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12-03-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
WILLIAM BALFOUR'S LAWYER SAYS HE'S INNOCENT: J-Hud's estranged
brother-in-law officially charged with family murders.
*William Balfour was officially charged with the murders of Jennifer
Hudson's mother, brother and nephew during a hearing Tuesday, but his lawyer
claims he is innocent and the state's case against him is flimsy.
"The delay between the crimes and his actual arrest show weaknesses
in the case," attorney Joshua Kutnick tells People.com. "This case is not a
strong case against William. He is a convenient suspect."
Balfour, who is separated from Hudson's sister Julia, was arrested
Monday for the October murders of Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57;
brother Jason Hudson, 29; and nephew Julian King, 7.
He was transferred Monday from an Illinois state prison - where he
has been held on suspicion of a parole violation - back into Chicago police
custody.
The 27-year-old was charged Monday with three counts of first degree
murder and one count of home invasion. He is scheduled for a bond hearing at
noon Central time today.
During a press conference Tuesday, the State's Attorney and police
said they have physical evidence tying Balfour to the scene and are
"confident" about their case, which some unnamed sources have claimed is
"mainly circumstantial."
They also emphasized they did not cut a deal with Balfour's
girlfriend to elicit her testimony.
HOSPITAL INVESTIGATED FOR BURRESS COVER UP: Plus, staffer suspended after
failing to report gunshot wound as required per law.
*The New York State Department of Health has launched an
investigation to determine if the hospital that treated Plaxico Burress
engaged in a conspiracy to hide information.
The Department of Health -- which licenses New York
Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital -- began its probe after learning that
hospital workers failed to report the NFL star's gunshot wound, as required
by New York law.
According to state law, failing to report a gunshot injury to cops is
a Class A misdemeanor.
TMZ.com reported that the hospital has suspended the worker who did
not immediately call police when Burress arrived with the gunshot wound.
Meanwhile, Burress' New York Giant teammate Antonio Pierce, who was
with Burress at a New York nightclub Friday when he accidently shot himself
in the thigh, reportedly blew off a scheduled meeting with police on Tuesday
to discuss his role in the incident. But according to TMZ, he did manage to
attend a paid appearance at a radio station.
EBONY'S OBAMA EXCLUSIVE ON STANDS TUESDAY: Magazine was first to interview
President-elect following election.
*The January 2009 issue of Ebony, featuring the first interview with
President-elect Barack Obama since winning the Nov. 4 election, will hit
newsstands on Dec. 9, the magazine announced.
Ebony says the exclusive interview is the centerpiece of its special
collector's edition, which chronicles the rise of Barack Obama to one of the
most powerful positions in the world.
"We won because the American people mobilized for change. We had a
great campaign, great volunteers, great staff. But it really was people at a
grassroots level who carried our campaign financially, who carried it
organizationally, and we don't want that to dissipate," Obama said during
the Nov. 13 interview.
Ebony's January 2009 "Mr. President" issue features never-before-seen
photos, insightful commentaries from all age groups and Obama in his own
words. Subscribers will receive this special edition with a first-ever gold
Ebony logo.
KANYE-PRODUCED JAY-Z SONG IN 'NOTORIOUS': Also, Biggie's son may appear on
'One More Chance' remake for soundtrack; plus, old Jay-Z videos at
Thumbplay.
*Jay-Z's new track "Brooklyn (We Go Hard)," produced by Kanye West
and featuring Santogold, will be the first single off the soundtrack to
"Notorious," the forthcoming biopic of late rapper Notorious B.I.G.
"Brooklyn, we go hard, we go hard," Santo's voice loops throughout
the song, which leaked online Monday. "Cross that bridge face the
consequence," she also raps in a verse. [Click here to listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8jzFnP40c0.]
"If a man tests my Stuy, I guarantee he won't like my reply," Jay
cautions. "I'm a Brooklyn boy, I may take some getting used to."
The "Notorious" soundtrack will be released by Biggie's former
recording home, Bad Boy. Most of the performers and producers are still
being confirmed.
MTV.com is hearing talk of Biggie's son, Christopher "CJ" Wallace
Jr., recording a remake of his father's classic "One More Chance." According
to the Web site, "The capacity of CJ's participation is still unconfirmed by
the label, but a source close to the Wallace family has told us he will be
rapping with his dad. The young Wallace actually plays his father for a
short while in the Biggie film."
