CLOSE Album of the Week: Cher's 'Dancing Queen' USA TODAY 
 
 Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West attend the opening night of 'The Cher Show' on Broadway. (Photo: Dominik Bindl, Getty Images) 
 
 Kim Kardashian West is a huge fan of Cher, but that didn't stop her husband, Kanye West, from being on his phone during the pop legend's Broadway show. 
 
 The Wests were on hand Monday for the opening night of "The Cher Show," a biopic musical that documents different chapters of the 72-year-old's life, including her iconic relationship with Sonny Bono. 
 
 But, apparently the rapper found his cellphone more interesting. Kanye's lack of attention caught the attention of Tony-nominated actor Jarrod Spector, who stars in the musical as Bono. 
 
 "Hey @kanyewest so cool that you’re here at @TheCherShow! If you look up from your cell phone you’ll see we’re doing a show up here," Spector tweeted. "It's opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much." 
 
 Related: Cher reveals Sonny Bono told her she wasn't 'particularly attractive' when they first met 
 
 Hey @kanyewest so cool that you’re here at @TheCherShow! If you look up from your cell phone you’ll see we’re doing a show up here. It’s opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much. — Jarrod Spector (@jarrodspector) December 4, 2018 
 
 West quickly issued an apology for his impoliteness. 
 
 "The dynamics of Cher and Sonny’s relationship made Kim and I grab each other’s hand and sing 'I got you babe,'" West tweeted Monday. 
 
 "Please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece," he continued. 
 
 the dynamics of Cher and Sonny’s relationship made Kim and I grab each other’s hand and sing “I got you babe” 
 
 please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece. — ye (@kanyewest) December 4, 2018 
 
 Hopefully there are no hard feelings between the Wests and Cher, because Kardashian West thinks the "Believe" singer "is seriously the most amazing beautiful person ever!!!" 
 
 Related: Kim K looks just like Cher, Aaliyah, Madonna in her stunning Halloween costumes 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/12/03/kanye-west-apologizes-after-cher-actor-calls-him-out-over-phone/2199361002/ ||||| Choosing to recreate the spirit of the television variety shows that Sonny and Cher — and then Cher sans Sonny — headlined in the ‘70s is a choice that lands as flat as the jokes in Broadway’s latest jukebox bio, “The Cher Show.” Its attempt to celebrate the resilience of its “bad-ass” star and her half-century career of highs and lows rarely rises above that TV series’ taste for cliches, corn and cheese. Despite an icon with attitude, an armful of pop tunes and a can-do cast, the script never quite finds a satisfying style — or a genuine heart — as a winning stage musical. As Cher might say: Broadway’s a bitch. 
 
 You know a show’s in trouble when the moments that elicit the biggest applause of the night don’t even feature its title character. There’s a mini-fashion show featuring over-the-top outfits by original Cher designer Bob Mackie — who created the costumes for the musical — that’s a stunner of shameless excess. There’s also a dazzling number choreographed by Christopher Gattelli featuring a knockout dancer (Ashley Blair Fitzgerald) representing “The Dark Lady” of one of Cher’s songs. 
 
 As for the title character, a trio of actresses play Cher at various stages of the star’s career, echoing the threesome approach of the soon-to-be-shuttered Donna Summer musical. Here there’s a bit more banter in Rick Elice’s sketchy, every-scene-is-a song-cue script. The trio of cool babes wisecrack about each other’s life and career choices, buck each other up and repeat the same talking points again and again. (Cher’s really shy, but she’s also a “goddess warrior,” but she’s also a victim of manipulative men, but she also chooses her own destiny. Always, the songs make her strong, see? And they go something like this…) 
 
 “Star” Cher (Stephanie J. Block) opens the musical as if it were her TV show with “If I Could Turn Back Time” (minus the iconic cannon straddle), and then introduces her fellow selves to the audience — “My two very special guest stars: me and me” — “Lady” (Teal Wicks, representing mid-career Cher ) and “Babe” (Micaela Diamond, for the early years). 
 
