4-1-1 Week of 10/13/08

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 13TH, 2008

Please Janet! Leave that man alone! He’s no good for you! Janet Jackson’s management team is urging her to dump longtime boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. Two weeks ago, Dupri threw up on Jackson. He loves to drink and party, but the little fella can’t handle it. (LOL! They called him little!! LOL!!!) Jackson’s Rock With You Tour and last two albums have been commercial failures. She has been under the guidance of Dupri, and it has lead to disastrous results. There have been so many lies about her cancelled concert shows that they can’t keep the lies straight. For the record, poor tickets sales are dooming this tour. She needs help, and I have been saying for months she needs to re-team with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Dupri was also the mastermind behind the 2004 wardrobe malfunction Superbowl scandal, which almost ruined her career. Dupri has done wonders for the career of Mariah Carey. But when it comes down to his lady, he has single-handily killed her career. Will Janet leave? Sources say the relationship is over, but the big question is will Jermaine stay away from her? There is also the question of the many Jackson secrets. If they split, will Dupri spill the beans on Miss Jackson?

Why does controversy always follow Beyonce? Beyonce is gearing up for the new release of her double CD, I Am, which is coming out November 18th. Two hot singles, “Single Ladies” and “If I Were A Boy,” have already been released. Beyonce has come under fire for song-jacking If I Were A Boy. This song was written, in part, by a 21-year old singer-songwriter from California. According to Beyonce, the songwriter has been paid for the song, and Beyonce says she did not steal or take credit for the song. On her last album, she came under fire for not giving Ne-Yo credit for the song “Irreplaceable.” Beyonce also admitted she borrowed from the dance styling of the late Director/Choreographer Bob Fosse for her latest video to that second single “Single Ladies.”

Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker will be directing and starring in a movie based on the life of Jazz Legend Louis Armstrong. The movie is called What A Wonderful World, and will focus on the early years in New Orleans of the trumpet virtuoso and improvisational singer. Whitaker won an Academy Award two years ago for his role as Idi Amin in the movie The Last King Of Scotland.

Why is Dancing With The Stars Diva Toni Braxton driving around town with a handicapped pass? Is she taking advantage of driving privileges while dancing up a storm on TV? Braxton suffers from a heart condition, and she got permission from a doctor to get a special handicapped parking pass. (WOW!!)

Boxer Evander Holyfield is trying to stay out of jail. The 46-year old former heavyweight is having problems paying his child support. He is the father of 10 kids and owes thousands in child support. During the height of his career, he made over $248 million. What happened to his fortune is anybody’s guess. If he doesn’t come up with the money, he could be in jail by next week.

Mel B has changed her mind, and she’s keeping her clothes on. The Spice Girl has turned down an offer of over a million dollars to pose for Playboy magazine.

Jennifer Hudson doesn’t like to talk about her fiancé’s past. When she is asked about him, she prefers to focus on his law career. He may have graduated from law school, but he has never practiced law. Hudson’s fiancé is better known for his star turn on the reality TV show I Love New York. David Otunga, a.k.a. Punk, had a hot and heavy romance with the show’s star New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Pollard. In a recent interview, Pollard had a lot to say about Otunga. She says he loves being Mr. Jennifer Hudson. He loves the lavish things Hudson brings in his life, and that he is living through Hudson’s success. OUCH! I guess New York’s not being invited to the wedding.

Terrence Howard has talked himself out of a job. Howard will not be featured in the sequel to Iron Man. Howard was set to star as War Machine “Jim Rhodes,” the best friend to Iron Man “Tony Starks,” but Howard’s financial greed got in the way. Now, producers have decided to go with Actor Don Cheadle. The new Iron Man movie is due in theatres 2010. (OOPS!)

Is there room for only one queen? Will the real queen stand up? The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin and the Queen Of Rock & Roll Tina Turner recently exchanged barbs. Earlier this year at the Grammys, Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as “the queen.” Well Aretha didn’t like it. Re Re felt disrespected and said so. Turner is getting ready for her latest tour. She was asked about the controversy and responded Aretha’s ego is so big she must think she’s the only Queen. Aretha responded back. Aretha said she’s surprised Turner is using tacky press to sell tickets. She thought Tina had more class. For the record, the music legends have never met. Maybe they can do lunch one day and work it out. (OLD DIVAS....get over it girlls!)

