11-11-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
DENZEL WASHINGTON HEADED BACK TO BROADWAY: Actor to star in a revival of
August Wilson's "Fences."
*Oscar winner Denzel Washington will return to Broadway next spring
in a revival of August Wilson's "Fences," the Associated Press reported.
The production will be directed by Kenny Leon, who also steered
Wilson's "Radio Golf" and "Gem of the Ocean" on Broadway. Producers Carole
Shorenstein Hays and Scott Rudin say the play will open in April at a
theater to be announced.
The original 1987 production starred James Earl Jones as patriarch
Troy Maxson, Mary Alice as his wife and Courtney B. Vance as his son. It won
both the Tony Award for best play and the Pulitzer Prize for drama.
Washington's co-stars have yet to be announced.
The actor was last on Broadway in 2005 in a revival of "Julius
Caesar" in which he played Brutus.
HALLE BERRY TO RECEIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD: The Hollywood Reporter to honor
actress at its annual Women in Entertainment breakfast.
*Halle Berry will be honored at The Hollywood Reporter's 18th annual
Women in Entertainment breakfast presented by Lifetime.
The Oscar winner will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award,
which recognizes recipients for trailblazing within the industry and for
generosity in giving back to the community at large. Previous beneficiaries
include Barbara Walters, Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster and Glenn Close.
Hilary Swank and Eva Longoria Parker will also participate in the
Dec. 4 breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The event is held annually in
conjunction with the publication of THR's "Power 100: Women in
Entertainment" special issue, which highlights the top 100 women in the
motion picture and television industries.
"The complex role that Halle Berry plays in life as a successful,
versatile entertainment professional who is committed to furthering the
well-being of others, especially minorities, is as inspiring as are her film
roles," THR editor Elizabeth Guider said. "The recognition is also
wonderfully fitting in a year in which diversity has been embraced and
rewarded at the highest levels of our government and culture."
Berry, the first African-American woman to win the best actress
Oscar, is the national spokesperson for the Jenesse Center, a nonprofit that
provides support to heal families victimized by domestic violence.
Swank, a two-time Oscar-winning best actress, will deliver the
keynote remarks at the breakfast. Multiple award-winner Longoria Parker will
present at the event.
OMAROSA AND THE DONALD REUNITE FOR TV ONE: New reality series will follow TV
villain's quest to find a man.
*Reality TV star-turned-divinity school student Omarosa is reteaming
with Donald Trump, the man who made her famous, to produce a new unscripted
series for cable network TV One.
The producer and host of NBC's "Apprentice" franchise has tapped his
season one villainess for "Omarosa's Ultimate Merger," a reality show that
follows her attempt to choose a mate from a pool of 12 bachelors.
The men will compete in a series of challenges designed to test both
relationship and business skills. One suitor will be eliminated each week
until she makes her final choice.
"Omarosa's Ultimate Merger" is being shot in Las Vegas at the Trump
Intl. Hotel and Tower. The Donald will also make cameos from time to time
offering advice to Omarosa.
Juma Entertainment is producing the show, along with Trump Prods.,
for TV One, the Silver Spring, Md-based Comcast network targeted toward
African-American audiences. The channel has picked up eight episodes,
according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"Omarosa was a great personality on 'The Apprentice' that was watched
by over 40 million people as it became the No. 1 show on TV," says Trump.
"Omarosa is smart, witty and difficult, but all of those qualities will make
for some very interesting entertainment."
Juma Entertainment president Bob Horowitz said the dating show's
producers are bending over backwards to show that she is not the ruthless
villain that she plays on TV.
"We do not want to bill her or portray her as a villain," he said.
"That's not what this is. You will like Omarosa; you may not want her for
your son or brother, but you will easily see where she has a lot of
positives in her life. She's a smart woman, and she knows what she needs to
do."
Omarosa entered United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio on Aug.
17 to pursue a doctor of ministry degree, which will take about two years to
complete.
TRACY MORGAN CONCERT TURNS OFF FANS: Jokes about Obama sex, defecation and
more cause several audience members to walk out.
*Tracy Morgan's stand-up gig at New York's Carnegie Hall on Friday
night left some audience members disgusted and unwilling to stick it out to
the bitter the end.
The "30 Rock" star was performing as part of the New York Comedy
Festival when he launched into a litany of jokes that apparently crossed the
line with several folks in the crowd.
"There was a continuous flow of people getting up and leaving
throughout the show," one witness told the paper.
