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12-17-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
JESSE JR. 'INFORMANT' IN BLAGO SCANDAL: Congressman's rep says he 's been giving info to the feds for at least a decade.
*A spokesman for Jesse Jackson Jr. says the congressman has been an informant for the U.S. attorney's office in Illinois for at least a decade, and has relayed information about Gov. Rod Blagojevich since 2006, though not in the corruption case currently under investigation.
Jackson's rep Kenneth Edmonds announced the news Tuesday in the wake of Blagojevich's arrest last week on corruption charges, including allegations that he tried to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for personal gain.
Jackson has been identified as one of the candidates Blagojevich was considering for the seat, and a criminal complaint said his emissaries were willing to raise $1.5 million for the governor if he picked the congressman.
Also, multiple media outlets are quoting unnamed "sources close to Jackson" who say that in 2002, Blagojevich — then running for governor of Illinois — solicited a $25,000 campaign donation from Jackson, which he did not get. At the time, Jackson's wife, Sandi, was a candidate for the job of director of the state's Lottery Commission, a post she did not win, the sources said.
A source told The Associated Press Tuesday: "Blagojevich went out of his way to say, 'You know I was considering your wife for the lottery job and the $25,000 you didn't give me? That's why she's not getting the job.'"
In 2006, Jackson reported the incident, which he believed to have been an attempt at a shakedown, sources told CNN. The report, the sources said, came three years later because Jackson's memory was jogged by another case — that of developer Tony Rezko, whose fraud and corruption trial included testimony about $25,000 donations to Blagojevich.
BERRY, PERRY TO HOST NAACP IMAGE AWARDS: Ceremony scheduled for Feb.; nominations to be announced next month.
*Oscar winner Halle Berry and actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry will host the 40th NAACP Image Awards, which will broadcast live from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, Thursday, Feb. 12 (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) on FOX.
Nominations for the annual awards show that recognizes the artistic achievements of people of color and honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts will be announced Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. Performers and presenters will be announced shortly.
Previously announced honorees include former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai, who will both receive the Chairman's Award.
The event, which coincides with the NAACP's 100th anniversary, is executive-produced by Vicangelo Bulluck and will kick off the organization's year-long centennial celebration.
"We are extremely honored to have former Image Awards winners Ms. Halle Berry and Mr. Tyler Perry host this historic event," said Image Awards Chairperson Clayola Brown. "Halle and Tyler have broken many barriers in the entertainment industry. In this historic centennial year, their successes remind us of the immense progress that has been made in the last 100 years and gives us continued hope for the progress that our nation will achieve in the future."
BRANDY SUED AGAIN OVER CAR CRASH: Man involved in wreck going after singer and family of dead woman for undetermined amount.
*A man involved in the 2006 multiple car crash triggered by Brandy is suing the singer for her role in the collision, as well as Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died.
Donald Lite has filed a lawsuit against Brandy and the married mother of two who was killed in the accident -- claiming their disregard for road rules caused the multi-car pileup that left him with extreme physical damage, reports TMZ.com.
In the lawsuit filed last week in L.A. County Superior Court, Lite says their failure to keep a safe distance, mixed with their inability to travel at a safe speed, caused Brandy to rear-end Awatef, which sent Awatef's car smashing into his vehicle.
Lite says he's suffered "serious and permanent injuries" due to the accident -- and is suing for an undetermined amount.
OPRAH'S HARPO REACHES DEAL WITH HBO: Oprah moves partnership from ABC to cable.
*Oprah Winfrey's production company has entered into a new and exclusive three-year deal with HBO to develop movies and miniseries, reports Variety.
After working with ABC for 15 years, Winfrey's Harpo Films decided to do business with the cable network, where Winfrey expects to develop a more eclectic mix of programming than was featured on the more positive-leaning ABC.
"ABC was always incredibly supportive of us, but there are natural limitations to being on network TV, part of that being ratings and commercial sponsorship," said Harpo Films president Kate Forte. "It just seemed like a natural progression to meet with HBO, especially after the strong message I've been getting (from Winfrey) for the last year and a half that a lot of our projects seemed right for HBO."
According to HBO co-president Richard Plepler, the pact was made without any specific development in mind. "I don't think the number of ideas will be a problem," he said. "The question will be, 'How can we do everything?'"
Adds Michael Lombardo, president of HBO's programming group and West Coast operations: "We generally don't have a lot of overall deals with producers with whom we don't have current shows. But when we met Kate and Oprah, it was obvious that this was the right deal to make."
