CAN JAY LENO KEEP HIS RATINGS GOING UP

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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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Daryl Hall

T BONE GONE --- March started in a way not desirable at all. Tom “T-Bone” Wolk, the longtime musical director and player in the current band for Daryl Hall and John Oates, passed away from a heart attack at 58. Wolk, before that a bassist in the house band at SNL, was a tremendous force of nature. He basically revitalized the sound for Hall And Oates … making them and the band more organic, as opposed to the rhythmic, propulsive sounds they had in songs like “Maneater” and “Adult Education.” Hall said many times that they group was reverting more to their earlier roots. Wolk was an amazing musical, primarily playing bass, he was also outstanding on guitar as well and his arrangements were terrific. Said Hall, “T-Bone was my musical brother and losing him is like losing my right hand. It’s not if I will go on, but how. He was one of the most sensitive and good human beings that I have ever known. I can truly say I loved him.” Added Oates, “The Heavenly Band just got one of the greatest multi instrumentalists of all time and that band, from this day forward, sounded better than they ever have before.” So sad.

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Julian McMahon

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE – “Nip/Tuck” went out with a bang last night, its 100th episode. One writer captured the nature of the show best … saying: “Nip/Tuck not only jumped the shark … it pole-vaulted over it!” Great line! Say what you will, the show had a dazzling array of guests stars over the years; including, Alec Baldwin, Bradley Cooper, Larry Hagman, Rosie O’Donnell, Jill Clayburgh, Jacqueline Bissett, Peter Dinklage, Marlee Matlin, Alanis Morissette, Vanessa Redgrave, Joan Rivers, and, Brooke Shields, among others. A dazzling show … most memorable and always most fun. Star turns from Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh. It will be missed! MURRAY REMEMBERED – Celebrity Bulletin’s Bill Murray passed the other day. A tragic, major loss for the entertainment industry. Celebrity Bulletin was THE daily industry sheet that tracked the various events and personalities in the country. If you had an event or a notable person in tow … you had to be listed there. Murray it turns out started answering the phone there many years ago, probably when founder Earl Blackwell reigned there. I got to know him and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. How he remembered everything and everyone was always dazzling. His smile and attitude was always positive. The entertainment industry is in shock. We miss you Bill.

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Dakota Fanning

I WANT MY RUNAWAYS --- Atlantic Records has a terrific soundtrack package to the forthcoming film The Runaways; featuring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. The biopic premieres March 18 at SXSW at Austin’s Paramount Theater. The album, produced by George Drakoulias, features Fanning singing the group’s “Cherry Bomb” and “California Justice.” Also there, are more original Runaways songs “Hollywood,” “You Drive Me Wild,” as well as David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel,” “The Wild One” from Suzi Quatro, “Pretty Vacant” by the Sex Pistols, and the Stooges’ “I Wanna' Be Your Dog,” and “Don't Abuse Me” by Joan Jett.

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Robert Pattinson

SHORT HITS --- I have yet to surrender to the madness for Robert Pattinson. Never saw any of the “Twilight” movies, much less read them, but watching him on several interviews this week, on the Today Show and The View; he more than adequately handled himself and evidenced a wicked sense of humor … about himself … something missing from way too many of today’s superstars. He’s certainly of the James Dean-less is more school and while watching several clips of his new movie, “Remember Me,” with Emile DeRavin from Lost … I found myself enjoying his work immensely. There’s also an interview in the current issue of Details that has tongues wagging … something about vagina's! I like him! --- Just caught Lady Antebellum on the Today Show performing their “Need You Now” smash. I didn't realize it from the radio, but the song starts with two-phone messages being played. Very cool … very tricky … it’s a great song, country gone pop. Formed in 2006, the group consists of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood, they're on Capitol Nashville (yes, part of the conglomerate trying to sell Abbey Road Studios) and have just been nominated for 7 awards for the upcoming CMA awards … including Song of the Year. Scott’s got charisma for days; we're new fans --- EKG to go? Imagine a four-minute procedure to determine any heart damage, or blockage. Next time out we'll tell you about what’s going on with an organization called Premier Heart, based out in Port Washington, New York. Dr. Joseph Shen is the lead man on this and we'll have more in a few weeks. Their PR-man, David Salidor, usually the pasha of show biz … tipped us off, after undergoing the procedure himself … and, coming out in the top 3%. Stay tuned! ...

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Roger Ebert

LENO V.2 --- Monday’s re birthing of The Tonight Show went off without a hitch. He got tremendous ratings, but one night does not make a winner. My TV-sources say that it won’t be until May before the actual determination of whose winning comes in. He opened with a parody of the last scene of “The Wizard of Oz,” where he wakes up from a dream … where he went to a very bad place. But, two minutes into his monologue, he went into a new bit about Alan Greenspan. Funny stuff? Dunno. Leno looked a mite shell shocked … no doubt from the drubbing he’s taken in the media. Whatever, he’s back to do battle with Dave … who had Bill Murray on and proved once again he is the undisputed ‘host of tonight.’ ... Ebert's Badge of Honor ---Did you happen to catch movie-scribe Roger Ebert on his Oprah the other day? I must admit that while I never always agreed with him, I found his spirit and compelling nature so awe inspiring. His show with the late Gene Siskel (“Siskel & Ebert”) I watched for years along with most of American and when Gene passed, it went through a dizzying array of guest-hosts and finally gasped its last breath. Ebert went onto the battle jaw cancer and after several operations can now no longer speak, nor eat. Utilizing a new computer-voice program, he can type words and almost instantly they will come out with a computer generated version of his voice. Though it’s somewhat startling at first, his wit and wisdom is still there. Still writing for the Chicago Sun Times, he has not been silenced.

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Matthew Fox

SUNDOWN – Just watched last night’s episode of Lost. With only 10 new episodes to go before the series comes to a close, the caliber of writing and acting has been superlative. Josh Holloway, Michael Emerson and Matthew Fox her been just plain terrific. The whole process of setting a firm deadline for a show cannot be overlooked here. Knowing that there was a firm end date to my mind, has just strengthened the writing and acting. With this last season, and especially on last night’s episode, I seem to be recalling Twin Peaks more and more. I really don't think that until “Lost” has there been anything near equally that show. David Lynch’s show just hit a high that’s really never been equaled. Truth be told, some questions are being answered … yet, they are new ones being opened up. I find myself continuing to be intrigued and puzzled … and, that’s a good thing …April 24 at the Tribeca Grill, The Kristen Ann Carr yearly event will honor Steven Van Zandt and his lovely partner Maureen. Expect a large contingent of Sopranos, including Vinny Pastore, Vince Curatola, Tony Sirico, and Robert Funaro. Should be great! … And, can you imagine that Neil Patrick Harris and Marty Short will open Sunday’s Oscar event? Harrison and Short … sounds like the new Martin and Lewis. Congrats to all the winners and nominees. Should be a great show… and, lastly, is The Jersey Shore crew the new Gottis? My how TV has changed.. and, in this writer’s opinion, not for the better!
Photos By: Sara De Boer/Derek Storm/Retna