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Celebrity Dish- 10
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MSN More MSN 8 Subscription Services Oprah Joins Forbes' List of Billionaires Feb 28, 7:54 AM EST While many of the world's richest people saw their fortunes shrink again in the last year, Oprah Winfrey's grew enough to put her on Forbes magazine's list of billionaires — the first black woman to join the ranks. Bill Gates leads the list for the ninth straight year, but the Microsoft co-founder's net worth fell 23 percent from a year ago to $40.7 billion. Investment guru Warren Buffett remained in second place with $30.5 billion, a 13 percent drop from last year. Gates' personal wealth, much of it in company stock, has diminished by 60 percent since April 1998, when it briefly reached $100 billion. His worst year was 1999, when it plunged by a third as the government pursued an antitrust case against Microsoft. Forbes notes he is also the world's biggest giver, donating $1 billion annually to charity, largely to vaccine research. Meanwhile, Oprah's media empire grew steadily stronger, and she made the list this year with a net worth of $1 billion. Her debut comes just two years after Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson became the first black billionaire. Membership in the exclusive club fell by 21 this year to 476, the third year of declines since the economy weakened and stock markets started falling. The group's combined wealth also fell to $1.4 trillion from $1.54 trillion last year. "You see the poor economies wreaking havoc on their finances like everyone else. They're not immune," said Louisa Kroll, who edited Forbes' March billionaires issue, which hits newsstands Friday. The 222 Americans on the list hold 47 percent of the group's wealth. But U.S. billionaires collectively lost $98 billion last year. Of the 67 billionaires who left the list, there were 30 Americans, including media mogul Barry Diller, venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and Sid Bass, a member of one of Texas's wealthiest families. Four of last year's billionaires were wiped out entirely — Swiss shareholder activist Martin Ebner, German media tycoon Leo Kirch, Brazilian television mogul Roberto Marinho and Turkish banker Mehmet Karamehmet. A fifth, Swiss businessman Klaus J. Jacobs, gave it all away. Another whose net worth plummeted was Canadian cable magnate Andre Chagnon, who donated nearly his entire fortune to help fight disease and obesity among children. Germany's 43 billionaires are led by retailers Theo and Karl Albrecht, who remained comfortably in third place with a combined net worth of $25.6 billion, down from $26.8 billion last year. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen held fourth place with a net worth of $20.1 billion, down from $25.2 billion. Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, Citigroup's largest individual investor, moved up to the fifth spot with a $17.7 billion fortune. He edged out software mogul Lawrence Ellison and five members of the Walton family, who rounded out the top ten. Other newsmakers on the list include Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim Helu, who is pumping millions into an effort to rejuvenate Mexico City and has hired Rudolph Giuliani to help solve its crime problem; Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Europe has 134 billionaires, up from 121 last year. Russia has 10 new billionaires, thanks to higher oil prices, a 38 percent rise in stocks and a trend toward corporate transparency that has made it easier to identify the wealthiest Russians. Three years ago there were no Russians listed; now there are 17. The economic pain has been acute in Asia, where the number of billionaires fell to 61, down 50 percent from the peak in 1996. Few fortunes are made in a hurry. The average age on the list is 64, but there are 25 billionaires under 40. The richest remains computer company founder Michael Dell, 38, who fell six places to 24, with a net worth of $9.8 billion. The youngest is Germany's Albert von Thurn und Taxis, who inherited his $1.5 billion portion of one of the world's oldest fortunes when he turned 18 last year. He is 19 now. The 37 women on the list were led by Alice Walton and her mother Helen Walton, whose equal $16.5 billion portions of the Wal-Mart fortune landed them in 7th place. Oprah is the third self-made woman to ever make the list. The others are Doris Fisher of the Gap, who remains on the list, and Martha Stewart, who was on in 2000 and then lost her position. ——— Good lawd, that's a lot of money! :eek: :eek: |
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Hip Hop Rumor
Jacob The Jeweler Jacks Nas?
Feb. 25, 2003 Well, as you can clearly see, the rumors are a well that's running dry, but never fear the recent rain has replenished the water supply. Here is a seriously ill rumor. If you don't already know, Nas and Kelis are a newly engaged couple, but that ain't the rumor. We heard, through some peeps, that Nasir went to the famed, celebrated Jacob the Jewler to cop a $100,000 ring for his boo. After getting the ring appraised from a separate, equally credible jewler, the Queens-bred lyricist discovered shockingly that he had been "gipped" out of over 90,000 big ones. The rumor jogs forward stating that Nas' discovery also prompted Pharrell of The Neptunes and other all-star rappers to take their truck jewels back to Jacob. We don't know if this one is factual, but if you are thinking about robbing some rapper, understand, what you cop might not be worth squat. :eek: :confused: |
I'm not one to bash any celebrity, but this is a bit weird to me.
