Who is the pastor that’s breaking the internet for allegedly starring in a sex tape? Pastor David Wilson of Bibleway Ministries and World Outreach, Inc. of Texas is trending because of a super explicit sex tape on the internet with a man that looks very much like the pastor. His family denies it. They’re saying it’s a case of mistaken identity. The pastor himself has stepped out of the spotlight. Now who was the woman? Those who claim to recognize her say she’s a member of Pastor Wilson’s church. She’s reportedly a Texas woman who was promised a spot on the church choir. So out of anger (a woman scorned!!), she released this tape. We’re waiting on the pastor to speak out. So what’s on the tape? Let’s just say social media showed no mercy claiming the pastor was speaking in tongues!
Today Show Anchor Hoda Kotb has a new book out called I Really Needed This Today: Words To Live By. Kotb shares 365 sayings and quotes that’s she’s receives from letters, social media postings and from some of her favorite writers. The idea of the book came to her from the reaction she got from her Today Show fans when she shared those positive and inspirational writings and sayings. Those sayings also helped her as well. It’s a good time for Kotb because she’s adopted her second child, and despite a revisiting of the Matt Lauer controversy, she’s a solid favorite on The Today Show. I Really Needed This Today: Words To Live By is available in bookstores and on line now.
50 Cent has a new book coming out called Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. When we think about 50, some think about The Club. Some think about that short lived romance with Auntie Viv, Vivica A. Fox. Some think of the feuds with his son, hi babymomma, Kanye West, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Lil’ Wayne and even Floyd Mayweather. Some think of his acting and filmmaking (Power), and other think about his music. But remember, he’s a business man: Vodka/Water distribution, mining and heavy metal investments, boxing promotion and now author. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter will be out in April.
The Aretha Franklin story is coming to the big screen and it’s called Respect. This is not the TV project (Genius: Aretha) with British Actress Cynthia Erivo (Harriet) coming to National Geographic. The big screen film is the one the late Queen Of Soul was working on until her death last year. Respect stars Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson as Aretha. Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker will play her dad, the legendary Reverend C.L. Franklin. Comedian/Actor Marlon Wayans plays abusive first husband and manager Ted White. Broadway Star Audra McDonald will play Aretha’s mom. Mary J. Blige will play the woman Aretha called the Queen Of Soul, Singer Dinah Washington. Titus Burgess will play Rev. James Cleveland. That’s right Titus will play James Cleveland which hints at how deep this bio might go. Heather Headley plays Gospel Legend Clara Ward. This movie has secured the rights to Aretha Franklin’s music including gospel, jazz and the R&B/POP hits. How much will we learn? The Queen Of Soul’s life was very controversial. She had three of her four sons by age 19. Her father’s church was once plagued with rumors of many types of sexual misconduct. How much will get covered? Respect starring Jennifer Hudson begins filming November 1st, and is slated to be released August 14th, 2020.
Van Lathan was fired from TMZ this week. Lathan rose to prominence when he called out Kanye West during a broadcast of TMZ Live. West was on the TMZ set and said, on air, that slavery was a choice. Then West asked the staff if he was right or wrong. Lathan was the only one to challenge West and Lathan had the facts and figures to back up his point. That moment was career defining for Lathan and his profile continued to rise. So why is he out of TMZ? Lathan and fellow TMZ personality Michael Babcock got into a heated political argument on air. That argument then spilled into a reported off-air confrontation. Reportedly, the argument was so intense that Lathan got suspended then fired. Babcock is still on the job. The episode in question has been pulled from the TMZ site. Lathan, Babcock and reps for TMZ aren’t talking….yet! I say, Van Lathan, you’re going to be fine. You’ve already made your presence known and leveled up.
Congratulations Chadwick Boseman. The Black Panther star is getting married to his long time girlfriend Taylor Simone Ledward. We don’t have a date yet for the wedding, but how will the 41-year old leading man balance the wedding planning against filming the much anticipated Black Panther sequel? Hmmmmmmmm! Next up for Boseman is 21 Bridges. Partially filmed right here in Philly, Boseman is an NYPD detective in hot pursuit of a cop killer. As a result of the chase, Manhattan’s 21 bridges must be shutdown to catch the criminal. 21 Bridges is due out Friday, November 22nd.
It’s finally time for the Netflix debut of Eddie Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name. Murphy playsComedian/Actor/Entrepreneur Rudy Ray Moore in this bio-pic that centers on Moore’s best remembered character Dolemite. Moore, who died in 2008, brought Dolemite to several films in the 1970’s blaxploitation era that were surprise hits at the box office. Moore as star, writer and producer, became a legend. Murphy’s co-stars are Comedienne/Actress Luenell (who came to WDAS and gave us scoop), Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps, Chris Rock, Tituss Burgess, Keegan-Michael Key, Ron Cephas Jones, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Craig Robinson, Snoop Dogg and Philly’s own Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Dolemite Is My Name begins streaming on Netflix this Friday.
Kevin Hart has been seen out and about, but where was he and with whom? Playing poker with Jay-Z of course. Video was captured with Hart wearing a hoody and keeping as low a profile as he could. He was seen walking about and appears that he’s coming along fine health-wise. Now will Hart face any lawsuits? There are potential problems stemming as legal experts say all he, and his passengers could have a case against the manufacturer and they could sue each other. I’m now hearing all three were in the front seat when the crash happened. Hmmmmmmmmmm!
