WALTERS LANDS INTERVIEW WITH OBAMAS: One hour special to air Wednesday night on ABC.
*Barbara Walters will sit down with President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle for an interview set to air as a one-hour special Wednesday night on ABC.
The veteran journalist will cover such topics as the transition, the economy, foreign policy and how the family is dealing with the immense change in their lives, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
ABC is hoping to score a ratings bonanza to rival the numbers generated by the Nov. 16th "60 Minutes" interview with the Obamas, which gave the newsmagazine its best ratings in years.
Parts of the Walters interview will also air on ABC's "Good Morning America," "World News" and "Nightline."
MICHAEL VICK PLEADS GUILTY IN VIRGINIA: Plus, home where dogfighting took place is up for auction – again.
*Jailed NFL quarterback Michael Vick was escorted from his prison cell in Kansas to a courtroom in Virginia on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge in exchange for a three-year suspended sentence.
The one-time Atlanta Falcons star also pleaded not guilty to one count of cruelty to animals, but that charge was dropped under his plea deal.
"I want to apologize to the court, my family, and to all the kids who looked up to me as a role model," Vick told the judge, as his mother Brenda Boddie, brother Marcus Vick and fiancee Kijafa Frink sat together in the front row of the courtroom with other family and friends.
Sporting a gray suit adorned with wrist and ankle shackles, Vick remained stoic throughout the approximately 20-minute hearing. Afterward, he turned to his young daughter and winked, the AP reported.
His three-year suspended sentence is far less than the maximum of 10 years he could have faced. The 28-year-old is currently serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan. on federal charges of financing a dogfighting ring at a home he owned in eastern Virginia's rural Surry County, southeast of Richmond. He also admitted to participating in the killing of several dogs that lost battles.
Vick is scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, and will serve three years of probation. His latest plea is important because it resolves the remaining charges against him, which is required under federal law if he is to move into a halfway house.
Meanwhile, the five-bedroom house at the center of Vick's dogfighting enterprise is back on the auction block.
A listing on Motleys Auction and Realty Group's Web site says the property in Smithfield is scheduled to be auctioned on Dec. 15, with bids starting at $590,000. Last December, developer Wilbur Ray Todd Jr. rejected a $747,000 bid for the property, which he had bought for $450,000, along with an additional $50,000 in improvements.
WHITNEY SUED BY HER STEPMOM: Barbara Houston says singer is keeping her share of late husband's insurance money.
*Whitney Houston is reportedly being sued by her step-mother for the remaining proceeds of her late father's $1 million life insurance policy.
According to TMZ.com, Whitney was the beneficiary of the money following her father's death in 2003. But his widow, Barbara Houston, claims a portion of the money was earmarked to pay off a mortgage on her dad's apartment.
Barbara's lawsuit claims she was supposed to get the remaining proceeds as well as the title to the property, and that Whitney has yet to give her either one.
MARIAH'S 'TENNESSEE' CO-STAR TELLS ALL: Lance Reddick says 'she pulled it off.'
*Before starring with Mariah Carey in the upcoming film "Tennessee," all Lance Reddick knew of the singer's acting skills was what he had seen in the 2001 disaster "Glitter."
The actor, best known for his role as Cedric Daniels on HBO's "The Wire," says he was pleasantly surprised by her performance after the two filmed their first scene together – in which he shoves her up against a wall and grabs her face.
"She pulled it off," Reddick tells People magazine. "She really took it seriously. She was committed to proving that she could do this."
In the movie due out in January, Carey plays a waitress named Krystal, who tries to escape her abusive husband, portrayed by Reddick, by going on a road trip with two brothers.
"I saw all the subtlety in her work, and it's really beautiful," says Reddick, adding that Carey is "very sweet" in person.
"After this, I think she's going to have a film career, if she wants one. She is good," he adds.
MTV TO HOLD OBAMA INAUGURAL BALL: Bash to include artists, celebs and government officials.
