05-30-08 EUR: Sean Levert's Death Due To Natural Causes / R. Kelly Update

EUR Headlines

SEAN LEVERT'S DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES: Coroner cites sarcoidosis, but family says passing could have been prevented.
*An Ohio coroner ruled Thursday that R&B singer Sean Levert died of natural causes, however, his family believes his death possibly could have been prevented had he been allowed to seek medical attention during the week he was in jail. Read Full Story

EDDIE MURPHY SET FOR 'BEVERLY HILLS COP 4': Paramount aims to start production in 2009, possibly under director Brett Ratner.
*Eddie Murphy will return to the role of Detroit detective Axel Foley in Paramount's upcoming fourth installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise. Read Full Story

FORENSIC EXPERT IN KELLY TRIAL SAYS SEX TAPE IS REAL: Plus, defense says it needs more time to question surprise witness.
*An FBI forensic expert testified Thursday that the male and female in a sex tape at the heart of the R. Kelly child pornography trial weren't computer-generated or altered, reports the Associated Press. Read Full Story

RAY J HINTS AT LEGAL ACTION AGAINST HOTEL: He says drug accusations are false.
*Earlier this week it was reported that singer/actor Ray J, was booted from a Washington, DC hotel because he was unruly and was in possession of drug. According to TMZ.com, Ray J had returned to his room at the Hyatt Regency after a night of partying when someone called management to complain about his behavior. Read Full Story

50 CENT, DIDDY HEAD NEW MTV PROGRAMS: Curtis searches for next "street smart mogul"; Sean Combs introduces 'Making the Rock Band.'
*Sean "Diddy" Combs ventures into new territory with his "Making the Band" series and 50 Cent is looking for the next tycoon in new programming announced Thursday from MTV. Read Full Story

JUDGE YELLS AT JA RULE FOR SKIPPING COURT: Rapper got a scolding Wednesday by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice.
*A Manhattan judge gave Ja Rule a stern talkin' to Wednesday after he missed a court date in April because he was on tour. Read Full Story

ALL SIGNS POINT TO NO. 1 FOR USHER ALBUM: 'Here I Stand' on track to top Billboard 200 next week.
*First-day sales for Usher's new album "Here I Stand" indicate that the LaFace/Zomba release will secure the top spot next week on The Billboard 200. Read Full Story

VIVICA, DIDDY, LUKE SPEND SUMMER WITH VH1: Network taps talent for new programming to debut in the coming weeks.
*Vivica A. Fox, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Luther "Luke" Campbell are among the celebs featured in new programming set to premiere this summer on VH1. Read Full Story

ASCAP TO HONOR NEW EDITION: All six members – including Bobby – are scheduled to attend ceremony next month.
*The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor New Edition at its 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23 in Los Angeles, CA. Read Full Story

NAOMI CAMPBELL FACES FIVE CHARGES: Supermodel back in the system thanks to Heathrow incident.
*Naomi Campbell's anger problem has caused her to catch another case. The supermodel was charged Thursday with assaulting two police officers during her so-called "luggage rage" incident at London's Heathrow Airport. Read Full Story

COSBY'S TV SWEATERS IN CHARITY AUCTION: Proceeds to benefit Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation.
*Three of the sweaters worn regularly by Bill Cosby's character, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable on NBC's "The Cosby Show," are headed to the auction block for a charity set up in memory of the actor's late son, organizers said on Thursday. Read Full Story

SANAA LATHAN NARARTES SKIN COLOR DOCUMENTARY: Film is part of promo campaign for Vaseline's Cocoa Butter.
*"Vaseline Skin Stories," a documentary narrated by actress Sanaa Lathan and featuring regular folks answering the question "what does your skin mean to you?" is scheduled to premiere at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 4. Read Full Story

ESSENCE EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR SCHEDULE: Tyler Perry, Bill Cosby, Juanita Bynum among lineup during Essence Fest series.
*New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Tyler Perry, Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint were among the participants announced Wednesday for the 2008 Essence Empowerment Seminar Series. Read Full Story

