EURweb |
04-23-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
KANYE'S EX ALEXIS 'SAD' OVER BREAKUP: Split attributed to rapper's hectic schedule.
*Alexis Phifer has confirmed her breakup with Kanye West to People magazine, stating "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends."
The couple's split was attributed to the rapper's busy schedule ahead of his Glow in the Dark tour through the U.S. E! Online quotes a friend of the former couple who said the two had been spending less time together in the last few weeks.
"They'd been having problems," the friend was quoted as saying.
"Kanye is really focused on his show; he's putting everything into the show right now. Alexis is a nice girl, but Kanye has been going through a rough time. They hit a rough patch and for now they've split."
Just last Thursday, Phifer was photographed without her engagement ring on the red carpet at New York event "Evenings in Vogue," where her clothing line, Ghita, was featured.
"I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met," Phifer said in her statement.
Phifer and West had been dating on and off since 2002. Their engagement took place in 2006 over a lobster and pasta dinner while vacationing on the island of Capri.
Meanwhile, West forged ahead with his Glow In the Dark concert Monday night at downtown L.A.'s Nokia Theater. On hand were rumored couples Serena Williams and Common, and Rihanna and Chris Brown; as well as confirmed couple Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz, and pregnant Gwen Stefani and her husband Gavin Rossdale. Also attending the concert were Jamie Foxx and actor Ryan Phillippe.
BEYON'JAY MARRIAGE CONFIRMED BY TOWN CLERK: Marriage papers arrive at office in Scarsdale, NY.
*Jay-Z and Beyonce may be coy about whether or not they're married, but a town clerk in Scarsdale, New York has just busted up their game by announcing that the matrimony is now official.
Although the couple obtained a marriage license in Scarsdale and had a lavish April 4th wedding ceremony in Manhattan, neither Jay-Z nor Beyonce have publically confirmed the union.
Now they don't have to.
Donna Conkling, the town clerk of Scarsdale Village in suburban Westchester County, told Reuters: "The license was sent back to our office on Friday."
Earlier this month, the couple had also avoided comment about reports that they were spotted obtaining a marriage license in Scarsdale.
DAVE CHAPPELLE SUED BY FORMER MANAGER: Man claimed comedian has ignored terms of a settlement deal.
*A former manager for Dave Chappelle says the comedian has failed to pay up on a settlement deal they made regarding several projects, including the comic's film "Dave Chappelle's Block Party."
According to TMZ.com, Mustafa Abuelhija settled a 2005 lawsuit with Chappelle after the former Comedy Central star gave him an abrupt pink slip.
Terms of the deal called for Abuelhija to receive 10% of the profits from "Dave Chappelle's Block Party," 10% of the money Chappelle earned from seasons 2, 3 and 4 of "Chappelle's Show" and 10% of profits from the comedy special "For What It's Worth."
In a new lawsuit filed in New York, Abuelhija claims he has yet to see any money. He says Chappelle has earned close to $1.2 million since they signed the settlement, and he's entitled to his agreed-upon share.
TERRENCE HOWARD INTRODUCES NEW ALBUM: Actor holds listening session in NY for 11-song disc.
*Terrence Howard held a lunchtime listening party for his debut album, "Terrence Howard - Me and the Band of Kings" at the Sony Club in New York.
According to People, the Oscar-nominated actor was dressed in a gray three-piece suit and drummed his chopsticks along to the 11-song disc as it played for a room full of journalists.
Due in September, the album is highly reminiscent of a live, big band, jazz feel and features songs with subjects ranging from broken relationships ("It's All Game") to self-reflection ("Plenty") to the celebration of love on his single, "Love Makes You Beautiful."
Howard, who plays the guitar on the album, said he began writing songs at age 16 in his "rainbow colored notebook," and told reporters about recording an "emotionally sobering" song that began as a letter to his ex-wife.
ESSENCE INKS DEAL WITH WARNER BROS TV: Plus, winners of magazine's Hip-Hop Songwriting Contest announced.
*Time Inc.'s Essence magazine and Warner Bros. TV Group are teaming on a cross-platform initiative to create new programming for television and the Internet, reports Daily Variety.
Essence.com, which will serve as home base for the content, is slated to relaunch late this summer in collaboration with WB TV's Telepictures Prods. Among its first projects is "Extra on Essence," a series of entertainment reports geared to the African-American female demographic, and style series "Fab in a Flash."
