Friday Facts

It's been confirmed that Ellen DeGeneres is leaving the Fox show"American Idol". A grueling schedule is being given as the reason for the departure. On the heels of DeGeneres leaving, it's also being  reported that Kara DioGuardi has been fired from the show. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are said to be replacements for the two. Fox has not yet confirmed this, however, and we'll have to wait and see what happens next. "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star Lisa Wu Hartwell is reportedly leaving the show.  The star didn't like the changes producers requested she make, so she decided to leave. No word on a replacement. Rapper Foxy Brown is at it again. The femcee got into a brawl outside a New York City night spot, but left the scene before the police arrived. She has not been arrested yet. There's been no comment on the matter. Rapper T.I recently gave some junior high school students gifts they are not likely to forget. They all got lap tops. As mentioned previously, the Emmy Awards are a few weeks away and only time wil tell who the big winners will be. Be sure to tune in to the broadcast on August 27. In theaters this weekend: "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" and "Charlie St Cloud". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "48 Hours Mystery" on CBS, "Wife Swap" on ABC and "Friday Night Lights" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

Rapper Common is flexing his acting musules by taking a role as a freed slave on a televison series. No word on a series title or premiere date.Singer Rihanna is reportedly gearing up to tackle the big screen as well. No word on a film or televison series or premiere date. If you've been wonderding where he is, wonder no more. Rapper Kanye West is back. Back on Twitter that is. The rapper recently reopened his Twitter account and has acttracted over a million followers. He's been giving fans up dates on his next cd and everything else he's been working on. Rapper Eminem's "Recovery" is number one on the Billboard charts for the fifth week in a row. Rapper Rick Ross is at number two with his latest "Teflon Don". Be sure to pick up both cd's at your local music store. Rumor has that R&B group Jagged Edge is back. The group is reportedly working on a new cd to be released soon. No word on a release date. Actress Juila Roberts is preparing the release of her latest film "Eat, Pray, Love", which will hit theaters soon. The film is a feel good drama that is sure to delight the actress's fans. It's getting down to the wire on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance", and the guys are really heating up the competition. Only time will tell which contestant will win the grand prize. The Emmy Awards will air soon and Fox's "Glee" has run away with a record nineteen nominations. It remains to be seen whether the show will win all nineteen, however. The show will air on August 27 on NBC. It's been a mixed bag for summer films this season. There have been some box office hits and quite a few misses as well. It's only a matter of time before we seen what the remainder of the season has in store. Quite a few televison hits will be returning this fall and among them are: NCIS: Los Angeles and "Grey's Anatomy". It will be interesting to see what the fall televison season has in store for fans. On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "Big Brother 12" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "Community" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Atlantic Records has delayed the release of rapper Lupe Fiasco's latest cd for over a year now. A internet war of words has begun between the Chicago MC and a representative of his label. The rep blames the delay on Lupe's temper, not lack of ability to create hits. Lupe responded by saying the rep should use his own adivce to further his own career. Rapper Kanye West is facing a lawsuit from little known producer Vince P. for copyright infringment. The producer claims West stole the lyrics of his hit song "Stronger" from him. The producer stated in a recent interview that he gave one of his songs also called "Stronger" to John Monopoly, a Kanye West manager at the time. He noted the similarities of both songs. Reps for Kanye West have not commented on the matter. "American Idol" season three winner and runner up Ruben Studdard and Clay Akien are hitting the concert trail together. The two will perform solo and do duets during the show as well. Catch them when they appear in your area. Legal woes for rapper Foxy Brown continue. The rapper reportedly had a confrentation with a neighbor and was charged with battery. The Brooklyn MC was scheduled to appear in court yesterday, but her attorney quit. Stay tuned. Supermodel Heidi Klum says season 8 of her Lifetime reality series "Project Runway" is ready. There will be more surprises along with a slew of hot fashions from several designers. Catch "Project Runway" on Lifetime tomorrow at 9:00 p.m. The summer movies season continues with the release of "The Avengers". The comic book caper should be a delight for fans everywhere. On the tube: "So You Think You Can Dance" on Fox, ""Big Brother 12" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Minute To Win It" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

