4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 20TH, 2009

Ebony and Jet magazines are under reorganization. Due to the economic climate, the magazines are suffering and staffers have had to reapply for jobs. The magazines have been staples in the African American community for over 50 years. I cannot imagine these publications not being a part of my life. Jet magazine, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, has named a new editor in chief. The mag is best known for entertainment features and the Jet Beauty Of The Week. To save money, the magazine has been combining printings by putting out double issues. Linda Rice Johnson, the daughter of the late Publisher and Founder John Johnson, says they will remain committed to making Jet and Ebony magazines a part of the community. An internet campaign is currently underway urging people to buy subscriptions to save the magazines.

When one door closes, another one opens for Mo’Nique. She lost her radio gig, so now she is returning to TV. Mo’Nique has just signed a deal to host a late night show on BET.

Tyler Perry has had his stalker arrested. Dawn Wilson has been listed as a very dangerous person who has been stalking Perry for awhile. He had a restraining order against her, but she would show up at his Atlanta studios anyway. Wilson has been charged with a felony aggravated stalking count, and she is currently in jail.

I recently had a chance to give an Oscar winner one of my special dishes. True to my word, I gave Jamie Foxx some of my famous peach cobbler. He gave me my props! Check out the pictures on our website at WDASFM.COM and on my Facebook page. Jamie’s new movie The Soloist with Robert Downey, Jr. is in theaters this week.

It’s a boy for Singer Jill Scott and her fiancé Lil’ Jon Roberts. Hamilton Jett Roberts, a.k.a. Jack, arrived earlier this week. Scott was in labor for two days. Lil’ Jack arrived at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 inches long. Scott is currently starring in the HBO series The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Hey Jennifer Hudson, do you have something to tell us? Is Hudson pregnant? Some people in her circle say yes she is. Others claim she isn’t. Hudson is currently on tour with Robin Thicke. Could it be an insurance issue because she is on the road? Her clothes are tight around her stomach, and when people see her in concert, that’s all they talk about. After her recent tragedies with her family, maybe she isn’t ready to reveal. Hudson is engaged to former Reality Star David Otunga who played Punk on VH 1’s I Love New York.

Is Janet Jackson taking human growth hormones to lose weight? According to published reports, this is the secret element Jackson has been using to lose weight. Jackson is known for her fluctuating weight. Human growth hormones have a big fan in Actor Sylvester Stallone. HGH is known to slow aging, decrease fat and boost stamina.

A new unauthorized biography is coming out about Diana Ross. The Supremes: A Saga Of Motown Dreams, Success And Betrayal will talk about her relationship with Motown Founder Berry Gordy, and her strained relationship with her fellow Supremes Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Cindy Birdsong. Their 2000 reunion tour never took off because they ladies couldn’t agree. I’m sure The Boss is not worried about another book right now. She has bigger fish to fry. Her young 20-year old son Evan Ross, the actor, recently married his girlfriend, and he didn’t make her sign a prenup. Evan’s dad is the late Norwegian Adventurist Arne Naess, Jr., and he was very wealthy.

What’s happening with Basketball Great Allen Iverson, and why is he turning into a shell of his former self? Iverson has seen better days. The former 76er and Denver Nugget is now with the Detroit Pistons. He is out for the season with a bad back, but don’t look for him to return to the Pistons. He has added nothing to the team, and they want him and his attitude to go. Iverson was recently banned from two casinos in Detroit. Apparently, he loses a lot. When he loses, he goes crazy, acting loud and disruptive. The casinos in Detroit have banned him and his bodyguards.

Congratulations to Supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband Pop Singer Seal. They are expecting baby number three. They already have two sons, and she has a daughter from a previous relationship he adopted. Congrats also to Grey’s Anatomy Star Ellen Pompeo and her husband, Music Producer Chris Ivery. They are expecting their first child.

Brandy has just signed a deal for a new comedy show on ABC. The show, This Little Piggy, debuts in the fall. In the show, Brandy will play a high maintenance wife.

Fantasia is also coming to TV. The former American Idol winner will be featured in her own reality show, which is set to debut next year. Fantasia also starts her stint in the national touring company of The Color Purple in June. She’ll reprise her role as “Celie.”

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire not only has fabulous hair, but he is going to have fabulous eyes. White and his wife, Shelly, have designed a new eyewear line. The Verdine White Diamond Eyewear Line is coming out this summer.

Are there too many judges on American Idol? If so, who will go? This season, producers wanted to shake things and add a new judge, Songwriter Kara DioGuardi. Well it has been a disaster. The shows have been running over, and some nights all the judges can’t make comments to fit in the show on time. Changes are coming, and there will only be three judges next year. In a recent interview on Nightline, Paula Abdul talked about the controversy. She says she loves the show and what she’s doing. She says she cannot be replaced. Her contract is set to expire at the end of this season. Abdul also shot down stories about drinking and prescription pill abuse. Abdul stated she has never been drunk or high. She says she spends her money on clothes and shoes. Last season, there was a lot of weirdness surrounding Abdul. This year, it appears she has gotten her act together. Would anybody be willing to leave Idol on their own? According to Simon, he would if the rating went down on the show. He had no comment on whether he gets along with new Judge Kara. But, if you watch the show, you can see the tension between him, Kara and Randy Jackson.

