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05-16-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
R. KELLY'S JURY IS SET: But race again became an issue during selection process Thursday.
*A jury has finally been selected in the R. Kelly child pornography trial. The court session in Chicago was on the verge of ending yesterday with 12 members and two alternates firmly in place and two more alternates about to be selected.
The panel consists of eight whites and four African Americans, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The jurors were seated, however, amid more accusations from Kelly's defense team that prosecutors were intentionally striking minorities from the jury pool in favor of whites.
The defense has been accusing the prosecution of weeding out minorities since the jury selection began five days ago. The final objection came as prosecutors used their final two peremptory challenges Thursday to strike a black man and an Asian woman from the panel.
The prosecution has already used four of their seven challenges to remove minorities during the selection process. Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan also approved the state's attorneys request to remove a black man who lied about having spent time in jail.
Gaughan suggested the defense's racism accusation was hypocritical, given the fact that Kelly's attorneys used all seven of its challenges to strike white candidates.
"I don't think [the prosecution] is doing that," Gaughan said. "You keep saying that. You haven't mentioned all the white males you've dismissed."
As far as gender goes, four of the 12 members are women. The alternates as of press time included a white man and a Latino man.
Despite the drama, four jurors were approved by both sides Thursday to complete the 12 member panel. Among the newly selected were a Romanian immigrant, a recent college graduate and a man only vaguely familiar with the R&B star.
LIL KIM WINS COURT BATTLE AGAINST LIL' CEASE: Queen B awarded half million for DVD's unauthorized use of her name and image.
*Lil Kim was awarded $500,000 Wednesday in a lawsuit accusing one of her former Junior M.A.F.I.A. members of using her name and image for an unauthorized DVD.
According to the New York Post, the rapper had originally filed a $6 million lawsuit against James Lloyd, a.k.a. Lil Cease, who had testified against her in the criminal trial that ended with her conviction for lying to a grand jury.
Manhattan federal Judge Jed Rakoff found that Cease and his company, Ground Zero Entertainment, wrongly capitalized on Lil' Kim's fame with the DVD, "The Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A. Part II: Reloaded."
In July of 2005 Lil' Kim won a temporary restraining order against the entire Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Ground Zero Entertainment to stop the DVD from being sold.
T-PAIN LEADS ALL BET AWARD NOMINATIONS: Singer pockets five; Kanye and Keyshia collect three; Mary, Alicia and Flo Rida each get a pair.
*T-Pain received five BET Award nominations Thursday to lead the entire pack this year, but none were for his own songs.
The singer's electronic-enhanced voice earned best collaboration nods for his work with Chris Brown ("Kiss Kiss"), Kanye West ("Good Life") and Flo Rida ("Low"). He was also nominated twice in the video of the year category.
"He's had a great year; he's introduced a new element," said BET Executive Vice President Stephen Hill, referring to T-Pain's vocoder-manipulated vocals. The technique, popularized in the 80s by Roger Troutman and Zapp, has enjoyed a T-Pain-assisted resurgence that has been utilized to great success recently by Snoop Dogg ("Sensual Seduction") and Lil Wayne ("Lollipop").
Meanwhile, West and Keyshia Cole received three BET Award nominations, while Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and newcomer Flo Rida received a pair each.
Hill said the awards also shine a light on R&B artists who have yet to achieve mainstream attention, such as R&B singers Estelle and Raheeem DeVaughn, who each received a nomination.
"Our voting panel picked not just the hits but folks who are really talented who are just now getting a shot," he said, according to the Associated Press.
Al Green will be given a lifetime achievement award, and Quincy Jones will receive an award for his humanitarian work during the live broadcast on June 24 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Agneles.
Nelly and Usher, who were to appear on BET's "106 & Park" later Thursday to announce the nominations, are confirmed to perform at the ceremony along with Lil Wayne, Blige and Mariah Carey.
"Besides being the best black awards show that we have, also being one of the best awards show period, their ratings are through the roof,"
said Nelly. "They're tuning in — black, white, Japanese, Chinese — you got it, they're tuning in, which says a lot."
WNBC ANCHOR DENIES BEING DRUNK ON AIR: Sue Simmons says she hasn't tasted between live broadcasts since at least 1993.
*News anchor Sue Simmons of New York's WNBC/Channel 4, who was caught shouting the F-word during a live tease Monday night, is rejecting reports in the New York Post that her expletive was fueled by an alcohol problem.
