06-30-06 EUR: Lil' Kim Gets an Early Out / Star JonesReynolds - 'The View' Drama Continues

EUR Headlines

LIL’ KIM TO LEAVE JAIL ON JULY 3RD: Rapper thanks her fans for letters and support throughout the past 10 months.
An official statement released late yesterday from the rapper’s Queen Bee Entertainment announced that Kim, born Kimberly Jones, will be sprung from Philadelphia Federal Detention Center Monday morning and will remain under house arrest for the following 30 days. Read Full Story

STAR WARS: THE FIRED CO-HOST STRIKES BACK: Jones Reynolds calls err’body to put Wa-Wa on ‘bwast’
*Cue the Brooke Valentine song, because a girlfight has broken out at “The View.” Read Full Story

MIJAC’S JURY SELECTION DRAMA: Prospective jurors asked to weigh in on singer’s previous molestation charges.
*Michael Jackson’s lawyer Thomas C. Mundell asked a pool of potential jurors if they believed the singer was guilty of child molestation, even though he was acquitted of the charges in a high-profile case last June. Four people raised their hands. Read Full Story

LOPEZ TRYING TO STOP EX-HUSBAND’S TELL-ALL: Book reportedly details their first sexual encounter, mother’s alleged racism and other tidbits.
*Ojani Noa, the one-time husband of Jennifer Lopez, is being pressured by the singer’s attorneys to keep his planned tell-all book from seeing the light of day. Read Full Story

CORINNE BAILEY RAY PREPS U.S. TOUR: UK sensation brings her smooth style to the States.
*British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae will tour the U.S. in support of her self-titled debut album, which entered The Billboard 200 at No. 17 led by the first single, “Put Your Records On.” Read Full Story

BILL WITHERS EXPLAINS INDUSTRY ABSENCE: In part two of EUR exclusive, singer says, 'the record business quit me.'
*In part two of Lee Bailey’s candid interview with Bill Withers, the recent ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award recipient explains why he believes his record label CBS shut him out of the recording studio for eight years, and basically ended his career. Read Full Story

NEW FOXY BROWN ALBUM DUE IN DECEMBER: Rapper says she went ‘straight from the operating room to the studio.’
*Now that her hearing is nearly 100 percent again, Foxy Brown says her comeback album should hit the streets sometime in December. Read Full Story

ELISE NEAL IS PARTYING IN HOUSTON: First a listening session, then a live performance of her group 'Assorted Flavors.'
Actress Elise Neal ("Hustle and Flow") brings new flavor to the R & B Hip Hop game with the sultry and extremely talented singing group "Assorted Flavors." Be the first to listen to songs from the upcoming album including the hot new cut featured on the latest Cornerstone Mix Tape at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 2, in Houston Texas. Read Full Story

EVANDER HOLYFIELD TO TIP BACK INTO THE RING: ‘Real Deal’ puts suspension behind him; prepares for Aug. 19 bout in Dallas.
*Former four-time heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, at age 43, will return to the ring on Aug. 19 to fight a 10-round match against Jeremy Bates. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Superman Returns
By Kam Williams
*Superman, a Deadbeat Dad in denial? Say it ain’t so, Jimmy Olsen. For some reason, recent screen adaptations of comic book adventures have taken to imbuing many of our beloved superheroes with a variety of decidedly-human frailties. Thus, in recent days, we’ve witnessed a Spiderman depressed enough to consider hanging up his mask and jumpsuit, learned that Batman was emotionally traumatized by the murder of his parents, we’ve heard Fantastic Four’s Thing moan about how hard it is being a rock, and we’ve seen just about each of the X-Men wrestle with some sort of neurosis. Read Full Story

OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
By Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS The Devil Wears Prada (PG-13 for sensuality) Anne Hathaway stars opposite Meryl Streep in this adaptation of the best seller of the same name about a small-town girl just out of college who lands a job in NYC as an assistant to a very demanding, high-powered magazine editor. Read Full Story

