PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1
Week of January 1st, 2008

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Happy Holidays from the staff of 2 Down Front Entertainment

After 37 years Susan L. Taylor is leaving Essence magazine. Taylor, 61, says she is taking her life in a new direction. She is starting a mentoring program so she can focus her attention on helping troubled youth. Taylor is releasing a new book next month. The book, All About Love, is the best of her columns for the magazine. A lot of people expressed shock at the news of Taylor leaving the esteemed magazine, and many wonder what will the future hold for Essence. Taylor represented the very being of Essence and was the back bone of the magazine. Essence magazine is gearing up for their first annual literary awards. Noted Author Terry McMillan is getting a lifetime achievement award. Dr. Bill Cosby, Actor Blair Underwood, and Actress Victoria Rowell are all up for awards for their books.

The James Brown family continues to fight over his estate. The known children of Brown were not left any money. The children were left with personal effects and household items. The money from the James Brown estate will go towards the grandchildren’s education and for needy kids in Georgia and South Carolina. The Brown Children feel their needs are not being met. Show Us The Money! Were the children deliberately shut out by the trustees who stood to profit with their proposals? Look for this fight to go on for awhile. This new lawsuit does not include the newly discovered Brown Children, who were confirmed via DNA.

Singer Brandy is ready to move on with her life. Brandy will not be charged in the vehicular death of a woman who died in a car crash that involved Brandy. Brandy was not high, nor was she drinking or speeding. It was an unfortunate accident, and a woman died as a result. Brandy got off the hook when it was discovered that the woman who died was speeding, and that traces of marijuana were found in the late woman’s system. Now the big question is will Brandy still face lawsuits from the family of the dead woman. The family had filed various lawsuits, but with the new info, Brandy may be off the hook with that as well.

Production has ceased on The Judge Hatchett Show, and repeats will run for the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, there’s trouble on The Judge Judy Show. Judge Judy just signed a new deal worth $230 million that will keep her on the air past 2013. But, as the deal was signed, shocking charges of racism on the show were brought to light. A senior producer on the show says he was wrongfully fired for complaining that blacks were being excluded from the show. Jonathan Sebastian worked on Judge Judy for seven years. He says he was told we are not doing black shows any more; we are tired of hearing black people arguing; let Judge Joe Brown deal with that. Spokespeople for the show claim Sebastian was fired for just cause, and he is a disgruntled employee. At press time, there was no comment from Judge Judy who was not named in the suit.
 
Singer R Kelly is going to pay for being a hater. Kelly is being sued by Singer Ne-Yo for kicking him off Kelly’s Double Up Tour. Ne-Yo was very excited about going on the road with Kelly. He stood to make a million dollars on the 25 city tour, but R Kelly had other plans. He didn’t like the response Ne-Yo was getting. Kelly felt the young singer was stealing his thunder, and he kicked him of his tour. Spokespeople for Kelly claim proper papers were not signed and that’s why Ne-Yo was booted. Kelly does have a pattern of not getting along with people he tours with. Remember how Kelly sabotaged his tour with Rapper Jay-Z.

Tracey Edmonds is now Mrs. Eddie Murphy. Babyface’s ex wife tied the knot with Eddie Murphy in an island ceremony. Celebrity Planner Colin Cowie designed the event, which took place on the beach. Tracey became Mrs. Murphy as Singer Johnny Gill stood by as Murphy’s best man. The two have 8 children between them, as they enter into their second marriages.

Congrats are also in order for Singer Robin Thicke and his wife, Actress Paula Patton. They are expecting their first child later this year.

Singer Natalie Stewart, formerly of the group Floetry, is gearing up for her acting debut. Stewart has lost a lot of weight, and she is starring in the movie, Reasonable Excuse. The movie features Stewart in a number of explicit scenes.

Former American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard is going national with the stage production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Studdard, who was dropped by his record company for poor sales, will be teaming up with former Idol Contestant Frenchie Davis. Davis is playing the role made famous by the late Actress Nell Carter.

Janet Jackson is gearing up for an exciting 2008. Her new album, Discipline, comes out next month. The lead single, Feedback, is getting great response. Janet needs a hit, and she will be pushing this project hard.

Nephew Tommy from The Steve Harvey Morning Show is gearing up to release his first stage play. Nephew Tommy, a.k.a. Thomas Miles, is teaming up with Comedian J. Anthony Brown for the play Where’s Papa Ray’s Money. The play also stars Actress Cynda Williams (Mo Better Blues), Singer Cal Thomas and Deelishis from Flavor of Love. The play is currently touring the country, and may be in Philly later this year.

As Whitney Houston prepares for her big U.S. comeback. Sources say it could happen at this year’s Grammy Awards. Houston has been drug free for over a year, and she is getting her life and her career back on track. Word has it she will be performing with Alicia Keys at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Bishop Thomas Weeks won’t let it go. At the end of the year, the soon to be former husband of Prophetess Juanita Bynum said he wanted to move on with his life. But, now he is back with shocking allegations about the prophetess. Bishop Weeks says he was the one who was set up, abused and betrayed. In a recent interview with Lee Bailey Weeks, Weeks claimed that Bynum wants him in jail so he can’t marry another woman. He says she threw him under the bus because her ministry needs money. The five year marriage between Weeks and Bynum ended after a violent confrontation left Bynum beaten and bruised and Weeks arrested for battery.