Hosted by "Extra" correspondent and weekend co-anchor Tanika Ray, "Extra on Essence" will run five to seven minutes, according to Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. "Fab in a Flash" installments, which will draw from the magazine's staff, will run the same length.
Bruce Rosenblum, president of the Warner Bros. TV Group, said the collaboration with Essence could also spawn made-for-DVD releases down the road. He said the goal of the venture, which follows recent cross-platform expansions by TMZ, is to draw on each group's "complimentary expertise" to create content with a distinctive voice.
Telepictures president Hilary Estey McLoughlin says they plan to try out new projects on Essence.com that could develop into cable or network programming for African-American women.
"It's really an underserved audience on the Web, and it's one of the fastest-growing audiences on the Web," Estey McLoughlin said. "There are tremendous opportunities."
In other Essence news, the five winners of its third Take Back the Music Hip-Hop Songwriting Contest were announced Tuesday. Each will receive summer or online scholarships from contest partner Berklee College of Music.
Their songs of varying themes and arrangements can be heard at Essence.com/takebackthemusic and Berklee.edu.
Grand prize winners:
. Jennifer "Nesi" Chianesi, 18, Cranston, RI - "Shake Up"
. Justin "Jae Guttah" McGibbon, 18, Breinigsville, PA - "Keep Goin"
2nd place winner:
. Nyles "Witness" Houston, 17, Brockton, MA - "The Gamble"
1st runner-ups:
. Bryan "Fidelity" Hill, 18, Alfred, ME - "Verbal Medicine"
. Nicholas "Phantom" Garcia, 19, Lodi, NJ - "Feel It"
BOBBY VALENTINO AND DTP PART WAYS: Singer calls split amicable and a 'great stepping stone.'
*Bobby Valentino is no longer a member of Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam. The crooner says it's been a "great stepping stone and learning experience," but he's moving on to release two projects independently.
"I look at this as my going off to college," he tells Billboard.biz.
"It was time for me to step out on my own and show the world who Bobby Valentino the artist really is."
The singer is currently seeking a distribution deal for his Blu Kolla Dreams Records, under which he'll release his digital-only, six-track EP "Come With Me" on April 29, followed by a full-length studio album in late summer.
"Come With Me" was recorded earlier this year with producer Bill Jabr. "Bill and I are on a vibe to do something different beyond the R&B norm," says Valentino. "I call it R&B alternative: we use live instrumentation like electric guitars but the drums remain very urban/rhythmic."
The set's first single, already at radio, is "When I See You Smile"
featuring Lil' Wayne.
ISAIAH WASHINGTON JOINS WHITAKER IN NEW FILM: Actor books first major feature since 'Grey's Anatomy' fiasco.
*Isaiah Washington heads to New Orleans this week to begin shooting "Patriots," his first major feature film since his controversial exit from "Grey's Anatomy" in June 2007.
Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the fact-based sports drama stars Forest Whitaker as a high school basketball coach who assembles a team of players from five different schools and leads them to the state championships.
Washington will play the team's assistant coach, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Tim Story directs the project for The Weinstein Co.
The actor's contract with ABC for "Grey's" was not renewed after he became involved in a backstage controversy involving a homophobic slur. He quickly moved to a prominent guest-starring role on NBC's "Bionic Woman."
JANET TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM GAY/LESBIAN GROUP: Plus, singer admits girl crush on Alicia Keys in E! interview.
*Janet Jackson is in the throws of preparing a major world tour to promote her new album "Discipline," but she'll take a break on Saturday to receive an honor from one of the biggest gay/lesbian rights groups in the country.
Ellen DeGeneres has been tapped by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) to present its Vanguard Award to the 41-year-old star during its 19th Annual Media Awards at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Past recipients include Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Aniston, Whoopi Goldberg, Antonio Banderas and Liza Minnelli.
When asked by E! Online why she feels the organization has chosen her for the award, she replied: "I think it's because of the work I have done related to AIDS, and also just the support that I've given them throughout the years. I'm excited."
Jackson, who will launch her "Discipline" tour on September 11th, discussed all things gay with E! in an extensive interview. Below are a few
excerpts:
E!: You've said it doesn't bother you if someone says you're gay or bisexual. So if you were, who would be your top three girl crushes?
I don't know if I have three. I think I would pick Alicia Keys, for sure. I think she's wonderful.
