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11-02-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
'THIS IS IT' EARNS $101 MILLION IN GLOBAL DEBUT: Documentary easily wins domestic and foreign box office; theatre run extended three more weeks.
*Despite the usual dip in box office numbers during a Halloween weekend, "Michael Jackson's This Is It" managed to top the US box office with $21.3 million, and dominate worldwide with an estimated $101 million in its opening frame.
Sony announced it is extending the film's domestic run through Thanksgiving weekend, or by three weeks – which means that the movie's DVD release has also been pushed back by roughly the same amount of time.
The disc was originally set to be released prior to Christmas, but due to a regulation that usually forces studios to wait a minimum 90 days before releasing a new film to DVD, "This Is It" will now make its debut in late January or early February, 2010, according to the Los Angeles Times. Hollywood Reporter columnist Roger Friedman says the DVD release date will be Jan 20.
Overseas, the studio will decide whether to extend the film's theatrical run on a territory by territory basis.
"This is It," which opened Tuesday night, grossed an estimated $32.5 in its 5 ½ day domestic bow from 3,481 runs. It ran on 15,000 screens worldwide.
Meanwhile, the AP reports that Sony has decided to submit the documentary for Academy Award consideration in categories ranging from film editing and sound to best picture and best director. As previously reported, the deadline has already passed for films competing in best documentary, the category in which "This Is It" had the best chance of competing.
Friedman points out that "This is It" is on track to be the third-largest-grossing documentary in history, putting it right behind Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 911? and “Earth,” and ahead of Moore’s other films, as well as Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and Madonna’s “Truth or Dare.”
SHARPTON'S EX-WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARRESTED: Pair taken in for disorderly conduct after resisting arrest during traffic stop.
*The Rev. Al Sharpton's ex-wife and oldest daughter were arrested in Manhattan Friday night for resisting arrest after speeding past a patrol car and through a red light, reports the New York Daily News.
Kathy Jordan, 53, and her daughter, Dominique, 23, were pulled over around 7:30 p.m. for zooming through the light at Eighth Ave. in Harlem, the newspaper said, citing sources.
As officers attempted to issue the two women a ticket for the traffic violation, things got heated, sources said. The duo became belligerent toward the cops, arguing that they were only trying to get around the squad car that was driving too slow, sources said.
Dominique, who was driving, argued against the summons and she and her mother were collared for disorderly conduct and obstruction of governmental administration, sources said.
The pair were given desk appearance tickets and allowed to go home.
"How what was apparently a minor traffic dispute ended up with two arrests with desk appearance tickets is highly questionable and unusual," said Rev. Sharpton's lawyer, Michael A. Hardy. "Reverend Sharpton has been made aware of the details of the matter and will aggressively support his daughter and her mother, despite their announced change of marital status in 2003."
The couple met when Jordan was a back-up singer for James Brown. They married in 1980 and divorced after 23 years together. They have two adult children, Dominique and Ashley, 22.
Dominique works for her father's National Action Network based in Harlem.
BEBE WINANS' EX-WIFE 'HURT' BY OPRAH: Host has criticized Chris Brown, but still supports gospel singer despite domestic abuse charges.
*TMZ.com has tracked down the ex-wife of gospel star BeBe Winans to get her reaction to his continued appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" despite his ongoing domestic violence case.
In February, Debra Winans made headlines after accusing her ex-husband of shoving her to the ground in front of their two kids, ages 10 and 13. According to the report, the two had a "verbal altercation" regarding "custody issues dealing with their children."
In light of Winfrey's stand against domestic violence, and particularly Chris Brown, who has pleaded guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna, Debra Winans tells TMZ she's "hurt by Oprah's decision to have BeBe on the show."
Ironically, BeBe's arrest in February came one day before Oprah aired her domestic violence special in response to the Chris Brown case.
With a domestic violence charge pending until another court hearing next year, BeBe was on "Oprah" Friday to promote "Still," his new gospel album with sister CeCe. He is also the host of "Oprah's Karaoke Challenge," a nationwide competition to find the best karaoke singer.
Round 1 of the challenge will air on Thursday (Nov. 5).