------ J-Lo opts for fleet of limos for 100-yard trip Reuters Feb 28 2003 1:51PM LONDON (Reuters) - American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez used six limousines to travel from one exclusive London hotel to another equally upscale hotel -- a distance of about 100 yards, British newspapers reported Friday. The Daily Mail said onlookers were dumbstruck as the singer and her 30-strong entourage spent 15 minutes clambering into the vehicles for the short trip along swanky Park Lane between the Metropolitan Hotel and the Dorchester hotel. "No one could understand why they didn't just walk," the newspaper quoted one hotel guest as saying. Lopez has attracted widespread coverage since arriving in Britain earlier this week to promote her new film "Maid in Manhattan." Newspapers have been full of stories about the 32-year-old booking 14 suites at the Metropolitan Hotel for 9,000 pounds ($14,000) a night to house her team, reported to include dieticians and make-up artists. Lopez has previously said media stories about her acting like a a prima donna are exaggerated. ($1-.6328 Pound) Reuters/Variety 02/28/03 13:47 ET ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Vincit qui se vincit." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Baby, Imma Thug
Rapper Trick Daddy is facing assault charges in Miami after witnesses told police he brandished a gun and threatened to kill a man during a dispute following a basketball game. The South Florida rapper, whose real name is Maurice Young, surrendered early Wednesday and was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Miami-Dade police spokesman Robert Williams said.
Trick Daddy has a history of drug and weapon related arrests. He was convicted in 1991 on charges of cocaine possession, carrying a concealed firearm, and violating probation. He served two-and-a-half years in state prison, state attorney spokesman Ed Griffith said. Trick Daddy was released later Wednesday after posting $22,500 bond, Miami-Dade County Jail officials said. He faces a maximum 35 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The alleged assault occurred Feb. 3. Witnesses told police that Trick Daddy was playing basketball with friends when he got into a dispute with Pernell Paige, 27. The rapper left the court but returned armed and threatened Paige, police said. Williams said Trick Daddy calmed down and left without firing or striking Paige. Phone messages left at Paige's home, and the rapper's record labels, Atlantic and Slip-N-Slide Records, were not returned. Jail records list the rapper as being 26, but other records, including his driver's license, list him as being 28. The artist, who has also gone by the stage names Trick Daddy Dollars or T Double D, last August released his fifth album, "Thug Holiday." The set debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and No. 6 on The Billboard 200. |
MC LYTE SIGHTING
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Re: MC LYTE SIGHTING
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Re: Hip Hop Rumor
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Why, Lord? WHYYYYYY? What about ME?! http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-006.gif http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-018.gif *Heaven I need a hug* |
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<<<<HUG>>> BTW - MC Lyte looks great! |
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And that is all I have to say for now. Sphinxpoet |
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Re: Picture Pages
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I thought Serena was dating the ex-Penn State football player? I can't remember his name but anyway, that is different. :confused: |
Serena was once linked to LaVar Arrington (the football player) and C.C. Sabathia, a pro baseball player, as well as Lennox Lewis.
And I'm really ignorant, but who is that cat that CT4 posted w/Serena's photo? :confused: |
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I thought Chris Tucker was happily married with kids and stuff. :confused:
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:rolleyes: Lawd Jesus.....................uhhhnnn, uhhhhnnn, uhhnnn!
