More than 30 unhoused were removed Friday from outside of Sunset Sound, the iconic recording studio used by such artists as Elton John, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Van Halen.
The long-standing encampment outside of the Hollywood studio has been a source of ire in the neighborhood, while the owner has reportedly complained about sidewalk fires and break-ins. The clean-up was orchestrated by Inside Safe, Mayor Karen Bass’ initiative to remove the unhoused off of Los Angeles streets and into city-leased housing.
“Many people living at this encampment have been in the same area on the street for over five years, and now they are finally able to move into housing because of Inside Safe,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez in a statement. “With 100% of unhoused residents accepting services and housing through this operation, we are proving that when we do the hard work to find sustainable housing solutions,...
The long-standing encampment outside of the Hollywood studio has been a source of ire in the neighborhood, while the owner has reportedly complained about sidewalk fires and break-ins. The clean-up was orchestrated by Inside Safe, Mayor Karen Bass’ initiative to remove the unhoused off of Los Angeles streets and into city-leased housing.
“Many people living at this encampment have been in the same area on the street for over five years, and now they are finally able to move into housing because of Inside Safe,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez in a statement. “With 100% of unhoused residents accepting services and housing through this operation, we are proving that when we do the hard work to find sustainable housing solutions,...
- 6/2/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming concerts at Manchester, England’s new Co-Op Live arena have been called off. The singer was set to launch her U.K. tour at the venue on May 3 and 4 following a show in Dublin, however Co-Cop Live cited “technical issues” as it canceled multiple shows.
“I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m sooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to ongoing technical issues,” Rodrigo wrote in an Instagram story. “We’re doing our best to reschedule the show.
“I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m sooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to ongoing technical issues,” Rodrigo wrote in an Instagram story. “We’re doing our best to reschedule the show.
- 5/2/2024
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
Two of the more anticipated star turns on Broadway this season — Steve Carell making his debut in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Uncle Vanya and The Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli returning to the New York stage in Circle in the Square’s An Enemy of the People — got no love from Tony Award nominators today, and the West End hit Patriots, written by The Crown‘s Peter Morgan, barely registered on the roster, with only one nom for lead actor Michael Stuhlbarg.
Even more empty-handed than Patriots was The Wiz, the cheery, if rote, revival of the beloved Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Despite a star turn by Wayne Brady, it’s possible that Tony nominators saw the Broadway revival for the uninspired road show it is.
Other shows with zero nominations included I Need That starring Danny DeVito, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony,...
Even more empty-handed than Patriots was The Wiz, the cheery, if rote, revival of the beloved Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Despite a star turn by Wayne Brady, it’s possible that Tony nominators saw the Broadway revival for the uninspired road show it is.
Other shows with zero nominations included I Need That starring Danny DeVito, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
“It’s the role of a lifetime,” exclaims Chip Zien in reference to his character Rabbi in “Harmony.” The actor’s agents were initially hesitant to send him the script for the Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman musical, as Zien wanted to pull back from the typical rabbi roles he frequently played. But, this character wasn’t just any rabbi. He had a remarkable true life story as a member of a notorious singing ensemble which rose to fame while Nazis rose to power. “It was a brilliant, period-specific score, and the whole thing has just been a thrill from the get go,” says Zien. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
The musical follows the formation and rise of The Comedian Harmonists in Germany. The six-man act quickly ascended to fame in the 1920s and 30s, selling millions of records and selling out houses around the world. But the rise...
The musical follows the formation and rise of The Comedian Harmonists in Germany. The six-man act quickly ascended to fame in the 1920s and 30s, selling millions of records and selling out houses around the world. But the rise...
- 4/16/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
First Lady Jill Biden will make a fundraising swing through Southern California later this week, as she headlines events in Los Angeles and the Palm Springs area. She also will speak at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles dinner on Saturday.
The first lady will speak at a campaign fundraising reception on Friday early evening, with a list of co-hosts that include attorney Daniel McLoon and Dr. Patricia Gordon, marketing executive Jonathan Mildenhall and Hr executive Mirco Gros, Xenco Medical CEO Jason Haider, the Capital Group’s Wesley Phoa and Margaret Morgan, and John and Gill Wagner, according to the invite. Tickets are priced at $10,000, including a photo, rising to $100,000, including a dinner reception and photo.
On Saturday, Biden will headline a reception in Palm Springs, with James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith as co-hosts, according to an invite. In December, Costos and...
The first lady will speak at a campaign fundraising reception on Friday early evening, with a list of co-hosts that include attorney Daniel McLoon and Dr. Patricia Gordon, marketing executive Jonathan Mildenhall and Hr executive Mirco Gros, Xenco Medical CEO Jason Haider, the Capital Group’s Wesley Phoa and Margaret Morgan, and John and Gill Wagner, according to the invite. Tickets are priced at $10,000, including a photo, rising to $100,000, including a dinner reception and photo.
On Saturday, Biden will headline a reception in Palm Springs, with James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and designer Michael Smith as co-hosts, according to an invite. In December, Costos and...
- 3/21/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Hillary Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda will host a Broadway fundraiser for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign next month that will feature a performance of Suffs: The Musical.
The musical, which Clinton is co-producing, focuses on the women’s suffrage movement. The musical originated at the New York Public Theater and is set to start Broadway previews on March 26.
The Biden fundraiser will be held on April 3, with tickets priced at $500 to $5,000, according to the invite. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund and the Women’s Leadership Forum.
The event will be held just days after Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are due to appear at Radio City Music Hall for a campaign fundraiser, with Stephen Colbert as moderator.
The synopsis of Suffs: “Reaching across and against generational, racial, and class divides, these brilliant, flawed women entertain and inspire us with the story of their...
The musical, which Clinton is co-producing, focuses on the women’s suffrage movement. The musical originated at the New York Public Theater and is set to start Broadway previews on March 26.
The Biden fundraiser will be held on April 3, with tickets priced at $500 to $5,000, according to the invite. Proceeds will go to the Biden Victory Fund and the Women’s Leadership Forum.
The event will be held just days after Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are due to appear at Radio City Music Hall for a campaign fundraiser, with Stephen Colbert as moderator.
The synopsis of Suffs: “Reaching across and against generational, racial, and class divides, these brilliant, flawed women entertain and inspire us with the story of their...
- 3/14/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Two days after the news broke that American Idol vocal coach Debra Byrd had died, one of her most successful students has paid tribute.
Jennifer Hudson took to social media and wrote that she was “heartbroken” at the news of Byrd’s passing.
“She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning ! I am so grateful for everything she taught us,” wrote the Season 3 standout. “She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on through the music of countless artists she influenced during her lifetime.”
That list of artists stretches far beyond the reality competition’s stages. In addition to hopefuls, Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Heartbroken over the passing of Debra Byrd, the vocal coach on American Idol. She encouraged and supported us from...