INDIA.ARIE TO TOUR BEHIND ‘TESTIMONY’: Singer to stay on road throughout the summer.
*Fresh from her performance during the Chaka Khan tribute at Tuesday’s BET Awards, India.Arie will begin a summer-long road trip to promote her new album, “Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship," her third studio album which arrived in stores this week. Read Full Story

FILM/TV BITS: ‘Southland’ in U.S.; Freeman’s ‘Bucket’; Wright/Saldana in ‘Blackout’; ‘Crash’ screenwriters honored; ‘Blade,’ ‘Noah’s Ark’ on iTunes.
*The film “Southland,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Seann William Scott, will be released theatrically in the U.S. by Sony Entertainment despite being roundly dissed by critics at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film is set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles circa 2008. Read Full Story

MUSIC BITS: Fader at iTunes; Robertson’s ‘Not in My Family’; Furtado rules; Jenkins dies; G-Unit hosts 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks.
*Fader magazine, which features a dual cover of Nina Sky and Rick Ross for its premiere publication, is available on iTunes for free as a PDF file, which offers a digital copy of every page in the magazine (including ads). The download is accompanied by a 47-minute podcast featuring music covered by the magazine. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: ‘Sing Cinderella Sing’; ‘Color Purple’ benefit; Pro-Keds Day; Hootie’s ‘Homegrown’; Common in London.
*“Sing Cinderella Sing,” a new musical that mixes the traditional fairy tale with “American Idol” (where the wicked stepsisters vie for the attention of a rich music producer to win a singing contest), will be staged in Los Angeles at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) on July 8 at 8 p.m. 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

06-30-06 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
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06-29-06 EURxtra: Busta Rhymes Wraps up Bitter Custody Battle / Star's 'View' Blocked

EUR Headlines

BUSTA RHYMES WRAPS UP BITTER CUSTODY BATTLE: Rapper’s lesbian ex reaches out to media to ‘set the record straight.’
*Busta Rhymes’ turbulant relationship with the lesbian mother of his three children makes the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” relationship in his latest video seem like the blissful union of Will and Jada. Read Full Story

DUPRI EXPLAINS THE KHIA/JANET JACKSON MIXUP: Producer says rapper is still on the project, but doesn’t actually spit rhymes.
*EUR’s Lee Bailey pulled Jermaine Dupri to the side Monday at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards and asked him to comment on the hot air blown by rapper Khia, who was under the impression her vocals had been cut from the Janet Jackson album and was trying to start a boycott of Jackson’s songs in protest. Read Full Story

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR DMX: Rapper didn't show up for Wednesday’s scheduled court date.
*A judge in White Plains, New York issued an arrest warrant for DMX Wednesday after he missed a court date to face a multitude of driving charges. Read Full Story

STAR’S OBSTRUCTED ‘VIEW’ GETS WORSE: After telling audience she’ll leave in July, ABC tells Reynolds don’t come back, period.
*Star Jones Reynolds smiled and held hands with her co-hosts while saying her goodbyes on “The View” Tuesday, only to hit a wall of “oh no she didn’ts” once the hour was over and the real story behind her departure had been leaked by People magazine. Read Full Story

BACKSTAGE AT THE BET AWARDS: Lil Kim’s mama says rapper will leave jail next week. Plus, quotes from OutKast, Diddy and T.I.
*Backstage at the 2006 BET Awards in Los Angeles, Andre 3000 and Big Boi of OutKast continued doing what they started on stage – promoting their new album and film, “Idlewild,” due Aug. 22 and Aug. 25 respectively. Read Full Story

VENUS SHOWS OFF NEW TAT ON CENTRE COURT: Plus, Shenay Perry and James Blake advance to Wimbledon’s second round.
*Defending Wimbledon champ Venus Williams took just 51 minutes to destroy 103rd-ranked American Bethanie Mattek 6-1, 6-0 in a Centre Court match during Wednesday’s first round. Read Full Story

