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01-26-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
TYRA COMMENTS ON HER EXTRA POUNDS: Former runway queen has no apologies for her post-modeling body.
*Tyra Banks has decided to address those unflattering bikini pictures of her that have popped up in the tabloids this week under such headlines as "America's Next Top Waddle" and "Tyra Porkchop."
The 33-year-old former supermodel admits that she has gained about 30 pounds since her infamous 1997 Sports Illustrated cover, but tells People magazine that she’s the only one who doesn’t seem to have a problem with it… at least most of the time.
"I still feel hot, but every day is different,” she says. “It's when I put on the jeans that used to fit a year ago and don't fit now and give me the muffin top, that's when I say, 'Damn!'"
Banks, the co-creator and host of the CW’s “America’s Next Top Model,” also feels that the public’s obsession with her weight – which she says is at 161 lbs. these days – is ultimately detrimental to young girls who struggle with body image.
"I get so much mail from young girls who say, 'I look up to you, you're not as skinny as everyone else, I think you're beautiful,'" she says.
"So when they say that my body is 'ugly' and 'disgusting,' what does that make those girls feel like?"
Since her retirement from modeling, Banks says her weight has fluctuated from 148 lbs. to 162 lbs. In addition to the “muffin top,” Banks says she’s also developed a “fat roll” on her back and an unwelcome boost in bra size to double D, which makes it hard for her to find clothes that fit.
"I would love for them to be a size and a half smaller,” she says.
But, she adds: "I've made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where's the pain in that? If I was in pain, I would have dieted. The pain is not there – the pain is someone printing a picture of me and saying those
(horrible) things."
911 CALLS RELEASED IN BRANDY ACCIDENT: Plus, mechanical defects ruled out as cause of the crash.
*Thursday morning saw the release of several 911 calls made in the minutes following a four-car auto accident involving R&B singer Brandy last month.
By Thursday afternoon, investigators had ruled out mechanical malfunction as a cause of the Dec. 30 accident. At around 10:30 a.m. that morning, the singer-actress was driving her Land Rover at 65 mph on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles when traffic in front of her had slowed down and she struck the vehicle in front of her.
The driver of that vehicle, which hit the median strip and was struck by another car, was rushed to the hospital and died of her injuries the next day.
"There's just been a massive car accident on the 405," one caller told a 911 operator, according to TMZ. "I think there's fatalities or injuries, big time," another said. Listen to the 911 calls here:
http://www.tmz.com/2007/01/24/brandy-the-911-calls/
TMZ quotes a witness who said Brandy was thoroughly distraught at the accident scene and kept blaming herself.
"She got upset, talking about how it was all her fault ... she didn't stop, kept saying how she hit the lady," the man said. "Brandy walked in front of traffic, crossing the lanes of speeding cars, then she did it again. People were honking at her to get out of the road. She was obviously disoriented and highly upset."
Brandy, 27, was not arrested for the accident and she has not been charged with a crime. No drugs or alcohol were found at the scene.
The victim, 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj of Los Angeles, was married and had one child. Police are trying to figure out what caused her vehicle to careen across four lanes of traffic, turning what could have been a relatively minor crash into a fatal one, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Leland Tang. An inspection of all four vehicles found no mechanical defects, he said.
"We know the person who started the chain reaction was obviously Brandy Norwood," Tang concluded, adding that investigators would spend the next several days sifting through evidence from the scene and conducting further interviews before turning the case over to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for review.
He said Brandy has been "fantastically cooperative" with police.
NEW D.C. MAYOR INVITES HOMELESS TO SEE ‘HAPPYNESS’: Officials and viewers seen wiping away tears following free screening.
*New Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty invited about 100 of the city’s homeless to a theater Thursday for a screening of "The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Will Smith in the real-life story of a homeless man who cared for his young son while working his way toward becoming a millionaire.
The idea for the screening was brought to Fenty last month by longtime homeless advocate Arafa Speaks, 52. City officials hoped the audience would be uplifted and gain hope from Gardner’s story.
