Headlines

January 23, 2007
*It’s been over a year since author Terry McMillan went on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” to air the pain and bitterness over her ex-husband’s revelation that he is gay – and still there is thick, soupy drama surrounding the former couple’s ugly divorce. *Britain’s “Celebrity Big Brother” has gotten international attention in the past week due to racially-charged comments made by recently ousted British housemate Jade Goody toward Indian film star Shilpa Shetty. But lost in the shuffle was Goody’s comments toward fellow housemate, Jermaine Jackson.

*Tonight at 7:30, BET premieres a new half-hour reality series that follows a group of high school kids and their drama teacher in New Orleans as they prepare to stage a version of the hit Broadway musical and film, “Dreamgirls.” *In an irony to beat all ironies, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has nominated the ABC hit drama “Grey’s Anatomy” for a leading eight awards less than a week after it demanded an apology from show star Isaiah Washington for using a gay slur. *New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, the new owner of a sprawling $5 million home in the Hollywood Hills, is being criticized for his taunting of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and somersault into the end zone during a touchdown run in Sunday’s NFC Championship game.

*At least the Wayans Bros. can say they are receiving attention this award season for their 2006 project, “Little Man.” *More leakage from the cancelled O.

J. Simpson book “If I Did It” has turned up in the new issue of “Vanity Fair” magazine. *BET president Debra Lee and "The Today Show" co-host Matt Lauer will be honored by the Museum of the Moving Image [MOMI] in a black-tie affair to be held April 26 at Gotham's St.

Regis Hotel, reports Variety. January 22, 2007
*Armed with $20,000 in financial aid waiting to bless college freshmen in need, Grammy-winner Alicia Keys says she wants to help out college students who make a point to help others. *Mary J.

Blige is featured in the new Jet magazine addressing a round of rumors that has her on the verge of divorcing husband-manager Kendu Isaacs over infidelity. *The controversy surrounding Isaiah Washington’s comment backstage at the Golden Globe awards continues to pick up steam, with the actor firing his publicist and gay rights groups stating that his apology Thursday afternoon was “too little too late.” *History was made Sunday afternoon when the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts won their respective NFC and AFC championship games.

The Colts beat the New England Patriots 38-34 after being down 21-3 in the 1st quarter. Earlier, the Bears crushed the New Orleans Saints 39-14. By winning, the Colts and Bears, whose head coaches are black, will play each other for the NFL championship in the upcoming Super Bowl.

*Rap duo the Clipse are set to perform at a special preview of Seagram's Live 2007 Music Tour on January 24 at New York's Webster Hall. Presented annually by Seagram's Gin, Seagram's Live 2007 will feature the rap act as headliners with other platinum-selling recording artists and stars-in-the-making, to be announced soon. *Oprah Winfrey is certainly no stranger to attention from the tabloids, but when her own relative was caught selling a personal story about the TV mogul to the biggest rag of all, it proved too much for her to bear.

*It’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” meets “Cape Fear.” A new movie about an LAPD officer who will stop at nothing to force out an interracial couple next door is on the verge of casting Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington in the lead roles.

*The clandestine organization entrusted with deciding whether a film warrants a G, PG, PG-13, R or NC-17 is the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This anonymous group of nine individuals wields an incredible amount of influence, because their decisions essentially determine who will be allowed to see a picture, which in turn influences whether or not it will even end up in theaters. *Fans of “Everybody Hates Chris” can relax.

The CW announced Friday that the sitcom has received an early full pickup order for the 2007-2008 broadcast season. *Borrowing a line from VH1, this has got to be the best week ever for tennis star Serena Williams. *While preparing for his first baby with wife/actress Gina Torres, Laurence Fishburne is close to booking himself some more film work – a new movie set in the world of Las Vegas casinos.

*The body of soul legend James Brown was reportedly transported Thursday from a guarded room at his Beech Island, S.C. mansion to an undisclosed location, reports the Associated Press.

*A man accusing Fox’s KTTV-TV and XXL magazine of falsely linking him to the unsolved murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G.

has had his case thrown out by a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles. *The eclectic singer Bjork, who made headlines when she wore a goose dress to the 2001 Oscars, has enlisted hip hop producer Timbaland to work on her new album; while Kanye West borrows a page from Jay-Z and links with Chris Martin of the alternative group, Coldplay. *Akon’s current album, “Konvicted,” has been certified platinum by the RIAA just five weeks after its release.

The disc debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart at the end of November, and has recently regained the No. 2.

*Golden Globe winner Forest Whitaker joins host Cathy Hughes for an all-new “TV One on One” interview premiering Sunday, Jan. 28 at 9 p.m.

*An Orange County painting company hired to enhance cabinets in Halle Berry’s L.A. crib for $57,000 has reportedly been ordered not to speak to the actress without being spoken to first.

*O.J. Simpson says he wants to offer the father of murder victim Ronald Goldman a “percentage” of any future earnings if he will just agree to stop suing him at every turn.

