12/15/07

Jingle Bells? Among Most Hated

Surprised, anyone? In a year where Christmas music is reigning on the charts (Groban's Noel is running 4 weeks at No. 1), a study was done to determine what Christmas songs were hated the most. Streisand's "Jingle Bells?" was among the most hated. It might make her feel better that THE most hated song was also Jingle Bells--the version performed by dogs.

11/27/07

Streisand Endorses Hillary Clinton

Finally, Barbra has endorsed Hillary for President. The announcement comes amidst the upcoming "campaigning" that Oprah will be doing for Obama. Though Hillary was comfortably in the lead, some believe Oprah may actually be able to swing voters to Obama's rescue. To counter, Hillary is starting to pull out her big guns, including husband Bill and singer Streisand. The real question to be answered is, "Does Oprah's opinion have the power to sway voters in a presidential election?" We will soon know the answer.

11/20/07

Babs Opens Planet Hollywood

Much to the chagrin of the fans who place her on a pedestal, Barbra Streisand opened the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. She sang 9 songs from The Way We Were to Happy Days. She sounded awful--her voice was reportedly raspy and her high notes were on vacation. She blamed it on a cold (there is always an excuse).

When I first reported this, I was accused of "making things up" to make her look bad. Sorry, it happened. It's not my fault she isn't below opening hotels and the like.

10/31/07

Babs Headed Back to Vegas

Several sources are reporting that the retired Diva, who works more now than when she wasn't retired, will perform at Planet Hollywood's Grand Opening Weekend on Saturday, November 18. Will she ever stop performing? Doubtful. Obviously, live performing doesn't phase her anymore. The only stage fright here will be felt by guests in the front row.

10/18/07

Barbra stitched together

It's not the first time, of course. Her first times were as a result of plastic surgery. This time, it appears she fell in her garden and required a few stitches. Big Deal. J.Lo is pregnant,Britney is running over photographers feet, Ellen is crying over a dog, Trump is calling Angelina a dog, Lindsey is out of rehab, Nobel prize winner utters racial slurs, OJ commits another crime, etc... And all Barbra can do is get a few stitches. SHE IS GETTING BORING!!!

10/03/07

Irish Concert Victims to be Compensated

Well, it appears someone is going to have to compensate the victims of the Barbra's concert in Ireland for their suffering. Not for listening to her, but for the traffic, the mud, the seating disaster... It is unclear what this is going to cost but at least one estimate is around $210,000.

9/30/07

Irish Concert Ticket Refunds Madness

What a mess! As you all know, the event was such a massively disorganized zoo that some people couldn't get the seats they paid for, some had to stand, some got there late due to the horrible traffic, etc. Well, the promoters offered a refund to those who got no seats at all and a partial refund to those who had to sit in a seat that was cheaper than what they paid for.

Needless to say, the victims of this disaster were not pleased. Many feel they should be compensated for the damages in addition to partial or even the complete refunds. Who knows how this will end? And how can such a high priced event get so out of control? I can see this happening at a free open park concert, but at a high priced concert with mostly older patrons? Unbelievable.

9/19/07

European Tour Promoters Suing for Unsold Tickets

What? I thought if tickets didn't get sold, the seller would take the hit. Oh well, I guess there was a more complicated arrangement for Barbra's European Tour, which according to some was a huge success. However, now there are lawsuits regarding the unsold tickets. While it was no secret this tour was not a sellout, these lawsuits are new to me. More info, anyone?

9/19/07

Babs Planning New Zealand Tour

Many sources are talking about Barbra's negotiations to appear in New Zealand. Many are also saying she will snub Australia because of bad reviews and the rain that came down the last time she was there. Yes, aussies, you are to blame if it rains on Barbra Streisand. But don't fret, I think if she goes to NZ she will also go to Oz.

9/15/07

Debbie Reynolds as BARBRA

She seemed so nice and sweet. NOT! In her recent performance on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas (somewhere in the Mediterranean), Debbie Reynolds impersonated Barbra and I must say she was magnificent. And brutal. And plain wonderful. It's nice to see Debbie can still put on quite an entertaining show.

8/6/07

Babs as NORMA DESMOND???

I don't mean in real life where we all know she is a walking, talking, eating, diva-ing Norma Desmond. I am referrring to the musical film version of the legendary Sir Andrew LLoyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard. Several reports have surfaced that Barbra is in the running with Glenn Close and Meryl Streep to reprise the immortal role played by Gloria Swanson in the non-musical classic. I was surprised to hear this since it was announced some time ago that Glenn Close had been offered the role.