The stars of Everybody Hates Chris are already plotting their next career moves. The show is ending on May 8th at the request of Creator Chris Rock. The character is in the 10th grade, and the show is based on Rock’s life. Well, in real life, he dropped out of school in the tenth grade to become a comedian. Terry Crews, who plays the dad, has already lined up a reality show on BET. Tichina Arnold is lining up projects as well. She currently owes the state of California thousands in back taxes, so she has to find a job.

So guess who is back together on the quiet tip? It’s former Football Star Michael Strahan and Nicole Murphy, the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy. Strahan recently retired from the New York Giants and he lost a ton of money in his last divorce. Strahan and Murphy made headlines a few weeks ago when Strahan caught Murphy cheating on him with a record executive. Strahan had a tracking device placed in her car, and she got busted. So you’re probably saying, so why are they back together? Nicole Murphy is loaded. She is one of the richest divorcees in town, and Strahan loves all the perks. Plus, her five kids by Eddie Murphy really like the former football star.

Teena Marie’s new album, Congo Square, arrives in stores on June 9th. In addition to singing with her daughter, Teena teams up with Faith Evans, Howard Hewitt, MC Lyte, Shirley Murdock and George Duke.

Singer/Producer/Songwriter Babyface is getting ready to start up a new record label. Soda Pop Records is set to debut later this year.

The King Children are at it again. The children of the late Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are seeking a cut of the money raised for the monument being built in their father’s honor on the National Mall. Private monies are being used for this project, which will feature a 28-foot sculpture of Dr. King. The King children want to be compensated for their dad’s words and image.

The Rev. Creflo Dollar is being investigated for cruelty to animals. The multimillionaire televangelist was found to have malnourished horses on his Georgia property. Many horses were found to have no water while others had dirty water.

Author Karrine Steffans, a.k.a., Superhead is back with a new project. Steffans is now married to actor Darius McCrary (“Eddie Winslow” of Family Matters), and she is gearing up to release a new book. The Vixen Manual, a how to guide for women, is due out in July. Steffans has made many changes in her life since releasing her explosive Confessions Of A Video Vixen. In the 2005 book shocker, she named names of the celebrities she has affairs with. She followed that up with The Vixen Diaries. In addition to being married, Steffans is now attending The Church Of Living Waters Of San Fernando Valley, where Barry Lyons is the pastor.

So what is Vivica A. Fox looking for in a man? Well, she says she loves younger men. Fox, 44, says she is looking for a well established 20 something because she doesn’t want to be left with the check. Fox is currently hosting the TV Land reality show The Cougar.

Robert Brookins has died. The singer, songwriter and producer died last week at the age of 46 from a heart attack. Brookins is best known for his work with The Whispers, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, Deniece Williams, Bobby Brown and George Duke.

Will Smith has just signed a deal with the Sci-Fi network. He’s going to be the executive producer of a crime drama called Unfinished Business. The show is about an ex-cop who helps dead people deal with their unfinished business.

Stephen A. Smith has left the building. The popular sports analysts for ESPN couldn’t reach a deal with management. I hear they wanted him to take a pay cut. In a statement, Smith said it was a wonderful ride with great memories, but nothing lasts forever and it’s time to move on. Smith was both loud and informative. He knows his sports. I hope he lands something soon.

Angela Bassett will be on hand as The TV Land Awards salutes Earth, Wind & Fire with their Entertainer Award. The awards show will air on the network this weekend.

It’s a Buff Bam on the May issue of The Washingtonian. The magazine is featuring a shirtless President Obama on the cover wearing only his swimming trunks. The subtitle simply says, Our New Neighbor.

Comedian/Actor Mike Epps says he should have been given the title role in the new Richard Pryor movie. Epps claims Pryor told him if a movie version was ever made, Epps should play the role. The current project about Pryor’s life is currently underway with Eddie Murphy in the starring role.

Lebron James is ready for his closeup. The basketball phenom of the Cleveland Cavaliers has a new movie coming out in October. The movie, More Than A Game, is a coming of age movie about friendship, loyalty and the love of the game.

The first single from the forthcoming Whitney Houston album was written by famed songwriter Diane Warren. The song, I Didn’t Know My Strength, is tailor made for Houston, who is on a comeback after years of drug abuse. Houston is clean and hard at work on her return. This will be her 7th solo album. Producer David Foster is producing the project, which is due out later this year.

VH-1 is bringing back their Divas Live project. The new special will air in September. Past honorees include Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and Cher. I wonder who they honor this year.

At the movies this week, it’s Obsessed with Beyonce and Idris Elba. Check out Beyonce on the new issue of Vogue magazine as well as the latest edition of Ebony. Plus, the Philadelphia leg of Beyonce’s summer tour stops at the Wachovia Center on June 26th.

The X-Men series continues as Wolverine, with Hugh Jackman, opens in theatres May 1st.

Bill Cosby has yet another big honor coming up this fall. He’s getting The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor. Previous winners of this award include George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal and Steve Martin.

For a record fourth time, Samuel L. Jackson will be hosting the ESPY Awards. Sports biggest night is set for July 19th on ESPN.
Get ready for the movie version of the stage classic, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. The 70’s classic by Author Ntozake Shange was originally a book telling the stories of women of color through a series of poems, and now it’s coming to the big screen.
Jada Pinkett Smith’s new TV drama about nurses, Hawthorne, debuts in June on the TNT network.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some couples crave publicity and attention and will do anything to get it. A certain celebrity couple is wearing people out. No matter what they do or what lies they tell the media, they are deemed too boring to care about. Most people wish this couple would sit down and go away.