Bea Arthur Restores the Force

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Lost Star Wars Holiday Special to be released -with out-takes- for one year only- as part of a Bea Arthur retrospective

If a $200 retail price makes you hesitate, do not hesitate for too long.  The rights of the actress’s estate to sell this material -in any form- clearly expires on April 25, 2020.

A clause in the actress’s contracts (through 1980) called for her estate to have the full rights to sell any TV series’ episodes, specials, and movies in which Bea Arthur appeared for “one year, starting ten years after the actress’s demise.” With this window of legality opening on April 25, 2019, the executors of her estate are performing due diligence toward issuing ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special.’

The “All rights revert, for 1 year, starting 10 years after” clause appeared in each of the actress’s contracts until 1980.  At the time, no concern was raised, as TV syndication rights were considered to be a non-issue for something so far in the future.  Once video-recording (remember BetaMax?) became a reasonable possibility, this clause was struck from all her future contracts.

The legal phrasing may pre-empt the Holiday Special from being released separately from the entire pre-1980 retrospective.

Today, the term “All” can be interpreted as a requirement that the estate may only issue all of the qualifying material as a single unit, and not as individual items.  This would mandate that, in order to claim the official Star Wars Holiday Special as a piece of your collection, you’d have to purchase the entire Bea Arthur collection.  With the estate still being required to pay royalties to all actors and crew involved in each of those shows, the retail price will have to be over $200.

To ensure product is available in April of 2019, plans are to issue an all encompassing retrospective of Bea Arthur’s television work, from appearances on ‘The Phil Silvers Show’ to ‘All in the Family,’ the award-winning ‘Maude,’ along with the long-lost Star Wars Holiday Special.

Contemporary Perspectives

“Although the ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’ may get the headlines, the equal-rights and forward thinking perspectives of ‘Maude’ are expected to resonate with the current views expressed by the population and media.  “The views expressed by human-rights advocates today are expressed in hopes of maintaining the rights earned through the late 60s and 70s.”

Rights championed by Maude Finley in the mid-1970’s continue to be threatened today. “This will strengthen resolve of today’s protesters who believe they are part of a longer term movement for protecting rights, and that this diligence must remain constant,” quotes a person involved with marketing the expansive collection.

The Likely Outcome

The simplest outcome may be that the actresses estate sell the rights to the entire package to another party (Disney, perhaps?), who could then, for one year, offer only the Star Wars’ Holiday Special.  This could bring the consumer price to a ~$15 range for the Special, which would be a win-win for everyone involved, except for those who spend time actually watching the entire show.

Milestone iPhone rumored to include Eternal Life

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Apple made its name based upon the success of the iPhone. and the upcoming 10th anniversary iPhone has had many technological breakthroughs associated with it. However consistently reliable the rumor-sources have been in the past, the latest stake in the ground can’t help but boggle the mind.  Can Apple’s next iPhone truly deliver Eternal Life?

‘Apple Life… with iPhone X’ is one of the tag lines associated with the device.  Much like the physical Secure Element chip placed into every iPhone since version 5s, it is believed that something physically within the phone itself is the source of the life extension ability.

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Public Domain Photo

Others conjecture that the life everlasting may require an Apple Watch, making it the first hardware based feature requiring both a new iPhone, and a new Apple Watch.

“So many people believed Apple was pursuing car manufacturing, when what they really were doing was ensuring that you wouldn’t be hit by a car.”

“The more you consider it, the bigger the possibilities:  what better way of keeping their customer base? Not only are you likely to keep your current customers, but they’ll also be living much longer, and paying money to Apple products and services ”

It is assumed that, as Apple has done with the iPhone 7, Apple may only include the Life Everlasting functionality with it’s highest end model… and over the next years, bring it to other devices.

How much would a person pay for such a feature?   Would the warranty on the feature end with the AppleCare termination date?   Could your life-span become hackable via the internet?  If you switch service providers, could they offer different services of life?   What if your battery runs out? Or, what if your iPhone (falls into the bathtub) and breaks… would your health, or worse, suffer as a result?

Would Apple allow this ability to be purchased by anyone?  Trump, for instance? Apple is known for having very strict rules about app usage : could you unknowingly violate terms of its agreement?

Speculation would make this the most sought after iPhone ever.  Globally, some countries have denied iPhone sales until the devices are manufactured in that country.  If these rumors come true, one can only imagine countries would

Would other countries be able to steal this ability?   Since no patent has been applied for, presumably to keep it ultra-secret  (eternal life is one item not able to be patented), does that expose Apple to losing its (presumed) exclusivity on offering Eternal Life?  I, for one, look forward to reading those Terms and Conditions on this app.

