WHITNEY FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM BOBBY: Singer's rep confirms separation; Houston spotted in Beverly Hills Tuesday night.
*There's only so much drama one marriage can take. After 14 years that saw ups, downs, drugs, incarceration and alleged philandering, Whitney Houston has finally had enough of her husband Bobby Brown.
"I can just confirm that she has filed for divorce," Houston's rep Nancy Seltzer said Wednesday. The papers were filed on Friday, and Brown was served Tuesday, reports Access Hollywood.
So where does Bobby's rumored chick-on-the-side Karrine "Superhead"
Steffans stand in all of this mess? According to TMZ.com, the
self-proclaimed "Video Vixen" is a major catalyst in Whitney and Bobby's
separation. A source tells the Web site that Brown stays at Steffans' L.A.
home "frequently," where he often flees for moral and financial support -
including the maintenance of his pre-paid cell phone.
The TMZ source also insisted that Steffans and Brown are not
romantically involved, and that haters are pushing the idea of a sexual
relationship because of her past. Steffans also swears their relationship is
not sexual, telling New York Daily News' Lloyd Grove that she and Bobby have
"a really tricky situation."
Houston, who shares daughter Bobbi Kristina with Brown, was seen
Tuesday night looking pretty happy, healthy and sober at the 15th Annual
Ella Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Her date was
producer Clive Davis, who recently announced that he and Whitney are
currently working on her comeback album.
BILLBOARD THROWS BEYONCE A 'B'DAY' PARTY: Columbia album debuts at No. 1 on two charts.
*The exhaustive promotion of Beyonce's new album, "B'Day" has paid
off handsomely for the entertainer. The set entered Billboard's Top 200
best-selling album chart at No. 1 based on first week sales of 541,196
units, according to SoundScan.
The Columbia disc, featuring singles "Déjà Vu" and "Ring the Alarm,"
boasts the highest sales numbers since rock group Tool sold 564,000 units of
its album "10,000 Days" last May.
"B'Day" also soared to No. 1 in Japan in a record-breaking 2-1/2 days
after its worldwide release on Sept. 4, Beyonce's birthday. Additionally,
the set debuts at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart this week.
Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, Danity Kane's self-titled Bad Boy
effort falls 2-4 with 82,000, and the soundtrack to Disney's "The Cheetah
Girls 2" climbs a notch 6-5. Christina Aguilera's RCA album "Back to Basics"
slips 4-6.
LIL' KIM BOOKS FIRST POST-JAIL PERFORAMANCE: Rapper to big-up MC Lyte at VH1's Hip-Hop Honors.
*Lil' Kim will honor rap pioneer MC Lyte by performing her classic
material at VH1's annual Hip-Hop Honors celebration. The occasion will mark
Kim's first music performance after her release from the federal pen.
"MC Lyte is at the top of the list when you talk about hip-hop
pioneers," Kim said in a statement released Tuesday. "She paved the way for
myself and any of today's greatest MCs. I'm honored to have the opportunity
to show my respect and how she influenced me."
Other rappers to be honored during the Oct. 7 show in New York
include Ice Cube, the Wu-Tang Clan, Afrika Bambaataa, hip-hop mogul Russell
Simmons, Rakim, Beastie Boys and the late Eazy E.
Kim is expected to honor her fellow Brooklynite with a performance of
"Lyte as a Rock," one of the 34-year-old's classic tracks from the early
90s. Other acts paying homage to our rap forefathers and mothers include
Ludacris, OutKast, Diddy, Da Brat, Fat Joe and Lil Jon.
"Hip Hop Honors" will air Oct. 17 on VH1.
NAACP TO WATCH TONIGHT'S 'SURVIVOR' BEFORE JUDGING: Civil rights org. said it will take a wait-and-see approach.
*Tonight's premiere of "Survivor: Cook Islands" will probably draw
the largest ratings of any "Survivor" opener since the show began 13 seasons
ago, which is exactly what producers wanted when making its controversial
decision to split the tribes along racial lines.