JAY-Z/ALICIA AND 'GLEE'S' AMBER RILEY ROCK WORLD SERIES: Duo performs 'Empire State of Mind'; actress belts National Anthem. (video)
*Players from both dugouts of the World Series Thursday night were seen grooving to the pre-Game 2 performance of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' ode to New York, "Empire State of Mind."
Jay-Z sported a Yankees cap and varsity jacket, while Keys – in a purple top and black pants - belted out the chorus, first while seated at her piano and then from center stage.
"I think it almost seems like it's the anthem for New York right now," Derek Jeter told MLB.com.
"As a die-hard Yankees fan, I'm honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium," Jay-Z said in a press release.
Jay-Z told ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" that earlier in the day he got a chance to roam the field and imagined catching a ball and doubling a guy out at home plate.
"I felt like a kid," he said. "The field is beautiful. I've never been that close to the field. Walking around, I jumped over the center-field fence and everything, like I was catching a home run."
For Saturday's Game 3 in Philadelphia, FOX tapped the cast of its new hit series "Glee" for the National Anthem. Cast member Amber Riley, who plays the glee club's lone African American member Mercedes Jones, took center stage as her cast mates circled behind her for a well-received rendition.
In other "Glee" news, the cast will be honored with the Favorite New Television Cast Ensemble distinction at the 17th anniversary Diversity Awards, to be held Sunday, Nov. 22, at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Watch the Jay-Z/Keys and Amber Riley performances below.
Jay-Z/Alicia Keys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiryjGi6wZQ&feature=player_embedded
Amber Riley and cast of "Glee":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACNSpkbRm4I
WHITE HOUSE VISITOR LIST REVEALED: Oprah, Denzel, Clooney among celebs at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. since Jan. 20th.
*Celebs Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey were among the mix of prominent Democratic fundraisers, and heavyweights from the financial services and high-tech industries who have visited the White House since Barack Obama took office in January.
Winfrey, who campaigned for Obama, interviewed the first lady Feb. 17 and was on the guest list for an inaugural reception Jan. 20. Actor Denzel Washington appears on the visitor list for two White House tours.
The White House late Friday afternoon released a partial list - roughly 480 records - in response to questions about whether specific people visited. The White House plans to start disclosing comprehensive visitor lists in coming months, keeping its promise of transparency.
However, the records also show that despite a campaign pledge to reduce special-interest influence on policymaking, lobbyists are getting face time with him and his aides, reports the AP. The visits included in the records released Friday include roughly eight dozen with Obama.
Among the guests:
• Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The wealthy philanthropist had a March 25 meeting with Obama in the Oval Office. The subject isn't disclosed. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gives about $200 million a year in elementary and secondary education grants and is pressing for some of the same changes that Obama wants, such as paying teachers based on student test scores.
• Labor leader and Obama supporter Andrew Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union. Twenty-two Stern visits to the White House are reflected in the records, including at least seven with Obama. Most of the visits with Obama were for group events; the subjects of most of his visits to other people weren't disclosed.
• Ed Yingling, the chief executive of the American Bankers Association and a registered lobbyist. Yingling attended at least four meetings with Obama. One meeting included several bank CEOs; the subjects of the others included credit cards and housing.
• Camden Fine, chief executive of the Independent Community Bankers of America and a Washington lobbyist for the group. Fine also had at least four Obama meetings, including the ones with bank CEOs and on housing.
• Clooney, a U.N. messenger of peace, met with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Feb. 23 to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region. Clooney has said he asked Obama to appoint a full-time regional envoy to report directly to the White House.
• Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic strategist, lobbyist and former House staffer. Elmendorf, whose lobbying clients include Ford Motor Co., UnitedHealth Group and Verizon, attended a June 29 Obama reception and had at least four meetings with others at the White House complex.
FIRST LADY BUMPS GIULIANI FROM YANKEE SEATS: Michelle Obama given his usual spot next to team's dugout during Game 1.
*Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrived at his favorite seats in Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the World Series last week, only to find them taken by Michelle Obama.
Giuliani -- who complained during the ALCS when he didn't get the plush seats to the right of the Yankee dugout -- was positioned behind the photographers' box for Wednesday's game.