The crowd of mostly homeless adults and elderly people reacted with groans at some of the familiar challenges faced by Smith's character, Chris Gardner, and cheered for his triumphs.
When Gardner, who gets evicted along with his young son, is finally offered the stockbroker job he painfully strove for, the audience burst into applause and wiped away tears, reports AP. Two city officials even choked up as they spoke to the audience after the movie.
"Everybody here not only has a story, but they have gifts and skills," said Speaks.
BET'S 'CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL' HONORS TYLER PERRY: Show features Gospel and R&B artists as well as Hollywood's finest.
*BET's "Celebration of Gospel," the 2-hour annual spectacular, is back with its 2007 edition featuring spiritually uplifting performances by some of the biggest names in gospel and mainstream music as well as a heartfelt tribute to Tyler Perry.
Hosted again by veteran comedian/actor and popular syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, this highly anticipated annual praise-fest kicked off with a star-studded red carpet arrivals event, followed by a show-stopping opening performance of “Jesus Can Fix It” by Yolanda Adams and Pastor Shirley Caesar.
"Celebration of Gospel" ‘07 is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping two-hour revival, filled with rousing performances by Fantasia, Loretta Devine, Smokie Norful, Juanita Bynum, Tye Tribbett, Kelly Price, Fred Hammond, The Caravans, Dr. Bobby Jones, Lil Mo, Kiki Sheard and Coko along with others who hit the stage in front of the standing-room only crowd.
Show highlights include a special segment honoring writer, producer, director, and actor extraordinaire, Tyler Perry for embodying the theme of this year’s show, “Taking You Higher.” Quincy Jones, Gabrielle Union, Lou Gossett, Jr., Blair Underwood, Yolanda Adams and Keke Palmer all took part in the emotional tribute recognizing Perry’s body of work and his successful approach to making gospel-themed urban theatre accessible to the masses.
“It's really an amazing thing for me to be honored by BET at Celebration of Gospel because gospel music is our heritage and so much a part of what I’m about,” said Perry in a backstage interview with press gathered to cover the taping. “So to have BET honor me within a gospel celebration was an amazing thing. It was very moving and very personal to me, and I thank God for it.”
This year's aggregation of Gospel, R&B stars and Hollywood’s finest, come together for this inspirational affair which premieres this Sunday, January 28 from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT.
EDDIE MURPHY HEADED STRAIGHT TO ‘NOWHERE’: Actor signs on for new Paramount comedy.
*With an Oscar nomination in his pocket and the feature film “Norbit” on the verge of hitting theaters, Eddie Murphy has signed on to star in the upcoming Paramount Pictures comedy “NowhereLand.”
According to Variety, the best supporting actor nominee for “Dreamgirls” will play a successful financial executive who suddenly loses his confidence and finds his career going down the toilet. He discovers the answers to his problems within the imaginary world created by his daughter.
A director has yet to be secured for the comedy, written by Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, who teamed up to write “"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey." Production is likely to begin this summer after Murphy wraps work on the Fox comedy “Starship Dave.”
The idea for “NowhereLand” was born out of Solomon’s own life after his young son came up with a suggestion that solved a business problem Solomon was stressed about.
"We liked the idea of Eddie playing a role he hasn't played before,"
said Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who will produce the film alongside Solomon.
"He showed a bit of that vulnerability in 'Dreamgirls,' but this gives him the opportunity to tap into that reservoir of talent."
REV. RUN’S WIFE PENS CHILDREN’S BOOK: Justine Simmons says process helped her deal with recent loss of newborn.
*Justine Simmons, the wife of Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of Run DMC fame, has written a new book that encourages children to carve out their own relationships with God.
Titled “God Can You hear Me?” the 32-page book for kids ages 5-10 aims to pique the interest of readers with questions and answers that encourage them to seek their own spiritual enlightenment.
