Wednesday Roundup

A source has told E News that the death of singer Whitney Houston has been ruled accidental. It's been determined that the singer died of no fault of anyone and a toxicology report may be available next week. In other Whitney Houston news, reportedly the film "Sparkle", which she had finished filming before he tragic death, is being heavily guarded to prevent any scenes from being leaked. The film will be released in August as scheduled. Another Whitney Houston rumor swirling is that singer Rihanna may play the singer in a biopic. Representatives say the rumor is false. A Miami judge has filed charges against singer Chris Brown in connection with an incident where the singer snatched a cell phone from a fan when she snapped his picture as he was leaving a Miami club. One of the potential charges could be snatch and grab. If convicted, Brown faces five years in prison. Bizarre of the Eminem backed Detroit rap group D12 announced during an interview with HipHopDX that he's left the group. He said it was creative differences and he believes it's time for him to branch out on his own. He also mentioned he's started a group of his own called FaygosandConey. The group will reportedly include Fury and Sonny Bonoho. He says it's the weirdo movement, letting people know it's fine to different. His debut album, "This Guy's A Weirdo" will hit store shelves on March 28. Believe that model Amber Rose knows what she's doing. Boyfriend Wiz Khalifa reportedly earns a staggering 100,000 per show, and according to Forbes magazine, the figure could double by the end of the year. He's certainly making waves in the industry. Miami Gardens police officers want to talk to rapper Rick Ross. He's not in any trouble at the moment, the police just want to question the Maybach Music CEO about a 40-year-old man who was found shot to death outside of Ross's Miami home. The man's body was found on the ground inside the gate toward the front of Ross's property. Officials say Ross was not home at the time, and have no idea if Ross has any connection to the murder of the man himself. So far, no comment from Ross. It's that time of year again. Hip hop magazine XXL has revealed it's annual "freshmen" of 2012, honoring fresh new talent poised to make a mark in the industry. The list has grown in popularity and garnered heated anticipation since it's introduction in 2007. The XXL Freshmen Class of 2012 is: Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Roscoe Dash, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin and Iggy Azalea. Fans can learn more about all of the promising up and comers when the April issue of XXL hits newsstands next month. The top 12 men performed for judges and votes on last night's "American Idol", and now the ladies take over tonight. Contestants will battle it out to see who goes on to the next round of competition. Tune in tonight. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "Survivor: One World" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

Are Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne together? The question has been asked after pictures of the two in a lip lock at the NBA All Star game over the weekend surfaced. The picture also show Weezy with a pair of diamond studded Beats By Dre headphones on. As fans know, although nothing is definite as of yet, the rapper is in talks to start his own clothing line soon. Whatever he does should be a treat for fans. More legal woes for rapper Jim Jones. After getting into a brawl with police at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on Friday, Jones was arrested again for driving with a suspended license. Reportedly, Jones was a passenger in a double-parked vehicle when officers approached the car and asked him to move it. Upon getting behind the wheel to move the automobile, officers were informed of the rapper's suspended license and moved in for an arrest. He was taken into custody without incident. With his lawyers already working on the case, Jones's representatives expect the case to be thrown out and corrected soon. A series of tweets from Willow Smith have some speculating whether the rumors regarding parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith divorcing are true. Adding fuel to the rumor mill fire is a tweet from brother Jaden. Both tweets are sad and have tongues hagging. Only time will tell what will happen next. Rapper Ja Rule is letting his prison stint to stop him from entertaining fans. His new release hits stores today. Here's hoping the rapper gets his live back on track soon. Not resting on his laurel since finding fame in the rap game, rapper Big Sean revealed in an interview with Bottleg Kev that he has collaborations with Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa on his upcoming sophomore album. He added that much like his breakout single "My Last" featuring Chris Brown, he has another inspirational single that will appeal to the masses. There's no word on when the album will hit store shelves, however. Songstress Whitney Houston graces the cover of the latest issue of Jet magazine. The magazine pays a touching tribute to the singer via photos are articles. Jet magazine is on newsstands now. The top thirteen men perform on Fox's "American Idol" tonight. The contestants will compete to go on to the next phase of the competition and anything can happen. The season is sure to be an exciting one for fans and is sure to be full of surprises. On DVD: "Hugo", "Justice League: Doom, Johnny English, Reborn" and "Enemies Of The People". The cast of season 14 of "Dancing With The Stars" has been revealed, and among the contestants are Gladys Knight and Jeleel White. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Last Man Standing" on ABC and "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The film "Act Of Valor" topped the weekend box office earning over $24 million. "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds", "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island", "Safe House" and "The Vow" round out the top five films of the week. Hollywood's biggest night took place last night as the 84th annual Academy Awards aired. Previous Oscar host Billy Crystal returned and kept the crowd in stitches with jokes. Among last night's winners are Meryl Streep, Best Actress, Octavia Spencer, Best Supporting Actress, Jean Dujardin, Best Actor, Brett McKenzie, Best Original Song, Asghar Farhadi, Best Director, among others. All in all, the show was one fans won't soon forget. Bad news for fans of the Atlanta rap group Outkast. During an interview with GQ magazine, Andre 3000 stated the rumors that the duo will be hitting the studio to work on a reunion album are not true. As previously mentioned, the duo were expected to sign a deal with Sony's Epic Records under new chairman LA Reid. Reid and the duo have a long history together, as Reid signed the pair when he was running LaFace Records. In the meantime, Andre went to say he's gotten a lot of calls over the past two years to collaborate with other artists and may plan a solo project as well. A release date