Former President and all around inspirational force Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday today with a star studded concert in London's Hyde Park. Of course the who's who of Hollywood and beyond showed up for the occasion. Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Amy Wyno, Bill Clinton and Robert DeNiro were among the celebs paying homage to this amazing man. Looking at a figure like Mandela truly makes one sit back and look at the situation the world sits in today...if we could all see the big picture like Mandela the world would be a different place.
HAPPY 90TH TO NELSON MANDELA!
Supreme Court ruling today...WTFFFF?!
Today the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty "unconstitutional" for child rapists! Let me repeat that, today the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty "unconstitutional" for repeated child rapists. OH WAIT THERE'S MORE...the direct ruling:
"a death sentence for one who raped but did not kill a child, and who did not intend to assist another in killing the child, is unconstitutional"
The most offensive part of this ruling is that the Court left the death penalty open to crimes involving: treason, espionage, terrorism, and drug kingpin activity. Isn't there a problem when the judicial system can choose to take the life of someone who threatens so-called national security (which many would argue is oftentimes a rule of the game when in war), but ruining an innocent child's life isn't considered that big a deal. When the ruling first became public this morning I spoke with a few friends who felt the same rage, so I have to believe I am not hyper-sensitive or crazy. Here's to hoping this November brings us a NEW DAWN!
Clinton campaign debt...Obama's responsibility?
I will not pretend that I am Bill Maher or Chris Matthews but I have followed politics as closely as ever during this presidential race...there is one thing I simply cannot understand. Why is it the nominees responsibility to cover the debt of the loser? This is a question open to all, if someone could explain this to me I would feel much smarter. I have watched the reports, read the articles and I still can't make sense of it. We all watched Hillary go deeper and deeper into debt, going into her personal account to the tune of somewhere around $11 million...all this was done when it was clear that her chances of winning were slimmer than a supermodel. So WHY is it Obama and his campaign financiers duty to clean up her mess? I have nothing against Hillary, she's made history and that is wonderful but it seems to me she was aware of what she was getting herself into. Please post your responses, I beg of you!
Ne-Yo vs. Chris Brown?? What are we to do?
Talk about the dilemma of the summer! Apparently a "beef" has been brewing between Chris Brown and Ne-Yo over the last few months. The most popular explanation appears to be that Chris has been heard around town saying that he can outsell Ne-Yo and criticizing his vocal abilities. When did R&B get so street? Is this really what it is all coming to: a rap battle between singers? The most unfortunate part is these are singers that have a great image, these are two guys that parents let their children listen to and most importantly I really like both of them. After careful consideration, as much as I adore Chris Brown, I'm going to have to go with team Ne-Yo, it's nothing personal it's just more of a grown folks thing. If you listen carefully to the song Ne-Yo does have a few very clever jabs to throw at the yougun' (i.e. "Your girlfriends favorite song is mine"...a reference to Ri-Ri???). We'll keep you posted on this battle of the crooners!
Heath Ledgers last film to be completed in good taste.
One of the most talked about things after the passing of Heath Ledger is what will be done with the film he was in the process of making (leave it to Hollywood to worry about something so insignificant upon someone's death). He was filming The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus directed by Terry Gilliam. A solution has been reached regarding how to handle the film. In the story Heath's character walks through mirrors into 3 different worlds. Gilliam will shoot his entrance into alternate world's using other actors as a substitute once he arrives. It sounds like he will be paying homage to Heath through the film. The actors slated to take these roles on are: Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp. With these three actors taking over for Heath we think it will be a job well done and something Heath Ledger would have been proud of. All of the best hopes to his family and friends during this difficult period.
Chris Brown taken...say is ain't so!
So it looks like I can't write I Heart Chris Brown in my black and white composition note book any longer. It is official Chris Brown and Rihanna are sharing an umbrella. They have been spotted around town and word on the street is there is no question that they are in fact a couple. As much as it disgusts me to admit, this is an adorable match. The best thing about it is, our favorite glam chick Beyonce can now live in peace since this little minx finally has a star to call her own.
