This page continues The Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand tradition of recounting recent news items. Items reported on this page reached the IG news desk during 2003. Please note that news is no longer subcategorized by type, since there isn't enough news to justify it. All items are listed in reverse chronological order (ie, newest first). For archived news, click on the year: 2002, 2001, 2000 OR 1999. Thanks.
12/20/03
EW: MOVIE ALBUM AMONG THE WORST OF THEY YEAR
It's clearly not been a good year for former movie and pop queen Barbra Streisand. It has now been seven years since her last movie, the flop called The Mirror Has Two Faces. Since then her record sales have dwindled. This year has seen her least successful studio album in the Sound Scan era. That album, The Movie Album, has also been named the 5th WORST ALBUM of the year by the powerful and very popular Entertainment Weekly magazine. It just seems nothing is working right for the once popular Diva. For that matter, even her lawsuit flopped. Oh well. How times change.
12/10/03
GRAMMY CONTROVERSY
Several days ago it was announced that The Movie Album was nominated for the Best Traditional Pop Album, the category that no one knows why it exists. Today the New York Post reported that the cd may be "de-nominated". When I heard this I assumed it was because the nominating committee finally took the time to actually listen to the wretched cd. But no. Instead, it turns out that the cd was not released in time for the nomination. If I recall correctly, the CD was released in October, not September. But now Sony is claiming that the CD was available for download on September 30. YEAH RIGHT! All the fans I know who follow her career were shocked by this claim. Believe me, if it had been available we would have known. Dear Babs, is it time for a TRUTH ALERT?
JUDGE BELTS BARBRA FOR ABUSIVE LAWSUIT
It’s been a year of tragedy for Diva Barbra Streisand. She got photographed without make-up. She reportedly broke her foot. She underwent plastic surgery (which I don’t think worked). And what bigger tragedy than The Movie Album?
Well, today the court dismissed the Diva’s lawsuit against millionaire Ken Adelman over an aerial photo of her home. (Click here for a "modified" version of this photograph found on PlasticNews.) Barbra had sued for $10 million claiming that the photograph, taken from a helicopter to document the coastline, had violated her privacy and compromised her safety (from her obsessive fans, I guess). In a huge victory for Adelman, the Honorable Judge Allan Goodman denied the Diva’s request for an injunction, and issued an opinion stating that Miss Streisand had abused the legal process by filing the lawsuit. Furthermore, the Judge is expected to order the Diva to pay Adelman his legal fees, which reportedly exceeded $250,000. The Judge also noted that the photo was protected by the First Amendment and was not highly offensive to a “reasonable” person. (Hint, hint)
EDITORIAL: The IGBS congratulates Judge Goodman on his sound and prudent decision. As Goodman notes, Barbra Streisand had "granted reporters interviews in her home, permitted national magazines to publish photos of the home's interior and its grounds, and opened her home to guests." With this in mind, to state that an aerial photograph on www.californiacoastline.org posed a risk or was an invasion to her privacy is simply preposterous and pretentious.
Click here, here and here for previous news stories, and here for the Adelman/Streisand limerick.
11/27/03
THE MOVIE ALBUM DROPS 29 MORE AMIDST STRANGE AMAZON ALLEGATIONS
Billboard's latest chart (dated 12/6/03) shows a 26-position plunge for The Movie Album. Last week at #49, the funereal CD is now at #75 (in its sixth week). The precipitous fall comes amidst allegations that Amazon.com, the internet superstore, is deleting one-star reviews from its website. As most of you know, Amazon allows its customers to write reviews of cds and other products. The reviews consist of a rating from 1 to 5 stars (1 being "I hate it" and 5 being "I love it"), and a narrative. Several reviewers are claiming that their one-star reviews have been deleted or combined into other reviews. Some claim Amazon is doing this in response to complaints from a Streisand fan. Is this true? I don't know. But rest assured, my 1-star review has been left intact!
11/20/03
MORE BAD NEWS FOR THE MOVIE ALBUM
Billboard's latest chart (dated 11/29/03) shows a 10-position drop for The Movie Album. Last week at #39, the dreadful CD is now at #49 (in its fifth week). At this point, the CD is continuing in an obvious downward trend in the USA. In addition, it is not performing well overseas. Some fans, unable to accept that the cd lacks both quality and appeal, have blamed Sony's promotional efforts. This is nonsense. Sony has gone out of its way to promote The Movie Album, calling it the "most acclaimed album of the year" and providing two special editions of the CD. Still, no amount of promotion can sell a really bad product from a singer who has lost her sense of artistry. While the dropping sales of the pitiful CD are expected, what has surprised many of us is that the CD has been certified gold. The RIAA, who issues these certifications in the USA, tracks sales of CDs to retailers and the like, not to actual consumers. Which is why when I go to Tower Records (a retailer), I see piles of The Movie Album just sitting there waiting and waiting for consumers to buy them. When will the RIAA learn to track actual sales to consumers?
