January 18, 2004

Finally, an answer to my prayers! Starting tomorrow, January 19, there is an alternative to BET. A joint venture between Comcast and Radio One, TV One is targeting African-American viewers over 25 - an older audience looking for something more than booty-shaking videos ad nauseum. The station is being launched as part of Comcast’s basic cable lineup. For now, the station will be available in Detroit, Atlanta and throughout Comcast’s Atlantic holdings (including Baltimore and Washington, DC). The lineup includes a morning exercise show, a lifestyle program featuring B. Smith, a Patti LaBelle talk show and classic black television fare like “Good Times.” While this isn’t the first challenger to BET, it’s the most formidable with the financial backing of Comcast, the country's largest cable provider, and access to its stations.

Ron O’Neal, who was immortalized in the 1972 movie Superfly, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 66. In addition to Superfly and its sequel, Superfly TNT, O’Neal starred in and directed several blaxploitation films and guest starred on many television series.

MTV recently unveiled a slew of reality-based programs for the network. Rapper Foxy Brown will star in Foxy’s Family which will follow the rapper/businesswoman as she manages her record label, searches for new talent and interacts with her family who help her run her enterprise. The show has been described as a "Good Times meets Making of the Band, with The Osbournes dynamic.” In addition to the show, Brown is also set to co-star with Angela Bassett in Less than Kind about a woman having an affair with her daughter’s boyfriend. Brown is also putting the finishes touches on her book that chronicles her career. **Sounds like a quick read.

Unlucky in love, actress Halle Berry is seeking professional help to sort through her relationship woes. She’s in the process of divorcing husband number two, R&B singer Eric Benet. She was married previously to baseballer David Justice. She has also been linked romantically to singer Christopher Williams, actor Wesley Snipes and actor/model Shemar Moore. Halle says she’s trying to gain some perspective regarding the choices she’s made. “I seem to have a hard time finding the right one. I'm trying to become more picky, to think of myself more. I see a psychotherapist a couple of times a month. He helps me understand myself and understand others."

With Sex and the City heading off the air, SATC fans in the market for a replacement should look towards UPN. The network is producing a reality show called Amish in the City. Yes, a reality show about the suspender-clad, hat-wearing, horse and buggy-riding Amish. The show centers on the Amish rite of passage called rumspringa (which means “running around”). During rumspinga, 16-year old Amish teens spend a year experiencing the world, so they can make an informed decision about whether they want to be baptized into the faith. During that time, the teens often drink, watch TV, drive and date. Surprisingly, most come home and devote themselves to the Amish lifestyle. CBS president Leslie Moonves, who also oversees UPN, promises that the show will not make a mockery of the Amish religion.

George Clooney is denying reports that his girlfriend Krista Allen, 31, is pregnant. Allen recently dropped out of the LA play Orgasms. The play's stage director blamed her abrupt departure on her pregnancy. Clooney says, “He's mad at her for dropping out. Let's just say I'm going to have a talk with him about it."

January 15, 2004

Rapper Mystikal (Michael Tyler), 34, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexual battery. Mystikal and two bodyguards were accused of forcing his hairstylist to perform oral sex on them after accusing her of stealing $80,000 in checks. The sex acts were also videotaped. In June, all three men plead guilty to the sexual battery charge but later tried to change their pleas after learning that the judge had viewed the tape. In an effort to make restitution, Tyler has paid the victim $350,000 (most of which was borrowed from his record company). Judge Tony Marabella was ready to give the men the maximum sentence of 10 years, but the victim agreed to the terms of the plea bargain and the reduced sentences. Referring to Mystikal, Judge Marabella said, "If it weren't for the victim, his sentence would have been the maximum 10 years. The court is convinced that the defendant believes he is above the law and can take the law into his own hands." Bodyguard Leland "Pookie" Ellis, 37, received a sentence of four years while bodyguard, Vercy "V" Carter, 35, received three. All three began serving the sentences immediately.

What do all of the following people have in common: 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Queen Latifah, P. Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Damon Dash, Jermaine Dupri? Grammy nominations? Platinum selling CDs? Maybe, but all of these artists are part of the Hip-Hop Action Summit’s “One Mind, One Vote” campaign, designed to increase voter registration. That’s great. The problem is that none of them vote! 50, Ja, Busta, Dupri and Dash have never been registered to vote. Jay-Z is registered but hasn’t bothered to vote in the past ten years. Diddy and Latifah fared a little better and haven’t voted in the past two years (I'll cut them a little slack because there are a lot of people who only vote during presidential elections).