EMINEM, D-12 SELL T-SHIRTS TO HELP PROOF’S FAM: Shirts like the one worn by Shady at rapper’s funeral now available for purchase.
*Eminem and his group D-12 are selling a line of t-shirts to raise money for the family of rapper Proof, who was a member of the rap collective and Em’s longtime friend. Read Full Story

DJ QUIK IS IN THE (BIG) HOUSE: Rapper sentenced to five months for pulling gun on his sister.
*Compton rapper DJ Quik surrendered to authorities in Fontana, Calif. last week to begin serving a five month jail sentence for assaulting his sister. Read Full Story

JUVENILE TO PERFORM FOR THE TROOPS: Rapper to hit Army bases in Hawaii and South Korea.
*New Orleans rapper Juvenile will try to boost the morale of military units along the Pacific with a string of performances in support of his latest album, “Reality Check.” Read Full Story

EUR BOOK REVIEW: Getting It Wrong: How Black Public Intellectuals Are Failing Black America
By Kam Williams
Last year, Michael Eric Dyson wrote “Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?” a book in which the author launched into a vicious personal attack on Cosby rather than debate the merits of the comedian’s controversial remarks about the dire state of black America. Read Full Story

‘FAHRENHEIT 9/11’ MARINE RECRUITER KILLED: Man shown pressuring black teens to join service hit by roadside bomb in Iraq.
*Staff Sgt. Raymond J. Plouhar, the one-time Marine recruiter featured in Michael Moore’s documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11," has died in a roadside bombing in Iraq. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Jackson eyes Paris; JD to auction FUSIC Phone; DMC’s clothing line; ‘Guitars’ pushed back; ‘No Child…’ opens in July.
*After Tuesday’s announcement of his inner-circle shuffle and planned move from Bahrain to Europe, Michael Jackson is now rumored to have his sights set on Paris as his next home. Read Full Story

SPORTS BITS: NBA’s new ball; NFL’s new banned drug.
*The NBA and Spalding have teamed to introduce a new ball for the 2006-07 season. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: Kiki Shepard’s ‘Bowling Challenge’; Cuba ‘Conversation’ at ABFF.
*S. Epatha Merkerson, Victoria Rowell and Jenifer Lewis are among the stars expected to attend Kiki Shepard’s 4th “Celebrity Bowling Challenge,” to be held in Studio City, Calif. on July 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the PINZ Entertainment Center/Guy’s North (12655 Ventura Blvd.) 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

06-29-06 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story

06-28-06 EUR: The BET Awards / Benet lashes out at Berry / Walters & Star Drama

EUR Headlines

JANET, EMINEM SURPRISE AUDIENCE AT BET AWARDS: But Prince stole the show...twice.
*At the BET Awards Tuesday night, Prince didn’t do a performance drive-by like he did at the “American Idol” finale. He stayed, got comfortable and even made a heartfelt speech to accept his best male R&B artist award. Read Full Story

ERIC BENET LASHES OUT AGAINST HALLE BERRY: Singer urges ex-wife to stop playing the ‘victim.’
*It all started with a quote in last week’s In Touch magazine. Commenting on her divorce settlement with ex-husband Eric Benet, actress Halle Berry said she “finds it difficult to pay money to a man who cheated on me, like, 27 times." Read Full Story

WALTERS FEELS ‘BETRAYED’ BY STAR JONES: “View’ creator says co-host’s announced departure Tuesday took her by surprise.
*Talk about being blindsided. Star Jones Reynolds apparently told no one of her decision to announce her departure from “The View” during Tuesday’s live show. Even her boss Barbara Walters was caught off guard. Read Full Story

