For those that have listened to Howard Stern over the years, it should come as no surprise that the radio entertainer has a deep appreciation of the Three Stooges. Besides sharing a name – Moe, Shemp and Curly were the brothers Howard – the radio jock often turned to Stooge humor during his early years on the air. Stern fans might recall various bits with Larry Fine impressions on WNBC.
So when Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron stopped by Stern’s show on Sirius XM Radio earlier this year he revealed his own connection to the Three Stooges. It turns out that in the 70’s Bergeron tracked down Moe Howard and Larry Fine, both living in Los Angeles at the time, and recorded phone interviews with the comedic legends. After promising to dig up these preserved recordings, Bergeron helped assemble a new two-hour radio special airing Friday on Howard’s Sirius XM channel 101.
The Three Stooges: Lost and Found Interviews begins with Bergeron telling listeners, “If you’re a Stooge nut like me and Howard, you won’t want to miss it.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Besides the two interviews with Moe and Larry, this special includes various Stern bits that aired over the years as well as Bergeron talking about his experience tracking down the aged stars nearly 40 years ago.
“How did the Three Stooges begin?” a 16-year-old Bergeron first asks Moe Howard. Surprisingly, Moe is not only gracious throughout this basically cold call from a teenager but he provides some great commentary on his time in show business. He reminisces about the Stooges’ start in vaudeville with performer Ted Healy – the original lineup was Moe, Larry and Shemp. After a good run, the trio split from Healy and signed with Columbia Pictures to do short films. And that’s when Moe’s younger brother Curly joined the gang.
The Stern special is sprinkled with great insight from Moe, including his take on slapstick comedy. “Slapstick belongs to the circus,” he tells Bergeron, adding that the Stooges did farce. Another gem is delivered following Bergeron asking Moe about other popular comics of the day. “You put Bob Hope in one of our comedies, he wouldn’t know what the hell to do.”
Perhaps the most touching aspect of this special comes from the interview with Larry Fine. Confined to the Motion Picture House in Woodland Hills, Calif. following a stroke, Fine’s speech is often slurred and faint. Larry makes a point about the way humor had gone since the Three Stooges left show business. “You don’t have to be dirty to be funny,” he says, which in a sense is slightly ironic, seeing how this is being aired on Stern’s show.
There is no disputing that Howard Stern is a master at his craft, nor is there any disputing that the Three Stooges were the greatest comedic team producing film shorts during Hollywood’s early years. The Three Stooges: Lost and Found Interviews is a “can’t miss moment” for all lovers of pop culture. And knowing Stern there is bound to be multiple repeats of this gem on Sirius XM.
To live in a world in which anything could be bluntly said is almost unthinkable. Imagine if Hollywood’s creative community simply told producers that they refused to work on a runaway production. Perhaps the number of local film shoots wouldn’t be so dismal. Unfortunately, social norms and self-preservation tell those without industry power to bite their tongue.
Enter Max Mayer. As the writer and director of Fox Searchlight’s Adam, he has created a story that puts such unfiltered speech in the spotlight. Focusing this touching film on a character afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome, Mayer allows for a brief look into the life of someone that says what he means, despite the awkwardness that inevitably follows. And perhaps more delightful than the story itself is Adam’s setting.
Billing the film as a romantic comedy is unfair, as Adam deals with the human condition much more than typical summer fare. Adam Raki is a thirtysomething New Yorker – touchingly portrayed by Hugh Dancy – with a beautiful mind, albeit a problematic one. Asperger’s is a form of autism often causing a hard time understanding what other people are thinking. When Adam falls in love with his new neighbor Beth – a charming Rose Byrne – an emotional rollercoaster ensues.
Originally from New York, Mayer wrote Adam taking place in and around Manhattan. Like many locally shot romantic movies – An Affair to Remember, When Harry Met Sally, any classic Woody Allen film – Adam showcases one charming New York City spot after another. A chilly walk through Central Park, dining at ‘Cesca on the Upper West Side and an evening Off-Broadway are just a few postcard scenes.
With a budget under $1 million, concerns over tax incentives and cheaper locations didn’t bother Mayer. “Essentially, when you are just begging for locations and paying very little, then you are relying on the kindness of strangers,” he told me. “You are as likely to find that in
New York as you would anywhere else.”
Mayer found New York cooperative while shooting in public spaces; however getting specific locations was not as easy. “People are so used to getting paid here… meaning they are savvy about opening their homes up,” he said. “By the time we started shooting we still were missing around 15 locations.” After filming during the day Mayer’s team would look for locations at night. Things became so hectic that they would find a spot then shoot it the very next morning. “It was a mess,” Mayer laughed.
When it came to a scene where Adam meets the parents – Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving – of his love interest, Beth, Mayer decided to set it in an Off-Broadway theatre. While he doesn’t remember the exact location his first draft originally depicted, a nearly 30-year friendship with the Cherry Lane Theatre’s artistic director, Angelina Fiordellisi, allowed for a sweet match. “She gave us the theatre for nothing,” Mayer said. “And she did it without knowing anything about the script.”