A source told the New York Post's Page Six, "The White House didn't want Giuliani to be sitting with Michelle. She was assigned the seats near the dugout and he was moved."
But because of the rain, the first lady didn't even take the seats and they remained empty and roped off for the whole game. Giuliani was back in the dugout box, enjoying on-camera interaction with the players, for Game 2.
SEACREST STALKER ARRESTED AT E! OFFICES: Chidi Uzomah back for more after encounter last month led to his arrest.
*A 25-year-old man, already on probation for trying to get into a car with Ryan Seacrest, was arrested Friday while trying to sneak into the "American Idol" host's E! Entertainment Television offices in Los Angeles.
Chidi Uzomah was carrying a knife when he attempted to get into the building, according to court documents. He is currently being held on $150,000 bail. Seacrest filed a restraining order against him the same day.
Last month, police arrested Uzomah for trying to enter Seacrest’s automobile in Orange County, then, choking a bodyguard who tried to stop him. He pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors – assault, battery and possession of a switchblade knife – and was sentenced to 15 days in jail, three years probation.
He was also ordered to stay away from the "Idol" veteran.
NICOLE RICHIE GETS PROTECTION FROM PAPS: Judge orders some breathing room between star and two aggressive photographers.
*A judge on Friday granted Nicole Richie's request for a temporary restraining order against two photographers who she accuses of hounding her more than other members of the paparazzi.
Her court filing states that one of the men, Eduardo Arrivabene, caused Richie's car accident that took place last month in Beverly Hills.
The filing added that Arrivabene and Ivon Emilio Melo Miguel continue to chase Richie and her children to get pictures, and that the duo screams at her "in an attempt to get a reaction," leaving the 28-year-old frightened for her family's safety.
Richie has a newborn son and infant daughter with rocker Joel Madden.
MLK'S DAUGHTER IS SCLC'S FIRST FEMALE PREZ: Rev. Bernice King promises to reach out to hip hop generation.
*Rev. Bernice King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, on Friday became the first woman to head the Southern Christian Leadership Conference civil rights organization co-founded by her father.
"I stand before you as a daughter of the civil rights movement calling forth the daughters and sons of the next generation of social change," King said Friday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her father preached from 1960 until his death in 1968. "I am a King, yet I am mindful that I am not the only one."
Interim President Byron Clay announced the decision of the board of directors and notified King of the results of the election on Friday.
"She is excited," Clay told reporters. "I am excited. The nation will be excited."
King, who becomes the third in her family to serve as SCLC president, said she plans to work closely with The King Center and will reconnect people with her father's philosophy of nonviolence. She said a key part of the organization's success going forward will be recruiting and engaging younger members.
"Young people are ready," King said. "They just need direction. Any movement of change always happens with young people."
Women will also play a key role, she said.
"It is critical to the success of the next generation of social change to have the full and active commitment and participation of girls and women of all ages," King said. "After all, as my mother would remind me, a woman's place is in the struggle. We must be the soul of a nation."
By a vote of 23 to 15, King defeated Judge Wendell Griffen of Little Rock, Ark, for the position. Griffen was the first black attorney to work for a major Arkansas law firm and is an ordained minister and pastor of New Millennium Church.
The SCLC has roughly 10,000 members and nearly 80 chapters in 17 states from Georgia to California.
HARVARD OFFERS CLASS ON HBO'S 'THE WIRE': Show's stars attend panel with school professors to discuss themes covered by the series.
*Students at Harvard University will be able to learn more about understanding and combating urban social issues through a new course based on HBO's critically-acclaimed series "The Wire," which followed the struggles of urban life in Baltimore.
“‘The Wire’ has done more to enhance our understanding of the systemic urban inequality that constrains the lives of the poor than any published study” said sociology professor William J. Wilson, according to The Harvard Crimson newspaper.
African American studies chair Professor Evelyn B. Higginbotham said Wilson will teach the new course, in which the show will be used as a case study for poverty in America.
Panelists at the sold-out event encouraged audience members to internalize these harsh realities of the real world problems that the show depicts and actively work to solve them.