E!: What would you do if your boyfriend came home one day and said, "Honey, I've got something to tell you-I'm gay"?
I'd be upset because I want to be with him [Laughs.]. It's so funny because I joke with him that it drives me crazy to be a girl sometimes, so in my next life I'm going to come back as a guy and [he's] going to be my bitch.
But if he liked guys, I would be crushed because I would want to be with him.
E!: The AIDS epidemic started and then we were at the height of it when you started to hit the big time with albums like Rhythm Nation and Control. Do you remember when you first heard about the disease? Was it when you started losing friends?
I lost a lot of friends. Friends from the show Fame who I had danced with, some of the kids from Nasty, some of the kids who danced with my brothers who I knew. Makeup artists. I lost a lot of friends to AIDS and one who I absolutely adored so much. His name was Jose, and we worked a lot together in Europe. He would put these eyelashes on me that he would make from real hair. His sister would cut her hair so he could make these eyelashes. They were the most beautiful things. He was so much fun to be with. I had heard he was sick and he was passing, and it was just so sad. It's so sad.
E!: Let's talk about gay marriage.
I think it should be legalized. I think it's about finding your soul mate.
It's finding that person you connect with. But most people don't get it right. Look at me! The thing is, I don't know if I ever will or won't get married again. I'm very happy where I am. I just think I jinx marriages, but that's not going to stop me from loving.
E!: Have you decided who you are going to support in the presidential election?
I kind of have an idea, but I am going to keep that to myself. I really haven't for sure said, This is it. I'm swaying definitely one way more than the other.
'BARACKY' CLIP HITS CABLE NEWS: Obama is portrayed as Rocky Balboa against Clinton as Apollo Creed.
*A YouTube-posted video that uses clips from the film "Rocky" to dramatize the Democratic dogfight between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton hit national TV yesterday after it was discovered by cable news outlets.
MSNBC bumped the clip periodically on Tuesday during its all-day coverage of the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary, likely because its anchors Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman appear briefly in scenes.
The video features Obama's face on the body of character Rocky Balboa as he attempts to beat all odds in defeating Clinton, whose face covers the body of Apollo Creed. The faces of Oprah Winfrey and Ted Kennedy, both Obama supporters, are used to depict Obama's trainers.
View the entire clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyhIBXNfqMA
MORE 50 CENT HATE TOWARD ALICIA KEYS: Rapper now going after her piano talent.
*Rapper 50 Cent is still ranting about Alicia Keys and her comments published in Blender magazine regarding gangsta rap.
The singer explained that her statements suggesting the genre was a government conspiracy "to convince black people to kill each other" was "misrepresented." But 50, as previously reported, isn't buying it.
"I don't like Alicia Keys no more...If she thinks what they consider [to be] gangsta music is [made] to bring black people down, then I think my
s*** falls into that category," he said, according to E! Online. "I don't like people who don't like me."
The self-described gangsta rapper also went after Keys' talent on the piano.
"I don't think that [her] classical s*** is cool. I don't give a f*** if you can classically play the piano," he said. "I haven't been classically trained, because my upbringing, nobody put me in front of a piano at that time...I could f**king care less about the s***. So she don't like the music that embodies the harsh realities because they're not her realities. She hasn't been subjected to the same things."
In a statement clarifying her remarks in Blender, Keys said: "The point that I was trying to make was that the term was over-sloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were not always positive," Keys said in her statement. "Many of the 'gangsta rap' lyrics articulate the problems of the artists' experiences and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems including drugs, gang violence, crime, and other related social issues."
FILMMAKER WORKS CIVIL RIGHTS CASES WITH FBI: Keith Beauchamp to share info while filming docs for History Channel and TV One.
*Filmmaker Keith Beauchamp, whose 2005 documentary on Emmett Till helped spark the federal government to reopen the 1955 murder case, has agreed to share any information gathered in future film projects with the FBI, reports the AP.
Beauchamp is currently filming a series of documentaries based on civil rights killings for cable's History Channel as well as TV One. Any new evidence he comes across will be shared with the FBI's Cold Case Unit that focuses on crimes that have gone unpunished from that era.
In turn, the FBI is arranging interviews for Beauchamp with veteran agents who covered the cases and other contacts, said agency spokesman Ernie Porter.
"In the sense that we would go hand-in-hand conducting joint investigations, no. He's not law enforcement," said Porter. "What we are doing is cooperating with him."
