Tyler Perry Wants Ms. Ross

Tyler Perry is by his own admission stalking Diana Ross. According to Perry he want her in a new film he is producing entitled A Jazz Man's Blues. He has been sending flowers, e-mails to people who know her, and talked to the man who walks her dog. The film is set around 1947 and Tyler would like Ms. Ross to bring some of what she brought to Lady Sings The Blues. Tyler confessed that he would love to showcase what a powerful actress she is because we have not seen her in a long time. On a personal note I thought Ms. Ross was good in Double Platinum with Brandy Norwood, but she was especially compelling in Out Of Darkness in which she portrayed a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. Below is a clip of her portrayal.

Update: Out of Darkness will be showing on TV ONE, February 18th at 12:00 AM CST.

Welcome to Dallas Kwame!

Well according to local new cast in the Dallas area, Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit, Michigan, has taken a job in the Dallas area. The disgraced former mayor just completed a 99 day stint in jail. According to the Detroit News Kilpatrick still owes the city of Detroit a million dollars, yet he has leased a 3,000 a month, one half acre Southlake rental (an exclusive area outside of Dallas), where his family has been residing since December.

Etta and Beyoncê Feuding?

There is a new feud brewing on the horizon between legendary blues singer, Etta James and Beyoncê (who incidentally recently immortalized Ms. James on film in “Cadillac Records”). Etta, the originator of the classic love song “At Last,” has lashed out at Beyoncê for singing the tune during the first dance of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at last month’s Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. According to reports, Ms. James allegedly quipped at a Seattle concert, “You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain’t my president, he might be yours, he ain’t my president. You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song–she’s going to get her ass whipped. The great Beyoncê. I can’t stand Beyoncê,” she spat. “She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol’ president day, singing my song that I’ve been singing forever.”

Oh, oh, it seems that Bey has stepped on yet another legendary divas’ toes. Remember last year when she referred to Tina Turner as the “Queen of Soul”, which prompted Aretha Franklin to fire off a scathing email chastising the up and coming singer. Is Ms. James being sensitive or did Beyoncê over step her boundaries by performing the song at the Inauguration Ball? Or is this all just some sort of attention seeking publicity stunt?

Charles Barkley Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Charles Barkley joins the ranks of Diana Ross, Heather Locklear and Queen Latifah, all of whom have been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. He was arrested by an Arizona tasks force which specializes in targeting drunk drivers. Read the story here. All I have to say to celebrities is WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR DRIVER!!! It is not like you cannot afford to call a car if you have been indulging. I would like to know what others think about this trend and driving while intoxicated, especially on the biggest celebration night of the year.

Eartha Kitt Succumbs at 81

Sultry sex symbol of the 40, 50's and 60's died of colon cancer today. She was one of the most versatile actresses of all time, winning two Emmys, two Grammys and having several Tony nominations. Her career spanned a total of six decades, from her start as a dancer in the famed Katherine Durham troupe to her work on stage, in film and on vinyl. She penned three autobiographies throughout her life and was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles.

Kitt came from humble South Carolina beginnings and was of mixed heritage. She made headline news for denouncing the Vietnam War while visiting the White House. This incident caused her to be blacklisted for many years. I first remember seeing Ms. Kitt opposite Nat King Cole in the film "St. Louis Blues". Younger audiences might remember her as the much older woman after Eddie Murphy in "Boomerang". Others may remember her as one of the Catwomen on the campy 60's series "Batman".

For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as Jan. 17, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on Jan. 26. The research into her background also showed Kitt was the daughter of a white man, a poor cotton farmer.

Enjoy Ms Kitt spreading some holiday cheer.

Wanda Sykes Is Gay, You Got A Problem With That?

Wanda Sykes has just come out the closet so to speak. According to Ms. Sykes, she felt compelled to reveal her sexual preference after the passing of California's Proposition 8 which banned gay marriages. Sykes said that she was never hiding the fact that she was gay and that everyone who knows her personally knows her sexual orientation and that she in a committed relationship. Read the full story here.

Michael Tells Family To Beat It

Despite the recent announcement of a proposed Jackson 5 reunion in 2009, fans won't get a chance to see the group's biggest selling star. Unfortunately, Michael Jackson has issued a statement saying he will not be apart of the 2009 family outing. Michael has issued a statement saying that his brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and they certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. "I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon." Michael's brother Jermaine first announced reunion plans on October 29 while taping an Australian TV show.

Approximately a year ago the I blogged about first hint of a reunion was leaked to the public (story here). At that time it was assumed that Michael would be participating. I mean if Michael is not going to be there why bother? On his radio show Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish does a segment entitled "With Or Without You" and while many groups/bands can go on without the main attraction (the Commodores come to mind), the Jackson need Michael in order to attract any interest. I am certainly not spending any money to see Latoya and Rebbie!

Boy Found in Chicago

The body of a boy was found in an SUV on Chicago's west side. There has been no confirmation at this time that it is Jennifer Hudson's nephew, but it is highly likely that it is Julian King. How does someone take the life of a child, any child, and be able to live with themselves afterward? Whoever this child is, he had nothing to do with what was happening in the lives of the adults around him, however he has paid the ultimate price. I am not a death penalty proponent, but sometimes I think I might have it all wrong, especially when it comes to the death of children at the hands of adults.

A co-worker and I were discussing the missing boy at work over the weekend. He stated that the FBI was called in because of Jennifer Hudson's celebrity status. I am under the assumption that anytime their is a missing child the FBI are obligated to join the search. Whose right me or my co-worker? To read more details click here

Jennifer Hudson's Mother and Brother Found Murdered

Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls and The Secret Lives of Bees) mother and brother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, whose bodies were found Friday afternoon in their home on the south side of Chicago. The actress's 7 year old nephew, Julian King is missing. According to news reports the incident is a result of domestic abuse and the police are questioning several people in connection with crime. I feel badly for Jennifer and the rest of her family in this difficult time. Let's keep her in our thoughts and pray for the safe return of her nephew. For more on the story click here.

A Message From George

With all the chaos and confusion going on in the world with the economy, gas prices, the upcoming election, etc. , we tend to lose sight of the important things in life. I received this message written by the late George Carlin several years ago and I feel it is time to revisit these sentiments.

A Message from George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower view points. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much,love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands,overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when y ou can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going tobe around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian, could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

Levi Stubbs Passes Away At 72

Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs Jr. died Friday at his home in Detroit after a long series of health problems, including cancer and a stroke, that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72.
Funeral arrangements were pending for Stubbs, who is survived by Clineice, his wife of 48 years, and five children.

He had one of the most prolific and identifiably voices in American history. Often playing second fiddle to the Temptations, The Four Tops showed they had staying power. An amazing footnoot is that they were able to maintain their original lineup until death and illness struck. Stubbs' death leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir as the Tops' only living member from the original quartet, which formed in 1954 as the Four Aims and signed with Motown nine years later. Laurence Payton passed away in 1997, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005.

Fakir continues to lead a version of the Tops that includes Payton's son Roquel, former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir. Stubbs, born Levi Stubbles in Detroit gave voice to such enduring hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" and my all time favorite "It's The Way Nature Planned It". The Tops have sold more than 50 million records and racked up 45 chart hits for the Motown, ABC Dunhill, Arista and Casablanca labels, and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Stubbs also provided the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant in the film version of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986, and of Mother Brain in the 1989 animated TV series "Captain N: The Game Master." The group was also responsible for the theme song for the second Shaft movie, "Shaft In Africa", "Are You Man Enough".

Stubbs' last public appearance with the group was at the group's 50th anniversary concert July 28, 2004, at Detroit's Music Hall Center. Information about the funeral services are pending.

Here is a classic by the group that you don't often hear, enjoy.

O. J. Convicted

The jury reached a decision after deliberating for more than 13 hours. O. J. Simpson has been found guilty on all charges in the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room more than a year ago. Simpson faces up to life in prison. Simpson, 61, and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors alleged Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plot to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away to avoid turning them over to Goldman's family to satisfy part of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in 1997 by a California court. Four men who accompanied Simpson, Stewart and a middle man to the Palace Station casino hotel for the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation later pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution. Thomas Riccio, the man who arranged and secretly recorded the meeting, testified under immunity from prosecution.

