'Rosewater': A Film Review
I'm sorry, Jon Stewart. I'm really sorry because I love your Daily Show. I love that your satire holds the feet of politicians to the fire. But your film... well, someone needs to say this: it's not...
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From the New Radicals to a Song that Can Save Your Life: Gregg Alexander
When John Carney (Once) decided to make a follow-up film about three people trying to maintain passion and artistic integrity in the music business, there was just one ideal choice to write the songs....
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The Power of Tenacity in the Entertainment Industry
I recall a one-liner from one of my favorite standup comedians, Steven Wright, where he says, "The Stones -- I love the Stones. I can't believe they're still doing it after all these years. I watch 'em...
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Jeff Calhoun talks about the new & improved Disney Newsies before ducking out...
So when the good people of Pittsburgh head out for the Benedum Center later this week to catch the North American touring company of Disney Newsies, will they be seeing an exact duplicate of the Tony...
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Chats with a Bangle, a Crobot, a Griswold, Jacquie Lee, Guys from Great...
A Conversation with The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs Mike Ragogna: Ladies And Gentlemen...The Bangles! is the latest yet oldest collection of material from The Bangles. Why did you choose to go back to this...
View ArticleA-Sides With Jon Chattman: The WALK THE MOON "Dance Off": Eli Maiman Talks...
"Shut Up and Dance," the new song from alt-rockers WALK THE MOON, is one of the best '80s songs to ever hit mainstream radio. Ironically, it just came out. Off topic, is that the correct use for the...
View ArticleMike Nichols, 1931-2014
Film is the theater of the unconscious. - Mike Nichols I hate endings. Never liked them; in books, films, sometimes songs (especially fades -- what the hell is that?), whatever. This is why my novel...
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Arbitrate or Mediate But Don't Litigate Entertainment Disputes
Gone are the days when media moguls and professional athletes would voluntarily hang around the courthouse to litigate contract disputes. Today the entertainment and sports industry increasingly use...
View ArticleKendra Wilkinson: What Makes You Stay With a Cheater?
After some consideration, Model Kendra Wilkinson has decided to stay married to her husband of five years, former football star Hank Baskett, despite the fact that she knows he was cheating on her with...
View ArticleThe Future Weighs in on Bill Cosby and Celebs in Crisis
Let the thought leadership commence. Bill Cosby just had the kind of week undergraduates taking a PR course in the future will one day sit back and discuss. I can see it now: SCENE: AN ACADEMIC...
View ArticleDreams Do Come True: Two Awakenings I Had At The Global Spin Awards
The stage was set, the lights were lit and the room was full of anticipation. On November 18th at the fabulous New World Stage in New York City, the third annual Global Spin Award housed some of the...
View ArticleDear White People: Diversity at the University
Dear Justin Simien, Just wanted to write back to thank you for your film Dear White People. Oh sure, Dear White People was a bit critical of race relations. But it was smart, funny and energetic. The...
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WWE Superstar Charlotte, Daughter of Ric Flair, Hopes to Revolutionize...
"The biggest thing holding me back is fear," confessed second-generation World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Charlotte of her in-ring career, "Being afraid to fail and not live up to such a legacy...
View ArticleMockingjay and the Price of Violence in Popular Fiction
This Friday, Mockingjay: Part 1 -- the third film in the cinematic tetralogy based on Suzanne Collins' trio of dystopian Young Adult novels, and the first based on that trilogy's concluding chapter --...
View ArticleFilm Review: Time Is IllMatic Directed by One9
Let me start by being completely honest. I won't call myself a true Nas fan. I definitely listened to a few of his songs when they came on the radio, and danced to some, when they were spun in the...
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Fred Goodman: Songwriter, Singer, Parodist Extraordinaire
On Christmas Day 1994, the veteran singer/songwriter Fred Goodman met his future wife Chris's extended family. When caroling time arrived, Fred, the only Jew in a houseful of Catholics, sat at the...
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My Love/Hate Relationship With Taylor Swift and Why You Should Follow Her Lead
Ever since Taylor Swift came crashing into the country music scene in 2006 with her self-titled debut album I will admit I have been a fan of her music. She has a great voice and wrote lyrics that any...
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Wyclef Jean on His New Single 'Divine Sorrow' With Avicii
Last week Wyclef Jean released his new single, "Divine Sorrow." He collaborated on the song with famed electronic music DJ and producer Avicii. Proceeds from the single will benefit the Global Fund to...
View ArticleMike Nichols Saved Our Lives!
Mike was a mensch. He was the wittiest man I ever broke bread with, and he was a quiet philanthropist who saved lives while he was influencing "the American century." He improved the quality of life of...
View ArticleTheater: Not Enough "Tristan & Yseult;" Never Enough Lypsinka!
TRISTAN & YSEULT ** out of **** LYPSKINA! THE BOXED SET **** out of **** TRISTAN & YSEULT ** out of **** ST. ANN'S WAREHOUSE I had a great first date with the Kneehigh theatre company. It was...
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