The responses to my question about The Soul Train Awards were overwhelming. Thanks to all who commented. I appreciate the emails. The majority of our readers feel that today’s artists showed a total lack of respect for the show by not showing up to receive their awards. Obviously, they have no knowledge of the history of the Soul Train TV show. Many readers felt the show needs an overhaul. They feel the show should be shown at better times and promoted more. Some readers believe Don Cornelius should repackage old shows and make them available on DVD. By making old shows available, it could spark interest or better yet serve a history tool with the many music greats that have appeared on the show. A lot of suggestions came up, including getting a new host and getting better musical acts.
I think this is long overdue, but it's time for the train to make its last stop.
Is Michael Jackson ready to sell his Beatles catalog? Sources say he has been in contact with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Years ago, Jackson and McCartney were close friends. Remember their songs Say, Say, Say and The Girl Is Mine. In 1985, Jackson outbid McCartney for the Beatles’ catalog, and it ruined their friendship. Jackson needs money, and he could get it if he sells the catalog of music, which has over 200 songs.
Is Oprah’s best friend Gayle King dating Newark, New Jersey Mayor Corey Booker? Sources say sparks flew after King interviewed him for an O magazine profile. King is 52, and the Mayor …..he’s 37.
Speaking of Oprah, she has opened her second school in South Africa. The Environmentally Friendly Academy was funded by Winfrey’s Angel Network. The school teaches boys and girls. Winfrey says she wants the school to be a model for public education.
Singer Luther Ingram has died. Ingram, 69, has been battling kidney problems for years. He is best known for the 1973 hit, If Living You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want To Be Right).
Martin Lawrence will be teaming up with Raven Symone for the father/daughter Walt Disney comedy College Road Trip. Raven plays a college bound high school senior checking out potential universities with her father, an overprotective police officer.
Singer/Actress Vanessa Williams is on a roll. The former beauty queen recently turned 44, and she just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Williams is currently starring in the ABC show Ugly Betty and the new movie My Brother. In the movie, Williams plays the mother of two boys, one with Down Syndrome. Later this year, she teams up with Eartha Kitt for the movie Then Came Love, about a journalist who has a child through artificial insemination.
Take that, Miss America!!
Music Mogul Clive Davis is hard at work helping Whitney Houston with her comeback album. Davis wants Whitney to have an amazing comeback, and he is not pleased with her latest choice in men, 26-year old Singer Ray J. Yes, Brandy’s little brother. Davis feels Ray J is a distraction for the Pop Diva and not a good choice. Ray J’s sex tape with Kim Kardashian has been released, and he has just been offered a four picture deal to direct porn movies. Davis does not want this kind of influence around Whitney. He wants her drug free with no scandals. He felt he was making headway getting her away from Bobby Brown, but Ray J could prove to be a bigger leach than Bobby ever was.
Queen Latifah’s new movie/musical Hairspray, with John Travolta, opens in theatres on July 20th.
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson says she is no Diva! Hudson is responding to reports that she has become difficult to deal with since her sudden success. Hudson says this is nonsense, and she meant no harm or disrespect to American Idol in recent interviews. She says is still learning and dealing with her success. She is in the process of getting new management. She is currently in the studio working on a new album, and she hopes to team up with her idol, Whitney Houston.
Actress Sanaa Lathan has a new love, and he’s a football player. Wale Ogunleye is a defensive end for the Chicago Bears.
Tamia and her husband Grant Hill are expecting baby number two.
Is former Dancing With The Stars contestant Mario Lopez moving to The Price Is Right? The 33-year old is contemplating a $10 million deal to take over the reigns from longtime Host Bob Barker. Barker is retiring after 35 years as host of the show.
I can not see AC Slater hosting TPIR and guiding people to the Plinko board. It this is going to be the case, they just need to cancel the show. Where are you, RM, expert of the game shows?
Wanna date Bobby Brown? This is the premise for his new reality show. 20 women from the classy to the trashy will compete to date Brown. No word yet on what network will pick up the show, but the women will have to know how to dirty dance and cook.
FLAV. HAS. THIS. COVERED. THANK. YOU.
