07/08/2010 12:00 am
Culture
Liz Smith: Michael Buble's 'Crazy Love' Triumphs
Also from Our Liz: Lindsay Lohan's crazy is jailed (Can it save her?)
Michael Buble/Image by Charlie via Facebook
"I can’t believe it’s been seven years since I first put my arms around you!"
Yeah, well, when you’re 87 years old, like I am, you seldom find yourself being embraced by an appealing and talented young man who would say such a thing.
The brilliant singer, Michael Bublé, was holding me close backstage at the Mohegan Sun after his love-drenched performance with thousands of screaming girls (shades of Frank Sinatra at the Paramount) and many of their elders, who were equally enthusiastic.
Michael was referring back to my 80th birthday party where he had appeared as a virtual unknown to sing "Just the Way You Look Tonight." I was flattered that Michael remembered this memorable – for – me event because now he is one of the biggest stars in the firmament.
Michael is on his "Crazy Love" tour, which appears at the Raleigh, NC RBC Center tomorrow night and then segues on to … Charlotte, NC … Jacksonville, FL … New Orleans … Houston … San Antonio … Dallas … Sacramento … San Diego and, on the July 28, Las Vegas.
I went to the Mohegan Sun recently with Michael’s famous press agent, Liz Rosenberg, and her talent-booker husband, the witty Phil Citron. After a wonderful dinner in the gambling casino’s new Bar Americaine (buttermilk fried chicken, anyone?) we caught Michael’s show with its incredible big visual backgrounds, its brilliant orchestra and its opening act. The latter is called Naturally 7 and, in it, seven talented black artists make their own musical instrument sounds to accompany their soul-defying music. They are so deft you can hardly believe what they are doing onstage.
In the middle of his show, Michael called on Naturally 7 to come back to the stage and help him be propelled off and carried back to midpoint in the huge auditorium. There he did part of his show from a platform so the people at the back got a better look at him in person. It was masterful and he touched fingers and hands with hundreds of jumping-jack fans who were clamoring to tear off his little black suit. There was quite a scuffle for his discarded towel. I don’t know how these hysterical women really get the full gist of Michael’s artistry because they are in the main busy taking phone photos of him.
Michael entertained us with some cute stories about his new Argentine fiancé, Luisana Loreley Lopilato de la Torre. He admitted, "I’m just a little bit afraid of her myself."
It was fascinating to me to see a very good singer like Michael Bublé become a huge showbiz audience entertainer. But he has developed quite a stage personality, a down-to-earth give-and-take attitude to his fans, incredible video backgrounds and he gives his musicians a lot of well-deserved credit. He doesn’t just stand there and sing. Far from it. He even included a brief Michael Jackson dancing tribute.
I’d be a fool not to love Michel Bublé, my "discovery," in a manner of speaking, and special thanks to Liz Rosenberg.
Incidentally, at dinner, Phil Citron discussed current events. He asked me how I had liked being fired by the tabloid newspaper, the New York Post, after 33 years as a byline and being replaced by the Eliot Spitzer hooker who is now a Post specialist writer. This had never occurred to me before and Phil and I had a good laugh. I must be sure to send The New York Times this little P.S. for my obit, which I know is already prepared. They have to add this bit!
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I LOVE Michael….listened to him on the patio this evening while watching the sunset on a hot summer night!
Never had the opportunity to see him live…must be heaven!
Like the author, I’ve seen him twice now. The first time was some five years ago at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, a fairly small but beautiful, old-school theatre that allowed those of us the balcony an excleent view, and the chance to touch Micahel’s hand when he ran through the crowd sans-bodyguards.
Last week I saw him in Columbus at Nationwide Arena - as the name implies, it was quite the different setting! I borrowed binoculars from someone sitting beside me to glimpse his face, and spent much of the show watching the big-screens usually used to show an instant reply of the Bluejackets hockey game. But when he went to the back of the arena, closer to us, and sang "Home," I cried like a baby - it’s still one of my favorite songs of all time. He has the same stage presence, one that makes every audience member feel like he or she is a part of the show and as if Michael would make an awesome buddy, even if he weren’t famous.
