Kennedy Centers Honors Morgan Freeman and Barbara Streisand

Louisiana Voters Oust Indicted Rep. Jefferson
Bush's New Neighborhood Barred Non-Whites Until 2000
UNCF President: Don’t Close Historically Black Colleges
Oprah Named Entertainment's Most Powerful Woman
Girls Flee Circumcision in Kenya
Obama Says He Won't Be Smoking in White House
Jamie Foxx: Obamas Need a Pit Bull
Ghana Votes in Rare Example of African Democracy
Some Say O.J. Simpson Sentence Too Harsh
Trina Organizes Toy Drive in Miami
Rep. Charles Rangel's Ethics Inquiry May Put Pelosi in a Bind
Morehouse Wants Men with Class

NFL Giant , Plaxico Burress Shoots Himself In The Leg

You must have heard this by now but if you have not... check this out. New York Giants Receiver Plexico Buress showed up yesterday for his scheduled physical therapy for the leg injury he incurred this weekend... in a "club" Saturday... by shooting himself in the leg. No, really, he shoots himself in the leg. Days later we find the details of the story and it gets even weirder when you hear the infamous "club" is also an Applebees Restaurant. And then let's just bend the whole story way out when I tell you that before entering, Plexicao got padded down at the door by security. Security found the gun and he was still admitted to the club? Oh by the way, in the midst of the attemtped shooting cover-up did I mention that his wife...

is an attorney. So what kind of advice is he Plexico getting?

Plaxico Burress turned himself in to the NYPD to face weapons possession charges Monday as authorities said they are investigating what roles his teammate Antonio Pierce and the hospital that treated Burress played in the incident. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman said Burress pleaded not guilty to a weapon possession charge during the Monday afternoon court appearance.

Conviction on the charge could result in at least 3 1/2 years in prison.

Paula Abdul Stalker Found Dead Near Her Home

Police say a fan of Paula Abdul has been found dead in a car parked near a home belonging to the "American Idol" judge.

Capt. Jim Miller says the death appears to be a suicide. He says the woman, who was in her 30s and was not identified, had an infatuation with Abdul.

Police spokeswoman Julianne Sohn says officers responded to a call about 6 p.m. Tuesday and arrived in the Sherman Oaks area to find the body.

Public records show Abdul owns a home near the site where the body was found.

Nate Dogg Age 39 And Having A Stroke

Rapper Nate Dogg was hospitalized on September 5 after suffering his second stroke in less than a year--and that at one point the 39-year-old rapper was on life support with a feeding tube in his mouth. "He has suffered another stroke from his bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle," said Nate's rapping cousin, Donald "Lil' Half Dead" Smith.

Is it me or do we all see too many individuals having strokes, illness and death at a young age. Is "unhealthy lifestyle" code for drug abuse? Speaking of drug abuse, what's going on with singer Natalie Cole and her battle with hepatitis "C"? Check out the article above.

Kanye West Feeling Blue After The Po-Po Take Him To The Pokey!

Kanye West was led away in handcuffs by police at Los Angeles International Airport after a scuffle with paparazzi on Thursday morning. Apparently a $10,000.00 camera was thrown to the ground and West's bodyguard was also involved in the altercation.

Kanye may now be facing battery and vandalism charges. A witness indicated that West's arrest followed a scuffle with paparazzi.

The incident happened at 7:41am this morning at Terminal 4, at an American Airlines security checkpoint, according to the LAX spokesman. Developing...

Bernie Mac Dead at 50!

Sad news to report. Bernie Mac died this morning from complications due to pneumonia. The hilarious black comic turned film and television superstar will be missed by throngs of fans.

Mac had been hospitalized for about a week at Northwestern Hospital, according to his spokeswoman. A few years ago, Mac disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

The comic born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough could cut an imposing figure. He stood 6-foot-3, was built like a fullback and carried himself with a bouncer's reticence. But perhaps the strongest weapon in the Chicago comedian's arsenal was that voice, that amalgam of thought and a delivery that could rise like a tidal wave, outpace a Gatling gun and remained, to his last days, loud and unapologetic.