Beauchamp said the FBI has shared with him their five priority cases. Since then, he's spent a lot of time in the South, staging re-enactments and interviewing witnesses on film.
'PACMAN' JONES VICTIM OF 'EXTORTION': Suspended NFL player allegedly paid money to man arrested in Vegas shooting.
*A police report states that Adam "Pacman" Jones paid "extortion"
money to a 29-year-old man arrested for a Las Vegas strip club shooting that left a club employee paralyzed.
Arvin Kenti Edwards, of Renton, Wash., allegedly used go-betweens to reach Jones, who paid $15,000 in two installments after the shooting, authorities tell the Associated Press.
"He paid $15,000 to his friends, who advised him that if he didn't pay the money then this guy would come after him," said Robert Langford, Jones' lawyer in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas police said Jones and Edwards crossed paths after a brawl led Jones and his entourage to be tossed from the Minxx strip club near the Vegas Strip. Witnesses say the two men parted, but shots were fired moments later toward the club.
About a week later, someone began calling Jones requesting money for "services rendered," according to the police report filed to obtain Edwards'
arrest warrant. Police alleged in the documents that one of the go-betweens told Jones that if he refused to pay, the accused shooter would "go after Jones, his mother and daughter." A childhood friend also contacted Jones, urging him to pay the money, the document said.
In April and early May, Jones had a friend wire $3,800 to a woman in Seattle. He put up $11,200 more for a friend in Atlanta to pay "in his behalf," police said.
Jones, 24, flew to Seattle on Friday and picked Edwards from a police lineup, Langford said. He said Jones identified Edwards as the man who opened fire with a handgun a little before 5 a.m. Feb. 19, 2007, outside the strip club during the NBA's All-Star Weekend.
Edwards was being held on unrelated charges at the Yakima County Correctional Facility in Washington pending an extradition hearing scheduled for today.
. Jones pleaded no contest Dec. 6 in Las Vegas to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct in a plea deal that reduced two felony charges of coercion, which each carried a possible sentence of one to six years in prison. In return, he agreed to tell police what he knew about the gunman.
Jones never acknowledged any role in the shooting.
. Police alleged Jones incited the brawl inside the club by showering strippers with cash and then became angry when the women picked up the money. Jones was suspended for the 2007 season for his role in the Las Vegas incident and other misconduct off the field.
DWELE'S NEW ALBUM DUE IN JUNE: 'Sketches of a Man' features first single 'I'm Cheatin'.'
*New material from Dwele will hit the market this summer with the June 24 release of his third album "Sketches of a Man," from RT Music Group/Koch Records.
According to Billboard.com, the first single is titled "I'm Cheatin'," a G-1-produced track about a man who loves his lady's uninhibited sexual ways.
The artist, born Andwele Gardner, describes the album as "kind of a mixture. I have a couple songs that are more radio-friendly, but I'm actually trying to take my time and elevate. It's all about going with the music and trying to follow that."
The Detroit singer - who appeared on Kanye West's Grammy-winning "Flashing Lights" and on Common's Grammy-nominated single "The People" - said he planned on sticking with tracks about relationships.
"That's what people tend to buy ... Everything from the usual living life and learning about love," he said. "This album is moreso talking about relationships and what we have to do to make them work."
Other songs include "A Few Reasons," produced by Nottz, the hip-hop-infused "Body Rock," "Love Ultra" and "Open Your Eyes," a Bobby Caldwell cover.
ROCKMOND DUNBAR IN PRODUCER/DIRECTOR CHAIR: Actor behind new indie drama 'Pastor Brown.'
*Rockmond Dunbar, best known for his roles on "Prison Break" and the Showtime series "Soul Food," steps behind the camera to produce and direct the indie drama "Pastor Brown," says the Hollywood Reporter.
Currently filming in Atlanta, "Pastor" puts a twist on the prodigal son story. A wayward pastor's daughter, Jesse Brown, returns from a life as an exotic dancer to make amends with her family and teen son and eventually lead her father's parish, becoming Pastor Brown.
Dunbar is producing with Carol Ann Shine and Re'Shaun Frear, while Rock Capital Films' Steve Belser, Shaun Livingston of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers and former NBA player Charles Oakley are on board as executive producers.
Dunbar also stars in the film as Amir, a Muslim man who becomes the love interest of Brown, played by Salli Richardson Whitfield. Rounding out the cast are Nicole Ari Parker, Keith David, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Beach, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tasha Smith, Dondre T. Whitfield and Ernie Hudson.