On Wednesday, The Post interviewed several staffers who said they weren't surprised that Simmons blurted out "What the f**k you doing?"
because she's known to get her drink on between the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
newscasts.
"Sue Simmons likes the sauce and she can be cranky about it," a former WNBC employee told The Post. "She was sometimes a little tipsy [on the air] to the point where colleagues would take notice."
Witnesses told The Post that Simmons hits Midtown watering holes like Gallagher's steakhouse and Jean Georges after anchoring Channel 4's 5 p.m.
newscast. "I wouldn't say she gets sloshed - sloshed, that wouldn't be the right word," a Gallagher's employee said, gesturing to the back booths where Simmons typically takes her between-show breaks. "I would say she gets happy. She gets very happy."
An employee at Jean Georges at Columbus Circle said Simmons has drinks with her meals after the 5 p.m. shift - and then heads back to work for the 11 p.m. cycle.
"She's been here and she's had drinks with her dinner," a Jean Georges employee said. "She's had a cocktail or two, yes, between shows, with dinner."
"Not one word of it is true," Simmons told The Post via e-mail. "I haven't had an alcoholic drink between shows for at least 15 years or more."
She added, "I understand more now why many people don't trust the media."
Simmons said she relaxed her language during the tease Monday night because she thought it was being taped and not going out on live airwaves.
"I got caught on air dropping the F-bomb. I thought we were taping a spot . . . turns out it was very live," Simmons said.
REMY MA AND SHOOTING VICTIM FACE OFF ON RADIO: Rapper calls Hot 97 from jail during interview with Makeda Barnes-Joseph.
*Remy Ma didn't let a fresh eight-year prison sentence keep her from squaring off against the woman she was convicted of shooting in the stomach.
According to the local New York newspapers, both the rapper and Makeda Barnes-Joseph, 24, argued about the case Wednesday morning on New York's Hot 97 radio station.
Makeda called in first to address one of the radio jocks who questioned the jury's verdict saying Remy's sentence was excessive.
"This thing makes me cry every time I talk about it," said Barnes-Joseph, who was shot in the stomach by the rapper. "I have these ugly scars. ... My stomach is crazy."
Commenting on Remy's eight-year sentence for two counts of first-degree assault, attempted coercion and criminal possession of a weapon, Barnes-Joseph said she didn't think it was too harsh.
"She's got a kid. She'll come out in eight years and see her kid," she said. "I might not be able to have kids."
Remy Ma, whose real last name is Smith, heard her victim on the radio and was able to phone in herself from Rikers Island.
"I was there. I'm not agreeing with y'all and telling you I'm wrong and I'm sorry for something I didn't do," said the artist.
Offering no apology and no remorse, Remy stated: "I don't care if 12 million say 'guilty.' The same way she was there, I was there," Remy said.
"[She's] bending the truth. She's stretching it to make it seem like she did nothing wrong. ... I don't got to shoot no girls."
Remy said she was offered a plea deal that carried a three-year sentence but turned it down because she believed she would be acquitted.
"You think I would jeopardize being away from my child for five to 25 years if I even had an inkling that I was guilty of something?" she asked Miss Jones.
Barnes-Joseph pointed out that Remy fled after the shooting and did not check on her.
"This whole 10 months, my life has been like a roller coaster,"
Barnes-Joseph told the Daily News. "Everyone blames me like I'm a bad person and I did nothing. I did nothing at all."
50 CENT IN TALKS WITH MURDOCH'S NEWS CORP: Deal, worth a reported $300 mil, would give company stake in all things Fitty.
*Rapper 50 Cent is reportedly in talks with the Rupert Murdoch-founded News Corp to strike a deal that would give the company a large stake in all aspects of the 50 Cent brand, according to Ballerstatus.com.
The partnership is reportedly worth $300 million and would include 50's music, books and concerts, as well as his G-Unit label.
Aimed for a 2009 start, the deal would help launch the company's MySpace Records, with 50 and his G-Unit roster eventually moving under the label's umbrella.
The deal also calls for News Corp to acquire his online community ThisIs50.com, to market and sell the rapper's touring and to house G-Unit book deals and music publishing for 50 and the artists on his label.
Sources say half the deal will be in stock, which would make 50 Cent one of the largest shareholders of News Corp. The deal is expected to be finalized next year, after the rapper fulfills his contract requirements with Interscope Records.