Much of the discomfort came during a segment about the First Family.
"Obama is really changing the White House, because he and Michelle
will have the first presidential sex tape out," Morgan said from the stage.
"Barack probably had Michelle in the window doggy-style. 'Yes, Mr.
President, yes Mr. President.'"
He gave this advice to male audience members: "You gotta stick your
tongue in her f**king butthole...It's give and take. If she gagging, you got
to toss the salad."
A Daily News reader who walked out wrote the newspaper saying, "I'm
an aspiring standup and I went to the show cause I love Tracy on 'SNL,' '30
Rock,' etc. To call it a disappointment would be THE understatement of the
century...This was his joke, I kid you not, 'I bought my wife a glass coffee
table so she could sh*t on it and I could watch from beneath it.' Um, is
that funny? No. It was bad and kinda sad."
Morgan also took jabs at drugs, pornography and homosexuality (saying
it's "a choice," which drew gasps).
But not all of the audience members were offended. Spike Lee, John
Singleton and "Rock" co-star Jane Krakowski were all in the crowd - and gave
a standing ovation.
PAM GRIER TO PLAY VILLAIN ON 'SMALLVILLE': Actress to make her CW debut in
January.
*Pam Grier has picked up her first TV gig since the end of
Showtime's "The L Word" - a juicy role on the CW's "Smallville," based on
the DC Comics character Superman.
The 60-year-old will play Agent Amanda Waller, the DC Comics
villainess who brought on the destruction of Smallville in one part of the
Superman mythology.
The character first appeared in the 1986 comic book Legends #1 as a
widow who escaped Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects with her
surviving family after one of her sons, one of her daughters and her husband
were murdered.
Waller eventually obtained a doctorate in political science and
became a congressional aide. Nicknamed "the Wall," she went on to become a
government agent often placed in charge of the Suicide Squad, a semi-secret
government-run group of former supervillains working in return for amnesty.
She also was the former leader (code rank: White Queen) of the covert-ops
organization, Checkmate.
She later served as Secretary of Metahuman Affairs under President
Lex Luthor before being arrested in the wake of Luthor's public fall from
grace.
Grier will make her first "Smallville" appearance in the second hour
of the Justice Society two-parter, slated to run in January, and will be
sticking around for multiple episodes, reports TV guide.
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR HAS LEUKEMIA: NBA veteran was diagnosed last December;
says prognosis is encouraging.
*Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has revealed that he is undergoing treatment
for chronic myeloid leukemia, a rare form of the disease that was diagnosed
last December.
The former Los Angeles Lakers center said his doctor didn't give any
guarantees, but informed him: "You have a very good chance to live your life
out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle."
Inspired by the way Lakers teammate Magic Johnson's HIV disclosure
brought awareness to the disease in 1991, Abdul-Jabbar said he wants to do
the same for his form of blood cancer, which can be fatal if left untreated.
"I've never been a person to share my private life. But I can help
save lives," he said at a midtown Manhattan conference room. "It's incumbent
on someone like me to talk about this."
Abdul-Jabbar, 62, said he became concerned last year after feeling
odd sensations. He went for tests at his alma mater UCLA. "I was getting hot
flashes and sweats on a regular basis," he said. "That's not normal, even
for my age."
An exam showed his white blood cell count was "sky high" and a doctor
quickly diagnosed his condition. At first, all Abdul-Jabbar heard was the
word "leukemia."
"I was scared," he said. "I thought it was all the same. I thought it could
mean I have a month to live."
"That was my first question," he said. "Was I going to make it?"
Abdul-Jabbar drew upon his years of martial arts study to approach
the diagnosis like a samurai, to face death without fear.
"I had my face on," he said.
Abdul-Jabbar is a special assistant with the Lakers and said he
hasn't had to cut back his level of activity of coaching, change his regimen
or adjust his diet. "I'm able to sneak out for Thai food," he said.
"There is hope. This condition can be treated. You can still live a
productive, full life," he said. "I'm living proof I can make it."
The retired athlete says he being counseled by his 28-year-old middle
son, Amir, a third-year medical student in San Francisco.
"He was a real great source for me, just that I can talk to him about
it. Being a doctor, he understood what was happening, and gave me realistic
viewpoint on it," Abdul-Jabbar said in an interview with People.com. "That
means a lot to me."
DARIUS RUCKER MAY MAKE COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY TONIGHT: Singer up for two CMA
awards - most since Charley Pride in the 70s.
