celebrity report....3-23-09

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 23rd, 2009

Tyler has got two new leading ladies. Filming has started on Tyler Perry’s new Madea movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Taraji P. Henson stars along with Singer Mary J. Blige. Blige will play a waitress. The movie opens in theatres this September.

“The Don” stays out of jail. Don Cornelius, the 72-year old founder of Soul Train, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor spousal battery charge. During an incident last fall, Cornelius was charged with attacking his young, brunette wife, Viktoria. Cornelius got three years probation, and he will have to attend a year-long domestic violence course.

When is Michael Jackson coming home? Will he do any concerts in the United States? After he’s finished up with a new round of plastic surgery, The King Of Pop is set to start a 50 night concert stand in London. If all goes well overseas, Jackson is expected to do a series of shows in New York and Los Angeles. Jackson is working to repay his debts, plus he misses the spotlight. There is even word he may pop up on American Idol this season. It depends on how much plastic surgery he gets because his face has to heal. Now speaking of plastic surgery, have you noticed a change with Rapper Lil’ Kim since she joined Dancing With The Stars. She looks a lot better. Well, that’s because she had more work done, and she’s looking a Lil’ cute. I love her on the show: her attitude, her dance moves. Bruno the judge looks like he wants to snatch her up when she dances. I think she’s going to go far in the competition.

Spike Lee is doing a telepic for ESPN about Kobe Bryant. This look at a day in the life of the Lakers star is called Kobe Doin’ Work.

Actress Alfre Woodard is coming back to TV. She will be one of the stars of the FOX show Maggie Hill. Woodard will play a doctor.

And they said it wouldn’t last. I was one of them. The first anniversary of The Cannons is coming up. Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey are getting ready to celebrate their first anniversary. The two are rumored to be buying a mansion in California. Despite pregnancy rumors and the fact that she has Cannon on a leash, he has made out great. Not content to rest of his laurels, Cannon recently signed a deal to develop shows for Nickelodeon where he got his start. Plus, this summer he’s hosting NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Jennifer Hudson is returning to American Idol. In a segment that will air later this year, Hudson will return to the stage that booted her off four years ago. She didn’t win American Idol, but she is the most successful contestant. In addition to the Oscar, Grammy, movies and new album, she also made headlines with the unfortunate murders of her family. Ruben Studdard is also returning for a special show later this year. Hudson will sing something from her Grammy award-winning album. She is getting ready for her national tour with Robin Thicke.

Jennifer’s sister Julia is also making headlines. Julia Hudson has started her modeling career. With the help of Fashion Maven Harvey Star Washington, Julia Hudson wants to make her mark on the modeling world. Reppin' the big girls, Julia says after her family tragedy five months ago, she is ready to move on with her life. Her former husband has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her family members.

Oprah Winfrey is sharing again. First, she teamed up with First Lady Michelle Obama. Now she’s sharing a cover of O magazine with fellow Talk Show Hostess Ellen DeGeneres for the May issue.

Jada Pinkett Smith’s new TV drama about nurses, Hawthorne, debuts in June on the TNT network.

Congrats to Actor Taye Diggs and his wife, Broadway Star Idina Menzel. They are expecting their first child.

Michael Strahan and Nicole Murphy back together! HUH?! It was just a few weeks ago that the former NFL star caught Nicole Murphy cheating on him. Strahan, who just retired from the New York Giants, had a tracking device installed in Nicole’s car. That’s when he found out she was seeing another man, a young record executive. The record executive broke things off with Murphy, and now it appears Murphy and Strahan are getting close again. Murphy’s children really like Strahan, and he recently accompanied Murphy and her children to the premiere of Monsters Versus Aliens. It was a fun, family night, but a lot of people were shocked to see them together. Why would Strahan take her back if he’s spying on her? It’s obvious he can’t trust her. Well, Nicole Murphy has long money, long, long Eddie Murphy money. Since divorcing the entertainer, she is one of the richest divorcees in town. Strahan is trying to jump start a TV career, but he lost his money divorcing his last wife, Jean. I guess he figures if he can track her, he might as well stay and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Whatever happened to Chico DeBarge? Since his release from prison, the popular singer has been named the managing director of People Reclaiming Ourselves. He is planning to travel across the country helping other people make the transition from prison life to regular society.

The Norman Lear Collection, a boxed DVD set, is coming out on June 9th. Norman Lear is the famed producer behind the TV classics The Jeffersons, Good Times, All In The Family, Maude and Sanford & Son to name a few. The first seasons of those and other Lear classics will be included in the set.

Whoopi Goldberg is tired of people criticizing the way she dresses. Since taking the helm of the daytime talker, The View, ratings have soared, but, so has the criticism regarding her fashion sense. Goldberg is fed up. She says Don’t Judge Me By What I Wear, Judge Me By What I Say. Basically, she is telling the critics to kiss her behind.