Jennifer Hudson took to social media and wrote that she was “heartbroken” at the news of Byrd’s passing.
“She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning ! I am so grateful for everything she taught us,” wrote the Season 3 standout. “She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on through the music of countless artists she influenced during her lifetime.”
That list of artists stretches far beyond the reality competition’s stages. In addition to hopefuls, Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Heartbroken over the passing of Debra Byrd, the vocal coach on American Idol. She encouraged and supported us from...
- 3/7/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The music community is mourning the death of influential figure Debra Byrd, who died on March 5 at the age of 72. Throughout her decades-long career, the singer performed alongside Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan before helping to shape generational talents as a vocal coach on American Idol, including Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, and Jennifer Hudson.
“She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning,” Hudson wrote on Instagram. “I am so grateful for everything she taught us. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on through the music of countless...
“She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning,” Hudson wrote on Instagram. “I am so grateful for everything she taught us. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on through the music of countless...
- 3/7/2024
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
Debra Byrd, a vocal coach for such shows as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Military Idol, The Voice, Majors and Minors, and others, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 5. She was 72 and no cause or location was given.
Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians, and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University and studied at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters. She went on to perform with Barry Manilow for many years, touring around the world as part of Ladyflash, the featured backup group for Manilow.
They released one hit of their own in 1976, Street Singin.’ The tune, which was written and arranged by Manilow, reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap...
Byrd’s students included Grammy winners, recording artists, actors, musicians, and Broadway stars. She worked closely with Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Bob Dylan, Barry Manilow and many others.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University and studied at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters. She went on to perform with Barry Manilow for many years, touring around the world as part of Ladyflash, the featured backup group for Manilow.
They released one hit of their own in 1976, Street Singin.’ The tune, which was written and arranged by Manilow, reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap...
- 3/7/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Surely the making of one of the funniest movies ever made can’t be that serious…and it really isn’t! Ok, 1980’s Airplane! was a tough sell and there were minor clashes between the directors and Paramount and lawsuits from a rival studio threatened the casting of numerous stars. But there was also perfect against-type casting, clever workarounds to silly DGA regulations and a complete reinvention of the spoof movie, all of which made Airplane! one of the greatest comedies ever.. Oh, and there were fart machines, too!
And so let’s park the taxi, avoid the fish and check in on our drinking problem as we find out: Wtf Happened to this movie?!
Airplane! has its origins in the Kentucky Fried Theater, which the trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as Zaz) founded in 1971. One act the fellas grew fond of was dubbing...
And so let’s park the taxi, avoid the fish and check in on our drinking problem as we find out: Wtf Happened to this movie?!
Airplane! has its origins in the Kentucky Fried Theater, which the trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as Zaz) founded in 1971. One act the fellas grew fond of was dubbing...
- 2/14/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
The Baker. Mendel. Rabbi. Three iconic roles created by beloved stage veteran Chip Zien. The last of those three comes from “Harmony,” the new musical from Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, which played its final performance on February 4. But closing notices be damned; Zien is giving the performance of his life in this juicy role. The actor somehow missed out on Tony nominations for those other classic characters, but after a Broadway career that has spanned five decades, voters simply mustn’t pass up the chance to give this actor his very first Tony nomination.
Zien first came to prominence for originating the role of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods” in 1987. Though that classic musical received 10 Tony nominations (including a lead actress victory for his co-star Joanna Gleason as the Baker’s Wife), Zien was not one of them. This was the start...
Zien first came to prominence for originating the role of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods” in 1987. Though that classic musical received 10 Tony nominations (including a lead actress victory for his co-star Joanna Gleason as the Baker’s Wife), Zien was not one of them. This was the start...
- 2/7/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Broadway said goodbye last week to two well-regarded but underperforming productions, with both Harmony and Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch posting better-than-usual weekly box office as last-chancers grabbed seats.
Harmony, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical about the real-life 1920s German singing group the Comedian Harmonists, filled a robust 99% of seats at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, grossing $853,055 for the week ending February 4. That’s a bump of $145,978 over the previous week.
Purlie Victorious, the universally acclaimed revival of the Ossie Davis comedy starring Leslie Odom Jr. and Kara Young, grossed $706,882, a boost of $58,090 over the previous week. Still, the production filled only 81% of seats at the Music Box.
In all, the 25 Broadway productions grossed $23,493,675, a slight 5% bump over the previous week (and nearly identical to last year’s gross for the week). Total attendance was 213,281, about 2% over the previous week and 9% over last year at this time.
Harmony, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical about the real-life 1920s German singing group the Comedian Harmonists, filled a robust 99% of seats at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, grossing $853,055 for the week ending February 4. That’s a bump of $145,978 over the previous week.
Purlie Victorious, the universally acclaimed revival of the Ossie Davis comedy starring Leslie Odom Jr. and Kara Young, grossed $706,882, a boost of $58,090 over the previous week. Still, the production filled only 81% of seats at the Music Box.
In all, the 25 Broadway productions grossed $23,493,675, a slight 5% bump over the previous week (and nearly identical to last year’s gross for the week). Total attendance was 213,281, about 2% over the previous week and 9% over last year at this time.
- 2/6/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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“This residency, these shows have changed my life,” Adele shared online last fall before announcing the final shows of her Las Vegas residency, which wraps this summer. The star’s Weekends With Adele experience has everyone you know trying to find tickets to Vegas this year. With a long list of other must-see residencies — from U2‘s transcendent Sphere showstopper to the Killer‘s upcoming Hot Fuss shows...
“This residency, these shows have changed my life,” Adele shared online last fall before announcing the final shows of her Las Vegas residency, which wraps this summer. The star’s Weekends With Adele experience has everyone you know trying to find tickets to Vegas this year. With a long list of other must-see residencies — from U2‘s transcendent Sphere showstopper to the Killer‘s upcoming Hot Fuss shows...
- 1/24/2024
- by John Lonsdale
- Rollingstone.com
Broadway box office took a slide last week as receipts for Sweeney Todd fell by more than $1 million with the departures of Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford (and before the February 9 arrival of big-name replacements Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster).
Overall, box office for the 25 Broadway productions was off by 15% from the previous week, with receipts for the week ending January 21 (the first week of the annual Broadway Week 2-for-1 discount promotion) totaling $23,589,174. Attendance of 204,612 was down only 6% (and holding about even with last season at this time).
Average ticket price for all shows was $115.29, down from $126.70 the previous week.
Most of the productions reported a drop in receipts, though none on the scale of the $1,315,747 hit taken by Sweeney: The acclaimed Sondheim musical revival grossed $795,400, compared to the massive $2,111,147 for the previous week, when Groban and Ashford came to the ends of their limited runs.
Overall, box office for the 25 Broadway productions was off by 15% from the previous week, with receipts for the week ending January 21 (the first week of the annual Broadway Week 2-for-1 discount promotion) totaling $23,589,174. Attendance of 204,612 was down only 6% (and holding about even with last season at this time).
