Entertainment News Week of 1/10/11

They released doves in the air, cried and shared memories as hundreds gathered to say goodbye to Teena Marie. Marie, 54, passed away in her sleep December 26th. Her death shocked the music industry. Teena Marie was affectionately known as The Ivory Queen Of Soul because of her amazing voice and work as a writer/producer. She was also a loving mother to her daughter Alia Rose. Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Gill, Berry Gordy and Deniece Williams were just a few of the many stars who gathered and paid homage to one of the world’s best lived singers.

Another death that took place on that date was the passing of Bernard Wilson, who sang with the legendary Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes, who died lonely and broke. At the time of his death, he was not in his right frame of mind, and it appears people came into his life and took advantage of him. Wilson was left with nothing. Now his family has no money to give him a proper burial. Who stole his belongings? Wilson was known for his extravagant style. So what happened? His death and final days remain a mystery, but it is clear someone took advantage of him before he died.

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin is on the mend. While she won’t reveal if she is suffering from pancreatic cancer, she sounded upbeat and confident when she recently phoned The Wendy Williams Show. The Queen Of Soul’s voice was strong. She sounded great saying she was on the mend, and she looked forward to making up her lost tour dates. She also had the audience in stitches when she admitted she had a thing for R Kelly by saying he could make her a cougar. In a recent interview with Jet magazine, Franklin, 68, said she noticed something with her when she was on tour in Canada. It was a pain in her side that wouldn’t go away. She says she wants her fans to keep her in prayer and stay on top of their health.

Jermaine Jackson is stuck in Africa because he won’t pay his child support. Jermaine has seven children, but he’s having problems with his children by Alejandra Jackson. They had two kids, and he owes her over $92,000 in back child support. Jermaine wants nothing to do with Alejandra. She is the woman who also had kids with his brother Randy, and she is giving their mother Katherine a hard time. She is refusing to leave the Jackson home. Alejandra wants to be a Jackson forever, even though both brothers have used and discarded her. She feels she is entitled to the Jackson money, and, in a way, she is with the back child support. Jermaine can’t stand his ex, and he is playing hardball. He is dating a rich Arabian woman, so he can get the money. He just doesn’t want to give it to her. Now Jermaine’s mother is suffering, and he can’t leave Africa. They took his passport. So, if he wants to come home, he is going to have to pay up. In the meantime, Alejandra realizes her days are numbered, so she is threatening to write a tell-all book about loving the two Jackson brothers and their family secrets.

Is Mario Winans a deadbeat dad? According to his mom, Gospel Sensation Vickie Winans, no he’s not. Vickie says her son loves all his kids, but he’s being shaken down by a golddigger. Mario Winans, a successful producer who has worked with Drake, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez and Trey Songz, is four months behind on his child support. Winans has to pay $4500 a month to his jumpoff, who is the mother of his youngest child. Winans is married with three kids, and admits he made a terrible mistake.

Mike Tyson’s reality series, Taking On Tyson, kicks off March 6th on the Animal Planet. The six episode series is all bout his love for birds.

Mo’Nique, who won an Academy Award last year for her role in Precious, will be hand to announce the new nominees for this year’s Oscars. The announcements will be made on January 25th.

Singer Angela Bofill is battling back after two major strokes. Bofill is hitting the road in The Angela Bofill Experience. The show is coming to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on January 29th. The show will feature Vocalist Maysa.

Flavor Flav is coming out with a memoir this year. The popular reality show star says he’s going to cover it all, from his early career with the rap group Public Enemy to his stints in rehab and jail. The book, Icon, comes out in March.

Next week marks the return of American Idol with the new Judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez alongside Randy Jackson. There will also be a new musical director as Ray Chew takes over from Ricky Minor. The 10th season kicks off Wednesday, January 19th with the new nights being Wednesdays and Thursdays. The big question: who will be the new Simon Cowell? According to producers, all the judges will be nice and encouraging. Do you think we will miss “Mr. Mean?”

Congratulations to Chaka Khan she’s going to be honored at Annual UNCF telethon, An Evening Of Stars. The show airs in syndication and BET the weekend of January 29th.

Congrats to Actress Tia Mowry. She’s pregnant. Mowry is married to Cory Hardrict, and she is due this summer. Mowry starred in the popular show Sister Sister with her twin Tamera Mowry. Tia is now one of the stars of The Game on BET, where she plays “Melanie.” The debut was off the hook. I loved the kickoff on Tuesday. They got me hooked for the rest of the reason. Yes, I’m a gamer! The storylines are interesting with new two cast additions Meagan Goode and Michael Beach, along with my fave Wendy Raquel Robinson. Tia is also doing a reality show with her sister on the Style network called Take 2.

Halle Berry and Idris Elba have been nominated for awards at the 68TH Annual Golden Globe Awards. Berry is up for Best Actress for her movie about a woman with multiple personality disorder, Frankie And Alice, and Idris is nominated for his role in the miniseries Luther. The Golden Globe Awards air this Sunday, January 16th on NBC. Check out Halle on the new issue of Jet magazine.

