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According to TMZ, Tyler Perry has been named in a lawsuit by the estate of the late gospel singer/songwriter Bertha James for allegedly lifting an entire verse of James' song for his film "Madea Goes to Jail.
According to the federal lawsuit obtained by TMZ, a personal representative of the deceased singer claims Perry used an entire verse of "When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus," a song James wrote in 1950.
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*The financial dispute between Oprah Winfrey's mother and a high-end fashion store in Wisconsin has been settled after both parties reached an agreement, details of which were not disclosed.
As previously reported, Vernita Lee of Milwaukee was accused of stiffing the Brookfield store, Valentina, in 2008. Lee's attorneys argued the store should not have extended credit to her because of her earlier troubles paying a bill.
Beyonce made news during the final U.K. stop of her "I Am..." tour at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, by announcing plans to release a new album in 2010.
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Updating the Tiger Woods story, Florida troopers who went to interview golfer and his wife on Saturday for more details on how his SUV struck a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree were told by his agent to come back tomorrow, Sunday (11-29-09), reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, the woman accused by the National Enquirer of having an affair with Tiger Woods says the accusations are false.
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*Former ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith, now with Fox Sports Radio is reporting that Allen Iverson may come out of his very recent retirement and play for the Philadelphia 76ers again.
He says numerous team sources confirmed on Friday that the 76ers' brass has already talked — and talks will only escalate this weekend — about bringing Iverson back to Philadelphia. Possibly as early as next week.
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Why are we so not surprised. The couple who crashed President Barack Obama's first state dinner are peddling their story to broadcast networks for hundreds of thousands of dollars, a television executive says.
The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network does not publicly discuss bookings, told The Associated Press that representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to "get their bids in" for an interview.
Updating the Tiger Woods story, Florida troopers who went to interview golfer and his wife on Saturday for more details on how his SUV struck a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree were told by his agent to come back tomorrow, Sunday (11-29-09), reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, the woman accused by the National Enquirer of having an affair with Tiger Woods says the accusations are false.
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The woman the National Enquirer says is Tiger Woods' "other woman" is speaking out.
The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by The Associated Press.
“I resent my reputation is getting completely blasted in the media,” she said during a telephone interview late Friday. “Everyone is assuming I came out and said this. This is not a story I have anything to do with.”
Father-to-be Robin Thicke says he and his actress wife Paula Patton have already picked out names for their first child, which is due in May.
"We like Julian if it's a boy and Isabella if it's a girl," he told People.com Saturday while hosting at The Bank nightclub in Las Vegas.
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Mya is doing her thing and is poised to take the "Dancing With the Stars" title after finishing three points away from perfect during the final night of competition Monday.
She made it clear that she intends to claim the show's mirrorball trophy.
"I haven't worked this hard for this long not to win this thing," she said Monday. "That trophy is mine."
The Hollywood Reporter's Steven Zeitchik posted a piece Thursday comparing the new Sandra Bullock movie "The Blind Side" with "Precious," calling the former a "red state" version of the latter.
Zeitchik begins: "It’s almost impossible to watch “The Blind Side,” a story of race and the power of education to overcome life’s brutalities, and not think of “Precious,” a story of race and the power of education to overcome life’s brutalities.
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Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry continues to give back to the community. The latest recipient of his largesse is the NAACP.
The country’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, announced Monday that Perry has donated one million dollars, marking the largest gift ever given by an individual entertainer.
South African track star Caster Semenya gets to keep her 800-meter gold medal from the world championships, and the results of her gender tests will be kept confidential, the South African sports ministry announced Thursday.
When Mariah Carey reportedly requested that she be surrounded by 20 white kittens and 100 white doves while lighting a Christmas tree at a British shopping center, local health and safety officials had to put their foot down.
The Producers Guild of America will present the producers of “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push' by Sapphire” with its Stanley Kramer Award at the 21st Annual PGA Awards ceremony on Jan. 24 at the Hollywood Palladium.
The trophy was established in 2002 to salute works illuminating “provocative social issues in an accessible and elevating fashion” in honor of Kramer, whose films include “The Caine Mutiny,” “High Noon,” “The Defiant Ones,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”
Alicia Keys is getting into the bling business with a new line of necklaces in partnership with The Barber’s Daughters designer Gisele Theriault.
Due out in fall 2010, the collection will range in price from $85 to $2,500 and feature precious metals and gems inscribed with inspirational messages, reports People.com.
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The last five weeks of the year, the days beginning with Thanksgiving and moving through the New Year, are days when we all wind down. Some of us don't want to admit it, citing business as usual. But the fact is that from the first thanksgiving party to the last holiday gift exchange, we have collectively decided that the year is over and we can't do much about it.
