ALICIA KEYS TO DONATE $20,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS: But singer says there’s a catch.
*Armed with $20,000 in financial aid waiting to bless college freshmen in need, Grammy-winner Alicia Keys says she wants to help out college students who make a point to help others.
The singer announced Saturday that recipients of her merit-based Open Door Scholarships will have to perform community service each semester in their hometowns. The winners are also expected to represent the Open Door organization – part of Jacksonville-based nonprofit Frum Tha Ground Up started by Keys' road manager, D.J. Walton – at various school appearances.
"It's a reward for students . . . who contribute to make this a better world," Keys said Friday during an announcement. "We can do something to help find those bright minds that need a helping hand. It all adds up."
Keys, a native of New York’s Hell's Kitchen, got the idea for the scholarships while visiting schools during her 2005 tour. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to each of the lucky four chosen from Jacksonville, New Orleans, Atlanta and Keys’ Harlem, NY neighborhood.
"We're just looking for standout students who are definitely college-bound and need a little bit of help financially to really achieve their dreams," Keys said.
BLIGE ADDRESSES MARRIAGE RUMORS IN JET MAGAZINE: Couple was vacationing in Mexico when they heard about the drama.
*Mary J. Blige is featured in the new Jet magazine addressing a round of rumors that has her on the verge of divorcing husband-manager Kendu Isaacs over infidelity.
The singer, nominated for a leading eight Grammy Awards, says she was vacationing with Isaacs in Mexico when she first heard about the rumors.
"I read the page that was on my husband's pager: 'News Flash: Mary J.
Blige and Her Husband Are Getting a Divorce,’” she tells Jet. “I was like, but here we are in Mexico, lying around in the sun having a good time. I said, 'This is crazy.'"
Despite Blige’s denials and the couple’s recent appearance together at the Golden Globes last Monday, the New York Daily News recently quoted a source stating, "it isn't a happy household there right now."
Blige is reportedly blaming former employees for planting false stories about her marriage, explaining: “That's people that come around...
You hire them and then you fire them, and then they're disgruntled and then they start rumors over maybe something, like, they probably seen us having a quick argument or something like that."
Meanwhile, Blige also talks to Jet magazine about her explosive 2006, fueled by the success of her latest album, “The Breakthrough.”
"It's a blessing, that's the truth of the matter," she says of the album’s eight Grammy nods. "That's a beautiful thing that I'm still going.
‘The Breakthrough’ is about triumph, about not being a victim, but being a victor."
ISAIAH WASHINGTON FIRES PUBLICIST: Plus, Shonda Rhimes is now being criticized for being too passive; new petition launched to save Dr. Burke.
*The controversy surrounding Isaiah Washington’s comment backstage at the Golden Globe awards continues to pick up steam, with the actor firing his publicist and gay rights groups stating that his apology Thursday afternoon was “too little too late.”
The latest news in the debacle, reports TV Guide, is Washington’s dismissal of his longtime publicist Cynthia Snyder and hiring of Allen Mayer and Kelly Mullens, who reportedly specialize in crisis management. Mayer has put out fires for the likes of R. Kelly, Tommy Lee and Paula Poundstone, reports TMZ.
Meanwhile, a number of TV critics and gay media Web sites are calling on ABC to fire the “Grey’s Anatomy” star for using the word “faggot” in reference to gay co-star T.R. Knight, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Activist groups are also wondering aloud why the show’s African American creator, Shonda Rhimes, has not done more to diffuse the situation.
"Thanks for the apology, Isaiah (still waiting for yours ABC and Ms.
Rhimes), but it's too little, too late," wrote Michael Jensen for Afterelton.com, a gay media website. "As for ABC, what are these people thinking? Why haven't they fired this joker as of yesterday?"
"Perhaps most disappointing in all this is that 'Grey's' creator Shonda Rhimes, who is to be lauded for the diversity of the show's cast, has never really addressed the use of the epithet head-on," wrote Pittsburgh Post-Gazette TV critic Rob Owen on his newspaper television blog.
As previously reported, an online petition was created last week in support of Washington being axed for his actions (Access it here
http://www.petitiononline.com/fireiwga/.) Inevitably, another online
petition has been launched in an effort to keep the actor in his role as Dr.
Preston Burke. (Access it here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/weluviw/petition.html.)
