Dancing With The Stars announces their new contestants. Some will shock you and others will please you. Motown Legend & former Supreme Mary Wilson, former NFL Superbowl Champ Ray Lewis, Actor/Comedian Kel Mitchell (Keenan & Kel), Supermodel Christie Brinkley; former White House Spokesperson Sean Spicer, Karamo Brown (Queer Guy reality show) and NBA/Reality Star Lamar Odom are among the notables. The show’s producers have a new presentation idea as well, and that’s waiting to announce the exact dance pairing during the season premiere. Dancing With The Stars returns Monday, September 16th at 8pm on ABC.
Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps are The Upshaws, and they’re coming to Netflix. The two top comedians are teaming up as the stars of the sitcom about a working class African American family in Indiana. Sykes and Epps are both executive producers alongside veteran TV Writer/Producer Regina Y. Hicks (Sister, Sister; The L Word; Insecure). The Upshaws continue Sykes’ relationship with Netflix. Her comedy special for the streaming network, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, earned her two Emmy nominations this year. The comedienne’s relationship with Netflix hit a different note earlier when she publicly backed her fellow Comedienne Mo’Nique’s charges that the streaming network was sharply undercutting women of color in terms of pay. They seem to be well past that now. Epps also enjoys a relationship with Netflix. Epps’ comedy special, One Mike, began streaming last month, and he’ll next appear in the feature Dolemite Is My Name alongside Eddie Murphy this fall. At press time, no premiere date on Sykes and Epps’ The Upshaws.
Speaking of Eddie Murphy, he has added more big names to the Coming To America sequel. First, it’s Tracy Morgan. The 50-year old star of The Last OG will join Murphy and current Saturday Night Live Castmember Leslie Jones. Other newcomers joining Morgan and Jones are Singer/Actor Rotimi (Power), Rick Ross (The Boss), Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts), Comedienne Luenell and Murphy’s Dolemite Co-star Wesley Snipes. The original castmembers are well represented too with Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Shari Headley, Comedian Louie Anderson, Paul Bates (She’s Your Queen) and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Coming To America 2 is slated to hit theaters December 18, 2020.
Singer/Songwriter Brian McKnight and secret children?What? There’s a son and daughter down in Florida who says McKnight is their dad and the singer has abandoned them. Back in 2010, McKnight was ordered to pay 14 years of child support to woman, who now gets $11,000 a month as a result of that support order. Reports are that the children are hitting social media claiming McKnight is now doing the same thing to his grandchildren. Meanwhile, McKnight’s reps are reportedly still confirming whether or not he’d the dad biologically. McKnight posted a video stating he’s never missed child support, was always there for his children with advice and as a sounding board. The singer/songwriter says if he’s guilty of anything, it’s giving his children everything he’s never had and hoping they’d appreciate it. McKnight says entitling your children is one of the biggest mistakes parents can make. Hmmmmmmm!
Singer Peabo Bryson is back. Despite suffering a heart attack, the 68-year old If Ever You’re In My Arms Again singer has bounced back. The singer/songwriter’s other hits include Tonight (I Celebrate My Love For You), A Whole New World, Let The Feeling Flow, Beauty & The Beast and Feel The Fire. Bryson says he didn’t even know he suffered what’s called the widow maker because there’s no warning. He says he thought he went to bed, to sleep and simply woke up five days later, this despite flat-lining for nearly a half hour. Bryson says he’s back at 100% and back on tour. He’s been appearing with such fellow legends as Deniece Williams and Dionne Warwick. Bryson has his latest album, Stand For Love, with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Bryson is coming to Atlantic City with Jeffrey Osborne on Saturday, November 9th at The Tropicana.
Jay-Z is catching it for the his deal with the NFL, and his critics include Colin Kaepernick’s one time teammate and current Carolina Panther Safety Eric Reid, Kaepernick’s lawyer Mark Geragos and maybe even Jay-Z’s long time protégée……Rihanna?!! Jay-Z’s deal with the NFL has critics charging that the billionaire rapper/record exec/entrepreneur just made the deal for a check. Lawyer Geragos called the deal cold blooded, and said it essentially crosses the picket line. Rihanna liked the social media post of Activist Shaun King, whose post blasted the deal. Rihanna later unliked the post, but not before it made the rounds. Jay-Z’s NFL deal is supposed to be structured as a music/social justice campaign with him as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist. Now comes word Mr. Carter may even become a team owner. No official confirmation on this at press time however. Can Jay make this deal work and still be down with the cause? Time will tell.