"We teach our children to write letters to God as we do ourselves,"Simmons told AllHipHop.com. "I felt like children need to know at an early age that they can go to God and speak to him. I tried to get some things that I felt that children may have problems with and they may need answers to. If you really talk to him or write to him he will show up."
Simmons, whose family life is chronicled in MTV’s reality series “Run’s House” said that writing the book was a therapeutic experience following the recent death of her newborn daughter, Victoria.
"Being as though I write to God, I had to really write to God during my loss," Simmons said. "Not until you really have that problem in your face where you need that peace and strength, do you really know if it works. The peace I had almost scared me. I guess you just really have to have a situation, to know the strength of God or the peace of the Lord really works. It's just amazing."
TIGER PLANS GOLF SEASON AROUND BABY: Woods says his first child is due ‘July sometime,’ which could conflict with British Open.
*Tiger Woods is hoping that the 2007 golf season will build upon the tremendous comeback success he enjoyed last year, but his participation in the sport will ultimately bow down to the arrival of his first child with wife Elin.
"July sometime," was as far as Woods would go Wednesday when asked the baby’s expected due date, but he made it clear that the birth would take precedence over any tournament. If anything, Woods would likely miss the British Open July 19-22 at Carnoustie.
"If she's going to have it during the week of the Open, just don't go," he explained of his plans. "That (the birth) is the most important thing, not another golf tournament."
Woods was given a more precise date for the baby’s expected arrival, but chose to keep it to himself. He also referred to the unborn child as “he,” but said that he and Elin did not know the baby's sex.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of his first tournament of the season at the Buick Invitational, Woods compared his feelings about the year ahead to those of last year at the same time, when he knew his father's health was failing.
"This year, I'm looking forward to the year and what's going to transpire," he said. "Last year, I wasn't looking forward to the year and what was going to transpire. One is just praying and hoping, and the other is just pure excitement and enjoyment."
He goes into today’s second day of the Buick Invitational in San Diego five shots off the lead and tied for 13th.
BOBBY MCFERRIN SPILLS SECRETS: Vocalist explains his vocal gymnastics to Berkeley’s Jazzschool.
*After a lengthy break from recording, Grammy-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin returned to the spotlight Wednesday night with a concert in advance of a tour through the United States and Europe.
Best known for his 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be happy,” the artist gave a vocal workshop at the Jazzschool in Berkeley this week and was asked immediately to explain the way in which he transforms his voice into musical instruments.
"There really is nothing to teach. I just tell them that it's yodeling, that's what it is. There really is no great secret behind it," he told Reuters.
"What's the secret to being uninhibited, not only in music, but in general?" an audience member asked him.
"I've always been sort of a goofball, really," answered McFerrin, 56, who now sports dreadlocks and a goatee.
The singer has spent much of his hiatus from recording leading various orchestras. In February and March he will lead the Munich Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In May, he will conduct La Scala Orchestra in Milan, and in the coming months will give solo concerts in Hungary, France and Britain.
One song he stopped performing in concert long ago is the tune that continues to make him a rich man, most recently after its inclusion in the
2005 film "Jarhead."
"'Don't Worry' has allowed me to do all sorts of things," he said. "It's given me a financial cushion."
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening January 26, 2007
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Blood and Chocolate (PG-13 for sexuality, terror, violence, and substance abuse) Horror flick about a Bucharest beauty (Agnes Bruckner) whose love for a visiting American artist (Hugh Dancy) has her wrestling with whether to expose a well-concealed secret, namely, that she's a teenage werewolf.
Catch and Release (PG-13 for sex, expletives, and drug use) Jennifer Garner stars in this bittersweet romantic comedy about a grieving woman who finds herself falling for her late fiance's best friend (Timothy Oliphant) who she always presumed to be a shameless womanizer. Supporting cast includes Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis and Fiona Shaw.