Average ticket price for all shows was $115.29, down from $126.70 the previous week.
Most of the productions reported a drop in receipts, though none on the scale of the $1,315,747 hit taken by Sweeney: The acclaimed Sondheim musical revival grossed $795,400, compared to the massive $2,111,147 for the previous week, when Groban and Ashford came to the ends of their limited runs.
- 1/23/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Harmony, the Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman musical that opened in November to good reviews that never translated to big audiences, will play its final performance at the Barrymore Theatre on Sunday, February 4.
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the announcement this evening. At the time of its closing, Harmony will have played 24 previews and 96 regular performances. The musical began previews October 18 and opened November 13.
Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, Harmony tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German vocal group that achieved international fame and success in the 1920s and ’30 but were all but wiped from history by the Nazis. At the peak of its career, the group sold millions of records, made dozens of films and played to sold-out venues around the world.
With a score by Manilow and book and lyrics by Sussman, Harmony stars Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Allison Semmes,...
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the announcement this evening. At the time of its closing, Harmony will have played 24 previews and 96 regular performances. The musical began previews October 18 and opened November 13.
Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, Harmony tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German vocal group that achieved international fame and success in the 1920s and ’30 but were all but wiped from history by the Nazis. At the peak of its career, the group sold millions of records, made dozens of films and played to sold-out venues around the world.
With a score by Manilow and book and lyrics by Sussman, Harmony stars Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Allison Semmes,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Barry Manilow is revealing what it was like keeping his sexuality a secret for decades.
The 80-year-old singer game out as gay in a People cover story in 2017.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he recalled being in the closet and explained his fears about coming out.
Keep reading to find out what he said…
“I didn’t want my career to go away,” he told the magazine. “I love it. I’m grateful for it. But it was a burden to keep it quiet.”
Barry remembered, “I was always worried. Every interview: ‘They’re going to ask me whether I’m gay or not.’ Nobody ever did, by the way. They never asked me the $64 question.”
He mentioned speaking about his sexuality with music executive Clive Davis in the 1980s. (Clive came out as bisexual in 2013.)
“He said, ‘You know — Elton John came out as bisexual. No artist should ever do that.
The 80-year-old singer game out as gay in a People cover story in 2017.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he recalled being in the closet and explained his fears about coming out.
Keep reading to find out what he said…
“I didn’t want my career to go away,” he told the magazine. “I love it. I’m grateful for it. But it was a burden to keep it quiet.”
Barry remembered, “I was always worried. Every interview: ‘They’re going to ask me whether I’m gay or not.’ Nobody ever did, by the way. They never asked me the $64 question.”
He mentioned speaking about his sexuality with music executive Clive Davis in the 1980s. (Clive came out as bisexual in 2013.)
“He said, ‘You know — Elton John came out as bisexual. No artist should ever do that.
- 1/6/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Musician Barry Manilow, who is known for the chartbuster ‘Copacabana’, has opened up about his unhealthy habits admitting he often goes without food till he starts “trembling” and sees it as his body’s way of telling him to eat something.
He also revealed he goes to bed at midnight and is up at 4:00 a.m. every day, reports Female First UK.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: “I don’t eat and I don’t sleep. That’s also the trick (to staying in shape). I often find myself trembling and think: ‘Oh I should get some calories in me’.”
As per Female First UK, Manilow revealed he’s managed to quit smoking after years of puffing through three packs a day and now works out with a personal trainer every morning. During the interview, Manilow also admitted he thought he should have died six years ago because...
He also revealed he goes to bed at midnight and is up at 4:00 a.m. every day, reports Female First UK.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: “I don’t eat and I don’t sleep. That’s also the trick (to staying in shape). I often find myself trembling and think: ‘Oh I should get some calories in me’.”
As per Female First UK, Manilow revealed he’s managed to quit smoking after years of puffing through three packs a day and now works out with a personal trainer every morning. During the interview, Manilow also admitted he thought he should have died six years ago because...
- 1/6/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Barry Manilow is looking back at the difficulty that came with hiding his sexuality throughout his career.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Friday, the musician reflected on the struggles of staying closeted for most of his life because he “didn’t want my career to go away.”
“I love it. I’m grateful for it. But it was a burden to keep it quiet,” Manilow said of his LGBTQ identity, adding that coming out was never an option.
“I was always worried,” he added. “Every...
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Friday, the musician reflected on the struggles of staying closeted for most of his life because he “didn’t want my career to go away.”
“I love it. I’m grateful for it. But it was a burden to keep it quiet,” Manilow said of his LGBTQ identity, adding that coming out was never an option.
“I was always worried,” he added. “Every...
- 1/6/2024
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Barry Manilow is standing poolside at his Palm Springs home, a spectacular, eight-bedroom hillside villa with far-reaching views of the Coachella Valley. He’s taller than one might expect — a little over 6 feet — and rail-thin, which makes him appear even taller. Manilow is relaxed this morning, tapping one spindly leg to a tune wafting through the speakers — not one of those easy-listening grooves that made him a music superstar, but a thumping slice of techno called “Love Regenerator,” by Calvin Harris. He has an entire Spotify library of that stuff. Manilow, it turns out, loves dance music.
At 80 — he reached the milestone last June — Manilow is coming off of one of the busiest stretches of a consistent, six-decade career. In September, he played his 637th show at Las Vegas’ Westgate Resort Hotel — beating Elvis’ record of 636 performances on that very stage (when it was the Las Vegas Hilton) back in...
At 80 — he reached the milestone last June — Manilow is coming off of one of the busiest stretches of a consistent, six-decade career. In September, he played his 637th show at Las Vegas’ Westgate Resort Hotel — beating Elvis’ record of 636 performances on that very stage (when it was the Las Vegas Hilton) back in...
- 1/5/2024
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elvis Presley‘s ’68 Comeback Special was a career highlight for Elvis. It was also a career highlight of a girl group star. She revealed what it was like to work with the “Heartbreak Hotel” singer.
Elvis Presley worked with Darlene Love on his ’68 Comeback Special’
During a 2023 interview with The Guardian, singer Darlene Love discussed her relationship with record producer Phil Spector. “I was in [girl group and backing-singer legends] The Blossoms when he hired me to record ‘He’s a Rebel’ [in 1962],” she recalled. “I knew it was for The Crystals but I got paid a bundle of money – $5,000 was a lot then. After I signed with Phil and we did ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ and ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love’ [also credited to The Crystals], I told him my name should be on, but I hadn’t read the contract.” Love would become most known for singing the seminal Christmas song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which Spector wrote and co-produced.