“Everything we’re doing to make the world a better place is really for our kids,” said actor Michael K. Williams, who played gay stick-up artist Omar Little on the show. “Our kids are dying in huge numbers. It’s the real wire.”
Sonja Sohn, who played detective Kima Greggs, described the work of Rewired for Change, the non-profit she started with other cast members to help at-risk youth in the areas of Baltimore depicted in “The Wire.” She encouraged audience members to make similar changes in the communities they learn about through “The Wire” and the new Harvard course.
“Become a part of these communities. These circumstances will not change if you do nothing,” Sohn said. “Get it moving. Get it popping. Get up off your butt and do something.”
Panel attendee Sarah V. Chace (class of 1980), who is also a fan of the show, said she already uses “The Wire” as a case study in a class on community leadership she teaches at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. She said she came to the event to hear more about how other academics and the actors view the role of “The Wire” in depicting urban life.
The event was sponsored by the African American Studies Department and two local charitable organizations, the Boston Foundation and the Ella J. Baker House.
BEANIE SIGEL VS. JAY-Z: Beef riled up with Philly rapper accusing Jay of not doing enough to promote him; Jigga responds.
*While their respective home teams battle in the World Series, Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel and his former Roc-A-Fella Records boss Jay-Z are in a sparring match of their own, sparked by Sigel's verbal missive, "What You Talkin Bout (I Ain't Your Average Cat)."
Promoting the dis record on a Philly radio station, Sigel said he was responding to several lines from Jay-Z's track "Already," as well as his treatment at Power 99’s Powerhouse concert in Philly last weekend, which Jay-Z headlined. There were rumors that Jay had Sigel removed from the venue by police.
Sigel also accused Jay-Z of abandoning Roc-A-Fella rap group State Property, which featured group members Freeway, Peedi Peedi, Oschino, Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz (Young Chris and Neef ).
“Jay in another place and I understand that. He did what he did as far as signing people to Roc-A-Fella Records, you did that,” Sigel told 100.3 The Beat host Charlamagne Tha God on Friday. “But as far as the push that people coulda got that really could have did things, you didn’t do that. If you look at 50 Cent - no disrespect to the G-Unit, cause I love the way 50 Cent did with his dogs - but if you look at it, them dudes got more money and more bread than anybody in State Property. Because 50 made sure of that. 50 took his people on tour and paid them, not tell them it was a good look for them to be on tour.”
Sigel claimed that despite pumping out successful product for Roc-A-Fella – including such hit records as “Feel It In the Air” (Beanie Sigel), “Roc the Mic” (Freeway) and “Can‘t Stop, Won‘t Stop” (Young Gunz), two State Property movies and a State Property clothing line, which was sold in major department stores – Jay-Z could've done much more to promote the group.
“The clothing line and all that came about cause [Jay's partner] Dame [Dash] did that. Dame gave me the clothing line. I got the Pro-Keds thing that came from a situation that I did, but then Dame back doored the sneak and gets with the licensee guy who licenses Rocawear and buys the license out the Pro-Keds, without me knowing it,” Sigel said. “So now I am not getting 50 % profit that I would be getting off every Pro-Ked sneaker sold with the SP logo on it like the original deal was... As a team player, why just wear the Pro-Keds when I can cross-market it and have my own sneaker? Then Dame stopped making Pro-Keds with the SP symbol on it.”
Jay-Z responded to some of Sigel's allegations while appearing at a press conference for his new DJ Hero Renegade Edition video game at Montreal Canada's Bell Centre.
“Beanie Sigel, to be honest and you can look it up, just to be honest…was driving two Bentleys. I don’t know how,” Jay-Z said. “It's impossible to drive two cars at the same time. With his momma in the sticks, selling 800,000. I don’t know what more you can do for somebody."
“What people choose to do when they obtain that type of success, at some point you gotta look in the mirror and look at yourself,” Jay continued. “Beanie Sigel had a record deal, a record label and a clothing line…and never went platinum. Ever. I don’t know in the history of rap has anyone done so much with so little. So, I don’t know what more can you do for a person at that point. A record deal – that’s normal. A record label and a clothing line. If that’s not pushing the person…s**t.”