The film also features guest appearances by R&B singers Monica, Angie Stone and India.Arie as well as former Olympic track star Carl Lewis and Oakley.
TOM CRUISE'S SON CAST IN WILL SMITH FILM: Conner Cruise, 13, will play younger version of star in 'Seven Pounds.'
*It pays for your dad to be one of Will Smith's BFF's. Just ask Connor Cruise, the son of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman who just scored a minor role in Smith's upcoming drama, "Seven Pounds."
The 13-year-old African American brother of Suri Cruise will play a young version of Smith in a very minor role, according to People magazine.
Despite his close ties to Smith, Connor reportedly had to audition for the role, which will serve as his acting debut.
"Tom is so proud of Connor," a source tells People magazine. "He's proud of him for really doing this on his own."
In the Columbia Pictures film, currently in production, Smith plays a man who changes the lives of seven strangers. Costars include Michael Ealy and Rosario Dawson.
WE REMEMBER R&B STAR AL WILSON: 'Show and Tell' singer died Monday in California.
*Soul singer Al Wilson, best known for his 1973 No. 1 hit "Show and Tell," died Monday of kidney failure at a hospital in Southern Calif., according to reports. He was 68.
Wilson died in a hospital in Fontana, a city about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, said the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
A native of Meridian, Miss., Wilson was 12 when he began his musical career singing in the church choir and leading his own quartet. In high school, he moved with his family to San Bernardino, Calif., where he worked as a mailman, janitor and office clerk while teaching himself to play drums.
After high school, he toured with the group Johnny Harris and the Statesmen before joining the Navy and singing with an enlisted men's chorus.
After two years in the service, Wilson relocated to Los Angeles and began working the local nightclub circuits before joining several R&B vocal
groups: first The Jewels, then The Rollers and eventually instrumental combo The Souls.
In 1966, Wilson signed to the Soul City label and two years later had his first hit, "The Snake." Several minor hits followed, including Do What You Gotta Do," his cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Lodi" and Rivers' own "Poor Side Of Town."
"Show and Tell" spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hit 100 singles chart in January 1974. The romantic ballad was written and produced by songwriter Jerry Fuller, and first recorded by Johnny Mathis.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
XM'S 'THE POWER' EXPANDS LINEUP: Willie Jolley, Keith Murphy among personalities features on satellite channel.
*XM Satellite Radio's African-American talk programming station The Power (Channel 69) will be expanded to include new shows featuring social, political and economic radio personalities and leaders.
Beginning Monday (April 28), The Power will house shows from radio personalities Keith Murphy, Armstrong Williams, David Anderson, Brian Higgins, Wilmer Leon, Willie Jolley, George Wilson, Robert "Rob" Redding Jr., Mario Armstrong, Maggie Linton, Charles Ellison and Peter Groff.
These hosts join prominent community leaders, including Joe Madison, Kojo Nnamdi, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Warren Ballantine, Tavis Smiley and The 2 Live Stews.
"XM is proud to be home to The Power, the only national radio platform devoted to African-American talk," said Kevin Straley, SVP of Talk Programming for XM. "These new shows offer The Power's listeners the most diverse group of voices on the economic, political and social issues affecting African- Americans today."
Complete programming information, including show descriptions, air dates and times, is available online at
http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=169
NAS RELEASES SINGLE 'BE A NI**ER TOO': Rapper reignites controversy over racial-epithet with first single from N-word album.
*Nas has put a rather controversial twist on the old Dr Pepper jingle with his latest single, "Be A Ni**er Too."
The first material leaked from his upcoming album, "Ni**er," is co-produced by Salaam Remi and Big Jack and includes the lyrics "To all my 'kike' ni**ers, 'spic' ni**ers, 'guinea' ni**ers, 'chink' ni**ers / That's right, y'all my ni**ers, too."
Another verse has the rapper stating: "Nas is bred for the plan/ To hold a Grand Dragon's head in my hand."
He also references the October slaying of African Reggae artist Lucky Dube. Nas raps: "Not mad 'cause Eminem said ni**er, 'Cause he's my ni**er, wigger, cracker friend/ We all black within/ We all African/ Some Africans don't like us, no way/ A killing happened in Johannesburg yesterday."
The Queensbridge artist is scheduled to release the album on July 1.
