Whitney Houston should retire

Whitney Houston turned in another horrible live performance, this time in Brisbane, Australia. Reportedly, Whitney's voice cracked and she couldn't hit the high notes.  She ended up bringing out her brother to sing the high parts and stood there guzzling from water bottles when she should have been performing; angry Australian fans walked out of the concert in droves.  Given Whitney's string of poor performances at her Central Park debut, on the Oprah show (where she barely talked let along sung anything), Dancing With the Stars, and so on.  Despite Clive Davis' massive investment of time, money, and faith, I think it's safe to say her voice is cracked out.  She should just retire before she does any more damage to her reputation.  I hope it was worth it Whitney! Still love ya hon!

That just SOUNDS nasty!

Word is Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian are considering launching a unisex fragrance entitled "Bush-Tush".  I don't think I wanna smell like that...isn't that why we take showers?

Ocho Cinco is now a rapper

Cincinnatti Bengals' Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco Hachi Go debuted his first rap single "Dat Ain't My Baby" at LeBron James' party in Miami this past weekend.

Big Brother will be watching Sisqo unleash the dragon

Sisqo will star on Big Brother UK along with Stephen Baldwin, Heidi Fleiss, and Vinnie Jones.  He might not get to see his paycheck, though, if Jamila Farid has any say.  Last year Jamila accused Sisqo of fathering her 10-year-old son; Jamila claims she had a one -night-stand with the singer in Switzerland when she was only 14-years-old

I'm sorry but we cannot make you America's Next Top Talk Show Host

After five years on the air with the Tyra Banks Show, talk show host, model, actress, and producer Tyra Banks has announced she will retire next Spring.  Tyra's retirement comes as a surprise to some who thought she would be strategically planner her next moves in the wake of Oprah's announced retirement.  Tyra says she wants to focus on film and tv development deals, while others say she wants to devote more time to starting a family.  We wish her the best of luck.

Act like a lady, think like a man who is looking for his next wife

In addition to serving as a correspondent for Good Morning America, Steve Harvey has been tapped to serve as a relationship columnist for Essence Magazine. His relationship advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man spent many weeks at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. All of this is very ironic considering Harvey has been married three times. His second marriage ended in a very messy divorce including claims Harvey denied his wife and son adequate support funds, that he abandoned some of his children, he neglected his son, and allegations he physically abused his ex-wife. It was reported Harvey refused to pay his ex- any more than $1000 a month in child support, and that he attempted to defaud her of her share of the business ventures they undertook together during their 10 year marriage.

You can read the original report in the Smoking Gun here.

If you would like to contact Essence Magazine to discuss their editorial choices, here is their information:

ESSENCE

135 West 50th Street

4th Floor

New York, NY 10020

Phone: (212) 522-1212

Fax: (212) 997-6811

Eat 'em up with a spoon

If you go cuckoo for Coco's puffs, then this is for you. Ice-T's bottom b*tch Coco announced the launch of her new line of jeans, Licious, via her Twitter page @Cocosworld. Do they come with a tube of Monistat?

Chat about "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" Premiere

"The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" reality tv show premiered last night on A & E. I did a live chat with a few people. Here is an excerpt of my comments on the show:

The show began with all 4 brothers (Randy refuses to participate) talking about their family and the show. It opened with Michael's singing in the Jackson 5, so I already had a tear in my eye. They showed a lot of old pictures of them when they were children. They were all very handsome boys!

The show quickly devolved into a bit of showboating. Jermaine wanted to address jealousy issues. In doing so he made a remark about Michael's success being due to the Jackson 5 so how could they be jealous of him? He spoke as if there were no Jackson 5 there would have been no Michael. I just sucked my teeth at the tv. MJ's success was because of MJ. Yes, he started out with his brothers, but it was apparent from DAY 1 he was the star of the show. He went on to be a supernova.

"I am so anxious about them showing the golden casket. I don't think I can take it."

"Tito's sons are cute! That next generation is really going to get a leg up by being on this show. I know T3 is already big in Europe thanks to Michael's help and guidance, but they are largely unknown in the States. I hope that changes for them, if that's what they want."