The reality TV show bug has also hit Jermaine Jackson. Jackson’s show will feature kids competing for a chance to appear in a musical based on the lives of The Jackson Five.
Producer Dallas Austin is spilling the beans about some of the music industry’s top stars. Austin is an award-winning producer who has worked with Boyz II Men, TLC and Toni Braxton, to name a few. Last year, Austin made headlines when he was accused of trying to smuggle drugs into an Arab country. Austin was pardoned and returned to the U.S. Austin is apparently frustrated with his career because in a recent interview he went wild trashing Singers Joss Stone and Christina Aguilera. He claims the two singers sleep with their producers to get their music. Stone, 19, is currently dating 41-year old Singer/Producer Raphael Saadiq. She used to date Lamont Dozier son’s Beau Dozier. Austin used to date both Stone and Aguilera. Word has it they both dumped him. Is he complaining because they didn’t want him?
Did Deion Sanders steal his children’s money? The former football great has been accused by his ex-wife of stealing money from their children’s trust fund. Close to $2 million has been taken. Sanders recently purchased a $10 million mansion, and sources say he used to money to get window treatments for his new house.
Stevie Wonder is being sued by a former employee at a radio station he owns in Los Angeles. The man claims several employees are taking money to get records played, and that Wonder is known for fooling around with the women at the station. Wonder is married to Fashion Designer Kai Miller. Reps for Wonder say he is upset by the lawsuit claiming the worker is disgruntled because he was fired from the station.
Mo’Nique’s new VH1 show, Charm School, debuts on the network April 15th. Mo’Nique will be teaching charm lessons to the castoffs of The Flavor of Love show. Mo’Nique will also be hosting a gala for Teddy Pendergrass. On June 10th, it’s a tribute to Teddy Pendergrass at the Kimmel Center. Patti LaBelle, Ruben Studdard, and Stephanie Mills are scheduled to perform. 25 years ago, Pendergrass suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury. Over the years, he founded The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps others with spinal cord injuries rebuild their lives.
Oscar Winner Halle Berry is gearing up for a busy month of April. Her new movie, Perfect Stranger with Bruce Willis, opens in theatres on the 13th, and she’s getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There’s also talk she could be getting engaged to Model Gabriel Aubrey. Later this year, Berry re-teams with her Monsters’ Ball co-star Billy Bob Thornton for the movie Tulia. Tulia is about racial strife in a small Texas town.
I think Patty missed the memo that Halle just said this week that she doesn't plan to get married again.
Are wedding Bells in the air for Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri? Pregnancy rumors have been surrounding the pop star, and Dupri is ready to settle down. Janet is currently filming the new Tyler Perry movie Why Did I Get Married with Jill Scott and Malik Yoba.
At the movies, it’s Pride with Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold and Evan Ross. The story is based on Philadelphia Teacher Jim Ellis, who led a team of championship swimmers in the 70’s. Check out Terrence on the latest edition of Essence magazine. Even though he has tried to date top Hollywood stars (Halle Berry, Gabrielle Union), he claims his one true love is his wife.
Adam Sandler teams up with Don Cheadle in the movie Reign Over Me. Jada Pinkett Smith co-stars.
Singer Michael Henderson returns to Philly in April with Jean Carne at North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Avenue.
Comedian/Actor Sinbad is alive and well. Last week, Sinbad was the victim of a cruel internet hoax, which claimed he died from a heart attack. Sinbad is currently touring the country with his comedy show.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!
She is a beautiful Producer. She used to be married to a Famous Singer/Producer. After they divorced, she started dating a Movie Star. The Movie Star was known for being a recluse and difficult, but he was very famous and she knew dating him would get her media attention. The past few weeks have been rough for the Movie Star, and now he refuses to be seen in public. She has defended his behavior, and put up with his peculiar habits. At the moment, she is bored with him. She likes being seen and going to parties. Friends have suggested maybe she should get back with her ex-husband, but he has already moved on with a woman who looks just like her…. only younger.
Tracy Edmonds
Upcoming Movies:
April 6th- Are We Done Yet? with Ice Cube and Nia Long.
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