RICKY GERVAIS WELCOMED BACK TO GLOBES

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Florence Welch

RED HEADED WELCH -- With Florence + the Machine’s winning weekend appearance on Saturday Night Live, it seems more than the right time to talk about their just-released second album Ceremonials. It’s always a funny dynamic with an artist’s second album; especially when their debut was such a seismic occurrence as well a huge, huge critical success. Florence Welch’s voice is so ethereal (almost like a cross between Enya and Chrissie Hyne) it’s a bit off-putting at first. When her debut album Lungs was released, after a few listening, I couldn’t get enough. Her voice was irresistible; regal; and, the songs very edgy and the production just light years ahead of what you hear these days. More sonically pleasing then anything this side of Coldplay for sure. Songs like “Dogs Days Are Over,” “You Got The Love” and “Rabbit Heart” were literally eaten up by progressive and rock radio; it was quite the introduction. An appearance on SNL last year confirmed what everyone thought … a brilliant new star had risen on the horizon. Her new album Ceremonials … is basically more of the same. If you loved that first one, you’re going to adore this one. Just as Adele's second album had her defying the sophomore slump, so has Florence. Interestingly enough, Adele’s second album, and this one, both share writing and production from Paul Epworth. Could he be the next Mark Ronson? On SNL she performed “Shake It Out” from the new work, not my favorite so far, but its propulsive drumming is certainly spectacular. Truth be told, she has learned how to incorporate the harp (!!!) into her music and its resonance is rather breathtaking. She also performed “No Light No Light” which is among my faves, as is “What The Water Gave Me," "Lover To Lover"and the title track too. If you haven’t seen her yet, be prepared. She is as regal visually as her music. Just delightful. I’m looking forward to seeing her in person early next year. A Treat for sure. And, that red hair ... wow! SNL was up from last week's telecast hosted by Emma Stone with Coldplay. In the most-wanted demo, 18-49, SNL matched its best results this season; their October 12 edition hosted by Charlie Day, with Maroon 5.


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Aidan Quinn

UNDERWATER SUSPECT -- I’ve raged about Maria Belllo’s NBC Prime Suspect as being just out and out terrific, and the fact that the network officially shut down production last week; but, their new episode Thursday night, Underwater, was not only their best yet, but provocative and terrifically well acted. I couldn’t quite believe how strong the show was... all around. Truth be told, it was filmed weeks ago and the glaring problems of their first few episodes had long been corrected. Actors Aidan Quinn, Brian F. O’Byrne and Kirk Acevedo just did amazing turns! Curiously, the network said it shut down production …. but, not said, was that they were canceling it. Strange indeed … right? Their show is the best thing I’ve seen on the station in years. It’s a keeper for sure. Big problems over at NBC for sure.


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Patrick Wilson

A GIFTED WILSON -- I watched the last few episodes of CBS’ A Gifted Man, with Broadway’s Patrick Wilson (Angels In America/Hard Candy/Watchmen), over the weekend and marveled at the fact of how good this show has gotten. There’s a device that’s used … and, if you buy into it, it all fits. Wilson plays Michael Holt, who has visions of his wife, who has just passed. One episode (In Case of Exposure), had him about to operate on the man who confessed to maybe having done it; he did operate and there’s a terrific revelation afterward. The terrific Margo Martindale as his aide is just wonderful too. Also, Rhys Corio (Entourage) and Rachelle Lefevre are stand outs too. Here again is a show that has just gotten terrific. In the old days, some shows would take the full 22-episode season to build; today, it’s more like you have two shows to succeed. By the way: Wilson is just sensational; he jumps off the screen at you!


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The Rolling Stones

EAGLE & STONES -- Eagle Rock Entertainment has just released a Blu-Ray/DVD of The Rolling Stones Some Girls Live in Texas 1978. Capturing the group at the live best, the show was filmed at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas on July 18, on what many consider one of the group’s best tours ever. This was due to the band’s back to basics approach both musically and visually. As the shows were stripped back compared to their previous tours; harnessing the new punk attitude of the late 70’s. We were immediately brought back decades to witness some terrific performances, including “Miss You,” “Shattered,” “Brown Sugar,” “Happy,” “Respectable” and, one of our all-time favorites, “Tumbling Dice.” Also very compelling as well, is a recent interview with Mick Jagger, wherein he reflects about the tour some 30+ years ago. It’s a particularly candid interview; especially talking about the tour, the music and the times back then. We loved it!


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Ricky Gervais

RICKY BACK AS PREDICTED -- We told you so, but now it is official: Ricky Gervais, will be back for this January's Golden Globes broadcast. Apparently it wasn't a slam dunk; but, more members of the Hollywood Foreign Press wanted him back than not. Funnily enough, the comic said the main reason he made the decision, was to basically say FU to all the people who said he wouldn't be back. Odd, right? We love him and thought his stint last time was utterly priceless. From what we heard, the Hollywood cognoscenti felt the same way; from Tom Cruise and Will Smith on down. Let's face it, we heard for years that the HFP could be bought, sold … and, god knows what else; the show heaped praise on them with a terrific effort and the exploits were news fodder for weeks. Remember friends … nothing succeeds like success! Welcome home Ricky!

