[CrimsonTide4]

Private funeral services are set for Comic Legend Richard Pryor. Pryor died last weekend of a heart attack at the age of 65. He battled Multiple Sclerosis for the past 19 years. Today's comedians owe their careers to Pryor. At times controversial, he paved the way for the comic humor we enjoy today. From his live stage performances, TV and movies, he was a force to be reckoned with, and he will be missed. At the time of his death, he left behind a wife, four ex-wives and seven children.

In 2005, she was missing in action. But, for 2006, get ready to see a lot of Actress Sanaa Lathan. She's best known for her roles in the movies Love and Basketball, Brown Sugar, Disappearing Acts, The Best Man and Out of Time with Denzel Washington. Sanaa has a new movie coming out in February called Something New. It's about an interracial romance. She will be gracing the cover of the March issue of Essence magazine. The buzz has been on Sanaa and her rumored romance with a very married Denzel Washington. They became close during filming of their 2003 movie Out of Time. Denzel has shot down rumors of hanky panky, claiming his marriage is fine. During the Essence magazine interview, she was asked about her private life and rumors. Sanaa was quite annoyed at the line of questioning. This was her first cover appearance on the magazine, but all the questions were focused on her personal life. She has been very mysterious. Unless she comes up with a boyfriend, the rumors will not away. She looked fabulous at the Vibe Awards. Expect to see a lot more of Sanaa next year.

Is Katherine Jackson in danger of losing her California home? The Jackson family matriarch may be forced out of her home in Encino, California by the first of the year. This is the home where she has raised her family, and she has lived there for over 30 years. Apparently, Michael Jackson was in charge of paying the bills at this residence, but he has failed to make payments. Michael is having serious financial problems, and he is currently living outside of the country in Bahrain. The Encino, California home is also the home of Randy, his women and kids, plus there is Jermaine, his women, his ex, and his kids. Randy and Jermaine share the same baby momma, so she lives there too. Katherine won't be totally homeless. She has a home in Las Vegas that Janet bought her years ago. But, she doesn't want to be in Las Vegas with her ex-husband Joe Jackson, and the home is not big enough for those who live in California.

Now speaking of Janet Jackson, she will not let anybody see her until she gets her fabulous figure back. She is working overtime to get back into shape, and she is also working hard on a new album that is due out next spring. She's also learning how to play the guitar, and she will co-star in a movie with Macaulay Culkin. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will be joining forces with Janet's boyfriend, Producer Jermaine Dupri, to return Janet to the top of the charts. Janet needs a hit album after her last album flopped and the Superbowl nipple fiasco. The pressure is on for current boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. He helped Mariah Carey climb back to the top of the charts. Can he do the same for his girlfriend?

With the help of Jermaine Dupri, Mariah is the one to beat at The 48th Annual Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony airs February 8th live from Los Angeles. Mariah is up for eight Grammys along with John Legend and Kanye West. Stevie Wonder is in line for six Grammys. Mariah has been nominated in all the major categories such as Record and Song of the Year for We Belong Together and Album of the Year for The Emancipation of Mimi.

Mariah will be on hand for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006. Mariah will be live from Times Square. American Idol Host Ryan Seacrest will be joining Dick Clark as host of the event. This will be the first time the public has seen Clark, 76, since his stroke from last year.

Prince is now with Motown Records, and he is releasing a new LP next spring. Also, look for a new album in February from Ralph Tresvant. He's going to have a busy 2006. In addition to his solo project, he will be releasing a new CD with New Edition and going on tour with the group and Bobby Brown.

Bobby Brown is hard at work on new album as well as other members of his family. In 2006, get ready for the Browns with new releases from Bobby, Whitney Houston, and little Bobbi Kristina. Yes, she's releasing a solo album as well. LAWD A MERCY

Beyonce says she's too young to get married at 24, she says she's not ready. (I thought she was 26) Anyhoo, Beyonce is shooting down stories of a private Caribbean wedding between her and boyfriend Rapper Jay-Z.

The 63rd Golden Globe Awards air January 16th on NBC. Terrence Howard has been nominated for Best Actor for his role in Hustle & Flow. The Halle Berry produced mini series, HBO's Lackawanna Blues, has been nominated for best mini series. And, the UPN comedy Everybody Hates Chris has been nominated as best comedy TV series.

Chilli from TLC had a well publicized romance with Usher, but she admits she has never had a man…..a real man! (OUCH!) She says Usher hurt her with his constant lying and cheating.

The Chaka Khan musical, Thru The Fire, that was scheduled to run in January at the Merriam Theatre, has been postponed until March. Debbie Allen is directing the production, and she wants to make sure everything is right before the production hits the road.


Singer Tevin Campbell is joining the cast of the Broadway musical Hairspray. After going through a period of legal issues and drugs, he's ready to revive his career with his debut on Broadway.

Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes will be teaming up for the movie Home Of The Brave. The movie is about soldiers adjusting to life after serving in Iraq.

Nick Cannon will be playing a boxer in his upcoming movie The Hawk.

Roberta Flack fans, listen up! The Best Of Roberta is due in stores February 7th, featuring her solo hits and duets with Maxi Priest, Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson.

The rings were picked out, and Lionel Richie was getting ready to spend thousands on a lavish affair. But, the wedding between his daughter Nicole and DJ AM, Adam Goldstein, has been called off. What happened? Sources say Adam was tired of Nicole's moodiness. She probably needs to eat.

Oscar won't have Chris Rock to kick around. He will not be returning as host of next year's Academy Awards.

Season Five of American Idol kicks off January 17th on Fox. How do Randy and Paula feel about Simon's big raise? Will there be tension on the set?

Is Actor Clifton Davis headed for a big position in Philadelphia? Davis is best known for his roles in the 70's show, That's My Mama, and the 80's show, Amen. In addition to being an actor, he is also a Baptist minister. Clifton is in line to become the new executive director of the city's Welcome America! festivities. The annual event takes place during the Fourth of July weekend in Philadelphia, and it features music, food, fun and fireworks.

Kandi Burress is back! The former member of Xscape is working on a solo album that's due out next year. Burress is a Grammy award winning songwriter who is best known for her songs with Destiny's Child, TLC and Mariah Carey. After a failed romance with Singer Gerald Levert, she is ready to relaunch her singing career. Gerald was crazy about her when they were dating, but her constant bragging about her Grammy awards got on his nerves.

The NAACP Image Awards will air on Fox March 3rd.

The new album, Ain't Nobody Worryin', from Anthony Hamilton is out. It features the hit single Can't Let Go'.


WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Pop Diva is enjoying a remarkable comeback. She is an amazing Singer. She has had tremendous success despite a failed marriage, failed relationships and a near nervous breakdown. She is due to win big at next year's Grammy Awards, but you can bet she will have on the worst outfit at the event. She dresses like a tramp by choice. At the start of her comeback, she made a vow to change her styling choices. She met with the top stylists and fashion designers. They dressed her, and she finally looked like a lady. But, with each rise back up the charts, the clothes came off and the tackiness resumed. She is a walking fashion disaster, but she is oblivious to it all. She's back on top, and that's all she cares about. Not hard to know this is Mariah