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Good news for Natalie Cole. She received a kidney transplant this week. Cole
had been on dialysis three times a week after her kidneys failed following
her treatment for Hepatitis C. Cole’s publicist says she’ll postpone her
summer tour while she recovers.
The King family drama continues. Why can’t Dexter, Martin, III and Bernice
get along, and why are they fighting in the first place? The children of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King are out of control. At this
point, the fighting has gone public. Can someone get these three together?
Where is Jesse Jackson or Reverend Al? The latest drama involves a big
screen movie that Steven Spielberg wants to produce about the life of Dr.
King. Spielberg has the permission of The King Foundation, which Dexter
heads up, but Martin, III and Bernice say they will sue Spielberg and
DreamWorks Studios if they proceed with this project. It all boils down to
money. I wish they would get it together. This is so embarrassing for the
legacy of their parents.
Alicia Keys….. the other woman? Apparently so. Keys has always been
notoriously quiet about her private life, but now she has hooked up with a
man who wants the world to know she cooks him breakfast naked. Yes, in a new
song, Producer Swizz Beats talks about his love for Keys and revealed this
surprising tidbit. I sure hope she’s not fryin’ up bacon in a pan. Swizz
Beats is an award-winning producer who is currently going through a nasty
divorce with his wife. The wife, R&B Singer Mashonda who Beats has a son
with, is not going away quietly. She says if her husband wants to have a
life with Keys, he is going to have to pay her to go away. So what does Keys
has to say? So far she has been quiet, but I’m sure her record company is
not pleased that their star is caught up in some home-wrecking mess….hmmmmmmmmm!
Will Chris Brown be joining Michael Jackson for his London concert series?
It could happen since Brown looks to revive his career after the Rihanna
drama. The King Of Pop continues to make headlines leading up to the London
shows in July. In a meeting last week with his father, Jackson made it clear
his brothers were not welcome to join him for his concert series. Jackson
says this about him and not the family. Papa Joe was begging Michael to
include his brothers. Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine Tito and Randy could all use
the exposure and the money, but Michael said no. He won’t even allow Janet
to participate. Papa Joe tried all the tricks, even saying it would make his
mother Katherine so happy to see her children come together while she is
alive. Michael’s response: No. The family is likely getting sued because
someone signed an agreement for the family to do a reunion concert in 2012.
Michael’s response was to please leave him alone. Dang Michael!
Speaking of the Jacksons, Janet will forever be immortalized by boyfriend
Jermaine Dupri. For her 43rd birthday, he got a tattoo of her on the right
side of his body. Do you think she would do the same for him? Just asking
-(smile).
Wanda Sykes is a new mommy. Sykes and her wife recently welcomed twin girls
to their family. Sykes says she is excited about the expansion of her
family. Despite the uproar she caused at the White House Correspondence
Dinner, Sykes says the FOX network is fully committed to her Saturday, late
night show, which kicks off in the fall.
The Real Housewives Of Atlanta is set to return to the Bravo network this
summer, and the ladies will be armed with money. I hear the ladies are being
paid close to $200,000 for the second season, and this does not include
their numerous personal appearances.
Basketball Star turned Jazz Musician Wayman Tisdale died last week. Tisdale,
44, had been battling cancer for the past two years. Last year, he had his
right leg amputated in hopes of stopping the cancer. Tisdale played three
years at Oklahoma, and 12 years in the NBA, with stints in Indiana,
Sacramento and Phoenix. When he left the NBA, he returned to his first love,
music. He released eight albums as a jazz bassist. Tisdale is survived by
his wife Regina and four kids.
This fall, Comedian Chris Rock will be releasing his hair documentary simply
titled Hair. Rock goes behind the scenes and brings us the story behind our
fascination with hair. Rock traveled all over the world conducting
interviews with everyone involved with the hair business.
