Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Where in the World is Tameka Foster Raymond?

Okay...we know Tameka Foster Raymond isn't exactly lost, but it has been a minute since we've actually seen her. Her husband, Usher, has been spotted all over the place, but we haven't seen her with him since her plastic surgery health scare in Brazil in February.

Over the past few months, the singer has been spotted at the Kids' Choice Awards and at several meetings in Washington, DC. As if that weren't enough, he and his oldest son, Usher V were gallivanting in Miami on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Tameka hasn't been seen since late March. The missus was flying solo at a party in Atlanta, but insisted that her marriage was fine. In addition, she said she still plans to get a tummy tuck.

It was that kind of vanity that got her into trouble in February. Usher was supposed to perform at a pre-Grammy event, but had to cancel to go to Brazil to be with his wife when she suffered a heart attack from her liposuction. At the time, Tameka and Usher's youngest son, Naveid Ely, was about two months old. Most surgeons suggest that a woman wait more than six months after childbirth before going under the knife.

Sources say that Usher didn't know that Tameka was planning a surgery. When he went to Brazil to see about her, he was photographed several times outside the San Paolo hospital where she was staying. He eventually flew home alone the morning after her release while she took a separate flight.

Usher's publicist couldn't be reached by press time. Stay tuned...

The Clark Sisters to Perform on Leno

Congratulations are in order for The Clark Sisters. According to Gospelflava.com, Karen, Twinkie, Jackie, and Dorinda will appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The legendary singers will be performing the song Higher Ground from the new CD, Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration on Tuesday, May 5th.

Rihanna to Get Jewels Back

Good news for Rihanna! According to Entertainment Tonight, the singer will get the jewelry back that had been held as evidence in the Chris Brown assault case. Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed that they'll photograph the borrowed baubles that are reportedly worth 1.4 million and return it to her today.

Meanwhile, attorneys in the case are due back in court Thursday, May 28th, to set a date for the preliminary hearing.

Monday, April 27, 2009

No Eliminations on "Sunday Best"

Family was the theme for this week's edition of Sunday Best, and The Williams Brothers' Living Testimony was a perfect way to open the show. The ladies left standing at this point performed two songs each. Here's how it went down...

Jessica Reedy -- She opened the competition with The Winans' classic, The Question Is. While it was obvious that she was dealing with some hoarseness, she still did her thing. Her lower register defied description and her jazzy style was absolutely awesome. I loved her, but I didn't think it was one of her best performances. Judge Tina Campbell mentioned her vocal problems, but still liked it. Erica Campbell, on the other hand, wanted more from her. Finally, Bebe Winans said that she took his brothers' song and made it her own. In addition, he called her a professional who really understood the craft of singing.

Reedy's second choice was I'm Still Here. Her take on The Williams Brothers was a jazzy groove that really worked. The judges loved it, too.

Latice Crawford -- The Clark Sisters' Is My Living in Vain? was her choice, and she put a jazzy swing on it that was really nice. Bebe called her a tiny hurricane. He appreciated the fact that she didn't try to be a Clark. Erica loved her interpretation of songs and said that she'd be giving the gospel industry a lift once she became a part of it. Tina, meanwhile, wanted more from the performance.

Latice's second choice was I'll Take You There, originally done by The Staples Singers but remade by Bebe and his sister, Cece Winans. I personally wasn't impressed, but for the most part, the judges liked it. They sensed a disconnect in her, but overall they thought it was great.

Y'Anna Crawley -- She sang Mary Mary's Heaven -- a really bold choice considering that they were judging her. She put her usual bodaciousness on it, and it was wonderful. Bebe called it incredible. The sisters of Mary Mary loved what she did, and Tina told her that they should get together and do the song in the future.

Ain't No Need to Worry was the way Y'Anna closed out the night's competition. She showed another side of her talent when she slowed The Winans' classic down and sang the soup out of it. Again, the judges were in awe of her talent.

The Anointed Sisters closed out the family tributes with their song, It's Already Done. As if they weren't already tearing things up, their sister, LaShun Pace, came and helped them bring the house down!

In the end, all of the ladies were invited back for the first-ever Sunday Best "Sing-Off." Not quite sure what that's gonna look like, but we'll be here to figure it out.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Rihanna to LAPD -- Gimme My Stuff Back!

Rihanna may have agreed to cooperate in the case against Chris Brown, but she says her jewelry shouldn't have to. The Good Girl Gone Bad is seeking the return of a pair of earrings and a ring valued at 1.4 million dollars. The baubles were seized as evidence the night that Brown allegedly beat her up.

RiRi's attorney, Donald Etra, filed a motion on Tuesday asking the Los Angeles police and prosecutors to return her stuff. Fortunately, no one's opposed to it because they can use pictures instead.

The jewels -- which a part of the outfit that Rihanna was wearing -- were actually loaned to the singer by four companies who want their stuff back for some overseas events.

Meanwhile, Brown is due back in court on Wednesday.

Mutual of Omaha and Oprah Battle for "Aha Moment"

Who's really having an "aha" moment? It depends on who you ask. Mutual of Omaha -- the insurance company famous for bringing us Wild Kingdom in the 1970s -- is suing Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Productions Inc. over use of the phrase.

Mutual of Omaha released a statement on Friday saying that it had been grated preliminary approval of a federal trademark for the slogan, official sponsor of the aha moment," which became a part of its national ad campaign in February.

Unfortunately, Oprah is claiming rights to "aha moment." The Queen of All Media told Mutual to stop using the phrase to promote its insurance and financial products. In response, the company filed its lawsuit on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha.

A Harpo spokesperson says they hope to reach a mutually acceptable resolution with the insurance company.

BET Parent Company Adds New Network for Grown Folks

BET's parent company, Viacom, announced last week that they're going after the Grown & Sexy crowd of African Americans. The New York Times reported that the media giant would be starting Centric to appeal to the 25-to-54 demographic that advertisers love.

Viacom didn't mention whether BET J -- the music-intensive offshoot of the network -- would be affected by the formation of Centric. Look for it to debut in October.