Click here to listen to "What You Talkin Bout (I Ain't Your Average Cat)": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2nagMMnZXI
COPYRIGHT SUIT FILED AGAINST LIL WAYNE, BIRDMAN: Man says he wasn't paid for his work cutting mob-like musings for songs.
*Lil Wayne and Birdman were hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by a Florida man who claims they used his voice in several of their songs without pay or permission.
Thomas Marasciullo filed the lawsuit Friday in a Manhattan federal court against the rappers, their record label and various music distribution outlets. He claims that Birdman's Cash Money Records had him record some "'Italian-styled' spoken word recordings" in 2006, then featured the clips without pay or permission on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' joint 2006 album "Like Father, Like Son" and Birdman's 2007 "5 (Star) Stunna."
Several short tracks that Marasciullo says he wrote, recorded and copyrighted — including "Loyalty" and "Respect" — feature a man's voice delivering mob-movie-flavored repartee. Among the remarks, from "Loyalty": "The main name in this game is respect and loyalty. Family is a big thing. When we do this kind of business, everything is with respect."
The lawsuit says Marasciullo's recordings were used in four tracks on that album and five on "5 (Star) Stunna." It seeks unspecified damages for Marasciullo, who lives in Florida's Hernando County.
Marasciullo discovered his work had been used when his daughter came across "Respect" while trying to purchase a ringtone version of the Aretha Franklin classic by the same name, the lawsuit said. His son also became entangled in the case when he was fired from a recording engineer job at Cash Money Records after the father started demanding payment, according to the lawsuit.
LEGAL TEAM FILES CLAIM AGAINST MJ'S ESTATE: Lawyers say singer signed a promissory note to pay nearly $1.5 million in fees.
*The latest claim against Michael Jackson's estate comes from another batch of former lawyers - Mundell, Odlum & Haws – who claim the singer owes them more than $1.5 million dollars stemming from an agreement he signed two years ago.
TMZ is reporting that the firm filed a creditor's claim against Jackson's estate last week explaining how they were never paid back for a $1,144,808.95 promissory note Jackson signed back in 2007. It's unclear what the note was for.
The firm also claims they were never paid for hundreds of thousands of dollars of legal work they performed for Jackson from December 2007 through June 24, 2009 -- the day before Jackson died.
The entire claim seeks $1,571,768.62 plus interest.
'MEN IN BLACK 3' IN THE WORKS: Columbia hires 'Tropic Thunder' writer to pen script; no commitment yet from Will and Tommy.
*Variety is reporting that a third installment in the "Men in Black" franchise is currently in development with "Tropic Thunder" scribe Etan Cohen on board to write the script.
There are no deals in place for the franchise's stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, though it's unlikely that Columbia would greenlight the project without the duo's involvement, according to Variety.
The studio remained tight-lipped about the direction of the third "MIB" installment.
The first film, released in 1997, grossed over $587 million worldwide against a $90 million budget. It is currently the 49th highest grossing film of all time and Columbia's second highest earner, topped only by "Spider-Man." Its 2002 sequel, "Men in Black II," brought in an equally impressive $441 million.
The films follow the adventures of a pair of alien immigration officers who police and monitor the extra-terrestrials who make their home on Earth.
'BAD GIRL' REALLY WANTS CHRIS BROWN: In a tape from reality show's upcoming season, Natalie Nunn says 'he might beat Rihanna' but 'doesn't beat me.'
*The woman who Chris Brown denied "messin' with" has fired back, stating that not only has she been seeing the singer, but that he wanted to marry her.
Natalie Nunn, a 24-year-old contestant on the Oxygen reality series "Bad Girls Club," was seen sitting on Brown's lap in a photo posted on TMZ.com.
The article suggested that the two are seeing each other after going out on several dates over the past few weeks. But Brown denied the relationship rumors on Twitter, saying "TMZ…omg….U guys have nothing better to do. And by the way. I don’t mess wit that girl.”
Brown, 20, previously dated pop star Rihanna until he was charged with felony assault for beating her last February. TMZ obtained a video of Natalie inside the "Bad Girls" house, talking about how much she likes Brown anyway, stating "he might beat Rihanna" but "doesn't beat me."