Motown’s 60th anniversary celebration continues on Showtime. The label, founded by Berry Gordy, at one time held the number one spot as the largest and most successful black-owned business in America for many years. Motown launched the careers of Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5; Smokey Robinson & The Miracles; The Temptations; Mary Wells; The Marvelettes; The Four Tops; Stevie Wonder; Teena Marie; Lionel Richie; DeBarge; Rick James and Diana Ross & The Supremes. Showtime is airing a documentary that examines the creation and execution of Motown Records from the point of view of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Hitsville: The Making Of Motown premieres this Saturday, August 24th at 9pm on Showtime.
The Forever President and The Forever First Lady and Netflix are streaming their first joint presentation, the documentary American Factory. Barack and Michelle Obama founded their company, Higher Ground, and are working with the streaming service on a number of projects. American Factory explores the cultural and economic impact of the Chinese owned Fuyao Glass Company taking over the abandoned General Motors Plant in Dayton, Ohio. The Obamas and Netflix have a deal including acquiring work from other filmmakers, as they did here. American Factory is currently streaming on Netflix.
The MTV Awards are coming up this Monday with Lil Nas X performing and Missy Elliot is receiving The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Lil Nas X is also on the cover of Time after he and Billy Ray Cyrus broke Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men’s (One Sweet Day) record for the longest number 1 on Billboard ever. The MTV Video Music Awards air this Monday, August 26th.
Published reports say Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes’ super undercover romance is over, and point the finger at his protégée. First off, published reports say Holmes and Foxx had been together at least six years. Neither would ever confirm publicly. Among other reasons, Holmes was once married to and has a daughter with Foxx’s one time co-star Tom Cruise. Anywho, they’d never confirm but would be spotted several places together, including this past May’s Met Gala in New York. Apparently, Holmes and Foxx broke up later that month. Then the 51-year old Foxx was seen about town with a young 21-year old woman leaving nightclubs and on social media. That young woman got slammed on social media as the reason for Foxx’s break up with the 40-year old Holmes. The young woman is an aspiring British Singer named Sela Vave. Foxx took the unusual step of declaring publicly Vave is just his protégée. Foxx says he’s doing for her what he did for Ed Sheeran, Nick Cannon and Ne-Yo. Before those men became famous, Foxx would open up his home to them, give them advice and career support. The Oscar winner says that’s the case with Vave. Foxx also says he doesn’t date women his daughter’s age.
Power returns to Starz, and is promising some major twists. Team Ghost and Team Tommy with amazing show promos, but the only hint being dropped is that things are not as they seem. Look for Mary J. Blige to join the cast. Power returns to Starz this Sunday, August 25th.
Serena Williams covers the new edition of Essence magazine. She’s talking all about the September debut of her fashion line S by Serena. Williams is also taking her stance socially as well on the topics of freedom and speaking up.
Ebony Magazine is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Among its special features, the 2018-2019 HBCU Campus Queens’ photo shoot in Pensacola.
Alicia Keys is on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. She’ll be performing at magazine’s ICONS party with Christina Aguilera, The Weeknd and Kanye West on September 6th.
Missy Elliot is on the cover of the August edition of Marie Claire with the feature story The Legend Returns.
Hip Hop’s Billionaire, Jay-Z, is presenting Made In America 2019 in Philly. Cardi B and Travis Scott are headlining. Also on the bill are Freddie Gibbs, Grace Carter, Kodak Black and Anderson.Paak. The festivities take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, August 31st through Sunday, September 1st. Tickets and information can be found at madeinamericafest.com.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Thursday, August 29th– Keith Sweat/Johnny Gill/Stokleyin concert at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or log onto mydelleast.com
Monday, September 2nd – Patty Jackson’s Annual Party In The Park starring Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Whodini and Big Daddy Kane at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or log onto mydelleast.com
Saturday, September 7th - The Royalty Tour starring Mary J. Blige & Nas at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, September 14th - The Atlantic City Jazz Fest starring Boney James/Najee/Pieces Of A Dream/Norman Brown/Joe Bataan at the Mark Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com or acjazzfest.com
Saturday, September 28th – Snoop Dogg & Friends at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
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.
Saturday, November 9th – The Gentlemen of Soul starring Jeffrey Osborne & Peabo Bryson at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. Tickets and information at 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.
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.