Whats the 4-1-1!? Week of 10/26

Remember Election Day is Tuesday, November 2nd! These midterms are more crucial than ever. If you don't vote, you don't count. Exercise your right that so many fought, bleed and died for in order for all of us to be heard. Vote on Election Day!

The top earning dead celebrity of the year is….. Michael Jackson! The King Of Pop’s estate took in $285 million via deals, publishing, movies, CD’s and DVD’s. Despite the millions earned from the estate, the Jackson family is at odds over money. The main money is controlled by the Jackson Estate. Katherine and Joe Jackson recently did a sit down with Oprah Winfrey that will air in November. Mom Katherine is set to reveal that she does not get any money from the Jackson estate. She tells Oprah she gets money from Janet. Mom Katherine has custody of Michael’s three kids. Mom Katherine and Joe Jackson are planning a concert under The Jackson Family Foundation to raise funds to pay off Michael’s debts. For the record, Michael’s debts are being paid off by the Jackson Estate, and Mom Katherine gets an allowance every month to take of the kids and live comfortably. Why she would make these claims is anyone’s guess. Joe Jackson is still running things in her life and is obviously putting her up to making these claims. Randy and Rebbie Jackson have distanced themselves from this project saying they’ll have nothing to do with this. At this point, it’s all about the money, and the money issues are tearing the family apart.

In other Jackson news, Rebbie’s 24-year old son, Austin Brown, is set to release his new CD, which is being produced by Rodney Jerkins. Janet Jackson shoots down rumors that she is engaged to her rich Arabian boyfriend. Janet is on the cover of the new issue of Jet magazine. She is promoting her new Tyler Perry movie For Colored Girls. Janet also has a new fitness and wellness book coming out in January.

Speaking of Tyler Perry, he is set to release his movie For Colored Girls on November 5th. The all-star cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and Macy Gray. Early critiques of the movie have not been good. The movie was released early for Oscar consideration, but the West Coast critics have not been kind. One reviewer called the movie a train wreck, and another said the movie was beyond his reach. For the record, critics have never been crazy about Perry’s movies. We will have to judge for ourselves. Another point of criticism is the lack of positive black male characters in the movies, but Perry stated that he strived to create a balance with the character Hill Harper is playing. Perry has a lot riding on this movie as he continues to expand his movie career. This was not an easy project, but he knew he was up for the challenge. For Colored Girls is based on the 1975 play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange. The For Colored Girls soundtrack will feature the music of Gladys Knight, Lalah Hathaway, Leona Lewis, Estelle, Laura Izibor, Macy Gray, Janelle Monae and the late Nina Simone, and comes out on November 2nd. On Friday, November 5th, Perry is joining Oprah Winfrey for a show devoted to the stories of men who have survived sexual abuse. Perry recently opened to Oprah about his childhood. He talked about how his father hated him, how he was abused by a man in his church, a male neighbor and his friend’s mother. The audience will be made up of 200 men who have survived sexual abuse.

In more Tyler news, his newest project will involve The Rock, a.k.a. Actor Dwayne Johnson. In the movie, Take My Wife, Perry plays a divorced man who doesn’t want to pay alimony to his ex-wife so he goes about finding her a new husband. When he finds the perfect suitor for his ex, he realizes he still loves his wife and wants her back.

In other Oprah news, she has signed on to do a movie with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. The Mighty O is wrapping up her 25th and final season of her legendary daytime talker. During the month of November, her special guests will include President George Bush, promoting his new book Decision Points, on November 9th and Barbara Streisand on the 16th.

Mariah Carey is going to be a mommy! I have been saying it for months, but now she is finally admitting it. She is between four and six months pregnant. She had in vitro fertilization by hubby Nick Cannon. Carey, 40, is superstitious, and that’s why she has been quiet. I hear it’s going to be a boy. Carey will be promoting her new holiday album, which features a duet with her mom. Carey’s mom Patricia is an accomplished opera singer, and she teams up with her daughter to do O Come All Ye Faithful. In the next few weeks, Carey will also visit Oprah. Carey will be with the ladies on The View and The Chelsea Handler Show. This should be interesting with Handler considering Handler has been feuding with Carey’s husband Nick Cannon.

Former Olympic darling Marion Jones has released a book about her life and stay in prison. In the book, On The Right Track, Jones says she wishes she had never lied about her steroid use. Jones lost everything: her medals, her home and her reputation. Jones, 35, says at one point she was put in solitary confinement for fighting a female inmate. She says she feared for her life. Jones was in a federal prison for six months. She’ll be featured in an upcoming installment of ESPN’s documentary series 30 For 30. She is the mother of three kids, and she was recently a member of the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock.

