THE LA RIOTS APRIL 29, 1992-APRIL 29, 2017

25 YEARS AGO........

              WHERE WERE YOU LOS ANGELENOS 
         WHEN FIRES AND SHOOTING BROKE OUT????

I WAS HERE  --- 

This is the chapel at Pepperdine University in Malibu. I was all the way at the ocean on the westside of LA, at the farthest point away from where the rioting was. For a day of fun, I was on location for the shooting of the CBS soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful." A wedding was being shot. The brunette on the left, below, Hunter Tylo, was marrying the handsome guy, Ronn Moss.

Just as they were getting ready to walk down the aisle, the producers received a call from CBS telling everyone to stay in Malibu and not return to CBS at Fairfax and Beverly. They said the rioters and looters were coming there on their way to Beverly Hills. An announcement was made to the cast and crew. Many of them wanted shooting to halt immediately and they wanted to get to their families. CBS was adamant about holding them there, and the smart thing to do (financially---which was REALLY what CBS cared about) was to finish the shoot.

The actress on the left of this photo is Joanna Johnson, who, at the time, was the leading ingenue of Bold and Beautiful. She has since gone on to write and produce a number of successful TV series like "Hope and Faith" and "The Fosters," now in its long run on Freeform. We were and are very good friends. She and I did NOT want to leave Malibu. She called another close friend and asked her to drive to the beach as fast as possible. I called another friend who lived in Malibu and asked if I could bring friends and spend the night.

If you weren't in Los Angeles on this night, 20 years, ago, you can't imagine how scary it was. All the news outlets were warning of crazed rioters coming to harm us on the westside.

Our little group spent the night in a Malibu estate, armed with guns. Yes. That's how we slept--with loaded guns by our sides. To be exactly correct, Joanna didn't want the guns near her, so it was my assignment to rush in like the Sundance Kid and protect her if we were attacked. This may sound ridiculous now, or it may not. Then, it was crucial.

It was a terrible time for everyone. It's 25 years later. Has it gotten better? Yes. But not all that much, in my opinion.

It's 25 years later and I still have the same question to the rioters: Why destroy your own neighborhood? You only hurt yourselves.

NICOLLE WALLACE HAS HER OWN MSNBC SHOW!!!!!!

                   CONGRATULATIONS, 
                  NICOLLE WALLACE!!!!!

NICOLLE WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CO-HOSTS OF "THE VIEW" EVER, and ABC fired her because she wasn't "hip enough." They actually said that she didn't know enough about pop culture like the Kardashians! Whoopi Goldberg was not pleased at all. She adores Nicolle, too.

Nicolle, is a very bright, funny, reasonable political expert who is able to understand both sides and always be fair. I'm so happy that MSNBC gave her her own show. She has appeared zillions of times on "Morning Joe," and really deserves this opportunity to shine.




Here's the official announcement:

MSNBC will announce today that NBC News political analyst Nicolle Wallace will expand her role to host a new program that will air weekdays from 4 to 5 p.m. ET. The New York City-based program will premiere in May.

From the forthcoming release: "Wallace, a [novelist and] former White House Communications Director, will tackle the latest political developments and conduct interviews with leading newsmakers. MSNBC host and political correspondent Steve Kornacki will continue his presence in the hour, providing in-depth discussion and analysis."

ELLEN DEGENERES "PUPPY" EPISODE 20 YEARS AGO

ELLEN'S FAMOUS "COMING OUT" EPISODE WAS 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

I WAS IN THE STUDIO WHEN IT WAS SHOT. I'LL NEVER FORGET IT.

SHE DOES A CAST REUNION ON HER TALK SHOW TODAY. I'm sure you'll find out today why it was called "The Puppy Episode." I'll let Ellen tell you.

Ellen and Laura Dern. "THE moment."

Now--Chris Higgins, Clea Lewis, Joely Fisher, Ellen, Oprah, Laura

Thanks to Joely Fisher, my friend since she was EIGHT, I was an invited guest. Joely played Paige, Ellen's best friend on the series for years. The entire audience was mostly comprised of invited guests, but there were a few "civilians" there. Anticipation almost froze you in place. Oprah was there. kd lang was there. I think Melissa Etheridge was there. Scene by scene was shot, leading up to the big airport reveal. Right after that shot, the audience erupted in screams I've only heard at a football championship or a rock concert. And the screams went on and on.

When the show was over, a huge birthday cake was wheeled out and everyone sang to Ellen. We all rushed the stage and started hugging each other. Many people were crying. It was an evening that celebrated personal freedom, and it was simply startling to be right in the middle of it.

But that was short-lived. Her show ended up being canceled, and her career tanked. So much for personal freedom. Ellen had to live out many long, difficult years before she got her successful talk show. It's easy to forget those years. To most people, it looks like she "skipped" from one hit show to another. Not true. It was a really hard journey.