Watch the clip here: http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=72b4749c-990c-4376-81e2-87db1e356642
'GAME' OVER FOR WESLEY SNIPES HELMER: Abel Ferrara will not reunite with his former 'King of New York' star after all.
*Moviehole.com is reporting that Abel Ferrara has dropped out of Columbia's "Game of Death," the action drama that was to be his first pairing with star Wesley Snipes since 1990's "King of New York."
The project has been taken over by director Georgio Serafine, the Web site reported. No reason was given for Ferrara's departure.
In “Death,” currently shooting in Detroit, Snipes plays a diplomat's bodyguard who is injured in a botched assassination attempt.
All of the injured parties are rushed to the same hospital, where Snipes' character teams up with a nurse (Zoe Bell) to protect the diplomat from a team of ruthless assassins led by Zander (“Expendables” star Gary Daniels). The nurse soon learns that there is more to this sticky situation than expected.
Ferrara, whose best-known films include "Bad Lieutenant" and "China Girl," is currently attached to direct Berry Hill Films' "Jekyll & Hyde" starring Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Papa Joe's soccer grill; HBO's Obama doc; Mike Beck killed; Tamela Mann's CD; Gucci Mane cancelled; Tyra Kardashian.
*Michael Jackson's dad Joe tells TMZ he's involved in a company called Game On Products and will soon team with international soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to begin plugging the company's Goalie Grill, a barbeque grill shaped like a soccer ball. Papa Joe said in the beginning of December he will fly out to meet the Real Madrid player and shoot TV, magazine and Internet advertisements for the product. The spots will be heavily promoted during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
*The HBO documentary film "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama," scheduled to premiere Tuesday, was screened at the Cadillac Palace Theater in downtown Chicago on Friday night. Produced by actor Edward Norton and directed by Amy Rice and Alicia Sams, the film goes behind the scenes of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign with unlimited access. "We just wanted to create a historical document for future generations to see and learn from and I'm pretty proud with what we ended up with," said director Alicia Sams.
*Rapper Mike Beck, a member of Fat Joe's K.A.R. (Kill All Rats) collective, was shot and killed on Friday during a suspected botched robbery attempt in Brooklyn, according to reports. Beck, who was recently featured on Fat Joe's "300 Brolic" remix, was part of K.A.R.'s self-titled mixtape released in May. Born in East New York, the rapper spent five years in prison at age17 for his role in a murder.
*Tamela Mann’s sophomore CD, “The Master Plan,” will be released this Tuesday, Nov. 3. The gospel singer and star of multiple Tyler Perry projects – including TBS' "Meet the Browns," will appear with her husband David Mann (who plays her on-screen father Mr. Brown) as co-presenters for the gospel category at the Nov. 3 taping of the "Soul Train Awards," set to simulcast on Centric and BET on Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. EST. The new season of “Meet the Browns” will begin airing on Nov. 4.
*Gucci Mane has cancelled a second university show in two weeks due to legal drama. The rapper pulled out of a scheduled headlining gig at North Carolina A&T University's homecoming concert on Saturday due to a "recent legal ruling that prohibits him from traveling out of his home state," promoters announced. Last month, Gucci Mane pulled out of the Gucci Mane and Friends concert at FAMU because he failed to secure permission from a judge to travel to Florida.
*With cardboard cutouts of Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian attached her sides, Tyra Banks started Thursday's pre-Halloween show dressed as Kim Kardashian, complete with black weave and a green cleavage-bearing dress. Watch clip here:
http://www.eonline.com/videos/v46836_the-soup-blog-tyra.html
EUR FILM REVIEW: 'This Is It'
Michael Jackson Mesmerizes in Cinematic Swan Song
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Taped during rehearsals for the late Michael Jackson's London comeback tour which was not to be, This Is It is captures the essence of a Prince of Pop concert, only sans audience.
In this regard, the movie actually allows for a much more intimate experience than one taped in front of throngs of loud, distracting and adoring fans.
For here, in the empty Staples Center in Los Angeles, you're able to focus strictly on Michael, and to listen to him interact with his crew and collaborators in between numbers instead of deafening applause.
