I was having a conversation recently about how great it was that Live Nation, the music promoter and ticket selling alternative to Ticketmaster, was just that: an alternative to Ticketmaster's outrageous fees and taxes.
Well, so much for that.
It seems that Live Nation is now in talks to merge with the ticket-selling giant according to the New York Times.
What does this mean for you and me? It means there's no where to turn. It means that if you want to see your favorite band whether it be U2 and Jimmy Buffett or Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, you're gonna pay.
So that $35 concert ticket? When all is said and done, look to shell out $50-$55 maybe more after convenience fees and taxes. Is it funny to anyone else that they call the random $8 charge a convenience fee?
Somewhere, Eddie Vedder is very sad today.
Well, so much for that.
It seems that Live Nation is now in talks to merge with the ticket-selling giant according to the New York Times. What does this mean for you and me? It means there's no where to turn. It means that if you want to see your favorite band whether it be U2 and Jimmy Buffett or Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, you're gonna pay.
So that $35 concert ticket? When all is said and done, look to shell out $50-$55 maybe more after convenience fees and taxes. Is it funny to anyone else that they call the random $8 charge a convenience fee?
Somewhere, Eddie Vedder is very sad today.
Alright, I'm getting back on my soapbox for a minute.
Those of you who read this column (Hi, Mom and Dad) know that I have a hatred for unnecessary remakes. Well folks, I think I found the cream of the crop.
It seems that director Dean Parisot has gotten the green light to remake the 1977 classic sports comedy, "Slapshot." If you listen really carefully, you can hear the faint murmur of babies crying at the mere mention of the idea.
Parisot, who has films like "Galaxy Quest" and "Fun with Dick and Jane"
under his belt, will work on the comedy with screenwriter Peter
Steinfeld.
Let's say for a second you do remake this film? Who replaces Paul Newman as the fading player/coach of the Charlestown Chiefs? And how do you replace the Hanson brothers?
Speaking of remakes, you may have heard that Hilary Duff has been cast as Bonnie in an upcoming redo of "Bonnie and Clyde."
The best part about this whole thing seems to be the catfight
developing between Duff and the actress that originated the role, Faye
Dunaway. Upon hearing of Duff's casting, Dunaway's response was a
simple question: "Couldn't they at least cast a real actress?"
Ouch. So would Duff shy away? Nope. She decided to fight dirty.
"I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don't even know who she is, so you know," said Duff to E! "I think it was a little unnecessary but I might be mad if I looked like that now too."
That's right Faye, she pulled out the plastic surgery card. Round one to Duff.
Round two will probably go to Dunaway when she realizes that Duff once starred in "Agent Cody Banks."
Universal Studios plans to re-open its backlot this summer just over a year after fire destroyed four acres of the movie studio's working lot and tourist attraction.
The studio says that they will also resume production in the newly refurbished Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street. They will also introduce a gas station, a firehouse, a London Street and a modern urban cityscape.
Fans of food and television will recognize the name of Chef Eric
Ripert, the head chef of Le Bernardin in New York and frequent guest
judge on Bravo's "Top Chef."
Ripert can now add host to his resume.
The internationally known chef will star in his own show on PBS called "Avec Eric." Ten episodes are scheduled to run in the fall.
Those of you who read this column (Hi, Mom and Dad) know that I have a hatred for unnecessary remakes. Well folks, I think I found the cream of the crop.
It seems that director Dean Parisot has gotten the green light to remake the 1977 classic sports comedy, "Slapshot." If you listen really carefully, you can hear the faint murmur of babies crying at the mere mention of the idea.
Parisot, who has films like "Galaxy Quest" and "Fun with Dick and Jane"
under his belt, will work on the comedy with screenwriter Peter
Steinfeld. Let's say for a second you do remake this film? Who replaces Paul Newman as the fading player/coach of the Charlestown Chiefs? And how do you replace the Hanson brothers?
Speaking of remakes, you may have heard that Hilary Duff has been cast as Bonnie in an upcoming redo of "Bonnie and Clyde."
The best part about this whole thing seems to be the catfight
developing between Duff and the actress that originated the role, Faye
Dunaway. Upon hearing of Duff's casting, Dunaway's response was a
simple question: "Couldn't they at least cast a real actress?" Ouch. So would Duff shy away? Nope. She decided to fight dirty.
"I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don't even know who she is, so you know," said Duff to E! "I think it was a little unnecessary but I might be mad if I looked like that now too."
That's right Faye, she pulled out the plastic surgery card. Round one to Duff.
Round two will probably go to Dunaway when she realizes that Duff once starred in "Agent Cody Banks."
Universal Studios plans to re-open its backlot this summer just over a year after fire destroyed four acres of the movie studio's working lot and tourist attraction.
The studio says that they will also resume production in the newly refurbished Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street. They will also introduce a gas station, a firehouse, a London Street and a modern urban cityscape.
Fans of food and television will recognize the name of Chef Eric
Ripert, the head chef of Le Bernardin in New York and frequent guest
judge on Bravo's "Top Chef." Ripert can now add host to his resume.
The internationally known chef will star in his own show on PBS called "Avec Eric." Ten episodes are scheduled to run in the fall.
Looks like FREE LOCAL SHOWS are the way to go!!!
I hate Ticketmaster. You know me Tom, and I'm always one to praise Trent Reznor, but this is yet another area he's helping his fans in. He gets big blocks of tickets before Ticketmaster can get them and he has a limited pre-sale for the best seats, then a general sale for regular seats, all through his own site. So his fans can get tickets for face-value, without the ridiculous fees.
We need more artists to call TM out on their crap and find other ways to sell tickets. I'm happy that most of my favorite bands are vocal, but I know they all aren't.
I will do anything to avoid Ticketmaster. In St. Augustine, you can buy tickets at the Pier for the amphitheater; must be cash or check. Incredible shows are coming. Also Florida Theater, and Florida Times Union Center let you buy tickets directly. I especially liked it when I could not get tickets for Izaac Pearlman in Gainesville, ticketmaster had them for over $300 I saw the Bruce Springsteen was furious about this neat little trick Ticketmaster was playing: selling to another broker then reselling. I do not understand why I should pay the same Courtesy fee per ticket when I buy one or a dozen tickets.