Aretha takes a slash at our Beloved BeyBey?!
Lawd Have Mercy! The drama from the Grammy's continue to unfold. Thank you WGA! So on the countdown we praised Beyonce and Tina Turner for killing their performance. There was one diva who was none too happy about it. Aretha apparently was NOT feeling the R-E-S-P-E-C-T and thinks Bey Bey is part of a damn Chain of Fools for calling Tina "The Queen". See her statement below.
"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé, however I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy. In addition to that, I thank the Grammys and the voting academy for my 20th Grammy and love to Beyoncé anyway."
Well there is one contest you will never loose Queen 'Retha the booby race! Damn you are packing!
Gary Coleman married!
This deserves an OMG-izzle! Breaking news today (thanks to Inside Edition) Gary Coleman got married in a secret ceremony last August. It is the first time he has ever been "romantic" which translates to "getting nasty". His wife is a 22 year old "great e-bayer" as Gary puts it! Word is they knew each other for five months (we all know Gary was literally selling the pants off of his behind on eBay for money) and she proposed to him. In case you haven't been able to do the math, lil' Arnold is 40 now. This only proves one thing. Gary Coleman listens to Cash + Cam every Tuesday and Thursday on the radio! We gave him specific advice to get back in the game! Although we suggested a sex tape...marriage works too. There is no doubt a reality show will ensue! YAY GARY! Way to get back on the saddle. We're waiting anxiously for "What you talkin' 'bout white wife" on VH1 this fall.
Grammy's Top Ten Moments
The Grammy's WHAT ENTERTAINMENT! It SOOO deserves a count down. Tune into our show this Tuesday 2/12 at 7p pst/10p est for a full re-cap!
10. Chris Brown's 1970's prom tux
9. Carrie Underwood showing us she might be a good girl but she can rock leather with the best of these bitches!
8. Morris Day and the Tyme! What else could you ask for?
7 1/2. Morris Day and Rihanna rocking the same hair cut
7. Tina Turner looking just as good as Beyonce!
6. Alicia Keys doing duet with Frank Sinatra (HELLOOO Black History Month)
5. Kanye West remixing his all too famliar white 3-D sunglasses by making them glow in the dark
4. Kanye West bringing us to tears with his tribute to his Mother
3. Kanye immediately thereafter reminding us why we almost can't stand him courtesy of his obnoxious acceptance speech
2. Solange and Beyonce looking like they wanted to beat Rihanna's ass when she jumped all over Jay-Z and pulled him up to the stage with her to accept her Grammy for Umbrella
1. AMY WINEHOUSE SHOWING US EXACTLY WHY SHE HAD TO SAY YES YES YES TO REHAB!!!!!!!!
Talk to you guys on air Tuesday!! blogtalkradio.com/cncgossipfactory
The Strike is Over!
Breaking News! For all intensive purposes the Writers Strike is over! Here are a few of the headlines and info we found across the web. Be sure to check out the articles in their entirety.
Variety
For the first time in more than three months, TV showrunners are heading back to the office on Monday with the rest of the scribe tribe due back Wednesday.
The development came with the ruling boards of the Writers Guild of America unanimously approving the tentative deal with the majors, triggering a vote by members that will conclude Tuesday night on whether to lift the strike order. Ballots to ratify the new three-year deal will also go out in the next few days with a 10- to 12-day return period.
Nikke Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily
At the WGA's news conference today, union leaders declared the new contract is "a huge victory for us". Trumpeted WGAW President Patric Verrone, "This is the first time we actually got a better deal in a new media than previously." Verrone credited News Corp. No. 2 Peter Chernin and Disney chief Bob Iger, and also CBS boss Les Moonves, with "being instrumental in making this deal happen" after the WGA spent 3 months "getting nowhere" with the AMPTP negotiators and lawyers. WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman added that, "What happened to the Golden Globes was instrumental in getting the CEOs to this table. It was a huge symbol."
