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[jitterbug13]

Love Alive

I flew to Miami recently to see David E. Talbert's 12th touring production, 'Love in the Nick of Tyme,' which played the James L. Knight Center. The show stars Morris Chestnut, singer Terry Dexter, R&B crooner Avant, 'American Idol' finalist Trenyce and actress Ellia English ('The Jamie Foxx Show'), among others, and features all new music written by Vivian Green.

Talbert, who has earned 24 NAACP Image Award nominations for his 11 plays, is returning to his first love after writing several bestselling books ('Baggage Claim,' 'Love on the Dotted Line,' and Love Don't Live Here No More' with Snoop Dogg); a television special ('Unpredictable: A Musical Journey') and recording several of his other plays for DVD.

But the return to the road has been fulfilling for Talbert, who had got quite comfortable living in Hollywood. "It's the best thing ever! I forgot how much I loved coming out on stage. Because you know I am a frustrated preacher and a standup comedian as well? So you give me a microphone and an audience and it's hard to get me off stage! Now it's going to be hard to get me back off the road," Talbert told me.

For Chestnut-who has starred in films like 'Two Can Play That Game,' 'The Brothers,' and 'The Best Man'-this is his first time on the road in a touring play. "It's definitely different. It's much more of a grind than I thought it would be, but I've welcomed the challenge. People had been approaching me for years to do one, but I never wanted to do one. Then David came to me and I just felt like it was the right time, the right script and he was the right person for me to do one with," shared the happily married father of two.

The 38-year-old actor believes that the reason so many of his Hollywood peers are taking to life on the road, is a combination of the limited work for African-American actors in the business and the direct connection to the consumer. "I think it's an opportunity for to give your fans an opportunity to see you up-close and personal. I think it offers you a chance to hone your skills and be able to work regularly. Some of us, knock on wood, like myself have been able to work regularly, but there's not really a lot of jobs out there. So it gives an opportunity to keep perfecting our craft and to get better because we call can get better," added Chestnut.

Legend has it that Chestnut signed on for 'Love in the Nick of Tyme' after losing a card game to Talbert at a party. Both have a different recollection of the tale.

"I don't know who told you that lie," Chestnut said laughing. "David Talbert couldn't beat me in spades if his life depended on it!"

But the director/producer sees things differently. "Well you see, the thing about actors is that they're delusional because they're used to going in to character. But if you get him out of character he'll tell you the truth. I am the spades champion. See, I'm east coast and he's west coast, so if it was dominos, he would have won," he offered.

Nonetheless, 'Love in the Nick of Tyme' currently has dates scheduled through late May in cities including Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Talbert is certain this is the one production of his that you don't want to miss. "Its my most magical production ever," he closed.

For more details visit www.DavidETalbert.com

Being Blogger-like

BET's 'Celebration of Gospel' made its mark in the television ratings history books. The annual gospel television broadcast landed 2.5 million viewers when it premiered on Jan. 28, making it the number one Religious/Gospel Program in television history; the highest rated weekend telecast in BET history; and among the Top 25 of all BET broadcasts ever. Yours truly attended the show and I promise you that what you see on television is nothing compared to what you experience live. BET edits the hell out of the near-four hour taping, sometimes opting to loose some of the finer moments and dwelling on not-so-stellar ones. For example, most in attendance felt as though one of the four highlights during the show was definitely the performance of "Endow Me" by Coko and featuring Fantasia, Lil Mo and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. But the way the seven minute-plus performance was cut down, you would have never thought it was Coko's song. That's just one example! (Though I thought just about everyone was good, my other highlights included Ty Tribbett, The Caravans and Kelly Price.) And don't get me wrong, I think this year's 'Celebration of Gospel' was fantastic and most of what you see on television mirrors the live experience, but some of the choices made just make you scratch your head. One more thing, and let me be clear that this is in no way a personal dis to anyone, but there are plenty of talented musicians with musical director experience who have church sensibilities and would be perfect for this show. Translation: BET should hire someone who doesn't have to read gospel from sheet music and already knows the songs! (BET, I have the telephone numbers of Joe Wilson, Donald Lawrence, Warryn Campbell, Brent Jones and several others who fit the bill.) Furthermore, shouting music should not sound like the theme music from the circus.