Elvis Presley worked with Darlene Love on his ’68 Comeback Special’
During a 2023 interview with The Guardian, singer Darlene Love discussed her relationship with record producer Phil Spector. “I was in [girl group and backing-singer legends] The Blossoms when he hired me to record ‘He’s a Rebel’ [in 1962],” she recalled. “I knew it was for The Crystals but I got paid a bundle of money – $5,000 was a lot then. After I signed with Phil and we did ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ and ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love’ [also credited to The Crystals], I told him my name should be on, but I hadn’t read the contract.” Love would become most known for singing the seminal Christmas song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which Spector wrote and co-produced.
- 1/5/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A double-holiday week on Broadway – the final week of 2023 – saw a surge in box office, with many shows posting record numbers.
Winner of the week? Disney’s The Lion King, which grossed a massive $4,316,629, not only setting a house record at the Minskoff but a Broadway record for the highest single-week gross ever, a big achievement even when noting that the long-running musical played nine performances, as did other productions over the holidays.
Broadway’s final week of the calendar year included both Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with tourists and high ticket prices sending the total weekly gross for the 27 shows to $45,413,789, a 36% increase over the previous week but about 13% lower than last year’s New Year’s Eve week tally when 33 productions were on the boards.
Total attendance for the week ending December 31 was 256,751, a 14% bump over the previous week (but down 18% from last year). About 96% of all seats were filled,...
Winner of the week? Disney’s The Lion King, which grossed a massive $4,316,629, not only setting a house record at the Minskoff but a Broadway record for the highest single-week gross ever, a big achievement even when noting that the long-running musical played nine performances, as did other productions over the holidays.
Broadway’s final week of the calendar year included both Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with tourists and high ticket prices sending the total weekly gross for the 27 shows to $45,413,789, a 36% increase over the previous week but about 13% lower than last year’s New Year’s Eve week tally when 33 productions were on the boards.
Total attendance for the week ending December 31 was 256,751, a 14% bump over the previous week (but down 18% from last year). About 96% of all seats were filled,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Dick Clark and Barry Manilow had a friendship that spanned decades. But there was one of Manilow’s songs that Clark loved more than any other. It was such a favorite it was a midnight request for a decade of his annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special.
Barry Manilow made a ‘friend for life’ in Dick Clark
Barry Manilow shared details regarding his long friendship with Dick Clark with Billboard. He said he made a “friend for life” with the entertainment personality.
“My first national television appearance ever was on American Bandstand at the end of 1974, when ‘Mandy’ came out,” Manilow recalled to Billboard. “I sang ‘Mandy’ on the show. The next week, it went to No. 1, and I had a pop career and a friend for life.”
“Dick and I, I don’t know. He connected with what I do,” Manilow revealed.
“He just got me, even in those early days.
Barry Manilow made a ‘friend for life’ in Dick Clark
Barry Manilow shared details regarding his long friendship with Dick Clark with Billboard. He said he made a “friend for life” with the entertainment personality.
“My first national television appearance ever was on American Bandstand at the end of 1974, when ‘Mandy’ came out,” Manilow recalled to Billboard. “I sang ‘Mandy’ on the show. The next week, it went to No. 1, and I had a pop career and a friend for life.”
“Dick and I, I don’t know. He connected with what I do,” Manilow revealed.
“He just got me, even in those early days.
- 12/31/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Hey,"Quantum Leap" fans. Unfortunately, we've got some absolutely terrible news in this article. Yep, it turns out that the last episode 8 of Quantum Leap's current season 2 was the Fall finale episode. So, NBC is not giving you the next, new episode 9 tonight, December 20,2023. It's also not going to air it next Wednesday night, December 27, 2023. As a matter of fact, there's currently no official date that has been announced yet for the debut of the new episode 9. So, we'll have to fill you guys in on that at a later date. According to our sources, we can just tell you that it's due to premiere at some point in early 2024. The show's production, no doubt, got halted by the actors and writers strike that finally ended after 4 or 5 long months. With all that said, we did check out what NBC is airing in place of a new Quantum Leap...
- 12/20/2023
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Monday, December 11, 2023 ratings — New episodes: Big Brother Reindeer Games and The Voice. Specials: MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays, Price Is Right at Night: College Students Home for the Holidays, Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic 2022, and Barry Manilow's A Very Barry Christmas. Sports: NFL Football: Packers at Giants. Reruns: NCIS and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
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- 12/12/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
NBC saw solid ratings on Wednesday night with the airing of two Christmas specials
Airing from 8-10 p.m. on Nov. 29, the annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special reached an audience of 7 million people when accounting for three days of delayed viewing across NBC, Peacock and digital platforms. That number, calculated from a combination of Nielsen measurement and NBCUniversal’s proprietary data, marked the best viewership for the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting since 2020. The special was the most-watched program on TV that night, and improved on last year’s viewership by 7%. In the key adults 18-49 demographic, it earned a strong 0.8 rating.
This year’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” was hosted by Kelly Clarkson and featured performances by Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Carly Pearce and Manuel Turizo. The special hailed from Brad Lachman Productions, with...
Airing from 8-10 p.m. on Nov. 29, the annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special reached an audience of 7 million people when accounting for three days of delayed viewing across NBC, Peacock and digital platforms. That number, calculated from a combination of Nielsen measurement and NBCUniversal’s proprietary data, marked the best viewership for the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting since 2020. The special was the most-watched program on TV that night, and improved on last year’s viewership by 7%. In the key adults 18-49 demographic, it earned a strong 0.8 rating.
This year’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” was hosted by Kelly Clarkson and featured performances by Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Carly Pearce and Manuel Turizo. The special hailed from Brad Lachman Productions, with...
- 12/4/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Find out everything you need to know about the episode of Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!
Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas Preview
In the upcoming episode of “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” slated to air on NBC at 10:00 Pm on December 11, 2023, viewers are in for a festive treat as music legend Barry Manilow takes center stage at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Backed by his world-renowned band, Manilow promises an evening of musical enchantment, blending his greatest hits with a sprinkle of holiday magic.
The show boasts a stellar cast, with Barry Manilow leading the charge with his iconic presence and timeless musical repertoire. Accompanied by his accomplished band, the ensemble sets the stage aglow with the spirit of the season, delivering not only the cherished classics that made...
Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas Preview
In the upcoming episode of “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” slated to air on NBC at 10:00 Pm on December 11, 2023, viewers are in for a festive treat as music legend Barry Manilow takes center stage at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Backed by his world-renowned band, Manilow promises an evening of musical enchantment, blending his greatest hits with a sprinkle of holiday magic.
The show boasts a stellar cast, with Barry Manilow leading the charge with his iconic presence and timeless musical repertoire. Accompanied by his accomplished band, the ensemble sets the stage aglow with the spirit of the season, delivering not only the cherished classics that made...
- 12/4/2023
- by News
- TV Regular
This Monday at 10:00 Pm on NBC, music legend Barry Manilow invites viewers to join the festive celebration with “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas.” Set against the backdrop of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Manilow and his world-renowned band take center stage to deliver a holiday extravaganza filled with the iconic singer’s greatest hits and a selection of cherished holiday favorites.