It hasn't been discussed whether Winfrey would act in any of the projects.
IT'S OFFICIAL – ATL HOUSEWIVES TO RETURN: The most successful franchise of Bravo's three gets green light for second season.
*In a no-brainer move for Bravo, the Atlanta-based incarnation of its "Real Housewives" franchise – and the first with a predominantly-black cast – has been renewed for a second season.
The reality show, which followed the lives of five wealthy women in Atlanta, averaged 1.3 million adults 18-49 in its first season, and nearly 1.5 million total viewers, according to Variety.
The Atlanta season received higher ratings than any of Bravo's "Orange County" seasons or the lone "New York" run.
The ATL reunion special, which featured fireworks between cast members Kim Zolciak and NeNe Leaks, also produced the biggest single-episode numbers of all three franchises, garnering 2.1 million adults 18-49 and 2.8 million total viewers.
FISHBURNE SIGNS FIRST-LOOK DEAL WITH CBS: Arrangement calls for actor to develop projects for the network.
*With his debut on CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" a confirmed ratings success, Laurence Fishburne is expanding his role with the show's producer, CBS Paramount Network TV, under a new first-look deal.
The partnership calls for Fishburne to develop projects for the small screen. Also, his Cinema Gypsy Prods. will be housed on the CBS Radford lot in Studio City.
Fishburne has tapped former TV One and Paramount TV exec Rose Catherine Pinkney to oversee his television arm. Pinkney will report to Fishburne and Helen Sugland, Fishburne's manager and partner in Cinema Gypsy.
"I have always wanted to continue to expand our production efforts at Cinema Gypsy into television, and Rose Catherine's extensive background and experience in TV is a natural fit with those plans," Fishburne said.
As previously reported, Fishburne's Thursday debut on "CSI" led to the show's best ratings since its season premiere, averaging 20.9 million viewers and easily winning its 9 p.m. hour.
Fishburne's TV executive producer credits include the HBO longforms "Miss Evers' Boys" and "Always Outnumbered." Cinema Gypsy was also behind the features "Akeelah and the Bee" and "Hoodlum."
TARAJI P. HENSON TALKS OSCAR BUZZ: Actress sits down with EbonyJet.com to discuss 'Button' role and more.
*EbonyJet.com caught up with Taraji P. Henson to discuss a number of topics, including the Oscar buzz surrounding her new film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
"I feel honored but, you know, I just want to leave that alone. I’ll just leave that up to the stars (laughs)," she tells the Web site.
The actress stars as the adoptive mother of Button (Brad Pitt), who is born old and gets younger as everyone around him grows older. In January, she follows up with her lead role alongside Morris Chestnut in "Not Easily Broken," based on the T.D. Jakes novel about a couple trying to save a troubled marriage.
Henson – who also spoke to EbonyJet.com about those upcoming films – began the interview by discussing the challenges of dealing with "Benjamin Button's" special effects.
EBONY/JET: Because of the nature of the movie there are very few scenes in Button that don’t a special effect of some kind. How do you play off a scene reacting to a person who isn’t there and make it look convincing?
HENSON: Well what they did, which was very smart, was they hired actors of various sizes to portray Benjamin Button at different ages and the actors wore a blue sock over their heads with the faces cut out and the blue sock represented the green screen on which they would then digitally transpose Brad Pitt’s face. So it wasn’t like I had someone standing off camera I was reading lines to. There were actors giving me things I could respond to. So once Brad did his work and they CGI’d his face over it, it worked!
EBONY/JET: What’s the process you use portraying a character that ages during the course of the film starting off as a young, vivacious woman and ending up at the end as an old woman?
HENSON: Well you definitely have to research what’s going on in each decade because that’s what molds us, shapes us, as we grow. We’re different people now, I mean we’ve got our first black president, things that happened in the environment that shaped and molded you. But also I had to research what happens physically to a person, to a body as it ages, what part of her body is going to cause her the most grief. And once I did the research and picked the certain part of the body that would be affected, I committed myself to it.
Read the entire EbonyJet.com article here: http://www.ebonyjet.com/entertainment/movies/index.aspx?id=10804
GOT USHER? SINGER JOINS 'BOBY BY MILK' VENTURE: Teens will compete for chance to direct and produce music video for artist.
*The Body By Milk campaign -- famous for putting white mustaches on celeb endorsers -- has teamed up with five-time Grammy winner Usher for the Body By Milk got noise? music video program.
Twenty lucky teens will get the chance to direct and produce music videos for Usher, collaborating with the star from video concept to final cut.
