Will Smith just turned 51 and he’s talking interventions and new movie roles. First, the former Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star just enjoyed the most successful movie of his career at the box office with this summer’s Aladdin reboot, which took in over $1 billion. Then, the Oscar nominee joined his whole family for wife Jada’s Red Table Talk, where the family got candid. Will talked about his huge weight gain. It wasn’t bulking up for a film. In fact, he weighed more than when he filmed the Muhammad Ali bio pic, and the family called him pudge muffin. He vowed to get back into healthy shape and did. Then Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, had to stage an intervention for Jaden Smith who was losing too much weight from doing a vegan diet. Jaden says he’s no longer a vegan. Now, Will is jumping back into acting in a totally different role….as gangster Nicky Barnes. In American Gangster with Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr. played Barnes on the big screen. Now Smith’s project is coming to Netflix. Plus, Smith has Gemini Man scheduled for an October 11th release and Bad Boys III (Bad Boys For Life) scheduled for a January 2020 release. It’s a great time for the Philly native.
Will Matt Lauer get some revenge through WDAS Alum Tamron Hall? Lauer lost his Today Show anchor position when claims of sexual misconduct at the workplace came to the NBC brass. Lauer released a statement apologizing for his behavior. He didn’t specify the behaviors, but did note many of the things he was being accused of were not true. Now tell-alls are on the way. Former Today Show Anchor Katie Couric has a book coming out, and Journalist Ronan Farrow’s book will cover more Lauer accusers. Lauer himself has been mum, but could he be willing to speak to Tamron Hall? Her landing the Lauer interview would be huge for her daytime talker on ABC. NBC and Today cancelled Hall’s 9am third hour of The Today Show in favor of Megyn Kelly. Hall left the network. Lauer and Hall could team up for an explosive interview that could send NBC reeling.
Congratulations to Jharrel Jerome who won an Emmy for his role in When They See Us. The story of the Central Park Five who were not only wrongly convicted and sentenced to prison, but even had calls from Donald Trump they should get the death penalty. Their story was brought to television via Filmmaker Extraordinaire Ava DuVernay. Jerome played Central Park Five exoneree Korey Wise. Jerome’s win kept When They See Us from being a total Emmy shut out. Billy Porter is now the first openly gay actor to win a Leading Actor Emmy for drama for his role in Pose.The Emmy ratings hit a new low. The show had no host and the nominations were dominated by cable and streaming service shows. Unfortunately, the big four networks were almost shut out as well due to shows many have never even heard of before the Emmys.
As Motown continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the label’s founder, Berry Gordy, Jr. has announced his retirement. At the age of 89, the R&B visionary is a filmmaker/entrepreneur/songwriter/TV producer/music publisher has done extraordinary things for the culture. The biggest stars in the world have roots in Motown like Smokey Robinson, The Isley Brothers,Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Lionel Richie, Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, DeBarge, Teena Marie, Martha & The Vandellas and Diana Ross, to name a few. Gordy ran Motown during his 30-year tenure as owner of Motown and then sold the label in 1988. He continues to support various charities and promotes Motown preservation efforts throughout the world.
Arsenio Hall is coming to Netflix. Smart & Classy is the name of his stand up special and begins streaming Tuesday, October 29th on Netflix.
Nick Cannon is coming to the 2020 TV line up with his own show but in daytime. The producers of Wendy Williams are coming up with this project. It’s also being seen as a possible takeover for Wendy after her two year deal done. Cannon is already riding high on the success of The Masked Singer on FOX. It was the number one new show of last season. Cannon says after he left America’s Got Talent and had the opportunity to guest host for Wendy Williams, he was inspired to take on the daytime talk format himself. The untitled Nick Cannon daytime talk show is slated to premiere in the fall of 2020.
