Daily News & Blog

American Idol seems poised to shock the entertainment industry for its 10th season.  Word broke yesterday that new judge Ellen DeGeneres will officially not be returning, even after completing just ONE season on her five season contract.  In addition, Kara Dioguardi is also out, after barely returning last season.  Original judge Randy Jackson has one season left on his contract but no one is commenting on whether he will be back.

The shake up is being attributed to the return of original executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who had defected 2 seasons ago to focus on his So You Think You Can Dance? televsion show.  Apparently the terms of Lythgoe’s return agreed to completely overhaul the entire judging panel, bringing in 3 brand spanking new judges.  Rumors circulating around Elton John and Justin Timberlake occupying judging seats were shot down by their camps. 

However, today there’s news that Jennifer Lopez will be stepping in.  She’s no stranger to the Idol scene – she’s performed on the show, served as a mentor and has publicly praised the show and its format.  Fox is not confirming or denying the report but the industry is abuzz that they will make an official announcement of the new trio at their press conference on Monday, showcasing their new slate of shows for the 2010-11 television season.

Stay tuned to XI MAGAZINE for full coverage and new developments.

Trump - This Week’s Winners

Ace -Kanye West.   Not only did Mr. West join Twitter this week but he also stopped by Facebook headquarters (yep, you read that right) and debuted 4 singles from his forthcoming album, tentatively titled Good Ass.  The musical genius appears to finally be over the nasty press from last year and is pressing on with what we’ve come to expect from him: great music.

King - Aretha Franklin & Condoleeza Rice.  The Queen of Soul and former Secretary of State didn’t seem to be on our wishlist for “dream duets” but they stunned everyone when they performed together at a recent charity event for the Philadelphia Orchestra.  We all knew the Queen had skills but Condi held her on the piano.  Is a music career in her future?

Queen- Isaiah Mustafa.  The Old Spice frontman has just landed a plum role opposite Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Aniston in the comedy Horrible Bosses.  That’s not it…he’ll also appear in Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls…adaptation and guest star on NBC’s dramedy Chuck next season as well.  Who knew promoting an aging fragrance line could jumpstart a hot career?

Jack  – Sunday’s Bestwinner Y’Anna Crawley.  The reality show champ will release her debut CD on August 22.  Formerly a back up singer for the likes of Angie Stone and Raheem DeVaughn, she tackles one of the greats on her debut, covering Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love.”  The album is entitled The Promise.  Looks like she’s carving out quite the career for herself.

10 - Common.  After co-starring in this summer’s romantic film Just Wright, the hip hop star will tackle his first television role when he headlines AMC’s new drama Hell on Wheels.  The show follows a biracial freed slave seeking to fit into a brand new world.  The show begins production this August.  At this rate, he’s joined the pantheon of successful music to acting artists, alongside Will Smith, Mos Def and his Wrightco-star, Queen Latifah.

Trick – This Week’s Losers

5 – Chris Tucker.  As if no other celebrities learned from the tax evasion case of Wesley Snipes, Tucker is now involved in his own tax issues with the federal government.  Supposedly he owes Uncle Sam $11 million back taxes for taxes he didn’t pay in 2001-2002 and 2004-2006.  Considering he got a $25 million check for starring in Rush Hour 3 (and $20 million for Rush Hour 2), this is just downright unacceptable.

4- Rick Ross.  His much hyped album failed to end Eminem’s streak of five weeks on top of the Billboard 200 Albums chart.  Eminem beat him by just over 11,000 copies making Teflon Don settle for a runner-up debut this week.

3 – Tiger Woods.  Looks like too much controversy is directly related to loss of money.  The famed golfer who was embroiled in an infamous sex scandal earlier this year has lost $22 million in endorsements since his once golden boy image was tarnished.  Dang!

2 – Titanic II.  Okay we all know that spoofs of blockbuster films are commonplace in Hollywood…but c’mon Titanic came out in 1997!  Who still even cares to watch the original as opposed to some cheesy spoof that stars Brooke Burns?! File this one under major mistake…thank goodness it’s heading straight to DVD. 