"I am so excited to be the first artist involved with the Body By Milk got noise? music video program, as it gives me another way to give back, inspire young people and also reinvent music videos," said Usher. "It also sends out a message to my fans about the importance of healthy living.
That's something I believe in and want teens to recognize."
Through Jan. 31, teens ages 13 - 18 can apply online at http://www.bodybymilk.com. No experience is necessary, and participation is free.
Usher will be on set to collaborate and perform with the two teen crews, who will get seven days to create, shoot and edit his music video. After shooting wraps, the two teen-created music videos and the original studio-created version will then be showcased online at http://www.bodybymilk.com.
America will view and vote for their favorite music video from April 1-30, 2009. In addition to bragging rights, the winners will score V.I.P. Usher concert tickets, Final Cut Pro editing software and Apple MacBook Pro laptops to continue creating after the final cut.
BERNIE, J-HUD FAM TOP 'ONLINE GUEST BOOK' LIST: Legacy.com hosts forums for fans to offer condolences. Bernie Mac's was most popular.
*Late actor and comedian Bernie Mac ranks highest on Legacy.com's "Top 10 Legacies of the Year" for 2008, receiving more than 13,000 entries to his online Guest Book hosted by the site.
Condolences poured in throughout the year to Legacy.com Guest Books for Mac and other high- profile celebrities and public figures.
"Mr. Mac's passing this year generated a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and support from fans around the world," said Stopher Bartol, president and CEO of Legacy.com. "For many, the loss of a beloved public figure can affect them in much the same way as the death of a friend or family member. The sense of loss and grief are very real. Online Guest Books offer a place to celebrate life by sharing thoughts, memories and emotions."
The family of Jennifer Hudson ranked third for 2008, preceded by former NBC "Meet the Press" anchor Tim Russert.
1. Bernie Mac (13,170 entries): Actor and comedian; died August 9, 2008
http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=115220922
2. Tim Russert (4,630 entries): Journalist, lawyer and moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press"; died June 13, 2008
http://www.legacy.com/gb/guestbookview.aspx?personId=111494729
3. Hudson Family (4,270 entries): Mother, brother and nephew of Oscar-winning actress and entertainer Jennifer Hudson; found dead October 24 and October 27, 2008, respectively
http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=119300649
J.LO HAS A 'PLAN B' FOR CBS FILMS: Network's new film division signs Lopez for romantic comedy.
*Jennifer Lopez will star as a single woman caught up in an artificial insemination dilemma in the new romantic comedy "Plan B," a production of CBS' new movie division.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, J.Lo's character attempts to conceive via artificial insemination and winds up in a quandary after she finds romance.
Cameras are scheduled to begin rolling in the spring, making it one of the first projects to get a green light at the new CBS Films.
Also on deck for the actress-singer is the heist picture "The Governess" for Columbia.
TIGER CALLS CADDIE'S MICKELSON DIG 'INAPPROPRIATE': Steve Williams used colorful language to describe Woods' golf rival.
*Tiger Woods said Monday he is "disappointed" with his longtime caddie Steve Williams for making a disparaging comment about Phil Mickelson at a charity dinner.
Williams was quoted in the Taranaki Daily News as saying he wouldn't call Mickelson a great player "because I think he's a (expletive)." In an interview the next day with another New Zealand newspaper, the Sunday Star Times, Williams confirmed making the comment and said it was no secret they don't get along.
Woods criticized his caddie and said he would handle it privately.
"I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect," Woods said in a statement. "It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."
Mickelson responded to Williams' statements in a statement released Sunday. He said: "After seeing Steve Williams' comments, all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones (Jim Mackay) on my bag and representing me."
BASSETT TO ANNOUNCE SAG AWARD NOMS: 'ER' star joins Eric McCormack to reveal nominees live on TNT.
*Angela Bassett and Eric McCormack join Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg to announce nominees for the 15th Annual SAG Awards tomorrow (Dec. 18) at 6 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
Nominations were chosen in five film and eight television categories and will be telecast live on TNT and webcast live on TNT.TV and TBS.COM.
Bassett joined the cast of NBC's “ER” this fall as tough new ER head Dr. Cate Banfield. December 19 brings the premiere of her latest film, Rod Lurie’s political thriller “Nothing But the Truth,” with Bassett starring opposite Alan Alda and Kate Beckinsale.
Also upcoming is her portrayal of Voletta Wallace, mother of slain rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace in "Notorious," due out January 2009, and a starring role opposite Danny Glover in Giancarlo Esposito’s directorial debut, “Gospel Hill.”
