Celebrity News

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Afrochic
4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 19, 2003

Guess whose getting married? Actor/Choreographer Darrin Dewitt Henson. Darrin plays Lem on Soul Food. I’m crushed! I love this man. The lucky lady is the mother of his two sons and they have another one on the way. The wedding is scheduled for September.

DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

Well, at least this PROVES that he is not GAY!!!

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Wacko Jacko's kinky afro
By Tara Conlan, Daily Mail
19 May 2003
He is legendary for his efforts to transform the looks that helped him find fame.
Afro Jacko: CLICK image to enlarge


So it was something of a surprise to see Michael Jackson turning the clock back by more than 30 years at a 1970s themed party.

Guests gasped as the 44-year old singer arrived at a Miami restaurant wearing a giant Afro wig, rhinestone-studded jacket and leather trousers.

The hairstyle was almost identical to the one he wore as the young lead singer of the charttopping Jackson Five in the early 1970s, performing hit songs such as I Want You Back, ABC and I'll Be There.

As his solo career progressed, Jackson underwent plastic surgery and had his skin tone lightened, removing all trace of the cute teenager who once sang alongside his brothers.

At the party - to celebrate the 70th birthday of family friend Al Malnik - the father of three seemed happy to go back to his roots.

He stayed at the party at The Forge restaurant - restored by Malnik in the late 1960s to become Miami's most glamorous showbusiness haunt - for about two hours on Saturday night.

One guest said: 'It was like he was back in the 70s. Michael didn't dance, unfortunately, but he was jigging around in his seat.'

Jackson, who claims he was 'betrayed' by interviewer Martin Bashir in an ITV documentary earlier this year, has released home videos in an attempt to counter the negative publicity he attracted. These are to be shown here soon on Sky.

Wacko Jacko STILL looks like a woman in that pic, a woman in a St. John dress.

[Steeltrap]

McDermott, 5 others leaving 'Practice'

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) --The Boston law firm of Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt is undergoing a dramatic downsizing.

Dylan McDermott, Lara Flynn Boyle and four other cast members of "The Practice" are exiting David E. Kelley's ABC legal drama next season after their options were not picked up by David E. Kelley Prods. and 20th Century Fox TV.

The slimming of "Practice's" actor payroll comes as the Emmy-winning series faces at least a 50 percent reduction in the license fee paid by ABC.

The show endured a rocky seventh season -- ratings took a dive after a midseason time-slot shift to Monday -- and secured an eleventh-hour pickup for 2003-04 on condition that the estimated $6.5 million license fee be halved -- though ABC committed to returning the show to its longtime 10 p.m. Sunday home.

McDermott will guest-star in at least four episodes next season, and it is unclear if the other exiting cast members will make any appearances. In addition to McDermott and Boyle, the departures include original cast members Kelli Williams and Lisa Gay Hamilton. Marla Sokoloff, who joined "Practice" during its second season, and Chyler Leigh, who signed on this season, also are gone.

"Due to economic and creative realities, many key people will not be returning, including Dylan," Kelley said Monday. "It hurts, professionally and personally. This is perhaps the finest group of actors and people one could ever hope to work with; I hope for all of them to recur if possible, and if I'm lucky, I'll get to work with them on future projects as well. I'm indebted to each and every one of them."

While budget cuts were expected given such a substantial license-fee cut for an old show, the exodus came as a surprise because five of the six actors whose options have not been picked up -- McDermott, Williams, Hamilton, Sokoloff and Leigh -- were flown to New York last week to appear at ABC's fall schedule-unveiling presentation and party.

"For the past seven seasons, we've successfully relied on David E. Kelley's creative vision for 'The Practice,' and we'll continue to rely on his vision for the future of this series," the network said. "While we're sorry to see these talented cast members leave the show, we're excited to discover what David has in store for 'The Practice' this fall."