I have a new level of respect for Usher. Despite criticism from myself and other media outlets when he initially hooked up with the then-married with children former stylist Tameka Foster and snuck off on a romantic vacation to St. Bart's with her, I have to say that its admirable that he's actually gone public with their romance. Most were calling Usher a home wrecker and clearly that seemed to be the case then, but Foster is now divorced and the two seem madly in love. (If it works for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, why shouldn't it work for them?) I've known that Foster was quietly in the picture long before those beachfront pictures of them surfaced more than a year ago. It was her and not the model, Eishia Brightwell that actually took the infamous subway ride with the singer in New York City. (I worked on this story for the New York Daily News in July 2004). But the two aren't taking the train anymore, but instead walking the red carpet at events like the recent Trumpet Awards and at Tao Las Vegas' New Year's Eve celebration.

Can someone please tell Smokey Robinson that 'Dreamgirls' is not a documentary! The film is "loosely based" on The Supremes and the Motown experience and if he had the gripes that he shared on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" show and then on 'Access Hollywood,' then why didn't he take that up 25 years ago when 'Dreamgirls' was on Broadway? See details on Robinson's rant in my colleague Karu F. Daniels' BV Newswire Blog.

Buzzworthy

This whole Brandy Norwood car accident situation has been something else! You can read the details in BV Newswire Blog. I'm glad the former 'Moesha' star and 'America's Got Talent' judge is trying to get a handle on things by hiring the crisis publicist Allan Mayer of 42 West, who also is helping 'Grey's Anatomy' star Isaiah Washington rebuild his image. 'Page Six' of the New York Post broke news last week that she terminated her other publicist Courtney Barnes.

Comics Alex Thomas, Pierre, Rodney Perry and Shang star in an upcoming comedy film, 'Cut' N' Up.' The movie, described as a cross between 'Kings of Comedy' and 'Barbershop,' is being produced by Cecil Chambers and directed by Mark Harris.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that an R&B singer, who has made recent forays in to inspirational music, was thrown out of a Kansas City hotel for smoking marijuana in his room. While an entertainer smoking weed isn't shocking to most, the fact that said singer has focused his recent endeavors on performing gospel dates-he was performing at a church the night he got the boot-could raise some eyebrows in the Christian community.

[jitterbug13]

His Own Words

I like Ne-Yo! Why? Because he's the real deal! See, most artists are like Play-Doh. They've been molded into the image that you see and say the things some publicist or record label executive have coached them to say. But that's not the case at all with this quadruple threat.

I caught up with the singer songwriter/producer/actor recently at The W Hotel in Westwood, Calif. and during our frank chat, the Las Vegas-bred entertainer talked openly about any and everything I wanted to. Last fall, there were some photos that were taken by Ne-Yo showing one of his dancers performing oral sex on him that surfaced online. I asked Ne-Yo had he tired of all the questions about the pictures. "No," he replied.

"Well what's the real story behind the photos," I asked. Without blinking he shot back: "I was just having fun one day. Someone did something childish and broke into my damn sidekick. It happens. It comes with the territory."

The singer, who also stars in the #1 box office smash 'Stomp The Yard,' said that a man actually attempted to extort money for the pictures. "Somebody was trying to actually get some money for them pictures, can you believe that? The dude that stole the pictures was like, 'Give me x-amount of dollars or I am going public with these pictures.' So I am thinking to myself, okay if I send this dude this money, what guarantees me he aint going to go public with these pictures anyway. So I hit him with the f-bomb via sidekick and I kept it moving. The pictures came out; it was what it was and its whatever. I'm grown, I don't care," he explained.

Before his debut album "In My Own Words" sold 1.5 million copies and he was co-headlining tours with Omarion, Ne-Yo sang in an R&B group called Envy with troubled 'American Idol' finalist Corey Clark. Ne-Yo said it's been some time since he's communicated with his former group member. "Haven't talked to Corey in a really long time. Corey, man, what to say about Corey? Talented cat, he really, really is. He has some personal issues that he has to deal with, within himself. And when he does, if he does, I think that he could possibly come back from the drama that became his life behind the whole Paula Adbul thing," shared the singer.

Now that he has his own thriving production company, would Ne-Yo consider signing Clark to his own roster? "Not until he worked out his personal issues," he said emphatically.

In addition to his work as singer and now an actor, Ne-Yo has struck gold (and often platinum) by penning songs for the likes of Mario ("Let Me Love You"), Rihanna ("Unfaithful"), Heather Headley ("The Letter") and Marques Houston ("All Because of You"). Clearly, his song "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce saved her 'B'Day' album from being a total failure! If that's not impressive enough, Ne-Yo will next write on upcoming albums by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Britney Spears. Expect a sophomore album from Ne-Yo later this year.

