Unemployed in August and a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers in October. Once Vicente Padilla got out of the first inning, he slammed the door on the St. Louis Cardinals' season. The second-chance pitcher kept Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday quiet in a 5-1 victory Saturday night that gave Los Angeles a second straight trip to the National League championship series.
The Golden State Warriors suspended Stephen Jackson for two exhibition games Saturday after the unhappy captain left the bench during an exhibition contest in Los Angeles. The veteran swingman picked up five fouls and a technical in less than 10 minutes Friday night while playing against the Lakers at the Forum.
Jered Weaver followed in John Lackey's day-old footsteps throughout the night, all the way to his final triumphant walk off the Angel Stadium mound. He even waved his cap at the standing, cheering crowd with nearly the same sweep of his arm. With Weaver picking up right where Lackey left off for the Los Angeles Angels, not even Josh Beckett could keep the Boston Red Sox off the brink of playoff…
A sinking line drive sailed through the chilly evening air toward Matt Holliday. All he needed to do was make the catch, and St. Louis would have a series-tying victory. Instead, the ball smacked him in the gut and dropped to the grass — and the Cardinals never recovered. Holliday's crucial error with two outs in the ninth inning led to a two-run rally that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2…
Scoring early against St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter gave the Los Angeles Dodgers the shot of confidence they needed. Then their bullpen came in and closed out the Cardinals. Randy Wolf survived a shaky first inning before five relievers combined to give up one run in the Dodgers' 5-3 victory on Wednesday night in an NL playoff opener full of missed chances for both teams.
Clay Buchholz has one week to think about his next start. Or, even better, not to think about it. Manager Terry Francona said Buchholz was still in line to follow Jon Lester and Josh Beckett in the rotation for the first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Angels, even after the Red Sox right-hander lasted just three innings in a 12-7 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.
Kendry Morales homered and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Angels wasted no time clinching their third straight AL West title with an 11-0 victory over the second-place Texas Rangers on Monday night. Ervin Santana pitched a seven-hitter for his fourth career shutout, while Maicer Izturis had three hits and two RBIs to wrap up the Angels' sixth playoff berth in eight seasons.
This should have been so easy for the Dodgers: Jonathan Broxton on the mound, a three-run lead in the ninth inning against the dismal Pirates and an NL West title to celebrate as soon as they closed it out. Instead, easy turned into excruciating as Los Angeles let a victory slip away when the majors' second-worst team pulled off a four-run rally aided by several defensive lapses.
The celebration was a couple of bottles of champagne and a few hugs, nothing more. Maybe it's because the Los Angeles Dodgers expect to have bigger bashes before the season is over. The Dodgers locked up their fourth NL playoff appearance in six years, getting a two-run single from pinch-hitter Jim Thome during a four-run eighth inning in which Pirates relievers walked four before going on to…
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Chris Brown has landed his first concert gig since beating his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. He’ll be headlining the Power 105.1 “Powerhouse ’09” concert, which features several other performers. And they’re all on the C-list, according to MSNBC.com. Brown, who has taken some time out of the spotlight since his conviction and community service sentence, will be leading a group of nobodies and has-beens at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ on Oct. 27, according to MSNBC. The concert includes performances from Keri Hilson, The-Dream, Fabolous, Trey Songz, Mario and Ginuwine. “This is a pretty C-list lineup,” one promoter, who is not involved with the show, told MSNBC. “Keri Hilson is good, Ginuwine has some following, but this is nothing like the lineup that would have surrounded him this time last year,” the promoter told MSNBC. “Chris was the Michael Jackson heir apparent, he had huge endorsement deals. This isn’t the sort of show you would have expected from him before he got in trouble.” Apparently the singer, who is currently serving a 180-day community service and probation sentence, still isn’t considered “safe” booking by many, but for this concert, the radio station was willing to take the risk. The concert will supposedly offer Brown a chance to promote his single, “Transformer,” off his new album, “Graffiti,” reports MTV.com. But there could still be a problem. According to RollingStone.com, it is still unclear whether Brown has actually received permission from the Los Angeles court that convicted him or from the Virginia officials overseeing his sentence to perform at the New Jersey concert next month.