11/17/03
EVEN UGLIER WITHOUT MAKE-UP
That famous other tabloid, the STAR, has made news out of several celebrities photographed WITHOUT MAKEUP! Of course, the nasty tabloid has included (on the cover, no less) a photograph of Diva Babs without her layers and layers of make-up. OY! And you thought she was ugly! Just wait 'til you see the cover of this soon to be collector's item issue of the STAR. Also included are photos of Liza Minelli, Britney Spears, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, etc. Scary stuff. Yet even amongst all the ugliness, Diva Babs emerges as the Queen of the Unfortunate Face--even after her plastic surgery!
11/12/03
THE MOVIE ALBUM BOMBING
Billboard's latest chart (dated 11/22/03) shows a 20-position PLUNGE for The Movie Album. Last week at #19, the dreadful CD is now at #39 (in its fourth week). Charts around the world are, for the most part, also showing a cold reception to the Divas ill-conceived attempt at singing mostly forgotten and horribly maudlin movie tunes. At this rate, it may become the Diva's least successful studio album since What about Today? back in the late sixties.
11/5/03
THE MOVIE ALBUM CONTINUES TO SLIDE
Billboard's latest chart (dated 11/15/03) shows a huge 10-position drop for The Movie Album. Last week at #9, the dreadful CD is now at #19.
11/3/03
REAGAN CONTROVERSY
It was a controversy waiting to happen… Reagan followers, including leaders of the Republican Party, are exerting a lot of pressure on CBS to re-edit its upcoming Reagan mini-series or to clarify that it is a fictional portrayal of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Babs, on the other hand, has posted a Truth Alert on her website related to the matter. In this Truth Alert, she says she had nothing to do with the script. She further goes on to criticize Republicans who deify Reagan and can’t stand certain truths about him. She also goes on to point out, in a less than roundabout manner, that Clinton was a better President. And why, you ask, does Barbra care about all of this? Not only is it political, but James Brolin (the husband of liberal Democrat Babs) is playing Ronald Reagan. Now tell me, does this not sound like CBS was trying to court controversy in hopes of gaining publicity? Well, the gamble does not appear to be paying off. CBS is reportedly considering postponing and/or canceling the series due to the controversy. It is also believed that CBS is re-editing and re-scripting some of the lines. Truth be told (I also have Truth Alerts), the timing of this mini-series is in very bad taste. Ronald Reagan is currently severely ill with Alzheimer’s, with his wife Nancy by his side. I really do think CBS should have the common courtesy of showing some more respect for a former President, especially given this situation. SHAME!
UPDATE: Stating that the biopic did not provide a balanced view of the Reagans, CBS has decided not to air the Reagan biopic. Instead, CBS has sold the biopic to Showtime. (Both CBS and Showtime are owned by Viacom.) Ironically, this appears to be generating even more controversy...
UPDATE 11/18: Showtime will air the notorious biopic on November 30. Of course, Showtime has decided to edit the horrible AIDS remark included in the original version of the biopic. In all fairness, most if not all historians are agreeing that Reagan never made that statement.
10/22/03
SALES OF MOVIE ALBUM PLUNGING
In its second week on the Billboard Top 200, Babs' The Movie Album sales dropped a whopping 56% to 72,000 units. The drop also meant the lugubrious CD finished only at #9. Given my very honest review, I expect the CD to continue falling on the charts.
10/22/03
AIKEN SHOWS BABS WHO'S THE AMERICAN IDOL
In a nutshell: Clay Aiken, American Idol contestant, debuts at number 1 on Billboard's latest chart with monster sales of over 600,000 units. Barbra Streisand, with sales of 162,000 units, didn't even come close. For that matter,it seems she didn't even stand a chance and has to settle for a number 5 debut. The chart must come as a disappointment to the Diva. Barbra herself became actively involved in the massive promotional campaign of The Movie Album which included several interviews. She used Oprah, her new dog, and even her dead dog, to drum up publicity for Movie. In addition, a number of her fans were pushing other fans to buy as many copies as possible to ensure a number 1 debut (as if one person needs more than one copy of this lugubrious cd). Even the Diva's the most popular fansite, BarbraNews.com, urged each fan to buy as many copies as possible. Well, obviously, it wasn't enough. It is also safe to say that the dreadful cd (see the IGBS review for details) will likely have a short chart life.