In this special performance, audiences can expect a magical blend of Manilow’s timeless classics and the joyful spirit of the season. As the holiday lights twinkle and the music fills the air, viewers are treated to a memorable night of entertainment that captures the essence of Barry Manilow’s illustrious career and the warmth of Christmas.
Tune in at 10:00 Pm for an enchanting evening with “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas.” NBC promises a musical journey that brings together the magic...
In this special performance, audiences can expect a magical blend of Manilow’s timeless classics and the joyful spirit of the season. As the holiday lights twinkle and the music fills the air, viewers are treated to a memorable night of entertainment that captures the essence of Barry Manilow’s illustrious career and the warmth of Christmas.
Tune in at 10:00 Pm for an enchanting evening with “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas.” NBC promises a musical journey that brings together the magic...
- 12/4/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
The traditional goodwill surrounding the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City ran into angry pro-Palestinian protesters just outside the event.
News reports indicated hundreds of protesters swarmed the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center, as police tried to separate Christmas revelers from the protests, pushing back people chanting “river to the sea.” Arrests were made and several fights broke out.
Many of those who wished to see the Christmas tree lighting were turned away in the chaos.
Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce, Darene Love, Katherine Mcphee and David Foster, Liz Gillies, and the Radio City Rockettes were among the artists scheduled to perform.
The event was televised by NBC, which focused on the stars on the stage to the exclusion of the riotous behavior yards away.
Waving Palestinian flags and signs, the protesters gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside tourists waiting in line to see the tree ceremony.
News reports indicated hundreds of protesters swarmed the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center, as police tried to separate Christmas revelers from the protests, pushing back people chanting “river to the sea.” Arrests were made and several fights broke out.
Many of those who wished to see the Christmas tree lighting were turned away in the chaos.
Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce, Darene Love, Katherine Mcphee and David Foster, Liz Gillies, and the Radio City Rockettes were among the artists scheduled to perform.
The event was televised by NBC, which focused on the stars on the stage to the exclusion of the riotous behavior yards away.
Waving Palestinian flags and signs, the protesters gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside tourists waiting in line to see the tree ceremony.
- 11/30/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Cher‘s appearance at the annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center event is a hotly anticipated event. This annual New York City holiday tradition is a sign the holiday season has begun. This year’s celebration includes some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars, including the multi-hyphenate. Is this her first time lighting up the stage?
Cher will celebrate her first-holiday album at the Rockefeller Center Christmas event
Cher has been a leading face in the entertainment industry for over six decades. But it is her first time appearing at the Christmas in Rockefeller Center event. The tree lighting is the unofficial start of the holiday season in New York City.
The multi-hyphenate will appear within the ceremony’s two-hour block. However, it has not yet been revealed when she will perform.
Cher will likely sing her holiday hit, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.” She first performed the song during...
Cher will celebrate her first-holiday album at the Rockefeller Center Christmas event
Cher has been a leading face in the entertainment industry for over six decades. But it is her first time appearing at the Christmas in Rockefeller Center event. The tree lighting is the unofficial start of the holiday season in New York City.
The multi-hyphenate will appear within the ceremony’s two-hour block. However, it has not yet been revealed when she will perform.
Cher will likely sing her holiday hit, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.” She first performed the song during...
- 11/30/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The iconic Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony is here and will be telecast live on television!
This year’s Christmas In Rockefeller Center televised special is airing Tonight (November 29) to kick off the holiday season in NYC, and we have all of the details right here.
Get the scoop inside…
The holiday special will be broadcast live on NBC at 8pm Et/Pt, and simulcast on Peacock, and will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will perform some of her holiday hits as well.
The tree this year is an 80-foot tall, 43-foot wide Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York, weighs approximately 12 tons, and is set to feature more than 50k multi-colored LED lights, with a three-dimensional Swarovski star covered in three million crystals at the top.
Check out the full list of performers and special appearances below…
Chloe Bailey
Adam Blackstone and Keke Palmer
Cher
David Foster and Katharine McPhee...
This year’s Christmas In Rockefeller Center televised special is airing Tonight (November 29) to kick off the holiday season in NYC, and we have all of the details right here.
Get the scoop inside…
The holiday special will be broadcast live on NBC at 8pm Et/Pt, and simulcast on Peacock, and will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will perform some of her holiday hits as well.
The tree this year is an 80-foot tall, 43-foot wide Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York, weighs approximately 12 tons, and is set to feature more than 50k multi-colored LED lights, with a three-dimensional Swarovski star covered in three million crystals at the top.
Check out the full list of performers and special appearances below…
Chloe Bailey
Adam Blackstone and Keke Palmer
Cher
David Foster and Katharine McPhee...
- 11/29/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — unless you live in New York and find yourself having to travel through swarms of tourists in Rockefeller Center. The 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, with this year’s 80-foot tall, 43-foot wide Norway Spruce arriving courtesy of Gym Class Heroes drummer Matt McGinley and his wife Jackie.
The tree, which weighs around 12 tons, was plucked from the musician’s property in Vestal, New York, and delivered to Rockefeller Center on Nov. 11. It’s...
The tree, which weighs around 12 tons, was plucked from the musician’s property in Vestal, New York, and delivered to Rockefeller Center on Nov. 11. It’s...
- 11/29/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
As Christmas 2023 draws near, the festivities are well underway. Another big tradition takes place this week. It’s time to kick off the holiday season at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Even if you’re not in the Big Apple, you can enjoy the fun as the iconic Christmas tree is lit. The festive event is filled with holiday joy, including special performances from a star-studded lineup. The special event airs live on both NBC and Peacock on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. Et. You can watch NBC with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream. You can also watch with Hulu Live TV, Fubo, Peacock, or YouTube TV.
How to Watch 2023 Christmas at Rockefeller Center When: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 8:00 Pm Est TV: NBC Stream: Watch with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream. 5-Day Free Trial$79.99+ / month directv.com/stream
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How to Watch 2023 Christmas at Rockefeller Center When: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 8:00 Pm Est TV: NBC Stream: Watch with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream. 5-Day Free Trial$79.99+ / month directv.com/stream
Save $50 Over Your First Two Months of Directv Stream.
- 11/29/2023
- by Aubrey Chorpenning
- The Streamable
“Jingle bells.” “White Christmas.” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” For his latest concert special, the legendary Barry Manilow doesn’t write all the songs that make the whole world sing — but he performs the heck out of these holiday standards. At 80, the crooner-composer is still going strong with a steady Las Vegas gig, a cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the new Broadway musical Harmony, and now A Very Barry Christmas. Manilow gives us a peek. What’s the Very Barry scoop? Barry Manilow: What I like most is that I figured out how to put in a handful of my hits with all the Christmas songs I’ve recorded over the years. (Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Which hits? I did a whole batch of them: “Mandy,” “Weekend in New England,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “I Write the Songs” and “Copacabana.” What’s...
