CONAN O'BRIEN SIGNS EXIT DEAL WITH NBC

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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The guy or girl that writes this column is a very big industry insider who wishes to remain anonymous, but wants to write about all the headlines happening in Hollywood and the Music Industry.
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Mel Gibson

MEL’S BACK --- Mel’s newest film Edge Of Darkness is out in 2 weeks. I’ll be catching a preview Monday evening … and, cannot wait. Everyone deserves a second chance and the previews have been nothing but sterling. Warner is calling it a ‘revenge thriller’ and, well, can that be bad? While Gibson’s antics were on the front pages for weeks on end … let’s go see the movie and the man and decide from there. The brilliant Ray Winstone (The Departed) is terrifically good and his performance on this one looks to be as fantastic. Details to follow. I am a huge fan of the man; who can forget his terrific The Year of Living Dangerously and of course the original Mad Max. I wish for him all the best.

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Elton John

LEON/ELTON/BERNIE --- Leon Russell was with Elton John way back when the glam singer debuted at The Troubadour in L.A. All these years later, Elton and partner Bernie want to repay to debt. They have written a number of songs for Russell and are preparing to go into the studio with Russell, and producer T Bone Burnett, hot after his Golden Globe-win for his Crazy heart, with the utterly fab Jeff Bridges. According to our colleague Roger Friedman, Russell is in the hospital with his results looking very good. I caught him last year (my first time ever) out in Long Island and was stunned by his performance. Truly, one of the innovators of rock’n roll. Get well Leon and let’s do these John/Taupin songs. TOM CUDDY FLIES AGAIN --- Tom Cuddy who ran WPLJ here in New York for an unprecedented 19 years before parting ways with them almost a year ago, looks to be back on the scene in a very big way. According to sources, Cuddy is attempting to put together his own network of stations. Radio right now, if you don’t know, is going through some changes, creating a very desirable atmosphere for doing something new. Cuddy put Scott Shannon and Todd Pettengill on in the mornings at PLJ and created a masterpiece. Race Taylor in the afternoons is the station’s secret weapon, followed in no small part by Christine Richie and Jeff Miles. I know Cuddy and if there ever was a guy you can bet the bank on to succeed ... It is him. Good luck!

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Conan O'Brien

COCO --- As of this writing, it looks as though Conan is a go go and Jay is back at 11:30PM. Fox just registered a web site address for Conan, so chances are he’ll wind up there in September … which is a shame, but the way TV works. I also predict he’ll return to New York. In fact, truth be told, I’m sure the initial game plan is already being worked out. It’s all about the ratings folks. Monday, I happened to tune into Leno, who was just about to launch into his own telling of what really happened. Listening to him, he seemed to make perfects sense. It’s business … that’s all. Strange as it now seems, Letterman will be back facing off against Leno once again. Letterman in recounting Jay’s words last night, said Jay was asking for every NOT to blame Conan … but, Letterman reminded, no one Has blamed him! Ah … showbiz!

UPDATE: Conan O’Brien, the host of “The Tonight Show” has signed a deal to exit NBC, said Allison Gollust, a spokeswoman for network-parent NBC Universal Inc. The deal will be announced today, she said, declining to provide details of the terms of the agreement. O’Brien is departing seven months after taking over the show from Jay Leno, who began hosting a 10 p.m. talk show in September. The deal is rumored to include a payout of about $32 million for O’Brien and about $12 million for his employees. Conan was holding out for better severance packages for his staff.
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Ricky Gervais

GOLDEN GLOBED AGAIN --- I must say that I thought Ricky Gervais would be a slam dunk. Oddly, he was icily cool and somewhat restrained. Personally I didn't like his bit of shilling every Ricky-DVD available. It came off as somewhat shoddy. And, his comment on how a Golden Globe could be bought was oddly rendered too … especially right before the Globe’s Phillip Berk came out somewhat embalmed-like. By the third hour... it was like, enough already. Sure, he was funny … but, nothing like I thought. I bet he will not be asked to return. His remark about Paul McCartney shelling out a lot of money last year … was just plain disdainful. Really Ricky … he’s a Beatle! His intro of Mel Gibson was odd too. No wonder Gibson hightailed it out of there after the show concluded. I'm glad Sandra Bullock won, her Blind Side was stellar effort, and, Robert Downey’s speech was an unexpected highlight. He’s just great, Downey! I'm also glad that Mad Men won one, and The Good Wife with Julianna Margulies. Terrific show and the best new show this past season. James Cameron … odd as ever, especially as Avatar nears $500 million domestically. He'll have to dial it down a notch …. We all love you Jimbo! Glad Michael C. Hall won; as he recovers from Cancer … he didn’t look great, but am sure it brought a smile to his face. Also, glad Kevin Bacon won. Here’s an actor that has too long gone under the radar. Am very glad Up In The Air won for best screenplay. As I said Monday, for me, the movie of the year. And, finally, Christopher Waltz for Inglorious Basterds … probably the best role of the year, and performance. All in all … almost four hours … which I'll never get back.
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Whitney Houston

LARRY STEVENS --- New Jersey’s best kept secret Larry Stevens (who has released two brilliant CDs, Heart of A Fighter and Downstairs At Mayos) will be performing at an industry showcase at Danny Fried’s China Club next month showcasing both CDs and some new tracks. New Jersey has delivered some of the best music and artists ever, including Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, and, of course, Bruce Springsteen. Sinatra was from Hoboken, The Sugarhill Gang (“Rapper’s Delight”) hailed from Englewood, as were The Fugees, Whitney Houston, Kool and the Gang, and Frankie Valli, who’s from Newark. Stevens and his band just opened up for Foreigner in Jersey and there’ll be more opening slots to come. Stevens’ songs as just plain terrific: honest, compelling, and remarkable. He’s a diamond in the rough. Do yourself a favor and check out his site HERE...

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Mary J. Blige

CANDI LYNN ---Vocalist Candi Lynn has often been asked whether she considers herself more or a rapper or singer, amid the Jersey-girl’s response is that she likes to call her music ‘hip-pop.’ Combining pop, rap, R&B, and rock, she’s succeeded in creating a style that is distinctive, original and individualistic rather than manufactured. Her debut album ILL Miss Behavin speaks to that fact. The debut release features 15 songs, all written by the artist, and production work by ‘The Hitman Conway,’ best known for his work with Run DMC and Eminem. The album evidences a strong, hands-on approach throughout. She’s been described as a blend of Fergie, Pink and Britney Spears. She proudly says, the album doesn’t “reflect anyone’s musical version but her own.” “My music does have a hint of Fergie, Britney and Pink … Fergie because of the rap element, Britney because of the sexy, fun, naughty element’ and, Pink because of the rock element and the snarl. I’m not trying to emulate anyone of them … I’m not trying to be anyone but myself.” We particularly loved “Luv Ya Body,” “Naughty,” and, “Jump on the Train,” for their forthright conviction and rhythms. We also found traces of such artists as Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, and Jill Scott., Fine comparisons indeed.Check her album out for she jumps straight to the top of the list for her spirit alone. One of the surprises of the year. www.candilynn.com.

Photos By: Sara De Boer/Walter McBride/Retna