4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 12TH, 2008

Is Beyonce pregnant? Mrs. Carter looks different. She’s gaining weight, and she has stopped coloring her hair.

Get ready for wedding number two for Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey. Since their first wedding was hush hush, the couple, who have known each other for two and half months, are planning a big ceremony for family and friends. They have each others’ tattoos, and Nick signed a pre-nup, so its time for the babies. Nick says he’s ready for fatherhood, and for the first time, Mariah has uttered the word “baby.”

Check out Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys. They are the cover girls for the latest edition of Essence magazine. Alicia Keys is definitely on a roll. She is about to sign a deal with Vitamin Water for a record amount between $25 and $50 million. Keys will be joining Rapper 50 Cent and Kelly Clarkson as spokespeople.

Star Jones is not happy with Barbara Walters. She can’t believe the TV legend would stoop to trashing her to sell books. Known as “The Dean Of TV,” Barbara Walters has written her memoirs. In her book, Audition, she reveals her affair with a married man, a black congressman from Massachusetts, Senator Edward Brooks. Walters also discusses Star Jones and her tenure hosting the Walters produced daytime talker, The View. Walters says Jones asked the panelists to lie about her weight loss because she didn’t to be a poster child for gastric bypass surgery. Walters also discussed in length how Star lost her job because she wouldn’t shut up about her wedding to Al Reynolds. She says Star turned into the ultimate bridezilla, a greedy woman who would stop at nothing to get free gifts. When Walters appeared on Oprah, it was the ultimate embarrassment for Jones. She felt humiliated as the two ladies gabbed about her. With no job and no man, this is not a good time for Jones. Her fairytale marriage to Al Reynolds blew up in her face, and now she feels as though she is the laughing stock of the industry. Jones has warned her friends not to discuss her private life with anyone. She has already had a major falling out with one of the bridesmaids, Actress Holly Robinson Peete, about this. Star wants her friends to be quiet. When Star Jones lashed out at Barbara Walters, Walters dismissed it saying Star is suffering, she lost a job, she’s getting a divorce and that’s why she’s lashing out at me.

Meanwhile, Star’s soon to be ex is talking. Al Reynolds feels as though he’s misunderstood. In his recent myspace blog, he says he’s tired of getting dumped on. He says the past month has been Dump On Al month. He says he married Star for love. Reynolds says he’s not a gigolo or free loader, and he is currently working. Al wants people and future friends to know he has a job. He says you can just call him “Al.” He never mentioned his sexuality or his love of partying.

Friends of Kim Porter want her to break away from her baby daddy. Sean “P Diddy” Combs is the father to three of her children. He keeps her on a string and only uses her for publicity. He is also dating his young protégé, Singer Cassie. She’s cute, but she can’t sing. Being his side-chick is how she got her record deal.

Where did the millions of viewers go? Even though it’s still the number one show in the country, American Idol has lost over 12 million viewers since January. Will there be major changes when the show comes back next year? Producers say they are not worried about the show, but 12 million viewers is a major cause for concern. A lot of people are not feeling this show anymore.

The Great Debaters is out on DVD. Oprah Winfrey produced the movie and Denzel Washington directed as well as stars with Forest Whitaker.

Halle Berry is the latest celebrity who is denouncing high priced baby photos. Berry says she will not sell photos of her daughter, Nahla, to the highest bidder. Berry says she and model boyfriend Gabriel Aubry do not feel comfortable making money off their daughter. In the meantime, Halle is sporting a ring which is a gift from Aubry. It’s a family heirloom, a ring that belonged to his grandmother. Now, the big question is will Berry finally change her mind and get married again? Halle’s ex-hubby, Singer Eric Benet, is doing well. Benet is gearing up to release a new album featuring the hit single, You’re The Only One For Me.

Singer Toni Braxton’s medical problems are worse than she is letting on. In April, she started complaining of chest pains, and she has not been able to perform in her Las Vegas show since. Braxton suffers from an inflammation around her heart. She may not be able to return to her show until mid June.

Comic Actress Niecy Nash is getting her own show on the FOX network. Nash is best known for her work on Comedy Central series Reno 911. Starting this fall, Nash will be starring in the comedy The Inn.

The CW network recently announced their fall schedule, and they are moving the Chris Rock produced comedy Everybody Hates Chris to Friday nights. They have also renewed the TV show The Game, which will follow Chris on Friday nights.

The VH1 network has also announced some new shows including one starring Actor/Comedian Eddie Griffin. Griffin will be starring in the reality show Going For Broke. The show will feature Griffin balancing life as a dad and a player.

Hoopz is back with VH1 as well. Hoopz, a.k.a. Nikki Alexander, was season number one winner of Flavor of Love, and she is going to be one of the stars of the new VH1 reality show I Love Money. The show will feature contestants doing anything for money.

Filming is underway in New York for the new Denzel Washington-John Travolta movie, The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3. The movie is based on the 1970’s classic that starred Walter Matthau. The movie is about a madman (Travolta) who takes a subway car hostage for millions. Washington plays the negotiator. James Gandolfini (“Tony Soprano”) also stars as the mayor of the city. The movie opens in theatres June 2099.