BET, which is available in 89 million homes, is the longest running network targeted primarily at African Americans. Its main competitor is the Comcast and Radio One-owned TV One, which is available in about 47 million homes.

Updated Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Timothy Wright

Services for Rev. Timothy Wright, who passed away last week, have been updated. The musical tribute, which was originally set to be at Pleasant Grove Tabernacle on Sunday, May 3rd will now be held at Pilgrim Cathedral at 7pm. Please note the correction and plan accordingly...

Public viewing
Saturday, May 2nd, 12noon to 8pm
Sunday, May 3rd, 1pm to 5pm
Grace Tabernacle Church of God in Christ
Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York

A Musical Tribute
Sunday, May 3rd, 7pm
Pilgrim Cathedral
Broadway & Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, 11221
Bishop Roy E. Brown, pastor

Homegoing Service
Monday, May 4th, 10am
Pilgrim Cathedral
Broadway & Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, 11221
Bishop Roy E. Brown, pastor

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Breaking News -- Rev. Timothy Wright Dies

We offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Rev. Timothy Wright. According to several industry sources on Facebook.com, the Godfather of Gospel apparently passed away last night. While we don't have any definitive details at this point, we know he had been paralyzed from the July 4th car accident that claimed the lives of his wife, Betty, and his 14-year-old grandson, DJ. We'll update this story as we get more details.

***UPDATE***

Here's what the Associated Press is saying...

The Rev. Timothy Wright, the Grammy-nominated gospel singer and composer known for his up-tempo praise songs and powerful mass choir sound, has died. He was 61.

Wright, who was seriously injured in a car crash that killed his wife and grandson, died early Thursday at the Bronx Veterans Hospital, music agent Will Bogle said.

Timothy Wright was the pastor at Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ, located in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. He released more than a dozen gospel recordings, writing many of the songs. His latest album, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, came out in 2007.

In 1994, his record Come Thou Almighty King, with the New York Fellowship Mass Choir, made the Billboard Top 20 charts for gospel albums and was nominated for a Grammy for best traditional soul gospel album.

He got another nomination in that category in 1999 for Been There Done That, recorded with the B/J Mass Choir and featuring Myrna Summers.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus features the New York Fellowship Mass Choir. The title track, written by Wright and his wife and recorded live at a Church of God in Christ convocation, expresses the plight of a woman displaced during Hurricane Katrina: She encourages herself and others by calling the name of Jesus. Among the other songs on the album was You Must Come In At the Door.

According to the book Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Encyclopedia, by Bil Carpenter, the Brooklyn-born Wright began playing piano for his local church at age 12 and also began composing at a young age. By his early 20s, he was music director at Brooklyn's Washington Temple Church of God in Christ.

He began writing songs for such fellow musicians as Mattie Moss Clark and the Rev. Isaac Douglas, according to Carpenter's book, and in 1976 formed the Timothy Wright Concert Choir. Among the choir's albums were Who's on the Lord's Side? and Do You Know the Light?

Wright was critically injured July 4th in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 near Loganton, Pennsylvania. Another car was going the wrong way when it struck Wright's car. His wife, Betty Wright, 58, was killed in the crash, and their 14-year-old grandson, D.J. Wright, died later at a hospital. The driver of the wrong-way car, John Pick, also was killed, while a passenger in a third car was injured.

The Wrights were returning from a Church of God in Christ conference in Detroit, said Leroy Johnson, a trustee at Grace Tabernacle.

Dove Award Winners Announced

The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards took place last night in Nashville. The kudofest, which celebrates inspirational music in all its incarnations, is the culmination of Gospel Music Association week. Some of the folks we know and love who were in attendance included Kierra Sheard, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Edwin Hawkins, Tye Tribbett, and Dietrick Haddon.

Here's a partial list of the winners of the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Click here for a complete list.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

FEMALE VOCALIST
Natalie Grant

MALE VOCALIST
Brandon Heath

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns

NEW ARTIST
Tenth Avenue North

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

SONG OF THE YEAR
Give Me Your Eyes, Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Bernie Herms

URBAN SONG OF THE YEAR
Get Up, Mary Mary

URBAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Fight of My Life, Kirk Franklin

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
Free At Last, The Blind Boys of Alabama

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Down In New Orleans, The Blind Boys of Alabama

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
How Great Is Our God, LaRue Howard

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Change the World, Martha Munizzi

Prince Sued Over Book Deal Gone Bad

No one ever called Prince an angel -- especially when it comes to his money. According to TMZ.com, a literary agency filed a lawsuit against The Purple One in Los Angeles Superior Court because of the skulduggery he displayed in their business dealings.

According to court papers, Prince chose the agency to be his "exclusive agent with respect to the negotiations of a publishing deal" for a book called 21 Nights and a special limited edition version. However, in the final stages of the deal, Prince stopped calling them back and went behind their back to finish the negotiations.

The agency is taking Prince to court to get the 15 percent he screwed them out of -- which roughly amounts to about 200-thousand dollars.

What's Really Going in with Tyrese's Divorce?

We told you last month how Tyrese Gibson was gonna have to pay to get his marriage to Norma Mitchell. However, TMZ.com has obtained the prenuptial agreement, and if it holds up in court, Norma will walk away from their union with nada.

The paperwork states that in the case of divorce, the mother of Tyrese's daughter, Shayla, would get 50-thousand a year for every year of marriage up to a maximum of ten years. Unfortunately, they were only married for ten months. As if that weren't bad enough for the soon-to-be ex-Mrs. Gibson, the prenup says that no matter who files for separation or divorce, she has to move out of the house within 60 days. Yikes!

It probably wouldn't be so bad if Norma actually had some other way to make ends meet. While Tyrese made just under a million bucks in 2008, she didn't bring in a dime. In addition, Tyrese owns a Bentley and a Land Rover, a house in Temecula, California, and two small production companies. Meanwhile, her listed assets include paintings and jewelry.

Fortunately, all is not lost for Norma. At this point, Tyrese is paying about 62-hundred dollars a month in child support. If you'd like to see exactly what Norma agreed to, click here. The real question I have is whether or not it'll hold up in court -- especially in light of her allegations of the singer being an absentee father and all. Stay tuned...