10/20/03
THE SCOTSMAN ZINGS BARBRA
The Scotsman has spoken and I have listened (thanks to a very special reader who sent this in). In a very insightful commentary, The Scotsman covers Barbra on Oprah, Barbra in several movies and Barbra in general. The article, which appeared in the October 19 edition of Scotland on Sunday, includes many poignant comments such as the following: "Streisand’s relentless ego seems to propel her towards ludicrously unsuitable star vehicles, such as the thriller where she played a 40-something, cross-eyed, large-nosed, highly-desirable high-class hooker. The film, appropriately, was Nuts." I couldn't have possibly said it better.
10/18/03
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY PANS MOVIE ALBUM
For those who thought the IGBS review of The Movie Album was nasty... Entertainment Weekly (EW), one of the top magazines in the USA, has given a very low "D" score to Movie. The EW pretty much echoes the IGBS Review (great minds think alike), but does a better job at describing the "qualities" of Movie: "The disc opens with a lugubrious version of 'Smile', and both the elevator-music-gone-wild orchestration and the moldiness of the song set the tone for the remainder of the disc". EW goes on to criticize the tempos, the arrangements and quality of the material. EW gets an "A" for this on-the-mark review.
10/14/03
ECCENTRIC BARBRA ON OPRAH
We have all heard the rumors of Barbra’s eccentricity. They were pretty much confirmed on her October 14, 2003 appearance on Oprah. Some of the audience giggled as the elderly Diva (1) described her need to have her outdoor flowers match her indoor furniture, (2) claimed she hated the color orange, (3) painted her microphone off-white so it wouldn’t clash with her sweater, and (4) to top it all, described an experience where she believed her willpower made the color of the mums in her terrace change to match her indoor furniture. To Oprah’s credit, she put together an interesting show, and above all, kept a straight face during this bizarre interview. This is clearly must-see TV.
10/14/03
BARBRA RELEASES THE MOVIE ALBUM
After who knows how long, the elderly Diva has released a new studio album called The Movie Album. Terribly bored with her music, I had decided not to listen to or review this latest and heavily promoted offering of the once popular Diva. However, a reader bought the CD, hand-delivered it to me and demanded a review!!! (Even her fans are demanding!) Consequently, I am proud to present the honest and unbiased Movie Album Review.
10/02/03
BABS: CONTRACT MADE HER SING
And I thought she was guided by her artistic muse... In a Billboard interview, Barbra was asked, "What made you actively decide you had enough songs [for The Movie Album]?" Babs reply: "Well I had a contract, I had to go in and sing." Ready for a bigger surprise? In the next breath, the Diva gives a completely different response: "There were many years that I had a contract that I never fulfilled my contract. You think I even know the contract? I never concern myself with that. I like the creative process and I do have a business sense, but I really don't make an album until I'm ready to make it. Meaning, when I have to be inspired and say, 'I can't wait to get back and play with the orchestra again.' "
Maybe the responses aren't contradictory. Maybe she got inspired at exactly the same time the contract required her to record. Life is full of coincidences. (BTW, Babs is featured in the current issue of Billboard magazine.)
9/22/03
BABS BORED WITH HER OWN MUSIC
Well, Miss Babs, join the club... Barbra, in a recent interview with Readers' Digest, revealed that she finds listening to her own songs "so boring". "Really, I just get sick of it" said the whimsical Diva. Yeah, you and most everybody. Barbra, have you thought that maybe if your recent cds were a little more upbeat, and a lot less monotonous, maybe you and the rest of us would be spared the boredom?
9/22/03
THE MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM???
Sony has released some advertising proclaiming The Movie Album the most acclaimed album of the year. Barbra's official website has also made this statement. Given that most music critics have not reviewed or even heard the album, don't you think that's a little premature? To my knowledge, only a handful of select people have heard the whole cd. Barbra's website, at this time, is only showing 8 reviews. And these "reviewers" (e.g., Liz Smith, Genre Magazine, Leonard Maltin, etc.) aren't exactly the dream team of the music critics world. For that matter, since when are Liz, Steve Housman (Genre) or Leonard even music critics??? Liz is a gossip columnist, Leonard is a movie critic, and I haven't a clue what the Housman guy is. And this is the website that purports to value the truth.
What is even more surprising than Sony's claim, is the negative reaction among fans who have heard clips of some of the songs. As one fan put it, "all the clips sound the same...only one song sounded different...it's elevator music..." Hardly the reaction you'd expect for the "album of the year".
9/15/03
NEW:THE IGBS OBSESSION QUIZ
The Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand (IGBS) is proud to present The IGBS Obsession Quiz. Want to know if you obsessed with Barbra? Take the Quiz and find out!
9/14/03
BABS PROMOTING THE MOVIE ALBUM
Gay Icon Barbra Streisand is apparently desperate for a hit. So desperate she is pulling out all the stops to promote her upcoming album, The Movie Album, including a visit to Oprah (following her well-publicized visit to the plastic surgeon.) Oprah aside, the Diva is clearly targeting a gay crowd. Reportedly, she will be featured in Genre magazine, a leading gay publication, and Bravo’s Inside the Actors Studio. As you all know, Bravo is rapidly becoming known as the gay channel (what else could it be with shows such as Boy Meets Boy and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?)
