LA TIMES WRITER DEFENDS TUPAC ARTICLE: Chuck Philips says he has two more articles on the subject coming soon. [Watch interview here.]
*Los Angeles Times writer Chuck Philips, whose article last weekend suggested that Sean "Diddy" Combs and the Notorious B.I.G. had prior knowledge of the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur, stands firmly behind his allegations despite a statement from Diddy claiming the report is untrue.
During a live chat Tuesday (March 18) on LATimes.com, Philips also reiterated that Biggie was in Nevada at the time of Shakur's 1996 murder in Las Vegas, according to unidentified sources. He also said that Diddy's Bad Boy camp provided insufficient evidence that the rapper (real name:
Christopher Wallace) was in New Jersey at the time of Shakur's death. [View interview here:
http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhh3AOa4I1B57C4u9F]
"It has never been proven that Christopher Wallace was not in Las Vegas on the night Tupac was shot," Philips said. "Bad Boy produced some computer-generated documents purporting to place him in a recording studio in New York, but they were not time-stamped. Bad Boy said it was going to produce video of Biggie there. They never did that. I have since learned that federal officials conducted interviews in Las Vegas to determine whether Wallace was present. My sources were there and say he and other East Coast figures were in Las Vegas on the night the Southside Crips killed Tupac."
Philips, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for beat reporting, also revealed he would publish two more related stories by the end of the year, although he didn't specify the topics. One is believed to be a report on who is responsible for the death of the Notorious B.I.G.
VH1 ADDS VIVICA FOX TO REALITY SLATE: Actress to host search for next great celebrity stylist.
*VH1 has gotten into the Vivica A. Fox business with a new competition show that searches for the next great celebrity stylist.
"Glam God With Vivica A. Fox," due to premiere this summer, will feature contestants vying to become a stylist to the stars through their talents in three key elements of fashion - hair, make-up and wardrobe.
Each week the hopefuls will compete in various challenges designed to test their knowledge of fashion and style trends as they create the perfect look from head to toe. Those who fall short will have their style license revoked and be sent packing. The lone remaining stylist will win a chance to style an A-list celebrity and receive $100,000.
"Vivica is a movie star and a fashion icon who knows how to step onto the red carpet and nail it every single time," said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. "Her instincts are impeccable and she knows how critical it is to have a 'glam god' she can trust to create a star-making killer look. We are thrilled that we have her vision and insights to drive this show."
DONATELLA'S CUPID MOVE LEADS TO BERRY BABY: Designer talks about the infamous Versace photo shoot where Halle first met Gabriel.
*Donatella Versace can take full credit for the birth of Nahla Ariela Aubry. After all, it was the designer who first introduced the baby's parents to each other at a 2005 photo shoot for her brand and insisted that they go on a date.
"Of course, I was at the [photo] shoot when they met," she told People, referring to actress Halle Berry and model Gabriel Aubrey. "I know him very well. I pushed a little bit. I said, 'Why don't you go out together.' I said it in front of them. It went well at the shoot."
The couple immediately hit it off, she said Tuesday at the launch of Versace Menswear at Barney's New York. "It was a moment when both of them were single. And they are both such nice people."
Versace said she has yet to lay eyes on little Nahla, but believes the child is nothing short of "fantastic looking. I cannot imagine a better looking baby than this one."
GAME GOES STRAIGHT FROM JAIL TO STUDIO: New track "Big Dreams' recorded the day after his early release.
*On the heels of his release from prison last week, The Game spent last Wednesday in a recording studio with producers Cool & Dre to lay down a track called "Big Dreams." By the weekend, it had found its way to the Internet.
"Right now, he's like 'Pac," Dre told MTV News the day after the track was recorded. "It's like when 'Pac came outta prison and did 'California Love' that same night.
"Lyrically, he's somewhere else right now," the producer added.
Tapped to be the first single from his upcoming album "L.A.X," due in June, "Big Dreams" includes the lines: "Irv Gotti know I'mma murderer/ Half of the n---as beefing with me I never heard of them/ If I was the old me I would murder them/ Matter fact, if I was the old me, I would Curtis them."
The recording session with Dre & Cool also birthed the "L.A.X."
tracks "Make the World Go 'Round" and "Red Magic."
"When he was going to jail ... he said he didn't know how long he's gonna be going in for," Dre told MTV. "But he was like, 'When I come out, I'm ready to go.' So the day he got out, we got the phone call, like, 'Yo, come to L.A. right now.' So me and Cool jumped on the plane."
After serving eight days of a scheduled 60-day jail sentence at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, the rapper was released on March 9 due to overcrowding.
MINGHELLA PRAISES JILL SCOTT IN VOGUE: Next issue includes props from late director for his lead actress in 'No. 1 Ladies.'
*An upcoming Vogue magazine article touting Jill Scott as Hollywood's next big thing features kind words from Anthony Minghella, the late director of her upcoming HBO pilot "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."
The Oscar winner died Tuesday of a hemorrhage at London's Charing Cross Hospital following an operation last week for a growth in his neck.
In the article appearing in next month's Vogue, Minghella says of his lead actress: "She is extremely stellar. I think she can be a real star."
Scott portrays Botswana detective Precious Ramotswe in the upcoming flick based on a series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.
BANNED 'BOONDOCKS' EPISODES AIR IN CANADA: 'Hunger Strike' and 'Ruckus Reality Show' clips run on country's Teletoon channel.
*The Canadian Press is reporting that two episodes of Aaron McGruder's Cartoon Network strip "The Boondocks" that were pulled from the schedule for content are currently airing north of the border on Canada's Teletoon channel.
The episode "The Huey Freeman Hunger Strike" aired last Sunday (View entire episode here:
http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh0t82i2XBg7IFpivh),
while "The Ruckus Reality Show" will be featured this coming Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on the network's adult-themed "Detour" programming block.
