4-1-1 Entertainment for the Week (3/9/09)

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 9TH, 2009

The truth is out! Did Chris Brown ever love Rihanna? In the latest installment of the saga between the two pop stars, the other woman in this drama has been revealed. On the night of the fateful beatdown (nice words...) , Brown received a text message from a woman he was having an affair with. Rihanna read the message and went off. She allegedly hit him and he not only hit back but attacked her. The message on the text came from his 40-year old manager. There was a rumor that the two were having an affair, and now it’s been confirmed. Apparently, the manager, Tina Davis, a former VP of A&R at Def Jam Records started having an affair with Brown when he was 16-years old. ( JAIL TIME!) Brown is now 19. It appears despite his relationship with the 21-year old Rihanna, Davis and Brown never stopped messing around. Did Brown embark on a relationship with Rihanna to cover his affair with his much older manager? I always thought it was a publicity stunt, but along the way, Rihanna fell in love. What will happen now? Will Rihanna leave this horrible situation? He beat her, and he doesn’t love her. It’s all about his career. Rihanna and her managers should get her away from Brown and worry about her career and her endorsements. No book tours, no duets, end it now! He has humiliated you enough. Save your career. (nuff said!)

What do you do when your boyfriend doesn’t trust you? Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole Murphy had to find out the hard way. She was caught cheating on her boyfriend, former Football Star Michael Strahan. Murphy is seen as one of the most eligible bachelorettes in the world. With her hot body and Eddie Murphy’s money, men were jumping out of the woodwork to date her. She may be the mother of five children, but you’d never know it to look at her. Strahan was recently divorced from his wife, Jean, and the settlement left him broke. Strahan thought he hit the jackpot with Nicole, but he didn’t trust her. Strahan is known for his private snooping, and this didn’t stop with Nicole. They appeared to be a good couple, but behind the smiles, there was the cheating. Strahan had a tracking device installed in Nicole’s car, and he found out she was involved with a younger man, a record executive. For awhile, Nicole juggled both men. Then she was caught. Now Nicole has no one. The record exec broke it off, and Strahan had enough. Don’t cry for Nicole. She is still beautiful, single and loaded with money. Who will step up to the plate next? Batter up!

Filming has started on the new season of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The new episodes should air this summer. The ladies have been busy, and there’s a new housewife. Here’s the scoop on your favorites: Sheree Whitfield is still broke (LOL!!!! Didn't particualry care for her too much!) . She has no income, no home, and she is leasing her Landrover. How are they going to cover this in the new season? Sheree owes her lawyer over $90,000 in unpaid legal fees from her divorce from football Star Bob Whitfield. He’s broke too, and she couldn’t get the settlement she wanted from him. A few weeks ago, Sheree was arrested for speeding. When she came to court, she stated to the judge that she’s broke and asked for government assistance to pay for her lawyer (what!? Personal bailouts!? Who can I speak to about getting mine!!) . Things are looking up for show favorite NeNe Leakes. She just signed a deal for a mini-mansion so she can live there with her family. Kim Zolciak is going to reveal who Big Poppa is. Big Poppa is Kim’s married boyfriend. He’s an Arab real estate tycoon who leaves his wife to move in with Kim and her two daughters this season (Ugh...fake!) . DeShawn Snow is out, and Kandi Burruss is in. The new housewife is a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter. Burruss used to sing with the 90’s group Xscape, and she also used to date the late singer, Gerald Levert. Levert was crazy about Burruss, but the relationship ended when he couldn’t take her ego. She used to think she was more successful than Levert because she was a Grammy winner. When he died, she realized how wrong she was for not appreciating him. Burruss is the mother of a six-year old, and during season two of Housewives, she is scheduled to marry a producer. The producer is the father of six kids, and depending on who you talk to, he is still on the prowl. Will she still marry him? I hear a fight has already broken out during the taping of the show. All the ladies have had to sign affidavits, but the storylines and fights are leaking out all over the place.. (Lawd have mercy!)

