BACKSTAGE AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES: Isaiah Washington goes off again; ‘Dreamgirls,’ ‘Betty’ stars humbled.
*After their acceptance speeches, most of the winners and presenters of 2007 Golden Globe awards took time out to face the press backstage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, including “Dreamgirls” stars Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson.
But it was the “Grey’s Anatomy” cast and their drama surrounding the widely publicized on-set fight between Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey that nearly overshadowed the evening.
When a question was asked about the altercation over their gay co-star T.R. Knight, Washington reportedly snapped: "No, I did not call T.
R. a faggot. It never happened.
"
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “the crowd gasped, and the rest of the press briefing was spent watching Sandra Oh trying to keep Knight from bolting the platform as he clearly was miffed by the comment.” Other than that, winners commented on their Globe victories without incident. “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes denied reports that she rules the set with an iron fist.
"I rule with a diamond fist," she quipped, showing off the huge diamond she wore to the show. Rhimes said she didn’t expect for her show to win best TV drama, but the honor was particularly meaningful in that it occurred on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
She told reporters: "It didn't run through our minds that we would win tonight. I've been telling the entire cast that we shouldn't win tonight so they should drink a lot of champagne and have a good time. I don't think we thought about it until we were on our way up to there.
"
• Jennifer Hudson said her best supporting actress win for “Dreamgirls” has inspired her to continue acting: "Last year at this time, I wasn't sure I was an actress, but this now gives me the confidence to continue." • Best supporting actor winner Eddie Murphy of “Dreamgirls” promised reporters that he wouldn’t resume his ill-fated singing career following his role as fading recording artist James Thunder Early. "That's pretty much dead," he said.
"Then I would be getting joked about on the late night shows. 'Party All The Time II' will not be happening." As for acting, Murphy said Hollywood treats its aging actresses in the same way Early was disregarded in his latter years.
"Actors get to go much longer. Look at Sean Connery; he's still an action star. But I'm a minority, too.
It's tough on black folks in this town as well." • Jamie Foxx, who won a Globe two years ago for his turn in "Ray," said that this time around he was happy to celebrate the wins for his "Dreamgirls" co-stars Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. "I'm going to say this: I had a great time when it was my time, but it is their time now.
And it is so great to be able to see them doing their thing." • "Dreamgirls" producer Laurence Mark praised his talented cast: I really don't believe in the past 25 years there has been a better cast. Then at the 11th hour Jennifer Hudson came along.
Thank God for Jennifer Hudson. …The thing about Jennifer Hudson is she brings a certain authenticity to the role, she knows who Effie is," and besides, he added. "You can see from 'Gods and Monsters' and 'Kinsey' that [director Bill Condon (BC)] he has a way with performers.
With someone like BC on the case, hire a neophyte and he'll get the goods out of her." • After seeing “Dreamgirls” one day, "Gideon's Daughter" star Emily Blunt said she knew she wasn't going to win the supporting actress Globe for "The Devil Wears Prada." She told reporters: "I saw Jennifer Hudson in 'Dreamgirls,' who just tore up the screen.
When I saw Jennifer, my friend turned to me in the cinema and was like, ‘Yeah, good luck next Monday.' " • Forrest Whitaker, rendered speechless after winning best actor for “The Last King of Scotland,” explained to the press backstage: "It was like a jolt of lightning," said Forest Whitaker of hearing his name announced as best actor in a drama. "Kiss my wife, go up onstage, then mumble around.
" Regarding his acting, Whitaker said: "I've just figured out over the last few years how to do my best work. For me, I'm really striving to play the truth in my characters, I'm just figuring out how to be enveloped by my characters. It's about the truth.
If I can get that vibration right, I'll be happy. Hopefully in five years I'll be saying to you guys, I just figured something out." • First time Globe winner America Ferrera of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” had audience members in tears during her poignant acceptance speech.
Backstage, she said of the experience: "To be able to get up on that stage and be welcomed by that community was wonderful. This is the culmination of so many things. What I love most about being recognized is that we set out to tell a story and to change what TV looks like.
To see that we've succeeded and changed the way we look at ourselves and the way we look at other people is gratifying. It's what's most important."