for the album has not yet been released. Cable network BET's fashion show "Rip The Runway" just got hotter as rapper Lil Kim and British songstress Estelle have been added to the line up of stars scheduled to perform. The two will bring their signature styles and energy to the show which will include performances by Wale, Meek Mill, Diggy Simmons and B.o.B. While Lil Kim just released the track "If You Love Me" on Valentine's Day, Estelle is currently headlining BET's Music Matter Tour and will release her sophomore album, "All Of Me" tomorrow. Rip The Runway airs on BET on March 21 at 10 pm. In what was a surprise announcement, rapper Lil Wayne confirmed that Young Money/Cash Money Records has added metal band Limp Bizkit to it's roster of stars. The band's frontman, Fred Durst, confirmed the news on Twitter. The band reunited after a six-year hiatus for their sixth album, "Gold Cobra". There's no word on when the band's first release for the label will hit stores. In other Young Money/Cash Money news, Weezy also revealed that R&B singer Ashanti may join the label as well. Ashanti announced her own label partnership with E1 Entertainment two months ago. The label is certainly making moves in the industry. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelor" on ABC and "The Voice" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

Singer Chris Brown may be in legal trouble yet again. A woman has accused the singer of stealing her iPhone from her outside a Miami nightclub. Reportedly, the woman spotted Brown exiting the club, snapped a picture, after which Brown snatched the phone and told the woman she would not put it on the internet. If the allegation is true, it would be a violation of parole for Brown, although no warrant has been issued, and he hasn't been arrested. Stay tuned. If you think rapper DMX is a fan of modern artists Drake and Rick Ross, you'd be wrong. The Yonkers NY MC first stated that Jay Z tried to eliminate the competition after becoming president of X's former label, Def Jam, and that Ross just talks about money and food. Of Drake, he says nothing about the Young Money Entertainment artist impresses him. The Dark Man X is slated to release his first studio album in six years, "Undisputed" in March. It's been announced that singers Brandy and Monica will embark on a summer tour. No dates have been released, so stay tuned. The duo does have a new single out however. In light of the controversy over the release of a picture of singer Whitney Houston in a casket, this writer thinks it's time she weighed in on the matter with thoughts of her own. First and foremost, while it's yet to be determined who took the photo, the fact that the photograph was taken and sold to the National Enquirer shows a fundamental disrespect for Houston and her family. Despite what media outlets may have said or written, Houston was a mother, daughter, sister and friend to many, and should be paid the respect she deserves. There is a family dealing with the pain of losing a loved one, and it doesn't need negativity. It needs support and prayers. Just a thought. Congratulations to model Tyra Banks are in order. The model/actress and former talk show host graduated from Harvard Business School.  Hollywood week ended on Fox's "American Idol" with some contestants impressing judges better than others. Be sure to tune in next week as the competition continues. The Academy Awards air this Sunday. Tune in to see who takes home the film industry's highest honor. In theaters this weekend: "Act Of Valor", "Gone" and "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds". On the tube: "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Who Do You Think You Are?" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

A picture of singer Whitney Houston in a casket has made the front cover of today's issue of the National Enquirer. The photograph could have been taken during the private wake held for Houston in New Jersey attended by only family and close friends. The only question that remains at this point is who took the photograph. The family is furious that someone would betray their trust, and it remains to be seen if any legal action will be taken. Singer/songwriter/producer The Dream says those up in arms over the Chris Brown/Rihanna collaboration are making too much of it. He says of the matter that it's just two talented artists working together. As mentioned previously, the two have collaborated on two new songs, although there's been no announcement on a release date. Hopefully, the uproar over the collaboration will die down soon. It looks like rapper Game will have to pay some police officers. He'll have to fork over cash as part of a defamation lawsuit filed against him by North Carolina officers. The West Coast rapper was arrest in 2005 at a North Carolina mall for causing a disturbance. The incident was taped, but edited to appear that the officers were guilty of wrong doing. So far, no comment from the rapper or his representatives. In other Game news, a member of his entourage recently began a Twitter feud with NBA star Matt Barnes. The Game associate posted a picture of Barnes's on again, off again fiance and "Basketball Wives" star Gloria Govan with a question regarding whether anyone would sleep with her or pass. Barnes responded with a few choice words before deleting his tweets. He then tweeted  a message to Govan and she responded. It's anyone's guest where things will go from here, so stay tuned. UK singing sensation Adele continues to rule the charts. In a post-Grammys bounce back the singer's latest album, "21" sold an additional 730,000 copies last week, one full year after it's release. This marks the 21st week the album has spent at the number one position on Billboard, the most for any album released since the SoundScan era began in 1991, and the seventh most of all time. Released a year ago, the album has not spent a single week out of the top 10 albums in the country. The lowest it's ever fallen to is number seven on December 10 of last year. The 730,000 copies sold, aided by Adele's multiple Grammy wins last week, including album of the year, far exceeds "21's" 352,000 in sales following it's initial release on February 22, 2011. It's the second most sold by any album in history outside of it's first month release and the Christmas holiday. Fans of the former Fox hit show "21 Jump Street" will be happy to know that a big screen version of the show is in the works, although no release date has been announced as yet. It should be a treat for fans. Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" tonight as it's the second night of final selections and it's anyone's guest what will happen. Tune in. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "30 Rock" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Miami rapper Rick Ross beat out Drake and Kanye West for "Hottest MC In The Game" in a poll taken by MTV. The poll results were based on sales of Ross's last album. For those unaware, rapper/producer Pharrell Williams has been tapped to score this weekend's Academy Awards along with Hans Zimmer. Although most wouldn't think of music when thinking of the Oscars, Williams stated in an interview that it's the assistance to the visual, so it has to be right. He also recalled watching the show as a child and stated what an honor it is to now be working on the music for the show. The Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 26 at 8pm. In an emotional appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" singer Mariah Carey opened up for the first time about the death of friend and one time collaborator Whitney Houston. She stated their relationship was great and that not many could ever understand the relationship. She went on the say how well the family coped with Houston's death as well. Carey was present at the singer's funeral. She also gave an update on husband Nick Cannon's health. Fans will recall that the star was hospitalized some time back for mild kidney failure, blood clots in his lungs and an enlarged right ventricle in his heart. She said Cannon's doing much better that the best thing was his decision to leave his radio show and focus on his shows "America's Got Talent" and "Up All Night".  She also stated the importance of a lifestyle change. The two have twins together, Moroccan (a boy) and Monroe (a girl). Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" as the top 24 are finally selected. It's anyone's guest what will happen with contestants still competing for a final spot on the show. Be sure to catch actor/writer/director/producer Tyler Perry's new film "Good Deeds" when it hits theaters this weekend. It's sure to be filled with something to make viewers laugh and cry. What we've come to expect from Perry. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "Criminal Minds" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

The home going service of singer Whitney Houston turned out to be a big money maker for the singer's estate. Saturday's funeral service was streamed to media outlets, and of course, the posts had to taken down immediately. The family offered a service fee, and through a spokesperson stated that the proceeds were for the benefit of Bobbi Kristina. The singer's ex-husband Bobby Brown took the high road after arriving with his three children and being moved several times by security. Brown was not given an opportunity to see daughter Bobbi Kristina, blew a kiss to his ex-wife's casket and then left without causing a scene. He performed later that evening with the rest of the group New Edition, where he showed Whitney love. Houston's family has denied rumors that Bobbi Kristina was found in a hotel room using cocaine after her mother's funeral. Family and friends searched frantically for the teenager before finding her. The family stated she needed some time alone. Meanwhile, several of Houston's belongings will be put up for auction. A velvet dress and a pair of earrings Houston whore in the film "The Bodyguard" will all be put up for auction and sold to the highest bidder.   The Chris Brown and Rihanna reconciliation rumors continue. The two appear on two remixes together, and Brown did attend Rihanna's birthday party. Brown also tweeted happy birthday to his ex, to which she retweeted and responded. Brown also responded to singer Miranda Lambert's Twitter attacks after his recent appearance at the Grammys a few weeks ago. Hopefully, the fallout from Brown's appearance on the show will end soon. Shakira is the latest artist to be signed to Jay Z's Rock Nation Management. She joins a long list of artists who have benefited from the guidance of Hova. No word on when an album will be released. Young Money Entertainment artist Tyga's album was due out today, but has been pushed back due to a sample which wasn't cleared before the album was finished. No word on a new release date. Atlanta rap group Travis Porter haven't let the recent arrest of group member Harold "Strap" Duncan slow them down. During an interview with bet.com, Strap sat between group members Donquez "Quez" Woods and Lakeem "Ali" Mattox and stated that the incident was a setback. As mentioned previously, the rapper was detained at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for carrying a loaded .45 caliber glock handgun in his luggage. The 21-year-old rapper was taken into custody by airport police and detained at a Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro Georgia. Upon posting bail, Strap joined his fellow group members in New York where the group is promoting it's still untitled and often delayed debut album. Fans have been waiting patiently for a proper release from the group since they scored a breakout hit in 2010 with the strip club anthem "Make It Rain". Now if they can just get the album done. Be sure to catch tonight's episode of Fox's "Glee" as February sweeps continues. The show is sure to be another exciting one for fans. On DVD: "The Rum Diary", "Take Shelter", "Tiny Furniture" and "The Son Of No One". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Last Man Standing" on ABC and "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Friday Facts

Singer Whitney Houston reportedly failed a routine physical exam after visiting a plastic surgeon shortly before her death. The exam checks the heath of the patient's heart and lungs. Meanwhile ex-husband will attend the singer's funeral tomorrow. Rumors spread that the family sought to keep Brown away, but it appears he will attend the service. He will then rejoin the New Edition tour. Meanwhile, among those expected to attend the service are Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, both of whom will singer at the ceremony. Pastor Marvin Winans, who officiated at Houston's wedding to Bobby Brown will deliver the eulogy. Music mogul Clive Davis, who discovered Houston, will speak as well.  Singer Chris Brown's mother has now chastised the singer for his recent outburst by tell him to "grow up". As most fans know, the singer has responded via Twitter to remarks made regarding his recent appearance at the Grammys. Hopefully, there will be no more outburst from the star. It's best to concentrate on making music. Forget about the rumors about Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada reportedly wrote  and posted  a song to hubby Will which should leave no doubt about how well the couple's relationship is going. During a Valentine's Day performance at the Palladium in Hollywood, rapper/singer Lauryn Hill told the crowd that fans should stick by their favorite artists during trying times, citing the death of Whitney Houston as a good reason to remain supportive. She added that it was time to show Houston the love and respect she deserves. Hill has four more concert dates coming up. Feb 23 in Boston, Feb 25 in Atlantic City and Feb 29 in Washington DC. More Chris Brown and Rihanna rumors. Reportedly Brown was present at the "Talk That Talk" singer's birthday party. The two were seen holding hands adding fuel to the rumor mill fire. It's also rumored that Brown will appear on the remix for Rihanna's single "Birthday Cake". The rumor hasn't been confirmed or denied, so stay tuned. Producer Scott Storch was arrested for cocaine possession in Las Vegas. The arrest occurred after a employee at the hotel where Storch stayed complained that he didn't want to pay for his room. After being released on $5,000 bond, Storch was seen conducting business as usual in Los Angeles. He's crafted hits for 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Jessica Simpson and others. He completed a stint in rehab in 2006. He revealed that he was working on an album in which he wished to work with music  legends Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones.  Interested fans will be happy to know that they can catch rapper Ice T and wife Coco's new show this weekend. In the meantime, The NAACP Image Awards will air tonight as well. In theaters this weekend: "This Means War" and "Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance". On the tube: "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "The 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

