11-18-05 EUR: Jennifer Hudson, Not Fantasia, Gets 'Dream-Girls' Role

EUR Headlines

JENNIFER HUDSON, NOT FANTASIA, TO PLAY EFFIE IN ‘DREAMGIRLS’: ‘American Idol’ finalist scores film role opposite Foxx, Murphy, Beyonce.
Hudson, a gospel-reared singer with a six-octave range, lost her 'American Idol' run to Fantasia Barrino, who ironically, was a strong frontrunner among the 783 hopefuls who auditioned for the part. Jamie Foxx, who will play the manger of The Dreams, even lobbied for Fantasia to be cast in the role. But this time, it was Hudson who emerged with the win. Read Full Story

MURDER INC. TRIAL: Both sides deliver opening arguments Wednesday; prosecution’s key witness testifies Thursday.
*Ja Rule and Ashanti were among the dozens of people supporting The Inc.’s Irving and Christopher Lorenzo at the start of their money laundering trial in Brooklyn. Read Full Story

KANYE WEST ‘RUN’ OUT OF TOP BILLBOARD SPOT: Chris Brown dethrones ‘Gold Digger’; but West to receive mag’s Achievement Award next month.
*Kanye West’s 10-week run atop Billboard’s Hot 100 has come to an end, thanks to a teen R&B newcomer. Read Full Story

USHER MIXES BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE: Artist hopes new film can position him as the industry's next ‘Renaissance Man.’
*Usher Raymond IV’s film “In the Mix” arrives in theaters Wednesday hoping to capture some of that long holiday weekend money, and without all of the controversy and picket signs that accompanied his hip hop colleague’s entrance into multiplexes last weekend. Read Full Story

PRODUCER EMPTIES POCKETS FOR ‘PHAT GIRLZ’: Gamble pays off for Mo’Nique film; Fox Searchlight buys rights.
*While actress/comedienne Mo’Nique has been cast in the new film “Phat Girlz,” the real story is the struggle behind the film’s journey to the big screen. Read Full Story

DIDDY VS. THE LOX: Rap group and mogul bicker over publishing rights during Hot 97 interview.
*The airwaves of Hot 97 became a battleground in the longstanding war between rap group The Lox and their one-time label owner, Sean “Diddy” Combs. Read Full Story

NEPHEW CONTESTS ROSA PARKS’ WILL: William McCauley says civil rights pioneer was not in right mind when document was signed.
*A nephew of Rosa Parks is contesting the will of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, alleging that her dementia left her without the mental capacity to sign such a document. Read Full Story

HOW’S ‘THE COLOR PURPLE’ DOING ON BROADWAY?: Cast appearance on ‘Oprah’ certainly didn’t hurt ticket sales.
*Because of the cast’s recent field trip to appear on their benefactor’s top rated talk show, “The Color Purple” played only six preview performances on Broadway last week, but their visit to the “Oprah Winfrey Show” kept the new musical strong at the box office. Read Full Story

THE GAME GOT GAME: Compton rapper joins Cali-based pro basketball squad.
*The Game apparently has hoop skills to match his mic skills, as the rapper has made the active roster of the newly formed Inglewood Cobras, a California-based professional basketball team. Read Full Story

WONDERING WHY LUDCRIS SPORTED THE CONFEDERATE FLAG OUTFIT AT VIBE AWARDS? The 'Georgia' Rapper Has Issued A Statement.
After raising a few eyebrows with an outfit made from the confederate flag during the Vibe Awards, Luda has issued a statement that outlines his response to fiolk who weren't quite feeing him. Read Full Story

WORLD AIDS DAY EVENT CALENDAR: BET unveils special programming; Move Against AIDS dance-a-thon in N.Y.; LIFEbeat auction online; 2005 ‘Heroes in the Struggle’ in L.A.
*BET and the Kaiser Family Foundation today announced a line up of special HIV-themed programming to mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 as part their Rap-It-Up HIV/AIDS public awareness initiative. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: AFI’s ‘most inspiring films; Blige, Braxton ‘Home’ on CBS; McMillan moving on; Chamillionaire auction; Vibe award ratings.
*The films “Amistad,” “The Color Purple” and “8 Mile” made the American Film Institute’s shortlist of motion pictures to be considered as part of America’s 100 greatest inspirational movies. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: Ashanti in Fla.; Toccara in Rochester, NY; Smokey in L.A.
*Ashanti will appear at the Pop Starz Hip Hop Dance Workshop on Sunday (Nov. 20) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Fla. to help raise money for The Hurricane Bank Relief Fund - created by Pop Starz founder and President Michelle Tucker. Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE. Read Full Story

11-18-05 EUR FEEDBACK: Darryl James' 'Stupid Ass Christians' - Pro & Con
"Hey EUR, I read Darryl James' (11-15-05 EUR) article, and all I can say is: dang Darryl, don't sugarcoat it. Tells us how you really feel! In reading the feedback I find that most people agree with Darryl's sentiments, even if they do find the method a bit abrasive." Read Full Story

11-18-05 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
11-18-05 EUR Newsbits And Feedback All on ONE Page Read Full Story