Listen to the track "Be a Ni**er Too" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj2qLST6uKg&feature=related
FAMILY FILM 'GETTIN' GROWN' ON DVD: Movie won Dove Foundation seal of approval as 'wholesome entertainment for the whole family.'
*Film Life, Inc. announces the DVD release of "Gettin' Grown," a movie about a family's struggle to raise a child in the inner city, "where
some get lost and some get grown."
Written and directed by Aaron Greer, the film follows 12-year-old Eric who is sent to fill a prescription for his grandmother. En route to the pharmacy, things become unexpectedly complicated as he is forced to make decisions that seem logical to him, but which in fact bring him to the brink of danger. The question is - will he make the right choices?
"This film is essential viewing for children and parents alike. It depicts the modern-day struggles one faces growing up in an urban environment, without resorting to the mainstream media's sensationalized focus on drugs, sex and violence," said Jeff Friday, Founder/CEO of Film Life, Inc.
"Gettin' Grown," winner of the Dove Foundation seal of approval as "wholesome entertainment for the whole family," stars Isaiah Matthew, Ginger Manning, Patricia Bridges, Xavier O'Ryan, Jerome Pulley Jr., John Luckett and Timothy "Cutt Up" McGee.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Harold Ford Jr. wedding; diva Whitney; Mel B's gig; Blu Cantrell on NBC; Diddy and Kim; Remy Ma sentencing; Nathaniel Mayer ailing.
*Former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr. will exchange vows Saturday with Emily Threlkeld in Miami. The bride is a fashion designer and stepdaughter of former Morgan Stanley Chairman Anson Beard. According to Page Six, the couple invited 300 guests to the wedding, to be held at an Episcopal church.
*Diva accusations are again being leveled against Whitney Houston for her behavior at the Bernard Hopkins/Joe Calzaghe fight in Las Vegas Saturday. A spy told the New York Post's Page Six: "She was practically carried in by her staff, and her people snapped their fingers, saying, 'Whitney needs a waitress!' She couldn't focus while Ray J sang the national anthem. But when he got back to her they were lovey-dovey all night."
*Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown is the new face of Ultimo lingerie. The recent "Dancing With the Stars" contestant sports the line's racy two-pieces with stilettos in some of the shots. A source from the company told London's The Sun: "We were blown away by the great shape she is in and desperate to land her. Mel B has never been bigger."
*Grammy-nominated singer Blu Cantrell will participate in NBC's "Celebrity Circus," which will follow a bunch of famous folks as they attempt to master a number of circus stunts, including the high wire, flying trapeze and fire dancing, reports Variety. After training, contestants will perform their acts and then face the verdict of judges and viewers. Other confirmed celebrities include Christopher Knight, Rachel Hunter, Antonio Sabato Jr., Janet Evans and Jason "Wee Man" Acuna. Joey Fatone will serve as ringmaster of the series, which premieres at 9:30 p.m. June 11 with a 90-minute edition.
*Diddy and his ex Kim Porter reportedly met for a lunch date Friday in Los Angeles. Seven months after a headline-making breakup, the parents of 14-month-old twins D'Lila Star and Jessie James and 10-year-old son Christian were spotted at Italian restaurant Trilussa in Beverly Hills, reports SF Gate.
*Sentencing for rapper Remy Ma has been postponed from April 23 to May 13, reports Allhiphop.com. The Bronx-born artist was convicted of shooting a friend over missing money. Although she faces up to 25 years in prison for assault, weapons possession and coercion, sources say she is more likely to receive anywhere from three to five years behind bars. Lawyers for Remy Ma have stated that they would appeal the verdict.
*Veteran R&B singer Nathaniel Mayer is recovering from a stroke suffered April 13 that has affected his speech and movement, reports Reuters. The 64-year-old, who had a minor hit "Village of Love" in 1962, could make "a considerable recovery," according to a post on Mayer's MySpace page. "The X-rays reveal that the damage from the stroke was limited to a small area," the post said. The James Brown devotee launched a comeback four years ago with the album "I Just Want to Be Held," and its follow up last August, "Why Don't You Give It to Me."
BILL SAYS OBAMA CAMP 'PLAYED RACE CARD: Then he denies it to MSNBC reporter. Obama responds.
*Bill Clinton told a Philadelphia radio station Barack Obama's campaign played the race card to turn black voters against him after he marginalized an Obama win in South Carolina by comparing it to Jesse Jackson's wins there in 1984 and 88.
