:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of August 29th, 2005:
Where was Oprah Winfrey this summer? Oprah was missing in action at two of the biggest funerals this summer. She was not at Luther Vandross' funeral, and she was not at the funeral of Publishing Giant John Johnson. When the talk show titan was questioned about her absences, she lashed out. She says she did not snub them, and how dare anyone question her loyalty. Both funeral services featured a who's who of Black leaders and entertainers. Oprah says she was in Hawaii, and she couldn't get away. She says she sent notes to the grieving families, and she is planning tributes to both Luther and John Johnson on upcoming episodes of her show. Why couldn't she get away? Could plastic surgery be the reason? Maybe she had some type of surgery that prevented her from attending both services? Maybe she had to heal? Will she look different at the start of her new season? Why couldn't she leave Hawaii? What do you think? Do you think people just expect too much from Oprah? Email me
pattyj1053@aol.com
Eddie Murphy, the ladies man? You Betcha! With a divorce looming and rumors about his friendship with Singer Johnny Gill out there, Eddie is doing serious damage control. He's dating up a storm. Over the weekend, he was at the MTV Video Music Awards, and he was holding hands and nuzzling with Singer Mariah Carey. Last week, he was cuddled up to Actress Robin Givens. Givens, 40, starred with Eddie back in the 90's in the smash hit Boomerang. Givens would be perfect for Eddie right now, and it would benefit her. Givens is the mother of two, and her career has stalled. By playing the role of Eddie's new girlfriend, it could put her back on the map and put some money in her pocket. Why not play the role and get a house, cars and some cash? Eddie and Robin need each other right now. He needs the down low rumors to stop, and she needs her get her finances in order. Mariah Carey would not benefit from dating Eddie Murphy. She doesn't need his money, and she gets her own headlines. Who's next for Eddie? He has definitely moved on from his wife. He's all set to unload his California home because without Nicole and the kids there, it's too big. The estate has 10 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court. Sources say the comic actor misses his family and his privacy. Nicole Murphy has moved on as well. She is dating a tall banker. Friends say she started dating the banker before she announced her divorce from Eddie.
Did Usher's ego and contract demands get in the way of the biggest movie role of his career? Sources say Yes! Usher was up for a role in the upcoming Dreamgirls movie with Jamie Foxx, Beyonce and Eddie Murphy. Usher was set to join them, but his outrageous contract demands cost him the part. And now, he is being replaced by his younger look-a-like, Singer Omarion. Omarion is best known as one of the former singers in the group B2K and from the movies You Got Served and Fat Albert. Omarion is currently on the Scream Tour with his brother, Marques Houston and Bow Wow. Not being in this movie is going to be a big mistake for Usher. The movie is based on the hit Broadway musical, and its due in theatres December 2006. This movie is going to be huge. It would have been great for Usher, but now his ego has gotten him replaced by a young singer who's hungry and can do all his dance moves. Usher is going to have to be careful! One day you could be hot, the next day you could be replaced by someone younger who does you better than you. Now speaking of the Scream Tour, is Marques Houston really getting naked on stage? Isn't this a bit much for pre teens and teenage girls?
Congratulations to Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers. He recently married Singer Kandi Johnson. She's 28, he's 63, and he met her when she was 20. Isley was asked about their age difference, and he said love is not about their age but their heart. Johnson used to be his backup singer. She described Isley as every woman's dream: charming, loving, romantic and supportive. He gave his wife a 14 carat white diamond ring in a platinum setting. The first dance for the couple was to a new song from The Isley's entitled, You Helped Me Write This Song. The new song comes out next month, and footage from the wedding will be featured in their new video. Last year was a tough one for Ron Isley as he battled a mild stroke and tax problems. When he suffered his stroke, his ex-wife, Singer Angela Winbush, rushed to be by his side. They remained friends after their divorce, but this did not sit well with Kandi, who figured she had to step up her game. Kandi is now Mrs. Ron Isley, which means there is no need for friendly ex-wives. Check out the latest pictures in the new issue of Jet magazine.
