Charles Barkley is apologizing after comments he allegedly made to a reporter after a heated discussion about politics. Axios Reporter Alexi McCammond challenged Barkley why he kept switching his support among the democratic candidates from Bernie to Mayor Pete and so forth. Well, Barkley allegedly responded to her I Don’t Hit Women, But If I Did, I’d Hit You. McCammond immediately put the comments on social media. She added when she objected to Barkley’s words, he allegedly also said she couldn’t take a joke. Barkley later issued an apology.
Jussie Smollett is suing The City of Chicago. This is in response to the city suing the actor/singer. The racial and homophobic attack Smollett reported, but cops declared a hoax ended in police charging the Empire star. The charges were controversially dropped after Smollett did community service with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/Push Organization and Smollett forfeited his bail money. That didn’t stop the city from suing him for damages and for all the police detective work and man power investigating Smollett’s claims. Now, Smollett’s legal team claims emotional distress and that the city already received payment in the forfeiture of Smollett’s bail. To Be Continued!
Julia Roberts can play Harriet Tubman because it was so long ago no one will know the difference?!!!!!! That’s the story Screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard recalled when he first pitched the movie Harriet to the studios 25 years ago. Julia Roberts was at the top of her game at the box office back then. Howard says the studio executive was completely unfazed by how racially disrespectful his suggestion was. While people have saying Hollywood was a very different place 25 years ago, keep in mind the legendary Cicely Tyson played Tubman in the 1978 TV movie A Woman Called Moses. Tubman earned the name Moses as she led American slaves to freedom just as Moses led slaves out of bondage in Egypt. Meanwhile, fast forward to 2019 and Cynthia Erivo, though controversial for her online remarks, is the Black British actress playing Tubman in the film Gregory Allen Howard wrote called Harriet. Harriet is currently in theaters now and has taken in $32 million at the box office. As of press time no one has identified the studio executive nor confirmed of Roberts was ever approached. See why we need diversity in the executive offices.
I wanted to take time to thank the Broadcaster Pioneers Hall Of Fame because they’re inducting me this weekend. It’s been 37 years for me in this business. For those years, it’s been me and you, the listeners. We’ve shared laughs, tears, our love of entertainment and the most incredible music. Who knew a simple South Philly girl reading announcements in church would turn that into a living and be mentored by legends and embraced by wonderful colleagues. Thank you all and here’s to more years to come.
Next fall, Nick Cannon will enter the daytime talk arena. The plan may be to pair him up with Wendy Williams and have the two talk shows back to back. Remember, Cannon was guest hosting for Wendy earlier this year, and among a team of people who filled in for her, Cannon stood out.
The Soul Train Awards premiered on BET last weekend, and there was a lot to take in as far as the performances. First, Alexander O’Neal, who I love, did not bring the best of himself this time around. He kind of reminded me of that uncle at the barbeque. And Cherrelle trying to duet with him did not look happy. Meanwhile The S.O.S. Band was…well….trying to hold it down, but it took a strange turn when lyrics seem to be forgotten. This was all happening during the salute to super producers/writers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. By the way, Jimmy Jam’s weight loss is reportedly weight loss surgery. With no Janet Jackson or New Edition, the tribute struggled. Luckily Morris Day and the Sounds Of Blackness were amongst the better performances. Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold hosted. The big winners like Beyonce and Lizzo weren’t even there. Ever since the late Don Cornelius cut ties with The Soul Train Awards as executive producer, the magic and the respect hasn’t been the same.
This weekend, The American Music Awards airs. Mrs. Russell Wilson, a.k.a. Ciara, will host. Toni Braxton will perform on the AMA’s for the first time since 2001. Braxton is a seven-time AMA winner, and The AMA’s air this Sunday at 8pm on ABC.
Meanwhile, The Grammy nominations saw Lizzo lead all nominees. Song and Record Of The Year cover Lizzo’s debut album, Cuz I Love You, and its number one single, Truth Hurts. Michelle Obamascored her first Grammy nomination for the spoken word edition of her bestselling book Becoming. Alicia Keys hosts The Grammys on Sunday, January 26th at 8pm on CBS.
At the movies, Chadwick Boseman stars in Boseman is 21 Bridges. Partially filmed right here in Philly, Boseman is an NYPD detective in hot pursuit of a cop killer. As a result of the chase, Manhattan’s 21 bridges must be shutdown to catch the criminal. 21 Bridges is in theaters this Friday.
There a lot of buzz over the new film Queen & Slim from Producer/Writer Lena Waithe. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) and Jodie Turner-Smith (True Blood; Nightflyers) play a couple on a first date. At the end of the date, they’re stopped by a rouge traffic cop and kill him in self-defense. The couple then go on the run. The dramatic thriller then follows the affects the video of the incident has after it goes viral all while Queen and Slim evade police. Queen & Slim opens Wednesday, November 27th.
Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx lead the legal drama Just Mercy. Jordan is Lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his client is convicted murder Walter McMillian (Foxx). The film follows the true story of their attempt to appeal McMillian’s Alabama death sentence and all of the questionable actions from the police investigation to the judge’s initial sentence that preceded it. Just Mercy opens Christmas Day.
Oscar Winner Regina King is on the cover of the latest issue of Essence Magazine. The actress/director is on the Black Masterpiece-Art themed issue.
RuPaul is on the holiday 2019/2020 themed cover of Vanity Fair magazine.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Now – December 8th - The UniverSoul Circus returns to Fairmount Park on the grounds ofThe Mann Center for The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, November 30th – Run DMC at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Friday, December 6th– Anita Baker: The Farewell Concert Series at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, December 7th – The All I Want For Christmas show starring Mariah Carey at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Thursday, December 12th – Sinbad in concert at The Parx Casino Xcite Centerin Bensalem, PA.Log onto tickets.parxcasino.com for tickets and information.
Friday, December 20th– The WDAS Holiday COMEDY Jam starring Nephew Tommy, Earthquake, Kier Spates a.k.a. Junior and J. Anthony Brown at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, December 21st – The WDAS Holiday Jam starring Kem, Kirk Franklin and Brownstone at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
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
Friday, February 14th – Boyz II Men’s Valentine’s Day Concert 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.