Both Inside the Actors Studio and Oprah have been recorded and are scheduled to air in October, coinciding with the release of The Movie Album. (BTW, several reports are claiming the Diva still looks 61. And I thought plastic surgery was supposed to make you look younger. Hmmmmmmm....) BTW, in case your wondering, the cover of The Movie Album features a photo of the Diva taken years ago. And if the hair looks fake to you, that's because it is. The original photo had a different hairdo. Fake hair-do or not, you have to admit that it's one ugly photo...
8/24/03
NATIONAL ENQUIRER: STREISAND FACELIFT
Hats off to The National Enquirer for obtaining these exclusive photos and details. I highly recommend the article (in the tabloid's September 2, 2003 issue). And for those who claim tabloids are works of fiction, let it be known that Barbra's camp has reportedly confirmed that she had some work done.
On a side note, E! Online has stated the following in it Nips & Tucks Section: "Even Barbra Streisand has undergone some subtle enhancement. 'She still has her famous big nose, of course,' says an expert, 'but look at her early pictures--it's not the same big nose.'" This must refer to some other surgery of the Diva, since Barbra's camp claims her recent surgery involved her jaw line.
(For more on plastic surgery, see next story and The Nastiest Rumors Page.)
8/22/03
A SCAR IS BORN -- BABS HAS PLASTIC SURGERY
The IGBS wishes to applaud and congratulate the not-so-ageless-and-evergreen Barbra Streisand on her recent plastic surgery. As noted by the IGBS years ago, Ms. Streisand has been long overdue for some much-needed facial and body reconstruction. According to the New York Daily News, her recent surgery focused on her [sagging] face and [turkey] neck (I guess the body will be worked on in the near future.) Photos of Ms. Steisand wearing a veil are expected to appear in the National Enquirer.
What is surprising is that the Diva had always claimed she was too afraid of surgery to even consider it. She has even been quoted as saying she is so afraid of surgery that she doesn't even have her ears pierced. Of course, if there is one thing that Babs knows better that fear, it's vanity.
8/17/03
HELLO, DOLLY! ON DVD 8/19/03
Hello, Dolly! will be released on Tuesday. Please read the IGBS Hello, Dolly! Review.
7/21/03
HEARINGS COMPLETE IN STREISAND VS. ADELMAN--DECISION PENDING
In response, Mr. Adelman and Pictopia.com file motions to strike Ms. Streisand's complaints and to oppose the preliminary injunction. The judge then decides to hold hearings first on the motion to strike Streisand's complaint.
Today, the hearings were completed. The judge will render a decision in August. [UPDATE: The decision was not rendered in August. Judge is still working on it...]
Click here and here for previous news stories, and here for the Adelman/Streisand limerick.
7/18/03
SONG LIST & MORE: THE HOLLYWOOD ALBUM
Rumors are flying about the Diva’s new “Movie Album” (previously referred to on my website as “The Hollywood Album”). According to one person, it is becoming the most expensive Streisand album ever. Hard to believe when you see the list of songs that may be included (as reported on Diva Talk @ Playbill). How could anyone spend that kind of money on this dreadful crap:
BTW, I don't know about you, but there is only good song this list -- and she has already released it before! (ie, Moonriver) Also, the tentative release date is October 14, 2003.
7/9/03
THE SHOCKING ARREST OF ALLISON WALDMAN
According to several Streisand fans, Allison J. Waldman, author of The Barbra File Newsletter and The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook, was reportedly arrested last week. The arrest has made Ms. Waldman The Main Event of several Streisand forums. While details are sketchy, some claim that Ms. Waldman attempted to sell unauthorized Streisand CD’s, and was charged with commercial piracy. In addition to the arrest, some claim that authorities confiscated Ms. Waldman’s computer AND her 40-year collection of Streisand memorabilia.
Ms. Waldman’s supporters, who are many, know her as a die-hard Babs' fan who was an authority on Streisand’s life, movies and music, and the sponsor of the internet’s premiere Streisand website The Barbra File. I met Ms. Waldman on December 31, 1999 at a breakfast of Streisand fans that were in Las Vegas to see the first of Streisand’s Millennium Concerts. (Well, actually, she kind of brushed by me and ignored me.) According to Ms. Waldman, she had obtained her tickets to the concert through Marty Erlichman’s office (Marty is Barbra’s manager).
7/2/03
BABS DECLARES "I FEEL VIOLATED!"
