PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1
Week of March 3rd, 2008

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After a rough few weeks, things are settling down with Producer Tracey Edmonds. The year started off on the wrong foot after her 17-day spiritual union with Eddie Murphy ended. Then just last week, she had to put Singer Johnny Gill in his place when he decided to give his spin about her relationship with Murphy. Despite the heartache and embarrassment, Edmonds has decided she has to move on with her life, and she has found comfort with celebrity Chef Rocco Dispirito. The two have been hanging out and he has been a good friend to her. Friends of Edmonds say maybe now she can find the happiness she’s been looking for.

Halle Berry has signed on to be the new spokesperson for Coty Cosmetics. In addition to creating a new fragrance, she will also star in their new advertising campaign.

The $6 million twins have names. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have named their babies Max and Emme. People magazine paid the couple $6 million for the exclusive photos, which will be published in a few weeks.

Nicole Richie’s recent People magazine cover did very well selling over a million copies. Richie looked fabulous with her young daughter Harlow. Nicole’s dad, Lionel Richie, who’s 58, says he wants to be known as sexy grandpa. Lionel, who’s been dating women in their 20’s lately, doesn’t want to appear too old.

The TV version of A Raisin In the Sun with Sean Diddy Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan and Audra McDonald is coming out on DVD May 6th.

Tyler Perry’s latest movie Meet The Browns with Angela Bassett and Rick Fox opens in theatres on March 21st.

Dwayne Johnson as the tooth fairy? Yes! The former pro wrestler, formerly known as “The Rock,” turned actor will play an ordinary man who trying to save the tooth fairy kingdom in his new movie The Tooth Fairy. This summer, Johnson will be co-starring in the new Get Smart movie with Steve Carrell.

Bobby Brown says he looks forward to mentoring young people as part of his community service. Brown was sentenced to community service after a recent drug charge. Brown says he is trying to turn his life around and mentoring young people will help him.

Tyra Banks will be teaming up with Ashton Kutcher for a new reality show on ABC.

As the show gears up for the final 12, look for American Idol to do a Beatles night featuring the music of The Fab Four.

The NBC show Scrubs with Donald Faison will be moving to a new network. The sitcom will be on ABC this fall.

Get well wishes go out to Mary Ida Vandross. The mother of Luther Vandross is not doing well. Sources say she has been in and out of the hospital.

Ruben Studdard is returning to American Idol. Studdard was Idol’s winner in season two. He will be on hand as contestants take their final bow singing the song Celebrate Me Home.

Will the third time be the charm for Boxers Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson? Holyfield, 45, and Tyson, 41, are in talks to fight for a third time. During their second fight in 1997, Holyfield lost a chunk of his ear when Tyson bit it off. He got $34 million for his troubles, so he doesn’t the money. But, sources say Tyson needs help financially, and Holyfield agreed to do the fight to help Tyson out.

Mama DeBarge is ready to tell all. 73-year old Etterlene DeBarge has written a book about her famous children. Mama DeBarge had 10 children, and eight went on to showbiz fame. Bobby and Tommy DeBarge were a part of the group Switch. They had the hits I Call Your Name, I Wanna Be Closer and There’ll Never Be. Bobby died of AIDS after a stint in jail, and Tommy, who has nine children, is battling health problems. El, Bunny, Mark, Randy and James DeBarge went on to form the group DeBarge. Their hits included The Rhythm Of The Night, All This Love, I Like It, A Dream and Love Me In A Special Way. El DeBarge went on to father 11 kids. He has been married three times and has had numerous run ins with the law. James is best known for his marriage to Janet Jackson, and he has 4 kids. Bunny is a breast cancer survivor, the mother of four kids and she had her battles with drug addiction. Randy has five kids, and is suffering from an incurable disease. Brother Mark has five children and younger brother Chico, whose brief solo career was cut short after a stint in jail, has five kids. Mama DeBarge covers it all in her book, including the abuse they suffered as children at their hands of their father. Mama DeBarge says her family has seen it all, but their faith in God holds them together.

The Food Network has a hot new show called Down Home With The Neelys. I love this show. The couple, Pat and Gina, has been married 13 years and have two children. The Neelys make a cute couple, and the food looks good. They have easy recipes you can try at home. Their specialties include BBQ Spaghetti and Get Yo Man Chicken. When the show kicked off a couple of weeks ago, it was highest rated series debut in the Food Network’s history. Down Home With The Neelys airs Saturday mornings at 11am on The Food Network.

Susan L. Taylor’s latest book, All About Love, is in stores. The book is a collection of her favorite columns over the years. The book is great and very inspiring. Taylor stepped down from her position at Essence magazine earlier this year, and she is embarking on her new life calling, helping young people.

R. Kelly is coming after Singer/Songwriter Ne-Yo. First, he kicked Ne-Yo off his tour, and now Kelly is attacking the young singer in a new song called I’m A Beast. In the song, Kelly chastises Ne-Yo for daring to call him out as a jealous hater. Ne-Yo is currently suing Kelly for pulling him off the show.

Everybody Hates Chris….. NOT! The popular CW show has been picked up for a fourth season, and the reruns of the show will be airing on the Nick at Nite channel starting in the fall.

Bow Wow will be teaming up with Evan Ross in the movie Driving Lessons. Filming starts this spring.

Mel B will be posing nude for an upcoming charity campaign. The Spice Girl is very proud of her body since giving birth to a baby girl last spring. Mel says she has worked hard on her body, and she doesn’t mind showing it off for a good cause.

Oprah Winfrey’s new reality show, Oprah’s Big Give, gave big ratings to ABC during the season premiere. The show features ten contestants who compete to be the best giver. The winner will get a million dollars. Oprah’s favorite designer Nate Berkus is the show’s host, and celebrity judges include Malaak Compton-Rock, the wife of Comedian/Actor Chris Rock.

Erykah Badu will be the April cover girl for Essence magazine. Erykah’s latest album Amerykah is topping the charts.

Congrats to Janet Jackson! She’s got a number one album with her latest, Discipline. This should be a big boost for her career. Look for Janet to hit the road and go on tour this fall.

Don’t look for Pat O’Brien to return to the entertainment show The Insider. O’Brien has been battling alcoholism for quite a while, and he is currently in rehab. Donny Osmond, who is co-starring in the new Martin Lawrence–Raven Symone movie College Road Trip, will be named as O’Brien’s replacement.

Rita Marley, the widow of Reggae great Bob Marley, is in talks to produce a movie based on his life. Rita Marley says she hopes to have the movie finished by 2010, the year her late husband would have turned 65. Marley says she would like Singer Lauryn Hill to play her in the movie. Hill has five children by Rohan Marley, Bob’s son, but is she mentally stable to do a project like this? For the past few years, Hill has dominated headlines with her strange behavior.

Reps for Singers Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore are squashing media reports that their marriage is in trouble. The couple, who are the parents of a young son, are doing fine. Their busy careers may keep them apart at times, but their marriage is just fine.

At the movies this week, it’s College Road Trip starring Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions take place this Monday, 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. It’s another reunion. The three got together in 1968 to write the Iceman classics Hey Western Union Man, Never Give You Up and Only the Strong Survive. In 1978, they reunited on Philly International for the hit (I’m Just Thinkin’ About) Cooling Out. Patti LaBelle will also be on hand singing tribute songs to the songwriting producing team.

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.

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 and Film Events:

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

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

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 ::::::

What music mogul is breathing a sigh of relief now that his superstar girlfriend has a hit on her hands? He was being blamed for her career troubles. Now that she is back on top, maybe she will marry her long suffering boyfriend.

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

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