A "Memorial" To Bitch Slaps!

Happy Memorial Day weekend. In honor, here's a medley of some of the greatest "Bitch Slaps!" in Hollywood history. Thanks to Chipps Cooney!

Bitch Slap Of The Day: Friday

It might not have served her career particularly well, but Faye Dunaway's role as Joan Crawford in the 1981 melodrama "Mommie Dearest" became an indelible part of camp culture. There were so many bitch slaps in that movie, my cheeks still smart!

Video Interview With Los Angeles Times

On the red carpet Wednesday, May 26, before the "American Idol" finale, I chat with The Los Angeles Times' Shirley Halperin.

See the article here.

NORMAN GENTLE MAKES ENCORE APPEARANCE ON SEASON 9 FINALE

‘IDOL’ FINALIST NORMAN GENTLE MAKES ENCORE APPEARANCE ON SEASON 9 FINALE; DEBUT SINGLE DOMINATES YOUTUBE




‘Brit Slap’ Video Makes National TV Debut On Syndicated “Wendy Williams Show”

Simon Cowell bid farewell to “American Idol” as Season 9 closed Wednesday, May 26th. The pageant crowned Lee DeWyze in 2010. So the ratings for Tuesday’s performance show diminished 16% from the previous season, from 23.8 million to 20.1 million which peaked with Norman Gentle’s appearance.

But there is hope on the horizon, if one retreats a year in reverse, to Season 8 top 25 finalist Norman Gentle, who provided the show with humor, a modicum of entertainment and a desperately needed dollop of the unexpected, as well as the highest ratings in 2009, scoring 25.1 million, preliminary Neilsen estimates showed.

Perhaps that is the very reason that Gentle is the first finalist in the series’ history to be invited to appear in two consecutive finales: He was awarded a Most Memorable Performance “Golden Idol” trophy in 2009; and appeared again this year during Dane Cook’s farewell tribute, gamboling onstage with a cardboard cut-out of Cowell—only to be short-circuited when fur-wearing Ian Benardo stormed the stage vigilante-style and released abusive epithets directed at Simon Cowell. As the camera cut to commercial sparing the audience the ugly verbal attack, it was heroic Norman Gentle who threw aside his companion cardboard cutout of Simon Cowell in order to wrestle the microphone from Brit-Slap-wannabee Benardo… Norman Gentle is a hero, indeed. Gentle reassured Simon Cowell, "Don't worry, Simon, we all love you. Just don't listen to him." Fox cut to commercial to spare the audience the ugly verbal attack by the fur-wearing contestant

But that’s only a hint of Gentle’s rescue effort. Off-camera, Simon Cowell offered the comedic talent a rare hug and shared, “I heard your song. I loved your song. Loved the music video. Thanks for coming all the way out to be here for the finale.”

Indeed, Gentle’s double-A sided single “Brit Slap!” a farewell roast to Cowell, and its grown-up sister “Bitch Slap!” a parallel version of the uptempo sing-along anthem—which were released to radio, iTunes and amazon.com May 18—have seduced not only the likes of the scowling judge, but are generating a force field of positive press coverage from the likes of USA Today, NPR, New York Daily News, MTV, Life.com, CBS News and The Fox Morning Show; in addition to airplay on top 40 WEBZ (B97)/New Orleans and prompting a stream of on-air radio interviews, including the nationally syndicated Dial Global network with Hot AC host Dave Otto. Even Perez Hilton weighed in with a Twitter to his 2 million followers, saying, “Kinda wishing I had done this.”

The accompanying madcap music video launched Friday, May 21, via exclusives in Lyndsey Parker’s acclaimed Yahoo! Music “Reality Rocks” column—which deemed it a “comedic tour de force”—in The Los Angeles Times; and popular blog Votefortheworst.com. On Sunday, May 23, versions of both “Brit Slap!” and “Bitch Slap!” debuted on Youtube. Altogether, the clip fostered more than 29,000 hits in its first five days, ranking as the No. 19 video in the Entertainment category.

The music video, which features a cameo from “America’s Top Model” judge Nigel Barker, a cast of Broadway dancers and Cowell himself—as a stand-up cardboard cutout—is slated to make its national television debut on the syndicated “Wendy Williams Show” Thursday, May 27, where Gentle has served as a weekly correspondent throughout “Idol’s” Season 9.

Norman Gentle’s headband-wearing, tuxedo jacket-sporting, khaki shorts-donning character has made the comedian a hero among Idol worshippers. Last year, when Norman, a.k.a. 27-year-old Nick Mitchell from Brookfield, Conn., ambushed the No. 1 TV show in North America, his slapstick persona delivered unexpected vocal finesse, via a memorable performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls.”

As the mainstream media embraced Gentle as a bona fide talent, he was snapped up earlier this year by production duo DNA—Dennis DelGaudio and Ayhan Sahin—to record “Bitch Slap!”—which, with the announcement of Cowell’s departure from “American Idol”—was parlayed into the saucy send-off “Brit Slap!”

Now signed to DNA’s Young Pals Records International, Gentle has evolved his image into the Gentle band, a take-off on “Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry’s ubiquitous group Daughtry. Gentle features players DelGaudio, a world-class guitarist who has toured with Billy Joel, written songs for indie films and served as Musical Director for Broadway’s “Movin’ Out”; and Sahin, who has written and produced musical stage shows in his native Turkey that have been performed in 18 countries.

Gentle’s web site gentleofficial.com, offers daily updates about his whereabouts, tips for living “Gentle-y,” and his steadfast support for animal rights, alongside other rants and raves about pop culture.

CONTACT: Ghia

Telephone: 617-997 6554

Email: hydrangea4563@vzw.blackberry.net
gggarth83@hotmail.com

WEB LINKS:
www.gentleofficial.com
www.youngpalsrecords.com

VIDEO LINKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4LUNdbP8gM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrjLzCP4VFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=203Rf9hA6qA

FOR PRESS MATERIALS:
www.youngpalsrecords.com

WENDY WILLIAMS

Thanks for the shout-out Wendy!

Norman Gentle Saves American Idol Judge Simon Cowell from Bitchslapping Vigilante On "AI" Finale

Gentle became the first finalist in the American Idol series’ history to be invited to appear in two consecutive finales: He was awarded a Most Memorable Performance “Golden Idol” trophy in 2009; and appeared again tonight during Dane Cook’s farewell tribute, gamboling onstage with a cardboard cut-out of Cowell—only to be short-circuited when an attention-seeking no-name finalist demanded a “Kanye West moment.” As the camera reeled away from the chaotic scene and quickly retreated into a commercial, it was Gentle that grabbed the microphone out of his hand… a hero, indeed.

BITCH SLAP OF THE DAY: Thursday

"Snap out of it," Cher bellows at Nicholas Cage in 1987's Oscar-winning "Moonstruck." Perhaps she meant to say, "Slap out of it!" In any case, it's one of the great cinematic bitch slaps in history!

NEW YORK MAGAZINE'S Vulture Blog

Wow, I feel like I should press my shirt or something. New York magazine, ooh la la!

BITCH SLAP OF THE DAY: Wednesday

In honor of "American Idol" season 9's finale tonight, we proudly offer the greatest bitch slap throw-down in television history. In season 2 of "Dynasty," Krystle came after Alexis with a vengeance—and more than a slap for her nemesis. The two cavorted around the set, tossed glass vases, rolled over sofas, pulled on each other's hair and went at it like the men who were actually wearing those wigs and dresses, pretending to be Linda Evans and Joan Collins. It's pop culture folklore. A timeless bitch slap for the '80s!

Yahoo!: "Operation Gentle Storm"

In Los Angeles this week, I sat down face to face with Reality Rocks columnist Lyndsey Parker, managing editor of Yahoo! Music. What a great time... and a rockin' column. Click on the link above to see the video!

Gentle Thoughts: Norman Gentle On 'Idol' Season 9 Vs. 'Idol' Season 8
by Lyndsey Parker 

Season 9 of "American Idol" finally wraps this week, after four months of being unfavorably compared to Season 8 (aka The. Best. Season. Ever). Season 9 was just missing so much compared to last year. Season 9 didn't have Adam Lambert. Season 9 didn't have Allison Iraheta. Season 9 didn't have Matt Giraud. Season 9 didn't have Wild Cards, "Slow Ride," birdcalls, "Heartless," Jackie Tohn, or even Tatiana Del Toro. But perhaps most distressingly, Season 9 didn't have comedic genius Norman Gentle, just when suffering "Idol"-watchers really could've used a laugh.

Norman Gentle stole the show last season with his shiny shirts and even shinier personality, and he delivered a swan-song version of "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going" so memorable, so iconic, it almost erased all memories of even Jennifer Hudson's version. Since Norman's tragic and premature exit from the show, he's been laying low as he's worked on his 2010 plan for world domination, and now, with an "Idol" correspondent gig for "The Wendy Williams Show" and a new single, "Brit Slap" (a sassy farewell song for Simon Cowell), Operation Gentle Storm is in full effect.

Norman journeyed to L.A. this week to continue out that plan by bumrushing the "Idol" finale, so of course I needed to pick his headbanded-swaddled brain about what he thought about Season 9, Lee DeWyze versus Crystal Bowersox, and his famous Season 8 castmates Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. And Norman brought a cardboard comrade along to share its own British-accented, two-dimensional thoughts, natch.

And I am telling you...this interview is awesome...

(VIDEO FOOTAGE FOLLOWS)

BITCH SLAP Of The Day: Tuesday

Batman and Robin always seemed like such cordial buddy boys... but don't mess around with Bruce, Dick, or you get a BITCH SLAP! POW!

THE GENTLE BAND

The Gentle three: Dennis, yours truly and Ayhan. On location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y.
I'm one tough dude. Mess with me and you get a triple "Bitch Slap! 
Okay, maybe the other guys will take care of things. I'll just pose, yes?
Gentle-style aerobics. The DVD will be coming out any month now... but don't hold your breath.

Photography: Kristi Karu, Design: Emre Emirgil

USA Today

The long-promised Norman Gentle music video -- the one featuring a cardboard stand-up of Simon Cowell -- went online this weekend. Shot in New York's Times Square, Brit Slap! features a real-life cameo from America's Top Model judge Nigel Barker.

"It's actually really good! No joke!" Yahoo! Music's Lyndsey Parker writes in her Reality Rocks column. "Seriously. This ought to be the coronation song on the Season 9 finale."

by Brian Mansfield

L.A. Bound

Gentle-ites, I'm flying West today to Los Angeles, where I'll be meeting with Lyndsey Parker, the talented managing editor for Yahoo! Music, to interview for her column "Reality Rocks."

Hey, Los Angeles... Isn't that where the "American Idol" finale is taking place this week?

See you down at Venice Beach! Let's see, shall I bring my weights to bench press a few hundred out at Muscle Beach, or my skateboard for the concrete park?

"Hartford Courant"

Your buddy Norman got a shout-out from Hartford (Conn.) Courant newspaper. Please click-ola here

Norman Gentle's Cowell Kiss-Off
By Roger Catlin/May 23, 2010 |

That other "American Idol" hopeful from Connecticut, Nick Mitchell, who performs under the name Norman (or Normund) Gentle, has kept his profile up this season, with regular "Idol" commentaries on "The Wendy Williams Show."

Now the Brookfield native has his own personal farewell tribute to outgoing"Idol" judge Simon Cowell. The video released Friday for the pop-rocking "Brit Slap" has him addressing a cardboard cutout Cowell in Times Square. The video also includes a flesh and blood judge in Nigel Barker, from "America's Top Model."

The single is also available on iTunes.

Thanks, Perez Hilton!

Thank you, my new best friend! Spreading the Gentle love to his 2 million followers. Mercy me.And you, too, David Cook, my "Idol" brother... third tweet down.

BITCH SLAP Of The Day: Monday

Joan Crawford is one mean bitch in her 1955 drama-rama "Queen Bee," in which she plays Eva Phillips, a Southern socialite who dominates her Georgia mansion and her poor alcoholic husband Avery (Barry Sullivan).

A cousin, Jennifer Stewart (Lucy Marlow), tries to step in her way, and gets dealt the wicked hand of Eva, via one of cinema's great bitch slaps!

Bless Your Heart, Sister

A Tweet that just made my Sunday morning waffles with genuine Maple Syrup all the tastier! Thank you miriamgc!