3 BLACQUE CHIX TAKE CENTER STAGE: 'Herotique-Aahh' is their thing.
By J.C. Brooks
*It takes a seasoned journalist like our Lee Bailey to interview the Goddess of Love and Sexual Freedom, a Dominatrix, and an ex-Stepford Wife. This fascinating trio is also known as Iona Morris, 55, Lola Love, 49, and Mariann Aalda, 58, respectively. Collectively, they assemble to form the 3 Blacque Chix of the sexually liberating three-woman show “Herotique-Aahh!!” If pronounced correctly, the title makes the strongest man blush. Read Full Story

NAOMI CAMPBELL MAY BE OFFERED PLEA DEAL: Both parties discussing option in her cell phone assault case.
*Naomi Campbell may again strut her way out of jail time for bashing an assistant in the head. Read Full Story

FOXY BROWN REPORTEDLY BACK AMONG THE HEARING: Rapper to perform at HIV/AIDS awareness event.
*Unnamed sources have confirmed that Foxy Brown’s hearing loss has been reversed following corrective surgery performed earlier in the year. Read Full Story

HALLE DEVELOPS SERIES ABOUT BEING BI-RACIAL AND BROKE: Plus, Eartha Kitt says she’d choose Berry over Beyonce for her biopic.
*As ex-husband Eric Benet rants about her “lies” surrounding their marriage to the media, Halle Berry is moving forward with an HBO project based on two memoirs from “Scrubs” writer Angela Nissel: "The Broke Diaries" and "Mixed: My Life in Black and White." Read Full Story

MIJAC RESHUFFLES INNER-CIRCLE: Singer drops accountants, Bahrani attorneys and manager Guy Holmes.
*As jury selection gets underway this morning in the $3.8 million lawsuit against Michael Jackson by a former business associate, the singer has announced “a sweeping restructuring of his personal and business affairs,” his spokeswoman Raymone Bain said in a statement. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: The Motel
*Ernest Chin (Jeffrey Chyau) is a typical, heterosexual 13 year-old with raging hormones who finds himself suddenly fascinated by the female form. But despite the onset of puberty, it doesn’t look like he’s about to find an outlet for release anytime soon. Read Full Story

BABS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO KEYING WOMAN’S CAR: Rapper due back in court next month.
*Bad Boy rapper Babs Bunny pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that she threatened a woman and keyed her car last Saturday in Brooklyn. Read Full Story

MUSIC BITS: Pharrell vs. Elton’s man; J.Lo’s surprise gig; Q’s daughter dishes; Ciara steps up; Jay-Z’s afterparty;
*Pharrell Williams had to apologize to Elton John’s husband David Furnish after his bodyguard tried to toss the Brit from a VIP lounge so he could cram more women into the area. Read Full Story

FILM/TV BITS: ‘Snakes’ clip; Oprah mag to feature Harper Lee; Urbanworld announces winners.
*Yahoo! Movies is offering a first look clip for the upcoming Samuel L. Jackson film, “Snakes on a Plane,” due in theaters Aug. 18. Read Full Story

SPORTS BITS: Isiah gets an ultimatum; Jeter is getting old; Sapp bringing HipHopSodaShops to hometown.
*Fresh New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has been given a one year deadline to pull the team out of the Eastern Conference gutter – or he will be fired. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: Bush’s ‘Black Music Month’ bash; Elba, Baisden added to Essence Fest; ASCAP Awards; BET Awards protest.
*President Bush threw a “Black Music Month” party at the White House Monday that included performances from B.B. King, Patti Austin and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. 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

06-28-06 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story

06-27-06 EURxtra: Another Maid Files Against Naomi / Strahan Now Dating Eva

EUR Headlines

ANOTHER MAID SAYS NAOMI HIT HER OVER MISPLACED JEANS: Gaby Gibson files ‘discrimination’ and ‘assault’ lawsuit against model.
*Naomi Campbell is due in court this morning to answer charges from one former housekeeper, while a second one has just filed suit against the model in Manhattan's state Supreme Court claiming similar allegations. Read Full Story