Well, the exact words in her recent declaration in support of her motion for preliminary injunction to suppress the web photos of her estate are: "I feel that the mere posting of these pictures without my consent on the internet has violated my privacy." The motion is against www.californiacoastline.org. (See previous news story). The Diva also declares she feels threatened and that she is the "constant target of paparrazi and others who have sought to catch a glimpse of me, or take photographs of me, or anything associated with me." Well, I find it odd that Barbra would think she is the constant target of the paparrazi, given that she is rarely in the news anymore, and I have only seen a handful of new photos of her this year (very unflattering ones I might add).
BTW, the Diva, who has also declared in the past that she is a perfectionist, obviously didn't read the whole legal declaration carefully. If she had, she would have noticed that her lawyers misspelled her name in the footer of the last page. (It's "Barbra", not "Barbara"!) Well, I guess she no longer believes that excellence is in the details. Or better yet, maybe she'll blame the staff like she did last year with the letter to Congressman Gephardt.
Finally, what gives? I simply cannot believe anyone would further tax our already strained legal system with lawsuits, motions for injunctions, etc, over a simple photo or two. Mind you, the photos are not even close-ups! Helloooo! How soon we forget when we allowed People magazine into our house to photograph our wedding. I guess it was ok when it made the cover of People magazine. (See what you've done! Even I am disturbed!)
7/1/03
D-DAY
It's D-Day for many Babsfans throughout Region 1. Or should I say, "DVD-Day". By Region 1, I mean the USA, Canada, etc. (ie, the countries that fall under Region 1 for DVD purposes). In these countries, What's Up, Doc?, The Main Event, Up the Sandbox and Nuts are being released individually and as part of a collector's set. Expect to pay from $15 to $20 for each individual one or $50 to $70 for the gift set. Clearly, What's Up, Doc? is a must have for all, as one of the best comedies made in the USA. However, the other three movies are mediocre at best and tragedies at worst. The Main Event, which reteams Babs and Ryan O'Neal, provides a few laughs but with Babs in control, winds up being little more than a vanity production. For those that don't remember, this is the one where her butt is also a Co-star. Don't ask why, since J.Lo she is NOT. As for Sandbox, and Nuts, she was clearly miscast. Not to mention, she was too old and way too ugly to do Nuts, in which she was supposed to be an exclusive, high class prostitute. Nuts is also regarded as a vanity production.
6/9/03
LIMERICK FOR KEN & BARBRA
Given the lawsuit against Ken Adelman's website, I felt a limerick was in order. Bear in mind that I'm as much a poet as Barbra is a politician, so don't expect Shakespeare. Here goes:
Indeed, the former Diva Democracy will live in infamy as Diva Macabre (note: for the limerick to work, the pronunciation should be as written in the limerick). Also, please note that this limerick IS copyrighted and I will SUE if anyone steals it. I guess I'm also feeling macabre. And OH! I saw my condo building photographed in the Realtor's Database in my area. Just wait 'til I get my lawsuit together!!!
6/6/03 (Adelman Lawsuit Starts Here!)
ECO-CENTRIC YENTL GOES MENTL OVER ENVIRON-MENTL PHOTO
While Barbra was recording “Smile” for the Hollywood Album, it appears that there was anything but a friendly smile on the face of the lady once called “Diva Democracy”. According to one source, the Diva’s Lawyer (John M. Gatti of Alschuler, Grossman, Stein & Kahn, LL) filed a $10 million dollar lawsuit against Kenneth Adelman, Pictopia.Com, and Layer 42.net on May 20, 2003. The Plaintiff (ie, Diva Streisand) is accusing Ken of invasion of privacy (intrusion into seclusion, publication of private facts, constitutional privacy), violation of the California Anti-Paparazzi Act and violation of the California Civil Code Section 3344 (misappropriation of the right to publicity).
To make a long story short, or a short story long, the complaint (i.e., lawsuit) centers around a photo taken of the Diva’s breath-taking estate located along the California Coastline (N34 00.65 W118 47.24). According to the defendants, the purpose of the photo is to document environmental history and issues of the California coast. The Streisand photo is one of many of the coast. Details of the matter can be found at www.californiacoastline.org.
In general, the reaction of the press to the lawsuit has been very negative. The kindest article referred to it as a “dumb move” while the worst called her an eco-hypocrite. Indeed, it is a dumb move. Most would have never known about the photo had it not been for this lawsuit. And most of us now know the diva does not seem to follow her own advice for conserving energy (where is the clothes line to dry her black dresses? Or does she dry them on the shower curtain rod?)