So, with a little help from his friends, and a picturesque setting, Mayer was able to bring his enchanting film to life in the city that raised him. There is no telling what could happened had Adam been under the control of a major studio – I hear Canada makes for a perfectly second rate New York City. That is, of course, if the idea of making a film in America is no longer important. After watching Adam it should become perfectly clear that a film about New York should actually be shot in, of all places, New York.
Fox Searchlight’s Adam opens in limited release July 29, 2009 after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
This article was published by the Huffington Post on July 29, 2009.
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien might be losing the ratings war to the Late Show with David Letterman, but not when it comes to the 18- to 49-year-old age demographic. Conan’s humor skews younger. CBS shouldn’t be so proud of hanging onto a demographic that already has a foot in the grave.
And now Conan is getting in on a running joke that first buoyed Dave to the top of this late night fight. The subject is Sarah Palin. Dave recently came under fire for taking jabs at the bumbling Palin clan, causing laughable protests outside of his New York studio. While Dave’s joke about Palin’s daughter was entertaining, it wasn’t a “classic” bit. Rather, that title goes to Conan and last night’s Palin joke involving William Shatner. The Star Trek star paid homage to his interpretation of “Rocket Man” with a poetry reading of Sarah Palin’s resignation speech.
While U2 travels around Europe on the first leg of their 360 Tour, director David O’Reilly has released the band’s latest music video for “I’ll Go Crazy, If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.” Film fans might recognize O’Reilly for his short film, “Please Say Something,” which earned him the Golden Bear at the 2009 Berlinale. The director also earned some Internet credibility for his “Octocat” videos.
As I haven’t watched MTV for music videos since the late ’90s, I have no clue if this latest one is making the television rounds, but with HD video prominent online, it really doesn’t matter. This video is unlike anything U2 has ever done before, mostly because the band isn’t featured at all in it, other than their song. It’s a completely animated story with art direction by Jon Klassen.
The music video’s concept uses “I’ll Go Crazy” to “create multiple, parallel stories about people who decide to make a change in their lives.”
Next up for U2’s Bono and the Edge is the Broadway musical “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark,” as the two penned all of the show’s music. Bono last worked with the show’s director, Julie Taymor, on the movie “Across the Universe.” With Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming set to star in the musical, and Bono and the Edge’s involvement, “Spider-Man” has the potential for blockbuster status. Meanwhile, U2 will continue the “No Line on the Horizon” tour.
This blog was first created for the purpose of entertainment reporting and opining, however, with the passing of Walter Cronkite, I felt it necessary to pay respect to one of the most honorable news reporters to grace television screens. He was not an entertainer — unlike many delivering the news today. Cronkite told the news as it happened. With his memorable tag out, “And that’s the way it is…” he emphasized that the news just delivered was neither bias nor opinionated. There was no need for constant reminding of his newscast being fair and balanced. What Cronkite said could be trusted by all Americans as the news and nothing more. Although, he did have a few moments of emotion and opinion, be it his final take on Vietnam or his moment of anguish over the death of President John F. Kennedy.
A fellow Huffington Post blogger, Richard Sine, recently posted an article urging journalism schools to close their doors. As a recent graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, I would urge Mr. Sine and his ilk to look back upon Cronkite’s career and integrity. In fact, he approved of his name being used for a journalism school. He believed in ethics and the learned practice of reporting. As President Obama said, Cronkite set the standard for which all others are judged. Cronkite was indeed an icon.
CBS and Katie Couric should be credited for putting together a respectable tribute to Cronkite. Here is that special edition of “CBS Evening News,” originally aired the night Cronkite died, July 17, 2009.
Hollywood was abuzz this morning as the nominations for the 61st annual Emmy Awards were announced.
It should come as no surprise that a cable channel, not broadcast, took the most nominations. HBO snagged the most nods for the ninth year in a row. Big Love and Entourage will compete for best drama and comedy series, respectively. More impressive, is the first-time nomination of another HBO gem, Flight of the Conchords.
For all the Chuck fans out there, it looks like the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences agreed with my earlier sentiment, merely awarding the series a stunt nomination.
Other notable shows earning nominations include Family Guy — a first for Seth MacFarlane’s animated comedy — and Grey Gardens — HBO’s film telling the story of those lovable Beales, Big and Little Edie.
Expect a few more shattered dreams this September, as there are now extra nominees in the categories of top drama, comedy and lead actor and actress — although David Mamet might have something to say about that last category. I’ve heard he doesn’t believe there is such thing as an actress. Sorry, ladies.
While publicists and studio executives tire themselves out today making calls and greasing the marketing wheels, celebrities took things into their own hands on Twitter. Here are a few 140-character messages that showed up this morning from those internet savvy celebs — or possibly their overpaid ghost tweeters.
Rainn Wilson, star of NBC’s The Office, played things cool — @rainnwilson: Hey, twitterverse, I just got an Emmy nomination!