The controversy didn’t seem to hurt the ratings of “Grey’s Anatomy,”
as Thursday’s episode – with several poignant scenes between Dr. Burke and Knight’s character Dr. George O’Malley – drew 21.9 million viewers to narrowly beat out CBS’ “CSI” (21.3 million).
On Thursday, ABC issued a statement declaring its "great dismay" over Washington's "inappropriate language" and adding that the actor's "actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."
Hours later, Washington released an apology, stating in part: "I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.”
"With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted," continued the statement, issued through Washington's publicist. "I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person."
Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), said he planned to meet face-to-face with Washington early this week.
"He's said that he's sorry and his statement reads sincere; we're going to take that on good faith," Giuliano said. "It's a turning point for him personally, and I'm looking at this as an opportunity to open up a dialogue about bigotry that still very much exists in this country."
OPRAH LEARNS LESSON FROM HALF-SISTER’S BETRAYAL: Host reveals hurt over relative’s tabloid deal.
*Oprah Winfrey is certainly no stranger to attention from the tabloids, but when her own relative was caught selling a personal story about the TV mogul to the biggest rag of all, it proved too much for her to bear.
In the new February issue of her magazine, Winfrey said she cried for three days upon learning that her half-sister, Patricia Lloyd, told the National Enquirer that Winfrey became pregnant at 14 and lost the baby after birth. For the information, the tabloid reportedly paid Lloyd $19,000.
"I felt devastated. Wounded. Betrayed. How could this person do this to me?" Winfrey wrote in her latest edition of “O” magazine.
Winfrey had already confirmed the Enquirer's 1990 report of her teen pregnancy, telling Parade magazine later that year that the baby was born prematurely and died shortly after birth. Her half-sister, who was not named in Winfrey’s column, was reported to have sold the story to the tabloid.
The talk show host now says she learned something from what she calls "that first betrayal." Having the secret out was "liberating" and it allowed her to begin to heal from the sexual abuse she said she experienced as a girl.
She says she hasn't let more recent betrayals in her life bother her as much, although they still feel like "a kick in the gut."
SAMUEL L., KERRY WASHINGTON MULL RACIAL THRILLER: Actors in talks to co-star in Will Smith’s low-budget ‘Lakeview Terrace.’
*It’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” meets “Cape Fear.” A new movie about an LAPD officer who will stop at nothing to force out an interracial couple next door is on the verge of casting Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington in the lead roles.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith will produce the project for Sony's Screen Gems label with James Lassiter, his partner in Sony-based Overbrook Entertainment.
Jackson is in talks to play the cop, while Washington would portray the female half of the interracial couple. The role of her white husband has yet to be cast, and the project is still searching for a director, reports the trade. Shooting is scheduled to begin in May in Los Angeles.
Jackson's upcoming films include director Craig Brewer's "Black Snake Moan." Washington is currently in theaters with "The Last King of Scotland."
NAOMI CAMPBELL TO REPRESENT RIO ABROAD: Violent-prone city chooses violent-prone supermodel as ambassador.
*Embattled former supermodel Naomi Campbell has been appointed ambassador for the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro…just three days after she pleaded guilty to smashing a cell phone into the head of her former housekeeper.
"She has an image that is the face of Rio de Janeiro, she could represent it abroad like nobody else," Mayor Cesar Maia said on the city's official Web site.
Campbell, 36, told the mayor that she hopes to use her new position to help raise money for the poor, which makes up about 15% of the city’s 6.5 million multi-cultural citizens.
As previously reported, Campbell was sentenced Tuesday to five days of community service for third-degree assault during a dispute with her former maid Ana Scolavino over a pair of jeans. She was ordered to pay the woman’s
$363 medical bill and attend anger management classes.
Rio de Janeiro, one of the most violent cities in the world, has asked the government to send federal troops to stop the growing gang violence. On Wednesday, a former Miss Brazil had to undergo surgery on her hand after being attacked outside a Rio fashion show, reports Reuters.
THE CW LOVES THEM SOME ‘CHRIS’: Network extends show through 2008.
*Fans of “Everybody Hates Chris” can relax. The CW announced Friday that the sitcom has received an early full pickup order for the 2007-2008 broadcast season.
“Under the creative guidance of Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi and performances from an incredibly talented cast, ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ has consistently proven itself to be one of the best comedies on television,”
said Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, at the network’s Winter Press Tour session in Pasadena. “Producing one great episode after another, this is a show that we want viewers to associate with The CW. We couldn’t be happier to bring it back for another season."
