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10-03-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
ERYKAH BADU PREGNANT WITH 3RD CHILD: Singer broke the news last weekend at Austin City Limits festival.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that soulful songstress Erykah Badu is expecting her third child.
The R&B star reportedly revealed the news over the weekend at the Austin City Limits festival, where she performed Saturday in a smiley-face t-shirt that exposed her baby bump.
Badu, 37, has a 10-year-old son named Seven Sirius, with Outkast's Andre 'Andre 3000' Benjamin; and a 4-year-old daughter named Puma Rose, with rapper The D.O.C.
The new baby's father is reportedly Erykah's boyfriend, rapper Jay Electronica, although she will neither confirm nor deny.
BIANCA SPEAKS OUT ABOUT BLONSKY FIGHT: Former 'Top Model' contestant reunites with Tyra Banks for interview.
*Former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Bianca Golden is finally speaking out about her much-reported brawl with "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky over the summer in Turks & Caicos.
Golden was interviewed by "Top Model" co-creator and host Tyra Banks for an episode of her daytime talk show that's scheduled to air on Oct. 8.
According to People.com, Golden said she and her family were returning home from a reunion for her dying grandfather when they ended up in the same waiting area of the airport as the Blonskys.
The fight started with Blonsky being "very rude to my aunt," Golden told Banks. An argument erupted between Blonsky's and Golden's families, then Blonsky's father Carl "punched my mom."
"He knocked her out," says Golden. "He hit my mom with such force she stumbled back and when she stumbled back the whole family got up and attacked my mom."
Then, when her mother was on the ground, Nikki "takes her foot and kicks my mom in her vagina, and that's when my mom fell out completely," says Golden. "When Nikki kicked my mom I went and grabbed her arm and she grabbed my earring. Her mom sat on her to get her off of me cause her mom saw what was happening and that was that."
Golden says her mother was airlifted to the hospital with internal bleeding, a broken nose and a fractured skull.
"Her face is still black and blue," she says.
Carl and Nikki Blonsky and Golden were all arrested on assault charges.
O.J.'S CASE WINDING DOWN: Closing arguments began Thursday in Simpson's Las Vegas trial.
*Closing arguments were under way in O.J. Simpson's robbery trial in Las Vegas as of press time Thursday afternoon following a long morning of jury instructions read by Judge Jackie Glass, reports the Associated Press.
Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart each face 12 counts – including conspiracy and coercion – in the alleged robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room last year. They face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified before the prosecution, and their defenses rested their cases Wednesday after a last-minute dispute over a witness' blurted testimony threatened to derail the trial after four days of jury selection and 12 days of testimony.
Glass expressed exasperation and concern that the trial was in jeopardy after the blurted comment from the stand by the final witness, Las Vegas police detective Andy Caldwell, who headed the investigation.
Dismissing calls for a mistrial by the defense because of the detective's comments, Glass said: "I'm trying to get this case back on track. I'm surprised you haven't seen my head spin and fire come out of my mouth at this point in this trial."
Glass admonished jurors to disregard the comment by Detective Caldwell and then told them to forget about her admonition.
MORE OBAMA GIGS FOR SPRINGSTEEN: Rocker to play at three rallies ahead of announced NY date with Billy Joel.
*Bruce Springsteen is throwing even more support behind Barack Obama after agreeing to perform at several Obama/voter registration rallies preceding his previously-announced Oct. 16 concert with Billy Joel.
The Boss will play acoustic sets at three events in the coming days as the Oct. 6 deadline for voter registration looms. First up is an open-air rally Oct. 4 in Philadelphia, followed by a show the next day on the Ohio State campus in Columbus.
On Monday, Springsteen will visit Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.
For ticket information, visit Obama's Web site or Backstreets.com.
BERNHARD CUT OVER RACIAL GANG-RAPE JOKE: Women's shelter fires her from annual benefit for quip about Sarah Palin.
*A women's shelter on Wednesday dropped headliner Sandra Bernhard from its annual benefit for saying that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin would be gang-raped if she ever visited New York.