*MTV announced Tuesday that it will throw an inaugural ball for President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington.
The "Be the Change Inaugural Ball" will be televised live across MTV's many channels and feature leading artists, celebrities and government officials.
To celebrate the large youth voter turnout in the election, hundreds of young people will be chosen to attend based on their demonstrated volunteerism.
MOTOWN IS HALLMARK'S VALENTINE: Chain to sell exclusive 'Heart & Soul' CD featuring classics from the label.
*Hallmark Gold Crown stores across the country will offer an exclusive 2009 Valentine's Day CD featuring 10 classic songs from Motown.
"Heart & Soul--Celebrating 50 Years of Motown," according to Billboard.biz, spans three decades from the '60s, '70s and '80s, and includes eight No. 1 singles. Among the selections are Martha & the Vandellas' "Heat Wave," Stevie Wonder's, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross.
"This CD will appeal to all generations," says Jay Quickel, Hallmark's retail merchandise manager. "The classic romantic and memorable songs we've chosen reflect the essence of Valentine's Day."
"Heart & Soul" will be available for $7.95 with each purchase of three Hallmark cards through Hallmark Gold Crown's 3500-store network from Jan. 5 through Feb. 28.
RUBY DEE, PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD GET DIVERSITY AWARDS: Annual MMPA ceremony held Sunday in Hollywood.
*Stage and screen legend Ruby Dee received a lifetime achievement honor from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association at its 16th annual Diversity Awards, which were held Sunday at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Gina Prince-Bythewood picked up a Visionary Award and Diane English won the adapted screenplay honor for "The Women."
Other winners included A&E's "The Cleaner" for most compelling TV drama and "Saving Grace" for favorite TV drama. Bravo received the nod for diverse programming network.
Hosted by Fox 11/My 13 news anchor Laura Sanchez and actor James R. Black of "The Starter Wife," the ceremony was preceded by a celebrity VIP silent auction and reception that benefited the MMPA's Educational Development Scholarship Fund.
The Diversity Awards honor contributions to diverse and thought-provoking stories in film and television.
BRYANT GUMBEL'S SON ARRESTED FOR DUI: Bradley Gumbel stopped by police for swerving on NY highway.
*The 29-year-old son of Bryant Gumbel was reportedly arrested for drunken driving last week after New York state troopers caught him swerving on the highway.
According to the Boston Herald, Bradley Gumbel was behind the wheel of his 2005 Toyota 4Runner when cops pulled him over at around 3 a.m. Police said when they approached the car, Gumbel had fallen asleep and reeked of alcohol.
Police also said the front passenger side of the car was banged up and Gumbel couldn’t explain how the damage got there.
Bradley’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, police said. In addition to the DUI, he was charged with driving with a suspended license. His registration reportedly was suspended due to an insurance lapse.
In 2002, Bradley was arrested in New York after a woman mistakenly ID'd him as the man who mugged her. He was cleared of any wrongdoing in that case.
WHITE HOUSE GETS FIRST BLACK SOCIAL SECRETARY: Desiree Rogers talks about how first couple will entertain.
*President-elect Barack Obama has chosen a well-known Chicago businesswoman and fund raiser to take charge of every social event that will take place on the White House grounds.
Desirée Rogers, 49, was appointed Monday as the next White House social secretary, making her the first African-American woman to hold the position.
In the announcement, Obama said Rogers shared his commitment to “bringing people together to achieve results for the American people at this time of great national challenge.”
And just how does Rogers plan to accomplish that? “Wonderful picnics outside, tree decorating, inviting military families over,” she told the New York Times. “One of the things that is particularly important for this administration is that we continue along this vein of making it everyone’s America. We are inviting all of America and all of the world to share in that splendor.”
In addition to overseeing White House social events – from Easter egg hunts to lavish state dinners – Rogers also faces the delicate task of winnowing down guest lists at dinners, parties and social events, no small feat in an administration that has attracted a loyal flock of supporters.