USAToday
It's a deal similar to one reached last month by the Directors Guild of America, including a provision that compensation for ad-supported streaming doesn't kick in until after a window of between 17 to 24 days deemed "promotional" by the studios.Writers would get a maximum $1,200 flat fee for streamed programs in the deal's first two years and then get a percentage of a distributor's gross in year three — the latter an improvement on the directors deal, which remains at the flat payment rate.
"The precedent that we can participate in new media, that's great," said Diane Frolov, another Sopranos writer. "There was mostly cheering" among the L.A. contingent, she added.
Lil' Kim, is that you?
Looks like Lil' Kim has a lil' bit of eplaining to do as to her recent appearance at Marc Jacobs' fashion show. Has she been eatin a lil' too much or has she just had a lil' too much plastic surgery?
Desperate Housedude gets his arse WHOOPED!
So the infamous gardner from Desperate Housewives Jesse Metcalfe was out and about in LA last night. During his stop at hotspot Boulevard 3 he sparked up convo with Hustle and Flow Ho Taryn Manning. Apparently her male "friend", a random British guy and aspiring rapper, wasn't happy and proceeded to kick Jesse's butt! It got caught on tape! What luck?! Word on the street is that Jesse went back in and continued the brawl with the random. We hope you didn't damage that pretty lil face of yours Jesse, it's all you've got going for you! By the way, does anyone know if he's realated to Laurie Metcalfe from Roseanne?
America's best dance crew
Yes, another reality dish. Our favorite purple glasses, red shoe wearing "Dawg" Randy Jackson has brought back street dancing...kind of. Mtv is now running a new show called "Randy Jackson presents America's Best Dance Crew". It is by far the most entertaining show on Mtv since the San Francisco cast of The Real World circa 1996. Crews battle it out to see who has the hottest moves. LOL. Even that sounds funny! But the absolute BEST part of the show are the judges. Randy has kept in line with the success of: the one jerk, one chick and one black guy line up of Idol. He has JC Chasez (the jerk), Lil' Mama (the chick??- rocking multicolored press on nails) and Shane Sparks (the black guy who can speak comfortably in street vernacular). Can we say awkward? These judges are the most unpolished people on television. It is worth watching at least to listen to JC attempt his best Simon impression. Go Team Kapa Modern!
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins!
From time to time we like to let you Factory members in on our favorite new things. We were lucky to have Director, Writer, Producer Pete Chatmon on our radio show last week. During the interview he let us know about his recent music video for the Martin Lawrence film "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins". It debuted last week and for those of you who missed it here it is! It is a great song by Joe, and I for one must say THANK YOU PETE CHATMON - for creating an appropriate video for a feel good song. Mr. Chatmon has a lot of things going on and we will be watching his career. Check out his channel youtube.com/double7film.
Flavor of Love 3 - Damn you VH1!!!
In the words of the "man" himself - "WOWWWW!!!". Shamefully we watched the Flavor of Love 3 casting special. The disclaimer being that there is no intention of watching the actual season. To our shock VH1 has managed to do the impossible: find even more desperate, insane and creative women (young and mature) that want to be involved in a show that requires them to make out with a real life hobbit. There were sexier people in The Lord of the Rings!!! When will Flav realize what is taking place? Ugh! Is there anything folks won't do for a paycheck?!
Hey Paula! Don't Quit Your Day Job!
Yikes - when we heard that Paula Abdul was performing at the Superbowl we were curious. When we heard that Paula would be performing her new single "Get Up and Dance" we were disappointed (no Straight-Up? No Cold Hearted?). When we heard that Paula would be pre-taping the show and lip-syncing the performance we were disgusted.
