05-31-07 EURxtra: Usher Threatened Tom Joyner Over of Fiancee Jokes?!

EUR Headlines

URSH READY TO WHUP SOME A** OVER FIANCEE JOKES: Tom Joyner says signer threatened violence if he didn’t stop.
*Usher is reportedly calling around to prominent radio jocks and requesting that they stop making fun of his fiancée, Tameka Foster, and her rumored feud with his mother, Jonetta Patton, reports the New York Daily News. Read Full Story

NICOLE RICHIE’S E-MAIL JOKE GOES HORRIBLY WRONG: Evite poking fun at DUI, weight loss and Memorial Day leaks to the media.
*Nicole Richie thought it would be a hoot to make fun of her recent DUI arrest and eating disorder rumors in an e-mail invite she sent to friends for her Memorial Day party. Read Full Story

RAY J DROPPED FROM YOLANDA ADAMS FILM: Sex tape with Kardashian taking money from his pocket.
*Ray J has only himself to blame for losing a plum film role opposite gospel star Yolanda Adams. His sex tape with ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian was too risqué for producers of the untitled film, which is reportedly targeted toward the church audience that flocks to Tyler Perry fare. Read Full Story

MARIAH TO SPOOF HERSELF IN SPIKE LEE SHORT: ‘Lovers & Haters’ makes fun of singer’s rise to fame.
*On the heels of her role in the feature film “Tennessee,” singer-actress Mariah Carey has been cast in a new short from filmmaker Spike Lee that aims to spoof her life and times. Read Full Story

MELANIE BROWN TO DANCE WITH THE STARS: Eddie’s ex reportedly among cast for next season.
*Melanie Brown, who says her eight-week-old daughter Angel was fathered by ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy, will reportedly compete on the next installment of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Read Full Story

PRINCE TO ROCK HOMETOWN MACY’S DEPT. STORE: July gig to help plug his new fragrance.
*While the rest of the world, literally, will be caught up in the global concert event Live Earth on 7/7/07, Prince has reserved the date to perform before 1,400 fans at Macy's department store in his hometown of Minneapolis. Read Full Story

DAVID ALAN GRIER JOINS COMEDY CENTRAL: Comedian brings ‘Chocolate News’ to 2007-08 development slate.
*Comedian David Alan Grier is behind a new magazine-show parody that will join a number of freshman programs premiering this fall on Comedy Central, the network announced Tuesday. Read Full Story

BOBBY BROWN FORGETS WORDS TO ‘MY PREROGATIVE’: Plus, singer engages in excessive PDA with new ‘girlfriend.’
*The scene: Stereo by the Shore in the Hamptons last Saturday night. Two publications – the New York Post and People magazine – were on hand at the popular nightspot and chronicled the shenanigans surrounding the always entertaining Bobby Brown. Read Full Story

FAT JOE MAY HAVE WITNESSED SHOOTING: Miami police looking to question Terror Squad leader; plus, Remy Ma’s dirty voicemail is leaked.
*Police in Miami want to question rapper Fat Joe about possibly witnessing a double murder during a huge brawl on Memorial Day. Read Full Story

WHERE ARE THE BLACK FOLKS ON HBO’S ‘ENTOURAGE?’: Recent addition of Turtle’s girlfriend isn’t enough for man alleging discrimination.
*A former bodyguard for “Entourage” creator Mark Wahlberg wants to know why there aren’t any black or Latino cronies following around the show’s main character Vince Chase? Read Full Story

DWYANE WADE BECOMES A DADDY: Miami Heat guard and wife welcome son Zion on Tuesday.
*Viewers of Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade’s Web site were greeted Wednesday with the message “It’s A Boy!” Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Celebration of Gospel: Taking You Higher
By Kam Williams
*Before you totally dismiss BET as a disgraceful wasteland of gangsta videos, it might be time to reconsider the sepia network, since it is apparently making an effort to upgrade its programming. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai Sci-Fi or Skin Flick? Or Both?
By Kam Williams
*Sachiko Hanai (Emi Kuroda) is a kinky call girl at a Tokyo imekura, a brothel which caters to customers with a fetish for teacher-student role play. However, the happy hooker's life is irreversible altered the day she stumbles upon a shootout between North Korean and Arab secret agents. Read Full Story

