Click Here

*An attorney for Plaxico Burress says the New York Giants wide receiver will turn himself in Monday morning and plead not guilty to a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, reports the Associated Press.

Burress suffered a thigh wound when he accidentally shot himself in the leg Friday night at a New York nightclub. According to the New York Daily News, the athlete had a concealed-weapon permit issued to him in Florida but records show it expired in May and New York does not recognize out-of-state permits anyway.

The 31-year-old was discharged from a New York hospital on Saturday. He had a previous hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

Meanwhile, police sources told the New York Daily News Sunday that Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce allegedly attempted to hide the gun after the shooting and could face criminal charges as well. The newspaper reported that Pierce took the weapon and put it somewhere in New Jersey after the shooting.

According to the Daily News, Pierce applied pressure to Burress's gunshot wound after the shooting and chastised his teammate for taking a loaded handgun into the club. Burress begged Pierce not to call 911 and initially didn't want to go to the hospital but, after being helped out of the club by Pierce, went to a hospital two hours later with his wife and a friend, the Daily News reported.

The Giants reported the incident to police and officers were turned away from Burress's home in New Jersey by his wife around 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the newspaper.

The New York Post reported that criminal possession of a loaded weapon is a felony in New York that is punishable by up to a year in prison. The NY Daily News reported that Burress faces up to five years in prison for the felony.

Burress also faces possible discipline by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. The league's gun policy prohibits players from taking firearms to team- and league-related events, and also warns players about carrying unlicensed firearms, saying that could subject them to league discipline as well as criminal charges.

The Giants did not indicate how seriously Burress was hurt but there was a report that he could be ready to play again within a couple weeks.

TYLER PERRY SETTLES WITH WGA WEST: New agreement reached covering writers for his TBS sitcoms.

*Variety is reporting that Tyler Perry and the Writers Guild of America West have settled on a contract that covers writers on his TBS comedies "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns."

The deal, announced Wednesday, came after five months of negotiations as well as protesters picketing the October launch of his new studio facility in Atlanta.

The guild had accused Perry of firing four writers around the same time because they were pushing for WGA coverage. Perry denied the charge, saying the four were let go because he was unhappy with the quality of their work on "Payne" and the upcoming spinoff "Browns"

According to the WGA announcement, the new pact does not involve the reinstatement of the four writers, three of whom were WGA members.

At the time the WGA went public with its fight against Perry, the guild said Perry and his reps were resisting the WGA's contract terms.

Perry's reps countered that the talks has stalled on a narrow issue of residual payments to writers if the shows' reruns were to air on broadcast TV. ("House of Payne" has aired in both first-run syndication and on TBS.)

Vic Bulluck, exec director of the NAACP's Hollywood bureau, was credited by the guild and Perry as being "instrumental" in helping both sides bridge the gap after the October dustups, reports Variety.

In a joint statement, Perry and WGA West president Patric Verrone emphasized the unique role that Perry plays in the industry as a prominent African-American multi-hyphenate and one of the few truly indie producers. Perry finances and owns both TBS series outright.

"With a continued focus on fostering young, diverse talent, we are eager to continue our dialogue with the WGA to dramatically increase the number of minority writers working in Hollywood today," Perry said in a statement, also noting that the WGA deal comes after he has already completed deals with SAG, DGA, Teamsters and IATSE.

Verrone cited Perry's impressive track record in film and TV "at a time when true independent producers like Mr. Perry are rare in this business."

FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR MC BREED: Rapper will be laid to rest tomorrow in Flint, MI hometown.

*A funeral for rapper MC Breed will take place tomorrow (Dec. 2) in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, the family stated. Services will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church (1851 West Carpenter Rd.).

MC Breed, 37, is survived by his parents, Roy LeEster and Willie Breed. He also leaves behind five children: Kiara Monique, Erica Ariel, Alexis Cymone, Marco "MC" Chene, and Eric Jalen and three siblings: Pete, Kevin and Bridgette Breed.

50 CENT CONCERNED ABOUT ECONOMY: Rapper's investment portfolio in trouble; multimillion-dollar mansion still on the market.

*While 50 Cent may not literally see his net worth dwindle down to the amount of his rap moniker, the mogul is worried about his financial assets as stock markets and real estate values continue to plummet.

"I lost a couple million dollars already," the rapper told Canadian Press. "I sit with my investors and business managers and accountants looking at the numbers and I'm like, 'Yo, the values of stocks in different areas that I invested in are decreasing!' So I take the loss like everybody else."

The sagging economy also persuaded 50 to delay the release of his new CD, "Before I Self Destruct," which was supposed to hit stores in time for Christmas. The release has been pushed back into 2009 to get more airplay for singles and build up as much hype as possible to ensure that CD sales aren't disappointing.