More news regarding the death of singer Whitney Houston has surfaced. The singer's funeral will be held Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church where the singer got her start singing in the choir. The service will be available for television and live streaming on the internet as well. According to website TMZ, Bobby Brown has not seen daughter Bobbi Kristina since flying to Los Angeles to be with her shortly after her mother's death. This rumor hasn't been confirmed, and Brown has not commented. Meanwhile, rumor has it that the singer's mother Cissy Houston is trying to ban Brown from Bobbi Kristina, as Houston believes Brown may attempt to gain access to his ex-wife's estate, which is rumored to be worth 20 million dollars and is sure to rise by the end of the year. Those Lil Wayne fans who've heard rumors of the Young Money Entertainment CEO getting engaged can relax. He recently surprised his girlfriend with a ring at a Miami restaurant. The only thing is, rumors surfaced that Wayne popped the question. He only asked the woman if she'd be his valentine. Singer Chris Brown is firing back at the  media after his appearance at the Grammy Awards. He took to Twitter to let his feelings regarding what some have been saying by writing "Dear media. Your plan is not working. How long is it going to take". The thing is, sometimes Brown tweets and then deletes the items. The rap group Travis Porter is, for the time being, down one member. According to MTV, member Harold "Strap" Duncan was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for trying to get through airport security with a firearm. He was taken into custody by airport police and has been transferred to Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro, Georgia. While Travis Porter has yet to release their often delayed debut album, the group has been building a buzz in Atlanta for years. In 2010, the group had a breakout hit with the strip club anthem "Make It Rain". Aside from Strap, the group also includes Lakeem "Ali" Mattox and Donquez "Quez" Woods. British sensation Adele denies she stated she intends to take a five year break, although she reportedly stated so in a recent Vogue magazine interview. The singer made a triumphant return after throat surgery at the Grammys last weekend and picked up all six awards she was nominated for. So far, no comment from the singer. More Whitney Houston news. Since the singer's tragic death, demand for her music has gone through the roof. Nostalgic fans and new listeners alike have propelled the late singer to the top 10 of the Billboard 200 once again. In the days after her death last Saturday, the compilation album "Whitney: The Greatest Hits" has sold over 64,000 copies according to Nielsen Soundscan, enough to land it at the number six position. Other Houston albums like her debut "Whitney Houston", "The Bodyguard Soundtrack" and the 2009 album "I Look To You" also saw sales increase. All told, the singer has sold 101,000 albums this week, more than she sold in 2011. The singles "I Will Always Love You", "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", "The Greatest Love Of All" and "How Will I Know" all landed in the top 50. Fans now have musical treasures to enjoy for a lifetime. Another week of auditions have come to an end on Fox's "American Idol" and tonight will be the performance challenge and just about anything can happen. Be sure to tune in. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, 'The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "30 Rock" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

A private funeral will be held for singer Whitney Houston on Saturday in the singer's birthplace Newark NJ. The service is by invitation only, and among those expected to be invited are Aretha Franklin, the singer's godmother. Ex-husband Bobby Brown cancelled the New Edition reunion tour to be with daughter Bobbi Kristina and is expected to attend. There's no word on whether the service will be televised. Singer Chaka Khan had some choice words for music mogul Clive Davis, saying his pre-Grammy party should have been cancelled upon the news of Houston's death. He said in a statement that the 18-year-old is doing much better, and wants to deal with the tragedy of her mother's death out of the public eye. Brown and Houston were married 15 years from 1992 until 2007. Brown has been blamed in the media for being a negative influence on the powerhouse singer during their marriage. Rapper Nicki Minaj graces the cover of the February/March issue of Vibe magazine. The First Lady of Young Money Entertainment says she no longer feels the need to prove herself to others after the success of her debut album, and the accolades she's received. The February/March issue of Vibe magazine hits newsstands next week. Hip hop's rising stars will be the focus of the next issue of The Source. 2 Chainz, Mac Miller, Tyga and Kendrick Lamar will grace the cover. Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar had breakout years last year with their much talked about releases "Blue Side Park" and "Section .80". This year, Atlanta's 2 Chainz and Young Money's Tyga are are poised to make marks with solo albums of their own. The February issue of The Source hits newsstands on February 21. Singer Beyonce has two music projects lined up for 2012, according to producer Ryan Tedder, who worked with the superstar and new mom on "4" and "I Am Sasha Fierce". He said you have to just let the star go, give her the best you have and she can identify what the next thing is. She's currently holding a remix contest for her single "End Of Time", which may appear on a rumored remix album. Be sure to tune in to Fox's "American Idol" as the auditions continue. Tonight is part 3 of the Hollywood round, and anything can happen. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "Criminal Minds" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

