Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of August 21st, 2006
Whitney Wants Out! Whitney Houston is in the progress of turning her life around. She wants to pick up the pieces of her life, salvage her career and stay away from drugs. Whitney realizes she has made a mess of her life, but, with the help of close friends, she is determined to get on track. She is doing a lot of soul searching and she realizes that Bobby Brown, her husband, has to go. The ultimate betrayal for Whitney was when Bobby teamed up with his sister Tina to sell the stories and pictures of her drug life. They made fast money off her misery. Whitney was also tired of his family and various hanger-ons. She loves him, but she realizes she has to let him go and save her life. She also has to mend fences with their daughter Bobbi Kristina. Whitney fears she may have lost touch with her daughter because she neglected her. Bobbi Kristina is growing up. She’s now into makeup, boys and parties. Whitney and Bobby have been separated for a while. Bobby tried to play it off and lie to the media, but Whitney kicked him to the curb months ago. Now she wants a divorce. Bobby has moved on, and he is currently living with an old flame. Author Karrine Steffans is a former Video Ho who wrote the book Confessions of a Video Vixen. Her nickname is “Superhead,” and she claims to have had affairs with Usher, Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Ray-J, Vin Diesel and Talk Show Host Bill Maher, to name a few. Bobby’s money is drying up, and he needs a home, so he is living with Steffans. Steffans has a lot to gain from being with Bobby Brown. She wants to star in a reality TV show, and she wants Bobby to help her. At this point, Bobby needs to help himself. What will he do when he is no longer Mr. Houston?
Justin Timberlake admits his role in the 2004 Superbowl wardrobe malfunction. Timberlake was the one who ripped open Janet Jackson’s top during their music performance, but it was Janet who suffered because of the fiasco. Timberlake went on with his hot career, and now he is back promoting a new CD, FutureSex/LoveSounds, that is coming out in September. At the time of the incident, Timberlake turned his back on Janet and he let her take the blame. Timberlake now admits he made a mistake and he left Janet hanging. He says he regrets his silence during the scandal. He says he now realizes that it was unfair for Janet to take all the blame. So why was Janet singled out? Timberlake says race played a big factor. Janet is still being punished for that scandal. MTV is still not supporting her video, and she will not be performing at their Video Music Awards. Meanwhile, Timberlake will be performing, and his latest video is played in heavy rotation. Justin knew what was going on. The wardrobe malfunction was a publicity stunt that went haywire. Right now, he has an album to promote and he doesn’t want people to be mad at him. But Justin, you should have spoken up when it happened. Janet also has an album coming out. I wonder how they both will do.
Let’s meet the kids! After dating for a few short weeks, Eddie Murphy and Mel B of the Spice Girls are bringing their children together. Eddie and Mel are in love, and word has it a wedding is being planned. Eddie and Mel recently took their kids on a family outing to Disney. Eddie has five kids by his ex-wife Nicole, and one child from a previous relationship. Mel has a seven year old daughter. Could this be a new version of The Brady Bunch?
Lisa Raye may be the first Lady of the Turks and Ciaos Islands, but those Island women could care less. They do not like their First Lady. They feel she is an actress who got lucky. Lisa Raye married the Prime Minister of the Turks and Ciaos Islands Michael Missick earlier this year, and word has it she may be ready to leave her acting career so she can concentrate on her duties as First Lady. Lisa Raye currently stars on the CW show All of Us. Will Lisa Raye be able to win the hearts of the natives? She may have to leave her acting and Hollywood lifestyle behind to win their acceptance.
Speaking of the CW Network, is Actress Jill Marie Jones returning to Girlfriends? Jones decided not to return for a new season when she realized she would have to take a pay cut. Jones told them to take this job and shove it. She is now concentrating on a movie career. How will the show go on without the character of “Toni Childs?” Sources say she may be off the canvas, but her character’s spirit will remain with the show.
At the movies this week, it’s Idlewild with Andre 3000, Antwan Patton (Big Boi), Patti LaBelle, Liza Minnelli, Ben Vereen, Macy Gray, Cicely Tyson, Ving Rhames and Terrence Howard. The musical is set in a speakeasy with lots of singing, dancing and big production numbers.
Simon Cowell of American Idol Fame continues his dominance over TV. This summer, he gave us the hit NBC reality show America’s Got Talent. And now, for the fall, he gives us Celebrity Duets. Celebrity Duets will air on FOX. Wayne Brady will be hosting, and Little Richard and Marie Osmond will appear as two of the judges. Celebrity Duets will pair real singers with non-singing celebrities. Some of the Singers include Patti LaBelle, Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan, James Ingram, Smokey Robinson and Aaron Neville. Some of the non-singing celebrities include Alfonso Ribeiro (“Carlton” from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Lucy Lawless (Zena, Warrior Princess) and Actress Lea Thompson (Back to the Future). The show kicks off on August 29th.
Toni Braxton kicked off her Las Vegas revue with bad reviews. One critic stated that watching her show reminded him of a train wreck. They stated she was too rigid with her choreography and you couldn’t understand her singing because she mumbles when she sings (How true). They say despite her likeable personality, her Las Vegas show was a wreck. Spokespeople for Braxton blasted the early reviews stating they need to give the show a chance. It’s just getting off the ground. Toni has been mumbling for years. I like her, but it is annoying when you can’t understand what the people are saying.
Oprah Winfrey will be helping her new Protégé Rachel Ray when she kicks off her new talk show on September 18th. Ray is best known for her cookbooks and her highly rated shows on the Food Network. Oprah, an executive producer for the new show, will appear as a guest.
Gayle King would be nice....I just wanna be close to Oprah’s orbit.....Rosie O’Donnell in a recent television interview about who should replace Star Jones. Rosie is replacing Meredith Vieira, who left for The Today Show. Rosie starts on September 5th.
Usher says his goal is to be an all-around entertainer. He wants to be like his idol Ben Vereen. Usher is currently on Broadway in the musical Chicago. He’s playing the role of the Lawyer “Billy Flynn.” Usher will be performing until October.
Is it love between Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx and British Jazz Singer Alexia Collen? If she’s around for the December premiere of his movie Dreamgirls, then we will take it seriously.
Retired NBA Star Rick Fox is joining the cast of the FX Network show Dirt. He’s going to play a basketball player in a troubled marriage. This role is sure to mirror his life and marriage to Singer Vanessa Williams. Friends Alum Courtney Cox will star in this TV show about tabloid reporters.
Will there be a new season of Americas Next Top Model? Yes! Season seven has already been completed despite a strike that is going on with the producers and writers of the show. They walked off the set of the hit show after negotiations broke down as they tried to form a union. The producers and writers feel they are being shortchanged and they want the same privileges and benefits of writers and producers who work on union shows. Season number 8 will be in jeopardy if the strike continues. Tyra Banks is the show’s creator, executive producer and host. The news season kicks off September 20th on the CW Network.
It’s good to be Mrs. Kobe Bryant! Kobe recently gave his wife a diamond encrusted Mercedes Benz. Earlier this year, she gave birth to their second child a daughter.
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 the week of October 25th.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Basketball Player has no idea that his lady is cheating on him. This Actress claims she is desperately in love, but she loves to sleep around.
This Macho Actor is very mysterious about his life, his race, background, and love life. In regards to his love life, he’s going to have to get a girlfriend quick.......he was recently spotted making out with another guy.
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.
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