An Academy Award nominee for her portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” Bassett received a SAG Award nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for the title role of Louisiana juke joint owner Ruby Delacroix in “Ruby’s Bucket of Blood.”
ISAIAH WASHINGTON IS AN AFRICAN CITIZEN: Actor e-mails outlets to say he just became a citizen of Sierra Leone.
*Gossip blogger Perez Hilton says former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, who recently traced his DNA back to a village in Sierra Leone, has announced that he has just become a citizen of the African country.
The statement, emailed to Hilton, said the following:
Hello ALL,
Well…as I sit here in the TGMF office completely numb yet elated. I am at a lost for words. Minister Zainab Bangura has phoned me from New York to "officially" tell me that I am now a citizen of Sierra Leone and that I need to send her 2 photos for the Sierra Leone Passport that awaits me in Freetown. I could go on and on about how much that phone call means to me, but I will simply defer you all to the "Recent Work" section on Google's Wikipedia. President Koroma now goes down in history as the "first" African President to issue an African-American full citizenship based on DNA. Congrats to all who have been on this historical journey with me. Mission Accomplished. That said, I'm so moved right now that I am literally wiped out with the gravity of this new reality. Going home to celebrate with my "dual citizenship" with my family…One Love IW
CELEB FORECLOSURE BUG HITS DOUG E. FRESH: Rapper also said to owe American Express and the IRS.
*Old school rapper Doug E. Fresh is reportedly broke and in danger of losing three houses in Harlem after owing more than $3.5 million in unpaid mortgages.
The 46-year-old artist, according to the New York Post, is also "being chased by American Express for nearly $60,000 in credit-card debt, and the IRS just slapped him with a $367,000 tax lien on top of more than $40,000 owed to the state tax collector, records show."
The rapper, whose real name is Douglas Davis, grew up in Harlem and eventually invested in local real estate. He fell behind in payments and, according to a foreclosure suit filed in Manhattan in late August 2008, he now owes more than $1.73 million.
Doug E. Fresh, meanwhile, is said to be completing work on Doug E's Chicken and Waffles, a new Harlem restaurant slated to open next month.
ALL ABOARD - THE INAUGURATION EXPRESS: Obama and Biden families to take train to Washington for ceremony.
*U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will travel to their historic swearing-in ceremony by train to kick off a series of events for inauguration week.
Organizers said Obama and his family will begin the day-long journey on Jan. 17 with an event in Philadelphia. He'll then board a train and travel to Wilmington, Delaware, where he'll pick up the vice president-elect and his family, before they head to Baltimore, and finally Washington D.C.
Organizers say the rail trip is the "final leg" of Obama's journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in his home state of Illinois, to end on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where he will be sworn in Jan. 20.
Event planners also say the trip will help make the inauguration more accessible for those who cannot travel to the nation's capital, where large crowds are expected to attend the event.
DIDDY THROWS B-DAY BASH FOR EX KIM PORTER: Mother of rapper's twin girls and 10-year-old son celebrates in West Hollywood.
*Although Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter have had their issues, the mogul threw a lavish birthday party Monday in West Hollywood for the former model and mother of three of his kids.
Nearly 30 guests, including "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, co-star Sara Ramirez and reality TV's Lisa Gastineau, were on hand at Murano Restaurant & Lounge to celebrate Porter's 38th birthday, reports People.com.
Porter – the mother of Diddy's nearly 2-year-old twin girls and 10-year-old son – strolled in "fashionably late to the restaurant, which was filled with red balloons and streamers," the Web site reported. "The night's soundtrack was a mix of old school 70s R&B prepared by Murano owner Sandy Sachs."
The guest of honor was reportedly serenaded with Stevie Wonder's version of "Happy Birthday," and then presented with a cake.
While Diddy sipped on ginger ale throughout the night, the other guests drank a specialty lemon drop martini made with Ciroc vodka designed for the occasion, People.com reports. A four course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Luciano Sautto was served.
HBCU ALUMNI HOSTING INAUGURAL BALL: Event to take place on eve of historic day with headliner Rahsaan Patterson.
*The first-ever HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball will be held on Monday, Jan. 19, at Sequoia on the Washington Harbor (3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C.) at 8:00 p.m.
Neo-soul artist Rahsaan Patterson is the evening's headliner and will be joined by Alyson Williams. The event will not only celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, but will also honor the Jan.