When will Jennifer Hudson admit the truth, and why is she mad at Essence
magazine? She is currently on the cover, but she doesn’t appear to be happy
with the story. She has also resumed her tour with Robin Thicke, and she is
now sitting down throughout the concert and wearing flats. She is getting
bigger and bigger. At this point, it’s like the elephant in the room. Admit
it! You’re pregnant! What’s the big deal, and why are you being so
secretive? Hudson is due to get married this summer to reality star turned
wrestler David Otunga.
Sherri Shepherd is turning into the hardest working woman in show business.
Shepherd has just signed a deal with the Lifetime network for a new show.
The show, Sherri, will be loosely based on her life. Shepherd has often
talked about how her husband cheated on her and got his mistress pregnant.
Well, in the show, the girlfriend and baby move in with Shepherd. Shepherd
will also be featured in the new Lee Daniels’ movie Precious, which comes
out this fall. She will also continue her hosting duties on The View.
Speaking of Lee Daniels, guess who was the real star of the Cannes Film
Festival? Apparently, it was Mariah Carey, along with her diamonds and her
ego. Carey was there with Lee Daniels promoting their movie Precious. Carey
goes ugly for this role as a counselor helping a troubled young girl. You
gotta see the trailer. Anywho, back at Cannes Film Festival, Carey had on
five million dollars worth of jewelry. Sources say her ego was a little out
of control. Carey had hubby Nick Cannon in tow, and they had their airs on.
Happy anniversary to The Cosby Show! Bill Cosby’s family sitcom remains the
most watched series in TV history and marks its 25th anniversary this year
with a special DVD box set, which is in stores now. It’s also the 20th
anniversary of the movie Do The Right Thing. On June 20th, the Oscar
nominated movie is being re-released on High-Def, Blu-ray and DVD. The new
release will feature deleted and extended scenes, plus commentary from
Writer-Director Spike Lee.
At the movies this week, two generations of the Wayans family spoof the
teenage music films with Dance Flick. Keenen, Shawn and Marlon co-wrote the
film, which stars Damon Wayans, Jr.
The CW network has cancelled the TV show The Game. The cast had hoped it
would be spared, but the show is no more.
Whatever happened to Singer Michel’le? Well, she is currently suing her
ex-husband, Record Mogul Suge Knight. They have a child together, and she
has gone to court seeking spousal and child support payments. Michel’le is
best known for her hit songs No More Lies and Something In My Heart.
Michel’le also used to date Knight’s former business partner, Dr. Dre.
Congrats to Smokey Robinson! The legendary singer/songwriter is being
honored at The 22nd Annual Rhythm And Soul Awards. Robinson is getting The
Heritage Award. Previous winners include Earth Wind & Fire and Bill Withers.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Kirstie Alley talked about her
recent battle with the bulge, and how she has the hots for Jamie Foxx. Alley
proclaimed, I Would Love To Have A Booty Call With Him. I wonder how Foxx
feels about this. He is currently planning a music tour. Check out his tour
here.
Vanessa Williams is hard at work on a new CD. The Ugly Betty Star says her
new CD, The Real Thing, is a collection of songs with a jazz and Latin
flavor.
Shaq has gone back to school. Shaquille O’Neal is preparing for life after
basketball. He is currently enrolled in classes at Syracuse University,
where he is studying how to be a sportscaster and commentator. Shaq is no
stranger to the cameras with his TV commercials and acting roles. He has a
great personality, so it’s just a natural next step for him.
Lil’ Kim needs a publisher for her new tell-all book. Kim reveals all about
what led to her stint in a federal prison, and how she went from jail to
Dancing With The Stars. The book is called The Price Of Loyalty. Kim served
a sentence at a federal facility in Philadelphia for committing perjury
involving a shooting in Manhattan a few years ago.
The TV One network is gearing up for the second season of its popular
documentary series Unsung. The series features well known singers, and the
real story behind their rise and fall. The second installment of the series
kicks off June 7th, and will feature Melba Moore, Minnie Riperton, Shalamar
and Florence Ballard of The Supremes.
Get Ready for the latest DeBarge music sensation. 19-year old Kristina
DeBarge is the daughter of James DeBarge, and she just released a new album.