Rapper/Actor T.I. will start his 11-month prison sentence on November 1st. He’s scheduled to do a stint in Arkansas. T.I. broke the terms of his parole when he was arrested in early September for possession of a controlled substance. T.I. was stopped by California police who pulled him over for a traffic violation. The rapper was with his wife Tiny when a small amount of Ecstasy was found in their possession. T.I. has admitted to having a drug problem, but a judge ruled he must go back to jail.

The Fightin’ Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins is going to be the Honorary Chairperson at this year’s Philly’s Men Are Cooking taking place Saturday, November 27th at The National Constitution Center, 5th and Arch Streets.

Mom Tina Knowles says her daughter is not pregnant, and there will not be any kids anytime soon.

Charlie Wilson is set to release his third solo CD Just Charlie featuring the song You Are.

Gospel Sensation Ty Tribbett has released his latest solo album Fresh. For the first time, Tribbett reveals how infidelity almost destroyed his marriage of 13 years. He says there was infidelity on both sides of his marriage with him and his wife. Tribbett says he’s glad their marriage survived the crisis. He is no longer with his group Greater Anointing, and he’s looking forward to his fresh start.

Gabby Sidibe has signed on for the movie Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller. Filming starts in a few weeks.

The life story of former Supreme Florence Ballard is coming to the big screen. Faith Evans is rumored to be starring in the movie as the late singer.

The new season of Celebrity Apprentice starts in January, and the cast includes Dionne Warwick, Star Jones, LaToya Jackson, Lil’ Jon and NeNe Leakes. NeNe, who is best known for her role as a housewife in The Real Housewives Of Atlanta is finally admitting she had plastic surgery. Her surgery is being played out on the new season of Housewives. NeNe had a nose job, liposuction, a breast lift and she lost 15 pounds.

The Soul Train Awards will air on BET and the Centric network on Sunday, November 28th. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson will be hosting. Special honorees include Ron Isley, who’s getting a lifetime achievement award, and Singer Anita Baker. R Kelly is set to open the show.

Abdul “Duke” Fakir of The Four Tops is being sued by the children of the late Renaldo “Obie” Benson of The Four Tops. Benson died in 2005, and his daughters are suing Duke, the sole surviving member of the legendary Motown group, for $25,000.

Chris Rock is coming to Broadway. Beginning in April, he will be starring in the play The MF With The Hat. The play is about love and fidelity.

The music world is mourning the loss of Music Pioneer Weldon A. McDougal, III who passed away last week at the age of 73. McDougal was the city’s first promoter of black music. He worked prominently with Motown and Philadelphia International Records. Many even credit him with helping Gladys Knight and Bobby Taylor bring The Jackson 5 to Motown. His reach varied from producing Barbara Mason’s million selling hit Yes, I’m Ready, working with Eddie Holman, helping sign Lou Rawls with Gamble and Huff and putting together Philly International Records’ house band MFSB’s original rhythm section.

It’s official! Allen Iverson is headed to Turkey to continue his basketball career. Iverson has signed a two year deal worth $4 million. Iverson, 35, could not secure a deal with the NBA.

Prince has announced the dates for his new tour. Prince is starting with a series of shows in New York. Tickets are starting as low as $20. The lineup includes Sinbad, The New Power Generation, Maceo Parker, Sheila E, Janelle Monae, Mint Condition, Cassandra Wilson, Lalah Hathaway, Graham Central Station and Esperanza Spalding.

Is New Edition getting back together without Michael Bivins? According to published reports, the guys are regrouping Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell and Ronnie Devoe. It’s hard to believe Bivins will not be part of the group, but the other guys need the money that would come from a tour. Speaking of Gill, he has a new album coming out on Valentine’s Day.

President Obama will salute the icons at the December 28th Kennedy Center Honors for Oprah Winfrey, Sir Paul McCartney, Choreographer/Dancer Bill T. Jones and Country Legend Merle Haggard.

Queen Latifah is developing a new series for the VH1 network. The show, Single Ladies, is an hour-long comedy/drama that launches next July. The show will star Stacey Dash, LisaRaye McCoy.

Michael Jackson videos are coming out on DVD. Michael Jackson’s Visions features over 2 ½ hours worth of classic videos by The King Of Pop. The DVD comes out on November 22nd.

Hoda Kotb from Dateline NBC and the fourth hour of The Today Show has written her first book. Kotb, who is Egyptian, has written her first book, Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer And Kathie Lee.

The new issue of Ebony magazine celebrates their 65th anniversary. The cover features Samuel L. Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Nia Long, Usher and Taraji P. Henson. This issue is a collectors’ edition. The inside photos are great as they recreate famous Ebony covers of the past. There’s John Legend as Duke Ellington, Mary J. Blige as Diana Ross, Regina King as Eartha Kitt, Samuel L. Jackson as Martin Luther King, Jr., Yolanda Adams as Mahalia Jackson, and Usher as Sammy Davis, Jr., just to name a few.

