Entertainment Entrepreneur and Management Legend Joe Jackson has passed away after a battle with cancer. Best known as the patriarch of show business’ legendary Jackson family, the success of the family as well as its individual members all trace back to Joe. While known to be tough on his children, he was just as tough on the board room. Among Joe’s classic deals were transitioning his sons from Motown to Philadelphia International Records to an almost 30-year self producing deal on Epic Records. Then Joe pulled off The Victory Tour with Michael fresh off his Thriller success reuniting with his brothers. The solo careers of Jermaine, Rebbie, Janet, even LaToya and of course, Michael Jackson got developed and first run by Joe. Later child abuse and mismanagement allegations and even a love child floated into the picture, but Joe always remained an up to date on the times impresario. Janet Jackson is taking care of the arrangements because the family was arguing with the Michael Jackson estate. MJ’s estate wasn’t interested in contributing to a large funeral, so Janet stepped up and the funeral will be next week. This leaves family matriarch, 88-year old Katherine Jackson, as the head of the family. Joe Jackson was 89 years old.
Actor Terry Crews feels he’s being retaliated against after he went public with his assault allegations against a former agent. This week, Crews testified before Congress. He was asked why he didn’t fight the agent on the spot. Crews explained as an African American man, it’s not a given that he can just fight back. Race even complicates self-defense. 50 Cent took to social media and took a couple of shots at Crews because he didn’t fight back. Russell Simmons, who has been accused of rape and/or sexual misconduct by multiple women himself, even liked 50’s post. Both men were blasted over their insensitivity. Crews is the highest profile male face of the #metoo movement. Crews took the high road when asked about 50’s post. Crews also says an another agent told him if he wanted to be in Expendables 4, the successful movie series, he needed to drop his allegations and legal proceedings against Agent Adam Venit, the alleged perpetrator.
The Braxton sisters walk out on their reality show to negotiate more money. The hit reality show, Braxton Family Values, has gone on hiatus indefinitely. When a recent shoot only saw sister Traci show up, We-TV made the call to pull the plug. The sisters want their wardrobe and travel stipends raised a long with a hefty talent raise.
Dame Dash versus Lee Daniels!!! Dash had a big public confrontation with Philly native and filmmaker Daniels over a million dollar loan. Now Dash has gone public feeling super disrespected. Are they going to court? Will Dash sue over some of the assets Daniels owns like his stake in the movies Precious and The Butler or TV shows Empire and Star? Hmmmmmmmm!
Cardi B and Offset are already married and have been for 9 months already! Cardi is scheduled to be in Philly September 19th and 20th with Bruno Mars, but her baby is due in less than a month. Now, the cat’s out of the bag about her marriage. Cardi’s been married for almost 10 months. Folks started digging after Offset thanked HIS WIFE at The BET Awards. Congrats to the couple.
The ESPN Body issue is out. Among this year’s most notable models 54-year old NFL Legend Jerry Rice, who says he has more muscle now than when he was playing. Soccer Player Crystal Dunn, Sprinter and three-time Olympic Medalist Tori Bowie, NY Giants Saquon Barkley, Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns and the L.A. Dodgers Yasiel Puig are all featured.
The BET Awards highlights were the Anita Baker tribute and Meek Mill and Miguel. Meek and Miguel teamed up with Stay Woke, which reflected Meek’s life being incarcerated. Unfortunately, Meek Mill returned to Philadelphia only to have his request for a new trial denied. Mill has been on probation stemming from original weapons charges. He’s now appealed his case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Captain Kirk battling an alleged love child?!!! Captain’s Log: 87-year old William Shatner won a lawsuit brought by Florida DJ Peter Sloan. The DJ claimed Shatner was his biological father, which the Star Trek Star denied. A Florida court says because Shatner is a Canadian citizen who resides in Los Angeles, the court in Florida has no jurisdiction. Plus, Shatner’s denials couldn’t be slander since it was never established Sloan was Shatner’s son.
Speaking of William Shatner, his former T.J. Hooker co-star Actress Heather Locklear is now seeking treatment after a second police assault arrest. Police were called when Locklear was allegedly observed under the influence and of possible harm to herself or someone else. A few months back, she was arrested for biting a cop. Two weeks ago, she was detained for threatening to harm herself. In the 80’s and 90’s, Locklear was the queen of primetime with the Aaron Spelling shows T.J. Hooker, Dynasty and, of course, Melrose Place. What’s going on with Locklear? Her ex-boyfriend and former Melrose co-star Jack Wagner publicly wished her well. Multiple reports are calling Locklear’s problems the result of addiction. Her career has stalled and all we hear at this point are these arrests. We wish the 56-year old actress well. Locklear was one of TV’s favorite vixens/villains and she brought a lot of fun to the small screen.
Creed II starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone will be in theaters this Thanksgiving.
At the movies this week, its Basketball All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Chris Weber, Lisa Leslie with Erica Ash and Tiffany Haddish in Uncle Drew, based on Irving’s Pepsi commercial character. Then Haddish co-stars with fellow Comedian Kevin Hart in Night School coming to theaters September 28th. After that, Haddish joins Tika Sumpter (The Haves & The Have Nots), Amber Riley (Glee), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Whoopi Goldberg for Nobody’s Fool, written and directed by Tyler Perry hitting theaters November 2nd.
