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10-15-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
ALICIA KEYS LEADS AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD NOMS: Singer cops five; Lil Wayne three; Kanye two.
*Alicia Keys leads the pack this year in American Music Award nominations with four – including Artist of the Year and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for her latest CD "As I Am."
Lil Wayne's successful 2008 run – fueled by his hit album "Tha Carter III" – culminated in three nods, including Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Artist-Rap/Hip-Hop.
Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Flo Rida and Usher each picked up two nominations apiece, while Mariah Carey's "E=MC2" earned a nod for Favorite Soul/R&B Album.
The American Music Awards will present 20 trophies in pop/rock, country, soul/rhythm & blues and rap/hip-hop, Latin, alternative, contemporary inspirational and adult contemporary. The awards will be presented in Los Angeles on Nov. 23.
Other nominees from the various Hip Hop, Rap and R&B categories are listed below:
Artist of the Year:
Coldplay, Eagles, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne
Favorite Male Artist-Rap/Hip-Hop:
Flo Rida, Lil Wayne, Kanye West
Favorite Album-Rap/Hip-Hop:
Jay-Z: American Gangster, Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III, Kanye West: Graduation
Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Rap/Hip-Hop:
G-Unit, Three 6 Mafia, Wu-Tang Clan
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist:
Colbie Caillat, The Dream, Flo Rida, Jonas Brothers, Paramore,
Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock:
Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Rihanna
Favorite Female Artist-Soul/R&B:
Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Rihanna
Favorite Album-Soul/R&B:
Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains, Mariah Carey: E=MC2, Alicia Keys: As I Am
Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock:
Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Usher
Favorite Male Artist-Soul/R&B:
Chris Brown, J. Holiday, Usher
GARY COLEMAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY: Actor arrives to court more than an hour late to face charges of reckless driving and disorderly conduct.
*Gary Coleman, 40, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to reckless driving and disorderly conduct in connection with a Sept. 6 altercation at a bowling alley, reports People.com.
The famous former child star arrived more than an hour late to the hearing in Payson, Utah due to "a misunderstanding," according to his attorney, Randy Kester.
Police say Coleman became agitated after Colt Rushton, 24, took photos of the actor while inside of the bowling alley. Later, in the parking lot, Coleman allegedly hit Rushton with his car while backing out of a parking space. Rushton was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Coleman faces a maximum of six months in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor reckless driving count, and a fine if found guilty of disorderly conduct.
"Mr. Coleman did nothing wrong," Kester tells People. "It was Mr. Rushton who provoked this incident. My client was simply trying to leave the bowling alley."
Rushton, who's currently on probation and home confinement for a drug-related case, has since filed a lawsuit against Coleman for damages.
JANET AND JERMAINE ON THE OUTS?: Blogger claims he's been banned from visiting her at spa where she's reportedly recuperating.
*Gossip blogger Janet Charlton claims that Janet Jackson has been resting up in a "health spa recovery place" in Atlanta while recovering from an undisclosed illness that has caused several cancellations on her Rock Witchu tour.
Charlton also claims that Jackson's boyfriend, music mogul Jermaine Dupri, has been banned from visiting her by her management.
"Jermaine was told 'You're not her boyfriend any more,'" Charlton wrote on her blog Tuesday. "Jermaine took off for New York and he and Janet are speaking on the phone. Where their relationship stands, no one knows for sure."
Jackson was scheduled to resume her tour Monday night at the Turning Stone Resort in New York after canceling a show over the weekend in Connecticut. A message posted on the resort and casino's Web site stated the show had been canceled due to "doctor's orders."
No one is saying what is ailing Jackson, who has been off the road since being rushed to a hospital in Montreal before a concert in late September.
SONGWRITER DRAMA SURROUNDS BEYONCE'S 'BOY': Fox411 columnist says story behind new single is 'absolutely scandalous.'
*Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman is claiming that Beyonce's new single, "If I Were a Boy," was written by an up-and-coming songwriter from San Diego who had no idea that the singer had recorded her song until it was too late.