The homeless man with the golden voice is headed to rehab. What started out as the feel good story of the year has turned into an episode of Jerry Springer! Ted Williams is battling his demons and has admitted to drinking again. In a reunion on the Dr. Phil show, Williams reunited with his estranged family. When they returned to the hotel room, all hell broke loose as the Grey Goose Vodka was flowing and the fighting started. Williams claimed he was attacked by his daughter. She said her famous dad punched her in the face. Dr. Phil quickly stepped in when the police detained him and convinced Williams to enter rehab. Williams admitted he hadn’t been sober for two and half years and has been drinking. A lot of people noticed his strange behavior and realized he couldn’t handle the fame and the pressure that came with his instant celebrity. Williams has an incredible voice, but he has to deal with his addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Whitney Houston is the surprise guest at the BET Celebration Of Gospel. During the taping, Houston stunned the audience by joining Kim Burrell on stage. The show, hosted by Steve Harvey, airs Sunday, January 30th at 8pm on BET.

Speaking of Steve Harvey, his book, Straight Talk No Chaser is in stores. It’s a follow up to the book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. Steve will be in Philly Tuesday, January 18th at the Borders Bookstore on Broad and Chestnut Streets. Also, check him out nightly on the Centric network with The Steve Harvey Project. Steve is also going on tour with Kirk Franklin. It’s a gospel and comedy tour which kicks off next March. He is also doing well as the new host of Family Feud.

Dr. Conrad Murray is no longer allowed to practice medicine. A judge has suspended his medical license in light of his upcoming trail for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Murray was Jackson’s personal physician at the time of his death, and a lot of people hold Murray responsible for giving The King Of Pop that fatal dose of propofol that killed him. Dr. Murray cannot practice medicine in California, Texas and Nevada where he has medical practices. Dr. Murray needs to practice to make money. He can’t pay his legal team or his bills if he can’t work.

Speaking of The King Of Pop, his videos are out on DVD. Michael Jackson’s Visions features over 2 ½ hours worth of classic videos. Also, get ready for the Cirque De Soleil Show coming to the Wells Fargo Center on April 10th, 2012. Michael’s music is also going to be featured in a special episode of the FOX show Glee. Glee has a special after the Superbowl episode on February 6th where the cast will be doing the music from the Thriller album. The Superbowl for 2011 will air on FOX and the special halftime guests will be The Black Eyed Peas.

She may be broke, but she’s got her man. Nicole Murphy is engaged to Former NFL Star and FOX Sports Analyst Michael Strahan. Nicole recently made headlines when the news came out about her blowing through her $15 million divorce settlement. Bad investments and poor spending did her in. Nicole was married to Eddie Murphy, and she got a huge settlement. She and Murphy have five children. Nicole has been dating Strahan for a while. They have been through their ups and downs, including the time he caught her cheating with a tracking device in her car. Even though she was busted, their love prevailed and they worked it out. Their children get along and a summer wedding is being planned.

This is going to be an amazing year for Actress Angela Bassett. She just signed on for the movie This Means War, which is being produced by Will Smith. Bassett will star alongside Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon. Bassett will also be starring in the new ABC cop drama One Police Plaza. Plus, she’s got two other films on the way: the T.D. Jakes’ movie Jumping The Broom with Paula Patton in May and the action movie Green Lantern in June.

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards take place February 13th. Kem, Sade, Fantasia, Jaheim, Usher and El DeBarge are all up for awards.

Will there be another baby for Kimora Lee Simmons and Actor Djimon Hounsou? Simmons says she would like a lil’ brother or sister for their young son Kenzo. Simmons also has two older daughters Ming Lee, 11, and Aoki Lee, 8.

The 42nd annual NAACP Image Awards will air March 4th on FOX. Tyler Perry is leading in the nominations with his movies For Colored Girls and Why Did I Get Married Too? He also has nominations for his TV shows House Of Payne and Meet The Browns. Other movies nominated include Book Of Eli and Just Wright. Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Jaden Smith, Halle Berry and Queen Latifah are all nominated for awards. Ice Cube’s TV show Are We There Yet? is also nominated in the TV category.

Speaking of Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls, the movie is gearing up for a DVD release of February 8th. The critically acclaimed movie stars Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Whoopi Goldberg, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose and Thandie Newton.

And speaking of Janet Jackson, she is releasing a new book. True You: A Journey To Loving And Finding Yourself comes out February 8th. It’s part Biography, part self help. Janet is also planning a spring tour that will bring her to Atlantic City at the Borgata March 25th and 26th.

New Edition may be going on the road with New Kids On The Block for a summer tour. A tell-all is also in the works about New Edition. I hear it may be explosive! Another bio in the works is one by Singer Miki Howard, who is ready to tell all.

Piers Morgan Tonight takes over for Larry King in the coveted 9pm time slot on CNN. Morgan, who is also a judge on America’s Got Talent, will have Oprah Winfrey as his first guest.