*Former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker, up for two
Country Music Association Awards, could join Charley Pride in the history
books tonight as the two lone African-Americans to win best male vocalist.
"You can't help but smile when someone mentions your name in the same
sentence as Charley Pride," Rucker told the Associated Press in an
interview.
It's been nearly 40 years since Pride, the best-selling
African-American performer in country music, won entertainer of the year in
1971 and male vocalist of the year in 1971-72, a feat not since repeated by
a black artist.
Rucker, who also has a chance to be the first African American to win
for new artist, will perform during tonight's live CMA Awards broadcast on
ABC.
There are only two black performers in the Country Music Hall of Fame
and Museum - Pride and DeFord Bailey, who was a member of the early Grand
Ole Opry cast.
Some black singers like Lionel Richie, Solomon Burke, Esther Phillips
and Al Green had fleeting success in country music on their way to other
destinations, Country Hall of Fame historian Jay Orr said. And relatively
recently, performers such as Stoney Edwards, Big Al Downing, Cleve Francis,
Rissi Palmer and Cowboy Troy have registered on the country charts.
Rucker's platinum-selling debut country CD, "Learn to Live," has
spawned three No. 1 singles. Still, he's not sure his success will clear the
way for other black performers to mine country music for hits.
"I don't know if I proved it can work," he said. "But maybe someone
will give a second listen now instead of just saying no."
RIHANNA OPENS UP IN TWO MORE INTERVIEWS: She discusses recent concert gig
with MTV; tells AP about 'venting' on her new album.
*Rihanna continues to speak out about moving on after domestic abuse
while promoting the Nov. 23 release of her new album, "Rated R."
Following last week's first post-assault interview with ABC's Diane
Sawyer, the singer's latest promo stops are MTV and the Associated Press.
Rihanna told MTV News on Monday that she was ushering in a "new era"
with her performance in Los Angeles Sunday - joining Jay-Z to sing "Run This
Town" and then singing her Young Jeezy-assisted current single "Hard."
"There are a lot of butterflies, a lot of excitement," Rihanna said
about her return to music. "I'm anxious. Like, I can't wait. But you're
always nervous, because you're about to go do something big. It's a new
thing, a new era. But I'm not scared. I'm just really excited. I just can't
wait to start.
"I kept thinking, 'Why the hell am I so nervous?' And I couldn't
figure it out. But then I knew why: It was the first time performing one of
my new songs. But it was fun. It was so exciting. The energy was awesome."
In an interview posted by the AP on Tuesday, Rihanna said recording
songs on her new album was such an emotional experience that she sometimes
had to leave the studio to prevent herself from breaking down.
"I walked out the studio a few times just trying not to be in tears,"
she said about recording her fourth studio album.
"It was about me, and so much so that songs got really personal to
the point where it took three months for me to start recording it because it
was too deep for me to even listen to," she said.
The CD comes nine months after the 21-year-old was beaten by
then-boyfriend Chris Brown after they attended a pre-Grammy party. Brown
pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to five years' probation,
six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling.
Rihanna said recording allowed her an outlet to express her true
feelings.
"I got to vent because I didn't really talk a lot. I didn't talk to a
lot of people about anything I was feeling. I just did it on the record,"
she said.
Following the attack, Rihanna said she was sick of sitting at home
and decided to head to the studio.
"I was tired of just being in the house and I just felt like I was
wasting so much time and just being lackadaisical, so I just wanted to work
again and we started recording," she said. "The recording experience was
different because it was from a completely new mind space, from a different
perspective. Usually I was thinking of fun stories, things to talk about,
different topics that might be cool, but this time is really about my life."
She also said she's excited for fans to hear a song called "Stupid In
Love."
"You're blinded by love, love is blind and sometimes you can't see it
coming and it's just coming to the realization of the state of a
relationship and just saying, 'This is not what I like. It doesn't make me
happy,'" she said.
Rihanna credits this album with helping her look forward instead of
dwelling in past.
"Venting is a part of moving on, like you have to get it out no
matter what, and this album for me helped me do that - being in the studio,
writing, working with producers and songwriters, making music," she said.
"It made it even more special that it came from my heart and my real... my
feelings, the exact way I felt."
OPRAH WON'T HAVE 'AHA' MOMENT IN COURT: Plus, woman attacked by chimp, and
'Twilight' author to appear on talk show.