As previously reported, the two episodes in question were pulled by the Turner Cable-owned Cartoon Network because of its brutal bashing of BET.
BET's CEO, Debra Lee, is depicted in "Hunger Strike" as "Debra Lee-vil," a sinister Dr. Evil clone who kills underlings and rants about creating a network "that would accomplish what hundreds of years of slavery, Jim Crow and malt liquor couldn't - the destruction of black people."
BET entertainment president Reggie Hudlin - once a "Boondocks"
executive producer - is depicted as Dr. Lee-vil's Harvard-educated lieutenant whose bright idea is to steal five-year-old reality show ideas from MTV and graft them onto the BET brand.
WE REMEMBER IVAN DIXON: Actor known for role on 'Hogan's Heroes' dies at age 76.
*Actor, director and producer Ivan Dixon, best known for his role as Kinchloe on the 1960s television series "Hogan's Heroes," died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a hemorrhage and of complications from kidney failure. He was 76.
Dixon's acting career was launched on Broadway in such plays as "The Cave Dwellers" and "A Raisin in the Sun." On film, he appeared in "Something of Value," "A Raisin in the Sun," "A Patch of Blue," "Nothing But a Man" and the cult favorite "Car Wash."
His most famous role was U.S. Staff Sgt. James Kinchloe on TV's "Hogan's Heroes," a satire set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. Kinchloe, in charge of electronic communications, could mimic German officers on the radio or phone.
Actor Sidney Poitier said he befriended Dixon when the actor worked as his stunt double in the 1958 movie "The Defiant Ones."
"As an actor, you had to be careful," Poitier said in a statement.
"He was quite likely to walk off with the scene."
Dixon earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the CBS Playhouse special "The Final War of Olly Winter." The actor also directed hundreds of episodic shows, including "The Waltons," "The Rockford Files,"
"Magnum, P.I." and "In the Heat of the Night."
Born April 6, 1931, in New York City, Dixon graduated in 1954 from North Carolina Central University in Durham. His honors include four NAACP Image Awards, the National Black Theatre Award and the Paul Robeson Pioneer Award from the Black American Cinema Society.
In addition to his daughter Doris Nomathande Dixon, survivors include his wife of 53 years, Berlie Dixon of Charlotte, and a son, Alan Kimara Dixon of Oakland, Calif. Two sons, Ivan Nathaniel Dixon IV and N'Gai Christopher Dixon, died previously. At Dixon's request, the family said, no memorial or funeral is planned.
CITY COUNCIL WANTS KWAME KILPATRICK TO RESIGN: Vote goes 7-1 in favor of his removal; Mayor says it's irrelevant.
*The Detroit City Council voted Tuesday to call for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s resignation in the wake of his embarrassing text-message scandal.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the vote was 7-1 in favor of urging the politician to step down.
Kilpatrick has dismissed the nonbinding resolution as irrelevant and vowed not to resign, according to the newspaper. A last-minute change to the resolution struck language calling for the council’s independent attorney, Bill Goodman to “explore the proceedings by which the mayor may be removed from office” if Kilpatrick stands by his promise to stay in office.
The resolution cites 33 reasons for Kilpatrick to quit, including failing to inform the council of a secret deal the mayor made to settle a whistleblower lawsuit and an accusation that he “repeatedly obfuscates the truth.” It also claims his administration has failed to govern effectively, noting widespread street light outages and mandatory audits getting turned in late.
It also says: “There is an overwhelming and growing sentiment amongst citizens of Detroit that the City Council should stand firm against Mayor Kilpatrick and seek his resignation.”
Responding to the resolution during an appearance at Wayne County Community College's east-side campus, Kilpatrick told reporters: "My reaction is, OK, now since it's over, it has no effect, it's not binding, let's get back to work."
OPRAH'S HARPO INKS DEAL WITH KIRSTIE ALLEY: Future project with the studio unclear for now.
*Kirstie Alley is now officially part of the Oprah Winfrey machine.
The actress, who has been a frequent guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show,"
signed a development deal with Oprah's Harpo Prods. for as-yet-unnamed television projects.
According to Variety, Harpo is considering a daily talk show to be hosted by the former "Cheers" star, who recently resigned from her gig as spokeswoman for the weight loss company Jenny Craig.
"I'm very open with what I've been through in my own personal life, and nothing -- I mean nothing -- is off-limits for me to talk about," Alley said. "And I won't lie -- I live a beautiful life. So I hope to bring those elements together to offer something totally fresh for the television audience."
In addition to having her kitchen famously remodeled by Oprah regular Nate Berkus on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Alley also made headlines for a November 2006 appearance in which she wore a bikini to flaunt her 75-pound weight loss.
NIECY NASH TO STAR IN HER OWN SITCOM: Fox green-lights project written and exec-produced by 'Arrested Development' vet.
*Actress Niecy Nash, best known for her role as the healthy-bottomed cop Raineesha Williams on Comedy Central's "Reno 911," will topline a comedy pilot for Fox titled "The Inn."
The storyline is described by the Hollywood Reporter as an updated version of the British drama "Upstairs/Downstairs" set at a hip New York hotel.
The multi-camera project, written and executive produced by "Arrested Development" executive story editor Abraham Higginbotham, comes from 20th Century Fox TV.
Nash, whose real name is Carol Denise Ensley, is currently in theaters as a voice in the No. 1 film "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who."
GARRISON, HARMON HEADED TO THE OLYMPICS: Tennis vets to coach women's and men's team this summer in Beijing.
*U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison and U.S. Tennis Association
(USTA) men's director Rodney Harmon were named Tuesday as coaches for the U.S. Olympic women's and men's tennis team at Beijing in August.
"I'm honored to be selected again as the Olympic coach," said Garrison, who teamed with Pam Shriver to win the 1988 Olympic women's doubles title in Seoul. "Some of my fondest tennis memories are from the Olympics and the incomparable thrill of winning a gold medal. The goal is to share in that Olympic experience with our team this summer."