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FINAL REGIS --- Based on preliminary household ratings from NYC and Philadelphia, nearly one-third of TV viewers were tuned into his final TV-broadcast last Friday. The show scored an 8.7 for its last quarter in New York, nearly triple what the show averaged last November, according to Nielsen. After more than two decades hosting Live! - first with Kathie Lee Gifford since 1988, and with Kelly Ripa since 2001, Regis went out top!


Photos By: Sara De Boer/RD/Dziekan/Kenny/Orchon/Retna

BRING RICKY GERVAIS BACK TO GOLDEN GLOBES

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Ricky Gervais

NOW, WHERE WERE WE? – Ricky Gervais … what can you say about him? Three weeks later people are still talking about the Golden Globes and their somewhat rambunctious host Gervais. Truth is, the Globes people haven't asked him back, NBC has, who broadcast the show. The general request for any host is to keep people talking about the show. And, they have in record numbers. Can you imagine what their audience would be for next year’s show … especially if Slicky Ricky is there? The comedian has been quoted this morning as saying that if he does return, “They can expect the same old shit.” To me, he did a great job; sure, it must have been icy inside the event, but TV is all about the ratings and the ratings were good!


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Charlie Sheen

SHEEN SCENE – I think when all is said and done, the Charlie Sheen debacle is just terribly, terribly sad. Enablers, the network, friends, neighbors, and hangers-on, all must take the blame. As to him doing his rehab stint at home, I am somewhat dubious and rather surprised that more of the so-called practitioners of the trade have yet to come forward and comment on this supposed tactic; Dr. Drew where are you? I mean, can you even do this at home? One blogger posted after it was posited whether the next episodes of his show Two And A Half Men would even be filmed, said that they should just put some cameras in the star’s home and that would be the entertainment. Funny … but, sad.

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Maggie Gyllenhaal

SUPERMAN RE-DEUX – Me, I’m a Batman-fan. Those early re-boots with director Joel Schumacher were nothing short of brilliant. Especially with the fantastic visual works from the late-Anton Furst. I happened to dial up Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight …and, enjoyed everything about it. Christian Bale and Maggie Gyllenhaal were just out and out terrific. Michael Caine was brilliant and Heath Ledger gave perhaps one of the best performances ever on film. Great Film. Nolan’s just started the next installment of the series, to be titled The Dark Knight Rises; which will rightly pick up where the last one left off. I had forgotten that the ending positioned The Batman as a vigilante who must be captured. In fact, the film ended with them pursing The Batman. With all of Nolan’s deserving success, he was tagged to executive produced the re-booting of the Superman series, with none other than Brit-actor Henry Cavill most recently from Showtime’s The Tudors, as the titular lead. The director has been announced as Zack Snyder, who did the wonderful job on 2009’s Watchmen and 2006’s 300. The former movie was a comic-con lover’s delight and a script that the Hollywood-studios for years had been trying to develop. Snyder’s take was sensational, but overall the movie was somewhat belabored with tons of back-story; not always the best way to handle a movie. Said Snyder, “In the pantheon of super heroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be part of his return to the big screen.” With Nolan in the picture, it should be a terrific endeavor. BTW: Twilight’s Kristen Stewart has just been approached about playing Lois Lane. What do you think?


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Trent Reznor

ROBBIE COMES A CALLING – One of the nicest and most creative people in the record biz is Robbie Robertson, from the legendary rock ‘n roll group The Band and his work with director Martin Scorsese. His first solo album is 13 years out April 4 and is entitled How To Become Clairvoyant. With guests including Eric Clapton, Tom Moreno, Robert Randolph, Trent Reznor, and Steve Winwood, I am feverishly looking forward to it. The first single from the album, “He Don’t Live Here No More” is out and terrific. I predict this will be a big winner for the first quarter.


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Eva Mueller

EVA RISES – We want to showcase an emerging photographer/artist on the scene, Bavaria-born Eva Mueller. Last year she shot album covers for both Elaine Paige and Nadia Ali. Mueller is bullish on her unique ability to come in and create a totally new visual image for an artist or group. “In many instances, a re-booting of the image or an entirely new one is called for. I love being able to come in and start at the beginning. Clearly, it’s a much better place for me to work from.” A gallery/design store in Rio, called Duilio Sartori has just commissioned her to produce a book on the colors, lights, and people of Rio. She'll have an exhibit in the Spring.

Photos By: RD/Orchon/Parks/Walter McBride/Retna