NEXT STOP FOR JENNIFER HUDSON - VOGUE: Magazine’s resident diva, Andre Leon Talley, dispatched to work with budding superstar.
*According to reports, “Dreamgirls” standout Jennifer Hudson appears to be headed for the pages of Vogue magazine.
Gossip columnist Liz Smith said J-Hud recently completed the photo shoot with Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, himself, overseeing the entire session. Smith said original Supreme Mary Wilson was also part of Hudson’s photo spread, and the two met for the first time during the shoot.
Word has it that Hudson’s camp called on the fashion expertise of Talley soon after she was announced as a Golden Globe nominee.
“To wind, up Mary signed a copy of her own book "Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme" to the enthusiastic talented Oscar-hopeful Jennifer,” Liz wrote in her column for Tuesday.
WHITNEY RAY-J?
AW HELL TO THE NAW: Rumors fly after pictures surface of pair on dinner date in Beverly Hills.
*Is Brandy’s little brother the first man to be linked romantically to Whitney Houston post-Bobby Brown?
Paparazzi photos of the two leaving a dinner date together at Maestro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills Sunday night have sparked rumors that the two are seeing each other, despite an 18-year age difference.
Witnesses say they were “getting cozy” while enjoying drinks after dinner.
Ray J, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., is still caught up in recent rumors that his supposed ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian is trying to sell a sex tape with the R B singer through a third-party broker.
*Getting Beyonce to learn enough Spanish to sing the Latin version of her current chart-topper “Irreplaceable” proved to be a delight for producer/songwriter Rudy Perez, who was hired for the job following his successful stints recording Spanish versions of hits with Christina Aguilera and Il Divo. Perez spoke to Billboard about the challenge:
PEREZ: I have it all written out in phonetics. We read the lyrics together, and I tell her exactly what she's saying.
Even if you don't explain it, she'll ask you because she's very meticulous. So she knows that if the phrase is largate, it means "get the hell out of my face." She says it with that same emotion.
I worked hard in trying to find the least amount of troubling words. For example, "to the left." How the hell do you say "to the left" in Spanish?
A la izquierda, a la izquierda? That doesn't fit the music. It's an awkward word, and it didn't make sense.
So I wrote, "Ya lo ves, ya lo ves." It's not exactly the same as the English, but it has the emotion and it has the concept of the whole English lyric, but perfectly done in Spanish where a Latin person from Argentina or Costa Rica can understand the story and identify with it. And yet I took some risk.
Imprescindible, sustituirse . . .
these are hard words, but she pulled it off. I'm a singer myself. I'll sit there and sing it to her and give her a bunch of little tricks.
Like, "Don't think of it as four words separated. Think of this as one word up to here."
I did this exercise with her, "Erre con erre cigarro, erre con erre barril, rapido corren los carros.
" She'd be laughing, and I'm like, "Beyonce, trust me, do this." She stands there literally sometimes six hours nonstop in front of the microphone trying to get this right. That's why she's a superstar.
I still haven't gotten somebody that I say, "This guy just can't sing in Spanish." (The key is) getting the superstar to take the time and not come in and say, "I'm only going to give you 15 minutes." Well, you know what?
You can't do it like that. You've got to take the time. And Beyonce gave me all the time.
JAMIE FOXX DEFENDS USE OF N-WORD: Actor explains his stance during Atlantic City standup gig.
*The N-word is not for white people to use under any circumstance, explained Jamie Foxx during a set at the Borgata in Atlantic City Sunday night, however, black people should not be banned from using it among each other, he told the crowd. "I'm an Oscar winner, but I'm a ni**a, too.
” Foxx said, according to the New York Daily News. Recalling the Michael Richards N-word tirade at the Laugh Factory in November, Foxx continued: "He was just calling us ni**er like it was the '50s! Ni**er, ni**er, with a 'e-r.
' Then they said we can't use the word ni**a anymore. That's my sh*t. I need it .
.. I need the word to describe certain things, because at a certain level of excitement, I need to tell you how the sh*t was, and there ain't no other word that helps me say that better than that word.
…White people, you can't use it. ..