Epic Movie (PG-13 for sex, expletives, crude humor, and slapstick violence) Snakes on a Plane, Nacho Libre, X-Men, James Bond, Harry Potter, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and other big-budget flicks serve as fodder for this parody of the blockbuster genre. Sketch flick features appearances by by Kal Penn, Carmen Electra, Jennifer Coolidge, David Carradine, Fred Willard, Katt Williams and Roscoe Lee Browne.
Smokin' Aces (R for nudity, drug use, graphic violence, and pervasive
profanity) Mafia comedy about a Vegas magician-turned-stool pigeon (Jeremy Pigeon) on the run from assassins after agreeing to testify against the mob. Ensemble cast includes Ray Liotta, Ben Affleck, Taraji Henson, Wayne Newton, Ryan Reynolds and Andy Garcia, plus Alicia Keys and Common in their screen debuts.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
China Blue (Unrated) Undercover documentary uncovers the exploitation of employees at a blue jeans factory where entry-level workers are paid as little as six cents an hour. (In Cantonese, Mandarin, and English with subtitles)
Fired! (Unrated) Inspired by the trauma of being fired by Woody Allen, actress Annabelle Gurwitch was inspired to make this documentary which takes a lighthearted look at the toll that downsizing is currently taking on American workers. With appearances by game show host Ben Stein and comedians Tim Allen, Andy Dick, Annn Meara, Fred Willard, Harry Shearer and Sarah Silverman.
From Other Worlds (Unrated) Sci-fi romance about a depressed Brooklyn
housewife (Cara Buono) inspired by a close encounter to join a UFO support group where she joins forces with an African immigrant (Isaach De Bankole) who has the same mysterious, otherworldly markings on his body.
Seraphim Falls (R for violence and brief profanity) Panoramic, post-bellum Western, set in the frontier several years after the Civil War, revolves around the efforts of a vengeful Confederate colonel (Liam Neeson) who enlists the assistance of a gang of bounty hunters to track down a Union soldier (Pierce Brosnan) he has a grudge against.
Shockproof (Unrated) B&W neo-noir revolving around a recently-paroled femme fatale (Patricia Knight) embroiled in a love triangle with her parole officer (Cornel Wilde) and a very shady character (John Baragrey).
GOLDMAN LAWSUIT AGAINST O.J. TOSSED: Federal judge says it’s out of his jurisdiction.
*The father of murder victim Ronald Goldman has lost his bid to sue O.J. Simpson over any monies paid from his unpublished book, "If I Did It."
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Manuel Real refused to hear the case because it is out of his jurisdiction – the federal Central District of California – and should be filed in Florida state court, he said.
Simpson was found liable in civil court for the grisly murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Goldman, whose father Fred had filed the lawsuit against the former NFL star. Fred Goldman alleged that Simpson used a shell company to conceal an advance he received for a book-and-TV deal to avoid paying the wrongful death judgment. Goldman had sought a court order freezing the money or turning it over to the family.
Jonathan Polak, an attorney for the Goldman family, said the family had not decided whether to appeal Real's decision or take the lawsuit to Florida.
"They got kicked out to the curb," Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said after the hearing.
JAMES BROWN’S KIDS WANT TRUSTEES REMOVED: Children believe their dad’s estate has been mismanaged.
*In the ongoing family dispute that has kept their father James Brown from his final resting place, the late singer’s six adult children filed an emergency petition late Wednesday to have the Godfather of Soul’s trustees removed due to mismanagement of his estate.
According to the AP, the petition filed in Aiken County also claimed that some of Brown's assets are in danger of being "lost or dissipated or
stolen."
Trustee Buddy Dallas, also an attorney for Brown, tells AP that items in the trust were handled "appropriately and properly" when the 73-year-old entertainer died Dec. 25.
"I've been Mr. Brown's trusted friend and counsel for 24 years _ a relationship that was built totally on our trust," Dallas said. "And I never violated that trust for 24 years."
Signed in 2000, Brown’s irrevocable trust reportedly contains most of his primary assets, including music rights and his 60-acre Beech Island home.