TYRESE CLOSE TO MR. T ROLE IN 'A-TEAM' FILM: Actor-singer says he's all but booked to play B.A. Baracus in Singleton's update.
*John Singleton has apparently decided that Tyrese Gibson will play BA Baracus in his forthcoming feature film update of the popular television series "The A Team." But contracts have yet to be signed and the deal is not yet finalized.
According to the Web site CHUD (Cinematic Happenings Under Development), the actor-singer confirmed that he has been offered the role made famous by Mr. T. But the script is still being worked on and taking the role would depend on scheduling.
As for the character's look, Black Ty said he wouldn't rule out sporting Mr. T's trademark mohawk, but he's hoping to bring BA into the 21st century, so don't expect a ton of bling around his neck.
The entertainer also plans to hit the weights hard in preparation for the role, stating the original character's imposing stature is a lot to live up to.”
RIHANNA MAKES NEAR RECORD LEAP ON BILLBOARD: New single 'Take a Bow' rockets
53-1 thanks to download surge.
*Rihanna's new single "Take A Bow" nearly set a Billboard Hot 100 record with its 53-1 rise this week. It's the second-best leap to No. 1 in Hot 100 history, trailing only Maroon 5's 64-1 jump with "Makes Me Wonder"
last May.
Coincidentally, Rihanna is featured on the band's "If I Never See Your Face Again" which debuted yesterday at No. 57.
"Bow's" sudden blast is due to opening-week digital downloads, which hit 267,000 to also place the track at No. 1 on Hot Digital Songs. Rihanna now owns two of the top three opening week download tallies in chart history. Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" set the mark with 286,000 last month, surpassing the 277,000 moved by Rihanna's "Umbrella" when it debuted in June 2007 issue.
"Take a Bow" is one of four new songs on an expanded CD/DVD edition of Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" album, due June 17 via Def Jam.
Elsewhere on the Hot 100, Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" slips to No.
2, followed by Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" featuring Static Major at No. 3, Jordin Sparks' "No Air" featuring Chris Brown at No. 4, Usher's "Love in this Club" featuring Young Jeezy at No. 5, Ray J & Yung Berg's "Sexy Can I"
at No. 6, Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake at No. 7, Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" at No. 8, Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocket Full of Sunshine" at No. 9 and Danity Kane's "Damaged" at No. 10.
BIG BOI PUTS HIS 'LEFT FOOT' FORWARD: Rapper working on his first solo album, led by current single 'Royal Flush.'
*OutKast's Big Boi eyes the end of August as a recording deadline for his first solo album, "Sir Luscious Left Foot ... Son of Chico Dusty,"
due later this year via Laface/Zomba.
A video for the first single "Royal Flush," featuring OutKast partner Andre 3000 and Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon, will be shot in the coming weeks by director Bryan Barber, reports Billboard.com. The second single will be "The World is Too Big" featuring Mary J. Blige.
Big Boi worked with his usual Organized Noise production crew as well as long-time collaborator Mr. DJ on "Sir Luscious"
"This album is Big Boi to the extreme," the rapper tells Billboard.
"It's like a recession special. I'm talking about what's going on in the world, with everything from rising gas prices to the election. It's just my insights on life up to this point."
Last month, Big Boi debuted his "Big" collaboration with the Atlanta Ballet at the city's Fox Theater. Now, the artist is in talks with concert promotion giants AEG and Live Nation to take the show on an international tour.
EXHIBIT HONORS PASSING OF OPRAH'S DOGS: Sculptor Daniel Edwards of 'The Oprah Sarcophagus' fame is back.
*Sculptor Daniel Edwards is at it again. The man behind the infamous Oprah Sarcophagus (a bronze statue of Oprah Winfrey with exaggerated breasts and hips) – has created a new bust of the TV host that features her two recently-departed dogs.
The life-size monument depicts "puppy versions" of Oprah's Cocker Spaniel Sophie and Golden Labrador Gracie seated on top of her head.
"Memories of Sophie and Gracie: A Puppies' Memorial," says co-director John Leo, is done in memory of Gracie, who choked on a ball last year, and Sophie, who died in March. The artist depicted them as conjoined at the hip and sharing a common tail."
"The dogs are shown standing on the Oprah's head, in reference to how the dogs' deaths may be weighing heavily on Winfrey's mind, according to Leo. "Losing two beloved pets within a year is likely to take its toll on anybody."
