Entertainment Week of 9/8/11

Eddie Murphy will be the host of The 2012 Academy Awards. This is great for the 50-year old comedian. What a milestone this will be in his career. I think Murphy will make a great host. He is a comic genius, and he knows movies. In 2006, he was nominated for best supporting actor for his work in Dreamgirls. Murphy has a new movie coming out in November called Tower Heist with Ben Stiller. He has another movie coming out in January called A Thousand Words.

Boxing Legend Oscar De La Hoya is coming clean. After leaving rehab, he is telling all. De la Hoya has admitted the photos that came out of him dressed in women’s lingerie were him. The photos came out in 2007, and were released by an angry ex-girlfriend. De La Hoya says he took the photos under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. De La Hoya has been sober for the past three months.

Rapper Actor T.I. is back in jail. He was out for one day when Federal Officials put him back. T.I. was released early on good behavior and was supposed to be in a halfway house, but he left an Arkansas jail in a fancy tour bus. Even though prison officials took photos with him in front of the bus, he was still sent back to prison. Officials argued they thought T.I. was leaving in a van, not a splashy tour bus filled with cameras for a future reality show. T.I. is due to be released from jail on September 29th.

Funeral services are set for McKinley "Bug" Williams, one of the original members of Frankie Beverly and Maze. Williams, 65, died of a heart attack last Friday after rehearing for a concert with Maze. Funeral services are Monday, September 12th at New Covenant Church, 7500 Germantown Avenue. The viewing is from 9am to 11am, and service starts at 11am. McKinley is preceded in death by five of his brothers. Williams was a Germantown native who attended Germantown High. Williams was with Frankie Beverly as the group went through several transitions, including their days as "Raw Soul" and the group's mentoring by the late Marvin Gaye. It was Gaye who suggested a final name change. Once becoming Maze and releasing their self-titled debut in 1977, the group made history. Williams leaves behind a daughter, a sister and a host of nieces, family members and friends.

It’s official! Holly Robinson Peete is no longer a part of CBS’ The Talk. In her statement, Robinson Peete thanked CBS for the opportunity to be a part of a talk show, and she was very gracious. The CBS network did Holly dirty! They fired her and Leah Remini, and never gave a good excuse why. Robinson Peete and Remini were replaced by Sheryl Underwood and Molly Shannon. Sources say Head Moderator Julie Chen, who is married to CBS Boss Les Moonves, wants all the spotlight on her, and didn’t want any competition from the others.

Congrats to Mel B, the former Spice Girl has given birth to her third child, a girl with hubby Stephen Belafonte.

Jada Pinkett Smith’s TNT show, HawthorRNe, has been cancelled after three seasons.

Actor Jason George is returning to Grey’s Anatomy. George resumes the role of “Dr. Ben Warren,” who was the love interest of Chandra Wilson’s character. “Bailey’s” ex-boyfriend makes his debut later this year. The new season of Grey’s Anatomy kicks off September 22nd on ABC.

How far along is Beyonce in her pregnancy? Her pregnancy announcement made headlines around the world. It was a great TV moment, but her use of a prosthetic belly may backfire on her. She is barely three months pregnant and not really showing at all. This is going to be a very long pregnancy.
How hot is The Help? The surprise box office smash has taken in close to $118 million at the box office.

Regis Philbin is leaving his daytime talker Regis & Kelly on November 18th. The 80-year old TV vet is ready to call it quits. There has been no word on who will replace Regis.

Mariah Carey plans to show off her post baby body when The X Factor debuts on the 21st. Simon Cowell’s new singing reality show features Carey as a mentor. While she was pregnant with twins, Carey gained a lot of weight. She wants to look her best when the show kicks off. The X-Factor debuts Sept. 21st on FOX with Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell. A lot of people are wondering when we will ever see photos of her twin babies with hubby Nick Cannon.

Here’s a Basketball Wives update: Meeka Claxton is out. She never fit in with the other ladies, Evelyn Lozada may or may not be pregnant, but now that she is dating Chad Ochocinco, she doesn’t want to return to the show. Malaysia of the L.A. version of Basketball Wives has some explaining to do. She is married to Jannero Pargo of the Chicago Bulls, but back in the day, she was butt naked in music videos with Ludacris.

A street in Chicago was named in honor of Don Cornelius, the host and creator of TV’s Soul Train. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Soul Train.