The remarks were made last month during her one-woman show in Washington ahead of Palin's round robin of meetings with world leaders at the UN in New York. Bernhard said Palin would be "gang-raped by my big black brothers" during a diatribe in which she also blasted Palin for opposing abortion rights.
Many guests at Rosie's Place, a Boston shelter, have been victims of violence, public relations director Leemarie Mosca said.
"In light of our mission, we don't think violence against women is a laughing matter," she told the Associated Press, adding that the shelter expected to book a replacement before the Oct. 16 luncheon "Funny Women ...
Serious Business."
In a statement on her Web site, Bernhard said the gang-rape comment was part of a larger piece from her show about "racism, freedom, women's rights, and the extreme views of Gov. Sarah Palin — a woman who doesn't believe that other women should have the right to choose."
"In no way am I making any sort of joke about crimes against women — quite the contrary," she continued. "I'm speaking out about someone who doesn't do enough to protect women. I think if you look at the real issues I'm addressing, my intent becomes clear. I am a die-hard advocate for women's rights, and fully support the work of Rosie's Place."
'TOP MODEL'S' 'MR. JAY' SETTLES LAWSUIT: Jay Manuel was sued by management firm for unpaid commissions.
*Fashionista Jay Manuel of "America's Next Top Model" has settled a lawsuit with a management firm over unpaid commissions for his work on the Tyra Banks-hosted reality show.
According to E! Online, Thruline Entertainment Inc. says they're owed a percentage of the more than $405,000 that Manuel reportedly earned for his work as a creative consultant and photo shoot producer on "ANTN."
Terms of the settlement are still being worked out, according to a document filed Sept. 29 by Thruline attorneys, and there was no immediate comment from either side.
SCARY SPICE EYES OWN REALITY SHOW: Melanie Brown teams with 'Project Runway' creator for series around her clothing line.
*Melanie "Mel B" Brown hopes to expand her crowded reality show resume with a new series based on her clothing line, Catty Couture.
According to E! Online, the former Spice Girl is teaming with "Project Runway" creator Eli Holzman for the project, which is still in its early stages.
"It's a thing that's in development that I'm really excited about," she told the Web site, without providing any further details.
In addition to working as a "Dancing With the Stars" correspondent for "Access Hollywood," Scary Spice has also been busy cleaning out her 10-bedroom estate back in her native U.K. She just put much of its contents on the auction block to benefit British children's cancer organization CLIC Sargent. Among the contents are pieces of her Spice Girls wardrobe.
"I was going through some of my old stuff, like when I used to wear the big platform Buffalo boots and my 9-year-old daughter was like, 'Mommy, you used to wear this?'" Mel says. "She was like, 'This is weird.' "
Also on her plate is a fitness DVD she decided to produce after friends and even strangers kept asking her about getting back into shape after she gave birth to her and Eddie Murphy's daughter, Angel, in June 2007.
"I said, 'I don't want it to be a regular fitness DVD. I don't want it to be pretty, where you don't sweat, and it's all exercises that don't work,'" Mel explains. "I want to show you exactly what I do three to four times a week."
T.I. STAYS ATOP BILLBOARD FOR 5TH WEEK: Rapper's two other singles also chart.
*T.I.'s single "Whatever You Like" remains at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart for a fifth week and commands the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a second week.
The single comes from his just-released new album "Paper Trail," which also contains Billboard's No. 57 single "Ready for Whatever" and No. 80 song "Live Your Life."
The Nos. 2-4 spots on the Hot 100 are unchanged, with Pink's "So What," Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" and Rihanna's "Disturbia" holding firm. M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" inches up 6-5, while Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" jumps 9-6 and T-Pain's "Can't Believe It" featuring Lil Wayne rises 8-7.
Ne-Yo's "Closer" is down 7-8, while Taylor Swift's "Love Story" slides 5-9. Estelle's "American Boy" featuring Kanye West stays put at No.
10.
New Cash Money atist Kevin Rudolf has the greatest digital gainer with "Let It Rock" featuring Lil Wayne. The song jumps 21-15 after shifting 85,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The Hot 100's top debut comes from Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na)," the first single from his new album, "Freedom," due Nov. 25. "Right Now" lands at No. 17 after selling 94,000 digital downloads.
