STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: RED SKELTON

 April 10, 1958 – "The Day Red Skelton’s World Shattered" was the headlines in the paper. This sad photo I almost didn't publish. More than 65 years after it was taken you can still feel the pain and heart ache.For a man who made the world laugh, this was the day that brought him to his knees. On this day, Red Skelton lost his beloved son, Richard, to leukemia. He was just 10 years old.

Red had searched the world for a cure, hoping that his fame and fortune could save the life of his little boy. But even the greatest love a father could give wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable. The same man who brought joy to millions now faced a sorrow no words or stage could ever heal.

From that day forward, his laughter carried a quiet pain, his performances masking a grief that never left him. Though the world remembers Red Skelton as a legendary comedian, those who truly knew his story remember him as a father whose heart broke on April 10, 1958. A man who, despite unimaginable loss, continued to bring light to others—even hile carrying darkness within.

SCANDAL AT STEEL CITY CON

This past weekend from April 4 - April 6 was the annual Steel City Comic Book convention in Pittsburgh. I have been to the event before, and the convention in Pittsburgh brings all walks of people to get rare merchandise, dress up in their favorite costumes, and meet and greet some of their favorite celebrities. Most of the celebrities that appear are at the end of their career, but some big stars to appear from time to time.

A surpise announcement was made on Friday that actor Kevin Spacey would be appearing. For a long time Spacey was one of the most celebrated actors until scandal rocked his career. In 2017, Spacey faced several allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment. On October 29, 2017, actor Anthony Rapp was the first to accuse Spacey of sexual misconduct. In the following weeks, other accusers came forward, including actor Roberto Cavazos, filmmaker Tony Montana, Richard Dreyfuss's son Harry, and at least eight people who worked on House of Cards.

In the wake of these claims, Netflix cut ties with Spacey, shelving his biopic of Gore Vidal and removing him from the last season of House of Cards. His completed role as J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's film All the Money in the World (2017) was reshot with Christopher Plummer. Spacey has denied the accusations and was found not liable in a 2022 civil lawsuit filed by Rapp in New York. In a separate criminal case in London, he was acquitted by a jury of sexual assault charges in 2023.

Spacey is now unable to find regular film work, and his home recently was foreclosed on. Steel City Con made the announcement quickly and abruptly. Some vendors backed out of their appearance, and according to the vendors Steel City Con officials said those vendors will not be allowed back. My concern is there are a lot of children that go to the convention. Personally, I would not let anyone younger than a teenager go, and even though Kevin Spacey has only been accused of the misconduct, I don't feel he is a person that should be making an appearance at a convention like this.

I wrote to Steel City Con requesting an interview. I received no reply to the interview, but I told them this would make me not want to go to their convention in the future. Their reply back to me was "We looked you up and can not see that you have bought a ticket to the convention in the past". So it looks like the convention does not care about it's vendors and customers, they just look at the potential money they will make from having a controversial star like Kevin Spacey appear. Who is next - Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein?

DAVID DUNCAN'S HOLLYWOOD: SHOW BOAT

RECENTLY VIEWED: BACK IN ACTION

 The kids for a change did not need anything on a Saturday after dinner so my wife and I sat down to check out the Netflix film Back In Action. The movie is a 2025 American action-comedy film directed by Seth Gordon from a script he co-wrote with Brendan O'Brien. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close. The film was released by Netflix on January 17, 2025. 

CIA NOC operatives Matt (Jamie Foxx) and his pregnant fiance Emily (Cameron Diaz) are tasked by their superior and friend, Chuck (Kyle Chandler), to obtain the key called the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) - a device that can control any electronic system. They must get it from the Polish KGB agent-turned terrorist Balthazzar Gor (Robert Besta during his children's grandiose birthday party. Gor is the head of the terrorist organization named Volka. Chuck says that Gor could the key to trigger another catastrophe like the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Before embarking on the mission Emily had taken a pregnancy test and found that she was expecting a baby. Observing them through remote cameras, Chuck finds that Emily and Matt are now together.

Matt and Emily manage to steal the device and escape to a rendezvous point. However, on their flight home, the crew ambushes them for the Key as they are on Gor's payroll. Just before the ambush, Emily had told Matt that she is pregnant and that he is the dad. The duo manages to neutralize the flight crew, and the pilot is accidentally shot by a stray bullet. The plane hurtles to the ground and the duo barely escapes the plane crash. The plane crash lands on a mountain slope and slides towards a cliff, triggering an avalanche. There was only a single parachute in the plane and Matt wanted Emily to save herself, but Emily grab onto Matt as she deploys the parachute, saving them both. Realizing someone must have fed the flight crew information of their Key, the two decide to go off the grid. They give up their careers and their secret identities for a life together as a family.

