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03-18-08 EUR ALL ON ONE Page
OBAMA TO DISCUSS RACE IN SPEECH TODAY: Senator says he will address Rev.Wright, and other issues in the campaign.
*With the increased presence of race and religion clouding the Democratic presidential run to the White House in recent weeks, Barack Obama said he will make a "major speech" in Philadelphia today that addresses both issues directly.
During a campaign stop in Monaca, PA, the senator told reporters that he intends to discuss "the larger issue of race in this campaign" and deal with drama sparked by statements from his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright.
Obama added that he would "talk about how some of these issues are perceived from within the black church for example."
He also said Wright has been unfairly misrepresented in the media based on two of his statements, regarding racism in America, that have been repeatedly televised.
"The caricature that's being painted of him is not accurate," he said.
DIDDY, ROSEMOND ATTACK LA TIMES STORY: Both upset over being linked to 1994 Tupac shooting by journalist Chuck Phillips.
*Both Sean "Diddy" Combs and New York promoter Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond are denying a Los Angeles Times article alleging that they, along with the Notorious B.I.G., knew in advance that Tupac Shakur would be shot at New York's Quad Recording Studios on November 30, 1994.
"This story is a lie," Diddy said in a statement released yesterday. "It is beyond ridiculous and is completely false. Neither Biggie nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened. It is a complete lie to suggest that there was any involvement by Biggie or myself. I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story."
As previously reported, Monday's LA Times article by Chuck Phillips contends Diddy, Rosemond, Biggie and now-jailed promoter James Sabatino all had previous knowledge of the setup intended for Tupac.
Rosemond also released a statement on Monday denying the accusations and calling out Phillips as a writer who has previously reported lies about the murders of Tupac and Biggie.
"In the past 14 years, I have not even been questioned by law enforcement with regard to the assault of Tupac Shakur, let alone brought up on charges," Rosemond said.
"Chuck Philips, the writer who in the past has falsely claimed that [Biggie] was in Las Vegas when Tupac was murdered and that Biggie supplied the gun that killed Tupac - only to be proven wrong, as Biggie was in New Jersey recuperating from a car accident. [The Times] has reached a new low by employing fourth-hand information from desperate jailhouse informants along with ancient FBI reports to create this fabrication.
"I simply ask for all rap fans and fans of Tupac to analyze this fiction for what it is, along with Philips' motives behind it," the statement continued. "I am baffled as to why the Times would print this on its Web site, when a simple and fair investigation would reveal that the allegations are false. I am currently consulting with my attorneys about my legal rights regarding this libelous piece of garbage."
MARIAH CAREY TO APPEAR ON 'AMERICAN IDOL': Plus, singer talks about losing 20 pounds and putting finishing touches on new CD.
*As part of the promotion surrounding the April 15 release of her CD "E=MC2," rumor has it that Mariah Carey will make an appearance on "American Idol" this week as a guest judge alongside regulars Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, reports Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman.
Friedman spoke to the diva backstage during her appearance on "Saturday Night Live," which was booked after original musical guest Janet Jackson came down with the flu.
He wrote: "She told us she's lost 20 pounds after a rigorous diet and exercise plan. Saturday night, she cheated a little bit on the limo ride up to NBC, though.
"Don't tell anyone, but I had two bits of a piece of Sicilian pizza.
I had to have sustenance!" Friedman quoted her as saying.
He continued: "In addition to 'American Idol,' Mariah is back in Los Angeles this week to finish the all important song sequencing of 'E=MC2' and to polish up one or two tracks that are almost, but not quite finished.
She told Friedman of his early listening session: "There are three songs you didn't hear, I think. You're going to love one of them especially.
It's very old-school R&B."
According to Friedman, Mariah's backstage entourage included her manager, Benny Medina, and film director/producer Lee Daniels, who directed Mariah in the upcoming film, "Tennessee," which debuts at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26.
"Ironically, Carey got that role, too, when Jackson dropped out,"
Friedman wrote. "Strange, huh? Just like Saturday night. Daniels is so psyched about Mariah's performance that he wrote a cameo for her in the film he's shooting now called 'Push,' which features rocker Lenny Kravitz in his acting debut."
Back to Carey's figure, the artist tells Allure magazine that she imported a personal trainer from St. Barts to help her shed pounds.
"This trainer has actually helped me reshape my arms. That's where I gained most of my weight: upper body," she told the magazine. "With this whole steroid crap, that's crazy. I'm almost on the verge where I'd be too muscular if I was going to do a thing like that."
In other Mimi news, Mariah is on the verge of entering history books this week with the Hot 100 debut of her new single, "Touch My Body." The track is expected to be her 18th number one record, which would tie her with the Beatles.
TOCARRA CURSES OUT 'FIT CLUB' JUDGES: Clip from current season shows plus size model screaming at the top of her lungs.