The socially-conscious Rapper /Actor Mos Def is one of the most admired people in the entertainment industry, which is why his private life is puzzling. His real name is Terrell Smith, and he is a devout Muslim with 5 children. All of his children are by different women. Mos Def recently took a second wife, which is allowed in the Muslim religion. She is a white dancer, and she is one of the hottest on the video circuit. She is currently starring in the Drop It like It's Hot Video with Snoop Dog and Pharell.
Rapper 50 Cent loves actresses. First, there was the hot romance with Vivica A. Fox. Then, there was the rumored romance with Get Rich Or Die Trying co-star Joy Bryant. Well, 50 has found a new actress, Nia Long. Nia is being mum about the romance. She feels they should take things slowly, and keep their relationship out of the spotlight. Nia is due back on the big screen with Martin Lawrence in Big Mommas House II. The movie is coming out in December.
Whatever happened to the music group Color Me Badd? Back in the 90's, they topped the charts with I Wanna Sex You Up and I Adore Mi Amore. Singer Bryan Abrams from the group has seen better days. He owes over $16 thousand in child support to his two ex-wives. Abrams now works in a tire store in Oklahoma, and he doesn't have the money. One of his baby mommas is New York City News Anchor Shon Gables, who works for WCBS.
A lot of people are complaining about Robert DeNiro's wife. The actor is married to Grace Hightower, a former stewardess. Hightower is African American and the mother of his youngest child. DeNiro and his wife recently made headlines when they had their housekeeper arrested for stealing. The housekeeper, a Polish immigrant, said she stole from them because Hightower was mean. The housekeeper claims she should have been treated better and shown more respect. She also said if De Niro knew how bad she treated his kids, he would leave her. The housekeeper stole a $95 thousand necklace, a thousand dollar suede coat plus cameras and credit cards. The housekeeper says she realizes she was wrong but Hightower was very mean. This is not the first time that complaints have surfaced about Hightower's behavior. Sources say she is not pleasant at times, but that is no excuse for the housekeeper's behavior.
Quincy Jones wants his VIBE back. In 1994, Jones founded VIBE magazine, but over the years he gave up control of it. Now he's armed with new investors and $100 million to get the magazine back. Will the current owners give up control of the magazine?
Actor Brock Peters passed away last week. The 78 year-old actor had been battling pancreatic cancer for the past year. He was best known for the 1962 movie, To Kill A Mockingbird. He also starred in Carmen, Porgy & Bess and the Star Trek movies, where he played Admiral Cartwright.
Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright August Wilson has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Sources say he only has months to live. Wilson is best known for the stage productions, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Two Trains Running.
Is she a supermodel or a boxer? It's hard to tell with Supermodel Naomi Campbell. She can't stop beating up people. The latest victim is a Brazilian Model Marcelle Bitar. Sources say Naomi gave the model a beat down after the model accused her of being mean to a friend of hers. When the model confronted Naomi, she didn't know what hit her after Naomi finished. A couple of years ago, Naomi attended anger management classes, but I guess it all goes out of the window when you make her mad.
Will Downing is releasing a new CD this fall. Soul Symphony is due in stores on October 4th, The first single is a remake of the Luther Vandross classic, Superstar.
The Fugees are also returning. The new album is due soon and the first single, Take It Easy, comes out in a couple of weeks.
Kirk Franklin has a new CD coming out as well. Hero arrives in stores on October 4th. The first single is the song Looking For You. On the song, he samples Patrice Rushen's classic Forget Me Nots.
Yolanda Adams new CD, Day By Day, is in stores. She is on the cover of the new edition of Upscale magazine. Yolanda looks great with Boris Kodjoe. They are teaming up for the new movie, The Gospel, which comes out in October. Yolanda has been busy with a new album, a new tour and her new movie.
