Tuesday Tales

Rihanna is set to appear on the cover of the British version of GQ magazine. In the article, the pop star talks about the infamous 2009 incident where ex-boyfriend Chris Brown attacked her. She says she also wishes people would stop asking her about it. Nelly has let it be known that he's not happy about the fact that his latest CD, "5.0" has only sold 63,000 copies since its release.  In the meantime, Nicki Minaj has sold over 400,000 copies of her debut, "Pink Friday" it's first week in stores. Kanye West has sold  over 543,000 copies of his latest CD, "My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy". Jay Z's autobiography, "Decoded" has made the New York Times best seller list. The book, which was released on November 16, reached No. 3 in the Hardcover Nonfiction category. In addition to a aggressive promotional tour, Hov may have benefited from talk show host Oprah Winfrey co-signing the book. She listed the item as one of her favorite things on her show three days after it's release and bought copies for her entire audience.  Those Beyonce fans who missed the singer on her "I Am World Tour" will have an opportunity to witness the show on DVD. The newly released "Beyonce: I Am" follows the singer as she performs 108 concerts on six continents. The tour grossed over $86 million and helped her land at number two on Forbes magazines' annual Celebrity 100 list behind Oprah Winfrey. The DVD also shows a glimpse of the star's life offstage. "Beyonce: I Am World Tour" is in stores now. Just when it appeared that the Kardashian sisters were set to launch their own Visa debit card, the Attorney General of Connicut has apparently said not so fast. He's investigating to see whether the card violates consumer protection laws.  Yet another week of competition ended on last night's "Skating With The Stars". Only time will tell who wins the grand prize. Fans have another installment in the "Twlight: New Moon" franchise to look forward to. The next film set for release is "The Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1".  No word on when the film will be released. Soulja Boy, El DeBarge and Jazmine Sullivan have new music in stores this week. On DVD: "The Twlight Saga: Eclipse", "Knight and Day" and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on CBS, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on ABC and "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The film "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 1" topped the weekend box office, once again, earning over $50 million. "Tangled", "Megamind", "Burlesque" and "Unstoppable" round out the top five films of the week.  The Soul Train Music Awards aired on both BET and Centric last night and it was night of excellent performances and two tributes that were long over due. R Kelly opened the show with a hits medley, showing why he remains a favorite among fans. Eric Benet performed his hit "Sometimes I Cry" and received a positive response from the crowd. Ne-Yo performed "Champagne Life" and "One In A Million" and Ce-Lo performed a edited version of "Forget You". Erykah Badu offered the crowd a laid back performance of "Window Seat" as well. The highlights of the evening were the honors given to Anita Baker and Ronald Isley. Anita Baker sat in the front row watching as Chrisette Michelle, Tamia, Faith Evans, El DeBarge and others sang Anita Baker classics. Ronald Isley watched as Tank, Keyshia Cole, Bilal and others sang his classics and new material as well. The Song of the Year award went to B.o.B. for "Nothing On You" and Melanie Fiona won Best New Artist.. Alicia Keys took home Record of the Year (Songwriter" for "Unthinkable(I"m Ready)". Hosts Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard playfully competed on the dance floor. Henson whipped her hair back and forth while Howard got low. The two even brought CNN's Wolf Blitzer out to show him how to dougie, bringing Doug E. Fresh to the stage. All in all, it was an exciting night filled with love, peace and soul, as Soul Train creator Don Cornelius would say.  Sad news out of Hollywood. Actor Leslie Nielson died from complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home. He was 84. Fans will remember him from the films "Airplane", "Forbidden Planet", "Poseidon Adventure" and the "Naked Gun" comedies. He began his career in the 1950's, but it took some time before he achieved notoriety in Hollywood. He will be missed. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "Skating With The Stars" on ABC and "Chuck" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