Harmon, one of only three African-American males to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament (1982 U.S. Open), said of his Olympic men's squad: "We have the nucleus of a very competitive international men's team who will all be medal contenders. I know the American men will relish the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages in sport."
JURNEE SMOLLETT BEHIND SCHOLARSHIP AT WILEY: Actress to help students at Texas college featured in her film 'The Great Debaters.'
*Jurnee Smollett, a star in the Denzel Washington-directed film "The Great Debaters," says she will team with Wiley College in Marshall, TX to start a $2 million scholarship fund.
The scholarship is in honor of Henrietta Bell Wells, the woman who inspired her character Samanthe Booke ("with an e") in "The Great Debaters,"
as well as the actress' mother Janet Smollett, a civil rights activist and humanitarian.
Smollett broke news of the scholarship before a crowd of students, faculty and alumni at the 35th Founders Observance Banquet, held Saturday at the Civic Center in Marshall.
"I'm told I'm a statistic," Smollett said to the crowd. "I'm told that my young black sisters are disease-ridden...but we are greater than what society tells us we are."
The 21-year-old said the scholarship fund aims to "put young girls through college" and help curb the sensationalized images of black women often seen on television.
Smollett, who portrayed the only woman in a group of underdog Wiley College debaters in the film, was also presented with an honorary degree at the school's Founders Observance Convocation.
GNARLS BARKLEY ALBUM RELEASED EARLY: Online leaks force label to jump the gun.
*Gnarls Barkley fans who were waiting for April 8 to legally cop the duo's new album, "The Odd Couple," got an unexpected treat Tuesday when it suddenly became available for download on iTunes.
The entire album leaked on the Internet last week, but their label, Downtown/Atlantic, did not mention it as the reason for the set's early release. According to Billboard, stores are simply being encouraged to begin selling the CD as soon as their shipments arrive, which could happen by the end of this week.
"They felt the timing was right to just go for it," reads a post on Gnarls Barkley's Web site. "With the shifting seasons, furtive romantic entanglements and fierce college basketball rivalries, the latter half of March can be confusing. People need to be soothed and inspired now."
"The Odd Couple" is led by the single "Run," which is No. 36 this week on Billboard's Modern Rock chart.
YO-YO REIGNS 'SUPREME' ON VH1: Rapper to co-host series built around aspiring female rappers.
*West coast rap veteran Yo-Yo, the co-host of VH1's upcoming series "ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme," says the show's search for the next big female rapper will help bring attention to an area of hip hop that is often taken lightly.
"I don't think we've had the right leadership or direction," Yo-Yo told Billboard when asked about the plight of the female rapper.
As previously reported, "Miss Rap Supreme" follows ego trip's 2007 exploration of another disenfranchised rap subset on VH1, "The (White) Rapper Show." The eight-episode series premieres April 14 with returning host Michael "MC Serch" Berrin.
Ten female hopefuls will reside in the "Fembassy" (a hotel designed in tribute to major figures in female rap) as they tackle various challenges in the quest to be crowned Miss Rap Supreme and pocket $100,000.
"Women can be catty especially when it comes to competition," says Yo-Yo, whose real name is Yolanda Whitaker. "We know they're only going to allow so many of us in and once we're in, we let them pit us against each other. I was there at one time until I thought, 'Hey, there's room for us all.' There's just not enough sisterhood. I'm 36 now and thank god I have another opportunity to get my name out in the public and use this to do other things."
Yo-Yo, a Los Angeles native, scored her biggest R&B/pop crossover single (No. 11 R&B, No. 36 pop) with "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo" in 1991.
the L.A.-based youth empowerment organization, Let Your Light Shine Youth Foundation, co-founded by Yo-Yo and fellow female rap icon MC Lyte to raise funds for educational scholarships and other youth-oriented programs.
A former air personality at Los Angeles radio station KDAY for three years, Yo-Yo is looking for another radio gig and teaching a lyrics class for the Thelonius Monk Institute at her high school alma mater, Washington Prep.
HOWARD U. ANNOUNCES 'HIP HOP' SYMPOSIUM: Third annual event to include panelists Lyfe Jennings, Jim Jones and Melyssa Ford.
*Howard University will present its Third Annual Hip-Hop and Higher Education Symposium, “HIV/AIDS and the Hip-Hop Generation,” at the school's Blackburn Center Ballroom (2397 6th Street, NW) from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Panelists will include running back Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins, singer Lyfe Jennings, rapper Jim Jones, HIV/AIDS activist Maria Davis and TV personality Melyssa Ford. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President & CEO of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, will deliver the keynote address.
There will be a viewing of two short films courtesy of BET’S Rap-It-Up campaign. A scheduled town hall meeting will include discussions on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, HIV/AIDS and the Black Church, and HIV/AIDS and Black Women.
"The purpose of this year’s symposium is to raise awareness about the staggering rates of HIV/AIDS infection in young African American males and particularly, in African-American women, who are members of the hip-hop generation," said Joshua Kondwani Wright, MA, chair of the symposium. "It will also impart helpful knowledge, for those living with the disease, to lead a healthy life."
The conference is sponsored by Howard University’s Afro-American Studies Department and the University Student Health Center.
UNION TO PROBE LACK OF OFFERS FOR BARRY BONDS: Opening day is two weeks away and slugger is still unsigned.
*As part of its annual review of the free agent market, the Baseball Players Association plans to examine the lack of offers to Barry Bonds, who remains a free agent less than two weeks before the new season is scheduled to begin.
"He's in playing shape right now. He just hasn't hit off live pitching," Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, told the Associated Press. "I've had conversations with Barry. It would probably take him about two weeks to get ready."
Bonds, 43, was indicted in November on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, charges stemming from 2003 grand jury testimony in which he denied knowingly using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. The home run king and seven-time NL MVP pleaded not guilty.