He wasn't scared, he told us time and again, to tell anyone what he thought, to say what others were afraid to say. That fearlessness wasn't always welcome, considering Mac didn't get his big break until his 30s. But when he did, the comic skyrocketed to success in stand-up, television and the big screen.

Bernie Mac shared screen time with some of Hollywood's larger-than-life leading men, co-starring with Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in the "Ocean's 11" remake and subsequent sequels.

Most recently, Mac garnered attention for making unsavory comments at a Barack Obama benefit that the presumptive Democratic candidate had to distance himself from.

Growing up on Chicago's South Side a hard-core White Sox fan, Mac discovered early on that he wanted to make a go at being a comedian.




Before his 10th birthday, Mac was performing comedy standup, honing his skills on CTA trains and parks before graduating to well-known haunts like the Regal Theater and the Cotton Club. He came to a realization during those first years as a struggling comic: If he could kill in front of a black crowd, he could kill in any crowd.

"Black audiences are hard," he told the New York Times in 2002. "You got to come with a little extra to satisfy them."

He also learned that comedy isn't a lucrative business when you are starting out. During those lean years in the '80s, Mac drove a Wonder Bread delivery truck to pay the bills.

Life changed dramatically for Mac when he was 32. He won the Miller Lite comedy search that year and that performance took him to the standup stage, which ultimately led to regular performances on popular shows like HBO's "Def Comedy Jam."

In a few short years, he was able to put a stamp on this tell-it-like-it-is brand of comedy that audiences had come to know him for. He was a hit on the stage, delivering sordid tales of his early life growing up on Chicago's South Side.

His work hit home to the African American audience -- his aggressive, brash comedy had a down home feel to it, tackling everything from family life to black romantic relationships -- yet Mac was able to cross it over, connecting with a majority entertainment scene.

"When I started in comedy in the clubs in 1977, blacks couldn't do certain clubs -- not because they were segregated. They just didn't want to put the [black comics] out there. In Los Angeles, the clubs would have a black night. People would say, 'Why don't you come by and do something?' I would say, 'I'm a comedian -- don't put a title on me.' Don't limit yourself. How you start is how you finish," he told the Tribune in 2007. "If you let people put tags on you, you'll never be able to remove them. You've got to make people respect you. Respect is bigger than dollars and cents."

Mac got his respect and he gained national attention after his set on HBO's popular late-night series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Decked out in a pair of jeans with his face illustrated, graffiti-style, on the right pants leg, Mac expounded on one taboo subject after another, from the benefits of snitching to his prowess in the bedroom.

"I ain't scared of you [expletive]!" became his signature tagline.

Many took note of the blue comic's performance, which later led to a bit part in 1992's "Mo' Money," and later an HBO Special, "Midnight Mac."

In 1995, Mac earned a spot in the cult-classic "Friday," and the film helped Mac break out. His portrayal of Pastor Clever was one of the film's highlights, however small it was. He followed it up with bit roles in other films, including "Booty Call," and "Def Jam's: How to Be a Player."

But he wanted more.

Mac sowed the seeds for his success on a cloudy day in North Carolina while taping the 2000 Spike Lee concert film, "The Original Kings of Comedy." There, on a rain-soaked basketball court, buttressed by co-stars Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, Mac issued a challenge to Hollywood:

"Do I have a television show? Nah," Mac told the cameras. "Why? 'Cause you scared of me, Scared I'm a say something. You [expletive] right. Think I won't say something?!"

A year later, Mac got his chance. "The Bernie Mac Show" debuted on Fox in November 2001, drawing critical acclaim, numerous awards, including two Emmy nominations for Mac and, most important, high ratings. Its premiere episode drew 11.4 million viewers. The second episode, which immediately followed the first, drew 12.4 million.

