Entertainment 4-1-1 Week of 7/13/08

The family of Dr. Martin Luther King is in turmoil, and Dexter King is at the center of the controversy. Dexter is being sued by his brother and sister, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King. They have accused their brother of stealing money from The King Foundation. Dexter says Hey, Wait A Minute! I'm No Thief! He says he is shocked by the lawsuit, and that this is a private matter that should stay private. Dexter has been involved with the foundation for many years. He has tried his hand at acting and pursuing a music career, but he has never held a steady job. He is currently living in Malibu, California, one of the most expensive residential areas in the country. Where is the money coming from to fund this kind of lifestyle? This is what his family wants to know: where is the money coming from for Dexter's Playhouse? Millions of dollars are at stake. If it's found that money has been misspent, the donations for The King Foundation could dry up. The past few years have been tough for The King Family. Their mother, Coretta Scott King, died two years ago, and their sister, Yolanda, passed away last year. One bright spot for the family was the birth of Martin III and his wife's daughter. After being publicly embarrassed, will Dexter relinquish control, and will the family ever be close again?

Singer Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is spread through contact with infected blood. The 58-year singer found out about her condition through a routine exam. In a recent interview, she admitted she probably became infected during her days of drug use. Cole battled a serious drug problem years ago. One time during a heroin binge, she almost overdosed. The past few years have proven to be life changing for the singer as she overcame her demons and put her life back together. She is currently on medication as she deals with fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration.
What is the secret behind the marital success of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith? In a recent interview with a UK magazine, Will says their 11-year marriage is a success because they have an open marriage. Will is quoted as saying that it's okay to have sex with someone other than your spouse as long as your spouse is aware of it. He says he won't do anything if Jada doesn't approve. Can you believe this? The Smiths are the parents of three children. Jada is the stepmother to Will's oldest child. Rumors about their love life have been going around for years, and now Will is admitting it.

Al Reynolds says he still loves his soon to be ex-wife Star Jones. Reynolds recently posted a YouTube interview that he conducted himself, and he talked about Star. He admitted he still loves his wife, and he won't trash her. Reynolds says he and Star simply grew apart. He admits things started unraveling when she went to work for Court TV, and he started teaching in Miami. Reynolds addresses the gay issue. He says he is not gay. He states these rumors have damaged his professional reputation. He admits he has not talked to Star since she filed for divorce, and he is not dating anyone. Why would Reynolds make a statement now? Word has it he has developed a friendship with Prophetess Juanita Bynum. He is still a married man. If he is friends with Bynum, he is going to have to be careful. She's divorced, but since he's married, it's not a good look.

What's going with Don Cornelius? The 72-year old creator of the popular Soul Train TV series recently sold the brand name and licensing rights for the show. Cornelius made millions, and now he is spending the money like crazy. Cornelius loves the ladies, and the women he is hanging with love to spend his money. These women range from blondes to brunettes. They all have one thing in common: they are all younger than him. His friends feel as though he is acting like an old fool, and if he keeps spending his money on young ladies, it will all be gone.

Congrats to Singer Erykah Badu. She is expecting baby number three. Badu recently lashed out at critics who took her to task for her latest pregnancy. This will be her third out of wedlock and her third baby daddy. The previous dads are Rapper Andre 3000 and Rapper The D.O.C. Badu latest baby daddy is a music producer. Badu says she is tired of people judging her because she is an excellent mother who has a great relationship with her children's fathers.
No one wanted to Meet Dave last weekend. Eddie Murphy's latest movie cost $75 million to make, and only took in $5 million. Murphy has hinted he may retire soon. If he keeps making movies like this, he may not have to retire. His movie career is slowly tanking.

Soul Legend Al Green says he wants a wife. The 62-year old singer opens up in the new issue of Jet magazine about his life and his new album. Green is known for his great soul music and his infamous past. In the 70's, he was the victim of a scorned woman. Green hooked up with a woman who promptly left her husband and kids. When she suspected Green of having affairs with other women, she poured hot grits on him while he was taking a bath. She later killed herself. The scandal has haunted Green for years. He says this was one of the reasons he never sought out marriage. But now, over 30 years later, he is ready for that next big step.

Comedian Bernie Mack was recently booed at a political fundraiser for Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. Hundreds of people paid thousand of dollars to be at the fundraiser in Chicago. The event was billed as a family event. So, imagine the crowds surprise when Bernie took the stage cursing. The Oh My Gosh, Did He Say That reaction quickly turned to boos. Bernie was asked to end his act.

