The Mighty O for POTUS in 2020?!!! That’s the buzz after Oprah Winfrey’s powerful acceptance speech at The Golden Globe Awards when she was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Winfrey, the first African American woman to receive the honor, brought the #metoo and #timesup women’s empowerment slogans full circle with her words, which were met with a standing ovation. Immediately after, Winfrey went viral with the new hashtag #Oprah2020. So would the Queen Of Daytime Talk take the plunge into politics? Her long time love Steadman Graham says it’s up to the people. Her BFF Gayle King said on her show, CBS This Morning, Winfrey is intrigued but can’t see the previous Winfrey declaration of not ever running changing. King cautioned that Winfrey always has the right to change her mind. Winfrey does have her critics. Current President Donald Trump now says he can beat Winfrey despite years ago saying he’d run with her if they both entered politics. For some reason, Singer Seal went on the instagram attack calling Winfrey out for not knowing about Harvey Weinstein’s many accusations of sexual misconduct. 2020 is a couple of years away, and The Mighty O can take her time and decide. Incidentally, This Is Us Star Sterling K. Brown picked up a Best Actor Golden Globe that same night and also made history as the first African American to win that award for drama.
In more Oprah news, she and actresses Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling join forces for Director Ava DuVernay’s $100 million epic A Wrinkle In Time. The 1962 novel is coming to the big screen through Disney as a big budget sci-fi adventure. Winfrey calls this film the new Wizard Of Oz. A Wrinkle In Time hits theaters March 9th.
Singer Peabo Bryson still knows how to keep Reaching For The Sky because he’s a brand new dad. Bryson, 66, and his wife Tanya, 36, welcomed their first child together. On New Year’s Eve, Bryson announced the birth of son Kit Bryson/Robert Kittrick-Peabo Bryson. Bryson, whose hits include Feel The Fire, Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You, A Whole New World, Let The Feeling Flow and If Ever You’re In My Arms Again, also has a daughter from a previous relationship. Congratulations to The Brysons!
Usher’s herpes accuser is back, but not for Usher. Laura Helm dismissed her $20 million lawsuit against the Let It Burn singer last year, but did leave the possibility open to re-file. Instead, Helm is now suing three different insurance companies. She maintains they leaked her medical information to a web blog. Helm maintains a picture of her insurance application with her sensitive information was made into a screenshot and then provided to the blog. This isn’t the first time some alleged information about Helm has been leaked. Helm dismissed her suit against Usher not long after an alleged phone call leaked to the press in which she reportedly said she and Usher never had unprotected sex.
Serena Williams is on the cover of Vogue magazine. The new mom discusses the health scare she experienced after giving birth to her first child. While everyone is doing fine now, Williams’ daughter, Alexis Olympia, had to be delivered by C-section after contractions began and the baby’s heart rate plunged. After the baby’s birth and recovery, Williams herself experienced blood clotting that affected her lungs and caused a longer hospital stay to treat the condition. Today, with husband Alexis Ohanian by her side, Williams has even been able to return to tennis though she pulled out of next week’s Australian Open to pace herself. Mom, Dad and baby are fine and all can be seen in the latest issue of Vogue.
Shaft is coming back to theaters in the summer of 2019. The 1971 movie with Richard Roundtree, who reprised the role on the big screen three times, was updated with Samuel L. Jackson in 2000. Now, Jackson returns as Shaft in an adventure involving his estranged son, the F.B.I. and taking on drug dealers and money launderers. Regina Hall (Girls Trip), Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men; Straight Outta Compton), Method Man and Richard Roundtree co-star. Netflix is co-producing as part of a worldwide streaming deal after the film’s theater release through New Line. Black-ish Creator Kenya Barris is co-writing and Tim Story (the Ride Along, Fantastic Four and Think Like A Man franchises) will direct. Shaft is slated for theaters in June of 2019.
Speaking of Netflix, David Letterman is back with a new talk show for the streaming service. The title is My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. His guests will include Jay-Z, Tina Fey and Howard Stern. The series will begin streaming this Friday, January 12th with debut guest former President Barack Obama. My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman will stream monthly on Netflix.
Justin Timberlake is back for the Superbowl halftime show in 2018, and Doylestown’s own Pink will do the National Anthem. The Superbowl airs on NBC Sunday, February 4th.
The TV sitcom The Mayor has been cancelled by ABC. The story of a young rapper who runs for mayor as a joke but is actually elected may still show up on line but is off the ABC TV schedule.