Frankly Speaking

"Do you know that I'm not even allowed to go to The Grove for a year? We've all been banned! But, whatever. They don't have any good shoe stores there, anyway." - Nia Long, talking about the fight between her son's father, Massai Z. Dorsey, and her unnamed ex-boyfriend at the Los Angeles shopping center The Grove in the Feb. '07 issue of Essence.

Being Blogger-like

Everyone is talking about the Ray J and Kim Kardashian sex tape. You've been flooding my e-mail box with questions regarding it. I broke news last Wednesday on the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' that Vivid Entertainment had acquired the tape for $1 million after being tipped off the day before. I'm not weighing in on what I think will happen to either of their careers, cause clearly only one of them really has one. Nonetheless, I will say this…Ray J may have realized that he'll likely never win a Grammy, Emmy and certainly not an Oscar, but his chances of landing an AVN Award-the highest honor in the porn industry-are likely very good!

Buzzworthy

I recently attended the live concert recording of the gospel quartet, The Soul Seekers. The music collective-made up by Teddy Campbell; Warryn Campbell; John "Jubu" Smith; Gerald Haddon; Charlie Bereal; Eric Seats, Craig Brockman and founder, Nisan Stewart-recorded their sophomore CD at the packed-to-rafters Love & Unity COGIC Church in Compton, Calif. Among those in attendance included Musiq, Mary Mary, Deitrick & Damita Haddon, Coko of SWV, comic Jonathan Slocumb, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, producer Rodnie Jerkins, Marvin "Coconut" Winans Jr., Ty Tribbett, Daryl Coley, Nysa Shenay, singer/producer Eric Dawkins, Dr. Bobby Jones, newcomer Onitsha, musician/producer Derek Lee, Fred Hammond, comic Broderick Rice, Fonzworth Bentley, actress Faune Chambers ('White Chicks'), singer Yvette Williams, George Huff, Marvin Winans and a host of gospel music executives and radio talent. While the entire session featured a solid collection of modern quartet music, one of the highlights for me included group member Warryn Campbell's song "Trust In Me." In addition, Marvin Winans duet with The Soul Seeker's lead singer Teddy Campbell was an additional standout. Expect The Soul Seekers follow-up to their 2005's self-titled album to drop before the year's end.

Apparently students at the Bronx Community College think their classmate looks a lot like the guy who played Lionel on "The Jeffersons." Well it is! The actor Damon Evans, who also played young Alex Haley in 'Roots II: The Next Generation,' is studying psychology and teaching there.

Hollywood personality Wendell James launched his new radio talk show "Talking with Wendell" on Jan. 20, on KCAA 1050 AM in the Riverside/San Bernardino area of California.

Golden Globe winner and Oscar frontrunner Jennifer Hudson graces the March issue of Essence magazine, but Hudson told Jay Leno during an interview on NBC's 'The Tonight Show' that her words were taken out of context. The Essence cover story made headlines because of a press release that promoted the issue with a quote from Hudson that said: "You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think." But the 'Dreamgirls' star told Leno, "Sometimes people take what you say a whole other way!" I detailed during my 'Tom Joyner Morning Show Report.' In other Hudson magazine news, she'll appear on the cover of Vogue magazine's March issue. This news has sent the media world into shock. Karu F. Daniels has the scoop in his BV Newswire Blog.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that a certain C-List Hollywood star is so desperate to win her boyfriend back that she's undergoing plastic surgery to make herself more appealing. Said actress recently underwent a breast lift and her second round of liposuction in an attempt to resurrect the romance with her often-mocked beau.

[StarFish106]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that a certain C-List Hollywood star is so desperate to win her boyfriend back that she's undergoing plastic surgery to make herself more appealing. Said actress recently underwent a breast lift and her second round of liposuction in an attempt to resurrect the romance with her often-mocked beau.

Let me guess...Shar Jackson? Say it ain't so...please

[jitterbug13]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Papa Knowles was working overtime. Since when does a SINGER get the cover of SI swimsuit edition?

I guess he couldn't let Jhud outshine Bey too much..

They are doing a music issue this year. I was like when they announced she was the cover girl.

Originally Posted by teena

Personally, I do not like that photo. I think they could have found a better shot. I cant remember where I read Jennifer was talking reckless about JHoliday. She was saying how she wouldnt make the mistakes JHoliday did. Something to the effect of JHoliday did it to herself and JHudson is much better than that.

I like the cover pic in Essence better than the one in Vogue. Also, if you read the story in Essence, they quoted on what Jennifer Holiday said on Wendy Williams. With what Holiday said, I can understand why JHud responed the way she did.

