Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Exploiting Hollywood 1980 Main Text Volume Chapter 75 The Most Sincere Apology Agent Richard knocked on Ronald’s door at noon the next day on time, neither early nor late.

Ronald opened the door in his pajamas, took a pile of newspapers and magazines from Richard, and pointed to the coffee and various breakfasts on the dining car for Richard to eat first. Today he woke up unusually late.

"There are no reports against you or Moonlight Sultry. There is no claim that the two award presenters deliberately missed your nomination. We can continue to observe for a while, and I will pay attention to all reports every day."

Richard took a piece of toast, sat down and ate it.

Ronald poured him a glass of orange juice and mixed in some bacon and baked beans. I took the newspapers and magazines and read them. This year's Oscars, including live broadcasts and recorded broadcasts, are said to be watched by 1 billion viewers around the world. So all newspapers and magazines published special reports the next day.

All the headlines were reports that "The Last Emperor" had bagged nine nominations. The photos of Michael Douglas as Best Actor and Cher as Best Actress occupied the second and third attention.

The photo of the two holding Oscar statuettes appeared in the bottom half of many newspapers.

Richard marked every report in which Ronald appeared. Ronald looked around. They were all photos taken when he won the award. He had no special comments.

The sun shone in through the window and shone on the "Hollywood Report" in his hand. Ronald couldn't help but wonder, was he nervous? Yesterday was a... coincidence?

I put down the "Hollywood Report" and picked up a "Variety" magazine. These are two of the most authoritative media outlets in Los Angeles reporting on the Hollywood entertainment industry. Variety Show is a magazine that is published every weekend. There is also a newspaper version published every day called "Daily Variety Show".

There was a huge post-it note on the magazine. Ronald opened it and couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Ha ha ha ha……"

"Honey, who's here?" Diane poked her head out of the bathroom with a towel on her face. He heard Ronald's hearty laughter. The worried Ronnie from last night was gone. The ever-optimistic one was gone. Ronald came back again, which made her mood better.

"It's Richard. After you blow dry your hair, come and have breakfast together."

"How much did Cher spend?" Ronald turned to the page of Variety magazine and asked Richard with a smile.

Cher contacted "Variety Show" overnight,

Before the Oscar special issue goes to print today, a full page of ads has been added.

There is only one bold line of title above:

"Thank you to Ronald Lee, the director of 'Moonlight'. I didn't thank him at the awards night. His guidance during the filming helped me complete the most important work of my career.

Thank you also to screenwriter Patrick Shanley, the lovely Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia..."

Below is Cher's signature and a small photo of her holding an Oscar.

"The usual genuine advertising for variety shows is about fifteen thousand dollars. For today's time slot, plus the expediting fee, including the favors she called on, we can't do it so quickly for less than thirty thousand dollars."

"I have to call her..." Ronald felt that the $30,000 apology and thanks were very sincere and worthy of him calling and joking with Cher immediately.

Richard went to call Cher's manager, Diane put on her bathrobe and went out to have brunch, and the two happily fed each other on the sofa.

"Ring ring ring ring..." Ten minutes later, Xue'er called.

"You watched the variety show, right? I'm sorry, Ronald. I was so nervous last night that I forgot to thank you and Shanley, and all the cast and crew. I have a lot of interviews to do after yesterday's ceremony , by the time I finally finished the marathon, you had already left."

"That's why it's important to prepare a small note, hahaha... But I don't have a chance to use mine. Congratulations, Xueer." Ronald laughed.

"Yes, the cost of not preparing this note is quite high." Xueer felt half relieved when she heard that Ronald seemed to have no more grudges. The manager gave me inspiration last night and came up with this trick on the spur of the moment. Fortunately, the editor-in-chief of Variety Magazine liked such drama and agreed to adjust the layout at the last minute, leaving himself a channel to apologize immediately.

It was in this way that he immediately took out a full-page advertisement in the most famous media to apologize, without leaving any grudge against Ronald and the rest of the crew. Everyone thought that Xueer was just nervous. Her mind suddenly went blank on stage and she didn't know what she said.

The two laughed and chatted for a while. In addition to the apology, Variety also had an adjacent section that comprehensively reviewed Cher's acting career and her "infamous" see-through dress history. It did add a lot of popularity to her, and some young fans and fans also got to know her.

Cher unexpectedly won the Best Actress award this time, which also brought a turn for the better to her singing career. The new label boss, Cher's former boyfriend David Geffen, saw this as a sign that Cher was back at the center of the pop culture scene.