Tennis sensation Venus Williams, 31, recently revealed she is suffering from an autoimmune disease. Williams is suffering from Sjogren's syndrome. It causes fatigue and pain and there is no known cure. The disease is not life threatening and if managed properly it shouldn’t end her career. Williams says she hopes to return to tennis soon and is going to focus on getting better.

Forest Whitaker has a new TV project for the TNT network. His first show is about a female police officer.

For 41 years she played “Erica Kane” on ABC’s All My Children, and now Susan Lucci is ready to tell all. In her new book, All My Life, she talks about the cancellation of All My Children. She says the show lost out to greed. All My Children ends its run on September 23rd. The soap opera is moving on line, but Lucci has not decided if she will make the move with the show.

Chris Tucker is working on his comeback. He is close to signing a deal for two new movies. Tucker is currently on a stand up comedy tour.

Arsenio Hall wants to return to late night TV. Now that the BET network has given Mo’Nique the boot, will they respond to Arsenio and consider him?

According to published reports, Diana Ross is not happy that her daughter Tracee is dating a polygamist. Tracee is dating Bu Thiam, who is the brother of Singer/Rapper Akon. Bu has money and is well known in the entertainment world. He and Tracee are very close, but Tracee had to assure her mother she would never marry a man who would take other women as wives. Tracee has a new show debuting on BET next month called Reed Between The Lines with Malcolm Jamal Warner.

Rosie O’Donnell will be on the October cover of O magazine with Oprah Winfrey. O’Donnell has a new show debuting on the O network this fall.

Idris Elba is now Mr. Smartwater. Elba, who just celebrated his 39th birthday, has been named as the face of the new fall campaign for Smartwater.

Sherri Shepherd Gets Married airs on the Style network Tuesday, September 13th. The View co-host wed TV Writer Lamar Sally, and she admits she didn’t wear any underwear on her wedding day.

The new issue of Essence magazine features First Lady Michelle Obama.

Alicia Keys, Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore are the cover girls for the latest edition of Glamour magazine. They are promoting their new breast cancer project for the Lifetime network

A new tell-all is coming out about Comedian Katt Williams. He was once one of the top name comedians, and now he is known for making headlines for foolishness. In the book Pimp Down: The Rise And Fall Of Katt Williams, the author, a former employee of Williams, details the drama, the personal business, mental breakdowns, tantrums, drugs, groupies, lavish hotels, multiple suicide attempts, jail time, gang hits, booze and expensive cars.

The Rachel Ray Show did a special Philadelphia taping featuring Boyz II Men and Patti LaBelle. It will air September 26th. Speaking of Boyz II Men, they’re back with a new song More Than You’ll Ever Know with “Uncle” Charlie Wilson.

In more Boyz II Men news, they celebrate 20 years with a new album this fall. Twenty is a double CD with 10 new songs and updated versions of their classics including End Of The Road and I’ll Make Love To You. Along with Charlie Wilson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Babyface helped out on the project. The CD will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. They will also be in concert Saturday, September 17th at Temple University’s Performing Arts Center on North Broad Street.

This fall, look for Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas and his new TBS TV series with Tasha Smith and Michael Jai White. The show, For Better Or For Worse debuts November 23rd on TBS. The TV show is based on Perry’s hit movie series Why Did I Get Married.

Get ready for season four of Real Housewives Of Atlanta kicking off on the Bravo network in November.

Steve Harvey’s Family Feud is coming to NBC-10 starting September 12th and will air at 12noon. NBC-10 will also air a new mid-morning news show at 11am followed by The Ten Show in a new half-hour format at 11:30am. Steve is also coming to town with a new comedy show on Saturday, November 5th at the Liacouras Center. Steve is also launching a new daytime talk show in the fall of 2012.

At the movies, it’s Comedian Kevin Hart and his new movie Laugh At My Pain. He just started work on his new FOX-TV show Little In Common with Gabrielle Union. The show debuts in January 2012. He is also starring in the movie Think Like A Man, based on Steve Harvey’s popular book, which opens in theatres next spring.

American Idol’s 11th season kicks off Sunday, January 22nd following the NFC Championship game. Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are all returning.

Andre Braugher is returning to NBC. He’s joining the cast of Law & Order: SVU. The new season kicks off September 14th on NBC. Braugher was recently on the cancelled TNT show Men Of A Certain Age and is up for an Emmy in September for that show. Braugher won an Emmy for his previous NBC drama Homicide: Life On the Street. The 63rd Annual Emmy Awards air September 18th on FOX. Congrats to Taraji P. Henson, Idris Elba, Laurence Fishburne and Alfre Woodard, who are also nominated for Emmys this year.

