[Sophist08edLady]

Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of January 8th, 2007

Where is the Godfather of Soul’s body? James Brown died on Christmas day, and, as of press time, his body has not been buried. Brown’s body is in his home in Augusta, Georgia. The Will has not been filed, and the family has not decided where he will be buried. A lot of legal issue have to be worked out to decide who gets what. First up for the Brown family, a DNA test to determine if the five-year old son of Tomi Rae Hynie is by James Brown. Tomi Rae is outraged that her son is being treated like this. She says the child is James Brown’s, and it’s unfair that she is being treated like an outcast by the Brown family because James Brown loved her. The Brown family is sick of Tomi Rae. It has been proven that she was never married to their father. The family is also upset about remarks Tomi Rae made to the British press. One of Brown’s biggest hits was Sex Machine, but according to Tomi Rae, he was no sex machine. She described Brown as a sick old man with a fading libido. She says Brown was insecure, paranoid, jealous and possessive. She states everybody had to bow down to him and call him “Mr. Brown.” The Godfather of Soul was known for the splits he did on stage. According to Tomi Rae, the last time he did splits, Brown couldn’t get out of bed for 24 hours. Director Spike Lee will be doing a movie based on Brown’s life. Samuel L. Jackson is being considered for the part. I love Samuel as an actor, but I don’t think he’s right for the part. He’s 60-years old, and the big question is can he dance? To play James Brown on the big screen, you have to know how to dance.

Who is going to replace Star Jones on the ABC talker The View? Word has it Comedienne Sherri Shepherd has been tapped by Barbara Walters to add some diversity to the cast. Shepherd is best known for her work on The Jamie Foxx Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, Comic View, Ellen and the movie Beauty Shop. Shepherd is the mother of a young toddler. She recently divorced her husband after finding out he was cheating on her. The producers of The View look forward to the role Shepherd will bring to the show as a young, divorced mother. The official announcement can’t come soon enough because Rosie O’Donnell will be leaving the show. O’Donnell feels betrayed by Barbara Walters. Late last year, O’Donnell publicly ridiculed Donald Trump when he decided to give the scandalous Miss USA another chance at her title. Donald Trump fired back at Rosie calling her fat, sloppy and disgusting. Plus, he trashed her relationship with her partner, Kelli Carpenter. Barbara is friends with Donald Trump, and it appeared she sided with him during the O’Donnell- Trump public feud. Trump also stated that Barbara Walters hated Rosie. He says Barbara told him this. Rosie went on a two week vacation. When she returned to The View, all hell broke loose. Rosie cussed Barbara out. She accused the TV titan of not having her back and called her a liar. Barbara swore to Rosie that this was not the case, and producers got Rosie away from her. Despite Barbara’s public pleas of liking Rosie O’Donnell, Donald Trump released a letter addressed to Rosie telling her how Barbara hated her and that working with Rosie was like living in hell. He claims she described Rosie as a Pig, and admitted that Rosie won’t be around for long. Is Barbara Walters lying? Why is Donald Trump obsessed with destroying Rosie? Somewhere Star Jones and Iyanla Van Zandt are having a good laugh. Jones and Van Zandt have had their share of problems with Barbara Walters. Last year, Walters orchestrated Star’s exit from the show. Years ago, after wooing Iyanla from the Oprah Winfrey camp, Barbara gave her a talk show. When they butted heads, Barbara took away Iyanla’s show and almost destroyed her career. Iyanla admits she made a mistake trusting Barbara Walters with her career. Iyanla described Barbara, the Dean of TV, as Satan. Barbara Walters is 76-years old. Maybe she should retire and salvage her reputation. Right now, someone is lying, and all fingers are pointing Barbra. Look for O’Donnell to exit the show before the end of the year.