Brown's will, separate from the trust, was filed last week and divided personal possessions such as clothes, jewelry and automobiles among the six children. His seventh child with longtime partner Tomi Rae Hynie was not included in the will.
A court hearing was scheduled for Feb. 1.
MYSTIKAL A FREE MAN: Rapper reportedly released from prison last week after three years.
*Rapper Mystikal is living outside of prison walls for the first time since 2004.
According to SOHH.com, the rapper was released from federal lockdown in Louisiana on Jan. 11 after serving nearly three years of a six year sentence.
Mystikal, whose real name is Michael L. Tyler, was convicted in 2004 of forcing his hairstylist to perform oral sex on him as repayment for allegedly stealing $80,000 worth of checks.
In 2006, Mystikal was sentenced to another year in prison on tax evasion charges, but that time was served concurrently with his previous sentence.
TYLER PERRY NOT TRYING TO BE EDDIE MURPHY: Director/playwright tired of comparisons between their female characters.
*In his latest newsletter to fans, Tyler Perry says he’s not trying to get sucked into the media’s obsession with pitting him against Eddie Murphy in a battle over who does a better job acting in drag.
With Murphy playing multiple female characters in his upcoming film “Norbit,” (due in theaters five days before the Valentine’s Day release of Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls”), Perry says the press is at it again.
He writes: “When I was doing press they were asking all of the same questions, like ‘Who do you think is better, Eddie's characters or yours?’ I am not about to get into this mess with them. Even though I don't know Eddie, we all know that he is a brilliantly talented man and I won't get into any kind of contest no matter what questions are asked of me. I just wanted you all to be aware of the tricks that they try.”
TV’S ‘NOAH’S ARC’ MAY TEST CINEMA WATERS: Logo wants to turn popular sitcom into feature film.
*Gay-themed channel Logo is planning to adapt its hit series “Noah’s Arc,” about the life and loves of four gay African American men in Los Angeles, into its first-ever feature film.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie would be released sometime in 2008 with a storyline that picks up where the show’s second season left off.
"'Noah's Arc' has so many dimensions and possibilities, so advancing to the feature film format is an exciting way to motivate our loyal fans and engage an even wider audience," Logo president Brian Graden said.
Distribution plans are in the process of being worked out, a Logo spokesman said.
HOLLYWOOD CHOOSES SIDES IN DEMOCRATIC RACE: Obama and Clinton head West to raise money for presidential campaigns.
*Now that Democrats Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton have announced their plans to run for President in 2008, it’s time to start looking for ways to pay for the campaigns.
Both senators will press the flesh in the big blue state of California next month at scheduled fund-raisers that come with guest lists full of high-powered celebrities.
According to Variety, the DreamWorks trio of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen sent out hundreds of invitations Wednesday for a Feb. 20 fund-raising reception for Obama's exploratory committee. The $2,300-per-person event, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, will be followed by a private dinner at Geffen's home for Obama's fund- raising co-chairs. The latter are those who commit to raising $46,000 each for the evening.
Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign is planning a big Beverly Hills gala on March 24 that will be preceded by a visit on Feb. 11, when Clinton is planning to hold meet-and-greets at the homes of investment banker Sim Farar and of entertainment industry mogul Haim Saban. The meet-and-greets are for fund-raiser/donors who each commit to raising at least $25,000. Clinton also plans another visit to meet with donors in late Feb.
NBC’S ‘TODAY’ AND ‘TONIGHT’ SHOW IN HEADLINES: Tara Conner picks morning show over Oprah; George Lopez has beef with Jay Leno.
*In a fierce battle to land the first interview with disgraced Miss USA Tara Conner, the “Today Show” walked away with a victory over the mighty Oprah Winfrey.
According to TMZ.com, Conner chose the No. 1-rated morning program over a trip to Harpo Studios because she would be interviewed alone by either Matt Lauer or Meredith Viera, whereas Oprah wanted her to share the couch with Donald Trump and others.