The body of singer Whitney Houston has been released to her family and has been transported  to New Jersey and the family has begun making funeral arrangements. The cause of death won't be determined until after toxicology tests results return in a few weeks. In the meantime, the singer's mother, Cissy Houston, and cousin Dionne Warwick, are reportedly at odds with the rest of the family, as some would like to have her buried in Atlanta, while others would like to have her buried in her birthplace, Newark NJ. No details regarding arrangements have been revealed as yet. Meanwhile, ex-husband Bobby Brown is in Los Angeles comforting daughter Bobbi Kristina. The 18-year-old was taken to the hospital twice and treated for stress. The film Houston finished, a remake of the 1976 classic "Sparkle" will be released as planned. Tonight's episode of "Glee" will be dedicated to Houston's memory. A performance of her hit "I Will Always Love You" had been planned before the tragic news of her death was revealed.   It seems while some may have forgiven Chris Brown for the incident involving he and ex-girlfriend Rihanna, others haven't. Several tweets went out on the night of the Grammy awards regarding Brown and the incident, but so far, Brown hasn't commented. The Catholic League is none too pleased with rapper Nicki Minaj's performance. The organization posted a letter on it's site blaming the Recording Academy for the performance saying it wouldn't have allowed Judaism or Islam to be disrespected. Singer Jennifer Hudson stated in an interview that being asked to pay tribute to Whitney Houston was the best moment of her life. The show's ratings broke a record with over 60 million viewers tuning in . No doubt, many tuned in to see the tribute to Houston. Sean  "Diddy" Combs is recovering after being treated and released from the hospital for a migraine suffered during an after Grammy party thrown at the Playboy mansion. He took to Twitter to thank fans for their concern. One more Grammy note. Rumor has it that Drake and Common got into a physical confrontation backstage at the Grammy awards. The rumor hasn't been confirmed or denied so far. On DVD: "The Rum Diary", "Take Shelter", "Tiny Furniture" and "The Son Of No One". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Last Man Standing" on ABC and "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The film "The Vow" topped the weekend box office earning over $40 million dollars. "Safe House", "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D", "Star Wars: Episode 1: Phantom Menace" and "Chronicle" round out the top five films of the week. Sad news out of the music industry. Singer Whitney Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hills Hotel room on Saturday. She was 48. She was scheduled to appear at a pre-Grammy party hosted by music mogul Clive Davis when news of her death broke. Davis broke the new to the crowd. The party went on as scheduled, with Davis saying Houston would have wanted the party to go on. Tribute was paid to the singer by Jennifer Hudson, who performed Houston's signature song "I Will Always Love You". Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963,  in Neward NJ to John and Cissy Houston, the youngest of three. She began singing in the Newark Bapist Church choir, and later began modeling. Her girl next door looks got her on the cover of Seventeen magazine. She was discovered by music mogul Clive Davis and signed to Arista Records. Her first album, "Whitney Houston" went on to sell millions, and Houston's videos received regular play on MTV. She recorded later albums "Whitney", "I'm Your Baby Tonight", and soundtracks for the films "The Bodygard", in which she co-starred with Kevin Costner, "Waiting To Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife". She married singer Bobby Brown and the two had a tamlious marriage that produced a daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Rumored drug and marital problems pleagued the singer until she and Brown divorced in 2007 and she went into rehab. She released an album in 2009, "I Look To You" and appeared to be headed for a comeback. She has gone on to influence a whole new generation of singers including Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson and others. She will be missed and her legacy will live on. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards aired last night. Rapper LL Cool J hosted, opening the show with a prayer honoring Whitney Houston. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band then went on the give a rousing performance. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Riatt paid tribute to the late Etta James, singing her hit "Saturday Kind Of Love". British sensation Adele was a big winner, winning "Best Pop Vocal" and "Record Of The Year", among others. Chris Brown won "Best R&B Album", while Jay Z and Kanye West walked away with "Best Rap Performance". Chris Brown, Rihanna, Cold Play, Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne and others rocked the stage at last night's ceromony. Adele made her first public appearance since having throat surgery. All in all, it was another meorable show that won't be forgotten. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelor" on ABC and "The Voice" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

Former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight was arrested recently. Knight was pulled over after making an unsafe lane change, authorities pulled Knight over, discovered he had outstanding warrants, and later discovered marijuana inside his vehicle. He was booked and later released. Knight may be in even deeper trouble, as this latest arrest violates his three-years unsupervised probation. Singer Chris Brown has been ordered to stay away from ex-girlfriend Rihanna when the two attend this weekend's Grammy awards. Fans recall the confrontation between the two three years ago, which resulted in Brown pleading guilty to assault and receiving probation. The two will perform at the event, though not together, and have been nominated for several awards as well. British sensation Adele talked openly about the throat trouble that saw her cancel both a U.S. and U.K. tour. The singer underwent successful laser surgery on her throat and discussed the experience in an interview that will air this Sunday on "60 Minutes". She says the hardest part was not talking, as she was instructed not to speak. She also went on to say she would either write down what she had to say, or type it into an app on her smartphone. Adele will perform for the first time in months on the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday February 12 at 8 pm, on CBS. Although she's been nominated a total of 12 time, legendary singer Diana Ross has never won a Grammy award during  her 50-year career. The Recording Academy will honor Ross during this Sunday's ceremony with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She will receive the honor as part of The Supremes and as a solo artist. She's had several hit records, appeared in several films and performed sold out concerts all over the world and has influenced generations of singers. The mother of singer Ne-Yo's two children has adopted 48 children in Swaziland. Actually, she's agreed to pay for the living expenses of all the children for a year. Rapper 50 Cent has done a good dead as well. The G-Unit general has partnered with an organization to fight hunger. Fans who've seen the trailor for the upcoming season of "Basketball Wives" know there's definitely more drama to come. Evelyn Lozada and Jennifer Williams duke it out and only time will tell what else is in store for fans. Be sure to tune in. In theaters this weekend: "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island", "Safe House", "Star Wars: Episode 1: Phantom Menace" and "The Vow". On the tube: "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox, "A Gifted Man" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Who Do You Think You Are?" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