Fifteen years later, the now married Matt and Emily reside in Atlanta under new identities while trying to care for their children Leo (Rylan Jackson) and Alice (McKenna Roberts). Emily has a side business selling custom puzzles on Etsy. Alice and Leo are now teenagers and don't really listen to their parents. Alice has doubts about her parents being truthful as she had heard Matt speaking to the AC repair guy in Russian, which Emily explains to their stint in the peace corps. Emily tries hard to connect with Alice, but she needs her own space and keeps pushing back.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz are sucked back into the CIA, so as you can guess they not only have to deal with getting killed but have normal family problems with teenagers. The movie really hit home with my wife and I as we try to figure out how to raise teenagers. Jamie Foxx was ill during the film, and he looked tired in some parts, but Cameron Diaz really shined. She has not appeared in a movie since 2014's Annie. The action is amazing, and there are some really good laughs. Critics were not kind to the film, but anyone that has teenagers will find a lot of good humor and lessons in this film. I highly recommend this film...

MY RATING: 9 OUT OF 10

RIP: VAL KILMER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. The New York Times was the first to report his death on Tuesday.

Val Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies.

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”

Kilmer, the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most. His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character,” director Michael Mann said in a statement Tuesday night.

One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott for “Top Gun” but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” with Nicole Kidman and opposite Chris O’Donnell‘s Robin — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

Janet Maslin in the Times said Kilmer was “hamstrung by the straight-man aspects of the role,” while Roger Ebert deadpanned that he was a “completely acceptable” substitute for Keaton. Kilmer, who was one and done as Batman, blamed much of his performance on the suit.

“When you’re in it, you can barely move and people have to help you stand up and sit down,” Kilmer said in “Val,” in lines spoken by his son Jack, who voiced the part of his father in the film because of his inability to speak. “You also can’t hear anything and after a while people stop talking to you, it’s very isolating. It was a struggle for me to get a performance past the suit, and it was frustrating until I realized that my role in the film was just to show up and stand where I was told to.”

Kilmer published two books of poetry (including “My Edens After Burns”) and was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for spoken word album for “The Mark of Zorro.” He was also a visual artist and a lifelong Christian Scientist.

He dated Cher, married and divorced actor Joanne Whalley. He is survived by their two children, Mercedes and Jack.

“I have no regrets,” Kilmer told the AP in 2021. “I’ve witnessed and experienced miracles.”

STAR FRIENDS: JERRY SEINFELD AND LARRY DAVID

David met comedian Jerry Seinfeld in 1976, and the two soon began collaborating on stand-up material. As Seinfeld’s stand-up career took off, David worked as a writer and performer (1980–82) on the ABC television sketch comedy series Fridays and as a writer (1984–85) for Saturday Night Live (SNL), but he never gained much public notice. David was known as “a comic’s comic” whose antagonistic, bitingly sarcastic act often alienated the audience but delighted his fellow comedians. In 1988 Seinfeld was offered a sitcom pilot by NBC, and he and David created Seinfeld.

Jerry Seinfeld was no stranger to comedy, but with Larry David, something clicked. It wasn’t just Larry’s knack for cracking jokes; he was different. Jerry recalls, “I’d never met a comedian who actually wrote something—like, a real script. Not just an airline peanuts bit. Larry had actually typed out a movie script, and that made him feel like a writer to me.”

  
Jerry, always looking for a creative partner, thought to himself, “This guy gets it. He’s on the same wavelength.” And just like that, a legendary partnership was born, shaping comedy history in ways no one could have predicted.

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld's friendship remains strong, as the two were recently spotted vacationing together in Italy with friends.

Both Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld achieved great success individually after Seinfeld ended, with David creating Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld signing a lucrative deal with Netflix...

BILL MURRAY ON GILDA RADNER

Bill Murray says “SNL” costar Gilda Radner used to 'wet her pants' laughing: 'She'd have to run out of the room' Radner, who died in 1989, was one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players."

The Saturday Night Live family has lost many cast members over the years. Former show regular Bill Murray remembered one of them, his friend Gilda Radner, in probably the best way that a comedian can.

"Everybody liked making her laugh," Murray said of Radner.

The reason was simple.

"She would wet her pants, that's what Gilda would do," Murray said. "You could get her going, and she'd have to run out of the room. But there was sort of no limit to how much she could laugh until her bodily functions broke down."

The comedians worked together on the show in its early years. Radner was one of the original seven ensemble players starting in 1975, and she stood out for her characters such as Baba Wawa, her parody on Barbara Walters, and "Weekend Update" consumer affairs reporter Roseanne Roseannadanna. She was on the show until 1980, which overlapped with Murray's tenure from 1977 to 1980.