Since getting fired from Grey’s Anatomy, times have been tough for Actor Isaiah Washington and his family. Washington, along with his wife and kids, may be losing his home. He is five months behind on his rent. He owes $100,000 to his landlord. Reports say he has been arguing with his financial consultants, and that’s why he doesn’t have the money.

Check out Jill Scott on the new issue of Heart And Soul magazine. She’s expecting her first child, a son, any day now, and this Sunday her new TV series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency debuts on HBO. I loved the kickoff. Anika Noni Rose co-stars as her assistant and is very funny. Jill is amazing. She brings the precious character, “Mma Ramotswe,” to life. The movie was filmed in Botswana, Africa. It was very beautiful. If you like mysteries, this is the show for you. The show debuts this Sunday, March 29th 8pm on HBO.

Legendary Entertainer Ben Vereen has signed on to be the new spokesperson for Diabetes awareness. Vereen was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and he will be starring in the new Take The Stage For Diabetes Awareness campaign.

Comedian George Lopez is coming to late night TV. Lopez has signed a deal with the TNT network for a late night show starting in the fall.

Does Beyonce wear butt pads? According to designer Thierry Mugler, B has a little back there. He says he always adds padding with her corsets so she can have an hourglass figure.

Jimmy Rollins in Playboy magazine? Yes! Rollins, a.k.a. “J-Roll,” of the Philadelphia Phillies is doing a fashion spread with his beautiful girlfriend, Johari Smith. Look for the issue in June.

Get ready for more Stevie Harvey. Harvey says with the success of his bestselling book, Act Like A Lady-Think Like A Man, he will be doing a follow-up. Meanwhile the WDAS-FM morning man is coming to town. On April 1st, Harvey will be signing copies of Act Like A Lady-Think Like A Man at Borders Bookstore, Broad and Chestnut Streets. He’s also hosting his Radio Star talent competition April 2nd at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tix are on sale now. Chrisette Michele will be performing. Celebrity judges include Singer Ginuwine, Philly International Records’ Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and WDAS’ own Butterball.

The 2010 Grammy Awards are set for January 31st.

Denzel Washington’s new movie, with John Travolta and James Gandolfini, The Taking Of Pelham 1, 2, 3 hits theatres on June 12th. We have the exclusive trailer on our website at wdasfm.com. Just go to Patty’s Page and check it out. Let me know what you think. I can’t wait to see it. It’s a remake of the 70’s action thriller with Walter Matthau about a trio of bad guys who take a New York subway care hostage.

Fantasia starts her stint in the national touring company of The Color Purple in June. Fantasia reprises her role as “Celie.”

On March 31st, Access Hollywood TV Host Shaun Robinson hits the shelves with a new book celebrating girls’ self esteem with advice from America’s most successful women. The book, Exactly As I Am, features Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, Oprah Winfrey, Iman, Nancy Pelosi, Jennifer Hudson and Robinson all sharing their journeys to womanhood while passing along advice today’s youth.

Ruben Studdard’s new album is produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and hits stores May 19th.

Beyonce’s new movie, Obsessed with Idris Elba, comes out on April 24th. Check out Beyonce on the new issue of Vogue magazine as well as the latest edition of Ebony. Beyonce is gearing up for a summer tour and once again she’ll be backed by a female band.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou has an exciting new project. Letter To My Daughter: Her Path To Living Well And Living A Life With Meaning. In the book, Angelou shares her life lessons.

Producer Lee Daniels has changed the name of his upcoming release. The long awaited project Push will be renamed Precious. The movie is scheduled to be released later this year and stars Mo’Nique, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and new comer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe as “Precious.” Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey have joined forces to help Lee with the promotion of this movie. The film Precious is based on the book Push by Sapphire, and focuses on the plight of a 16-year old who suffered years of abuse but overcomes her odds with the help of others.

The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170.

Seven Pounds starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson will be released on DVD March 31st.

The T.D. Jakes film Not Easily Broken starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson hits DVD shelves April 7th.

The Wendy Williams talk show is set to debut this July. The show is going nationwide, and will be seen locally on FOX 29.

The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New Orleans. Beyonce, John Legend, Eric Benet, Robin Thicke, Anita Baker, Bill Cosby and Maxwell are all on the bill. There will also be seminars featuring Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin. Plus, there’ll be an all-star tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.

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

This Celebrity Couple is trying to fool the public. They may be on different coasts, but they are still a couple. They are taking a breather from their controversial relationship to salvage their careers.

This woman wormed her way into this celebrity family. She had her children by two brothers, and is still broke. This celebrity family has no money. Maybe she should have hooked up with their sister. She has the money.