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Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of October 16th, 2006

Wesley Snipes is a wanted man. The popular actor has been indicted on eight counts of tax fraud for failing to pay $12 million in taxes and failing to file tax returns. Snipes, 44, faces 40 years in jail. The I.R.S. says they can’t find him, but when they do, he is going to jail. Word has it Wesley is hiding out in Panama with his family.

Deelishis may have gotten Flavor Flav, but New York has got her own show. At least I got this prediction right. New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Patterson, will be starring in her own Flavor of Love spinoff. New York, 24, will be searching for love in The Flavorette. 20 men will fight for her love, and she will get to pick and choose. I love New York. This woman is made for TV. She was so unforgettable. They had to bring her back for season two of Flavor of Love. New York was not only funny, but she was loud and outrageous. Her mom is even funny. She’s off the hook. This is going to be a fun show. Look for Flav to return to win her heart during the mid season of the Flavorette. Will New York give him another chance or move on to something new? We won’t find out until next spring.

Congrats to Eddie Murphy and girlfriend Melanie Brown, “Mel B” of The Spice Girls. Mel is four months pregnant, and she and Eddie are getting married in a few weeks. This is going to be baby number 7 for Eddie, and this will be Mel’s second child. She has a 7-year old daughter. I figured Eddie would be getting married before his Dreamgirls movie opened, but I never imagined he would be having another child. Eddie Murphy will be starring with Jamie Foxx, Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in the movie musical Dreamgirls. The Oscar buzz is on Eddie, and he will have to face the press. Ever since he was discovered with a transvestite, he has avoided the press. But now, with a young wife and baby on the way, he can talk about his new life. This past spring, Eddie divorced his wife Nicole.

Jermaine Dupri is threatening to walk. Jermaine is the executive producer of Janet Jackson’s CD, 20 Y.O. He is also head of Urban Music at Janet’s label Virgin Records. Jermaine is disappointed with the lack of promotion and support Janet’s gotten for what may be her last album for the label. Jermaine is trying to convince Mariah Carey to come to the rescue with a duet for Janet. His plan is to get both ladies together for a song on a newly repackaged Janet CD to stir up some buzz. Jermaine was responsible for engineering Mariah’s comeback, and he wants to call in a favor. Mariah is avoiding the project at all costs. She has no desire to duet with a non-singer.

Speaking of Mariah, has she posed for nude photos? Word has it nude photos of the pop diva are about to land in a major men’s magazine.

ABC network officials want to sit down with Actor Isaiah Washington. Washington made headlines last week when it was reported he choked a cast member on the set of Grey’s Anatomy. Washington plays “Dr. Preston Burke” on the popular ABC show. Washington allegedly got into an altercation with Actor Patrick Dempsey who plays the popular “Dr. McDreamy.” Apparently, there was tension on the set when several cast members arrived late. Then Washington and Dempsey got into it. Washington started berating other cast members, and Dempsey told him to stop. Then Washington started choking him. The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, is distraught, and she’s afraid Washington may be fired from the show. Everyone involved is trying to downplay the incident, but if Washington’s temper can’t be controlled, he may be replaced as “Dr. Burke.” Washington is a classically-trained actor, and word has it he is upset because he is not seen as the star of the ensemble show.

Debbie’s got her cash, and she’s gone! Debbie Rowe, the ex-Mrs. Michael Jackson, proved she can be easily brought. Rowe is the biological mother of Prince and Paris Jackson. Michael Jackson is the kids’ custodial parent. Rowe had her children with a sperm donor, and she signed them away for money. A few years ago, she and Jackson had a falling out and he cut off her money. She then took him back to court declaring she wanted her children back in her life. A judge sided with her and granted parental rights. Rowe then made a deal with Jackson. He has to give close to $1 million a year, and then she will stay away and let him have the kids. Rowe is a disgrace! She just wanted some money. She never gave a damn about those kids! Michael is currently living in Ireland with the kids, and they are being raised by their nanny, Grace.

Whitney Houston has officially filed for divorce from Bobby Brown. Whitney is back with former best friend Robyn Crawford. Crawford is now Whitney’s manager. Whitney and Robyn were so close at one point, many thought they were lovers, and then came Bobby. Bobby and Robyn hated each other, and Robyn ended her friendship with Whitney. Now with Bobby out of the picture, Robyn has returned. Bobby is trying to get back on his feet. Life without Whitney and her money is hard. He recently caught up on his child support payments. Now, Bobby has to keep the money coming in so he can stay out of jail. Bobby wants to do another reality show, and he’s been trying to convince Boxer Mike Tyson to go along with the idea. Tyson is trying to revive his career. He recently announced he would be returning to the ring to fight women. He says no one will get hurt.