*The City of Miami Gardens "Jazz in the Gardens" festival is back for its second consecutive year and has expanded to a two-day event, Saturday March 24 and Sunday 25 at Dolphin Stadium, home of the 2007 and 2010 Super Bowls. January 19, 2007
*Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and Chris Tucker are set to star in a new heist flick from director Brett Ratner that aims to put a black twist on the popular “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise. *Less than 24 hours after gay rights group GLAAD called for "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington to apologize for his use of a homophobic slur in reference to gay co-star T.

R. Knight, the actor has responded by issuing a full apology for his actions. *Billionnaire talk show host Oprah Winfrey sits atop Harris Poll’s list of America’s favorite TV personalities for the fifth consecutive year, and ranks No.

1 on Forbes magazine’s inaugural list of "The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment." *Nate Dogg is seeking a legal judgment against his former Death Row boss Marion “Suge” Knight, claiming he’s owed $10 million in unpaid royalties. *During a visit to Japan to promote his current film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Will Smith received props from the country’s Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.

*Four time NBA Champ and now TV host ("Best Damn Sports Show") John Salley is taping a new show called the Great American Sports Challenge. The show is an opportunity to get an audience with a top sports agency and pro basketball team. *When Arden (Toni Collette) stumbles upon the mutilated body of a naked woman lying in a field, little does she know the chain of events that this discovery is about to set into motion.

*A new album from the late funk legend Rick James will be released in early May via Stone City Records, his business manager Ron Kramer confirmed. *One day after Naomi Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting Ana Scolovino with a cell phone, the former maid has decided to go after the supermodel in a civil case, reports Contact Music. *Newly-announced tour dates for Fantasia Barrino will see the “American Idol” winner away from home from Feb.

8 through March 18. The Hitcher (R for profanity, terror, and gory violence) Grisly horror flick about a couple of college kids (Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton) whose Spring Break is ruined by the increasingly menacing hitchhiker (Sean Bean) they repeatedly encounter on their road trip across New Mexico. *Actress/humanitarian Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete, former NFL quarterback and co-host of the Best Damn Sports Show Period, welcome scores of celebrities, athletes and philanthropists to the 2007 EdgeTech Gridiron Glamour on Saturday, Feb.

3 in South Beach, Fla. *Legendary band leader Ray Chew has been named music director of the 2007, BET Celebration of Gospel, while Kiki Sheard will replace Faith Evans in the performance lineup of the program, scheduled to air Jan. 28 at 9 p.

m. ET/PT. *With his last foray into the literary world shut down amidst absolute outrage, O.

J. Simpson now says he’d like to try again, this time penning a non-fiction book about his life with murdered ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson. *Fresh from his Golden Globe win for best actor in a dramatic role, Forest Whitaker has been cast in the upcoming ensemble drama “Winged Creatures,” about a group of survivors from a diner shootout.

*America has spoken, and Denzel Washington stands at the top of this year’s Harris poll of the nation’s favorite movie stars, bumping to second place the winner of the past two years, Tom Hanks. *Go backstage with us on this special Golden Globe edition of the EURcast with full audio from best supporting actor and actress winners Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson of the film "Dreamgirls." *MTV and Sean "Diddy" Combs began a nationwide search Wednesday to find young men for MTV’s returning hit series "Making the Band 4," which will follow the hip hop mogul as he works to launch an all-new boy band.

*Some 37.3 million people tuned in Tuesday night to watch the season premiere of “American Idol,” and it’s probably safe to say that based on the behavior of judge Paula Abdul, all 37.3 million were wondering what was really going on inside of her Coke cup.

*Los Angeles traffic may have prevented him from arriving at the Golden Globe Awards in time to receive his award for best song, but Prince created some serious celebrity gridlock afterwards as stars rushed to attend his post-Globe party at the Forbes Penthouse in Beverly Hills. *Regina King is just beginning her run as the president’s sister on Fox’s new season of “24,” launched this week, but her marriage has sadly come to an end with news that the actress has filed for divorce. *The February 2007 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine features a 48-page keepsake pullout on all things Gerald, including his words, his wit wisdom and even his women.

*Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will co-star with Terence Stamp in the upcoming Warner Bros. film based on the 60s sitcom “Get Smart.” *Despite recent reports of Minister Louis Farrakhan in poor health, a spokesman for the former Nation of Islam leader has announced that he will give a speech at the group’s annual Savior's Day observance at Ford Field on Feb.

25. January 17, 2007
*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. *According to reports, “Dreamgirls” standout Jennifer Hudson appears to be headed for the pages of Vogue magazine.

*Is Brandy’s little brother the first man to be linked romantically to Whitney Houston post-Bobby Brown? *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. *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.

*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. *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.

*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. *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.) *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. *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.

*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. January 16, 2007
*If you've already seen it, you can't be surprised at the wins for "Dreamgirls" at last night's Golden Globes Awards. The acting honors (and congrats) for the flick went out to Eddie Murphy and big screen newcomer Jennifer Hudson.