"Memories of Sophie and Gracie: A Puppies' Memorial" will be exhibited at Leo Kesting Gallery in New York on May 22. See photo here:
http://www.send2press.com/mediaboom/08-0514-DEdwards_72dpi.jpg
JANET STILL HAS LOVE FOR ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: British designer created infamous outfit ripped by Justin during Super Bowl.
*Janet Jackson appeared at a star-studded event Tuesday launching the new Los Angeles store of British designer Alexander McQueen, the man behind her 2004 Super Bowl half time costume that suffered a headline-grabbing wardrobe malfunction when ripped by Justin Timberlake.
Jackson, who stopped by McQueen's unopen store earlier in the day to pick up outfits for the party, says she doesn't hold any hard feelings toward the designer for the fabric that tore away so easily, exposing her breast on live television.
"I don't blame him; he didn't rip it," she said. "Alexander is so great at what he does — he's a genius. I've loved him for a long time, ever since I saw one of his very first shows 10 years ago in London, which is where we first met."
RUPAUL TO HOST NEW REALITY SERIES: Drag queen in pole position at MTV's gay-themed channel Logo.
*Noted drag queen RuPaul, best known for his 1993 hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)," will host a new reality competition series for MTV Networks' gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender-themed channel Logo.
Titled "RuPaul's Drag Race." The show will feature contestants competing to become "America's next superstar drag queen.
RuPaul will serve as host, mentor and judge, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Online voters will help pick one of the contestants at http://www.RuPaulsDragRace.com.
The hourlong, six-episode series is expected to debut on Logo's digital cable channel early next year.
PARTON THREATENS TO SUE STERN OVER RACIST BIT: Dolly 'hurt' by segment scrambling words of her audio book.
*Dolly Parton is extremely upset with Howard Stern and is threatening to sue his radio show for manipulating recordings from her audio book into seemingly racist and sexually graphic sound bites.
In a segment that aired May 6 on his Sirius satellite radio show, Stern played edited clips that made it appear the country star was making vulgar and racist comments regarding Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Reynolds and Johnny Carson. One of the clips had Parton stating: "I love ni**er c**k." Another clip was manipulated to say: "Linda Ronstadt is a really fat tub of s**t."
"I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life,"
Parton says in a statement released Wednesday. "I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth.
"They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing. Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this."
"If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this," she continued. "Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."
The "Stern" show regularly uses altered clips from "Star Trek" actor George Takei, William Shatner, Oprah Winfrey and others.
Howard Stern Bit - Dolly Parton Audio Book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grEx37St_XM
MICHAEL VICK OWES $1.1 MIL FOR WINERY: Yet another court verdict reached forcing jailed QB to pay on a defaulted loan.
*One week after a judge ordered jailed NFL quarterback Michael Vick to repay a $2.5 million loan to the Royal Bank of Canada, another financial institution has won a lawsuit against the athlete seeking payment for a defaulted loan.
In an order filed Tuesday in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Vick was ordered to repay more than $1.1 million to Wachovia Bank for a loan that went toward the opening of a winery in College Park, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback and Gerald Frank Jenkins borrowed money to open Atlantic Wine & Spirits, and the adjoining Tasting Room restaurant, on Camp Creek Parkway in College Park in March of 2007.
According to court documents obtained by the newspaper, a summary judgment in favor of Wachovia against Vick was granted in the amount of $1,117,908.85. The figure represents the initial principal balance outstanding ($937,907.61), interest accrued as of Dec. 4, 2007 ($14,596.97), additional interest accruing from Dec. 4, 2007 to May 13, 2008 ($32,507.51)“
161 days at $201.91 per day), outstanding fees ($305.83), overdrawn accounts
($34,064.72) and attorneys fees ($98,526.21). Further interest could be accrued.
Summary judgments in the case have already been entered against Atlantic Wine and Jenkins.
According to court documents, in May 2006 Wachovia agreed to loan Atlantic Wine $1.3 million. To secure the loan, Vick personally guaranteed the payment of all principal, interest, late charges, loan fees and collection expenses. Vick's NFL income and earning potential were the primary bases on which Wachovia extended credit to Atlantic Wine, according to court documents.
Vick is currently serving a 23-month federal sentence in Leavenworth, Kansas for felony charges related to dogfighting. He failed to contest Wachovia's motion for summary judgment, according to court documents. Vick filed a list of defenses, but the court found he failed to provide support for the defenses.
DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER BACK ON TV: A&E to begin new season in July after pulling show in the wake of his racist tirade.