Part of tonight's audience will be the National Assn. for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which announced Tuesday that it would
reserve comment or judgment about the show's segregated approach until the
episode actually airs.
"Concerning the new season of 'Survivor,' whether we like the concept
or not -- and for the record, we do not -- it is premature to judge the show
purely on conjecture," the organization said in a statement. "We will judge
the show on what we see, and we will monitor the public response."
CBS responded to the NAACP with its own statement. "We appreciate the
NAACP reserving judgment on 'Survivor: Cook Islands' until they've seen the
show," the network said. "As a programmer, you can't ask for more than to be
judged by how audiences react to what they see on the screen."
The NAACP added that "Survivor's" race element is distracting from
what the group deems to be bigger, more crucial issues, including what it
called the "woeful lack" of minority creative executives and showrunners
along with the "stereotypical and biased" portrayal of minorities in news
coverage and the lack of comedy series on the Big Four networks that feature
a black lead character.
Premiering at 8 p.m. tonight on CBS, "Survivor: Cook Islands" will
separate its 20 contestants into four tribes: black, white, Hispanic and
Asian.
RON ARTEST'S BABY MAMA DRAMA: NBA star suing for custody of his son.
*Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings is making power moves in a
different kind of court these days. The embattled NBA star is suing his
ex-girlfriend Jennifer Palma for custody of their young son Jeron, reports
the New York Daily News.
"Ron charged that Jennifer was denying him access to his child," a
friend told the newspaper. Artest reportedly addressed the situation in
family court and filed a motion seeking full physical custody of the boy.
Artest also reportedly stopped paying Palma's $2,800-a-month housing
support.
"Jennifer was living with her family at the time," says Palma's
lawyer, Sergio Villaverde. "She was saving to buy a house, which she now
needs because she's moved to California.
"Mr. Artest has seen his child intermittently," says Villaverde. "The
person best equipped to take care of the child is the mother. Considering
Mr. Artest's history of psychological and anger-management issues, his
request borders on frivolous."
According to the Daily News, Artest and Palma began dating when he
was a student at St. John's University. Their first big blow-up was in May
2002, after she accused him of grabbing her around the neck. No charges were
filed, but Artest, then with the Indiana Pacers, surrendered to police after
Palma claimed he'd violated a protection order by leaving her a message in
which he warned, "If you don't call me back, I'm going to have to hurt you."
Harassment and contempt charges were later dropped, Artest took
anger-management counseling and their relationship has been rocky ever
since.
J.LO AND MARC TALK ABOUT NEW FILM: Couple premieres 'El Cantante' in
Toronto; discuss working relationship.
*Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony showed up together at the Toronto
Film Festival Tuesday for the premiere of their new film, "El Cantante," a
biopic of salsa legend Hector Lavoe.
The Anthonys play Lavoe and his wife, Puchi, whose relationship was
rather volatile and explosive. Director Leon Ichaso told People magazine
that the celebrity lovebirds handled their fictional dysfunctional
relationship like pros.
The atmosphere on the set was "Fun, fun. Even when he punched her so
hard, he broke through her skin. Marc had to wear so many rings, and one of
those blows broke her skin. And we all had a good laugh. She's tough,"
Ichaso said.
Costar John Ortiz told People that on set, "They were holding hands,
looking at each other with those eyes that people who are in love look at
each other with. I think they are just very huggy-dovey. They're very
nurturing."
As for being a married couple and also portraying one on film, Lopez
said it wasn't a challenge at all.
"Marc and I met working, so it wasn't really an issue," she told
reporters. "We know each other's work rhythm."
Lopez also said their successful working relationship is based on
choosing projects that are worth their time and effort.
"We don't do anything that we don't believe in. … It was a passion
project for both of us, and I've been trying to get it made for five years,"
she said.