 The tone of the show, directed by Jason Moore (“Avenue Q,” “Pitch Perfect”) veers from playfully self-aware to broad comedy to melodrama. (“Won’t you please stop drinking for my sake?” asks Cher’s mother, Georgia Holt, to her then-husband. “Who says I’m drinking for your sake?” he responds.) 
 
 What “The Cher Show” rarely does is get real, despite the tell-it-like-it-is attitude of its subject. It only takes itself semi-seriously, keeping genuine emotion at arm’s length. The audience witnesses all of Cher’s struggles — including the dip into infomercial-land — and triumphs, but is not especially moved by them, since it’s filtered through the obviousness of the script and the cool aloofness of its protagonist. 
 
 The pleasures in the show come from individual performances, including Jarrod Spector, spot-on as Sonny Bono and capturing the man’s charm, calculation and nasal twang. (But did he really have those abs?) Emily Skinner is terrific as Cher’s mother, the tough-but-tender Georgia Holt, but is bizarrely misdirected in a turn as a clownish Lucille Ball. Michael Berresse has flamboyant fun as Bob Mackie and Matthew Hydzik nails Gregg Allman’s sound — and a hair sway that rivals Cher’s. 
 
 Keeping the show afloat are the strength of its combined Chers, who each give us just enough of the low vocal treble to evoke the star while hanging on to her own individuality. Diamond highlights the freshness, excitement and naiveté of youth; Wicks, the deadpan humor and personal conflicts of mid-career Cher. Broadway veteran Block showcases seasoned assuredness and chops as the older, wiser Cher, who finally becomes a woman who finds the courage to live up to her empowering persona. ||||| Show Bits brings you the 85th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item. 
 
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 Jennifer Lawrence stumbles as she walks on stage to accept the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in... (Associated Press) 
 
 Actress Kristen Stewart arrives with crutches at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Actors, from left, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, host Seth MacFarlane and Daniel Radcliffe perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Director Quentin Tarantino, right, hugs Christoph Waltz, left, after Waltz is announced as the winner of the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby... (Associated Press) 
 
 Ang Lee walks on stage to accept the award for best directing for "Life of Pi" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Daniel Day-Lewis, with his award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln", left, and presenter Meryl Streep pose during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo... (Associated Press) 
 
 Presenters Robert Downey Jr., left, and Jeremy Renner pose during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Singer Shirley Bassey performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Actors Jennifer Garner, left, and Ben Affleck arrive at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
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 OSCAR IS TRIP FOR LAWRENCE 
 
 Jennifer Lawrence's performance in "Silver Linings Playbook" was flawless enough to capture the best actress Oscar. She wasn't so adroit in claiming the trophy. 
 
 Lawrence stumbled as she took the steps to the Oscar stage, falling to her knees in her flowing Dior gown. That drew a sympathetic ovation from the auditorium. 
 
 She remained endearingly flustered during her acceptance speech, thanking her family, those who worked with her on the film and wishing a "Happy Birthday" to a fellow nominee, Emmanuelle Riva of "Amour," who turned 86. 
 
 "Look at this dress. I tried to walk up stairs in this dress," Lawrence said of her white, floor-length gown. "I think I stepped on the fabric and they wax the stairs." 
 
 Lawrence said she thought of a "bad word" to say when she tumbled but kept it to herself. 
 
 She had already been bleeped by ABC when she let loose with a four-letter word while joking with Kristin Chenoweth on the red carpet. 
 
 _ Lynn Elber _ Twitter http://twitter.com/lynnelber 
 
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 QUICKQUOTE: BEN AFFLECK 
 
 "I want to thank you for working on our marriage for 10 Christmases. It's good, it is work, but it's the best kind of work. There's no one I'd rather work with." _ Ben Affleck, thanking his wife, Jennifer Garner, as he accepted the best picture Oscar for "Argo." 
 
 _ Christina Hoag. 
 
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 ACTING GODS, TOGETHER 
 
 For a moment, it looked the Oscar stage had turned into the Mount Olympus of acting, with British actor Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep standing together. 
 