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<<<HUG>>> There, there now......don't let the SW + CT situation get you down for too long. |
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BWAHAHAHAHAHA
JAWN'S JUICE -- Jawn Muray
TTalk Of The Town: Yikes! Everyone is buzzing about Alicia Keys’ severe acne problem. The award-winning singer’s pimple problem was the talk of the Grammy weekend. Said a source: “The camera did a close-up on her while she was playing piano for Aretha Franklin at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy and you could hear the audition(SEVERE ERROR -- TRANSLATION: AUDIENCE) gasp. It became the talk of the night.” Can’t Say Names: Sources say a certain boy band rented the homes they recently featured on BET‘s “How I‘m Living“ and MTV‘s “Cribs.” Rumor has it that the handlers of the group wanted their lifestyle to appear more extravagant than theirs actually is, so they rented several homes and decorated them enough to make them look like they lived in them * BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA -- yall know this is B2GAY Sources say that if a certain songbird doesn’t score big with her upcoming junior effort, her label may let her go. Record executives were scratching their heads trying to come up with a formula to salvage the singer’s career, and hope that the single that was recently serviced to radio will help facilitate the comeback. Insiders say that if the song is not a hit, the label is calling it quits. Who is THIS?!?!?!!??! Oh wait, this must be MONICA, because Brandy has a 3rd CD and her 4th is due out this summer. Yeah Monica's 3rd CD was supposed to drop last Summer when I moved to Charlotte. :confused: |
I'm not sure if this post belongs under this topic, and if not moderators please place in appropriate area. Anyway, I went to see Ms. Anita Baker this past weekend at Trump Taj Mahal and she was.......AWESOME, AMAZING, WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, etc. I was as giddy as a kid. If you ever get a chance to see her in concert GOOOOO!! You will not be disappointed. It's time for her to make a come back.
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Re: BWAHAHAHAHAHA
Sources say that if a certain songbird doesn’t
score big with her upcoming junior effort, her label may let her go. Record executives were scratching their heads trying to come up with a formula to salvage the singer’s career, and hope that the single that was recently serviced to radio will help facilitate the comeback. Insiders say that if the song is not a hit, the label is calling it quits. Who is THIS?!?!?!!??! Oh wait, this must be MONICA, because Brandy has a 3rd CD and her 4th is due out this summer. Yeah Monica's 3rd CD was supposed to drop last Summer when I moved to Charlotte. :confused: [/B][/QUOTE] I heard her new song yesterday, and I love it. |
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I heard her new song yesterday, and I love it. [/B][/QUOTE] My first thought was Monica, also. I heard the new song today and had just the opposite reaction. I didn't care for it. |
Entertainment
Article Claims More Jackson Weirdness Tue Mar 4, 6:33 PM ET NEW YORK - Michael Jackson (news) paid a witch doctor to place a curse on DreamWorks partners David Geffen and Steven Spielberg (news), and wears a prosthetic tip on his nose, claims an article in Vanity Fair magazine. AP Photo Slideshow: Michael Jackson Titled "Losing His Grip," the article also includes an interview with an unnamed California prosecutor who investigated child molestation allegations against the pop star. The prosecutor said Jackson befriended young boys "and as soon as they started sprouting whiskers — whoosh — they were out the door." Jackson denied allegations that he sexually molested a 13-year-old boy in 1993. He reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the teen and was never charged. A representative for Jackson had no comment Tuesday. The Vanity Fair article adds to the media frenzy surrounding the 44-year-old singer. In February, ABC broadcast the highly rated British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," in which Jackson was interviewed by journalist Martin Bashir; NBC's "Dateline" did a two-hour special on the singer; and Fox broadcast behind-the-scenes footage of Bashir's interview, allowing Jackson to strike back after he found Bashir's documentary unflattering. Jackson allegedly paid a witch doctor $150,000 in 2000 to put a hex on several Hollywood figures. Spielberg was allegedly included because he did not allow him to star as Peter Pan in "Hook." He blamed Geffen for sabotaging his career, the magazine said. Both Spielberg and Geffen are partners in the DreamWorks entertainment company, which includes a movie studio and a record company. The article also claims that Jackson wears a prothesis for the tip of his nose because of a lack of cartilage due to excessive plastic surgery. The magazine appears on newsstands beginning this week. |
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lach.gifhttp://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lach.gifhttp://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lach.gif
Erykah Badu's House Of Shoes Star magazine reports Erykah Badu was performing at the House of Blues in Las Vegas recently when she tripped over her platform shoes, and fell to the ground, which knocked off her wig. Badu managed to stumble to her feet, only to fall down again. This time around, she took her shoes off, and decided to sing lying down instead. |
Social activist and Presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton will appear in the new ad campaign for P. Diddy’s Sean John clothing line. :o The Sharpton ads carry the tag, "Be The First Black President." The expanded campaign will launch in April issues of Vanity Fair, Vogue, Maxim, Details, GQ, Vibe, The Source and others, and will run through early summer.