Tampa Bay showed early interest in Bonds, acknowledging it had internal discussions about pursuing the former San Francisco Giants star last month. St. Louis manager Tony La Russa also had interest in the slugger but Cardinals management decided against opening talks.
Union head Donald Fehr said his staff will examine possible collusion against Bonds and others.
"We always look at the free-agent markets every year and make judgments about them, and if we come to the conclusion with respect to any player that there's a matter worth pursuing, we'll pursue it," he said. "But I'm not going to make any suggestions or accusations unless and until we come to that conclusion."
'90210' SPINOFF TO BE MORE RACIALLY DIVERSE: Casting breakdowns leave key role open to actors of all ethnicities.
*Stop the presses. It appears as if The CW's planned spinoff of "Beverly Hills, 90210" will be more racially diverse than its original run.
According to Variety, casting breakdowns and TVTracker.com report of the new version including a 16-year-old character named Dixon, who was adopted by the show's centerpiece, the Mills family. According to the breakdowns, producers are open to actors of all ethnicities for the Dixon role, leaving open the possibility that the character won't be a white male.
Navid Shirazi produces the high school's student-run video newscast and is of Middle Eastern descent, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the Mills family consists of 60-something matriarch Tabitha Mills (a former 70s star-turned-alcoholic who's fresh from a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic), her do-gooder son Harrison Mills, his wife Celia and their two 16-year-olds, Dixon and biological child, Annie.
The CW still has yet to greenlight the planned spinoff.
MIJAC'S NEVERLAND PETS SAFE IN ARIZONA: But actual property is still in question. Jermaine says land was never headed to auction.
*With conflicting reports about the state of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch all over the press, one thing seems to be clear – his menagerie of pets are safely tucked away in a loving home.
According to TMZ.com, all of his animals - including giraffes, giant pythons and parrots – have been purchased by Banjoko Nature Preserve in Arizona where they will be "presented center-stage at a 185 acre planned multi-million dollar wildlife preserve."
As previously reported, Jackson's attorney L. Londell McMillan told The Associated Press Thursday that the pop star had worked out a "confidential" agreement with Fortress Investment Group LLC allowing him to retain ownership of the property in Los Olivos, Calif and avoid an auction that was scheduled for yesterday (March 19).
But Fox.com columnist Roger Freidman reported the following day that McMillan's announcement was "premature and incorrect," and the house is still in foreclosure with a new public auction date of May 14. Friedman
wrote: "Fortress agreed only to a two-month extension, so that Jackson or someone in his camp can untangle this mess."
In the latest chapter, Michael's brother Jermaine tells TMZ that Neverland was never in foreclosure -- and it's for sale "over his dead body."
THE ROOTS GET POLITICAL ON NEW CD: Def Jam to release 'Rising Down' next month.
*The Roots have a lot to talk about on their upcoming Def Jam release "Rising Down," which is due in stores on April 29 and will be supported by a five-week North American tour this spring.
"This is probably our most political album to date dealing with addiction, nihilism, hypocritical double standards in the prison system and overall life in Philadelphia," Roots co-founder/drummer Ahmir "?uestlove"
Thompson said in a statement. "I'd say it's more mature and intense than all of our efforts but not a 'downer' as most people expect us to do."
The album's title comes from William T. Vollmann's treatise on violence--"Rising Up and Rising Down"--and the release date falls on the 16th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots, which were sparked by the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King beating.
Songs on the project include first single "Birthday Girl" featuring Fall Out Boy front man Patrick Stump. It's currently streaming at The Roots'
MySpace page, which doubles as the band's official Web site. Other guests on the album include Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, Dice Raw and Chrisette Michele.
The Roots have organized a tour to promote the new CD. The schedule is listed below:
March 2008
29 - Decatur, IL - Millikin University
30 - Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
April 2008
5 - Austin, TX - University of Texas
7 - Bloomington, IN - Indiana University
9 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
11 - Killington, VT - Pickle Barrel
12 - Boston, MA - Northeastern University
16 - West Lafayette, IN - Purdue University
17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Carnegie Mellon University
18 - St. Louis, MO - Webster University
20 - Washington, DC - Green Apple Festival
23 - Durham, NC - Duke University
24 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
25 - Charlotte, NC - Amos
26 - Towson, MD - Tigerfest Towson University
May 2008
3 - New Orleans, LA - Jazz & Heritage Festival
4 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
August 2008
8 - Jersey City, NJ - All Points West
STARZ ALIGN AGAIN FOR 'MARTIN LAWRENCE': Cable channel renews '1st Amendment Stand-up' for a third season.'
*Starz Entertainment's comedy series "Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-up" has been renewed for a third season with 10 new half hour episodes, beginning Wednesday, July 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Executive produced by Martin Lawrence, the show will be taped April 3 through April 5 at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., near where Lawrence grew up in Maryland.
"Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-up" features the nation's hottest and edgiest up-and-coming talent as well as star comics performing before a live audience. Returning as host of the show is Doug Williams, who introduces each act and adds his own style of comedy. Also returning to spin the music is DJ Biz Markie.
Comedians tentatively scheduled to perform include, Bruce Bruce, Joe Clair, Lavell Crawford, Don 'D.C' Curry, Roz G., Luenell, Gary Owen, Rod Man, Shang, Rickey Smiley, Joe Torry, Kym Whitley and others.
'FENCES' REVIVAL PREPARES FOR BROADWAY: Suzan-Lori Parks to direct new production of August Wilson classic.
*A revival of August Wilson's 1987 Pulitzer winner "Fences" is reportedly eying a new Broadway run during the 2008-09 season under director Suzan-Lori Parks.
According to Variety, the revival will be produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays, who also produced the original Rialto incarnation of "Fences," as well as "Topdog/Underdog," the 2002 Pulitzer winner written by Parks.