Filming has wrapped on the set of the new Tyler Perry movie, Madea's Family Reunion. Tyler directed this latest installment of the adventures of Madea. Tyler says this was his first time directing a movie, and it was a great experience. Madea's Family Reunion is about a family reunion, a funeral and a wedding all in the same weekend. The movie is due in theatres next February, and the cast is a who's who of Black Hollywood. Dr. Maya Angelou, Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson, Boris Kodjoe, Lynne Whitfield, Henry Simmons, and Jennifer Lewis. Tyler took Hollywood by storm earlier this year with Diary Of A Mad Black Women. He is currently on vacation, and then he will hit the road with his latest stage production, Madea Goes To Jail. I hear he will be in Philly the first of the year.
The stage production of Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boys is coming to Philly, September 27th- October 2nd, at the Merriam Theatre.
September 22nd is the start date for the new Chris Rock produced comedy 'Everybody Hates Chris'. The show will air Thursday nights at 8pm on UPN.
On September 23rd, it's the fifth season premiere of The Bernie Mac Show on Fox. The show now airs on Friday night, and the one-hour season premiere will star Actor Anthony Anderson. Bernie is doing better after being sick much of last year as he battled Sarcoidosis. The steroid treatments he took changed his facial features, and he cut down on his public appearances.
Former CBS 3 Anchorwoman Denise Saunders has landed on her feet. Denise is now anchoring in Las Vegas on a UPN station. She anchors the Eyewitness News at 10. Her contract at CBS 3 wasn't renewed.
Civil Rights Icon Coretta Scott King is going to be hospitalized for another month. Doctors say she is showing signs of improvement following a stroke and heart attack she suffered a couple of weeks ago. Sources say she has told her children she loved them. Mrs. King is experiencing paralysis on her right side.
Judge Mablean Ephraim, from TV's Divorce Court, is sporting a new look. For her 7th season kickoff next month, you will notice a slimmer Judge. Judge Ephraim has lost over 70 pounds, and she has ditched her eyeglasses. Judge Ephraim has laser eye surgery, and she changed her eating and dieting habits and hired a personal trainer. Earlier this year, she appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club.
The $500 wig is on, and the supermodel is ready. I'm talking about Tyra, Banks who is scheduled to launch her talk show on September 12th. The show will air locally on UPN 57 at 3pm.
Alicia Keys MTV Unplugged will air on September 15th on MTV.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is gearing up for the 40th anniversary with a tribute CD featuring Toni Braxton, Brian McKnight, Norman Brown, Gerald Albright, Vanessa Williams and Chaka Khan, among the artists contributing to the album.
Congratulations to Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band. They were recently honored at the BMI Urban Awards. They received the Icon Award which is the highest honor for songwriters, producers and publishers.
WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This reality star/celebrity should be on top of the world. Her father is a world famous singer. She's engaged to be married to the man of her dreams, and, despite losing her rich best friend, life is good as she gears up for another round of her hit reality show. Friends are worried about her. They feel she is dieting too much. Over the past year, she has lost over 30 pounds and she is down to a scary 93 pounds. The famed sunglasses she wears look heavier than her. Years ago, she had a drug addiction and now friends fear she may be addicted to dieting.
<<This clearly is Nicole Richie>>
Donovan McNabb, Quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Philly Native Rasheed Wallace of the Detroit Pistons are joining forces for a softball game. The McNabb-Wallace charity softball game is talking place on September 3rd at Campbell's Field in Camden.
The 10th Annual Lady of Soul Awards are talking place next month. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin will be getting The Lena Horne Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. Stevie Wonder will be on hand to give it to her, and they will be doing a duet together. They will be performing Until You Come Back To Me, a 70's hit for Aretha. Stevie wrote the song for her. Brian McKnight and Toni Braxton are hosting. Ciara, Amerie and John Legend are all scheduled to perform. Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Jill Scott, and Destiny's Child are all up for awards.
The Trenton Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 17th at the New Jersey State House Complex, Barracks and Lafayette Street in Trenton. Performers include Stephanie Mills, War, Jonathan Butler and Chris Botti. Tickets can be purchased at the Sovereign Bank Arena and the Trenton Water Front Park.
Hybrid Mode