For, there's Michael plus an elaborate menagerie comprised of musicians, backup singers, crotch-grapping dancers, strippers on poles, daredevil tightrope aerialists, costumed actors in masks, pyrotechnics, a blue screen showing a variety of images, human toasters (you'll see), smoke and wind machines, everything but Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
And they all combine to put on quite a show, even if perfectionist Michael periodically interrupts to adjust the lighting, the sound level or the play of one of his accompanists.
The film features plenty of inspired musical performances, including Billie Jean, Thriller, Man in the Mirror, Smooth Criminal, The Way You Make Me Feel, I Want You Back, The Love You Save, I'll Be There and the title track. What we repeatedly see here is a multi-talented genius at work, a man perhaps most comfortable in this milieu, namely, on stage, whether he's complaining about an earpiece ("It feels like someone's fist is shoved into my ear."), orchestrating complicated choreography, or doing a soulful duet with Judith Hill, the beautiful African-Asian-American soprano who would later sing Heal the World shortly thereafter at his funeral.
Again and again, Michael takes charge, for he knows exactly how he wants each tune to sound and look in order to satisfy his fans. And because he was so unguarded and totally oblivious of the rolling cameras, this flick captures him more authentically than any previous footage this critic has witnessed (including that Martin Brashear BBC documentary), and reveals the very likable persona of an icon who was obviously born to entertain.
Not a ghoulish take-the-money-and-run rip-off, but a surprisingly sweet, sensitive, tenderhearted swan song you will never forget that will have you shedding a tear while tapping your feet.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG for suggestive choreography and scary images.
Running time: 112 minutes
Studi Sony Pictures
To see a trailer for This Is It, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iEHGU6hd04
DR. REGINA BENJAMIN CONFIRMED AS SURGEON GENERAL: Senate offers unanimous approval after voice vote Thursday.
*Dr. Regina Benjamin is now officially the third African American to hold the position of the nation's top doctor - Surgeon General of the United States.
The Senate gave its official confirmation by a voice vote Thursday night, an expression of unanimous consent of both parties, reports CNN.
The 53-year-old family practice doctor had spent most of her career tending to the needs of poor patients in a Gulf Coast clinic she founded two decades ago in Alabama.
She was the first African-American woman board member of the American Medical Association, and she just served a term as chairwoman of the group's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.
Benjamin received a bachelor's degree in 1979 from Xavier University of Louisiana, attended Morehouse School of Medicine from 1980 to 1982, and received a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1984.
She completed her residency in family practice at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in 1987.
President Barack Obama called Benjamin "a relentless promoter" of programs to fight preventable illness when he nominated her in July.
TAMELA MANN’S "THE MASTER PLAN" RELEASED: Second solo effort has big expectations.
*Tamela Mann, the star of Tyler Perry’s TBS television series "MEET THE BROWNS" will release her second gospel CD Tuesday, Nov. 3 entitled "The Master Plan." The disk will feature a more contemporary urban/R&B twist to traditional gospel music. And it will showcase Mann’s talents as a songwriter, as well as a vocalist.
The upcoming CD is a follow-up Mann’s 2004 "Gotta Keep Movin" and "The Live Experience," which spawned a Top 20 Billboard Gospel chart hit and 2008 Stellar Award nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. It was produced by Grammy Award winning Myron Butler (Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams); and Terrell Carter
In addition to starring in other Perry plays and movies, Mann is a former member of Kirk Franklin’s The Family on which she sang the featured soloist on the Grammy-nominated "Song of the Year" - "Lean On Me," which featured Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R. Kelly and Bono. Mann’s vocals also can be heard on the soundtrack album of "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman."
AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND ISLAM: Membership numbers show growing sector.
*More American born people of African decent are converting to Islam, according to the Associated Press. Although the number of Muslims in American is not precise, a 2007 Pew survey estimated there are 2.35 million, of whom 35 percent were Black. Lawrence Mamiya, a Vassar College professor of religion and African studies and an expert on American Islam, said Muslim organizations count about 6 million members, a third of them black. He said most black Muslims are orthodox Sunnis who worship in about 300 mosques across the country, and the second-largest group follows Farrakhan's Nation of Islam, which has about 100 mosques in America, abroad and in U.S. prisons.