Billie Holiday and The Ross family come full circle. The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a new film starring Andra Day and Evan Ross that begins filming in October. Day plays Holiday and Ross the undercover agent assigned to take her down for the government. The assignment gets complicated as the two engage in an affair. Philly’s own Lee Daniels is producing and directing. The full circle moment for the Ross family: with Evan in the movie, folks will recall that Diana Ross made her screen debut in 1972’s Lady Sings the Blues and won an Oscar nomination playing Billie Holiday.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are reuniting with Janet Jackson. Jam & Lewis made the announcement themselves as we mark the 30th anniversary of their incredible collaboration Rhythm Nation. Jam & Lewis’ former bandmates from The Time, Morris Day and Jerome, will be featured on Jackson’s new album along with Snoop Dogg. No released date has been announced yet.
Nicole Murphy says she’s sorry. Murphy dropped by Wendy Williams’ show to offer an explanation for the photo that went super viral. The photo was of Murphy kissing a very married Antoine Fuqua (Training Day; The Equalizer). Murphy says she didn’t know he was married. Fuqua is married to Actress Lela Rochon. Murphy was also called out by Actress Lisa Raye who claims Murphy did the same thing with her husband. Murphy offered her apologies and noted that social media, the vehicle that busted her with Fuqua, is mean.
Actor Terrence Howard is in the last season of Empire, but does he have too much going on? He may go to jail for back taxes. He also was caught in a red carpet interview at The Emmys saying he’s giving up acting forever to build Saturn….. as in the planet in outer space. I think it might be an act because on top of the other problems. He’s dealing with support/alimony issues with one of his ex-wives.
The Sound of Philadelphia will be well represented this October as the Philadelphia Music Alliance inducts its latest members to the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame. Included in this year’s class are Philly’s own Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Hooters, The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Mighty, Mighty O’Jays. The O’Jays and the Philly Orchestra go back a long ways. When The O’Jays were signed to Philadelphia International Records, their music was performed by the Gamble & Huff Orchestra MFSB, most of whom also played for the Philly Orchestra. They also played on many of Evelyn “Champagne” King’s hits as well. The induction ceremony will take place on the Avenue of The Arts in Center City and the gala later that evening at the Bellevue Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 22nd. For Tickets and information log onto https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-philadelphia-music-alliance-gala-tickets-68159249149
The 11th Annual ESPN magazine Body Issue is out with the theme celebrating 21 athletes from different sports and with body types. The Superbowl Champion Eagles Offensive Line (Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo and Halapoulivaati Vaitai) have one of the shared covers. Gymnast Katelynb Ohsi, WNBA Star Liz Cambage, NFL Players Michael Thomas, Myles Garrett and NBA Star Chris Paul are also featured. This is to be The Body Issue’s final year in print.
Viola Davis is on the cover of this week’s People magazine.
Tracee Ellis Ross graces the cover of the October issue of Essence magazine. It’s the magazine’s hair issue and the perfect time to introduce Ross’ hair care line Pattern Beauty.
Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o is on the cover of October’s Vanity Fair magazine. All adorned in green, this issue explores the film and fashion that changed the actress’ life.
Ebony Magazine is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Among its special features, the 2018-2019 HBCU Campus Queens’ photo shoot in Pensacola.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Saturday & Sunday October 12th & 13th - The Atlantic City Comedy Fest starring Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, George Wallace, Mark Curry, Tommy Davidson, Turae& Sommore and more at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information The Philadelphia Hair Company, OP Productions in Delaware or log onto ticketmaster.com,
Friday, October 18th - The Isley Brothers & The Pointer Sisters at the Mark Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, October 26th- The Sketchbook Tour starring Fantasia, Robin Thicke, Tank and Bonfyre at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Tuesday, November 5th – Erykah Badu at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, November 9th – The Gentlemen of Soul starring Jeffrey Osborne & Peabo Bryson at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. Tickets and information at ticketmaster.com
Thursday, December 12th – Sinbad in concert at The Parx Casino Xcite Centerin Bensalem, PA City.Log onto tickets.parxcasino.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, December 28th – Earth, Wind & Fire at the Mark Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Friday, January 3rd – The Femme It Forward Tour starring Monica, Ashanti, Amerie, Lil Mo & Keri Hilson at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day.