*Insurance company Mutual of Omaha has decided to settle its lawsuit
against Oprah Winfrey's production company over rights to the phrase "aha
moment," reports the Associated Press.
Details of the agreement were not disclosed, however, Mutual
spokesman Jim Nolan and spokeswoman Angela DePaul of Winfrey's Harpo
Productions Inc. said Monday that the case was resolved amicably.
The legal dispute started earlier this year after Mutual began using
the slogan "official sponsor of the aha moment" in a national advertising
campaign. The company sent a crew to 25-cities where they collected video
stories of people describing a turning point in their lives. Visitors to
Mutual's Web site helped the insurance company pick ten of the "aha" stories
to appear in television commercials.
Winfrey's representatives argued in April that the phrase was
synonymous with the TV host and her show. Winfrey often discusses "aha
moments" - described on her magazine's Web site as "those flashes of
understanding" - with guests on her show.
Harpo asked Mutual in a letter to stop using "aha moment" to promote
its insurance and financial products because it didn't want confusion about
whether there was a relationship between Mutual and Winfrey.
Mutual responded with the lawsuit and documents showing it had
obtained preliminary approval of a federal trademark. The insurance company
said it conceived its slogan in February 2008 and unveiled the Web site
http://www.ahamoment.com a year later. It began researching trademark rights
to "aha moment" in July 2008 and filed an application with the U.S. Patent &
Trademark Office that August. Mutual said no opposition was made to its
trademark application, and preliminary approval was granted in April.
Mutual originally asked the court for a legal declaration allowing it
to use the slogan and pronouncing that Mutual has not infringed on Harpo's
or Winfrey's rights, but Harpo never filed a formal response to Mutual's
lawsuit.
In other Oprah news, the Connecticut woman who was mauled and blinded
after a 200-pound chimpanzee attacked her in February is set to appear on
today's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Charla Nash's hands, nose, lips and eyelids were ripped off by the
animal as she tried to lure it back into a cage at her friend's house. Harpo
said Nash will discuss how she's adjusting, how she maintains her spirit,
and what the future holds.
On Friday's show, "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer will appear for
what she says will be her only interview tied to the film release of "New
Moon." Meyer wrote on her blog, "I am so pleased and amazed and thrilled
with what Chris Weitz has done with New Moon that I want to talk about it,
and to show my support for him. And since I'm only doing one interview,
better make it big. Really big."
She also writes that the questions she's planning on fielding on the
show are "designed for a broader audience than just die-hard 'Twilight'
fans."
In one more Oprah bit, it was revealed that the wife of Hezbollah's
Ammar Mousawi is a fan of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." At the end of a lengthy
interview about politics, Israel and other topics, Huffington Post writer
Sharmine Narwani asked Hezbollah's foreign relations chief if there were any
American television shows that he admires?
"My wife likes the Oprah show, and I watch it with her sometimes," he
said. "Oprah seems to cover some interesting topics of social value."
J-LO WINS COURT BATTLE TO BLOCK SEX FOOTAGE: Judge issues temporary
restraining order halting distribution of Ojani Noa's proposed film.
*Jennifer Lopez emerged victorious Monday in her effort to block
distribution of her ex-husband's proposed movie in which she apparently is
shown in compromising positions.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant issued a
temporary restraining order halting forward progress of "The J.Lo and Ojani
Noa Story."
As previously reported, Lopez sued Noa on Friday for $10 million,
claiming he breached a prior confidentiality agreement by intending to sell
a movie containing hours of home video footage, including some showing Lopez
in sexual situations during their 1997 honeymoon.
The suit also claims invasion of privacy by "public disclosure of
private facts which would be offensive and objectionable to a reasonable
person and which is not of legitimate public concern."
Lopez also sued Ed Meyer, Noa's manager and producer of the proposed
movie. Meyer's attorney, Frank Sanes Jr., unsuccessfully argued in court
that his client was not bound by Noa's confidentiality agreement and
shouldn't be subject to the restraining order.
This isn't the first legal tangle involving J.Lo and her former
husband of 11 months. He obtained a $125,000 settlement from Lopez in a 2004
suit that claimed she fired him without cause from a job as manager of her
now-defunct Pasadena restaurant. As part of the settlement, he agreed not to
disparage Lopez or sell private or intimate details about her or their
relationship.
In 2007, Lopez won $545,000 in damages and attorney fees in another
lawsuit that blocked Noa from publishing a ghostwritten tell-all book. Lopez
claimed Noa had demanded $5 million to keep him from publishing the book.
