Celeb Dish-VI
 

Whitney in Turmoil? Video Scrapped at Last Minute

Monday, August 12, 2002
By Roger Friedman

Fox News

What you lookin' at? It's not a video for Whitney Houston's comeback single "Whatchulookinat," that's for sure.

Last Thursday, golden-throated Whitney decided at the last minute that everything intended for her first new video in two years was wrong -- particularly the script.

So even though makeup people and stylists, a full video crew and a director were all waiting on a video soundstage to start the proceedings, Houston simply said "No" and didn't show up.

As this column reported a month or so ago, "Whatchulookinat" was surreptitiously released to New York radio stations before it was supposed to see the light of day. The record, which has a pretty good groove and outstanding Houston vocals, nevertheless has difficult lyrics.

The lyrics blame the press and everyone else in the world for Whitney's constant battles with the tabloids (the National Enquirer in particular) over her alleged drug abuse and husband Bobby Brown's extracurricular activities.

When it came time to filming a version of this recording, suddenly the song's inherent problems became clear.

"They [Whitney and the director] didn't know what tone to take -- whether it should be a funny video. Or how it would be a funny video," says an insider. "So it was easier just not to do it."

Maybe Houston -- who turned 39 on Friday -- realized this was not the song to make a video for after all. Both Billboard and Entertainment Weekly panned it, the latter giving it a letter grade of F.

Radio stations, after the initial shock of receiving "Whatchulookinat," have turned a cold ear to it. According to the magazine Radio & Records, which monitors airplay, less than a handful of stations are playing the record.

Nevertheless, the cancelled shoot caused tens of thousands of dollars to fly out the window. Pfffft -- gone. That's not good since, according to one former employee, "They [Houston's office staff] do not pay their bills."

Meanwhile, there are discrepancies about whether or not Houston will make the delivery deadline on her new album, which Arista had set for a Sept. 17 launch -- in time for the Grammy Awards Oct. 1 eligibility cut-off.

Houston and Brown had been in Los Angeles, where they were supposed to be cutting tracks with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds for the album. Some of those sessions may have been missed, I am told, causing the album to be pushed back.

"I could tell you about dozens of missed studio appointments," a former Houston associate told me -- and then did.

For Arista Records, the Houston album is incredibly important. Label head L.A. Reid, who inherited Houston, her remarkable voice and her personal problems from Clive Davis, helped OK an announced $100 million deal with the singer last year.

Even if the deal was for half that (let's say the other half was for headlines), $50 million is a lot of money. (Just ask Michael Jackson.)

Even though Arista is comfortably ensconced on the charts with Avril Lavigne, Usher and Pink, Houston is the label's franchise player. They can't afford an autumn of missed dates and bad press combined with rumors of Whitney's troubled life.

Only a couple of months ago, Houston and Brown pulled their luxury touring bus over in Fredericksburg, Va., so that Brown could be admitted to an emergency room. He was said to have been suffering from some sort of virus.

Houston and crew continued on home to New Jersey, leaving Brown to fend for himself. It was the latest of several recent mysterious hospitalizations for the 33-year-old singer.

But let's not be so quick to jump all over Brown, whom a lot of people point to as the key to Houston's problems. One source tells me the opposite: "Bobby's a great guy. He's fun to be with. He is not the trouble in Whitney's life."

But Bobby -- who found the producers for "Whatchulookinat" and has a good ear for a catchy hook -- may wind up causing problems for Houston that no one has thought of yet. According to two sources, Brown has become enamored of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

"Bobby's sister has joined Farrakhan and she's pushed for Whitney and Bobby to join up too," says one source familiar with the situation.

The word is that the couple's new bodyguard, a man named Curtis Mohammed, comes from Farrakhan's security detail.

Even on a bad day, Whitney Houston has the best voice of her generation, an instrument that has only been fractionally used so far. The lyrics for "Whatchulookinat" may not be the most ingratiating, but one listen makes it obvious she has still the chops.

As for Brown, he has incentive from Arista Records to make Whitney's album come in on time and in line with budgets. If he can do it, I've heard that Reid has promised him his own deal.

Personally, I'm rooting for both of them to pull this off. No one would be happier to let Whitney Houston sing the words "I told you so" than me.



more news:
Holly Robinson-Peete gave birth to a son, Robinson James Peete on Sunday.

R. Kelly's Brother: 'It's Not Me' On Sex Tape
Carey Kelly Rejects Comments By Brother's Lawyers

POSTED: 7:42 a.m. CDT August 12, 2002

CHICAGO --

Timeline
Aug., 1994 - R Kelly Marries Aaliyah
Kelly marries 15-year-old Aaliyah. Michigan judge dissolves marriage six months later when authorities discover she lied about her age to get marriage certificate.