New York Knicks star Latrell Sprewell is being sued for millions of dollars in child support by the mother of his 14-year-old daughter. Latrell’s high school sweetheart, Mitralene Maclin, wants $2 million a year for 14-year-old Aquilla Sprewell, who is the oldest of Latrell’s six children. (Latrell has never denied that Aquilla is his daughter. In fact, the girl has spent several summers in New York with her dad and his five other kids.) Mitralene Maclin’s been getting $2,000 a month from Sprewell but she got worried last fall when the NBA All Star broke his hand and missed the start of the season. Latrell supposedly stopped returning Mitralene’s phone calls after that incident. Mitralene Maclin’s lawsuit demands up to 17% of Sprewell's salary, plus numerous extras such as private school and a college fund. Latrell Sprewell’s going to make $12 million this season and $15 million in each of the next two seasons. Mitralene’s been represented by Suzanne Kimberly Bracker, the same attorney who repped P. Diddy and Ice-T’s exes. The so-called “Eminem Bandit” has been busted! Last week we told you about the white stick-up man who wore hip hop-style gear while knocking over banks in New Jersey. Well, he got snatched by the Long Arm of the Law last Thursday outside the Valley National Bank in Belleville, New Jersey. Turns out the robber was a 44-year-old man named Michael R. Hasuga who didn’t appreciated being compared to Eminem. Hasuga says he’s a heavy metal fan who doesn’t even like rap! Hasuga’s facing 12 federal charges. A police spokesman said! , quote: “He's facing some serious time. Eminem will be a grandfather by the time he gets out." Tyrese has much love and admiration for the late, great Marvin Gaye. Tyrese respects Marvin’s music so much that he is having a portrait of the legendary Motown crooner etched into the marble floor of entry way at his house! Tyrese says he got special permission from Marvin’s widow and grown kids to do this. Tyrese has added his voice to the chorus speaking out against a possible war with Iraq. Tyrese told the press at Saturday’s Soul Train Music Awards that there were enough “wars” to fight here in America – such as the war on poverty and the fight for quality education. Tyrese said the Bush Administration is trying to make the American public believe that we need a war with Iraq when we don’t. Tyrese added that the W in President George W. Bush’s name stands for “What the hell are you doing?” You're so clever, Tyrese. :rolleyes: |
NOW this we've got to see! Justin Timberlake is going to get *NSYNC with his feminine side on national TV. Don't laugh, it's all for a gay old episode of Will & Grace. Execs wrote the gender-bending script especially for Britney Spears' ex, 22, who gets all weepy and sensitive in his new video, Cry Me a River. He'll play a scheming gay gigolo who steals the heart of flamboyant Jack, played by Sean Hayes, and swindles him out of his money. Producers of the NBC series promise that Justin's gay friends are gonna love it. And his favorite charity will be happy, too. The hottie plans to donate his cool $50,000 paycheck from the show to an AIDS organization
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Nelly to buy into Truck team
Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. -- It's getting hot in NASCAR. Grammy award-winning rapper Nelly will buy into a Craftsman Truck team starting at Darlington Raceway on March 14. The deal to purchase part of Billy Ballew Motorsports will last the rest of the season, Nelly's representative, Michael Warmack, told The Associated Press by phone Tuesday. The truck will sport a new paint scheme and feature Nelly's Vokal clothing label. It will be unveiled in time for the Darlington 200 truck event. "We've kind of been running on stealth mode for the last few weeks," Warmack said. Nelly is buying into the truck currently driven by Andy Houston. Nelly, born Cornell Haynes, released his CD "Nellyville" with the infectious single "Hot in Herre" last year. The hit earned him a Grammy for best male rap solo performance. He also won for best rap/sung collaboration for "Dilemma," featuring Kelly Rowland. Nelly had a hit with "Ride Wit Me," off the 2001 Grammy nominated album "Country Grammar" that included the catchy phrase "Hey, must be the money!" Warmack will be the point-man for the Atlanta-based Vokal Racing Team, and said the group eventually will look for a minority driver. For now, Warmack said they will continue with Ballew's driver, NASCAR truck veteran Andy Houston, at the 1.366-mile superspeedway. Warmack said plans came together last month at Daytona International Speedway. Darlington Raceway spokeswoman Cathy Mock said her office got a call about security and protection for an appearance next week by the platinum-selling artist. Warmack was hopeful Nelly would be at NASCAR's oldest superspeedway to debut the truck and watch the race. "Nelly is a race fan, he's been one for a long time," Warmack said. "We're very excited about him becoming a team owner." NASCAR manager for diversity affairs Dora Taylor said Nelly, who is black, and his people talked to her about the sport's diversity issues. "They had heard we were good and wanted to find out for themselves," she said. Rob Copeland, NASCAR's managing director of business communications, said Nelly had another reason for joining -- to win. "They want to compete and in the end, that's what it's all about," Copeland said. Several prominent blacks have tried -- and failed -- to make a dent in NASCAR. Julius Erving, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Willy T. Ribbs are among the few blacks who have tried either to drive or to own cars. None have had much success. It has been nearly 40 years since Wendell Scott became the first and only black man to win a race in NASCAR's top series. Taylor is in her second year trying to change that. There is only one black driver, Bill Lester in the truck series, on NASCAR's top three circuits. Nelly would certainly introduce stock cars to an audience rarely seen in the pits. It's hard to think of two things more different than hip-hop and NASCAR. "You have to remember, hip-hop has become a crossover sensation," Taylor said. It takes somewhere between $1.5 million and $3 million to run a Craftsman Truck team. Nelly is spending "enough to go racing a few years," Warmack said, but would not elaborate. "He thinks he can help bring more minorities to this sport," Warmack said. "We're happy we can be a part of this with NASCAR." |
Nelly and Neckcar
I don't understand why Nelly would want to associate himself with a sport where they still have people who wave Confederate flags in the open. Sorry, the left-turn-only circuit has little appeal to this corner.