The day after the interview, as Pennsylvanians headed to the polls, Clinton denied that he ever said it.
In Monday's phone interview with Philadelphia's WHYY radio, Clinton's South Carolina comments were brought up and he was asked if it was a mistake to play the race card.
"No. I think that they played the race card on me. And we now know, from memos from the [Obama] campaign and everything, that they planned to do it all along," Clinton responded.
He went on to explain that his words comparing Obama to Jackson had been twisted and he has been unfairly labeled as a racist. To defend himself, he cited his own appointment of blacks, Hispanics and women to top administration posts during his presidency, his work worldwide to combat AIDS, and reminded the reporter of his office space Harlem.
The next morning in Pittsburgh, Clinton was shaking hands with supporters at the Jewish Community Center when an "embedded reporter" from NBC asked the former President about his WHYY interview the day before. His response is detailed in the transcript below:
NBC: "Sir, what did you mean yesterday when you said that the Obama campaign was playing the race card on you?"
CLINTON: "When did I say that, and to whom did I say that?"
NBC: "On WHYY radio yesterday"
CLINTON: "No, no, no. That's not what I said. You always follow me around and play these little games, and I'm not going to play your games today.
This is a day about election day. Go back and see what the question was, and what my answer was. You have mischaracterized it to get another cheap story to divert the American people from the real urgent issues before us, and I choose not to play your game today. Have a nice day."
NBC: "Respectfully sir, though, you did say ."
CLINTON: "Have a nice day." [continues shaking hands with supporters]. I said what I said, you can go and look at the interview. And if you'll be real honest, you'll also report what the question was and what the answer was."
NBC: "They asked you if you regretted your comparing Jesse Jackson to Barack Obama on the day after the South Carolina primary."
CLINTON: "And I pointed out that I did not do that, and that I complimented them both. And that Jesse Jackson took no offense. And I called him myself, I said, 'Did you find that offensive?' And he said no.
Later Tuesday, Obama was asked to respond about Clinton's accusations that his camp used the race card.
"Hold on a second, so former president Clinton dismissed my victory in South Carolina as being similar to Jesse Jackson and he's suggesting that somehow I had something to do with it? Ok, well then you better ask him about it," Obama said.
The Illinois senator was then asked if, as Clinton said, his campaign had a secret plan to use race.
"Was there something that we had a plan to get him to say that my campaign was like Jesse Jackson's? I don't know what he is referring to unfortunately," he said, laughing.
Meanwhile, Clinton is also making news about comments he made immediately after the WHYY interview when he thought the microphone was off.
Once the interview was over, he turned to someone next to him and said: "I don't think I should take any sh** from anybody on that, do you?"
WHYY Interview: Bill Clinton Accuses Obama Campaign of Playing the Race Card http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxsrGUTcEUc&eurl=http://www.huffingtonpost.co
m/2008/04/22/bill-clinton-obama-played_n_97927.html
Bill Clinton Denies Accusing Obama Campaign of Playing the Race Card http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/22/bill-clinton-obama-played_n_97927.h
tml
Obama on Race Card Comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-uwwMzfP-Q
EUR FILM REVIEW: 88 Minutes
Pacino Stars as Shrink on Run from Sadistic Serial Killer
Film Review by Kam Williams
About ten years ago, Dr. Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) was the key prosecution expert witness whose testimony helped send rapist/serial killer Jon Forster (Neal McDonough) to Death Row.
As the notorious "Seattle Slayer" was being led out of the courtroom, he looked the FBI forensic psychiatrist responsible for his conviction straight in the eye and whispered, "Tick-tock, Doc," a veiled threat that it was just a matter of time before he would exact his revenge.
Fast forward to the present and we find Forster behind bars and all out of appeals. His impending execution is likely to provide a measure of closure to Janie Cates (Tammy Hui), the twin sister of one of his victims (Vicky Huang), plus some comfort to Gramm, now teaching med school, boozing it up and chasing anything in a skirt.
But then, on the eve of Forster's scheduled execution by lethal injection, the tweedy, tipsy professor finds himself suddenly shaken after receiving a chilling call on his cell phone repeating the familiar "Tick-tock, Doc"
refrain. In addition, the electronically-altered voice informs Gramm that he only has 88 minutes to live.