Part of Wilson's 10-play chronicle of African-American life in the 20th century, "Fences" centers on a black family in 1950s Pittsburgh. The original 15-month Broadway run starred James Earl Jones and scored four Tonys, including best play. It remains one of the few Wilson productions to recoup on the Great White Way.
A cast or theater has yet to be announced for the revival.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Dupri in 'The News'; Ciara's in studio; Alicia's private trainer; Beyonce shuns kids; Mariah denies Eminem rumor; J. Xavier's Obama song.
*Jermaine Dupri will be a featured speaker for the New York Daily News’ lecture series, Night with the News, as well as a guest speaker at New York University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Today, (March 20), Dupri and Andre Harrell will speak at the New Yorker Hotel in a session titled “How to Get a Record Deal.” On March 25, he will engage students taking classes in the recorded music program at NYU. Dupri will close out this trio of speaking engagements at Wharton on April 1.
*Ciara is in the process of recording her third as-yet-untitled album, tentatively slated for release in either August or early September, reports Billboard. The singer has already collected tracks from DanjaHandz, the Clutch, Polow Da Don and T-Pain.
*Alicia Keys showed off a "fine-tuned frame" while performing in Madrid Monday night at the Sports Palace, reports the New York Daily News.
According to rumors, the Grammy winner – currently on a world tour behind her album "As I Am," is flying out a private trainer to help her get in shape for a marathon.
*Spies on the Harrison, N.J. set of Beyonce's film "Cadillac Records" tell the New York Daily News that she ignores the throngs of kids who wait for hours to get her autograph, while co-star Adrien Brody "goes out, talks to the kids, signs autographs and everything." Beyonce is portraying Etta James in the movie about sex, violence, race and rock and roll in 1950's Chicago.
*Mariah Carey is still denying rumors that she once slept with Eminem. "Please! I never had any type of sexual relationship with that man,"
she told the Times of London. "I can count the number of people I've had sex with on fewer than the fingers on one hand."
*"BET Hip Hop Awards 2007" was released this week on DVD from BET Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. Hosted by Katt Williams, the star-studded show featured performances by Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Common and Nelly. A special bonus feature includes unaired footage of rehearsal performances by rapper T.I.
*Houston-based entertainer Justin Xavier Harris, 15, has joined the ranks of artists who have recorded songs and videos in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Titled “Go Tell Yo Mama, Vote For Obama,” the video can be seen on YouTube and the song can be heard at www.myspace.com/liljx.
EUR FILM REVIEW: War Made Easy
Sean Penn Narrates Expose’ of Military-Industrial Complex
Film Review by Kam Williams
*In 2006, Norman Solomon published an incendiary best-seller which indicted the Military-Industrial Complex for its employment of perception management techniques to manipulate the public into reflexively supporting the seemingly neverending series of American conflicts from Korea thru Vietnam and clear up to the current occupation of Iraq.
Solomon’s thesis was that in each case the Department of Defense simultaneously mounted a massive propaganda campaign in order to manufacture consent for another war of aggression.
Narrated by Sean Penn, Solomon’s thought-provoking book has now been adapted to the screen as an equally-unsettling expose’ entitled War Made Easy.
Meticulously-researched, the documentary effectively illustrates an assortment of parallels between the rationales offered for the U.S. interventions in Southeast Asia in the Sixties and the Middle East in the wake of 9/11.
But most chilling are the film’s reams of recent file footage showing how virtually all of the mass media eagerly beat the war drums on behalf of the Bush Administration in anticipation of the invasion of Iraq. For instance, there’s a scene featuring ABC’s Ted Koppel embedded with coalition troops somewhere in the desert where he muses, “I’ve been thinking of something appropriate to say,” and pauses momentarily before exhorting the soldiers’ bloodlust with, “Wreak havoc and unleash the dogs of war!”
By contrast, Phil Donahue, whose talk show was canceled due to his questioning America’s motives at the time, was like a lone voice in the wilderness on the network TV airwaves. Meanwhile the rest of his colleagues can be seen here simply parroting patriotic claptrap claiming that the impending bombing of Baghdad was honorable because it was all in the name of such abstract notions as “freedom” and “democracy.”
Killing for peace cleverly compared to fornicating for virginity.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 72 minutes
Studi Media Education Foundation
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: The Rules by any other Name
*It is truly a testament to the ego and tenacity – both admirable qualities in a president – of Hillary Clinton that she and her campaign continue to press for the recognition of the delegates from Florida and Michigan. Speaking at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Democratic presidential hopeful stated that “The results of those primaries were fair and they should be honored.” No doubt it depends on your definition of fair. It should be noted that in Michigan, Mrs. Clinton’s name was the only one on the ballot. Unfortunately, the current controversy also provides further testimony of the Clinton propensity to cast rules aside in order to get the results they want.
When her husband spread his DNA all over their wedding vows, rather than toss the bum out on his ear and strut her stuff to an authentic old school feminists track, she chose instead to blame it all on conspiracy. Now she is attempting to ride into the oval office on her husband’s coattails touting her experience to the rhythm of a new school feminist beat, “you go sister girl!” Changing the rules in the middle of the game is, alas, a quality most find rather unpleasant in a leader.
Clinton continued her remarks before the chamber: “In my view there are two options: Honor the results or hold new primary elections. I don’t see any other solutions that are fair and honor the commitment that two and a half million voters made in the Democratic primaries in those two states.“ There is, of course, a third option: Stick to the rules that were agreed upon prior to the campaign.
The legislators of both Florida and Michigan were warned that the change in the primary date would result in disqualification and a refusal to seat their delegates at the convention in Denver. With the exception of Dennis Kucinich, all of the Democratic contenders signed pledges that read "I _______________, Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina..."