“The toughest thing is going to be the four million people descending on her and wanting to be invited to the next White House party,” said Letitia Baldrige, the former social secretary and White House chief of staff for Jacqueline Kennedy. “She’s going to be deluged with people trying to get on the guest list.”
Though she is only glancingly known in Washington, with no national political experience to speak of, in Chicago Rogers is a well-known businesswoman, a Harvard M.B.A and a major fund-raiser for Obama. She is also a Chicago celebrity in her own right, frequently photographed at glittery events and fund-raisers, and admiringly discussed on a blog called The Black Socialite, the Times reports.
A Wellesley graduate and New Orleans native, Rogers was first introduced to Michelle Obama through her former husband, John Rogers Jr., who helped recruit Michelle's brother, Craig Robinson, to Princeton.
Though her plans for the White House are just beginning to come together, Rogers made one promise. “You will definitely see some new things,” she said. “We’re not going to be superpredictable, where everything looks the same.”
RAPPER JOHN FORTE PARDONED BY BUSH: Fugees associate was in prison for drug smuggling.
*Rapper John Forte, who is serving time in prison for drug smuggling, was one of 14 initial felons that President Bush has pardoned or granted commuted prison sentences, reports Billboard.
Forte was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 after police caught him accepting a briefcase that contained about $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute.
He was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 14 years and is serving time in Fort Dix, N.J., but will be released Dec. 22 after serving just over seven years. He must serve five years of supervised probation.
Forte, 33, co-wrote two songs on the Fugees' 1996 breakthrough, "The Score." He also released two solo albums, "Poly Sci" (produced by the Fugees' Wyclef Jean) and "I, John."
Singer Carly Simon and her son Ben, who attended Exeter Academy with Forte, were vocal advocates for the artist's release. The raper lived at Simon's estate in Martha's Vineyard for about six weeks in 1999 and even spent the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the family.
MIJAC, WHITNEY TURN UP IN DAVID FOSTER'S BOOK: Producer says Houston and Bobby seemed 'addicted to each other.'
*In David Foster's new autobiography "Hitman," the legendary music producer dishes about his working relationship with some of music's biggest names, including Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.
He says he didn't see even a "hint" of drug use by Houston, "but [she and husband Bobby Brown] certainly seemed addicted to each other. ... When Bobby was gone, she'd begin to fade."
Foster also writes about hooking up Michael Jackson with Lisa Marie Presley, who got married to the King of Pop in 1994 and divorced him two years later.
"Maybe she brought out the testosterone in him," Foster writes. "I know this: She loved him."
'AMERICAN IDOL'S' ANWAR BEGINS 'GODSPELL' RUN: Season 4 finalist in Syracuse Stage production through Dec. 28.
*"American Idol" finalist Anwar Robinson has the starring role of Jesus Christ in Stephen Schwartz's biblical pop musical Godspell, which runs through Dec. 28 at the Syracuse Stage.
Based on "The Gospel According to St. Matthew," the musical uses "improvisation and contemporary themes to illustrate the parables, [bringing] these lessons to life through the grand tradition of musical theatre," according to press notes.
Song titles include "Day By Day," "Save The People," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side."
A Broadway revival of Godspell that was scheduled to open this fall has been postponed. Tickets, priced $24-$48, are available by phoning (315) 443-3275, or by visiting SyracuseStage.org.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Brandy laments accident; Beyonce learns marriage from parents; Kelis bails in Brazil.
*In next month's issue of Vibe magazine, Brandy says she was so devastated by her 2006 freeway accident that killed another motorist, that "there was a point when I didn't feel like it was OK to live on - because someone else lost their life." The actress-singer, making a come back with a new album, "Human," says she prayed every day because, "I really didn't know what to do. I was in limbo for a long time . . . I didn't go outside for months."
