Where did it go wrong for Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Evelyn Lozada? It was a relationship made in reality TV heaven. The two married in July, and their new reality show was set to debut next month. Then a fight over condom receipts tore the relationship apart. Lozada found the receipts and confronted Johnson. They started fighting. She says he headbutted her leaving her with a three-inch cut on her forehead. Johnson was arrested, and when he made bail, he was fired from his football job with the Miami Dolphins. Johnson has lost everything. Will another team pick him up? Gone are the glory days when he was Dancing With The Stars. Lozada is now trying to pick up the pieces of her life too. She was counting on her reality show with Johnson to put her on another level. She was tired of being on Basketball Wives, the original show that brought her fame. Lozada thought she was better than the other ladies, and this new show, Ev And Ocho, was going to prove it. In what had to be the worst week of her life, Lozada was assaulted and her brother-in-law died. Anthony Ochoa was married to her sister Sylvia. Ochoa was 43 and was married to Sylvia for ten years and had two kids. Lozada is looking for a fresh start. She filed for divorce from Johnson. He has no job, so she has no use for him. She has to worry about herself. Sources say Lozada is thinking of writing a tell-all and becoming an advocate speaking out against domestic violence. She knows she can make money off of speaking engagements. Reality TV made Lozada a star, and she loves the spotlight. Don’t be surprised if she returns to Basketball Wives.
Rehab is busy this week. Singer Bobby Brown has entered rehab to deal with his excessive drinking. At the urging of his bandmates New Edition, Brown realized he needed help dealing with his demons. Brown has been battling substance abuse issues for most of his career. Earlier this year, he was arrested for drunk driving. His wife, Alicia Etheridge, says he is responding well to treatment.
Actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. has also entered rehab. The Oscar winner is known for his wild partying. A couple of weeks ago, he made headlines after getting into a scuffle with a barmaid. No word yet on how this will affect on his latest movie, The Butler, with Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey.
Author Zane has one of her bestsellers coming to the big screen. Zane is known for her erotic novels, and the book Addicted is coming to theaters. Word has it Actress Nia Long is set to star in the movie as a successful but sex-addicted businesswoman.
The family of Olympic Darling Gabby Douglas is fighting over her future fortune. Before Douglas made headlines with her Olympic gold wins, her parents were splitting up. Gabby's mom, Natalie Hawkins, filed for divorce from husband Timothy Douglas. Hawkins also filed for bankruptcy. Gabby's dad has been labeled a deadbeat dad. He says he has always been there for his daughter. He says he is being treated unfairly. Timothy Douglas says he was in London with his family to cheer his daughter on, but they were not given tickets and had to watch her win the gold on TV like everybody else. Millions are at stake here with endorsements including Gabby's recent Cornflakes cereal deal. She could rake in close to $100 million. 16-year old Gabby is seen as the goose who lays the golden eggs as her parents battle over the money.
Good Morning America Morning News Anchor Robin Roberts will take her leave of absence from the show later this month. Roberts is undergoing a bone marrow transplant and treatment to prepare for it. Some of her fill-in hosts for the morning show include Katie Couric, Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer. Despite rumors to the contrary, she hasn't begun her medical leave yet. Roberts says on her facebook that she's currently on vacation.
Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson is still mad at her kids for duping her. Mom Katherine feels betrayed and heartbroken over the actions of Rebbie, Janet, Jermaine and Randy after they duped her and took her away from her grandchildren. Mom Katherine is furious their actions caused her to lose custody of Michael Jackson's kids, and now she has to share custody with her grandson Tito Jackson, Jr. Rebbie, Janet, Jermaine and Randy have been barred from Katherine's home. If she wants to see them, Katherine meets them outside of her home. She feels their family business has been put out in the street, and now everyone is watching her. The Jackson family feud is far from over.
Changes are coming to the CNN network. The 24-hour news network has been lagging in ratings for a while. I hear they are looking to add reality shows to the programming and a late night talk show to give them a boost.
Gerald Levert is going to be profiled on the season finale of TV One’s Unsung on Monday, August 20th.
Male models are coming to the Price Is Right. For 40 years, the popular game show has showcased some of the most beautiful women in the world bringing out prizes and helping with the pricing games. They were known as Barker's Beauties when Bob Barker was still hosting the show. Now, male models are joining the mix.