"Everybody Hates Chris" – executive produced and narrated by Chris Rock and based on his childhood in Brooklyn – averages a 1.0 rating with
2.92 million viewers for the CW, tying for 159th among this season's broadcast TV shows. It averaged 4.26 million viewers last season when it was on UPN, which merged with The WB to form the CW.
The series stars Tyler James Williams (“Unaccompanied Minors”) as Chris, Terry Crews (“The Longest Yard”) as Julius, Tichina Arnold (“Martin”) as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond (“Ray”) as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella (“Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo”) as Greg.
SERENA, BLAKE ON FIRE AT THE AUSSIE OPEN: Plus, Williams plans film about tennis idol Althea Gibson.
*Borrowing a line from VH1, this has got to be the best week ever for tennis star Serena Williams.
Having missed most of last season with a knee injury, no one expected the tennis star to make a dent at the Australian Open. After all, her world ranking had dropped to No. 95 at the close of 2006, thus requiring her to enter the tournament as a “floatie” – Williams’ nickname for an unseeded wildcard.
But Venus’ little sister has slugged her way through rounds one, two and three with thrilling victories over seeded players – and now finds herself in the quarterfinals after defeating 11th seeded Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday.
"It was absolutely sensational ... I just play some of my best tennis here," said Williams, who had 31 winners and dropped serve only once. "I'm on the right track — I like being a dangerous floatie."
With defending champion Amelie Mauresmo and No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova gone from the tournament in upsets, Williams has a good chance of taking the women’s title – which she won in 2003 against Venus and 2005 against Lindsay Davenport.
Fifth seeded James Blake is also moving swiftly through the men’s bracket of the Australian Open, having beaten close friend Robby Ginepri Saturday 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-2. He is scheduled to face 10th-ranked Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in a fourth round match today at 11 a.m. Aussie time.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams is making similar power moves off the court, as she is hoping to produce a film about the life of tennis pioneer Althea Gibson.
She told reporters in Melbourne last week: "I think Althea Gibson has a great story ... we're working on a script right now. I think she had a great life, and I just think she's a little bit overlooked.
"You've got this US Open, you've got the Arthur Ashe court, and Arthur Ashe is a great guy, and it was my lifelong dream when I met him. Then you have the Louis Armstrong Center and the center being named after Billie Jean King who, again, I always admired Billy and she's someone that I love.
"But I just feel sometimes that Althea Gibson, who did so much for people like me to play this sport, and she was the first, before even Arthur Ashe, and I just think it will be a great story to tell.”
Williams said she would not star in the film, and “definitely won't be directing it. Hopefully I can produce it," she said.
EUR DVD REVIEW: This Film Is Not Yet Rated
DVD Exposes Hypocrisy of Hollywood Rating System
by Kam Williams
*The clandestine organization entrusted with deciding whether a film warrants a G, PG, PG-13, R or NC-17 is the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
This anonymous group of nine individuals wields an incredible amount of influence, because their decisions essentially determine who will be allowed to see a picture, which in turn influences whether or not it will even end up in theaters.
Because Kirby Dick noticed that very similar flicks often fared different fates after being screened by the MPAA, he decided to do some digging to get to the bottom of the discrepancies. The results of his investigation are contained in this damning documentary which exposes the MPAA as a thinly-veiled arm of the handful of Hollywood studios which have come to dominate the industry.
Relying on the assistance of a couple of ruthless private investigators who employed every trick in the trade (including stakeouts, stalking, digging through trash, hidden cameras and other undercover work), Dick determined the identities of the ratings board.
While neither recently-retired MPAA President Jack Valenti, nor any of the current members of the gang of nine was willing to explain the methods involved in arriving at a movie's ratings, maverick directors like John Waters, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone and Atom Egoyan do make appearances here to talk about how the ratings are rigged in favor of pictures produced by the industry conglomerates, while they simultaneously suppress work created outside of the studio system.
We also learn that gruesome violence garners only an R, while graphic sexuality generally gets an NC-17. And gay-themed content is likely to be censored to a greater degree than nudity and carnality found in a similar straight adventure. Overall, a fascinating expose' which convincingly conveys the idea that the MPAA screening process ought to be open to public scrutiny.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated NC-17 for graphic sexual content.
Running time: 97 minutes
Studi Genius Productions
LAURENCE FISHBURNE BETS ON COLUMBIA’S ‘21’: Actor close to cashing in on Vegas thriller.