"Pushing it back was to position myself a little better. I want to make sure (buyers) hear some things before I actually get my CD physically on sale," he said.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has also been trying to sell his $18.5 million mansion for more than a year now. He purchased the home from Mike Tyson, who, himself, lost most of his money and was forced to place the house on the market. Every day, 50 says he's reminded of the former boxer's fall from grace.

"I'm waking up in a room that was previously Mike Tyson's bedroom, a fighter who earned over $500 million in his actual career, and when I purchased his house from him he was in bankruptcy," said 50. "If that's not a strong enough reminder for you, I don't know what's going to remind you to be aware of where you are financially and make conscious decisions."

T.I. KEEPS 'SINGLE LADIES' AT 'BEY': Rapper stays atop Billboard Hot 100 despite 28-2 rise of Beyonce.

*Beyonce's current hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) sold 204,000 digital downloads last week, but it wasn't enough to remove T.I. form his perch atop the Billboard Hot 100.

The rapper's "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna begins a fifth non-consecutive week at No. 1, followed by the 28-2 rocket of "Single Ladies," and Beyonce's other current single "If I Were a Boy" holding steady at No. 3.

T.I.'s former No. 1, "Whatever You Like," slips 2-4. Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" drops 4-5, Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" rebounds 9-6 and Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" featuring Colby O'Donis powers 16-7. Pink's "So What" drops 5-8, as Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" improves 11-9 and Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na)" falls 8-10 to round out the top tier.

On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "Single Ladies" begins a second week at No.1. As previously reported, Beyonce scored her third-straight No. 1 debut on The Billboard 200 with "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," which sold 482,000 copies.

DIDDY STILL TRYING TO BE FIRST BLACK 007: Mogul spends thousands of dollars on audition tape.

*Sean "Diddy" Combs is using the promo for his new I Am King fragrance as an audition tape for producers of the James Bond franchise, hoping that the footage will sway filmmakers to consider casting him as the first black 007.

The rap titan reportedly spent $750,000 making the King promo/Bond audition tape, which he filmed in the South of France near the location of recent Bond film "Casino Royale."

The rapper is seen in the clip wearing a tuxedo, flying in a helicopter, riding a jet ski and surrounded by women.

According to Britain's Daily Mirror, Diddy is facing competition from R&B hitmaker Akon and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx in the push to become the first black actor to play the legendary secret agent.

"Don't get me wrong, ego-wise, when I see the cover of the magazines and they say that (I'm a mogul), I'm like, 'Oh, that looks popping and it looks hot,' but it ain't true," she tells the magazine.

"Oprah's been doing this for 30 years. Mogul? That's like Martha Stewart. That's like going public. Mogul? Not yet," she says.

The Emmy-winning celeb has scored TV hits with "The Tyra Banks Show" and her reality program "America's Next Top Model," which has spawned international versions across the globe. Banks says her sights are actually set higher than the "mogul"status. She adds, "I think I'll have an empire."

MIKE TYSON GETS A TICKET FOR THANKSGIVING: Former boxer cited for ramming his Escalade into a private gate.

*Mike Tyson is back in the headlines, this time for impatiently ramming his car into the visitor's gate of a private community in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving morning.

According to local ABC news affiliate KTNV, the retired boxer pulled his late-model black Escalade up to the southern part of Valley at Monarch Estates at around 7:45 a.m. Thursday.

"He went to the visitor's gate, but instead of driving through the gate when it opened, he veered off and hit the closed resident's gate," said Action News reporter Rikki Cheese. "Tyson reportedly backed up and ripped the gate down. Metro was called, and Tyson got a ticket."

Las Vegas Police were called to investigate and gave him a breathalyzer test, which he passed. They then dismissed the entire incident as an accident and Tyson escaped with a fine before being allowed inside of the gated community to visit his friend.

CABLE ASSN VS. ROBERT JOHNSON: BET founder's petition to force broadcast of his new network under 'share time' met with resistance.

*Multichannel.com is reporting that BET founder Robert Johnson has run into static regarding his recently-filed FCC petition to force cable and satellite distributors to carry his new urban-targeted TV network under "share time" licenses.

According to the Web site, Johnson’s RLJ Companies Tuesday announced it is teaming with ION Networks to launch Urban Television LLC, a new African-American targeted network that would take over one of ION Network’s digital channels in 42 markets.

According to the two companies, the proposed share-time agreement would allow Urban Television to operate "a continuous television program service aimed at serving the needs and interests of urban viewers and traditionally underserved minority communities."

But, National Cable Television Association spokesman Brian Dietz said Johnson's proposal is "nothing more than a plea for multicast must-carry rights and should be rejected."