Filed under: Music, Television, News, Theater, Celeb Updates, Radio, Video
This fall, the Great White Way will feel one hell of a jolt when the new musical ‘Fela!’ hits the boards at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theater, starting Oct. 19. The show, which chronicles the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was all the rave during its very limited and sold-out run at the 37 Arts Theater last fall. Created by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, the masterfully produced tour de force attracted fans such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Toni Morrison, Lou Reed, Fiona Apple and Charlize Theron.
This week, BV Newswire was invited to an exclusive preview of this provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater that will dazzle audiences for generations to come. (See VIDEO below.) Now wonder it won the 2009 Lucille Lortel Award for best musical. Two-time Emmy Award winner Kevin Mambo and Tony Award-winning vocal powerhouse Lillias White (pictured above, center and right) have been added to the multitalented cast, which is led by Sahr Ngaujah, whose breakout performance as the Afrobeat icon who died of AIDS in 1997, was a work of sheer theatrical genius. Tickets start at $27. For more information about ‘Fela!,’ visit www.FelaOnBroadway.com.
Nick Cannon may be having the best year ever. The dashing and debonair host of NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ is getting a windfall of media attention on the day before wife Mariah Carey releases her new album, ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.’
For those who don’t know, the San Diego native is the new chairman of Nickelodeon’s teen network, TeenNick.
On Sept. 28, The N (current name) will rebrand itself as TeenNick and we will be airing a celebrity promo spot in connection with the launch.
Various celebrities — including wifey, Ellen DeGeneres, Taylor Swift, Sharon Osbourne, Tony Hawk, Keke Palmer, and Ice Cube — are all featured in this promo congratulating Cannon on his chairman position.
LL Cool J‘s latest foray into television is off to a good start.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, CBS scored big with its new series ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ which features the hip-hop superstar and movie star Chris O’Donnell. Apparently, Tuesday marked the network’s most-watched premiere night since 1993, thanks to the triple threat of drama in the form of ‘NCIS’ (20.6 million viewers), ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ (18.7 million) and Julianna Margulies‘ new series ‘The Good Wife’ (13.7 million). From 1995-1999, LL Cool J (real name James Todd Smith) starred in the NBC sitcom ‘In the House.’
Chris Brown is getting back to work – the kind that pays. The beleaguered R&B crooner with the dazzling smile and mean right hook can breathe a sigh of relief. His battery and assault of girlfriend Rihanna hasn’t hurt him among hip-hop fans. The Jive Records artist is due to headline the “Powerhouse” concert, an event hosted by New York City’s hip-hop radio station Power 105. According to EURweb.com, the ‘Run It’ singer’s Oct. 27 performance at the Izod Center in New Jersey is his first official live show since his February altercation with the Cover Girl spokesmodel earned him probation and community service. Also on the “Powerhouse” lineup: the-Dream, Fabolous, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Mario and Ginuwine.
6/1/09: Minnie Riperton
A very fitting homage will be paid to late, great songbird Minnie Riperton when a new batch of the acclaimed TV One docu-series ‘Unsung’ hits the small screen this month. Best known for her signature ballad ‘Lovin’ You,’ the Chicago-born singer/songwriter’s career and life were cut short after a three-year battle with breast cancer in the late 1970s. After Riperton’s cancer diagnosis, she went public instead of retreating, serving as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. . She was only 31 years old when she died at the prime of her career. ‘Unsung’ premieres June 7 at 8 PM ET, repeating at 11 PM, as well as Thursday, June 11 at 10 PM and Friday, June 12 at noon and midnight.
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6/1/09: Grace Jones
The one and only Grace Jones has been tapped to perform live at the ‘We Love’ festival in Ibiza on Aug. 9. For the first time ever, the ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’ singer will grace the Spanish island’s celebrated summer concert series, as part of the Wall Of Sound recording company’s 15th anniversary. Last year, festival organizers bought The Chemical Brothers back to the Ibiza after a ten-year hiatus. This year, they are ready for Amazing Grace, who recently released a new music project titled ‘Hurricane’ on the United Kingdom based label. “We are putting on a line-up to inspire and one that will take all lucky enough to be there on a journey they will never ever forget,” Wall of Sound founder Mark Jones said.
