Oprah Winfrey stands down! The Mighty O is no longer apart of the documentary in which the sexual misconduct accusations against Russell Simmons would be featured. Winfrey is currently on her 2020 Vision tour, but issued a statement that she and the documentary producers were too far apart in the vision of the piece. The statement also said there was more work to be done to show what the victims endured. Winfrey pulling means the film’s schedule to appear as part of The Oprah-Apple TV streaming deal is cancelled. The filmmakers retain their full rights and will seek different distribution. Winfrey began her statement by saying she supports and believes the accusers. This comes after Winfrey was highly criticized for using this project to follow up her participation in the Leaving Neverland/Michael Jackson documentary. Russell Simmons, who is stands accused in this documentary, and Rapper/Producer 50 Cent were among Winfrey’s harshest critics.
Speaking of 50 Cent, I’ve got a correction on his new project the ABC legal drama called For Life. Aaron Wallace is a wrongly imprisoned man who becomes a lawyer. Wallace then uses his legal knowledge to represent others in the criminal justice system. All while trying to overturn his own conviction and sentence and reunite with his family. Nicholas Pinnock (Captain America: The First Avenger) plays Aaron Wallace and co-stars with Joy Bryant (Parenthood) and Mary Stuart Masterson (Fried Green Tomatoes). 50 Cent doesn’t appear but is one of the show’s producers with George Tillman, Jr. (Soul Food). For Life is slated to debut February 11th on ABC.
Speaking of 50 Cent projects, Method Man will join Mary J. Blige in the Power Book II spinoff. He’s playing a lawyer, but he gets lured to the underground by Blige’s character. Look for this spinoff to come to Starz later this spring. By the way, on Power we find out who shot Ghost on February 9th. And, look for my interview on my WDASPatty IG page with Actor Joseph Sikora who plays Tommy Eagan on Power.
The Academy Awards nominations have come out and the critics are taking aim. Out of 20 acting nominations the only person of color nominated was Cynthia Erivo as lead actress for Harriet. The snubs included Lupita Nyong’o for Jordan Peele’s Us, Eddie Murphy for Dolemite Is My Name; Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx for Just Mercy, Jennifer Lopez for her role in Hustlers, no women in the best directing category and nothing for Rapper/Actress Awkwafina and Actress Lulu Wang for their roles in The Farewell. The Academy is back to defense mode as the diversity of the voting body once again is called out. Now there were nominations for President and Forever First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama’s documentary American Factory, which was produced through their company. Also Matthew Cherry, the former NFL player turned filmmaker, scored a nomination for Best Animated Short Film for Hair Love. Hair Love features the voice of Issa Rae and is about an African American dad attempting for the first time to style his daughter’s hair.The Oscars will once again have no host and air on Sunday, February 24th at 8pm on ABC.
Since we mentioned Jennifer Lopez earlier, published reports say she and Shakira who are the halftime performers for the Superbowl, aren’t getting along. Apparently, when J-Lo got the call she wasn’t immediately informed by officials there would be other performers. It seems to stem from no one willing to cut their time. By the way, since there’s this is Miami, where are Gloria Estefan and Pitbull? We already know Trick Daddy and Uncle Luke aren’t coming. The Superbowl airs February 2nd on FOX.
Congratulations to this year’s inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This induction process has its share of critics and we’ve seen questionable moves in the past, but this year seems to be one of the better choices. The Notorious B.I.G., Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, T-Rex, The Doobie Brothers and finally, the voice of a generation, Whitney Houston. Most believe both The Doobies and Whitney were a long time coming, but they’re finally inducted. The 35th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony will air live Saturday, May 2nd on HBO at 8pm.
Singer/Actress/Reality Star Tamar Braxton is headed to VH1 with a new beauty show. I think she’s going to surprise us. You know she’s no stranger to style with the hair, the outfits on the TV shows and then the outfits on the performing stages. This might be a fun ride. Tamar’s untitled VH1 project is in development now.
Azriel Clary has now declared herself R Kelly’s ex-girlfriend and reunited with her family. Clary’s family was prominently featured on the Lifetime documentaries Surviving R Kelly, Parts 1 and 2. As a teenager Azriel met Kelly when her parents took her to his concert. Shortly after, helping her with her music career turned into a relationship. Fast forward to 2019 after Kelly is charged with numerous sex crimes, Azriel and Kelly’s other girlfriend Joycelyn Savage were defending Kelly to Gayle King on CBS This Morning. Sometime after that, Azriel and Savage have a physical altercation at Kelly’s apartment where they were both living. The fight goes viral. Savage gets charged and Azriel uses the opportunity to leave. Now there are pictures on social media with her reunited with her family. Look for another documentary, a book deal or something from this. Unfortunately the publicity machine seems to be starting before the much needed counseling. Hmmmmmmmmm!
Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz are being accused by his babymomma, Jahna Sebastian, of threats and abuse. Sebastian is also accusing fans of threatening behavior as well. Sebastian, the mother of Beatz’s 11-year old daughter Nicole, had already reportedly accused Keys of overstepping her bounds as a stepmother. Now, Sebastian says she feels humiliated, scared for her life and she’s not getting child support. Unfortunately, because Sebastian took things to social media, and you can never predict how fans will react. It wasn’t pretty. At press time, no response from Keys or Beatz, and Alicia is hosting The Grammys on Sunday, January 26th at 8pm on CBS.
There’s a YouTube documentary on Basketball Legend and Entrepreneur Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie. Here’s the kind of cold sum up. It talks about how they fell in love in college, but he cheated left and right. He had babies on the side during all this, but asked Cookie to marry him after he got sick. There’s more to their relationship then this, but unfortunately it comes off as more a life lesson on the proper way to be treated as opposed to documenting a love story.
Will Smith reteams with Martin Lawrence for Bad Boys For Life reprising their roles as Detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. Bad Boys For Life opens today.
Essence magazine undergoes its new bi-monthly format. Instead of 12 times a year, it’s now six. The debut is the January/February issue with the incredible story of Kenyan-born refugee turned Supermodel Halima Aden.
Vanity Fair magazine’s cover has Renee Zellweger, Jennifer Lopez and Eddie Murphy are on the cover. That’s super awkward because Lopez and Murphy both got snubbed for Oscar.
Actress Zoe Kravitz is on the cover of Elle magazine.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This 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
This 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
Friday, February 28th – Tiffany Haddish comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.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 Brownand 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.
Saturday, April 18th – Marlon Wayans comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, May 16th – Sinbad comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.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.