. I would have booked his ass."
During the gig, Foxx went on to talk about O.
J. Simpson, Prince, Oprah, Angelina Jolie, and even his “Dreamgirls” co-star Eddie Murphy.
"Eddie Murphy wears leather pants that are too small and nobody says anything about it," he reportedly said.
• On Janet Jackson: "She whispered her entire album. I said, 'What's wrong with my speakers?' " • On O.
J.: "O.J.
be everywhere, like he still in style, like he got a hot record album. He has no remorse and he crazy. .
.. He arrogant.
What is he doing? Every black person is saying, 'You already got away; don't dance in the end zone!' " • On Angelina Jolie: "You famous when you can just go over to another country and pick up some kids like you're shopping for vegetables.
I wish she was adopting when I was coming up. I would have breast-fed till I was 37." • On Oprah: "They say I [sleep with] everybody.
So, I'm layin' in bed with Oprah. I lean over to Gayle and say, 'Don't believe this sh*t. It's just between us three!
' "
BARACK OBAMA MAKES IT OFFICIAL: Senator takes first step in making himself eligible for 2008 presidential run.
2008, Sen. Barack Obama has taken the first official step in entering the presidential race by filing papers Tuesday that will allow him to raise money and hire staff for his campaign.
According to Reuters, the 45-year-old freshman star from Illinois will make an official announcement about his candidacy in his hometown of Chicago on February 10.
"Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions," Obama said in a video message announcing his bid.
"We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans."
Obama is the fifth Democrat to announce plans for a 2008 run, and would become the first black president in U.S.
history if elected. The Democrat said he would spend the next few weeks listening to voters and learning about "the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together." "A change in our politics can only come from you; from people across our country who believe there's a better way and are willing to work for it," he said.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who has not said whether she will try to become the nation’s first woman president, has promised an announcement soon. *The last will and testament of James Brown, which excludes his longtime partner Tomi Rae Hynie and their 5-year-old son, was reportedly drawn up 10 months before the boy was born and never amended.
Signed on Aug. 1, 2000 – the will also predates Hynie’s “marriage” to Brown by more than a year, Strom Thurmond Jr., Brown's probate attorney in Aiken, S.
C., told The Augusta Chronicle.
The will had not been updated since Brown and Hynie exchanged nuptials in December 2001, or since the birth of James Brown Jr.
six months earlier, on June 11. The validity of the marriage itself has been a source of contention between Hynie and Brown’s lawyers, who say she can not be Brown's widow because she was still married to another man when they said their vows. They have said Hynie later annulled her previous marriage, but she and Brown never remarried.
As previously reported, Brown’s will calls for his personal effects to be divided equally among his six adult children.
NAOMI CAMPBELL PLEADS GUILTY TO ASSAULT: Model sentenced to community service for cell phone beatdown of former maid.
*Naomi Campbell must perform five days of community service in New York after pleading guilty to the assault of her former housekeeper with a cell phone.
The one-time supermodel showed up at Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday in black pants, a gray tweed double-breasted jacket and dark sunglasses to receive her sentence, as well as a $363 fine and court orders to pay the victim’s medical bills and attend anger management classes.
Campbell, 36, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault for throwing a cell phone at 42-year-old Ana Scolavino during a fight over a pair of jeans at her Manhattan home. Prosecutors said in court documents that the phone left a gash in the back of Scolavino’s head that required four staples to close.
Campbell’s assault rap sheet does not end there. In June, a second maid, Gaby Gibson, said the runway queen struck her in the head. She has also filed a civil lawsuit accusing Campbell of personal injury, employment discrimination, civil assault and battery.
In July, former assistant Amanda Black also sued Campbell, saying she was subjected to a series of "verbal, physical and emotional attacks" by the British model shortly after she was hired by her in February of 2005. In October, Campbell was arrested in London on suspicion of assault after a woman alleged she had been attacked at a London residence. Campbell's spokesman said the model had done nothing wrong and there had been a misunderstanding.
In February 2000, she pleaded guilty in a Canadian court for assaulting another former assistant with a telephone. In that case she paid the assistant an undisclosed amount of money and attended anger management classes.