Friedman quotes sources who say 21-year-old female singer/songwriter BC Jean and her manager/mother "have been strong-armed by Beyonce’s people and others who saw gold in 'If I Were a Boy' and didn’t care how they got it."
"Altogether, I am told, BC Jean wrote and recorded about a dozen songs with German pop-factory producer Toby Gad for an album the producer was planning to make of his own," Friedman wrote. "When the deal fell apart, Gad — whose 300 plus credits are all co-written, never solo — took the songs and started marketing them to big name, established artists. Gad’s past 'collaborators' include Fergie, on 'Big Girls Don’t Cry.'
Last week, Friedman wrote a column praising Beyonce’s version of "If I Were a Boy," but it was met with e-mails from people "who knew the real history of this story," he says. "BC Jean’s mother/manager, Lori Carlson, told me she couldn’t comment on the situation. But plenty of people knew the saga of Beyonce’s legendary manager/father Mathew Knowles’ aggressive pursuit of the publishing rights to the potential hit record. His goal was to get the rights to the song and to put Beyonce’s name on the writing credits.
"The Carlsons, I’m told, recently came to terms with Beyonce, after enduring the kind of record biz terrors that would curl the hair of the guys from 'Hit Men.' Now, 'If I Were a Boy' is hitting big time. Part of the deal, my sources insist, is that the two singers will duet on BC Jean’s debut album once she gets her own recording deal. Right now, managers, publishers and A&R people from all over the industry are falling over themselves trying to sign BC Jean. They should be. She seems to be the real deal, a potential artist with a big career looming in front of her. It’s a shame that this is the way she had to find out about the record business."
Listen to BC Jean’s version of her own song, "If I Were a Boy," at www.bcjean.net.
HALLE BERRY FRAGRANCE IN THE WORKS: Actress finally comes up with scent after first passing Gabriel's smell test.
*Halle Berry will release her signature perfume via Coty this spring, called "Halle by Halle Berry," following some 24 months of experimentation to develop the perfect scent.
"We call 'Halle' my second baby because that's really all I've been working on for the past two years," the Oscar winner and mom of 7-month-old Nahla tells People.com. "I was mixing two fragrances, a fig and a mimosa, and putting them in a bottle and carrying them around. That was my flavor of the moment."
Berry added that her boyfriend, model Gabriel Aubry, has given his stamp of approval to the winning concoction.
"I want women to feel that their partners, that special person, thinks they smell beautiful, thinks that it's simple enough that they can ingest it all day, every day," she said. "That's what Gabriel said. He said it smells like that - he better be right!"
The market may be overflowing these days with celebrity scents, but Berry tells Access Hollywood that it doesn't concern her in the least.
"In this industry, I have learned early on not to feel a sense of competition," she said. "I run my race looking forward with blinders on. You can never compare yourself to somebody else. Somebody else's success is theirs."
LOCAL POLITICS SEEPS INTO C-MURDER TRIAL: Rapper's lawyer says case has become a campaign issue in judge's re-election bid.
*A decision on whether to postpone the murder trial of rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller will not be made until the judge hears word from the state Judiciary Commission, a panel that investigates judicial wrongdoing.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin in Louisiana yesterday (Oct. 14). But, the rapper's attorney Ron Rakosky argued that the trial should be postponed until after the Nov. 4 runoff election because his client's case has become a campaign issue in the judge's re-election bid.
Judge Martha Sassone, an 18-year-veteran of the 24th Judicial District, read a prepared statement from the bench Tuesday, saying she wanted to avoid an appearance of impropriety, reports the Associated Press.
Sassone's challenger, Ellen Kovach, has criticized her for her rulings in the Miller case. According to New Orleans’ Times-Picayune, Kovach attacked Sassone’s decision to grant Miller a second trial.
CHEADLE REPLACES HOWARD IN 'IRON MAN 2': Studio negotiations with Howard reportedly broke down over financial differences.
*As previously reported, Don Cheadle will take over the role of Jim Rhodes in "Iron Man 2" after negotiations with original actor, Terrence Howard, stalled over financial differences and other reasons, claimed the Hollywood Reporter.
In the first film, Howard played the role of Iron Man's best friend, who in the future goes on to become armor-clad hero War Machine.
