Friday Facts

The entertainment world suffered a double lost yesterday. Iconic singer/dancer Michael Jackson passed away at age 50. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital where he was pronounced dead. Born on August 29, 1958, and the seventh of nine children, he began his career performing with his brothes as the Jackson Five. He later when on to record several solo albums, but really hit his stride with the album "Thriller". The album sold over 21 million copies in the U.S alone and had seven top ten singles. He revolutionized the music video during the MTV era with mini movies of his hit singles, one being the video "Thriller". A video "The Making Of Thriller" was released as well. He was also a humanitarian, giving to several charities and co-writting "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie for famine relief in Africa. Although in later years there was a media frenzy regarding his personal life and legal troubles, the impact he made on the music industry will live on. My heart and prayers are with the Jackson Family at this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Michael. We will miss you. 1970's televison icon Farrah Fawcett died after a long battle with cancer. She was 62. She began her career doing commericals and later landed a role on the 1970's crime fighting show"Charlie's Angels". A poster of the actress in a one piece bikini sold briskly and was even featured in the film, "Saturday Night Fever'. She was married to actor Lee Majors until the two divorced. She later began a relationship with actor Ryan Oneil. The two dated off and on until her death. She also made a splash on the big screen playing a rape victum in "Extremities" and a battered wife in the film, "The Burning Bed'. She also gave birth to a son with Ryan Oneil, Redman. Her leagacy will live on. My heart and prayers and with her family as well. Rest in peace, Farrah. We will miss you.

Thursday Dish

The accomplist in the Philant Johnson murder has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. He drove the getaway car in the drive by shooting involving Atlanta rapper T.I.. Have they or haven't they? It's been rumored that Memphis rap group Three Six Mafia has split up. DJ Paul has a solo CD in stores now. Be on the lookout for the Def Jam anniversary CD. The Roots will debut their new single on Jimmy Fallon tonight. Rapper Drake is creating quite a buzz in the industry. Check out his new single. On the tube: "Don't Forget The Lyrics" on Fox, "Without A Trace" on CBS and "Prime Time" on ABC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

For those who don't know, singer Tameka "Tiny" Cottle formally of the 90's R & B group Xscape and Antonia "Toya" Banks, mother of rapper Lil Wayne's eldest child, have a reality series for BET coming soon. The show will follow the two best friends as they pursue their own goals and ambitions aside from the high profile men they're involved with. Be on the look out for the book "The Vixen Manual" by Karrine Steffans due out next month. Sad news out of Hollywood. Former "Tonight Show' sidekick Ed McMahon has died. He was on the show from 1962 to 2004. He will be missed. Former "American Idol" contestant Adam Lambert is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The singer discusses life after "Idol" and those gay rumors. The "BET Awards" will air soon. On the tube: "Lie To Me" on Fox, "Criminal Minds" on CBS and "The Batchlorette" on ABC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

With summer in full swing it seems that this season will be a season full of remakes. You have remakes of "Footloose", "Fame" and others in the works. Which brings me to the question, what happened to creativity? It seems no ones coming up with fresh inovative ideas for the big screen these days and I shutter to think what lies ahead. The movie studios are reling on the same tried true formula and it's beginning to wear thin. Someone needs to let the executives at the movie studios know that if they want to succeed they need to something other than what they've tried previously. It should be about the consumers and not just what will earn the studios a quick buck. Just a thought.

Monday Madness

Singer Rihanna will be required to testify at ex-boyfriend Chris Bown's hearing today. The defense will reportedly state how the singer attacked Brown the night of the incident. Singer Beyonce will have to face a judge as well. It appears a designer is claiming he was not compenstated properly for items the singer wore. Be sure to check out the video for rapper T.I.'s single, "Remember Me". There's also a remix of "Digital Girl", with Jamie Fox, T Pain and The Dream in the works as well. Quite a few new shows will be making their way to prime time. I'll have the details soon. Actress Sandra Bullock scored her first number one film in ten years with "The Proposal" over the weekend. The film grossed over 34.1 million dollars at the box office. Rounding out the the top films are: 2. "The Hangerover", 3. "Up", 4. "Year One', 5. "The Taking Of Pelham, 123", 6. "Night At The Museum", 7. "Star Trek", 8. "Land Of The Lost", 9. "Imagine That", 10. "Terminator Salvation". Black Music Month Salute: Charlie Parker. Born Charles Parker, Jr in Kansas City, MS, he began playing alto sax as a youth around the area and soon became one of the most inovative jazz artist of all time. He played with several other jazz artist of the area, but became known for his unique style. A herion addict, he died at 34. Known as Bird, he music will live one. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS and "Wipeout" on ABC. Happy Monday!

Thursday Dish

Producer Timberland is suing his record label claiming the label is trying to sabotage his career. King, the men's lifestyle magazine, has folded. Be on the lookout for the DVD "Kiss And Tail". Narrated by shock jock Wendy Williams, the documentary takes a behind the scenes look at rap artists encounters with groupies. The life of former video vixen Karrine "Superhead" Steffans is the catalist for the documentary. Lady T is back!. 70's-80's R & B singer Teena Marie has new music in stores. Her latest CD contains a duet with Faith Evans. Black Music Month Salute: James Brown. Know as the Godfather of Soul, James Joseph Brown was born and raised in Augusta Georgia and started performing as a youth. He was given his big break by Bobby Byrd and joined the singer's group before striking out on his own. He then went on to form the Famous Flames and performed at the world famous Appolo Theater, which was recorded and has become a landmark album. He recored such hits as "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "Try Me", "Night Train' and " I Feel Good". He also published a autobiagraphy of the same name. He died on Christmas day, 2006. He music will live on. On the tube: " Hell's Kitchen" on Fox, "Without A Trace" on CBS and "Splash" on ABC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Congradulations are in order to actress Joy Bryant. The co-star of such films as "Get Rich, Or Die Trying" recently tied the knot in the Hamptons. In a surspising move, the latest contestant on "The Batchlorette" has left the reality series. Be on the lookout for the artist on rapper Lil Wayne's label, Young Money. Several projects are due to be released soon. Black Music Month Salute: Kirk Franklin. The Dallas born singer started singing in gospel choirs as a youth before being signed to a record label. His first single, "Why We Sing" was the beginning of a illustrious career in the world of gospel.