Record ratings for the Eddie Murphy hosted Saturday Night Live, but did it reignite the feud between Eddie Murphy and Bill Cosby?!!! The highest ratings in two and a half years for SNL, and between the show’s streaming and YouTube clips, millions more are also watching. Murphy joked it was probably the first time black people watched the show since 1984 when he last hosted. At the end of his monologue and in an historic TV moment, Murphy brought out Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan and Kenan Thompson and saluted them. Murphy revisited his Buckwheat, Mr. Robinson and Gumby characters all in his return, and he was brilliant. At the beginning, Murphy did a quick Cosby impression asking Who’s America’s Dad now that Cosby’s in jail and Murphy’s a boring stay at home dad. Now I thought Murphy did that in a classy way. Cosby’s spokesperson Andrew Wyatt responded that Murphy’s A Hollywood Slave and used Cosby for clickbait. Wyatt also invited Murphy for a meeting of the minds to enhance black people instead of tearing each other down. A few years ago, Murphy turned down parodying Cosby on SNL’s 40th anniversary, so Kenan Thompson did it. Back then Cosby thanked Murphy for not doing it, but today is a different story. This all goes back to the 80’s when Murphy describes being picked on by Cosby and said the older comedian treated him Sh**ty with constant criticism and telling Murphy how he should actually perform. Well looks like the divide between has returned. Murphy’s preparing to release the sequel to Coming To America and he’s up for a Golden Globe for Dolemite Is My Name. Cosby continues to serve his three to ten year sentence for sexual assault.
A new book is chronicling the events that resulted in the marriage between a then 27-year old R Kelly and the late singer, a then 15-year old Aaliyah. A Case for Murder: Aaliyah Files claims R Kelly bribed a public aid office worker $500 to fast track Aaliyah’s fake ID. The book also alleges Kelly recruited his tour manager, another old friend who worked at FedEx and an associate whose father was a preacher. Between the three, the bribed public aid worker was brought up to speed on the plan, a false vouching for Aaliyah working at FedEx and the performance of the wedding by the earlier mentioned preacher was done respectively buy those three recruits under Kelly’s supervision. There’s also been a claim from other R Kelly accusers that Aaliyah was pregnant at the time and had an abortion after the marriage was annulled in 1995 by her parents. Remember Vibe magazine found the marriage certificate and published it. R Kelly’s lawyers have previously stated there was a marriage, but Kelly had no idea of Aaliyah’s true age. Kelly has been remanded to custody and for his upcoming trials is facing charges in three different states including racketeering, transporting minors, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual exploitation of a child.
Serena Williams’ new boxing coach is Mike Tyson?!!! The two legendary athletes went super-viral after Iron Mike posted to social media his session with The Queen Of Tennis. Tyson posted he didn’t want to get in the ring with this G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). Tyson and Williams crossed paths at a camp that brings together celebrities and athletes for a team building themed retreat aimed at maximizes career and other opportunities for the participants.
We remember Actor Danny Aiello who passed away after a brief illness. Before his stardom as a professional singer and actor, he spent time as a Greyhound Bus Union leader and a bouncer at the New York City comedy staple The Improv. Aiello broke into films in the 1970’s with a debut opposite Robert DeNiro in Bang The Drum Slowly. A string of films followed, including Moonstruck with Cher; Fort Apache, The Bronx with Paul Newman and Harlem Nights with Eddie Murphy plus an appearance in Madonna’s controversial 1986 music video Papa Don’t Preach. But, Aiello’s most iconic role was in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing in 1989. His role as Pizzeria owner Sal won Aiello Golden Globe and Oscar nominations and worldwide acclaim. Danny Aiello was 86.
We remember trailblazing Blogger/Model/Activist Mama Cax. Born Cacsmy Brutus, Cax was hospitalized for a week before passing away. Cax, who lost her leg to bone cancer at age 14, became a darling on runways and on social media when she chose to decorate her prosthetic leg with standout designs. In the process, she used that fame to advocate for those with disabilities, and worked with fashion labels to make them better corporate citizens. Cax was lauded for pushing the modeling and fashion world to see more than one type of model. Mama Cax was 30.