This year is different from many others. One in six Americans does not have a job. One in four African Americans is unemployed. This means that our holiday parties must be muted by the challenge of acknowledging and supporting those who are impaired in our midst. It also means lifting up those who deserve the lift up, those who have done such phenomenal things this year that they need a shout out.
I will lift up my sister friend Susan Taylor for her National Mentoring Cares Movement ad for the phenomenal love she sows into African American people as we grow, develop, and learn to heal from our hurt. As she crosses the country, she infuses her gentle spirit into the many ways we can embrace our futures. She is a force that must be loved, respected and appreciated.
I will lift up Dr. Boyce Watkins for his embrace of Heather Ellis, the young sister from Missouri who faced 15 years in jail for cutting a line. Heather Ellis did what so many of us do - went to the store with a friend (cousin), took separate lines, and decided that whoever got up first would hook the other up. How did this turn into a racial farce of utter insanity? It would take the people in Kennett, Missouri to tell us. Here is what I know - Boyce Watkins spent time, effort, energy and money in rallying people around heather Ellis. I am grateful for his activism and lift him up for his work.
I will lift up Donna Richardson Joyner, who has both embraced Bennett College for women and black women around the globe in her positive and joyful commitment to healthy living. Thanks to Donna, we are doing work on growing a healthy garden and embracing healthy habits at Bennett, but more importantly, thanks to Donna, we all have a model of how to live and how to be.
I will lift up Blanche Williams and the National Black Women's Town Hall and the many ways that Blanche is into hooking sisters up. Blanche's mantra is "Embracing Greatness" and she is unselfish about that embrace. She is a blessing and a lesson, a joy and a leader. I am so very excited about their work.
There are so very many more that deserve the lift up. And, there are so many that must be acknowledged as they struggle through these times. I am especially concerned by those who are marginalized by the notion of these holiday celebrations, marginalized by the reality that they have not much to celebrate. What do we celebrate through the storm? Mostly we celebrate that we are still here. Still here? Still navigating, functioning, managing, holding it up. And we celebrate the fact that in the middle of the wind-down, we are indeed winding down.
I always find the end of the year poignant. We always have much to reflect on, much to celebrate. We lift up those who have assisted, accomplished, and moved us more aggressively to a better world. And, at the same time, we acknowledge those who have been tousled by our economy. We ask that all of us do the work we must do to provide analysis as we move forward. We wonder if we suffer from the paralysis of analysis.
At the end of the day, we know that the end-year act of winding down offer us an amazing possibility to lift up and respect our past and yet be challenged by our present. We know that there are those whose contribution has been stellar; we know we all want to do more. We inhale this moment called the end of the year, appreciating the opportunity to wind down, looking forward to the challenge of winding back up.
As long as there are racial economic gaps, there is cause to work, challenge, and focus. When the black unemployment rate is nearly twice the white rate, when black wealth is a tenth of white wealth, there is work to do. For many the end of the year should be nothing more than a momentary respite. There is, still, much work to do.
Five Gainesville residents are suing a Florida rapper, his record label and a local club after they were shot during a 2006 concert.
Billy Dee Williams, Michael Lamar Daymon, Edwin Devasco Faircloth, Steve Ruben Jean-Jacques and Dorian Shannel Johnson are suing rapper Plies, whose real name is Algernod Lanier Washington. They are also suing night club 238 West and Washington's record label, Slip-N-Slide Records Inc., for compensatory damages.
Washington is best known for his 2007 single "Shawty" featuring T-Pain.
The Princess and the Frog" merchandise is apparently flying off the shelves despite the film being weeks away from its debut in theaters.
Disney announced that items linked to the studio's first black princess have already begun out-selling other Disney Princess merchandise by double digit percentages.
The white glove worn by Michael Jackson as he moonwalked his way into pop culture history at the 1983 Motown 25 television special will go on the auction block Saturday in New York.
"There is no question it is the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson," said Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien's Auctions, the company behind the sale at New York's Hard Rock Cafe.
BET.com launches its first Web series "Buppies," starring Tatyana Ali, on Tuesday Nov. 24.
Set in the glitzy and glamorous world of black Hollywood, "Buppies" follows the relationship dramas of a group of slightly dysfunctional but inseparable friends as they navigate the tricky terrain of L.A.'s young black power elite.
There are reports that Danny Glover will exchange wedding vows next month with his Brazilian girlfriend of six years, Eliane Cavalleiro.
According to the O Globo newspaper, Glover told a spokesperson for the Rio de Janeiro film festival this week that he and his fiancée have yet to decide if they will live in Glover's native U.S. after the wedding.
In a recent radio interview with Atlanta's The Bert Show, Janet Jackson refered to Jermaine Dupri as her "ex," despite recent reports that the two were back together (and had never been apart) after previous rumors suggested they had broken up.