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5/28/09: Chaka Khan
Fresh from a headlining gig at the 2009 St Lucia Jazz Festival, Chaka Khan is ready to take on the nation’s capital. The 10-time Grammy Award winning diva will fill in for previously announce headliner Natalie Cole, who is recovering from a live saving kidney transplant surgery, at ‘The 18th Annual Capital Jazz Fest’ running June 5 – June 7. The ‘I Feel For You’ chanteuse will join a slew of noted musical acts at the lovely wooded setting of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. According to a spokesperson for the event, the line-up includes performances by Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Fourplay, Norman Brown, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream with special guest Phil Perry, Guitars & Saxes (f/ Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub and lady saxophone newcomer Jessy J) , Regina Belle, Marion Meadows and trumpeter Joey Sommerville.
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5/28/09: Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash will be honored with the Living Legend award at the Urban Music Awards USA 2009, set to be held at New York City’s Highline Ballroom on July 17. According to a spokesperson for the event, more than 175,000 music fans across the world have voted online for the hip hop veteran to receive the honor. “Flash is an absolute legend and he remains an inspiration to the hip hop culture all together by flying the flag from its inception to the success it has become today,” said Jordan Kensington, who is the C.E.O of Invincible Group & Founder of the Urban Music Awards. Nominees for the inaugural awards show include Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Bobby Valentino, M.I.A, Day 26, The Dream, Estelle, Kat de Luna, Akon, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and Eminem.
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5/21/09: Jay-Z
Despite stepping down from his Def Jam presidency in late 2007, hip hop mogul Jay-Z has finally left the label as an artist. Rumors started surfacing online that the platinum-selling lyricist, who owed the label one last album, brought himself out of his contract for $5 million. “I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely,” he revealed to hip hop site Rap Radar. “I’ve been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever…I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.”
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5/19/09: Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige recently expanded her brand by signing with The William Morris Agency. According to Variety, the diversified entertainment agency, which also represents Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Prince (to name a few), will assist the Queen of Hip Hop Soul in all areas of her career including the expansion of her entertainment company, Matriarch Entertainment. This fall the Queen of Hip Hop Soul will make her feature film debut in Tyler Perry‘s ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself,’ scheduled to hit theaters September 11. She can be heard in the trailers for the Oprah Winfrey-presented drama ‘Precious,’ due out in November.
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5/19/09: The Dream
Following in the veins of fellow hip hop stars DMX and Tupac Shakur, singer-songwriter The Dream is planning on releasing his second album of 2009 entitled, ‘Love King.’ The R&B crooner, who recently released his certified gold album ‘Love vs. Money’ in March, revealed to Billboard magazine that he already has seven songs in the can and expects the album to hit stores in December. “I have to pace myself ’cause there’s so much time between here and then,” he said, “but the seven records I do have are timeless records. Whether they come out now or later it’s not really going to matter what kind of records they are.” In between recording sessions for ‘Love King,’ fans can now catch The Dream on tour with Keyshia Cole.
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5/19/09: The Whispers
After releasing classic hits such as ‘In The Mood’ and ‘Rock Steady,’R&B stalwarts The Whispers are set to release their first gospel album on Kingdom Records. Grammy Award-winning gospel star Fred Hammond is expected to produce a bulk of the tracks. “We’ve been wanting to do this for ten years,” explained founding member Nick Caldwell. “God has been really, really good to the Whispers. He was looking out for us even when we were ignoring Him. He allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God.” The as-yet-untitled anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for release later this year.
5/19/09: Mariah Carey
On May 23, Mariah Carey is set to perform a one-hour set at the opening of the most expensive resort in Europe, The Mardan. Carey alongside legendary British soul singer Tom Jones will reportedly be paid £1 million each to perform at the exclusive £926 million Turkey development, which features five acres of fresh water swimming pools and a sunken aquarium. Actress Sharon Stone and Paul McCartney are among the many guests invited to the 560 room hotel opening.
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5/19/09: Will Downing
Overcoming his bout with the muscle disorder Polymyositis, Will Downing has set the stage to release is latest musical offering, ‘Classique.’ The balladeer’s 14th album and second Peak Records project features his signature baritone vocals over 10 smooth-sensual tracks. Vocalist Phil Perry joins the ‘After Tonight’ singer for Marvin Gaye penned ‘Baby I’m for Real.’ Other album highlights include ‘Love Suggestions,’ ‘More Time,’ ‘Something Special’ and Barry White‘s classic hit ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby.’ ‘Classique’ hit stores June 16.