In non-assault-related Naomi news, the catwalk diva has reportedly fired her manager of 15 years, Carole White, in a bid to leave her troubled past behind and start fresh in 2007.
A source tells Britain's The Daily Telegraph: "She is to start work as a roving reporter for GQ magazine, among other projects. She is also signing up to a global agent who is behind some of the biggest names in showbusiness."
R.
KELLY DROPS CHALLENGE TO GUARDHOUSE LAWSUIT: Singer agrees to pay community more than $20,000 to settle code-violations.
*R. Kelly has decided to end his legal challenge to a lawsuit over the building of a guard shack on his property outside of Chicago.
The village of Olympia Fields had sued the singer for beginning construction on the guardhouse against town rules, and without first obtaining the proper permits. Kelly challenged the lawsuit, claiming an exception to their “no guardhouse” rule should be made in his case because he’s “a nationally known, Grammy Award-winning recording artist."
But the Grammy-winning Chicago native, whose real name is Robert Kelly, has decided to drop his legal challenge and pay the community more than $20,000 to cover attorney fees and code-violation fines, reports the Associated Press.
"Robert Kelly wants to be a good neighbor," said John Touhy, his attorney.
The guardhouse in question has been torn down, and the village has, in turn, dropped its lawsuit. Village President Linzy Jones, also one of Kelly’s neighbors, says their legal action was never personal, and even gave the artist props for his recent Christmas decorations.
"He had streams of lights running up and down the roof of this huge house, lights on the trees, all kinds of stuff," Jones told AP. "It was spectacular."
Kelly is currently awaiting trial in Cook County on 14 counts of child pornography after prosecutors said he videotaped himself having sex with an underage girl.
He has pleaded not guilty.
CASTING SCHEDULED FOR ARETHA FRANKLIN PLAY: Auditions for musical to begin in May in Southfield, Mi.
*Pre-production for an autobiographical musical production about the life of Aretha Franklin is in full swing, with auditions for the play set for three days in the spring.
“From These Roots,” to be produced by the Queen of Soul herself, will hold open calls on May 1, 2 and 3 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.
m. at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel in Southfield, MI (25100 Northwestern Highway).
The musical is scheduled to open in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit, MI.
, and then move on to a string of select major cities before setting its sights on Broadway.
Like the book upon which the play is based, “From These Roots” will chronicle Aretha’s early beginnings from the New Bethel Baptist Church to the top of the gospel circuit, to the forefront of the soul revolution after signing to Atlantic Records, to the top of the R B and pop charts. The parts being auditioned are listed below.
Please refer to the photographs in Aretha’s book, “From These Roots”, to make sure you resemble the character that you are auditioning for. Also, please have a non-returnable resume, 8” by 10” photograph, CD, DVD or video tape to leave behind with the producers and designated reps. You may bring your own DAT/CD or cassette or use the piano accompanist if you bring your own sheet Aretha – 10-years-old – The gospel years – Please prepare 3 gospel selections, two slow - one uptempo Aretha – 15 to 20-years-old – The late gospel/early R B years – Please prepare both a gospel selection as well as an R B selection Aretha – 23 to 29-years-old – The foxy R B years – Please prepare an R B selection Reverend C.
L. Franklin (Aretha’s father) – 40 to 50-years-old Vaughn Franklin (Aretha’s brother) - 19-years-old, 30-years-old, 40-years-old Cecil Franklin (Aretha’s brother) Erma Franklin (Aretha’s sister) – 14-years-old, 24-years-old, 33-years-old Carolyn Franklin (Aretha’s baby sister) Cousin Brenda (Aretha’s cousin) – 30 to 37-years-old Ruth Bowen (Aretha’s longtime manager) – 23 to 30-years-old Ruth Bowen (Aretha’s longtime manager) – 43 to 50-years-old LaRue Mann (Aretha’s longtime wardrobe mistress) 23 to 30-years-old LaRue Mann (Aretha’s longtime wardrobe mistress) 43 to 50-years-old
***If you are interested in auditioning or participating in FROM THESE ROOTS and are not available on the audition dates, please send a non-returnable resume, 8” by 10” photograph, CD, DVD or video tape t
*You know a movie must have been mediocre when you enjoy the closing credits the best. This is the case with Gridiron Gang, what is supposed to be a heartwarming bio-pic about the exploits of a real-life role model.