The awards and accolades have been pouring in for Jennifer Hudson. The American Idol castoff is amazing in the movie Dreamgirls. She plays “Effie White,” the role made famous by Jennifer Holliday. Hudson recently signed to J Records, and Record Mogul Clive Davis will be producing her project. Davis was the force behind Whitney Houston, and he says Jennifer Hudson is the New Whitney. Jennifer Hudson does a great job on the Holliday classic And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going. She is getting ready to shoot a video for the song, and it will be different from the movie. Supreme Legend Mary Wilson has been making the press rounds regarding the movie. She says Jennifer is deserving of all the attention and the awards, but she needs to give credit to the late Florence Ballard of The Supremes. The “Effie White” character is loosely based on the life of Ballard. Ballard had an amazing voice, but she was pushed aside in favor of Diana Ross. Ballard was fired from the Supremes in 1967, and she died in 1976, alone and destitute at the age of 32.

When Oscar time rolls around, look for Dreamgirls to be at the top of the list of nominations. Beyonce sings the song Listen. It’s a good bet this song will be nominated, but Beyonce won’t get the credit for the song. She’s listed as the 4th songwriter, but the Academy only recognizes the first three. So, Beyonce’s name has been left out of consideration.

Does Oscar Winner Halle Berry have something to tell us? Berry, 40, recently helped her 31-year old model boyfriend Gabriel Aubry celebrate his birthday. Over the past few weeks, Berry has been wearing a ring, checking out wedding cakes and wearing baggy clothes. Is there a bun in the oven? Halle says she wants to be a mom.

The Rocks are trying to save their marriage, and Oprah is helping out. The ten year marriage of Chris and Malaak Compton has seen its share of ups and downs. They have two young toddlers, and Malaak has been patient dealing with Chris’s wandering eye. Last year, Chris filed for divorce then suddenly changed his mind. Oprah really admires Malaak. Despite being a celebrity wife, she has dedicated her life to serving others. During Oprah’s recent trip to South Africa to open a school for young girls, the Rocks went along to help. Oprah felt the young couple needed to get away and develop a bond. So far, the trip has worked as Chris and Malaak have grown closer. Chris has a new movie coming out in March called I Think I Love My Wife.

Jermaine Jackson has joined the cast of the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother. Jermaine wanted to be ready for his close-up, and he underwent some plastic surgery, including a brow lift and a tweaking of his nose.

Basketball Star Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets has filed for divorce from his wife, Joumana. Jason and Joumana have three children and a lot of drama between them. In 2001, Jason was arrested for assaulting Joumana. He paid fines and attended anger management classes. Jason has been trying to make it work with his wife, but there was always drama surrounding the two. Joumana is a former Budweiser model, and she was known for throwing kisses at Jason before he would make his free throw shots. Jason filed for divorce claiming that Joumana was abusing him and their kids. Friends say Joumana would taunt Jason from the sidelines as he played ball. Spokespeople for Joumana claim she was the one being abused.

Now speaking of abuse, the pregnant girlfriend of Singer Tyrese is now changing her story of being abused by the singer. The girlfriend now claims Tyrese did not beat her. She admits she called the cops after they got into an argument over his alleged cheating. Tyrese has been getting close to Video Host Rosci from BET’s 106 & Park. No one knew he had a pregnant girlfriend in California. The pregnant girlfriend claims she and Tyrese are in love and together. She says they look forward to the birth of their child. Tyrese has been hiding, and authorities are looking for him. He has been missing since the abuse stories made headlines.

Former Spice Girl Mel B is under 24 hour police protection. Mel B says she’s being harassed by fans of Eddie Murphy, who have camped outside of her home. Mel B is five months pregnant, and she says Eddie is the father. Eddie doesn’t believe the child is his, and he says he wants a paternity test.

Keenen Ivory Wayans is enjoying the single life. He recently ended a long-term relationship with his wife, and he is now dating a leggy blonde. They recently returned from South America.

What’s up with Singer John Legend, and does he have a problem holding his liquor? Legend was thrown out of a London club after showing up drunk and out of it. His brother tried to take the stage in his place, but when promoters found out, they had John Legend removed.

The 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards air March 2nd on Fox. The movie Dreamgirls and the TV comedy show Everybody Hates Chris are up for eight awards apiece. Other nominated movies include Akeelah and The Bee and The Pursuit of Happyness.