*In the new issue of Giant magazine, Beyonce says she prepared for the potential challenges of marriage by watching her mother and father struggle and overcome their differences as husband and wife. Says Beyonce: "My parents are tighter now than ever, but they've been through it all. There were times when they were together, times when they were apart. I learned that it's a lot of hard work, that it's more than a dress." Beyonce and Jay-Z married in a private ceremony earlier this year.
*Singer Kelis is in hot water in Brazil after reportedly taking a $20,000 advance to perform two shows Saturday in Rio De Janeiro, then failing to follow through on the deal, claiming she feared for her safety, reports TMZ.com. The Web site has video footage showing a confrontation between news reporters and Kelis with husband Nas in tow. Click here to
view: http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=8b53e544-da11-48bb-b8d4-5476e29a1e5c
SEN. EDWARD BROOKE DONATES TO ALPHA PHI ALPHA: First black U.S. senator gives $100,000 to his frat.
*Edward W. Brooke, the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate, has donated $100,000 to his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.
This donation will benefit the fraternity's Charitable Foundation, which provides scholarships for young African American males seeking careers in education, specifically teaching; an area that Senator Brooke holds dear.
“African American male teachers in public schools are needed in order to curtail the imbalance between the number of African American males currently in jail rather than in college,” said Brooke at a private luncheon held Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami.
Sen. Brooke, who was exposed earlier this year as having had an affair with Barbara Walters during the 1970s, was also the first African American elected to the Senate since the 19th century, and is one of only five African American Senators in history, which includes now President –Elect Barack Obama.
ELLEN DEGENERES: The Ellen’s Even Bigger Really Big Show Interview with Kam Williams
Dancing with DeGeneres
*Born in Metairie, Louisiana on January 26, 1958, Ellen Lee DeGeneres attended the University of New Orleans after graduating from high school, but dropped out following her first semester.
After a number of unsatisfying jobs, Ellen’s started out in showbiz as an emcee at a comedy club in New Orleans.
By 1982 she had already landed national recognition when her videotaped stand-up performances led to her being named the “Funniest Person in America” by Showtime.
Ms. DeGeneres then moved to Los Angeles to film her first HBO Special. That same year, she made history on the Tonight Show by becoming the first female comedian to be summoned by Johnny Carson to sit down with him after a performance.
Her acting career began on TV on the Fox sitcom, “Open House,” and she was subsequently offered a part on ABC’s “These Friends of Mine” which was renamed “Ellen” en route to enjoying a successful run from 1994 to 1998. During the series’ fourth season, Ellen came out publicly as lesbian on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as did her character in an episode watched by a record 46 million viewers.
A beloved entertainment icon, Ellen’s distinct brand of humor comic has resonated with audiences not only on television, but on the big screen (Finding Nemo) and as the author of two books. However, she’s found a home in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” now in its sixth season, which has now earned a total of 25 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Here, she talks about Ellen’s Really Big Show, an annual special she’s again hosting for TBS. The one-hour variety special, filmed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, is set to air on Saturday November 29th at 9 PM (ET/PT). During our spirited chat, Ellen also talked about the Presidential Election and about both Barack and Michelle Obama’s dance moves. And since she married her longtime companion, Portia de Rossi, in August, she was willing to weigh-in on the passage of Proposition 8 in California, a measure banning gay marriage in the state.
KW: Hi Ellen, thanks for the time.
ED: Well, thank you.
KW: You danced with both Barack and Michelle on the show. So, which one’s the better dancer,?
ED: Well, I think that we agree that Michelle was. But I think that's good. I would be worried if he was a good dancer because that would mean he’s not spending enough time working. I always worry when someone’s a good golfer, too. It's like you shouldn't have time to be good at anything. You should just be a politician and you shouldn't have time to practice golf or dancing. So I am thrilled that Michelle’s a better dancer. Although he is a good dancer, better than a lot of people that I have seen on the show.