Marvel is expected to expand the Rhodes role in the May 7, 2010 sequel, which will feature Robert Downey Jr. returning in the title role of billionaire industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man and Jon Favreau back in the director's chair. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to return as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts.
Meanwhile, Cheadle is shooting Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke. He most recently starred in "Traitor," a thriller on which he was also a producer. He will next be seen in DreamWorks' "Hotel for Dogs."
BARBARA RESPONDS TO STAR'S 'HATEFUL' CHARGE: 'View' executive producer/co-host says the show 'made Star a star.'
*Barbara Walters says she doesn't understand why her former co-host on "The View," Star Jones, would tell Essence magazine that she and the other co-hosts were "hateful" toward her as she was leaving the show.
As previously reported, Jones is featured in the November issue of the monthly saying of her former co-workers “Those girls were hateful" during her final days in 2006.
Walters, whose "View" run with Jones was shared with co-hosts Joy Behar, Meredith Viera and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, told the Associated Press: "Star had wonderful years with us on 'The View.' And, I think 'The View'
made Star a star." Walters added that she wishes "her well."
Jones left "The View" in June 2006 after her contract was not renewed. She'd been one of the show's co-hosts for 9 years. The former prosecutor is currently in talks to make a non-scripted TV comeback, and was photographed kissing executive chef Herb Wilson in the stands at last month’s U.S. Open.
PRINCE PERFORMS ON HOTEL ROOFTOP: Intimate show included about 100 guests, including Spike Lee and Dave Chappelle.
*Prince performed before such celebs as Spike Lee, Dave Chappelle and Dennis Rodman over the weekend at New York's Gansevoort Hotel rooftop in an event benefiting his Love 4 One Another and Urban Farming charities.
Presented by Inocente Tequila, the show took place before about 100 guests to celebrate the release of "21 Nights," his Randee St. Nicholas book of photos. The concert was nearly cut short after interference from guests' cell phones in the room knocked out Prince's high-tech sound system, according to the New York Post.
Before the show began, an emcee took the stage and begged guests to turn off their phones or "there may not be a show." Some did, the Post's Page Six reported, but many ignored the plea - including one publicist involved with the concert - claiming they had to have them on at all times.
"It was so obnoxious," one fan told the column. "To think a bunch of idiots can't exist without their precious cells for an hour."
Also among the celebrity crowd was radio jock Howard Stern and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
Sitting in for Regis Philbin on Tuesday's "Live with Regis and Kelly," Cooper told the story of how he and Chappelle helped themselves to Prince's guitar picks that were sitting unattended backstage. Anderson showed off his souvenir to the studio audience.
A source told Page Six that earlier in the evening, Prince had Gansevoort staffers working hard to meet his pre-show demands. "He's very anal and required a humidifier in every room of his suite and the windows blacked out," said the spy.
MICHELLE OBAMA INVITED TO GRAVE OF SLAVE ANCESTOR: Descendant of plantation owner in South Carolina extends offer.
*Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, has been offered a chance to visit the gravesite of a slave ancestor on a plantation in South Carolina.
Whitney Tower tells the New York Daily News that his great-great-grandfather was ferry and railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, and one of Michelle Robinson Obama's great-great-grandfathers was Jim Robinson, who was born a slave in 1850 at the Friendfield plantation in Georgetown, S.C.
"After Lincoln freed the slaves, Jim Robinson stayed on and worked there," Tower told the Rush & Malloy column. "We believe he was buried there in 1888, in the African-American cemetery. Ms. Obama is welcome to visit anytime."
Michelle Obama visited Georgetown as a child and reconnected with relatives still living there while on a campaign stop in January, reported Shailagh Murray in an extensive Washington Post article on her genealogy. Her otherwise communicative family "didn't talk about that," and she had no idea of her connection to Friendfield, though she passed it "countless times" as a child, Murray said.
While her husband Barack does not have slave roots, Michelle would be the first First Lady who does.
JAY-Z TAPS RECOVERING DJ AM FOR CONCERT: Plane crash survivor to spin for mogul at reopening of Hollywood's Palladium.