"This appears to be a request for multicast must-carry rights in all but name only," Dietz said in a statement. "The full Commission has repeatedly rejected multicast must carry because it is unconstitutional and unnecessary. Broadcasters with compelling content can, and do, obtain carriage for multicast programming but mandating carriage of those signals should again be rejected."

Harold Feld, senior vice president of the consumer activist group Media Access Project, said Johnson’s proposal may find a sympathetic ear within the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

"I think a lot depends on who the commissioners are," Feld told Multichannel.com. "Certainly the environment will be generally more receptive to these types of arguments, but that is no guarantee that the argument will prevail."

ROBIN THICKE TO TOUR THROUGH YEAR'S END: Crooner to hit four cities at the close of 2008.

*Robin Thicke will spend the last days of 2008 on a mini-tour in support of his latest album, "Something Else."

The late-December dates will take the singer through Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; Atlanta; and Los Angeles, according to Live Daily. Details are listed below.

"Something Else," produced by Thicke and longtime collaborator Pro-Jay, reached No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has scored a Top 10 R&B/hip-hop hit with the lead single, "Magic." The record is described as a modern tribute to '70s pop and soul, and Thicke said it's aptly titled.

"It's time for hope and change," the singer said in his bio. "It's in the air. And I'm speaking on the times around me."

Robin Thicke's tour dates are as follows:

December 2008

26 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall

27 - Washington, DC - Dar Constitution Hall

28 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Civic Center

29 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia

STEPHON MARBURY SUSPENDED, FINED: Knicks player disputes claims he refused to suit up for a game.

*New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was suspended for a game and docked about $400,000 in salary after claiming he refused a request to play in a game Wednesday against the Pistons.

Marbury, however, insisted Friday he never told coach Mike D'Antoni "no" and plans to appeal.

The New York Post reported Saturday Marbury, Knicks president Donnie Walsh and players' association lawyer Hal Biagas are set to meet today (Dec 1) to try and reach a buyout agreement.

"Of course I want something resolved," Marbury told the paper. "I want to go forward."

D'Antoni wouldn't go into detail about their conversation that took place before Wednesday's loss in Detroit, though he made it clear he asked the point guard to play because the Knicks were short-handed.

Marbury was not paid for Saturday's home game against Golden State and will lose an additional game's pay for Wednesday's actions. He earns about $21 million in salary this year, drawing about $190,000 a game.

COBSY GEARS UP FOR BIG 2009 TOUR: Comedian to continue standup trek through Sept. of next year.

*Bill Cosby will take his comedy act on the road for the bulk of 2009, beginning Jan. 16 in Elizabeth, IN, reports Live Daily.

The veteran comedian/actor/author will continue on through late April, with one-off stops in May, June and September. Nearly all of the engagements include two performances. Cosby said in his bio that he focuses on making his concerts as intimate as possible.

"I feel that in-person contact with people is the most important thing in comedy,". "While I'm up on stage, I can actually put myself into the audience and adjust my pace and timing to them. I can get into their heads through their ears and through their eyes. Only through this total communication can I really achieve what I'm trying to do."

Here is Bill Cosby's tour schedule:

January 2009

16 - Elizabeth, IN - Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana

18 - Flint, MI - Whiting Auditorium

24 - Washington, DC - Kennedy Center Opera House

February 2009

14 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre of the Arts

21 - Worcester, MA - Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

28 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall

March 2009

6 - Hamilton, Ontario - Hamilton Place Theatre

7 - Evansville, IN - The Centre

13 - Houston, TX - Jones Hall

14 - Fort Pierce, FL - Sunrise Theatre

21 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theater

28 - Denver, CO - Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre

29 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

April 2009

11 - Madison, WI - Overture Center for the Arts

25 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

26 - Englewood, NJ - Bergen Performing Arts Center

May 2009

7 - Santa Ynez, CA - Chumash Casino

June 2009

27 - Minneapolis, MN - Orchestra Hall

September 2009

27 - Cerritos, CA - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

AKON ON OBAMA, MIJAC AND MORE: Singer talks to People.com about his current state of affairs.

*Singer-producer Akon sat down with People magazine recently to promote his upcoming album, "Freedom," due tomorrow (Dec. 2), and also touch on his recent collaborations with Michael Jackson and his thoughts about President-elect Barack Obama.

You did some work with Michael Jackson earlier in the year with 25th Anniversary of Thriller. How did you riff off each other musically?

Akon: The collaboration was incredible. From the first moment we actually met each other face-to-face it seemed like we had know each other for years.

I was always a big fan, I knew everything about him. It was just astonishing to me that he knew a lot about me, and he was a fan of me as well. We clicked instantly.

