Al Reynolds is Star Jones ex-husband and he has come out of the closet officially. Reynolds married TV Personality Star Jones in 2004 and Jones turned their union into a TV event. She documented everything on her show The View for her co-hosts and the audiences over the next four years of that marriage, the two were under a microscope with people threatening to out Reynolds. Jones and Reynolds went on the defense and even hit the talk show circuit, particularly with Jones assurances that Reynolds was not gay. Unfortunately, reports of late night runs with Reynolds’ friends and exes, who were at the ready to get paid and talk, never went away. The two got divorced in 2008, and now Reynolds has finally come out as bi-sexual. Meanwhile Jones is marrying again but keeping mum on all details.
Wendy Williams gives her audience and herself a Halloween scare. The Queen Of All Media was in the middle of an on camera live presentation when she fell out. She was revived, assured the studio audience that she only got overheated and then chose to continue with the episode. The next day Williams again let her audience know she was fine and thanked all her well-wishers, be they friends or fans. The media has been speculating. The look on Wendy’s face has everyone guessing and now people are wondering if the stress of so much scrutiny on her marriage is the problem. You know I love Wendy and will always wish her well.
Steve Harvey and his new retooled daytime talk show is not doing well. Rumors are swirling that he could be cancelled in the next couple of months. The show went from a more intimate regular man and woman off the street to a celebrity driven format along the lines of The Tonight Show or Ellen. So why aren’t the changes clicking? Is Steve experiencing Trump-lash? After winning the election last fall, Steve went to meet with Donald Trump to talk housing and other opportunities for the minorities and the poor. People accused Steve of letting himself get played for nothing. Has the audience been holding that over Steve’s head? Steve’s other projects, Family Feud, Little Big Shots, and Funderome seem to be alright. Steve, the daytime talk show, airs at 2pm weekdays on NBC10.
American Music Awards will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie The Bodyguard. In 1992, The Bodyguard starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in 1992. Christina Aguilera will lead the tribute to Whitney Houston and the soundtrack’s 25th anniversary. Diana Ross will also be honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross released a statement of thanks and remembrance of the many times she appeared on the AMA’s and how her relationship with AMA Creator Dick Clark went back to American Bandstand and the Caravan Of Stars in the early 60’s. Meanwhile Bruno Mars, Drake and The Weeknd are among the top nominees. Fans are asked to go to the AMA’s website to vote for their favorites. The winners will be announced live when the AMA’s take place Sunday, November 19th at 8pm on ABC.
Tiffany Haddish is the talk of the internet. She’s hosting SNL with Chance The Rapper and Musical Guest Eminem on Saturday, November 18th on NBC, and she’s got an internet video where she spied people using the bathroom, not washing their hands and she calls them out. It’s a scream!!!
Keith Wilder of Heatwave has died. Wilder co-founded the legendary R&B group with his late brother Johnnie Wilder and Songwriting Legend Rod Temperton. They enjoyed hits like Always And Forever, Star Of The Story, Grooveline, Boogie Nights, Sho Nuff Must Be Love and Mind Blowing Decisions, just to name a few. After Temperton left the group to concentrate on writing for other artists full time, like Michael Jackson and George Benson, and Johnnie was hurt and left the group, Keith took over lead singing and leadership of the group. Keith kept the name Heatwave alive and well on the music circuit performing many times in Philly at The Dell Music Center. Keith Wilder died at age 65.
Beyonce heads back to the big screen, but it's her voice that takes center stage. Animated feature The Lion King is being remade for the big screen, and Queen Bey will voice the part of Nala. The original film was released in 1994 and grossed nearly a billion dollars worldwide. The former Destiny's Child member will also be joined by James Earl Jones, from the 1994 original, Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Eric Andre', Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Emmy Winner Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, as Simba. The Lion King is expected in theaters in the summer of 2019.
Mary J. Blige is coming to the Borgata in Atlantic City, February 16th and 17th , but meanwhile she and Kendu are in debt as a couple. They owe millions, but Mary says it’s time for Kendu to pay his share. Isaacs was once Blige's manager and spouse. Now, he’s her soon to be ex-husband. Recently Isaacs unsuccessfully returned to court asking for an increase from his temporary court awarded spousal support from $30,000 a month to $65,000. He claims The Queen Of Hip Hop Soul is using their married life in her latest music, and he should be compensated. For now, the judge denied the request. The divorce drama continues.
The 2017 Marian Anderson Awards will honor the legendary Dionne Warwick. Saluting the Grammy-winning East Orange, NJ native will be Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics, Darlene Love, Alyson Cambridge and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. The festivities will take place at The Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce, on Tuesday, November 14th. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
Solange and Bruno Mars lead the nominees for the 2017 Soul Train Awards. Solange leads with 7 and Bruno is right behind her with 6. Other nominees include Beyonce, Charlie Wilson, Khalid, Cardi B, Childish Gambino and Mary J. Blige. Toni Braxton and SWV will both receive The Legend Awards. The 2017 Soul Train Awards will air Sunday, November 26th on BET.
Oprah Winfrey has a new book based on the big reveals of life from her show Super Soul Sundays. The inspirational themed work is called Wisdom Of Sundays. Winfrey says the idea is to show the reader how to live a fuller life. Winfrey has interviewed everyone for President Jimmy Carter to Iyanla Van Zandt on Super Soul Sunday. Winfrey repeated that diversity for the book. Super Soul Sundays airs Sunday mornings at 11am, and Wisdom Of Sundays is available in bookstores and online now.