The year is still new, but there's old business for Russell Simmons. The hip hop mogul last year had to step down from his businesses after multiple women came out with sexual misconduct charges ranging from workplace harassment to rape. Simmons has denied all those charges. Now, two more women have leveled rape charges from 1983 and 1991 against Simmons, which he also denies. There are near 14 accusers and half are currently being investigated by New York City Police. No word on possible charges as of press time.
Meanwhile, Bill Cosby was spotted here in his home town of Philly this week as he awaits his upcoming sexual assault retrial this spring. The creator and star of The Cosby Show dined in the Old City section of town with his PR team and some childhood friends, at least one of whom supported him during his first trial last year. Cosby is charged with sexual assault against former Temple University Employee Andrea Constand. Last year, a jury couldn't reach a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial. A new date was set for November of last year, but then moved after Cosby switched his legal teams hiring former Michael Jackson Attorney Thomas Mesereau. When asked about the upcoming trial while leaving the restaurant, Cosby reportedly replied We're Ready. The Cosby retrial date is set for Friday, April, 2nd.
Well wishes go out to the legendary Basketball Icon Dr. J. Julius Erving took ill at a recent Sixers’ game and was taken to the hospital. Though his reps declined to identify the problem, they confirmed doctors expect a full recovery for the 67-year old Erving. Julius “Dr. J” Erving earned a 1983 NBA Championship for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Get ready for the superheroes on the big and small screens. First, there’s DC Comics Black Lightning coming to the CW this Tuesday. This African American family happens to have a retired superhero as its patriarch, a.k.a. Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning. After he sees what retirement has done to his family and the negative effect on his city, Pierce jumps back into action and brings his superheroes in training daughters along for the ride. Black Lightning was developed and produced by Girlfriends/The Game/Jumping The Broom husband & wife producing team Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil along with Supergirl and The Flash’s Greg Berlanti. Starring Cress Williams (Living Single; Heart Of Dixie), Christie Adams, China Anne McClain and West Philly’s own Nafessa Williams, Black Lightning .premieres this Tuesday, January 16th on the CW.
Speaking of superheroes, Chadwick Boseman heads up the big screen adaption of Marvel Comics’ Black Panther. Boseman appeared previously as the African superhero in Marvel Comics’ Captain America franchise. The all-star cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Phylicia Rashad and Sterling K. Brown, and is directed by Ryan Coogler. The movie opens in theatres February 16th 2018. If you can’t wait until February, check out the trailer on my Patty TV page on WDASFM.com.
We remember Denise LaSalle. The R&B singer/songwriter passed away this week in Jackson, Tennessee. LaSalle reportedly had her leg amputated after a fall and dealt with various health complications. The songstress is best remembered for her top ten hits Now Run Tell That, Man Sized Job, Love Me Right and her chart topping, million seller Trapped By A Thing Called Love. LaSalle recorded at Hi-Records with the Memphis soul sound of the 70’s alongside labelmates Al Green, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson and Otis Clay. LaSalle was often referred to as The Queen Of The Blues, and passed away at the age of 78.
At the movies this week, Taraji P. Henson will star in the action-thriller Proud Mary, which will reunite Color Purple Co-stars Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, and opens this Friday, January 12th. Then there's Henson’s Tyler Perry psychological thriller Acrimony, co-starring Tika Sumpter (The Haves & Have Nots; Ride Along), opening March 30th.
Essence Magazine has kicked off 2018 with a brand new purpose as they've become a black owned publication once again. Essence was part of the huge Time-Warner media conglomerate for many years. The magazine went through many changes in that period. Last year, the Time, Inc. of Time Warner was sold to the Meredith Corporation, but that sale didn't include Essence. That created an opportunity for the 48-year old entrepreneur and founder of SheaMoisture, Richelieu Dennis, to create Essence Ventures and buy Essence magazine. The deal was only revealed this week, and new owner Dennis will serve as chairman. He also released a statement that current Essence President, Michelle Ebanks, will continue in her role and join the board of directors. Ebanks’ own statement noted the executive board's consisting entirely of African American women and how this new ownership will continue to support this. Congratulations Essence. The current issue is Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Actor Kofi Siriboe (Girls Trip; Queen Sugar) sharing the December/January cover of Year in Review: Everyone Who Gave Us Life.