I had no doubt that O. J. would be convicted. I feel he was tried for the 1994 murders of his Brown and Goldman. I’ll bet you that plenty of people are feeling vindicated tonight. It took 13 years to the day to finally convict him of the murders. Your thoughts people.

Pervis Jackson of The Spinners Dead At 70

Pervis Jackson (2nd from the left in the photo), one of the foundling members of the legendary singing group, died yesterday of cancer. Friends and fellow Motown Records musicians are mourning the loss of the Detroit singer, who died "quietly and peacefully" early Monday at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, said Claudreen Jackson, his wife of 40 years. He had been diagnosed with brain and liver cancer late last week, just a month after starting to feel ill and bowing out of several Spinners dates. He was 70.

The group formed in 1954 at Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Michigan. They first recorded for Harvy Fuqua's Tri Phi label before it was bought out by Motown. The group enjoyed its biggest success in the 1970's with such songs as, "Could It Be I Am Falling In Love", "How Could I Let You Get Away", "Sadie", "Games People Play", and I'll Be Around.

His last onstage appearance was July 19, when the Spinners performed in La Habra, Calif. The group has been a fixture on the casino and festival circuit for years, typically on the road more than 200 days annually. Surviving him in the group are fellow original members Henry Fambrough and Bobbie Smith. Founding member Billy Henderson died in February 2007.

Isaac Hayes - Succumbs At 65

They say death always comes in threes (number one was Bernie Mac) and now my beloved Isaac Hayes. Soul singer and arranger Isaac Hayes, who won Grammy awards and an Oscar for the theme from the 1971 action film "Shaft," has died, sheriff's officials in Memphis, Tennessee, reported Sunday. Relatives found Hayes, 65, unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill, said Steve Schular, a spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Paramedics attempted to revive him and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m.

Hayes born in Covington, Tennessee and raised by his grandparents, grew up very poor and ofter referred to his days of picking cotton in his song monologues. He was a longtime songwriter and arranger for Stax Records in Memphis, playing in the studio's backup band and crafting tunes for artists such as Otis Redding, The Emotions and Sam and Dave to name a few in the 1960s with his collaborator David Porter.

Besides his musical career, Hayes had a long running television and movie career dating back to the early 1970's. He appeared in films and television, such as, "Truck Turner", "The Rockford Files", "I Gonna Git You Sucka", "Hammer, Slammer, and Slade", but is probably best known as the animated character "Chef" on the long running cartoon "South Park".

Isaac and I go back so far that I feel like we are old friends although we have never met. I actually had the extreme please of seeing him live back in 2003 at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Amphitheater along with the band WAR. I throughly enjoyed the show, in which he performed all of his classic, including of course the "Theme From Shaft".

He is survived by his wife, 12 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Enjoy this live clip from 1973 of Hayes performing his Oscar winning "Theme From Shaft".

Bernie Mac Is Dead At 50

CHICAGO - Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian Bernie Mack has died at age 50, his publicist said Saturday.His publicist Danica Smith said Bernie Mac died early Saturday at a hospital in the Chicago area of complications due to pneumonia.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but he had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently had been hospitalized and treated for pneumonia. Mac had starring roles in “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Bad Santa,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Transformers.” The Mac Man (his nickname) was also mentioned in Christina Aguilera's song "Dirty".

Mac, along with Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley were "The Original Kings of Comedy" which produced some of the funniest stand up I have ever witnessed and Bernie Mac was arguably the funniest among the four. His act had me in stitches, especially the sketch about his grandmother. The comedian also drew critical and popular acclaim with his Fox television show "The Bernie Mac Show".

Born Bernard Jeffery McCullough on October 05, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He is survived by his wife Rhonda and daughter Je'niece. Read more biographical information at Popculture Dish.