Still, I'm hoping this is true since Glenn is not the right person for this movie. Meryl, with a string of hits under her belt, is the better actress of the three. Barbra is, of course, the better singer. However, Barbra hasn't carried a movie in decades and hasn't really acted since 1973. Her last attempt to act was in The Way We Were. What a choice: the singer or the actress. Something tells me they will go with the actress.

7/20/07

Babs Gains 18 Pounds

The most trusted source of Babs news, The National Enquirer, has reported that the diva has gained 18 pounds (ie, body weight, not the British currency). The popular newspaper has a picture showing how she looks now.

7/14/07

Dublin Disaster

There was no luck for the Irish. The most expensive concert at the Castletown has spawned a committee to investigate the numerous complaints. Ticket holders had several disturbing allegations concerning the horrible traffic jam to get into the concert, the lack of ushers to direct people to seats, people sitting in seats that belonged to others and refusing to move, people leaving early to escape this catastrophe and the ensuing mess when the concert was over (people were still stuck there after midnight). While the event organizers have apologized, Streisand's team has not acknowledged that anything went wrong. Now, the issue has been put in hands of a committee to investigate the allegations. The outcome will not be known for months.

7/2/07

Stockholm: CANCELLED

Did she scream so loud when she heard Lewis "Scooter" Libby skated that she hurt her voice? Who knows. Regardless, Babs has cancelled Stockholm citing a soar throat and doctor's orders. Big surprise. I could've told you she had a soar throat from the moment she started the Euro Tour.

And Scooter... Isn't it great that some can get break the law, get convicted and just move on? Even Paris had to go to jail. Oh well. I guess justice isn't for all.

6/26/07

The European Tour: "IT'S A DISASTER"

The New York Post's Cindy Adams reports "EVEN people who love people and are the luckiest people in the world aren't doing Streisand's European concerts. Promoters taking a bath call it "disaster," their least successful tour. They've discounted the tickets - still, no sellouts. Barring London, nothing's SRO. Vienna and Rome wanted out...Ask why fans are staying away, and you're told they think it's resentment of the astronomical cost since even Khazakstanians now see that B.S. may always swear it's her final forever cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die-if-I'm-lying tour and how never-never-never will she sing in public again and yet she repeatedly milks another go-round. They're moneymakers for her. She's paid upfront." For full column, see the New York Post.

6/19/07

Zurich: Shaky Start to European Tour

After reports of difficulty selling tickets (one site reported tickets were going for as low as $60), Streisand launched her European Tour in Zurich. Reports were not all favorable. Some noted her hoarseness and the general weakness of her once operatic voice. Also, she obviously has not had liposuction.

6/2/07

Live CD: Down to 67

The Live CD continues its downward spiral. In its third week of release, its drops from 34 to 67. That's quite a fall. Even fans have tired of these redundant CDs and don't appear to be falling for the promotions that have an extra track or two. It goes to show that no amount of publicity or marketing can sell a product that is old and tired from the moment it is released.

5/25/07

ROME: BABS CANCELLED!

Apparently there is room for only one living saint in Rome. Presumably that would be the Pope. In an awkward if not unexpected turn of events, Barbra's Rome concert (which was supposed to be the opening night of her European Tour) has been cancelled. Was it because of the protests in Rome staged by several consumer groups who felt her prices were too high? Was it the unspecified production issues her publicist claimed were the cause? Was it poor ticket sales? Was it the weather? Will we ever know for sure? Doubtful. All we know for sure is that there will be no concert in Rome and that there are several unhappy ticket holders. Meanwhile, her website does not even address the matter other than the fact that the Rome concert has unceremoniously disappeared from her concert web page.

5/24/07

The Plunge

Not only are the Italians boycotting Babs, Americans are avoiding the Live cd which in its 2nd week has plunged to 34. Ouch! I hope this teaches her something.

5/23/07

Italians Protest Babs

Finally, there are some Europeans who still have common sense. Though I would have expected someone other than the Italians. According to several sources, several Italian consumer groups have decided to protest Babs' upcoming Rome concert due to the exagerated ticket prices ($200-$1200). Some even want the government to intervene and cancel the Rome concert which is scheduled for June 15. Go Italy!

Meanwhile, a Stockholm date has been added. No protests yet as far as I can tell, though.

