Entertainment News Week of 1/24

Ron Isley is out of jail and ready to go to work. Isley did close to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, but now he is ready to go on tour. Saturday, May 8th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, it’s Ron and The Isley Brothers, The Whispers and Teena Marie. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 29th at all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 215-336-2000.Sources say Golfer Tiger Woods is getting the help he needs.

Woods is currently doing a stint at a rehab clinic in Mississippi. Before he returns to golfing or the public, he is seeking help for his addiction. Still no word on whether his wife will take him back after he humiliated her with various women.

Former Talk Show Host Montel Williams is being labeled a deadbeat dad. Williams’ children by his ex-wife Grace say even though their dad pays child support ($19,000 a month), he gives them no emotional support. The kids, who are now teenagers, claim they have seen their famous dad four times in five years. They say they have tried therapy, but because their dad is mad at their mom, he refuses to have anything to do with them.

Will the Jackson brothers return to the A&E network? Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and Tito have been silent on whether or not they will return. The A&E network wants the brothers back. Maybe they are holding out for more money. I thought the show was funny as heck. The dynamics between the brothers was interesting.

He may not be going to Hollywood, but General Larry Platt has a hit on his hands with Pants On The Ground. The 63-year old civil rights veteran appeared on American Idol during the Atlanta auditions, and he became an overnight sensation. The song, Pants On The Ground, is infectious and truthful. Hopefully, General Platt will have a fruitful fifteen minutes of fame. Now speaking of American Idol, the rumors are swirling about who is going to take Simon Cowell’s place when he leaves at the end of the season.

Producer Rodney Jerkins, who has worked with Brandy, Beyonce and J-Lo, has had his name pop up, and LaToya Jackson is inquiring about the job. LaToya says she would be perfect, and if producers hire her, they would get the REAL LaToya Jackson.

The drama surrounding the love life of 72-year old Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman continues. Freeman has been escorting his manager to his public events portraying her as his latest squeeze. But, Freeman, who is still married to his long suffering wife Myrna, has been seeing his 27-year old step-granddaughter. The young woman, E’Dena Hines, is the granddaughter of his first wife, and Freeman helped raise her since she was ten. Freeman’s current and soon to be ex-wife has put him on blast because of his scandalous behavior. Freeman has been warned to cool it because it could hurt his chances of getting nominated for another Oscar for his role in Invictus. Freeman is not letting anything stop him, including an injured hand that he hurt during a car crash with a jump off.

Book Of Eli Star Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta were in town a couple of days ago enjoying the sites, including the African American Museum at 7th and Arch. The Washingtons have been spending a lot of time on the east coast. They have two sons in school in the area, and Denzel is about to star in the Broadway production of Fences, which kicks off in April.

She’s funny, talented, the host of her own late night talk show and now a Golden Globe winner, but when will she shave her legs. Mo’Nique looked stunning, and she was gracious accepting her award for best supporting actress in the movie Precious. But, the fashion critics were all over her when she lifted her dress and revealed her hairy legs. Mo’Nique has always walked to the beat of her own drum, but the hairy legs are a distraction. Up next for Mo’: will her name be called around Academy Awards time? The nominees will be announced on February 2nd, Groundhogs’ Day. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards air March 7th on ABC.

It’s a topless Lisa Raye in the new issue of Giant magazine. The former First Lady Of The Turks And Ciaos Islands looks amazing. Lisa Raye has a new reality show debuting later this year on TV One.

Mariah Carey, Please Stop Drinking! For the past few weeks, Carey has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. And, it’s all because she the bubbly. Her most embarrassing moment was at the Palm Springs Film Festival. She won an award for her role in Precious for break through actress. Close friends of Carey realize she has a problem. At the rate she’s going, no one will take her seriously whether she’s acting or singing. Her last album was a flop because she refused to sing. She would rather whisper over a hip hop beat. Mariah: Open Your Mouth And Sing! You Have A Great Voice! Use It! Meanwhile, how much can her hubby Nick Cannon take? Cannon’s career is thriving, but he always has to stop what he’s doing so he can be there to hold Carey up.

VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club is returning. Sergeant Harvey is ready to whip some celebrities into shape, including Kevin Federline and his baby momma Actress Shar Jackson. Bobby Brown is also part of the pack. The new season of Celebrity Fit Club kicks off February 14th.

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards air January 31st on CBS. Beyonce and Maxwell are scheduled to perform. One of the highlights of the evening will be the tribute to Michael Jackson featuring Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Smokey Robinson. The tribute will be in 3-D and various Target stores will be giving away the 3-D glasses.

The Hope For Haiti Telethon is happening on Friday, January 22nd. Actor George Clooney is producing the event, and he will be live from Los Angeles. Wyclef Jean will be live from New York, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper will be live from Haiti. Scheduled performers for the evening include Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and a possible Fugees reunion with Wyclef, Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. The show will air starting at 8pm on all the major networks and cable stations.

VH1 is producing a documentary about the TV show Soul Train. Terrence Howard is narrating the documentary called The Hippest Trip In America. It airs February 5th on VH1.

The Third Annual BET Honors is happening February 1st. Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah and Diddy are among the honorees. Gabrielle Union returns as host. Scheduled performers include Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, India.Arie and Patti LaBelle.Toni Braxton has pushed back the date of her latest album Pulse. The album’s new release date is March 2nd.

Benicio Del Toro stars as The Wolfman, which opens in theatres February 12th.

John Travolta sports a new look. He’s got a shaved head in the movie From Paris With Love, which opens in theatres February 5th.

On February 11th, PBS presents a celebration of music from the Civil Rights movement. John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Seal, Smokey Robinson and The Blind Boys Of
Alabama will join President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for a special from The White House during Black History Month.

Will Celebrity Apprentice help this funny man get out of debt? Actor/Comedian Sinbad is having serious financial problems, and he is going to be a part of the new season of Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. The show will also feature Holly Robinson Peete, and kicks off March 14th on NBC.

Lionel Richie is this year’s honoree for the UNCF Evening Of Stars. Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder and Natalie Cole were just a few of the stars on hand for the festivities that will air on FOX Saturday, January 23rd at 2pm.

Big Daddy Aaron McCargo, Jr. from the Food Network is working on a cookbook. The book is due out this fall. You can catch Big Daddy’s House on the Food Network every Sunday at 1:30pm.

The Lee Daniels’ movie Precious is leading the pack with 8 nominations. Singer Maxwell leads all entertainers with five nominations.

Get ready for the DVD release February 16th for Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair.

Alicia Keys is bringing her Element Of Freedom tour to Atlantic City. Mark your calendars for March 20th at Trump Taj Mahal’s Mark G. Etess Arena. Hot new singing sensation Melanie Fiona will be the opening act for her tour.

Philadelphia’s own Bill Cosby will be the 2010 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. The Marian Anderson Award is an honor that salutes artists whose leadership benefits society. The awards ceremony takes place April 6th at the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce. Past winners include Danny Glover, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones.

The new version of the Karate Kid hits theatres next summer with Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan.

Get ready for Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls in Sex And The City II coming out next May.

Tyler Perry is going to be in Philadelphia with his latest stage production, Madea’s Big Happy Family. Tix are on sale for the show, which runs April 29th- May 2nd at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Chris Rock teams up with Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death At A Funeral. The movie opens in theatres April 16th. The comedy also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover. I have the trailer on my page, Patty’s page, at wdasfm.com. Check it out. It’s very funny.

Idris Elba, Michael Ealy and Rapper T.I. will be starring in the new movie Takers, which opens in theatres February 19th, 2010. Elba has also signed on for the movie Thor, where he will play a superhero.

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.

Join WDAS’ Mimi Brown on Wednesday nights for The Rising Star Talent Search. They are looking for up and coming musicians and singers to showcase their talent. For more info and to schedule an audition call 215-927-5455. The winner will get $5,000.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!She’s losing weight and staying quiet. She has toned down her silly antics and suspect behavior. Sources say she is gearing up for her next gig on a new TV show.She’s beautiful, sexy and a handful. She needs a man, and she’s on the prowl. She doesn’t care if he’s someone else’s man, or someone’s leftover. She needs a man….now! Here’s a hint: she tried some civil rights lovin’, but it didn’t work out. He got scared and bolted!