Sources said the cast reduction was Kelley's idea and is part of his plan to rejuvenate the veteran show, which won the outstanding drama series Emmy in 1999. It is understood that Kelley's camp has taken note of how other long-running dramas, including NBC's "Law & Order" and "ER," have used cast changes as a creative spark to keep a show fresh and even bring in new viewers.

Several new regulars are expected to join remaining "Practice" cast members Camryn Manheim and Michael Badalucco -- both Emmy winners for their roles -- Steve Harris and Jessica Capshaw.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Bamboozled]

Originally posted by Afrochic
Cedric the Entertainer will be back for another season on Fox. His show ‘Cedric the Entertainer Presents’ has been renewed for another season.

WTF??? Are people really watching this madness? Cedric HAS to be lining someone's pockets.

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

Well, at least this PROVES that he is not GAY!!!

Girl, that just proves that he's at least bi-sexual...

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Well, at least this PROVES that he is not GAY!!!

[/B]

You're being facetious aren't you?

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
McDermott, 5 others leaving 'Practice'

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) --The Boston law firm of Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt is undergoing a dramatic downsizing.

Dylan McDermott, Lara Flynn Boyle and four other cast members of "The Practice" are exiting David E. Kelley's ABC legal drama next season after their options were not picked up by David E. Kelley Prods. and 20th Century Fox TV.

The slimming of "Practice's" actor payroll comes as the Emmy-winning series faces at least a 50 percent reduction in the license fee paid by ABC.

The show endured a rocky seventh season -- ratings took a dive after a midseason time-slot shift to Monday -- and secured an eleventh-hour pickup for 2003-04 on condition that the estimated $6.5 million license fee be halved -- though ABC committed to returning the show to its longtime 10 p.m. Sunday home.

McDermott will guest-star in at least four episodes next season, and it is unclear if the other exiting cast members will make any appearances. In addition to McDermott and Boyle, the departures include original cast members Kelli Williams and Lisa Gay Hamilton. Marla Sokoloff, who joined "Practice" during its second season, and Chyler Leigh, who signed on this season, also are gone.

"Due to economic and creative realities, many key people will not be returning, including Dylan," Kelley said Monday. "It hurts, professionally and personally. This is perhaps the finest group of actors and people one could ever hope to work with; I hope for all of them to recur if possible, and if I'm lucky, I'll get to work with them on future projects as well. I'm indebted to each and every one of them."

While budget cuts were expected given such a substantial license-fee cut for an old show, the exodus came as a surprise because five of the six actors whose options have not been picked up -- McDermott, Williams, Hamilton, Sokoloff and Leigh -- were flown to New York last week to appear at ABC's fall schedule-unveiling presentation and party.

"For the past seven seasons, we've successfully relied on David E. Kelley's creative vision for 'The Practice,' and we'll continue to rely on his vision for the future of this series," the network said. "While we're sorry to see these talented cast members leave the show, we're excited to discover what David has in store for 'The Practice' this fall."

Sources said the cast reduction was Kelley's idea and is part of his plan to rejuvenate the veteran show, which won the outstanding drama series Emmy in 1999. It is understood that Kelley's camp has taken note of how other long-running dramas, including NBC's "Law & Order" and "ER," have used cast changes as a creative spark to keep a show fresh and even bring in new viewers.

Several new regulars are expected to join remaining "Practice" cast members Camryn Manheim and Michael Badalucco -- both Emmy winners for their roles -- Steve Harris and Jessica Capshaw.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I LOVE The Practice!!! I wrote an ANRGY letter to ABC earlier this year for changing the time slot of the show. I had a plan for Sunday nights and I KNEW that I had to be ready for The Practice @ 9pm. Then, they pulled a switcheroo and moved my show to Mondays. WTF was ABC thinking? There was NOTHING on TV on Sundays and The Practice set me up for Monday mornings. No one ever remembered to watch the show on Monday nights which caused the ratings to drop.

