PHOTO: Malcolm Jenkins and Patty Jackson
The 2020 WDAS Women Of Excellence event has been postponed. It’s important to note that this is not a cancellation, but a postponement. A new date will be announced soon.
Idris Elba, NBA Ballers Kevin Durant, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Christian Wood, Frozen 2’s Rachel Matthews, Husband and Wife Actors Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks have all reportedly tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus has now hit every state in the country and local, state and federal government officials are enacting a variety of legal tactics to stop the spread of COVID-19. In show business news, studios have shut their doors and begun to layoffs of some workers. Empire has stopped production despite this being the FOX drama’s last season. The Tonight Show has been airing repeats. The Today Show’s Craig Melvin and Al Roker have self quarantined after a Today Show third hour staffer tested positive. CBS This Morning will move to The Ed Sullivan Theater as a precaution. Saturday Night Live has shut down production for the foreseeable future. All news anchor teams, local and national, have been using social distancing by either sitting significantly further apart or in different sets. COVID-19 is also delaying production on the new fall TV schedule. New shows begin filming now to prepare for fall, but are now in shutdown mode. At press time, ABC, CBS and NBC are teaming up with the Trump Administration for a PSA series designed to educate the public on the Coronavirus as well as inform on any progress being made to combat it. Broadway shows in New York are shutdown until April 12th. Producers are hoping insurance will help because the Great White Way could be looking at a $100 million in losses. Movies taking a scheduling change include Mulan, Fast 9, James Bond and A Quiet Place II. All are being pushed back from their planned release dates. As for those celebrities who have tested positive, so far all are reportedly doing well and following up with medical supervision.
Shocking sports news for Superbowl Champ Malcolm Jenkins. First he parted ways Philly and then got a new team a day later by way of The Big Easy. Jenkins, who had become almost as well known for his social activism as he was for football, parted ways with the Philadelphia Eagles after six years and the franchise’s first Superbowl victory. Jenkins’ option was not picked up and that led to New Orleans. Published reports say Jenkins signed with the Saints for four years, $32 million, up to $35 million maximum, and he’s guaranteed $16.25 million. Hard to believe the era ends like this, but we certainly wish Malcolm Jenkins the best and thank him for his legendary Eagles stint.
Josie Harris, the mother of three of Boxer Floyd Mayweather’s children, was found dead in her car outside of her home in California at the age of 40. In 2010, Mayweather served two months in jail for her charges of domestic abuse. Harris was currently writing a tell all and had a $20 million lawsuit going on. Authorities have not declared this homicide or a suicide. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, Floyd Mayweather has another loss in his family. The boxer’s uncle, Roger Mayweather, who played a pivotal role on the Mayweather team, has passed. Roger himself was a former boxer and retired in 1999. Roger’s health forced him to step down from coaching Floyd, so Floyd, Sr. took over Roger’s role. No cause of death has been publicly listed and Roger Mayweather was 58 years old.
Harvey Weinstein, once the most powerful man in Hollywood, has been convicted and sentenced to 23 years for rape and assault. Weinstein was acquitted of the top three charges, including predatory sexual assault, but found guilty on two charges of first degree criminal sexual act and third degree rape. After sentencing, the 68-year old former movie mogul was taken back to Bellevue when he began to feel complications from his earlier heart procedure. At press time, he is slated to be released and sent to a Hudson Valley state prison. Weinstein still faces a trial in Los Angeles on rape and assault charges. A Jane Doe has also filed a civil suit against Weinstein that she was pressured into having sex with him because he dangled a movie role in front of her and allegedly told her he runs Hollywood. Weinstein’s $25 million global settlement with a reported two dozen accusers is covered by his insurance company with no admission of wrongdoing and a nondisclosure agreement. No word yet on the arraignment date for Weinstein’s Los Angeles criminal trial, which has him charged with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another over a two-day period in 2013.
The Fugees were the 1990’s collective of hip hop, R&B and Caribbean (Reggae) music with members Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. Pras owes $125,000 in back child support for his 9-year old son. He stopped paying child support in 2018 because he’s fallen on hard times. Pras reportedly claims the Feds are holding an alleged $74 million dollars on past criminal charges. Where did Pras get $74 million? When is the last time the Fugees put out an album? Hmmmmm!
Andrew Gillum has entered rehab. The former mayor of Tallahassee and former candidate for governor of Florida says he got a wakeup call last week. Gillum was found in a hotel room with two other men by police who were responding to a possible overdose. Travis Dyson, one of the two other men in the room, was the man being treated, but the police report says Gillum was too inebriated from an unknown substance to communicate. Gillum says he drank too much and denies using drugs or any of the three bags of what police suspected was crystal meth found on the scene.Gillum says rehab is to combat the depression he slipped into since losing the Florida governor’s race. Unfortunately, the man who allegedly overdosed, Dyson, is reportedly a gay male escort, and he didn’t back up Gillum’s story that the former mayor was in town for a wedding. Various social media pictures of Dyson have been flooding the net. Gillum is 40, married and has three children, and he’s asking for privacy for him and his family now. At one time, Gillum was considered a possible pick for VP in the upcoming election, but now people are wondering is this the end of his political and media career.