According to court documents, the book claimed that Lopez had multiple
affairs during her marriage to Noa, including one with current husband Marc
Antony.
LIL WAYNE TO RELEASE ROCK ALBUM NEXT MONTH: Plus, Universal announces due
dates for Blige and Redman albums.
*After months of false starts, Universal Music Group has announced
that Lil Wayne's long-anticipated rock-themed album, "Rebirth," is slated
for a Dec. 15 release date.
The set was originally scheduled to drop on April 7, with the track
"Prom Queen" as its first single. The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard
Hot 100 last spring.
Guest artists on "Rebirth" include members of rock band Fall Out Boy,
Lenny Kravitz, Travis Barker and rapper Drake. Lil Wayne plays guitar on
most of the tracks.
The leaked song "Fix My Hat" is one of the few rap tracks that made
it onto the "Rebirth" set.
Meanwhile, Universal has also announced that the new Mary J. Blige
album, "Stronger," is due out Dec. 22, while Redman's "9 1/2" is confirmed
for a Dec. 15 release date.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SACK LARRY JOHNSON: Running back released the day he was
due back from his gay slur suspension.
*Larry Johnson will never get his chance to become the all-time
leading rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs.
With just 75 yards left to conquer, the running back was released
Monday following years of disruptive behavior that culminated in recent days
with a two-week suspension over his use of gay slurs.
"We decided it was in the best interests of the Kansas City Chiefs
organization to move forward at this time," said coach Todd Haley, whose
final decision to cast him aside was not made until early Monday.
"A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful,"
Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press. "There's a lot
of feelings going on right now. It's analogous to breaking up with a
girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens."
Behind a poor offensive line this year, Johnson has gained 2.7 yards
per carry for the Chiefs (1-7) and appeared not to have the quickness and
punishing power that enabled him to rush for more than 1,700 yards in Pro
Bowl seasons in 2005 and '06.
Controversy began surrounding Johnson's tenure in Kansas City on
draft day in 2003, when he showed disappointment over being selected by the
Chiefs instead of his preferred team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2008, then-coach Herm Edwards benched him for three straight games
for violating team rules and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him a
fourth game for violating the league's player-conduct policy.
Johnson was later sentenced to two years' probation after pleading
guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. One woman accused him of
throwing a drink on her and another said he had pushed her head at a Kansas
City night spot.
Last week, an online fan petition was started asking the Chiefs not
to let Johnson become the team's all-time leading rusher - a record running
back Kolby Smith said Johnson had been looking forward to.
"He wanted to get the record, I know that," said Smith, who saw his
first action Sunday after undergoing knee surgery last year. "Whenever
someone has a chance to break a record, it means a lot to them."
MJ'S MOM CHANGES MIND ABOUT SON'S EXECUTORS: Mama Katherine now believes
John Branca and John McClain are just fine.
*Michael Jackson's mother withdrew her objections Tuesday to the
appointment of attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain to
oversee her son's estate, reports the Associated Press.
The surprise announcement came from Katherine Jackson's new probate
attorney Adam Streisand, who said his client felt it was time for the legal
battle to end over the appointment of the two longtime Jackson associates as
executors of the singer's will.
Mrs. Jackson now believes their appointment, as spelled out in her
son's will, can "enhance the legacy of Michael Jackson in the best interest
of his children," Streisand said.
It was Streisand's first major move in the case since he was chosen
last month by Katherine Jackson to replace the team that had represented her
since her son's death in June.
Her original legal team complained that she was not being given
enough of a role in making decisions after her son's death. While they
considered a challenge, the judge allowed the administrators to go forward
with projects including the movie, "This Is It," which brought $60 million
into the estate and became a box office hit. Branca and McClain were
credited as executive producers on the movie.
As previously reported, a 60-page motion filed by Joe Jackson's
attorney, Brian Oxman, accused the administrators of fraud and conflict of
interest. Attorneys for the estate argued that Michael's father is not an
heir to his son's estate and has no legal standing to bring the challenge.
Joe is seeking an allowance to help cover expenses that exceed
$15,000 a month, according to the court documents. His list of expenses
includes $1,200 a month for rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out;
$1,000 for entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and
$3,000 on hotels.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Isiah loses FIU debut; Tiger practice draws thousands; 50's
'Destruct' tops iTunes; Serena's 'Skincare' at CVS.