DAWNN LEWIS TO STAR IN 'SISTER ACT' MUSICAL: 'Different World' vet will play nun-on-the-run in Pasadena and Atlanta.
*Dawnn Lewis finds herself in the midst of a habit shared famously
by Whoopi Goldberg. The former "A Different World" star will portray the
nun/singer-in-hiding in the upcoming world premiere musical "Sister Act,"
based on the 1992 film.
The production runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 26 at California's Pasadena
Playhouse, then heads south to Atlanta's Alliance Theater from Jan. 17
through Feb. 25, 2007. Alan Menken ("Little Shop of Horrors," "Beauty and
the Beast") pens original music for the work with lyrics by Glenn Slater
("newyorkers," "That's Life").
It's been a minute since the last "Sister Act" and its sequel "Sister
Act 2: Back in the Habit" hit theaters in the early 90s. Here's a plot
refresher, courtesy of the musical's press release:
"When disco club singer Deloris Van Cartier is placed in protective
custody in a dying convent, her unique brand of funk comes face-to-face with
the traditions of the church and the strict order is in for a change," reads
a release for the new work. Masquerading as a nun named Mary Clarence, this
Sister's act will have you laughing and singing in the aisles."
Lewis, best known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson Taylor on TV's "A
Different World," also appears opposite Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer
Hudson in the upcoming film version of "Dreamgirls" as Melba Early.
Tickets to "Sister Act" at Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino
Ave. in Pasadena, CA, or Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff, 1280 Peachtree
Street in Atlanta, GA, are available at www.sisteractthemusical.com. For
more information, visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org or www.alliancetheatre.org.
MAYA ANGELOU JOINS OPRAH'S XM FAM: Novelist/poet to host show about what it means to be an American.
*It was only a matter of time before Oprah Winfrey was able to
persuade her own personal spiritual guru Maya Angelou to join her new XM
Satellite channel, "Oprah & Friends."
The poet, whose novels include her autobiography, "I Know Why the
Caged Bird Sings," will host an as-yet-untitled hourlong show that she hopes
will be called "Maya Angelou's America." The premise has Angelou
interviewing ordinary citizens, along with the "famous and infamous," asking
them what they think it means to be an American.
Meanwhile, Angelou continues to teach at Wake Forest University in
Winston-Salem, N.C., where she has a lifetime position as the Reynolds
professor of American studies.
"Oprah & Friends," also featuring shows hosted by Dr. Robin Smith,
Nate Berkus Bob Greene, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Marianne Williamson, Jean Chatzky and
Gayle King, will debut Sept. 25 on XM channel 156.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF AUGUST WILSON'S 'FENCES': Insights from Director Sheldon Epps and his 'Fences' Cast
-- by DeBorah B. Pryor
"Laurence and I had been talking about the possibility of working
together on a play--on 'Fences' in particular--and then Sheldon called with
this play...it's amazing."
Barely two weeks into rehearsal, critically acclaimed actor Angela
Bassett shares how her role in the Pasadena Playhouse production of the
August Wilson play, 'Fences' came to be.
Sharing top billing with fellow thespian and friend, Laurence
Fishburne, Bassett is aware that audiences old enough to remember will
recall the Tony Award winning Broadway production, where her role was played
by Mary Alice and James Earl Jones played Fishburne's character, Troy
Maxson; and became a star. Bassett admits she has big shoes to fill.
"With actors that's a funny thing. If there is apprehension, humility,
fear, and trepidation then we want to do it all the more; because you'll
stretch, you'll be challenged and you'll grow; and we didn't get into this
profession because it was easy."
Fishburne, who just recently finished the theatrical production,
"Without Walls," chimes in...
"It's a great play. It gives us an opportunity to play a wonderful
couple. I don't think there are very many roles for African American people
who are husband and wife; family, all the things that are contained inside
the structure of 'Fences.' It gives us an opportunity to play a wide, wide
range of emotions. The stakes were pretty high."