Then

Then

KELLY OSBOURNE'S WONDERFUL NEW BOOK

          THERE IS NO F*CKING SECRET

I REALLY LIKE KELLY OSBOURNE. I GOT TO KNOW HER THROUGH JOAN RIVERS. Kelly is a no-nonsense, brash, sensitive, intelligent girl who had a heckuva childhood and early 20s. Joan really loved Kelly, and, to Joan, Kelly was another "daughter." I'm so happy we've stayed in touch. I know it makes me feel better, and it's something I know Joan would have wanted.

Kelly's story is kind of well-known, as she's been on TV since she was about ten. The public first got to know her on THE OSBOURNES, which was, in truth, the first reality show. They saw a totally dysfunctional family--Pop Ozzy, Mom Sharon, Brother Jack, and hidden sibling Amy. It was complete insanity.

As an example, when she was 16 and just happily driving along in LA, a seemingly nice-looking man pulled up at a stop light and asked her to roll down her window She did, expecting some kind of pleasant at hello. Instead, he threw a Subway sandwich right in her face and drove off. Just horrible.

Kelly is shockingly honest in telling all her truth, and her life today, at 32, shows how one can triumph in all circumstances. I particularly like her story-telling device of having each chapter be a letter to someone. It works extremely well.


From her book jacket:

Kelly Osbourne may not always have been a typical role model, but no one can say that her perspective isn’t hard won after spending three decades in the spotlight: from growing up completely exposed to the heavy metal scene—replete with crazy antics most readers have only begun to hear about—to spending her teenage years as the wild middle child of an even wilder Ozzy Osbourne, to the family’s popular stint on their wacky eponymous reality show. Since then, Osbourne has forged her own path as a style icon and powerful woman in the media who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is and be honest with her fans. But being the daughter of a music legend hasn’t always been glamorous; growing up Osbourne is an experience that Kelly wouldn’t trade, but there are battle scars, and she is finally now ready to embrace and reveal their origins.

Told as a series of letters to various people and places in her life, There Is No F*cking Secret gives readers an intimate look at the stories and influences that have shaped Osbourne’s highly speculated-about life, for better or for worse. The stories will make readers’ jaws drop, but ultimately, they will come away empowered to forge their own path to confidence, no matter how deranged and out of control it may be, and to learn the ultimate lesson: that there just is no f*cking secret.

BILL COSBY'S LATEST PLOY

Her name is Angela Agrusa, and, in my opinion, she's delusional. She's Bill Cosby's latest lawyer whose strategy it is to put him on TV in an interview to "rehabilitate his reputation" before his trial starts.

WRONG, ANGELA.

Americans love to forgive, BUT NOT SEXUAL MOLESTERS. NOT MEN WHO DRUG WOMEN AND FORCE THEM TO HAVE SEX.

NOT EVEN COMEDIANS WHO PRETENDED TO BE LOVING FAMILY MEN ON TV OR IN REAL LIFE.

And I don't care what "disease" he says he has.


BILL COSBY SHOULD GO TO JAIL. I personally know two women he tried to assault.

THE HORROR OF DIRECTV

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED.........

I just bought the new OLED TV. It's even higher than 4K. The new trick now is to get the cable service that has boxes that are the right quality for your set. Spectrum and Directv DON'T TELL YOU THAT.

I guarantee you that many of you reading this who bought 4k tvs are probably not aware that they are "slipping 1080p boxes" to you without telling you.

The correct boxes for OLED won't come out until the fall, but the 4K cable box is good, and, at this time, it's the best picture you can get.

I called Directv to use them because they advertise on their website that they have the Genie 2 wireless tower that is 4k. It is the very latest box and ONLY should be used for 4K. I ordered that, explaing the 4k and OLED issue.

The installer showed up today.

• 1. The Genie 2 Tower was not reflected on the order
• 2. The Directv operator, when I called, denied they even had it, even though it was advertised on their website
• 3. THE INSTALLER ACTUALLY HAD THE GENIE TOWER 2 IN HIS TRUCK!!!!!!
• 4. BECAUSE IT WASN'T ON THE ORDER, AND BECAUSE THE OPERATOR DENIED EVEN KNOWING IT EXISTED---HE COULDN'T GIVE IT TO ME!!!!!
• 5. The wonderful installer was as frustrated as I was, and he even confessed that the Directv game is to force you to use a box that they charge you an extra $100 for!!!! That one was in his truck, too!

Needless to say, you can imagine what I said to the supervisor I got on the phone.

The more important point of this story is to really watch out and make sure when you get a new TV, that Spectrum or Directv give you the right box. If you have 4K now, as well as the right box, be sure to exchange it for the FREE, correct wireless tower one when it comes out in the fall. I PROMISE YOU, DIRECTV WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT IT and keep trying to get more money.