Usher will be performing on the season finale of Dancing With The Stars. Usher will also be on hand to crown the winner.
After seven years, Janet Jackson says she is ready to go back on the road. Jackson’s tour kicks off this fall, and she will be traveling the world including North America, Australia, Asia and Africa.

Congrats to Actor Laurence Fishburne. He’s been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor for his role in the one man show Thurgood. Thurgood is based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The Tony Awards take place on June 15th. Whoopi Goldberg is hosting.


This is not a good time for Actor/Comedian Mike Epps. He has been named in a paternity suit by a Georgia woman who claims he is the father of her infant daughter. Epps is already married with children, so you can imagine what’s going on in that household. Friends of Epps say he is embarrassed by the paternity suit because he loves his wife and family. Epps has been lashing out in public. When a server tried to serve him paternity papers at a Kentucky comedy club, he attacked the man. Last week, Epps was caught on tape shouting gay slurs at paparazzi who were trying to film him.

Sheila E is finally opening up about her romance with Prince. Back in the 80’s, Prince helped Sheila with two of her biggest hits, The Glamorous Life and A Love Bizarre. Prince has dated many beautiful women, and Sheila E was one of them. In a recent interview, Sheila E opened up about Prince saying when the romance ended she felt as though she lost her best friend. Prince and Sheila E recently reunited for a concert in California. There has been talk of a possible concert tour with Prince, Sheila E and Morris Day.

The divorce proceedings between the Simmons are getting sticky. All is not well with Russell and Kimora. They are going back and forth over custody of their little girls. Kimora wants sole custody, but Russell is pushing for joint custody. Is Kimora trying to keep her daughters away from Russell’s young model girlfriend? Kimora has been dating Actor Djimon Hounsou. So what’s the problem?

As Whitney Houston works on her career comeback, she is realizes that the safety and welfare of her daughter Bobbi Kris comes first. Bobbi Kris is her daughter with Bobby Brown, and at the age of 15 she is already partying and hanging out. Earlier this year, a conflict with her daughter ended with her being hospitalized. Whitney realizes she has made a lot of mistakes, and she wants her daughter to avoid the same major mistakes she has made with drugs and alcohol. A new Whitney Houston album is expected later this year, but if she continues to struggle with her daughter she may postpone the project.

Tina Turner is coming out of retirement. At the age of 68, Tina says she’s got to do it one more time. Tina’s tour will start later this year.

Actor Wesley Snipes is trying to stay out of jail. He’s appealing his conviction for a three-year prison term for failing to file income tax returns. His lawyers say he is too famous to be a flight risk, and he is not a danger to the community. Can he stay out of jail while he appeals his conviction?

Defense Attorneys for R Kelly feel that minorities are being kept out of the jury pool. Kelly is so famous, they wonder if he can get a fair trial in his hometown of Chicago. Kelly faces 15 years in prison on child pornography charges. Kelly says he’s not guilty of having sex with a 13-year old girl and videotaping it.

Oprah Winfrey has pulled the plug on her reality show The Big Give. ABC wanted the show back, but Oprah felt the ratings did not live up to her expectations. Despite the great concept giving a contestant a million dollars for doing the best good deed, she thought the show, hosted by her Designer Nate Berkus, would have created a bigger buzz.

Singer Chaka Khan is standing by her son Damien Holland. Chaka and her son are being sued by the family of a teenager who was accidentally murdered by Holland. In 2004, Holland shot a teenage friend who was staying in his home. The teenager was shot with an assault rifle. Holland says it was an accident, and two years later he was acquitted. The family of the teen killed feel justice was not served, and now they have filed a wrongful death suit against Khan and her son. Khan says her family will get through this tragedy. She says her son is currently in recovery at a rehab center.

The BET Awards are set for June 24th. Mariah Carey and Usher are scheduled to perform.

Upcoming TV and Film Events:
Get ready for Sex And The City, the movie. The movie opens in theatres May 30th.

Harrison Ford returns as “Indiana Jones” in the new movie, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. Despite being in his 60’s, Ford can still do the wild stunts. The movie opens in theatres May 22nd.

Stephanie Mills is coming to Philadelphia. She’ll be the headliner at the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Affinity Affair. The event is Saturday, June 7th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Friday, June 20th, it’s The Sound Of Philadelphia Night at the Phillies. The Phillies play the Angels, and Philly International Records will be honoring Teddy Pendergrass and legendary radio vet Jerry Blavat. During the pre-game festivities, there will be a special performance by Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes.

John Legend will be in Philadelphia for the Sunoco Welcome America Festivities on July 4th on the steps of the Art Museum
Boys to Men will be doing a concert on July 5th at Penns Landing as part of the Sunoco Welcome America Festivities. Fireworks will follow both events.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s 20th Annual Pioneer Awards are taking place September 9th at the Kimmel Center. Honorees include Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, Bill Withers, Kool and The Gang, The Whispers, The Funk Brothers, The Late Singer Donny Hathaway, and legendary Stax Records Chief and Co-Owner Al Bell.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This NBA Superstar is having problems with his mother. She’s young, wild and loud. She loves partying, drinking and hanging with the Ballers. At a recent playoff game, he had to curse at her and a lot of his fans were outraged but they have no idea what he puts up with. She doesn’t act like his mother…, she behaves likes a young sister! How can he tell his mom to grow up?

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