*While preparing for his first baby with wife/actress Gina Torres, Laurence Fishburne is close to booking himself some more film work – a new movie set in the world of Las Vegas casinos.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the actor is in final negotiations to star in “21,” a thriller based on Ben Mezrich's best-seller, "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions." Fishburne will play a Vegas security chief who hunts down the group.
Among the film’s co-stars are Jim Sturgess, Masi Oka and Kevin Spacey, who also serves as a co-producer alongside Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca.
Production is scheduled to begin next month in Boston and Las Vegas with director Robert Luketic (Monster-in-Law).
BOX OFFICE COMPETITION STOMPED FOR SECOND WEEK: Stepping film remains at No.
1 ; ‘Dreamgirls’ moves up to No. 3.
*The stepping film “Stomp” continues its reign at the box office with ticket sales of $13.3 million over the weekend – narrowly beating second place family comedy “Night at the Museum” and its draw of $13 million.
“Stomp,” which cost about $14 million to make, has earned $41.6 million after 10 days, and is on track to reach $60 million, said the Sony Corp-owned studio. "Stomp" stars actor-dancer Columbus Short as a college student who vies for the affections of a girl (Meagan Good) by entering a "stepping" competition.
Meanwhile, the Golden Globe-winning “Dreamgirls” moves up one to No.
3 over the weekend with $8.7 million in ticket sales, while Will Smith’s drama "The Pursuit of Happyness" dropped two to No. 5 with $6.7 million.
“Happyness,” about the true story of a homeless father who battles all odds to become a Wall Street tycoon, has so far has amassed $145.6 million.
JAMES BROWN’S BODY MOVED TO UNDISCLOSED SPOT: Plus, TMZ finds copy of late singer’s will.
*The body of soul legend James Brown was reportedly transported Thursday from a guarded room at his Beech Island, S.C. mansion to an undisclosed location, reports the Associated Press.
Buddy Dallas, the late entertainer's estate trustee, confirms that the body was moved from the climate controlled room where it had been since Dec. 30. Dallas would not give a reason for the transfer, and said a decision has yet to be made on the singer’s final resting place.
As previously reported, Brown's six adult children are planning to put the body in a mausoleum, and are hoping to seek advice from Elvis Presley’s family on turning Brown’s home into a museum like Graceland, which attracts 600,000 visitors each year.
Meanwhile, TMZ.com has obtained a copy of Brown’s will, which does not contain the names of his longtime partner Tomi Rae Hynie or their 5-year-old son James Brown Jr.
According to the Web site, the will leaves his six other children "furniture, appliances, furnishings, pictures, silverware, china, glass, books, jewelry, wearing apparel, boats, automobiles, and other vehicles..."
Hynie is expected to contest the will, which was signed by the Godfather of Soul in 2000.
CLIPSE TO ROCK SEAGRAM'S LIVE 2007 MUSIC TOUR: Eighth anniversary of concert series to benefit New Orleans.
*Rap duo the Clipse are set to perform at a special preview of Seagram's Live 2007 Music Tour on January 24 at New York's Webster Hall.
Presented annually by Seagram's Gin, Seagram's Live 2007 will feature the rap act as headliners with other platinum-selling recording artists and stars-in-the-making, to be announced soon.
The month-long, 11-city Seagram's Live 2007 tour is set to launch April 7 in Memphis, with stops at leading nightclubs and hotspots in New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham, Jackson, Detroit, Washington, DC, New York, Fort Bragg and Tampa, concluding in Miami on April 29.
Continuing the Seagram's Live tradition of supporting community issues such as housing, job training and adult education, Seagram's Live 2007 will raise funds to benefit the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
A major highlight of the tour is the exclusive Seagram's Live Diamonds & Ice Contest that will enable one lucky winner to receive an all-expense paid trip to a performance of their choice, as well as a custom piece of diamond jewelry, valued at $25,000.
The contest will run for two weeks in mid-March; adults 21 and over may enter by logging on to www.SeagramsGin.com beginning in mid-March.