The film is based on a documentary of the same name released in 1993, which chronicled the admirable efforts of Sean Porter, a counselor at a California juvenile detention center, to use football as a means of transforming felons into upstanding citizens.
The film stars The Rock as Porter who, with the help of an able-bodied assistant (Xzibit), first cuts his motley m lange of miscreants down to size by telling them who’s boss. Then, mixing a combo of pep talk, intimidation and psychobabble, he infuses the misunderstood kids with some self-esteem while whipping them into game shape.
The problem with the movie is that it relies on virtually every stale staple of the sports genre en route to its transparent payoff. So, instead of sitting on the edge of your seat, don’t be surprised to find yourself yawning by the time the big game arrives.
It’s unfortunate that what was undoubtedly an inspirational story could end up onscreen as such a been-there done-that hack job.
As mentioned, the picture’s saving grace are the gratuitous shots of Sean Porter himself and some of his appreciative, teary-eyed players spliced in at the end. Trust me, their brief appearances turn out to be more poignant than the paint-by-numbers production which preceded.
Rated PG-13 for profanity, ethnic slurs, violence and mature themes.
*Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers were honored a leading eight times Saturday night during the Stellar Awards, which pays tribute annually to artists within the black gospel genre.
The group won artist of the year, while their albums – "Finale: Act One" and "Finale: Act Two" – said to be their last albums before parting ways – also picked up awards during the ceremony at Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry House.
Natalie Cole presented gospel favorites The Clark Sisters with the Chevrolet most notable achievement award, while veteran singer Myron Butler received best new artist for his run with the group Levi.
Butler also received the male vocalist of the year award, and Dorinda Clark-Cole won for female vocalist. Isaiah D. Thomas won song of the year for "I Will Bless The Lord.
" CeCe Winans' "Purified" album picked up an award for contemporary female vocalist. R B star Patti LaBelle received a standing ovation before performing a cut from her new album, "The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle."
EUR VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Madtv puts its spin on the hit movie musical 'Dreamgirls.
'
If YOU'D like to submit a video that you think is worthy, please send the link or file to and we'll check it out.
Today's vide Madtv presents: 'Dreamgirls,' the parody. Check it out here:
NAACP THEATRE AWARD NOMINEES NAMED: Isaiah Washington, Loretta Devine among talent on hand Tuesday for announcement.
*Laurence Fishburne and Ted Lange are among the nominees announced Tuesday for the 17th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards, to be held Monday, February 19, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theatre in Los Angeles (7920 Sunset Blvd.
)
Isaiah Washington (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Loretta Devine (“Dreamgirls”), Vanessa Williams (“Soul Food”), Terri J. Vaughn (“Daddy’s Little Girls”) and “TV One Access Hollywood” co-host Jamal Munnerlyn were on hand to make the announcements. Usher Raymond, who starred on Broadway in the hit musical “Chicago,” was named as the recipient for the group’s Spirit Award.
The star-studded gala is produced by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP and aims to acknowledge the many contributions of African Americans in theater. This year’s selected theme, “Imitation of Life,” celebrates the evolution of the portrayal of African Americans in theater – from unrealistic, stereotypical caricatures to a more balanced and honest reflection of the black experience as a whole.
Ticket prices are $200, $125 and $75.
For ticket purchases or more information, visit or call (323) 464-7616.
RAPPERS PUSH IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL: Jim Jones, Bay Area artists launch separate efforts to stress education.
*Rapper Jim Jones has joined forces with Entertainers 4 Education Alliance (E4EA) to present the "Achieve Your Dreams Poetry Contest," which aims to convince at-risk kids in New York City to graduate from high school.
Scheduled for Jan. 24 at the Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem, six finalists will be chosen to recite their poems to the artist regarding the importance of realizing dreams. The winner will receive a stipend to cover the purchase of books during their freshman year of college and a summer internship with Jones.