While chatting with the radio show, Jackson, 43, included Dupri, 37, on her very short list of ex-boyfriends with whom she still keeps in touch.
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The reality show filmed by Shaquille and Shaunie O'Neal before their marriage took a decisive turn last week may find its way to at least one network still willing to give it a chance.
Earlier this year, the couple had shopped a show called "Love Shaq," based on several couples-style reality shows like "Meet the Barkers," "Newlyweds" and "Til Death Do Us Part."
50 Cent will play Santa for single mothers this holiday season as part of "50's Money For Moms" contest, in conjunction with BET.
Entrants must explain in 200 words or less why she -- or a single mother the writer knows -- deserves to win one of three grand prizes of $10,000 each from 50 Cent. Details and entries are available at www.bet.com/Site/contests_50cent.
On Nov. 23, Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie will give away more than 6,000 turkeys to needy families across the country, as well as host “Steve Harvey’s Big Turkey Give Day” in Chicago with two daytime events in the cities of Markham and Chicago.
As part of the nationwide giveaway, the Harveys will team up with Steve Harvey Morning Show affiliate stations in 53 markets to distribute thousands of turkeys, with live on-air gives taking place in 10 of those markets.
*Hip-Hop activist Erica Ford, CEO and founder of Life Camp Inc., has partnered with the Rev. Al Sharpton to lead "National Day of Outrage," a nationwide protest against violence on Nov. 23.
Sharpton will lead a rally in Atlanta while other gatherings are scheduled to take place in Houston; Cleveland; Philadelphia; Boston; Syracuse; Savannah; Eunice Louisiana; Greensboro, North Carolina and Los Angeles.
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"The Wendy Williams Show" has been renewed on Fox TV stations through the 2011-12 season, even though ratings in most markets have been modest, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"We are extremely gratified by Fox's faith in Wendy," said Mort Marcus, co-president of Debmar-Mercury. "Her substantial growth in the key ratings demos, which stations care about the most, has quickly put her program within striking distance of many of today's most established and successful talk shows."
It was business as usual for Chris Brown as well as his adoring fans during a recent appearance at a Los Angeles high school.
Brown "rolled into L.A.'s Cleveland High for a celebrity basketball game sponsored by local radio station Power 106," reported TMZ.com, also notinh that his assault of Rihanna was all but forgotten by the students.
The New York Daily News is claiming that Rihanna is rebounding from Chris Brown with "Beverly Hills 90210" star Tristan Wilds.
The paper's Gatecrasher column said the actor was an "unexpected guest" at a party she held over the weekend at her Los Angeles home. The gathering served as a goodbye to friends before she headed to London this week.
A film adaptation of the book "Blood Done Sign My Name," featuring Nate Parker as civil rights activist Ben Chavis, has been picked up by fledgling distribution shingle Paladin, reports Variety.
Based on Timothy Tyson's book, the film explores the racial upheaval and ensuing social change provoked by the true-life acquittal of a white father and son accused of murdering a black man in public view in 1970 in Oxford, N.C.
CHICAGO – For more than two decades, Oprah Winfrey has been the inspirational, change-your-life champion who reigned over daytime television much like Johnny Carson once ruled late night.
Now she's ready to say goodbye, leaving a huge void for broadcast TV even as she raises the possibility of more Oprah than ever when she starts her own cable network.
Winfrey told viewers Friday that she will dim the lights on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at the close of its 25th season in late 2011.
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KENNETT, Mo. (AP) -- Closing arguments ended Friday and a jury took up the case of a black school teacher charged with assaulting white police officers, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace at a Southeast Missouri store.
A jury of 10 white women, one black woman and one black man began deliberating Heather Ellis' case late Friday. One of the last to testify in the three-day trial, Ellis maintained Friday that white police officers had attacked and abused her.
Prosecutors said Ellis, a Louisiana school teacher, cut in line at the Kennett Walmart in January 2007, then became belligerent and attacked officers called in to quell the scuffle. The 24-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison if she is convicted of the felony charges against her.
The racial overtones of the case have drawn national interest. Prosecutor Morley Swingle said Friday the defense was trying to portray Kennett as "some racist Hooterville."
The customer who accused Ellis of pushing in line, the assistant store manager and arresting officers are all white.
Police said Ellis used obscene language and kicked and bit officers as they led her out of the store.
In nearly two hours of testimony, Ellis denied cursing or attacking anyone. Instead, she said, it was police who assaulted her in the parking lot after she was led outside.
Lawyers tell the Associated Press that assault charges have been dropped against Black Eyed Peas manager Liborio Molina, accused of punching celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.
Molina allegedly struck Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub last summer after a video awards show. As part of an agreement read in court Wednesday, Molina has written a letter of apology to Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira.