5/17/07

Live CD--Dead on Arrival

Barbra continues her downward spiral on Billboard. Despite heavy promotion (including announcing her European Tour at the same time of the CD release) and heavy discounting, the Live CD sold a mere 60,000 copies in its first week. Not even timing the release around Mother's Day helped. The CD only managed a 7th place behind Daughtry and before Carrie Underwood (whose album has sold over 5 million copies and has lasted forever on the charts). Some stores were selling the 2cd set for only $9.99! Trust me, this one will never see platinum.

5/14/07

When in Rome...

Will she do as the Romans do? Doubtful. She will expect them to cater to her every need. Yes, Barbra has announced what we already knew: she is headed to Rome. Now, it has also been announced that there will be a contest for some lucky person who needs Babs to win a trip and ticket to one of her concerts. It is believed this will be the Rome concert. (See pic somewhere below.) However, they are running out of time for this.

5/8/07

Babs Comes Alive...Sort of

The latest of her string of many live concert cds has hit the store. Many fans screamed in joy when they saw People on the song list. It's been a while since she performed People.

What's more interesting is that she sounds dead on this Live CD. Her voice, though processed through several patented and patent pending softwares and hardwares, sounds incredibly weak. Years after she is dead, I believe those who study pop Divas will use her live CDs to track her vocal decline.

Speaking of death, her voice is so frail I wouldn't be surprised if the overseas travel and performing doesn't push the Diva further into the casket. She already looks and sounds like she has one foot and one vocal cord in. Will she make it alive through Europe? I will check my crystal ball on the next full moon and let you know.

4/30/07

It's Official: BABS Heading to Europe!

What next? Asia? Anyways, as many have been talking about for months, Barbra is on tour again--will she ever retire? The 2007 European Tour now has 5 confirmed stops: Vienna, Paris, Nice, Dublin and (of course) London. Not even a second has passed since the official announcement and the 2007 Tour Tee is on sale for $39.95. Some artists charge less than that for a ticket, by the way.

4/27/07

EU Press Prepares/Braces for BABS EUROPEAN TOUR!

Days before an official announcement, the European Press is already talking (some complaining) about Babs' upcoming European Tour. The Brits, who are expecting her in July at the Millennium Dome, are calling her demanding and are outraged at her prices. It seems she will be charging about 200 pounds per person. When you figure it roughly works out to one british pound for every pound of Streisand flesh, it doesn't seem all that outrageous. Still, word of the contract rider she uses has furthered her image as a demanding and capricious diva. 2 pages of the rider have been outed by the notorious Smoking Gun website.

It also appears the Diva is scheduled for a Rome concert. Fans are expecting Columbia to have a Flyaway contest for this concert. The winner will be flown to Rome to see basically the same concert they saw here. Whoopee! The image for this (as circlulated on the web) is shown below (however, the link is no longer available at Columbia Records' website):

4/23/07

Barbra Turns 65!

Wow! How time flies. Tomorrow, the once young and slender movie star will turn 65. No word on how the elderly Diva will spend her 65th birthday. However, over the past few weeks, Barbra has been quite active on the fundraiser circuit attending events for various political purposes in addition to hosting one such event at her home. It almost seems someone should put together a party for her.

4/3/07

Live In Concert 2006 CD out on May 8

After many delays, Columbia has announced that Barbra's Live In Concert 2006 CD will be released on May 8. According to several sources, Barbra's people will announce her European tour at that same time--if all details are worked out. What many are wondering is why the cd took so long to release. It will be 5 months since the tour closed. Some fans are concerned that the delays may be related to editing and overdubbing. By the time we hear the cd, it may sound more like a studio performance than the actual live concert. Other fans are concerned that she is overdoing the live cd concept. Think about it. Almost all of her concerts have been released on cd (Central Park, Forum, 1994 Tour, Millennium Tour and now the 2006 Concert). Not to mention she only sings four new songs. It's really more of the same. Much more.

4/3/07

EUROPE 2007

Several sources claim details are in the works for a 2007 tour in Europe. The official announcement is expected at the time of the release of her upcoming Live 2006 CD. Also, don't expect Il Divo to join the Diva for this outing. After reminding them that this was her show (in Las Vegas last year), it is pretty obvious that another boy band will join her in the land of the almighty euro.

3/7/07

Don't Believe What You Read

Then again, I haven't read anything so far this year of major importance. I will keep my ears to the ground, but honestly I don't think there will be much to tell. The only minorly exciting buzz is whether she can last another year with Brolin. Or is it the other way around?

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NAVIGATION

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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 � 2007. 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?