"I am very excited about this event; we received hundreds of poem submissions from students from around the city and narrowed it down to the finalists," Jones said. "I just want students to know that they can be anything they want to be if they believe they can. I am happy that I can make a difference.
" Busta Rhymes, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Russell Simmons, Fredro Starr and Remy Ma are among the artists scheduled to attend the event.
*Meanwhile, Bay area rappers Keak Da Sneak, Mistah Fab, Federation and Jacka are among a group of artists appearing on a new charity single to raise money for eight local schools.
The collective – also including Erase E, Mugzi, Hoodstarz and Mac N AK – is known as the Bay Area Rappers Care (B.A.R.
C.) coalition. Together, their single “Stay in School” hopes to raise money for books, educational materials and canceled programs in the area.
“I now have kids myself and even as a teacher, I see the problem first hand," said rapper Kontac, who is also a teacher in East Palo Alto. "With the help of these concerned rappers and this music, we can set new goals and once again be optimistic about our educational goals.”
SHAR JACKSON STILL DEFENDING K-FED: Biggest cheerleader for Britney’s ex says he’ll come through divorce stronger.
*As long as people continue to ask Shar Jackson about the father of her children, rap hopeful Kevin Federline, the actress will keep defending his character against disparaging attacks from the media, rap fans, and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Britney Spears.
"He's a trouper," Jackson, who has two children with Federline, tells People. "He knows that everything in life is an experience and you learn from it and then you get past it.
I'm not worried about him." Jackson says K-Fed is a great dad to their kids Kori, 4, and Kaleb, 2.
"If you said his name right now, Kori would go crazy.
That's the love of her life," Jackson said. "He was there for her every minute of her life until, you know, we weren't together anymore. He did everything for her so I guess that's why.
" As for Jackson's relationship with Federline, she says: "It's not really hard (to be good parents) because we were friends even before we were romantic and we were friends through being romantic and there was no reason to change that." Meanwhile, Jackson is currently working on an album, which may see the light of day as soon as this summer. “It took a while to get to this point, but now I'm extremely happy about it.
”
FILM/TV BITS: ABC’s ‘Raisin’; TMZ on TV; ‘Sopranos’ in April; Joyce Uchenna to ‘Race’ again; LL in NFL ad; Brangelina in New Orleans.
*ABC’s adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's “Raisin in the Sun” has been pushed back from a fall 2007 premiere to spring 2008, network execs revealed Sunday at the Television Critics Association Tour. As previously reported, the film will star Broadway cast members Sean Combs, Sanaa Lathan and Tony Award winners Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad, as well as Bill Nunn, Ron Cephas Jones, Sean Patrick Thomas and John Stamos.
Domestic Television Distribution to launch a sister entertainment program on Fox-owned stations nationwide. The half-hour show, titled "TMZ," will air weekdays with a one-hour weekend version. The deal also calls for Fox stations to provide TMZ.
com content on their Web sites. *HBO announced it will begin the final nine episodes of its popular mob-drama “The Sopranos” and a new season of “Entourage” back-to-back on April 8th. The drama’s sixth and final season will be written and directed entirely by the show’s creator and executive producer David Chase.
*Ben Affleck is reportedly selling the $300,000 Bentley given to him by his ex-fianc e, Jennifer Lopez as a gift during their relationship. According to In Touch magazine, the actor is shopping the car around to private collectors to avoid the media publicity of a big auction. Sources say he will donate the proceeds from the sale to a children's hospital in his native Boston, Mass.
*Former “Amazing Race” winners Joyce and Uchenna will return to the reality show competition for an all-star season to begin Sunday Feb. 18 on CBS. The million-dollar couple will face their chief season 7 rivals Rob and Amber, as well as popular teams Charla and Mirna, coalminers David and Mary Conley (“Kentucky”) and seven other all-star teams.
*LL Cool J is among the celebrities set to star in a new Super Bowl ad for the NFL Network. The rapper-actor-author-producer will appear along with Martha Stewart, Paris Hilton and others. According to TMZ, the NFL Network denied a request from Britney Spears to star in the spot, stating “she’s too much of a train wreck.