Thereupon, the sinister stalker immediately embarks on a frenetic crime spree, slicing and dicing folks close to the womanizing Dr. Jack in order to implicate him in a series of copycat murders. The enterprising sicko proceeds to wreak additional havoc across the city, eluding a conspicuously-absent police force while blowing up cars, setting fires and running over pedestrians with a motorcycle. Oh, and he also keeps Gramm on speed dial to be able to gloat periodically.
Patently preposterous at every turn, 88 Minutes is more action-packed than the average Bugs Bunny-Road Runner hour, and features cartoon physics which is about as credible. Al Pacino, with the help of a bouncy, blowing, world-class bouffant hairdo, still has the charisma to turn a turkey into a flick that's almost watchable, if only for the laughs.
Regrettably, a splendid supporting cast topped by Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman. William Forsythe and Alicia Witt finds itself frequently abandoned by a silly script laced with implausible dialogue, lots of illogical plot developments and more smelly red herrings than the Fulton Fish market. I mean, really, how can virtually every character be a prime suspect, including the potential victim himself?
A comical crime thriller where you're likely to find yourself more amused by the unintentionally funny goings-on than try to solve the underlying whodunit.
Fair (1 star)
Rated R for profanity, disturbing violence and brief nudity.
Running time: 108 minutes
Studi Columbia Pictures
EUR DVD REVIEW: The Souls of Black Girls
Provocative Documentary Examines Image of Black Females Propagated by the Media
Film Review by Kam Williams
Why have African-American women become so maligned by popular culture that we have a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Karen Hunter, writing a best seller seriously posing the question, "Are black women necessary?"
And how has this shocking state of affairs affected the psyches of the sisters of the Hip-Hop Generation shaped during the dominance of gangsta' rap, an age marked by misogyny and an embracing of a European standard of beauty?
These are the questions posed by The Souls of Black Girls, a provocative documentary which suggests that African-American females are suffering from a form of self-image disorder.
Produced and directed by Daphne Valerius, this provocative examination of a timely subject features sage contributions from such icons as actresses Regina King, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Juanita Jennings and Amelia Marshall, PBS news anchor Gwen Ifill, Public Enemy's Chuck D, BET producer Darlise Blount, Essence Magazine fashion editor Pamela Edwards, historian Dr. Lez Edmond and cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis.
These famous faces share screen time with several representatives of the demographic being discussed, articulate teens who weigh-in with their heartfelt feelings on hot-button issues ranging from their dating desirability to skin color preferences to hair straightening to absentee fathers to promiscuity to their weights and shapes. The overall point being driven home is that they are generally frustrated by their inability to measure up to an unachievable ideal which places thin white females with hour-glass figures up on a pedestal.
Apparently, out of a sense of desperation to be seen as attractive, some girls compromise their values by engaging in binge dieting and unprotected sex in an attempt to mimic the lewd behavior of the scantily-clad dancers they see cavorting seductively in rap videos. Unfortunately, in those exploitative, masturbatory male fantasies, as Dr. Edmond points out, "Black women are very rarely presented as something to be respected."
The film also asks, "Have black men abandoned black women?" with one expert suggesting that slavery might be responsible for that fragmented relationship. Others, however, see the phenomenon as a relatively-recent development, an outgrowth of a BET-led trend toward a sexualizing and debasing of the African-American female.
Ms. King bemoans that we have "a whole generation of lost women who don't that it's okay to be you." Meanwhile, Jada reflects upon having herself gone "through a period of shame." Fortunately, the participants are ultimately optimistic and offer positive solutions, such as Ms. Ifill who proudly asserts "My beauty has value" and finds satisfaction when greeted by young aspiring journalists who see her as a role model.
An overdue debate about who gets to define what is beautiful.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 52 minutes
Distributor: Femme Noire Productions
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimist lends encouragement."
— William Arthur Ward
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
April 23: Comedian George Lopez is 47.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Sizta 2 Sizta is a site for black women seeking info on how to grow and maintain long healthy hair: www.sizta2sizta.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Apr. 23, 1954: Hank Aaron hit his first home run off pitcher Vic Raschi of the St. Loius Cardinals on this date, his first year in the big leagues. It signaled the beginning of what would become Aaron’s duel with a legend. Aaron finished his 19th season with 673 home runs and stands just 41 short of the record set by the home run king, Babe Ruth. (Source:
www.BlackFacts.com)
Share and Bookmark |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