Ice Cube: Don’t hold your breath for a new Friday movie. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the first installment of the franchise. It was a super surprise hit and starred Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, John Witherspoon, Anna Maria Horsford, Nia Long, Bernie Mac and Regina King. Made on a three and a half million dollar budget, Friday took in nearly $30 million and launched a series of successful sequels. So what about a new installment? It’s not too likely. Chris Tucker only did the first one and with the death of Comedian/Actor John Witherspoon that would need to be quite an idea and script. Time will tell.
Salt N’ Pepa have settled with Spinderella. Remember Spinderella, a.k.a. Deidra Roper, sued Salt (Cheryl James-Wray) and Pepa (Sandra Denton) for a decade’s worth of unpaid royalties to the tune of $600,000. Spinderella had worked with the duo since the 1980’s, but as of late, things turned sour. Spinderella’s lawsuit was sparked by the Lifetime documentary she claims she was kept in the dark about. Plus, the lawsuit went after money she felt she was owed from Salt N Pepa’s recent Vegas residency. Salt N’ Pepa responded by saying Spinderella launched a smear campaign against them and wouldn’t acknowledge they did try to negotiate a fair cut for her. Well now, the two parties have filed to withdraw the legal actions and have settled out of court. But, don’t look to see the threesome on stage together anytime soon.
Cicely Tyson is on the cover of Time magazine. The Emmy winner and Oscar nominee just turned 95, and she’s giving no thought to retirement. Tyson talks about that in her cover story interview for Time’s The Art Of Optimism special issue.
Michael B. Jordan is on the cover of Esquire. Jordan’s latest movie with Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx is 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 is in theaters now.
Will Smith and Tom Holland (Spiderman: Homecoming) have a new animated movie called Spies In Disguise. In the movie, Smith voices ultra cool super spy Lance Sterling and Holland the nerdy scientist Walter Beckett. The two are forced to team up after Beckett’s experiments accidentally turn Sterling into a pigeon. Sterling and Beckett still need to stop a technology madman from wrecking havoc and taking over all of the world’s computer systems for evil. Spies In Disguise is in theaters now.
Speaking of Will Smith, he reteams with Martin Lawrence for Bad Boys For Life reprising their roles as Detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. Bad Boys For Life opens Friday, January 17th.
The 77th Annual Golden Globes Awards, with returning Host Ricky Gervais, airs Sunday, January 5th at 8pm on NBC.
WDAS Morning Man Steve Harvey has a new talk show that will debut on Facebook Watch Monday, January 6th.
Alicia Keys hosts The Grammys on Sunday, January 26th at 8pm on CBS.
Zendaya is on the cover of Allure magazine.
Beyoncé is on the cover of Elle magazine.
Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek Pinault cover January’s InStyle magazine. The three ladies star in the new film comedy Like A Boss as two friends and their benefactor who team up to start a beauty company, but things take a turn when dishonesty comes into play. Like A Boss opens in theaters January 10th.
Michelle Obama is on the cover of People magazine’s 2019 People Of The Year.
Singer/Dancer Normani, formerly of Fifth Harmony, graces the cover of Cosmopolitan.
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.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, December 27th – Fantasia in concert at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
This 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
Tuesday, December 31st – Kool & The Gang and KC & The Sunshine Band 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
Saturday, January 18th - Coolio, Tone Loc and Young MC in concert at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA. For tickets and information log onto keswicktheater.com
Sunday, January 19th –The 10th Anniversary of The All-Stars of Hip Hop starring KRS-1, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee, Sugar Hill Gang & The Furious Five, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Dana Dane, Monie Love, Kwame, Three Times Dope, Tuff Crew, Tracey Lee and Schoolly D at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. 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
Saturday, February 15th –Valentine’s Day Concert starring Johnny Gill, Next, KeKe Wyatt and Stokley from Mint Condition at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Sunday, February 16th – Valentine’s Soul Jam starring The Stylistics, Enchantment, Bloodstone, The Intruders and Peaches & Herb at Ovation Hall at The Ocean Casino & Resort in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, March 7th– The Millennium Tour starring Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Soulja Boy, Lloyd, Ying Yang Twins and Sammie at The Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Broad Street between Montgomery and Cecil B. Moore Avenues. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, March 28th – Charlie Wilson in concert at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, April 4th –Martin Lawrence hosts The Lit AF 2020 Comedy Tour starring Michael Blackson, Donnell Rawlings, Benji Brown and more at The Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Broad Street between Montgomery and Cecil B. Moore Avenues. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.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.