The "Notorious" soundtrack is due in stores Jan. 13. The movie is
slated for release Jan. 16 through Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Meanwhile, nine vintage Jay-Z videos went up Tuesday for mobile
download on Thumbplay.com. The clips include "Blue Magic," "Dirt Off Your
Shoulder," "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)," "Excuse Me Miss," "I Just Wanna
Love U (Give It 2 Me)," "I Know," "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," "Money, Cash, H**s" and
"Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)."
LEEZZY PLAYS PIANO FOR LIZZIE: Sec of State Condi Rice performs Monday night
for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
*U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was part of a piano
quintet that performed for Queen Elizabeth II Monday night at Buckingham
Palace, the Associated Press reports.
Rice played Brahms' Op. 34 with British Foreign Secretary David
Miliband's wife, Louise, on violin, and three members of the London Symphony
Orchestra. The queen gave Rice an audio recording of the performance as a
gift.
Rice, a classically trained pianist, has said in past interviews that
she would like to someday play at the palace. Her wish came true during her
final trip to Britain before President-elect Barack Obama takes office next
month.
On Tuesday, she gave a farewell speech to NATO foreign ministers in
Brussels.
COURTNEY B. VANCE BOOKS A PILOT: Actor joins Jack Davenport in forthcoming
ABC drama.
*Fresh from a guest run opposite wife Angela Bassett in NBC's "ER,"
Courtney B. Vance has been cast opposite Jack Davenport in ABC's new drama
pilot "Flash Forward."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the series is based on Robert
J. Sawyer's sci-fi novel and chronicles the chaos that ensues after everyone
in the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and has a mysterious
vision of the future that changes lives forever.
Vance will play Stan Wedeck, the Los Angeles bureau chief of the FBI.
Davenport will star as Lloyd Simcoe, who is trapped in Northern California
when the event occurs and struggles to reach his son in a Southern
California hospital.
David S. Goyer will direct the project, as well as co-produce with
Brannon Braga and ABC Studios.
For six seasons, Vance played assistant district attorney Ron Carver
on NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Vance and his wife also are
shepherding several projects through their Bassett/Vance Prods., including
"Erasure," a feature adaptation of Percival Everett's novel penned by Dwayne
Johnson-Cochran.
OPRAH'S SCHOOL FUNDED BY MCCAIN SUPPORTER: Fox411 columnist says leading
Republican donor gave $5 million to institution.
*Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman is reporting that Oprah Winfrey, an
outspoken supporter of Barack Obama, "accepted at least $5 million" for her
girls school in South Africa from Harold Simmons."
Simmons is described by Friedman as a "Dallas billionaire" and "a
leading Republican donor and supporter of John McCain."
"This past August it was revealed that Simmons was the single donor
to a 527 committee called American Issues Project," wrote Freidman in his
Tuesday column. "Its only issue: to run ads linking Obama to William Ayers,
the political activist who was once part of the Weather Underground. Simmons
paid $2.9 million to try and make Ayers the Obama campaign's 'Swift Boat,'
an issue that might have sidelined permanently the Illinois senator's
chances and advance John McCain - Simmons's candidate - to the White House.
"Nevertheless, Winfrey has cultivated her friendship with Simmons on
many social fronts since 2001, resulting in his being second only to her in
donating funds to her Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa.
"According to the 2006 federal tax filing for the Oprah Winfrey
Operating Fund, Winfrey accepted a $1 million donation to the school from
Simmons. That amount, The Dallas Morning News reported in 2007, was only
part of a $5 million pledge to the Academy. Simmons is considered Dallas's
leading philanthropist to worthy causes. In this case, though, it might have
been unnecessary, since Winfrey herself has donated over $60 million to the
school."
Continue reading Friedman's column here:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,460109,00.html
GABRIELLE UNION HEADED TO NBC: Actress reteams with 'X-Files'
writer/producer to develop new series.
*Gabrielle Union is developing a procedural drama for NBC along with
"X-Files writer/producer Frank Spotnitz, who worked with the actress briefly
in ABC's short-lived "Night Stalker" during the 2005-2006 TV season.
According to Variety, Spontitz will write the as-yet-untitled show
and Union will star as a detective who must race to save someone's life
before it's too late.
Union, who was seen last season on "Ugly Betty" and regularly
appeared on "7th Heaven," most recently has been focused on the big screen,
appearing in features such as "Meet Dave" and "Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little
Girls."
CED BLAMES CRITIC FOR 'BUFFALO' FLOP: Actor says Broadway run ended early
because of bad review in NY Times.
*Cedric the Entertainer says the failure of his Broadway play
American Buffalo was due to one particularly harsh review from a famous
theater critic.