The Feb. 1 interview will be Conner’s first since entering rehab at the behest of The Donald to address her drinking. TMZ says her second interview will be the following day on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Speaking of Leno, it appears as if he is suddenly in a nasty celebrity feud with comedian George Lopez.
The Web site reports that Lopez appeared on an Orlando radio station calling Leno "the biggest two-faced dude in TV" and a "back stabber." Lopez also called the talk show host the "worst interviewer on television."
What caused all this animosity is unclear. Lopez said Leno played nice by calling him after his kidney transplant in April 2005, and then putting "the knife in [his] back" through Leno's producers. Lopez didn't explain the comment any further.
EUR FILM REVIEW: 'African World Masters' (A Film by Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn)
World premiere screening at Pan African Film Festival, February 17th,11:10am, Magic Johnson Theater, Los Angeles, California
by Baffour Amankwatia II [Asa G. Hilliard III]
*Baba Dr. Kwaku Person -Lynn has delivered a precious gift, one film with powerful stories about five African masters, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Baba Fela Anikulapo Kati, and himself, Baba Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn. In this film, in his telling the stories of four carefully chosen African masters, Baba Kwaku has revealed himself, probably unintentionally, as a master among masters.
Yes, this film is captivating, with stunning visuals and carefully selected interviews and formal presentations by four of the greatest grounded African shapers of thought, perception, and behavior in the global African community. The effect of this special set of selected works of this carefully chosen quartet will leave the viewer breathless, even those of us who are very familiar with the presenters and their works, and are colleagues, will be renewed in our appreciation of their intellectual and spiritual excellence. I can only imagine what it will be like for a young African to meet these elder Africans for the first time via this film, available in DVD.
Courage, consciousness, uncommon vision, and uncompromising commitment to the truth and to African people bind these five masters together. The incomparable historian and venerable elder Dr. Clarke's legendary grasp of the saga of the global African family essence almost demands that he be the first featured master. The singular original and multidisciplinary presentation, analysis and synthesis of a vast array of intercontinental evidence that has led in forced a rewriting of the history of the African presence and influence in the western hemisphere is captured in this short clip from historian, anthropologist and linguist, Dr. Van Sertima's presentations and writings. Psychiatrist Dr. Frances Cress Welsing's analytical treatment of the dynamics of the agenda and operation of the global structure of white supremacy belief and behavior comes to life in the video of one of her live lectures. Our Nigerian master musician and brother, Baba Kuti, offers us access to a living African world-view, which stands in stark contrast to the European world-view, which has been forced upon us to destroy our being and self-determination.
Baba Kwaku has sometimes been described as a 'talk show host,'
though he is well known as a historian, musicologist, educator, author, and producer. And while his African Mental Liberation day non-stop presentation of African deep thinkers has been highly regarded by conscious Africans for years, I cannot help but note his own mastery, his genius, in knowing who our masters are, which ones to select, and what to select from them, in order to offer this gift that shakes the foundation of falsehood imposed, and complacency endured. Baba Kwaku is a master communicator, a master listener and a master facilitator who pulls the best out of the best.
This DVD will take its place among our must valuable resources. It contains many lessons at many levels, some which will only be discovered by repeated viewing. I am grateful that young Africans anywhere in the world will have such a resource in the digital age that allows our greats to be at the fingertips of the masses of our family.
Anyone who knows Baba Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn can sense that he has pent up inside him many more collections of stories to configure and to deliver, and in so doing to use his "meta" mastery of critical messages to our family in our time of greatest need. I pray that our hip hop master communicators will join other African master communicators, and absorb these master messages as preparation for leadership. When these geniuses apply their talents fully, combining these messages of courage, content and political analysis, with their own courage and critique of hypocrisy, it just may be that umoja and sankofa will propel us to kujichagulia. Our family is waiting.
FILM/TV BITS: Jay-Z’s Bud spot; Foxx‘s Curtis; gay Dr. Burke?; Latifah’s ‘Money’; Luke’s ‘Lambs’; Tyrese’s ‘Cage.’