Joker- BP’s Tony Hayward.  As if he didn’t have to deal with enough flack, mockery and criticism, Tony Hayward has resigned as CEO of the oil conglomerate and was hastily replaced, which definitely implies that all those rumors concerning his possible firing during the early days of the Gulf Coast oil spill weren’t exactly false.  And how ironic is it that he’s been replaced by an American?

With millions of Americans unemployed across America and especially in the Gulf Coast as a result of the economy and the oil spill, BP has again shown us how much they really care.  By hiring inmates, which will save them millions of money in labor and allow them to reap the bulk of wages back they spent in tax returns.

From AOL Blackvoices

Soon after a BP wellhead exploded in the Gulf of Mexico spewing a jillion gallons in to the waters off the coast of Louisiana, the British company started the business of cleaning up the worst oil spill United States’ history.

Within days, cleanup workers were spotted on beaches, wearing T-shirts with the words “Inmate Labor” printed in large red block letters (pictured). Coastal residents, many of whom had just seen their livelihoods disappear, took to town hall meetings to express their outrage. The community wanted to know why BP was using cheap or free prison labor when so many people were unemployed?

The short answer is that hiring prison labor is a way for BP to save money while cleaning up their mess. It’s what we call a “two-fer” or a win-win. By tapping in to the inmate workforce, the company and its subcontractors get cheap labor and lucrative tax write-offs. But cheap labor is only part of the story.

In a fascinating story featured in The Nation, Abe Louise Young investigated BP’s use of inmate labor to clean up their mess.

In Louisiana, inmates who have maintained good behavior become eligible for work release in the last three years of their sentences. The Louisiana Department of Corrections calls them “trustees.” This means they can work for private companies on the “outside.” The trustees get to keep a portion of their earnings, which they can redeem upon their release. Participating businesses receive a tax credit of $2,400 for every work release inmate they hire under a federal program designed to encourage the hiring of risky “target groups.”

The use of inmate labor on the oil spill is a hot button topic on the coast. When Young asks a warden of a South Louisiana jail about this practice, he refused to discuss the matter, exclaiming, “You want me to lose my job?” A different warden, on condition of anonymity, said that inmates from his facility had been employed in oil cleanup, but declined to answer further questions.

(Continue reading here…)

This is beyond disturbing and alarming and I can’t for the life of me understand why the government has stepped in and taken a more aggressive and proactive role in this blatant disrespect that BP has shown from the beginning of this mess they created.

I’m scratching my head on this one…but Grammy nominated entertainer Rihanna is headed to the big screen.  Apparently, the singer behind such hits as “Umbrella” and “Hard” has signed on to co-star in the film adaptation of the popular board game Battleship.

The film is being directed by actor-turned-director Peter Berg (the same guy whose supposed to be bringing us more Will Smith in Hancock 2).  Rihanna joins a cast that includes Grammy winning country superstar Tim McGraw (who appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in the Academy Award nominated The Blind Side), Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch and True Blood’sAlexander Skarsgard. 

The film is due to hit theaters on May 18, 2012, which means it will probably kick off the 2012 summer movie season.

I must say I’m shocked that Rihanna chose THIS film to enter the world of film.  But I guess it makes sense she would pop up in an action film given her recent penchant for rockstar ways and her goth makeover.  I doubt this one will please critics so maybe she’s going for an appearance in a blockbuster film in order to break into the film world.

Hey XI-Fly citiXIns, it’s been a few weeks since we gave you a New York Minute but OMG, XI has sooooo much poppin this week!