"We got crushed by one critic, Ben Brantley from The New York
Times," said the actor. "All you need is one to say bad things and he was
the only one. So, write your protest letters to Ben Brantley!"
The play, which also starred Haley Joel Osment and John Leguizamo,
opened to much hype on Nov. 17, but it closed after just eight performances.
Brantley's Nov. 18 review
(http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/theater/reviews/18buff.html)
compared the David Mamet revival to "a souped-up sports car's flat tire,
built for speed but going nowhere."
NICK BUYS MARIAH A SKI LODGE?: Rapper reportedly spends $1.5 million on
Aspen chalet as Xmas gift to wifey.
*Nick Cannon has reportedly spent $1.5 million on a luxury
five-bedroom ski lodge in Aspen, Colorado as a Christmas gift for his wife,
Mariah Carey.
"Nick is clearly still in the honeymoon phase. He's shocked all
their pals by going out of his way to buy Mariah this beautiful sanctuary,"
a source tells British newspaper the Daily Mirror:
"He knows Aspen is one of her favorite places in the world so this is
his early Christmas present to her," added the source.
TCM TO SALUTE SAG HONOREE JAMES EARL JONES: Cable channel to feature
interviews and mini-marathon of his classic films.
*James Earl Jones will be honored for lifetime achievement at the
15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, airing live on TNT and TBS Sunday,
Jan. 25.
To celebrate the occasion, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will dedicate
an entire day to the stage and screen legend.
On Friday, Jan. 23, the network will feature Jones in interstitial
interviews and show three of his films: "Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I learned
to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1963), his film debut, at 8 p.m.; "The
Great White Hope" (1970), which earned Jones a Golden Globe and an Oscar
nomination, at 10 p.m.; and the South African-set drama "Cry the Beloved
Country" (1995), which earned Jones a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination,
at midnight.
On Friday, Jan. 16, the network will showcase four previous SAG Life
Achievement honorees: Audrey Hepburn and James Garner in "The Children's
Hour" (1961) at 8 p.m., Kirk Douglas in "The War Wagon" (1967) at 10 p.m.
and Elizabeth Taylor in "Elephant Walk" (1954) at midnight.
BEYONCE TO HEADLINE ESSENCE MUSIC FEST: Discount packages for annual July
event in New Orleans being offered through Jan. 31.
*Beyonce was announced Tuesday as the first artist confirmed for next
year's Essence Music Festival, which returns to New Orleans July 3, 4 and 5,
2009.
Dr. Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin will host seminars, and an
all-star tribute will take place for Bishop T.D. Jakes, the magazine
revealed. As in past years, musical performances are slated for the New
Orleans Superdome and empowerment seminars are set to take place at the
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
In celebration of the event's 15th anniversary, organizers will offer
a 15% discount on select tickets from December 1, 2008 through January 31,
2009.
"As we plan the Essence Music Festival's 15th anniversary in New
Orleans next July, we are looking to create an environment that celebrates
our history and looks to our future," said Michelle Ebanks, president,
Essence Communications Inc. "We invite everyone to join us as we mark this
milestone occasion with friends old and new."
General admission daily tickets are available for $51, $67 or $79;
floor seats are $92 and $121; Gold Circle tickets are $173; all plus
applicable service charges. Note: the 15% discount only applies when
tickets are purchased for all three days and does not apply to floor or Gold
Circle tickets. To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call
800-277-1700.
For additional information about ticket sales, accommodations and the
latest news about the Essence Music Festival, visit
www.essencemusicfestival.com.
BET'S JOHNSON EXPLAINS NEW NETWORK: Business model based more on Internet
than on TV.
*Black Entertainment Television founder Bob Johnson is trying to do
something drastically different with his new Urban Television cable network
- as the business model he has in mind is based more on the Internet than on
television.
"The intent is to do something really innovative and not duplicate
what I did at BET or even the traditional broadcast model," Johnson told the
Hollywood Reporter. "I don't know if it will work, but I'm willing to give
it a try.
Johnson's idea is that his new venture would not license or acquire
programs but would form partnerships with producers, who could buy blocks of
airtime and sell their own advertising for a revenue split, according to the
Hollywood Reporter.
As previously reported, Johnson has teamed with broadcasting company
ION Media Networks in hopes of launching Urban Television on ION's 42
channels. The joint venture has filed an application with the Federal
Communications Commission for approval of a share-time license to make the
network a reality.
Johnson envisions Urban Television serving black, Hispanic, gay and
other minority communities with a range of public-interest programming
including some focused on health care, a topic of personal interest.