The states went ahead with the changes feeling fairly confident that the eventual nominee would seat their convention delegates anyway and all would be forgiven. Of course, neither the Michigan or the Florida legislature or any of the candidates imagined that no candidate would march into Denver without the requisite number of delegates to carry the nomination or enough nominating committee delegates to force the nomination.
So now Mrs. Clinton wants a do over. Perhaps in the interest of time and money, the vote can be held by mail. A mail in vote in Florida? The dead will truly walk again…right down to the post office to mail in their ballots.
I am also unsure of how this is fair to the candidates that chose not to campaign in the states and are now no longer in the race. Admittedly, their campaigns were having difficulty gaining traction, but to borrow from the world of sports, “that’s why they play the game.”
Further, given the rather even distribution of pledged delegates, a new primary in both states would be more or less a wash. What would not be a wash is the super delegate tally. Recent analysis suggests that a do over might gain as many as 25 super delegates for Clinton, enough to gain a foothold in influencing The nomination process in Denver.
Seems fair.
Rules are in place to maintain order. To seat either slate of delegates at this time is to make the rules meaningless. To hold a new primary is to allow the states to have their cake and eat it too. They sought greater influence and now they have it. What is to now prevent all states seeking greater influence from moving their primaries next time around? Absolutely nothing, which oddly enough was the reason the DNC imposed the rules to begin with.
What would be fair and honorable would be for both campaigns to go to Denver and negotiate. Changing the rules when it seems the quickest means to a desired end smacks of the same old tired politics that this party was promising to change.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
ASK ADVICE CHICK: Answers to YOUR Dating, Sex, Life, & Love Questions!
By - AdviceChick@ameritech.net
Coming Next Week:
"I called and asked him was he married, he kept saying no. So I hung up and did some more research. I found her work number, dialed it, and asked to speak to her ..."
Straight, Gay, Bi, Tran, Woman, Man – Send your questions to AdviceChick@ameritech.net !
Dear Advice Chick,
*I am writing to you because I am up against a brick wall. I really like this guy that I recently started dating. He is so considerate, such a gentleman, and super fine. I haven't felt like this since....well since I have been completely grown and on my own. I am a 26 year old, successful black woman, no kids, Masters Degree, my own house and car and a very demanding job that pays a lot of money. I feel I deserve someone who can keep up. This guy that I have completely fallen for is the same age, has a 5 year old son, lives with his mother, works part-time but "looking" for full-time, and says he wants to settle down.
I also think he may have a problem with me working the hours I work and traveling so much...but is it to early for that to even matter?? I really, really like him, but am I sacrificing to much to get with him? I don't usually date guys with kids, let alone, live with their parents...but it is just something about him. The relationship is not a sexual one, because we just met and I aint getting down like that, but I like him so much. I want to know what I should do in this early stage to know if it is even worth my time investing anything else in it.
Advice Chick replies,
Hi Ms. I agree; you deserve someone who can keep up. Ask yourself, what is so great about this guy? Why have I fallen for him? Why do I really, really like him?
You’ve told me about his son, part-time job, and carton of orange juice with his name on it in his mama’s fridge. You say there’s something about him, but you don’t say what that something is.
Also, if you think he may have a problem with your hours and traveling, I have a problem with that. You were working those hours and traveling before you met him, and they afford you your lifestyle. You just met the guy so slow down. Maybe he’ll step his game up and meet you half way. Maybe he’ll be so comfortable with you and your salary that his part time job may evolve into no job at all. I think you’re caught up in cute. Be advised, cute is around every corner.
Send YOUR questions and comments to Advice Chick right NOW! Please put “Dear Advice Chick” in the subject line so your email isn’t deleted as spam. Thanks! advicechick@ameritech.net.
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Ask Advice Chick about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING related to dating, sex, love, and life! She is THE resident dating expert at EURweb.com, and calls on over 11 years of dating and relationship industry experience.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Kelita Smith in "Three Can Play That Game" on DVD, and Emmy Award winner Debbi Morgan is back on ABC's "All My Children"
By Eunice Moseley
Kelita Smith plays the other woman in “Three Can Play that Game,” now on DVD
A follow-up to the romantic comedy, “Two Can Play That Game,” this movie directed by Moody Mod and written by Mark Brown, “Three Can Play That Game,” stars again Vivica A. Fox as the Atlanta couples therapist Shante’ Smith. The film also stars Jason George (as Byron Thompson); Jazsmin Lewis (as Bryon’s girlfriend Tiffany); Kelita Smith (as Carla who works with Bryon); Tony Rock (as Bryon’s buddy Gizzard), and Terri J. Vaughn.
“I’m a fan of quality films and great writers,” three time NAACP Image Award nominee actress Kelita Smith says of the film. “I am a fan of the act of redemption and the message. That is what’s wonderful about today, you can do all those things.”
The DVD, on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, examines the therapist’s Five Step Program. She uses it in trying to help Tiffany’s relationship with boyfriend Bryon Thompson. Tiffany has supported her man in getting him into the corporate world, grooming and molding him to now find that every woman, like Carla at his job, now wants him. He gets a big head about it all and so the games begin.
Debbi Morgan returns to “All My Children” on ABC
The character, Angie Hubbard, played by two-time Emmy Award nominee Debbi Morgan is back again on ABC’s soap opera “All My Children.” Agnes Nixon created the daytime series in 1970. Twelve years later in 1982 Debbi Morgan premiered as Angie Hubbard.
“In 1990 I got an offer to do another soap by the guy who hired me in the first place,” Emmy and Image Award winner, Debbi Morgan said of the reason she first left the role in 1990. “It was shot in Los Angeles, ‘Generations’.”
Morgan would go on to act in soaps “General Hospital” and “Port Charles.” Debbi returned to play Angie, wife of Jesse Hubbard (played by Darnell Williams), again from 1993 – 1997.
“ I was originally contacted by my manager to bring back Angie,” Debbi points out. “Sometime at the end of the summer of 2006 the role was to be a reoccurring role. Then they said a four year contract!”