CHAPPELLE’S ‘LOST EPISODES’ REVEALED: Material pokes fun of his life following $55 million Comedy Central deal.
*The “Chappelle’s Show” footage left behind when creator Dave Chappelle skipped town mid-production will begin airing July 9 on Comedy Central under the title “The Lost Episodes.” Read Full Story

JAY-Z ROCKS RADIO CITY, PLANS OVERSEAS TOUR: Mogul looks beyond ‘Reasonable Doubt’ to international performances.
*Looking crisp and clean in a white tuxedo, Def Jam president Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter returned to his roots Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall and performed every track from of his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt” in honor of its 10th anniversary. Read Full Story

DAMON DASH AND BABY MAMA IN COURT: Mother of their 14-year-old son says rap exec attacked her; judge rules otherwise.
*Columnist Cindy Adams reports of the latest court battle between rap mogul Damon Dash and Linda Williams, the mother of his 14-year-old son Damon Dash Jr. Read Full Story

MICHAEL STRAHAN DATING EVA PIGFORD: But Giants player tells Wendy Williams he’ll never marry again.
*New York Giants standout Michael Strahan is a daily fixture in the New York Post these days thanks to his new armpiece Eva Pigford from “America’s Next Top Model,” the drama surrounding his nasty divorce from wife Jean and her testimony describing his close friendship with Dr. Ian Smith as pursuing an “alternative lifestyle.” Read Full Story

LIL’ JON GATHERS BIG TALENT FOR NEXT LP: R. Kelly, Mariah, Snoop to appear on producer’s forthcoming, ‘Crunk Rock.’
*No release date has been set for Lil Jon’s upcoming album “Crunk Rock,” but the producer with the pimp cup is putting together a lineup of guest stars that will have fans counting the days until its arrival. Read Full Story

TYRA’S PUBLICIST QUITS AFTER TIFF WITH MEDINA: Drama in the inner circle causes flack to fly the coop.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that the PR rep for Tyra Banks has suddenly quit after getting into a “nasty fight” with the former model’s manager, Benny Medina. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Madea's Family Reunion
By Kam Williams
*When we last encountered Mabel "Madea" Simmons, the revenge-minded senior citizen was pistol-whipping her granddaughter's philandering husband in the Diary of a Mad Black Woman. This time out, the sassy sister has toned-down her act to offset her trademark intensity with equal measures of inspirational advice. Read Full Story

BABS BEHIND BARS: ‘Making the Band’ rapper accused of keying a woman’s car and making threats.
*Babs done got herself arrested in Brooklyn on some ol’ high school you know what. Read Full Story

BOW WOW TO HANG UP THE MIC AT AGE 19?: Rapper says his upcoming LP may be his last.
*Bow Wow ain’t been in the rap game but a minute, and already the teen-rapper is ready to bow out. Read Full Story

JERMAINE DUPRI LAUNCHES SO SO DEF CELL PHONES: Can you hear him now?
*Tonight marks the official launch of the Limited Edition So So Def FUSIC phone by LG, a joint effort between So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. Read Full Story

SUZAN-LORI PARKS’ 365-DAY THEATRE FESTIVAL: Playwright’s ‘365 Days/365 Plays’ project produced by Public Theater.
*Writers block is not something playwright Suzan-Lori Parks could afford to have when it came to penning her latest project. Read Full Story

TVT RECORD LABEL GETS SUPREME DIS: Biggest court declines to hear contract dispute between company and Def Jam over Ja Rule material.
*The Supreme Court has declined to hear a contract dispute case between record companies TVT and Island Def Jam over a hip-hop album by Cash Money Click, which featured Ja Rule among its emcees. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Arif Mardin dies; Project Islamic Hope’s Black Music Month reception; Steve Harvey live from L.A.
*Grammy Award-winning producer Arif Mardin, who worked with such stars as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Norah Jones, died Sunday at 72 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. 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

06-27-06 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story