RACHEL MADDOW SHINES ON DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. HARDING
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Katy Perry |
THRILLER OR FILLER --- Katy Perry wowed the crowd at last night’s Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona. Face it, it’s a most coveted spot (110 million viewers – packed stadium), but, it’s a tight time-frame … allowing only for a few verses of the hits, but she didn't disappoint. It’s a calculated and complicated show to pull off and she did it rather perfectly (even Madonna slipped a tad during her show years back. There were also some jazzy stage effects too, which worked perfectly in tandem with her performance.
Guest Lenny Kravitz joined in on “I Kissed A Girl.” Brief … too brief in fact. I was hoping they’d join together on a version of “American Woman.”
Missy Elliott showed up briefly too; not a fan, in fact I got the distinct feeling neither was the crowd.
Personally, I’m a Perry-fan, always have been and I pulled for her to win last night and she did; perfectly ending with “Firework,” literally flying across the stadium. Kudos!
FINAL LETTERMAN --- We hear that May 20 is the tentative final day for CBS’ David Letterman Late Show. We attended last Wednesday’s show, under the auspices of our friend (Late Show-announcer) Alan Kalter, and loved it as much as ever. The Late Show is a finely-run, tightly tuned production; from Paul Shafer’s marvelous stewardship of the band, to Kalter himself, who more-than-ably warms up the crowd and keeps them primed for the entire hour.
The brilliant Rachel Maddow was Dave’s first guest and yet again proved what a prescient and funny presence she is. Truth be told, she tells it likes it is and along with Anderson Cooper, is probably one of the best new-school broadcasters around.
The musical guest was the amazing Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives. Faithful readers may well recall us writing about his performance late last year at The Met in NYC, with the legendary Steve Miller and Lawrence Juber. I had never seen him in person before last year just fell in love with him. Country music from one it’s masters don’t get any better.
Just a brilliant night; basking in Dave’s victory lap. Great night!
JONNY LEE SIZZLES --- We’ve often noted just how great CBS’ Elementary has been, with the great Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, but last Thursday’s episode (The One That Got Away), the conclusion of a two-part arc, contained some of Miller’s best work … ever.
It was a flashback sequence wherein Miller, reeling from a string of setbacks, was about to indulge again in some bad behavior, when in an instant everything turned around. The anguish on his face communicated everything … just mesmerizing.
If you haven’t yet gotten into this show, you’re missing something very special. Brilliant, brilliant work!
CLOSING NOTES --- New albums on the horizon from Ringo Starr (Postcards From Paradise) and Brian Wilson (No Pier Pressure) …
The new Disney-movie Tomorrowland with George Clooney as written by Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jensen. Due out in March …
Finally caught Inherent Vice this weekend with Joaquin Phoenix. Plodding, somewhat hard to follow, but Phoenix’s performance is riveting. Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon, I'd recommend it, but pay attention …
Micky Dolenz and wife Donna Quinter at last week's Better Call Saul premier in L. A. with Bryan Cranston...
And, finally, Bruce Jenner. He’s been an icon for so long, I think he's earned the opportunity to choose his path. This media out roar about his personal life I find very, very disgraceful.
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