The Old Spice Guy is joining Charlie’s Angels. Isaiah Mustafa has joined the cast of the new version of famed 70’s action show which co-stars Annie Ilonzeh and is co-executive produced by Drew Barrymore. The new season kicks off Thursday, September 22nd on ABC. Mustafa was recently featured in Tyler Perry’s movie Madea’s Big Happy Family which comes out on DVD August 30th.

The 33rd Annual UNCF Evening Of Stars airs on BET September 25th. This year’s guests include Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, Ledisi, Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, Musiq Soulchild and Miquel.

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin is getting a new salute. She’ll be honored once again by The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in their American Music Masters series. The Queen is also coming to NBC in a primetime special which airs September 24th. The special will feature music from her new album A Woman Falling Out Of Love. Franklin is very busy these days. She’s also teaming up with the legendary Tony Bennett for his new album Duets. She also opened up President Obama's recent Labor Day rally in Detroit.

Actor/Author Hill Harper is back with a new book: The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In Its Place. In his latest, Harper tells readers don’t let money rule you, but be an active architect in your own life. Stop the confusion and anxiety about money. Invest in oneself first. Harper’s previous books included Letters To A Young Brother, Letters To A Young Sister and The Conversation. Harper’s diagnosis of thyroid cancer helped inspire this book and coming to terms with what’s really important in life. He says he’s doing very well since the diagnosis. Harper is best known for his role as “Dr. Hawkes” on the CBS drama CSI: NY.

Get ready for the return of Braxton Family Values. The second season kicks in November on the WE network.

Joe’s new CD, The Good, The Bad And The Sexy, arrives in stores on September 27th.

Tyrese is gearing up to release a new album. The CD, Open Invitation, comes out November 1st. The Transformer III star is also pushing his latest book, How To Get Out Of Your Own Way. Tyrese has been getting some criticism for his latest music video. In explaining the lack of African American women in his video I Gotta Chick, he says he went with the best not race.

Melanie Fiona and Kelly Price have been added to the Kem show Friday, September 16th at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts.

Wayne Brady has been tapped to host an ol’ school jam in Las Vegas that Justin Timberlake is putting together. The event is happening in October, and will benefit the Shriners Hospital For Children. Charlie Wilson, The Commodores, Sister Sledge and Earth Wind & Fire are on the bill.

Angela Bassett is also coming to Broadway replacing Halle Berry in the production The Mountaintop. Samuel L. Jackson is starring as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The show opens October 13th.

Babyface is going on tour and coming to the Keswick Theatre on Saturday, November 26th.

The George Lucas movie Red Tails with Terrence Howard opens in theatres January 20, 2012. The movie about the first African American fighter pilots (The Tuskegee Airmen) also stars Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Wendy Williams returns for a third season of her daytime talk show on September 12th.

The Bynum Brothers have a new venture: Green Soul, 7169 Ogontz Avenue. It’s a new healthy food restaurant.


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

This first time father is the husband of a Reality Star, but money ain’t a thing for them. She’s bringing in cash from TV, music and child support, so looks like he can stretch out and relax.


Special Events!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boys? The stage play stars Clifton Powell, Leon and Terrell Carter, September 27th- October 2nd at The Merriam Theatre. For more info call 215-893-1999 or Kimmelcenter.org.

Torn Between Two Fathers, A Priest Tyaire production September 17th at the Dupont Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware. For info call 302-762-4776.

Check out who’s coming to town:

Friday, September 16th- Kem with Melanie Fiona and Kelly Price at The Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue.
Saturday, September 17th- Boyz II Men at Temple University's Performing Arts Center on 1837 North Broad Street.
Saturday, September 24th- Sinbad at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.

Sunday, September 25th – The rescheduled Boney James concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.

Sunday, October 9th- Wanda Sykes at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
Saturday, October 22nd – Ledisi at Temple University’s Performing Arts Center on 1837 North Broad Street.
Sunday, October 23rd – George Benson in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
Saturday, November 26th- Babyface in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
April 10th, 2012- Cirque De Soleil Show featuring the music of Michael Jackson at the Wells Fargo Center(formerly the Wachovia Center).