NOW THIS?!?!?! WTH is The Practice without 90% of the original cast? What are they thinking? I love "Eugene" (and I can live without "Jimmy"), but how can he carry the show alone? And on top of that, they slap me in the face by making "Eugene" have some sort of relationship with "Jaime." They couldn't find a sista to hook him up with? The Practice is just perpetuating the stereotype that successful, professional Black men have to get white women.... but I digress.

ABC makes me sick!!! I would strictly boycott that station if it weren't for My Wife and Kids. I am about to write to David Kelley and ABC because I am FED UP!!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
You're being facetious aren't you?

Yeah I am. I put it on another list and was blasted for the EXACT same comments I made here. Some folks on that list are the dumbest azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz so and sos in the world.

I knew you would get the meaning behind me.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Yeah I am. I put it on another list and was blasted for the EXACT same comments I made here. Some folks on that list are the dumbest azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz so and sos in the world.

I knew you would get the meaning behind me.

I think I know who you're speaking of on the other list.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I think I know who you're speaking of on the other list.

Yup Kings Jackazz #1 and #2.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Yup Kings Jackazz #1 and #2.

CTFU. CTFU. CTFU.

[DELTAQTE]

'Idol' favorite a really big talent--and that's the problem

May 20, 2003

BY BILL ZWECKER



Concerns about the health of Ruben Studdard --who many believe will win the second "American Idol" crown Wednesday--have surfaced after media reports that music uber-mogul Clive Davis is deeply worried about the singer's girth.

Davis allegedly fears that Stud-dard's 350-pound weight could lead to the kind of critical health crisis Davis' longtime friend and associate Luther Vandross is coping with. The singer is lying comatose and near death following the stroke he suffered April 16. Though Vandross slimmed down drastically several times, many thought his years of obesity and yo-yo dieting contributed to him suffering the stroke.

On numerous occasions, Stud-dard's lethargy onstage--assumed to be caused by his size--have generated concerns within the "American Idol" operation, but two very highly placed "A.I." honchos played down those reports Monday. They also denied that the enormous pressure of being one of two finalists on the show is any different than the kinds of pressures Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini faced last year.

"The only difference is that 'American Idol' is now a huge part of the national popular culture landscape. Appearing on the show turns these kids into instant celebrities, and the finalists are now so well-known to tens of millions of people," a key production staffer said Monday.

As for Ruben's weight and stage presence, another staffer said, "Certainly, we're all concerned about Ruben's health. Everyone knows the long-term effects of being tremendously overweight will eventually lead to serious health problems. That's something Ruben needs to start working on--and he knows it."

Another source close to Davis confirms that the recording industry legend is "deeply, deeply distraught about Vandross' condition. ... They are such good friends, and Clive is releasing his new album," but the source insists it is wrong to automatically merge Davis' thoughts about Vandross with his plans to produce the "American Idol" winner's first album.

"After all, it might just as easily be Clay [Aiken] who walks off as the winner Wednesday night." That having been said, "Clive--like so many who know and love Ruben--understands losing weight will be very important for him in the long term."

As for Vandross, Davis will release his new album, "Dance With My Father," on his J Records label in early June.


He shouldn't of said anything!

QTE

[CrimsonTide4]

In order to prepare for his role as Blues legend Robert Johnson, Sean "P.Diddy" Combs will do something he has never done--pick cotton.

"I'm going to work on a farm, learn about sharecropping and picking cotton," Diddy told the New York Daily News. "I swear to God. I'm doing cotton picking."

Production for the movie starts in September. Johnson was labeled King of Delta Blues, in spite of recording only 29 songs prior to dying at the age of 27.

The film will be shot on location in Mississippi and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, whose last work was the Holocaust drama, The Gray Zone.;

Combs has received critical acclaim following his roles in the Monster's Ball with Halle Berry and the independent film Made. He is said to be taking acting classes in hopes of perfecting his craft and landing more roles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
James Brown Pardoned by South Carolina


Soul legend James Brown was pardoned yesterday by South Carolina officials for his past crimes in the state.