But nothing could have prepared us for what we saw. It was so fake and boring that we could literally see Simon dying. This woman critiques thousands of performers a year and is supposed to be aiding in the search for a new superstar?? The song sounds like a song Miley Ray Cyrus threw in the trash. Her outfit looks like a rejected costume from her video with the cartoon cat....and she doesn't even dance like she used to?! At least we know what kept Paula away from performing for all these years - she can't.
Really. What was she thinking?? Here it is in its mediocrity...ooops - we meant entirety.
Gone Country?
We reported on our radio show last week that there was a new reality show on CMT called "Gone Country". Artists from different genres of music come on and try to become the next country star and who else to do it but ---- BOBBY BROWN?! We love it! And the first episode - Classic! Who knew Bobby had such a great personality. Nothing could be more opposite from his stint on "Being Bobby Brown". Please stay tuned as he gets into fights, drama and cowboy boots!
C+C Gossip Factory: Black Hollywood
Tonite we are pleased to announce a special edition of C+C Gossip Factory on BlogTalkRadio featuring some of Hollywood's young black stars. Tune into blogtalkradio.com tonight at 7:00 PM.
Pete Chatmon, Writer, Director, Producer. Pete is the CEO of Double 7 Film a full service production company. He received critical acclaim when his thesis project "3D" starring Kerry Washington became a Sundance Film Festival candidate. In early 2007 his first feature film "Premium" had limited theatrical and DVD release, it is currently running on Showtime Networks. He also completed a documentary "761st" about the first African American soldiers in WWII to fight in armored vehicles.
Emayatzy Corinealdi, Actress, Model. Emayatzy is one of Hollywood's up and coming actresses with roles in all media - television, movies, theatre and the world of modeling. She was most recently featured on the dayime drama"The Young and the Restless" as Nurse Susan Mehta. She recently won the coveted title role on 'The N Network's' highly acclaimed pilot - "Katrina". She also was the lead in "Akira's Hip-Hop Shop" opposite "Heroes" star James Kyson Lee. She recenly completed the U.S. touring production of Will Smith's "The Bachelorette Party". She's completed many productions set to be released in 2008, chief among them, "Cordially Invited" starring Freda Payne and MadTV's Debra Wilson and "Wednesday Again".
Stephen Rider, Actor. Stephen is a graduate of UCLA's MFA program. He received outstanding reviews for his stage performance in "Kindred" at the Ivar Theatre in Los Angeles. He can currently be seen in Denzel Washington's "The Great Debaters". Stephen also stars in two additional films "Urban Genesis" and "Curtain Call". These films are being screened at multiple film festivals including The Texas Black Film Festival and The San Diego Black Film Festival.
American Idol Live Blog!
Gotta love Fox - "The Sarah Connor Chonicles is the years Number 1 new show!" It's Janury 2008!!!
AI's back and we get some funny reactions from the losers, Droopy Dog says the judges didn't........think..........he.........had.......enough........energy". I need a Red Bull just watching him.
Christina is up and she's out of this world with her Princess Leia hairstyle and she threatens to have children. Oh - and men apparently love her - she "doesn't know why" and neither do I. Guess there's some lonely, sad, Star Wars geeks who have made her their queen. And then she sings...all I can hear is her sing "and I'm growing tired" and i wish my mom would come in and tell me it's bedtime and time to go to sleep. The judges hate her and she keeps saying " I think you need a goofball". Maybe that's why these freaks go on here - they think it's American Goofball and they should try out..
And we meet Brooke as Chrisitna is STILL lamenting not getting to be the american Goofball (honey you won in my book). Brooke lives in Van Nuys and i wonder if I've seen her arounfd the neighborhood - but i definitely didn't see her at an r-rated movie cause she's never seen one and she doesn't drink or sware or rat her hair. She's married and her husband hasn't seen an R-rated movie either.....blah...blah...can she sing? No! But the judges think so she's going to Hollywood!
Thankfully, she's the last of this sad depressing night. What do you all think - besides the fact that there are over 1 million typos in our posts???
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