Precious" director Lee Daniels is now in advanced negotiations to helm "Selma," which will trace the historic 1965 march in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the civil rights movement.
Daniels, whose "Precious" is drenched in Oscar buzz, will be teaming on the project with U.K. producer Christian Colson, reports Variety.
*Oprah Winfrey's much-anticipated interview of Sarah Palin brought her talk show its highest ratings in two years.
The Live Feed's James Hibberd notes that Monday's episode drew an 8.7 household rating and 13 share, the highest since Oprah hosted the Osmonds in 2007.
Two days after testifying against paparazzi in a Los Angeles courtroom, Nicole Richie has checked herself into the hospital with pneumonia, reports the AP.
Publicist Nicole Perna said Wednesday the 28-year-old actress is doing well after she was admitted into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Antoine Fuqua and Spike Lee join forces for a big screen adaptation of the graphic novel "Miss: Better Living Through Crime," with Fuqua directing and Lee executive producing.
Newly-formed banner Vigilante Entertainment is developing the project, which revolves around Nola and Slim, two unlikely partners in crime in the early 1900s in New York, reports Variety.
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Janet Jackson has confirmed reports that she and her family attempted several times to help her brother Michael with his drug problem, but that he rebuffed those attempts to intervene.
"You can't make 'em drink the water," Jackson told ABC's Robin Roberts in an interview that aired last night.
When asked if her brother was in denial about his addiction, she replied, "Possibly."
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Jennifer Hudson is set to star in a drama that casts her as the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.
"Winnie," based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela: A Life,” begins shooting May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
Prosecutors have begun investigating whether to charge ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and a photographer for a fight at Los Angeles International Airport.
City attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan says police on Tuesday handed his office a preliminary report of the Nov. 11 confrontation, reports the Associated Press.
Tyson and photographer Tony Echeverria made citizens' arrests, each claiming he was punched by the other man.
Oprah Winfrey will announce on Friday that her popular daytime talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," will end its run in 2011, Tim Bennett, the President of Harpo, announced in a letter released to ABC affiliates on Thursday.
"Tomorrow, Oprah will announce live on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' that she has decided to end what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history," he wrote in the letter, obtained by Access Hollywood. " The sun will set on the 'Oprah' show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011."
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So much for Shemar Moore ever reprising his role of Malcolm Winters on "The Young and the Restless." Beginning next month, the character will be played by former "Family Matters" star Darius McCrary, according to EW.com.
McCrary signed a multi-year deal to assume the role beginning with a taping on Nov. 18, the Web site reported. His debut will air on Dec. 29.
Sean "Diddy" Combs turned the big 4-0 on Nov. 4, but he is waiting until this Thursday (Nov. 19) to celebrate the birthday milestone in grand style.
According to the New York Post's Page Six, Diddy has booked the Grand Ballroom inside of New York's Plaza Hotel for the extravaganza.
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Oprah Winfrey gave Robin Givens a lengthy apology on her live show last Friday over the manner in which she dealt (or didn't deal) with a comment made last month by the actress' ex-husband Mike Tyson.
On a previous episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Tyson was asked about their 1998 Barbara Walters interview, in which Givens revealed that he physically abused her.
Last month, as part of her "Women Around the World" episode, talk show host Oprah Winfrey conducted an interview via Skype with Dr. Lamees Hamdan, a Dubai mother of four who owns Shiffa, a line of high-end skin-care products.
In the online introduction to the segment, Oprah's team writes of the United Arab Emirates: "Thanks to this country's rich oil supplies, the government provides its citizens with free water, electricity and health care. The best part? No income tax!"
Tyler Perry's TBS sitcom "Meet the Browns" will be syndicated in more than 70 percent of the U.S. next fall.
Syndicator Debmar-Mercury has cleared the comedy for a September debut on several major station groups, including Fox, Tribune, Weigel, CBS, Capital, Cox, Meredith, Granite and Belo.
*It's now official. Producers of the upcoming Broadway musical "Fela!" have confirmed that rap mogul Jay-Z and Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have joined the show's producing team.
Rumors about Jay-Z's backend participation had been circulating ever since he told the Associated Press last month that he might get involved in the musical, which celebrates the life of Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
*There's something missing on the UK marketing material for Universal's motion picture "Couples Retreat" – the black people.
Co-stars Faison Love and Kali Hawk, who play the film's lone African American couple on the couples retreat, were photoshopped out of the movie poster for the film's UK release.
Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance at Los Angeles mall The Grove last weekend to personally witness a flash mob that featured a choreographed number to her greatest hits. [Scroll down to watch video.]
Flash mob is a term used to describe a throng of people in a public venue who suddenly break out in an elaborate dance routine -- to the complete surprise of bystanders around them.