IMHO, the real crime here are the following statements included in the lawsuit: “Unfortunately, some people are prepared to resort to any means to secure that glimpse, or illicit photograph, which fulfills their desire to feel close to Plaintiff. Thus, Plaintiff is often stalked by obsessed personalities who possess an unnatural urge to stake her out at all times and paparazzi who hang around her whereabouts lying in wait to capture any possible image of her. Plaintiff has been…recipient of threats to her personal safety and has had to deal on several occasions with individuals who have stalked her with the intent of inflicting personal injury on her.” Wow, I never would have guessed she thought people had these unnatural urges about her.
On a side note, the Diva’s complaint notes that the $10 million will be donated to a charity. However, it does not say which organization. I wonder will it be the one called “The Streisand Foundation”?
5/26/03
NATIONAL ENQUIRER: STREISAND MELTDOWN
While some (unofficial) sources claim Streisand is busily creating The Hollywood Album, the National Enquirer (NE) is painting a different picture. According to the June 3, 2003 edition of the notorious tabloid, and I quote, “The strain of the ordeal with her son is starting to show on Barbra’s face.” The article also contains 4 new photographs, including this one, that show Streisand looking every bit of her 61 years. The ordeal the NE refers to centers around Barbra’s concern about her son being HIV+ (The NE broke the news earlier in the year that Jason tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. See story below dated 2/14/03.) According to NE, Barbra would like Jason to live in Los Angeles, where she lives, and not New York, and the two are having differences of opinions on how to handle the circumstances. In a shocking claim, NE further states that Jason did not show up to her 61st birthday party this past April. For further details, please see the June 3, 2003 edition of the NE. As of 5/25/03, no Truth Alert has been posted on the Streisand website denying the claims of America’s most popular tabloid.
NOTE: The IGBS is reporting this news as it has been reported by the NE, and as a service to the IGBS readers. The content of the NE article represents the views of the NE on the subject matter and is not intended to represent the views of the IGBS.
5/21/03
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: NEW LOOK, SAME OLD CONTENT
The Official Barbra Streisand Website just got a face lift a few days ago (let's just hope the star follows suit). When I first saw it I was quite impressed. Then, I started clicking around. Much to my surprise, the content is the same. Nothing has changed. Babs, I think when fans were clamoring for changes to the website, they meant content not look! (UPDATE: I don't know when, but the website reverted back to its old style. Go figure.)
5/21/03
THE HOLLYWOOD ALBUM
Various unofficial sources continue to assert that Barbra has come out of retirement and is recording what fans have called for the past 17 years "The Hollywood Album". It was in the mid-1980's when Barbra began her research into this project, which was to be comprised of songs from the movies. Consequently, if this project does ever come out (and it may by the end of the year), it will have the longest gestation period of any of the Streisand projects, including Yentl. Speaking of Yentl, lets hope none of that depression-inducing schmaltz finds its way into this project. If I never hear "Papaaaa" again, it will be much, MUCH too soon.
4/24/03
RETIRED DIVA TURNS 61
Barbra Streisand turned 61 today, April 24. It is unkown how the retired Diva spent her birthday. Perhaps she was planning for an upcoming CD. Some believe the Diva will finally record her much-talked about "Hollywood Album"; others speculate that her next CD will be a compilation of songs from her movies.
4/15/03
DVD SUMMER
This summer will see the release, on DVD, of at least five Streisand movies:
Hello Dolly!, What's Up Doc?, The Main Event, Nuts and Up the Sandbox. The latter four, all owned by Warner, will also be included in a Streisand Collection DVD set. Noticeably missing from the set is Streisand's most successful film also owned by Warner: A Star is Born. Fans should be pleased with the release of Dolly and Doc, two of the Diva's best films, and classics in their own right. Needless to say, Main Event, Nuts and Up the Sandbox are not among fan favorites. In addition, both Nuts and Sandbox were huge box office failures. I personally detest Nuts and Sandbox, which along with All Night Long, represent her biggest commercial and professional failures.
3/25/03
VEGAS: DION'S WAY
Dion has already topped Babs in records sales. As if that were not enough, Dion has created a Vegas show that makes Barbra's recent shows seem millenniums behind the times. Dion featured one hour of her mind-boggling show on CBS on 3/25/03. In one of the most unforgettable show-biz moments ever filmed, Celine flies over the stage singing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". The only flying Babs did back on 12/31/99 was when she sang (in duet with herself), "Papa, watch me flyyyyy!" Well, Papa didn't see Babs fly, but he sure can watch Celine take off -- for the next three years.
3/23/03
PLUMP BABS AT OSCARS
In a rare public appearance, Barbra showed up to the 2003 Oscar Ceremony to present the award for Best Song. Overweight and sporting the usual (page cut and black dress), Barbra was no match for the breathtaking elegance of Nicole Kidman (Winner, Best Actress) or the classy sensuality of Jennifer Lopez. For that matter, Babs looked more like a "maid in manhattan" than JLo ever did.