”
*Brangelina have reportedly purchased a home in New Orleans and plan to enroll their two older kids in school there. According to Us Weekly, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie moved to the Big Easy on Jan. 11 and have purchased a $3.
5 million, six-bedroom mansion in the city's French Quarter. "We love it there," Jolie told the magazine of their fourth home during the red carpet of Monday’s Golden Globes. "The kids are going to go to school there.
We're really looking forward to it." The couple hopes to raise awareness for the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast region.
DVD BITS: ‘Jeffersons’ season 6; ‘24’ season 6 premiere; ‘George Lopez’ seasons 1 and 2.
*The complete sixth season of “The Jeffersons” will be available in a three-disc DVD set on March 27 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. In the set’s 24 digitally remastered episodes, George and Weezy become grandparents when Lionel and Jenny have a baby girl. Florence joins a dating service when her biological clock begins to tick, Weezie sees a costumed assailant commit a murder on Halloween and then becomes his intended victim, and George receives an award as a small business owner – only it’s for his stature, not his business acumen.
A spin-off of the wildly successful “All in the Family,” The Jeffersons debuted as a CBS mid-season replacement on January 18, 1975.
*In case you missed the two-day, four-hour season premiere of Fox’s “24” on Sunday and Monday, all four episodes are now available in a special DVD package from Fox Home Entertainment. Retailing for $14.
98, the “24: Season Six Premiere DVD” also comes with an exclusive sneak preview featuring the never-before-seen first 12 minutes of what's in store for Jack Bauer in Episode Five - one week before it airs on television.
*Coming to DVD this spring is “George Lopez: the Complete First and Second Seasons.” The four-disc collector's set – complete with 28 episodes, as well as exclusive bonus material – is due on April 17, which also serves as the current season finale.
SPORTS BITS: Webber in Detroit; Willis stays in Fla.; Ali snacks; O.J.
and ‘Superhead.'
*NBA star Chris Webber returns to his hometown of Detroit after committing to sign with the Pistons following his dismissal from the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. "Joining the Pistons will allow me the opportunity to play the game I love in my hometown of Detroit surrounded by my family," Webber said Monday.
Philly ended up buying out the final 1 1/2 years of his contract, which called for him to make nearly $21 million this season and $22 million next season. According to a source involved in the negotiations, Webber will sign a prorated contract for the veterans' minimum to play with Detroit the rest of this season. The source added that Webber was able to get out of his 76ers contract by agreeing to give $2 million to the Sixers this season and $2 million next season.
*Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis will remain with the team after signing a one-year contract Monday worth $6.45 million, according to mlb.com.
The 25-year-old’s deal is an increase of $2.1 million over his 2006 salary, thereby avoiding salary arbitration with the National League club. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year was married in December and reportedly anxious to stay in the Florida area for at least one more season.
*Muhammad Ali is lending his famous nickname, “Greatest Of All Time” (G.O.A.
T.), to a new snack food aimed at the college crowd of 18-to-24-year olds. Produced in conjunction with Mars, Inc.
through a company called "G.O.A.
T.," the product was introduced at five college campuses on Wednesday, coinciding with Ali's 65th birthday. The snacks, which include fruit crumbles, crunchy mixes and flavored crisps, are given boxing-related names such as Rumble, Shuffle and Jabs; and are shaped like boxing gloves, medicine balls, ropes, speed bags and body shields.
The flavors include "Fruit Fight," "Thrill-A-Dill-A" and "Slammin' Salsa." The snacks will first go on sale at Georgia Tech, Texas A M, the University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State and Yale. Twenty more colleges could be added by the beginning of February, with new flavors rolling out every few months.
*A new book from the founder of the Fubu fashion line reveals how O.J. Simpson once crashed a video shoot that his company was doing.
“Karrine Steffans was on the set dancing up a storm, and Ludacris had a chain with handcuffs on them, and O.J. started really getting into it, rubbing up against Karrine, putting the handcuff necklace on, really mugging it up for our cameras,” Fubu founder and CEO Daymond John told the New York Daily News.
