12-18-07 EURxtra: Donda West 911 Tapes Released / Jay-Z to Open Hotel

EUR Headlines

'GREAT DEBATERS' TOPS AAFCA'S TOP 10: Don Cheadle, Ruby Dee, Chiwetel Ejiofor also recognized; Burnett receives special honor.
*The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has selected "The Great Debaters" as its Best Picture of 2007, while "Talk to Me's" Don Cheadle and Kasi Lemons earn the group's Best Actor and Best Director honors, respectively. Read Full Story

DONDA WEST'S 911 TAPES RELEASED: TMZ.com posts audio of two women attempting to revive Kanye's mom before paramedics arrive.
*Emergency 911 tapes released Monday and posted by TMZ.com reveal that two women attempted to revive Kanye West's mother after she suffered what one of the women said was a heart attack. Read Full Story

JAY-Z TO OPEN HOTEL IN MANHATTAN: Mogul spends $66 million for 150,000-square foot spot.
*Jay-Z is venturing into Donald Trump territory with the announced launch of his new J-Hotel chain in Manhattan. Read Full Story

COLOR PURPLE OPENS IN L.A.: Traveling company of Oprah and Quincy Jones backed Broadway musical wows press at Ahamanson Theater.
By Gerald Radford
‘I think it piss God off if anybody even walk past the color purple in a field and not notice it ...’ ~ Shug Avery -- A line taken from Alice Walker’s critically acclaimed - and Pulitzer Prize winning - novel, The Color Purple, and sentiments that can certainly be expressed in regards to the amazing book’s stage adaptation that’s now traveling the country. Read Full Story

MIJAC TO BE SAVED BY HSBC?: Fox411's Roger Freidman says the international bank has agreed to take on his debt.
*Fox.com columnist Roger Friedman is reporting that HSBC Bank is about to buy Michael Jackson's $300 million main loan from Fortress Investments, but his Neverland Ranch may still be on the verge of going bye-bye. Read Full Story

ACTORS ON CEDRIC'S ABC SITCOM SECURED: Production co. extends options on entire cast, indicating pilot is still on network's front burner.
*ABC Studios has extended the options on the entire cast of the untitled Cedric the Entertainer comedy pilot, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Read Full Story

NICK CANNON 'STILL COOL' WITH SELITA EBANKS: Also, has Victoria's Secret model moved on to James Blake?
*Entertainer Nick Cannon was thisclose to calling model Selita Ebanks his wife – but the couple broke off their engagement in October after a high-profile courtship that culminated in a splashy Times Square marriage proposal in May. Read Full Story

JOHN SINGLETON AND ICE CUBE TO RETEAM FOR A-TEAM?: O'Shea rumored to take over Mr. T role in big screen remake.
*Word on the street is that Ice Cube may be joining John Singleton's upcoming remake of "The A Team" in the old Mr. T role of B.A. Baracas, reports Variety. Read Full Story

MARY J. BLIGE PREPARES FOR SIRIUS CONCERT: Singer to perform exclusive gig at New York's Rockefeller Center.
*Score one for Sirius over XM in the satellite radio wars – at least for diehard Mary J. Blige fans. Read Full Story

TAVIS THROWS LISTENING PARTY FOR CORNEL WEST: Tonight's event to promote 'Never Forget' album; Dr. West set to perform.
*Tavis Smiley and Hidden Beach Recordings will host a listening party tonight in Los Angeles for Dr. Cornel West's album, "Never forget: A Journey of Revelations." Read Full Story

BOB MARLEY, SONS TOP REGGAE CHART: Reggae legend, Stephen and Damian are Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
*More than 26 years after his death, Bob Marley sits atop Billboard's year-end Top Reggae Albums chart, with his sons Stephen and Damian close by at Nos 2 and 3 respectively, reports Billboard. Read Full Story

RIHANNA EXPLAINS JOSH HARTNETT RUMOR: Singer still claims they aren't dating.
*Rihanna is still trying to claim that she is not dating actor Josh Hartnett, despite paparazzi photos of the two together and a bunch of "no comments" from Hartnett whenever he's been asked to confirm the rumor. Read Full Story

LARRY HOLMES MAKES BOXING HALL: Boxer joins 11 others in class of 2008.
*Larry Holmes received the ultimate validation Tuesday when he took his place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, joining 11 others fighters and ring personalities in the class of 2008, reports the Associated Press. Read Full Story

LUPE FIASCO TO HEADLINE U.S. TOUR: Rapper promoting new sophomore effort, 'Lupe Fiasco's The Cool.'
*Today's release of Lupe Fiasco's sophomore album "Lupe Fiasco's The Cool" will be followed by a headlining tour that kicks off next month in his Chicago hometown, reports Live Daily. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: The Simpsons
By Kam Williams
*The only surprise about this feature-length version of the long-running TV series is that it took Fox so long to spin it off into a movie. Quite frankly, the film feels like an extended episode because the material is no more daring than what you’d typically find on the show. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: 'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris
By Kam Williams
*By the time that he was voted the Best New Male Vocalist in Downbeat’s 1953 Critics’ Poll, Jackie Paris (1924-2004) was already the toast of New York City’s café society. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Snoop's hoop dreams; new 'Bring It On' DVD; Boney James in VA; Marian Anderson musical in Philly.
*The New York Post is reporting that Snoop Dogg will soon begin suiting up for the NBA's Entertainment League, an exclusive set of teams that already includes Ice Cube, Don Cheadle and "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen. 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

12-18-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story