What surprised you the most about him?

Spin reported that you, T-Pain, Nelly and Pharell united to form a supergroup. Is that true?

Akon: This is something that we wish we could do. If it happens, that's great for the music industry because we're trying to bring fun back. Whether it can happen realistically, without politics getting in the middle of it, is the question. If it were up to us, the artists, it would have been done already.

Outside of music, what else have you been pursuing?

Akon: Outside of music, I've been doing a lot of the label exec thing [at] Kon Live Distribution. The clothing line, Konvict Clothing, is urban streetwear. Then we have Aliaune, which is the more upscale corporate look.

Then there's the Konfidence Foundation where we're giving back to Africa, creating a better environment for the children of Africa.

Which celebrity would make a good president and why?

Akon: Celebrity? Obama! He's the biggest celebrity I know. He's gonna make an incredible president.

OBAMA BITS: Clinton announcement expected today; ratings for Walters interview; Raul Castro wants Gitmo meeting; chocolate chunk cookies.

*President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to be joined by Hillary Rodham Clinton at a Chicago news conference today announcing the New York senator as secretary of state, reports the Associated Press. Bill Clinton's business deals and global charitable endeavors had been expected to create problems for the former first lady's nomination. But in negotiations with the Obama transition team, the former president agreed to several measures designed to bring transparency to those activities. Obama also plans to announce today that Defense Secretary Robert Gates would remain in his job for a year or more and that retired Marine General James M. Jones would serve as national security adviser.

*The Barbara Walters' ABC interview featuring Barack and Michelle Obama drew 11.5 million viewers Wednesday night, according to Nielsen. In comparison, Rosie O'Donnell's NBC special "Rosie Live" only pulled about 5 million, which is worse than the network's regular 8-9 p.m. occupant, the struggling "Knight Rider." CBS' CSI: NY (12.2 million) was Wednesday's most watched show.

20 he would "immediately" lift all restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. Under tough rules imposed under President Bush, Cuban Americans can now visit their relatives on the island only once every three years.

Word got out about the Obamas' chocolate chunk love during a stop in Iowa last month, when his staff ordered about a dozen cookies for the family.

Soon, sales jumped with requests coming from as far away as Mexico.

ITTY BITTY BITS: Ocho Cinco does Black Friday; 'Free Man of Color' cancelled; Violator signs Spitzer hooker; BET tackles AIDS/HIV.

*Outspoken wide receiver Chad Johnson was spotted taking advantage of Black Friday sales in Florence, KY. TMZ.com has a photo of him in a Best Buy at 5:25 a.m. picking up the video game Rock Band 2, a stereo, and a Cuisinart four-slice toaster.

*The Public Theater’s world premiere of John Guare’s A Free Man of Color, starring Mos Def and Tony Award winner Jeffrey Wright, has been cancelled due to loss of funding brought on by the bad economy. In a statement, the Public said it was still committed to mounting the production, which was originally scheduled to debut at the New York venue in late Winter 2009, sometime next season. The show was to have been directed by the Public's former artistic director, George C. Wolfe.

*The New York Post is reporting that Chris Lighty's Violator management company has taken on former prostitute Ashlee Dupree as a client.

The 23-year-old became famous in March when she was exposed as the call girl frequented by then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Prior to the scandal, Dupree had been trying to land a record deal and had two singles "Move Ya Body" and "What We Want." "She deserved a fair shake and Violator isn’t scared of the controversy," a source familiar with the deal told AllHipHop.com.

*Today at 6 p.m., BET will dedicate a full episode of "106 & Park" to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, followed by the premiere of "Are You Positive?" a half hour special that addresses the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS at 7:30 p.m. "Are You Positive" profiles four young Americans - two of whom are living with HIV, two who are not -- who open up their lives, sharing what they do for work and fun, as well as their passions and dreams, to challenge the stereotypes about who HIV affects. In the final act, the characters reveal their status and talk, with inspiring openness, about how HIV has affected each of their lives.

BLACK FRIDAY TURNS DEADLY IN LONG ISLAND: Wal-Mart worker trampled to death during mad rush.

*A seasonal maintenance worker helping to open a Wal-Mart store on Black Friday was trampled to death when the impatient crowd of more than 2,000 broke through the glass doors and rushed inside.

Jdimytai Damour of Jamaica, Queens, was pushed to the ground by the stampede just before 5 a.m. as management was preparing to open the store.

Hundreds stepped over, around and on top of the 34-year-old worker as they rushed to take advantage of store bargains.

"Nobody was trying to help him," shopper Nakea Augustine, who was in the line, told Newsday.com. "They were rushing in the store, rushing, rushing, rushing."