SEAGRAM’S LIVE 2007 TOUR SCHEDULE
(Dates and Venues Subject to Change)
4/7 Memphis (Plush)
4/8 New Orleans (House of Blues)
4/12 Atlanta (Earthlink Live)
4/13 Birmingham (Platinum Nightclub)
4/14 Jackson )Free Lons Groove)
4/20 Detroit (Club Visions)
4/21 Washington D.C. (930 Club)
4/26 NYC (BB King's)
4/27 Fort (Bragg Sports USA)
4/28 Tampa (Club Skye)
4/29 Miami (TBD)
MAN’S BIGGIE-RELATED LAWSUIT TOSSED: Tyruss Himes tried to sue Fox station and XXL for linking him to rapper’s murder.
*A man accusing Fox’s KTTV-TV and XXL magazine of falsely linking him to the unsolved murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G. has had his case thrown out by a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, the lawsuit of Tyruss Himes was dismissed on grounds that the stories were constitutionally protected free speech, reports the AP. The judge added that Himes had failed to prove that the media outlets acted with malice and reckless disregard for the truth, which is the standard of proof in defamation cases, said Himes' attorney, Arthur G.
Lesmez.
"We are appreciative of the time and effort the court put into reviewing the case," Lesmez told AP Friday. "We're understandably disappointed in the decision and we're evaluating all of our options,"
including appeal or refiling the case.
The March 9, 1997 shooting death of B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, is rumored to have been a retaliatory move in response to the unsolved 1996 killing of his rival, Tupac Shakur, in Las Vegas.
Himes, a friend of Shakur who performed on his album "Loyal to the Game,” was named in the KTTV report as being involved in Biggie’s murder; and singled out in a 2005 XXL article as being “involved in assembling the team" that murdered the rap star in Los Angeles.
Himes’ July lawsuit against Fox and XXL claimed that he lost a record deal as a result of being mentioned in the two reports.
TIMBALAND AIDS BJORK; KANYE TEAMS WITH COLDPLAY: Producers go outside the box with upcoming projects.
*The eclectic singer Bjork, who made headlines when she wore a goose dress to the 2001 Oscars, has enlisted hip hop producer Timbaland to work on her new album; while Kanye West borrows a page from Jay-Z and links with Chris Martin of the alternative group, Coldplay.
Billboard reports that Timbaland will follow up his Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake successes in 2006 with behind-the-boards work for the Icelandic pop star, who will follow-up 2004’s “Medulla” with the as-yet-untitled set, due later this year.
Meanwhile, West tells Billboard that he has already hit the studio with Martin to record “Homecoming,” tipped to be the first release from the rapper’s follow-up to “Late Registration.”
Martin has also teamed with rapper Jay-Z for the song “Beach Chair” on Jigga’s 2006 album, “Kingdom Come.”
West’s project, “Graduation,” is tentatively due for release later this year.
EUR FILM REVIEW: Alone with Her
Voyeuristic Pervert Stalks Stranger in Taut Psychological Thriller
By Kam Williams
*In this Electronic Age when advances in technology allow for any amateur sleuth to purchase surveillance equipment such as a microscopic video camera, what's to prevent someone with evil intentions from also availing himself of sophisticated, state-of-the-art gadgetry?
This is just the premise presented in Alone with Her, where we meet a demented loner named Doug (Colin Hanks), who devotes his days to videotaping unsuspecting women, whether down their bikini cleavage as they tan on the beach, or up their skirts as they perambulate down the street.
The plot thickens as soon as the obsessive-compulsive pervert fixates on Amy Ruis (Ana Claudia Talancon'), an attractive Latina he follows home from walking her dog. Then, while she's busy at work, he picks the lock on her apartment door and secretly installs hidden cameras around the place, in her bathroom and bedroom, so that he can observe her at intimate moments in a state of undress.
Besides getting off on watching her disrobe, he eavesdrops to learn her taste in music and movies. This info he puts to use when he strikes up a conversation during a "chance encounter" at the coffee shop she frequents regularly. Believing that she has a lot in common with the charming, ingratiating stranger, she unwittingly befriends him, especially since her relationship with Matt (Jonathon Trent) doesn't seem to be panning out.
Unfortunately, after Amy agrees to date Doug, he gets virtually unlimited access to her life, and she becomes even more of an object of fascination for the kinky sicko. What she doesn't understand is that he is more a voyeur who would rather spy on her than behave like a boyfriend who enjoys spending time with her in person.
Thus, this invasion of privacy scenario is the frightening picture presented by Alone with Her, written and directed by Eric Nicholas. Shot from the scary perspective of the master manipulator as capably played by Tom Hanks' son, Colin, it's a terminally-claustrophic, psychological thriller which remains riveting from start to finish. More notably, the film marks the English-speaking debut of Mexican movie star Ana Claudia Talancon' who delivers a praiseworthy performance, given that as Amy she was asked to carry so many scenes alone.