*Sigh*
Liz, obviously you were a good luck charm for Michael’s career. Serenading Liz has to beat kissing the Blarney Stone - although technically it is suppose to give you the gift of gab - not simply good luck. How did you get the gift of gab, Liz?
Lindsay is tragic. When I watch celebrity rehab I try to pick who is going to make it after sober house - I’m only right some of the time. I wish there were a rehab in Alaska and the person can go away for about 2 years and REALLY restructure their lives and personality. Dr. Drew commended Robert Downy Jr. for focusing only on his sobriety for 2 years - and then resuming his career.
Lindsey almost needs a minder, someone who lives with her and is with her every moment of the day. Not just to make sure she doesn’t drink, but I sense that she is very lonely, very fragile, very vulnerable in the world. How is she supposed to be paying for all these lawyers if she doesn’t work. It’s possible the parents really are remorseful and want to help. She only has one set of parents, and she’s only 24. Why does it seem like she’s 34?
The first time I heard Michael sing I melted like frozen butter. When my daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year I told her all of his CD’s, she had no idea who he was, but after sitting with me for an hour she decided I could only have two of the cd’s at that time.
He reminds me of Frank Sanatra, Dean Martin and the days of the Rat Pack and the wonderful music I grew up listening to. "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes", such wonderful memories. He’s right up there with Harry C. Jr., they both have a set of pipes that could set the world a glow.
As for Lindsey, it’s about time she was held accountable for her actions. She thinks she should be allowed to get away with crap because she’s an actress, bull crap. Paris Hilton went to jail. And so have many other young stars of this generations, just because they act, sing, whatever doesn’t give them the right to drink and drive and put other people’s lives in danger. Being stupid is no excuse. Maybe she’ll grow up and it will be a lesson that will teach her not to drink at all, that booze is just as dangerous as drugs and both kill, not just the person driving the car but innocent people on the road, 90 days isn’t long enough, maybe she should get a year.
Maybe I sound too harsh but I was standing on the sidewalk in the summer of 74 waiting for one of my siblings when a drunk driver jump the curb and pinned me to the wall with his car, got out and in one hand he had a bud lite and the other hand a joint, and he left me pinned there. I had to have two operations on my knee and it was the end of my dream of being a dancer. I had to switch my major in college and let my knee heal, it took 2 yrs, and 2 operations, but I did it. He lost his house, his marriage broke up, and everyone blamed me, a 19 yr old college kid living on her own who couldn’t work for 2 yrs because I was either having surgery or recovering from surgery and had to go on welfare because I had no way to support myself. When the case was settled (8 yrs later) I had the attorney find out how much NY state dept. of Social Service had given me while I was receiving help and I paid back every penny. They looked at me like I was nuts, and said that’s what they were there for and I explained I always pay my debts. Back then they didn’t take money from court cases if they helped you during your recovery, but they do now. But I’ve never been one to let others carry her or pay my way. I’ve no idea why I’m telling yall this.
But what would Lindsey do if she was the one who had hit me and gotten out of her car with a beer, would she have walked into the sub shop, or bar and left me there, or would she have helped me? People who drink don’t always know what their doing and don’t always remember the next day, and some even start to have black outs and remember nothing at all. This kid needs help and maybe 90 days in jail will be the start of a recovery for her and she’ll say no to the booze and drugs and clean up her act before she kills someone or herself.
OH LIZ:
Re: La Lohan - Thank God for a judge with some sense. This should have happened a long time ago. Hopefully, the imposed incarceration will save LL’s life. The way she’s been going I wouldn’t have been shocked to read an obit on this young life. The combination of jail time and rehab just might be the jolt this kid needs to pull herself together. Certainly, it couldn’t hurt. God knows, she needs a drastic wake-up call. This may pull her out of the denial she seems to be in.
Re: the "parents" I wish the judge could put them in jail. Together in the same cell where they could feed off each other - instead of feeding off their children. I don’t know which of them is worse. Its seems to me they’re both media whores.
Re: Michael Buble - I just LOVE him. It doesn’t get much better than MB.
BTW: I understand George Clooney is seething over MB being SO attentive to you. Come on Liz, spill it. What’s going on with you and the adorable GC?