Kerry Washington is the cover girl for Essence magazine. It’s their Race In America issue.

Speaking of Essence, they’re also debuting their new hair issue. The Hot Hair issue features Singer Monica on the cover and has over 590 styles for relaxed, natural and braided hair.

Mary J. Blige unveiled her new line of sunglasses this week. Melody’s By MJB is now available at Nordstrom’s.

On Sunday, November 7th, the BET network presents Black Girls Rock. Nia Long hosts the special honoring Iyanla Van Zandt, Ruby Dee, Raven-Symoné and Missy Elliot. Scheduled performers include Jill Scott, Fantasia, Monica and Keyshia Cole. Now speaking of Iyanla, she has a new book coming out called Peace From Broken Pieces: How To Get Through What You’re Going Through. Over the past few years, she has suffered some great losses including the death of her daughter, the demise of her marriage, and the loss of her home.

Natalie Cole is writing her second memoir. Cole, 60, will talk about her battle with Hepatitis C and the death of her sister from cancer on the day of her kidney transplant. Love Brought Me Back: A Journey Of Loss And Gain Arrives in bookstores November 9th.

In more music news, it’s Eric Benet and El DeBarge. Eric’s new CD, Lost In Time, comes out November 23rd, and features Faith Evans, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi and Eddie Levert. El’s latest CD, Second Chance, comes out November 30th.

Tracey Morgan’s HBO special, Black And Blue, airs on Saturday, November 13th.

The nominees for the 2011 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame have been announced. The nominees are The Beasties Boys, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, The J Geils Band, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Chic, Darlene Love and Dr. John. The final list of nominees comes out in December. The 25th annual induction ceremony takes place March 14th in New York.

Congrats to Chaka Khan! Khan is being honored at the 32nd Annual UNCF telethon, An Evening Of Stars. The show airs in syndication January 2011.

Today Show Weatherman Al Roker had a new book coming out on November 23rd called The Midnight Show Murders.

Denzel Washington’s new movie, Unstoppable, arrives in theatres November 12th.

Whoopi Goldberg is headed to Broadway. The Oscar winner will open the musical version of Sister Act as star and producer on April 20th, 2011. Sister Act was a hit as a musical when Goldberg first reprised her role as Mother Superior during a run in London last year. Producers are looking for the same success on the Great White Way. The musical is based on the hit movie that starred Goldberg in 1992.

The TV show The Game is returning. Filming on a new season started this week. The show debuts on the BET network in January.

The Men Of Soul are coming to Philly. Friday, November 12th at the Tower Theatre, it’s Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, Peabo Bryson and Howard Hewett. Tickets go on sale September 18th.

Patti LaBelle is on Broadway. She is playing the mother of the lead character in the musical Fela! LaBelle will be in the production through the first of the year.

Coming to DVD:

Toy Story III, starring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Don Rickles, is out November 3rd.

Sherri Shepherd has been named the new host of the Newlywed Game. The new revival of the classic series kicks off this November airing weeknights at 6pm on the Game Show Network.

I will be celebrating my birthday with Doc B and Power 99’s Shamara. It’s the Scorpio Birthday Bash Saturday, November 6th At the Polidoro Italian Grill 129 N Dupont Highway in New Castle, Delaware.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the real health issues that are plaguing this legendary Female Soul Singer?

Check out who’s coming to town:

November 6th- Fantasia, Kandi Burruss & Eric Benet at the Tower Theatre, 69th Street in Upper Darby.
November 10-14th - Je’Caryous Johnson presents his new stage production It’s Cheaper To Keep Her with Vivica A. Fox and Brian McKnight at The Merriam Theatre.
November 11th - Fox Chase Cancer Center presents Comedy For The Cure starring Charlie Murphy at The Keswick Theatre in Glenside. Murphy is promoting his new CD, I Will Not Apologize.
November 12th- The Men Of Soul with Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson & Howard Hewett at the Tower Theatre 69th Street in Upper Darby.
November 20th- Patti LaBelle in concert at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City.
November 24th – Cedric The Entertainer in a comedy show at The House Of Blues in Atlantic City.
December 16th – Usher in concert at The Wells Fargo Center.
Saturday and Sunday, January 8th and 9th - It’s the Rick Watson stage production There’s A Wright And Wrong Way To Love Somebody starring WDAS’s own Mimi Brown at The Arts Bank on The Avenue Of The Arts, 601 South Broad Street. The romance comedy/drama is written, produced and directed by Rick Watson. For more info call 215-869-3509.
Sunday, June 19th – Sade in concert at the Wells Fargo Center (formerly the Wachovia Center).