*Isiah Thomas was unable to win in his debut as head coach of
Florida International's basketball team. Monday's 88-72 loss to No. 6 North
Carolina came on the same day his 86-year-old mother, Mary, had open-heart
surgery in Chicago. He spent Sunday with her, then arrived in Chapel Hill
early Monday for the Golden Panthers' shootaround at the Smith Center. He
said before the game that he expected to return to Chicago on Tuesday. FIU
made headlines when it hired Thomas, who was coming off a tumultuous stint
with the NBA's New York Knicks, to guide a program coming off nine straight
losing seasons.
*Fans in the thousands showed up to see Tiger Woods practice at
Australia's Kingston Heath ahead of the Australia Masters, where he is
making his first appearance on the continent in 11 years. It would seem the
crowded galley was nothing new for Woods, who played before some 7,000
people several days ago in China. "It's not normal," Woods said at his press
conference, which was broadcast live around Australia. "Thank God it's not
normal." In Shanghai last weekend, he started the final round only two shots
behind Phil Mickelson and quickly fell out of contention, finishing in a tie
for sixth as Mickelson won the HSBC Champions. Woods tied for fifth in the
1996 Australian Open at the end of his rookie season, then tied for eighth
in Australian Masters in 1997. His last appearance was the Presidents Cup in
1998, when the International team gave the Americans their only loss.
*50 Cent's new album, "Before I Self Destruct," reached No. 1 on
iTunes' album chart less than 24 hours after its exclusive release through
the online music store. Customers can purchase the album as a deluxe version
with two exclusive tracks and iTunes LP, which includes the 90-minute
coming-of-age film "Before I Self Destruct," written, directed and starring
Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent); the "Two Turntables And A Microphone: The Life
And Death Of Jam Master Jay" documentary about 50 Cent's late mentor and
friend; exclusive photos; lyrics; animated package artwork and more for
$9.99.
*Serena Williams, honored Monday night as one of Glamour Magazine's
2009 "Women of the Year", is working with CVS/pharmacy to feature the new
skincare line Mission, founded by the tennis star along with soccer vet Mia
Hamm and other world class athletes. The line of lip, face, body and sun
care products - released under "Active Lifestyle Skincare Destinations" -
launches in the beauty aisle of more than 5,000 CVS/pharmacy locations
across the country beginning this week. Six new products will be introduced
- Revitalizing Lip Therapy Gel in Peppermint, Mega Balm Antioxidant Lip
Refreshers in Blueberry-Pomegranate and Acai-Lemonade, Replenishing Hand +
Body Moisturizer and Rejuvenating Face Moisturizer.
TWO HARLEM STREETS HONOR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS: A. Philip Randolph Blvd. and
W. E. B. DuBois Ave. introduced Saturday.
*On Saturday, two streets in Harlem were renamed in honor of civil
rights leaders who have ties to the area: A. Philip Randolph and W. E. B.
DuBois.
The New York Times reports that all of 145th Street was named A.
Philip Randolph Boulevard, in honor of the labor and political leader, while
the length of Bradhurst Avenue, running from West 141st Street to 155th
Street, was named W. E. B. DuBois Avenue, after the scholar and writer who
also helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People.
Both legends were longtime residents of Harlem, though neither lived
there when he died. They also did not live on the streets that are named
after them, but "they walked those streets," said Anthony Harmon, the
president of the New York chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. "They
were part of that community."
Randolph helped unionize black workers and led the all-black
International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a significant force in
the civil rights movement.
The street namings, which were pushed largely by the Harlem Historical
Society, were approved by the City Council and signed by Mayor Michael R.
Bloomberg last year.
DuBois died in Accra, Ghana, in 1963, one day before the "I Have a
Dream" speech of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At the time of
Randolph's death in 1979, he had lived in a Chelsea building affiliated with
the International Ladies Garment Workers Union for well over a decade.
EUR FILM REVIEW: Endgame
South African Docudrama Chronicles Demise of Apartheid
Film Review by Kam Williams
*While most people are well aware of the years of civil unrest which led to the demise of Apartheid in 1994, not as many know about the secret talks that simultaneously transpired for almost a decade between the South African government and the African National Congress (ANC), the political party spearheading the independence movement.
Since the racist regime officially opposed the notion of negotiating with terrorists, President P.W. Botha (Timothy West) couldn't let the white minority know that he had, in fact, dispatched an emissary to England to meet with a representative of the outlawed ANC.