Shonda Rhimes and the original cast (1975-1976) of SNL are going into the TV Hall Of Fame. Writer/Producer/TV Titian Rhimes becomes only the third African American woman to receive this honor. Diahann Carroll and Oprah Winfrey are already inductees. The original cast from Saturday Night Live, including Chevy Chase, Jane Curtain, the late John Belushi & Gilda Radner and, of course, Garrett Morris, will be inducted as well. The Hall Of Fame ceremony will take place on November 15th.
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Show is coming to the Borgata in Atlantic City on Saturday, November 25th.
Mary J. Blige is the new covergirl for November’s Essence magazine. Blige also stars in the film Mudbone, which is stirring up huge buzz and will be released on Netflix Friday, November 17th.
Cicely Tyson is on Elle: The Women In Hollywood Issue.
Chadwick Boseman is on Ebony’s The October/Men's Issue and, at the movies this week, Boseman, Kate Hudson and Sterling K. Brown star in Marshall. The movie chronicles an early law case of the late Thurgood Marshall before his landmark arguments that led to school desegregation in Brown vs. Board Of Education, and before he was appointed America’s first African American Supreme Court Justice. Marshall is currently in theaters.
Speaking of Chadwick Boseman, his co-star in big screen adaption of Marvel Comics’ Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan, has another comic book project lined up. Jordan will be an executive producer on Raising Dion for Netflix. Based on the comic book story of an African American widow who discovers her young son has superpowers. Jordan will also appear occasionally as the boy’s father and the widower’s late husband. Netflix has given Raising Dion a 10-episode order. At press time, no streaming date has been announced yet. Meanwhile, look for Jordan in Marvel Comics Black Panther on February 16th, 2018.
Attention Men: Can You Cook? It’s that time again for Philly’s Men Are Cooking, and the A.K.A.’s are looking for the men of the Delaware Valley to show the ladies their culinary skills. This is the annual Philly event where the men do all the cooking, and the ladies get to walk around and sample what the men have to offer. It all benefits the A.K.A.’s charitable and community service arm, The Ivy Legacy Foundation. The festivities take place at The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, Pa. The information for Philly’s Men Are Cooking about tickets and signing up to cook can be found at ivylegacy.org.
White Famous is on Showtime. Comedian and ex Saturday Night Live Cast-member Jay Pharoah stars as a rising comedian who is maintaining the thin line of keeping his credibility in the black community while trying tom appeal more and more to the white community. Jamie Foxx, whose life the show is based on, is the co-executive producer and has a recurring role. White Famous airs on Showtime this Sunday at 8pm.
Smokey Robinson has teamed up with American Greetings for a new twist on greeting cards. E-cards are the Motown legend’s latest project where his classic songs are being converted into personalized greetings. Robinson used his smash composition for The Temptations, My Girl, for this past weekend’s Father-Daughter Day and coming soon are his Get Ready e-cards. This could be quite a project because aside from the hits Robinson has enjoyed as lead singer of The Miracles and a solo act, he’s had nearly 40 top 40 hits and written or co-written over 4,000 songs.
Denzel has changed his look…..again!! The two-time Oscar winner has a new movie called Roman J. Israel, Esq. He plays a lawyer who’s an advocate for the people, but his throwback style is something between a militant and Don Cornelius on the 1970’s edition of Soul Train. HE EVEN TOOK THE CAPPS OUT!!! When “Israel” wins, he lets others take the credit. Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo co-star. Roman J. Israel, Esq. opens November 3rd.
Bruno Mars has shot his performance at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem for his upcoming TV special. The special will be a mix of performances and interviews. The 31-year old, five-time Grammy winner has already released a picture of his performing on top of the legendary Apollo marquee. Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo will air Wednesday, November 29th on CBS.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Friday, November 10th – Janet Jackson at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto boardwalkhall.box-officetickets.com.
Saturday, November 11th – Janet Jackson at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center. For tickets or for more information log onto sandsbethlehememovementseventcenter.ticketoffics.com
Saturday, November 11th – Gladys Knight at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto Tropicana.net
Monday, November 13th – Janet Jackson at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Tuesday, November 14th – Leela James and Tank: Savage X, The Soul Tour at the TLA, 3rd and South . For tickets or for more information log onto venue.tlaphilly.com.
Sunday, November 19th – The stage play Thugs & The Women Who Love Them starring K Michelle, Sevyn Streeter, Ray J, and Lyfe Jennings at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Friday, December 1st – Sinbad comedy show at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Friday, December 1st – Jay-Z at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Saturday, December 9th – Fantasia Christmas Holiday concert at the Fillmore Philly, 29 East Allen Street and for more information log onto thefillmorephilly.com/venue
Sunday, December 17th – Damien Escobar in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Tuesday, December 19th – The Great Xscape Tour starring Xscape, Monica and Tamar Braxton at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
Thursday, December 30th – Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly in concert at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Sunday, January 14th – The All-Stars Of Hip Hop starring Nelly, Ja Rule, KRS1, Redman & Method Man, Fatman Scoop and Three Times Dope at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ppshows.com.
Sunday, February 18th – The Soul Jam At The Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Saturday, February 24th – Katt Williams comedy show at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto boardwalkhall.com/events.
Friday, March 9th – Keith Sweat in concert at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
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.