A wild story has surfaced regarding Pilar Sanders, the wife of former NFL great Dion Sanders. Reportedly, Dion's aunt arrived at the couple's home, and a confrontation between Pilar and the other woman ensued. The whole incident has been taped and given to TMZ, and only time will tell where things will go from here. Stay tuned. Fans wondering how Beyonce got back into shape after the birth of daughter Blue Ivy can wonder no more. She moved a personal trainer into her home, and began working out four hours a day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. She does cardio, palates, and also eats protein meals daily. People can't stop talking about how amazing she looked at hubby Jay Z's recent fundraiser. In other Jay Z and Beyonce news, it's been reportedly by The Daily that the mogul doesn't support his own charity, The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. The paper reports that he's only contributed $3 thousand dollars to his cause, while wife Beyonce hasn't contributed anything at all. So far, there's been no comment from the couple. Have Chris Brown and Rihanna been spending quality time together? Rumor has it that the two recently spent a few hours in Rihanna's dressing room while rehearsing for the upcoming Grammy Awards, but another gentleman was with the two. They are both scheduled to appear on Sunday's Grammy Awards telecast so stay tuned. Rapper J. Cole will attend his first Grammys as a nominee this Sunday, and the rising star talked about his state of mind and staying hungry after a whirlwind year that's brought him to such an enviable position. He said the accolades he received helped to motivate him to achieve even greater things. Even pushing to have his debut album released before the Grammy deadline. He's been nominated for Best New Artist along with Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver, Skrillex and Band Perry. You can catch the 54th Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday February 12 on CBS at 8pm. Timberland and Missy Elliott were unstoppable during the 1990's and 2000's. Now, the dynamic duo ride again. In a recent interview, Timberland revealed that both he and Missy are preparing albums to be released in June. Timberland released "Shock Value 2" in 2009 and Missy released "The Cookbook" seven years ago. Both also plan to shoot videos for their lead singles as well. The two collaborated on 'Take Your Clothes Off", causing many to speculate about and beg for a possible reunion. Now, it seems that it everything goes according to plan, the rumored reunion will become a reality. Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" for the second round of auditions in Hollywood. Anything is bound to happen as contestants compete for a spot on the show. Actor/writer/director/producer Tyler Perry graces the cover of the latest issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine. He discusses his career, the backlash he's received from some, and his new film. Perry has a new film in the works titled. "Good Deads" due in theaters on February 24. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "30 Rock" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Legendary soul singer Etta James may not be able to attend this Sunday's Grammy Awards, but the singer will be remembered in a special tribute at the awards show. Singer Alicia Keys is tapped to pay homage to James, who died of leukemia last month at 73. Keys, a star in her own right with 14 Grammys under her belt will join blues great Bonnie Raitt to perform a medley of James's classics. James was laid to rest in her native Los Angeles. Rev Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy, and Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera performed at the touching private service. President Barack Obama issued a statement praising the singer. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday on CBS at 8pm and include performances by Chris Brown, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Adele, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and more. Be sure to tune in. In more Grammy news, Nicki Minaj will perform a new single on the awards telecast. The Young Money star will perform "Roman Holiday" from her sophomore album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". She will perform the song for the first time, just two days before she had been scheduled to release her new album. Due to delays however, the album won't be released until April 3. She's already teased two tracks from the album, "Roman In Moscow" and "Starships", which will premiere on Ryan Seascrest's radio show as the album's official single, according to MTV News. This will be Minaj's first appearance on the Grammys. With the recent shakeup at Fox's "The X Factor", creator Simon Cowell took time during an interview to set the record straight. As most fans know, judges Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones were all given the boot. Cowell says the decision was made by the top brass and shot down the rumor that he offered a judging gig to singer Beyonce. He says such an appointment wasn't in the show's budget. Time will tell who the replacements will be. Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" as the auditions continue. It's part one of the Hollywood round and only time will tell who will make the final cut. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "Person To Person" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