A series of clandestine meetings were set up by Michael Young (Jonny Lee
Miller) an executive with Consolidated Goldfields, a British mining company with financial interests in the region and thus a big stake in a smooth transition to majority rule.
So, Young enlisted Professor Will Esterhuyse (William Hurt) to serve as an intermediary between the two warring factions. Esterhuyse reluctantly accepted the assignment and would play a pivotal role in getting ANC leader Thabo Mbeki (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to speak on behalf of imprisoned Nelson Mandela (Clarke Peters) while Dr. Niel Barnard (Mark Strong) did the same for the Boer-Afrikaners.
The ensuing intellectual confrontation is the focus of Endgame, a powerful docudrama directed by Pete Travis (Omagh). Given that the movie revolves mostly around discussions, don't expect much n the way of action and you won't be disappointed. The picture is nonetheless fairly intriguing, especially when presenting the contrast of what politicians were saying in public at a time when they were simultaneously so desperate to cut a deal.
For instance, F.W. de Klerk (Matthew Marsh) is shown arrogantly dismissing Mandela's words as "existential ramblings about universal suffrage," despite being frightened by the escalation of attacks on whites, such as the bombing of a shopping center in Johannesburg which claimed the lives of a number of civilians.
But Mbeki kept his pedal to the medal, making no concessions on equality, insisting that "only when we can fully participate in a democratic process will armed struggle become obsolete." The popular movement ultimately prevailed, of course, which proved to be no mean feat, given that Apartheid enjoyed the military backing of the United States, particularly over the course of the Reagan administration.
Yet, Mbeki, who would later follow Mandela as President, sought reconciliation rather than revenge once the hostilities ceased, saying "If we are to truly win our freedom, we must first banish bitterness," An inspirational tale chronicling the contributions of a few unseen players in the South African struggle for independence.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for violence, profanity and disturbing images.
In English, Afrikaans and Xhosa with subtitles.
Running time: 109 minutes
Studi Monterey Media
To see a trailer for Endgame, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uu2hJ5LI58
FRED HAMMOND’S UNSTOPPABLE PERFORMANCE: Chicago concert to be streamed online.
*Fred Hammond’s recent performance in Chicago, called one of his best in recent years, will be streamed by his label Verity Records so his fans worldwide may view it. This Thursday, Gospel fans worldwide are invited to relive the excitement online as The Fred Hammond Music Experience is streamed at www.verityrecords.com. The stream event will begin and 3 p.m. EST and will include a chat facilitated by Dedry Jones.
"The Experience was definitely one of the best events I’ve ever done," Hammond said in an interview, adding that "It was a great evening and I love that what happened in that one venue will now be available to people around the world."
During the live event there was a line wrapped around the block. A group of tourists from Sweden filled the balcony. Hammond’s latest CD LOVE UNSTOPPABLE is number two on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart and the first single, "They That Wait," is currently #2 at Gospel radio.
MORTGAGING GOD: Churches face same economic crisis.
*The mortgage crisis that has affected millions of homeowners across the country also has swept up some church buildings in its foreclosure grasps. In Miami developers say they plan to tear down a church to make room for more profitable townhouses if somebody doesn’t purchase the property in the next three weeks.
Grand Lutheran Church in Fort Lauderdale closed its doors three years ago. It’s one of a number of religious properties, some of them bank foreclosures, that are plentiful, but stuck in a commercial purgatory, according to the Miami Herald. Potential buyers -- mainly other churches -- are being shunned by lenders due to dwindling collection-plate revenues and fears of having to ``foreclose on God' if the economy deteriorates further.
``It's like selling the family home you grew up in when your parents move to Florida or Alaska,' Ross Agosta told the Herald. She is diocesan spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, adding that ``It's emotionally upsetting. These are places where people got married. They baptized their children there.'
Last month, the Catholic Church there closed down 13 struggling parishes throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Most of those church buildings are now for sale, said Mary Ross Agosta, the diocesan spokeswoman.
The niche market and architectural features of religious properties mean quick sales are tough -- even in good times. Often, churches are located in residential neighborhoods, preventing their sale as commercial property. Moral concerns also limit their use for commercial purposes even when a would-be buyer is found.
INAPPROPRIATE SEX: Pastor accused of using God to get sexual favors.
*The senior pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles is facing a civil lawsuit and allegations that he coerced a junior pastor into a sexual relationship with him. Rev. Brenda Lamothe said she was fired from her position earlier this year after she refused to continue with Dr. John J. Hunter’s sexual demands. And she held a news conference Tuesday to talk about it.