FANTASIA TO PERFORM AT TONYS: Plus, ‘Color Purple’ was to celebrate millionth customer yesterday.
*Fantasia, currently starring in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple,” was announced among the musical performances on tap for the 61st annual Tony Awards ceremony, to be held on June 10 at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on CBS. Read Full Story

ARETHA FRANKLIN SIGNS UP WITH JENNY CRAIG: Queen of Soul reportedly looking to slim down for her June wedding.
*Aretha Franklin says she’s having a hard time sticking to the daily calorie cap demanded by the folks at Jenny Craig, where she has recently signed up in an effort to get in shape. Read Full Story

‘IDOL’ WAS PAULA ABDUL’S DIVINE DESTINY: Plus, singer explains how her medical condition makes her seem drunk.
*Paula Abdul has found her life purpose. The former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader, music video choreographer and Grammy-winning singer says her role as a judge on Fox’s “American Idol” is by far her most meaningful accomplishment. Read Full Story

MIJAC CUTS OUT ON PRINCE AZIM PARTY: Singer paid £5 million to attend, then leaves early because he felt ill.
*Britain’s Daily Mirror claims to have the scoop on Michael Jackson’s recent appearance at the 25th birthday party of Prince Azim of Brunei, who reportedly paid the entertainer £5 million just to show up. Read Full Story

MIKE JONES’ MANAGER ACCUSES COPS OF ASSAULT: Terrance Flowers says he was profiled due to hip hop ties.
*Terrance Flowers, the manager of rapper Mike Jones, is accusing two Houston police officers of assault after they responded to a 911 call regarding a dispute outside the apartment of his girlfriend, Latisha Pruhomme. Read Full Story

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ IN BLACK AND WHITE: Article points out Billboard disparity between pop- and R&B-flavored winners.
*An article by Rodney Thrash (rthrash@sptimes.com) of the St. Petersburg Times points out the record sales gap between the finalists of “American Idol” who record pop records, and those who sing R&B. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: ‘Idiot’ Sanjaya; Webber & Eminem; Game retiring?; Jordin’s vocal coach; Wyclef’s ‘Carnival 2’; Martin’s ‘Cadillac’; Swizz’s meningitis; Master P/Romeo CD.
*Vocally-challenged “American Idol” finalist Sanjaya Malakar ended up singing alongside Aerosmith’s Joe Perry on the finale only because Ozzy Osbourne said hell to the naw when producers pitched him the duet idea. Read Full Story

SPORTS BITS: Elton Brand’s ‘Dawn’; search warrant for Vick; Hill death ruled accidental.
*NBA star Elton Brand is a producer on the upcoming film “Rescue Dawn,” which tells the true story Dieter Dengler, the only American to ever break out of a POW camp in the Laotian jungle. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: "Uplifting Minds II" in L.A.; Uggams at NY Barnes & Noble; Celia Cruz at New World Stages.
*The upcoming June 23-24, Los Angeles "Uplifting Minds II" entertainment conference's national talent competition showcase will be hosted by radio sponsor KDAY 93.5's evening jocks, Tha Goodfellas. 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

05-31-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story

05-30-07 EUR: Jay-Z Hit With Lawsuit / LISTEN as Kobe Speaks Out

EUR Headlines

RIHANNA IS THE NEW FACE OF COVERGIRL: Singer’s campaign to launch next month.
*Pop/R&B star Rihanna has stepped out from under her “um-burelluh” long enough to announce her gig as the new face of CoverGirl cosmetics. The singer, who is turning heads with her video for current hit “Umbrella” feat. Jay-Z, says the new post is a longtime dream come true. Read Full Story