According to the Associated Press, the Kobe Bryant rape scandal was the top story of 2003. As the trial approaches, it will most likely continue to pick up steam in 2004. The latest news focuses on the litany of mistakes being made by prosecutors and hospital officials. A hearing is set for next week to see if Kobe’s legal team can gain access to the alleged victims medical records. However, NBC News says that through a series of errors and oversights, the defense has already had access to what should be confidential and privileged medical records. Back in August, an unnamed clerk responded to a subpoena requesting certain medical records and sent them directly to the court without consulting with hospital legal staff. In another incident, another hospital mistakenly included information on one of the victim's previous hospital visits along with results from her rape tests. Without noticing the additional file, the District Attorney’s office then passed all of the materials on to Bryant’s defense team.

Some mysteries are eternal. Was there a second shooter on the grassy knoll? Where is Jimmy Hoffa? Who was the abusive so-and-so that busted Halle Berry’s eardrum and caused her to lose most of the hearing in her right ear? Tired of the accusations, former R&B singer and Berry beau, Christopher Williams wants to set the record straight. It wasn’t him. He didn’t do it; but he knows who did: Wesley Snipes. Berry has never said publicly pointed the finger at her abuser.

A caviar spoon - $570. A fur trimmed parka - $495. The ability to get everything you want for free - Priceless. Being a celebrity definitely has its privileges. Even though they've got enough money to buy just about everything they need (and practically everything they want), everyone is always clamoring to give them stuff for free. In Style magazine reports that this year's Golden Globe gift bags will be worth approximately $26,000. In addition to the caviar cutlery and the parka, the gift bags, handed out to award presenters, include: a $7,000 spa-package at an exclusive Arizona resort, $2,000 of posh pet products, a $400 portable DVD player and $200 pearl earrings.

Showtime continues to break ground with its gay-themed programming. First there was Queer as Folk, which focused primarily on gay men, and now there is The L Word which examines the lives of a group of lesbian women. The series stars Pam Grier and Jennifer Beals. January 10, 2004

Jury selection in the Robert Blake murder trial began more than a month early and with little fanfare. The former Little Rascal and star of 70's cop show, Baretta, is accused of murdering his wife 44-year-old Bonny Lee Bakley. A spokesman for the Van Nuys Courthouse, Allan Parachini, claimed the early start was not meant to deceive the public or the media but to protect potential jurors. Blake and his defense team have stated previously that several people may have wanted Bakley dead. Parachini added, "The implication is that those alleged parties might still be active and we don't want any juror to have an iota of fear that his or her safety will be in question if he or she serves on such a case." For their safety, jurors will be identified by a three-digit number during the trial.

Danny Glover is causing quite a stir this week as he tours Venezuela. He has been well received by the autograph-seeking citizens of Caracas as he tours clinics and other sites in the South American country examining their race relations. Lately, Glover’s become more of a Washington fixture than a Hollywood player. He is the chairman of the Transafrica Forum, an organization devoted to examining the effect of U.S. policies on African peoples in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. He also puts his money where his mouth is and has donated over $1 million to the organization. Glover is also an outspoken opponent of the death penalty and the Iraqi War.

Although she's lost a lot of weight, Missy Elliott says she still represents the big girls. Recently, Elliott offended some of her fuller fans by allegedly making fun of them in her latest video ("Pass the Dutch"). In the video, an SUV full of large and in charge women eat a man and throw his bones out of the car window. Elliott issued a statement stating her decision to lose weight was based on her desire to be healthy and that she didn't intend to offend any of her fans. She asked her fans to support her weight loss efforts. She ended her statement by urging overweight women to wear more appropriate clothing (oh-kaayyy?).

Lauryn Hill hasn’t sold her soul, but she’s selling just about everything else on her website. Fans can purchase posters and art prints for $50. Autographed items go for a cool $500. The more budget-conscious fans can view her latest video “Social Drugs” online for just $15 (but that only buys you three viewings). Anyway, I’m through plugging Ms. Hill’s wares. If you want to see them, check them out for yourself at www.laurynhill.com.

Who needs the Democratic primaries? Madonna has endorsed retired General Wesley Clark for president. Now, Howard Dean can kiss his lead goodbye! Madonna is urging her fans to donate their time and their money to Clark’s campaign. She says she has looked closely at all the candidates and she likes what she sees in Clark. “I'm supporting Wes Clark because in him I see the qualifications, character and vision we so desperately need. I've never done this before. I've never aligned myself with a presidential candidate during the primary season. But this time the stakes are too high, we have too much to lose, and there is so much work to be done."