Bishop T.D. Jakes new movie, Not Easily Broken, opens in theatres early next year. The movie stars Morris Chestnut (OOOHH WEEE!!!!) , Taraji P. Henson and Jennifer Lewis.

Chef G Garvin has just released a new cooking book. Dining In features 115 new recipes.

After 15 years the Fat Boys are reuniting. Prince Markie Dee and Kool Rock Ski plan on releasing an album, going on tour and doing a reality show. Original member Buffy died in 1995.

Jay Manuel and Miss J Alexander, judges on America’s Next Top Model, are now getting their own show. Operation Fabulous is the name of the show. It features the duo traveling the country and giving women makeovers.

Congrats to former 76er Allen Iverson. Iverson and his wife Tawanna are the proud parents of a baby girl. Dream Alijah Iverson was born weighing 5 lbs. and 15 ounces. She joins her siblings Tiaura, 13, Allen, II, 10, Isiah Rahsaan, 5 and Messiah Lauren, 3. Iverson now plays for the Denver Nuggets. The family is doing well.

Kindred The Family Soul is back with a new album. The Arrival features the hit single “House Of Love.” The new album comes out October 21st.

Labelle is back! After thirty years, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx are ready to release a new CD, Back To Now. The CD comes out October 21st, and features the hit singles “Roll Out” and “Superlover.” At a recent listening party at WDAS, the ladies talked about reuniting, their new album and their upcoming tour. Tickets go on sale Saturday for the show the Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend show. On Saturday January 17th, Labelle is in concert at the Mark G. Etess Arena at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

He was once dubbed the world’s fastest man. Now, he’s in jail. Former Olympic darling Tim Montgomery has been sentenced to five years in jail for dealing heroin. The 33-year old was already serving a four-year sentence for check fraud. Montgomery says he squandered his talent, acclaim and money. Montgomery was banned from the Olympics years ago when he was suspected of steroid use and was named in a scandal. Montgomery is the father of Marion Jones’ son. She just got of prison for lying to authorities about her steroid use.

Rolling Stone magazine is getting smaller. For four decades, the magazine had a larger format than most magazines. The new, smaller Rolling Stone will have more pages and thicker, glossier paper.

American Idol Judge Paula Abdul doesn’t feel appreciated by the show. A new female judge, Kara DioGuardi, has been added to the cast for the new season of American Idol, and Paula just found out how her paycheck stacks up against another Idol judge. Abdul makes $7 million compared to Simon Cowell’s $36 million. Abdul knew Cowell made more money than her, but she never realized he made that much more money. Producers claim Cowell makes more money because he brings more to the table.

If you are planning on attending the Maxwell concert, bring your underwear. Let me explain. Maxwell is taking a page from the history of Tom Jones. Jones was notorious for collecting underwear during his performances from the ladies, and now Maxwell is doing the same. (She & Cheryl....go to Victoria...LOL! We talked about this yesterday! LOL!)

The American Music Awards are set for November 23rd. Jimmy Kimmel is back as host. Alicia Keys is leading the pack with four nominations.

Mary J. Blige is teaming up with the makers of Carol’s Daughter for a new natural fragrance line.

Oscar Winner Halle Berry is also working on a scent. Wanna smell like Halle? She has been working on the fragrance for two years. Look for Halle in stores by next spring.

Our condolences go out to Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams. This week, Adams lost her mother, Carolyn Adams.

The original members of En Vogue and New Edition are in talks about going on tour.

Dexter King is speaking out about the turmoil that is destroying his family. The King legacy is at stake as the fighting continues between Dexter, Bernice and Martin, III. Money is at the root of their problems, and no one can seem to bring them together. This feud is downright embarrassing. Dexter says he is saddened by all the fighting, but he says Bernice and Martin, III started it by attempting to change and rewrite history. Dexter is in charge of the King Foundation. Bernice and Martin, III still possess many important papers, which they refuse to turn over for a possible book about their parents.