 

 

Bruce Springsteen to Perform Complete Catalogue Live on Hard Rock Cafe Inaugural Sea Cruise

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Fresh from an American and Australian tour, The Boss is abandoning the terra-firma of traveling across the lands in preference for performing on an exclusive round-the-world sea cruise.   Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will soon be announced as the sole performers on a 3 week, world-wide, vacation cruise.  Most intriguing to fans of The Boss is that Bruce and the E Street Band are slated to perform Bruce’s entire back catalogue of albums… from the beginning to end, in chronological order.

Of special note is the confirmation that the 66 song TRACKS compilation album set is included, as well as all cover songs from his released live albums (as well as the ‘Essential Hits’ and ‘The Promise’ albums).

“We always get a high appreciation from the fans when we do a complete album… this way, everyone knows they will get to hear what they want.”

CruiseShip

Public Domain Photo

“In 2016, we had the most satisfaction during a full tour in which we performed ‘The River’ double-album in its entirety” said a spokesman for the band.   This was followed up with their longest ever shows, held at the end of the tour.

The as-yet-untitled tour cruise will depart from New York City over the summer. It is believed that the cruise ticket prices will include a VIP level which will include an all-concert access within its price.  Yet, for a very few select fans will receive  tour-length backstage passes.  Never before has such an opportunity been available to fans of any artist.

Last Fall, Bruce met many fans at book readings and signings of his recent autobiography, Born to Run.  Yes, he will also read sections of his book during the cruise.

What would be left after this?  “Well, two places… I have not played at the South Pole, and I haven’t played outside Graceland.  I know the South Pole would be limited to those who are already there… and Graceland would require some additional logistics to ensure fans there can have fun… They’d probably have to occur in that order.  ‘Stone Cold Rock ‘N Roll’ sounds like a great album to me… and yeah, ‘Iceman’ would have to be part of that set.  I’ve always thought that a Graceland concert would be a great ‘bookend,’ overall, location for the band.”

“We’re so impressed, on each tour, when we see many of the same faces in the audience every night.  We know that those folks have re-arranged their life, travel, housing arrangements just to spend that time with us.  Last year, on ‘The River’ tour, there was one guy there every night, rocking out for each entire show. He wore a black and white flannel shirt, similar to the one I wore on that album’s cover.  I mean..for fans like that…. hopefully, this is a way they can still be present during our shows, without all that airport and hotel travel overhead: they can really get to spend time with the band members.”

“On a cruise, the services and meals just continue non-stop.  I can perform with no time restrictions… and I can take a longer break when I wish.   If I feel the urge to take the stage in mid-afternoon to perform a few acoustic numbers solo, I can do that, and then visit the Lido deck for some shuffleboard. Fans can really get up close and personal on this tour… Its the culmination of my career and my, my band’s , relationship with our fans. ”

“Well, people noticed on our latest Australia shows, although the pace was must faster, each concert was under 3 hours.”  (Although anything over 2 hours is virtually unheard of, Bruce is known for 3+ hour shows.) “I gotta admit, the travel, the packing up and then the unpacking…it is starting to take a toll.  With all the concerts being on this cruise, I’ll have the same home base each night. That, and the fresh sea air, should really help keep my voice fresh.”

Added benefits are rumored music training to be offered by individual band members.  Vacationers can sign up for violin lessons from Soozie Tyrell, and piano lessons by Roy Bittan. Those who are not providing lessons, will share anecdotes about times with the E-Street Band in smaller, hosted, talk-show-like sessions. (Paul Schaffer, a known cruise-fanatic, will lead many of the discussions).   The discussions will likely feature drummer Max Weinberg, Saxophonist Jake Clemens, and guitarists Nils Lofgren and Little Steven Van Zandt.  “What we wanted to avoid.. given that folks may be inspired by being in such close contact with the band members.. is fans bringing their own instruments onto the cruise, and then practice up in their cabins…  So, drums, saxophone, and guitar lessons were discouraged.. the violin was felt to be acceptable ”

Finally, the HRC cruise ship will contain many decorations with rock and roll associations.   Fans will be happy to know that the condemned Asbury Park Amusement  ‘Tilly’ decorated wall, will have been placed onto the HRC cruise ship, on Asbury deck.

Tickets will be raffled off over a 6 month period.  Proceeds of the raffle will go to a number of charities selected by Bruce and Patti.  Who would be the target audience of such a cruise?  Security is tight-lipped regarding the possible attendance by ex-president Barack and Michelle Obama – potentially with the ex-first daughters. Will the Clinton’s also be in attendance?