AARON HERNANDEZ---NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE

THE TRAGEDY OF AARON HERNANDEZ---
          LOOK WHAT SOCIETY DID

Why would this successful, seemingly happy pro-football player commit murder and never speak about it? He just went to jail and that was it. He was subjected to terrible, shouting headlines. What happened to his life?

He killed someone, for sure, and got the penalty he deserved. 

But how sad is it that his secret of being bisexual drove him to murder someone and ruin many lives, just because he was afraid and ashamed?

For all the the LGBT education and attention, have things gotten better? 

Answer: A little. But two people are dead, and we only know about it because Aaron was famous. How many more people are out there suffering?

How tragic. How very tragic.

'LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS" SHINES

CHUCK YATES' COYOTE STAGEWORKS HAS ANOTHER WINNER IN "LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS" PLAYING AT THE ANNENBERG


Gloria Loring stars as advice columnist Ann Landers in this one-woman show written by David Rambo and directed by Don Amendolia. Loring is charming and poignant throughout, as she takes us on a journey of Landers' life that we knew nothing about.

Rambo's extremely well-written play, beautifully directed by Amendolia, shows us different sides to this newspaper legend. We see who she was as a human being.

It's a thoroughly-entertaining evening!

JULIA ROBERTS--THANK YOU, PEOPLE MAGAZINE

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!   THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN 
                  OF 2017 ISN'T 22 YEARS OLD!!

Thank you, PEOPLE, for picking a woman who is maturing beautifully and living a good life.

What a pleasure that you don't have a cover subject (for a change) who's--

• Dead
• In rehab
• A killer
• Gender confused
• A politician
• Covered in tattoos
• Recently arrested
• A child molester
• A reality "star"
• A rapper
• A model/actress

THANK YOU!

ONE NIGHT ONLY--A REALLY BIG DEAL

ONE NIGHT ONLY, A CONCERT PRODUCED BY MICHAEL CHILDERS EACH YEAR....

is the gigantic, must-see benefit for Jewish Family Services. They take over the McCallum Theatre, and each year salute a songwriter. Last year was Sondheim, directed by Lucie Arnaz. This year it's Jerry Herman directed by Jason Graae.

Producer Michael Childers and Helene Galen

Helene Galen, the beautiful inside and out philanthropist, each year gives the night before pre-party at her dazzling home in Rancho Mirage. It's just for the cast, JFS Board, and special donors.

Yes, it's another party in a house thats is an art museum---this time on a golf course--- and the Palm Springs High School Band just happens to drop by and play on the fairway.

Lucie and Michael

Event Planner/Producer Debbie Green and Jamie Kabler, Founder and Chairman of the Rancho Mirage Writers' Festival

Larry Luckinbill

The "backyard"

Living Room 

Foyer art

It looks like sex toys, but it's a really cool artpiece

Architect Michael Johnston, Me, Tony-winner David Zippel, and singer Amanda McBroom

Broadway's Hunter Ryan Herdlicka and Broadway legal giant, Mark Sendroff

Helene's screening room!

Here comes the band

Broadway's Liz Callaway sings "Downtowm"

Broadway's Klea Blackhurst LOVES what Liz is singing!

Lucie Arnaz sings "Palm Springs Jump"

Barbara Keller and Barbara Fromm--two of "The Supremes" who are charity forces.  ONE NIGHT ONLY is their event. Terri Ketover, above, right.

Just a "simple" living room ceiling

Entryway

EVIE SANDS DEBUTS NEW EP WITH A SHOW

EVIE SANDS------THE VELVET "JACKIE WILSON"

The Evie Sands Story is a long, complicated one. Just know that she has one of the best classic female voices rock and pop has ever heard. She grew up in Brooklyn, loving Jackie Wilson ("Lonely Teardrops," "Higher and Higher"). Evie was a little white girl with a soulful voice who could rock hard, and also sooth you with her smoothness on a ballad.

In the late 60s, she hit it with "Take Me for a Little While," "I Can't Let Go;" she recorded "Angel of the Morning FIRST; "Billy Sunshine," "Any Way That You Want Me," and Quincy Jones' "Maybe Tomorrow." Dusty Springfield thought Evie was so great, that she sang back-up for her on one of her records.

Evie plays lead, rhythm, and bass guitar, drums and keyboards, and plays all of them in her act, except for the drums. She just doesn't have enough hands and arms left.

Her new EP, "Shine for Me," showcases all her styles, and it's amazing.  She also wrote every song on the album. Go to her website and buy it starting Saturday, April 22nd.  www.eviesands.com
In today's crazy music business world, labels only pay attention to Taylor Swift, Beyonce, or Gaga. Other artists have to fend for themselves, and they should be supported. Evie is certainly one of them.

Me, Evie, and Ginger Blake from "The Honeys"

Evie and I met in the late 60s and have been friends ever since. She introduced her new album by doing a sold-out concert at McCabe's in Santa Monica the other night. It was a fantastic show, and her band was incredible.

Congratulations, Evie!