"Jermaine is trying to take over and make decisions for the group, but I don't think Jermaine is the leader here. He wants to be, but didn't you catch that little blurb where one of the brothers said Jermaine would sing all the parts if they let him? They are aware of his ego and are finally straining against it. "It's time for some new Jackson blood. It's time for Tito."" It's funny to hear them talking smack about standing up to Jackie now. He's STILL the father figure.

Tito got frustrated trying to produce their album. He told them, "you guys sound like the Supremes instead of the Jacksons" to which one of them replied, "Tito is a pain in the a$$." the brothers did NOT work well in the studio. I think Michael really got frustrated with them and their work ethic, that's why he stopped performing with them. These negroes actually ERASED a song in the studio after a day of recording! Isn't it amazing how Michael almost didn't even get a chance to be in the group? What a shame they didn't have more confidence in LaToya and Rebbie. Rebbie can really SING and LaToya isn't bad herself. Of course, Janet eventually became a star, but they really poo pooed her talent for a long time.

Of course we all knew they would have plenty of footage of Jermaine emoting, praying, and talking with mama.

Two of the brothers went back to Gary, Indiana to try and get their mojo back. The town was very welcoming. They showed footage of their old family home which now stands empty as a memorial. I would like to see them build a proper memorial in Gary for Michael, since Neverland doesn't seem to be an option. I'll write about my frustrations with Neverland another time.

Tito wasn't the only one getting frustrated with the brothers. One of the nephews, Siggy just cussed out his uncles. How disrespectful. Joe would have had that a$$ on the ground before that spit finished flying out of his mouth. Jermaine cried a few more times. He really seemed kind of whiny this show. I found myself askinf if there was even water coming out of his eyes? Jermaine stop whining. The brothers did what was best for the group when they left Motown. Jermaine was being selfish wanting them to stay with Motown when Berry wouldn't let them have any creative control. The brothers had a touching moment when they tried to make him feel better. the revealed Michael cried many times before going on stage because Jermaine wasn't there with them. He was so sensitive and kindhearted.

I began to cry when Jackie started crying. This was my favorite quote from the entire show: Jackie spoke about being a pallbearer for Michael, "If I had to carry him for 100 miles, I would do it." I got angry when Marlon said, "I don't think people would ever understand the loss of a brother as opposed to losing a pop star"
I disagree. Many people have lost siblings and loved ones and know just how much it hurt. I guess it never occurred to him that some of us may even love him MORE. We don't have all the baggage, all the rivalry. The way he touched my life....
I like what Jermaine said, "I really don't think this Earth was ready for him..."
Jackie: "I'm not afraid of dying now.."

The brothers revealed they have been bullied into going ahead with a planned series of concerts before they are emotionally ready to move on from Michael's death. How can he tell you when you're done mourning? Not only are they not ready emotionally, their singing and dancing isn't up to par. They need more than 2 months to get ready...try 2 years! Even their attorney Virgil and producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis told them things won't be the same without Michael. "Your brother was the biggest star in the world...", said Virgil. Terry Lewis told them,"the only problem we have now is we don't have Michael as part of the sound. It was the Jackson 5 not the Jackson 4." Right on. Who do they think is going to sing all Michael's parts? Jermaine? (I'm sure that's what he's thinking.) It just feels so empty without MJ.
Interesting they are going to JJ and TL to produce them. Those 2 chose to work with Michael back in the day over Jermaine and he was pissed about it. They also made a huge star out of Janet. Why don't the bros get some advice from Janet?

There were some other good moments in the show, such as the black eye/pink eye segment. You'll have to watch to know what I mean. All in all, it was a good 2 hours. Jackson Family Values airs Sunday nights at 10pm Eastern on A&E.