January 7, 2004

Are Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston separated? According to reports, the volatile couple spent both Christmas and New Year's apart. Brown opted to stay in Atlanta. He ushered in 2004 partying at P Diddy's restaurant, Justin's. Meanwhile, Whitney stayed in New Jersey with family and daughter Bobbi Kristina. Brown's preliminary hearing has been postponed until February 4th. It will be interesting to see if Whitney chooses to keep her distance then.

Friends star Courtney Cox and husband David Arquette are expecting. No details about when the bundle of joy is set to arrive; however back in October, David's brother Alexis let it slip that the couple were in the family way on the Sharon Osbourne Show. Let's hope that the baby inherits her fashion sense.

Seems like Stuck on You star, Matt Damon, is stuck on stuck co-star Eva Mendes. The two have been rumored to be an item for a while now, but have denied being anything more than friends. Yet, witnesses say they were more than a little friendly when they were spotted in Las Vegas over New Year's prompting the New York Post to say that the two are finally "going public with their love."

Outkast has been nominated for six NAACP Image Awards. In fact, two of their songs "Hey Ya" and "The Way You Move" have been nominated for best song and best video. Beyonce has five nominations, followed by recovering crooner Luther Vandross with four.

January 4, 2004

What a weekend! Britney Spears got hitched early Saturday morning in Las Vegas. 22-year-old Spears married longtime friend 22-year-old Jason Allen Alexander (not to be confused with 40-something Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame). The nuptials took place at the Little White Wedding Chapel on the Strip. By Saturday afternoon, the couple had the marriage annulled. The annulment will become official Monday morning when the courts open. A source close to the pop star says that Britney was not drunk at the time (yeah, right).

Steve Irwin, better known as The Crocodile Hunter, just one upped Michael Jackson, and that's not an easy thing to do. In November of 2002, Jackson made waves by dangling his baby over a balcony. Irwin, held his month-old son in his left arm while feeding a crocodile with his right. The event was seen on Australian TV and broadcast all over the world. Queensland, Australian officials say they will investigate the incident for violations of workplace safety laws. However police say no charges will be filed against Irwin. Irwin defends his actions by saying the toddler was never in danger.

According to tabloid reports, Michael Jackson has married for the third time. The lucky woman is a 23-year-old Muslim woman named, Aisha. It is reported that Aisha is an accomplished pianist. Aisha, the innocent, has led a very conservative life. She's never owned a CD or attended a concert. My gut tells me this is a hoax at best and a publicity stunt at worst.

January 1, 2004

Police are calling for an investigation into claims made by Michael Jackson that he was abused while in police custody. In an interview on 60 Minutes, Michael accused the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department of bruising his arm, dislocating his shoulder and locking him in a dirty bathroom for 45 minutes (The horror!). The sheriff's department says the entertainer was treated with "the utmost respect" and they have a video tape that proves it.

More Michael Jackson news. The controversial 60 Minutes interview is stirring up its own controversy. Rumors are swirling that CBS paid Michael Jackson $1 million dollars for the interview. The 'quid pro quo' went something like this. Back in November, CBS was set to air a MJ special that was canceled after the latest child molestation scandal broke. Allegedly, CBS paid MJ $1 million to reschedule the show but only if he agreed to address the allegations in an interview first.

Finding Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl were the highest grossing movies released in 2003. Finding Nemo raked in an astounding $340 million domestically. Pirates wasn't far behind at $305 million. Of course, when it's all said and done, the final Lord of the Rings installment, Return of the King, might be the biggest winner of all. It's grossed $224 million in its first two weeks.

As if Americans really care (and I don't think we really do, given the low ratings), first season American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson lost the World Idol title to Norwegian Kurt Nilsen. The blond gap-toothed plumber sang U2's "Beautiful Day" during the competition.

I bet Justin Guarini is hoping 2004 will be better than 2003 was. Right before Christmas, the American Idol runner-up he was dumped from his record label. Now, a 2002 car accident is coming back to haunt him. the Pennsylvania couple are suing for $50,000 for "fair compensation." Louis Maiatico, who was driving the car, claims he's suffered from whiplash ever since the accident and has missed work because of it. As for his wife, Louise, she says the accident has robbed her of "assistance, society and companionship." At the time of the accident, Guarini was fined $100 by police.