- 11/23/2023
- TV Insider
NBC promises to deliver a star-studded holiday extravaganza in 2023. From Cher to Graceland, Barry Manilow to Dolly Parton, and everything in between, here is what is scheduled on the peacock network to deliver holiday cheer during the most wonderful time of the year.
Both old and new favorites dot the NBC schedule over the next several weeks
Viewers can look forward to the return of their favorite holiday specials on NBC. These include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center. New specials include Christmas at the Opry, hosted by Wynonna Judd, and Christmas at Graceland.
“We take enormous pride in delivering a plethora of heartwarming specials during the holidays that families can enjoy,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials NBCUniversal Media Group.
“From the Thanksgiving parade to the tree lighting to our musical events. These programs symbolize our company’s commitment to...
Both old and new favorites dot the NBC schedule over the next several weeks
Viewers can look forward to the return of their favorite holiday specials on NBC. These include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center. New specials include Christmas at the Opry, hosted by Wynonna Judd, and Christmas at Graceland.
“We take enormous pride in delivering a plethora of heartwarming specials during the holidays that families can enjoy,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials NBCUniversal Media Group.
“From the Thanksgiving parade to the tree lighting to our musical events. These programs symbolize our company’s commitment to...
- 11/22/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Broadway box office took a 7% slide in the week before the Thanksgiving holiday, with the 29 shows settling in at a total $27,060,113 in receipts.
Attendance for the week ending Nov. 19 was 228,423, about 86% of capacity and a slip of 3% from the previous week. The attendance figure is 12% lower than last year at this time.
Most of the productions saw drops in box office, including Harmony in its first full week of post-opening performances. The Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical at the Barrymore was down by $18,483 to $625,411.
Spamalot, with four previews and four regular performances – lots of press seats and opening comps – was off $74,565 to $678,666 at the St. James.
Ending their runs were Melissa Etheridge: My Window, up $43,239 to $371,784 for five performances; The Shark is Broken and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, up $48,986 to $425,253 (receipts from the live simulcasts of Nov. 14-Nov. 19 not included).
Also posting gains was Merrily We Roll Along,...
Attendance for the week ending Nov. 19 was 228,423, about 86% of capacity and a slip of 3% from the previous week. The attendance figure is 12% lower than last year at this time.
Most of the productions saw drops in box office, including Harmony in its first full week of post-opening performances. The Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical at the Barrymore was down by $18,483 to $625,411.
Spamalot, with four previews and four regular performances – lots of press seats and opening comps – was off $74,565 to $678,666 at the St. James.
Ending their runs were Melissa Etheridge: My Window, up $43,239 to $371,784 for five performances; The Shark is Broken and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, up $48,986 to $425,253 (receipts from the live simulcasts of Nov. 14-Nov. 19 not included).
Also posting gains was Merrily We Roll Along,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s new musical Harmony debuted on November 13 after previews began on October 18 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
The musical is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle, who is known for his work on The Music Man and Hello, Dolly!
Set in Berlin in 1927, Harmony tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, a group of talented young men who form an ensemble group. Their rise to fame is extraordinary as they sell millions of records, star in major films and perform in renowned theaters worldwide. However, by 1935, they mysteriously vanished from the spotlight. Harmony explores the peculiar disappearance of the group.
The production boasts a sensational cast of Broadway favorites, including Sierra Boggess, known for her performance in The Phantom of the Opera, Julie Benko from Funny Girl and Chip Zien, known for his role in Into the Woods.
In 1997, a world premiere...
The musical is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle, who is known for his work on The Music Man and Hello, Dolly!
Set in Berlin in 1927, Harmony tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, a group of talented young men who form an ensemble group. Their rise to fame is extraordinary as they sell millions of records, star in major films and perform in renowned theaters worldwide. However, by 1935, they mysteriously vanished from the spotlight. Harmony explores the peculiar disappearance of the group.
The production boasts a sensational cast of Broadway favorites, including Sierra Boggess, known for her performance in The Phantom of the Opera, Julie Benko from Funny Girl and Chip Zien, known for his role in Into the Woods.
In 1997, a world premiere...
- 11/20/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Barry Manilow has opened up about his decision to hide his sexuality for so long, saying that coming out as gay would have “killed his career.”
During an appearance on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max, Manilow explained why, after spending 39 years with his husband, Garry Kief, he chose to come out in 2017 at the age of 73.
“In the 1970s, you know, you didn’t [come out],” he told Wallace. “It wasn’t the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal. But back in the 1970s, it would have killed a career.”
“The public was not ready for anybody to come out. And, frankly, it was just too personal,” he continued. “I just didn’t want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me.
During an appearance on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max, Manilow explained why, after spending 39 years with his husband, Garry Kief, he chose to come out in 2017 at the age of 73.
“In the 1970s, you know, you didn’t [come out],” he told Wallace. “It wasn’t the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal. But back in the 1970s, it would have killed a career.”
“The public was not ready for anybody to come out. And, frankly, it was just too personal,” he continued. “I just didn’t want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me.
- 11/18/2023
- by Ava Lombardi
- Uinterview
Comedian and writer Amber Ruffin will host NBC’s “Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” for the second year in a row, TheWrap can reveal exclusively.
The live special, which is set to air Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. on NBC, will take viewers behind-the-scenes as they get an “all-access look at the Macy’s Parade Studio to discover exactly what it takes to create the famous floats and balloons prior to their journey through the streets of New York,” according to the official logline.
“Today” anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will make an appearance on the special as they recount their favorite memories from hosting the famed parade throughout the years.
Additionally, “Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” will feature one of the high school marching bands slated to perform in the Thanksgiving morning event as they travel to New York City, and will...
The live special, which is set to air Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. on NBC, will take viewers behind-the-scenes as they get an “all-access look at the Macy’s Parade Studio to discover exactly what it takes to create the famous floats and balloons prior to their journey through the streets of New York,” according to the official logline.
“Today” anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will make an appearance on the special as they recount their favorite memories from hosting the famed parade throughout the years.
Additionally, “Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” will feature one of the high school marching bands slated to perform in the Thanksgiving morning event as they travel to New York City, and will...
- 11/17/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Barry Manilow is opening up about coming out.
The 80-year-old music legend got candid on the latest episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max.
During the discussion, he revealed why he made the decision to publicly come out as gay in 2017, having already spent 39 years with his manager and now husband, Garry Kief.
Keep reading to find out more…
“Well, in the ’70s, you know, you didn’t [come out],” he explained. “It wasn’t the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal. But back in the ’70s, it would have killed a career.”
“The public was not ready for anybody to come out. And, frankly, it was just too personal. I just didn’t want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me.
The 80-year-old music legend got candid on the latest episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max.
During the discussion, he revealed why he made the decision to publicly come out as gay in 2017, having already spent 39 years with his manager and now husband, Garry Kief.