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Gala coordinator Stacie E. Hawkins, an HBCU alumnus, states, "People are really excited about coming to Washington for the Inauguration. We have been hearing from HBCU Alumni of all ages who are thrilled to be a part of this historic moment."
A portion of the proceeds will go to charities that give scholarships to students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
Early bird tickets are $300, and $500 after Jan. 1. For ticket information, please go to http://www.hbcugala.com or call 202.715.3520.
50 SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HOUSE FIRE: Rapper talks exclusively to TV One Access' about drama leading up to inferno.
*Rapper 50 Cent gave a candid interview to "Access Hollywood/TV One Access" about the fire that destroyed his Long Island home, and the circumstances leading up to the blaze.
The G-Unit leader said his home was scorched within days of his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins being ordered to leave the residence.
“The courts told her she had to leave,” 50 told TV One Access correspondent Quddus. “It’s kind of more like, ‘If I can’t have you, you can’t have it.’”
Asked directly if Tompkins set the fire in response to the order, the rapper said: “Well, I don’t want to say that… don’t try to make me say something I don’t want to say.But the circumstances to it might seem that way.”
TV One Access’ interview with 50 Cent is scheduled to air in its entirety at 7 p.m. on January 4.
OBAMA BITS: Obama officially elected; education secretary named; no comment on Ill. special election; Rush responds to Powell comment.
*Barack Obama was officially elected the 44th president yesterday in a largely ceremonial procedure, however, one mandated by the Constitution. Presidential electors gathering in state capitols across the country have pushed Obama above the 270 electoral votes needed to win. Still, Obama's election will not be complete until Congress tallies the outcome of Monday's Electoral College vote at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6.
*The president-elect announced Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago school system, as education secretary Tuesday and declared that failing to improve classroom instruction is "morally unacceptable for our children." "When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners," Obama said, making the announcement at a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership. "He's not beholden to any one ideology, and he's worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality,"
Obama added.
*Obama combined his announcement Tuesday with a brief news conference in which he refused to say whether he supports the idea of a special election to fill the Senate seat he recently vacated. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has the power to make the appointment, but he was arrested last week and charged with, in effect, trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder. Some Democrats have called for a special election, while others prefer to wait for Blagojevich to resign, a step that would allow Lt. Gov.
Pat Quinn to appoint a new senator.
*After breaking with his Republican party to support Obama's presidential campaign, Gen, Colin Powell was criticized by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, claiming he backed the Democratic candidate only because he is black. In a recent CNN interview, Powell suggested that the Republican Party would be better served if it stopped listening to Limbaugh.
The radio veteran responded to Powell's comment on his Web site, stating: "What makes this funny to me is that the Republican Party's not listened to me in the last two years. And you might even say in matters of policy and so forth, the Republican Party hasn't been listening to me for the last six years. And you might even say that the Republican Party is in the situation it's in precisely because of the people like Colin Powell and John McCain and others who have devised this new definition and identity of the party which is responsible for electing Democrats all over this country." Read his entire rant here: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_121508/content/01125106.guest.html
ITTY BITTY BITS: Freeman's SAG letter; will.i.am's 'Rockin' Eve; SXSW with the Joneses; old man shoots rappers; Vick's bankruptcy drama; Berry's breast.
*Morgan Freeman was one of more than 130 stars who are strongly urging SAG members to vote down the guild's strike authorization. In a letter sent Monday to leaders of the Screen Actors Guild, the stars said a strike would create more economic hardship and called for SAG to unite with other Hollywood unions in three years. Doing so would be a way to "take the high road," they added. Other actors signing the letter include Geoer actors signing the letter incks, Helen Hunt, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Kevin Spacey and Charlize Theron.
*Will.i.am has been added to the list of performers for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest. The Black Eyed Peas frontman is set to perform his Barack Obama-inspired song "It's A New Day." He joins a lineup that includes the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie. While the latter three are performing from Times Square, will.i.am will join the Pussycat Dolls, Fall Out Boy and Ne-Yo in segments from Los Angeles.
*Both Rashida Jones and her father Quincy Jones will have a presence at this year's SXSW Film Conference and Festival in Austin, TX. As previously reported, Q will serve as the keynote speaker for the SXSW Music 2009. It was announced yesterday that the DreamWorks comedy "I Love You, Man," starring Rashida Jones alongside Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, will open the 2009 SXSW gathering, which runs March 13-21.
*A 70-year-old man shot his hunting rifle at a performing rap group over the weekend in northeast Senegal because he thought their song lyrics were intended to insult him personally. According to Reuters, the man told the rappers to stop when they began singing about a "cranky old man," and when they failed to do so, he opened fire with his rifle, a local police officer said. Five young people were wounded in the shooting at Lobali village, in the Matam region on Senegal's border with Mauritania.