As the new spokesperson for Jenny Craig, Queen Latifah says she hopes to lose 50 pounds. A lot of Latifah’s close friends were surprised about Latifah’s decision to endorse Jenny Craig’s weight loss program. Latifah’s close personal friend, Jeanette Jenkins, is a fitness trainer and author of the weight loss book The 21-Day Total Body Workout. A lot of people are questioning why didn’t she turn to her friend to lose weight?

The remixed album of Michael Jackson’s Thriller is a celebration of its 25th anniversary. The album will feature many special guests, but don’t look for Sir Paul McCartney. The former Beatle sang on the album’s first hit, The Girl Is Mine, with Michael, and Michael returned the favor by singing Say Say Say on McCartney’s album. But, ever since Michael brought the Beatles catalog and refused to sell it to McCartney, the two have been on the outs.

A musical is in the works based on the life of Tina Turner. The musical Simply The Best will follow Turner’s life, her rise to fame and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, the late Musician Ike Turner. The musical will also feature many elements that were in the movie, What’s Love Got To Do With It. The big question is who will play Tina Turner? Fantasia is being considered, but is she sexy enough to play Turner?

Singer Toni Braxton is teaming up with Campbell’s Soup and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement. Braxton suffers from a form of heart disease, and she has been devoting her life to heart healthy projects.

Congratulations to Reverend Run and his wife Justine. They will be introducing their new adopted baby girl this month on the new season of Run’s House. Miley Justine Simmons is four months old. Last year, the family dealt with the loss of a baby who died at birth.

P Diddy is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this month. Next month, look for Diddy starring in a remake of the classic A Raisin In The Sun with Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan and Phylicia Rashad. The movie airs February 25th on ABC.

Is Football Star Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints getting married soon? The 22-year old football phenom has been dating 27-year old socialite and sex tape star Kim Kardashian. Kardashian is best known for her reality show on the E network, and her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Ray J, Brandy’s little brother. Sources say no wedding yet, but they are being more open about their relationship.

According to published reports, Tyler Perry will be appearing in the new Star Trek movie. The latest installment opens on Christmas Day 2008, and will focus on the early years of “Captain Kirk” and “Mr. Spock.” This will be the first time Perry has appeared in a project other than his own. Perry will play the leader of the Star Fleet Academy. In March, look for Perry’s latest movie to hit the big screen, Meet the Browns with Angela Bassett and Rick Fox.

Terrence Howard is in the lead to play the legendary Rick James in a big screen movie based on his life. Before James died, he wrote his autobiography Memoirs of A Superfreak. James held nothing back as he discussed his wild life of sex, drugs and Rock & Roll. Howard would be perfect for the role. This is shaping up to be an exciting year for the actor. In March, he’ll be starring in the Broadway revival of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof with Anika Noni Rose, James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad.

Former En Vogue Singer Dawn Robinson is the latest celebrity to join VH1’S Celebrity Fit Club. Robinson has not had much success since leaving En Vogue. She didn’t do well with her group Lucy Pearl, and her husband, Producer Dre Allen, left her after their financial burdens became too much to bear.

Is Tyra Banks ready to become a mother? The talk show host is looking into adopting a child in the neat future.

After 27 years, it’s the return of Indiana Jones. The new Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull, opens in theatres this May. Harrison Ford returns as “Indy,” with George Lucas producing and Steven Spielberg directing. The latest issue of Vanity Fair magazine is devoted to the upcoming movie.

::::: FEATURED EVENTS ::::::

::::: UPCOMING  TV & FILM EVENTS ::::::

Get ready for Sex And The City, the movie. The movie opens in theatres May 30th.

Martin Lawrence is also gearing up for a busy 2008. Lawrence has two big movie projects coming out: College Road Trip with Raven Symone opening in theatres March 7th and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins with Mo’Nique, James Earl Jones which opens in theatres on February 8th.

The 34th Annual Peoples’ Choice Awards is set to air January 8th. Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Dwayne “The Rock “Johnson and Chris Tucker are all up for awards.

The new season of American Idol: Season 7 premieres Tuesday January 15th.

BET’s Celebration of Gospel takes place January 27th, 8pm on BET. There will be special appearances by Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin, John Legend, Dr. Bobby Jones and the top five Sunday Best finalists. Steve Harvey is hosting.

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will air February 10th on CBS.

First Sunday – Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams opens January 11th 2008.

The Bucket List – Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, January 11th.

Mad Money – Queen Latifah, Diana Keaton & Katie Holmes January 18th.

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins - Martin Lawrence, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker and James Earl Jones opens February 8th.

::::: WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ ::::::

This comedian is known for his comic skills, but his fans would be shocked if they knew how he really behaved. He treats his wife horribly. He fights with her in front of their kids and out in public. He is a disgrace. Sources say his Asian wife is very unhappy with the way she is being treated.

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