David Geffen also thought of asking big-name singers such as Joan Bon Jovi and Michael Bolton, who are affiliated with the company, to compose new songs for her new album. In short, Cher's singing career has unexpectedly rejuvenated.

"I'll invite you to the spago for dinner tonight, Ronald, and I also want to apologize to you in person. After all, it's you who gave me all these new opportunities."

Cher finally invited Ronald to have dinner at Spago, a favorite restaurant among Hollywood stars. Chef Wolfgang Puck was willing to host the new movie queen and gave her an extra seat.

"I will go..." Ronald didn't like the food in this restaurant very much, but it was the favorite restaurant of all celebrities. It seems that if you can't have a table to eat without making a reservation in advance, you can't be considered an A-list star.

After talking on the phone, Ronald continued to watch Variety's coverage of last night's Oscars show.

Sure enough, just as Ronald thought, there were many criticisms of host Chase's third-way hosting style. Especially taking off his pants in front of Paul Newman, who has a high status in Hollywood, really made these film critics uncomfortable.

"It's a bittersweet ending for the awards to have comedians come to the rescue. To be honest, I think Billy Crystal should be the host. At least we don't have to endure the host who pierces the nose to make people laugh.

Chevy Chase's hosting was too boring, and so was Robin Williams, who was presenting the award. Watching these two people laugh was as boring as watching George Sr. and Michael Dukakis running for leadership.

God, please let Al Gore of Tennessee and Dole of Kansas qualify. Watching George Sr. and Dukakis debate will make you drowsy. "

Why is the election of the general leader involved again?

Ronald stopped and went to the bedroom to call Douglas Jr.

"Is there something wrong with George Sr.'s candidacy? Why am I reading the magazine complaining that his campaign speech was as boring as last night's Oscars?"

"Ah, Ronald, it's okay. Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig recently jumped out to endorse Dole, so there's something wrong there in Iowa, temporarily behind Senator Dole of Kansas.

Fortunately, with Roger Ailes as the host and your new campaign ads, old George won the first place in the primary in New Hampshire. On Super Tuesday, he is expected to defeat all competitors in one fell swoop and get the endorsement of the current president. of. "

"Why hasn't the current commander-in-chief, Ronald Sr., endorsed George Sr. yet?" Ronald asked in surprise.

"As you know, the two ladies have deep conflicts, and the commander-in-chief has some knots in his heart. You have been busy with your film career recently, so I didn't say much to you. By the way, I heard that something happened with your house renovation project. ?" Little Douglas asked.

"You know, I just like Chinese-style garden architecture, and I want to replicate a small one on Staten Island. But the 'beep...' at the park in New York is giving me trouble. I don't have time now, so I have to temporarily stop working. "

"When I have time, I can help you ask what's going on and who you should approach to handle this matter. I suspect that you have been involved in the local politics of New York." Douglas Jr. said a few words briefly. The local politics of New York is better than that of any other city. All are complicated. In addition to the Donkey Party and the Elephant Party, there are also strong local Conservative and Liberal parties.

Director of the Parks Department Stern, nicknamed "Interstellar Exploration", was determined to make a difference in the local political arena. A Hollywood director like Ronald was a good target for him. Gain some popularity among voters.

】

Asking little Douglas to take care of himself, Ronald took a rest and went to the banquet with Diane in the evening.

"The movie queen is waiting for you." The new movie queen has many privileges. At the entrance of the spago restaurant, the usher gave Ronald special treatment and took him directly to eat past the flow of party people.

The cast is back together again, with Ronald, screenwriter Shanley, Olympia Dukakis, and Vincent Gardenia, the two actors who play Cher's parents, still in Los Angeles. Everyone put on their friends and came to the restaurant. It was considered a small private party.

Cher apologized to everyone in person one by one, and also gave her a gift of apology, a bagel made by her little boyfriend.

Everyone also saw the full-page apology and did not care about Cher's mistake. As far as career is concerned, several people present have been nominated, and the difference between being nominated and winning awards is not that big in helping to improve the career. So they can still chat together.

Only Nicolas Cage did not receive a nomination, but he is quite satisfied with his career. The new girlfriend he brought is a blonde girl who looks very familiar.

"I am a fan of yours, Director Ronald. I am able to engage in this industry thanks to you." The actress named Amy Dolenz was very excited to see Ronald.