THE KOBE AND LA LAKERS MELTDOWN: HEAR Bryant tell HIS side of the story.
*Oh the drama! The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, but all the attention is on what's happening off the court between Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. And if this isn't a True Hollywood story, then we don't know what is. In a radio interview yesterday, Bryant accused the Lakers of deceiving him about their plans to undergo long-term rebuilding in the post-Shaquille O'Neal era and also bristled at the oft-expressed belief that he forced the Lakers to trade O'Neal. Read Full Story

BRANDY, DRIVER SUE EACH OTHER OVER CRASH: More details emerge from singer’s court papers filed last week.
*Mallory Ham, the 50-year-old driver who became the fourth party to sue Brandy Norwood over a deadly freeway crash last December, is now himself being sued by the singer, reports AP. Read Full Story

WYCLEF EXEC PRODUCES/SCORES NEW DOC: ‘Cite Soleil’ details lives of gang leaders in Haitian city.
*Rapper-musician Wyclef Jean provides the score for a new documentary that follows the lives of notorious gang leaders who rule the streets in the Haitian slum of Cite Soleil. Read Full Story

HOWARD HEWETT: The One & ‘Only’
By Kenya M Yarbrough
*R&B star Howard Hewett has released his first R&B disc in over a decade. Titled “If Only,” the new album takes listeners on a tour of Hewett’s talent to croon and hopes to rekindle his love affair with recording. Read Full Story

A BLACK EYED PLEA - TABOO SAYS HE’S NOT GUILTY: Lawyer for artist faces judge Friday in Los Angeles.
*A lawyer for Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas pleaded not guilty on his behalf Friday to misdemeanor marijuana charges following a March DUI arrest near Los Angeles. Read Full Story

TIMBERLAKE LAUNCHES HIS OWN RECORD LABEL: Singer will serve as Chairman and CEO of Tennman Records under Interscope.
*Justin Timberlake has finally taken the next logical step in his successful career and launched his own record label, a joint venture with Interscope Records in which he will serve as chairman and CEO. Read Full Story

‘DAYS’ STAR JAMES REYNOLDS HAS HEART SURGRERY: Actor to miss celebrity basketball game scheduled for Friday.
*Actor James Reynolds (“Days of Our Lives”) is on the mend after undergoing heart surgery last Thursday, reports his rep Lori De Waal. Read Full Story

KANYE WEST GETS PUNK’D ON NEW CD: Artist reportedly recruits dance DJs Daft Punk for track on ‘Graduation.’
*Looking to break even more musical boundaries on his forthcoming album “Graduation,” Kanye West has reportedly tapped a sample from Paris house DJ team Daft Punk for one of his new tracks. Read Full Story

JAY-Z HIT WITH COPYRIGHT LAWSUIT: Mogul accused of swiping idea for ‘State Property’ film from Philly author.
*Jay-Z is swimming in lawsuits these days. Shortly after a former waitress at his 40/40 club accused him of keeping a portion of the workers’ tips, a Philadelphia author has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the artist over his 2002 film, “State Property.” Read Full Story

BO DIDDLEY RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL: Musician transferred to rehab spot near Florida home.
*Nearly two weeks after suffering a stroke during a concert in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 78-year-old Bo Diddley was released from the hospital in Omaha, Neb. Thursday and transferred to a rehabilitation facility near his Florida home, his publicist told E! Online Tuesday. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: I Have Never Forgotten You: Legacy of Nazi Hunter Simon Wiesenthal Recounted by Moving Bio-Pic
By Kam Williams
*Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005) was born and raised in Buczacz in the Ukraine, though when he was a teen, his family moved to the city of Dolina. After graduating from Prague Technical University, he married his wife, Cyla, in 1936, and the couple moved to L'viv where he would embark on a successful career as an architectural engineer, designing homes and apartment and office buildings. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Letters from Iwo Jima
By Kam Williams
*When Clint Eastwood came up with novel idea of making two films about the same historic WWII battle, little did he know that the one shot from the enemies' perspective would turn out to be far more moving. Read Full Story