Originally Posted by StarFish106

Let me guess...Shar Jackson? Say it ain't so...please

WHO ELSE??

[jitterbug13]

That was quick...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070214/...mAuy7SIgrMWM0F

[Steeltrap]

Hot messes from New York Social Diary.com:

Sean Combs, why do you let your momdukes go out like this?



Ms. Jay, you shol is oogly:

[jojapeach]

^^^ I sincerely felt woozy after looking at Ms. Jay's picture. If he can teach women how to work the catwalk, certainly someone can teach him to never pose like that again. Ever! LOL

[BlessedOne04]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

Hot messes from New York Social Diary.com:

Ms. Jay, you shol is oogly:

ROTFL LOL!!!

[BlessedOne04]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

Love Alive

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that an R&B singer, who has made recent forays in to inspirational music, was thrown out of a Kansas City hotel for smoking marijuana in his room. While an entertainer smoking weed isn't shocking to most, the fact that said singer has focused his recent endeavors on performing gospel dates-he was performing at a church the night he got the boot-could raise some eyebrows in the Christian community.

Can that be Dave Hollister?

[MeezDiscreet]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

Can that be Dave Hollister?

that's who i was thinking

[jitterbug13]

^^^^
It's Tony Terry (the guy who sang With You back in the day).

It was announced on Leno that Beyonce is the cover girl for this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. She'll be on the show tomorrow (well, later today). JHud can have Vogue!

[lilbay77]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

^^^^
It's Tony Terry (the guy who sang With You back in the day).

It was announced on Leno that Beyonce is the cover girl for this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. She'll be on the show tomorrow (well, later today). JHud can have Vogue!

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

^^^^
It's Tony Terry (the guy who sang With You back in the day).

It was announced on Leno that Beyonce is the cover girl for this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. She'll be on the show tomorrow (well, later today). JHud can have Vogue!

Papa Knowles was working overtime. Since when does a SINGER get the cover of SI swimsuit edition?

I guess he couldn't let Jhud outshine Bey too much..

[black_princess]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Papa Knowles was working overtime. Since when does a SINGER get the cover of SI swimsuit edition?

I guess he couldn't let Jhud outshine Bey too much..

So true . . last I checked, I thought she wanted to be recognized for her acting talent . . not just her physical ones

[Steeltrap]

I can tell you that I was when I heard about Morris Chestnut being in this play. It's coming to San Diego, BTW. But he's right -- you have to get work any way you can, and if touring plays bring in money, so be it.

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

Love Alive

I flew to Miami recently to see David E. Talbert's 12th touring production, 'Love in the Nick of Tyme,' which played the James L. Knight Center. The show stars Morris Chestnut, singer Terry Dexter, R&B crooner Avant, 'American Idol' finalist Trenyce and actress Ellia English ('The Jamie Foxx Show'), among others, and features all new music written by Vivian Green.

Talbert, who has earned 24 NAACP Image Award nominations for his 11 plays, is returning to his first love after writing several bestselling books ('Baggage Claim,' 'Love on the Dotted Line,' and Love Don't Live Here No More' with Snoop Dogg); a television special ('Unpredictable: A Musical Journey') and recording several of his other plays for DVD.

But the return to the road has been fulfilling for Talbert, who had got quite comfortable living in Hollywood. "It's the best thing ever! I forgot how much I loved coming out on stage. Because you know I am a frustrated preacher and a standup comedian as well? So you give me a microphone and an audience and it's hard to get me off stage! Now it's going to be hard to get me back off the road," Talbert told me.

For Chestnut-who has starred in films like 'Two Can Play That Game,' 'The Brothers,' and 'The Best Man'-this is his first time on the road in a touring play. "It's definitely different. It's much more of a grind than I thought it would be, but I've welcomed the challenge. People had been approaching me for years to do one, but I never wanted to do one. Then David came to me and I just felt like it was the right time, the right script and he was the right person for me to do one with," shared the happily married father of two.

The 38-year-old actor believes that the reason so many of his Hollywood peers are taking to life on the road, is a combination of the limited work for African-American actors in the business and the direct connection to the consumer. "I think it's an opportunity for to give your fans an opportunity to see you up-close and personal. I think it offers you a chance to hone your skills and be able to work regularly. Some of us, knock on wood, like myself have been able to work regularly, but there's not really a lot of jobs out there. So it gives an opportunity to keep perfecting our craft and to get better because we call can get better," added Chestnut.