On Thursday, October 23rd, The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk Of Fame will welcome five new inductees celebrating Philadelphia’s musical legacy. This year’s honorees are Billy Paul, the late Tammi Terrell, Dee Dee Sharp, Charlie Grace and Trumpeter Clifford Brown. Each will receive commemorative bronze plaques along the Avenue Of The Arts in Center City. For more information, log onto www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org .

At the movies this week, it’s The Secret Life Of Bees with Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah.

The movie, Notorious, based on the life of Rapper Biggie Smalls, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., is gearing up for its release, which is scheduled for January 16th 2009. Angela Bassett will be playing Biggie’s mom, Volletta Wallace.

Motown Records is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new box set of songs that the fans have picked. The box set is due before Christmas.

The Whispers are coming out with a holiday DVD. The famed singing group has been performing for over 45 years. Christmas With The Whispers features holiday classic and interviews.

Big Daddy is back! The Food Network’s latest star, Aaron McCargo, Jr., hails from Camden, New Jersey, and his food show, Big Daddy’s House, has been renewed for a second season. The new season premieres in January 2009. McCargo will be in Philadelphia on Friday October 24th at the Radisson Plaza – Warwick in Center City, Philadelphia. For more information and to get tickets, visit his website at Aaronmccargo.com.

Mark your calendars for November 7th, 8th & 9th. It’s the Philadelphia International Art Expo presented by October Gallery. This is the nation’s largest African American Art Expo. It all takes place at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery. Special guests include NBC 10’s Lori Wilson, CN8’s Arthur Fennell, Bern Nadette Stanis & Ralph Carter (“Thelma” & “Michael Evans” from Good Times) Actress Ella Joyce (“Eleanor” from Roc) and Rapper/Actor Ice-T. There is a $10 admission fee that will cover all three days.Quincy Jones is gearing up to release The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey And Passions. The 75-year old music giant is set to release this book on October 28th. Clint Eastwood is doing the foreword for the book, and Dr. Maya Angelou is doing the introduction. Jones is not slowing down. He is also opening a restaurant in Las Vegas. In other Quincy news, he says he will not be working with Michael Jackson on his upcoming album. The Q produced some of Jackson’s biggest selling albums, including Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. Q says he is too busy with his other projects.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou is going to be honored along with TV Producer Norman Lear at the 2008 Annual Marian Anderson Awards. The ceremony honoring them is taking place November 17th at the Kimmel Center. Lear is best known for the TV classics All In The Family, Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude. The award is named after the famed Contralto Marian Anderson, a Philadelphia native. Past honorees include Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey and Harry Belafonte. Dr. Angelou and Lear go back a ways back. The doctor is godmother to Lear’s youngest children.
Sanford & Son, the popular 70’s show, is coming out on DVD. The complete series, 17 discs containing all six seasons, comes out on October 28th. The late Comedian Redd Foxx starred as the grouchy junkman and Demond Wilson played his long-suffering son, Lamont.

Singer Al Jarreau is hard at work on a new Christmas CD, which is coming out this fall. Brian McKnight, Aretha Franklin, Howard Hewett and Ledisi are also releasing holiday projects.

The late Bernie Mac and the late Isaac Hayes make their final screen appearance in the movie Soul Men. Soul Men opens in theatres on November 7th and also stars Samuel L. Jackson.

Beyonce teams up with Oscar Winner Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright for the movie Cadillac Records. Beyonce is playing the Legendary Etta James. The movie opens in theatres December 5th.

DJ Doc B is gearing up for the Annual Scorpio Birthday Bash on Saturday, November 1st, 2008. This party is so big, it’s happening in two locations: Pharos’s Night Club, 3401 South Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware hosted by The Hot Boyz of Power 99 Mikey Dredd and Uncle O, and I will be hosting the party at Luxe Lounge, 524 Walnut Street with DJ Mont, DJ Lamaar, Doc B and Cosmic Strictly Skills Kev.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this TV personality is going to survive, she is going to have to reinvent herself. But, if she keeps talking trash about her former boss, her career may be dead in the water.
This actress has finally landed a married man. She tore her way through married actors, singers and athletes, and now she’s got her married man. He’s so smitten that he’s ready to go public. He has already bought his mistress a condo.