For the next four years, Mac spoke to the American public--via a break in the fourth wall a la Dobie Gillis--with all the befuddlement of a 40-something taskmaster father lost in a sea of talk therapy and "timeouts." "Now, America," Mac would often begin before going into a rant about undisciplined children, cuddling parents or, one of his favorite topics, the differences between black and white people.

But in 2005, the show went off the air. Several reasons contributed to cancellation: The show's ratings had dropped, Mac was getting more lucrative offers from the movie studios. Before the 2000 concert film, Mac's biggest credit was a recurring role on "Moesha."

But Mac's health was also a factor. In 2004, he halted production on the show while recovering from exhaustion. A year later, he disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

In spite of that, his star had risen a great deal. In addition to the highly popular "Oceans" films, he co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in a reverse remake of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 2005.

Last spring, Mac said that he was hanging up his standup career, and instead would focus more on movies. In 2007, he co-starred in "Ocean's Thirteen," "Pride" and had a role in the blockbuster "Transformers."

Scheduled for release is "Soul Men," with Samuel L. Jackson, which will be released this year, and "Old Dogs," with Robin Williams, which is due next year.

Mac is survived by his wife Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter, Jasmine.

Source

Is Bernie Mac Dying? Are Authorities Hiding The Truth?

As you all know by now, comedian actor Bernie Mac was hospitalized over the weekend with pneumonia.

BREAKING NEWS! BERNIE MAC HAS DIED!!!!!!!

Normally, yes, this would be a serious condition, but not beyond recovery considering Bernie's young age of 50. So then why are family sources leaking word to the Chicago Sun-Times he is in a “very, very critical state"?

People would like to blame his current condition on sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease, Bernie has been diagnosed with. It has been in remission since 2005. Medical sources say sarcoidosis is not the cause for his pneumonia, but if you follow our links on this desease you will find out that one of the major complications of sarcoidosis is scar tissue in the lungs. And this scar tissue could in fact hinder and complicate the quick recovery we normally associate with pneumonia being treated by antibiotics.

We should also ask what do family members have to gain by making up stories of the severity of Bernie's condition. Not much. They sound scared,frustrated and believing not enough is being done for Bernie, and by going public, puts doctors and the hospital on notice to step up Bernie's treatment. Speculation? possibly, but the only one who is saying Bernie is doing good is his publicist Danica Smith. So I'm inclined to listen to family members and anticipate at least one or two being bed side and really know what is going on. I don't know about you, but when I'm laid up sick in the hospital, I wouldn't be calling for my publicist to draw near!

In the mean time let's keep the prayers rolling Bernie's way.

P. Diddy Escapes Atlanta Shoot Out

Rapper mogul Sean "P.Diddy" Combs was rushed by a bodyguard out of club Dreams in Atlanta last night after an alleged incident broke out. We’re told that the incident happened at an after-party thrown by Janet Jackson’s boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, to kick off his annual So So Def SummerFest.

Jermaine explained "I'm sad this incident happened because it interrupted a beautiful and loving party. But I'm happy none of my people or friends got hurt. And the party continues."

People.com reports that gunfire broke out about 3:30 a.m. at Dreams and a security guard was injured.

When contacted Diddy's spokesperson said: "We are not issuing any statement as Sean was not involved in the incident. He was one of several celebrity guests in attendance at this party."

Other stars at the hot spot that night included Usher, Gabrielle Union and Nia Long.

Bernie Mac Hospitilized With Pneumonia!

Bernie Mac has been hospitalized in Chicago for pneumonia. The 50-year-old funnyman's rep says that the star "is responding well to treatment and will be released soon," and added that the illness is not related to Bernie's diagnosis of the autoimmune disease sarcoidosis, which causes inflammation in such organs as the lungs and lymph nodes.

THE LATEST ON BERNIE'S CONDITION

Bernie has been in remission since 2005, when the "Bernie Mac Show" and 'Ocean's Thirteen' star announced that he had been suffering from the disease for the last two decades.