Ruben Studdard is back. The former American Idol Winner is lighter and looking for love. Studdard has lost close to 100 pounds, via diet and exercise, and he is now a vegetarian. He has a new album called The Return, and he says he is ready for a wife and kids.

The R Kelly child pornography trial saga continues. Pre-trial motions are scheduled to take place on October 27th, and an actual trial date will be announced. This case has dragged on for four years. If convicted, Kelly faces 15 years in prison, a $100 thousand fine and he will be forced to register as a sex offender. R Kelly says it was not him on the infamous sex tape with a 14-year old girl. The girl is now a woman and she says it was not R Kelly on the tape. She just wants the case to go away. She is getting ready to get married. Her parents are standing behind her insisting that the man on the tape is not R Kelly.

Chaka Khan opens up in the new issue of Essence magazine. Actress Sanaa Lathan is on the cover. Chaka talks about the murder trial involving her son Damien. He accidentally shot and killed a teenager, but was later acquitted. Chaka says it was a difficult time for her and she questioned her parenting skills. She also admitted she received death threats at that time.

Tina Turner drunk in London? According to recently published photos, Turner, 70, appeared out of it and wobbly. Let’s hope she doesn’t have a drinking problem.

Jamie Foxx and Karrine Steffans? Steffans, a.k.a. Superhead, is the author of the book Confessions of A Video Vixen. Steffans has bedded everyone from Bobby Brown, Ray J, Vin Diesel, Ja-Rule, Bill Maher, Puffy, Usher to Jay-Z, to name a few. I guess it’s time for Jamie to be added to the list.

Singer Gladys Knight will be introducing her fashion line at the end of the month. Knightware Fashions will feature Loungewear sold exclusively at Ashley Stewart Stores.

Usher is recovering from a severe case of strep throat. His illness forced him to leave the Broadway production of the musical Chicago one week early. His illness cost the show $400 thousand because people wanted their money back. Despite his illness, everyone is hailing his performance in the musical. They hope he returns to do another musical.

Congrats to Tyler Perry. He just won the book of the year award at the Quill Awards for his book Don’t Make A Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings. Maya Angelou won the Poetry Award for her book Amazing Peace.

Comedienne/Actress Mo’Nique is gearing up for a busy 2007. She has a new cookbook coming out on November 1st called Skinny Cooks Can’t Be Trusted. The book is full of flavor and butter for some tasty dishes. Mo’Nique is also gearing up for her new show on the VH1 network. Mo’Nique will be teaming up with the beauty editor of Essence magazine, Mikki Taylor, to fix up the female contestants from the Flavor of Love show. If you thought these women were disgusting, trifling, loud, and a hot behind mess, well Mo’Nique is coming to their rescue to help them find some style. The show will debut in February. She is also planning another season of her hit beauty pageant Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance on the Oxygen Channel. Next year, the ladies are going to Paris.

One of the busiest Actors in Hollywood is Terrence Howard. Last week, he signed on for a movie based on the life of Country Singer Charlie Pride, and he’s also going to do a movie with Robert Downey, Jr. based on the Marvel Comic character Iron Man.

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

This Oscar-Winning Actress keeps her new man on a tight leash. A lot of her friends figured since she was trying something new, she wouldn’t be so jealous.

The Award-Winner Music Producer thought he found love. He met his lady on line. She was beautiful in her pictures, and he thought she was perfect for him. After a few months, he married the on line beauty, but then he realized she was just after his money. His friends tried to tell him to be careful, but he wouldn’t listen. He is quietly trying to divorce the woman, but she is demanding a lot of money to be quiet.

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

Senator Barack Obama is coming to Philadelphia. Obama is the author of the book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream. The Senator from Illinois will be in Philly on October 21st signing copies of the book and doing a book reading at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street. The book signing starts at 6:30, and for more info call 215-686-5322.

October Gallery presents their 21st Annual Philadelphia International Art Expo, November 10th, 11th and 12th. The Art Expo is the nation’s largest African American Art Expo featuring over 200 artists from 45 states and 6 countries. The event is happening at The Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery. The expo is free. This year’s special guest is Actor Billy Dee Williams, who will be showing off his paintings. For more info call 215-629-3939 ext. 17.

Tyler Perry has a new stage production coming to Philly. What’s Done in the Dark stars D’Atra Hicks, Allen Payne, David & Tamala Mann and LaVan Davis. Mr. Brown is back with his clan, and the stage musical will be at the Merriam Theatre, October 25th -29th.

Congratulations to Actor Sidney Poitier. He’s the 2006 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. This award is given to an outstanding artist and humanitarian. The awards ceremony will happen in Philadelphia. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Harry Belafonte, Gregory Peck, Danny Glover and Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis. The ceremony takes place on November 14th. For information call 215-790-5800.