Former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker starts a second week atop Hot Country Songs with "Don't Think I Don't Think About."
SERENA WILLIAMS LOSES IN STUTTGART: World No. 1 defeated by Chinese star at WTA Tournament.
*Serena Williams was bounced out of the WTA tournament in Stuttgart, Germany and puts her world number one ranking in jeopardy with a loss to China's Li Na 0-6, 6-1, 6-4.
After overwhelming Na in the first set, Williams said her game slowly began to unravel.
"I just started to make a lot of errors," she admitted afterwards. "I pretty much gave it to her, it was like I said: 'Here you go, you have a win today'."
"Maybe I started to doubt myself, I made a lot of mistakes which helps her cause," she added. "She played really well, especially in the third set where she just fought for everything. I am disappointed I lost today, especially so soon in the tournament."
With the loss, Williams' number one ranking may go to nearest challenger Jelena Jankovic.
"To be quite honest I don't deserve it playing like that," said Williams. "But I guarantee I will get it back."
In the Olympics, Li Na lost to Russia's Dinara Safina in the semi-finals after having beaten Serena's sister Venus in the quarter-finals.
JAY-Z WANTS TO START A FAMILY SOMEDAY: Mogul gets personal after receiving UN award Wednesday night.
*Rap mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter says he's no different than most married men who hope to someday have children.
The press caught up with Jigga at the U.N. Global Leadership Awards Gala in New York Wednesday night, where he received recognition for his work to bring clean water to Africa's youth.
"Most people dream of having a family someday," he told reporters, according to People.com. "So I'm just a regular American boy."
Jay-Z has spent several weeks touring the continent as part of the charity work, but unlike fellow celeb philanthropists Angelina Jolie and Madonna, he isn't inspired to adopt while in the region.
"No," the Grammy-winner told People. "I don't want to bring any kids home."
For now, he's happy to focus solely on his humanitarian work – noting that more than 2 billion people don't have access to clean water.
"Many charities, you close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope that the money gets to the people who really deserve it," he said. "But with this, I got to go to Africa, see the water pumps. I got to see the kids turn them on."
JAMES EARL JONES TO RECEIVE SAG HONOR: Veteran actor will pocket a lifetime achievement award from actor's guild.
*Powerhouse stage and screen actor James Earl Jones will be presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild at a ceremony to be held in January, reports Variety.
"James Earl Jones' distinguished career on stage, in film, on television, in commercials and as a vocal presence without peer commands our admiration and respect," says SAG president Alan Rosenberg. "His long and quiet devotion to advancing literacy, the arts and humanities on a national and local scale deserves our appreciation. It is our honor to bestow the Guild’s highest tribute on this extraordinary actor."
Jones' Broadway debut came as an understudy in 1957's "The Egghead."In 1969, the actor won his first Tony for his role as Jack Johnson in "The Boxer." In 1970, he nabbed Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for the screen adaptation of the Rialto production.
His screen resume includes "The Hunt for Red October," "Clear and Present Danger," "Coming to America" and the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise.
The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be held Jan. 25, and simulcast on TNT and TBS.
METH AND RED REUNITE FOR FALL TOUR: Rappers to hit club venues through end of November.
*Method Man and Redman will reteam for a headlining tour scheduled to hit more than 35 cities through late November and will feature opening support from New York rapper Termanology, reports Live Daily.
The pair kicks things off Oct. 10 in Providence, RI, with stops along the way in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Seattle, West Hollywood and Dallas. [See full itinerary below.]
Redman and Method Man, who have released a pair of albums together, co-starred in the 2001 comedy film "How High." According to reports, Redman recently announced to a festival crowd in Boston that the duo were working on a sequel to the movie, with filming set to begin early next year, as well as a true follow-up to their 1999 debut together, "Blackout!"
Method Man's most recent release is "Back to Back: Raw & Uncut." He's said in several interviews that he is working on a new solo album set for release later this year or early in 2009, to be titled "Crystal Method."
