A sweet role for Timothée
Roald Dahl’s best story, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” was a 2005 movie. It comes again.
Olivia Colman, who does Brit-type films, joins Timothée Chalamet in it. The thing takes place before “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
It’s about a young Willy Wonka. Chalamet plays him in this new film, “Wonka,” and it’s his first on-screen musical — although he went to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts where he dated Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes. Whether or not they actually made music together, this I don’t know.
A sort of royal showing
Although “Diana: The Musical,” which stars Jeanna de Waal, opens at B’way’s Longacre Theatre next month, it streamed Friday. On Netflix. In its honor were royal parties. Not at Buckingham. At our veddy British Crosby Street Hotel plus Town & Country’s at the Palace Hotel. I mean, where else? It was high tea. Scones, crustless cucumber sandwiches. Want bagels, try another show. Sparkle Miss Markle and whatever remains of the husband — who does NOT love New York nor anything but her bank account — did not attend any party. Possibly Prince Empty ran out for diapers.
Explorer boor
The Explorers Club — members include Jane Goodall, Buzz Aldrin, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos — is the object of a multimillion buck defamation lawsuit. Christine Dennison, the first woman to research beneath polar ice caps, filed a complaint about being bullied and intimidated by a male senior club manager. The club then — per the complaint — “campaigned to defame, harass and intimidate her.” A member 16 years, the complaint alleges she’s the first woman expelled in the club’s 117 years. Its then-president, Richard Wiese, testified under oath in a deposition he “absolutely” felt she’d “taken advantage of the ‘Me Too movement.’ ” New York’s attorney general is investigating sexual harassment charges filed against the club by another member.
Trying times
Vaxes and masks are divvying party lines. The Siena Poll shows increasing support for mandatory vaccinations, which 49 percent of conservatives and suburbs favor overwhelmingly. In Alabama, Donald Trump announced more people must be vaccinated. Many Republicans make this a partisan issue problem. Donald’s friendly audience booed. Then his “Of course you’re free to make a choice” grabbed a standing ovation.
Come December comes four venues on “The Trump-O’Reilly History Tour.” Dec. 11, FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla.; Dec. 12, Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.; Dec. 18, Toyota Center in Houston; Dec. 19, American Airlines Center in Dallas. VIP $7,500 tickets get you a picture with Trump, excellent seat, MAGA swag and a signed “Killing the Mob.” Ticketmaster or BillOReilly.com will help with seats.
Making moves
More heavy-duty stuff. Jumaane Williams, NYC’s public advocate, about whom nobody’s heard, began a committee for a primary against Gov. Kathy Hochul. Not their first scrabble together. Both beauties clawed for the 2018 nomination when Andrew Cuomo knighted Hochul. Williams had then grabbed 47 percent of the vote. Lee Zeldin likes Jumaane and doesn’t favor masks and vaccinations, but thinks New York favors him and also thinks he’s our next governor. Meanwhile, Attorney General Letitia James — who sunk Andrew Cuomo and is the person who killed the king — looks to grab that throne. Hey, this type thing is only in New York, kids, only in New York.
Speaking of Only in New York reminds me of new traffic signs like one warning us to drive carefully. That’s because the life you save may belong to some pedestrian en route to remove his car from the parking space you’re looking for.
For sure, only in New York, kids, only in New York.