NICOLE RICHIE VS. BRENDA RICHIE?: Word has it that it’s been a minute since the TV star has contacted her mama.
*The New York Post’s Page Six is reporting that Nicole Richie is still estranged from her mother, Brenda Harvey-Richie, and has not been in contact since her mother underwent recent surgery at a hospital. Read Full Story

DIABETIC TEEN CREATES COMIC STRIP: Author says stories are designed to empower readers who have the disease.
*A 13-year-old boy who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since the age of 9 has co-created a comic book series that seeks to promote awareness of the disease as well as give strength and courage to those who have it. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Snoop vs. Luenell; Cube behind ‘Crib’; JB doc on TV One; Ne-Yo in new Jet.
*Snoop Dogg will put his comedic skills to the test against comedienne Luenell – best known for her role as the hooker in “Borat” – when the two go joke for joke on MTV’s “Nick Cannon Presents Wild N’Out.” Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: L.A. Sheriff Dept. discrimination press conf.; Rainbow PUSH conf.; Turks & Caicos Film Fest honors Mos Def.
*Garrett Shah, a white veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, will join his legal advisors for a press conference today in L.A. to discuss his lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Dept. 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

05-30-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story

05-29-07 EURxtra: Brandy's Had Enough of the Lawsuits

EUR Headlines

BRANDY HAS HAD ENOUGH OF THESE LAWSUITS: Fourth person sues Friday over fatal car crash; singer files complaint denying allegations.
*Days before a fourth person sued Brandy Norwood for her role in a fatal car crash last December, the actress/singer filed court documents responding to the flurry of wrongful death lawsuits brought against her by family members of the victim. Read Full Story

50 CENT’S ‘CURTIS’ ON CPT: Release date for album to arrive three months later than expected.
*So much for 50 Cent’s relentless plugging of his new album “Curtis” last week during the BET Awards 07 press conference. After telling folks at every turn, “‘Curtis,’ June 26th,” the due date has been pushed back to Sept. 4 so that the rapper can enjoy a simultaneous worldwide release, Interscope said in a statement. Read Full Story

JEEZY ARRESTED OUTSIDE ATLANTA STRIP CLUB: Rapper charged with disorderly conduct after mouthing off to cop.
*Rapper Young Jeezy was arrested early Thursday morning outside of an Atlanta-area shake joint after he reportedly got loud with some off-duty cops. Read Full Story

JACKSON ITEMS DISPLAYED FOR VEGAS AUCTION: Hotel unpacks and places more than 1,100 pieces for sale this week.
*Platinum records, costumes and faded documents belonging to Michael Jackson and his famous siblings were among the more than 1,100 items displayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Sunday in preparation for an auction this week. Read Full Story

YAYO ASSOCIATE CHARGED IN TEEN BEATING: Lawell Fletcher allegedly flashed gun at 14-year-old during incident.
*A 29-year-old man who was with rapper Tony Yayo during an assault on a 14-year-old boy received several misdemeanor charges in connection with the incident. Read Full Story

THIS IS WHY I’M SUED: Rapper Mims accused of being sexist; female talent agent sues for $7.5 million.
*Rapper Mims, who tore up the music scene with his No. 1 debut “This Is Why I’m Hot,” is on the receiving end of a $7.5 million discrimination lawsuit claiming he pulled out of a deal because of his alleged misogynistic views of women, reports the New York Post. Read Full Story

REFRESHED DAVID BANNER PLANS SUMMER ALBUM: Rapper took time to refocus after Hurricane Katrina.
*Rapper David Banner says he has bounced back from a terrible 2006 with a new sense of self and fresh outlook on his priorities for 2007 and beyond. Read Full Story