*Jay-Z fans may want to stick around for the commercials during the Super Bowl. Budweiser has filmed a spot for the big game starring the rap mogul and former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula facing off over a chess-like rendering of a high-tech football game using holographic images. As in past years, the beer company is keeping many of the punch lines a secret until game day. In other Jigga news, The New York Post’s Page Six is reporting that he was recently seen scouting the New York club Libation on the Lower East Side with real estate broker Steven Kamali. Jay is said to be looking for space to open a new VIP club in addition to his chain of 40/40 nightspots.
*Jamie Foxx said it wasn’t hard to find folks upon which to base his “Dreamgirls” role of manipulative label exec Curtis Taylor. He tells WENN: "I did my record and the record executives will tell you something crazy just out their ass so they get you messed up and not thinking about the project. Some dude said to me, 'I don't give a damn if you sell one record or a million records - my check is still the same.' It's like the ugly guy who landed the good-looking girl. You don't know why he landed her, but if you heard the conversations at home: 'You know you're really not that pretty, right?' That's where I got Curtis from. I didn't get him from (Motown label founder) Berry Gordy, I got him from the executives I have met over the past couple of years."
*Some gay groups are lobbying ABC to make Isaiah Washington’s “Grey’s Anatomy” character gay. An ABC spokesperson told Wednesday’s Philadelphia Inquirer: "That is not part of his story line, and it wouldn't make sense for the character." Larry Gross, director of USC's Annenberg School for Communication, added, "ABC won't do it. ... It would be a constant reminder of this incident and would keep it fresh in the minds of viewers."
*Queen Latifah may have “Set It Off” flashbacks if she signs on for “Mad Money,” a heist flick starring Diane Keaton as one of three working-class women who conspire to rob their boss. The comedy is a remake of the 1983 British film “Hot Money. Latifah is currently in talks to join the project, according to Production Weekly. Cameras are scheduled to begin rolling late March in Shreveport, Louisiana.
*Derek Luke will star in the upcoming Robert Redford-directed United Artists drama “Lions for Lambs,” reports Variety. The high-powered cast already includes Tom Cruise Meryl Streep, Michael Pena and Redford. Luke will play one of two soldiers who find themselves cut off from their platoon in unfriendly territory in Afghanistan. They become the catalyst for several intersecting storylines. Shooting begins later this month on the first film since United Artists was relaunched under the control of Cruise and partner Paula Wagner.
*Tyrese Gibson spoke recently to the Web site Crave Online about his fate in the upcoming feature film adaptation of the comic book classic, Luke Cage. Gibson says he’ll sign on to the project only “if they get the script right. Right now me and [director] John Singleton are on standby waiting on them to get the screenplay right so we can do what we do.”
SPORTS BITS: Serena plays for Aussie Open title tonight; tapes may hurt Reggie Bush case.
*Serena Williams continues to shut the mouths of those tennis pundits and even a few commentators who said she was too rusty and out of shape to advance beyond the first round of the year’s first Grand Slam tournament. Unseeded and ranked 81st in the world after a knee injury sidelined her for most of 2006, the 25-year-old beat 10th-seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova Wednesday 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to become the first unranked player to reach the Australian Open finals in eight years. Tonight, Serena goes for her third career Australian Open title by facing top-seeded Maria Sharapova. If she wins, her ranking will rocket from 81 to 14. If she loses, she’ll still be in the top 20 at No.18. ESPN2 will televise the showdown live at 9:30 p.m.
*The federal investigation into extortion claims by New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush and his family has turned up taped conversations that may prove the athlete accepted cash and gifts while playing football for the University of Southern California. According to multiple sources in an ongoing Yahoo! Sports investigation, nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts was allegedly given to Bush and his family by Lloyd Lake, an investor in a failed sports marketing agency which attempted to launch with Bush as its first client. Lake, now the subject of a grand jury probe into the extortion claims, allegedly gave Bush and his family the gifts as part of an agreement to represent the then-USC running back when he signed an NFL contract.