Hamilton, Soulchild, and Michele are Playin' It Cool

Anthony Hamilton has added more dates to his Playin' It Cool Tour. Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele are joining him on this 17-city jaunt, which kicks off in Houston on Thursday, May 28th and wraps up in Charlotte, with stops in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.

Here's a list of dates:

May 28 -- Houston, TX
May 29 -- Dallas, TX
May 30 -- Southaven, MS
May 31 -- St Louis, MO
June 4 -- Los Angeles, CA
June 6 -- Oakland, CA
June 11 -- Columbus, OH
June 12 -- Detroit, MI
June 13 -- Chicago, IL
June 16 -- Newark, NJ
June 18 -- New York, NY
June 19 -- Washington, DC
June 21 -- Baltimore, MD
June 25 -- Atlanta, GA
June 26 -- Augusta, GA
June 27 -- Birmingham, AL
June 28 -- Charlotte, NC

Is She or Isn't She?

Forget about how the country is going to get out of its economic problems -- the real question on the minds of Americans is whether or not Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. If the rumors are true, the baby will be a first for the Oscar winner and her fiance, David Otunga, a Harvard graduate who's best known for his stint on I Love New York 2 as Punk. This is one of many pictures of the singer that have people thinking that the two are about to be parents.

If Hudson's manager and publicist are to be believed, the answer's gonna be a no. However, the good folks at Essence magazine have staked their reputations on the words of two sources close to the Oscar winner that she is, in fact, with child.

J-Hud is currently on tour with Robin Thicke. While she and David have already set a wedding date, they haven't gone public with it. Stay tuned...

Gospel Tidbits

Here's what's going on in the world of Gospel, courtesy of Gospelflava.com...

Karen Clark-Sheard has added entrepreneur to her resume. The youngest member of the legendary Clark Sisters has started her own record label. Her next album, which is due in stores this summer, will be on Karew Records...

After spending years with folks like John P. Kee & New Life, Kirk Franklin, and his own group, Men of Standard, Isaac Carree is finally in the studio working on his solo stuff. Production on his as-yet-untitled effort will be handled by Rodney Jerkins, PJ Morton, Warryn Campbell, and Eric Dawkins. No word yet on a release date...

The Anointed Pace Sisters will be recording their latest album this weekend. The ladies -- Dejuaii, Duranice, June, Latrice, Leslie, Lydia, Melonda, and Phyllis -- will be at doing their thing at Covenant Ministries International in Decatur, Georgia on Saturday. The live CD/DVD, Access Granted, will feature the stellar production work of Asaph Alex Ward. Look for it to hit stores Winter 2010...

After a 15-year hiatus, there's finally new music from BeBe & CeCe Winans. Their new single, Close to You, is being released to radio this week. The reunion album -- which will be on B and C Records -- hits stores later this year...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Chrihanna Chronicles: Reunited?

Chris Brown and Rihanna are trying to make it look like they've gone their separate ways; however, the Chicago Sun-Times says that the two are living their lives together. While they haven't actually moved in together at this point, a friend of Rihanna's family says that they've spent quite a few nights in each other's company in recent days.

Even though Chris allegedly used RiRi's face as a punching bag after that infamous pre-Grammy party in February -- and was charged for it -- he apparently was able to beg his way back into her life. Despite many warnings from her family and friends, an insider said, "Unfortunately, Rihanna still wants him and has told all of us to 'get over yourselves. I'm with him, so deal with it.'"

While the Good Girl Gone Bad has been seen doing some solo house-hunting in here in LA, her heart has firmly been with Chris the whole time. She's been taking detailed photos of the ones she likes so she can forward them to him.

Of course, we probably won't be seeing Chrihanna together in public for a minute because she already knows how damaging it'll be to her image. She told those closest to her that they'll be keeping this new relationship under wraps for a while. Stay tuned...

Jill's New No. 1 Man

It's a boy for singer Jill Scott. According to TheYBF.com, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency star's new little mister made his grand entrance on Monday in a Los Angeles area hospital after two days of labor. Jett Hamilton Roberts weighed in at seven pounds, eight inches and is 20 inches long. Jill and her fiance, Lil John Roberts, are so proud. Congratulations!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tyler's Stalker Goes to Jail

Having stalkers seems to be par for the course for the rich and famous, and Tyler Perry finally has his. According to E! Online, Dawne Wilson was busted on Wednesday outside the Madea Goes to Jail star's Atlanta studio. She's currently being held on charges of aggravated stalking and has been denied bond.

Why so harsh, you ask? Apparently this isn't Ms. Wilson's first offense. In fact, Perry was able to get a restraining order against her after what he called a year of obsessive behavior on her part. Getting busted on Wednesday was a clear violation of that order.

Ms. Wilson is due in court on Thursday, April 30th. Meanwhile, Tyler is currently filming his next Madea movie, I Can Do Bad All by Myself. In addition, he's developing Why Did I Get Married Too, a sequel to his 2007 hit.

Will Smith & SciFi's "Unfinished Business"

Will Smith has some unfinished business with the SciFi Channel. He has teamed up with the network to produce the new crime drama about an ex-cop who teams up with the recently deceased to help them tie up their loose ends on earth. Unfinished Business will kick off with a two-hour TV movie that will double as the pilot. No word on when we'll actually see the finished product.

The Soul Bird Tour Comes to Anaheim: A Review

Normally I don't do reviews. However, the India.Arie show I attended last night at The Grove in Anaheim is really worth mentioning. She's back on the road after about an 18-month hiatus with The Soul Bird Tour, and it is awesome.

India's opening act is a new artist named Laura Izibor. This Afro-Irish girl can really sing. Her current single, From My Heart to Yours, is at number eight on the Radio & Records chart AND it's the most added single of the week. To let you know how cold the girl is, she came out on stage with just a keyboard and a guitar. No band. No backup singers. Just her and her guitarist, who also sang. They were awesome. If you get a chance, PLEASE pick up her album. We need to support real music every chance we get.