Timbaland is helping Brandy reinvent herself

Music producer Timbaland is helping 90's R&B singing sensation Brandy reinvent her image. Brandy recently unveiled her hip hop alter ego Bran' Nu during a concert with Timbaland in Miami on Sunday at his album release party. Bran'Nu appears on the Timbaland cut "Meet In Tha Middle" off his new album Shock Value II. Their professional relationship is not new. Timbaland produced several tracks off her 2004 album Afrodisiac. This time around, he saw some videos Brandy posted on YouTube of her rapping and invited her to join him on his album. After working together in the studio, Timbaland rechristened her Bran'Nue and floated the idea of signing her to his label. Brandy told MTV, "He really just allowed me to be as free as I wanted to be," she said. "I wrote my own verses, just anything I did I wrote myself. And it was a great experience...It feels like this is what I'm supposed to do."

Will Smith's daughter got Rihanna's haircut

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter Willow sported a Rihanna-inspired haircut Friday at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway. 9-year-old Willow appeared at the concert to introduce Chines pianist Lang Lang in Mandarin. If you are wondering what the Smith's were doing at the concert, you are not alone. I am supposing the trip was their reward for being such staunch supporters of the Obamas during last year's campaign. Now, Willow and her brother Jaden have appeared in a handful of movies, usually with their father Will, but sometimes alone. What do you all think: is it wrong for them to put their children out there like that?

S. Africa says no; they want JHud to go

South African actors want to stop Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson from playing former South African President Nelson Mandela's wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in a new film. Members of the film union say casting a foreigner in such a large role undermines efforts to develop the national fim industry. The film will be directed by South African film-maker Darrell J. Roodt, whose films include "Cry, The Beloved Country" and "Sarafina."

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela continued her husband's political activism during his 27-year stint as a political prisoner and campaigned tirelessly for his release. She separated from Nelson Mandela in 1992, two years after his release from prison. Her image was tarnished by a series of scandals including her links to the kidnap and murder of a young activist and a 2003 conviction for fraud.

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Marion Jones wants to play ball

Track star Marion Jones wants to try a career switch following her release from federal prison on doping charges. Jones is considering a run in the WNBA saying, “I thought it would be an interesting journey if I decided to do this… It would give me an opportunity to get a second chance. I think I can be an asset to a franchise, so…why not?”

This movie was released on October 16

Janky Promoters starring Ice Cube, Mike Epps and Young Jeezy is the story of two club promoters trying to book Young Jeezy. The DVD was released this past Tuesday.

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Katie Couric Heard Some DooDoo Brown

So many captions come to mind for these pictures: al roker dance school, drop it like its hot, from the windows to the walls, it takes two to make the thing go whiite, junk in the trunk, and you're kidding right?

The Memphis Grizzlies announced yesterday that the strained one-year contract with 10-time All-Star and former league MVP Allen Iverson has ended after he played only three games. After the AP quoted owner Michael Heisley last week saying the team would "gladly" trade Iverson if a better prospect came along, The Grizzlies insist Iverson's departure is a mutual decision. He officially began an indefinite leave of absence on Nov. 7 to deal with "a personal issue".

General Manager chris Wallace released a statement saying, “Because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team on November 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time, allowing him to focus on those matters. As a result, we will be ending our contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties to move forward. We wish Allen the best.”

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Derek Jeter homeless...

on Coney Island in a cameo role in Marky Mark's and Will Ferrell's new film 'The Other Guys'

Solange splits from Interscope....

Though Solange has been currently recording new music for her third solo CD, that music is being recorded independently as she has yet to ink a new deal with another label.

Solange's peoples, Music World Entertainment made the following comment:
“Solange felt it necessary to go with a smaller, independent label that focuses more on the alternative genre, one that reflects her music style and artistry. Solange is working on a new album and the label will be announced shortly. The relationship with Interscope is excellent and the current album, ‘Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams’ is still being worked through the Music World/ Interscope joint venture with consistent weekly sales.”

The Real Housewives still won't get rich

NBC is planning to syndicate all of its Real Housewives franchises in the Fall of 2010, but it won't benefit the ladies of the ATL. Their contract stipulates they are on a reality show as opposed to scripted programming and thus cannot receive royalties from any episodes in syndication.

Sherri Shepherd doesn't believe in evolution

Rhodes Scholar and panelist on The View Sherri Shepherd doesn't believe in evolution, not in the least bit. She also doesn't believe the world is round. It is really sobering to be confronted head on with the failures of our educational system...