Congratulations to Rap Pioneers Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. They will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ceremonies take place in March.

Talk Show Host Tyra Banks is featured in a photo spread for Vanity Fair magazine. Also, check out Nia Long on the new issue of Essence magazine. 2007 is going to be busy for Nia. She’s joining the cast of the ABC series Boston Legal, and she’s co-starring in the new Ice Cube movie Are We Done Yet? Word has it Nia’s love life has been busy too. She’s rumored to be dating Yao Ming, the 7’6 basketball center for the Houston Rockets. Nia is 5’2. Last year, she was dating Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints.

One of the many surprises in the movie Dreamgirls is the cameo by Actress Dawnn Lewis. She played the wife of “James ‘Thunder’ Early,” the character played by Eddie Murphy. Lewis is best known for her role as “Jaleesa” from the TV show, A Different World. Lewis is now gearing up for the Broadway musical Sister Act. It’s based on the hit movie that starred Whoopi Goldberg.

Congratulations to Actor Laurence Fishburne and his wife Actress Gina Torres. They are expecting their first child together this summer. Fishburne has two older children from a previous marriage. Torres will be co-starring with Chris Rock in the movie I Think I Love My Wife.

I am loving the new Flavor of Love spinoff, I Love New York. New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Patterson, has always been my favorite. After being dumped by Flavor Flav twice, New York is on the hunt for love and a new man. I like the New York show, and the men are very interesting. Who will win New York’s heart? Will it be Chance, the thug, Pooty, the cutie or the straight-laced Mr. Boston?

Upcoming Movies:

January 26th- Smoking Aces – Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys and Common.

February 9th- Norbit – Eddie Murphy.

February 13th- Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls- Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett Jr. and Tracey Ellis Ross.

March 2nd- Wild Hogs- John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen.

March 16th- I Think I Love My Wife- Chris Rock, Gina Torres and Kerry Washington.

Also coming in March- Pride – Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.

April 6th- Are We Done Yet? Ice Cube and Nia Long.

The new Gerald Levert CD, In My Songs, arrives in stores February 13th. The first single is the tile track, In My Songs.

Prince is the halftime performer at this year’s Superbowl. The big game is February 4th. Prince is scheduled to a tribute to James Brown during the show. Pop Star Billy Joel will be singing the national anthem.

The latest David E. Talbert stage musical, Love In The Nick of Tyme, is coming to Trenton, New Jersey. The musical stars Morris Chestnut, Singer Trenyce (American Idol) and Singer Avant. The musical is happening January 30-31st at the Patriots Theatre War Memorial. Singer Vivian Green is doing the music.

My Brother Marvin is the life story of Marvin Gaye. The stage musical was written by Marvin’s sister, Zeola Gaye. My Brother Marvin will be at the Merriam Theatre, February 14th-18th. The musical stars Keith Washington, Clifton Powell, Marvin’s daughter Nona Gaye, Tony Grant and John Canada Terrell.

Men, Money & Golddiggers is also coming to Philly at the Merriam Theatre, February 27th- March 4th. The play stars Robin Givens, Carl Payne, Miguel Nunez, Jr., Chico Benymon and Essence Atkins.

American Idol returns to Fox on January 16th. Sources say a midseason shocker is expected to happen. What will be the Idol shocker?

“Jack Bauer” returns with 24 on Fox on January 14th. Regina King joins Kiefer Sutherland for the new season.

BET’s Celebration of Gospel will air on January 28th. WDAS morning man Steve Harvey will be hosting with special guests Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans and Smokie Norful.

Author Brenda L. Thomas is back with her new book Every Woman’s Got A Secret. Thomas is best known for the best selling book, Threesomes.

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

After winning a reality TV show, this female found out the hard way that the 15 minutes of fame goes by very quickly. After making her name as a groupie, she realized she lost out by winning the competition. The woman who lost the competition got the better deal: a TV show, fame and more money.Hoopz? Deelishus?