Check out the Mac Man's breakdown of the word "muthafucka"

Morgan Freeman Badly Hurt in Car Crash

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman is in a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., after being seriously injured in a car accident near his home in Mississippi. Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Kathy Stringer said Freeman, 71, is in serious condition. The hospital is about 90 miles north of the accident scene in rural Tallahatchie County in the Mississippi Delta.

Freeman was driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima belonging to Demaris Meyer of Memphis when the car left a rural highway and flipped several times shortly before midnight Sunday. It has been reported there's no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved and he and his passenger were wearing seat belts. Freeman was airlifted to the hospital in Tennessee. It appeared that Freeman's car was airborne when it left the highway and landed in a ditch.

The jaws of life were used to extract him from the vehicle. He was lucid, conscious, talking and joking with some of the rescue workers at one point. When one person tried to snap a photo with a cell phone camera, Freeman joked, "no freebies, no freebies".

Freeman won an Oscar for his role in "Million Dollar Baby." His screen credits also include "The Shawshank Redemption," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Dark Knight," now in theaters. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., but spent much of his childhood in the Mississippi Delta. He is a co-owner of the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale. Here's wishing Mr. Freeman a speedy recovery.

Golden Girl Estelle Getty Passes On At 84

I opened my Yahoo page to find that Estelle Getty had died at her Hollywood Blvd. home this morning at 5:30 AM. She is best known as Sophia Petrillo on the long running television show "Golden Girls". She was arguably the most funny of the four women and avid viewers of the show have the most difficult time deciding which is their favorite among the stars of the show. Getty portrayed the mother of Golden Girl Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur) and so it was always thought she was much older than the other three women, which in actuality she was a year younger than Arthur.

Born in New York City on July 25, 1923 and is considered a late bloomer. She was 47 years of age when she performed in her first off-Broadway play. Her most important stage role was playing Harvey Fierstein's mother in the Broadway play "Torch Song Trilogy".

Ms. Getty stopped making public appearances in 2000 after revealing that she had Parkinson's Disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's Disease. It was later found that she had been misdiagnosed and that she in fact suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, which has some of the symptomatology as Alzheimer's Disease.

In 2003 Lifetime Television hosted a Golden Girls Reunion Show in which Ms. Getty was unable to attend due to failing health. She received 7 Emmy and 3 Golden Globe nominations for her role on "The Golden Girls", winning each award once. Paying tribute to the star, her longtime care-giver Paul Chapdelaine says, "Sadly, today July 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. Pacific Time, we said our last good-byes to our little friend Estelle, who passed away and made her journey to the great beyond. Although it was a trip that she never wanted to take, she went gracefully, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her family and her very loving care-givers". Here is the link with the story and enjoy the below clip from the show. RIP Ms. Getty.

Poll Results

Two polls were conducted simultaneously last week. The first poll asked if R. Kelly's music should be boycotted. 80% said yes and 20% thought there was no need for a boycott. The second poll queried the accuracy of Spike Lee's statements regarding Jesse Jackson's recent attacks on Barack Obama. 71% felt that Spike Lee's comments were on point, while 29% had no opinion. Of course I agree with Spike's and feel that Jesse should be cool. As for R. Kelly, this would be the time I would share a video, but it ain't gonna happen.

Latham and Long Get Animated

Following in the footsteps of Regina King, Sanaa Latham and Nia Long, arguably two of the most attractive actresses in films will lend their voices to characters on “The Cleveland Show”. If you watch “The Family Guy” you will recognize Cleveland as one of Peter’s buddies. The show is merely a spinoff; which I do not recall happening in recent years, in the cartoon world. There might have been a spinoff or two involving “Archie” in the 70’s. I am sure Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish can shed some light on this topic. Sanaa Latham will portray Cleveland’s wife, Donna and Nia Long will voice Cleveland’s stepdaughter, Roberta. Anyhow, I like cartoons that cater to adults, so I will definitely give it a try. You can read more about the show here.

Notable Quotable - Venus Williams

"It's every Williams for themself." -- Venus Williams, before defeating her sister Serena in the Wimbledon women's final.