Times Square Gossip

  Campaigning For President NEW YORK -- What is the best-selling rock & roll biographer in the show business realm doing, writing a book on politics with “Campaigning For President?” asks author Mark Bego, “One of the reasons why this is a viable transition into another literary genre for me, is that political campaigns are 90% show business, and the act of finding an audience and playing to it—just like the music business.”  Bego, whose last two books— “Band of Gold” with Freda Payne, and “Joe Cocker:  With A LOT of Help from His Friends”—both from Yorkshire Publishing—electrified the charts and further solidified his position as “the Prince of Pop Biographies” (a title given to him by Publisher’s Weekly).  On the heels of the Cocker biography, Bego was approached about reviving and updating the popular 2008 book: “Campaigning For President.”  According to him, “I am always up for a new literary adventure—and this seemed like a fun and historically relevan...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** Courteney Cox Matthew Perry NO MORE FRIENDS --- Unfortunately, the cast of Friends will not be there for you anymore — Courteney Cox put a blunt end to any dreams of a possible reunion in the near future, telling David Letterman on The Late Show Monday night, "It's not gonna happen." In classic Monica form, Cox said she's been trying to get the cast back together for a dinner, but in the 10 years since the hit show ended, she still hasn't been able to get everyone together. "I can get the girls to come, maybe Matthew Perry. Matt LeBlanc canceled last time, right at the last minute. [David] Schwimmer lives here [New York City], so it's just not going to happen." Even a possible movie seems out of the question; with Cox pointing out that the entire show was shot in the characters' apartments, insinuating no one wants to see a 90-minute episode of that. Letterman did, ...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** Clint Eastwood JERSEY BOYS GOLD --- Warner Brothers put up the latest clip last from Clint Eastwood’s coming bigscreen version of jukebox musical Jersey Boys last night and it's rather sensational. If you loved the play (music by Bob Gaudio; lyrics by Bob Crewe and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice), and millions have, you saw Eastwood’s faithful recreation with notable moments from Christopher Walken (as Angelo 'Gyp' DeCarlo) and Donnie Kehr reprising his gold-plated infamous role as Norm Waxman (The loan shark that loans Tommy DeVito money as he slides into trouble). It is presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation; success; and eventual break-up of the 1960's rock 'n roll group The Four Seasons. The musical is structured as four "seasons" each narrated by a different member of the band who gives his own perspective on its history and...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** David Letterman BYE, BYE DAVE --- Yep, he announced it last night, right before bringing guest Johnny Depp on, he’s retiring next year; after a 22-year run at CBS – and more than 30 years as a host. For my money, and I’m a Johnny Carson-fan from way back … Letterman’s been just stupendous. While Leno was mostly corny (although I did love his last show), Letterman’s humor was always of the caliber where you had to think for just a second. Clearly, he always had the best writers; the best band around; and, really catered to the new and upcoming acts … from the newest comic in town, to the next band on the edge of national recognition. He’s had so many acts on the shows, but bands like The National and My Morning Jacket, so benefited from exposure on the show. He was also never one to shy away from some of the older acts in town like Don Rickles and Regis Philbin. It was a class act all the way. As t...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** Maria Menounos Adios Maria --- Maria Menounos is leaving her post as Extra co-host after two years. "Maria was 100 percent not fired," an inside source told us. "The truth is, she decided months ago on her own to explore other options, as she knew her contract was coming up for renewal. She made this decision on her own." Among her other options, the television personality recently debuted her new Oxygen realty series, Chasing Maria Menounos, which focuses on her life living with both her longtime boyfriend, Keven Undergaro, and her Greek parents. Contrary to rumors the 35-year-old was clashing with Extra co-host Mario Lopez, Menounos is said to be making the move on her own accord. "There is no bad energy," the source continued. "Maria has so much going on with her reality show, and she's happy that she has so many options to explore right ...