Verve
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Posted by: KanYeezy
The E! reality star, 25, showed off the 9-carat, radiant cut diamond sparkler with paved band during a Starbucks run in Los Angeles Friday — two days before she is set to wed Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom.
Look back at Khloe and Lamar’s fast romance
On Thursday night, the bride-to-be enjoyed a low-key bachelorette party at the Viceroy Santa Monica, lounging poolside with her family and friends. She also enjoyed a dinner at the luxury hotel’s restaurant Whist.
Meanwhile, her fiance, 29, celebrated the end of his bachelor life at STK restaurant in Los Angeles with his Lakers teammates, Khloe’s brother Robert and Scott Disick, the father of Kourtney Kardashian’s baby.
See shots of the Kardashian clan at an Us Weekly party!
Pardon Ron Artest if he's a bit geographically challenged and had no idea that San Diego has a big league baseball team, even though he was wearing a Padres cap. This much he's sure of — If his Los Angeles Lakers don't repeat as NBA champions, fans can point their fingers at him. "They should.
Filed under: Music, Movies, Television, News, Photos, Theater, Celeb Updates
She may have been a no-show at the Toronto International Festival earlier this week, but Mo’Nique partied it up with the likes of Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley at the Sugar Bar last night. The incredibly shrinking funnywoman dined on buttery shrimp, sidestepped to the live music (with a bodyguard standing shielding her = insane to observe), cut up on the microphone and welcomed the black media with open arms at an exclusive soiree celebrating her upcoming BET late-night talk show, which premieres Oct. 5.
Aside from the new show, which we hear may draw comparisons to Arsenio Hall’s groundbreaking 1990s chat fest, the former star of ‘The Parkers’ is looking forward to a busy season. Her performance in the Oprah Winfrey/Tyler Perry-produced drama ‘Precious: Based on the Novel Push’ has garnered early Oscar buzz. It has also brought a tinge of scandal, too. This week, a source told Roger Friedman of the Hollywood Reporter that the 41-year-old actress asked for $100,000 at one point to show up to the festival with the rest of the cast. Of course, a rep for Lionsgate (the studio will release the film on Nov. 6) downplayed that tidbit with talk of “scheduling conflicts.” Hmmm. Winfrey, Perry and the diva Mariah Carey all showed up. And no one could possibly be busier than those three. They were all in New York City last night, too, but were nowhere near the Sugar Bar. When probed about the movie’s shining star, the film’s director told a room full of Toronto Festival journalists, “She’s at home eating some potato chips with her kids.” Ummmmm. Okay.
Last night, however, Mo’Nique seemed to be in her own mode at the Ashford & Simpson-owned hot spot. She wasn’t talking about Toronto drama. Actually, come to think of it, she didn’t say much at all in the watering hole’s tight quarters. The ‘Original Queen of Comedy’ did commend ‘Precious’ filmmakers for believing in her, along with BET honchos Debra Lee, Stephen Hill and Loretha Jones.
Spike Lee
Besides Woody Allen, no other filmmaker has had more films on the big screen in the last 20 years than Lee. From ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ to ‘Jungle Fever’ to the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated ‘Do The Right Thing,’ Lee’s production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. In 2008, the Atlanta native released his latest film, ‘Miracle at St. Anna,’ a story about blacks fighting in WWII that stars Derek Luke and Michael Ealy.
Oscar Micheaux
As the pioneer of Black filmmakers, this Metropolis, Illinois, native revolutionized the film industry when he formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first Black to make a film. He wrote, directed and produced the silent motion picture ‘The Homesteader’ and then introduced the film world to Paul Robeson in ‘Body and Soul.’ In 1986, the Directors Guild of America honored Micheaux with a Golden Jubilee Special Award, and today the Oscar Micheaux Award is presented each year by the Producers Guild.
Robert Townsend
Primarily known as a comedian, this Chicago native established himself when he wrote, directed, produced and starred in the comedy ‘Hollywood Shuffle,’ his 1987 film about struggling black actors. He also created and produced the CableACE award-winning ‘Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime’ for HBO. His best film to date is the 1991 musical ‘The Five Heartbeats.’ Townsend recently directed the documentary ‘Why We Laugh,’ a story on black comedians and their impact in America.