Johnson is also eyeing cross-platform possibilities for the venture,
which potentially could stretch to the Internet, where his firm RLJ
Companies is developing a Web site, dubbed Point of U, that would have a
similar programming focus.
"I like the idea of companioning a broadcast concept with an
interactive platform," he said. "Why do we always have to go back to that
old model that says this is how television has to be?"
SHWAYZE SPENDS DECEMBER ON THE ROAD: Rapper from MTV's 'Buzzin' still
promoting his self-titled disc.
*Rapper Shwayze and his sidekick Cisco Adler continue their current
headlining tour through the end of the month, culminating with a New Year's
Eve show in Hawaii.
The Malibu, CA-based artust is supporting his self-titled debut
album, which Geffen released in August. Produced by Adler--who also appears
on every track and whose role included providing background vocals--the set
represents the first recorded work for the pair, who are featured on their
own MTV reality series, "Buzzin'," which debuted in July.
The duo shares writing credits on all 11 tracks on the album, which
debuted at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. Tour details are included
below.
December 2008
3 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
4 - Murray, UT - Murray Theater
7 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum
8 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
10 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
11 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
12 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
13 - St. Louis, MO - Home
14 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
15 - Des Moines, IA - People's Court
16 - Sioux Falls, SD - Ramkota Exhibit Hall
17 - Fargo, ND - The Venue at Playmakers
18 - St. Paul, MN - Station
19 - Milwaukee, WI - Kenadies
20 - Libertyville, IL - Austin's Saloon
21 - Detroit, MI - Eagle Theater
22 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
26 - San Juan Capistrano - Coach House
28 - Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton South Bay
29 - San Juan Capistrano - Coach House
31 - Honolulu, HI - Pipeline Café
SOLANGE AND BEYONCE TO PERFORM TOGETHER: Benefit concert to raise money for
Hurricane Ike victims.
*Music-themed cable channel Fuse celebrates the holidays with a
Knowles sisters' intimate hometown performance - "Beyoncé and Solange: Hope
for the Holidays," a concert to benefit the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund.
The effort aids Texas victims of Hurricane Ike through the Survivor
Foundation, a Knowles family charity helping people in need.
The event will take place in Houston at the House of Blues on
Tuesday, Dec. 9. Fuse will air the concert as a one-hour special on Sunday,
Dec. 21, at 10 p.m.
"It is an honor for our family to be able to give back to our
hometown with a holiday concert that will air on Fuse," said father and
manager Mathew Knowles. "Tina grew up in Galveston and still has family and
friends there and we're fortunate to bring Beyoncé and Solange together to
support the efforts of The Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund through the Survivor
Foundation."
SAADIQ TO PERFORM LIVE ON PHILLY RADIO: Singer's mini-set from PIR Studios
to air Friday night on WDAS.
*Raphael Saadiq, whose new Columbia album "The Way I See It" puts a
new school spin on Gamble & Huff's musical legacy, has been invited to
perform a special mini-set at the duo's legendary Philadelphia International
Records Studios on Friday (Dec. 5).
Currently on tour with labelmate John Legend, Saadiq's performance
will air as a WDAS radio special from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday - hosted by
legendary Philly DJ Butterball Tamburro - honoring the music and history of
Philadelphia International Records.
Saadiq will open for John Legend at Philadelphia's Tower Theater
later that evening.
"It's incredible to perform for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the
studio where they made the music that changed my life," said Saadiq. "For
me, this is a dream come true."
Meanwhile, Saadiq continues to support "The Way I See It," which
features guest artists Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z and more. He opens
for Legend on the following tour dates:
12/04 University Park, PA PSU Bryce Jordan Center
12/05 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
12/06 Fairfield, CT Fairfield University Alumni Hall
12/08 Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House
12/09 Washington, DC Constitution Hall
12/10 Greenville, SC Peace Center Concert Hall
12/12 Charlotte, NC Ovens Aud.
12/13 Durham, NC PAC
MAGIC LAUNCHES 'END BLACK AIDS' CAMPAIGN: Initiative includes Facebook and
PSAs in effort to reduce disease in black community.
*As part of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the Magic Johnson Foundation
and global health care company Abbott teamed to launch the "I Stand With
Magic, Campaign to End Black HIV/AIDS."
The initiative has a social networking component that allows Facebook
users to learn the facts about HIV/AIDS, get tested to know their status and
to seek treatment, if needed.
"We need to take it upon ourselves to reduce the number of new
infections, especially in the African-American community where they make up
half of new HIV/AIDS infections," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who announced
in 1991 that he has HIV.