A plausible, if relentlessly-disturbing, cautionary tale about how easy it might be for a deranged maniac to worm his way into your good graces.
Very Good (2.5 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 78 minutes
Studi IFC First Take
MUSIC BITS: Akon’s ‘Konvicted’; Sam Moore’s ‘Rain’; Q-Tip’s comeback album.
*Akon’s current album, “Konvicted,” has been certified platinum by the RIAA just five weeks after its release. The disc debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart at the end of November, and has recently regained the No. 2 spot and has remained there for three weeks in a row. Check for Akon as he performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on, February 10, 2007.
*Grammy nominated legend Sam Moore was flying home last Wednesday night after taping "Emeril Live" the day before in New York City and missed seeing and hearing his duet with Fantasia, “Blame it on the Rain,” featured on the “American Idol” episode emanating from Seattle. "Overnight Sensational" – Moore's first solo album in years, produced entirely by “Idol” judge Randy Jackson – also includes guest appearances by Travis Tritt and other Sam fans, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Vince Gill and Mariah Carey.
*Q-Tip is ready to make a full return to music with the upcoming spring release of "The Renaissance," his new studio album for Universal Motown. The former member of A Tribe Called Quest tells Billboard that the project will feature music from a band, but not just musicians playing their respective instruments. "I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos,"
he tells Billboard. "In that sense this record feels like we're moving in a new direction ... something hip-hop should do."
GOLDEN GLOBE RESIDUE: Whitaker booked for ‘TV One on One’; Diddy turned away from afterparty; ‘Extra’s’ Tanika Ray mistaken for J-Hud?
*Golden Globe winner Forest Whitaker joins host Cathy Hughes for an all-new “TV One on One” interview premiering Sunday, Jan. 28 at 9 p.m. The actor will discuss his controversial portrayal of the “kinder, gentler” Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland” during the episode, which repeats Jan.
28 at midnight.
*Sean “Diddy” Combs was not on the list for a Golden Globe afterparty at the Sunset Tower, and was reportedly forced to stand by and watch as other stars, like “The Queen’s” Helen Mirren, breeze in without incident.
According to a witness quoted by the New York Post, Diddy became "verbally abusive and started yelling at security." Hotel owner Jeff Klein came out and "kindly asked Puffy to leave." Combs reportedly snapped back: "What are you going to do - call the police?" Klein said, "Yes!" Combs shouted back, "Just try it - I'll spend the rest of my life hunting you down." TMZ.com has video of the snub here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid428900706
*While covering the Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton hotel, “Extra”
correspondent Tanika Ray thinks Brad Pitt may have mistaken her for Jennifer Hudson when he kissed her in the lobby following Hudson’s supporting actress win and said, “Congratulations.” "I assumed he was congratulating me on getting one of the only interviews with [him and Angelina] on the red carpet," Ray, who is lighter-skinned and more petite than Hudson, told the New York Post. "But honestly, I didn't know why Brad Pitt kissed me on the cheek. It's Brad Pitt kissing me on the cheek! Honey, I could care less why."
ITTY BITTY GOSSIP: Halle’s rules; Whitney’s swimsuit; Richie and Jacobs; scary Sharpton; T.I. & Tiny expecting.
*An Orange County painting company hired to enhance cabinets in Halle Berry’s L.A. crib for $57,000 has reportedly been ordered not to speak to the actress without being spoken to first. According to TMZ, the contract also states that any worker is prohibited to approach Berry while in the home or on the premises.
*In the midst of her fling with Ray-J, Whitney Houston reportedly found time recently to purchase a blue Eres two-piece swimsuit (size small) at the trendy West Hollywood boutique, Le Bra Lingerie, which set her back about $430.
*Lionel Richie is reportedly dating local Las Vegas news anchor Alicia Jacobs. The former Miss Nevada was reportedly the singer’s date for his New Year's Eve concert and celebration at the Venetian resort in Sin City, tabloids report. According to the National Enquirer, the couple met years ago when Jacobs interviewed Richie for her gig at KVBC News 3. Both were married at the time, however Richie remained close to Jacobs and contacted her last year after learning she, like him, had become single.
