05-08-07 EURxtra: Usher Fires His Mom / R. Kelly Trial Update

EUR Headlines

IT’S OFFICIAL – USHER FIRES MOM AS MANAGER: Entertainer says they’re both on ‘great terms’ and ‘support each other.’
*After a week of rumors that had Usher on the verge of firing his own mother as his manager, the singer made it official on Monday, confirming that Jonnetta Patton is no longer calling the shots – at least not with his career. Read Full Story

DISNEY REP ADDRESSES ‘FROG PRINCESS’ RUMORS: Character breakdown appears on Wikipedia and causes concern.
*A rep for Disney has reportedly released a statement clearing up some rumors about the studio’s upcoming animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog,” formerly known as “The Frog Princess.” Read Full Story

WHAT’S THE HOLDUP WITH R. KELLY’S TRIAL?: Plus, Sun-Times columnist outraged over his appearance at Chicago’s ‘Purple’ premiere.
*Associated Press writer Michael Tarm puts it this way: “Since being charged with child pornography five years ago for allegedly videotaping sex acts with a young teenager, R. Kelly has had six best-selling albums, three nationwide tours, a multitude of hits and awards — but no trial.” Read Full Story

SNOOP DEFENDS MUSIC VIDEO VIXENS: Plus, rapper calls Simmons and Sharpton ‘irrelevant.’
*Snoop Dogg was recently interviewed by MTV about several newsworthy subjects, including the Don Imus-induced backlash against misogynistic and violent rap lyrics, and the two men who have become outspoken on the matter: civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton and rap mogul Russell Simmons. Read Full Story

KIM FIELDS GIVES BIRTH TO BABY BOY: Sebastian Alexander Morgan entered the world May 4 at 11:30 a.m.
*After a labor that lasted less than two hours, actress/filmmaker Kim Fields, 37, gave birth to son Sebastian Alexander Morgan, a.k.a. “Sam,” on Friday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m., her rep confirms to People magazine. Read Full Story

AKON TO JOIN 50 CENT FOR U.S. TOUR: Singer will hop aboard G-Unit train following trek with Stefani.
*As controversy over his simulated sex acts with an underage girl continue to follow R&B singer Akon, the artist says he’ll continue supporting his new album “Konvicted” by joining 50 Cent for a U.S. tour after his current outing with Gwen Stefani ends on June 23 in Irvine, Calif. Read Full Story

DONNELL ‘ASHY’ RAWLINGS FIRED: New York’s Power 105.1 cuts comedian over remark during ‘Imus’ uproar.
*Comedian Donnell “Ashy” Rawlings says he was fired from his morning show gig on New York’s Power 105.1 following a suspension that lasted nearly two weeks. Read Full Story

STUDENT TARGETS BET WITH LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN: Spelman undergrad ‘disgusted’ by network’s portrayal of women.
*A student at Atlanta’s Spelman College has started a letter-writing campaign in hopes of getting BET to reconsider airing videos that objectify women and depict them as nothing more than sexual objects. Read Full Story

KANYE’S MAMA LOVES FUTURE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW: Dr. Donda heaps praise upon Alexis Phifer.
*Kanye West’s mother Dr. Donda West, former chair of the English department at Chicago State University, says she’s a fan of her son’s fiancée Alexis Phifer and looking forward to becoming her mother-in-law. Read Full Story

LIMBAUGH FEELS HEAT OVER OBAMA PARODY: Senator’s camp dismisses it as “dumb,” but critics call comedy clip racist.
*Members of Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign have referred to Rush Limbaugh’s parody song “Barack, the Magic Negro” as “dumb,” but critics of the clip are leveling more serious allegations against the conservative talk show host, believing the tune is down right racist. Read Full Story

TRACY MORGAN TO HOST ‘GUYS CHOICE AWARDS’: New ceremony from Spike TV honors ‘things guys love most.’
*“30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan will be sporting his court-ordered alcohol detection anklet when he suits up to host Spike TV's inaugural Guys Choice awards show, set to air June 13 following a June 9 taping at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Calif. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Because I Said So
By Kam Williams
*This flick is fairly annoying from start to finish, primarily because Diane Keaton is still relying on that ever less-endearing assortment of addlepated antics which won her an Academy Award for Annie Hall back in 1978. Now that she’s in her sixties, that girlish flustered act is wearing a bit thin. Read Full Story

KADEEM HARDISON IS A ‘MADE’ MAN: Actor to join Sydney Pollack and “McDreamy” in new romantic comedy.
*Kadeem Hardison has been cast in the new romantic comedy “Made of Honor,” alongside actors Sydney Pollack, Beau Garrett, Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, reports Reuters. Read Full Story

BET J ANNOUNCES NEW PROGRAMMING: Plus, TV One experiences subscriber growth and On Demand gains.
*BET J, billed as the adult complement to BET, unveiled a new slate of music and original shows to offer viewers a unique mix of riveting talk, breathtaking music specials, and ground-breaking documentaries. Read Full Story

MEN AT LARGE READY TO LOSE WEIGHT: 90s R&B duo says extra pounds are no longer a cutesy state gimmick.
*R&B singing duo Men At Large, best known for their mid-90s singles "So Alone," "Use Me" and "Mmm, Mmmm, Good," are challenging African American men to lose a collective two million pounds before the end of 2007 in an effort to improve their health. Read Full Story

MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ HIT WITH A ‘CURVE’ BALL: Actress mad over being “outed” in lesbian magazine.
*Actress Michelle Rodriguez is not a happy camper after seeing herself on the latest cover of Curve magazine, a publication for and about lesbian women. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Paris, Je T'Aime
By Kam Williams
*When you hear that a score of directors collaborated to make a two-hour movie, you can’t help but expect the results to be an unmitigated mess. But I was pleasantly surprised by Paris, Je T'Aime, a cinematic postcard sent from the City of Light by some of the best in the business behind the camera, including the Coen Brothers, Wes Craven, Alfonso Cuaron, Tom Twyker and Gus Van Zant. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Ebony/Jet photos; N’Dour behind Darfur awareness; Fabolous not linked to shooting; ‘Cosby’ writer arrested.
*Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC) has chosen the AP Images division of the Associated Press to distribute content from Ebony and Jet magazines’ extensive archive of photography... Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: Pettiford in NoHo; Houston Black Expo; Joyce’s ‘Rose’ in LA; ‘Freedom Writers’ program; Connect model winners; GAC rap showcase.
*Valarie Pettiford is one of nearly 30 musical theatre performers scheduled to take part in Fractured Broadway 2, an upcoming benefit to be held June 11 in Southern California for Valley Musical Theatre's programming and educational programs. 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

05-08-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page Read Full Story