More news regarding last weekend's Superbowl continues to come in. First, both the NFL and NBC have apologized for the obscene gesture from M.I.A. during her performance with Madonna. The rapper signed a contract with NBC before the event. NBC claims they were too late in censoring the gesture, while the NFL points the finger at the network saying they were too late in blurring the gesture out. There's no word on how steep a fine for the network could be. Rapper Jay Z performed a benefit concert at New York's Carnegie Hall. The concert was a fund raiser for the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. Of course, wife Beyonce was in attendance, after the birth of the couple's daughter Blue Ivy Carter. The two later partied at Jay Z's 40/40 Club, where Nas and Alicia Keys were in attendance, among others. In other Jay Z news, he's settled a lawsuit claiming he neglected to pay a limousine service. The power couple continue to make waves in the industry. Rapper Bow Wow doesn't appear to have let an apparent arrest warrant fase him. A Georgia judge as issued a warrant for the rapper until a tour bus bill is settled. The company took the case to Georgia after the star failed to pay. Stay tuned. Only time will tell where things will go from here. The rumors regarding a reconciliation between Chris Brown and Rihanna continue. The two were reportedly spotted at the same Superbowl Party over the weekend, although no one's confirmed what is or isn't going on between the two. In other Chris Brown news, it's been confirmed that he will perform at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday. It will be his first appearance on the show since 2009. That appearance was embroiled in a physical confrontation with then girlfriend Rihanna, which caused both to back out. He plead guilty to felony assault, and is still serving a five-year probation sentence for the incident. He's since bounced back with his latest album "F.A.M.E.", being nominated for three Grammy awards, including Best R&B Album. Rihanna is set to take the stage as well, with four nominations of her own. A restraining order kept the two from attending the same awards shows, but Rihanna decided to lift the ban early last year. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air on CBS on February 12 at  8 pm. Hip hop magazine XXL pays tribute to Notorious B.I.G. by not only devoting an entire issue to the life and career of the rap icon, but giving him the cover as well. Christopher Wallace's influence on hip hop and hip hop culture is far reaching and will continue for many years to come. Actor/write/director/producer Tyler Perry has a new film in the works titled "Good Works". It appears to be more of what fans have come to love and expect from the mogul. It looks like both Birdman and 50 Cent are going to have to make good on their Superbowl bets placed over the weekend. 50, while teasing with a follower on Twitter, said he'd go nude if the Giants won, while Birdman made a different bet. No word yet on when the two intend to make their payments. On DVD: "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas", "Lady And The Tramp", "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt 1" and "Anonymous". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Last Man Standing" on ABC and "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The film "Chronicle" topped the weekend box office, earning over $22 million. "The Woman In Black", "The Grey", "Big Miracle" and "Underworld: Awakening" round out the top five films of the week. Singer Madonna performed the concert of her life at last night's Super Bowl. She was joined by Nicki Minaj and MIA, then joined by a choir and Cee Lo Green for her hit "Like A Prayer". Later, the words "World Peace" flashed up. She was also joined by several dancers, and luckily, there were no wardrobe malfunctions. The only thing upstaged moment came when MIA stuck her middle finger in the air during her verse on Madonna's new single "Give Me All Your Lovin". NBC was late in blurring the obscene gesture during the performance. NBC and the NFL both apologized for the incident. MIA has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.  Although many seem to be more interested in and discuss the commericals more that the game, the event was an exciting one that won't be forgotten. Congratulations to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. He may have lost one of his soldiers due to Pill's recent problems with Warner Music Group, but rapper Rick Ross assured in a recent interview that he and the Atlanta rapper are still on good terms. He says that once a person represents the Maybach Music Group, he'll never step on their toes. Pill took to Twitter to vent his frustrations regarding his recording deal with Warner Music Group some time back. Some assumed that he was directly signed to Ross's Maybach Music Group, but that's not the case. Ross said in an interview that Pill was signed to Warner before his label deal with Maybach. Pill went on to say he has nothing against Ross. Hopefully, that will clear things up for those who have been wondering. NBC's "The Voice" returns tonight with what promises to be an exciting season no one's likely to forget. Fortunately, all the judges have returned. Only time will tell who will walk away with the grand prize. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelor" on ABC and "The Voice" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

The Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie rumors have proven to be true after all. Cassie was seen sporting a diamond ring while in Miami recently, although no wedding date has been set. In the meantime, Diddy will host a pre-Grammy part and reportedly the admission price is quite steep, although it will be a fundraiser. The even will take place at the Playboy Mansion and will honor Hugh Hefner as the Humanitarian of the Year. Jay Z and Beyonce are expected to attend. In other Jay Z and Beyonce news, daddy Jay Z had reportedly spoiled newborn Blue Ivy with diamond earrings and a platinum bracelet. Wife Beyonce has hired six nannies to take care of the event, with two being on call 24-7. At any rate, the child will be one of the most loved and cared for on the planet. Young Jeezy fans will be happy to know that the rapper has announced dates for his upcoming tour to promote his latest release. The tour should be an exciting one for all. Rapper Ja Rule is putting his time behind bars for weapons possession to good use. He's gotten his GED and plans to take some college courses as well. Congratulations. With the 54th Annual Grammy Awards a week away, rapper Nicki Minaj, who has several nominations in the hip hop category, says she doesn't expect to win. She's slated to perform with several other stars at this year's event. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air on CBS on February 12 at 8pm. Finally breaking his silence since being arrested for allegedly raping a woman in his home in Jamaica, Elephant Man has denied the allegation and even lead a gathering of fans in a celebratory march around his neighborhood. He cautioned those listening to be careful of the company they keep. It's unclear what's next for the rapper and the victim's name has not been released. Tony Cornelius, son of "Soul Train" creator and host Don Cornelius, revealed in a recent interview on "CBS This Morning" that his father was unhappy about his life. He went on to say that the family couldn't have known how uncomfortable he was. Cornelius was found dead in his home of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was 75 at the time. He will be missed dearly and his legacy will live on. It looks like rapper T.I. is ready to add executive producer to his list of accomplishments. He's set to executive produce the debut album of Australian female rapper Iggy Azalea. His job will be to find resources for the project and point the MC in the direct she may want to go. In a recent interview she stated he contacted her regarding the project and she said yes to working with him. Signed to Interscope Records by Jimmy Iovine, she's already created a buzz with her mixtape, "Ignorant Art". Her debut album, "The New Classic" will be released in June if all goes well. Another week of auditions has come to an end on Fox's "American Idol" and fans can expect more surprises as the season wears on. Only time will tell who will make the final cut. In theaters this weekend: "Big Miracle", "Chronicle" and "The Woman In Black". On the tube: "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox, "A Gifted Man" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Who Do You Think You Are?" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