 Though he's not known for comedy, Day-Lewis got a big laugh when he turned to Streep, who had just presented him the best-actor trophy _ his third _ and said he'd actually originally been slated to play Margaret Thatcher, the role Streep won the Oscar for last year in "The Iron Lady." 
 
 And, he added, Streep had actually been director Steven Spielberg's original choice for Abraham Lincoln. 
 
 "I'd like to see that version," Day-Lewis quipped. 
 
 With his win for "Lincoln," Day-Lewis became the first person to win three best-actor Oscars. Streep has won three Oscars too, one of them as supporting actress. 
 
 _ Jocelyn Noveck _ Twitter http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP 
 
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 QUICKQUOTE: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS 
 
 "I love it when people are completely inarticulate giving speeches because it says the same thing in a different way"_ Daniel Day-Lewis backstage, discussing the unpolished thank yous he gave after winning the lead actor award for "Lincoln." 
 
 _ Hannah Dreier _ http://www.twitter.com/hannahdreier 
 
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 ONION CRITICIZED FOR JOKE 
 
 A tweet from The Onion about the 9-year-old star of "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is drawing criticism for being tasteless, even amid the constant social media satire of the Oscars. 
 
 The satirical newspaper called Quvenzhane Wallis an expletive intended to denigrate women. The joke was meant to parody how beloved Quvenzhane is, but many thought the language inappropriate for discussing a child. 
 
 The Onion deleted the tweet about an hour after it was posted. A spokeswoman for The Onion didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
 Not everyone thought the tweet went too far: It was retweeted more than 500 times and favorited by some 400 before being deleted. 
 
 _ Jake Coyle _ http://twitter.com/jake_coyle 
 
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 QUICKQUOTE: ANG LEE 
 
 "I think sometimes this disadvantage can be an advantage. The fact that I come from another culture makes me special."_ Ang Lee of Taiwan, encouraging Asian and other non-American filmmakers to take on Hollywood after he won the directing Oscar for "Life of Pi." 
 
 _ Hannah Dreier _ Twitter http://twitter.com/hannahdreier 
 
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 PARTY TIME FOR PREGNANT KIM KARDASHIAN 
 
 Kim Kardashian didn't just step out at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar after-party in West Hollywood dressed to impress. She rocked her pregnancy bump like a glam accessory. 
 
 The reality TV starlet wore a white, cleavage-baring Donna Karan dress that showed off every curve without self-consciousness. 
 
 Kardashian and her sister Khloe, both without their respective loves, Kanye West, and Lamar Odom, chatted up party guest Chris Brown, who was at the party without his girlfriend, Rihanna. 
 
 Kim Kardashian added she was also looking forward to catching the show by the night's featured performer, soulful Scottish singer Emeli Sande. 
 
 "I love her!" she exclaimed. 
 
 _ Solvej Schou _ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou 
 
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 CARVING IT UP AT OSCAR AFTER-PARTY 
 
 The first stop on the party circuit for Oscar night winners is almost always the Governor's Ball. 
 
 Oh sure, the fancy food Wolfgang Puck lays out there is part of the attraction. But it's also the place to go to get your name engraved on your new toy. 
 
 "You trading that in?" lead actress winner Jennifer Lawrence asked Ben Affleck when she saw him show up with his best picture statuette. 
 
 "What can I get for this award?" Affleck joked. 
 
 Anne Hathaway arrived with her Oscar in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other. 
 
 She covered her mouth in awe when the engraver showed her the nameplate, then helped attach it to her trophy's base. Her husband, Adam Shulman, recorded the moment for posterity on his iPhone. 
 
 After spending a moment checking out his Oscar, Affleck stood up to a round of applause from those in the room. 
 
 "Thank you! I love it," he said. 
 
 _ Sandy Cohen _ http://www.twitter.com/apsandy 
 
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 MASTER-FUL EXIT 
 
 In recent years, everyone would head for the door as soon as the best picture winner _ the last Oscar category in the show _ was announced. 
 
 This year, organizers hoped to get attendees to stick around until the end of the show for a closing performance from Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth, which was dedicated to all the evening's Oscar losers. 
 