KW: Were you surprised at how much play the dance clips from your show got on all the cable news channels?
ED: No, I wasn't that surprised about that. I guess when you get the political candidates to dance, well actually only one danced, that’s going to get some play. I have the picture of Barack and me dancing right outside of my dressing room door, I see it every single day, and it makes me very happy.
KW: Where did you develop your dance moves?
ED: I get my dance moves from just moving around and listening to music and not really worrying about if it's perfect or not.
KW: I see you have Tony Okunbogwa back this season as the show’s DJ. How is that working out?
ED: I love Tony, I love his music; I love his style, so I am thrilled to have Tony back.
KW: Have you heard from Senator McCain since his appearance on your show, since your awkward exchange?
ED: No. I don’t think we're going to keep in touch anyway. I mean, I would be glad to take a call from him. He seems like a nice guy. That was a moment that was an obvious question for me to ask, if he doesn’t really agree with equality, and that’s what it really boils down to is equality. I wasn't going to give him too hard of a time because I understand that that's what he believes and I wasn't going to change anything. I wasn’t there to change his mind, I just wanted to present a very obvious case that we are all the same and we all deserve to have equal rights. But I am glad people watched it and, like I said, I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. That’s not my job. It's not the kind of show I ever want to do.
KW: Do you care to comment on the outcome of the election?
ED: I was thrilled, and really proud as a lot of people are about it. It was energizing that Obama got in and I felt excited about that. But the next day, especially because Obama got in, there was a big loud voice saying you were not equal to us. And that feels bad. That feels really, really bad. And if anybody could put themselves in that situation of feeling a giant loud voice saying you don’t deserve the same rights, you are different and you are not equal, it feels really bad. So it took a little bit of air out of me from the excitement from the night before. I do feel hopeful and excited. But certainly that was an emotional day for me. The next day, I'm trying to do a show when I felt that sad inside. But I've kind of bounced back. I feel good now. I'm not really a political comedian. So I think I'm done with that. I don’t think I will be commenting further.
KW: I watched your show the day you mentioned Keith Olbermann’s commentary about Proposition Eight.
ED: I thought Keith Olbermann was so brilliant and eloquent, and that what he said is all that needs to be said. It's on our website and I hope that everybody watches it. I am sure you can find it just about anywhere. It really is just about following your heart and people really paying attention to what the right thing is.
KW: I also read an article in the LA Times by Steve Lopez where he said that what the gay movement needs is a black Elton John, a black icon.
ED: I don't understand that statement about a black Elton John. But it needs for people to not be ignorant. It needs for people to open their minds and understand. It is a fundamental right for people to be allowed to love who they want to love and marry who they want to marry and stop holding on to some form of discrimination that it’s just isn't fair. And if you look back, as you know if you watched what Keith Olbermann talked about, this happened to black people. It’s crazy that we're still holding on to some form of this. So I don't know what it is going to take, but I do have faith that people will realize that this is wrong.
KW: What the writer was suggesting with that black Elton John comment was that, although the African-American community is generally liberal, it tends for some reason to be somewhat homophobic and anti-gay marriage. And it would help if a black superstar would come out.
ED: Well, I think, unfortunately, it all comes down to certain cultures are just more accepting or less accepting. I understand what you're saying about that stigma and unfortunately there are a lot of very well-known black people that are gay but unfortunately closeted. And that doesn't help things that people are not able to live their lives honestly. Do you come out and just force people to deal with it, or do you wait for it to be accepted and then people get to live their lives honestly and openly? Which comes first? It's a big risk for people to have a big career and come out. And that's because of what's going on, but it would change things if people would live their lives in a way that's healthier for them really. It's not really helping anybody to live a life that isn't true to themselves. But I don't know, I have faith that people will, even without some type of a symbol, open their minds and their hearts.
KW: Have you gotten any negative feedback from people about your marriage?