"Why? I don't remember directing you?" Ronald just thought she looked a bit like Brooke Shields, a model of blondes, but he had no impression.

"I guest-starred in two episodes of Growing Pains. Because Your Dragon King was a hit, the TV series director wanted a girl who could do karate. I was chosen because I had practiced karate."

"I'm glad I could help you." Ronald didn't expect that he would change the fate of some people in many ways.

"Mr. Li, this is Romanee-Conti from 1985, one of the best red wines in our restaurant. If you like it, I will open it for you."

A few people were chatting happily when a waiter came over and showed Ronald a bottle of red wine with a big belly.

Ronald looked at Xueer. This wine was very expensive, and I heard that 1985 was a very good vintage. He has never tasted it. Did Xueer pay so much to apologize today?

"I didn't call you, did you make a mistake...?" Xue'er was confused.

"This is given to you by Mr. Gibson, Mr. Li." The waiter pointed to another table behind him, where was the star of Lethal Weapon, the Australian star Mel Gibson. Seeing Ronald looking over, he raised his hand.

After accepting the expensive gift, of course Ronald had to go over and thank him. Mel Gibson came to dine with his wife. He had met Ronald at Stallone's party before, but this time Ronald was nominated for best director, and Gibson wanted to get to know him more deeply.

Ronald's films are all commercial-oriented and have good box office results. However, recently, while taking commercial considerations into consideration, the tendency to be artistic and reflect the big issues of the times has become more and more obvious. Mel Gibson really wants to collaborate with Ronald on a film. The film can also be nominated for an Oscar.

But it's too early to tell. Mel Gibson laughed and gossiped with Ronald.

For example, during the awards ceremony last night, producer Jeremy Thomas and director and producer Bertolucci from the crew of "The Last Emperor" both arrived late and left early.

I heard that in order to shoot this movie, Jeremy Thomas not only borrowed money, but also divided the investment amount into small shares and sold them to many wealthy people in Hollywood and Britain. The Last Emperor was released for more than ten weeks before the awards were awarded, and it did not enter the top five in the United States for a single weekend at the box office.

During the award ceremony last night, many creditors were waiting to intercept the two of them at the door and demand their accounts on the spot. If this is not explained, it will not look good if it is photographed by the news media.

Unexpectedly, Jeremy Thomas had already stood taller than them and thought further. He sneaked into the venue after the awards ceremony was over. The cameras didn't catch him until Best Picture was awarded.

The creditors who came after hearing the news wanted to intercept him at the subsequent press conference. Jeremy Thomas slipped out of the side door of the venue first, leaving Bertolucci to top the cylinder.

However, Bertolucci was a famous director, and he was not the one mainly responsible for financing. The creditors could not push too hard, so there was no scandal.

But Bertolucci also had a way to deal with it. Jiutijiu Middle School's "The Last Emperor" has aroused great enthusiasm and curiosity in America through last night's live broadcast. Everyone wants to see what kind of story this Italian film about the last emperor of China, which conquered Hollywood, is like.

The creditors heard Bertolucci enumerate a long list of examples in the history of Hollywood that relied on Oscars to rebound at the box office, and decided to give Jeremy Thomas, the liar, another chance.

"Ronald, it's a pity that you didn't win the award last night. I think you should win the last two awards."

The speaker was Sean Young, who presented the award last night with Nicolas Cage. Ronald has now become a big shot that celebrities come to make friends with. While we were having dinner, three or four actors came up to chat with him, trying to impress Ronald.

Especially this time, "Moonlight" won two awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Ronald's reputation for being good at photographing women spread like wildfire, and many actresses looked at her like they saw glowing jewelry.

"It's a great honor to be nominated," Ronald said carefully. Sean Young is a bit crazy. If he says such things in public, it would not be good for someone who cares to hear him.

Diane was also very dissatisfied with Sean Young's V-neck dress with a large opening. Bitchi must have done it on purpose as she put herself on Ronald's arm in a demonstrative manner.

"Remember to come to me if you have the opportunity to cooperate." Sean Yang twisted her waist twice, turned around and left. Her figure is indeed great, and her walking posture makes people feel happy involuntarily.

But Ronald didn't look at it much. Cage told him that this woman was a bit crazy and would sometimes act chaotically on the set. During yesterday's award ceremony, he took it upon himself to perform an impromptu imitation of Billy Crystal. It almost made Cage, who was also presenting the award, unable to get off the stage.

