GreekChat.com Forums - Fall News: The Late Edition

Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of November 13th, 2006

The shock waves continue to be felt following the deaths of Singer Gerald Levert and noted Journalist Ed Bradley. Bradley passed away at the age of 65 from Leukemia. He started his career at WDAS. Then, he went on the fame at CBS, first as a reporter then as a correspondent on 60 Minutes. Bradley was an award winning journalist. He set the bar for excellence, and his style of reporting will be missed. When I heard the news of Gerald’s passing. I went into shock. I was on the air at the time, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. Gerald was a friend to the station, and I interviewed him many times. Last July on his 40th birthday, I called him and sang happy birthday. I am no Singer, but he laughed and said he loved it. He also reflected on his life, and what he was thankful for. Gerald was a fun guy with a hearty laugh. He was a great Singer who always put on a great show. His dad, Eddie Levert, was so proud of him, and you could see it in his eyes. Gerald gave us some great music, and he will be missed. On the day he died, we stopped the regular programming and devoted the hours to Gerald Levert’s life and legacy. We have audio clips of the interviews I conducted with Patti LaBelle, Teena Marie, Producer Kenny Gamble, Musiq, Bunny Sigler, Jamie Foster Brown & Calvin Terrell of Sister 2 Sister Magazine, Gerald’s Music Director Randy Bollin, Tour Promoter Woody Johnson and Kevon Edmonds of After 7 on our home page at WDASFM.COM. The Levert Family needs our prayers right now, so please remember them at this time. Ed Bradley and Gerald Levert: excellence in two different genres and two icons in our community who will be missed.

Actress Regina King is divorcing her husband of 10 years. King and her hubby, Ian Alexander, have been separated for a while. They have a young son, and Regina is moving on with her life. Sources say the marriage was plagued with problems, including cheating, drugs and abuse. King is best known for the movies Ray, Jerry Maguire, Miss Congeniality and Poetic Justice. She recently joined the cast of the hit Fox TV show 24.

Melanie B, a.k.a. Scary Spice, may have scared off Eddie Murphy. They were hot and heavy for a few months following his divorce, but then the former Spice Girl proclaimed she was pregnant. Apparently, it was a publicity stunt because she wasn’t. Eddie didn’t like it one bit. He already has six kids. Now, he is backing away from Mel B. Eddie has been spotted out and about with Babyface’s ex-wife, Tracey Edmonds.

Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend, is speaking out about her first marriage. King was married to William Bumpus, an Assistant Attorney General in Connecticut. They have two college-age children. The marriage ended because Bumpus couldn’t stop cheating on her. King admitted that infidelity did the marriage in and for a while she was bitter. But, Gayle says going into therapy helped her cope.

Are wedding bells in the air for Talk Show Host/Author Tavis Smiley? Smiley is reportedly dating CNN News Anchor Fredricka Whitfield, and they may marry next year.

Grey’s Anatomy is headed towards syndication. The show will start airing in syndication on the Lifetime Channel starting in the fall of 2009.

There is life after Dancing With The Stars for Vivica A. Fox. Vivica has joined the cast of the HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm. The new season will air next summer.
Grammy Award-winning superstar Kanye West says he’s taking a break. He feels his fans are getting bored with him. After his recent stunt where he stormed the stage and complained after not winning an award, he got a lot of flack. He was accused of being a cry baby. West realizes his actions are costing him fans.

Justin Timberlake disses Janet Jackson on his latest recording. On the song Give It To Me, he sings about a woman who mumbles and is facing trouble on the music charts. He suggests that the woman is jealous of his success. Timberlake has a lot of nerve. He was the one who ripped off Janet’s clothing during their infamous 2004 Superbowl stunt. Janet’s career never recovered after that, but his has continued to flourish. Despite sharing the same manager, the two have not spoken since their publicity stunt backfired.