*The New York Post’s Page Six reports that Al Sharpton “threw a scare into his neighbors at tony Carlton House on Madison Avenue, where his pad is being painted.” A source told the column: "He was given another apartment in which to sleep. At 7:30 a.m., he was seen walking out of that apartment with his hair all crazy wearing a T-shirt and slacks, and holding pairs of underwear while returning to his apartment." A Sharpton spokeswoman called the story "ridiculous,” laughing: "You are kidding, right? His hair is always coiffed, even when he sleeps."
*Atlanta-based writer Sandra Rose reports on her Web site that rapper T.I and former Xscape singer Tameka “Tiny” Cottle are engaged and expecting a second child. Rose confirmed the news with Tiny’s mother Diane, and has also said a wedding between the two artists may take place in July.
SPORTS BITS: O.J.’s offer to Goldman; Tiger’s impending cub; Laila Ali to take a break following Feb bout.
*O.J. Simpson says he wants to offer the father of murder victim Ronald Goldman a “percentage” of any future earnings if he will just agree to stop suing him at every turn. "Fred Goldman needs to get rid of the anger and deal with this as a business deal. Let's talk hard dollars and percentages," said attorney Ronald Slates, who is representing Simpson against the Goldman family's bid to seize his money from his scrapped book “If I Did It” and future earnings. A civil jury in 1997 found Simpson responsible for killing Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the victims' heirs. "I should get over the anger? And forget his murdering client took the life of my son? He must be out of his damn mind," Fred Goldman told the New York Daily News. "No way in hell I'd enter into a business arrangement that benefits him [Simpson]. He belongs on a gurney with a needle in his arm to end his life.”
*In a posting to his Web site, Tiger Woods said he may wait until his child is born to discover whether it’s a boy or a girl. "Finding out that I'm going to become a father this summer feels pretty darn great,"
Woods wrote. "Elin and I don't know whether we're going to have a boy or a girl and we're debating whether to find out. As long as it's healthy, that's the main thing." Woods added: "We're not even close to picking a name." The golf phenom did not disclose when the baby is due.
*Undefeated female boxing champ Laila Ali (23-0, 20 KOs), ranked No. 1 in the world among middleweights, will defend her title on Feb. 3 in Capetown, South Africa against Gwendolyn O'Neill (12-4-1, seven KOs) of Guyana. The famous daughter of Muhammad Ali has also just completed a workout video with former boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard that's due out in April. After her fight next month, Ali plans to take a break from the sport to start a family with fiancé Curtis Conway, a former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, reports USA Today.
EVENT CALENDAR: Miami’s ‘Jazz in the Gardens’; ‘One Stop Shop Conference’ in Phoenix; no Neville Bros. at New Orleans Jazz Fest; Oscar nominations.
*The City of Miami Gardens "Jazz in the Gardens" festival is back for its second consecutive year and has expanded to a two-day event, Saturday March 24 and Sunday 25 at Dolphin Stadium, home of the 2007 and 2010 Super Bowls. Confirmed artists include India Arie, Sergio Mendes, Boney James, Will Downing, Paquito D' Rivera, Luciano with special guest Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band, Pieces of a Dream and The Othello Molineaux Quartet with more top name artists still being added. Tickets on sale Monday January 22nd, 2007 through Ticketmaster and at the Dolphin Stadium Box Office. For more information about the event visit:
www.jazzinthegardens.com or call the event hotline at: 305-622-8043.
*G-Unit Exec, and Money Management Group CEO Michael "Sha Money XL"
Clervoix partners with G-Unit, and Allhiphop to present the One Stop Shop Conference, dedicated to the sound architects behind today's biggest hits:
producers. The two-day event geared towards aspiring producers will run from February 10 - 11, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, AZ (located @
122 N. 2nd St. -- 602-252-1234). Workshops will focus on aspects of the music business relevant to would-be and working producers including A&R ("Finding the Next Big Producers: A&R"), publishing ("Learning Music Publishing Basics") and management ("Finding Artist Management and Representation"), to studio equipment ("Studio Equipment & the Art of
Sound") and production ("Art of Production"). The conference will culminate with the One Stop Shop Beat Battle Final Round, where two finalists will compete for artist representation from Money Management. To enter the contest, register for the conference and send beats via MP3 and registration code to Beats4Battle@gmail.com. For More Info Call -- 516.626.0747
*For the second time in more than a decade, the Neville Brothers will not perform as the closing act for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in their beloved hometown due to Aaron Neville’s concerns about aggravating his asthma, festival producer Quint Davis told AP Friday. At the time organizers needed confirmation of his participation, Neville was also dealing with the illness and eventual death of his wife, Joel Roux-Neville, to lung cancer, Davis said. "They'll be back," Davis assured to AP. "People should not think the Nevilles will not come back to New Orleans. They will be back." Harry Connick Jr. has been tapped to close the festival, to take place Apr. 27 through May 6.