This performance marks the actors' fourth time working together. Their
critically-acclaimed alliance began in 1991 with John Singleton's "Boyz N
the Hood"-- followed by Kate Lanier's 1993 screenplay, "What's Love Got to
Do With It" (Fishburne turned the film down five times before acquiescing
after he learned Bassett was on board) and Doug Anderson's inspiring 2006
film about peer groups, talent and achievement, "Akeelah and the Bee" which
Fishburne also co-produced.
Audiences have long noticed the undeniable "chemistry" of these two
actors when working together--some even likening them to screen legends
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. But Fishburne admits he waited awhile
before pouncing on this compliment; giving it time and space to...well,
marinate.
"A long time ago we could have capitalized on this so-called chemistry
we have. We could have talked to the powers-that-be and said, 'hey, we want
to work together.' ...But that could have been, maybe, too easy in some
respects...We've grown and we've matured and we've gone off and lived our
lives and gotten more life experiences and our instruments have matured and
our feet have grown; we can fill the shoes of these characters now...It's
the right time."
It is obvious that both actors adore the Pulitzer-prize-winning
Wilson, who passed away in October 2005 after being diagnosed with liver
cancer only a few months earlier. Wilson wrote ten plays during his literary
career. Among them, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," "The Piano Lesson," "Ma
Rainey's Black Bottom" and "Two Trains Running." Both Fishburne and Bassett
sing the playwright's praises and those of late director and educator Lloyd
Richards, who passed away earlier this summer, throughout this interview.
Richards was a mentor to Wilson and directed six of his plays on Broadway.
"The contribution that these two men made to the American theatre
together, they gave us something. We stand on their shoulders," says
Fishburne, who met Wilson for the first time in Hollywood in 1990 when he
auditioned for his play, "Two Trains Running" and toured playing the role
afterwards; versus Bassett, who was still in drama school when she came upon
August Wilson.
"I was introduced to him at the Eugene O'Neil Playwright's Conference
in [New] London, Connecticut. It was after my first year in drama school. I
was invited up there by Lloyd Richards. He was a first-time invitee
playwright there with "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and I was blessed enough to
play the role of Gussie Mae in that production...That was my first
introduction to him...his poetry, his words, his writings, his characters,
his world...And this is the 20th year anniversary of 'Fences' on Broadway;
20 years ago our feet weren't big enough to fill these shoes. WE weren't big
enough to fill these shoes. Now we're grown enough."
Credited as one of the most respected female actors of our time because
of her history of emotionally-charged works, Bassett, who, along with
actor-husband Courtney B. Vance became the proud parents of twins six months
ago, recently co-wrote 'FRIENDS: A Love Story' with her beloved. The book,
set for a January 2007 release, tells the story of the couple, who met in
Drama School, and held a friendship for many years before getting married.
Vance, incidentally, originated the role of "Corey" - son to Fishburne's
character "Troy Maxson," in the original Yale Repertory Theatre production
that went on to Broadway in March of 1987, with Fishburne in the audience of
that production. The play ran 525 performances and in addition to a Tony
Award for Best Play, earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
When asked what they thought August Wilson was seeking to accomplish
with his works, each set decades apart and revealing, simultaneously, the
joys and sorrows of the African American experience, the actors agree on
Wilson's ability to touch humanity on a universal level.
"[He was trying to] give voice to the African American experience in
America in the 20th Century," says Bassett. "It had never been done and he
did it and he did it profoundly...in a way that touches all humanity."
Fishburne concurs.
"It's really universal what he's done. And its interesting because he
specifically set out to do just as Angela said...to chronicle the
experiences of African American people in the 20th century; meaning, the
people who are absolutely descendants of slaves living in this industrial
city, Pittsburgh. You know, with the exception of 'Ma Rainey' it's the only
play that doesn't take place in Pittsburgh...It's a testament to those
people and a great boom for the American theatre to have this kind of work
for people to do," he concludes.
