Monday Memo

Rap legend DJ Kool  Herk was recently released from the hospital after an illness. Although the nature of the  illness hasn't been disclosed, it's been reported that he does not have insurance to cover medical expenses. Chris Brown's lawyer will head to court of have the restraining order filed by ex-girlfriend Rihanna lifted. The order states he is to stay at least 30 yards away, the only exception is at events. He is then to stay at least 10 yards away. The lift still has to be approved, however. Rapper Cory Gunz stated in an interview with bet.com that he's blessed to be where his is at this point in his career. The Bronx born MC has signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment, joining a roster that includes, Nicki  Minaj, Drake and Tyga. He also indicated that he initially wanted to sign with Eminem's Shady Records. No deal was ever worked out, but the rapper states everything happens for a reason. Eminem's in the process of revamping  his Shady Records with the signing of Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf. Gunz says he has respect for those artist on a colleague level. Still no word on when  he will release a project. Rumors are swirling about whether Beyonce will work with producers M.I.A. on her next release. Diplo, one third of the production team posted comments on the blog for his record label, Mad Decent. He stated that the group was in the studio with the singer, but the track was not finished. Other possible collaborators could include S1, Jim Jonzin and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. Stay tuned as this story develops. The film "The Rite" topped the weekend box office earning over $15 million dollars. "No Strings Attached", "The Green Hornet", "The King's Speech" and "True Grit" round out the top five films of the week. Fans of the Fox show "Human Target" won't be surprised to know that the network is moving the show's time slot, yet again, the tenth move in less than two seasons. "Lie To Me" will have a season finale that will end with a very clever, nasty twist. On the tube: "Human Target" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelor" on ABC and "Chuck" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

A woman is suing Sean "Diddy" Combs for over 9 million dollars claiming that he and his ex, Kim Porter, were responsible for the 911 attacks. She also claims Combs stole a gambling chip from her. No word on when a hearing will be held. Last night's "American Idol" didn't go as well for one contestant as expected. After what can only be called a lackluster audition the woman claimed that she may have sang a little too fast for the judges. Be sure to pick up the latest issue of Jet magazine with "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star Kandi Burriss on the cover. She discusses her new CD, "Kandi Koded", the new season of the show and how she gets along with her fellow cast members. Sean "Diddy" Combs appears on the cover of the latest issue of The Source. He discusses his new CD and what's next for him. Actor Charlie Sheen has been released from a Los Angeles hospital after suffering abdominal pains. Here's hoping the actor and father gets the help he needs. Terry McMillan, author of "Waiting To Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" reportedly tweeted that the children of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are being pimped. She later apologized for the remark stating that she was not aware that it would go viral. Actor Jason Statham will star in the remake of the Charles Bronson film "The Mechanic". It will be the first action film of 2011. The actor plays Arthur Bishop, a mechanic, who is happy to tune someone up or take a mark to the salvage yard if the money is right. He's not as stone faced and silent as the Bronson character in the original, but he' nearly mute by today's standards. The film hits theaters this weekend. Nicki  Minaj will be the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend.  "A Weekend Of Stars: Tribute To Chaka Khan" airs this weekend as well.  In theaters this weekend: "The Mechanic" and "The Rite". On the tube: "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox, "NCIS: Los Angeles" on CBS, "Supernanny" on ABC and "Minute To Win It" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

West Coast rap legend Ice Cube is set to begin a tour in support of his latest CD, "I Am The West". The tour will begin in February. Pop star Lady Gaga will reportedly have her own doll dressed in her favorite attire. No word on when the doll will hit store shelves. In an interview with bet.com, Telib Kweli recounted how he became Twitter friends with MC Hammer and was invited to record some material in Hammer's home studio. He also stated that the two had done a show in Oakland with Dave Chappelle. No word on when the recorded material will be released or if Hammer joined him in the studio. Sports Illustrated will host a super bowl bash featuring the Black Eyed Peas. Joining the band will be deejays will.i.am and David Guetta along with Sports Illustrated swimsuit models Christine Teigen, Anne V., Julie Henderson and Genevieve Morton. "Sports Illustrated Presents: The Official Black Eyed Peas Friday NightB4 XLVParty" will be Friday, Feb. 4 at the Tower Building in Fair Park in Dallas. Actor John Travolta is in talks to star in a biopic as John Gotti, the Gambino family crime boss so adept at avoiding conviction that he was nicknamed "The Teflon Don". Director Nick Cassavetes will write the script with unconfirmed reports that this year's Oscars host James Franco will play John Gotti Jr, whom prosecutors tried unsuccessfully to prove was running his father's operations while he was in prison. No word on when the film will hit theaters. Fox's "American Idol" will air tonight with more hopefuls trying to impress judges. It remains to be seen who will make the final cut. On the tube: "American Idol" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "Community" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

It looks like rapper Nas' financial troubles have just gotten worse.  The Queensbridge MC has been hit with a $6.46 million tax lien by the IRS. According to the lien filed against him last fall, he hasn't made the $420 monthly payments on his Queens condo since January 2010. He now owes $3,860 to the Condo managers. He was reportedly hit with a $2,584,236 lien October 16, 2009, a $3,365,671 on February 3, 2010 and $514,298 lien from the New York Register of Deeds January 10 of this year. Nas couldn't be reached for comment. Tracy Marrow Jr, son or legendary West coast rap artist, Ice T, was arrested for public indecency after leaving a strip club  to use the bathroom. He was released on $100,000 bail. .40 Glock of G Unit was arrested after police found a loaded gun in his car. The rapper was released on $5,000 bail. He was visiting his old stomping grounds when the incident occurred. He was warned to stay away from the area by police because reportedly when he's there the crime rate goes up. Dr. Conrad Murray plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson yesterday. Jury selection for his trial will take place in March. Snoop Dogg posted a video on You Tube asking Lady Gaga to record a song with the West coast rap superstar. No word on if or when the two will go into the studio. It's another round of auditions on Fox's "American Idol" tonight and only time will tell which contestants will make the final cut. Even more so, who will win the grand prize. Former "Beverly Hills 90210" hunks Luke Perry and Jason Priestley will team up for the Hallmark Movie Channel film "Goodnight For Justice". Priestley will direct the film, which premieres on Saturday. Perry plays a 10th-Century circuit judge in Wyoming Territory. On the tube: "American Idol' on Fox, "Live To Dance" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Minute To Win It" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