"To know her for as long as I knew her was, really, sort of a training camp," Murray said. "It was like a real discipline, like, I've got a possibility here to make someone laugh a lot. And she'd see it and go like, 'Uh-oh, here it comes.' And you do, and it's fun."

Murray has acknowledged that he cried at last month's star-studded SNL50 special, celebrating a half-century of the sketch comedy remembering Gilda Radner...

RECENTLY VIEWED: SNOW WHITE

Okay, if you have heard or read the news lately about Disney's Snow White, you will have known about the political problems between the stars and how bad the movie is. I went to see the film with my daughter, and it is not that bad. Disney's Snow White, or simply Snow White, is a 2025 American musical fantasy film directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions, it is a live-action reimagining of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That animated film was based on the 1812 fairy tale "Snow White" by the Brothers Grimm. Starring Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap and Gal Gadot, the new film follows the pure-hearted Snow White (Zegler) who joins forces with seven dwarfs and a bandit named Jonathan (Burnap) to free her kingdom from her cruel stepmother (Gadot).

Plans for a remake of 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were confirmed in October 2016, with Wilson announced as a screenwriter. Webb entered talks to direct in May 2019 and was announced as director in September 2019. Filming took place primarily in London from March to July 2022, with additional filming and pick-ups in June 2024. With an estimated production budget of $240–270 million, Snow White is one of the most expensive films ever made and Disney's fifteenth-most expensive. Before release, controversies arose about the film related to its color-blind casting, story changes, Zegler's public critiques of the original film, Zegler and Gadot's conflicting political views, and the reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs.

Politics aside, it was a pretty good film. The music was spot on, and I was surprised by Gail Gadot singing. The only weak part for me weas how the cruel stepmother was defeated at the end. My daughter is a huge Disney fan, and we have been going to all the remakes. This movie does not compare to 2017's Beauty And The Beast or 2021's Cruella, but it is definitely better than 2019's Dumbo and 2023's Little Mermaid. Don't listen to critics and check out this movie for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

MY RATING: 8 OUT OF 10

THE HUMOR OF YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Mel Brook's humor has always stood out for its ability to engage with the world by revealing its ugly side. His jokes have famously turned the negative aspects of society upside down to satirically disarm them by exposing their faults and hypocrisy. Films like The Producers and Blazing Saddles are prime examples since they cover sensitive topics like prejudice and racism in a well-received way. Aside from this, however, Brook's comedy also has a penchant for the crass and risqué, which is common among some directors, and Young Frankenstein is no different. The film transforms slapstick antics like kneeing someone in the genitals into an intellectual exercise on the inner workings of the human brain while also using sexual innuendos and wordplay to explore a discourse focused on the nuances of relationships between men and women, regardless of whether they're organic or manufactured beings. As a result, bits like "Rolling Around in the Hay" and "The Mysteries of Life" are memorable and remain relevant today. However, the "Frau Blücher" bit has never been given the same regard.

In many ways, the funny exchanges between Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman), while comical and unforgettable in their own right, can be viewed as a throwaway bit compared to the others. This is because it doesn't stand out as much among all the other hilarious scenes within the film. After all, juxtaposed against the "Sedagive" routine, Wilder's shrieking "Quiet Dignity" or the "Abby Normal" scene, a little bit of thunder and a horse neighing after hearing the housekeeper's name doesn't have the same comedic impact. However, considering who Frau Blücher is concerning the family, the character's famous scene, including her offering the good doctor a refreshment before bed, might be Young Frankenstein's most underrated and subtlest joke. One that contains a bit of unnoticed raunchiness that highlights Mel Brook's timeless comedic genius -- even almost 50 years later.

HEALTHWATCH: JOHNNY MATHIS

Johnny Mathis has announced he’s retiring from live stage performances due to “age and memory issues which have accelerated.”

The news was shared in a statement on the 89-year-old’s Facebook page Wednesday: “While there are still some exciting concerts coming up, regrettably all Johnny Mathis concerts from June 2025 onwards are now cancelled.”

“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” the statement continued. “So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring & live concerts.”

According to Mathis’ website, the singer-songwriter has four concerts remaining on his 2025 Voice of Romance tour before he officially retires, including in Pennsylvania, Indiana, California and New Jersey, with his final show scheduled for May 18. As for the four canceled shows, “refunds will be made through the original point of purchase,” according to the post.

“Johnny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful,'” the statement concluded.

Mathis, the voice behind the hits “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” “Gina,” “What Will My Mary Say” and “Misty,” has been touring across the world for seven decades, since releasing his self-titled debut album in 1956.

