Breakfast w/Greg: Farrah and Ryan; Barbra Streisand’s new album; Federer twins make debut!

I was happy to see the new Vanity Fair waiting for me on my doorstep yesterday afternoon and glad it was the cover with Farrah Fawcett rather than Michael Jackson. Michael, who died on the same day as Farrah back in late June, cost Farrah quite a few covers anyway with his shocking death eclipsing her expected death.

So, I read the Farrah piece by Leslie Bennett last night and hated parts of it.

First of all, Ryan O’Neal comes off as such a horrible man – just horrible. I guess I admire his honesty in the interviews and realize he was raw with grief, but the things he said about two of his sons was unforgivable. If Farrah was as wonderful as everyone says, what was she doing with this poor excuse of a father for 30 years?

What I admired most about Farrah was her determination to be taken seriously as an actress. I think she succeeded tremendously at that starting with 1981’s Murder in Texas through 2000’s Dr. T and the Women, she had a nearly 20-year stretch of good performances that included Emmy nominations for The Burning Bed and Small Sacrifices, Golden Globe nods for Extremities, Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story, Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfield Story and an Independent Spirit Award nomination in 1997 for The Apostle. There were also strong reviews for Between Two Women and The Substitute Wife.

But the article suggests that Farrah’s leaving Charlie’s Angels in 1977 killed her career and relegated her to being a TV movie queen rather than full-fledged movie star. Had she stayed on the show for several more seasons, would that have resulted in big-screen roles of the quality she was able to play on television?

Doubtful. Yes, Farrah did herself no favors with the Playboy spreads, the wacky Letterman appearance and a TV Land reality show. But, as she reached her late 50s, the good roles were fewer and far between as they have been for most actresses of her generation unless they happen to be Meryl Streep or Candice Bergen.

STREISAND HAS IT ALL COVERED: The great Barbra Streisand might also be a 60-something actress still doing interesting roles had she not seemed to have lost interest in acting.

Since many of her films such as Funny Girl, The Way We Were, Hello Dolly!, What’s Up Doc?, A Star is Born, Yentl and The Prince of Tides are so memorable, it may seem like she has made more movies than she actually has. Streisand has only starred in 17 films since her Oscar-winning debut in 1968’s Funny Girl. Meet the Fockers in 2004 was her first movie since 1996’s The Mirror Has Two Faces and her first and only supporting role.

Anyway, my point is – I think I have a point! – is that while Streisand doesn’t really make movies anymore, she has never lost interest in music. Her latest album, Love is the Answer, is a collection of jazz standards to be released Sept. 29. I pretty much have every Streisand album since the soundtrack to A Star is Born and enjoyed her most recent two discs of original recordings: 2003’s The Movie Album and 2005’s Guilty Pleasures.

Am very excited to get my hands on the latest effort and love the cover! Sure, she’s been retouched to death to look just like she did 20 years ago, but that hair of hers is like buttah!

WINNING DOUBLES TEAM: I don’t imagine there’s a happier guy around right now than Roger Federer and not because he has not only re-established himself as the world’s number one and the greatest of all time with 15 grand slam titles.

Federer and his wife, Mirka, are each holding a baby in a picture Roger posted for fans on his Facebook page.  Charlene Riva Federer and Myla Rose Federer were born July 23 on what Federer called the best day of his life.

He writes on Facebook: As promised, here is a family picture that my dad took. He thinks he’s becoming a professional photographer. It was very funny as both girls had the hiccups while we were trying to take a decent picture. The girls and mom are doing great. Thanks for all your warm wishes.

As if being a new daddy and winning Wimbledon and the French Open in the span of two months isn’t enough, today is Federer’s 28th birthday!

I dunno, think he’s already got enough presents?