Professional Race Car Driver Danica Patrick will be the first female host of The ESPY’s. The long running awards show has long spotlighted excellence in the world of sports. This year’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award will be shared by Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Aly Raisman and the dozens of victims of the sexual abuse of U.S. Olympic Doctor Larry Nassar, who essentially received a life sentence for the extreme amount of criminal sexual assault accounts against him. Raisman is among the women leading the charge for reform in the sports world and protection against pedophiles and other sexual abusers. The 26th Annual ESPY Awards will air on Wednesday, July 18th at 8pm on ABC.
The Whitney Houston documentary entitled Whitney and approved by the late singer’s estate opens in theaters July 6th.
The stars return to the Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue, this summer. Tickets are going on sale this Saturday and check out the line up so far:
Thurs., July 5th – Kem / Tamar Braxton / Damien Escobar
Thurs., July 12th - Kool & The Gang / En Vogue
Thurs., July 19th - Tamela Mann
Sun., July 22nd – Ne-Yo / Lyfe Jennings
Thurs., July 26th – Charlie Wilson / Avery Sunshine
Thurs., Aug 2nd – Erykah Badu & Talib Kweli
Thurs., Aug 9th – Monica/After 7/ Tony!Toni! Tone!
Thurs., Aug 16th - Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill & Ralph Tresvant with special guest Major
Sun., August 19th – The Basement Party starring Rakim, MC Lyte, Kurtis Blow, Stetsasonic, Tracey Lee, the Alumni featuring Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Dana Dane, Monie Love and Kwame
Thurs., Aug. 23rd - Patti LaBelle & Gregory Porter
Sunday September 2nd - Patty Jackson’s Annual Party in the Park Celebrating her 35th anniversary starring Maze featuring Frankie Beverly & The Whispers and Blue Magic
For more information log onto mydelleast.org.
Spike Lee and Oscar Winner Jordan Peele have teamed up for the feature film BlacKkKlansman. The movie is based on the life experiences of African American Detective Ron Stallworth, who so successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado that he became the head of the chapter. Fresh off his Oscar winning box office hit, Get Out Writer and Director Jordan Peele teams up with Spike Lee with Lee and Peele both serve as producers and Lee taking on directing and co-writing duties. The film stars John David Washington (son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington), Topher Grace (That 70’s Show), Adam Driver and the legendary Harry Belafonte. BlacKkKlansman opens in theaters August 10th.
Speaking of Acting Icon Denzel Washington, he is set to reprise his role as “Robert McCall” in The Equalizer II coming to the big screen July 20th.
Janet Jackson is on the cover of Essence magazine’s Sizzling Summer Styles issue for the July/August edition.
Omari Hardwick, the Star of Power, is on the cover of Ebony magazine’s July/August issue. Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Naturi Naughton, Lela Loren and, co-star & co-executive producer, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson return for the sixth season of Power this Sunday at 9pm on Starz. And Hardwick’s new Tyler Perry movie, Nobody’s Fool with Tiffany Haddish, opens November 2nd.
Kevin Hart returns to TV to knock you out….with his new show. TKO: Total Knock Out, hosted by the Philly-born comedian, is an obstacle course challenge reality show. Produced by Hart and The Apprentice Producer Mark Burnett, TKO: Total Knock Out premieres on Wednesday, July 11th at 8pm on CBS.
Actress/Writer/Producer Issa Rae’s hit show Insecure returns to HBO Sunday, August 12th at 10:30pm right after the season premiere of Ballers with Dwayne The Rock Johnson at 10pm.
Essence magazine released the Essence Music Festival schedule and lineup for 2018. The festivities return to New Orleans July 5th through the 8th. Performers include Janet Jackson, Jilly from Philly Jill Scott, Philly’s own The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Teddy Riley’s New Jack Swing Experience (Wreckx-N-Effect, Blackstreet and Guy), Idris Elba, Fantasia, Miguel and Mary J. Blige with more acts to be announced. All the details are on Essence.com
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Saturday, June 30th – WDAS Summer Block Party starring Jill Scott / Boyz II Men / DJ Jazzy Jeff in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Friday, July 13th – Lauryn Hill and the 20th anniversary of The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill tour at Penns Landing’s Festival Pier. Log on to ticketmaster.com for more information
Saturday, July 21st - Cedric The Entertainer comedy show at The Sugar House Casino. For tickets and information log onto sugarhouseentertainment.com
Monday, July 30th – Jay-Z & Beyoncé: 2018 On The Run 2 Tour at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com.
Sunday, August 12th – Gladys Knight and The O’Jays in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Saturday, August 25th – Smokey Robinson in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Saturday, August 25th & Sunday, August 26th – Stevie Wonder in concert at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For more information log on to theborgata.com
Sunday, September 2nd – Earth, Wind & Fire in concert at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For more information log on to theborgata.com
Saturday, September 15th – The Aubrey and The Three Amigos Tour starring Drake and Migos at the Wells Fargo Center. Log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com for ticket information.
Wednesday & Thursday, September 19th and 20th – Bruno Mars and Cardi B on Thee 24K Magic North American Concert Tour at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.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.
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