RYAN PHILLIPPE A HIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT

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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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Jeff Goldblum

LAW AND ORDER: CI RE-DEUX --- I know just a few columns ago I pooh-poohed the latest goings on over at Universal’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Vincent D’Onofrio, Eric Bogosian and Kathryn Erbe were out … Jeff Goldblum stayed with new partner Saffron Burrows. I wrote that without those original actors, I really felt the whole thing might finally fall apart. And, when that news was first released, one report even had the whole angle of the show going for a “lighter tone” … whatever that means? Well, you know what? The first episode with the so-called new team ... was drop-dead excellent. Entitled “Broad Channel” it concerned the murder of a cop on a tiny remote community so named Broad Channel. The writing was just terrific, the acting even better, and guest star Kevin Conway, playing an old-Irish mob boss named “Jackie Doyle” was off the charts. Every so often an actor comes to the forefront that is so explosive, so good … everything he is on just gets better. He had an earlier stint this season on CBS’ “The Good Wife” this year and was just as enjoyable. I actually watched this L&O again just to make sure I was on the money, and it was just as good the second time; how often can you say that? In fact, the episode started off with an original song called “Middle Of Nowhere” which re-appeared throughout the show and just added a nice tone to the entire proceedings. Also, where did they film this? My bet: Long Beach Long Island. I've always enjoyed Goldblum … most especially in his very limited run series of several years back called “Raines.” It was a most auspicious start. Credit one more for the Law & Order-mother ship man Dick Wolff.

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David Salidor And Clay Cole


SH-BOOM --- Yesterday was the official book launch for TV legend Clay Cole’s “Sh-Boom: The Explosion of Rock ‘n Roll - 1953-1956, (Morgan James Publishing) on the UES in NYC. I had never met Cole before, but as I wrote, I have found his book to be the single most important book of its kind … ever! I always wonder what these living legends will be like before I meet them, but I can report that he is exactly as he comes off in the book; caring, gracious, funny, and a true visionary. I talked to him for a good 20-minutes, but was convinced of his brilliance in the first two … really! If you really care about the beginnings of rock ‘n roll music as we have come to know it, this book is essential. His memory is spot on and the stories he relays are astonishingly good. There were some notable faces who showed up; fellow TV-legend Joe Franklin; PR-man David Salidor, whose father had worked for the legendary Decca Records and well remembers many of the incidents in the book; Keith Girard from The Improper; and, legendary music-man Ray D’Ariano, who toiled for MCA Records back in the day and has several comedy-albums out under his own name. Cole’s list of acts is again just stunning; The Beatles; Richard Pryor; Paul Anka; Donovan; Dion; The Who; The Turtles; Stevie Wonder; Gary Lewis and the Playboys; The 5th Dimension; The Young Rascals; Peter Paul & Mary; Tony Bennett; George Carlin; The Skyliners; Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond; Herman’s Hermits; Little Anthony and The Imperials; and, The Firesign Theater … everybody! The party was given by Marcia Habib, who ran Cole’s fan club back in the day, who we found totally captivating and so gracious. Interesting fact: Cole’s fans were called Claymates … even before Clay Aiken’s bunch … so there! Really, a wonderful afternoon!

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Ryan Phillippe

SNL-KESHA --- Saturday’s Ryan Phillippe hosted SNL was actually not all that bad. For me, nothing can ever replace the Belushi-Akroyd team of 35 years ago … but, it wasn't bad. Kesha’s performances were surprisingly good and well-received, although methinks she'll be old news by year’s end. “Tik Tok” to me, sounds a lot like Lady Gaga, but the performance which featured the band dressed in silver-robot suits and some rather nifty laser effects was great. Her second number, done in a kabuki-styled black-light atmosphere was good. That second song wasn't great, but the effects sure jazzed it up. It’s still rather amazing to me, that it’s almost more about the performance these days than the song. Remember Pink at The Grammys … all people could talk about the next day was how amazing it was that she could sing upside down. Do you remember what the name of the song was? I do.

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Taylor Swift

SHORT HITS --- Last night’s CMA Awards were pretty good. Live from the MGM Grand in Vegas; the performances were all terrific, with Taylor Swift floated over the audience, in a white gown, landing near the stage, then changing into a black gown, finishing her song, then ending with a stage dive into the audience. Talk about the performance indeed! Miranda Lambert, who won album on the year, was exceptional, as well Rascal Flatts; Carrie Underwood; Tim McGraw; and Keith Urban. Say what you will about Nashville … they certainly know how to put on one heck of a show … Comedian Sal Richards was feted at The Friars club for his new book, “Behind The Laughter.” He also appeared on the Joy Behar Show on HLN before the Friar fete … and, according to the Post's Michael Starr: Law & Order's Leslie Hendrix (Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers), who shoots her 100 episode today, will be feted by the cast and crew. It’s her ninth season on "Criminal Intent" and her 20th season with the franchise ... she's appeared on all four "L&O" series ... see you Wednesday!

Photos By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Cole-Salidor Photo By: Keith Girald/The Improper