Brown - who served a two-and-a-half-year prison term after a 1988 arrest on drug and assault charges, and was convicted of a drug-related offence in 1998 - was granted a pardon by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

The 70-year-old "I Got You (I Feel Good)" star said in a statement, "God bless America on this beautiful day. I hope my pardon shows the youth that America is a beautiful country."

Brown unsuccessfully tried to get a pardon for his crimes in 2001, but yesterday's decision means he is fully forgiven from all the legal consequences of his crime and his conviction.

State Representative Ken Kennedy, who spoke on Brown's behalf, says the pardon will allow the singer to share his experiences and help others.

He adds, "I've been a fan of James Brown all my life. I've listened to his music all my life. I think this is something that he deserves.

"He has been one of our great entertainers in this country. He's done so much for the country and for me as a young person growing up here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Jordan Tried to Steal My Date -- interesting article
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[CrimsonTide4]

Matrix Director's Wife Airs Dirty Laundry -- Literally

It should be the best week in Matrix Reloaded director Larry Wachowski's life. But with exquisite timing, court papers have emerged at thesmokinggun.com that probably make him feel like he's in the Matrix itself.

Wachowski's wife, Thea Bloom, is suing him for divorce -- and it's going to get ugly.

Her court papers not only reveal all his financial dealings with Warner Bros. but also suggest that recent gossip in the British press about Wachowski being a cross-dresser could be true. To wit: In the legal papers, Bloom says the couple's decision to separate was mutual and "based on very intimate circumstances ... which I do not elaborate on at this time for reasons of his personal privacy."

But Bloom is more interested in money than undergarments, and with good reason. According to her papers, the Wachowski brothers received $16 million for their work on The Matrix movies recently -- and it's unaccounted for in her divorce.

Interestingly, if Bloom had waited until this fall to file for divorce, she might have passed the magic 10-year mark under California law. She and Wachowski, she claims, were together from 1984-93 and then married in 1993. A judge will have to decide if that constitutes 10 years of marriage.

In the meantime, Bloom will be watching The Matrix Reloaded box office very carefully this weekend -- and maybe doing an inventory of her unmentionables as well.

[Bamboozled]

I heard on the radio yesterday that Trenyce will join the cast of Girlfriends next season as one of the girl's niece. I'm not sure how true it is, but I'm just telling y'all what I heard.

[AKA2D '91]

Michael Jackson Hospitalized Briefly


Thu May 22, 5:30 AM ET


Michael Jackson was hospitalized briefly after falling ill on the same day he was scheduled to give a deposition in a copyright lawsuit.

Jackson was hospitalized in Indianapolis on Wednesday for observation and treatment before the deposition began, Brian Oxman, an attorney for the Jackson family, told The Associated Press.

Jackson was released after a couple of hours and boarded a private jet Wednesday evening to return to Los Angeles, Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman said.

Jackson, 44, "was not feeling well and was feeling weak," Oxman said in a telephone interview. Neither Oxman nor Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman knew which hospital Jackson was taken to.

"He has, in some occasions in the past, not eaten when he should," Oxman said. "He can become very concerned and nervous at depositions. He doesn't like lawsuits, and it makes him ill to have to cope with litigation that people seem to heap on him."


Jackson arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday for a deposition in a lawsuit alleging that the Jackson Five used the name of another Gary band and two of their songs without license.

The deposition was to be given in a meeting with attorney Norman Reed, who is representing Gordon Keith, the man who signed the Jackson Five to his Gary-based Steeltown Records in 1967. Keith has said he received no credit for tracks that appeared on a 1996 album, "Pre-History: The Lost Steeltown Recordings."

Robert Meyer, who represents Jackson at the Chicago law firm Swanson Martin & Bell, has declined to comment on the copyright lawsuit.

Keith and musician Elvy Woodard, accuse Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson with infringing on the trade name Ripples & Waves, which was the name of another Gary band during the 1960s.