BRETT RATNER TO HOLD CLINTON FUNDRAISER: Hillary to schmooze with ‘young Hollywood’ at filmmaker’s crib.
*Director Brett Ratner will hold a fundraiser in Los Angeles for Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton at his Benedict Canyon home, the same spot where Ratner was featured photographing models in the last episode of HBO’s “Entourage.” Read Full Story

LOLA OGUNNAIKE QUITS NY TIMES; JOINS CNN: Reporter is new culture correspondent for revamped “American Morning.”
*Former New York Times pop culture reporter Lola Ogunnaike begins her new job today on CNN’s “American Morning” as its regular pop culture and entertainment correspondent. Read Full Story

NE-YO TO UNVEIL ATLANTA STUDIO COMPLEX: Singer/songwriter introduces state-of-the-art Carrington House.
*Tomorrow evening (5/30), singer/songwriter Ne-Yo will open the doors to his sprawling new complex in a gated residential area of Atlanta that features three state-of-the art studios, two fully equipped kitchens and a posh lounge area to relax between recording sessions. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Wrestlemania 23
By Kam Williams
*Normally, I would have no interest in reviewing Wrestlemania, but my curiosity was piqued because of the fact that this particular installment of the popular pay-per-view franchise was billed as the “Hair vs. Hair” match between Donald Trump and Vince McMahon, the CEO of the WWE. Since neither of them needed any prize money, the winner’s prize was to shave the loser’s head bald right in the ring. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
By Kam Williams
*Who cares that a summer blockbuster might be an incoherent, overplotted mess, when it comes stocked with a charismatic protagonist, an intriguing love triangle, plus enough swashbuckling action and spooky special effects to make you forget the fact that the story is almost impossible to keep straight? Read Full Story

FOREMAN SAYS HE WAS DRUGGED BEFORE ‘RUMBLE’: Boxer says someone spiked his water to weaken him against Ali in 1974.
*Some 33 years after facing Muhammad Ali in the historic 1974 boxing match known as “Rumble in the Jungle,” former heavyweight boxing champ George Forman has cited a possible excuse for his defeat: his water was spiked. Read Full Story

O.J. COMPANY ORDERED TO TURN OVER BOOK: Judge demands all copies be handed in to prevent unauthorized distribution.
*A federal judge ordered a bankrupt company owned by O.J. Simpson's children to turn over any copies of Simpson's canceled book, "If I Did It," in an attempt to thwart any unauthorized distribution or dissemination. Read Full Story

YOLANDA KING MOURNED IN SERVICE LAST THURSDAY: Eldest daughter of MLK was cremated per her wishes.
*A private memorial service was held in Atlanta last Thursday for Yolanda King, the first-born child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. The human rights worker, author and actress collapsed on May 15 in the doorway of her brother Dexter King's home in Santa Monica, Calif. and could not be revived. She was 51. Read Full Story

FILM/TV BITS: Mr. Winfrey denies book; ‘Poor’ Rosario; Glover honored; Abdul denies fit; Kerry on diets; Snipes as JB; See Miss USA fall flat on her butt!
*Oprah’s daddy Vernon Winfrey is denying reports that he’s writing a tell-all book about his famous daughter. He told TVGuide.com that there is no book in the works called “Things Unspoken,” which had been widely reported last week. Read Full Story

MUSIC BITS: Q shuns MiJac; Trina’s ‘B*tch II’; Miles remix EP; ‘Planet Rock’ lawsuit; N.O.R.E. & T-Pain; Jazzy Jeff’s reunion talk; Larrieux’s ‘Standards.’
*Music producer Quincy Jones says he’s way too busy to work with Michael Jackson on his comeback album, even though the pair made magic together in the early 80s with his albums “Off the Wall” and “Thriller.” Read Full Story

SPORTS BITS: Hill’s body found; Venus advances; Vick a ‘heavyweight’; FAMU b-ball coach arrested; Zab Judah scam; Blake rejoins Dunlop.
*The body of New England Patriots player Marquise Hill was found Monday, a day after he was reported missing following a jet ski accident on Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain. 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