*Duane Chapman is finally out of A&E's dog house. After pulling his show "Dog the Bounty Hunter" when it was discovered that he used the N-word in a profanity-laced telephone conversation, the network has decided to bring it back this summer.
Filming has already begun on the fifth season, according to the Associated Press. Reruns of the show will start airing June 25, with new episodes, including ones from the fourth season that have not previously aired, coming a few weeks later.
A press conference announcing the show's return was held Wednesday with Chapman and his family appearing side-by-side with A&E executives and a representative from a civil rights organization. The message: Chapman deserves a second chance.
"It's not about ratings," A&E spokesman Michael Feeney said. "We know his heart. We know him and know he's not a racist."
Niger Innis, national chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality, said Chapman's use of the racial slur was wrong. But he noted that Chapman "took ownership of the harm it caused" and "sought to turn his life around."
Chapman said he has received counseling and reached out to blacks, speaking at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event and participating in a toy drive.
"There was one perfect person, and they called him Jesus Christ,"
Chapman said. "You have to ... realize that everyone is human, and you can err."
His wife, Beth, said her husband's use of the racial slur was not a reflection of the family's feelings and vowed it would not set them back.
"We're Chapmans, and we're fighters," she said. "And brother, we're not going to settle in our setbacks. We're going to have a comeback."
TV ONE RETURNS 'MAKEOVER' AND 'G. GARVIN': Network rolls out new seasons this month.
*TV One's beauty transformation series "Makeover Manor" returns next week with a new host, Essence Magazine Beauty Director and Cover Editor Mikki Taylor, a new styling team and new set.
The weekly half-hour show will take one guest away for a day of pampering and primping from A-list professionals specializing in fashion, hair styling, health and nutrition. The first episode, premiering Sunday, May 25, features a makeover of actress/comedienne Kym Whitley in the first half hour, followed by the transformation of a 32-year-old police officer and single mother.
Meanwhile, "Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin: Celebrity Dish" will begin a new season at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, with guest Musiq Soulchild. Together, they whip up a sautéed baked and jumbo shrimp with fresh feta and tomato sauce, along with an herb crusted whole filet with Yukon gold potatoes and carrots.
The upcoming season includes guests Elise Neal, NY Giants Antonio Pierce, rapper Talib Kweli and R&B singers Letoya Luckett, Ruben Studdard, and Amel Larrieux.
OBAMA ROUNDUP: Senator criticized for saying 'sweetie'; wins mock election at movie premiere; considers new theme song.
*Barack Obama is catching flack for referring periodically to females as "sweetie."
The Democratic presidential nominee has apologized to reporter Peggy Agar of Michigan's WXYZ for using the term when she questioned him at a Chrysler car plant in Detroit. Ms Agar told the Detroit News: "I've been called worse."
During his visit to the Chrysler LLC plant, Agar shouted out: "How are you going to help the American auto workers?"
Obama replied: "Hold on one second, sweetie, we'll do a press [session], thanks."
Later calling to apologize, the Illinois senator left a message
stating: "That's a bad habit of mine. I do it sometimes with all kinds of people. I mean no disrespect and so I am duly chastened on that front.
"Feel free to call me back. I expect that my press team will be happy to try to make it up to you whenever we are in Detroit next."
Agar said the apology surprised her but she was more concerned he had not answered her question.
"People in Michigan have to make a decision about who they're going to vote for," she said. "He could take a second to say what he's going to do for them."
Obama had previously used the word to a factory worker in Pennsylvania in April, and to an enthusiastic supporter in Washington D.C.
last week while leaving Congress.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that Obama won by a landslide in a mock election at Tuesday's premiere of "Recount," HBO's new film about the 2000 ballot battle in Florida.
But voters – which consisted of invited celebrities and movie critics, found themselves facing dimpled and hanging chads, as well as three of the five machines rendered inoperable after getting jammed. The voting machines were imported from Palm Beach County for the after-party at the Four Seasons restaurant to demonstrate the fiasco encountered by Florida voters during the 2000 presidential election.
"There's no doubt in my mind that this could happen again," said actor Kevin Spacey, who plays Ron Klain, the lawyer who ran Al Gore's recount fight. "Even if you went from a punch-card ballot to a punch-screen ballot, in which case, there's no paper trail. You couldn't do a recount.
What was wrong with just checking a box?"
"Recount" premieres on HBO May 25.