In addition to earning five Grammy nominations throughout his career, he was awarded The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Mathis also has three recordings — “Chances Are,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and “Misty” — in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

CAROLE KING AND HER FOUR HUSBANDS

What does it take to write music that touches millions, while enduring the heartbreak of four marriages? Carole King, the woman behind timeless songs, has not only shaped the world of music but also weathered the emotional storms of love and loss. Her story of marriages and relationships is as complex and layered as the music that made her a legend.

 
King’s first marriage was to lyricist Gerry Goffin, a partnership that started when she was just 17 years old. Goffin and King were an unstoppable duo in the early 1960s, crafting hit songs like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “The Loco-Motion.” They became one of the most successful songwriting teams of the era. Their creative connection was undeniable, but their marriage faced many difficulties. While they had two daughters, Louise and Sherry, the relationship began to crack under the weight of Goffin’s infidelities and personal struggles. He struggled with depression and drug use, which placed an immense strain on their marriage. By 1968, their relationship ended in divorce, though their professional legacy would live on.

After her divorce from Goffin, King moved forward with her career and found love again with bassist Charles Larkey. In 1970, she married Larkey, and they had two children, Molly and Levi. This marriage marked a new chapter in her life, coinciding with her solo career taking off. During this period, King released her iconic album “Tapestry,” which earned her worldwide fame and solidified her status as a music legend. However, despite the success, her marriage with Larkey also came under strain. The pressures of balancing her booming career and family life began to take a toll. Larkey was frequently touring, and King was consumed with her work. The emotional distance grew between them, leading to the couple’s eventual separation in 1976.

King’s third marriage was to singer-songwriter Rick Evers, which turned out to be the most heartbreaking chapter in her personal life. The two married in 1977, and initially, King believed she had found a partner who understood her both creatively and emotionally. However, Evers struggled with drug addiction, and his abusive behavior soon became apparent. King has spoken about the domestic abuse she suffered during this period, which left her emotionally devastated. In 1978, Evers tragically died of a drug overdose, bringing an abrupt and sorrowful end to their tumultuous relationship. This marriage, though brief, left a lasting impact on King’s life and served as a period of intense emotional pain.

After the trauma of her third marriage, King took a step back from relationships for a few years. In 1982, she married Rick Sorenson, a rancher who brought a sense of calm and stability to her life. This relationship was less public and much more grounded, offering King a peaceful environment away from the spotlight. However, even this marriage wasn’t meant to last. By 1989, King and Sorenson had parted ways, though the reasons for the breakup were never fully disclosed. Many believe that the challenges of maintaining a relationship in the midst of King’s continued career demands and personal growth contributed to their separation.

In addition to her marriages, King also had a deep personal and professional connection with fellow musician James Taylor. The two collaborated on numerous projects in the 1970s, creating some of the era’s most iconic songs. Their friendship grew into something more, though they never married. Their close bond, rooted in mutual respect and admiration, remained intact even as their romantic relationship didn’t lead to a long-term commitment. Taylor and King have continued to speak fondly of each other, both acknowledging the special creative and emotional relationship they shared.

Today, Carole King is single and has found contentment in her life, focusing on her music and environmental activism. She is an advocate for the protection of natural habitats, especially in the Northern Rockies, and her passion for preserving the environment has become a central part of her later life. While her children, Louise, Sherry, Molly, and Levi, have all grown and pursued their own lives, King maintains a close bond with her family...

HOLLYWOOD TIDBITS: THE BROWN DERBY

In 1956, the entrance to The Brown Derby restaurant on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, CA, stood as an iconic symbol of Hollywood glamour and elegance. The Brown Derby was famous not just for its distinctive hat-shaped architecture but also for being a gathering spot for celebrities, industry moguls, and socialites. As patrons approached the entrance, they were greeted by a sense of sophistication and exclusivity that defined the Golden Age of Hollywood.Located in the heart of Los Angeles, The Brown Derby on Wilshire Blvd was more than just a restaurant; it was a cultural landmark where some of the most famous figures of the time dined and socialized. The ambiance was one of luxury and refinement, with the walls adorned with caricatures of famous patrons, creating an atmosphere that was both chic and welcoming.

The restaurant was known for its exquisite cuisine, including the famous Cobb Salad, which was said to have been invented there. The Brown Derby was a place where deals were made, scripts were discussed, and the who’s who of Hollywood could be spotted enjoying a meal. This establishment epitomized the blend of fine dining and celebrity culture that Los Angeles is renowned for, leaving a lasting legacy in the city's history. It closed in 1985...