FLO BALLARD'S SIS WANTS TO EXHUME SINGER'S BODY?: Tabloid says Maxine hopes to prove Supremes star was murdered.
*The Globe tabloid has a story claiming the sister of late Supremes star Florence Ballard wants to dig up the singer's body to prove she was in fact murdered, and not the victim of a coronary artery thrombosis as an autopsy concluded. Read Full Story

LIL WAYNE SURVIVES 'IDOL' ONSLAUGHT: But rapper gets sued for sampling without permission.
*Despite the release of 14 "American Idol" singles this week, Lil Wayne still managed to hold onto Billboard Hot 100's No. 1 spot for a third week with his single "Lollipop." Read Full Story

VENUS ADVANCES, BLAKE BOUNCED AT FRENCH OPEN: Williams sister survives to third round; Blake is highest seed to exit so far.
*Venus Williams reached the third round at the French Open on Thursday. The eighth-seeded player used a six-game run to beat 241st-ranked qualifier Selima Sfar of Tunisia 6-2, 6-4. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Kanye's mama's money; MiJac's Blanket; Kobe's Web site woes; Diddy, Cassie & Ryan; Denzel's champagne bottle.
*Kanye West is now officially in control of his late mother Donda's money, reports TMZ.com. The rapper was granted a petition in LA court Thursday morning that makes him a co-executor of her estate. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: What Would Jesus Buy?
By Kam Williams
*This tongue-in-cheek documentary questions the degree to which America has commercialized Christmas. Read Full Story

OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
By Kam Williams
The Foot-Fist Way (R for profanity and sexuality) Martial arts comedy about a macho Tae Kwon Do instructor (Danny R. McBride) who sets out on a sojourn in search of his undefeated karate idol (Ben Best) after being left by his wife (Mary Jane Bostic) for her new boss. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: Cornel West in Sacramento; Common and the White Sox in Chicago; Nelly in Las Vegas.
*Motivational Speaker and Community Activist Dr. Cornel West and BMWMB members Clifton West and Mike Dailey will host the First Annual Community Listening Party Reunion in Sacramento, CA. 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

05-30-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

05-29-08 EURxtra: Shocking Turn of Events Happen In R. Kelly Sex Trial

EUR Headlines

SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT AT R. KELLY SEX TRIAL: Court ends abruptly Wednesday due to surprise defense witness.
*The prosecution's star witness is a Georgia woman who is scheduled to testify that she engaged in a three-way sexual encounter with Kelly and the alleged victim. But the last minute defense witness is expected to discredit her Read Full Story

T.I.'S COMMUNITY SERVICE WILL AIR ON MTV: Network is turning rapper's run up to prison into a documentary series.
*MTV viewers will get a chance to follow T.I. as he performs more than 1,000 hours of community service before starting his one-year prison sentence next spring. Read Full Story

GARY DOURDAN TAKES PLEA DEAL: Actor avoids lockdown on felony drug possession charges stemming from Palm Springs arrest.
*Gary Dourdan managed to stay out of jail yesterday by pleading guilty to two of his three counts of felony drug possession stemming from an arrest last month in Palm Springs. Read Full Story

JENNIFER HUDSON: The Sex and the City Interview with Kam Williams
*Jennifer Kate Hudson was born in Chicago on September 12, 1981 to Darnell Hudson and Samuel Simpson. At the age of seven, she started singing in her Baptist church's gospel choir where she honed her vocal skills with the help of her late maternal grandmother, Julia. Read Full Story

YANNICK NOAH BRUSHES OFF SON'S DRUG ARREST: Tennis legend says Joakim's bust was 'a mistake, but not serious.'
*French tennis veteran Yannick Noah has come out in support of his son Joakim after the young Chicago Bulls star was arrested Sunday for possession of marijuana. Read Full Story

NE-YO PLUGS HIS LINDSAY LOHAN TRACK: Singer-songwriter says 'I think the world is gonna be surprised.' Also touts Ursh and J-Hud projects.
*Ne-Yo says he was a little taken aback when first approached by Lindsay Lohan's camp to write and produce a song for her upcoming third album. Read Full Story

EDDIE GRIFFIN SUED FOR ASSAULT: Production manager claims comic beat him for booking his mother into a cheap hotel.
*A production manager on the set of an Eddie Griffin pilot has filed a lawsuit claiming the comedian beat him up for booking a cheap hotel for the star and his mother. Read Full Story