As for India, the girl is a cold piece of work. First of all, her voice is in EXCELLENT shape and I love the way she performs. Her hair, which she clearly is not, is cut short and at times she wraps her head. Her outfit changes were handled very succinctly because she pretty much wore all her dresses at once!

Arie's band and background singers are just as off the chain as she is. Special shoutouts to her guitarist Blu and her keyboardist-musical director Shannon. I was especially impressed with Armetria, one of the background singers. She put out a gospel album a few years ago that EVERYONE -- including myself -- slept on. However, I'm a complete believer in her talent after last night.

All in all, it was a great night. However, I have to say that meeting Hill Harper after the show was the most excellent part. Not only is he absolutely fine, he's also a gentleman.

Last night's show wrapped up the west coast leg of The Soul Bird Tour. Here are some additional dates, courtesy of her website:

April 30 -- Foxboro, MA
May 1 -- New York, NY
May 3 -- Baltimore, MD
May 4 -- Alexandria, VA
May 6 -- Charlotte, NC
May 9 -- Glenside, PA
May 10 -- Durham, NC
May 12 -- Milwaukee, WI
May 13 -- Minneapolis, MN
May 15 -- Toronto, Ontario, CA
May 16 -- Cleveland, OH
May 17 -- Chicago, IL
May 21 -- Dallas, TX
May 22 -- Houston, TX
May 24 -- Memphis, TN

When the show comes to your city, please make it your business to go. You will NOT be disappointed.

And Then There Were Three...on "Sunday Best"

Fred Hammond opened Sunday Best with a medley that started with his classic No Weapon and ended with This is the Day from his latest album. This week's edition paid tribute to the godfathers of gospel -- Dr. Thomas Dorsey, Dr. Bobby Jones, and Rev. James Cleveland.

The four finalists did Dr. Jones' take on Call Him Up as a group song. It was especially cool to see him in the audience singing along.

Latice Crawford started the competition off with Cleveland's Soon I Will Be Done With the Troubles of this World. The song had a hard-timey sound, and in my opinion, her elegant dress really didn't fit the mood. Vocally, however, she was completely on point. Bebe Winans called her a gospel Whitney Houston. Erica Campbell said that she killed it even though she sensed a disconnect. Finally, Tina Campbell called her a pro who could handle any song thrown her way.

Y'Anna Crawley did I Don't Feel Noways Tired. And that's the only way to say it. She ministered that thing -- and the judges were visibly moved. It was almost a shouting good time. Tina said that she gave the song exactly what it needed. Bebe called her his kind of singer, and Erica called her great.

Following Y'Anna wasn't an easy thing to do, but Jessica Reedy -- who has the distinction of being this year's youngest contestant -- rose to the challenge. While she didn't have the power Y'Anna had, her take on God Has Smiled on Me was low-key but excellent. Her bottom range impressed the judges so much that they were rendered almost speechless.

Finally, Zebulon Ellis put his spin on Dorsey's Precious Lord. The old-school came out in full effect, and while he wasn't bad, the anointing that was present during the ladies' performances wasn't there. Bebe called him a great singer. Erica thought he did a great job. Tina loved him vocally, but thought he lacked the 'wow' factor.

I guess the 'wow' was the difference because after all was said and done, Zebulon was the one who went home. Now it's all about the ladies on Sunday Best.

Another Side of Mike Tyson

Most of us who came of age in the 80s and 90s know Mike Tyson as a heavyweight champion of the world who self-destructed before our eyes. While he was able to knock folks out in the ring, he seemed to be knocked out in the real world by marriage, drugs, and the demons that haunted him. Now, thanks to the efforts of indie director James Toback, we are able to explore more of the bad-talking, ear-biting boxer in Tyson.

This documentary takes us up close and personal to a man whose life started off badly. His mother wasn't exactly the nurturing type and he didn't know his father. When she moved him to the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, he turned to a life of crime. After spending a few years in juvenile detention, he discovered boxing. Hooking up with trainer Cus D'Amato proved to be the catalyst of the "good" part of his life. He was able to leave his life of crime behind for the sport.

From there, we are taken behind the reports to find out what was going with Mike during the highlights and lowlights of his life. In addition to telling us about his fights, he also spoke about his marriage to Robin Givens, his love and admiration for Cus and how he felt about his death, and his feelings for Desiree Washington, the "wretched swine of a woman" he was accused of raping.

What really makes this film a treat -- in addition to just listening to Mike Tyson use words like "skulduggery" -- is the technique Toback used to shoot the film. While you only hear from Mike himself, the way he goes back and forth between the live interview and the archival footage is absolutely excellent.

Tyson opens in limited release -- which means New York and Los Angeles -- on Friday. We're not sure when the film will hit across the nation, but make sure you see it when it does.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Chris is Living His Life

Chris Brown may be living his life, but Rihanna isn't necessarily happy about it. According to Us Weekly, the Good Girl Gone Bad didn't take too kindly to pictures of her supposed boyfriend and alleged attacker with Girlicious singer Natalie Meji in a West Hollywood tattoo parlor earlier this week. A source said she sent him a text message. His response? "It's none of your business." Yikes!

Brown's people are denying the romance. Unfortunately, Natalie didn't get the memo. On Monday, she told RadarOnline, "Things are going well between us. [Chris] has treated me like a a gentleman at all times."

Natalie probably hadn't heard about his antics the Saturday before. MSNBC's The Scoop reported that Brown was hanging with Tyrese and Omarion at the Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge in Los Angeles . While the guys were all fairly tame, witnesses said Chris was awfully flirty.

At this point, there's been no official word that Chris and Rihanna have gone their separate ways. Meanwhile, he's due back in court on Wednesday, April 29th.

"One Tree Hill" Stars Skills Have Gotten Him in Trouble

Looks like Antwon Tanner has added "criminal" to his resume. According to E! Online, the One Tree Hill actor was busted in a sting operation and charged with selling 16 Social Security numbers and three counterfeit cards to middleman between December 2005 and last July. The 34-year-old pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court and is currently free on a 250-thousand dollar bond.

