4-1-1 Week of 2/23/09...Has been WAAY too long..sorry!

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 23rd, 2009

The dress stays on! Tyler Perry wants to let go of his on-screen alter ego. But after raking in over $43 million at the box office, the dress and wig will stay on. Filming starts next month on a new “Madea” movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. It’s based on his 1999 hit play. Tyler has a lot of projects coming up: a role in the new Star Trek movie; a 1940’s period piece, Jazz Man’s Blues; and a movie project designed for Jennifer Hudson. Despite all of this, there is too much money in "Madea" to stop dressing in drag.

Chris Brown is gearing up for his March 5th court date. He has started taking anger management classes. It was almost three weeks ago that Brown was arrested for assaulting Pop Singer Rihanna. During the past week, photos were leaked showing a bruised and battered Rihanna. Rihanna recently turned 21, and friends say she received flowers, a diamond bracelet, necklace and an IPod Touch from Brown. The big question being asked this week is: is the pop princess pregnant? So far, Rihanna has been refusing to answer any questions about Brown and their relationship, but she thanks her fans for their love and support. (Wow...)

Tameka Foster Raymond is out of the hospital, back in Atlanta and begging for forgiveness. Tameka almost died three weeks ago during a plastic surgery procedure in Brazil. She snuck off to Brazil, leaving her babies behind and never said a word to her husband Usher. Tameka recently gave birth to their second child two months ago. She went to Brazil to undergo a lipo and tummy tuck procedure. Tameka suffered a heart attack and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. Usher mother, Johnetta Patton, was livid. Why would this woman do this to her son? Why would she leave her babies? Is she that vain? Since retaking the management reigns of her son’s career, Johnetta has tried to stay away from the goings on in the marriage. But this time, Johnetta realized she couldn’t stay quiet any longer. She made it clear to Tameka these antics have to stop: Straighten Up And Be A Wife And Mother To Your Kids. Let Usher do his job. There is no room for you in his career. You are his wife, so act like a wife. Usher is clearly in the middle of this on going saga, but he was livid with his wife. How could she embarrass him like that? He has a new album that he is working on, and he doesn’t need distractions. (She is a crazy woman...off the hook! A heart attack...my goodness!)

Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman is finding out the hard about a woman scorned. At 71-years old, Easy Reader is finding out that jumpoffs talk. Back in August, Freeman almost lost his life in a car crash. He was in a car with a woman who was not his wife. After he was released from the hospital, he decided to divorce his wife and take up with yet another woman. Well, the woman in the car said WTH! Oh No Morgan, I have been quiet too long. In a recent press conference, Demaris Meyer stated that she was seeing Freeman while he was married. Now, Meyer is suing him for damages. (He asked for that one...come on Morgan..you are smarter than that...NOT!)

Singer Keith Sweat is being sued by his ex-wife. Sweat used to be married to Lisa Hartwell, a.k.a Lisa Wu of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. Wu is not only suing her ex-husband, but she wants custody of their two sons, ages 11 and 14. Wu has since remarried, and she has a young child with her husband, former NFL Star Ed Hartwell.

Is Oprah ready to step aside? Well not so fast. The Mighty O has stated she is tired of being on the cover of her O magazine, and she is in talks with First Lady Michelle Obama to appear on the cover. Well, it appears Oprah will now be doing a joint cover with the First Lady, if it happens.

Steve Harvey is coming back to Philly. On Wednesday, April 1st Harvey will be at the Borders Bookstore at Broad and Chestnut Streets promoting his number one bestselling book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. He will also be hosting his Radio Star Talent Show at the Kimmel Center on Thursday, April 2nd.

Gary Coleman is in trouble with the law again. Last week, the former child star was arrested for drunk driving. Coleman is best known for the 1980’s classic TV comedy Diff’rent Strokes and his character “Arnold.” (Not again!)

Halle Berry’s new Fragrance “Halle” debuts in stores in March. Check her out on the new issue of Essence magazine.

Tracy Morgan’s Manhattan apartment was left in ruins last week. A fire that started with a broken light bulb in his fish tank destroyed his luxury apartment. The 30 Rock star says he is glad no one was injured during the blaze.

Chris Rock’s brother Tony Rock was arrested last week on suspicion of drunk driving. Rock says it was all a big misunderstanding. Rock says he doesn’t have a problem with holding his liquor.

Get ready for the reunion of Bell Biv DeVoe. A reunion album is in the works for Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition fame. (POOISSOOOON...)

Basketball Star Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat wants to clear his name. Wade is going through a nasty divorce with his wife Siovaughn. During the proceedings, Siovaughn released a statement claiming Wade gave her a nasty STD. Siovaughn later retracted her statements when she got her divorce settlement, but the damage was done. Wade has filed a defamation suit against his ex. Wade is claiming he is the victim of a reckless campaign spearheaded by his ex-wife. He says she deliberately wanted to publicly humiliate him and damage his reputation.