At the movies this week, it’s Sparkle, featuring Whitney Houston's last movie performance. The movie also stars Jordin Sparks, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Cee-Lo Green, Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter. Check out the cast of Sparkle on the latest edition of Ebony.
Speaking of magazines, President Barack Obama is on the cover of Black Enterprise, and Jada Pinkett Smith is the cover girl for the latest edition of Essence magazine. Jordin Sparks graces the cover of the latest edition of Shape magazine. She talks about how she lost 50 pounds. She is also on the cover of Redbook Magazine and Black Hair Sophisticates.
Singer Janelle Monae has been named the new spokesperson for Cover Girl Cosmetics.
Blair Underwood has just signed a production deal with Universal Television. This fall, Underwood heads to London for the stage revival of A Street Car Named Desire.
Is Nick Jonas from The Jonas Brothers gonna be the next judge on American Idol? He could be joining Mariah Carey.
I wonder if Rihanna will address how her image is impacting her money when she sits down for Oprah Winfrey's Next Chapter airing on OWN August 19th. Oprah is doing the interview with Rihanna, and they are going to talk about everything including Rihanna's image and past relationship with Chris Brown. Meanwhile, Rihanna is losing out on money due to her wild image. The pop star is losing a deal with Nivea skin care that's worth $25 million. The company feels her image is not family friendly. Rihanna is often seen partying, drinking and smoking weed.
Actress Gabrielle Union's BET show, Being Mary Jane, has been given the green light. On the show, Union plays a news anchor balancing career and her personal life while looking for Mr. Right. Being Mary Jane is produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, the husband and wife team behind The Game.
Flavor Flav owes the I.R.S. big money. The 53-year old reality star and Public Enemy Hype man owes the I.R.S. nearly a million dollars in back taxes.
We remember Actor Al Freeman, Jr. Freeman was a prolific stage and screen actor who came to prominence during the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1960's. Freeman was known to specifically shape his work in the arts to reflect those times. His best know role was as “Elijah Muhammad” in the Spike Lee film Malcolm X with Denzel Washington in 1991. Freeman actually played Malcom X himself in 1979's Roots: The Next Generation. The 78-year old actor was also known for his role as Police Captain Ed Hall on the ABC soap opera One Live To Live, and was the first African American to win a Daytime Emmy for that performance. Freeman was the chairman of the Howard University Theater Arts Department at the time of his death.
We also remember Actor Ron Palillo. The 63-year old actor was best known for his role as “Arnold Horshack” on the 70’s TV classic Welcome Back Kotter. Palillo's reps say he died in his sleep of an
apparent heart attack. Earlier this year, Palillo's co-star and fellow “Sweathog” Actor Robert Hegyes, who played “Juan Epstein,” died in January at the age of 60 also of a heart attack.
Music Executive Carl Davis has died. Davis was known as the architect of the Chicago Soul sound working with everyone from Sam Cooke to Curtis Mayfield. Davis produced hits for Gene Chandler (The Duke Of Earl), Major Lance (The Monkey Time and Um Um Um Um Um Um), The Chi-Lites (Oh Girl) and later Tyrone Davis, The Dells and The Impressions. Carl Davis was suffering from lung disease and was 77.
Actor Sherman Hemsley's memorial service will take place at Deliverance Evangelical Church, 21st and Lehigh on Thursday, August 16th. Hemsley died two weeks ago was from lung cancer. The 74-year old Emmy nominated-actor and South Philly native was best known for having two successful sitcoms in a row playing “George Jefferson” in The Jeffersons (1975-1985) and “Deacon Ernest Frye” in Amen (1986-1991).
Major shakeup in the works for the Nina Simone bio-pic. Mary J. Blige is out and Actress Zoe Saldana is in. Saldana will play the legendary jazz singer. Saldana is best known for her roles in the films Avatar, Colombiana, Drumline and the upcoming movie The Words with Bradley Cooper. Blige is heartbroken. She has been training and studying for months for that role only to have it taken away from her. Meanwhile, Blige will still be a part of Judge Adam Levine's team mentoring amateur singers on the third season of The Voice premiering Monday, September 10th on NBC. Plus, Blige will be on The Liberation Tour with D’Angelo and Melanie Fiona. They'll be in Philly Friday, August 24th at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue.
Tyler Perry is taking a long break from “Madea” in 2013 after this leg of the fall stageplay Madea Goes to Jail. Perry's break will allow him to focus on his other TV and movie projects. This includes Perry promoting his film role as the title character in this October's Alex Cross. Perry is taking over the role from Morgan Freeman, who played the character twice.
Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. is being treated at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar II depression. Published reports say that Jackson's gastric bypass surgery in 2004 likely only increased the depressive thoughts as opposed to being the cause. Jackson is currently facing a Congressional investigation for any part he may have had in the “selling” of President Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted and is currently in jail for his actions in that scandal.
This Sunday, I will be celebrating my 30th anniversary in radio with a big musical celebration at the Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue. Gladys Knight, Freddie Jackson, The Delfonics, Enchantment, Harold Melvin's Bluenotes, Breakwater and Glenn Jones are all performing. Tickets are on sale now. Speaking of Gladys Knight, she has a new TV gig. She is going to be the lead judge on the Centric TV singing-reality show Apollo Live. The show will take place at the world-famous Apollo Theatre and also features Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins.
Steve Harvey will do double duty on television this fall. The WDAS morning man will debut his own daytime talk show on NBC 10 September 4th at 2pm. Meanwhile, his Family Feud game show will move to the CW Philly 57 beginning September 10th at 7 and 7:30pm. . Plus, he is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame next year, and his hit movie, Think Like A Man, comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray August 28th. Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson is also getting a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. She is also guest starring next season on the NBC show Smash. Others getting a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame next year include Luther Vandross, Actress Viola Davis, and Usher.
Get ready for the Marvin Sapp reality show. The gospel superstar is currently filming a show about his life as a single dad to his three kids, two daughters and a son. Sapp has been a widower for the past two years. His wife Malinda died two years ago from cancer.
Kevin Hart will be hosting this year's MTV Video Music Awards. The show airs Thursday, September 6th on VH1. Alicia Keys is set to perform. Her new album Girl on Fire comes out this Fall.
It’s a new baby boy and a second season for Mary Mary. Tina Campbell gave birth to her son Santana earlier this. Tina and her sister Erica will return December 13th to the WE network for their series Mary Mary.
Singer Kem is getting ready for the holidays. He has a new CD, What Christmas Means, coming out in October. Kem also has a cameo in the new move Sparkle with Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks.
Guess who's coming to America's Next Top Model? It's Tyler Perry and Alicia Keys. They will be appearing on Season 19. Keys will serve as a celebrity mentor, and Perry will be picking someone to appear in one of his movies.
Football's Terrell Owens is back. He just signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks as he returns to the NFL.
Iyanla Van Zandt's new show, Iyanla Fix My Life, debuts on cable's OWN September 15th.
Wendy Williams returns for a new season September 10th. I can’t wait to see the new season.
Oscar Winner Halle Berry is on location for her new movie The Hive. In the movie, Berry will play a 911 operator trying to help a young woman who’s been kidnapped. Actor Morris Chestnut will play her love interest in the movie.
Speaking of Oscar winners, Actress Octavia Spencer has been added to the cast of the movie Baggage Claim. The movie also stars Paula Patton and Derek Luke, and is about a flight attendant who has 30 days and 30,000 miles to find a husband.
Get ready for a reunion of the DeBarge family. El confirmed a rumored reunion with his siblings scheduled for next year as well of news of recording of a gospel CD with his mom.
Singer Anita Baker is back. Her CD, Only Forever, is coming out this fall featuring the first single Lately, a cover of the Tyrese song.
The ad campaign for Luster's Hair Products is now featuring Singer Fantasia.
The all-star edition of Dancing With The Stars premieres September 24th on ABC. Some of the stars returning include Emmitt Smith, Pamela Anderson, Bristol Palin, and Kirstie Alley.
Actor Laurence Fishburne is returning to TV. Fishburne will play an FBI agent in the mid season show Hannibal, based on the Oscar winning film Silence Of The Lambs.
Comedian Mike Epps is really moving ahead with his movie career. He is co-starring in the new Sparkle movie, and he has just signed on for the new Hangover III movie.
Get ready for Rush Hour IV. The movie franchise has been going strong since 1998. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan are currently working on the new movie.
There is life after The Game for Tia Mowry. Tia Mowry has signed on the star in the Nickelodeon show Instant Mom. Mowry plays a party girl who readjusts her priorities after she marries an older man with two kids. Meanwhile, Actor Pooch Hall has confirmed he will be returning to the BET sitcom for the new season.