DNA tests have been ordered for all of the known children of the Godfather of Soul James Brown. When Brown died, he had claimed six children. Later after his death, four more kids were proven to be his via DNA tests. The James Brown Estate has yet to be divided, and nothing can be settled until all of the heirs submit to a DNA test. Needless to say the Brown children are furious. They feel they are his children, and do not need to be subjected to this. As far as they are concerned, the newcomers are the outsiders who are only in it for the money, not for their love of James Brown.

Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone play father and daughter in the comedy movie College Trip. The movie is now out on DVD.

Alicia Keys is in the running to sing the new theme song for the next Bond movie. The new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, comes out this fall.
The Jackie Chan Museum is set to open next year in Shanghais. The museum will feature the action star's costumes and props from his movies.

The divorce is off for the O'Neals. Shaunie and Shaq are going to work it out. Last year, their split sent shockwaves across the country. They appeared to be a very loving couple. They were in love and raising their children: his, hers and theirs. Then the inside stories started coming out jumpoffs, secret lovers, hidden cash and property. Millions of dollars were at stake, and the accusations of infidelity went back and forth. It's cheaper to keep her, and that is what Shaq is doing. Shaq has blamed former teammate Kobe Bryant for his marriage down fall. He said Bryant should have kept quiet about the side chicks. Is Shaq going to give up the other women? Will Shaunie just look the other way? Hmmmmmmmm!

Tyler Perry's new movie, The Family That Preys, is set to open in theatres September 12th. The movie stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Taraji P. Henson, Rockmond Dunbar, Cole Hauser and Tyler Perry. You can check out the trailer right now on our website: http://wdasfm.com. Just go to Patty's Page.

The life story of Nicole Richie is coming to TV. In 2005, Richie wrote a book called The Truth About Diamonds, which was loosely based on her life. The book told the story of a seven-year old who was adopted by a rich superstar and his wife. The girl grew up and hung out with an elite party crowd. She had run-ins with the law, and did a stint in rehab just like Nicole. Nicole went to rehab for a heroin addiction. The proud mother has come a long way, and she looks forward to bringing the story to the small screen.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell says she has no plans to retire. Campbell, 38, may have anger management issues, but she still looks good. Campbell says she won't leave the industry until there are blacks on the runway.

The voices are coming together for The Family Guy spinoff, Cleveland. Family Guy is the popular animated Fox show, and next year, the black neighbor, Cleveland, is getting his own show. Actresses Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan will be lending their voices to the series.Music Mogul Clive Davis is pulling out all the stops in his bid to bring Whitney Houston back to the top of the charts. Years of drug use have damaged Houston's vocal chords, and Davis has ordered her to take vocal lessons. The new Whitney album is expected to come out this fall, and Davis wants her to follow up with a live tour. Houston was known as one of the greatest singers of all time. When she returns, Davis wants it to be great. He wants the old Whitney to return to the top of the charts and reclaim her crown.

Speaking of comebacks, get ready for the return of Brandy. The singer has a new look, a new sound and a new album on the way. The past few years have been rough for the singer: disappointing album sales, a car accident that accidently killed a woman, lawsuits, failed relationships, the loss of a TV show and a fake marriage. Brandy needs a hit. She is hoping this will all lead to a return to TV with a new show.

The singing duo of Mary Mary, sisters Tina and Erica Campbell, are coming out with a line of bath and body products. It's called Be You by Mary Mary. They are also coming out with a new album, The Sound In September.

India.Arie is gearing up for her Broadway debut in a revival of the Ntozake Shange classic For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enough. Whoopi Goldberg is producing and opening night is September 8th.

The 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors takes place in October.
Upcoming TV and Film Events:
CNN presents its Black In America series. I had a chance to talk with CNN Anchor Soledad O'Brien, who hosts this documentary. The series originally began with a look at the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beginning July 23rd, the series will examine The Black Woman And The Family and continue July 24th with The Black Man. Single parenthood, educational disparities, HIV/AIDS and poverty are among the topics examined.

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Hip Hop Mogul recently broke up with his Model girlfriend. He felt bad about the breakup, but the Model was glad it ended. She didn't like his spoiled children and his crazy, over the top ex-wife.

This reality show winner needs a stylist immediately. Her clothes are too tight and she looks greasy. She wants to be hot like her peers, but her bad styling choices are hurting her career.