My Latest Press Release: NORMAN GENTLE ‘SLAPS’ DEBUT SINGLE TOWARD CRITICAL MASS

OFFICIALLY SPONSORED BY THE FABULOUS SMOKING NUN BLOG: CHECK HER OUT!

Music Video Released To Multiple Outlets, Media Mayhem, Radio Airplay Launches

It’s no secret that “American Idol” huffed to the finish line during 2010’s painfully predictable Season 9, drawing its lowest ratings since the series’ second season. What was missing? Might it be the comic presence of Season 8 top 25 finalist Norman Gentle?

Alas, all is not lost, as Gentle graciously steps forward with his debut single, to “Slap” some gusto into the franchise’s dusty reputation. Already, the May 4 release of his family-friendly “Brit Slap!” a farewell roast to outgoing “Idol” judge Simon Cowell, has fostered a tidal wave of national press coverage from The Los Angeles Times, Yahoo! Music, USA Today, NPR, New York Daily News, MTV, Life.com, CBS News, The Fox Morning Show and the syndicated Wendy Williams Show—where Gentle served as a weekly correspondent throughout Season 9 of “AI.”

The song’s grown-up sister, “Bitch Slap!” a parallel version of the sing-along anthem, featuring a maddeningly catchy chorus and throbbing beat, was released to radio, iTunes and amazon.com May 18. It has garnered initial airplay on top 40 powerhouse WEBZ (B97)/New Orleans.

Both “Slaps” are accompanied by a gleeful music video, which premiered online Friday, May 21, via Yahoo! Music’s acclaimed “Reality Rocks” column, penned by Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Parker. The popular Votefortheworst.com blog launched it in the blog space the same day, while Fox News was given first rights for national television exposure.

The clip features a cameo from “America’s Top Model” judge Nigel Barker, a cast of Broadway dancers and Cowell himself—as a stand-up cardboard cutout—which literally stopped traffic in Manhattan’s Times Square when lensed last month, as thousands of passers-by joined in the tribute. The video will also launch on votefortheworst.com, Monday, May 24, and is streaming on YouTube.

Norman Gentle’s headband-wearing, tuxedo jacket-sporting, khaki shorts-donning character has made the comedian a hero among Idol worshippers. Last year, when Norman,
a.k.a. 27-year-old Nick Mitchell from Brookfield, Conn., ambushed the No. 1 TV show in North America, his slapstick persona delivered unexpected vocal finesse, via a memorable performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls.”

While anxiously counting down his 15 minutes of fame, the mainstream media embraced Gentle as a bona fide talent. He was snapped up earlier this year by production duo DNA—Dennis DelGaudio and Ayhan Sahin—to record first single “Bitch Slap!”—which, with the announcement of Cowell’s departure from “American Idol,” was parlayed into the saucy send-off “Brit Slap!”

Now signed to DNA’s Young Pals Records International, Gentle has evolved his image into the “Gentle band,” taking off on “Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry’s now-ubiquitous group Daughtry, featuring players DelGaudio, a world-class guitarist who has toured with Billy Joel, written songs for indie films and served as Musical Director for Broadway’s “Movin’ Out”; and Sahin, who has written and produced musical stage shows in his native Turkey that have been performed in 18 countries.

Gentle’s web site gentleofficial.com, offers daily updates about his whereabouts, opinions on “American Idol,” tips for living “Gentle-y,” and his steadfast support for animal rights, alongside other rants and raves about pop culture.

L.A. TIMES PREMIERES "BITCH SLAP" VIDEO

Shirley Halperin, who loves you, baby? The crackerjack reporter for the Los Angeles Times has given the newspaper the esteemed honor of becoming our first print pub to announce the link launching our music video for "Brit Slap!" Read all about it here!

SIMON COWELL ASKS FOR A SLAP... COME TO NORMAN!

On his appearance on "Oprah" Wednesday, May 26, Simon Cowell told Mama O that based on some of his past behavior on "American Idol," he deserves a slap.

You're speaking my language, Simon! Hopefully, by now, he's heard my saucy send-off, dedicated especially to our favorite judgmental "Idol" judge. Come to Norman, and let me give you a big ole "Brit Slap!" baby!Hey, what's he putting in her coffee? Gentle is watching out for you, Oprah. BTW, call me, doll!