Tracee Ellis Ross is on the cover of Glamour. The Emmy nominated and Golden Globe winning actress talks about being single, loving life and sexuality. The Black-ish star servers it up for real for Glamour's February issue.
Singer/Songwriter/Actor John Legend is coming to TV as…..Jesus Christ. The Oscar winner will star in NBC’s revival of the legendary Broadway smash Jesus Christ Superstar. Legend is no stranger to Broadway works as he won a Tony for producing the revival of August Wilson’s Jitney. This project is the latest in the live revivals of movies and plays by network television. Rock Legend Alice Cooper will also be in the cast. Jesus Christ Superstar will air live on NBC Easter Sunday, April 1st.
The concert scene is ready to roll. First, there’s the Philly Spring Jam starring Ginuwine, Tank, Brandy, Teddy Riley & Guy at the Liacouras Center on Monday, April 9th. More information is at liacourascenter.com/events. Next up is Mother’s Day Weekend as Platinum Shows celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Mother’s Day Music Festival in Atlantic City. Singers Joe and Stokley (from Mint Condition) kick things off Friday, May 11th at Caesar’s Palace. Then Saturday, May 12th, it’s Maxwell, Gladys Knight and Vivian Green at the Boardwalk Hall. Finally, The Whispers and L.J. Reynolds & The Dramatics close out at The Tropicana Sunday, May 13th. More information to come at ppshows.com
Ocean’s 8 has just dropped its official trailer, and you can see it on my Patty TV page on wdasfm.com. The movie is a spinoff of the recent George Clooney/Brad Pitt/Julia Roberts update of the Frank Sinatra Rat Pack movie Ocean’s Eleven. Clooney produced and starred in a trilogy of the Oceans movies from 2001 to 2007. Now, the ladies take over with an all-female reboot of the famous comedy/adventure/ heist film. The all-stars include Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Rapper/Comedienne Awkwafina, Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock. Ocean’s 8 is set to hit theaters June 8th.
Although Tyler Perry has signed a new deal with Viacom, he still has programming for Oprah’s OWN coming in 2018. Perry is rebooting The House Of Payne into The Paynes. This new reboot won’t have Allen Payne, Demetria McKinney, Lance Gross or Keshia Knight Pulliam as regulars. No word yet on whether they’ll be guest stars. Emmy Winner Jackee Harry will join original castmembers LaVan Davis and Cassie Davis. The Paynes premieres this Tuesday, January 16th with back to back episodes at 10pm.
The 49th Annual NAACP Image Awards will air on The Martin Luther King Day holiday. The two-hour show will air live and be a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. Among the leading nominees are Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z with five nominations. Issa Rae (Insecure), Bruno Mars and Sza have four. Charlie Wilson, Ledisi and Idris Elba have three nominations. Netflix and OWN lead in the TV categories. The NAACP Image Awards with Host and Nominee Anthony Anderson air 9pm, this Monday, January 15th on TV One.
The 2018 Grammy nominations have been announced. Sza is among the standouts with nominations for her songs The Weekend and Love Galore and for herself as Best New Artist. Other nominees include Jay-Z with eight, Kendrick Lamar with seven nominations, Bruno Mars with six and Khalid (Location) with five nominations. The Grammys air Sunday, January 28th on CBS.
Larenz Tate (Love Jones; Dead Presidents) and Erica Ash (The Real Husbands Of Hollywood) will host The 2018 Trumpet Awards, the celebration of African American achievement and history in society, airing Sunday, February 11th at 9pm on Bounce TV.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Saturday, January 13th – Babyface at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto Tropicana.net
This 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.
Saturday, January 27th – The O’Jays at The Sugar House Casino, 1001 Delaware Avenue. For tickets or for more information log onto sugarhousecasino.com
February, Friday, the 16th and Saturday, 17th – Mary J. Blige in concert at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Tickets and more information at WWW.THEBORGATA.COM!
Saturday, February 10th – Chris Tucker comedy show at The Sugar House Casino, 1001 Delaware Avenue. For tickets or for more information log onto sugarhousecasino.com
Saturday, February 17th – Kem/Fantasia/Avant in concert at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com.
Sunday, February 18th – The Soul Jam starring The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Blue Magic and Bloodstone At The Tropicana in Atlantic City. Tickets and more information log onto Tropicana.net
Saturday, February 24th – Katt Williams in concert 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.
Thursday, April 5th – Patti LaBelle in concert at The Academy Of Music, 240 South Broad Street, between Locust and Manning Streets. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
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.