Congratulations to our WDAS-FM Women Of Excellence: Bumi Fernandez West, CEO of the Odunde Festival; NBC 10 Anchor Tracy Davidson, weekday mornings 4am to 7am; Anita T. Conner, Managing Partner of Anita T. Conner & Associates; Tiffany Tavarez, VP of Community Relations, Wells Fargo; and Catherine Hicks, Publisher of The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Log onto wdasfm.com for all the details and the announcements for our WDAS-FM 2020 Women Of Excellence festivities.
Oscar-winner Mo’Nique has penned on open letter to Oprah Winfrey. The comedienne has a Showtime special, Mo’Nique And Friends: Live From Atlanta, premiering today. Mo’ takes on The Mighty O for, among other things, being a part of the Russell Simmons and Michael Jackson Metoo era documentaries. Winfrey has caught flack publicly for not focusing on white accused sexual predators Harvey Weinstein and the late Jeffrey Epstein. Mo’Nique brings this up in her open letter. Winfrey has already dropped her support, her Apple TV distribution and her name from the untitled Drew Dixon documentary. Dixon is a music industry executive and the subject of the untitled documentary which includes her accusations of rape by Russell Simmons, which is now headed to HBO Max. Meanwhile, the Showtime special Mo’Nique And Friends: Live From Atlanta, featuring Donnell Rawlings, Prince T-Dub, Just Nesh, Tone-X and Correy Bell, debuts on Showtime tonight at 10pm.
The NAACP Image Awards 2020 will honor Rihanna with the President’s Award. The NAACP released a statement that the singer/songwriter/entrepreneur is being honored for her special achievement and distinguished public service. The heritage civil rights organization is also honoring Rihanna’s philanthropy and commitment to justice. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett, Anthony Anderson, Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross are among those with multiple nominations. The Neighborhood and Black-ish have multiple TV comedy nominations and Queen Sugar and Godfather Of Harlem have multiple TV drama nominations. Multiple film nods went to Us, Queen & Slim, Harriet and Dolemite Is My Name including one for our hometown Philly Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name). Beyonce, Lizzo and H.E.R. lead the music nominations. The 51st Annual NAACP Image Awards airs Saturday, February 22nd on BET.
I know many of us have cancelled The Oscars, but the show does air this Sunday. Look for a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant among others. Remember Bryant’s Dear Basketball won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. This year, Cynthia Erivo is up for Best Actress for playing Harriet Tubman, the woman who led hundreds of black slaves to freedom in America, in the film Harriet. The Academy Awards will once again have no host and air this Sunday, February 9th at 8pm on ABC.
The Superbowl ratings are in, but first I loved the commercials. Tracee Ellis Ross, Jason Momoa, Hammer and Lil’ Nas-X were great. Now over 100 million people tuned in for this year’s big game, but even more tuned in for the halftime show. 103 million checked out Jennifer Lopez and Shakira team up, yes differences were put aside, and hit the stage, and the pole, for the much talked about halftime. The ladies decided sisterhood and positivity in the Latin community would be the overall theme.
Michael Strahan, even though he’s winning, has to revisit the past. Strahan, The Good Morning America Host/Talk Show Host/ Game Show Host/Sports Analyst is hearing from his ex-wife. Apparently, she’s blown through the money from their $15 million divorce settlement because she wants to revisit the money issues. Published reports say she’s claiming not to be able to live off $18,000 a month. HUH?!!!! She needs $500,000 right away and $250,000 for equestrian/horseback riding for their twin daughters. Strahan’s reps say this isn’t covered in the agreement. My only advice to Michael, I can definitely live off $18,000 a month. Just so you know for the future (SMILE).
Terry Crews is trying to make amends with Gabrielle Union by issuing an apology to her. Crews did a promotional tour for America’s Got Talent (AGT), but when he was asked about Union’s firing and her accusations, he essentially threw her under the bus. Crews said he couldn’t speak to sexism but racism wasn’t an issue for him and the AGT’s diversity was great. Crews caught all kinds of backlash especially since Union took up for Crews when he talked about his own sexual assault experience. Union’s husband Dwyane Wade responded to Crews’ apology with Someone Take His Phone! Ouch! At press time, there’s been no response from Gabrielle Union.
Check out the new 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 is one of the show’s producers with George Tillman, Jr. (Soul Food). For Life is slated to debut Tuesday, February 11th on ABC.
Speaking of 50 Cent projects, on Power we find out who shot Ghost on Sunday, February 9th on Starz! And, look for my interview on my WDASPatty IG page with Actor Joseph Sikora who plays Tommy Eagan on Power.
My favorite documentary show UnSung is returning February 23rd to TV One. UnSung follows some of our favorite performers who don’t get the credit they deserve for their work and how impactful it’s been. The show takes us behind the scenes to show us what happened with those artists and both sides of their journey. This season features Al Jarreau, Roxanne Shante, Goodie Mob, Christopher Williams, Betty Wright and our own Billy Paul. UnSung premieres with Dru Hill at 10pm on Sunday, February 23rd on TV One.
The Clark Sisters TV bio pic will premiere Easter weekend. The made for TV movie will focus on the rise of the sisters from their beginnings in Detroit to gospel royalty. The Clark Sisters mother, Mattie Moss Clark, is played by Aunjanue Ellis (Undercover Brother) and the sisters will be played by Christina Bell (Twinkie), Kierra Sheard (Karen), Shelea Frazier (Dorinda), Raven Goodwin (Denise) and Angela Birchett (Jacky). And yes, Gospel Singer Kierra Sheard is playing her mom Karen Clark Sheard in the movie. The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel is produced by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and May J. Blige and premieres Saturday, April 11th at 8pm on Lifetime.
Kevin Hart is on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine.
Rosario Dawson is gracing the cover of Women’s Health and says she’s still going strong with now former Presidential Candidate and U.S. Senator Corey Booker.
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.
Tyler Perry is on the cover of Ebony magazine’s Power 100 List for the March 2020 issue.
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.
Check out who’s coming to town:
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
Sunday, August 9th – Alicia Keys in ALICIA: The World Tour concert at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto themetphilly.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.