Dec., 1996 - Suit Filed Against Kelly
Tiffany Hawkins, 20, files suit against Kelly, saying he picked her up at his old high school in 1991, had sex with her when she was only 15.

Jan., 1998 - Kelly Pays Hawkins
Kelly pays Hawkins $250,000 to drop her lawsuit.

Feb., 2002 - Sex Tape Given to Police
Chicago Sun-Times gives Chicago police a videotape allegedly showing Kelly engaging in sex acts with a 14-year-old girl.

April, 2002 - Kelly Settles 2nd Suit; Faces 3rd
Kelly settled a second lawsuit, just as another suit is filed.

May, 2002 - Kelly Settles 3rd, 4th Suits


June 5, 2002 - Warrant Issued for Kelly's Arrest
Kelly is arrested and jailed later that night in Florida.


R. Kelly's younger brother, Carey Kelly (pictured, left), appeared live on NBC5 Sunday morning to clear his name.

Kelly denied comments made by his brother's attorneys, who insinuated it was Carey -- and not the R-and-B singer -- who appeared on a sex videotape involving an underage female.

Video: R. Kelly's Brother Speaks Out


Although the FBI said it could prove it was R. Kelly on the tape, the performer's lawyers reportedly asked authorities to look at a videotape of Kelly's younger brother, in which he looks very much like his famous sibling.

R. Kelly (pictured, below) pleaded "not guilty" to 21 counts of child pornography. He could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

In the past, Kelly has settled civil cases accusing him of sex with underage girls.

http://images.ibsys.com/2002/0812/1607176_200X150.jpg


Now, I do not know about you all, but this guy does not look like the guy in those pictures/video. He doesn't look like Rra to me. LMAO :p

Re: Celeb Dish-VI
 

So as she is grieving for her dad, she gave birth. How sad. :(
I really like her even though her acting has been limited. She is such IMO a classy person.

That is sad.
 

You know the old folks say that when you loose someone, there is someone who will come into your life. (It didn't go totally like that, but you get the gist of it.)

Re: That is sad.
 

I've heard that too.

Patty Jackson
The 411

Diana Ross is back in rehab. Diana recently canceled her summer tour to go back for treatment. Diana first entered rehab back in May for alcohol abuse. The past year has been difficult for Diana. A few weeks ago, she was dropped from Motown Records. Diana only stayed in rehab for ten days the first time, this time she is going to stay indefinitely while she gets it together.

Mariah Carey has a new album coming out in December. Mariah will be teaming up with Famed Producer Irv Gotti (Murder Inc, Ashanti, Ja-Rule) Mariah's new CD will be on Def Jam records and she has already been told to rethink her image. Def Jam officials want her to clean up her image and stop dressing like a slut.

Mike Tyson recently went on another rampage. This time Iron Mike pulled a knife on one of his bodyguards. Mike went off at a hotel in Santa Monica, California. Apparently Mike was hungry and his bodyguards were taking too long so he had a temper tantrum and that's when he pulled the knife. Luckily no one was hurt.

Virgin Records is backing out on a promise to pay for Aaliyah's Funeral. Aaliyah was signed to Virgin Records at the time of her death. Last August Aaliyah and seven others were tragically killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Virgin Records promised to take care of the bill. The bill is 68 thousand dollars and it includes the preparation and transfer of all 8 bodies and Aaliyah's funeral. Why won't Virgin Records pay the bill? Is it because Aaliyahs family is suing them for negligence involving her death?

The feud between Soul Train and The BET Network continues. Soul Train is claiming that the BET Network is behind a smear campaign against the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. Execs at Soul Train are claiming that BET is encouraging viewers to sign up for a petition to discredit Singer Ashanti as the recipient of this year's Aretha Franklin Award. A lot of people feel that Ashanti is not deserving of this award because she just came on the music scene this year. A lot of people feel the Aretha Franklin Award should go to an artist who has a longer track award, an artist that has been around, not a new artist who is the flavor of the month.

The Temptations recently got into a fight with a promoter down in Jamaica. The Temptations were participating in the Jamaica Summer Soul Jam. According to the promoters, The Temptations made changes in their travel plans without the Promoters permission and it cost the promoter over three thousand dollars. The show was delayed for three hours while the two sides fought it out backstage. Sources say it was embarrassing how the two sides were carrying on. Don't mess with those Fightin Temptations.

Actress Lela Rochon is a mommy. Lela is married to Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) Lela and Antoine are the proud parents of a baby girl. Lela took a break from show business to have her baby. Lela had suffered a miscarriage in earlier tries.