The actor allegedly gave up the phony digits and cards to an unidentified contact who turned around and sold them to an undercover agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The two-count indictment said that Tanner not only made up numbers, but he also swiped digits from the living and the dead. Those were passed along without him meeting the dealer face-to-face. As for the cards, they were allegedly sent through the mail.

Crime seemed to pay Tanner pretty good -- he was able to bank thousands of dollars over a two-and-a-half year period. Unfortunately, his antics could land him in The Big House for up to five years if he's convicted.

At this point, neither Tanner nor his lawyer commented as they left court, and The CW hasn't addressed his arrest or future on One Tree Hill. Stay tuned.

The Week in Review...MackDiva Style

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything. Sorry about that. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well. First of all, let me catch you up...

* Apparently Chris Brown is moving on with a new woman. According to the New York Daily News, the singer has reunited with ex-girlfriend Erica Jackson. She's from his homestate of Virginia and they dated back in the day. While they're saying that she's no Rihanna, she'll be good for him. Naturally, his camp is denying this, so we'll have to stay tuned.

* And speaking of Rihanna, her dad was not pleased with Chris Brown's not guilty plea. Ronald Fenty was quoted in Us Weekly as saying, "So what happened? Somebody else did this to Rihanna then?" The crazy part is that apparently Mr. Fenty hasn't been a model citizen in the abusive department himself. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, he, too, has taken a swipe or two at his wife and daughter in the not so distant past. A close family friend said, "For him to talk about beating women takes a lot of gall." Yikes!

* In other Rihanna news, the Good Girl Gone Bad announced her return to the stage. She'll be performing for the first time since the alleged assault in Dubai on Thursday, May 28th.

* Meanwhile, Whitney Houston is countersuing her father's wife, Barbara Houston, for 1.6 million bucks. E! Online reports that John Houston's widow claimed that Whitney kept a million dollar insurance payout from her father's estate that was allocated for the mortgage on the condo Barbara has lived in for the past 20 years in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Barbara said Whitney was supposed to give up 723-thousand dollars for the mortgage and give her the rest. Instead, the Grammy winner kept all the money after John's 2003 death. Whitney says that she's entitled to the money because she put up the initial cash for the home and he hadn't paid her back by the time he died.

* Finally, looks like Jamie Foxx got off easy with his stalker. E! Online reports that Steven Toliver has been found to be actively psychotic and is incompetent to stand trial. Furthermore, the 49-year-old homeless man who had claimed to be Beyonce's producer was transferred from a Philadelphia lockup to Norristown State Hospital for 60 days for treatment. Foxx was in the City of Brotherly Love filming Law Abiding Citizen. His next foray on the big screen, The Soloist, hits theaters on Friday.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Two More Go Home on "Sunday Best"

This week's edition of Sunday Best found the contestants getting makeovers and G1 mobile phones. Here's how it went down...

Zebulon Ellis was announced as the wildcard contestant and he opened the show. He sang Donny Hathaway's A Song for You. Even though I'm usually of the mind that folks need to leave Donny's music alone, Zeb did an okay job of it. Since he was trying to gospelize it, he dragged it out in places that really didn't need it. However, he brought it together with some beautiful high notes at the end. Tina Campbell called his rendition fantastic. Bebe Winans echoed my sentiments about touching a Donny song, but said that he made it his own. Finally, Erica Campbell called his performance perfect.

Jessica Reedy came next with Just As I Am. Her smooth alto gave life and beauty to the song. Host Kirk Franklin had to bow. Erica loved everything about her singing. Bebe loved her tone, and Tina was almost rendered her speechless.

John McClure Jr. did You Are My Life. The Fred Hammond song was provided a smooth backdrop to showcase the loveliness of his voice. Erica thought he did a great job, and Bebe called his performance a quiet storm. Tina wanted him to hold some notes so we could fully experience his voice.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand was Latice Crawford's choice this week. Even though it was obvious that she was hoarse, her voice was still in fine form. In fact, she ministered that song like it had been a Sunday morning staple. Bebe acknowledged her hoarseness, but still said she was spectacular. Tina was completely impressed and promised to buy her records. Erica called her performance anointed and incredible.

Dontavies Boatwright did Chris Tomlin's How Great is Our God. While it wasn't bad, I don't think it was his best performance. However, Bebe, Erica, and Tina loved it.

Y'Anna Crawley finished off the night with her rendition of Waiting on the World to Change. Even though John Mayer probably wasn't thinking anywhere near gospel when he wrote this tune, Y'Anna's take on it changed the game completely. While Tina and Erica didn't think it was her best performance, they still liked what she did with the song. Meanwhile, Bebe told Y'Anna to forget the sisters better known as Mary Mary and listen to him. He was completely impressed with her version of the song.

After a stellar performance from Ann Nesby, Dontavies Boatwright and John McClure Jr. were eliminated. That leaves Y'Anna Crawley, Jessica Reedy, Latice Crawford, and Zebulon Ellis to duke it out for the title.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

TV One Examines "Life After"

TV One is giving you the ultimate "What Ever Happened To" series this fall. Life After will show how different celebrities have dealt with major life changes. Among those to be featured are Bell Biv DeVoe, who chronicle their lives after their break from New Edition; Star Jones' ex husband, Al Reynolds on his life after their highly publicized divorce; and Family Matters actress Jamie Foxworth, whose went into the adult film industry after leaving the show. Look for Life After to premiere this fall.

"DWTS" Has No Time for Lil' Kim

Lil' Kim may be able to keep time with the music, but that's about the only time she can keep. According to the New York Daily News, the diminutive Dancing With the Stars contestant is late to everything. An insider on the show was quoted as saying, "If she has a call time of 7, she doesn't show until 10."

Of course, the producers aren't going to let Lil' Kim get in the way of their schedule. The insider said, "They've started telling her to show up two hours earlier than they need her -- just to make sure she's on time!"