Regina King is the cover girl for the new issue of Essence magazine. King looks amazing as she talks about the return of her TNT TV drama Southland and her romance with Actor Malcolm Jamal Warner (“Theo” from The Cosby Show).

Ebony magazine is celebrating black love with three amazing covers: The President & First Lady, Jay-Z & Beyonce and Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker.

Get ready for a second season of Lisa Raye: The Real McCoy. The popular actress returns with her reality show later this year on TV One.

Toni Braxton is going nude and coming to reality TV. Toni is posing nude, and it looks like she is going to get a cover and inside spread in Playboy. 2010 was filled with bad news for her: diagnosed with Lupus and filing for bankruptcy for a second time. Braxton is ready to make a new turn with her sisters Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar in Braxton Family Values. The show debuts on the WE network in April.

The Dell Music Center at 33rd and Ridge is returning this summer with a hot lineup and a new night of entertainment. No more Monday nights! The new night of entertainment at the Dell will be Thursdays. Go to MyDellEast.com for more information.

Actor Laurence Fishburne is coming to HBO in the story of Thurgood Marshall. Marshall was a civil rights lawyer and first African American supreme court justice. The movie on his life, based on the Broadway play Fishburne starred in, will air during Black History Month on February 24th.

Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker debuts his Criminal Minds TV spinoff, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior on February 16th.

DJ Jazzy Jeff will be on hand to produce the debut album of ten-year old Willow Smith. Willow had a big hit last year with Whip My Hair. Her dad Will became famous in the 80’s along DJ Jazzy Jeff with their hit Parents Just Don’t Understand, Summertime and Brand New Funk.

Raphael Saadiq has a new project coming out this March. Stone Rollin is the follow up to his soulful 2008 release The Way I See It.

Chef Aaron McCargo, the host of Big Daddy’s House on the Food Network, has a new time slot, Friday mornings at 9:30am and Saturday mornings at 8am. McCargo is also getting ready to release his first cookbook. Simply Done Well Done arrives in bookstores this April.

Russell Simmons, the 53-year old co-founder of Def Jam Records, is back with a new book that’s really good. Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All is a book about leading a better life through an enlightened state of mind. How do we do that? We do that by taking stock of ourselves. Simmons says people must accept that happiness is up to you, just two of the major theories that he discusses.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou also has a new book out. Great Food All Day Long features recipes and writings from the 82-year old icon. Angelou says it’s stories about food, friends and family.

Check out Queen Latifah in the new movie The Dilemma. The movie, also starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, comes out January 14th.

The Reverend Al Sharpton is ready to tell all. Sharpton has led a colorful life from politics to the streets. In his book, Sharpton says he will talk about his failed marriage and the drama that unfolded with the families of James Brown and Michael Jackson following their deaths.

The movie Takers arrives on DVD January 18th. The movie stars Idris Elba, Rapper/Actor T.I., Paul Walker, Matt Dillon and Chris Brown.

Are you a talented singer or musician? Well get ready for the Rising Star Talent search. The winner will get cash and a chance to perform at the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival this summer. Auditions kick off at Relish, 7152 Ogontz Avenue. WDAS’ own Mimi Brown will be hosting. To register call 215-922-5455.

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

This Singer’s family is very disappointed with her recent career moves. But, there is nothing they can do because she needs money for her kids.

Check out who’s coming to town:

This Friday and Saturday January 14th and 15th It’s comedy and more with Singer Christopher Williams at the Laff House, 221 South Street for more info call 215-440-4242, or go to laffhouse.com.

Saturday, January 29th –Lauryn Hill in concert at The House Of Blues in Atlantic City.

Saturday January 29th- Experience the life and music of Angela Bofill at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside. Angela Bofill and Singer Maysa and the original Angela Bofill band.

Friday, February 4th-Comedy show with Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Earthquake and Turae at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Saturday, February 5th-The Seriously Funny Tour with Kevin Hart at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington DE.

February 8th-13th The David E. Talbert stage play What My Husband Doesn’t Know, at the Merriam Theatre, Broad and Spruce, starring Michelle Williams, Brian White, Ann Nesby and Clifton Davis.

Friday, February 12th – Funk Show starring Cameo, War, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players, Con Funk Shun and The Dazz Band at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Saturday, February 13th- Dave Koz at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.

Friday, February 18th- Salt N Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh,, Kool Moe Dee, and Kurtis Blow at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Saturday, February 19th- George Clinton at the Keswick Theatre.

Friday, February 25th- El DeBarge and Kem in concert at the Tower Theatre, 69th Street in Upper Darby.

February 27th- Marvin Sapp in concert at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington Delaware.

Friday and Saturday, March 25th -26th - Janet Jackson in concert at The Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

Sunday, June 19th – Sade in concert at the Wells Fargo Center (formerly the Wachovia Center).

April 10th, 2012- Cirque De Soleil Show featuring the music of Michael Jackson at the Wells Fargo Center (formerly the Wachovia Center).