As mentioned previously, Bad Boy artist Machine Gun Kelly was arrested but later released, unbeknown est to his boss, Sean "Diddy" Combs. Kelly now says the two talked about the incident, he explained what happened and all is well now. Dancehall artist Elephant Man has been arrested and charged with the rape of a woman at his home in Jamaica. He was the target of a police investigation following a complaint by the victim. Authorities took him into custody after deciding the victim's story held up. He as released after posting $400,000 in Jamaican currency ($4,637.95 USD). He had an international smash with his single "Pon De River" in 2003 and released his eighth studio album, "Dance & Sweep: Adventures of the Energy God" last year. After many rumors and much speculation, sources reportedly tell Star magazine that Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are indeed divorcing. They even go on to say that the two have split up children Jaden and Willow as well. Actually, Will and and Jaden are at one location while Will films a movie, and Jada and Willow are at another shooting a film as well. Stay tuned. It appears that rapper Rick Ross has been inspired by rapper/producer Dr Dre. The Maybach Music CEO mentioned during a recent interview that the two went into the studio together, although it's not known what the pair worked on. It could have been tracks for Dre's long delayed "Detox" album, or Ross's "God Forgives, I Don't". At any rate, Ross says the two had dinner and talked and that lead to the studio. He also mentioned how Dre has been his biggest influence in the game. After delaying the release of "God Forgives, I Don't"  and easing his busy schedule after his two seizures, Ross finally released his mixtape "Rich Forever" last month. The recently troubles of actress Demi Moore have made the star the cover story of People magazine. She's been seen partying and reportedly is living on nothing else but Red Bull and has lost a great deal of weight as well. Here's hoping the actress seeks helps soon. Rapper Kanye West is eyeing the Middle East. He's reportedly interested in shooting a film in the country, although this has not been confirmed and it's unclear what the plot of the film would be. It appears that the feud between "Basketball Wives" star Jennifer Williams and the assistant of Evelyn Lozada hasn't ended as yet. Now the assistant is claiming that Williams has stolen her house keys and won't return them. And the drama continues. Canadian rapper K'NAAN has suddenly found himself in the middle of the 2012 presidential race, and not on the side he'd prefer. Republican candidate Mitt Romney used the rapper's single "Waving Flag" during his victory speech on Tuesday in the Florida primary. K'NAAN said in a statement that he did not give the Romney campaign permission to use the song, and if asked he would not have granted it. He went on to say that he'd allow President Obama to use the song during his campaign without prejudice. Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" as the auditions continue in St Louis MO. Once again thousands of hopefulls are set to do what they can to impress the judges. Only time will tell who will make the final cut. It appears that the relationship between actor/comedian Tracy Morgan and his mother is not a good one. Her home is reportedly in foreclosure and he hasn't indicated that he'll help. Hopefully the two will work things out soon. NBC's "The Voice" is set to return soon as well. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "30 Rock" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Sad news out of the world of music. "Soul Train" creator, host and executive producer Don Cornelius was found dead in his Sherman Oaks CA home dead of an apparent suicide, according to TMZ. He suffered from a gun shot wound to the head which appeared to be self inflicted. "Soul Train" debuted in 1971 and featured live dancing and performances by the most influential black artists of all time, including Al Green, James Brown and The Jackson Five. The show ended it's run in 2006. The show will always remain a significant part of music history because it helped black artists receive exposure they didn't receive in the mainstream media at the time. Don Cornelius's legacy will live on for years to come. Rapper Flava Flav is now coming to his daughter's defense after her arrest. She was arrested after getting into a fight with her stepbrother. Flava Flav tried to break up the brawl, police were called and she was taken into custody soon after. Flava says the whole thing was a misunderstanding and all is well. For someone who claims to be happy with current beau Wiz Khalifa, model Amber Rose sure can't seem to stop talking about ex Kanye West. In an interview with the New York Post, she claims West is a cheater and cheats with multiple women. Here's hoping the mud slinging will end soon. As mentioned, Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul have all been given the boot from "The X Factor", and now rumor has it that Mariah Carey and Kelly Rowland could possibly be their replacements. This hasn't been confirmed, so stay tuned. Bravo has given the creators of "The Real Housewives Of Atlanta" the green light for a new reality series. The show is tentatively titled "The Preachers Wives" and will follow the wives of ministers. No word on when the show will air. AskMen has compiled it's list of most desirable women of 2012, and taking the top spot is "Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara. Also making the list are Lady Gaga, Rooney Mara and Nicki Minaj. Congratulations ladies. After much speculation, rapper 2 Chains has confirmed that he has signed with Def Jam. Not only has he been signed as an artist, he'll have his own label deal as well. No word on when an album will be released. Be sure to catch Fox's "American Idol" as the auditions continue in Portland OR. There's sure to be plenty of excitement as contestants attempt to wow the judges. With the month of February just beginning, the networks are preparing for the February sweeps and only time will tell what they all have in store for viewers. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "Criminal Minds" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Happy hump day!