HISTORY OF A SONG: TOM DOOLEY

"Tom Dooley," made famous by The Kingston Trio, became a haunting folk ballad that resonated deeply with audiences when it was released in 1958. The song quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard chart, captivating listeners not just for its melody but for the tragic story it told. Based on real events, "Tom Dooley" follows the tale of Tom Dula, a Civil War veteran from North Carolina who was condemned for the murder of his lover, Laura Foster. The chilling story of love, betrayal, and loss behind the song added a layer of melancholy to its catchy tune, leaving an emotional mark on the American music landscape.

The real-life story behind "Tom Dooley" stems from a famous murder case that took place in North Carolina during the post-Civil War era. Tom Dula, a young Confederate soldier, became romantically entangled with Laura Foster and Ann Melton, a married woman. Laura’s mysterious murder set off a wave of speculation and scandal, ultimately leading to Tom’s arrest and trial. Many believe that the case involved jealousy, betrayal, and complex emotions, elements that became the soul of the folk ballad. Tom was accused of killing Laura Foster, and although his guilt remains a matter of historical debate, he was convicted and hanged. As Tom faced his fate, he reportedly expressed love for Laura, a tragic final note that adds depth to the song’s lyrics.

In the late 1950s, The Kingston Trio, a group known for their crisp harmonies and fresh take on folk music, stumbled upon the song. When they recorded "Tom Dooley," they tapped into the raw emotional power of the story, infusing it with somber harmonies that matched the weight of Tom’s tale. The simplicity of the arrangement and the Trio’s harmonic style turned the song into an unforgettable anthem of heartbreak and regret. Its opening lines, “Hang down your head, Tom Dooley, poor boy, you’re bound to die,” struck a nerve with audiences, drawing them into the sorrow and inevitability of Tom’s demise.

The song’s instant success took even the Trio by surprise. Released during a time when folk music was regaining its place in mainstream American culture, "Tom Dooley" bridged the gap between traditional folk storytelling and the pop sensibilities of the late 1950s. Its success signaled a growing fascination with folk ballads and narratives, especially those that conveyed real, raw emotions. The song didn’t just top the charts; it became a cultural moment, defining the rise of folk music in popular culture.

As the ballad’s popularity grew, audiences became more intrigued by the tragic backstory. Folk music enthusiasts and historians alike delved into the true story of Tom Dula, fascinated by the historical details and the folklore that surrounded the case. The simplicity of the song allowed listeners to interpret it through their own perspectives, whether they saw it as a cautionary tale of passion or a reflection on the harshness of life’s circumstances. For many, "Tom Dooley" represented the kind of music that drew on painful truths, a storytelling style that resonated deeply with the American experience...

RECENTLY VIEWED: ZERO DAY

 Recently I was look on Netflix and a limited series caught my eye by the name of Zero Day. Zero Day is an American political thriller television miniseries created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt for Netflix, directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, and featuring an ensemble cast led by Robert De Niro. It is about a former president investigating a devastating zero-day cyberattack in the US. The series was released on Netflix on February 20, 2025.

A former President of the United States is appointed to lead an investigation into a massive zero day cyberattack that causes multiple deaths and disasters nationwide.

Robert De Niro leads the cast as a former president who is suffering from memory lapses. His portrayal of this  character is pretty reserved compared to other film roles. He appears presidental, but I do not feel this is De Niro's best performance. At times it seemed he wasn't so into the performance. Maye that is just. His daughter is played by Lizzy Caplan, who I have been aware of since her appearance in the monster movie Cloverfield in 2008. She was excellent in her role, and she elevated De Niro's performance. The current president is played by Angela Bassett. While she had some good scenes with De Niro, she was pretty much wasted in this film.

The plot was actually pretty good. At times it was convoluted, but it is scary because that kind of cyber attack is realistic and could happen. How government and society is completely divided these days is also realistically portrayed in the series. 

Lizzy Caplan made the Series for me, and Robert De Niro is still great to watch. The limited series is not the best show I have seen, but it was worth my time. There are only six episodes and most of them are around 50 minutes long. It's not a long committment, so definitely give this series a watch. It makes you think...

MY RATING: 7 of 10

BING CROSBY - THE HOLLYWOOD YEARS: PART 6

RIP: GENE HACKMAN

Gene Hackman could trace back his entire acting career to one moment when he was 13 years old: His father left the family and, as he left, he walked right past his son and said nothing — just gave a slight wave.

Decades later, Hackman said he still thought about that little wave, and how much an actor could show, or hide, with just one understated gesture.

Hackman channeled that experience into a long career in acting, appearing in more than 100 movies and TV shows. The two-time Oscar winner and his wife were found dead in their New Mexico home, a Santa Fe County Sheriff's spokesperson said Thursday. Hackman was 95 years old.

Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Denise Avila confirmed the deaths in a statement.

In a released statement, the sheriff's spokesperson did not provide a cause of death for Hackman or his 64-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa. The pair and a dog were found dead Wednesday afternoon in their home. Foul play was not suspected, authorities said.

Hackman played complicated men — many of them not very nice. He won his first Oscar for his performance in the 1972 film The French Connection, in which he played a hard-nosed New York cop who roughs up a drug dealer — while dressed in a Santa suit. He won his second Academy Award playing a sadistic sheriff in the 1992 Western Unforgiven.

Hackman was tough in real life, too. He went to jail at 16 for stealing, and right after that talked his way into the Marines. Hackman bumped around for a decade, then signed up for acting lessons at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse. He hated everyone there — except for a short kid with a big nose named Dustin Hoffman. Hackman and Hoffman were both kicked out of the program for lack of acting talent, so they moved to New York and slowly broke into the movies.

"It's always more fun to play heavy than it is to play a good guy," Hackman told Fresh Air's Terry Gross in 1999.

He did play some good guys — the inspirational coach in the movie Hoosiers, a preacher in the Poseidon Adventure — but Hackman was a coiled snake of an actor, always with a hint of menace. Hackman said he dug for intense emotions in his roles and kept them under wraps.

"I find in me a sadistic streak," he said. "I find something in me that maybe might not be very attractive, but I feel might be valuable in this context — under certain circumstances we're all capable of murder, I suppose."

Hackman epitomized a 1970s, edgy, tightly wound masculinity. He intimidated the cast of The Royal Tennenbaums, from 2001, including Luke Wilson, who played his adopted son. In a Fresh Air interview a few years later, Wilson remembered doing a scene with Hackman — his idol. Wilson kept fumbling his lines.

"He just looked back at me with this glance that shivered me to the bone," Wilson recalled with a laugh. "And needless to say, I nailed it on the next take."

The part was written with Hackman in mind, but director Wes Anderson told Fresh Air it took him months to convince Hackman to do it.

"He was happiest when he was doing a hard shot," Anderson said. "He's such a good actor he can do anything and he sort of likes a chance to stretch his legs."

Hackman tried stretching his legs in other directions — he painted and wrote novels. He retired from acting multiple times during his career, but multiple times, he returned.

"If you've done it as long as I have, it's very hard to drop it." he explained. "You know, there's something very seductive about acting. You come to work and there's 90 people waiting for you to do something. There's something both very heady, and seductive and unattractive about that."

Some critics thought he made too many small, weird movies in the 1960s and too much commercial dreck in the 1980s and after. But unflinching, funny, surly, and a study in self-possession — Hackman became one of the most sought-after actors of his generation...

HOLLYWOOD URBAN LEGEND: ROBIN WILLIAMS

URBAN LEGEND: Did Robin Williams hire homeless people to work on his movies?

ANSWER: YES!

It is amazing that Robin Williams for every movie he was shooting, asked the production company to hire at least 10 homeless people to get them jobs, throughout his career he helped about 1520 homeless people ! A great man, a great heart...

BEHIND THE LAUGHTER: THE BLUES BROTHERS

When John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd first took the stage as Jake and Elwood Blues in "The Blues Brothers" (1980), they brought to life an unforgettable duo. Aykroyd and Belushi, already celebrated for their chemistry on "Saturday Night Live," were known for creating comedy gold together. Yet, the story behind the making of "The Blues Brothers" went beyond just laughter it was a project fueled by Aykroyd’s passion for rhythm and blues, Belushi's magnetic presence, and a wild, unpredictable journey that nearly derailed the entire film.

Belushi was the undeniable star on set, famously dubbed "America’s Guest" because of his knack for getting free meals, drinks, and favors wherever he went. Even during filming, his energy was boundless. One night, he vanished from set while shooting in a Chicago suburb. After hours of searching, Aykroyd found him asleep on a couch inside a stranger's house. The owner didn’t even mind, having been won over by Belushi’s charm earlier that night.

Dan Aykroyd, who wrote the original script, presented a 300-page draft to director John Landis. This document wasn’t a typical screenplay but a deep dive into the Blues Brothers' world, outlining their backgrounds, the origins of their love for the blues, and even a guide to Chicago's music scene. Landis had to trim it down, focusing the story on the brothers' mission to save their beloved orphanage by reuniting their old band. The movie became a celebration of blues music, featuring legends like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown, who each had their moments to shine alongside the chaotic antics of Belushi and Aykroyd.