American Idol huckster Ryan Seacrest congratulated himself — @ryanseacrest: Thank you so much! RT @TheFranny: Congrats @RyanSeacrest on your Emmy Nomation! We are all rooting for you!!
William Shatner got philosophical about his final nomination for Boston Legal — @williamshatner: What a fitting tribute to a unique show. The Emmy would enter a pantheon to memorialize a wonderful television event. My best, Bill
Former Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate tried to stay upbeat despite her show already being canceled — @1capplegate: Thank you all for such nice words. A bittersweet accomplishment…
Creator of Showtime’s United States of Tara, Diablo Cody, couldn’t understand why slackjaws didn’t care about Hollywood — @diablocody: The staff at Six Flags Over Georgia seem curiously disinterested in the Emmys
Even old man John McCain jumped on the Emmy bandwagon, picking favorites with a shout-out to Rainn Wilson — @SenJohnMcCain: @rainnwilson congratulations and hope you win!!
The 61st annual Emmy Awards will air September 20. You can expect live blogging/tweeting of the event right here on Sofa Snark and @columbiajames.
It started last summer. A thick blanket of humidity covered New York City. The war in Iraq carried on. President Bush was nearing the end of his eight-year reign. America was ready for its next chapter. With all of the elements aligned, a raucous musical sprouted up in the middle of Central Park. It aimed to celebrate life and provide a rallying cry for change. A free production, presented by the Public Theater, played to anyone willing to wait in line. The show was Hair. Everyone was welcome.
Equality is a key message running throughout Hair, the 1967 musical that originally forced people to look at so-called “hippies,” not with disdain or fear but with understanding. While the days of the original Haight-Ashbury culture is gone, Hair remains culturally relevant. And now it’s another alternative lifestyle that has found meaning in the period piece.
Producers of the current Broadway revival of Hair will cancel the show’s October 11th performance and send the cast to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Equality March.
The unprecedented decision to cancel a performance in order to join the National Equality March comes on the heels of another admirable move by the Hair team. They packed the show up, for one night, and traveled to Los Angeles where the Broadway cast performed on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. While on the west coast, Hair members joined in on a Los Angeles equality rally along with Cleve Jones, organizer of the upcoming march…
Reality television guru, Mark Burnett, recently talked with The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd about his upcoming series Shark Tank, set to premiere this Fall on ABC. Throughout the chat, Burnett touted his TV offerings as “high-quality” programming, going so far as to say his new show “belongs up there with great dramas.” Judging by Hollywood’s grand gestures – giving reality TV shows Emmy Awards and honoring Burnett with a star on the Walk of Fame – the producer has every reason to believe he is crafting “great dramas.”
Then again, those in the industry, working below-the-line, might beg to differ with the Australian import. In case network television executives haven’t noticed, California is flat broke. With Sacramento scrambling to fix its $26.3 billion hole in the budget, and banks refusing to accept the state’s I.O.U.s, networks should be ashamed of themselves for shunning local production, opting instead for unscripted programming, year after year.
FilmL.A., the office behind film permits for the city, reported last month that the number of prime-time TV pilots shot in Los Angeles is down nearly 42 percent. The organization estimates that pilot production spending in the L.A. region is down more than $100 million this year, compared to 2005.
Lawmakers are trying to ease that burden, slightly, with the new annual $100 million incentive plan, spread out over five years. But, without network executives giving the green light to scripted programming, there will not be any substantial productions spending money in California. It kind of defeats the purpose.
Perhaps “American Idol” host, Ryan Seacrest, will start feeling generous and donate some of his bloated income. Turns out the former afternoon radio jockey could soon become “one of the highest-paid reality hosts on television,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. I doubt FOX will be paying the metrosexual personality with I.O.U.s anytime soon…
For those that have listened to Howard Stern over the years, it should come as no surprise that the radio entertainer has a deep appreciation of the Three Stooges. Besides sharing a name – Moe, Shemp and Curly were the brothers Howard – the radio jock often turned to Stooge humor during his early years on the air. Stern fans might recall various bits with Larry Fine impressions on WNBC.
To live in a world in which anything could be bluntly said is almost unthinkable. Imagine if Hollywood’s creative community simply told producers that they refused to work on a 
Hollywood was 
It started last summer. A thick blanket of humidity covered New York City. The war in Iraq carried on. President Bush was nearing the end of his eight-year reign. America was ready for its next chapter. With all of the elements aligned, a raucous musical sprouted up in the middle of Central Park. It aimed to celebrate life and provide a rallying cry for change. A free production, presented by the Public Theater, played to anyone willing to wait in line. The show was Hair. Everyone was welcome.
Reality television guru, Mark Burnett, recently talked with The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd about his upcoming series Shark Tank, set to premiere this Fall on ABC. Throughout the chat, Burnett touted his TV offerings as “high-quality” programming, going so far as to say his new show “belongs up there with great dramas.” Judging by Hollywood’s grand gestures – giving reality TV shows Emmy Awards and honoring Burnett with a star on the Walk of Fame – the producer has every reason to believe he is crafting “great dramas.”