Monday July 27th:

• Everyday Radio and XI Magazine bring you Spotlite Radio.   Our very own O da SupaStarr (Okema T.) is co-hosting the show and guests include Tony Clomax (12 Steps to Recover) and the Dream Hygh Crew (Nu Soul R&B Showcase).  To check out the show go to www.thejayeveryday.com or via Blackberry/I-Phone www.live365.com (search for everyday radio).
• Chillin on da Corner presents the 11th Anniversary Kick off Event for the NY International Latino Film Festival, featuring the CineDulce Showcase!  Fetti Benton (Precious) and his team bring to Brooklyn a host of celebrities for this amazing event in preparation for the New York International Latino Film Festival. Join Jamie Hector, Nicoye Banks, Ric Corderro and many others as they celebrate cinema.  For more information click here.

Tuesday, July28th

• Opening Night for the NY International Latino Film Festival. Our very own Raquel Penzo will be attending the press junket and opening night screenings.  Raquel will provide coverage throughout the festival, so stay tuned to our XI In Focus section for all the deets! For more info on the festival go to www.nylatinofilm.com
• Dream Hygh Entertainment presents The Nu Soul R&B Showcase.  The Dream Hygh crew is back at it and this is Volume II of the very successful Nu Soul Showcase.  Okema T. will be one of the guest Judges and XI Mag’s entertainment crew and photographers will be in the spot to check out all of the talent.  Along with cash and prizes, the winner will win a photo shoot and write up in XI Mag! For tix and info please see the flyer on the main page of the site.
• LoNoLi presents the Cognac & Cigar event.  The upscale matchmaking service for progressive African Americans, Love No Limit (LoNoLi) presents a sexy soiree for networking, flirting and a great stogie!  XI’s Kerry Johnston will be in the place along with LoNoLi CEO Jenn Clunis to check out the sexiness that will surely ensue.  If you too want to check out this fab event go to www.LoNoLi.com/events.htm

Wednesday, July 28th:

• Premiere of the film Spare Change at the NY International Film Festival.  XI Mag is on the red carpet again for indie film and this one is going to be amaze!  Starring Suzette Azriah Gunn (writer/director/actress), Nicoye Banks (Brooklyn’s Finest, Green Zone) and Fred Valle (Telemundo’s Perro Amor), Spare Change will have it’s World Premiere at 7pm at the Visual Art Theatre in NY.  For more info and tickets click here.
• Human Intonation Presents Fashion With A Purpose.  XI’s Fashion Contributor Kerry Johnston will be joining Verneda White and her socially responsible fashion label for their Fall Fashion fete on a Manhattan rooftop with 50% of profits going to Advocates for Youth.  For more info, check out their site.

Friday, July 3oth

• 12 Steps to Recovery Red Carpet Premiere. XI will be on the scene (as usual) for the indie web series 12-Steps.  The series stars Hip Hop artist Kalebar Soze and the various episodes include Power 105’s Malikha Mallette, Nikoye Banks (Spare Change, Brooklyn’s Finest) and many others!  The premiere will be hosted by Okema “O Da SupaStarr” along with Tiffany Webb of Girl Talk NYC at The Griffin (50 Ganservoort St).  For more info on the series and the premiere, click here.

In a direct attempt to siphon viewers from ABC’s ridiculously successful daytime talkfest The View, CBS has announced that it will launch its own female ensemble talk show this fall.  The CBS show will feature a diverse cast to include Julie Chen (host of their reality show Big Brother), Sara Gilbert (Darlene from Roseanne), Sharon Osbourne (one of the judges from NBC’s America’s Got Talent), Holly Robinson Peete (runner up on the last season of Celebrity Apprentice), Leah Remini (the laughable wife from The King of Queens) and Marissa Janet Winokur (yeah she’s the WHO IS THAT addition to this cast).  Gilbert will serve as one of the show’s executive producers (is she supposed to be the Barbara Walters of the group?)

The network admitted that the show’s format will closely resemble that of The View- a roundtable discussion of the day’s issues and events featuring a varied group of perspectives from women from old walks of life. 

CBS will fill the void from the recently cancelled soap opera As The World Turnswith the new chatfest.  No official name has been announced and the premiere date is still up in the air as well; World Turns doesn’t end until September.

