PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1
Week of February 25th, 2008

If you are unable to read this HTML click here

Tracey Edmonds is still trying to heal her broken heart, but she also has a message for Eddie Murphy’s best friend, Singer Johnny Gill: JOHNNY, SHUT UP! WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH! Gill has been giving a series of interviews trying to explain what really happened between Tracey, Eddie and the 17-day old fake marriage. He basically placed the blame on Tracey and her family. Tracey did sign a confidentiality agreement when the relationship ended with Eddie, but she is hopping mad at Gill. For years, Gill has denied rumors of a relationship with Murphy. He says they are just friends. Edmonds says Johnny Gill is trying to clean up his reputation at her expense.

Bishop Thomas Weeks says the truth is no longer on strike. He’s been silent for too long, and he is ready to tell all about his five year marriage to Prophetess Juanita Bynum. In his new book, What Love Taught Me, Bishop Weeks says no more drama, no more tears, no more lies. He is going to tell the truth about why the marriage broke up and Bynum’s quest to become the next Oprah. Bishop Weeks is sticking to his not guilty plea. He faces felony aggravated assault charges, terrorist threats and simple battery stemming from an incident last summer where the Prophetess was beaten, kicked and stomped outside of an Atlanta hotel.

The Dell East is being closed for the summer season. The Dell East, at 33rd and Ridge Avenue, is undergoing repairs that may take up to two years to complete. Now the big question is, will the Dell East return as the venue we all know in the community? Hmmmmmmmmmm!

Janet Jackson is preparing for a new world tour. The tour is scheduled to kick off in September. Janet’s new album, Discipline, is in stores now. Janet will be the cover girl for the April issue of Ebony magazine, and she’s doing dual covers for the April VIBE magazine. In one photo, there’s the typical sexy Janet shot, and the other will feature Janet as she recreates her brother Michael’s Off The Wall photo cover.

Now speaking of brother Michael sales are very disappointing for the reissue/remix of his classic Thriller 25 album. Sources say lack of promotion on Michael’s part played a big part in the album’s poor sales.

Singer Ne-Yo has had no comment since his recent arrest on reckless driving. Ne-Yo was apparently speeding in his Range Rover in Georgia when cops pulled him over. He was also cited for not having a valid license. Despite his legal problems, Ne-Yo is getting ready to go on tour with Alicia Keys and American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks.

Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson is ready for his life story to come to the big screen. Tyson says he would like his pal, Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx, to play him on the big screen. In 1986, Tyson was the heavyweight champion of the world at the young age of 20. Then came trouble, failed marriages, drugs, rape charges and a stint in jail.

Donna Summer is getting to release her first studio album in 17 years. The former disco queen has been hard at work on the new album Crayon, which is due out this May.

Jill Scott says if you’ve got big boobies, throw away those grandma bras. Scott has teamed up with Ashley Stewart to create a bra that not only gives you comfort, but the support you need to help you look and feel good. The Butterfly Collection by Jill Scott can be found at the Ashley Stewart stores.

The Donda West Law is about to be passed in California. Dr. West died last November after getting cosmetic surgery. She was turned down by several doctors, who cited her heart condition, but she later found a doctor who performed surgery on her, and she died a day later. The Donda West Law would require all patients who wanted to have cosmetic surgery to receive clearance from a licensed doctor. Dr. West’s son is Rapper Kayne West.

Prince is gearing up for his 50th birthday, and he may get a new hip to celebrate. Years of dancing and side splits have taken a toll on the pop superstar, and he may have to undergo hip replacement surgery. Sources say he may take off two months to recuperate.

Is Quincy Jones serious about his latest girlfriend? She’s a 20-year old fashion designer that he started dating when she was 19. The girl is young enough to be his great-great granddaughter. Everyone is afraid to tell the 74-year old music great he looks like the old man at the club when he is with her.

Now that the $6 million twins are here, when will Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony show them off to the world? People magazine will have the exclusive rights to the Lopez-Anthony babies, and will feature the family in an upcoming issue. Lopez is going to take off most of the year to settle into motherhood. She is not scheduled to do any movie work until late this year.

Actor Boris Kodjoe is headed to Broadway. Kodjoe is going to be Terrence Howard’s understudy in the Broadway revival of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Debbie Allen is directing, and the all black cast includes Phylicia Rashad, James Earl Jones, Giancarlo Esposito and Anika Noni Rose as “Maggie The Cat.” Due to a prior movie commitment, Howard is taking a month off and Kodjoe is taking his place. The play has a limited run through June 15th. Kodjoe will be in the production April 15-May 22nd. Howard returns May 23rd. The play opens March 6th.

