[CrimsonTide4]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - UPN is adding "Cuts" to its midseason schedule.


The network has picked up the comedy pilot, a spinoff of its sitcom "One on One," with a six-episode series order.

"Cuts," from Paramount Network TV, the Greenblatt Janollari Studio and Daddy's Girl Prods., revolves around Flex's barber brother (Marques Houston) and a corporation heiress (Shannon Elizabeth (news)) managing a barbershop together.

The characters were introduced in an episode of "One on One" last season, which served as a backdoor pilot for the project.

"One on One" creator Eunetta Boone and the show's writer/consulting producer Bennie Richburg penned the pilot, which originally was eyed for fall 2004.

"Cuts" is the third series UPN is prepping for midseason, in addition to the comedy "The Bad Girl's Guide" and the unscripted "The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliott." The network also recently picked up its freshman dramas "Kevin Hill" and "Veronica Mars" for a full season.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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Patti Jackson's News

American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is finally losing weight. Ruben’s weight loss is being documented by Extra TV, the entertainment news show. The diet got off to a rocky start with Ruben almost throwing in the towel. Ruben is trying to lose 200 pounds. At his heaviest he was 355 pounds. He gained 100 pounds since winning the title of American Idol. Ruben was not happy at the start of his diet. He didn’t like his California home that was given to him by Extra. He complained the house didn’t have enough plasma TV’s and that it didn’t have air conditioning. He also hated the diet plan and refused to do it. Ruben wouldn’t pick up his food and he wasn’t exercising. Needless to say the producers of the television show were not happy and the battles started. Ruben and the producers butted heads and the entire idea was almost scrapped. American Idol judge Randy Jackson is serving as Ruben’s “life coach” and he got Ruben to stick with it. Producers came up with a diet plan that Ruben likes. It’s a high protein low carb diet and Ruben is losing weight. He just lost 20 pounds. Rubens new CD, I Need An Angel comes out on November 23rd. The song “I Need An Angel” was written and produced by R. Kelly.


Remember Lisa Lisa from the Cult Jam? Back in the 80’s they had the hits “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “Head To Toe” and “All Cried Out.” Well, Lisa is expecting her first child and she will be appearing on a VH1 Thanksgiving special, A Very Classic Thanksgiving, a one hour special that will also star MC Hammer and Davey Jones of the Monkees.


The “Father and Son” tour with Eddie and Gerald Levert is coming to the area on Friday, December 10th, at the tower Theatre in Upper Darby and December 11th, at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey. Gerald has a new CD, Do I Speak for the World?, coming out on the 29th. It’s a 16 song set that features Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West. Gerald says the show will be a celebration of our roots and music. He says in addition to the O’Jays and Levert classics, they will also be performing tributes to Barry White and Luther Vandross.


Ashanti graces the cover of Vibe Magazine and she has a new album, Concrete Rose, coming out this month. Ashanti is one busy lady. She just signed on as the new spokesperson for Clairol Herbal Essence hair products and she’s branching out in her acting career. In January she makes her big screen debut with Samuel L. Jackson in the movie, Coach Carter, and next May she will be starring in The Muppets of Wizard of OZ on ABC.


Now speaking of Samuel L. Jackson, he’s going to be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He’s also one of the voices in the animated hit movie "The Incredibles".


The new Michael Jackson greatest hits package arrives in stores next week. The 4 CD set will include all his classics and four new songs. Last week a New Orleans man made headlines with new accusations against the “King of Pop.” He claims he was molested 20 years ago by Michael. When he filed the criminal lawsuit he stated he forget about the incident until he saw Michael on television last year.


After 23 years of marriage, the Sharptons are calling it quits. The Rev. Al and Kathy Sharpton are going their separate ways. Kathy used to be a backup for James Brown. The Sharptons have two children and they have been living apart since last March. Al has a new television show on Spike TV called, I Hate My Job. Al serves as the host and “life coach” of the show as he helps people find jobs they like. Stephanie Ray (no relation to Lisa Raye) is his co-host. Al recently took Stephanie on a shopping spree and he bought her a $1,000 handbag. Al also escorted actress Robin Givens to P. Diddy’s birthday bash. Is the Reverend dating already, or has he been dating all along? Hmmmmmmm?


Is Mariah Carey having money problems? Sources say her excessive spending is out of control and she recently went through $28 million. Friends say Mariah goes through money like water. She has several homes and she spends a fortune to look good. She pays her hairdresser and makeup artist $8,000 a day to keep her looking good. Mariah is a songwriter and she wrote many of her songs, so she always has money coming in. Mariah has a new album coming out in March and she’s being managed by Benny Medina. He’s the man who made J-Lo a star.


The Fugees are serious about their reunion. Yes Lauryn, Pras and Wyclef are getting back together. In addition to a new album they are also going on tour.


Star Jones big wedding to investment banker Al Reynolds takes place on November 13th, and she will be officially changing her name to Star Reynolds. Check out Star and Al on the cover of the new Ebony Magazine. In the article she talks about her man and the rumors.


LL Cool J is set to host the Vibe Awards on November 15th. LL has been battling a stomach ailment. Last year he had his appendix removed .He is on medication and under a doctor’s care. He is also nurturing his wife, Simone, who is also battling medical problems.


The life story of Donnie McClurken is coming out on DVD. From Darkness to Light, arrives in stores November 23rd. The DVD tells the life story and struggles Donnie battled. A lot of Donnie’s family and friends were interviewed.


The new Destiny’s Child album, Destiny Fulfilled, comes out on the 15th.


What is like being the “Ultimate Baby Momma?” I hear it’s very lonely if you’re Kim Porter. Kim is the mother of P. Diddy’s youngest son. She also has an older child by singer Al B. Sure. Kim has been dating P. Diddy for years and he’s been cheating on her for years. Why does she put up with? Why doesn’t he just leave her if he’s going to cheat? Well, it’s like the old song “It’s Cheaper to Keep Her,” so he gives her tons of money to raise their son. Kim likes the money and the bling, bling. She knows she will never get this anywhere else, so she puts up with the cheating and humiliation. At P. Diddy’s party last week Kim was complaining how lonely she is and how he always neglects her. After their photo ops, Diddy ditched Kim and went chasing after Mariah Carey. How long is this relationship going to last?


The Broadway musical Rent is coming to the big screen. Actress Rosario Dawson will be starring. Rosario is one busy actress. She is co-starring in the new Oliver Stone movie, Alexander, with Colin Ferrell. I hear there love scenes in the movie are the talk of the town.


The UPN show Kevin Hill has been picked up for a full season. The news is not so good for the Boris Kodjoe/Nicole Ari Parker show, Second Time Around. The show is struggling in the ratings.


Diana Ross says there will never be another Supremes reunion! In a recent interview Diana says she tried it and she will never do it again. She also stated she was tired of people harassing her about it. Okay, I admit I am one of those people. I would love for Diana to re-team with Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, even if it was just for one night.


Congratulations to singer Alicia Keys. She was recently honored by Glamour Magazine as one of their “Women of the Year.”


Ed Gordon the former host of BET Nightly News has landed on his feet. He is now a correspondent for 60 Minutes Wednesday.