"Educating minority communities about HIV/AIDS and encouraging them
to get tested, go back for their results and seek treatment is crucial to
stopping the spread of HIV," he adds. "Early detection can save your life.
The earlier you know your status, the earlier you can get treatment and take
action to help manage this disease."
As previously reported, the program launched a national public
service announcement campaign featuring Magic and his wife, Cookie Johnson,
having a frank discussion about the need for African Americans to get
educated, get tested and seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Directed by Spike Lee, the first PSA, "Stand," focuses on a "call to
action" for African Americans to address the epidemic in their communities.
The second PSA, "Talk," encourages women to protect themselves and talk to
their partners about HIV.
ITTY BITTY BITS: snooping UCLA worker pleads guilty; Bone Thugs reunites;
'Isaac and the Bah Family Tree';
*Former UCLA Medical Center employee Lawanda Jackson pleaded guilty
Monday to selling confidential information about Farrah Fawcett's cancer
battle to the National Enquirer and using her boss' password to access
records belonging to dozens of patients, including Britney Spears and Maria
Shriver. The single charge of violating medical privacy law for commercial
purposes carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by three
years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been
scheduled for May, reports E! Online.
*All five original members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performed in Los
Angeles Monday night for the first time in 10 years, reports Allhiphop.com.
Officials at Club Nokia were forced to turn away hundreds of fans, while
those lucky enough to get in heard the rap group perform such tracks as "1st
of Tha Month," "I Tried," "Notorious Thugs," and the Grammy-winning
"Crossroads." The group is preparing to release a new album on Jan. 30
titled "Uni 5."
*In her new book "Isaac and the Bah Family Tree," Tampa author
Adrienne C. Wilson tracks the title character on a journey to find his
family tree. The adventure seeks to spark questions about family structure,
ancestry, and history. The book is currently available in nationwide
bookstores or can be ordered through the publisher at
www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore. "Isaac and the Bah Family Tree" is also an
eLIVE title, meaning each copy contains a code redeemable for a free audio
download of the book from the publisher's Web site.
EVENT CALENDAR: Aretha on 'Regis'; Mos Def's 'Marvelous' single; Jacob the
Jeweler headlines charity event.
*Aretha Franklin is scheduled to appear on ABC's "Live with Regis &
Kelly" this morning to promote her new album "This Christmas Aretha,"
available exclusively at Borders and Waldenbooks Stores and online
at Borders.com. Check local listings for air time and channel.
*Mos Def's new single, "Life in Marvelous Times," is available now
exclusively on iTunes and is also streaming via his Myspace
(http://www.myspace.com/mosdef). The single, produced by Mr. Flash, is the
first release from his album "The Ecstatic," due next year via Downtown
Records.
*Jacob The Jeweler is scheduled to headline a youth charity event in
Dallas as he awaits the start of his 30-year prison sentence for money
laundering. The former jeweler to the stars, born Jacob Arabo, will hold a
press conference on Dec. 11 to announce Positive Xchange, an initiative that
seeks to curb violence by creating alternatives to mainstream entertainment
for at risk youth. Founded by community activist Omar Jahwar and his Vision
Regeneration movement, the initiative will launch an online social network
at PositiveXchange.com. Jahwar, Arabo and Bob Woodson, president and CEO of
the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, will also dedicate Dallas as a
Violence Free Zone, one of several sponsored by Jacob across the country,
reports Allhiphop.com.
GA. SEN. WANTS HBCUS MERGED WITH WHITE SCHOOLS: Consolidations would save
money in strapped state budget.
*With state budgets tight across the country, a Republican lawmaker
in Georgia suggests saving money in his state by merging local historically
black public colleges with nearby white-majority schools.
During a hearing Monday on the University System's budget, Senate
Higher Education Committee Chairman Seth Harp (R-Midland) said the
University System (which has 35 public schools and a $2.3 billion state
budget this year) should consider merging two Savannah schools -
historically black Savannah State University and historically white-majority
Armstrong Atlantic State University, reports the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution.
And Harp said the system should also look into merging historically
black college, Albany State, and white-majority two-year Darton College in
Albany.
Consolidating the schools would reduce administrative costs and
potentially cut duplication of similar academic programs.
The idea immediately ran into opposition from supporters of the black
schools who say they serve an important role as independent campuses.
"I think it's a bad idea," said Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), who
has taught political science at two historically black private colleges,
Morehouse and Morris Brown.
System Chancellor Erroll Davis said the decision won't be based
solely on financial considerations.
"You can make obvious arguments about the economics of it, but I
don't think economics will drive the decision," Davis said. "It's going to
be a political decision, not an economic decision."
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