*Jay-Z's scheduled concert tonight at the reopening of the Palladium Theater in Hollywood will feature DJ AM in his first gig since surviving a plane crash that killed four passengers and seriously wounded drummer Travis Barker.
"He's the greatest rapper in the world," the 35-year-old turntablist told People.com. "This is the biggest thing that's happened in my career."
The Palladium show will also serve as the launch of a Jay-Z tour in support of his final Def Jam album "The Blueprint 3," due Dec. 2.
It's unclear whether DJ AM, born Adam Goldstein, will join him on upcoming concert dates.
J.LO'S RENEWAL OF VOWS NOT SO SUDDEN?: Sun-Times columnist claims it was pre-planned all along to squash breakup rumors.
*The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the sudden renewal of vows between Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony was not as spur-of-the-moment as they have led folks believe.
"Apparently Lopez heard a couple of celebrity magazines were chasing a 'splitsville' story, and the renewal of vows seemed like a good antidote to those tales," reports Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker.
He added: "By the way, several very good sources close to the couple laugh off those breakup rumors -- agreeing with a longtime J. Lo associate who said Monday, 'This is one couple whose marriage is just fine -- trust me. They are very happy together.'"
Zwecker points out that Anthony's claims of the nuptials taking place on the fly following a light night gambling spree contradicts reports that his friend and witness, Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets, had specially-engraved rings at the ready Sunday – both for him and his wife Jessica (who also renewed their vows) and Anthony and J.Lo.
HEAVY D GETS IRIE ON NEW CD: Rapper explores his reggae roots on 'Vibes.'
*Rapper Heavy D, (Dwight Myers) has switched from hip hop to reggae with his new album "Vibes," released on his own Stride Ent. Label and distributed by UMG brainchild, Federal Distribution and UMG subsidiary Fontana Distribution.
"Vibes" currently owns the No. 2 spot on the iTunes Reggae chart, propelled by the top-requested single and digital favorite, “Long Distance Girlfriend.”
The album is currently available in digital-only format. The physical album will be released on Dec. 16.
Born in Jamaica, Heav's family moved to Mount Vernon, NY when he was 8, but the artist never lost his love for the music of his childhood.
“Reggae’s the first music I ever experienced,” he says. “I’ve always mixed reggae and hip hop. But I came to a point where I felt I had put the exclamation mark on my hip hop career. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to transfer the love, respect and passion I have for hip hop and reggae into my latest musical endeavor.”
KING CHILDREN GO TO COURT OVER BOOK DEAL: Siblings fighting over late mom's personal papers.
*A Fulton County Superior Court judge decided late Tuesday to appoint a special master to settle a dispute among the children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King over who has rights to love letters written between the couple.
Their children are on opposing sides of a lawsuit over their mother's personal papers that could derail a lucrative book deal.
The Rev. Bernice King is in possession of the papers and refuses to turn them over to Dexter King, who heads his father's estate and has asked for the material for use in a biography about their mother.
New York-based Penguin Group is threatening to pull the $1.4 million book deal this week if the documents are not involved in the project.
Speaking to reporters outside of the Fulton County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon, Dexter King said he was saddened by the family feud, but it was his two siblings who started the drama.
"This is really about a power struggle between siblings," he said. "I've included them, but they've excluded me. They're the ones who are trying to change or rewrite history. This is not something I asked for. This is not something I started."
Bernice King and Martin Luther King III did not speak to reporters on Tuesday, but did issue a written statement on Monday through their attorney, Jock Smith.
"We are saddened that we are forced to make public statements about family matters that should be handled privately," the statement read. "However, as our father taught us, we must respond to unjust criticism ... Our stand against the publication of the memoirs of our mother ... is not merely a family feud but rather our ongoing attempt to protect and maintain the integrity of our mother's legacy. Although she is no longer here to speak for herself, it is important that the integrity and validity of her voice be reflected."
SPIKE LEE PREMIERES WORLD'S FIRST SOCIAL FILM: Director teamed with Nokia, T-Mobile to present groundbreaking project.
