t watched the doc, but I’m sure it’s authorized, and as the surviving Newmans don’t care for anything remotely negative being said about their patriarch, I’m confident that it will avoid all unpleasant or even circumspect episodes/behaviors.
“[That said], I do believe that it was a trulygoldenrelationship, built on mutual respect, amusement, tolerance, even passion. So, yeah, too good to be true, but also — for the most part — true.”
And you know what? For the sin of mentioning the 18-month Bacon episode I’m going to be attacked. Because people want to believe what they want to believe.
I disengaged from the Ghost Protocol Burj Khalifa scene almost immediately.
Tom Cruise‘s right-hand grip glove stopped working after 90 seconds of use, he fell 15 or 20 feet but stopped the fall with one grip-glove (the left one), used a firehouse to run down the outside of the bulding and then, toward the end, rappelled along the outside of the building and then leapt toward the open, glass-free window panel. Bullshit. I was so overwhelmed by skepticism that I couldn’t enjoy it.
But Matt Damon’s telling of the “safety guy” story to Conan O’Brien, which I only just listened to this morning…this is entertaining. Why? Because it reveals a certain kind of character trait — hardcore and perfectionist and focused only on the prize — in a funny way.
I love it when sea lions show trashy, texting humans who’s boss and make them run for cover. This La Jolla territorial rampage was probably about protecting pups. “Danyourd” tweeted yesterday that the small cove in question is “was built as a safe area for kids to swim. Seals showed up in the 1980s and have overrun and polluted it.”
A group of people were chased by two Sea Lions at a beach in the La Jolla area of San Diego. Lifeguards were on standby in the water ensuring no one was hurt and the sea lions could easily make their way. It's recommended people stay at least 50 ft away from sea lions. 📹: Charli pic.twitter.com/KUhLVns8H7