“He started talking about how he knew handcuffs really well." But John scrapped the footage, realizing it wouldn't look good to be promoting products with a suspected double murderer in the picture.” John said he had to nix a photo shoot for a fragrance from Fubu called Plush after participant R.
Kelly was brought up on child porn charges.
THEATER BITS: Dule Hill in Baraka’s ‘Dutchman’; Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ coming to Broadway?; Vereen and Carroll at Feinstein’s.
*Dul Hill of "The West Wing" and the original Broadway cast of “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk” star in the Cherry Lane Theatre's revival of Amiri Baraka's “Dutchman,” which began Tuesday (Jan. 16) and runs through Feb. 10.
Bill Duke directs the Obie Award-winning play, in which "a white woman seduces a na ve, bourgeois black man on the train with terrifying results," according to a release. Baraka first staged the play at Cherry Lane in 1964. Cherry Lane is at 38 Commerce Street off Seventh Avenue.
For tickets call (212) 989-2020, ext. 21. For more information visit .
*August Wilson's “Radio Golf,” which began performances Jan. 13 at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, may soon score a run at Broadway's Cort Theatre, according to both The New York Times and Variety. Running through Feb.
18 at the Goodman's Albert Theatre, the late Wilson's work ends his 10-play cycle about the 20th century African-American experience and was completed by the playwright only months before his death in 2005.
*Ben Vereen and Diahann Carroll will be a part of the winter-spring 2007 season at Feinstein's at the Regency — the posh cabaret located within New York’s Regency Hotel. “An Intimate Evening with Ben Vereen,” featuring songs from his Broadway outings as well as a tribute to the late Sammy Davis, Jr.
, will be offered at Feinstein's Feb. 6-17. The season will continue with Diahann Carroll (March 6-17), Jackie Mason (April 10-21) and Linda Eder (May 1-12).
Feinstein's at the Regency is located in Manhattan at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. For reservations call (212) 339-4095 or visit .
by Jason M.
Gracia News that is sure to motivate you to do the things you have always wanted to do and be. And how can I be sure of this news without knowing your particular goal? Because it is something that all goals share.
It doesn't matter what you want, you can use today's idea to give you a powerful boost in confidence and motivation.
And it's quick and easy to do.
You probably don't realize it, but you are wearing the secret to success at this very moment.
It's true. You can discover it by looking down at your shirt sleeve. Go ahead, look down.
Can you see it?
The same law of success can be found on your bookshelf, in Egypt, and even on the top of your head.
Let me help you out.
Your sleeve may seem to be a solid piece of material, but taking a closer look will show you hundreds of smaller strands woven together.
That heavy book on your bookshelf is no different. It's a combination of thin pages stitched together.
The great pyramids in Egypt are awe-inspiring and overwhelming, but as you know they are made from bringing together thousands of smaller pieces.
And your thick head of hair? You guesses it.
Thousands of single hairs brought together to create your signature style.
What does all this have to do with your goals?
Your shirt, books, pyramids, and hairstyles hold the key to helping you get and stay motivated to achieve everything you want.
And the secret they hold is this:
Success, no matter how immense or overwhelming it may seem from afar, is a matter of small, simple steps.
Most people take a look at a successful business, sports team, or family and believe it happened overnight. 'Those people were just born lucky.
'
They couldn't be more wrong.
If you could go back in time and watch over the shoulder of a great and worthy success you would find a man or woman following a series of small steps every day that would combine to create something amazing.
A phone call, a letter, an afternoon meeting, a hug.
..these are the things that lead to powerful and lasting success.
Before we get to the specifics of what you can do with your goal, I want to mention an important note about goals and success. Namely, what if you don't know what you want?
It's such a frustrating situation to know you want happiness but not know how to make it happen.
If you would like to work through a series of insightful and eye-opening exercises to help you uncover your goals and live an exciting and happy life, visit .
Jan. 17: Actor James Earl Jones is 76.
Boxer Muhammad Ali is 65. Actor Naveen Andrews (“Lost”) is 38.
The folks at this site say if you want to hear "real music" such as Dwele, Lina, and more, check them out here: .
You'll find yourself embraced by an extended family.
Jan. 17, 1978: NASA names Dr.
Ronald McNair for a space mission.
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