Bill Duke
Known for his imposing 6-foot-6-inch figure and action films such as 1987’s ‘Predator,’ the Poughkeepsie, New York, native began directing feature-length films in the 1990s with the crime dramas ‘A Rage in Harlem,’ ‘Deep Cover’ and ‘Hoodlum.’ In 2007, Duke directed ‘Cover,’ which starred Vivica A. Fox, and most recently ‘Not Easily Broken,’ which is based on a T.D Jakes novel and stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson.
Ossie Davis
As a pioneer in the film business and a legend in the Black community, Davis was an actor, director, poet, playwright, writer and social activist whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Davis directed numerous films during the blaxploitation era, including 1970’s ‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’ and 1973’s ‘Gordon’s War.’ Along with wife Ruby Dee, the Georgia native starred in many movies, including several of director Spike Lee’s films such as ‘Do The Right Thing,’ ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘She Hate Me.’
Melvin Van Peebles
This Chicago actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer is most famously known for his contribution to the blaxploitation era with the independently financed and critically acclaimed film ‘Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.’ The 1971 film was written, produced, scored, directed by and starred Van Peebles and tells the story of a deprived Black man on his escape from the white authority. The father of actor/ director Mario, in 2008, Melvin completed the film ‘Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha,’ which played at various film festivals.
Julie Dash
In 1991, this Queens, New York, native’s film ‘Daughters of the Dust,’ which tells the story of three generations of Gullah women at the turn of the 20th century, was the first full-length film with general theatrical release in the United States by an Black woman. In 2004, the film was included in the National Film Registry.
F. Gary Gray
Having directed more than 30 music videos for artists such as Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, TLC, Dr. Dre and Mary J. Blige, and winning several awards for his work, the New York native moved into the film world with the cult favorite ‘Friday,’ starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. He then followed that film with another fan favorite, ‘Set It Off,’ with Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith, before moving on to big budgeted films such as ‘The Negotiator,’ ‘The Italian Job’ and ‘Be Cool.’ His next feature is slated to be ‘Marvin: The Life Story of Marvin Gaye.’
Forest Whitaker
An Academy Award winner for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film ‘The Last King of Scotland’, the Longview, Texas, native has directed many films, including the fan favorite 1995’s ‘Waiting to Exhale,’ based on the Terry McMillan novel of the same name. Other directorial films from Whitaker include ‘Hope Floats’ and ‘First Daughter.’
Lee Daniels
Beginning his career in entertainment as a casting director and manager, the Philadelphia native worked on projects such as ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ and ‘Purple Rain,’ both of which starred Prince, before hitting the jackpot with his production of ‘Monster’s Ball’ in 2001. That film garnered Halle Berry a best actress Oscar, making her the first Black woman to do so. In 2006, Daniels made his directorial debut with ‘Shadowboxer,’ which starred Oscar winners Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Helen Mirren. Just recently, in January 2009, his latest directing gig, ‘Push,’ won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including best film.
Mo’Nique
Everyone and their mother (and even the P.O.T.U.S.) seemed to have some sideways comment about Kanye West’s messy spectacle at the MTV Video Music Awards — as if he was videotaped urinating on underage girls; as if he was accused of sexual assault by a Colorado hotel employee; as if he lumped up his beautiful Cover Girl model girlfriend on the streets of Los Angeles … but I digress.
Joining in the fray is Angelo Ellerbee, an esteemed public relations veteran.
In an eyebrow-raising interview with Out magazine, the New Jersey native – who has worked with virtually everyone in black entertainment from, Dionne Warwick to DMX, spoke his piece about the highly publicized debacle: “This is a problem! You can talk about how it’s liquor, but liquor just makes you do what you want to do. It’s an excuse. His mother dying, the liquor — they’re all excuses. You need to go and get some help. You need to come to me for a week. That’s what you need to do!”
Another nugget from Ellerbee, who has garnered praise for media coaching and teaching celebrities proper etiquette: “It angers me to think that we’ve come so far and then our black president is shouted at and called a liar and nobody wants to do anything because no one wants to ruffle any feathers. You know what? I’ve got nothing but feathers to ruffle. I’m tired of this. When I worked with Mary J. Blige, people said it was the hardest thing to do and it would never happen. But life is not a cup of instant coffee. It’s brewed coffee. It’s brewed over time. Look where she’s at today!”
