Patty Jackson Weekly 411 courtesy 2 Down Front Entertainment

PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1
WEEK ENDING: February 19th, 2010

Dr. Phil, can you help us? The Holyfields are looking to save their marriage, and they need Dr. Phil. Last week, Boxer Evander Holyfield got into a scuffle with his wife Candi. She put a restraining order out on him when he went upside her head. Mrs. Holyfield was complaining about the lack of heat in their Atlanta mansion. He told her if she were a better tither, they would be blessed with heat (Tithing is when you give ten percent of your earnings to the church). It’s no secret that Evander has given millions to the Creflo Dollar Ministries, but, as of yet, he hasn’t gotten any blessings. He has no heat in his home, and he is behind on his child support payments. He has 11 children, two with current wife Candi. Evander realizes he has to work on his marriage. His wife has dropped the restraining order, and now they are seeking the help of Dr. Phil. Can Dr. Phil save this marriage? Holyfield is also gearing up for his next fight this April in Las Vegas.

Author Terry McMillan is making a comeback. It’s been 15 years since Waiting To Exhale, and she’s working on a sequel. All the original characters will be back in the new book Getting To Happy, which arrives in bookstores in September.

Basketball Great Magic Johnson is in discussions to buy Ebony magazine. The heritage magazine has been experiencing financial difficulties over the past few years, and now the 50-year old basketball great is coming to the rescue. The talks are in the early stages with Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has holdings in Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness and TGI Fridays. Another basketball great, Michael Jordan, is making big business moves. Could the greatest player of our generation become the new owner of the Charlotte Bobcats? The team is now owned by Bob Johnson, who used to own the BET network. Johnson brought the team for $300 million, but has yet to make a profit. The deal could happen in the next two months.

Matthew Knowles has been ordered to pay up. Knowles is the proud father of Beyonce, and his mistress/jumpoff just had a baby boy a few weeks ago named Nixon. Knowles is going to take a paternity tests in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, he has to pay his former jumpoff $9,000 a month and the baby’s medical expenses. Alexsandra Wright and Knowles had an 18-month relationship. The affair has cost Knowles more than money. His wife of 29 years, Tina, left him and has filed for divorce.

L.A. Lakers Star Kobe Bryant is the cover guy for the new issue of G.Q. magazine. Bryant looks stunning in his Dolce And Gabbana suit. The 31-year old basketball great talks about his career as an 11-time allstar and a 4-time world champion, making $23 million a year. He also talks about his marriage to his wife Vanessa, the scandal, the infidelity, the gossip, raising two daughters and his repaired relationship with his parents. He also says he regrets his feud with Shaquille O’Neal admitting he should have ignored all the trash talk.

My boss is dating my ex! Tension is high on the set of the TV talker The View. The show’s boss, Barbara Walters, has found love. The 81-year old TV legend is dating 73-year old Actor Frank Langella, and he’s a former boyfriend of Whoopi Goldberg. On the surface, Goldberg says she could care less, but insiders say she is seething. Langella was one of her true loves, and she can’t believe he would take up with Walters, who is her boss and co-star on the show. Goldberg has been careful with her words and attitudes because she is enjoying tremendous success with The View. Walters in the meantime has never been happier. For the first time in her life, she is taking time to smell the roses. Word has it she and Langella are living together. Langella is best known for his work in the movie Frost/Nixon and the 1979 film version of Dracula.

Radio/TV Personality Bo Griffin has died. The 51-year old media personality worked for the Game Show Network, and was about to sign on for a new gig with the entertainment magazine show Extra. Griffin also had a successful career in radio. I met her once years ago in Florida, and I’m glad I had the chance to tell her I admired her career. Griffin passed away after a brief battle with intestinal cancer.

Former Washington D.C Mayor Marion Barry is in trouble again. The 73-year old former mayor has been accused of corruption. Barry allegedly took out a $15,000 contract for his ex-girlfriend to help her pay her bills, and he reportedly took a cut for himself. He is known for the drugs and failing to pay local and federal taxes, but this is the first time he has been accused of taking taxpayers’ money. Last year, HBO debuted a special on the rise and fall and comeback of the embattled ex-mayor. At one time, he was one of the most admired and respected politicians of his time.

Get ready for a new reality show featuring three beauties. Actress Elise Neal (The Hughleys, All Of Us), Claudia Jordan (Deal Or No Deal) and Melyssa Ford (video vixen) are teaming up for the new reality show Single, Sexy & Starving.

When Jay Leno returns to The Tonight Show on March 1st, don’t look for Bandleader Kevin Eubanks to stay long. The Philadelphia native says he wants a change, so he won’t be returning to the show. He says he is ready to pass the baton to someone else.

Jermaine Jackson says get ready for a new Jacksons’ album. Jermaine says he, Randy, Marlon and Tito (where’s Jackie?!!!) are getting ready to release a new CD and go on a world tour. When asked about The Jackson Family reality show on the A&E network, Jermaine says they are still thinking about doing another season. But, now it’s time to hit the road and give the fans what they want…. a Jackson Five reunion.

Earth, Wind & Fire will be getting inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Maurice White, Philip Bailey and Verdine White will be on hand for the ceremonies in June. Songwriters David Foster and Leonard Cohen will also be inducted.

Our prayers go out to Allen Iverson and his family. His three-year old daughter Messiah has been sick. The star player for the Philadelphia 76ers has been dealing with his family crisis for the past few weeks.