PBS FLIES WITH MARLEY'S 'THREE LITTLE BIRDS': Network's digital cable channel uses song for new campaign; Ziggy Marley weighs in.
*PBS Kids Sprout, the network's digital cable channel targeted toward children, this week began running a campaign featuring a cover of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," reports Billboard Biz. Read Full Story

BOOTSY COLLINS STEPS INTO THE 'PRIZEFIGHTER' RING: Funkateer produces original theme song for 2K Sports' videogame.
*Bootsy Collins is bringing his brand of slap-bass funk to the world of videogames as the producer of an original theme song for 2K Sports' "Don King Presents: Prizefighter," due in stores June 10. Read Full Story

50 CENT EMPLOYEE ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT: Incident took place at rapper's home in Connecticut.
*An employee of rapper 50 Cent was arrested and charged with assault, strangulation, breach of peace and unlawful restraint for attacking a woman at the rapper's Farmington, Connecticut mansion. Read Full Story

NAS TO RELEASE 'NI**ER' AS A MIXTAPE: Rapper sidesteps label politics and teams with DJ Green Lantern for underground project.
*Nas has figured out a way to release his upcoming album under the title he had originally chosen before it was scrapped due to public pressure. Read Full Story

NAOMI CAMPBELL TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES?: Newspaper claims model will be hauled back in court.
*The Independent is reporting that supermodel Naomi Campbell will face criminal charges over the British Airways incident in which she spat on a police officer over her missing luggage. Read Full Story

WHOOPI'S TONY GOWN TO BE SIRIANO 'FIERCE': 'Project Runway' winner will design host's dress for June 15 ceremony.
*Folks who caught the May 27th broadcast of ABC's "The View" have already seen the sketches of possible gowns for co-host Whoopi Goldberg when she hosts the 2008 Tony Awards. Read Full Story

OBAMA BITS: Hollywood money; defaced mural; Auschwitz mistake; Darfur statement; Eddie Griffin's take.
*Sen. Barack Obama has the most Hollywood donations of any presidential candidate, according to the latest figures from the Center for Responsive Politics. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Left Eye’s Summer Star Search Showcase; Flavor Flav's proposal; David Banda is officially Madonna's child.
*Left Eye’s UNI Studios and Emancipated Talent announce their “Summer Star Search Showcase for Unsigned Artists Only.” Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: The Three Stooges Collection (Volume Two, 1937-1939)
By Kam Williams
*Generally speaking, I've found that The Three Stooges are a guy thing that most females just don't get. And that's okay, since men tend to have the same trouble understanding the appeal of TV soap operas. 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

05-29-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

05-28-08 EUR: Fox Analyst Liz Trotta Apologizes For Obama Death Joke

EUR Headlines

FOX ANALYST APOLOGIZES FOR OBAMA JOKE: Liz Trotta 'jokingly' called for the senator's assassination during live segment.
*Fox News Channel contributor Liz Trotta, a former Washington Times editor and three-time Emmy winner, has issued an apology for making a cruel joke that suggested she wished death to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Read Full Story

TWO MORE ID R. KELLY'S ALLEGED VICTIM: Kelly's lawyers raise "braces" defense and accuse one witness of lying to prosecutors.
*Two more witnesses in R. Kelly's child pornography trial made positive identifications of the girl whom prosecutors believe was underage when she was filmed having sex with the singer. Read Full Story

XZIBIT MOURNS DEATH OF NEWBORN SON: Baby was born prematurely on May 15.
*Xzibit is mourning the death of his newborn son Xavier Kingston Joiner. The baby was born prematurely on May 15th and passed away on Monday, 11 days later. Read Full Story

COMEDY PIONEER MICHEAL WILLIAMS READIES SECOND ACT: Legendary Comedy Act Theater re-opens in Los Angeles as the Comedy Act Planet.
By Kenya M Yarbrough
*In 1985, Los Angeles concert promoter Michael Williams found himself quite disenchanted with his career. Though he’d made a name for himself in urban Hollywood promoting shows and parties, his hope of taking on huge names at big venues couldn’t seem to materialize. Read Full Story