The Animation of Beyonce

Beyonce sure knows how to pack a schedule! She's not only touring in support of her current album, I Am...Sasha Fierce and promoting her film, Obsessed, which opens Friday, April 24th, but now she's finally getting animated. The Destiny's Child frontwoman is guest-starring in Nickelodeon's Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

The new Mrs. Jay-Z will voice the role of Shine, the lead singer of the girl trio, The Wubb Girls. Beyonce describes her character as, "a very sweet young lady. Whenever Wubbzy needs a little help or a friend, she's right there with The Wubb Girlz to give him a helping hand."

Look for Beyonce's four-episode stint on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! to begin on Monday, April 27th.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

David "Pop" Winans Passes

***UPDATE***

We'd like to extend our sincere condolences to the Winans family. David Winans, affectionately known as Pop, went home to be with the Lord today. According to the Detroit Free Press, the 76-year-old patriarch of the Winans family -- which includes his wife, Delores "Mom" Winans, and children BeBe, CeCe, Marvin, Debbie, Angie, Daniel, and the late Ron -- died in a Nashville, Tennessee-area hospice. Mom was at his side when he transitioned.

Even though Pop lived in Detroit for most of his life, he had been in Nashville since October 2008 because several of his 10 children lived there. His health took a turn for the worst late last year. In all, he'd suffered a series of four strokes, seizures and a heart attack beginning in the fall of 2008.

Vickie Winans, who was married to Marvin, told The Detroit News, "He was a person who loved Jesus through sickness and health. To see him sick was the worst thing but he kept on lifting up the name of Jesus. I loved him with all my heart."

Services will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at Perfecting Church in Detroit where Marvin is the senior pastor. Please pray for the family as they walk through this difficult time.

Monday, April 6, 2009

The Chrihanna Chronicles: Chris Says 'Not Guilty'

As expected, Chris Brown entered a not guilty to felony charges of assaulting and threatening to kill Rihanna after a pre-Grammy party in February. The 19-year-old arrived at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles with his mother and four bodyguards today. He was greeted by fans, protesters with signs, and the media. Several sheriff's deputies accompanied his entourage as they entered the building.

After hearing the charges against him -- assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats -- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg asked for his plea. Chris answered with a hushed "not guilty, your honor."

As we've told you, Brown's legal camp -- headed up by Mark "Get 'Em Off" Geragos -- has been trying to hammer out a deal with prosecutors that would prevent Chris from having to spend any time behind bars. If he's convicted on both charges, he faces almost five years in prison.

Meanwhile, Rihanna has removed herself from the situation by going back to her home in Barbados late last week. However, she has been cooperating with the LA District Attorney's Office on Brown's case. She wasn't in court today, but her attorney, Donald Etra, was.

Brown is due back in court on Wednesday, April 29th.

Five More Go Home on "Sunday Best"

The theme of this week's edition of Sunday Best was Sowing Seeds of Faith and Overcoming Doubt, and Kirk Franklin's performance of his Grammy Award winning song, Help Me Believe from The Fight of My Life album fit in nicely.

The ten finalists were competing for five spots. Here's how it went down...

Dontavies Boatwright kicked off the competition with Glory to Glory to Glory. His rich baritone was well complemented by the Fred Hammond tune. Judges Bebe Winans, Erica Campbell, and Tina Campbell all agreed that his rendition was the bomb. Erica even went so far as to say that there wasn't a voice in Gospel like his at this moment.

Jessica Reedy was next with a jazzy rendition of Kirk Franklin's Brighter Day. This Saginaw vocalist has a smooth tone that really made it work. Kirk was outdone -- and it showed. The judges loved it.

Clifton Ross III sang Total Praise. His take on the song was beautiful and smooth. He took it all the way up and brought it back down on the chorus, which was nice. Even though Bebe mentioned his nervousness, he said that Clifton brought it home. Erica said that while the restraint and low-register singing he used in the beginning was nice, she thought he could've distributed the power of his voice more. Meanwhile, Tina was of the opinion that he could've used his middle range more. Overall, though, they liked it.

Long Island, New York's finest, John McClure Jr., gave his testimony in song, and it was pretty good. Bebe wanted less growling and movement and more singing. Both Tina and Erica liked the way he took them to church.

Y'Anna Crawley wore out Grandma's Hands. And when I say wore out, that's exactly what I mean. Kirk said it just don't make no sense. She rendered Erica and Tina practically speechless. Bebe called her sassy and said it was great to be her because she has "it." Kirk asked her to do that last line and she hit it on the money. Incredible.

Zebulon Ellis' take on He's Able was a little different. The arrangement was familiar, but just barely. He did a good job, but I wasn't impressed. Bebe wasn't, either. He thought it wasn't the greatest performance, but he enjoyed it. Erica enjoyed it, and Tina said that he brought the experience to the people.

Jeff Spain's performance was, by far, the weakest one this week. His take on Mary Mary's version of Yesterday was dry at best, and his expression was very bland. Erica wanted more intensity, more energy, and more audience connection. Tina wasn't impressed at all. Bebe said he lost the connection but remained smooth.

Carolyn Johnson White sang Karen Clark Sheard's A Secret Place. The elder stateswoman of the competition wasn't as impressive this week as she was last week, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever heard. The judges liked her restraint and professionalism.

Kalind Hayes' Balm in Gilead really did bring a healing to the competition. His smooth yet intense delivery made the song work. Bebe didn't like the song selection, but he liked how he sang it. Erica said that his smooth voice would be a welcomed addition to the Gospel industry. Tina didn't think it was his best performance, but appreciated his skill.

Latice Crawford finished it off with another Karen Clark Sheard tune, A Praying Spirit. This New Yorker sang the song well, but the last note wasn't that great. Tina called her amazing. Bebe went into tongues, and Erica said she was blessed have experienced her voice.

The five singers that advanced to the next round are:

Jessica Reedy
Dontavies Boatwright
Y'Anna Crawley
Latice Crawford
John McClure


Kirk said that one of the singers was a wildcard. He said we'd have to tune in next week to find out who that person was and what that would mean. And that's just what we'll do.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Did Janet & Jermaine Get Hitched on the DL?

Have Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri already said, "I Do?" Depends on who you ask. If TI is to be believed, the answer is yes. On the last episode of his show, TI's Road to Redemption, the rapper dropped the dime on the couple in this exchange with an elementary school student:

Student: If you had choice between Mary J. Blige or Janet Jackson, who would you marry?