Keep reading to find out more…
“Well, in the ’70s, you know, you didn’t [come out],” he explained. “It wasn’t the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal. But back in the ’70s, it would have killed a career.”
“The public was not ready for anybody to come out. And, frankly, it was just too personal. I just didn’t want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me.
- 11/14/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Broadway loves a recognizable name, a famous band or singer that can fuel a jukebox musical on nostalgia and familiar tunes. To its credit, Harmony isn’t that.
If you’ve heard of the Comedian Harmonists, it’s likely that you’ve either seen Harmony or heard about it. Maybe you’re among the countless Barry Manilow fans who follow his every move (and he’s been trying to move with Harmony for decades). But otherwise, chances are good that you don’t know the Harmonists.
And exactly why you don’t know the Harmonists is the most intriguing aspect of Harmony, the new musical directed by Warren Carlyle opening on Broadway tonight. A Berlin-based vocal and comedy group of the 1920s and ’30s, the Comedian Harmonists were hugely popular, successful and famous in their day, selling millions of records, appearing in dozens of films and selling out major venues across the world,...
If you’ve heard of the Comedian Harmonists, it’s likely that you’ve either seen Harmony or heard about it. Maybe you’re among the countless Barry Manilow fans who follow his every move (and he’s been trying to move with Harmony for decades). But otherwise, chances are good that you don’t know the Harmonists.
And exactly why you don’t know the Harmonists is the most intriguing aspect of Harmony, the new musical directed by Warren Carlyle opening on Broadway tonight. A Berlin-based vocal and comedy group of the 1920s and ’30s, the Comedian Harmonists were hugely popular, successful and famous in their day, selling millions of records, appearing in dozens of films and selling out major venues across the world,...
- 11/14/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Merrily We Roll Along, the Sondheim musical revival starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, was Broadway’s sole sell-out last week, filling every last seat at the Hudson Theatre with an eye-popping average ticket price of $234.40.
The critically acclaimed revival added a hefty $1,811,423 to Broadway’s overall weekly box office take of $26,546,735. Total weekly attendance for the 28 shows on Broadway was 223,151 for the week ending November 5; both the total gross and attendance figures held fairly steady from the previous week.
Though Merrily was the only show at 100% of capacity, a few others came close. Both Hamilton and The Lion King were at 99%, Moulin Rouge! was 97% and I Need That, the just-opened comedy starring Danny DeVito from the subscription-based non-profit Roundabout Theatre Co., filled 98% of seats at the American Airlines Theatre.
Making news today was Here Lies Love, the immersive David Byrne-Fatboy Slim musical that announced a...
The critically acclaimed revival added a hefty $1,811,423 to Broadway’s overall weekly box office take of $26,546,735. Total weekly attendance for the 28 shows on Broadway was 223,151 for the week ending November 5; both the total gross and attendance figures held fairly steady from the previous week.
Though Merrily was the only show at 100% of capacity, a few others came close. Both Hamilton and The Lion King were at 99%, Moulin Rouge! was 97% and I Need That, the just-opened comedy starring Danny DeVito from the subscription-based non-profit Roundabout Theatre Co., filled 98% of seats at the American Airlines Theatre.
Making news today was Here Lies Love, the immersive David Byrne-Fatboy Slim musical that announced a...
- 11/7/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Event Chairman Dana Davis hosted The 37th Annual Carousel Ball, presented by Dexcom, on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Denver, Colorado.
Katharine McPhee and David Foster perform onstage during the 37th Annual Carousel Ball
Credit/Copyright: Tom Cooper/Getty Images
With David Foster as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, the biennial event returned to present Satish Garg, MD with the Founders Award and Juli and Joe Smolen with the High Hopes Tribute Award, while patrons of the evening were treated to show-stopping performances from Counting Crows, David Foster and Katharine McPhee. The event raised an incredible over $2.1 million this year, and has raised more than $110 million to date.
The 37th Annual Carousel Ball celebrated all the remarkable things the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes has accomplished and brought to the forefront of diabetes care, as well as the exciting research and influential moments the Barbara Davis...
Katharine McPhee and David Foster perform onstage during the 37th Annual Carousel Ball
Credit/Copyright: Tom Cooper/Getty Images
With David Foster as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, the biennial event returned to present Satish Garg, MD with the Founders Award and Juli and Joe Smolen with the High Hopes Tribute Award, while patrons of the evening were treated to show-stopping performances from Counting Crows, David Foster and Katharine McPhee. The event raised an incredible over $2.1 million this year, and has raised more than $110 million to date.
The 37th Annual Carousel Ball celebrated all the remarkable things the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes has accomplished and brought to the forefront of diabetes care, as well as the exciting research and influential moments the Barbara Davis...
- 11/2/2023
- Look to the Stars
Broadway box office held fairly steady heading into trick or treat season, with receipts for the week ending Oct. 29 at $26,480,578 (about 6% down from the previous week) and attendance at 218,581 (a slip of just 3%).
Staying strong was Merrily We Roll Along, enjoying another sell-out week, with the roster’s top average ticket price of $238.20 pushing the weekly gross to a new Hudson Theatre house record of $1,840,835.
Notable too was I Need That, the new Theresa Rebeck comedy starring Danny DeVito and daughter Lucy DeVito. At 94% of capacity at American Airlines Theatre, the non-profit Roundabout Theatre Co. production grossed $608,910 for seven previews. Opening night is Nov. 2.
Non-prof, subscriber-based Manhattan Theatre Club’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding filled 99% of seats at the Friedman, grossing $351,235 with an average ticket of $68.95.
Other shows hitting the 99% (or above) capacity mark were Hamilton and The Lion King. Other shows...
Staying strong was Merrily We Roll Along, enjoying another sell-out week, with the roster’s top average ticket price of $238.20 pushing the weekly gross to a new Hudson Theatre house record of $1,840,835.
Notable too was I Need That, the new Theresa Rebeck comedy starring Danny DeVito and daughter Lucy DeVito. At 94% of capacity at American Airlines Theatre, the non-profit Roundabout Theatre Co. production grossed $608,910 for seven previews. Opening night is Nov. 2.
Non-prof, subscriber-based Manhattan Theatre Club’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding filled 99% of seats at the Friedman, grossing $351,235 with an average ticket of $68.95.
Other shows hitting the 99% (or above) capacity mark were Hamilton and The Lion King. Other shows...
- 10/31/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC is celebrating the holidays with an evening of a music legend’s hits and some favorites perfect for the festive season. The network has announced Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas will premiere on Monday, December 11 at 10/9c. (It will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.) The special will be filmed at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, where he performs his hit show, “Manilow: Las Vegas – The Hits Come Home!” The evening, with a Vegas-size backdrop and the legend’s renowned 24-piece band, will feature the best of Barry Manilow‘s greatest hits, including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It,” as well as several holiday favorites such as “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Feliz Navidad,” and “White Christmas.” Santa himself may appear. “I love doing our Christmas show! We get to sing my pop hits and favorite Christmas songs,...