Is Singer Lauryn Hill pregnant again? Word has it she is pregnant with baby number six. This would be the sixth child for Lauryn and Rohan Marley. Hill is currently living with her parents.
Tricias notes.....WTH!!??? WHy can't she get her own spot!? With the baby daddy?? Come on Lauren!!!

Stevie Wonder’s wife, Fashion Designer Kai Milla is in talks with the Lifetime Channel to do a reality show. Milla is one of the favorites of First Lady Michelle Obama.Paula Abdul revealed her true feelings during a recent interview.

Abdul was asked how she felt about a fourth judge (a female) being added to the American Idol mix. In the beginning, Abdul said she didn’t have a problem, but now she is stating that a fourth judge just doesn’t work. She says having a fourth judge disrupts the flow of the show. This is the last season of Paula’s contract, which makes you wonder will she be staying on as a judge for American Idol? (Paula needs to stap away from the pipe!)

In more Idol news, Ruben Studdard is branching out on his own. The former American Idol winner is having money problems. He owes the I.R.S. a lot of money, and he was recently dropped from his record label. Studdard is launching his next project on an independent label. (What is goin on!?) The album, Love Is, is due out May 19th.

Speaking of American Idol alum, Jennifer Hudson is gearing up for her first tour. She is hitting the road on a mini-tour with Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke. Once Hudson finishes up the tour, she wants to head back into the studio to work on a gospel music CD.

Luther Campbell, a.k.a…Uncle Luke, had to spend a little time in jail. Campbell owed $11,000 in attorney fees in a child support custody case. He had been refusing to pay the attorneys for his baby momma. In the 1980’s, Campbell spearheaded the free speech movement with his raunchy rap act 2 Live Crew.

Former Basketball Great Charles Barkley is going to jail. Barkley recently pleaded guilty to drunk driving and running a red light after getting arrested late last year. Barkley starts his 5 day prison sentence on March 21st. He will also have to attend alcohol rehabilitation classes.

Eddie Murphy is looking to redeem himself in Hollywood. Realizing his crass behavior cost him an Oscar, Murphy is looking to turn things around. He has agreed to support his baby with Spice Girl Mel B. She is getting $52,000 a month in child support, and he also agreed to visitation rights. (WHAT!!!!!!?????) Murphy surprised a lot of people when he showed up to present a humanitarian award to Comedy Legend Jerry Lewis at this month’s Academy Awards. Murphy was on his best behavior, backstage he said he was humbled to be able to honor Lewis.

Speaking of Murphy, remember his comedy hit Coming To America? Well, Martin Lawrence is putting a different spin on it. 21 years ago, Coming to America joined the ranks of one of the great comedy classics, and now, Lawrence is putting together Back To America. Martin will produce and star in the movie about a working class guy from Queens who discovers he’s an heir to an African country. (Can't wait to see that! Don't sya nothin Sheila!)

Congratulations to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. They will be receiving the BMI Icons Award on May 19th at the 57th Annual Pop Awards.

Lionel Richie is going to be a grandpop again. Richie daughter Nicole is pregnant with her second child. Nicole and her rocker boyfriend, Joel Madden, are going to have company for their one-year old daughter Harlow. Nicole is due in the fall.

Congrats also go to Singer Deborah Cox. She and her husband recently welcomed their third child, a baby girl.

Kelly Rowland is proving there is life after Destiny’s Child. Rowland has just signed on for the reality show, The Fashion Show. The show will air on the Bravo Network and will co-star designer Isaac Mizrahi.

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 has suffered years of abuse but overcomes her odds with the help of others.

The new season of Dancing With The Stars kicks off March 9th. Rapper Lil’ Kim, David Alan Grier from In Living Color fame and Football Great Lawrence Taylor are part of the cast. Lil Kim will be introducing her new look blue eyes during the season. (UGH! She can't find nothin else better to do!?)

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. Starting this Sunday, March 1st, their latest project called RELISH will open its doors at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH will feature live jazz music Thursday through Sunday.

Cadillac Records starring Beyonce comes out on DVD March 10th.

tevie Wonder is coming out with a live DVD. Stevie Wonder: Live From London arrives in stores March 10th.

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

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

Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice returns this Sunday, March 1st. This year’s participants include Singer Brian McKnight, T-Boz from TLC, Model/Actress Claudia Jordan and Former Football Great Herschel Walker.

The TNT network has given the green light to the new Jada Pinkett Smith drama Time Heals. Smith not only stars, but she is also the show’s executive producer. Smith plays a nurse in the new show, which debuts this fall.

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 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Does your mother hate you! This is the question being asked about a certain Diva who follows her mother’s advice religiously. It is time to cut the apron strings and stop relying on mommy’s tacky style sense.Please fire your stylist! This Singer sometime Actress wore a tacky wig to the Oscars. Apparently, she didn’t want to offend her new stylist, so she wore the wig. She looked a mess.I Pay The Bills Around Here!

Despite getting a high profile job, this man can’t catch a break with his superstar wife. He still has to wait on her hand and foot and act like he’s one of dogs.