Barbra presented the award to Eminem and Co. for a 8 Mile song (does anyone remember what is was?) To everone's disappointment, including Babs', Eminem was a no-show.
Finally, readers, what did you think of the Chicago duet performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah (recently sued, btw)? Honestly, I couldn't tell the two apart. Really, pregancy has done horrors to former beauty Zeta-Jones.
2/23/03
BARBRA LOSES GRAMMY
History repeating itself. As predicted by the IGBS, Barbra has again been beaten by Tony Bennet for the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album. (BTW, I've heard Tony's album. It's awful. Why the Grammy Academy even has this category is a mystery to me.)
2/23/03
BABS, THE NOT-SO-LEADING LADY
In the eighties, a wonderful book called "Leading Ladies" featured pictures and commentary on all major (and not-so-major) female actresses. In general, the commentaries were very positive, except for this somewhat nasty piece on Streisand.
1/30/03
CHART WOES FOR DUETS
For the week ending:
December 14..... 38
2/14/03
ENQUIRER: BABS' SON IS HIV+
In a world exclusive, the National Enquirer has announced that Jason Gould, Barbra Streisand's only son, has tested positive for HIV. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome). The Enquirer further claims that Barbra collapsed after she got the news, that Jason tested positive 3 years ago, and that Jason at the time is showing no signs of the deadly disease.
2/14/03
EXAMINER CALLS BABS A TRAITOR
The National Examiner has called Barbra Streisand a "traitor" in its February 25, 2003 issue. The article, cleverly labeled an "opinion", refers to other celebrities as well and states, "Loudmouth celebs side with SADAM when they criticize President Bush's Iraq War Plan."
2/5/03
IGBS REACHES 5th ANNIVERSARY
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for helping make the Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand (IGBS) a 5-year continuing success. When I started it, I never thought it would go very far. But, to my surprise, the IGBS is now the most popular non-affiliated Barbra Streisand web site (and definitely the most infamous of all). By "non-affiliated" I mean that this website is not maintained by anyone who has been or is in a contractual arrangement with Barbra Streisand, Sony Music, or any related enterprises. A big hug to all of you out there in cyberspace-- Louis
1/28/03
WHY, WHY, WHY, DELILAH?
On 1/23/03, Barbra was interviewed by Delilah, the radio show host. It was an awkward interview indeed. For starters, Delilah delved a little too much on the film “What’s Up, Doc?” As every Streisand fan knows, WUD is not one of Barbra’s favorite films. In the interview, Barbra acknowledges that she couldn’t even follow the suitcases nor that she understood the movie. (Ironically, WUD is her most successful movie.) Delilah also made the grave mistake of relying on excessive flattery from beginning to end (even complementing her appearance.) Barbra didn’t help matters—she ate a salad during the interviews (where is Emily Post when you need her?)
Little was said that we didn’t already know, except that Barbra, who is a fat slob, was not wearing a bra. Well, she didn’t exactly say she was fat. She said, and I quote, “I’m not thin anymore.” Barbra did talk a little about Josh Groban (that duet was recorded two years ago) and her duet with Barry Manilow. After all, the interview was an effort to promote her CD, DUETS. In a nutshell, we’ve heard it all before. So, why, Delilah, did you make us hear it again?
1/16/03
BABS 2003: TARGET BUSH
It appears the Diva has made a New Year's resolution to continue voicing her objections to George W. Bush's Presidency. The month of January has yet to end and already the Diva has posted two anti-Bush statements to her website: Thank You, Antiwar Protesters and Bush Leaves Children Behind. While fans in the past had complained about the lack of updates to the Diva's official site, many are now dismayed that many of the updates are politically charged. Clearly the Diva has forgotten, or doesn't care that many of her fans are/were Republican.
1/16/03
INCREDIBLE: DUETS CERTIFIED GOLD
Despite its dismal performance on Billboard, DUETS was certified gold, which means 500,000 copies have been shipped from the manufacturer to retailers. This does not mean that customers have purchased this many copies, which is obviously not the case given the Billboard Chart positions. Again, I call for the RIAA, who issues these certifications, to track actual sales, not distribution, in order to develop these certifications. BTW, it appears Babs' has lost her platinum touch. Before, all of her releases would be certified platinum (ie, distribution of 1,000,000 copies to retailers). This is not the case with her last two efforts, DUETS and The Essential Barbra Streisand.
1/8/03
A GRAMMY NOD FOR THE CD THAT MADE OUR HEADS NOD (as we fell asleep)
You could hear the collective gasp of the Republican leadership when the Grammys Academy announced that
Barbra Streisand was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album for her work on Christmas Memories. I know politicians lack credibility, but I really think
the Academy now has even less. Without a doubt, Christmas Memories has to be one of the most dreadful recordings ever made, and clearly Streisand's worst effort to date. (For the IGBS review, click here.)