*In her 2005 appearance on season 2 of VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club," BET personality and plus-size model Tocarra Jones broke down in tears over the possibility of losing too much weight.
In her return appearance on the current season, "Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp," the model has a straight up nervous break down while blaming the judges for failing to support her weekly attempts to lose weight, and blowing off her suggestion that she is still happy with her current size.
A clip released on the Internet shows the former "America's Next Top Model" finalist walking briskly to the scale for her weekly weigh-in and going off on the judging panel: nutritionist Dr. Ian Smith, psychotherapist Stacy Kaiser and trainer Harvey Walden IV.
"All of yall can kiss my a** if yall don't like the fact that I like who the f*** I am," she says during the outset of her eruption. Her anger builds as Dr. Ian attempts to calm her down with the words, "Tocarra, have some class." The statement just riles her up even more. She steps off of the scale and begins screaming in his face, punctuating the exchange with "Kiss! My! A**!"
Next, Kaiser takes a crack at calming her down, only to be met with Tocarra standing inches from her face and screaming "No! No! No! No!" and denying the therapist's contention that they, indeed, "applauded" her weight loss efforts for the week.
View the clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xDzy_v1dNs
SNOOP REHEATS 'IZZLE' TALK ON SOAP: Page Six gives details about rapper's appearance on 'One Life to Live.'
*Snoop Dogg marked his territory in Llanview Friday with the taping of his "izzle"-laced guest appearance on the ABC soap "One Life to Live."
"He sings a few songs at the fictitious club Ultraviolet and has a scene where he teaches Ilene Kristen, who plays the town's foulmouthed blonde, how to speak Izzle," reveals a spy for the New York Post's Page Six column. "He told the staff it's been his favorite show since he was a little boy."
As previously reported, Snoop's visit to the soap opera will feature performances of his singles "Sensual Seduction" and "Life of Da Party" from his new album "Ego Trippin." The appearance will also include his remixed version of the show's theme song.
Snoop's episodes are scheduled to air on May 8 and 9.
KIMORA CALLS OUT TABLOID TRASH: E! diva says the recent gossip about her personal life are "lies."
*Kimora Lee Simmons, star of her own E! reality series "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane," is venting about her constant presence in the tabloids, referring to the various reports as "lies upon lies."
"I'm in the paper every single week - that I had a fight with my ex-husband, or that I was mad at one of his girlfriends, or that I'm pregnant, or that I demand Fiji water," she said Friday at Washington University in St. Louis, according to People magazine. "Lies upon lies upon lies."
In town as part of St. Louis Fashion Week, Kimora would not give a straight answer when asked point blank about rumors that she and her boyfriend, actor Djimon Hounsou, are expecting a baby.
She did say: "[Reporters] call and ask if I'm pregnant. It all came from Page Six. ... You guys shouldn't believe it."
DIDDY WANTS TO CURB CELEB DRUNK DRIVING: Mogul says he's planning a car service for bent starlets.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs has heard enough about celebrities climbing behind the wheels of their expensive cars after a night of imbibing, only to catch either a DUI case, or worse, a manslaughter charge and hard time.
The Bad Boy Entertainment founder says he wants to start a car service specifically for celebrities who are too drunk to drive.
The idea was inspired by his deal with Ciroc vodka to revamp the brand and oversee its marketing.
"After partnering with Ciroc vodka, he wants to make sure everyone's partying responsibly," his representative said in a statement to ABCNews.com.
In 2007, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Vivica A. Fox and Mischa Barton were all nabbed for DUI-related offenses.
VANESSA WILLIAMS IN NEW PSA: 'Ugly Betty' star trying to educate folks about importance of screening for colon cancer.
*Actress Vanessa Williams and renowned evening wear designer Carmen Marc Valvo, who is a colon cancer survivor, appear in a new public service campaign to educate folks about the importance of screening.
Both participate in the initiative as volunteer ambassadors for the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF's NCCRA).
"Colon cancer isn't glamorous, but we have to be vigilant about getting people comfortable with talking about it," says NCCRA Ambassador Williams. "My good friend Carmen is living proof that colorectal cancer is treatable. As a first step, we want to encourage people to talk to their doctors about getting screened."
This new campaign includes both print and broadcast announcements.
The print version will appear in major fashion and lifestyle magazines starting in the spring. The 30 and 60 second spots will begin airing this month, which is also National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The PSA encourages diagnosed patients to be their own advocates and take an active role in working with their healthcare providers. One key to better treatment outcomes may be working with a multidisciplinary team of specialists -- an oncologist, surgeon and gastroenterologist -- in partnership with a primary care physician, to decide the best treatment path.
SENATORS OBAMA & CLINTON TO TALK IRAQ WAR: Young veterans will get direct access to Democratic candidates for Mar 20 special.