Here's an update on the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake romance. Janet is finished with him Janet slopped up the 21 year old pop sensation like a biscuit in gravy and then she dropped him. Justin feels like he was just used for sex. Justin says the sex with Janet was wild but now she won't return his calls. Justin is getting ready to release a solo LP as he steps outside the shadows of the Pop Group, N'SYNC. Maybe Justin will go back to his first love, Singer Britney Spears.

Bernie Mac, Robin Givens and Lynn Whitfield have all signed on for the Chris Rock movie Head of State with filming in D.C. and Baltimore.

Filming starts in October for the Ray Charles' story Unchain My Heart. Jamie Foxx is going to play the legendary entertainer.

Singer Tevin Campbell is making a comeback. Tevin is best known for the songs Tomorrow, Can We Talk and Always On My Mind. Tevin was the child protégé discovered by Quincy Jones in the 90's. Tevin had a spectacular career as a teen idol but it all came crashing down in 1999 when he was arrested for soliciting a Male Undercover Cop. Tevin was also caught with drugs. Tevin was ordered to attend AIDS Awareness classes and Narcotics Anonymous. Tevin is back recording and he has a new song out on an independent label. The song is called Perfect-less.

Mikey and Janet
 

When, oh when, is Mike Tyson going to be committed, lobotomized or something? :rolleyes:
I would hate to see somebody maimed or killed because of his behavior.

I continue to wonder why any adult would find Justin Timberlake, or for that matter, Ryan Phillipe, appealing. Justin is 21 and he seems to me to be eye candy for teenage girlpeople, not a 36-year-old adult like Ms. Jackson if you're nasty. :p

Daddy can't shake the acting bug
 

As a Shaqologist, this is disconcerting.

After Kazaam, I thought he learned his lesson about acting. :rolleyes:

Friday, August 9

O'Neal to be in at least the pilot for the series

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal could soon be shooting scenes as well as baskets.

CBS is developing a television series about a high school basketball team and O'Neal, the 7-foot-1 center for the three-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to be part of the pilot episode, network spokeswoman Nancy Carr said Friday.


O'Neal might also make occasional guest appearances in the series, which could be considered for the 2002-03 season, Carr said.


The drama focuses on a professional basketball player, an O'Neal teammate, who takes a school coaching job after an auto accident ends his playing career.


The show is still being shaped and it's uncertain whether O'Neal will be shown as part of the Lakers or a fictional team, said writer-producer Judith McCreary.


Although O'Neal won't play the main character he's investing time and effort in the project, McCreary said Friday.


''He's working really hard. He's been taking acting lessons,'' she said.


O'Neal, whose credits include the films ''Kazaam'' and ''He Got Game,'' has played fictional roles and also appeared as himself.


The pilot will be written by McCreary, who was a supervising producer on the Showtime series ''The Hoop Life'' and is co-executive producer on the NBC drama ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.''


Whether the series makes CBS' schedule will be decided next spring.

Tevin got busted for doing what? and what? :eek: I've never heard of that before. I knew he was a little sugary, but naw, ya'll say it ain't so. :eek:

Audi 5000 G! peaaccccccceeeeeee/!:p

Soror...where you been at? That mess happened YEARS AGO!

About R.Kelly's brother....Come on now...how 'ya gonna try and put that on FAMILY. I'd have much more respect for the fool (but not too much) if he'd just go ahead and admit to the mess and let it be known that he's sick and needs help.

Soror, I'm telling you. I missed that one about Tevin. Maybe, I had heard it, but forgot about it. I think I would have remembered that.

:confused:

1) Whitney has a song out? I have not heard this mess. Her "alleged" drug use? Come on now.

2)Soror Steeltrap... Have him LOBOTOMIZED??? LMAO!!!!! That cmtfu!!! And until you mentioned it, I hadn't noticed the uncanny resemblence between Justin and Ryan. No Comment on Justin and Janet.

Soror 2D, I ain't hear about Tevin neither!!!

LMAO...at the new member of the Murder Inc. fam! :D

that tevin mess happened in 99 @ the same time the Kappas were in ATL for their Konclave (you don't how much it pained me to type that dang on K :p)

caaaaaaaan we taaaaaaaaalk for a minute, boy/girl :p I wanna know your naaaaaaame and check your adam's apple, THIS IS THE REMIX, muuuuuuurder :p

Can you imagine Mariah doing the Murder Inc. hand sign??? Now that would be funny as hell!!!

LOL :D

P.S. Maybe she can give Ashanti vocal lessons:p

Instead of singing her old song "Fantasy"...she'll be singing "sweet, sweet murder baaaaaaaaaaby":D :D .

She's fixing to really go thugbound. Watch out Charli Baltimore and Vita. And also, have anyone heard that Mariah and the guy on 106th and Park are dating?? I heard it last week on television but I can't remember where it came from.