It feels really good to be held up by Hollywood stars like this. Ronald took a sip of the expensive red wine with enjoyment until he saw a disgusting face.

"Hey Ronald, Nick, Mel, you're all here..."

The black man who came over was the one who flirted with Ronald last night. When the Best Picture award was finally presented, he forgot to mention the nomination for Moonlight, which almost made the audience around the world mistakenly think that it was Ronald's award-winning presenter, Eddie. ·Murphy.

Eddie Murphy was originally an ordinary comedian. He once collaborated with Ronald's partner Joel Silver on 24 Hours and made his debut as an action comedy. The reason why he is so popular now is because Stallone rejected the opinion of Michael Ovitz, the president of CAA, not to play "Beverly Hills Cop", and he was able to get the salary of a top actor in Hollywood, the biggest one. Black actor Eddie Murphy.

He came over and greeted everyone as if nothing was wrong. He always thinks that he is the greatest male star in Hollywood. If it were not for his skin color, he would have become the number one.

Ronald glanced at this self-proclaimed arrogant man and thought that this was a good opportunity to test him.

"Eddie, what happened last night?" Ronald stood up and deliberately approached Eddie Murphy, slightly invading the Hollywood star's safe distance, making the other person feel a little uncomfortable, and then stopped there distance.

"Hey, buddy, it's a little entertaining. It was a joke. You know, there are no scripts at the awards show. We all made up enough time..." Eddie Murphy was very slippery, and he immediately used a joke to explain it away.

"Hmm..." Ronald sneered, tilted his head, and motioned for him to go to the side to chat with him.

Eddie Murphy couldn't ignore this provocation and followed him with a snort, showing that he was not afraid of any white man's challenge.

"First of all, I don't like it when you talk to me like that, after Dr. King's civil rights movement... now black people..."

Eddie Murphy wanted to regain his face, so he poked Ronald in the chest with his hand and began to tell this white man about the history of discrimination and oppression of black people. He was a Hollywood star, so don’t use the old words of the 1930s. Look at black people.

"Don't talk such nonsense, I'm just going to ask you what happened last night? There are only two of us here, you can be honest and honest." Ronald looked at his twinkling eyes and then turned into the confidence of a star. , you know that there is a high possibility that this guy did it intentionally last night. As he spoke, he approached Eddie Murphy again, and his nose was almost touching his face.

"Hi..." Feeling that his space was violated, Eddie Murphy began to reach out again, trying to keep his distance.

Ronald made a wrestling move, grabbed the back of his neck, held his fingers tightly with his other hand, and then made an intimate gesture that looked like an old friend. He turned back and smiled at the others, like two old friends. Talking about things.

"It's just the two of us here, you can tell me the truth." Ronald's hand was so strong that Eddie Murphy felt a little pain. He tried to get away but was held tightly.

"Hey man, I was told you were unfair to black people so I wanted to play a little joke on you."

"Unfair? Are you kidding me?" Ronald said to himself: I am very kind to black actors, and I give them fair quotas.

"The man told me that in your new movie, called Working Girl, there are no black people in the main role."

"Then it's a movie about Wall Street. There aren't many black people working there to begin with?" Ronald laughed angrily at this logic.

"Hey, you can't say that. We black people have endured decades of discrimination. You should reflect more on our success... We are not worse than you..."

Then you should protest to Wall Street and ask them to give more jobs to black people. Ronald thought to himself, what do you think?

"I said, the person who told you this didn't tell you that I filmed the most famous black musical of our time - Breakdancing? MJ is also a good friend of mine. You can ask him, have I discriminated against black people?"

"What? Did you film the break dance? Wade? I like it very much..." After Eddie Murphy became famous, he was surrounded by invitations from major studios. He was really interested in low-cost break dance. do not know much.

After becoming a big star, drinking every day, getting up drunk in the evening, and being accompanied by all kinds of beauties, Eddie Murphy was easily provoked. Today I heard Ronald mention that MJ was his friend, and he believed it. If he could invite MJ to guest break dance, he must not be the kind of white man who disrespects black people.

The two of them smiled again, this time for real. They walked back talking and laughing.

"Who is that Jew who said bad things about me to you?" Ronald suddenly asked with a smile as he was about to walk back to the table.

"Hey, then I can't say that. You know this kind of thing. I won't spread such rumors. Today I met you. If someone says you discriminate against black people in the future, I will help you clarify. You are a good friend of us black people. friend."

"Of course... good friends." Ronald bumped fists with him.