Before Wanda Sykes starts hosting her late-night show on FOX this fall, audiences will get to see her on HBO. The Emmy Award-winning comedienne returns to the network for her second solo special, ‘Wanda Sykes: I’m a Be Me,’ debuting Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Taped last month before a live audience at the Warner Theatre in Washington, 
D.C., the special will feature the brazen funnywoman performing material featured in her national stand-up tour. She addresses such topics as having a new “cool” black president, coming out as a lesbian, the real Michelle Obama, being a new mom, getting her first bikini wax, health care town halls, pirates and working as an entertainer on a gay cruise. Named one of Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America,” the ‘New Adventures of Old Christine’ star recently hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Grammy-Award winning neo-soul powerhouse Jill Scott, Obie Award-winning actress Yvette Freeman and Emmy Award-winning producer Shonda Rimes have some irons in the fire. Scott has been cast as the lead in Lifetime Television’s telefilm ‘Sins of the Mother,’ about a grad student who returns home to face her abusive, alcoholic mother. Scott, who recently helmed the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency’ (now on DVD), will play the mother. According to ‘Variety,’ production began this week, and a 2010 premiere is slated.
She played nurse Haleh for 15 years on the TV drama ‘ER,’ but Freeman is a master at theater. This week, the Obie Award-winning Delaware native stars in McCarter Theatre Center‘s production of Emily Mann’s ‘Having Our Say,’ based on the memoir about civil rights pioneers Sadie and Bessie Delany. The multiple-award-winning play officially opened Sept. 17 and will continue at the Princeton University venue through Oct. 18.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator Rimes will produce a Miramax Films project adapted from journalist Helena Andrews‘ upcoming memoir ‘Bitch is the New Black,’ a satirical look at the new generation of young, successful black women in Washington, D.C. Andrews, a culture columnist for TheRoot.com, has been tapped to pen the screenplay.
Roxanne Shante, who was recently embroiled in a sordid scandal about whether Warner Bros. Records financed her alleged college education, sounded an alarm about a serious women’s health issue earlier this week. Via her Facebook page, the Queens, N.Y., native wrote: “Sisters, it is very important that you get mammograms. I am not 
going to put my personal business out here. But just know I am speaking from a place and situation that I don’t want to see any of you in. If anyone here is a breast cancer survivor I would love to hear from you. Life Begins at 40.”
When reached for comment, the former Cold Chillin’ Records rap diva (nee Lolita Gooden), who many consider the “First Lady of Rap,” did not respond. But today, she wrote: “Okay, let me explain. I wanted to share my situation because someone reading this needs to know they are not alone. Or they need to go and get a mammogram. We always put ourselves on the back burner for family, work, friends, etc. Put your health 1st today. As for me, I will be fine. God is good and has given me a guarantee. Plus, to worry is a sin, and I have committed enough of those so I don’t worry. Lol.” Her 40th birthday is Nov. 9.
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Filed under: Music, Television, News, Celeb Updates
Usually when celebrities go through the motions of trying to revive their wounded images, a great public relations strategy – them telling their story – goes into play.
But for Chris Brown, it seems to have gone off the deep end.
Major mainstream media opportunities with ‘Larry King Live’ and People magazine seem to have garnered less-than-desirable results.
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (C) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Media attend a press conference after Chris Brown leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (C) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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On a pre-taped interview for the long-running CNN talk show, the Jive Records singer didn’t say much about anything as he sat there with the support of his mother, Joyce Hawkins, and high-powered attorney Mark Geragos (who admitted on air that he had no idea who the singer was before he savagely beat his girlfriend, pop star Rihanna).
And then, in the new edition of People magazine, Brown, 20, does his first print interview – and in it, he’s talking about how Oprah Winfrey dealt with the widely reported Feb. 8 altercation on her show.
“I commend Oprah on being like, ‘This is a problem,’ but it was a slap in my face,” Brown told the magazine. “I did a lot of stuff for her, like going to Africa and performing for her school. She could have been more helpful, like, ‘Okay, I’m going to help both of these people out.’”
When contacted by TMZ.com, Winfrey’s camp issued the following response:
“Oprah is very appreciative that Chris Brown performed at her school, but she takes domestic abuse very seriously. She hopes he gets the counseling he needs.”