"We all kind of say it's August and Lloyd Richards' and the gods and
the spirits of the theatre working together to make this come together the
way it did," says 'Fences' director, Sheldon Epps; who had sought to work
with Bassett on this play when he first met her in San Diego at The Old
Globe Theatre a decade earlier. It was Bassett who suggested Fishburne for
this production. Epps, who also serves as artistic director for the Pasadena
Playhouse calls 'Fences' August Wilson's "best-written" work.
"It is one of the most focused and emotionally-driven. It is clearly
and cleanly about what is going on in this family," he tells the Los Angeles
Times.
While marketing strategies for 'Fences' are aimed at Fishburne and
Bassett, there are several "smaller big names" that audiences can expect to
see on the stage. Wendell Pierce, best remembered for his roles in "Waiting
To Exhale" and "Ray" will co-star in the play as Jim Bono, best friend to
Laurence Fishburne's character. Pierce is intentionally bi-coastal; and has
living quarters in New York so that he can maintain his theatrical career.
He is enjoying the process of discovery for his character.
"This is a man who didn't have a father; who didn't have much of a
family and he found all of that in Troy...Here, with this family.the
possibility of losing that is devastating to him. He's a simple man with a
great capacity for love."
Orlando Jones, a former sitcom writer-turned-actor, best remembered
for his role in the film, Drumline, plays the challenging role of Gabriel; a
WWII vet suffering from a severe head injury. His character is the brother
of Fishburne's' "Troy."
"There's still a lot of discovery, but the toughest thing about
[this role] is that it's such a difficult role and such a departure from my
more commercial work.We all see those people walking down the street, but
they're the people that you ignore, not the people that you observe because
you forget that's somebody's family. I have people in my family who are like
that; but not like Gabe. [He] can be incredibly violent and incredibly kind
at the same time. So that's what I'm struggling with."
Probably the most popular of the smaller, big names is Kadeem
Hardison, who audiences fondly remember as the loveable character "Dwayne
Wayne" on the sitcom "A Different World." Hardison clearly states that he
had fear in taking on the role "Lyons" - first son to Fishburne's character.
"I got a package in the mail [from my agent] as I usually do. It said
'Fences' with Angela and Fish and I was scared to death. I haven't done a
play since I was 13...And I said, 'I'm so scared. I'm really scared.' So I
came down to this room, and I auditioned, and Fish was here so it really
felt like home because I've known him since I was a wee thang. I auditioned.
I felt my audition was [just] 'OK' and asked if I could do it again. He said
'Sure'. About three-quarters of the way through, Sheldon stopped me. And I
left, riding home and thinking about all of the things I could've done
better. And by the time I got home we had messages saying, 'You got it! You
got it!' Other than raising my daughter this is the most daunting thing I've
ever faced. I don't know theatre. There's a reason I've never done a play.
I was always afraid of it. I don't think I have that voice. I don't think I
can reach those people. I like my microphone here (points close to face) so
I can emote that way. So I really jumped at the opportunity to just kick
myself in the butt and get it going."
"This is the kind of incredible cast that a director dreams of and
prays for," beams Sheldon Epps. "This tremendous group of artists coming
together for this production is a great tribute to August Wilson and a
genuine sign of the deep admiration and devotion that his writing inspires
in actors."
"Fences" runs Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m., Saturdays at 9 p.m. and
Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinee performances on Saturday at 5 p.m. and
Sunday at 2 p.m. until October 1st at The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El
Molino Avenue in Pasadena. For tickets call 626.356.PLAY. For MORE inf
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
As a journalist the work of DeBorah B. Pryor continues to reach national and
international audiences. She has interviewed some of the entertainment
industry's most prominent people and has traveled extensively throughout the
world. She is a former stage actor with over 15 years of theatrical
experience; and presides over The Art of Communication: Public speaking for
private people, a 2-hour-workshop teaching self-empowerment in the
workplace. She is a freelance speechwriter and copy editor. For information
on the upcoming Los Angeles workshop or to schedule a private consultation,
Ms. Pryor can be reached at 818.247.2812 or via email at
DeBorah@Dpryorpresents.com
FILM/TV BITS: 'Wire' renewed; 'L&O'/CSI season premieres; Governator tape;
Jackson's 'Jumper.'