Michael Buble can sing. Period. I adore him. Please thank David Foster for his discovery. The first time I heard MB was while watching the kitchy movie, "The Wedding Date," and he was singing "Save the Last Dance For me." I struggled to stay awake to see the credits so I could tell who the singer was.
I have all of his CD’s. As much as I love him, my 20 year old daughter does, too.
I hate the tabs (tv, internet, and paper) that celebrate some one else’s misfortune, like Lindsay Lohan. Schadenfreude.
I remember when Buble first came on the scene and always loved him. He’s gotten even better and is so talented. I love his music! And kudos to Michael for making the brilliant move by asking Naturally 7 to be his special tour guests. This is a group you’re all going to hear a lot about. I’ve known them since their inception and the talent that these seven have is magical. They must be seen in person to fully appreciate how fabulous they are. I hope you all get to know Naturally 7’s music soon. You’ll be thrilled you did!
Once again with Lohan. You start out by decrying the public’s reaction to her jail sentence, comparing it to bear-baiting. Not hardly!
Your second paragraph sums things up nicely: coupla DUIs, failure to adhere to probation requirements, and "the dingo ate my passport" as you say. Oh, and you left out the part where she carjacked two men so she could chase down her assistant’s mother. (???) And the part about the cocaine… and the "F*** U" cleverly etched on her middle fingernail at this latest court session… which could have landed her a contempt of court charge.
She’s been cut a huge amount of slack over the course of several years, but managed to hang herself with it instead of getting straightened out. Actions speak much louder than tearful, rambling words in court. Her reactions to sentencing just show that she has NOT taken the court seriously.
Anyone else would have been bundled off to jail long ago.
And — Liz — Someone needs to tell Lohan to stop with the over-dramatic "oh, poor me" Tweets.
Please tell me that Lohan is NOT comparing a well-earned but measly 90-day jail sentence, of which she will probably serve only a small percentage in a private cell, to "torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" under Article 5 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
And PLEASE tell me she did not just compare herself to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was already flogged and now awaits stoning to death in Iran.
This is not a "sick" person. This is an under-educated, thoughtless, selfish, over-entitled person whose tiny little world view consists of "me." After she’s done with rehab, I suggest a good long stint with the Peace Corps or something similar.
One has to wonder if Liz Smith understands the word enabler…
We are seeing much more of the consequences of her (Lohan’s) previous actions, opposed to the daily falling down drunk behavior (Nick Nolte, David Hasselhoff). BTW, Nick and David were seen as amusing with their alcoholism…being rough, tough men. I guess it is more accepted. Sounds like a double standard to me.
Lindsay is really under the microscope now and has no wiggle room. She really has no choice but to do what the court has ordered her to do. Already, out of 90 days…she’ll spend 23 in jail (90 in a sunny California pool side rehab) and is now having a psychological evaluation (which is just another judicial system deterrent) to see what the ‘best’ course of action would benefit Lindsay the most. Whether she chooses recovery, semi-recovery, or a continuation of her drug/ alcohol use…she has literally backed herself into a corner. God, she is the nations front page news!
I cannot even begin to speculate on a prognoses as there are so many factors to be considered. So many priorities to rearrange, lifestyle changes, and her own willingness to point her life in a different direction. It isn’t going to happen in 90 days. There will be a lifetime of slips and slides. As long as she is in the public eye, each one of them will be watched and scrutinized. She has a typical substance abuse problem while living an atypical life. The two seldom mix with any ease whatsoever. We have seen this over and over again.
Regarding Lindsay…
I am empathetic to Lindsay Lohan in regard to her all too sadly child star "upbringing." Her story goes all the way back to Judy Garland.
However, Lohan has been given about a million chances. I have had friends who have had DUIs and if you miss one class, one random urine sample, caught any place that serves liquor… and typically your ass is in jail.
Lohan flaunts her misbehavior and then turns on the tears when she’s called on the carpet. I am sure many look forward to seeing a spoiled celebrity get spanked.
I just really hope she gets REAL help and stop publicly auditioning as a real-life version of "Valley of the Dolls."