An 8-year-old boy has been proven to be rapper Lil Wayne's son. As mentioned previously, the child's grandmother appeared in court to prove paternity of the child while the New Orleans MC was incarcerated. There's been no word on whether a child support hearing will be held. In other Lil Wayne news, the rapper will embark on his first tour since being released from Riker's Island. He, along with Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike will appear on the "I am Music Tour 2". The tour is set to begin in Buffalo NY on March 18 and end in Vancouver, Canada April 29. Wayne will also take the stage independent of the tour at East Rutherford NJ on May 1. Additional dates will be added soon. Drake is in talks to star in the film "Arbitrage" opposite Al Pachino and Susan Surandon. It's unclear what role the platinum rapper will play. Nicholas Jarecki of "The Outsider" fame, will write and direct the film. Drake first rose to prominence as Jimmy Brooks in "Degrassi: The Next Generation". Since then, the rapper has had a difficult time finding projects to his liking. He stated in an interview that he's reading scripts, but is being offered typical projects that would be offered to new artists. Talk show host  Oprah Winfrey revealed her family secret on her daytime talk show yesterday. She has a sister. The woman's father has not been revealed, however. Former CW show "The Game" airs on BET tonight. The show has been given a new lease on life thanks to viewers. The Academy Award nominations were announced today, and "The King's Speech" received 12 nominations, including best picture, actor, director, supporting actress and supporting actor. Colin Firth is considered a front runner for best actor in "King George 4". To the surprise of many, "True Grit" earned 10 nominations including best picture, director, actor and supporting actress. "Inception" received eight nominations, while "The Fighter" received seven. James Franco will host the show, which will air on Feb. 27. On DVD: "Red". On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "No Ordinary Family" on ABC and "Biggest Loser: Couples" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

"No Strings Attached" topped the weekend box office earning over $20 million dollars. "The Green Hornet", "The Dilemma", "The King's Speech" and "True Grit" round out the top five films of the week. A recording studio owned by rapper Julez Santana was raided by police over the weekend after a ten month long investigation. Police found a 9mm handgun, marijuana and other paraphernalia in the raid. No word on when or if charges will be filed. Nicki Minaj's London tour has been filled with pandemonium, to say the least. The rapper has been getting mobbed everywhere she goes, and now the hotel where she was staying has kicked her out. She also reportedly was caught taking pictures of Buckingham Palace. She and her entourage were asked to leave. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey will reveal a family secret on her show today. She says it's something that shook her to her core.  Rapper Yo Gotti has been cleared of all charges stemming from a November 29 club shooting in which five men were wounded. Gotti and nine other men were charged with aggravated riot after a melee gone wrong in the parking lot of Level 2 entertainment in his native Memphis. Reportedly the incident started after Gotti and his friend Corey McClendon got into an argument.  According to court documents, the fight escalated into a full-on brawl after rapper OG punched McClendon. Eight other men jumped into the fight. The charges were dropped reportedly because there were not enough witnesses. Tonight's episode of "Chuck" will find Sarah teaming with Chuck's  mom to stop the evil Alexei. Chaz Bono received a standing ovation after the premiere of his documentary "Becoming Chaz". The film chronicles his gender re-assignment. He says "when you're true to yourself, people appreciate it". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelor" on ABC and "Chuck" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Thursday Dish

Rapper Lil Wayne will appear on the cover of the next issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The rapper discusses the jail time he served and his plans for the future in the issue. Willow Smith is reportedly in talks to star in the remake of the hit Broadway musical "Annie".  No deal has been finalized as yet. Stay tuned. Kim and Kourtney Kardashian will document the opening of their new clothing boutique Dash on "Kim & Kourtney Take New York" airing Sunday at 10:00 p.m. The show is a spinoff of the successful "Keeping Up With The Kardashians". The Grammy Awards will air next month and music's biggest night is sure to be one for the record books. The show will air on CBS. "American Idol" kicked of it's tenth season last night, and the dynamic has changed at the Fox hit. The judges made it clear that they want young hopefuls to like them, not fear them. Jennifer Lopez comes off like a more businesslike version of supportive, nurturing former judge Paula Abdul. Steven Tyler, on the other hand, brings the goofy unpredictability that was Abdul's calling card for all of her eight seasons spent on the show. Randy Jackson is the one who keeps things going and reins in the other judges when things get a little silly. Tonight, the show will hold auditions from New Orleans. It has certainly gotten back on track after a few rocky years. Actor Blair Underwood, star of the NBC hit "The Event", talked with Entertainment Weekly about what's in store for fans when the show returns on Feb. 28. He stated that the show will revamp the way it's told the story of a group of detainees who may or may not be of this world. Roger Bart will join the cast as the White House Chief Of Staff along with Virginia Madsen as the widow of  a United States senator from Alaska who assumes her husband's post. "American Idol" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "Community" on NBC. Happy Thursday!