*HBO has opted to pick up its original series "The Wire" for a fifth
and final season. The network said its decision was based on the high
ratings earned by Sunday night's premiere of its fourth season, which
focuses on the public school system in the drug-saturated streets of West
Baltimore. "I had no question in my mind about the quality of the show, but
you never know," HBO Entertainment president Carolyn Strauss said of the
uniform critical praise. "The show is extraordinary and breathtaking."
*Next Friday's season premiere of "Law & Order" borrows its plot from
the soap opera that is Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. Titled "Fame,"
the show's 17th season opener surrounds a pair of suspects that look
disturbingly like the tabloid couple. J-Train, a white wannabe rapper,
becomes the prime suspect in the murder of an NYPD detective and gets
arrested when the killing is connected to incriminating tabloid photos of
his paparazzi-hounded starlet wife. S. Epatha Merkerson and Jesse L. Martin
co-star in the series, airing Fridays at 10 p.m. Meanwhile, the real K-Fed
stars on the Sept. 21 season premiere of "CSI" as an arrogant, thuggish teen
who harasses Nick (George Eads) and Warrick (Gary Dourdan) as the duo
attempts to investigate a crime.
*Authorities in California are investigating the taped conversation
featuring controversial comments from actor-turned governor Arnold
Schwarenegger amid claims it was illegally downloaded from state computers
by hackers. The governor's remarks, printed last week by the Los Angeles
Times, described Cubans and Puerto Ricans as being "hot tempered" because of
their mixture of black and Latin blood.
*Samuel L. Jackson stars in 20th Century Fox's sci-fi epic "Jumper,"
which the studio now plans to turn into a film trilogy, reports
SciFiWire.com. Based on a series of teen-oriented Steven Gould books, the
Doug Liman-directed picture stars Hayden Christensen as a troubled young man
who discovers he can teleport himself by merely thinking about it. The
studio approved the trilogy plan, but said it won't shoot further sequels
until they see how this performs.
MUSIC BITS: Beyonce on cellies; Slim Thug on LeToya; Harlem's Hip Hop
Museum; Eminem mixtape; Vazquez LP;
*Still haven't had your fill of Beyonce? In 2007, she'll be available
as a video game for your cell phone, thanks to a new partnership with
Starwave Mobile and her record label, Sony BMG. According to TMZ, the game
will feature B's music as well as her fashion line House of Dereon, which is
scheduled to launch next month.
*Texas rapper Slim Thug, who teamed with Beyonce for the Billboard's
chart-topper "Check On It," used to date the singer's former Destiny's Child
bandmate LeToya Luckett. He's also on Luckett's self-titled solo debut and
appears in the video for her single, "She Don't." Despite the recent
collaborations, Slim Thug insists he and LeToya are just friends. "We used
to be together, she was my girlfriend - so I wish her all of the success,"
he told Allhiphop.com. "We ain't tryin' to (go back) though. We did it, you
know - we had good times, but I don't really go backwards you know - I go
forward."
*Harlem, New York will host a temporary hip hop museum and cultural
center during New York City's "Hip Hop Week" in October. The Global Artists
Coalition (GAC) is behind the effort, which will provide underserved young
adults with access to hip hop music, dance and a cultural context to hip hop
music during the month of October, New York City's first annual hip hop
month. The venue, slated to include memorabilia from Salt-n-Pepa, Melle Mel,
Grandmaster Flash and more, will be open from October 12-17 at the Magic
Johnson Theaters in Harlem.