Tyler Perry has found his new leading lady, and she’s on the cover of Essence magazine. Taraji P. Henson is featured on the new issue of Essence with Tennis Champ Serena Williams and trailblazing Model Iman. They appear on the issue celebrating being sexy at any age. This is Henson’s first appearance on the cover of Essence. Fresh off of her Oscar nominated role in The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Henson has signed on for the new Madea movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Yes, Tyler Perry is bringing Madea back, and filming starts this week. The new Madea movie is coming out September 10th (Sheila...can you take me with you please?) . In other Tyler Perry news, look for him in the new Star Trek movie coming out in May. And, there will be a sequel to Why Did I Get Married with the original cast. That movie is coming out in spring 2010 (WOW! Love Tasha Smith!)

Morris Chestnut has just signed a deal with ABC for a new drama series set to debut in the fall. (oooohweee!!!!)

LisaRaye McCoy says no married men for her. The former First Lady Of The Turks & Caicos Islands is shooting down reports that she was messing around with married Singer Ginuwine. They recently shot a music video together, and the sparks were so hot on the set, rumors started flying that the two were having an affair. Ginuwine is married to Rapper Sole, and they have three children. LisaRaye says yes she is looking to find love again, but he will have to be single.

Football’s Terrell Owens has a new football home. The former 49er, Eagle and Cowboys star is seeing his career wind down on a low note. Teams are tired of his antics, and he is only being offered one-year deals. His latest deal with the Buffalo Bills is only for one year. It’s like when someone only wants to date you but never marry you. Owens is 35-years old. He wants to do TV now that he is no longer a Cowboy. Will he still do his planned reality show?

Sherri Shepherd of The View has just signed a deal with the Lifetime network. The show will be much like her personal life: being married with a baby and dealing with her husband’s pregnant girlfriend. In the TV show, they all live together, but in real life Shepherd sent her hubby packin’. (WOW!)

Steve Harvey is coming to town. On April 1st, Harvey will be signing copies of his best-selling book, Act Like A Lady-Think Like A Man, at Borders Bookstore, Broad and Chestnut Streets. He’s also hosting his Radio Star talent competition at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tix are on sale now. Steve is also teaming up with Oprah Winfrey. He is doing a show about his book on her show. She will turning her show over to Steve.

A million people have registered for tickets for Michael Jackson’s concerts in London. The demand has been so great, another series of shows have been scheduled for London early next year. Now there is concern about Jackson health, and how he will hold up during his concert tour. So far everything is set to launch July 9th. The King Of Pop says he is touring one last time so his kids can see what he does for a living.

This was not a good week for Singer/Actor Tyrese Gibson. Tyrese has been ordered to pay almost $10,000 a month to his ex-wife Norma Gibson. Tyrese and his ex-wife have a two-year old daughter Shayla. They were married for 10 months when Tyrese decided to call it quits. A judge responded not so fast and how he has to pay up. He has come a long way from his smiling days with Coca Cola. Now it’s time for Tyrese to get serious about his career. Sources say he wants to concentrate on his acting.

Fantasia starts her stint in the national touring company of The Color Purple in June. Fantasia reprises her role as “Celie.”

The new issue of O magazine features not only Oprah Winfrey, but our First Lady Michelle Obama. This is the first time Oprah has shared the cover since she started the magazine 9 years ago.

The funky Divas are back! After 20 years, the ladies of En Vogue, Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones and Dawn Robinson, are back. In addition to going on tour, the ladies may do a reality show. (Is this how people make a "come back" now?)

Comedian Joe Torry is in trouble. During a stint in Japan, Torry got into a fistfight with a female comedienne. The female comic, Vanessa Fraction, alleges Torry punched her and pulled her hair during a fight.(DANG TORRY!!!) Torry says there was an altercation, but he apologized. Fraction says that was not enough. She is planning to press charges and file a civil suit against the comedian.

Chris Rock has signed on for the movie Death At A Funeral. Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, Loretta Devine, Regina Hall and Columbus Short have also signed on. (That should be classic! (Cheryl...you can take me to this one...) The movie is due out next year.

Speaking of Chris, his brother, Tony Rock, is going to have to face the music after his recent D.U.I. arrest. Rock faces up to six months in jail for drunk driving. During his arrest, Rock allegedly mocked the police officers, and told them he would skip the alcohol ed. courses. He’s going to have to do a lot of explaining to the judge.