Michael Strahan is still battling with his ex-wife and things have taken a huge turn. Strahan is accusing his ex-wife Jean Muggli of a pattern of abuse toward their 15-year old twin daughters and now he wants full custody. Strahan reportedly has proof and wants his daughters out of North Carolina and with him in New York. Published reports say Strahan has hired investigators to watch Muggli around the clock, but Strahan’s lawyers deny this. Problem is that’s not the first time spying has come up with the Good Morning America anchor. When he was dating Nicole Murphy years ago, he reportedly suspected her of cheating, put a tracking device in her car and busted her creepin. That relationship ended. Back to ex-wife Muggli, she’s been asking for increased support as Strahan’s profile and finances continues to rise.In 2005, Muggli filed a domestic violence complaint against Strahan over an argument about money. Days later Strahan filed for divorce and denied any domestic violence. When Muggli testified as a follow up to the complaint, she conceded under oath that Strahan didn’t touch her during that argument. Now years later, the accusation tables have turned following Muggli’s requests for increased child support and adding their daughters’ equestrian (horseback riding lessons) to their previous settlement.
A few weeks ago we acknowledged the passing of Singer/Songwriter/Dancer/Actress Ja’Net DuBois, but we had no idea of the revelation to follow. DuBois was best remembered as Willona Woods from the sitcom Good Times, and for co-writing and singing the theme to the sitcom The Jeffersons. DuBois died of a heart attack at the age of 74, but when her cause of death was revealed it also led to the revelation of her real father. Another man raised her, but DuBois biological father was legendary Entertainer Cab Calloway. Calloway was the first African American to sell a million copies of a single song, 1931’s Minnie The Moocher. Calloway was also a famous bandleader touring worldwide in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. He also made a comeback in 1980 co-starring in blockbuster The Blues Brothers with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Calloway died in 1994 at the age of 86. In all of the years of DuBois career, which was pretty high profile, she literally kept that secret for life.
Some good news…Insecure is coming back to HBO. Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Amanda Seales, Jay Ellis and Lil’ Rel Howery will be returning Sunday, April 12th to HBO.
Self Made is the limited drama series coming to Netflix based on the life of Madame CJ Walker, the first African American woman to become a self-made millionaire in the United States. Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer plays Walker and she’s joined by Tiffany Haddish, Bill Bellamy, Garrett Morris, Carmen Ejogo and Blair Underwood. Walker’s journey begins as the first of her parents six children not born into slavery through her three marriages, motherhood and turn of the century bigotry and rivalries up to the launch her own haircare line. Spencer’s portrayal of Walker with Haddish playing her daughter covers it all. Self-Made begins streaming this Friday, March 20th on Netflix.
The Essence Festival has been announced. The legendary magazine is celebrating 50 years in publication. It’s annual New Orleans celebration, which is now Essence’s signature, returns for the Fourth Of July.Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, Raphael Saadiq, Summer Walker, Jidenna and Tamia will all take to the main stage with more acts to come. The Essence Festival will take place July 1-5th.
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.
Taraji P. Henson is on the cover of Essence talking about finding love and her personal “empire.”
Kerry Washington is on the cover of InStyle magazine for their March fashion issue.
Tyler Perry is on the cover of Ebony magazine’s Power 100 List for the March 2020 issue.
Check out who’s coming to town:
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
Friday, May 1st – Patti LaBelle in concert at Caesars in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, May 9th – The Mother’s Day Music Festival starring Fantasia, Keith Sweat, Tank, Avant and Destinee Maree at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ppshows.com
Sunday, May 10th – Stephanie Mills and After 7 at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ppshows.com
Saturday, May 16th – Sinbad comedy show at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, May 16th – The Temptations and The Four Tops in concert at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto themetphilly.com
Saturday, May 23rd - The Annual Hoagienation Music Festival starring Hall & Oates, Kool & The Gang, The Hooters, Melanie Fiona and The Soul Survivors at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd & Parkside. For tickets and information log onto hoagienation.com.
Sunday, May 24th – Snoop Dogg: Celebrating 25 Years of Doggystyle with special guests Bell/Biv/DeVoe, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Warren Gat The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto theborgata.com
Saturday, May 30th - The Roots Picnic featuring Meek Mill, Snoh Aalegra, DJ Diamond Kuts, Summer Walker, DaBaby and the Roots Present Soul with Musiq Soulchild, SWV and Brandy at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts , 52nd & Parkside, For tickets and information, log onto rootspicnic.com/philly
Thursday, July 9th – Janet Jackson’s Black Diamond World Tour 2020 with new music and a special performance of Rhythm Nation at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.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
Thursday, August 20th – The Supernatural Tour starring Earth, Wind & Fire and Santana at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. For tickets and information log onto livenation.com
Saturday, August 22nd – Vanessa Williams in concert at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto Tropicana.net
Thursday, August 27th – John Legend in 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.