Redman released his sixth solo effort, "Red Gone Wild," in March of last year after numerous delays.
Below is the tour itinerary for Method Man and Redman:
October 2008
10 - Providence, RI - Lupo's
12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
13 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
14 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
17 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater
18 - Richmond, VA - Toad's Place
19 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
21 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird
22 - Cincinnati, OH - Mad Hatter
23 - Detroit, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
24 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
27 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
29 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
30 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Tavern
31 - Salt Lake City, UT - Murray Theatre
November 2008
2 - Bellingham, WA - Western Washington University
4 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
5 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
6 - Arcata, CA - Humboldt State University
7 - San Francisco, CA - Grand Ballroom
8 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
9 - Petaluma, CA - Phoenix Theater
11 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
13 - San Diego, CA - Cane's
14 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theater
15 - Albuquerque, NM - Albuquerque Convention Center
16 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
18 - Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ
19 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
21 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater
22 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
23 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
25 - Norfolk, VA - NorVa Theatre
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
28 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
29 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
'IDOL' VET ANWAR ROBINSON IN GODSPELL: Singer in starring role of Jesus at Syracuse Stage.
"American Idol" finalist Anwar Robinson has been cast in Syracuse Stage's upcoming production of the biblical pop musical Godspell, reports Playbill News.
The singer will play Jesus in the Stephen Schwartz musical that will run Nov. 25-Dec. 28 under Syracuse Stage associate artistic director Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj.
Godspell's cast will be completed by theatre students from Syracuse University, including Michael Howell as Lamar/Davinci, Nadine Malouf as Robin/Buckminster, Lauren Nolan as Gilmer/Gibbon, Frank Paparone as Jeffrey/Thomas Aquinas, Brendon Stimson as Herb/Nietzsche and Tinuke Oyefule as Peggy/Jean Paul.
Tickets, priced $24-$48, are available by phoning (315) 443-3275, or by visiting SyracuseStage.
Robinson, who was the 7th place finalist on "American Idol's" fourth season, also toured as Tom Collins in the 2007 NETworks non-equity tour of Rent.
OBAMA BITS: Bad news for 'Bad News'; Oprah's gift to Obama; McCain quits Michigan.
*NBC and MSNBC have forced YouTube to remove an ad supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Entitled "Bad News," the clip features the voices of NBC news vet Tom Brokaw and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann in a mock report of Republican Sen. John McCain winning the election. The sibling networks have been accused by McCain supporters of showing favoritism to Obama. When the two networks initially sent a cease and desist letter to the Obama camp last week demanding that it withdraw the ad, the campaign instead merely attached a disclaimer, reading "NBC and MSNBC did not cooperate in the making of this video." "That is not good enough," an NBC spokeswoman said afterwards.
*Gossip blogger Janet Charlton is reporting that Oprah Winfrey gave Obama a special present following his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. "She wanted to give him an exceptional gift suitable for a presidential candidate and she turned to a private dealer who specialized in historical items," wrote Charlton. "Price didn't matter and Oprah found the perfect gift for Barack - she gave him a rare and highly collectible fountain pen that belonged to JFK."
*Republican John McCain has called it quits in Michigan after recent polls suggest the important battleground state is leaning toward Obama. The GOP nominee is reportedly removing staff, halting advertising and canceling visits to the Midwestern state, which offers 17 electoral votes. Resources will be sent to Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and other competitive states, reports the AP.
ITTY BITTY BITS: No 'Rap City'; Oscar Robinson lawsuit; 'L Word' return; Whoopi's "Heroes," Tiger's tournament; Diddy scared of Sarah Palin.
*BET is cancelling its 20-year-old series "Rap City," according to the network's Sound Off blog. The show has reportedly lost financial sponsorship this year and ratings have been sliding for some time. The show began in 1989 with host Chris Thomas (known as “The Mayor”). In 1999, the show changed its name to "Rap City: Tha Basement" and featured host Big Tigger. The show will be replaced on Nov 10 by "The Deal," which will play “the latest and great videos that include pop-up information, facts and quirky tidbits on the artist and/or the song itself,” notes BET.