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4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF
MARCH 3, 2003 Singer Brian McKnight is living the single life. Brian is no longer with his wife. Brian also has a new manager. He recently got rid of his longtime manager. Why is Brian making changes in his life he was married to his wife forever? Will they reconcile? Brian has a new album coming out on March 25th called U-Turn featuring the lead single 'Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda. On the new album Brian teams up with Rapper Nelly, Carl Thomas, Tyreese and Joe. Did you have a chance to see the Soul Train Awards? It was horrible, how did the Singer Amerie who gave a horrible performance win over Heather Headly, a Tony Award Winner, and India Aire? The pace of the show was boring thank goodness for LL Cool J (he was a big honoree) he took off his shirt and livened things up. Musiq and Ashanti were the nights big winner. Paula Abdul was one of the presenters, her new skinny look is aging her. She is too skinny. Paula has had weight issues for years and now she is sporting the super skinny look, which is not flattering for her. Gladys Knight recently opened up to Jet Magazine about her life. Gladys talked about being married to a younger man (she's 58 he's 45). She also talked about being in show biz for 50 years and how she dealt with her son's death. Gladys has the No. 1 show in Las Vegas and she seems very happy. Gladys says her young hubby is everything she prayed for. Gladys also talked about former husband Les Brown the Motivational Speaker. Gladys said when she married Les Brown she realized he was the kind of man she didn't want. When Les left Gladys he didn't tell her to her face, he sent her a letter via Federal Express (what a coward!). Forbes Magazine recently named Oprah Winfrey the First African American Female Billionaire. Oprah has also revived her Famous Book Club. She is only going to deal with the classics. Oprah is also coming to Philly. Oprah will be here on Nov. 18th at the Kimmel Center. Oprah is getting the Marion Anderson Award. Unfortunately all was not good for Oprah this week. Oprah's half sister Patricia Lloyd died. Patricia was 43 and for years she battled drug abuse. Oprah used to pay for her rehab until Patricia betrayed her. Oprah and Patricia have the same mother and in the 90's Patricia went to the National Enquirer and gave them the scoop on Oprah's childhood. Patricia revealed how Oprah had a baby at the age of 14 but the baby died shortly after childbirth. Oprah was hurt by her half sisters betrayal and she cut off all contact with her. Dionne Warwick says when she caught with Marijuana last May she was framed. Dionne says the marijuana was planted. Dionne says she doesn't do drugs, she doesn't take aspirins. Those drug charges were dropped after Dionne agreed to a plea bargain and drug counseling. If she was innocent why did she agree to a plea bargain? What was Puff Daddy doing with the President's daughters? Puffy, P-Diddy (whatever his name is this week) was at a club called Butter in New York. Puffy was dancing with the Bush Twins Jenna and Barbara on the floor. The party was hot as Naomi Campbell, Jay Z, Angela Bassett and Fred Durst looked on. Our condolences go out to Singer Stephanie Mills. Stephanie recently lost her mother. Jill Scott has been named Spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Apollo Theatre Academy Program. This is a Youth-Mentor program that focuses on careers in the entertainment industry. |
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He was cheating on his wife for years. So JULIE congrats for finally leaving him. Him and Professor Ogilvie both look like Pound Puppies. |
Sanaa & Omar (nooo!)
As I was reading this months Honey magazine, I ran across an article on Omar Epps and he said that his relationship with Sanaa has been over and he was dating again. Why do alll the cute couples break up? Hopefully it is for the best.