SHERRI SHEPHERD TO CO-HOST DAYTIME EMMYS: 'View' member joins Cameron Mathison to run the show from LA's Kodak Theatre.
*Sherri Shepherd, a Daytime Emmy nominee as co-host of ABC's "The View," will also serve as co-host for the annual ceremony next month along with "All My Children" star Cameron Mathison. Read Full Story

DONDA WEST BILL INTRODUCED IN CALIF.: Legislation would require plastic surgery patients to get a physical before any operations.
*The niece of Kanye West's late mother Donda West has teamed with Calif. Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter to try and pass state legislation that requires plastic surgeons to give patients a physical exam before performing any surgical procedure. Read Full Story

MIJAC ATTENDS UFC BOUT IN VEGAS: Singer hides behind burka-like garb while watching Tito Ortiz fight at MGM Grand.
*Yes, that was apparently Michael Jackson at an Ultimate Fighting Championship match in Las Vegas Saturday night wearing a black hoodie, dark sunglasses and a black veil covering his face. Read Full Story

USHER LAUNCHES DIGITAL PODCAST: 'uCast' features 10 initial episodes with behind-the-scenes goodies.
*On the heels of his new album "Here I Stand" hitting stores this week, Usher has announced the debut of his new video podcast, Usher’s uCast, through his partnership with podcasting network Wizzard Media. Read Full Story

REV. RUN ALL UP IN THE KOOL-AID: Joey Simmons tapped by beverage to promote new initiative.
*Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, star of MTV's reality series "Run's House," has a new side hustle with Kraft Foods to promote a new initiative for its beverage product Kool-Aid. Read Full Story

LL SEES THE SOFTER SIDE OF SEARS: Rapper teams with retail chain to sell his clothing line.
*This fall, LL Cool J will debut his new line of kids streetwear exclusively at Sears department stores. Read Full Story

CHRISETTE MICHELE SINGS FOR 'HOUSE OF PAYNE': Artist is promoting Tyler Perry's TBS show in new campaign.
*Filmmaker Tyler Perry is getting some help from Def Jam artist Chrisette Michelle in the promotion of his TBS series "House of Payne." Read Full Story

BAHAMAS MILKS NICK AND MARIAH WEDDING: Island's tourism board now touting Eleuthera as 'perfect destination for nuptials.'
*The Bahamas tourist board is looking to cash in on the recent attention surrounding the secret wedding of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, which took place at her $5 million mansion on the island of Eleuthera. Read Full Story

WE REMEMBER ORGANIST JIMMY MCGRIFF: Jazz/blues veteran died Saturday at age 72.
*Jazz/blues musician Jimmy McGriff, a legend on the Hammond organ and best known for his 1960s recordings of "I've Got A Woman" and "All About My Girl," died Saturday from multiple sclerosis, the Associated Press reported. He was 72. Read Full Story

NEW ROMEO/AKON SINGLE OFFERED FOR FREE: Web site allows users to download free of charge.
*Singers Romeo and Akon have just released their new single "Get Low Wit It" as a free download on AmieStreet.com. Read Full Story

BET BITS: MC Lyte featured on BET J's 'Real Life Divas'; 'American Gangster's' season two on DVD in June.
*BET J will premiere an all-new episode of its original series "Real Life Divas" tomorrow night (May 29) at 10 featuring rap pioneer MC Lyte. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: The Edge of Heaven (Auf der Anderen Seite)
By Kam Williams
*In 2004, Fatih Akin's Head-On brilliantly brought to light the challenges faced by Turks trying to assimilate into German culture. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Meeting Resistance
By Kam Williams
*For the past five years, we've been bombarded with Western press speculation about what fuels the Iraqi insurgency. The pointy-headed, chin-pulling pundits have placed the blame on everything from Al-qaida to Saddam loyalists to Iranian intervention to outside agitators to Shia versus Sunni civil unrest. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: 'Hendrix Revealed'; Leimert Park Village Book Fair; Newark Celebrity Golf Classic; Jill Scott's Uplift Tour; A Great Night In Harlem.
*"Hendrix Revealed: A Life Through The Lens" opens Thursday, May 29 at the Celebrity Vault gallery in Beverly Hills (345 N. Canon Drive) and represents the largest exhibition of Jimi Hendrix photographs ever shown in the Los Angeles area. 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

05-28-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story