"He asked that his privacy and that of his family is respected while he gets well," says the rep.

And the Oscar, Uh, Election Goes To....

By Jayar Jackson

Campaigning, shaking people's hands, kissing babies, and making inspirational speeches; all this to appeal to enough voters to get elected into office.

I've wracked my brain trying to figure out why no matter what our beloved politicians say or do, good or bad, once many of us have made up our minds made up on "our guy" there's little anyone can do to shake that support.

We think we see the person on stage that we know and love, but in reality, we don't truly know these guys, mostly because they don't want us to, and neither do we.

American politicians are much like our beloved Hollywood celebrities. Sure, many of them are drug addicts or drunks with horrible attitudes when fans happen to meet them, but damn we love that one character they played and the way they delivered that one line from our favorite movie!

They're surrounded by advisors, stylists, speech writers, image consultants, and publicists so much that we see what their crew creates for us. They even ask us in polls what we like and don't like, just so they can mold this perfect image before our very eyes, while we let out ooohs and aaahhs like it's the 4^th of July and we weren't expecting that grand finale we see every year.

Let me take a few of our favorite DC celebrities to see which image-driven, red carpet prima Donna, they embody the most.

Recently defeated Democratic primary candidate Hillary Clinton had an image of a tough, hard as nails candidate with the brains of a scholar, but the delicate touch only a woman could provide. Oh, she can go into battle with the fellas, but offered the sensibility and slight vulnerability no man could ever have…unless he's some kind of wuss.

Kind of remind you of Jodie Foster, doesn't it? She went face to face and matched wits with a flipped out, human flesh-snacking Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, but later showed a vulnerable, but still savvy under pressure side of her in Panic Room, battling three brutal home intruders while caring for her diabetic daughter.

Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama is the candidate for change, as we've all heard and many have fallen in love with.

It doesn't hurt that many women declare that he's not too hard on the eyes, either.

All candidates seem to say the right things, but Obama has a way of making you "feel" the right things as he says them. Supporters and detractors alike admit that he's an amazing orator, picking up friends and admirers like a rockstar on the campaign trail.

Although people love him for this, those very same things make others dislike him, but the plan is to make EVERYONE adore him. This all-around, good looking, smooth talker makes you wonder when Denzel Washington will be stepping up to fill in when Barack has come down with the flu.

Denzel has been the rookie cop that was catapulted to fame and adoration in the movie Ricochet due to his intelligence, quick wit, and mass appeal to anyone that encountered him. As the consummate good guy, an elaborate plot to ruin his career, reputation, and family life didn't happen.

Although it was a lot of work, all he really had to do was talk and smile for everything to be alright.

President Bush is beginning to wrap up his 2^nd term as the tough guy that you'd love to have a beer with. Bush appealed to the "regular guy" that loves his country, hates it when others disparage it, and will do anything to make sure things go the way he thinks they should. His biggest defenders and supporters admit he's no Aristotle when telling you exactly what he's thinking or how his elaborate plan will work, but dammit, it's going to work b/c this is the United Freaking States!!!

Nobody can see us or be us!!

This never die attitude is what we see every time Sylvester Stallone takes another role. He mercilessly shot bastards in the head in Rambo, took beatings fight after fight in the Rocky movies, and even embarrassed himself in Stop! Or my Mom Will Shoot, but through all those roles and even more, his growling delivery and speech from the side of his mouth never changed, no matter what the public opinion polls said!

When compassion and funny didn't work he just went back to the well, picked up another huge gun in a new Rambo, 26 years later to shoot a few more bastards and beat a few more asses in Rocky Balboa (part 6), 30 years later. Being a tough guy always helps, even in Washington DC.

Now I'm just wondering when we'll find a candidate with enough nerve to move in with his rich uncle, take on two different kinds of aliens, beat up virtually indestructible robots, survive as the last man on earth, and then be a superhero! Maybe Will Smith should just start campaigning now as governor of Pennsylvania and get it over with.