The bad news for Babs is that Tony Bennett is also nominated. Tony has beaten Barbra before in this category and is likely to beat her again. BTW, Rod Stewart is also nominated in this category. Suddenly, the Streisand nomination doesn't seem so bad.
1/1/03
BARBRA NAMED MOST OVERRATED SINGER
When it happened is a mystery to me, but what I do know is that Forbes’ American Heritage magazine named Streisand the Most Overrated Singer. In the magazines own words, “Everything she sings is charged with self-loving vulgarity; worship me, she bellows, and forget the song. Streisand has a huge instrument and not an inkling of what to do with it. Her primary technique consists of heavy breathing, which turns tenaciously aspirate on vowels or h words. As a small boy, watching her in Funny Girl on Broadway, I recoiled at her shallowness. She never deigned to play the role; she was too intent on stopping the show. Alice Faye, who played a similar part in Rose of Washington Square, displayed more soul on her worst day. Classical Barbra exposed her hubris, yet her pop singing is every bit as garish. Vulgarity has its place, but only when animated by emotional generosity, which is why, despite her immense popularity, Streisand has never joined the ranks of the great hearts-on-their-sleeves emoters, from Jolson to Garland. They meant it. She doesn’t.” OUCH AGAIN!
1/1/03
SENATOR MCCAIN BRUTALLY RIDICULES BABS
I missed this one (it happened back in October 2002). On Saturday Night Live, McCain sang several Streisand tunes starting with Evergreen. No, McCain CANNOT sing. But he can talk and this is what he said: “I've been in politics for over 20 years, and for over 20 years, I've had Barbra Streisand trying to do my job, so I decided to try my hand at her job. Do I know how to sing? About as well as she knows how to govern America." OUCH again! I hate to say it, but Barbra is really becoming the most ridiculed entertainer of our time. My website almost seems respectful in comparison.
The Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand wishes to thank the following sources of inspiration for this web page...
On second thought, maybe not.
Special Thanks to Jacksonville Mikey for the cursor effect.
Please note that this site is neither maintained nor supported by Barbra Streisand or her management. Furthermore, The Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand is not an official or unofficial newsletter or publication related
to or endorsed by Barbra Streisand, Barbra Joan Streisand, Barbara Streisand, Babs or her fan clubs.
Original content and design © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. The Irreverent Guide to Barbra Streisand is for entertainment value only and/or historical purposes; no financial
gain or profit is sought nor has been obtained through this web site. What's more, the site is not intended
to reflect the political and/or personal views of the author nor web hosting provider. It's for fun, ok?
In yet another world exclusive, America's greatest tabloid, The National Enquirer, has published photos and details of Streisand's not-so-secret facelift. The photos, including the one shown to the right, show the now plastic Diva with her garden hat and a veil being helped around by a nurse while she carries a Minute Maid apple juice. The ridiculous outfit, called the "beekeeper" by the Enquirer, only served to draw more attention to the Diva's facelift, which according to the tabloid she was trying to keep secret. Among the details included in the National Enquirer's exclusive report is the fact that a spiritual healer had to accompany the fear-prone Diva to keep her calm.
Today, the hearings on Adelman's motion to strike Barbra Streisand's complaint were completed. (At right, photo of Adelman and wife.) Let's recap: It started when Barbra filed a $10 million lawsuit against Ken Adelman and his webhost because of a mere photograph that shows her house (let's remember how sensitive she is). She then filed a motion for preliminary injunction to force Adelman to remove the offending photo. Along with this motion, Barbra files her declaration stating (in so many words): "I feel violated."
The four key questions being asked by Streisand fans are the following:
Barbra recently stated the following in her website: “Now I have decided to fight back. And I would like to encourage all people... to fight for what they believe in and what they care about ... in whatever way they can.” This statement and her recent lawsuit against Ken Adelman about a simple photo of her house have lead some fans to speculate that Barbra and/or others related to her may very well be behind the arrest of Allison Waldman. What is odd is that authorities would somehow focus their attention on Ms. Waldman, who according to one source, only put together a CD of music every so often to keep Barbra File and it's website alive. So why did they go after her? UPDATE: According to one source, Sony Music pressed charges after a rep spotted a flier offering to sell an unauthorized Streisand CD in a London CD store. Using the flier, the representatives of the law placed an order, waited for Ms. Waldman to cash the check, and immediately showed up at her door. And get this, according to a source, both Streisand and her manager Marty were surprised by the arrest.
Uttered “Abracadabra”
And her nails aimed their might
At Adelman’s site
Behold! It's Diva “Macabra”
December 21..... 47
December 28..... 52
January 4....... 51
January 11...... 72
January 18...... 75
January 25...... 62
Februay 1....... 76
February 8....... 89