Morgan said that just fit right into her plans, filming in New York, because she was tired of flying from west coast to east coast to be with her boyfriend who lives in Maryland.
Other television credits of Debbi are “What’s Happening” in 1976, “Roots: The Next Generation” in 1979, Soul Food, Charmed and Boston Legal. In film, Debbi Morgan’s credits include “Women Thou Art Loosed,” “Love and Basketball,” “The Hurricane,” “She’s All That,” and “Eve’s Bayou.”
MARIANN'S MIDLIFE MAYHEM & MISCELLANY: Laying Mom to Rest – Three Uzis and a Funeral ... Almost
*It’s been a little over a week since Mom's death and, so far, my sister and I seem to be doing okay. Mom is now (“ashes to ashes, dust to dust”) in a three-pound, wooden box which we sit in her favorite chair (in front of the
television) during the day, and tuck into her bed at night.
Eventually, her ashes will be placed alongside my Dad’s in a columbarium back in Chicago, but for right now, we find keeping her cremains close to us in a “business as usual” fashion very comforting.
As illustrated by the following story, I have also found comfort in (even on the subject of death) maintaining my sense of humor, a quality I certainly inherited from both my parents:
Even though Mom was being cremated, we still had to find a funeral home, select a casket and schedule a viewing. Anyone familiar with the death/funeral scenes in the movies Kingdom Come, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Little Miss Sunshine or Weekend at Bernie’s should be able to wrap their minds around what happened next – except this isn’t fiction…
Mom was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, and my sister specifically wanted a “down home,” black-owned, “family” funeral home. Having moved to New York less than a year ago, we didn’t know of any, so she asked a neighbor, who got a recommendation from a cousin.
Kathy was pleased with the price (thinking that maybe we were getting the “good neighbor” discount) and trusted the neighbor’s judgment (after all, we live in a very nice, upper-middle class area of Westbury on Long Island) so, sight-unseen, she booked the place and scheduled them to pick up Mom's body the next day. That morning, I suggested that maybe we should drive by the place, first, to check it out....
Turns out it was in an "iffy" neighborhood in Queens, twenty or so miles from the house. Even with Mapquest and a GPS, it took us almost an hour to find it. When we finally got to the right street, we saw a Funeral Home sign on a place that looked fairly suitable and we were relieved. Turns out, that wasn't the place. Driving down to the next block we saw another F.H. sign with peeling paint, bars on the windows, and a circa 1985 hearse parked under a carport...that was the place!!!!
Ohhh ... Hell, Nooooooooooooooo!!!!
When she was alive, my mom would never have been caught dead in a place like this, metaphorically, so, I damn sure wasn’t about to now let it happen to her literally!
Not knowing whether they had already picked up my mom's body, Kathy drove back to the other funeral home to check it out while I went inside the one we'd booked to see if (gulp) Mom was already there...
I had to be buzzed in, which pretty much confirmed my suspicions that the funeral home was a "front" for some other -- possibly illegal -- activities going on inside. I was let in to a muddy brown-paneled lobby where I was met by two young, male, funeral home "assistants" dressed in jeans and t-shirts!!! I explained that I was Mentha Berry's daughter and asked if my mother's body had been delivered yet ... at which point a door opened and a guy who looked like a cross between the hefty BET comic, Bruce Bruce, and Al Sharpton walked out, dressed in a Harlem Knights suit, bright yellow tie and wide-brimmed "pimp" hat.
Ohhh ... Hell, Nooooooooooooooo!!!!
I gave some lame excuse about needing to know when we had to bring the clothes Mom was to be dressed in. When told that Mom was scheduled to be picked up that afternoon (it was now almost 3 pm), I politely said "thank you" and hauled ass outa there, running up the street (to get my sister to call the hospital and tell them not to release the body!!!) so fast that I almost knocked over the midget loitering outside. (Okay, “midget” may not be a “politically correct” term, but trust me, this guy would have chafed at being called a “little person” – with any reference made to anything about him being “little,” considered an affront to his “manhood.”)
He gave me a scathing look...I apologized and kept running. My brother-in-law, who was parked outside the other funeral home, said I was running so fast all he could see was hair flying in the wind like Medusa. I was panting when I got to the other place, and the funeral director offered me a chair and asked if I needed a glass of water. He was so soft spoken and polite that I was almost able to overlook his Steve Harvey circa 1998 attire.
When Kathy and I explained our dilemma, he said he would be happy to have the service at his establishment but insisted that we call the other funeral home first and tell them that this was our decision and that he wasn’t trying to steal his clients.
I then asked if I could have a private moment with my sister. When he stepped out of the room I said:
“Look, you only talked to these people on the phone, but they’ve seen my face, and if the lookout midget tells them how he saw me run out of there and up the street to this place, they might hold me personally responsible for their loss of income. And they already know what time the service is scheduled for…and they might be waiting for me to show up...and I don’t want to come back here on Wednesday and end up in the casket with Mama!”
When the funeral director came back in, we thanked him and said we wanted to check a few places closer to home, first, and would get back to him. Quite frankly, I think he was relieved. He didn’t want to end up in a casket with Mama either!!!
Cut to the chase…We regrouped and found a beautiful funeral home just three minutes from the house. Our funeral director was a lovely young Hispanic woman who looked like she could be a member of our family. She was kind and compassionate and very sensitive to our circumstance.
It was an Irish-Italian owned funeral home. However, mom’s dad, Robert Adams was a 6-foot, 5-inch Irishman (to give equal recognition, grandma was a 5-foot, two-inch, black woman named Annie Pollard). So, since Mom is half-Irish…and this was a half-Irish owned funeral home…that sufficed as “down-home, family” enough for me.
After leaving the place, we went to a restaurant up the street to grab something to eat. Not five seconds after being seated, “Knocking on Heaven's Door” started playing on the sound system. We all looked at each other…it was a sign!