I’m kind of on the fence with this “new” concept.  I absolutely love The View and its drama, outbursts and controversies.  And initially the original co-hosts were relative nobodies.  This new show definitely has some instantly recognizable faces and names and it will be interesting to see them interact with each other.  I am definitely “over” the whole attempt at appearing “diverse” by casting the “black” one (Peete) and the “Asian” one (Chen)…we couldn’t have two of the same race?  Kudos to Peete for channeling her success on Celebrity Apprentice into this gig however.  Will the show topple The View?  I seriously doubt it.  Can it avoid all of the comparisons to The View? Nope.  I’ll definitely give it a look-see but I think (for now) Whoopi and the View girls have my devotion.

Score one for African American/Black actors.  Michael Ealy, currently filming Tyler Perry’s big screen adaptation of the play For Colored Girls…, will join the cast of CBS’ Emmy nominated sophomore drama The Good Wife.

Ealy will play Derrick Bond, the head of a new firm that is merging with the current law firm on the show.  He is set to appear in at least 10 episodes of the highly rated drama.  The Good Wife stars Julianna Marguiles, as a woman married to a former political figure who had to endure her husband’s public extramarital affairs. 

Ealy will next be seen in Takers, the much anticipated action film featuring Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Matt Dillon and Hayden Christensen.

This is definitely a great look for Mr. Ealy, who continues to flex his acting muscle in every role he tackles.  I’ve never seen this show but I’ll definitely take a look at it to see how he gels with the critically acclaimed cast.

Paula Patton seems to be riding a wave of good buzz.  The actress, who co-starred in this summer’s Just Wright and had a major role in the Academy Award nominated Precious, has just landed a role as the assistant District Attorney on NBC’s mega popular Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

She is slated to appear in at least 5 episodes of the drama, beginning with episode 5 on the upcoming season; she will replace Stephanie March who vacated the show.  The hit drama kicks off its twelfth(!) season on Wednesday, September 22. 

Patton is currently taping the film Jumping The Broom, with Academy Award nominated actress Angela Bassett playing her mother.

I am so happy this beautiful, black woman is getting all of this screen time!  She is totally underrated as an actress and all of this exposure can only lead to bigger and greater roles.  Mrs. Robin Thicke is doing quite nice for herself!

Trump – This Week’s Winners

Ace – Inception.  The movie finally debuted and it DELIVERED.  Despite a complex plot, the film raked in over $60 million at the weekend box office and generated much of the watercooler discussions this week as to its tricky ending.  Looks like director Christopher Nolan (of the new Batman franchise) can do absolutely no wrong with his innovative films.  Talks of a sequel have been downplayed but they can’t leave us hanging like that!

King – American Idol.  The reality karaoke contest has been awash in controversy after its recently concluded stale season 9 but is now ALL  over the news, thanks to the big question surrounding who will replace notoriously rude judge Simon Cowell.  Topping the list?  Chris Isaak, the seemingly washed up singer from the early 1990’s.  Harry Connick, Jr.’s name is also being bandied about and apparently Donald Trump’s people have reached out to Fox about Mr. Trump sitting at the judge’s desk (WTF).  Bret Michaels is officially out of the running, according to Fox executives.  Sigh, with auditions already started, time is running out for them to name a suitable replacement.  But I’m sure they’ll leave us waiting because episodes don’t reappear until January 2011.

Queen- Halle Berry.  The Academy Award winning actress will headline the film adaptation of the best selling book Shoe Addicts Anonymous.  The plot centers around 4 women who wear size 7.5 shoes, sharing them and their life experiences.  Berry continues to stretch her acting muscle and this would be her first foray into classy comedy (lest we forget B.A.P.S.)

Jack – Tracy Morgan.  The 30 Rock star (and former Emmy nominee) will headline his own HBO comedy special this fall entitled Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue.  This man is hands down hilarious and I’m sure he’ll join the list of legendary comedy specials (much like Kevin Hart’s recent hit).  The special is set to air in November.