*The Obama campaign says it may want to add the track "Future Calling" to its bank of theme songs, reports the New York Daily News.
The tune is from rising alternative rock group Phoenix Block, who are avid supporters of the Illinois senator. While a campaign insider said that their priority is to focus on conquering the primaries, they will negotiate the song for future use if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee.
[Listen to song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRFcIAGqhBw&feature=related]
FILM/TV BITS: ABC 'gives'; Mo'Nique on TV One; 'House of Payne' DVD; TV One's Rice; 'Flavor' finale; Tyson's 'Top Model'; Cuba's 'Lies'; BET's 'Blackout.'
*Despite enthusiasm from the network and decent ratings, ABC has announced that Oprah Winfrey's reality show "Oprah's Big Give" will not be returning for a second season. "We loved that show and absolutely would have loved to bring it back," ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson said.
"But it was something (Oprah) didn't want to do." The show, which featured contestants competing in charity events each week, consistently won its time period on Sunday nights.
*Mo'Nique takes her turn in the hot seat opposite Cathy Hughes on TV One's new episode of "TV One on One," premiering Sunday (May 18) at 9 p.m.
ET. In addition to her TV appearances and movie roles, the actress-comedienne will soon tackle radio as the host of a new Syndication One talk show. She tells Hughes: “As everybody knows, I love to talk, and I love the fact that I will be in a position, along with some great people, that we can make a difference."
*Tyler Perry's "House of Payne: Volume Two" comes to DVD on Tuesday, July 1. The package includes 20 episodes as well as featurettes and bloopers. "House of Payne" has won NAACP Image Awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Actor (LaVan Davis) and Best Supporting Actor (Lance Gross).
The show focuses on a working class family that experiences all of life's struggles - divorce, rehab, anger management and child custody issues; with Perry's signature blend of family, faith, love and laughter.
*Michelle Rice has been named executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing of TV One. In this position, she will be responsible for all aspects of the network's distribution strategy and operations, including marketing and local ad sales. A graduate of Temple University with a degree in journalism, Rice also holds an M.A. degree in communication management from the University of Southern California. She will also be an honoree at the 2008 NAMIC Annual Awards breakfast in New Orleans May 19, which recognizes young leaders in the industry.
*On the series' finale of "Flavor of Love 3" premiering on Monday, May 19 at 9:00 p.m. Flav finds himself caught between an undeniable chemistry with one girl and a love connection with the other. VH1 will marathon episodes from season 3 on Monday, beginning 11 a.m. On Saturday, May 17, the entire "Flavor of Love" season one will air back to back beginning at 1 p.m. On Sunday, beginning at 10:30 a.m., VH1 will air "Flavor of Love 2." Additionally, Flavor Flav's new single "317," which he recorded and co-produced with Sam Knight, the winner of "VH1's The Track with Flavor Flav" is now available for free download on FlavorOfLoveWorld.com.
*Last season's "America's Next Top Model" winner Caridee English is reportedly dating Tyson Beckford. According to the New York Post's Page Six, she spilled the beans Tuesday at the Entertainment Weekly Upfront Party in New York, stating that she dumped her ex-boyfriend after he stole $10,000 from her. "He went into my bank account, took all that money and went to Las Vegas and spent it," she said. "We're over."
*Cuba Gooding Jr. will star opposite Christian Slater in Nu Image/Millennium Films' action/comedy "Lies & Illusions." The story centers on a novelist being hunted by a spy who believes the writer holds millions of dollars in diamonds stolen by his dead fiancee. The film also stars Sarah Ann Schultz, Christa Campbell, Al Madrigal and Lochlyn Munro. Shooting begins this week in Spokane, Wash.
*In the first ever news special for its audiences in the United Kingdom, BET explores issues facing models of color in the U.K. in "Beauty Blackout." Premiering Monday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. on the network's UK channel SKY 209, BET News correspondent Sharon Carpenter speaks with Jamelia, Alesha Dixon, Nicola Hughes and "Britain's Next Top Model" judge Gerry Deveaux for a look at the color-challenged fashion and glamour modeling industry from all perspectives. The special also delves into the disturbing ways in which England's beauty ideal affects average women and young girls in their everyday lives.
MUSIC/RADIO BITS: Left Eye event; T.O. on Doug&Dede; Winehouse escapes charges; Joyner's new cookbook.