TI: Well they’re both married, so I wouldn’t marry a married woman.

Stay tuned...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Knight, Winans Go "Bad" for Tyler

Even though Tyler Perry's latest cinematic endeavor hasn't been billed as a musical, he's certainly got enough talent in the flick to make it one. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both Gladys Knight and Marvin Winans are joining the cast of I Can Do Bad All By Myself. They join the already announced Mary J. Blige in the film.

Ms. Knight will play Wilma, a neighborhood mother who also sings at Madea's church. No word yet on whether Winans will stretch his acting chops. So far, he's just down to sing. I Can Do Bad All By Myself hits theaters in September.

Is Mary Slipping?

Enjoying a drink every now and then is okay, but could there be something more to it for Mary J. Blige. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, some of her friends are concerned that her current 'social drinking' could be turning into a full-fledged problem similar to her well-documented battles with addiction when she first came on the scene. Let's keep her in our prayers and hope her friends are just overreacting.

Denzel Does His Part for The Kids

Every time we think we can't love Denzel Washington any more, we hear about things like this. Last week, the Oscar winner took time off from filming The Book of Eli in New Mexico to present a 50-thousand dollar check to a struggling Boys & Girls Club in Roswell.

The actor and director, who's also a spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Club of America -- decided to help after hearing reports that the club was on the verge of shutting down because of a lack of funds.

Washington challenged residents of the town to match his donation. According to Art Garcia, the Roswell club's director, several community groups and private donors have answered the call. In fact, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center ponied up five-grand.

Meanwhile, look for The Book of Eli -- a Hughes Brothers flick described as a post-apocalyptic Western that centers on a lone man who's fighting his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind -- to hit theaters in January 2010.

Foxx's Stalker Can't Blame it On the Alcohol

If it's true that you're not famous until somebody stalks you, then Jamie Foxx has finally achieved star status, thanks to Steven Toliver.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 49-year-old has been arrested for allegedly stalking the Oscar winner while he's filming Law Abiding Citizen in Philadelphia. Sources said that Toliver -- who claims to be Beyonce's producer -- has allegedly tried to break into the Oscar winner's room on March 22nd, March 27th, and March 31st. During one of those incidents, Jamie had to physically struggle to get the man out of his hotel room. Several days later, Foxx's security guards spotted him near the movie set where he was taken into police custody.

Toliver is facing numerous charges, including burglary. And unfortunately, he really can't blame it on the alcohol -- sources say he already has 24 prior arrests.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Gospel Tidbits...

Here's what's going in Gospel, courtesy of GospelFlava.com...

Lawrence Matthews is finally walking into his season with a new recording. The Bay Area-based artist will be doing his thing this Sunday, April 4th at Love Center Church in Oakland, California. Just in case you didn't know, Matthews was one of the first artists signed to GospoCentric Records. In addition to his work with the legendary Hawkins family, he's probably best known for his hits, Savior Do Not Pass Me By and Create In Me...

Inez Andrews is celebrating her 80th birthday with a concert in Chicago. Angela Spivey & The Voices of Victory, Milas Armour, and Willie Rogers of The Soul Stirrers will be on hand for the festivites at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, April 13th. DeAndre Patterson will do the honors as the MC. Andrews joined the The Caravans in 1957 and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002...

And finally, Tina and Erica Campbell -- better known as Mary Mary -- are hitting the road. The Sunday Best judges kick off their month-long tour in Anapolis, Maryland on Wednesday, April 8th, with stops in New York, New Orleans, and Las Vegas before rapping things up in Anaheim on Thursday, April 30th. Here's a list of the dates:

April 8 -- Anapolis, MD
April 9 -- New York, NY
April 13 -- Alexandria, VA
April 14 -- Foxboro, MA
April 17 -- New Orleans, LA
April 18 -- Lake Charles, LA
April 19 -- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
April 24 -- Las Vegas, NV
April 26 -- Los Angeles, CA
April 28 -- Oakland, CA
April 29 -- Sacramento, CA
April 30 -- Anaheim, CA

Love & Art -- Janet Style

Janet Jackson may be in love with her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, but that doesn't mean she's not trying to change him. According to the New York Daily News, the singer -- who was hanging out with her friends -- was overheard saying that the rapping record mogul had never been to the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. She said, "I want to educate him." No word on whether or not he's amenable to such teaching.

More on Queen Latifah's Beautiful Struggle

We told you about Queen Latifah's current legal troubles. Now it seems there may be a little more than money at stake. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, makeup artist Roxanna Floyd and stylist Susan Moses are not only suing to get their money -- a million bucks between the two of them -- but also to keep quiet about Latifah's sexuality. Even though the rapper-turned-Oscar nominated actress has avoided talking about her preference, everyone in Hollywood knows that Latifah loves the ladies. In fact, she was supposedly supposed to marry Jeannette Jenkins, her longtime personal trainer, last year.

Stay tuned...this could get very interesting.

What's the Real Deal Behind Kelly Rowland's Split from Columbia?

Unless you've been under a rock, you've heard about Kelly Rowland's departure from Columbia Records. Just in case you didn’t, the former Destiny’s Child released a statement Tuesday saying, “Because Columbia Records has been my home base as an artist for more than a decade, the decision to move out on my own required a lot of soul-searching. As a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone and my friends and family at Columbia have been incredibly understanding about my evolution. I want to thank everyone at Columbia for the love and support they've shown and I will never forget how many good times we've had over the years."

Naturally, rumors are swirling about whether it was Kelly's choice or the label's. Columbia/Epic CEO Rob Stringer released a statement saying, "It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Kelly and we will continue our working relationship with her under the Destiny's Child moniker. The decision for Kelly to seek other opportunities for her solo career was agreed upon mutually, and any reports to the contrary are false."