"The vast majority of African-American Muslims are using the religion to strengthen their spirituality," said Mamiya, who has interviewed many Black Muslim leaders and congregants. He said the number of black Muslims is growing, but not as fast as before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Muslim faith continues to convert many average Black Americans, who say they are attracted by Islam's emphasis on equality, discipline and family.
Few white Americans convert to Islam "because the tendency is to view Islam as foreign," Mamiya said. For some African-Americans, it's part of their African heritage that moves them away from the Christianity they saw as a slave religion.
RELIGIOUS MUSIC CHANNEL MOST FAVORITE: Gospel Music Channel is MTV for Christians
*What’s being called the "MTV for Christians" has become the fastest-growing cable channel in America. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Gospel Music Channel has reached 46.7 million subscribers since its first broadcast in October 2004.
A media research group showed the GMC has a larger viewership than TeenNick and NBA TV. From 2007 to 2008, GMC's advertising revenue went from $6.5 million to $13.5 million. Charley Humbard and a group of investors who own the channel, spent two years assembling the programming after Humbard left the Discovery Channel.
GMC offers music videos in every style from high church to hip-hop, talk shows and insider reports. But their format consists mostly of gospel and Christian music.
TWENTY SECONDS – TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS: Winner of Bible contest to win grand prize.
*If you’re a quick-witted Bible scholar there could be a $20,000 price waiting just for you. Marketing expert Darrel Rundus has created a contest where the only requirement is to name the Ten Commandments of God, in order, in 20 seconds or less.
According to World Net Daily, Rundus, a self-made millionaire, will dial telephone numbers of people who have signed up online on his Ten And Win website, giving each person, in the order they are randomly selected, an opportunity to recite the Ten Commandments in 20 seconds or less. The first successful contestant gets the $20,000 prize. Rundus will make the random calls on Friday, Nov. 13. He said he will continue taking entries for the competition until that date.
Rundus told WND he was distressed that Americans readily car recite a list of 10 stores, 10 sports teams, even 10 beers, but most can’t recite the Ten Commandments.
ANN NESBY TO RELEASE HOLIDAY MUSIC: Singer could lead a family tour.
*According to BlackGospel.com Ann Nesby, the two-time Grammy winner, and former lead singer to the Sounds of Blackness readies the release of her latest musical offering, Ann Nesby’s A Soulful Christmas for the 2009 holiday season.
In 1996 Nesby left Sounds of Blackness with the help of super-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to release the R&B-oriented LP "I'm Here for You." Since then Nesby has contributed to several soundtracks including Batman, Mo' Money and Demolition Man. She’s produced tribute albums to Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Curtis Mayfield.
Nesby may tour with her daughter Jamecia and her granddaughter Paris, who was a season five finalist on 'American Idol.'
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: The Poisoned Mushroom
To become a success, you must be careful what you allow to enter your mind. Your mind is like a garden. It will grow whatever is planted. If you plant positive it will grow positive, but if you plant negative you will grow negative.
If you plant corn, it will grow corn. But, if you plant poisoned mushrooms, then they too will grow. In fact, weeds and other undesirable plants tend to grow quicker, tend to choke and overtake other plants. That is why you must be careful what you allow to enter into your mind, because it will grow.
As you sow, so shall you reap. Think about nothing and you will do nothing. Think about great things and you will do great things. Think positive and you will grow positive. Think negative and you will grow negative! Be careful of the things you allow to grow in your mind. Your input determines your output!
Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every minute count!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 2: Singer Earl "Speedo" Carroll of The Cadillacs and The Coasters is 72. Drummer Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band is 52. Actress Lauren Velez ("Dexter") is 45. Singer Alvin Chea of Take 6 is 42. Rapper Nelly is 35. Rapper Prodigy of Mobb Deep is 35.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Afrobella is dedicated to product reviews, ruminations about culture, music and fashion style, plus interviews with women all shades of beautiful. Check it out here: www.afrobella.com.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 2, 1954: Charles C. Diggs Jr. of Detroit elected Michigan's first black congressman. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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