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but :D happy on another. . . more :( than :D but hey . . . by the way I like how you did your screenname as an acronym. |
Could the Sopranos be over????
From AOL.com
NEW YORK (March 8) - Fans of HBO's popular drama "The Sopranos" may have to "fuhgeddabout" another season after James Gandolfini, the actor who plays the family patriarch, filed a lawsuit seeking a release from his contract. But viewers shouldn't count out "The Sopranos" just yet. A source close to Gandolfini said the actor believes he is underpaid relative to other small-screen stars, and that he would like to return for a fifth season if a deal can be reached. "This suit is really about Jim (Gandolfini) being paid fair market value, like other stars of network television shows, and he expects it to be settled in a friendly way," the source said. Gandolfini, a two-time Emmy award winner for his portrayal of conflicted mob boss Tony Soprano, alleged in a suit filed in California that HBO violated a clause in his contract when it failed to notify him of a $20 million deal it struck with David Chase, the show's creator. "This is nothing more than a further renegotiation tactic by an actor in a binding contract," said HBO spokesman Quentin Schaffer. An end to "The Sopranos," which broke records for a cable show last year by pulling in 13.4 million viewers for its premiere, would be a huge blow to HBO, the subscription cable channel owned by AOL Time Warner . "The Sopranos" is HBO's most popular show, and it paved the way for a string of HBO hits such as "Six Feet Under" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The show's fifth season was scheduled to begin shooting in April, a spokesman said. Gandolfini receives about $400,000 an episode under a deal renegotiated after the first season of "The Sopranos," according to Variety, roughly in line with stars like Martin Sheen of NBC's "The West Wing" but far below the $1.6 million per episode paid to Kelsey Grammer for NBC's "Frasier." Network television shows generate advertising revenue, while commercial-free HBO derives its revenue solely from subscriptions. HBO's business model makes it difficult to calculate exactly how much "The Sopranos" -- and Gandolfini -- are worth. "Unfortunately there's no way to quantify it," HBO spokesman Schaffer said of the show. "But we know it's valuable." Several other actors on "The Sopranos," including Michael Imperioli, who plays Christopher Moltisanti; Tony Sirico, who plays Paulie Walnuts; and Jamie Lynn-Sigler, who plays Meadow Soprano, have recently renegotiated their contracts in recent months, according to reports in industry trade publications. "Gandolfini has always been extremely supportive of his fellow cast members," said a source familiar with the production. "It would seem out of character that he would want to do something to jeopardize a financially rewarding year for his fellow cast." Gandolfini and "Sopranos" production company Brillstein-Grey were not immediately available for comment." |
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SANTA MONICA, California — DMX is hanging up his collar.
The barking MC took a break on the set of his next movie, "Never Die Alone," on Wednesday to confirm rumors of his retirement from hip-hop. "That's the truth. It's my last album," X said, referring to his upcoming fifth record, It's Not a Game. DMX will continue to act and oversee his Bloodline Records label, but neither will be his priority. "I'm going into the church," he said. "I wanna take some time off — you know, read my Bible and just get more into the word." Family will also take precedence. "I got kids, and one of my children is at that stage where you have to be around. He's 8 months, and I don't wanna be a stranger to my children. That's more important to me than all this." DMX promised to go out with a bang on It's Not a Game, which he described as even more autobiographical than his previous releases. The album is finished and will likely surface before summer, but that's about all X will reveal. "It's top-secret stuff," he said. One thing fans can expect is a collaboration between DMX and the red-hot 50 Cent. "He's an individual after my own heart," X said of 50. "I'm glad he's here. Once again, hip-hop was getting a little bit too slippery, a little too shiny. So it's good, it's refreshing, to have someone bring it right back to the streets." After It's Not a Game drops, the Ruff Ryders' top dog will prep new albums from his kennel of Bloodline acts, including Bazaar Royale, Big Stan and Kashmir. "I'm hands-on with all my artists, that's why it's called Bloodline, 'cause it comes from the dogs, you know," X explained. "It's like before you get a dog, you find out what his Bloodline is and then you know who his parents were, you know how many fights they had, you know what's in their blood, so to speak." DMX said he may produce some of his artists' tracks, but he'll focus more on general guidance. "I know I needed to learn a few things coming into the rap game. It's like, all right, you're a talented rapper and you write songs, but it's different putting an album together. So I try to show 'em what to do and what not to do and how far to go with it." DMX joins a long list of rappers who are promising to retire in the coming years, including Dr. Dre, Ja Rule and Master P. -Corey Moss |
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