Bad Boys For Life took in over $100 million worldwide in its opening weekend, and now they’ll be a Bad Boys IV. The Will Smith and Martin Lawrence buddy cop movie franchise began 25 years ago. It’s been 17 years since Bad Boys II, but this weekend proved the men are still what’s up by taking in over $60 million in the United States alone. Producers are already in preproduction mode for the next installment and are promising it will not be another 17-year wait.
PBS fired Tavis Smiley for inappropriate behavior at the workplace, but the journalist says PBS owes him millions because of their distribution contract. Smiley got caught up in metoo because it came out he had sexual relations with staff members on his show. Despite the fact that Smiley called any and all relationships consensual, PBS has a morals clause in their contracts. Will it or won’t it apply to Tavis since their contract is distribution. Remember Tavis owns his company, and supplied PBS with the show. Now because we’re in the metoo era, the power dynamic of a boss dating employees is already complicated, but Tavis is accused of exploiting his position to get sex, which he denies. The two parties have a date in court February 10th.
Harvey Weinstein’s trial is underway, but there’s some twists reminiscent of Bill Cosby’s trial. The prosecution is going to call prior bad act witnesses to testify Weinstein was sexually abusive or inappropriate toward them. Also, the D.A. will call the same expert who testified at Cosby’s trial to explain why women either went back to Weinstein or continued to work with him despite allegedly being raped or assaulted. Weinstein’s defense is ready to pull out…..the love letters. I Love You Harvey; I Can’t Wait To See You Again Harvey, I Love Working With You Harvey; You Got Me An Oscar Harvey. This could be very tricky.
Oscar-winner Mo’Nique is returning to stand up after 10 years with the Showtime special Mo’Nique And Friends: Live From Atlanta. It took a while for Mo’Nique who wanted to return to stand up earlier, but that led to her big public falling out with Netflix. The comedienne claimed she was being low balled with a $500,000 offer while Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Amy Schumer received millions for their specials. Mo’Nique called for a boycott of the steaming service and is currently suing for discrimination. This special, Mo’Nique And Friends: Live From Atlanta, which the Oscar winner and her manager/husband Sidney Hicks are producing, will also feature Donnell Rawlings, Prince T-Dub, Just Nesh, Tone-X and Correy Bell. Mo’Nique And Friends: Live From Atlanta debuts on Showtime Friday, February 7th.
The Notorious BIG and Lil Kim Story? There’s another documentary coming out about the late rapper, Faith Evans and the other woman, Lil’ Kim. According to the documentary Biggie, a.k.a. Christopher Wallace, was physically abusive to Kim like chocking her in a studio elevator and no one intervening to stop him. The doc also says Kim wanted Faith out of the way so bad that she jumped out of a car with a gun! Huh? Well that’s according to this documentary. Now today, the two ladies get along and both are out here making money with touring. On May 2nd, The Notorious BIG gets inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Sean “Puffy” Combs and Faith Evans are planning something huge for the ceremony. Will they involve Lil’ Kim? Before that it’s Grammy week, and this Saturday is the famous Clive Davis industry party before the awards. They are honoring Puffy Combs. Remember like Clive Davis did for Gamble & Huff and Philadelphia International Records when he was at CBS Records, Davis had Arista Records distribute Puffy’s label Bad Boy Records. Again, will Lil’ Kim be a part of the salute which must include with arguably that label’s all-time biggest star the late B.I.G.?!!
Speaking of Grammy week, Alicia Keys is hosting. Performers include Uncle Charlie, a.k.a. Charlie Wilson, Lizzo, Run DMC, Aerosmith, Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, H.E.R., a Prince tribute featuring Shelia E, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Morris Day. There’ll also be a tribute to Nipsey Hussle that will feature Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and John Legend. By the way, host Alicia Keys has a new album coming out simply entitled Alicia. She’s also planning a world tour for the Alicia album, which is coming out March 20th. Keys is hosting The Grammys this Sunday at 8pm on CBS.
Tyler Perry has said he’s tired of the NAACP Awards snubbing his shows. Tika Sumpter gets nominated for The Haves And Have Nots but that’s about it. Now back in the day, the Tyler Perry shows like, House Of Payne, use to beat all the competition like Everybody Loves Chris. These days not so much acclaim. Perry’s Netflix movie A Fall From Grace is currently streaming, but Perry cut the promotional tour short after the interviews went left. He’s getting asked about things like the characters’ wigs, men and women, in the movie and why he has no writers’ room and does all the scripts himself. Perry is use to the critics of his movies, but at least for now he’s holding up on the promotional tour. A Fall From Grace stars Crystal Fox, Phylicia Rashad, Bresha Webb, Mehcad Brooks, Tyler Perry and Cicely Tyson and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Congratulations to Mariah Carey and The Isley Brothers on their latest honor. They’re being inducted into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame. The Isleys, Ron (Mr. Big) and Ernie, have been on a 60th anniversary tour. It was 1959 when The Isley Brothers released their legendary million selling hit Shout, and the hits have stretched into the millennium. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey made history with her 19th number one song when her All I Want For Christmas Is You topped the charts over the holidays. Carey now holds the record for a solo artist, and only The Beatles are a head of her with their 20 number one songs. Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (as producer/writers The Neptunes), The Eurythmics (Sweet Dreams; Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves), and legendary Motown Writer/Producer/Executive William “Mickey Stevenson (It Takes Two; Dancing In The Street; Stubborn Kind Of Fellow; Ask The Lonely) are also getting inducted. The Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony takes place on Thursday, June 11th in New York.
We remember one of our own Heshimu Jaramogi. Jaramogi had a career in journalism based out of the Philadelphia area that stretched over five decades. At one time he was President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and Deputy Regional Director of the National Association Of Black Journalists. Jaramogi’s work included stints at WURD, WHYY and WPEN. He also founded his own newspaper, The Neighborhood Leader. Here at WDAS-FM and AM, he had quite a distinguished run including the legendary City Hall beat, news anchoring and roaming reporter side by side with fellow legends Tamlin Henry, Loraine Ballard Morrill and the late E. Steven Collins. A burial has already taken place and was private but a public memorial is this Saturday, January 25th at The Arch Street Friends Meeting House at 320 Arch Street beginning at 10am. Heshimu Jaramogi was 67 years old.
Our condolences go out to the family of legendary Pro Wrestler Rocky Johnson. While he may be best known today as the father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson having trained and mentored his son in pro wrestling, the senior Johnson had his own storied career. Rocky Johnson and his partner Tony Atlas became the first African American champions in the WWE’s (World Wresting Entertainment) history. Johnson was initially a boxer and sparring partner of George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Johnson, born Wayde Douglas Bowls, changed his name legally to Rocky Johnson and enjoyed a near 30-year wresting career beginning in 1964. His matches included going head to head with the legends Greg Valentine, Adrian Adonis and Buddy Rose, just to name a few. Johnson was also present during his son’s matches as well when The Rock took his Dad’s baton in the wresting field. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confirmed on his social media his dad’s death was caused by a blood clot from the leg that traveled to his heart and resulted in a massive heart attack. Rocky Johnson was 75 years old.
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.
The Academy Awards will once again have no host and air on Sunday, February 24th at 8pm on ABC.
The Kansas City Chiefs and The San Francisco 49ers will be in the Superbowl airing Sunday, February 2nd on FOX.
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:
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.