Bobby Brown is determined to get back on television with a reality show, and now he is close to signing a deal with BET for a new show starring him and his pregnant mistress Karrine Steffans. Steffans is a former video vixen whose tell all book about her sexploits shocked the industry. In her book, she named names. I hear she is working on a follow up that may include details about an affair she had with a very married Chris Rock. With Whitney Houston working on the comeback of the decade, does anyone really care about Bobby and the pregnant sidechick?

Shar Jackson, the baby momma and ex of Kevin Federline, is defending her ex. She feels the media is being too hard on him. Britney Spears surprised her hubby when she served him with divorce papers. Spears grew tired of him spending all of her money. Then there’s the rumored STD he gave her. Two months after giving birth by caesarean to a second child, Spears decided to end the marriage. Federline has two kids with Shar Jackson. He dumped Jackson when she was pregnant with their second child after he met Britney. Shar is still in love with Federline. Despite his faults (no money, STD’s, drinking), she wants him back. Federline is going to go where the money is. Now that his wife is divorcing him, he may wind up with Shar.

Singer K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci fame is still holding a grudge against ex-love Mary J. Blige. During a recent concert, he took the time to mock her and her husband Kendu. Mary has gladly moved on, and she is very happy with her husband. When she was with K-Ci, he put her through hell and back.

Prosecutors say they have no deal with Actor Wesley Snipes, and he will still have to turn himself over to authorities to face charges of tax fraud. Wesley owes the I.R.S. over $12 million. He is currently living and working in Africa on a movie.

Nicole Richie is blasting reports that her drastic weight loss was due to a stomach stapling procedure. Reports claim she had the procedure reversed and now she is gaining weight. Nicole was never heavy, at the most, maybe 20 pounds. She could have hired a trainer to help her lose that.

Get well to Actor/Singer Jamie Foxx. He recently underwent throat surgery to remove a gland, but is now resting and doing fine.

Speaking of Jamie, he’s going to busy over the next few weeks as the promotional tour for Dreamgirls gets underway. Check out the latest issues of Ebony and Entertainment Weekly. Both magazines are giving behind the scenes exclusives. The cast, Beyonce, Jamie, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose, recently did a sit down with Oprah Winfrey to promote the movie. The show will air in December.

Speaking of Beyonce, she will be performing at The American Music Awards. Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the show, and Mary J. Blige is also scheduled to perform. The show airs November 21st on ABC.

Denzel Washington’s new movie ‘Dйjа Vu’ opens in theatres on the 22nd.

Tyler Perry’s popular stage production, What’s Done in the Dark, is coming back to Philly, November 21st through November 26th at the Merriam Theatre. The show stars Allen Payne, David & Tamala Mann and singer D’Atra Hicks.

Singer Michael Henderson is coming to Philly on Saturday, November 25th. Henderson is best known for the hits You Are My Starship, Be My Girl, In The Night-Time and At The Concert. Henderson will be doing two shows, 7pm and 10pm, at North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Avenue. For more info call 215-248-1000 ext. 0

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This man is an Icon in the African American community. He’s a well known TV and movie legend. He has made groundbreaking strides in his career. Lately, he has been airing his complaints about the African American community: lack of parenting, education, the breakdown of family values, etc. He makes a good point, and there is a lot of truth to what he says. But, it is hard to take him seriously when he has issues himself. Despite having a loving and loyal wife, he has repeatedly embarrassed her with his roving eye. He has cheated on her throughout their marriage, and now numerous women have come forward to claim they have been sexually molested by this man. He recently settled a case with a young woman, and he is likely to shell out more money to keep the women quiet. This man is a hypocrite. He puts down the African American community, yet he can’t stop abusing women. (Bill Cosby?)

The Ivy Legacy Foundation of the Rho Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Present Philly’s Men Are Cooking. The 15th Anniversary Fundraiser takes place Saturday, December 2nd at The National Constitution Center, 6th and Arch Streets. For more info call 215-848-4735.