According to reports, Lamonthe filed the lawsuit last week against Hunter. In the suite, Lamothe accused Hunter of coercing her into inappropriate sexual relations. She said Hunter convinced her it was "God’s will" that she comply with demands for sex at the pastor’s church office and in hotels in Southern California, Virginia and North Carolina.
The news conference was held at Lamonthe’s attorney’s office in Encino.
CHARITY IN TURMOIL: Founder fired from the company he started decades ago.
*The founder of Feed the Children international charity has been fired from the organization he started 30 years ago. The board of directors voted last Friday to remove Jones as president "effective immediately," according to The Oklahoman. The directors which records show paid Jones $230,323 a year didn’t give a reason for the decision, but the firing came after Jones admitted to law enforcement that he authorized wire taps in three executives’ offices last April.
"There’s going to be thousands of children going hungry this Christmas because of what they did," Jones, 69, told The Oklahoman, adding that "This is the best two months of the year to raise money, and we’re down like everybody else is down. There’s more hungry children than ever, and they fire me. I was in such shock."
Jones said he will sue to try to get his job back. Jones has been the face of the Oklahoma City-based Christian relief organization. It reports collecting more than $1 billion in donations a year. He and his wife, Frances, were the main fundraisers, making repeated, often heart-wrenching televised pleas for money to help starving children in Africa and elsewhere. The charity has become widely known through the commercials and from celebrities’ support. His wife, Frances, was not fired.
Leadership turmoil Jones has been in a legal dispute with most of the charity’s board and top executives over who is really in charge there. A lawsuit about the power struggle was settled in August when Jones agreed to give up operational control.
SPEAK NO EVIL: Murder victims’ family says Joyce Meyer Ministries partly to blame.
*Joyce Meyer Ministries could become a co-defendant in a civil case against a murder suspect if the victims’ family has their way. But attorneys for the international televangelist told BND.com she nor anyone affiliated with the organization had prior knowledge of anything concerning the murders.
Court records say Meyer’s son traveled with Christopher Coleman and Coleman’s Florida girlfriend, even though the son knew Coleman was married with children. Coleman is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and faces the death penalty in the strangulations of his wife, Sheri Coleman and their two sons ages 11 and 9. They were found May 5 in their Columbia home.
Meyer, her son, Dan, who is the chief executive officer of Joyce Meyer Ministries, the ministries' Webmaster and Mike Cole, one of Christopher Coleman's co-workers are expected to be disposed by the court soon. Court papers say Cole was the first person to intercept threatening e-mails sent last year stating that an anonymous person would kill Coleman and his family unless Meyer stopped preaching. Police investigators, according to court documents, have linked Christopher Coleman to the e-mails as their author. Also Dan Meyer and Coleman were longtime friends.
Sheri Coleman's mother, Angela DeCicco, and her brother, Mario Weiss, filed the wrongful death lawsuit weeks after the murder, and named Joyce Meyer Ministries as a respondent in discovery to obtain information related to the suit. Christopher Coleman remains in the Monroe County Jail without bond.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: Growing Pains
Most people don’t live life to the fullest because they are afraid. They let
fear rob them of life and the joy of living. I don’t want you to be reckless
and foolish, but I do want you to take chances and challenge yourself. If
you’re afraid to take some risks, you will never grow or stretch, or reach
your potential. It will be painful sometimes, but there is no growth without
pain. That’s why they’re called growing pains.
What if you had a baby that was three years old and had not grown since
infancy? You’d take the baby to the doctor. Suppose the baby fell down once
and just stopped trying to walk. You’d know something was wrong because you
know that without falling and getting back up, the baby would never learn
how to walk. We cannot stop trying just because we fall or just because it
is painful. Growth is painful, but it is necessary.
The families of the astronauts that died in the tragic Challenger shuttle
disaster were quoted as saying, ‘‘Do not fear risk; all exploration, all
growth is calculated. Life is filled with challenge. Only those who are
willing to go after those challenges grow. Only if we are willing to walk
over the edge can we become winners.’’ Remember, all things are possible if
you can just believe.
Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every
minute count!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 11: Singer Jon B. is 35.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
AMBERmag is the ultimate online destination for multicultural women
who are seeking specific cosmetics, hair, and skincare truths.
(www.AMBERmag.com).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less)
description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 11, 1831: Nat Turner, leader of a Virginia slave revolt, was
hanged. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