*The Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Foundation (LLF) hosts a day of laughter, action and family enjoyment during their Family FUN-Raiser in Atlanta on June 13 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Malibu Grand Prix (5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy). Activities will include arcade games, mini-golf, race cars, batting cages and the exciting grand prix track. Proceeds will benefit LLF programs, which assist low-income youth in metro Atlanta and children housed in Lisa’s Home of Love, a 10,000 sq. ft residential facility in Jutiapa, Honduras.
Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event. For more info, visit www.lisalopesfoundation.org.
*Fresh from his acting debut Wednesday as Flavor Flav's brother in "Under One Roof," Dallas Cowboys star Terrell Owens is scheduled to man the airwaves of syndicated radio's "The Ride with Doug and Dede" show today as part of its Celebrity Take Over. Held each Friday, Take Over allows co-hosts to put their personal stamp on the show by taking calls and picking songs they want to play. Jill Scott and Bobby Brown were previous guests this month. "The Ride with Doug and Dede" streams live at www.DougandDede.com.
*Amy Winehouse will not face charges over video footage that allegedly shows her taking drugs. Spokesman Chris Goodman said UK police had finished their investigation and confirmed no charges would be brought against the 24-year-old. The January video appeared to show her smoking crack during a party at her London home. Police began investigating after photos from the footage were published in London's Sun newspaper.
*Radio personality Tom Joyner has written a cookbook titled "47 Healthy Soul Food Recipes," designed to educate the African American community about stroke prevention by highlighting healthy soul food dishes.
The 100-page booklet, for $3.99, features such dishes as warm dill potato salad, family reunion black-eyed pea salad, Jamaican jerk shrimp and vegetable kebabs and a blackberry-pear crisp with only 195 calories. It also includes resources, tips and charts loaded with information to help fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.
WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN SPITZER HOOKER CASE: Temeka Rachelle Lewis worked as a booking agent for pricey prostitution ring.
*A woman accused of booking clients for the high-priced call girl ring that brought down former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer pleaded guilty Wednesday to money laundering and promoting prostitution, reports the AP.
Temeka Rachelle Lewis, who worked as a booking agent for the Emperor's Club VIP, is the first defendant in the federal probe to admit guilt in the case that led to Spitzer's resignation.
She made a brief court appearance in a plea bargain that obligates her to turn over records, testify before a grand jury if asked and answer any questions investigators may have about her role in arranging dates between Emperor's Club working girls and the agency's deep-pocketed clients.
Asked why his client pleaded guilty, her lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said Lewis, who majored in English at the University of Virginia and has never been in trouble with the law before, just wants to put the case behind her.
Under federal sentencing guidelines she could face around 16 months in prison, or less, depending on the level of her cooperation with prosecutors, Agnifilo said. Her sentencing was tentatively scheduled for August.
OPENING THIS WEEK Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun For movies opening May 16, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (PG for violence and epic battle scenes) Based on the second installment of the C.S. Lewis series of kiddie fantasy novels, this sequel sends the four Pevensie siblings (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) on another time-traveling adventure to a magical land far, far away, on this occasion to help overthrow an evil king (Sergio Castellitto) so that the exiled, rightful heir (Ben Barnes) might ascend to the throne. Cast includes Liam Neeson, Tilda Swinton and Eddie Izzard.
The Midnight Meat Train (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity, eroticized graphic violence and grisly images) Gruesome horror flick about a struggling photographer (Bradley Cooper) who ends up putting his and his girlfriend’s (Leslie Bibb) lives in danger after being egged on by a prominent art gallery owner (Brooke Shields) to get grittier shots for his show by following the trail of the serial killer (Vinne Jones) who’s been butchering late-night commuters on the NYC subway.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer (R for sexuality and profanity) Intergenerational comedy about a family matriarch (Lucy Gallardo) who, along with her daughter (Elizabeth Pena) and granddaughter (America “Ugly Betty” Ferrara), experience a sexual awakening over the course of a very eventful summer in a sun-bleached, Arizona border town. (In English and Spanish with
subtitles)
My Father, My Lord (Unrated) Modern morality tale, ostensibly inspired by the Biblical parable of Abraham, revolves around a respected rabbi (Assi Ayan) in an Orthodox community who is forced by circumstances to balance the competing demands of his faith and his family. (In Hebrew with subtitles)
Paraguayan Hammock (Unrated) Historical drama, set in Paraguay in 1935, revolving around about an anguished elderly couple’s (Ramón del Río and Georgina Genes) interminable wait for their son to return from their country’s bloody war with neighboring Bolivia. (In Guarani with subtitles)
Quantum Hoops (Unrated) David Duchovny narrates this against-the-odds documentary chronicling the effort of California Institute of Technology’s athletically-challenged basketball team of academic eggheads to win its first game in over 20 years.
