4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 30TH, 2009

Is Kobe Bryant married to a monster? According to his former maid, he is. Vanessa Bryant is known for her spending sprees and fiery temper. Vanessa is being sued by her maid for physical and emotional abuse. The maid claims she was referred to as a liar, dumb and lazy. She says one day Vanessa ordered her to stick her hand in dog poop, and then she was charged for ruining an expensive blouse. Spokespeople for Bryant say the maid is just looking for attention and money, but sources close to the couple claim Mrs. Bryant is not a pleasant person. She has been known to curse out reporters in front of her young daughters if she doesn’t like what they wrote about her. Will Kobe ever leave his wife? No!!! She stood by during his rape scandal, and she never signed a prenup. In the words of Johnnie Taylor, “It’s cheaper to keep her.

A second sex scandal has hit The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School For Girls in South Africa. Winfrey opened the girls’ boarding school two years ago with a lot of fanfare. Last week, seven students were suspended for sexually harassing their schoolmates. Winfrey released a statement this week saying she saddened by the news, but this a private matter. She said students know they cannot violate the Leadership Academy’s code of conduct.

Jennifer Hudson has kicked off her national tour. Once the tour is over, she will marry longtime boyfriend David Otunga. He is best known as “Punk” from the VH1 reality show I Love New York. Otunga is about to embark on a career as a pro wrestler. He stood by Hudson’s side through the good times and the bad times. Hudson is designing her wedding dress. She’s even going to have her three dogs in the wedding. Now the big question is will Hudson sing to her hubby? She says she hasn’t decided yet, but she probably will.

This was an up and down week for Queen Latifah. She recently celebrated her 39th birthday, and she announced plans for her new movie. The Queen will play a physical therapist who falls in love with a basketball player in the romantic comedy. It’s kind of like a modern day Cinderella story. Latifah was also hit with a million dollars lawsuit. A former makeup artist and stylist claim they were never paid for their work on her Cover Girl ad campaign or her ad campaign for her Curvations lingerie line. Spokespeople for Queen Latifah say the lawsuit is without merit.

Taye Diggs has been voted as having the sexiest body on TV. Diggs first burst onto the scene with his hot bod in the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back. He is currently starring in ABC’s Private Practice, and he is expecting his first child with his wife, Broadway Star Idina Menzel.

Star Jones proclaims she is free, black and grown. She has a new blog where she gives a fresh perspective on today’s important issues called Positively Star.

Wesley Snipes has been ordered to stay in the United States. Snipes, who is due to start serving a three-year prison sentence since his conviction on tax charges, was caught sneaking out of the countries for parties. He claims he was doing work, but a U.S. district court judge ruled that he is not allowed to leave the country for any purpose. He may be starting his prison sentence later this year.

Terrence Howard is speaking out against colon cancer. Howard lost his mother to the disease last year, and he is urging people to get tested. Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer.

The life story of Lou Rawls is coming to the big screen. Lou Rawls, Jr. is telling the story of his famous dad. Actor Isaiah Washington of Grey’s Anatomy fame has signed on to star in the movie. Washington needs the work. He and his family were just evicted from their California home. He owed over $100,000 in back rent. The Lou Rawls movie could be just what the doctor ordered. Despite having a great career, Lou Rawls had a lot of personal problems in his private life, including multiple bad marriages. Rawls had an amazing voice, whether he was singing or talking. He gave us some great music, including The Sound Of Philly classics Lady Love, See You When I Git There and You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.

Speaking of The Sound Of Philly, congratulations to Leon Huff. The legendary songwriter, who is one half of the famed music team of Gamble & Huff, is getting a street named in his honor in Camden, New Jersey. Mr. Huff was born in Camden, and his birthday is April 8th. On that day at 12 noon Ferry Avenue and Mulford Street is being renamed Leon Huff Way. Mr. Huff and Kenny Gamble started The Sound Of Philly and teamed up to write many classics. And separately, Mr. Huff’s songs include Mixed Up-Shook Up Girl, Backstabbers, Let’s Groove, It’s Forever and I Ain’t Jivin’ I’m Jammin’.
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.
Ever wonder how much money contestants make for dancing on Dancing With The Stars? Well, they start off contestants with $125,000. For each week, you get an additional $10,000. If you go further, another 20 grand…..then 30. If you make it to the finals, you get an additional $50,000. It really does pay for B list celebrities to dance on the show…… because they will get paid.

Jill Scott is being hailed as a breakthrough star with her role on the HBO series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The latest issue of Heart & Soul magazine features a very pregnant Scott talking about her role as a detective on the show. Have you seen the show yet? I love it. The stories are very good, and I love a good mystery. Let me know what you think. Send me an email Pattyj1053@aol.com or reach out to me on Facebook under Patty Jackson.

Mel B is having family problems. The Spice Girl and Eddie Murphy’s baby momma is having problems with her family. According to her sister, Mel has not spoken to her mother in over five months. The sister is blaming the strife on Mel’s husband. She says Stephen Belafonte doesn’t work and that all he does is control Mel. Mel just got a huge payout from Eddie Murphy in a recent child support ruling. She is being paid $52,000 a month. Mel is also promoting her new fitness DVD. Spokespeople for Mel claim the situation with her mom is a private matter.

Rihanna is cooperating with authorities in their investigation against Chris Brown. For the time being, the couple has decided to take a break. Since their fight and her beatdown on February 8th, they have been under intense public scrutiny. Brown is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

Michael Jackson may be joined on stage by his 12-year old son Prince Michael when The King Of Pop takes the stage in London for his 50-night concert stand. Jackson said he wanted his children to see what he did for a living, and it looks like his son will see firsthand. Now everybody is not happy about The Gloved One’s return. Jackson patriarch Joe Jackson is said to be miffed that he has not been included in any plans. Jackson’s brothers are also not happy. They’re broke and need financial assistance. They haven’t been asked to join Michael on the tour, and, at this point, they can’t even tickets.

The remake of the 1984 movie The Karate Kid is getting a redo. Jackie Chan will be starring in the new version along with Jaden Smith, the young son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. The new Karate Kid will be renamed The Kung Fu Kid. The term “karate” is so 80’s. And, since the movie is being filmed in Beijing, the filmmakers want to go along with the proper term, “kung fu” not “karate.”

Wanda Sykes is coming to late night TV. Sykes recently signed a deal with FOX-TV to do a late night show on Saturdays. If all goes well, it could be expand.

Get ready for the return of Destiny’s Child. In 2011, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle will reunite for a new album.

Nicole Richie is not only expecting baby number two with boyfriend rocker Joel Madden, but next year, she will be unveiling her new clothing line. In addition to the clothing line, she’ll also present a new show collection.

Bobby Brown ….with a Mohawk? At 40, many wonder if this is a mid-life crisis. He is anxious to be a dad again. He and girlfriend/manager, Alicia Etheridge, are expecting their first child together.

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.

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.

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.”

Access Hollywood TV Host Shaun Robinson has 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, herself. The women all share their journeys to womanhood while passing along advice to 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.

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 Songwriter’s dream job has turned into a nightmare. Since joining this top-rated reality show, she has alienated the top stars and fans. No one likes her, and she adds nothing to the show. Will she back for another season?