Grammy Award winning group Black Eyed Peas will be the featured performer at Super Bowl 45 on  February 6. The group will perform at Cowboys Stadium, it was announced. Since forming in 1995, the group has sold over 28 million albums and nearly 31 million digital tracks. The group's next album, "The Beginning" will be released on Tuesday. During a recent interview, Nelly recalled working with Kanye West before the Chicago artist became a hip hop superstar. He says his favorite moment with the rapper/producer is just seeing him work his way up to being who he has now become. He also recalled working in the studio with him on a track West did when Nelly was searching for a deal. He says West was a talented and determined fellow. It's not hard to see where the talent and determination has gotten West. Mariah Carey has just released her second Christmas album and recalled during an interview the process of getting the project done. She says with her previous Christmas album she put up decorations and left them up until well after the holidays were over. Her new release is in stores now. Eva Longoria Parker, while in the mist of a split with husband Tony Parker, admitted that she should have ended the marriage sooner. Rumors about Parker's cheating  shortly after the couple's wedding spread quickly, but she stayed in the marriage for the long haul. The Soul Train Music Awards will air on BET and Centric on Sunday at 8pm and will be hosted by Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Both Ronald Isley and Anita Baker will be honored for their career achievements. R Kelly will open the show. It should be one to remember indeed. In theaters this weekend: "Burlesque", "Love & Other Drugs", "Tangled" and "127 Hours". On the tube: "TV's Funniest Holiday Moments A Paley Center Special" on Fox, "CSI: NY" on CBS, "Happy Feet" on ABC and "School Pride" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Wednesday Roundup

Rumor has it that Nicki Minaj received the mean girls treatment backstage at the American Music Awards Sunday. According to reports, Rihanna, Katy Perry and others touched the rapper inappropriately, then laughed behind her back. There's been no comment from Minaj regarding the matter. Kanye West is busy expanding his business empire. Along with his own record label, he's also inked a deal for a cologne and clothing line.  Sounds like a true entrepreneur. Matthew and Tina Knowles, parents of singer Beyonce Knowles, have apparently called off their pending divorce. A hearing was scheduled, but the two never showed up. It's great to here the two have worked things out. Congradulations to actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston are in order. The two became the parents of a baby boy. According to a publicist, the baby was born Tuesday at an undisclosed Florida hospital. He weighed eight pounds, three ounces. They named the child Benjamin. All are said to be doing well. They released a statement saying they are very happy about the new addition to their family. This is the third child for the couple. They have a daughter Ella Bleu. A son Jett, died last year at age 16. Jennifer Gray was the winner of last night's "Dancing With The Stars". She won the competition with talent and determination and a near perfect score of 118 out of 120 for her final four dances with partner Derek Hough, despite a back injury. She also overcame a organized get out the vote campaign by Conservative websites, which kept Bristol Palin and her partner Mark Ballas in the competition, despite their low scores. All in all, it was a triumphant comeback for a beloved star 23 years in the making. Congradulations. After feasting on Thanksgiving turkey, viewers can catch country sensation Taylor Swift's concert special on ABC or Beyonce's concert special "I am" on CBS. Both concerts should be exciting ones. The Soul Train Awards will air on Sunday on BET at 8pm. The show will be hosted by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson and feature performances by the biggest names in hip hop and R&B. It should be an evening to remember. On the tube: "Human Target" on Fox, "Survivor: Nicaragua" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Merry Madagascar" on NBC. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday Tales