ED: I think I am probably protected from a lot of stuff that would be negative. I know there's always going to be feedback no matter what the subject. I mean I am shocked by somebody commenting on my shoes or my clothes. Everyone has an opinion and especially now more and more, everyone is logging about everything and has an opinion. So I can't possibly pay attention to that. Listen, I am sure that there are station managers that carry the show in certain markets that aren't really thrilled with it because they probably are the people that would vote yes on Proposition 8. They don't agree with gay marriage, they don't understand it, and probably were a little fearful in the first place of an openly gay person. So, I am sure people have opinions about it and I am sure they don’t really love me anyway, any which way I go. So, I can't really pay attention to that. I just have to speak from my heart. I don't really ever get political on the show. But to me that was not political. To me this is just about equality and about something that is way, way overdue. But to answer your question, I am sure some people don't like it.
KW: Are there topics that Ellen, the stand-up comedian, would touch on your upcoming special that Ellen, the talk show host, wouldn’t do on her daytime show?
ED: There is really no difference between Ellen, the stand-up, or Ellen, the talk show host, or even Ellen at home. The humor that I’m still writing that you see every day on the show is the same as when I did stand-up, as when I toured. It’s just kind of commentating on absurdities and human behavior. So, as far as the special how goes, it’s not like I'm going to be topless or start cursing all of a sudden. It’s pretty much the same. Although now that I mentioned it, I may be topless. That’s sounds actually kind of exciting.
KW: What can we expect from this year's special as compared to last year's, anything different or anything big plans?
ED: Well, as the title says, it's even bigger. And, I think that's says it all. Last year it was really, really big. This year, even bigger. And you know what that means! I don't know. I think it's going to be the same kind of excitement, the same kind of acts that you have never seen before. We brought in people from all over the world that are fascinating to watch and I think most of you are going to just sit there and wonder how they even thought of this idea that that would be a possibility as a talent. That's what I am going for.
KW: Of the other comedians who will be performing, Jerry Seinfeld, Katt Williams, Mike Epps, Jamie Kennedy, etcetera, do you have a favorite?
ED: I don't really have a favorite comedian. And it wouldn't be fair for me to say. But I think, I mean, obviously Seinfeld is just so smart, so funny. And there will be a lot of new comedians that I haven't seen. I hope I get to go see some of them because I really haven't seen any of the newer comedians, because I'm always so busy.
KW: Do you miss doing stand-up?
ED: I don't miss traveling and sleeping in a hotel every night. I mean that touring got really old. I did it for 15 years and I had no idea I was going to be a talk show host, but I used to joke with the audience at the end of my set that someday I am going to make you come to me, and I'm not going to come to you anymore. And now they do come to me. So, I still get to do stand-up every single day. I love that live energy exchange between the audience and myself, and to get to say the things I want to say and comment on.
KW: Is there any guest you haven't been able to book on the show?
ED: Bono, because I think he's an amazing man for what he does as a humanitarian even more so than as a musician. And George Clooney, of course, we're going to capture him one day. We're going after him and he has eluded us, but we will get him. Of course, now I want Keith Olbermann on, just because I love him and I think he's brilliant
KW: Why you think people should tune in to a comedy special at this time, considering the tough economy?
ED: Well I think people need to laugh everyday, even more so now. Whether the economy is good or bad, I think the most important thing is to laugh and to feel positive, if you are laughing at something positive. But if you are laughing at mean jokes then it's a wash
KW: What is your process when you are trying out new material?
ED: I am the opposite of Chris Rock and Seinfeld and Leno and everybody. I never try out material. When I did the Oscars, when I do anything, I write it and I just have a gut feeling and I just keep tweaking and tweaking and tweaking until I think have the wording right and know what I want to say and I just say it. I don't ever go to clubs and try it out. I have writers here with the show and we collaborate on that and the same thing with this special coming up. So, I just have a feeling of what I want to say and what is the right wording and I don't ask anybody. In the very beginning, I made lots of mistakes. I did some stuff on stage that clearly didn’t go over, but you know you just keep trying, and I think part of the fun, especially early on, is letting the audience see the mistakes. They love to see that. They like to see the process. So yeah, that's always how I've done it.
KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
ED: I'm very happy.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
ED: Afraid! No, I'm not afraid. I'm sometimes sad. Afraid of what, just in general?
KW: The way I got that question was I asked Columbus if there’s any question nobody ever asked him that he wished someone would, and he said, “Yeah, are you ever afraid?”
ED: Oh, really. What was his answer?
KW: Yes.
ED: I wouldn't even think to say that. No, never. I don't really ever live my life in fear. I really live my life in gratitude and feeling positive for the most part, except for the other day that happened. That was sad to me, but then I realized that everything happens for a reason and it has caused this movement of people kind of standing up and saying this isn't fair. So I kind of accept everything, that it's all perfect.
KW: Bookworm Troy Johnson asks, what was the last book you read?
ED: Probably Wayne Dyer's book, The Power of Intention.
KW: And Music maven Heather Covington’s question: What music are you listening to?
ED: God, I listen to so many different things. Last night I was listening to Anthony Hamilton and Coldplay.
KW: My wife just saw Anthony Hamilton in concert this week She loved him. Thanks again for the interview, Ellen, and best of luck with everything.
ED: Thank you.
To see a video of Ellen dancing with Barack Obama, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4&feature=related
To see a video of Ellen dancing with Michelle Obama, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW3u4DugwRg&feature=related
EUR DVD REVIEW: It's Pimpin' Pimpin'
Latest Katt Williams Concert Flick Released on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*They say there’s a thin line between genius and madness, and it’s often very hard to tell which side of the line Katt Williams is standing on.
I’ve been so curious about what make’s the diminutive comic tick that I’ve scheduled several interviews with him, each of which he either canceled at the last minute or simply failed to show up for.
Now there are reports that the inspired comic recently underwent psychological testing at the urging of his concerned relatives.
I can’t say I’m surprised, given his long being associated with bizarre behavior, such as walking down a red carpet with a noose around his neck at the time that the Jena 6 case was in the news.
Whether he’s insane or simply insensitive, Katt brings an undeniable intensity to everything he does as an entertainer, whether it’s his standup act or playing an over-the-top character in a movie. The dude is funny-looking enough even before he opens his mouth, between his short stature, loud pimp outfits and that flowing mane of relaxed hair. So, by the time he finally starts to speak in that high-pitched squeal of his, the audience is already well-primed to burst into laughter.
This latest concert flick captured Katt’s act onstage in historic Constitution Hall in DC, where his material appropriately covered plenty of politics and current events. He saved some of his most scathing remarks to skewer George Bush and Hilary Clinton, referring to the latter by the b-word for assuming she’d get the black vote because of her husband.
But with Katt, a curse or an ethnic slur can just as easily be a term of endearment, as he repeatedly employs the N-word while promoting Barack Obama’s candidacy. Brash, bright and brutally-honest with a unique perspective to share, here Katt Williams serves up another shocking show which definitely won’t disappoint his legions of loyal fans.
Very Good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 77 minutes
Studi Salient Media/Vivendi Entertainment DVD Extras: Behind the scenes footage and a featurette entitled “A Day with Katt Williams in DC.”
To see a trailer for It's Pimpin' Pimpin', visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ratmcknDTc&feature=related
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
“You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.” by David Viscott
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 26: Singer Tina Turner is 69. Singer Jean Terrell (replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes) is 64. Actress Maia Campbell ("In the House") is 32. Singer Lil Fizz of B2K is 23.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Learn all about Amour Creole, a new lifestyle magazine that focuses on Haitian fashion trends, culture, art and music (www.amourcreole.com/).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 26, 1883: Abolitionist and orator, Sojourner Truth, dies.
(Source: www.BlackFacts.com)