Chris Brown
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Filed under: Celebrity News, Careers, The Economy, Housing
After a busy and tumultuous past few months, young millionaire Rihanna may be using her money to settle down on her own. Housing rumor has it that the funky beauty has purchased a $10 million dollar home in Los Angeles. This is a strong move, after being a public victim of abuse. Read below for more notable events in finance, housing, the economy and more from an African American perspective.
♦ 5 Tips for Homebuyers as the Deadline Approaches for $8,000 Stimulus
The $8,000 federal tax credit for certain qualified home buyers is scheduled to expire December 1, 2009. Don’t be fooled by this deadline. This does not mean you have three months left to find your new home and make an offer.
The Money Coach
♦ Study Shows Psychological Impact of Unemployment
A new Rutgers study reveals the impact of unemployment on the individual, including depression, anxiety, and strained relationships.
BusinessWeek
♦ Using Cash Helps Consumers Escape Debt
Buried in credit card debts? Experts across the board suggest adopting a cash-only lifestyle.
The Grio
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
Rihanna dining at Giorgio Baldi in a black and white dress. Sept 2, 2009 X17online.com exclusive
Ice/X17online.com
♦ B in the Spotlight… Chike Ozah
Meet a New Orleans Director – Designer – Entrepreneur putting his name on the map.
The “B-Life”
♦ The Shrinking Plus-Size Apparel Market
To no one’s surprise, apparel sales have been going down over the past year — but the plus-size market has been hit especially hard.
The Budget Fashionista
♦ NYU Business School Gets its First Black Dean
Peter Blair Henry, a Jamaica-born Rhodes Scholar, moves to NYU in January 2010 from Stanford, where he’s currently holding the post of Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Economics. He’ll be NYU’s first black business school dean.
The Network Journal
♦ Five Safe Investments
If you are looking for some really safe investments, you should consider one of these five options.
Out of Debt Christian
♦ Low-Wage Workers Are Often Cheated, Study Says
Low-wage workers are routinely denied proper overtime pay and are often paid less than the minimum wage, according to a new study based on a survey of workers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
The New York Times
Filed under: Music, News, Celeb Updates, Star Quotes
A rep for Chris Brown sent the following statement to BV Newswire today regarding the reports of the singer’s televised interview for ‘Larry King Live’ due to air Sept. 2 on CNN.
Unlike other outlets, we are running it in its entirety:
“There have been reports on the internet that I didn’t remember what happened that night with Rihanna. I want to try and set things straight.
That 30 seconds of the interview they used of me was taken from a one hour interview during which that same question was asked something like 4 or 5 times — and when you look at the entire interview you will see it is not representative of what I said. “
“The first four times – or how ever many times it was – I gave the same answer — which was that I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to talk about what happened that night. I said it was not right for me and it really wasn’t fair to Rihanna. The fifth time – or whatever it was – I just misspoke. I was asked, “Do you remember doing it?” and I said, “No.”
“Of course I remember what happened. Several times during the interview, my mother said that I came to her right afterwards and told her everything. But it was and still is a blur. And yes, I still can’t believe it happened because it is not me or who I am or is what happened like anything I have ever done before.
Chris Brown“As I have said several times previously, I am ashamed of and sorry for what happened that night and I wish I could relive that moment and change things, but I can’t. I take full responsibility for my actions. What I have to do now is to prove to the world that this was an isolated incident and that is not who I am and I intend to do so by my behavior now and in the future.” Embedded video from <a href=”http://www.cnn.com/video”>CNN Video</a>
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (C) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Media attend a press conference after Chris Brown leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (C) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Entertainer Chris Brown (R) surrounded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s depuites leaves his sentencing at Los Angeles Criminal Courts on August 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Brown’s probation was 5 years probation and 180 days of community labor, as the result of a plea deal, after he was charged with two felonies for assault on then girlfriend, singer Rihanna, during an argument that occurred on February 8, 2009. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Angels did more than just upgrade their unsteady rotation. They added a two-time All-Star who's only 25 years old. Scott Kazmir was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the AL West leaders Friday night, a major move for a high-scoring team that already had World Series aspirations. The Angels landed Kazmir for two minor leaguers and a player to be named.