Nick Cannon is proving that he is more than just Mr. Mariah Carey. Cannon, 29, is turning out to be one of the hardest working men in show business. He now hosts a daily talk radio show in addition to his summer hosting duties on America’s Got Talent. He also has several development deals in the works. Cannon’s career started on Nickelodeon with The Kenan and Kel Show and the show All That. He also did a star turn in the movie Drumline. What’s next for Cannon? The sky is the limit for the young star. Meanwhile, his wife Mariah Carey needs a career recharge. Her shows are not selling out, and her latest album flopped. She was very good in the movie Precious, but her drunk behavior at awards shows has harmed her because no one wants to take her seriously. Mariah needs to stop drinking the bubbly and get back to singing….. real singing…. not whispering over hip hop beats.

More money problems for Flavor Flav, he owes over $63,000 in child support. The former rap star has made a name for himself with reality shows, and he is currently working on two new projects for VH1.

LisaRaye-McCoy, the former First Lady Of The Turks And Caicos Islands, is the March cover girl for Upscale magazine. LisaRaye is gearing up for her new reality show The Real McCoy, which debuts on TV One this spring.

Janet Jackson is gearing up for the promo tour for the latest Tyler Perry movie Why Did I Get Married Too. She is doing a song called Nothing for the soundtrack. Jermaine Dupri produced it. Janet will hit the road to promote the movie, which also stars Jill Scott and Tasha Smith, and of course Tyler Perry. Oscar Winner Louis Gossett, Jr. is also in the movie. Gossett recently revealed that he has been battling prostate cancer. He says early detection saved his life. Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too opens in theatres Easter weekend (April 2nd).

Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson looks amazing. Her new workout program is winning her kudos. She does a lot of walking and watches what she eats. The new mommy has lost 60 pounds so far. This spring, she heads to South Africa to start work on the movie based on the life of Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Lionel Richie’s daughter is getting married. Nicole Richie recently announced her engagement to Rocker Joel Madden. They have been together three years and have two children. A summer wedding is planned with Lionel preparing some special songs for his oldest daughter.
Oscar Nominee Gabby Sidibe is the March cover girl for Ebony magazine.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are on the new issue of Essence magazine .The March issue kicks off their education series.
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Sade’s new album, Soldier Of Love, is the number one album in the country. She’ll be announcing her U.S. tour dates soon. Sade says the key to her success is that she’s not trendy. For the past two years, she has working on this album. She says she enjoys her private life raising her teenage daughter with her boyfriend and his teenage son.

The Academy Awards air March 7th on ABC. The Lee Daniels movie Precious is up for six awards. Gabby Sidibe, who plays “Precious,” is up for Best Actress. Mo’Nique, who has already won Golden Globe and SAG Awards, is up for Best Supporting Actress. Can she make it a three-peat? Precious is up for Best Picture, and Lee Daniels is also nominated for Best Director. In other Academy news, Morgan Freeman is up for his lead role in Invictus where he played Nelson Mandela. In other Precious news, the DVD of the movie comes out March 9th.

In other Mo’Nique news, she’s coming to town. Yes! Mo’ is bringing her Spread The Love comedy tour to Philly. Mo’Nique says she wants to return to her first love, standup comedy, for a quick tour. She’s going to take a quick break from her late night talk show on BET to hit the road. Mo’ will be here Friday, May 21st at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Vogue Editor At Large Andre Leon Talley is set to make his debut as a judge on the 14th cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Talley will be replacing Miss J. The new season kicks off March 10th

Toni Braxton has pushed back the date of her latest album Pulse. The album’s new release date is March 2nd. Braxton is currently in talks with the Bravo network about doing a reality show with her sisters.

Get ready for the return of Dru Hill. Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and newcomer Tao. Their new album, IndDRUpendence, arrives in stores April 13th. Dru Hill is also ready to debut their new reality show Sweat’s Platinum House, which will be produced by Keith Sweat and air on BET’s Centric channel.

On February 26th, it’s Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in the movie Cop Out.

On March 5th- It’s the return of Wesley Snipes in the cop drama Brooklyn’s Finest. The movie also stars Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke.

Hot new DVD releases include Law Abiding Citizen with Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler, the Chris Rock hair documentary Good Hair and Black Dynamite, the spoof on Blaxpoitation movies, starring Michael Jai White and Arsenio Hall.

Will Celebrity Apprentice help this funny man get out of debt? Actor/Comedian Sinbad is having serious financial problems, and he is going to be a part of the new season of Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. The show will also feature Holly Robinson Peete, and kicks off March 14th on NBC.

The NAACP Image Awards air on February 26th on FOX. The Lee Daniels’ movie Precious is leading the pack with 8 nominations. Singer Maxwell leads all entertainers with five nominations. Wyclef Jean will be getting the prestigious Vanguard Award.

Big Daddy Aaron McCargo, Jr. from the Food Network is working on a cookbook. The book is due out this fall. You can catch Big Daddy’s House on the Food Network every Sunday at 1:30pm, and the 4th season kicks off in March.

Philadelphia’s own Bill Cosby will be the 2010 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. The Marian Anderson Award is an honor that salutes artists whose leadership benefits society. The awards ceremony takes place April 6th at the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce. Past winners include Danny Glover, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones.

The new version of the Karate Kid hits theatres next summer with Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan.

Chris Rock teams up with Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death At A Funeral. The movie opens in theatres April 16th. The comedy also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover. I have the trailer on my page, Patty’s page, at wdasfm.com. Check it out. It’s very funny.