*ESPN’s flagship news and information program “SportsCenter”
celebrates its 30,000th live edition on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 p.m. ET. ESPN anchors Stuart Scott and Steve Levy will host the special telecast which will feature a traditional “SporstCenter” plus special segments highlighting memorable moments on the show. They will be joined by some of the current and former anchors.
MUSIC BITS: TASCA tryouts; Akon & Stefani; new Wu; Patti’s VIP tix; Legend/Mayer/Rae performance at Grammys.
*Atlanta is hosting its own version of “American Idol” this Sunday (Jan. 28)at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) with open auditions for their 2007 Summer Performing Arts Camp program, to take place at 2 p.m. at TASCA (5616 Memorial Drive, Atlanta). Teens age 12-18 are invited to display their singing, dancing, and acting abilities in hopes of being one of only a handful selected to become a member of Pac’s Kids Troop. Chosen performers will participate in an eight week training program, where they work toward an annual performance of “Shoulders of Giants” at Atlanta’s Fox Rialto Theatre in August.
*Akon and British rapper Lady Sovereign have been tapped as opening acts for Gwen Stefani’s upcoming “Sweet Escape” tour, a 40-date outing to begin April 22 in San Diego and wrap on June 23 in Irvine, Ca. Tickets go on sale Feb. 10.
*The Wu-Tang Clan says it will finally drop its new studio album, “8 Diagram,” this summer via SRC Records, reports Billboard. Group founder Rza says the disc will feature an unreleased performance from the late Ol' Dirty Bastard and a long-in-the-works tribute to the artist dubbed "Life Changes."
In other Rza news, the rapper is part of a new initiative from the Tinberland Company called “The Boroughs Project,” which features five artists representing the five boroughs of New York City, each designing a Limited Edition Timberland boot that reflects their passion for their community. The shoes will launch this month and February at select New York retailers, ranging in price from $150 - $175. Of course, Rza repped the borough of Staten Island.
*Patti LaBelle and Paid, Inc. have launched the first VIP ticket package sales for five concerts on her current tour behind new album, "The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle." VIP presales for her Florida shows in Sunrise, Clearwater, Melbourne, West Palm Beach and Naples are in progress now via www.pattisbutterflies.com/index.cfm?pk=viewall&cd=MAE&pid=402345. In addition, Thursday marked the official launch of LaBelle's all new, enhanced fan club and fan club Web site www.PattisButterflies.com, both now under the management of Paid celebrity services.
*Grammy nominees John Legend, John Mayer and Corinne Bailey Rae will perform together on the 49th Annual Grammy Awards telecast, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday. Previously announced performers include Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, Ludacris, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood. The ceremony will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on CBS at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
KLANSMAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 1964 DOUBLE MURDER: 71-year-old James Ford Seale has his day in court – before a black, female judge.
*Dressed in the traditional orange jail jumpsuit, 71-year-old James Ford Seale pleaded not guilty Thursday on charges that he murdered two black men in Mississippi in 1964.
The reputed Ku Klux Klansman was arrested Wednesday on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy. Prosecutors said Charles Eddie Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, both 19, were taken by force and beaten by Klansmen, then thrown into the Mississippi River to drown.
Seale and a second white man, KKK member Charles Marcus Edwards, 72, were arrested in the case in 1964. But the FBI was too busy searching for three civil rights workers who had disappeared that same summer, and turned the Seale case over to local authorities, who eventually threw out all charges.
Edwards, who has not been charged, is said to be cooperating with authorities, reports CBS news.
In a measure of how far the South has come since his first arrest 43 years ago, the judge he stood before was a black woman - U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson. With shackles around his wrists and ankles, Seale was asked by Anderson if he understood the charges, which carry a sentence of up to life in prison.
"Yes, ma'am, I think so," Seale said calmly.
Seale remains behind bars until his bail hearing on Monday. His court-appointed attorneys said he is suffering from cancer. His trial is scheduled for April 2.
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