Why Black Women Love Black Men: Guess The Lady Slayer???

So who's the brother that has us swooning? No Cream No Sugar's got the anwser!

BILL MURRAY'S WIFE SEEKS DIVORCE IN LIGHT OF YEARS OF BEATDOWNS

Is This The Reason His Bosley Character Was Replaced With Bernie Mac???

Wife of entertainer Bill Murray has filed for divorce after nearly 11 years of marriage, alleging the "Charlie's Angel" and "What About Bob?" star abused her and is seriously addicted to marijuana and alcohol.


Jennifer Butler Murray filed divorce papers May 12 in Charleston County. She owns a home on Sullivans Island, S.C., where she lives with the couple's four children.

The complaint was first reported by The Post and Courier of Charleston. It also alleges frequent abandonment by the former "Saturday Night Live" star.

Bill Murray's attorney, John McDougall, wouldn't comment on the allegations, but said the entertainer "is deeply saddened by the breakup of his marriage."

"He and his wife made loving parents and they are committed to the best interests of their children," McDougall said. Jennifer Murray's attorney, Robert Rosen, said he had no comment.

The couple signed a prenuptial agreement, which was filed as an exhibit with the divorce papers, before they married in 1997. As part of the agreement, both waived their right to alimony or support if the marriage broke up. However, Murray agreed to pay $7 million to his ex-wife within 60 days of a final divorce decree.

The complaint, which doesn't specify instances of Murray's alleged marijuana or alcohol use, alleges he would often leave without telling his wife and says he "travels overseas where he engages in public and private altercations and sexual liaisons."

For the remainder of this article, visit the Associated Press.

Bow Wow To Join Cast Of HBO's Entourage... A Step Forward Or A Step Back

When I think of Bow Wow, I think of him first and foremost as a rapper. But I do have to give him equal props as a feature movie actor. Starring in such feature films as Like Mike, Roll Bounce and Johnson Family Vacation, this young man is branded as a G rated money making machine.

So why on earth would he now want to go and do television; even a highly visible and respected show like HBO's Entourage. Television is for older, washed-up actors who are still highly skilled and respected, but are not bankable at the box office. ( Note Angela Basset joining the cast of ER)

Bow Wow will be joining America's favorite group of Hollywood guys on Entourage and he doesn't need it. While those guys on ENTOURAGE are dying to be the movie stars, Bow Wow is already there.

Memo to Bow Wow: Television... you don't' need it, for now.

Did R. Kelly Molest His Niece???

Got A feeling R. Kelly Isn't Doing a Lot Of Laughing Now

Things may begin to heat up and take a major turn in the long anticipated R Kelly trial. It seems his brother, Carey Kelly is scheduled to take the stand this week. While we can't be certain of exactly what Carey will say, here are some of the allegations Carey made against his brother in a recent DVD:

- R Kelly was both emotionally and physically abusive towards his ex-wife.
- R Kelly and his ex-wife had an off the wall sex life, that includes frequent ménage-a-trois...
- R Kelly has had a number of inappropriate relationships with underage women - including a sexual relationship with deceased singer/actress Aaliyah.
- R Kelly molested his own niece.
- R Kelly has engaged in numerous gay relationships and his hit song Trapped in the Closet is loosely based on R Kelly's life.

This scoop courtesy of MediaTakeOut.com

Jail Call #2: R Kelly & Sex Tape Appearing Live In a Court Near You

After a six-year delay, jury selection began yesterday in the child-pornography trial of R & B singer R. Kelly, who stands accused of having sex with a girl as young as 13 on videotape.

Kelly, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, has pleaded not guilty. And his infamous claim of "That ain't me in the tape!" Gets more complicated as...