Oscar nominations will be announced tomorrow morning at 5:38 a.m. PST in Beverly Hills, and winners will be announced at the 79th annual Academy Awards on February 25.
NAJEE ALI TO TALK ABOUT HARBOR GATEWAY GANG TRUCE: Activist to be a guest today on Stevie Wonder’s station, KJLH.
*Project Islamic Hope director Najee Ali, whose recent efforts have helped to broker a truce between black and Latino gang members in Los Angeles’ Harbor Gateway, will be a guest this morning on a local radio station owned by Stevie Wonder.
Ali will discuss what needs to happen in the immediate days and weeks following Monday night’s (Jan. 15) cease fire during an interview on the program Front Page, which airs 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. on 102.3 Radio Free KJLH, or via the internet at 102.3 Radio Free KJLH.
Ali is calling on politicians and community members to turn their energies toward creating jobs, developing a youth mentoring program, building a recreation center and more.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the truce follows years of intimidating violence that kept Latinos and African Americans on their respective sides of an invisible border for fear of violent retribution.
Two Latino gang members have been charged with the Dec. 15th killing of 14-year-old middle schooler Cheryl Green at 206th Street and Harvard Blvd. Police, who have called the incident a hate crime, said she was shot because she was black and standing on the border that separates a primarily Latino neighborhood north of 206th Street with a primarily black neighborhood to the south.
Ten days earlier, 34-year-old Latino chef Arturo Mercado Ponce was shot and killed. No arrests have been made in that case.
Ali said an agreement between black and Latino gang reps was to be signed Thursday outside a market that blacks do not patronize because they are afraid to walk there. Latinos and blacks had planned to walk together in unity through the community following the signing.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Going Through Rough Times
Jewel Diamond Taylor
When people are going through tough times, they often go underground and become missing in action. They don't want to be seen. They don't answer the phone. They place themselves on lock down because of the shame, stress and overwhelming burdens. In recent months I have seen an increase in the number of people who are taking care of their parents or children with declining health issues. They feel isolated and burdened.
It can be difficult to turn things around in your life and recover after divorce, financial setbacks, illness or long periods of unemployment. Some people can recover and bounce back quickly and for some it may take months and even years to fully recover from dramatic life changes.
Your past poor choices or circumstances beyond your control can really shake your confidence and faith. Unfortunately, bad things do happen to good people. But only the strong survive. Instead of hiding with shame, stress and embarrassment, make that u-turn in your life.
Take your life back. Dream again. Believe again. Plan again. Pray again.
Live again. Reach out to others. Come out of your cave of isolation and depression. Be optimistic and keep pressin on. Where you are now is not your place of destiny. Go and take your life back --- your joy --- your faith, your health --- your wealth --- your purpose --- your blessings. Begin to tell yourself that something great is about to happen. Claim that this will be your breakthrough year. Know right now that God's goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Conquer the habit of procrastination and know that anything is possible with faith and action."
SAVE THE DATES to hear Jewel Diamond Taylor speak:
Jan 27 - Virginia - Super GOAL Saturday Seminar Feb 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Pan African Film Festival Feb 13 - Wash D. C. - U. S. Secret Service Black History Program Feb 17 - Lawndale, CA - Youth Empowerment Conference Luezinger High School Feb 20 - Albuquerque, N. M. - Dept of Energy Black History Program Feb 22 - Irvine, CA - F.D.A. Black History Program March 3 - Greenbelt, MD - Women on the Grow and Positive Women Uniting Presents "Living Your Life Like It's Golden Luncheon"
March 21 - Columbia, MD - Celebration Church, Women's Conference March 24 - Whole Woman Conference, Turf Valley Resort (near Baltimore, MD)
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Jan. 22: Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 42. Singer Marc Gay of Shai is 38. Singer Kelton Kessee of Immature is 26.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Looking for a site with a good, uplifting message and beautiful visuals? Then click on http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/
Submit your favorite website to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Jan. 22, 1800: Leader of the Virgina slave revolt, Nat Turner, was
born. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)