Patty Jackson 411 courtesy 2 Down Front Entertainment

PATTY JACKSON'S 4-1-1
WEEK ENDING: October 29th, 2010

The top earning dead celebrity of the year is….. Michael Jackson! The King Of Pop’s estate took in $285 million via deals, publishing, movies, CD’s and DVD’s. Despite the millions earned from the estate, the Jackson family is at odds over money. The main money is controlled by the Jackson Estate. Katherine and Joe Jackson recently did a sit down with Oprah Winfrey that will air in November. Mom Katherine is set to reveal that she does not get any money from the Jackson estate. She tells Oprah she gets money from Janet. Mom Katherine has custody of Michael’s three kids. Mom Katherine and Joe Jackson are planning a concert under The Jackson Family Foundation to raise funds to pay off Michael’s debts. For the record, Michael’s debts are being paid off by the Jackson Estate, and Mom Katherine gets an allowance every month to take of the kids and live comfortably. Why she would make these claims is anyone’s guess. Joe Jackson is still running things in her life and is obviously putting her up to making these claims. Randy and Rebbie Jackson have distanced themselves from this project saying they’ll have nothing to do with this. At this point, it’s all about the money, and the money issues are tearing the family apart.

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In other Jackson news, Rebbie’s 24-year old son, Austin Brown, is set to release his new CD, which is being produced by Rodney Jerkins. Janet Jackson shoots down rumors that she is engaged to her rich Arabian boyfriend. Janet is on the cover of the new issue of Jet magazine. She is promoting her new Tyler Perry movie For Colored Girls. Janet also has a new fitness and wellness book coming out in January.

Speaking of Tyler Perry, he is set to release his movie For Colored Girls on November 5^th. The all-star cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and Macy Gray. Early critiques of the movie have not been good. The movie was released early for Oscar consideration, but the West Coast critics have not been kind. One reviewer called the movie a train wreck, and another said the movie was beyond his reach. For the record, critics have never been crazy about Perry’s movies. We will have to judge for ourselves. Another point of criticism is the lack of positive black male characters in the movies, but Perry stated that he strived to create a balance with the character Hill Harper is playing. Perry has a lot riding on this movie as he continues to expand his movie career. This was not an easy project, but he knew he was up for the challenge.

In more Tyler news, his newest project will involve The Rock, a.k.a. Actor Dwayne Johnson. In the movie, Take My Wife, Perry plays a divorced man who doesn’t want to pay alimony to his ex-wife so he goes about finding her a new husband. When he finds the perfect suitor for his ex, he realizes he still loves his wife and wants her back.

In other Oprah news, she has signed on to do a movie with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. The Mighty O is wrapping up her 25^th and final season of her legendary daytime talker. During the month of November, her special guests will include President George Bush, promoting his new book Decision Points, on November 9^th and Barbara Streisand on the 16^th.

Don't miss Tyler Perry's new movie, For Colored Girls opening on November 5^th.

Mariah Carey is going to be a mommy! I have been saying it for months, but now she is finally admitting it. She is between four and six months pregnant. She had in vitro fertilization by hubby Nick Cannon. Carey, 40, is superstitious, and that’s why she has been quiet. I hear it’s going to be a boy. Carey will be promoting her new holiday album, which features a duet with her mom. Carey’s mom Patricia is an accomplished opera singer, and she teams up with her daughter to do O Come All Ye Faithful. In the next few weeks, Carey will also visit Oprah. Carey will be with the ladies on The View and The Chelsea Handler Show. This should be interesting with Handler considering Handler has been feuding with Carey’s husband Nick Cannon.

Mom Tina Knowles says her daughter is not pregnant, and there will not be any kids anytime soon.

Former Olympic darling Marion Jones has released a book about her life and stay in prison. In the book, On The Right Track, Jones says she wishes she had never lied about her steroid use. Jones lost everything: her medals, her home and her reputation. Jones, 35, says at one point she was put in solitary confinement for fighting a female inmate. She says she feared for her life. Jones was in a federal prison for six months. She’ll be featured in an upcoming installment of ESPN’s documentary series 30 For 30. She is the mother of three kids, and she was recently a member of the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock.

Rapper/Actor T.I. will start his 11-month prison sentence on November 1^st. He’s scheduled to do a stint in Arkansas. T.I. broke the terms of his parole when he was arrested in early September for possession of a controlled substance. T.I. was stopped by California police who pulled him over for a traffic violation. The rapper was with his wife Tiny when a small amount of Ecstasy was found in their possession. T.I. has admitted to having a drug problem, but a judge ruled he must go back to jail.

It’s official! Allen Iverson is headed to Turkey to continue his basketball career. Iverson has signed a two year deal worth $4 million. Iverson, 35, could not secure a deal with the NBA.

The music world is mourning the loss of Music Pioneer Weldon A. McDougal, III who passed away last week at the age of 73. McDougal was the city’s first promoter of black music. He worked prominently with Motown and Philadelphia International Records. Many even credit him with helping Gladys Knight and Bobby Taylor bring The Jackson 5 to Motown. His reach varied from producing Barbara Mason’s million selling hit Yes, I’m Ready, working with Eddie Holman, helping sign Lou Rawls with Gamble and Huff and putting together Philly International Records’ house band MFSB’s original rhythm section.

Is New Edition getting back together without Michael Bivins? According to published reports, the guys are regrouping Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell and Ronnie Devoe. It’s hard to believe Bivins will not be part of the group, but the other guys need the money that would come from a tour. Speaking of Gill, he has a new album coming out on Valentine’s Day.

Prince has announced the dates for his new tour. Prince is starting with a series of shows in New York. Tickets are starting as low as $20. The lineup includes Sinbad, The New Power Generation, Maceo Parker, Sheila E, Janelle Monae, Mint Condition, Cassandra Wilson, Lalah Hathaway, Graham Central Station and Esperanza Spalding.