Collage captions: Row 1: HH with the very first Emmy in history awarded to his late great friend Stanley Rubin; “The Angelic Ladd Sisters” Cheryl & Jordan; Dolly Parton and Children; Kathy Najimy, Gloria Steinem and Mo Gaffney Row 2: Heather Locklear, Lorenzo Lamas, Lydia Cornell and Cindy Steindorff; Jenn on The Red with Vic G & Zarian Hadley Row 3: John and Dee Dee Schneider with James Kong; Dolly Parton’s Star; Diane Warren with The K’s – Karen, Kat and Jennifer Kramer Row 4: Bob Mackie; Janie Bradford Row 5: Burton Gilliam, Roger Neal and Guests; Reba McEntire and Kate Jackson Row 6: HH, Mark Rydell, Kat Kramer and Lou Gossett Jr.; Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman; Zendaya
Photo credits Mike Pingel, Jordan Ladd, The Dolly Parton Estate, The Recording Academy/Alison Buck/Getty Images. Alan Mercer, David DeLuise, Martin Rayala, Dimitri Merritt, FB/Instagram
Harrison Held’s SceneAroundTown… Hollywood!
I think the universe is still collectively mourning the loss of the iconic beloved Dolly Parton… It’s hard to believe she’s no longer with us. Many of us are suffering from post Parton depression. 80 is a long life but she should have had a lot longer… We should have had her a lot longer… She will never be forgotten because there was never anyone like her… Underneath the rhinestones and glitter beat the heart of a good decent person who walked her talk. Dolly was beautiful, talented, witty, kind, smart and funny… the whole package… Award Winning Singer, Actress, Songwriter. Author. Entertainer. Producer, Educator, Businesswoman, and generous Philanthropist.
A few days after her shocking passing Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee announced that Nashville International airport would be renamed Dolly Parton International Airport in her memory. With her longtime manager Danny Nozell and team, she road
mapped out future business ventures including “A Cup of Ambition” her coffee brand and a new Purina treat for dogs…
A time capsule stashed away at Dollywood’s Dream More Resort includes a new song to be unveiled in 2046.
Her Books for Literacy/The Imagine Library is scheduled to continue and has helped millions of children learn to read worldwide. “Dolly, A True Original Musical” is set to open on what would have been her 81st birthday 1/19/27 at the St. James Theatre in NY. The book is written by her longtime friend and collaborator Emmy winner Maria Schlatter.
Dolly’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is shiny and new again – it received a cosmetic nip & tuck after being vandalized. God Bless You, Dolly. We Will Always Love You…
The Legendary Bob Mackie left us suddenly at 87. The award-winning designer put his stamp everywhere and will long be remembered for his super talent and kindness.
He designed amazing costumes worn by Cher, Tina Turner, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor, Ann-Margret, Bette Midler, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Cheryl Ladd, and Elton John to name a few. I think Zendaya was one of the best dressed at this year’s Emmys. Her fashion stylist Law Roach was a close friend of Bob Mackie and Bob often compared Law’s and Zendaya’s collaboration to his own with Cher. “Thank you to my fashion father and one of the greatest designers in the history of American fashion” Law shared on social media.
Motown legend Janie Bradford also left us at 87. The woman who named the Supremes started as a teen at Motown as a receptionist and started writing songs like Too Busy Thinking about my Baby and Money (That’s What I Want) with Barry Gordy… By 20 she was very wealthy and moved to Los Angeles when Motown relocated to California in 1970. Janie was a great mom and wife and a loyal friend to scores of people. After her Motown tenure she created the Heroes and Legends Awards, bringing in huge stars and giving scholarships to young deserving students. We will miss her. She was my first publisher at Entertainment Connection Magazine. Thank you, Janie.
Legendary director Mark Rydell left us at 97…The kind, talented man brought us The Rose, For the Boys, On Golden Pond, Cinderella Liberty, and many other fine films. He appeared on my Hollywood Icons show I hosted about Katharine Hepburn with Karen Sharpe Kramer (widow of Stanley Kramer who directed Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) and Kat Kramer, KH’s God Daughter. He was a good guy. Condolences to Beej and all his loved ones.
RIP Legendary feminist Gloria Steinem 92 who also made the world a better place seen in a photo c. 2004 with actresses Mo Gaffney & Kathy Najimy. “What would we have done without Gloria Steinem? ” asked Mo… “She was so fierce and kind and smart and brave. We are incredibly lucky she existed!” RIP Gloria.
Also, Bonsoir and RIP to the very talented Tim Curry 80, Shelley Fabares 82 and Hayden Panettiere who tragically left us at only 36.
Short Takes… The much buzzed about Charlie’s Angels 50th Reunion was definitely one of the highlights of this year’s Emmys… Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd warmly reminisced about the late great Farrah Fawcett and Mariska Hargitay was a great host. Reba McEntire’s beautiful tribute to her close friend Dolly Parton was a standout. Sally Field’s tribute to Dolly was warm and heartfelt. Congratulations to her on her record setting win…. As Mickey Rooney used to say… “Retire? I say inspire!” Superstars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have been having a great time working hard doing pr for Practical Magic 2.
The beautiful Grammy Museum has a great new exhibit honoring young mega star Olivia Rodrigo…Happy Birthday to Diane Warren, the most successful song writer in history seen with The K’s (Karen. Kat & Jennifer Kramer) at her recent birthday soiree… “Pink Lady & Her Gentlemen Friends ” featuring John Coleman and Art Kirsch have a new youtube venture.
Actor Burton Gilliam so memorable in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and Peter Bogdanovitch’s Paper Moon recently greeted fans at Arlington Comic Fest and Lydia Cornell. Heather Locklear bf Lorenzo Lamas and Cindy Steindorff greeted fans at Fanboy Expo in Orlando.
Producer/Publicist Roger Neal hosted a press conference supporting a pro Paramount/Warner Bros merger. They want jobs to stay in CA.
The world premiere of Realm of the River is September 18 at the Rosenthal Theater at Inner City Art in DTLA. The feminist themed play is written and directed by the talented Jesse Bliss. Jenn on The Red welcomed recording Artist Vic G and music video director Zarian Hadley at El Cid on Sunset to introduce their new Vertical Music Video and a great live show. John and DeeDee Schneider met up with James Kong at the hot new restaurant Gable in the historic Hollywood Roosevelt… Delicious food I’m told.
Legendary Barbara Eden had to cancel her appearance at Cinecon… She’s fine now after a bad reaction to a new medication. Visit FabiolaMenchelli.com to see the beautiful art of the internationally acclaimed Mexican born Fabiola Menchelli… Her work is beautiful and dreamy.
Happy and healthy 94th birthday to Westside Story Oscar winner George Chakiris!
Hang in there and keep dreaming big… See you next month. HH