- 10/27/2023
- TV Insider
Barry Manilow will star in his own Christmas special this holiday season on NBC.
“Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” which will premiere Monday, Dec. 11 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on NBC, will take fans along as the music legend performs his greatest hits, including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write Songs” and “”Looks Like We Made It.”
Filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, where Manilow performs his Las Vegas show, the special will also feature classic holiday songs, from “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” to “Feliz Navidad” and “White Christmas.” The Christmas special will stream on Peacock beginning Dec. 12, day after its NBC broadcast.
“I love doing our Christmas show!” Manilow said in a statement. “We get to sing my pop hits and my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a feel-good hour full of music.”
Releasing 13 No. 1 hits during his seven-decade career, the performer,...
“Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” which will premiere Monday, Dec. 11 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on NBC, will take fans along as the music legend performs his greatest hits, including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write Songs” and “”Looks Like We Made It.”
Filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, where Manilow performs his Las Vegas show, the special will also feature classic holiday songs, from “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” to “Feliz Navidad” and “White Christmas.” The Christmas special will stream on Peacock beginning Dec. 12, day after its NBC broadcast.
“I love doing our Christmas show!” Manilow said in a statement. “We get to sing my pop hits and my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a feel-good hour full of music.”
Releasing 13 No. 1 hits during his seven-decade career, the performer,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Legendary singer and songwriter Barry Manilow is set to star in a Christmas special at NBC, Variety has learned exclusively.
Titled “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” the one-hour special will air on NBC Dec. 11 at 10 pm Et/Pt and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. It will be filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino where he performs his hit show, “Manilow: Las Vegas – The Hits Come Home!”
“I love doing our Christmas show!” Manilow said. “We get to sing my pop hits and my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a feel-good hour full of music.”
Manilow, along with his 24-piece band, will play some of his biggest hits including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It,” along with a lineup of several holiday favorites.
“Barry’s legacy and longevity is truly something to behold,” said Jen Neal,...
Titled “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” the one-hour special will air on NBC Dec. 11 at 10 pm Et/Pt and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. It will be filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino where he performs his hit show, “Manilow: Las Vegas – The Hits Come Home!”
“I love doing our Christmas show!” Manilow said. “We get to sing my pop hits and my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a feel-good hour full of music.”
Manilow, along with his 24-piece band, will play some of his biggest hits including “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It,” along with a lineup of several holiday favorites.
“Barry’s legacy and longevity is truly something to behold,” said Jen Neal,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
About 10 years ago, Adam Weiner was onstage in a shitty NASCAR bar in Illinois, playing two sets of piano-driven rock & soul for about 30 onlookers. Weiner, who’s Jewish and fronts the band Low Cut Connie, was wearing a Star of David around his neck as he sang and banged on the keys, and the pendant caught the attention of a group of guys, standing arms folded, near the back of the room.
“My guitar player Will Donnelly, who was brand new in the band and also a Jew, goes to get a drink.
“My guitar player Will Donnelly, who was brand new in the band and also a Jew, goes to get a drink.
- 10/27/2023
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Broadway box office held steady last week with total grosses for 28 shows tallying up to $28,106,860, with 224,832 ticket buyers paying an average $125.01 per seat.
A healthy chunk of those total numbers were contributed by such recent arrivals as Merrily We Roll Along and Gutenberg! The Musical, which had its best week to date with a take of $932,436 at the James Earl Jones, that despite significant post-opening press comps.
(Gutenberg!, starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, has been surprising audiences with special unbilled appearances near the end of each performance, secret cameos that might not contribute to box office but can’t hurt word of mouth enthusiasm: Following Nathan Lane’s appearance on opening night, the cameos last week included Ashley Park, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Stamos, Rory O’Malley, Christian Slater, Amber Ruffin and, in a stroke of some kinda genius,...
A healthy chunk of those total numbers were contributed by such recent arrivals as Merrily We Roll Along and Gutenberg! The Musical, which had its best week to date with a take of $932,436 at the James Earl Jones, that despite significant post-opening press comps.
(Gutenberg!, starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, has been surprising audiences with special unbilled appearances near the end of each performance, secret cameos that might not contribute to box office but can’t hurt word of mouth enthusiasm: Following Nathan Lane’s appearance on opening night, the cameos last week included Ashley Park, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Stamos, Rory O’Malley, Christian Slater, Amber Ruffin and, in a stroke of some kinda genius,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s hard to overstate the late 1970s stardom of Suzanne Somers, who died on Oct. 15 in Palm Springs at 76. “Three’s Company” made Somers one of the most popular faces on TV, thanks to Chrissy Snow, the naive and charming character she played on the ABC sitcom. Somers fought for equal pay decades before it became a rallying cry for female actors — and she wound up getting fired for it. But Somers bounced back with TV series like “She’s the Sheriff” and “Step by Step,” and became a ubiquitous author and TV pitch woman. Perhaps even more importantly, she inspired a new generation of stars — including Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg. Here, the ‘Masked Singer’ panelist, SiriusXM host and performer pays tribute to her mentor and longtime friend.
We all aspire to leave behind a positive impact, and Suzanne Somers achieved that and much more. In Hollywood, she shattered stereotypes, proving that ditsy...
We all aspire to leave behind a positive impact, and Suzanne Somers achieved that and much more. In Hollywood, she shattered stereotypes, proving that ditsy...
- 10/17/2023
- by Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood is mourning Suzanne Somers, star of sitcoms “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step,” who died Sunday after a long battle with breast cancer. The actor would have celebrated her 77th birthday on Monday, Oct. 16.
Somers was known for her roles as bubbly “dumb blonde” Chrissy Snow in “Three’s Company” and single mom Carol Foster Lambert in “Step by Step.” Somers left “Three’s Company” in 1980 when her request that she be paid the same as her male co-star, John Ritter, was denied. After the end of “Step by Step” in 1998, Somers transitioned to a career in health and beauty, becoming the national spokeswoman for exercise device the ThighMaster. Over time, she built a fitness empire from TV infomercials and an expansion into e-commerce. She also made an appearance in 2015 on Season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Fran Drescher, Kathy Griffin and Barry Manilow are among those who have paid tribute to Somers.
Somers was known for her roles as bubbly “dumb blonde” Chrissy Snow in “Three’s Company” and single mom Carol Foster Lambert in “Step by Step.” Somers left “Three’s Company” in 1980 when her request that she be paid the same as her male co-star, John Ritter, was denied. After the end of “Step by Step” in 1998, Somers transitioned to a career in health and beauty, becoming the national spokeswoman for exercise device the ThighMaster. Over time, she built a fitness empire from TV infomercials and an expansion into e-commerce. She also made an appearance in 2015 on Season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Fran Drescher, Kathy Griffin and Barry Manilow are among those who have paid tribute to Somers.
- 10/16/2023
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
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