The movie’s car chases became legendary. It held the record for the most cars destroyed in a single film for years, with a staggering 103 vehicles meeting their end. Aykroyd and Belushi weren’t content with faking the high-speed chaos many scenes were filmed at real speeds, and Belushi insisted on performing most of the stunts himself. His commitment to authenticity even led to injuries, but he shrugged them off, determined to make each scene perfect.

Off-camera, Belushi’s wild lifestyle mirrored his on-screen persona. Aykroyd once recalled how Belushi’s drug use started to spiral out of control during production. They were shooting at night, and Belushi often partied until dawn, only to stumble onto set with a second wind of energy. His charisma never waned, but the toll it took was visible to those closest to him. Aykroyd later mentioned in interviews that he felt a deep sense of responsibility to keep the film on track while protecting his friend, even as the pressures of the shoot mounted.

Ray Charles, a key figure in the film, remembered Belushi's eagerness to learn from the legends. He respected Belushi’s dedication to the blues. "He had a way of making people laugh and feel good, but when it came to music, he was dead serious," Charles noted in an interview. This dedication showed during the filming of musical numbers. Belushi's vocals on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" captured his raw energy, pushing the song to a new height, while Aykroyd's harmonica skills added authenticity to every scene they played.

The production wasn’t without its hurdles. Universal Pictures executives worried about the film’s soaring budget and Aykroyd’s unorthodox approach to storytelling. Delays, nighttime shoots, and frequent rewrites made them nervous, but the cast’s undeniable talent reassured the producers. During a pivotal scene at Ray’s Music Exchange, Belushi’s impromptu dance moves left the crew in awe. His comedic timing and Aykroyd’s steady rhythm became the backbone of the film, cementing their on-screen partnership as iconic.

On-set pranks became the norm. Belushi was notorious for his antics, like filling Aykroyd’s trailer with live chickens or switching props at the last minute. Landis was often exasperated but appreciated the duo’s chemistry, noting that their antics were "part of the package." Even the cast and crew couldn’t help but laugh, knowing that the energy Belushi and Aykroyd brought to each take would translate into pure magic on screen.

When it came time to film the finale, featuring a massive car pile-up in downtown Chicago, the city had granted special permission for the chaos to unfold. Local residents lined the streets, witnessing Belushi and Aykroyd sprinting through crowds as the police cars stacked up behind them. Aykroyd called that moment a "love letter to Chicago," paying tribute to the city’s vibrant energy and history...

MUSIC AND THE PRESIDENCY

Elise K. Kirk, author of Music at the White House: A History of the American Spirit and Musical Highlights from the White House, says that the executive mansion is “the oldest performing arts venue in America.” Presidents throughout history have been deeply moved by classical music. Some were musicians themselves — John Adams played the flute, Woodrow Wilson sang and played the violin, Richard Nixon played the piano and Bill Clinton even had an entire music room in the White House for playing his saxophone. Others were devoted fans who couldn’t play a note or hum a tune.

On this first installment of the WQXR five-part series Music in the White House, Kirk identifies the most musically talented presidents of the 19th and 20th centuries: Thomas Jefferson and Harry Truman.

When Jefferson took office in 1801, he brought with him a deep love of classical music. In addition to playing the violin, he’d recently lived in Paris, a city brimming with glorious music that Washington simply wasn’t ready for. The city “was just cow paths,” and the White House was still unfinished. But Jefferson did what he could to fill his terms with music. He had a deep admiration for the United States Marine Band, an organization that he felt was important to the ceremonial history of the White House. He hired musicians from Italy to enhance and enlarge the band and he invited them to play at his inauguration, starting a tradition that continues today.

When Truman took office in 1945, Washington, D.C. had grown up considerably. Some of the great classical music had travelled across the Atlantic and this was reflected in the Truman’s music tastes. Truman studied the piano as a young boy, growing up on Mozart, Haydn, Liszt and Chopin. As president, he always had a piano by his desk and a radio by his bed, and he never passed a piano without playing a tune. He particularly loved Mozart’s A Major Sonata, which he played for an audience of 30 million Americans during the first televised tour of the White House in 1952, as well as during a conference in Potsdam with Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and pianist Eugene List in attendance.

Despite his love of music, Truman’s White House was not as full of musicales and performances as he would have liked. When the leg of his daughter Margaret’s piano fell through the floor due to the wood having decayed over the years, it was clear that the White House required serious renovation. This sent the First Family to live off-site in a guest house for the majority of Truman’s presidency. Fortunately, the piano incident did not deter Margaret from her music studies. She went on to become a professional singer (and indeed the only opera singer that Truman could bear to listen to).

So it was that two of the most musically talented presidents had two of the least musical tenures in the White House. And by a funny twist of fate, two of the least musical presidents — Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy — presided over a White House absolutely full of classical music....