During a recent interview, rapper T.I. revealed that he became addicted to prescription medication. The king of the south stated he had oral surgery and was given Oxycontin and hydrocodone for pain. Soon after, he says the medication became habit forming. Fans were shocked when he was arrested in September. Initial reports stated that police found marijuana in his Maybach, but updates revealed that he had codeine and ecstasy in his possession. During his sentencing in October, he pleaded with the judge to keep him out of jail so that he could get treatment for his habit. Here's hoping everything goes well and he gets the help he needs. Fantasia revealed a startling secret during a court hearing. She says she at one point became pregnant by her married boyfriend, but terminated the pregnancy. Fans will recall reports surfaced sometime ago that she was involved with Antoine Cook, who is married, but the singer denied the rumors. It was then reported that she attempted suicide due to the situation and the media attention. She was later released. She also stated that she believed that Cook was separated as he said. Let's hope everything works out for all concerned. A aspiring singer/songwriter is suing Usher claiming she wrote the 2004 hit "My Boo". No word on the damages being sought. The finals took place on last night's "Dancing With The Stars" and while each couple pulled out all the stops to win the trophy, Jennifer Gray is a clear winner. The results show airs tonight on ABC at 9pm. "Skating With The Stars" premiered last night and from all accounts, the major difference hear is two razor sharp blades of steel strapped to the feet of six nervous stars. Luckily, no one fell during their debut performances.  The costumes are smaller and the performances just as explosive. Each week the contestants must perform a routine with certain required elements. All in all, it makes for a interesting show. Nicki Minaj, Jay Z and Kanye West have new music in stores this week. On DVD: "The Expendables", "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Flipped". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "No Ordinary Family" on ABC and "Biggest Loser" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The boy wizard has done it again. "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 1" topped the weekend box office, earning over $125 million dollars. "Megamind", "Unstoppable", "Due Date" and "The Next Three Days" round out the top five films of the week. Teen sensation Justin Bieber and Usher were among the big winners at last night's American Music Awards. Usher took home Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album, while his protege took home four awards including Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Breakthrough Artist. Brad Paisley won Favorite Country Male Artist, while Favorite Country Female went to Taylor Swift. Lady Antebellum won Favorite Country Duo Or Group. Favorite Alternative Artist went to Muse. Rihanna opened the show with a sexy performance, doing a medley of songs from her recently released album "Loud", including the number one single "What's My Name". Justin Bieber gave an entertaining performance backed by a choir. Favorite Pop/Rock Band winners Blackeyed Peas performed their latest single "The Time" from boxes atop the stage. Some performances were given by some not necessarily nominated, but had albums to promote. Diddy and Dirty Money sang tracks from their upcoming album and Kid Rock performed a acoustic version of "Times Like These", a song uplifting his hometown Detroit during it's economic struggles. A pregnant Pink was among the evening's highlights, performing her latest single "Raise Your Glass" with a tightly choreographed, high energy dance number. Katy Perry used pyrotechnics to accentuate her performance of  "Firework". The evening's finale was a first time on network television teaming of New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys. All in all, the show was an exciting one. Rapper DMX has been arrested yet again. The rapper was arrested for probation violation with cocaine in his possession. A judge will decide a sentence soon. The top three contestants will dance for the mirror ball trophy on "Dancing With The Stars". Although time will tell, a clear front runner for the prize is Jennifer Gray. The show airs tonight at 8pm on ABC. On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "Dancing With The Stars" on ABC and "Chuck" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

The internet is buzzing currently with the release of a freestyle by rapper Foxy Brown. One reason for the attention being given to the track is that some think that she's taking shots at Nicki Minaj. Although there's been no confirmation or denial, it does sound like Brown may be addressing Minaj on the track. Stay tuned as this story develops. Speaking of Nicki Minaj, the rapper's soon to be release debut CD has been leaked over the internet, less than a week before it's release date. It shouldn't effect sales, however. Rapper T.I. recently posted a blog about staying out of jail when he's completed his jail term. Let's hope he does that for himself and his family. It's a shame to see someone so talented lose it all by being irresponsible. Rihanna says she's not concerned about the sales of her latest CD "Rated R". She says "Good Girl Gone Bad" got off to a slow start, but eventually sold 9 million copies. After a few rocky seasons, "Grey's Anatomy" has turned into one of the must see shows of the fall season. The writing and acting have improved tremendously. The show is filled with one surprise after another. The finals well be held on next week's "Dancing With The Stars" and the pressure will be on for the top three couples. As mentioned previously, Jennifer Gray is definitely a top contender for the mirror ball trophy. We'll see which dancer prevails. The American Music Awards will air on Sunday at 8pm on ABC and Rihanna and Justin Bieber are among the performers who will grace the stage. It should be an exciting show viewers won't soon forget. Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp are currently shooting a film together that appears to have a lot of plot twists and turns. No word on when the film will be released. In theaters this weekend: "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hollows Part 1" and "The Next Three Days". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "Medium" on CBS, "Supernanny" on ABC and "School Pride" on NBC. Make it a weekend!