*MTV will present "Choose or Lose Presents Clinton & Obama Answer Young Veterans," an hour-long special premiering Thursday (Mar 20) at 6 p.m.
that will bring together presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as eight young veterans just back from at least one tour of duty in Iraq, for an intimate discussion on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war.
Taped in Pennsylvania, home of the next critical Democratic primary contest, each candidate will hear directly from those who have served on the frontlines of the war, as the soldiers engage the senators, sequentially, in a dialogue on how they will lead America's armed forces and a variety of other national security issues.
Senator John McCain was invited to participate in this New Veterans special, but his camp said he couldn't make it due to scheduling issues.
The special is part of MTV's ongoing Choose or Lose effort to once again mobilize more than 20 million 18-30 year-olds to vote. MTV News Correspondent Sway Calloway will be the facilitator in each conversation, and the same group of veterans will participate with each candidate.
CASH MONEY MILLIONAIRES REUNITE - ALMOST: Lil Wayne, Turk missing from New Orleans gig on Sunday.
*Rapper Juvenile, whose daughter was violently murdered this month, joined Mannie Fresh, B.G., Baby and Slim in New Orleans Sunday night for a reunion of their group Cash Money Millionaires.
Group member Lil Wayne was absent from the gig at Dreams because he is currently on tour in Europe. Turk, the remaining Cash Money Millionaire, was unable to attend because he is behind bars.
Juvenile was said to be in good spirits during the performance, according to MTV News. Last month, his 4-year-old daughter Jelani was killed along with her mother and half sister.
Cash Money Millionaires, which disbanded with the departure of Turk, B.G., Mannie Fresh and Juvenille years ago, had attempted to reunite last month at the end of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. But due to a shooting at the club where the show was supposed to take place, the performance was cancelled.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Karl Kani fashion show; DontDateHimGirl.com partners with Facebook; 'College Hill's' big premiere.
*Fashion designer Karl Kani debuted his new fashion lines Live Denim and Kani Kouture Exclusively 4 Saks in Los Angeles last Tuesday as part of the Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion Week. "The [men's] line was inspired from [our] European Collection," Kani told AllHipHop.com. "We also have the Debutant line, which is a very high-end women's line that consists of silk dresses and much more. The world needs to get ready for the new launch of Karl Kani."
*DontDateHimGirl.com, a Website where women can post the names and faces of men who have crossed them, has launched a new venture called Love Inspector, an application for Facebook Platform that gives users access to informative articles on everything from how to deal with a cheating man to finding ways to boost self-esteem after a break-up and other DontDateHimGirl.com-branded content. "We're hoping that every female Facebook user adds Love Inspector to their Facebook profiles," said Cunningham.
*Nearly 1.1 million households and 1.6 million viewers tuned in Tuesday (March 11) to watch BET's season premiere of "College Hill," featuring eight college students from four different universities in Georgia. BET says the episode was its most-watched premiere of the current 2007-08 television season. Episode two of "College Hill 5: Atlanta," which immediately followed the premiere, drew 1.2 million households and 1.8 viewers, BET stated.
MUSIC BITS: 'Beach Bash' battle; Rihanna's CD re-release; Earl Klugh's 'Life'; Eminem back in studio; DMX fuzzy on Obama; Jay-Z at Pemberton.
*A fight broke out at the "Spring Break Party Beach Bash" in Galveston, Texas Sunday, resulting in the arrest of at least a dozen revelers. According to the AP, cops spent nearly four hours restoring order at the beachside setting. Four officers were initially assigned to patrol the concert but eventually all of Galveston's on-duty officers were sent to the scene. Hosted by a Houston radio station, the event included scheduled performers 2 Pistols, Colby O'Donnis, Lil Wil & Lil Keke, and Webbie.
*Rihanna is re-releasing her 2007 CD "Good Girl Gone Bad" with a new single called "Take A Bow." Def Jam will put the reissue in stores on May 27, reports Reuters. A video for the Ne-Yo-written track about a deceiving partner is set to be produced in coming weeks.
*Acoustic guitar vet Earl Klugh is releasing an ensemble recording, "The Spice of Life," on April 29 via KOCH Records. The album's musical direction reflects his 30 years in the business with influences from jazz, R&B and pop. "I wanted to create something that would encompass a wide spectrum of directions: solo, standards, originals, electronic, acoustic and orchestral," says Klugh. "I wanted to make a recording that would reflect where I am at this moment in my life, and something I am proud to present to my fans."
*Eminem is reportedly back in the studio working on songs for a new album. He "has been cutting new tracks with Dr. Dre," Page Six quotes of a "music insider," who adds: "They still have a ways to go, but so far it's really good." Page Six also says the Detroit rapper hired a personal trainer to help him lose weight after paparazzi photos of his frame were ridiculed. However, his rep told the column: "He's always in the studio and has worked with a trainer before."