Lionel Richie is back with a new CD. Just Go is the title, and he’s also
featured on the new issue of Jet magazine. Lionel says he is always asked
about a Commodores reunion. He says the guys are talking about it, and it
will happen.
LL Cool J is coming to a TV near you this fall. His new cop drama, a spinoff
of the NCIS series debuts on CBS.
Jamie Foxx will be hosting The 2009 BET Awards. The show airs June 28th on
BET. Beyonce is scheduled to perform, and The O’Jays are getting a lifetime
achievement award. Ne-Yo and Maxwell are also scheduled to perform.
Look for the latest Tyler Perry movie, Madea Goes To Jail, on DVD when it
comes out June 16th.
Teena Marie’s latest CD, Congo Square, arrives in stores on June 9th. Check
out Teena Marie this year at The West Oak Lane Jazz And Arts Festival. Teena
Marie and The Whispers were just added to the lineup. It all takes place
June 19th -21st on Ogontz Avenue, between 70th and 74th.
Beyonce is releasing a new video anthology based on her CD I Am….Sasha
Fierce. Wal-Mart is carrying it exclusively starting June 16th.
Tavis Smiley is coming out with a new documentary called Stand, which
arrives in stores on May 25th. The Stand documentary is a road trip
featuring Smiley and ten of his friends, including Dr. Cornel West, Dr.
Michael Eric Dyson and BeBe Winans, to name a few.
Get ready for the Neely’s. Pat and Gina Neely, from the Food Network show
Down Home With The Neelys, have a new cookbook out filled with delicious
recipes. Down Home With The Neelys is available in bookstores now.
Check out who’s coming to Good Morning America: Lionel Richie on May 29th,
John Legend on June 5th, Jamie Foxx on June 19th and Queen Latifah on July
10th.
Singer Will Downing is marking his 20th anniversary in the music business
with a new release called Classique. The album, his 14th, arrives in stores
on June 16th. The new CD will feature Downing recording some classics
including David Ruffin’s Statue Of A Fool and Barry White’s I’m Gonna Love
You Just A Little Bit More. Downing says he’s excited about the project, and
his health has been progressing since being diagnosed with the muscle
disorder Polymyositis.
Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson will be appearing in a new ABC money
special called Unbroke. Unbroke is everything you need to know about money,
credit cards, mortgages, the stock market and investing. The special airs
May 29th on ABC.
Gladys Knight is coming out with a jewelry line. The singer/actress and
business woman is exited about her new venture. The Gladys Knight Jewelry
Line will be sold at major department stores and through The Home Shopping
Network. The Gladys Knight Jewelry Line debuts in December. Also check her
out in the new Tyler Perry Madea movie I Can Do Bad All By Myself, which
opens in theatres in September.
The Norman Lear Collection, a boxed DVD set, is coming out on June 9th.
Norman Lear is the famed producer behind the TV classics The Jeffersons,
Good Times, All In The Family, Maude and Sanford & Son to name a few. The
first seasons of those and other Lear classics will be included in the set.
Denzel Washington’s new movie, with John Travolta and James Gandolfini, The
Taking Of Pelham 1, 2, 3 hits theatres on June 12th. We have the exclusive
trailer on our website at wdasfm.com. Just go to Patty’s Page and check it
out. Let me know what you think. I can’t wait to see it. It’s a remake of
the 70’s action thriller, which originally starred Walter Matthau, about a
trio of bad guys who take a New York subway care hostage. We also have the
exclusive trailer of the new Lee Daniels’ movie Precious. The movie stars
Mo’Nique and Mariah Carey, and is due out this fall. The trailer is
powerful. This is another must see for me. Check both these movie trailers
out on line at wdasfm.com under Patty’s page.
The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in
New Orleans. Beyonce, John Legend, Eric Benet, Robin Thicke, Anita Baker,
Bill Cosby and Maxwell are all on the bill. There will also be seminars
featuring Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin. Plus, there’ll be an
all-star tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.
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