*Basketball legend Oscar Robinson is being sued for allegedly fleecing a company he controlled and sharing the money with his family. According to TMZ.com, the federal lawsuit was filed in Pennsylvania by Leo Kelly, who claims he partnered up with Robinson to run a document management company – only to find that Robinson was drawing more than 90% of the company's funds for himself and his family for things like travel and entertainment. Kelly said he was fired after complaining.
*Showtime has announced that its original series "The L Word," will premiere its sixth and final season on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. Core cast members, including Jennifer Beals and Pam Grier, will return for the eight-episode closing run. Showtime previously announced that series creator Ilene Chaiken is writing a pilot presentation for a spinoff built around Leisha Hailey's Alice character.
*Whoopi Goldberg joins Bruce Springsteen, Ricky Gervais and more celebs for the second annual "Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation" at Town Hall in New York City at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Whoopi and James Niven of Sotheby's will serve as special guest auctioneers. In honor of the United States' injured service members, the evening promises unforgettable performances, laughter, and sincere gratitude, with proceeds going to the BWF. Tickets for this event are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com and www.nycomedyfestival.com.
*Tiger Woods' AT&T National golf tournament will return to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. for an additional three years after members voted to bring the successful event back to the Blue Course.
The new term for the PGA Tour event runs from 2012-2014 with an additional three year option for 2015-2017. Woods will return to Congressional Country Club for the 2009 AT&T National that will be held on July 1-5. The tournament has not yet announced a location for the 2010 and 2011 events while Congressional Country Club hosts the U.S. Open.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs has released another vlog – this time about Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He films the video under bedsheets to underscore how afraid he is of the Alaska governor possibly becoming the next President of the United States should John McCain win and die while in office. View clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70wGnx_lZio
WEALTHY BLACKS OVERLOOKED AS A DEMOGRAPHIC: New study says rich African Americans are a largely untapped market.
*The Louisiana Weekly reports of a new study that finds wealthy African Americans have been virtually ignored as a demographic despite having $29.8 billion in disposable income.
The study, titled "Marketing to Affluent African Americans: Strategic Insights for Reaching an Untapped Market," consisted of online interviews with affluent African Americans as well as a series of regional focus groups held in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami and Washington, DC.
It features the results of insights on the behaviors, attitudes, opinions and spending patterns of affluent African Americans, defined as individuals earning at least $75,000 annually.
"This study provides marketers with insights, case studies, interviews with executives and data to help them more effectively target this growing audience of consumers," said Andrea Hoffman, CEO of Diversity Affluence (diversityaffluence.com), a consultancy that specializes in providing marketing insights on affluent ethnic consumers.
"Marketers will benefit immeasurably from engaging these influential consumers who have been waiting to be acknowledged for years, but have been largely ignored by most luxury brands," she told the Louisiana Weekly.
Hoffman came up with the term "Royaltons" in reference to American affluent ethnic consumers. African American Royaltons (AARs) refer to a small but wealthy group of influential people who purchase items such as Rolex watches, luxury cars and who frequently travel internationally.
Other results from the survey:
• Royaltons conduct extensive research on luxury items before they buy.
• Decisions influencing their purchase included tailored advertising,
personalized service and event marketing at the retail level.
• AARs are aspirational, and focus on trading up to more luxurious
brands.
• Fashion is an expected luxury and is equally important to both men
and women. Men's fashion spending is focused on career and casual wear, while women spend money on purses and shoes.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose." — E.M. Gray
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 3: Singer Chubby Checker is 67. Blues singer Keb' Mo' is 57.
Singer Gwen Stefani of No Doubt is 39. Singer India.Arie is 33.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
They say Nworcs Radio out of Atlanta is hott to death! It’s a guy out of Atlanta, GA that plays nothing but the best hip hop and R&B online. Check it out at www.NworcsRadio.com.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Oct. 3, 1904: Bethune-Cookman College opens in Daytona Beach FL. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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