Reprise (R for sexuality and profanity) Coming-of-age drama, set in Oslo, about the divergent fates of a couple of competitive, 20 year-old best friends (Anders Danielsen Lie and Espen Klouman-Heiner), both aspiring novelists, as they deal with love, depression and career issues with the unbridled passion of youth. (In Norwegian with subtitles)
Sangre de Mi Sangre (Unrated) Undocumented alien saga about a Mexican orphan (Jorge Adrian Espindola) who smuggles himself into the U.S. by tractor-trailer only to have his identity stolen by another illegal immigrant (Armando Hernandez) while en route to NYC to meet the man rumored to be his long-lost father (Jesus Ochoa). (In English and Spanish with
subtitles)
Yella (Unrated) Psychological thriller about a battered wife (Nina Hoss) being stalked by her abusive husband (Hinnerk Schoenemann) who flees to West Berlin where she takes a new job with a crafty venture capitalist (Devid Striesow) and gets involved with her boss only to remain haunted by her checkered past. (In German with subtitles)
EUR DVD REVIEW: A Raisin in the Sun
Diddy Stars in Adaptation of Classic Play Available on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*Lorraine Hansberry’s (1930-1965) “A Raisin in the Sun” was the first play written by a black woman ever to open on Broadway.
It takes its title from the opening line in a poem by Langston Hughes which poses the question “What happens to a dream deferred?”
The original theatrical production debuted on March 11, 1959 and starred Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee.
Its semi-autobiographical storyline was loosely based on real-life events which unfolded in Hansberry’s own family back in the Thirties.
At the time her parents had been met with pure hatred after purchasing a home in a lily-white, Chicago enclave.
The play focuses on a fictional family named Younger with dreams of moving out of the ghetto but still living in a dilapidated tenement on Chicago’s South Side.
A recent Broadway revival featured Sean “Diddy” Combs surrounded by Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan and Bill Nunn. That talented ensemble has been reassembled for this latest version.
At the point of departure, we meet Walter, Jr. (Combs) a hard-working 35 year-old chauffeur in the process of assuming the role of patriarch following the death of his father. The plot revolves around the question of how Walter. Sr.’s life insurance proceeds ought to be spent.
His widow (Rashad) thinks they should use the money to buy a home in a white neighborhood, since the five of them are currently cramped in a rundown, roach-infested apartment. Her daughter, Beneathea (Lathan), wants some of the money to pay for med school, while ambitious Walter would like to invest in a liquor store with his pal, Bobo (Nunn), and smooth-talking Willy (Ron C. Jones). After Lena hands the check over to her son, it’s just a matter of time before she comes to regret that ill-advised decision.
Helped immeasurably by his talented co-stars, Diddy comes of age as an actor here, delivering a memorable performance in an African-American literary classic which proves to be every bit as relevant today as the day it was first staged.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 131 minutes
Studi Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD Extras: Director’s commentary, a “Behind-the-Scenes” featurette, and bonus reviews.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible." — Orison Swett Marden
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
May 16: Singer Janet Jackson is 42. Singer Ralph Tresvant is 40.
Actor Marc John Jefferies ("The Tracy Morgan Show") is 18.
May 17: Singer Pervis Jackson of The Spinners is 70. Singer Taj Mahal is 66. Singer-guitarist George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson is 55. Actor Hill Harper ("City of Angels," "He Got Game") is 42. Singer Kandi Burruss
(Xscape) is 32.
May 18: Singer Butch Tavares of Tavares is 55. Rapper Special Ed is 34. Singer Darryl Allen of Mista is 28.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This blog is the home of entertainment writer and author Shelia M. Goss. It's a blog with a flair for the dramatic (www.sheliagoss.com/blog).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
May 16, 1966: Stokely Carmichael named chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. National Welfare Rights Organization organized.
May 17, 1875: The first Kentucky Derby is won by African American jockey Oliver Lewis riding the horse Aristides. Fourteen of the 15 jockeys in the race are African Americans.
May 18, 1896: The Supreme Court's decision in "Plessy v. Ferguson" affirmed the concept of "separate but equal" public facilities. (Source:
www.BlackFacts.com)
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