Mom was at peace.
After the service, Kathy mentioned the first place to another neighbor who said that I was right to have been concerned. She’d heard of the place in reference to funerals resulting from gang-related murders being held there.
The reason people had to be buzzed into the place, she said, was to keep rival gang members out to avoid shoot-outs at the funeral!
By the way, the “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” (written by Bob Dylan) playing at the restaurant was the Gun’s and Roses version.
Obviously, even in the after-life, Mom hadn’t lost her sense of humor…and, the rejected funeral home notwithstanding, she still managed to go out with a bang!
Ba-dum-bump.
XO, Mariann
www.mariannaalda.com
A veteran of the P&G soap opera, Edge of Night, (“DiDi Bannister,” 1981-84), Mariann Aalda’s 25-year body of work as a television, film and stage actress includes co-starring with Redd Foxx and Della Reese as their daughter, on the CBS sitcom, The Royal Family; three seasons opposite OJ Simpson, playing his wife on the HBO series, First & 10, and recurring on CBS’ Designing Women as the yuppie-from-hell, “Lita Ford,” opposite Meschach Taylor, with whom she also co-starred in the teen cult film, Class Act. Also a stand-up comedienne, she, along with Iona Morris, is co-creator/writer/producer of MOIST! – a “sexistential” musical comedy celebration of women in the throes of midlife (www.moistonstage.com) – utilizing her training as a hypnotherapist to bring new insight to the joys of being a “seasoned” woman.
This column chronicles her own journey.
This column also appears via PGP Classic Soaps:
http://PGPclassicSoaps.blogspot.com/
AUDREY'S SOCIETY WHIRL: The Jackie Robinson Foundation Honors George Lucas, Johnnetta B. Cole and Clive Davis at 2008 Annual Awards Dinner
Event hosted by Bill Cosby at Waldorf-Astoria in celebration of Foundation’s 35th anniversary raises over $1 million
By Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles & Society Editor
*Over 1,100 festively dressed guests attended The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) 2008 annual awards dinner at the majestic Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Monday, March 3, celebrating JRF’s 35th anniversary.
The event raised over $1 million that will benefit the Foundation, which provides four year college scholarships and extensive mentoring to academically distinguished minority students with financial need and records of leadership capacity, resulting in a nearly 100% graduation rate, more than twice the national average for minority students.
Dr. William “Bill” Cosby returned as the event’s longtime Master of Ceremonies. The legendary entertainer has hosted the event for nearly three decades and has become a delightful fixture at the podium moving the program along with humor and dignity.
The 2008 annual awards dinner comes as JRF celebrates its 35th anniversary as the nation’s premiere education and leadership development program. Established in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, the wife of baseball and civil rights luminary Jackie Robinson, JRF is the nation's premier education and leadership development program.
The JRF annual awards dinner has recognized some of the most decorated names in business, politics and society including Bishop Desmond Tutu, J. W. Marriott, Jr., Ruth J. Simmons, Henry L. “Hank” Aaron, John A. Thain, John Welch Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Marian Wright Edelman, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, Tom Brokaw, Dr. Sheila C. Johnson and Katharine Graham.
This year, three more iconic individuals joined that distinguished roster and took home the coveted ROBIE awards.
The ROBIE lifetime achievement award is JRF’s highest tribute to an individual who has devoted their life to improving the circumstances of others through promoting equal opportunity, fighting for social justice, and by giving back to the community, all in the spirit of Jackie Robinson.
The coveted award was presented to recording industry pioneer and cultural icon Clive Davis, chairman, BMG Label Group, by Tony-Award winning actress Julie White.
The ROBIE achievement in industry award is JRF’s highest tribute to an outstanding individual in the corporate world who has promoted and expanded access and opportunities for minorities. The notable award was presented to world-renowned film producer, director and screenwriter George Lucas, chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd., by noted actor and Brooklyn-native Jimmy Smits.
The ROBIE humanitarianism award is JRF’s highest tribute to an individual who has worked to promote equal opportunity and social justice. The distinguished award was presented to higher education trailblazer, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, president emerita of both Bennett College for Women and Spelman College, by Dr. Camille O. Cosby.
“Our distinguished honorees have truly embraced Jackie Robinson’s guiding tenet, ‘A life is not important except in its impact on other lives,’” said JRF president and CEO Della Britton Baeza. “These individuals are extraordinary not only for their profound record of professional achievement but also for their significant commitments to advancing equal opportunity and improving the human condition.”
The evening was highlighted by a riveting performance by last year’s American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. Additional celebrities attending included Spike Lee, Ahmad Rashad, Howard White (former basketball star and current Nike executive), Melody Hobson (ABC Good Morning America contributor) and basketball great Bill Russell.
Another highlight of the stellar evening was a poignant video tribute to Chanel Cathey, a JRF scholar and a senior at Fordham, sponsored by JRF’s first and longest-running corporate partner, Unilever.
The young aspiring journalist was singled out because of her profound record of public service having founded a program that provides job-training and professional development for previously incarcerated teenagers.
Cathey established a culinary arts program for adolescents, creating and implementing curriculum that combines professional culinary training and teaches entrepreneurship and job-training skills.
In addition to Baeza, Mrs. Robinson was joined by Leonard S. Coleman, chairman, JRF and former president of Major League Baseball’s National League, Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter and vice-chair of JRF, and David Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s son and JRF board member, in offering congratulations to each ROBIE award recipient.
This academic year (2007-2008), JRF is providing more than $3.1 million in scholarship assistance and program support to 259 JRF students representing 30 states and enrolled in 94 of the most prestigious colleges and universities across the country.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars attend some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the United States. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $16 million in scholarship assistance has been provided.
Transcending financial assistance, the Foundation equips its scholarship recipients with a comprehensive set of support services including mentoring, career guidance and