What’s it like being married to former Child Actor Gary Coleman. Well according to his 22-year old wife, Shannon, it’s like being married to a child. Coleman is prone to temper tantrums, and when he gets really mad he locks himself in a room and he won’t come out. In addition to no sex, he also likes to thrown things around the house. Coleman, best known as “Arnold” on the 80’s TV classic Different Strokes, revealed a few weeks ago that he secretly wed a 22-year old woman who is a full foot taller than him.

PETA, the animal rights organization, is pleading with the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, to stop wearing her trademark furs. You know Re-Re. She is going to do what she wants to do. PETA recently put Franklin on their worst dressed list, and sent the Queen a letter begging her to show some “respect” to animals.

Look for a third season of the VH1 Show I Love New York. The new season will follow New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Pollard, not looking for a man, but looking for a job as an actress in Hollywood.

Actor Jesse L. Martin is leaving the NBC series Law And Order. For nine years, Martin played “Detective Ed Green.” Martin is getting ready to play Marvin Gaye on the big screen in the movie Sexual Healing. Anthony Anderson will be joining the cast of Law And Order for the new season. Anderson recently starred on the short lived FOX show K-Ville.

Beyonce will serve as the executive producer on the movie Cadillac Records. Beyonce will also star in the movie playing the legendary Blues Singer Etta James. The movie will detail the early days of Chess Records, and will also star Adrian Brody, Cedric The Entertainer, Jeffrey Wright and Columbus Short.

Jennifer Hudson is gearing up for the releases of her new films. She is going to be featured in three movies this year including Sex and the City, The Movie, Winged Creatures with Forest Whitaker and the film, The Secret Life of Bees.

Singer Tank says police in New Orleans had no reason to attack him. The R&B singer was beaten, tasered and arrested after an altercation with police in New Orleans following a party during NBA All Star Weekend. The singer, who is best known for the hits Please Don’t Go and Heartbreaker, says he was leaving a club with his manager when he stopped and asked for directions. Tank said he was told he couldn’t go in a certain direction. When he questioned the police’s decision, all hell broke loose. Tank was booked on three different charges. He says he didn’t do anything wrong, yet he was treated like a criminal.

Actress Sanaa Lathan will be starring in the new Tyler Perry movie, The Family That Preys. Filming will start later this year. I had a chance to catch up with Lathan, and she says she is thrilled about the opportunity to work with Tyler Perry. The movie will also star Oscar Winner Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.

Isaac Hayes and John Legend have been added to the cast of the movie Soul Men. Sean Hayes, of Will And Grace, fame will also be featured in the movie about two soul legends who reluctantly go on a reunion tour. The movie stars Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson as the aging soul legends. The movie will be directed by Malcolm Lee (Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, The Best Man). The movie opens in theatres Oct. 10th.

A new Whitney Houston album is scheduled to be released in November.

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.

Singer Maxwell is back but not with a new album. Maxwell will be starring in a new ad campaign for Gap Clothing.

Actor Laurence Fishburne is headed to Broadway. Fishburne will be starring in a one man show based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Previews start April 12th.

Mariah Carey’s new album, E=MC2, arrives in stores April 15th. The lead single is a song called Touch My Body.

Will Smith’s I Am Legend is coming out on DVD April 8th.

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

Oprah Winfrey’s new reality show, Oprah’s Big Give, debuts March 2nd on ABC. Oprah’s Designer Nate Berkus will be the host of the show, and Chris Rock’s wife, Malaak Compton Rock, will serve as a judge. Oprah will be having a lot of her celebrity friends appear on the show such as Natalie Cole, Donald Trump, Jada Pinkett Smith, John Travolta and Jennifer Aniston. On The Big Give, ten people will have a chance to travel around the world and help other people. Whoever is the best giver, will win the big prize for their favorite charity.

March 7th - College Road Trip starring Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone in theatres.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions take place March 10th. Philly’s own Gamble and Huff will be inducted by The Iceman, Jerry Butler, into the Hall of Fame with The Ahmet Ertegun Award.

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

Sometimes this Singer’s butt is big …sometimes its average. Is this singer wearing padded butt implants?

This young Actress is still playing the price for having an affair with a top Hollywood star. To avoid the star’s wife, she was not allowed to attend several key events that could have benefited her career. There was one awards ceremony where they were all together: the star, his wife and the ex-mistress. But, after she made her presentation, she left the building.

Lets here what you think at: http://downfront2.blogspot.com/

Did you miss the last 411 Report?  Click Here to view previous reports

Check our page on myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/downfront

PRINT THIS PAGE