Ray J vs. Nick Cannon over the Suge Knight story. Knight is the legendary hip hop label owner and executive whose Death Row Records was the premier label for gangsta rap in the 90’s. Knight was also known for his strong arm tactics with his associates, artists and people in general. Knight’s currently serving a 28-year prison sentence, which came from a plea deal. Earlier this week, Ray J announced he had the rights to Knight’s story. Unfortunately, it looks like that’s not quite the case. Knight’s fiancée has stepped forward. Yes, Knight has a fiancée and her name is Toi-Lin Kelly! She says she has the rights to the Suge Knight story through his power of attorney. And, none other than Nick Cannon will be doing it. Cannon stays getting paid and getting that money. So what about Ray J? At press time word on the street is Ray J, Cannon and Kelly will hash something out
How do you kick off a new season of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta? You talk about open marriages. But who would want to talk about this? How about NeNe Leakes and Greg Leakes? We’ve watched the couple go through their challenges in their marriage and have it all play out on the small screen. The biggest challenge was Greg’s cancer battle. The Bravo network, which carries the Real Housewives franchise, confirms Greg is now cancer-free. Going into the new season of the show, NeNe is ready talking about all the options for their current relationship. The Real Housewives Of Atlanta’s season premiere is Sunday, November 3rd at 8pm on Bravo.
Sports Journalist Stephen A. Smith: he’s brass, outspoken, controversial, confident, very connected to the culture and now ……very, very paid. The longtime ESPN on air talent is about to sign a new deal with the network that has everybody talking. In Philly, we go a long way back with Smith because he began writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer 25 years ago. After a couple of on and off again periods, Smith is a featured columnist for the paper today. He’s been appearing regularly on ESPN since 2005 and ESPN radio since 2007. Now, Smith’s new 5-year deal with ESPN is said to be worth between $40 and $50 million.
We remember U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings. The representative from Baltimore died after a medical procedure from what his office described as long standing health issues. As of late, Congressman Cummings became better known for his sparing with POTUS Trump and banking executives caught in wrongdoing and refusing to take their responsibilities seriously. President Barack Obama called Cummings steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives. President Obama also said that Cummings as Chairmen of The House Oversight Committee showed the importance of checks and balances within our democracy and the necessity of good people stewarding it. Congressman Elijah Cummings was 68 years old.
At the movies, Actress Naomi Harris takes charge and teams up with Singer/Actor Tyrese in the cop thriller Black And Blue. Harris has been on a hot streak from her performances in the films Moonlight, Pirates Of The Caribbean and three James Bond movies opposite Daniel Craig as Eve Moneypenny. In Black And Blue, Harris plays a rookie cop whose body cam captures the murder of a drug dealer who is connected to a squad of dirty cops. She teams with a stranger, played by Tyrese, to expose the corruption while avoiding the gang bounty put on her head. Philly’s own Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning) and Mike Coulter (Luke Cage; CBS’ Evil) also star. Black And Blue opens this Friday.
Arsenio Hall is coming to Netflix. Smart & Classy is the name of his stand up special and begins streaming Tuesday, October 29th on Netflix.
Actress and Supermodel Jodie Turner Smith covers the latest issue of Essence. The November issue’s theme is Wok, a state of consciousness, including profiling 100 Black women advocating for change.
Speaking of music disputes, Pharrell Williams is on the cover of G.Q. magazine. He talks about how the biggest hit he’s associated with is embarrassing. He’s referring to Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines. Williams was co-writer, producer and performed with Thicke on the song. Williams talked about how the lyrics are damaging to women, and that’s what’s embarrassing. What he didn’t seem embarrassed about was paying Marvin Gaye’s family $5 million. Gaye’s family took Williams and Thicke to court stating the song sampled Gaye’s 1977 Motown hit Got To Give It Up and Gaye’s family won.
Sterling K. Brown is on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine. He, of course, hit it big time with his Emmy winning role in the NBC drama This Is Us. But, did you know Brown was up for the role of Stringer Bell in The Wire. The role of course went to Idris Elba. Things turned out pretty great for both actors.
Rihanna is on the cover of the new November issue of Vogue magazine. The 31-year old talks about being in love, presidential politics and her Fenty Official clothing line. The Umbrella singer also says she didn’t participate in the Superbowl because she didn’t want to be of service to the organization she disagrees with so much and didn’t want to be a sellout.
Elle magazine celebrates women in Hollywood with multiple covers including Emmy Winner Lena Waithe, Jodie Turner-Smith and Zendaya.
Oscar Winner Regina King is on the cover of November’s Marie Claire. The actress and director talks about her superhero moment.
Supermodel Jourdan Dunn covers British Vogue.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Saturday, October 26th - The Sketchbook Tour starring Fantasia, Robin Thicke, Tank and Bonfyre at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Friday, November 1st - Smokey Robinson at the Ocean Casino & Resort in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Tuesday, November 5th – Erykah Badu at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Friday, November 8th – The O’Jays at the Ocean Casino & Resort in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Saturday, November 9th – The Gentlemen of Soul starring Jeffrey Osborne & Peabo Bryson at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. Tickets and information at ticketmaster.com
November 14th – December 8th - The UniverSoul Circus returns to Fairmount Park on the grounds ofThe Mann Center for The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, November 30th – Run DMC at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Friday, December 6th– Anita Baker: The Farewell Concert Series at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, December 7th – The All I Want For Christmas show starring Mariah Carey at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
Thursday, December 12th – Sinbad in concert at The Parx Casino Xcite Centerin Bensalem, PA City.Log onto tickets.parxcasino.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, December 21st – The WDAS Holiday Jam starring Kem, Kirk Franklin and Brownstone at the Met Philly, Broad & Poplar Streets. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com
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
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
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
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.