*Lawyers for former NFL star Michael Vick and his creditors were scheduled to meet in federal bankruptcy court Tuesday regarding his disclosure statements. Vick's major creditors have objected to the documents, in which the suspended quarterback says he plans to resume his NFL career after he is released from federal prison, where he is serving 23 months for bankrolling a dogfighting ring. The creditors say Vick provides no assurance that his goal is realistic. They also say the statement fails to account for millions in spending and transfers over the last couple of years.
*Halle Berry had a little wardrobe malfunction recently that was caught by the paparazzi. While filming on location in Vancouver, the fabric over her left breast broke free, causing a different kind of Canadian "northern exposure." Photo agency Bauer-Griffin got the shot that ended up on the Internet Tuesday via TMZ.com.
(http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/16/wardrobe-malfunction-exposes-halles-berry/).
MANDELA LAUDED BY WORLD LEADERS: Former South Africa president presented inaugural Democratic Leadership Prize.
*Nelson Mandela was awarded a special honor Monday from an elite forum of fellow former world leaders.
The Club of Madrid, an independent organization dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world, presented its inaugural Democratic Leadership Award to the ex president of South Africa during a private ceremony held at the Mandela Foundation.
The award was established in November to recognize and promote ethical and courageous leadership that translates visions of a democratic society into practical action for the benefit of millions of people around the world.
On hand for the ceremony were three other club members: former presidents Ketumile Masire, Ricardo Lagos and Cassam Uteem of Botswana, Chile and Mauritius, and former French prime minister Lionel Jospin.
Mandela, 90, is among the club's 72 members from 51 nations.
"President Mandela has inspired millions of people worldwide to continue to struggle for equality and democracy that delivers' -- a democracy based on the notion that shared societies are not just necessary, but possible," said Lagos, the club's president.
The Club of Madrid has just finished a 10-day mission in Mozambique and South Africa to take stock of the state of democracy in both countries.
EUR DVD REVIEW: Traitor
DVD Drama Features Don Cheadle as Possible Manchurian Muslim Mole
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*This international thriller revolves around the 007-like exploits of Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a U.S. Special Forces Agent serving overseas in a covert, counterespionage operation in Yemen where he's attempting to imbed himself in a cell of Arab religious fanatics.
He is able to gain the gang's confidence by convincing its ringleader (Said Taghmaoui) that he's a devout Muslim from Sudan. Soon thereafter, the two bond as blood brothers sworn to perform crimes against humanity in the name of Allah. Next, the pair mastermind a series of attacks not only in the Middle East, but in Europe and America, too.
Samir, as an Army-trained explosives expert, is able to train suicide bombers while outfitting them with detonators. By accident, this development comes to the attention of the interagency task force led by FBI agents Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) and Max Archer (Neal McDonough).
They, of course, are curious about the identity of this ostensibly-disloyal American, and wonder whether he's truly a traitor or merely an al-Qaeda infiltrator on a secret mission. Determining the answer without blowing Samir's cover proves to be easier said than done, and writer/director Jeffrey Nachmanoff is very adept at keeping his audience guessing for almost as long as the investigating officers themselves remain in a quandary.
Also Credit Don Cheadle's masterful performance for making the movie riveting for its duration. For he ever so convincingly plays Samir as a seemingly-conflicted soul who just might be a Manchurian Muslim mole. Perhaps of more significance is how the movie seeks to serve as a sophisticated appeal to tolerance by its deliberate differentiating between radical Islam and the moderate Muslim majority.
A curious whodunit which has you far more focused on the mindset than the apprehension of what might be a mass murderer.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for brief profanity, mature themes, and intense violence.
In English and Arabic with subtitles.
Running time: 114 minutes
Studi Anchor Bay
DVD Extras: Commentary by the director and Don Cheadle, behind-the-scenes footage, plus another featurette.
To see a trailer for Traitor, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjq4PNev838
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world who will not make the little sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage." — Bruce Barton
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Dec. 17: Keyboardist-singer Art Neville of the Neville Brothers is 71. R&B singer Wanda Hutchinson (The Emotions) is 58. Actor Sean Patrick Thomas is 39.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This Atlanta-based site connects shoppers and buyers to fashion, jewelry, accessories and beauty must-haves (www.ApparelOnlyAuctions.com)
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Dec. 17, 1991: Michael Jordan is named 1991 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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