[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2003

I have some good news about comedian Tommy Davidson. Last week I reported on his disastrous appearance in Philly during a comedy show. Tommy was really out of it. He wouldn't do any jokes, but he did sing, talk and occasionally nod off. The crowd in true Philly style started booing and throwing water bottles. The night was an embarrassment for all who attended. Tommy has done stints in rehab before, but now he says he is ready to face his demons head on. Tommy realizes he has a problem and he wants to get help. Let's hope he gets it together because he is a very talented guy who deserves better.

Is the romance really back on with Usher and Chili? Every week I have a different on again/off again story and now I am hearing that Usher has been stepping out with Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child. I'm sure Chili is not happy about this because she wants to be married to Usher.

Oprah Winfrey opens up in the new issue of TV Guide and she says no marriage or children for her. Oprah turns 50 in January and her estimated entertainment empire is worth one billion dollars. Oprah says people wanting her to be married to longtime beau Stedman Graham is their vision not hers. Oprah says as for children, she is busy caring for the world's children. She says this is her mission. By the year 2005, Oprah is planning to build 12 schools in Africa.

Mariah Carey is ready to tell all. Mariah wants to write a book about her life that will focus on her childhood and how she overcame adversity. There will be little mention of ex-husband Tommy Mottola, the record mogul who made her a star. If Mariah wants to sell books she is going to have to talk about her marriage and her romance with baseball star, Derek Jeter. Celebrity "tell all" books that gloss over the truth never do well, especially when every entertainment trade has listed all of your exploits. Mariah is also going to have talk about her breakdown and her rivalry with Jennifer Lopez.

Musiq is back! He has a hot new song called "For The Night" and his album Soul Star comes out in December.

Alicia Keys returns in December with The Diary of Alicia Keys. She recently shot a cover for Ebony magazine and she is working on specials for BET and MTV.

Chris Rock is hitting the road. Chris is bringing "The Black Ambition Tour" to town February 21st, at the Tower Theatre. Tickets are not on sale yet. Chris will be joined by ole school rappers on this tour. So far Biz Markie and Whodini have signed on.

Shemar Moore is no longer the host of Soul Train. Shemar has been let go and Dorien Gregory from the show The Other Half, will replace him.

Rapper 50 Cent stopped by the set of the UPN show, The Parkers recently. 50 Cent was visiting his lady actress Vivicia A. Fox who was filming a guest appearance on the show. The cast and crew were thrilled to meet the rapper. Vivica's new movie Kill Bill comes out on October 10th. 50 Cent also purchased a new home this past week. 50 Cent recently bought Mike Tyson's Connecticut mansion for $4 million. The home has 18 bedrooms, 24 full bathrooms and additional 14 half baths and a man made waterfall. The home also has an indoor racquetball court, seven kitchens, a theatre, a nightclub and an elevator. Mike Tyson bought this home in 1996, for $2.7 million. Then a year later, he put it on the market for $25 million. The house went unsold and his ex-wife Monica Turner got the home in her divorce settlement.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes is now an ambassador. Mary was recently named the "Goodwill Ambassador" for the US State Department.

The 46th Annual Grammy Awards takes places on February 8th. Nominees will be announced in December.

Congratulations to singer Ginuwine. He recently married his longtime love rapper Sole. They have two children together.