Is Kimora Lee Simmons a married lady? Well not exactly. She and longtime boyfriend, Actor Djimon Hounsou, participated in a commitment ceremony last summer in Africa. They view themselves as married, but it is not legal in the United States. A legal ceremony is scheduled for later this year along with the birth of their first child. Kimora was decked out in African garb for her commitment ceremony. She did bring her daughters by ex, Hip Hop Mogul Russell Simmons. They were very confused about what was going on with mommy. One of the girls fell asleep while the other cried. Kimora was recently granted a divorce from Simmons, and was awarded $40,000 a month in child support.

Congrats to the Smiths! Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, recently opened their new school in California. The new Village Leadership Academy is for kids from pre-K to sixth grade.

On March 31st, Access Hollywood TV Host Shaun Robinson hits the shelves with a new book celebrating girls’ self esteem with advice from America’s most successful women. The book, Exactly As I Am, features Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, Oprah Winfrey, Iman, Nancy Pelosi, Jennifer Hudson and Robinson all sharing their journeys to womanhood while passing along advice today’s youth.

Ruben Studdard’s new album is produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and hits stores May 19th. (Thats who Janet needs to hook back up with!)

Halle Berry has been named the Sexiest Black Woman Alive. In a recent poll conducted by TV One/Access Hollywood, Berry came out on top. Her new fragrance, Halle, recently debuted in stores.

It’s a good thing David Alan Grier is Dancing With The Stars because Comedy Central recently dropped his show Chocolate News. (whoops!)

Another show cancelled this week was D.L. Hughley Breaks The News on CNN. Hughley says this was a mutual decision with the network, and he will stay with CNN as a contributor. (Heard it wasn't that great anyway!)

Beyonce is on the cover of Ebony magazine talking about marriage and movies. Her new movie, Obsessed with Idris Elba, comes out on April 24th.

Speaking of Idris, he’ll play Jill Scott’s love interest in the series opener of Scott’s new HBO series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The show debuts on HBO March 29th.

Singer Jazmine Sullivan will be featured in the new George Lucas film, Red Tails. Sullivan will play a jazz singer in the movie about the Tuskegee airmen. Singer Ne-Yo is also starring.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou has an exciting new project. Letter To My Daughter: Her Path To Living Well And Living A Life With Meaning. In the book, Angelou shares her life lessons.

Prince recently signed a deal with Target retail stores. Prince is releasing a three-disc set of new music, which will be sold exclusively at Target. The set comes out March 29th. Prince is also doing a series for shows for Jay Leno. Prince will be performing live on The Tonight Show on March 25th, 26th and March 27th. Prince is also helping Jay say goodbye to Tonight. Prince will be performing on May 28th. After 17 years, Leno’s last night on The Tonight Show is May 29th.

Producer Lee Daniels has changed the name of his upcoming release. The long awaited project Push will be renamed Precious. The movie is scheduled to be released later this year and stars Mo’Nique, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and new comer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe as “Precious.”

Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey have joined forces to help Lee with the promotion of this movie. The film Precious is based on the book Push by Sapphire, and focuses on the plight of a 16-year old who suffered years of abuse but overcomes her odds with the help of others.

The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170.

Seven Pounds starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson will be released on DVD March 31st.

The T.D. Jakes film Not Easily Broken starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson hits DVD shelves April 7th.

The Wendy Williams talk show is set to debut this July. The show is going nationwide, and will be seen locally on FOX 29.

The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New Orleans.
Beyonce, John Legend, Eric Benet, Robin Thicke, Anita Baker, Bill Cosby and Maxwell are all on the bill. There will also be seminars featuring Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin. Plus, there’ll be an all-star tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This Hip Hop Mogul is desperate for publicity. His latest stunt made him look like a fool. Maybe he will finally wakeup and mind his own business instead of trying to always be in the spotlight.

This Diva is tired of being a housewife. She longs for the bling and notoriety of her former life. Now she is hooking up with her old manager to reclaim her throne.

There is a lot of excitement about this reunion. If they can keep a Group Member off of drugs and away from crazy men, their reunion could be a success.