Despite what the official statements say, that's not the song others in Kelly's camp are singing. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the record company had no beef with her prior to her dumping Mathew Knowles as her manager earlier this year. After all, her two solo albums -- 2002's Simply Deep and 2007's Ms. Kelly -- sold more than 4 million copies. A music industry was quoted as saying, "Trust me, those two things are not unrelated. Columbia had concerns about the direction Kelly was taking her career."

Being dumped by the label hasn't set too well with Beyonce's best friend. One of her friends said, "'Kelly is very upset about the Columbia action and seems to have a tough time working her way past that.''

Fortunately, Kelly has other things to take her mind off her music situation. She's set to co-host Bravo's The Fashion Show with designer Isaac Mizrahi starting next month.

A Chrihanna Chronicles Update

Is it really over between Chris Brown and Rihanna? While there's been no official word of a breakup and the last word going around was that the two were taking a break, RadarOnline reported that several of RiRi's friends were making toasts to that effect at a private party she held in Los Angeles on Sunday. An insider was quoted as saying, "People close to Rihanna have drilled it into her head that if she stays with Chris her career will be over."

The party, which was reportedly held to celebrate the success of her single Disturbia, also found guests toasting to the fact that she's about to land a major fashion magazine cover and a film role.

Meanwhile, Chris is doing his best to rehab his image. According to MSNBC's The Scoop, the singer was cheesing for the camera with the University of Mary Washington women's basketball team in Fredericksburg, Virginia on Tuesday. Not so coincidentally, the school is in the middle of its week-long White Ribbon Campaign, whose tagline just happens to be "Men Working to End Men's Violence Against Women."

Chris is due back in court on Monday in Los Angeles to answer for the two felony charges he faces for allegedly attacking Rihanna. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Washington's Homeless -- Not Jobless

Looks like Isaiah Washington is on the curb once again. The actor, who we told you last week was in danger of eviction, and his wife Jenisa, have reportedly said goodbye to the 3.5 million-dollar home they were renting in Venice, California. They were seen leaving the place on Monday afternoon while two housekeepers were spotted packing boxes and taking photos off the walls.

Fortunately, not everything is going wrong for the former Grey's Anatomy star. It was announced earlier this week that he'd play the late Lou Rawls in a biopic written by Lou Rawls Jr. Through the Eyes of a Son is described as an uncensored take on the singer who died in 2006. No word on when that film will see the light of day.

Meanwhile, Washington's next big screen adventure will be Hurricane Season, the story of a New Orleans basketball team after Hurricane Katrina.

J-Hud's Wedding Goes to the Dogs?

How cute is this? The New York Daily News reports that Jennifer Hudson wants her dogs to walk her down the aisle when she gets married. The Oscar winning former American Idol finalist said, "Oscar might be the ring bearer," when she exchanges vows with fiance David Otunga.

In other J-Hud news, sources say that Idol judge Simon Cowell was cool when she taped her performance last week. Meanwhile, Olivia Newton-John and Jill Zarin -- obvious fans of the Dreamgirl -- showed her much love.

Bill Cosby Gets Top Comedy Prize

Bill Cosby will be honored with the nation's top comedy prize from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The 71-year-old will be honored with the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor this fall. Some of the biggest names in comedy will come together in Washington for the festivities on Monday, October 26th.

In a statement accepting the award, Cosby said that his mother read Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to him as a child. However, he added, "I would like to apologize to Mr. Twain for falling asleep hundreds of times, but he should understand that I was only four."

The Philadelphia native -- who's probably best known for The Cosby Show in the 1980s -- was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor -- in 2002. Past Mark Twain honorees include George Carlin, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Suits Not a Good Look for Latifah

We all know that it costs to look good, but someone obviously forgot to tell Queen Latifah. According to the BBC, the rapper-turned actress is being sued by both her make-up artist and stylist because she didn't pay them.

Roxanna Floyd claims she lost 700-thousand bucks when the star born as Dana Owens didn't pay her for work done between July 2005 and February 2008. In addition, the make-up artist claims she's owed for helping develop, produce, and market Cover-Girl's Queen Collection, Latifah's cosmetics line.

Meanwhile, stylist Susan Moses says Queen stiffed her for 300-thousand dollars for her efforts. Apparently Moses was promised a 50-thousand dollar-a-year salary for advising the star in her role as the spokeswoman and model for a lingerie line that targets fuller figured women in 2005.

Both Floyd and Moses filed paperwork in federal court in Manhattan on Monday. a spokesperson for the Academy Award-nominated actress said that the legal actions had no merit. Stay tuned for further developments in these cases.

Fox Welcomes Wanda Back for Late-Night Run

If at first you don't succeed at Fox, try, try again. At least that what Wanda Sykes is doing. The network that cancelled Wanda At Large announced today that the Emmy winning comedienne will host a new Saturday late-night talk show that'll include panel discussions by recurring personalities, commentary on hot-button issues, and out-of-studio segments.

Proving once again why people love her, Sykes said, "Yes, my relationship with Fox hasn't been the best, but if Rihanna can go back to Chris Brown, I can go back to Fox. Oprah tried to talk me out it, but I think Fox has changed."

Look for the as-yet-untitled show to debut in the fall.

No More "Light"

Here's how you KNOW things are wrong in this country. After 72 years, CBS' Guiding Light is going dark. The soap, which started the careers of actors like Taye Diggs and James Earl Jones, will air its final episodes on Friday, September 18th.

Guiding Light started as a 15-minute drama on NBC Radio on January 25th, 1937. It debuted on CBS TV in 1952. The drama -- set in the fictional town of Springfield and focusing on the Spaulding, Lewis, and Cooper families -- is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running television drama.

Baby Notes

Congratulations are in order for Taye Diggs. According to Us Magazine, the Private Practice star and his wife, Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, are expecting their first child later this year. The two -- who met when they were in the original Broadway production of Rent in 1996 -- have been together 13 years and married for six.

In other baby news, former American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones and her husband, financial advisor Larry Davis, are expecting their first child. The new baby, due in August, will be the 29-year-old's second child. Her oldest, six-year-old Brionne, was the one who encouraged her to audition for the sixth season of the reality show. LaKisha's other production, her debut album entitled So Glad I'm Me will hit stores on May 19th