*Spike Lee was to attend last night's Los Angeles premiere of Nokia Productions, the first user generated multimedia film, at the Nokia Plaza - LA Live with a simultaneous online premiere at http://www.nokiaproductions.com.
T-Mobile USA, Inc. partnered with Nokia to develop the Nokia Productions film, which was built entirely by everyday people, using mobile devices to generate and submit original content which was then combined into one artistic multimedia film created by Lee.
The filmmaker guided and directed the creative submissions through video messages and his blog entries. After each act closed, Nokia selected the "Top 25" submissions, and visitors voted for their favorite submission creating the "Top 10." Lee then picked the winning submission from each act to be integrated into the final film. These three winners were to be flown to Los Angeles to participate in the premiere of the final film.
"What drew me to this project was the unique opportunity to do something that hasn't been done before utilizing technology, the internet, and having people collaborate on a film," said Lee. "The new technology, you might say, is bringing a democracy to film. Anyone can be a journalist, a filmmaker, a still photographer. Just pull out your mobile device, record it, press a button, and it's instantly on the web. So I think it's great that Nokia had the vision to see where all of this is headed."
GRATEFUL DEAD COMES ALIVE FOR OBAMA: Group's first show since 2004 reunion tour inspired by Illinois senator.
*The surviving members of Grateful Dead performed together Monday night at Penn State University in support of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, reports the Associated Press.
Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart jammed together for the first time since their reunion tour in 2004. Three of the four – Weir, Lesh and Hart – performed in support of Obama in February in California.
Before Monday's set for about 15,000 people, Hart said in a backstage interview with The AP that he was most impressed with Obama's views on climate change.
"I believe him enough to be able to get up in front of my constituency, these people out there," Hart said, pointing out the door to his dressing room, "and tell them 'I believe.' That's really important. The Grateful Dead does not take this lightly. We've never really done something quite like this."
Andrea Mead, Obama's spokeswoman for Pennsylvania, said Monday night the main goal was to stir up voter outreach efforts in a critical battleground state. After Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band opened the show, Obama supporters including Penn State assistant football coach Jay Paterno and cornerback Lydell Sargeant took to the stage to endorse him. A taped video message from Obama himself also was projected on a scoreboard.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Free joins Power 105.1; Diddy sells Phantom; Marcia Brady dated MiJac; Obama's XBOX 360 ad; Dennis & Donald; Pimps & Ho's game; Mama Stokes flees fire.
*Former BET VJ Free has joined New York's Power 105.1 as co-host of the Ed Lover Morning Show. “I have always wanted to be on New York radio and I’m thankful for the opportunity to wake up listeners on the Ed Lover Show,” said the former host of BET's 106 & Park. “I look forward to joining Ed daily and being the voice of news and entertainment for all listeners in the Tri-State area on-air and online.”
*Sean "Diddy" Combs sold his 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom for $200,000 last week at the Dancy Power Automotive Group's showroom on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. According to the New York Post, the mogul is "putting that cash straight into a new Rolls convertible."
*In her new book, "Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice," actress Maureen McCormick spills the beans about her dates with various famous men, including the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. She also opens up about her two abortions, her battle with cocaine addiction and her long history of clinical depression.
*Barack Obama has purchased virtual billboards inside of an XBOX 360 game called "Burnout Paradise" in an attempt to get out the vote among video game heads, reports Gigaom.com. While playing inside of the fictional Paradise City, gamers encounter a billboard with Obama's image next to the words "Early Voting Has Begun, voteforchange.com."
*The Donald has apparently taken a liking to Dennis Rodman during filming of the next "Celebrity Apprentice" in Manhattan. A source close to the show tells the Palm Beach Post: "Trump likes hard-working people, and Dennis does work hard." Meanwhile, the source adds that Rodman – who has been "spotted everywhere around NYC making his presence known" – is particularly smitten with fellow cast member Khloe Kardashian.
*A company called Weaver Games has created a board game called "Pimps and Ho's." A press release states: "By taking control of your pimp, the goal is to prove dominance over the other players by building up serious cash flow while keeping a close watch over the Ho's at all times. The available expansion sets, including the newly released HoTropolis, guarantees countless hours of hilarity." The price tag for Pimps and Ho's is $29.99 for the Standard Edition and $69.99 for the Deluxe Edition at http://www.pimpsandhos.com.