 Well, one pair of "losers" weren't interested. "The Master" stars Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman bolted for the door at the beginning of the song. 
 
 _ Derrik J. Lang _ Twitter http://twitter.com/derrikjlang 
 
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 THANKING THE `MOVIE GOD' 
 
 Ang Lee had his priorities in order when he gave one of his first thank you's to the "movie god." 
 
 The Taiwanese director pulled off a huge upset when he won an Academy Award for directing "Life of Pi." He beat out front-runner and two-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg. 
 
 Lee also gave a shoutout to the shipwreck story's lead actor, Suraj Sharma, but didn't thank the rest of the cast by name. 
 
 "I cannot waste this time talking about them," he said sheepishly. 
 
 He did slip in a quick mention of his agent, his lawyer and of course his wife. 
 
 "I have to do that," he said. 
 
 _ Hannah Dreier _ Twitter http://twitter.com/hannahdreier 
 
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 THE AVENGERS REUNITE 
 
 Just like the superheroes they played in the movie, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson huddled together backstage to joke around. 
 
 Downey suggested the stars of "The Avengers" bow as they headed onstage to make Oscar presentations. Or perhaps curtsy. 
 
 When a show worker asked Jackson to stand still so he could be wired with a microphone, the actor faced a backstage wall and pretended he was being frisked by police. 
 
 To pass the time, the superheroes watched Melissa McCarthy and Paul Rudd from a backstage monitor. 
 
 Suddenly Ruffalo asked, "Did we miss our cue?" 
 
 "You want to go out there with them?" asked Jackson. 
 
 After presenting two awards, the actors returned backstage, where Downey quipped, "Avengers disassemble." 
 
 _ Sandy Cohen _ http://www.twitter.com/apsandy 
 
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 QUICKQUOTE: QUENTIN TARANTINO 
 
 "I'm not an American filmmaker. I'm American and I'm a filmmaker, but I make movies for planet Earth"_ Quentin Tarantino, tie loosened, talking with his hands and drifting into an Australian accent backstage after winning the Oscar for original screenplay for "Django Unchained." 
 
 _ Hannah Dreier _ http://www.twitter.com/hannahdreier 
 
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 KRISTEN STEWART HOBBLED 
 
 Kristen Stewart ditched her crutches to hobble onstage as an Oscar presenter, appearing bored and disheveled in the process. 
 
 She and Daniel Radcliffe handled one of the less glamorous awards for production design. Stewart read her lines with a slouchy insouciance. 
 
 Just before going on, Stewart left a pair of crutches in the wings and apparently the backstage hairstylists didn't get ahold of her for a brushing. Her long brunette hair looked stringy. 
 
 The reaction on Twitter was swift and severe. 
 
 "Kristen stewart are you ok? And by that I mean where were the hash brownies before u got hit by bus (hash)bruise (hash)limp," tweeted comedian-actor David Spade. 
 
 Actor Joel McHale tweeted, "Kristen Stewart is limping because she sprained her ankle from being excessively disinterested." 
 
 Backstage, Stewart ran into supporting actress winner Anne Hathaway, who noted her crutches. 
 
 "I know, I'm an idiot," Stewart replied. "But congratulations!" 
 
 "Please tell me you're going on stage with those," Hathaway said, pointing to the crutches. 
 
 "Nope. I'm gonna hobble," said Stewart, explaining that she had stepped on glass. 
 
 _ Beth Harris _ http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap 
 
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 TONYS OR OSCARS? 
 
 Did the Oscars intentionally turn into the Tonys? 
 
 All those song-and-dance numbers weren't lost on Twitter. 
 
 "Sucks for the actors at the Oscars who can't sing ... (hash)TONYS? (hash)HollywoodGoesBroadway," Nylon magazine tweeted after a tribute to the musical "Chicago." 
 
 "Am I watching the (hash)Oscars or the (hash)Tonys? Either way I'm happy:) lol," tweeted a belter herself, Lea Michele. 
 