His lawyers had contended the jury pool was "irrevocably poisoned" by a Chicago Sun-Times article that claimed a potential witness was allegedly paid by an aide to the singer in order to get back an incriminating sex video. But Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan denied their motion to again postpone the trial,

Chief among the challenges prosecutors face is that the alleged victim, now 23, says it wasn't her in the videotape ... which is the trial's centerpiece and may be shown in open court. Furthermore, Kelly's lawyers have not admitted it's Kelly who appears in the video.

Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000, and that the girl was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced. AP

Jail Call #1: DMX Loves Drugs & Dead Pit Bulls?!

Rapper DMX was arrested on drug and animal-cruelty charges after an early-morning raid on his Phoenix home yesterday.

Authorities say the 37-year-old, whose real name is Earl Simmons, initially tried to barricade himself in his bedroom when a SWAT team entered his residence at 3 a.m.

The raid followed two searches of Simmons's home last August, which allegedly turned up weapons, drugs, dog carcasses and abused pit bulls.

Simmons's attorney, Murray Richman, told the Associated Press that his efforts to make DMX available to law enforcement prior to the raid were rebuffed, and that the animal-cruelty charges are not supported by evidence.

The arrest is the second in a week for DMX, who was taken into custody Tuesday after speed-enforcement cameras caught him going 114 mph on a suburban Phoenix freeway.
Reuters reports

James Brown Flash: The Godfather's A Father One Mo 'Gain!

Time To Stop Singing "The Kid Is Not My Son"

This is no big surprise and just part of settling the estate of the late soul legend James Brown, and the distribution of future royalties to come.

The Godfather of Soul was often seen with Tomi Raye Hyne. Stevie Wonder could see that he fathered that boy. It was common knowledge!

As time passes, the problems arise as others also claim to be his spawn.

But this solidifies "common-law" Tomi Raye's consistent claim to Godfather James' estate. It also means that all of you nasty people (Rev. Al Sharpton, among others) who treated Tomi Raye so horribly at James' funeral owe her a big apology.

So give it up.

She may not be wearing a wedding ring but she was obviously doing a lot of the other things a wife does.

Ladies, A Lesson To Be Learned In The Mariah Carey-Nick Cannon Wedding

Sistah', so you've decided you want to marry. When looking to find the man of your dreams, the one who you want to be with forever. Let's start with a qualifying question that we all miss. "Are you a man who wants to be married now." Six months ago, Nick was engaged to Victoria's Secret model Seltia Ebanks. So it should be no surprise that after a brief four month courtship, he and Mariah are married. Hello! Nick was a man who wanted to be married... now. So ladies this is the first question we should be asking. Because no matter how wonderful and perfect that man you meet is... He has to be want to get married now. If not, move on. It's just that simple.

From Family Matters To This????

Remember Jaleel White and Bryton McClure from the popular Black 90's sitcom "Family Matters?"

Well you won't believe what these two nerds look like now. Let's start with Urkel, after the jump...

Jaleel has become quite the hunk, right ladies?

But wait, you have got to see Bryton and find out what he's up to now. No Cream No Sugar has the goods.

Are You Serious??? Mariah Carey Gets Drumline Fever!

Is Nick Cannon the man or what? First it was sexy actress and singer Christina Millan. Then it was Victoria Secret Hottie Selita Ebanks. So now this black man with incredible taste in women looks like he's got Mimi sprung.

A source close to Mariah has confirmed to Access Hollywood that the music diva is engaged to Nick Cannon.

The couple sent the rumor mill into overdrive when 38-year-old Mariah (with Nick on her arm) was seen sporting a dazzling new piece of bling on her ring finger at the after party for her Tribeca film, “Tennessee,” in New York.

When asked at the party what he loved about Mariah, 27-year-old Nick gave a one-word answer.“Everything,” he told People.

Up until recently, Mariah had been romantically linked to music executive Mark Sudack. However, she never confirmed the romance.

Mariah was previously married to record executive Tommy Mottola from 1993 – 1998.
Nick was previously engaged to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks in 2007. However, the couple called off the engagement that same year.

This will be the first marriage for the “Drumline” star.