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G.H. Harding **** Micky Dolenz MONKEE FEST 2014 --- Say what you about nostalgia, but, it has never been bigger. At the invitation of Monkee-Micky Dolenz’s pr-mouthpiece David Salidor, I ventured out to Monkee Convention 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this past weekend. The first Monkee-convention last year was such a success, that creators Jodi Blau Ritzen and Phyllis Paganucci, then decided to do it again this year, but with major participation from Monkee-Michael Nesmith, who was absent last year. The Hilton Meadowlands was the location and as I entered one day before, one could immediately sense the palpable energy in the air. We attended a brief pre-production meeting with Dolenz and his aide Chris Kiszka. Salidor had several interviews for Dolenz to accomplish while at the festival; perhaps none more important than ABC News Radio which has an audience of 77 million worldwide. Jersey’s News 12 also appeared durin...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** Zucchero “Sugar” Fornaciari HELLO ALICE --- Eagle Rock Entertainment, in association with Banger Films, are proud to announce the world premiere of Super Duper Alice Cooper at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, where it will screen as part of their Spotlight section. Taking us through his life and career, ALICE presents his story in the first ever “doc opera” film - a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation, and rock opera. Super Duper Alice Cooper is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr. Jekyll whose rock n’ roll Mr. Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, a preacher’s son who struck fear into the hearts of parents as Alice Cooper, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as front man for a group of Phoenix freaks in the 60’s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the 70’s to his triumphant comeback as 80’s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice ...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G.H. Harding **** Adam Lambert SIMON & STING --- When Paul Simon announced last year he was touring with Sting, anticipation ran exceptionally high; as both Simon and Sting are artists of the highest caliber. Last night’s final show at NYC’s Madison Square Garden was spot-on excellent in almost every way. The two sauntered onstage with both their respective bands in tow (almost 17 musicians onstage!) and began the show with Sting’s “Brand New Day” and Simon’s “Boy in the Bubble.” Simon welcomed the audience to their little experiment. At first, there are so many musicians onstage that’s it’s all a bit hard to take in; but, soon you settle in and it all makes sense. Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” Simon’s “Mother and Child Reunion” and a brilliant-performance of Simon’s classic “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” followed. Simon’s sax player did a brilliant solo mid-song; it was good, but made me remember the late-Michael Becker...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G.H. Harding **** Kevin Spacey OSCARS 86 --- After last year’s somewhat-mess-of-a-show with host Seth MacFarlane, the producers (Craig Zadan and Neil Meron) were determined more than ever to play it safe and that’s exactly what they got in the form of host Ellen DeGeneres, who was funny for sure, but somewhat laid back. Face it, when she hosted for the first time back in 2007, everyone loved her and though she wasn't as funny as, say Johnny Carson or even Bob Hope, she was an inspired and workable choice. Her dressing up as a fairy godmother after Pink performed “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” worked fine and actually having pizza delivered during the show was simply fall down funny; with names like Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford chomping at the bit.  For insiders, her asking for pizza-money from Hollywood-bigwig Harvey Weinstein in particular was funny. Damn. To wit: Harvey probably could have anted up with a bit mor...

**** THE GLORIOUS CORNER Story By: G. H. HARDING **** Scott Shannon SHANNON’S BACK --- That didn’t take long! Industry tip sheet All Access was the first to uncover a page hidden on the WCBS-FM website that revealed the mystery of where longtime WPLJ/New York morning co-host SCOTT SHANNON would end up. Now it's official. Access reported last night that he's moving downtown a bit to do wake ups from 6AM -10AM EST at CBS Classic Hits WCBS-FM, effective Monday, March 3rd. According to the press release found on the site, "Scott Shannon In The Morning will also feature Mr. G (Irv Gikofsky) providing weather reports and Joe Nolan with all the traffic information for morning commuters. "Not often does a legendary morning drive personality become available with the experience of waking up New Yorkers for more than 25 years," said CBS VP/Market Mgr. Don Bouloukos. "CBS-FM is a heritage station and the perfect place for Hall O...