 _ Leanne Italie _ Twitter http://twitter.com/litalie 
 
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 NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON 
 
 As soon as British singer Adele stepped off the stage after singing the Oscar-winning theme from "Skyfall," she kicked off her sparkly Louboutin platforms. 
 
 "I'm sorry. (Forget) that," she said, flinging the shoes onto the floor. A stagehand quickly swooped them up. 
 
 "I'd pick them up but I can't bend over," she said, motioning toward her tight beaded dress. 
 
 _ Sandy Cohen _ http://www.twitter.com/APSandy . 
 
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 CELEBRITY SCHMOOZING 
 
 It was maybe the next best thing to being there. 
 
 Down the road from the Academy Awards, musicians and models found common schmoozing ground at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing dinner in West Hollywood. 
 
 Lithe supermodel Naomi Campbell sat next to music mogul Quincy Jones, then chatted with Steven Tyler and the party host himself, Elton John. 
 
 Bono, wearing his customary tinted shades, gleefully kissed Jones on the top of his head, then hugged statuesque model Petra Nemcova. 
 
 "Elton's a warrior on the HIV, AIDS scourge, since before anyone can remember," Bono told The Associated Press. "Like Bruce Springsteen is `the Boss', Quincy is `the President.' He is so unique. And Elton is both `the king' AND `the queen.'" 
 
 _ Solvej Schou _ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou 
 
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 BASSEY HITS IT OUTTA THE PARK 
 
 For all the sparkling young starlets and the edgy new host, it was none other than Dame Shirley Bassey who set the joint on fire early in the Oscar telecast. 
 
 The 76-year-old singer's rendition of the theme from "Goldfinger" _ or, as she sang so memorably, "GoldfinGAH" _ was a feel-good moment that won what was at the time the biggest ovation of the night. 
 
 Bassey, who recorded the song in the `60s to great acclaim, reprised it as part of the Academy's 50th anniversary tribute to the James Bond franchise. 
 
 Minutes after the performance, the singer and her song were trending on Twitter. 
 
 _ Jocelyn Noveck _ Twitter http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP 
 
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 QUICKQUOTE: CHRISTOPH WALTZ 
 
 "Quentin writes poetry and I like poetry." _ Supporting actor winner and Austrian Christoph Waltz of "Django Unchained" about working with writer-director Quentin Tarantino. 
 
 _ Beth Harris _ http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap 
 
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 MAYBE IT LOOKED EASY ... 
 
 Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were one big bundle of nerves before they took the stage for their opening song-and-dance numbers. 
 
 Radcliffe danced by himself. Theron dabbed at her eyes and Gordon-Levitt stood silently as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane delivered the Oscar show's opening monologue. 
 
 Then it was time to hit the stage. 
 
 "Thank God!" Theron said afterward as she let out a sigh of relief. 
 
 "You stepped on my dress," she told Tatum. 
 
 Radcliffe and Gordon-Levitt bear-hugged after their dance routine. 
 
 "We did all right! We did all right," they told each other. 
 
 "It felt good! How did it look?" Gordon-Levitt asked. 
 
 "Well done," Radcliffe told him. 
 
 _ Sandy Cohen _ http://www.twittermcom/APSandy
– Kim Kardashian West was excited to attend the Broadway debut of The Cher Show, a musical based on the singer's life. Her husband was apparently less so, and he ended up apologizing for his fascination with his phone during the Monday show, reports USA Today. "Hey @kanyewest so cool that you're here at @TheCherShow! If you look up from your cell phone you'll see we're doing a show up here," Tony-nominated actor Jarrod Spector had tweeted during the performance. "It's opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much." "Please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece," West responded hours later, noting he and his wife joined hands and sang "I Got You Babe" at one point. "We had the best time!" Kardashian West added in a Tuesday tweet without mentioning West's distraction. "All of the actors were sooo good!" Spector did particularly well, according to Variety critic Frank Rizzo. "Spot-on as Sonny Bono and capturing the man's charm, calculation and nasal twang," he writes of the actor. (Kim and Kanye recently took flak for an "obnoxious" flight.)