Legend has it that Chestnut signed on for 'Love in the Nick of Tyme' after losing a card game to Talbert at a party. Both have a different recollection of the tale.

"I don't know who told you that lie," Chestnut said laughing. "David Talbert couldn't beat me in spades if his life depended on it!"

But the director/producer sees things differently. "Well you see, the thing about actors is that they're delusional because they're used to going in to character. But if you get him out of character he'll tell you the truth. I am the spades champion. See, I'm east coast and he's west coast, so if it was dominos, he would have won," he offered.

Nonetheless, 'Love in the Nick of Tyme' currently has dates scheduled through late May in cities including Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Talbert is certain this is the one production of his that you don't want to miss. "Its my most magical production ever," he closed.

For more details visit www.DavidETalbert.com

Being Blogger-like

BET's 'Celebration of Gospel' made its mark in the television ratings history books. The annual gospel television broadcast landed 2.5 million viewers when it premiered on Jan. 28, making it the number one Religious/Gospel Program in television history; the highest rated weekend telecast in BET history; and among the Top 25 of all BET broadcasts ever. Yours truly attended the show and I promise you that what you see on television is nothing compared to what you experience live. BET edits the hell out of the near-four hour taping, sometimes opting to loose some of the finer moments and dwelling on not-so-stellar ones. For example, most in attendance felt as though one of the four highlights during the show was definitely the performance of "Endow Me" by Coko and featuring Fantasia, Lil Mo and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. But the way the seven minute-plus performance was cut down, you would have never thought it was Coko's song. That's just one example! (Though I thought just about everyone was good, my other highlights included Ty Tribbett, The Caravans and Kelly Price.) And don't get me wrong, I think this year's 'Celebration of Gospel' was fantastic and most of what you see on television mirrors the live experience, but some of the choices made just make you scratch your head. One more thing, and let me be clear that this is in no way a personal dis to anyone, but there are plenty of talented musicians with musical director experience who have church sensibilities and would be perfect for this show. Translation: BET should hire someone who doesn't have to read gospel from sheet music and already knows the songs! (BET, I have the telephone numbers of Joe Wilson, Donald Lawrence, Warryn Campbell, Brent Jones and several others who fit the bill.) Furthermore, shouting music should not sound like the theme music from the circus.

I have a new level of respect for Usher. Despite criticism from myself and other media outlets when he initially hooked up with the then-married with children former stylist Tameka Foster and snuck off on a romantic vacation to St. Bart's with her, I have to say that its admirable that he's actually gone public with their romance. Most were calling Usher a home wrecker and clearly that seemed to be the case then, but Foster is now divorced and the two seem madly in love. (If it works for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, why shouldn't it work for them?) I've known that Foster was quietly in the picture long before those beachfront pictures of them surfaced more than a year ago. It was her and not the model, Eishia Brightwell that actually took the infamous subway ride with the singer in New York City. (I worked on this story for the New York Daily News in July 2004). But the two aren't taking the train anymore, but instead walking the red carpet at events like the recent Trumpet Awards and at Tao Las Vegas' New Year's Eve celebration.

Can someone please tell Smokey Robinson that 'Dreamgirls' is not a documentary! The film is "loosely based" on The Supremes and the Motown experience and if he had the gripes that he shared on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" show and then on 'Access Hollywood,' then why didn't he take that up 25 years ago when 'Dreamgirls' was on Broadway? See details on Robinson's rant in my colleague Karu F. Daniels' BV Newswire Blog.

Buzzworthy

This whole Brandy Norwood car accident situation has been something else! You can read the details in BV Newswire Blog. I'm glad the former 'Moesha' star and 'America's Got Talent' judge is trying to get a handle on things by hiring the crisis publicist Allan Mayer of 42 West, who also is helping 'Grey's Anatomy' star Isaiah Washington rebuild his image. 'Page Six' of the New York Post broke news last week that she terminated her other publicist Courtney Barnes.

Comics Alex Thomas, Pierre, Rodney Perry and Shang star in an upcoming comedy film, 'Cut' N' Up.' The movie, described as a cross between 'Kings of Comedy' and 'Barbershop,' is being produced by Cecil Chambers and directed by Mark Harris.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that an R&B singer, who has made recent forays in to inspirational music, was thrown out of a Kansas City hotel for smoking marijuana in his room. While an entertainer smoking weed isn't shocking to most, the fact that said singer has focused his recent endeavors on performing gospel dates-he was performing at a church the night he got the boot-could raise some eyebrows in the Christian community.