TV / Film News

Senate Cuts Movie-Industry Tax Break from Stimulus Bill

Source: Michael Ricci
February 4, 2009

The motion picture industry's record-setting month at the box office may have cost it $246 million in tax breaks, as the Senate on Tuesday stripped a provision from the economic stimulus bill that critics derided as an unnecessary Hollywood bailout.

In denying the tax breaks on new film projects, senators cited the $1.03-billion haul from movie ticket sales in January, a 19% year-over-year increase, according to industry tracking firm Media by Numbers. “They had their best January ever," said ...

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Karriem Riggins Plays with Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Diana Krall on Sundance Channel’S Spectacle…

Source: All About Jazz
February 2, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Luminary drummer and hip-hop producer Karriem Riggins will be in good company, performing with Herbie Hancock, Elton John, and Diana Krall on Sundance’s new series Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… Riggins was called upon to play drums on two of the season’s episodes, first with Herbie Hancock (airing February 4th 9:00 PM EST), and second with Diana Krall, with whom he tours, on an episode also featuring Elton John (airing February 18th 9:00 PM EST). A virtuoso, ...

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Rob Mathes Behind-the-Scenes Music Career That Makes Stars Shine

Source: Michael Ricci
February 1, 2009

THERE was a time when 45-year-old Rob Mathes wanted to be a rock star. That never happened, for a number of reasons.

One, “I was trying too hard,” said Mr. Mathes, who, on Jan. 18, directed a small army of pop and rock luminaries at “We Are One,” the HBO-televised preinaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. “Bands that are really moving and insightful and interesting — they have a different attitude, like, ‘If you want to sign on, fine. If ...

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'Now That's What I Call Music!' Heading to TV?

Source: Billboard Magazine
January 31, 2009

"Now That's What I Call Music!," the long-running series of hit-single compilations, is being shopped as a TV show by Simon Fuller and his 19 Entertainment company. While still in its early stages -- the show doesn't have an official title yet, although it's likely to incorporate some variation of the “Now" brand name --details are beginning to emerge. Fuller, the mastermind behind “American Idol" and “So You Think You Can Dance," has the exclusive global rights to negotiate a ...

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Bob Dylan Teams up with Will.i.AM for Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial

Source: All About Jazz
January 31, 2009

How do you make Super Bowl Sunday even more of a spectacle? By adding Bob Dylan, even if it is just for a $3 million minute.

The legendary singer-songwriter and the Black Eyed Peas‘ once again ubiquitous Will.i.am will make a cameo appearance during this Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast when the pair team up for a new ad for Pepsi.

As Billboard reports, the duo will sing a new song penned specifically for the commercial. No other details have been ...

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Michael Jackson Sued by 'Thriller' Director John Landis

Source: Michael Ricci
January 28, 2009

A day after the announcement that the Nederlander Organization has acquired rights to produce a musical version of Michael Jackson's Thriller comes legal uncertainty for fans looking forward to a Broadway-style version of the epochal 1983 Dawn of the Dead meets Soul Train music video.

Turns out that the 14-minute mini-film's director and co-writer John Landis -- the movie comedy maestro behind Animal House, The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London -- filed court papers last Wednesday suing ...

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Lenny Bruce, Jazz Fan

Source: All About Jazz
January 26, 2009

The latest edition of the Jazz Video Guy's blog features highlights from some very rare Lenny Bruce video. In 1959, Mr. Bruce produced his own television pilot, The World of Lenny Bruce, featuring Buddy Rich and Harry Sweets Edison, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, and a quartet that includes his friend Philly Joe Jones, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans. The program was shown once, on local New York television, and then put in an archive.

The show is now available on ...

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VH1 Charity Auction Features Sax Lesson from David Sanborn

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
January 23, 2009

St. Louis native and jazz/funk/pop saxophone legend David Sanborn is auctioning off a private saxophone lesson to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. The auction, which closes on Monday, January 26, is for a package including a private lesson with Sanborn in New York City; a copy of his new CD Here and Gone (Decca); an autographed saxophone to be presented in person by Sanborn; and a $500 MasterCard gift card. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation ...

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