Get ready for Tamar Braxton and her husband Vince when their reality show debuts September 30th on the WE network. Meanwhile, the new season of Braxton Family Values kicks off on the September 16th also on WE.
The Broadway production of A Street Car Named Desire is headed overseas. The Stephen C. Byrd production is going to London this fall with stars Blair Underwood, Nicole Ari Parker and Daphne Vega. The London production kicks off on October 8th and runs until January.
Newlywed and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has launched a sports clothing line. The line, named V7, will be sold at Modell's. Proceeds will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia. The 2012 NFL season kicks off on September 5th. Vick's new book, Finally Free, is coming out on September 4th. In the book, he details the dog fighting scandal and his time in prison. Due to the recent death of Garrett Reid, the son of Eagles Coach Andy Reid, Vick says he will dedicate the entire season to Garrett.
Cedric The Entertainer is promoting his new TV Land sitcom The Soul Man. I love this show. It airs at 10pm on Wednesday nights. The show also stars Niecy Nash and the ratings for Soul Man have been incredible.
Jill Scott and Run DMC have been added to Jay-Z’s Budweiser Made In America event coming to Philly on Labor Day Weekend. The festival is happening September 1st and 2nd on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Jill and Jay-Z will be performing along with D’Angelo, Pearl Jam, Janelle Monae and Drake, just to name a few. Proceeds will benefit The United Way.
Singer Avant has a new CD, Face The Music, coming out this fall.
Tami Roman from Basketball Wives Miami has landed a part in the TV One show Belle. The sitcom also stars Elise Neal and Miguel Nunez, Jr. Belle is about a well to do black family that run a restaurant. It debuts on TV One this month.
Another show debuting on TV One in August is R&B Divas. This reality show stars Faith Evans, Syleena Johnson, KeKe Wyatt, Nicci Gilbert and Monifah (Carter). The show debuts August 20th.
Speaking of Jamie Foxx, he returns to the big screen this December in the Quentin Tarantino’s film Django. The movie, about a former slave turned bounty hunter trying to rescue his wife from slavery, also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. Foxx has also signed on for the movie White House Down with Channing Tatum. Foxx will play the President Of The United States, who is taken hostage in the White House.
The Gospel Music Hall Of Fame will be inducting The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin in its next ceremony.
Get ready for All The King’s Men. It’s a new tour with Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp
and Israel Houghton. They will be in Philly on Sunday, October 7th at the Liacouras Center.
Upcoming Events:
This Friday, August 17th at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge, it's the 1st Annual Founder Day: It’s Danco at the Dell. PHILADANCO! For more info call 215-685-9560.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This A-Lister is being pushed to clean out his closet. The chorus is growing louder, including a Mogul's daughter, certain hotel staff and their lawyers. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, August 17th – Jagged Edge & Dru Hill at the House Of Blues in Atlantic City.
This Saturday, August 18th - Keith Sweat at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
This Sunday, August 19th - Patty Jackson's 30th Anniversary Concert – Gladys Knight, Freddie Jackson, Breakwater, Glenn Jones, Harold Melvin's Bluenotes, Enchantment and The Delfonics at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge.
Thursday, August 23rd - Will Downing and Kelly Price at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge.
Thursday, August 23rd – Dave Koz and BeBe Winans at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
Sunday, August 26th - Smokey Robinson and Sinbad at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside.
Thursday, August 30th - Funk Show starring George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, War, The Dazz Band, The Bar-Kays & The Ohio Players at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge.
Saturday, September 1st - 3rd Annual Atlantic City Comedy Festival with Sommore, Eddie Griffin, Earthquake, Tony Rock and Joe Torry. The show is happening at the Tropicana.
Sunday, September 2nd - Annual Atlantic City Comedy Festival with DL Hughley, Bruce Bruce, Tommy Davidson, Mark Curry, Damon Wayans and Turae. The show is happening at the Tropicana.
Saturday, September 15th- Rachelle Ferrell and K’Jon at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.
Saturday, September 15th- Marsha Ambrosius at the House of Blues in Atlantic City.
Sunday, September 16th- The Back To Love Tour with Anthony Hamilton, Estelle and Antoine Dunn at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby.
Friday, September 28th- Joe and K-Ci & JoJo at The House Of Blues Atlantic City.
Saturday, November 17th - Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam starring Gary Owens, Capone, Tony Roberts and Michael Blackson at the Academy Of Music, Broad and Spruce.