*The mother of music manager Chris Stokes recently contacted EURweb about the challenges of evacuating her home in the Porter Ranch area north of Los Angeles due to the current wildfires. "I didn't have a chance to pack anything," she said. "Basically I just took my dog and left. I left my sports car there in the garage. Hopefully it didn't get burned up." Some 30,000 acres have already been burned across California, as 3,000 firefighters battle at least six different wildfires as of press time. Mama Stokes said her famous son is among dozens of close family and friends who have offered her support and shelter.
EVENT CALENDAR: 'Hancock' on Bravia; Justin's charity concert; LaChanze live in NY; Legend in 'Peace One Day'; Black Millionaires Summit.
*For a limited period, Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link owners will have the opportunity to watch the Sony Pictures summer hit, "Hancock," prior to retail DVD and Blu-ray Disc availability. From Oct. 28 through Nov. 10, the Will Smith movie can be rented for $9.99 and will stream directly to Bravia televisions equipped with the video link for a 24-hour period. As a bonus, consumers who purchase the rental stream and register online will receive a free Blu-ray copy of "Hancock" in the mail after the Blu-ray street date, Nov. 25.
*"Justin Timberlake and Friends: A Special Evening Benefiting the Shriners Hospitals for Children" will feature the singer in a headlining concert that includes performers Rihanna, 50 Cent, Boyz II Men, Leona Lewis, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and the Jonas Brothers. The event is scheduled for Friday at the Planet Hollywood Resort Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. Shriners Hospitals for Children is an international health care system of 22 hospitals which provide specialty pediatric care.
*Broadway star LaChanze (The Color Purple) has signed on for A Toast to 20!, an invitation-only benefit concert commemorating the National Alliance of Musical Theatre’s 20th annual Festival of New Musicals. The program, which will highlight hits from past Festivals, will take place on Oct. 19 at New York's Comix. The event brings together leading theater producers and musical theater writers, with the goal of furthering the development and production of new musicals.
*Palladia, MTV Networks' high-definition music channel, has acquired the exclusive U.S. TV rights to a one-hour special showcasing performances from the "Peace One Day Supported by Ben & Jerry's" concert held at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sept. 21, starring John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams and Peter Gabriel. Highlights will premiere on Palladia on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. and will be simulcast on mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network.
*Russell Simmons is among the entrepreneurs who'll speak in Dallas at the Black Millionaires Summit on the weekend of Nov. 7-9. The speaker lineup includes Internet marketing expert, Stephen Pierce, network marketing titan Jerry Clark, financial whiz Cheryl Broussard, and short sale real estate pro, Wahid Shakur. The Black Millionaires Summit targets new and veteran entrepreneurs across all industries, as well as anyone who's interested in learning next-level business, success and wealth strategies. The early bird, basic admission pass for the three-day conference is $97. To register visit www.BlackMillionairesSummit.com or call (214) 260-7742.
SPORTS BITS: Pacman Jones suspended indefinitely; Larry Johnson charged with simple assault; Brandon Lloyd's rap album.
*Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was suspended for at least four games by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, reports the Associated Press. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will determine the full length of the suspension following the Cowboys' game in Washington on Nov. 16. In a letter to Jones on Tuesday, Goodell cited a "disturbing pattern of behavior and clearly inconsistent with the conditions I set for your continued participation in the NFL." Jones was involved in an alcohol-related scuffle Oct. 7 with one of his bodyguards at a private party in Dallas. The disturbance came only six weeks after Goodell reinstated Jones from a 17-month suspension. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described Jones as "devastated" by the news.
*Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has been charged with simple assault for allegedly pushing a woman at a Kansas City nightclub in February, the third time he has faced assault charges against a woman. The 28-year-old is due to appear in Kansas City Municipal Court on Dec. 3 and faces a maximum jail term of six months and a $500 fine. He was charged last month for a Feb. 24 incident at the Grand Emporium Saloon. A 26-year-old woman accused Johnson of pushing the side of her head with an open hand, telling her "don't touch me" as he made his way through the club.