*In the absence of “Being Bobby Brown,” the Bravo network has come up with another reality show surrounding an entertainer famous for being a bit loopy. *The children of James Brown are hoping to turn his home in Beech, S.C.

into a museum a la Elvis Presley’s Graceland, while gunfire erupted between two friends in Atlanta over an argument about the Godfather of Soul’s height. *Singer Toni Braxton has been dropped from Blackground/Universal Motown and is now suing her ex-manager for convincing her to leave her former label LaFace/Arista, where she made most of her hits. *Embattled football great O.

J. Simpson is defending his unpublished book, ‘If I Did It,’ saying that the chapter that hypothesizes how he would have killed his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman, was created from a ghostwriter’s research and that it is not a confession of sorts. *Friday proved to be another banner day for the film “Dreamgirls,” earning four awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association during its 12th Annual Critics Choice Awards, held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

*This weekend brought two losses in the world of jazz. Bop pianist Alice Coltrane died of respiratory failure at age 69. Tenor saxophonist and seven-time Grammy award winner Michael Brecker also passed away due to complications of leukemia at 57.

Trade publications reported last week that the rapper/producer has teamed with “Curb Your Enthusiasm” executive producer Larry Charles for an as-yet-untitled project that would focus on a day in what is described as “his crazy hectic life.” But, it’s not a reality show. *After his brother, Duron (Chris Brown), was murdered in a street fight over something as silly as dancing, Darnell James Williams, aka DJ, (Columbus Short) is fortunate that his Aunt Jackie (Valerie Pettiford) and Uncle Nate (Harry J.

Lennix) are willing to rescue him from his ghetto in South Central Los Angeles. *"Stomp the Yard" stepped up to the No. 1 position at the box office last weekend with $22 million.

Starring Columbus Short as a dancer at the center of a step competition between rival college fraternities, the Sony Screen Gems movie was able to boot 20th Century Fox's "Night at the Museum" from the top spot, where it had remained for the last three weeks. *Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has been indicted for drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs by an Arizona grand jury, authorities said on Friday. *Soft Beautiful hair care products has recruited actress and fitness expert A.

J. Johnson and life coach and best selling author Valorie Burton as spokespersons for their Soft Beautiful with Curves Healthy Resolutions campaign with national fitness chain Curves. January 12, 2007
*This weekend the film “Stomp the Yard” comes to theaters; a rhythmic flick in the vein of the popular film “Drumline,” but picking up another element of the African American college experience – Greek Organization step shows.

“Stomp the Yard” follows the life of a troubled 19-year-old street dancer named DJ after the death of his younger brother, Duron. *Faith Evans was due to perform on BET’s “Celebration of Gospel” taping next weekend in Los Angeles, but the R B singer had to cancel per doctor’s orders because she is pregnant. *Bravo says it has officially canceled its top-rated reality series “Being Bobby Brown” because not enough viewers were tuning in without the presence of his soon-to-be ex-wife, Whitney Houston.

*Looks like New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd is headed toward a nasty divorce amidst accusations of physical and mental spousal abuse at the hands of his wife, Joumana. *A man has reportedly approached the New York Daily News claiming to have viewed a sex tape of singer Ray-J and Beverly Hills socialite Kim Kardashian, and that it is in the process of being brokered for one million dollars. *Oprah Winfrey has ventured into Barbara Walters territory with a planned ABC primetime Oscar special to air on Feb.

22, the Thursday before the network's broadcast of the 79th annual Academy Awards. *The five-year-old son of the late James Brown was left out of his father’s last will and testament, said attorneys representing the music icon’s estate. *Paparazzi cameras were rolling outside of the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood as actor Anthony Michael Hall, best known for his roles in “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” used the N-word twice while joking around with fans.

Alpha Dog (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity, graphic violence, and pervasive drug use) Grisly bio-pic based on the life and times of teen drug kingpin Jesse James Hollywood (Emile Hirsch), the youngest person ever to land on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list. Cast includes Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis. *The exotic dancer accusing three Duke University lacrosse players of rape changed her story during an interview with investigators in December, stating one of the men did not commit any sex act on her during the alleged attack.

*Rapper N.O.R.

E., formerly known as Noreaga, testified Wednesday on behalf of a defendant on trial in a triple murder case. *All was quiet Thursday on the Rosie/Trump front, but a former host of “The View” suddenly had her name dragged into the drama.

*Rev. Al Sharpton was included in a private meeting Wednesday with the state attorney general of New York to discuss the handling of high-profile cases like the recent police shooting of Sean Bell, the young man shot and killed by police in November. *The Jan.

8 season premiere of VH1’s “I Love New York,” starring two-time “Flavor of Love” runner-up New York in a search of a male companion, has scored the highest debut for a program in the network’s history. *Rapper The Game has beef with a World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler who is using his same stage name, and has challenged the athlete to a fight over the moniker. Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue.

(It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE.