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James van der Beek, Dylan McDermott | Michael Jackson | Isaac Hays, Dionne Warwick | Derek Jeter
TV Stars From Practice, Dawson’s, Strike Out in Big Screen Effort
It seems that TV stardom and movie stardom don’t always click.
Such is the case for James Van Der Beekof Dawson’s Creek fame. His big movie break, Texas Rangers, is considered so bad it’s headed straight to video — and that’s if he’s lucky.
The $30 million catastrophe was filmed by Miramax’s Dimension division two years ago, and was planned to capitalize on the popularity of the teen soap star.
But by now the movie is felt to be so incredibly unsalvageable that it would best be never shown on the big screen. Dimension has announced several release dates for Texas Rangers, but none have come to fruition. And none will, I am told.
“It should be buried as deeply as possible and never dug up,” says a production source. “James Van Der Beek cannot act, at least not in this.”
Ouch!
Texas Rangersalso co-stars The Practice’s Dylan McDermott, Dimension teen queen Rachael Leigh Cook, former model and That ’70s ShowFonziewannabe Ashton Kutcher and pop star Usher Raymond. It was directed by Steve Miner, whose previous credits are mostly from television.
But Miner is also responsible for the 1986 clunker Soul Man, a truly offensive outing in which the very white C. Thomas Howellpretended to be black to get a scholarship to Harvard. The movie was so dreadful that it seriously hampered the careers of Howell and his co-star Rae Dawn Chong.
For Dimension, Texas Rangersis the rare total write off. The division is incredibly successful, with hits including the Screamseries, Spy Kids and Scary Movie
But Texas Rangersis not the only movie with big name stars to lose its theatrical release and go from the shelf right to the video store. Billy Bob Thornton‘s Daddy and Themco-starring the director’s former flame Laura Dern, has become something of a movie industry legend. It’s unlikely it will ever have a red carpet premiere. And Wim Wenders‘ The Million Dollar Hotel, starring box office draw Mel Gibson, played for less than a week last February before it too was boxed up and carted away.
InvincibleOff to Wobbly Start
Michael Jackson‘s Invinciblealbum is being watched by record industry insiders this week as it hits store shelves.
So far the results are mixed. Even though Jackson’s p.r. machine has declared itselfNo. 1 in Great Britian (something they did after one day of sales), the American results are more interesting.
For example, Tower Records on Manhattan’s Upper West Side told me thatit started the week with 2000 copies of the album on hand. About 200 had been sold on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“People definitely want it,” said one store manager.
Altogether Tower says it took 50,000 copies into its nearly 190 stores nationwide this week. This may sound like a low number, but consider that the chain also took 45,000 copies of ‘N Sync‘s much more anticipated Celebrityalbum back in June.
“There were several additional buys, because it sold so well,” a marketing rep for Tower said.
But Tower also says that marketing money for Invinciblefrom Epic Records has been limited to its Christmas/holiday promotions, and not for the initial release weeks before that.
Neither towerrecords.comnor hmv.com, the Web site for the HMV Mega Stores, had any special mention of Invincibleon its front pages as of last night. That’s a little odd considering the album cost Sony/Epic $30 million. You’d almost think they didn’t want it do well.
Dionne, ShaftSingerto Honor Al Green, Others
Next Thursday, Nov. 8, try and get to the Apollo Theatre. That’s the night of the 12th Annual Pioneer Awards, given by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. It’s the hottest night of music you can imagine.
Two of my all time favorite people, Isaac Hayesand Dionne Warwick, are hosting the show. And what a night it should be. Al Green, the unpredictable reverend and star singer of such hits as “Let’s Stay Together” and “Tired of Being Alone,” will have the lifetime achievement award presented to him by 60 Minutes‘ Ed Bradley.
But a lot of other R&B legends are scheduled to attend including Sly and the Family Stone and Fontella Bass, the great singer of the hit “Rescue Me.”
If Stone shows to pick up his award, that will be one of the great moments in history. A recluse who has admitted to long-term drug addiction, Stone — real name Sylvester Stewart— has been AWOL for years. His influence on everyone from Princeto Janet Jacksonto almost all modern hip-hop, though, is beyond debate. His last known appearance on record was with Earth, Wind and Firearound 1990.
I am most looking forward to the appearance of Motown songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland, the trio that wrote most of the great Supremesand Four Topssongs. Mary Wilsonof the Supremes will present them with their songwriting award.
The Foundation — which is far more legit and helpful to indigent musicians than some other more high profile groups — got its start when Atlantic Records star Ruth Brownused her winnings from a legal action to start the endowment. Since then, a number of artists and executives, who all acknowledge the incredible contributions by soul artists to American culture, have pitched in to help.
Chief among them is Bonnie Raitt, who unbeknownst probably to most of her fans is a driving force behind the Foundation’s success. Jerry Butler, “the Iceman,” and the Cook County commissioner in Chicago, is also at the forefront of the organization. Last year Motown Records Founder Berry Gordydonated $750,000 to start a fund within the organization in memory of his sister. Aretha Franklindonated $50,000 on the spot during the dinner/concert. Stevie Wonderpledged $1 million by helping to make a recording the Foundation could sell.
For more information about the Foundation and the Apollo dinner/concert, call (202) 588-5566. Tell them this column sent you.
Mr. November, Derek Jeter
New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter hit the winning homerun last night in the World Series — the first World Series homerun ever in the month of November. As Reggie Jackson was once the Yanks’ Mr. October, I guess we can now call Jeter Mr. November. And why not? Jeter is on his way to untold millions in commercial endorsements. Luckily he has the talent to back up his hype. He, Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez — not to mention Shane Spencer— madeWednesday night’s Series game the most exciting one in years. And it was only Game 4. Now that the Series is tied with two wins apiece for the Yanks and the Arizona Diamondbacks, the weekend games shouldbe abetter ratings grabbers than “Who Shot JR?” and O.J.‘s Bronco ride!