*In an interview with XXL magazine, rapper DMX says was apparently serious when he said he's never heard of the name Barack Obama. After the reporter told him that he's an African American senator running for president, DMX reportedly began making fun of Obama's name. Then, with pride, the rapper said he never follows any presidential campaign, stating:
"The president is a puppet anyway. The president don't make no damn decisions." DMX also revealed that he's not allowed to vote anyway because he's a convicted felon.
*Jay-Z has been booked to perform at the Pemberton Festival, named for its location in the tiny British Columbia village in Canada. The event is scheduled to take place July 25-27 with additional acts Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab For Cutie, Interpol, Serj Tankian, My Morning Jacket and many others.
SPORTS BITS: Tiger wins again; Michael Vick state trial delayed; Sugar Shane downplays Judah fight; Lewis Hamilton wins Down Under.
*Tiger Woods roars again…this time, literally. On Sunday, the golfer earned his fifth PGA Tour victory in 2008 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a one-shot win over Bart Bryant - his closest competitor in seven months. With fans on Bay Hill's 18th hole exploding with cheers after Tiger sank a 25-foot birdie putt, the golfer joined the celebration by spiking his hat and giving an uncharacteristic yell himself. Tiger's win on Sunday is his fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and career victory No. 64, tying him with Ben Hogan at No. 3 on the all-time list.
*The trial of suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick on state dogfighting charges will not begin on April 2 as planned. The postponement is due to logistical problems in transporting the defendants back to Virginia for the proceedings, which is the responsibility of the local prosecutor's office. The Surry County Commonwealth Attorney's office says a new trial date will be set on March 25. Vick is serving a federal 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kansas. Officials had already delayed the trials of co-defendants Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace. All three pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to run an interstate dogfighting operation on land owned by Vick.
*Sugar Shane Mosley says his upcoming May 31st fight with Zab Judah at Mandalay Bay is nothing more than a warm-up to bigger and better bouts after he failed to earn a rematch with WBA champ Miguel Cotto. "I'm not taking (Judah) for granted, but I'm on a mission," said Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs). "I can't have nobody stand in my way at this point. I'm too old. ... I really wanted a rematch with Cotto, and thought it might happen, but Judah is trying to make a name for himself and get back. He was down at [promoter] Golden Boy's offices pleading for a fight, so we did it." Mosley, 36, lost a unanimous decision to Cotto on Nov. 10.
*McClaren's Lewis Hamilton won the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, beating BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld by 5.4 seconds. Hamilton, 23, led from pole position and was never seriously threatened. "We got away to a really great start - we've done a superb job all weekend," said the British driver. "It was close going to the first corner, but I was able to keep it cool and look after the tires. From then, I paced myself and didn't overdo it - I had plenty of time in me."
*Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James appears on the April cover of Vogue magazine's shape issue with supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Inside, the girlfriend of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says: "What sports teaches you is not only respect for your body but that you have to be aware of your body, that you have to work with other people. If you feel good, you play better, and if you feel better your self-worth will increase every day."
EUR DVD REVIEW: I Am Legend
Will Smith Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Adventure Arriving on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*Written by Richard Matheson in 1954, I Am Legend is a harrowing tale of survival pitting the last human alive against a horde of bloodthirsty vampires.
This fourth screen version is a modernistic variation which establishes its apocalyptic scenario via a man-made virus run-a-muck. The picture is a Will Smith vehicle in the purest sense, given that he spends more than half of the movie on screen alone.
The movie opens in 2009, with Dr. Alice Crippen (Emma Thompson) announcing the discovery of a cure for cancer, unaware that her vaccine also causes rabies.
Fast-forward three years, and we find New York City in complete chaos.
The healthy few are being evacuated, while the infected are being left behind to morph into ghouls.
Although virologist Robert Neville (Smith) has been given a clean bill of health, he gallantly opts to stay in the city to work on an antidote in the lab in the basement of his brownstone.
So, after he tearfully bids adieu to his wife (Salli Richardson) and daughter (Willow Smith), he divides his time between research and blowing away the occasional nocturnal creature he encounters after dark. Not surprisingly, Will Smith comes across as quite the macho charmer in his familiar role as the hero having to save the planet.
I Am Legend is actually at its best early on, while Will is solo and captured starkly against the breathtaking backdrop of the vast, urban wasteland. Unfortunately, the second-rate special effects leave a lot to be desired, so the arrival of the cheesy mansters he has to wrestle with fails to measure up to the tension built in anticipation.
Nonetheless, it's got a great performance by Smith and just enough edge-of-your-seat entertainment to remain recommended, even if the cinematic house of cards collapses during the third act.
Good (2 stars)
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and mature themes.
Running time: 100 minutes
Studi Warner Home Video
2-Disc DVD Extras: Alternate version of the film, four animated comics and DVD-ROM weblink to bonus material.
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