*Eminem will release a new mixtape next month called, "The Re-Up,"
reports hiphopgalaxy. The project, dedicated to his late friend Proof,
includes several songs from the Detroit rapper, including a brand new
single. Guests on "The Re-Up" include Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Obie Trice,
G-Unit, Proof, Akon and more.
*Mario Vazquez, the "American Idol" contestant who quit the fourth
season after making the coveted top 12, will finally drop his self-titled
debut album on Sept. 26 via Arista. The artist told the Chicago Sun-Times
that he has no regrets about leaving the popular Fox show. "It wasn't right
for me," he said. "I wanted to go in a grittier, edgier direction, but
that's not what they wanted." Vazquez just wrapped up a headlining stint on
Teen People's Rock 'N Shop Mall Tour and is preparing to launch his own tour
behind the album, which sports the R&B-flavored first single "Gallery."
CHANNEL SURFING; MAGAZINE FLIPPING: Nicole on 'Tyra'; Justin on 'Letterman'; McGreevey on 'Oprah'; Rihanna in 'Trace.'
*On a new episode of "The Tyra Banks Show" airing Tuesday, Nicole
Richie discusses her weight issues for the hundredth time. She says in some
pictures she "definitely" looks too thin, but insists when she looks in the
mirror, "I think I look okay. …I definitely wouldn't mind gaining a few more
pounds at all. I think that people's weight fluctuates. It happens." Richie
also discusses the paparazzi, stating: "I do not leave my house and if I do,
I go with a group of people. I feel like a prisoner in my own home."
*Justin Timberlake was grilled by David Letterman Tuesday about his
role in Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl. The
question came after a barrage of uncomfortable queries about his
relationship with Cameron Diaz and his reported weed habit. "Now tell me
about the Superbowl thing with Janet Jackson," Dave said, insisting that the
whole boob flash looked intentional. J.T. responded: "I don't think we meant
for it to go like it did. But the actual choreography was obviously planned.
I think it's fair to say that was not a well-thought-out performance."
*As previously reported, former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who
outed himself as "a gay American" in 2004 before resigning, taped an
interview with Oprah Winfrey for an episode to air on her show Sept. 19, the
same day his memoir, "The Confession," hits store shelves. According to the
New York Daily News, Oprah's audience gave McGreevey the cold shoulder. "Not
impressed with him or his story," one woman who declined to give her name
said after she left Harpo Studios. Another woman was put off by McGreevey -
and the subject matter. "It's not my type of show," she said.
*Beyonce's rumored "Ring the Alarm" subject, singer Rihanna, gives
the "Dreamgirls" star a compliment in the new issue of Trace magazine. "I
have always looked up to her. …I don't see why people wouldn't compare me
to her. I must be doing something right."
EVENT CALENDAR: NAACP Image Awards; 'Taste of Ebony' culinary event.
*The 38th NAACP Image Awards has set a date for Friday, March 2,
2007, to air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Recognizing the
artistic achievements of people of color, the ceremony will run from 8 to 10
p.m. ET and air live on FOX. Nominees will be announced early next year.
*Ebony Magazine is hosting "Taste of Ebony," a culinary event in New
York featuring the leading black chefs in the country, New York's finest
black restaurants and black-owned wineries from the state of California.
Star chef Marcus Samuelsson, owner of Aquavit and Riingo restaurants in
Manhattan, will serve as chairperson and culinary advisor of the premier
event taking place at an exclusive Manhattan location, Monday, Oct. 23. The
evening will begin with a tribute to Chef Leah Chase, the 83-year-old
doyenne of black chefs around the world whose 65-year-old landmark
establishment, Dookey Chase Restaurant in New Orleans, suffered severe
damage from Hurricane Katrina. A presentation will also be made to C-CAP
[Careers through Culinary Arts Program], the noted organization that
provides career opportunities in the foodservice industry for underserved
youth through culinary arts education and employment.