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A VALENTINE TRIBUTE TO MY WIFE

I don't post a lot of personal things here, but today marks the 22nd Valentine I have spent with my beautiful wife. Our wedding song "At Last" highlights some of the pictures of us through the years. I sure am lucky on this Valentine's Day and always...

JACKIE GLEASON'S SECRETS TO THE PERFECT MARRIAGE

 JACKIE GLEASON SECRET TO THE PERFECT MARRIAGE

1. Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.

2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas.

3. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.

4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen.

5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.

6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said "There are too many gadgets, and no place to sit down!" So I bought her an electric chair.

7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was. She told me, "In the lake."

8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.

9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?" The driver said, "No, jump in!".

10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.

11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was 'Always'.

12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt her.

13. The last fight was my fault though. My wife asked, "What's on the TV?" I said, "Dust!".

Can't you just hear him say all of these?

THE DECLINE OF THE HOWARD STERN SHOW

 Many of my readers will be surprised that I am a Howard Stern. He was a part of my growing up in the 1990s. You never knew what was going to come out of Stern's mouth. 1994 was a lot different than 2024. Howard Stern is a lot different now. Before Stern went mainstream there was just something so wrong about him that you had to listen to him. It is impossible to listen to him now and talk about the latest cat he saved with his young wife or the latest interview he had with the boring Bruce Springstein. When did he change? Here is the timeline:

December 2009: Amid continuing addiction issues, Artie Lange departs the Howard Stern Show. The show chooses not to fill the "Artie Chair"

January 2011: At the start of a new contract with SiriusXM, the show drops from airing regularly 4 days a week (Monday to Thursday) to airing regularly 3 days a week (Monday to Wednesday).

April 2012: Stern and Buchwald's lawsuit against SiriusXM (over claims that SiriusXM did not pay them annual subscriber bonuses after Sirius merged with XM and absorbed XM's subscribers) is dismissed "with prejudice." Though Stern continues working with SiriusXM and signs (at least) two 5-year renewals with the company, it has been suggested by fans that this leaves Stern bitter and less willing to develop original content for his channels.

2012: Marci Turk, with no previous radio experience, is hired as Chief Operating Officer of the Howard Stern Show. Unlike other staff members, she is rarely referenced on air. In media profiles since her hiring, Turk has been credited with "softening" the image of Stern and his show and attracting bigger-name celebrities to come on as guests.

October 2012: Longtime regular Gilbert Gottfried makes his final appearance on the show, though rumors persist that he was ostensibly banned for spitting on cupcakes in the hallway during a previous appearance in November 2010. Gilbert later reveals in interviews that he was told by Baba Booey that the show "doesn't book stand-ups" anymore. Please note that Amy Schumer is a regular guest on the show over the next decade.

December 2012: Though the video is not leaked until 2019, Stern addresses his staff at "Revolution 2013" that has become known as "The Pelican Brief." During the nearly hour-long presentation, Stern lectures his staff on numerous topics, including how to attract more "A-list" celebrities to the show. This includes the often-ridiculed suggestion that he created the careers of major stars like Jerry Seinfeld and that the staff should create fake Twitter accounts to encourage celebrities to go on the Stern show.

December 2013: Howard TV is discontinued. Stern hypes its upcoming replacement, "Howard 360", which is eventually revealed to be simply video clips from the show on the SiriusXM app. Notable Howard TV personalities that contributed to the show, such as Scott DePace, are gone from the show.

September 2014: Eric the Actor, whose calls regularly took up hours of airtime, dies. C-level callers like Bobo and Hanzi are soon elevated, likely to fill Eric's usual airtime. Hanzi is banned from the show in April 2016.

January 16, 2015: The Wrap-Up Show officially becomes the Jon and Gary call-in show with the occasional D-level guest that rarely features anything but Jon and Gary talking about how great the show was that day. Other staff members are banned from sitting in on the show.

May 2019: Stern publishes a book of interview transcripts, Howard Stern Comes Again. Promotion for the book further pushes the "World's Greatest Interviewer" angle. In the book and promotional interviews, Stern cites a disastrous interview with Robin Williams as one of his biggest regrets (and that he tried to apologize to Williams before he died), though no one can find such an interview as it is described by Stern. The book sells 147,000 copies in its first week. In contrast, Private Parts sold over 1 million copies in its first 3 weeks.

March 2020: As a result of COVID-19, the Howard Stern Show staff begins "broadcasting" from their homes. Listeners suspect that some content and interviews are pre-taped, and the staff continues to work from home long after many other prominent broadcasters have returned to their studios. Robin's News, a staple of the show from decades, is abruptly ended. As of March 2021, the show is still being broadcast from home...

RIP: The Howard Stern Show...