Rapper DMX recently completed a jail term for probation violation and it appears he will return. The rapper surrendered to Los Angeles authorities on a traffic violation from a few years back. He'd like to take care of any outstanding legal matters and go on with his life. Stay tuned. Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs is being sued by the city of New York. The music mogul has, according to the lawsuit, illegally put up promo posters of his flagship establishment, Bad Boy Entertaiment, throughout the city which has resulted in a 996,000 bill that has yet to be paid. The city's Financial Commissioner, David Frankel, is after Diddy and other residents for a debt totaling $1.9 billion. Remy Ma and Doug E. Fresh are being investigated as well. A Bad Boy representative stated that the bill was paid three year ago by a partner company,but the city failed to update the record. Legal reps for the city are reviewing the issue. 90's R&B group Dru Hill is back with their latest cd, "InDRUpendence Day". After a long hiatus and adding a new member,the group is on the comback trail with their trademark harmonies intact. Sony Pictures has confirmed that actor Daniel Craig will star in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". He will play a journalist who teams with the lead character. The lead character has not been cast. No word on when shooting will begin or when the film will be released. Speculation is still brewing regarding who will replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol". Several names have been mentioned, among them, Justing Timberlake and Elton John. Nothing's been confirmed as yet. On dvd: "Clash of the Titans" and "Ip Man". On the tube: "Hell's Kitchen" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "Breakthrough With Tony Robbins" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

"Inception" topped the weekend box office once again, taking in over 42 million dollars. "Salt", "Despicable Me", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "Toy Story 3" round out the top five films of the week. Rapper/producer Dr Dre is being sued by Paramount Studios. According to court documents, the produer used the studio to record his latest album, but did not pay studio rental fees. Representatives of Dr Dre have not commented on the suit. The divorce drama between singer Christina Milan and singer/songwriter/producer the Dream continues. It appears the producer had the singer sign a document stating that she could not receive any assests, meanwhile the singer maintains that the two were together when he claims they broke up. Stay tuned for more as it develops. New Edition members Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill have formed  their own group and are touring the country. Be sure to catch them when they appear in your area. Auditions were held in New Orleans today for season ten of Fox's "American Idol". Thousands of hopefuls lined up to show the judges what their made of and viewers  will see who made it to Hollywood when the show returns this fall. Fans of the "Fast and Furious" franchise will be happy to know that another installement of the hit film is in the works. Vin Diesal, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Paul Wheeler will all return for the next film. No word on when shooting will begin or when the film will be released. The drama continues on ABC's "Big Brother 12". Tune in to see who will win the grand prize. On the tube: "Lie To Me" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachlorette: The Men Tell All" on ABC and "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

With his debut cd still riding the charts, rapper Drake is reportedly working on his next project. No word on a name or release date for the project. Jazz singer Al Jarreau was hospitalized in France after running in to breathing problems that caused him to cancel at least four concerts. The 70-year-old fell ill before a concert in the French town of Barcelonnette and was brought into the intensive care unit in the city of Gap, the hospital stated Friday. The Grammy Award winning singer was conscious and breathing without assistance, but was still in intensive care receiving treatment for breathing problems, said Maurice Marchetti, deputy director of the hospital. The singer's condition seems to be stablizing and he hopes to perform again on Thursday in Nuremberg Germany. Two female artist who found fame in the 1980's have recently penned their memoirs recounting their experiences. Pat Bentar, who won several Grammys and sold over 22 millions records, published "Between A Heart And A Rock Place". Belinda Carlise, who was lead singer of all female rock group The Go Gos, published "Lips Unsealed". Both books reveal both singers highs and lows in the music industry. The books are available now. Actress Paula Patton has inked a deal to join the cast of "Law & Order: SVU" as a district attorney. No word on when she will make her first appearance on the show. In theaters this weekend: "Salt" and "Ramona and Beezus". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "48 Hours Mystery" on CBS, "Wife Swap" on ABC and "Friday Night Lights" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

Rumor has it that former Destiny's Child member Letoya Luckett will replace singer Keyshia Cole as the spokesperson for Luster Products. Ms Cole was due to renegoate her contract but couldn't come to an agreement with the company on salary. Rock-A-Fella CEO Damon Dash has made some not so flattering comments regarding former partner rapper Jay Z.  He's likened the split with Hova and some of the label's artist to being stabbed in the back. If you've been wondering where singer Jahiem has been , wonder no more. The crooner has new music in stores and should be touring to promote his latest project. Be sure to pick up a copy of the latest issue of Jet magazine featuring singer Kelis on the cover. The singer discusses her split from husband Nas, rumors and her new music. Actress Emily Bergl is nearing the completion of a deal to join the cast of ABC's "Desperate Housewives". She will play Paul's wife. No word on when she will make her first appearance on the show. The competition is getting down to the wire on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance". Tune in to see who walks away with the grand prize. The next summer film up for release is "The Expendables" starring Sylvester Stallone, Steve Austin, Bruce Willis, Terry Crews, Jet Li and others. Its an action adventure film that appears to be worth money spent at the cineplex. On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "Big Brother 12" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "Community" on NBC. Happy Thursday!