*HipHopDX.com is reporting that Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who goes by the stage name B. Lloyd, is releasing a rap album on Feb. 2 titled "Master Of Ceremony." His current single, "She All Mine" featuring Bobby Valentino, was made available on iTunes last month and is already in rotation at a number of radio stations. "I'm more passionate about football just because that's my job, but at the same time I approach music with the same amount of passion," Lloyd told HipHopDX. "It gives me the same feeling. The working and the creating the song. Hearing the final product it's like scoring a touchdown."
SUPREME COURT REJECTS TROY DAVIS APPEAL: Decision clears way for execution after last-minute stay in September.
*The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday rejected the latest attempt by Troy Davis, a black man convicted in Georgia of killing a white police officer, to stop his execution.
On Sept. 23, the court halted Davis's execution two hours before he was scheduled to die as it considered his request for a new trial. Davis has maintained his innocence and several witnesses at his 1991 trial have since recanted.
But yesterday, the court refused to consider the constitutionality of executing a person when there is new, substantial evidence to show he was not guilty of the crime, thus opening the way for the state to reschedule his execution.
Civil Rights veteran, the Rev. Al Shaprton of the National Action Network, says he is "deeply alarmed" at the Supreme Court's decision.
"It is frightening and chilling that a man could be convicted of a crime and sentenced to execution without testimony of witnesses, no physical evidence or DNA evidence, and after seven of the nine witnesses recanted their testimony.
"I visited Troy on Death Row before the last scheduled execution and stood with his mother and sister on the day he was to be executed. I will continue to support the family, and National Action Network will continue to stand with the lawyers as they re-argue this matter. I will also attempt to talk with the Governor of Georgia to intervene so that this injustice is not carried out."
EUR DVD REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones Revival Arriving on DVD DVD Review by Kam Williams
*The good news is that Harrison Ford is up to the challenge of his physically-demanding role as Indiana Jones after a 19-year hiatus.
However, the production is slightly lacking in terms of generating a certain intangible called movie magic.
Maybe the problem lies with the fact that the film will automatically be measured against the storied franchise’s earlier installments.
Gone is that palpable sense of urgency which glued you to the edge of your seat, a failing perhaps due to an increased dependency on computer-generated imagery.
So, instead of performing stunts, Ford spends his time faking it in front of a blue screen, although still sporting his trademark whip and fedora.
The story unfolds in 1957 in the Nevada desert where we learn that Indy has been kidnapped by Russian spies led by the steely Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett). Tied up in the trunk of a car, he’s driven to a secret U.S. Air Force base rumored to be holding the mummified remains of a Martian. This is of interest to the KGB which wants the alien’s corpse, for legend has it that it might contain the mysterious Crystal Skull, an ancient artifact said to be capable of unlocking limitless powers.
Of course, ingenious Indy escapes from his captors in spectacular fashion and the race is on to find the priceless icon. Along the way, he teams up with Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), a Harley-riding, rebel, and with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), an old flame he hasn’t seen since he was looking for the Lost Ark.
The ensuing expedition to the jungles of Peru is less edgy and dangerous than comfy and nostalgic. Just thank your lucky stars that Harrison Ford still has the charisma to reinvent one of the most-beloved characters in screen history.
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for violence and frightening images.
Running time: 124 minutes
Studi Paramount Home Entertainment
2-Disc DVD Extras: A dozen featurettes, plus several galleries.
To see a trailer of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,
visit:
http://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Kingdom-Crystal-Two-Disc-Special/dp/B00005JPO1/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1223572300&sr=1-3
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
“Winners are those people who make a habit of doing the things losers are uncomfortable doing.” - by Ed Foreman
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 15: Singer Tito Jackson is 55. Singer Eric Benet is 38. Singer Ginuwine is 38. Singer Keyshia Cole is 27.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
A Touch of Classic Soul is your companion to the classic soul music of the early 1970s and the artists who created it (www.touchofclassicsoul.com).
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BLACK HISTORY
Oct. 15, 1949: William Hastie nominated for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He was the first African American to sit on the court. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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