Documentary

LANCE LOUD AND HIS AMERICAN FAMILY ARE RETURNING TO TV

We were big fans of Lance Loud. We knew him as a great character – a musician and eventually a clever entertainment writer on the New York and LA scene. (He loved gossip!) Back in the 70’s Lance and his family appeared in the PBS documentary “An American Family.” (Top photo- Lance is upper left) This was back when reality TV was real, and cameras observed every little detail of the Loud family life in Santa Barbara. Lance pretty much came out on the show and became a celebrity, hanging with the Warhol crowd at Max’s Kansas City. He was self-destructive, but SO much fun. Lance died of AIDS in 2001. Now the story of the Loud’s groundbreaking documentary is being made into an HBO movie called “Cinema Verite.” Diane Lane is portraying Lance’s steadfast mom Pat, and Tim Robbins plays his father. Thomas Dekker, 22, whom you might remember from “Heroes” is playing Lance, and we’re glad we have HBO.

IF SID VICIOUS DIDN’T DO IT, WHO KILLED NANCY?

To be honest, it never occurred to us that Sex Pistol Sid Vicious DIDN’T kill his groupie girlfriend Nancy Spungen at the Chelsea Hotel. The horrific ending to the Sid and Nancy story happened in 1978 when Sid woke up in a drug haze and found Nancy dead on the bathroom floor with a stab wound in her stomach. He was arrested for murder but overdosed before he could go on trial. So the murder was not investigated. Sid’s mother Anne Beverley begged British rock journalist Alan G Parker to prove that Sid didn’t kill Nancy. She has since died, but Alan went on to document dozens of interviews with people who knew Sid and Nancy to uncover more facts. The documentary “Who Killed Nancy?” is being released on Friday.

JOAN RIVERS DIDN’T HAVE LOADS OF FUN IN SUNDANCE

Joan Rivers paid a whirlwind visit to Sundance in a full length mink and sunglasses, looking like she belongs on Park Avenue. She was promoting a documentary about her called “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.” Apparently, it didn’t open many doors for her. Joan griped that she couldn’t get access to see anybody else’s movies and wasn’t invited to gifting suites while she was there – a big disappointment.

HER FRIENDS ATTEND PREMIER OF FARRAH'S STORY

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Photo Credit: Splash News

Dick Van Patten, the patriarch of the 80’s series “Eight is Enough” showed up at the premier of “Farrah’s Story” with a big bandage on his head. He admitted he’d had cancerous tissue removed. For a fair skinned blue eyed person, he’s given himself a LOT of skin damage over the years. Farrah’s best friend Alana Stewart, who produced the documentary, was also at the premier and Ryan O’Neal was there also, lapping up attention, as usual.

FARRAH FAWCETT DOCUMENTARY AIRS ON NBC MAY 15

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It’s not looking good for Farrah. Her family and friends are visiting her at her Wilshire Blvd condo, but she isn’t leaving home. Ryan O’Neal admits she’s lost her famous hair and no longer cares. She’s essentially bedridden and doesn’t speak much. Her video diary of her cancer battle in the US and Germany now has an airdate on NBC: May 15. The two hour special was shot mostly with her own video camera, operated by her friend Alana Stewart. Ryan, Jaclyn Smith, and Kate Jackson appear in the video, which is narrated by Farrah. We’d hoped for a happy ending. Somehow the airdate makes everything seem so final…and a little ominous.

TWO TRAGEDIES: FARRAH AND REDMOND

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Photo Credit: Splash News

Redmond O’Neal was photographed Saturday leaving St John’s hospital where he visited his mother Farrah Fawcett. Farrah recently returned from Germany looking frail after cancer treatments. Sadly, she is reportedly unconscious and the family has been gathering. Despite this tragic turn of events, Redmond managed to get arrested for drug possession yet again on Sunday morning and remains in jail. It looks like Farrah’s documentary “A Wing and a Prayer” will not have a happy ending.

MADONNA PROMOTES HER DOCUMENTARY IN A PUZZLING DRESS WITHOUT GUY

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Photo Credit: Splash News

Madonna turned up at the Tribeca Film Festival for the opening of her documentary “I Am Because We Are” about the plight of Malawi children. Madonna, who wrote and narrated the film, was NOT accompanied by her husband Guy Ritchie (maybe he’s actually working) but she was sporting yet another red string. We’re assuming the Kabbalists have nothing to do with this project simply because it’s not likely to make a profit.