10 – Taylor Swift.  This year’s Grammy winner for Album of the Year announced via a chat session on AOL that her follow up album – titled Speak Now – will debut on October 25.  With Fearlessstill soaring on the album charts and newfound pop success, Swift is looking to give the record industry a major bump in the latter months of the year.  Wouldn’t it be funny if her and Kanye West released their albums on the same day?  Crazy thing is, who would debut at #1?  Even crazier – the thought that it might just end up being Swift.

Trick – This Week’s Losers

5 – Foxy Brown.  Ill Na Na was arrested this week for violating an order of protection when she engaged in a verbal altercation with a neighbor who had a restraining order against Brown.  After a high profile stint in the big house in 2007-2008 and an arrest in 2007, you would think Foxy would learn how to behave herself. SMH.

4 – Usher.  Yes we reported here last week that Usher was releasing a sequel to his hit album Raymond vs. Raymond.  However, the “new” sound on the sooon to be released Versus has failed miserably at radio with the new single “DJ Got Us Fallin In Love” not getting much airplay at all.  Maybe he should have left this “new” sound to its rightful owner – the Black Eyed Peas – and stick to ballads like he’s used to.

3- Lil Kim.  Yes, another female hip hop star ends up on this side of our list sadly. The Queen Bee has been buzzing in the rap game for 15 years this year.  So why in the world must she be so consumed with dissing new hip hop queen Nicki Minaj.  I would think that Kim would take the high road and just do her thing but every interview she’s done lately has contained jabs at Ms. Minaj.  Does Kim not realize that her “disses” are actually bringing Nicki even MORE press?  Does Kim realize that she hasn’t had a hit since “Lady Marmalade”?  Lil Kim if this is your way of getting back into the newspapers, shame on you.  What ever happened to letting your music speak for you?

2- Keyshia Cole.  I’m sure you may be asking why did Ms. Cole make an appearance on our “Trump” list considering she recently came out of hiding during the BET Awards.  Well, Keyshia made the list because news broke this week that her loud-mouthed, trouble making mother Frankie will be a member of VH1’s latest installment of Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew.  VH1 has not announced what Frankie’s addiction is but I’m sure she’ll give the camera tons of instant soundbites that will become viral.  Keyshia has to be kicking herself for doing that reality show and bringing her mom into the public eye.  Let’s just hope it’s not too bad of a trainwreck.

Joker- The NAACP.  It’s a shame that I have to place this once noteworthy and relevant group at the bottom of the stockpile this week.  But the gaffe against Shirley Sherrod is one for the Stupid pantheon.  How dare you not get the whole story?  How dare you publicly denounce, reprimand, and chastise Ms. Sherrod and then quickly recant a goof that cannot (and really should not) be forgiven.  Shame on Benjamin Jealous for not assessing the situation properly and forming an informed opinion.  With the tension between our oldest civil rights organization and the neo Tea Party group, it looks like racism will continue to be on the forefront of today’s society…I feel like we should move on to bigger and better things but this embedded disease seems to be destined to exist.  And just cause our President is black, don’t mean a daggone thing.

Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and Academy Award nominee Terrance Howard are all set to play the former power couple of South Africa – Winnie and Nelson Mandela in next year’s biopic of Winnie.

This photo is our first look at the superstars as they recreate the wedding of Winnie and Nelson.  The film is currently being shot in South Africa, under the direction of Darrell James Roodt (Sarafina!, Prey).  The film is based on Anne Marie du Preez’s biography, Winnie Mandela: A Life. 

Even without the blessing of Winnie herself (who has publicly denounced the film), it is great to see that this film is pushing forward.  No official release date has been set but the film is due in 2011 presumably around awards season.  Personally, I’m hoping this performance lands J. Hud in the Best Actress Oscar race – its a powerful role and we all know she can deliver when the pressure is on.  I’m also interested in seeing Howard’s portrayal of my hero Nelson Mandela, especially after the superb turn by Morgan Freeman as Mandela in last year’s Invictus.