12-22-08 EUR: PETA Names Oprah Person of The Year / Obama Is Biggest News

EUR Headlines - December 22, 2008

PETA NAMES OPRAH 'PERSON OF THE YEAR': Leona Lewis voted world's 'Sexiest Vegetarian.'
*People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has named Oprah Winfrey its "Person of the Year" for using her "powerful voice to defend those without one," according to PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. Read Full Story

NO SURPRISE, OBAMA IS BIG NEWS: President-elect voted top news story of 2008; economic meltdown is second
*The epic election that made Barack Obama the first African-American president was the top news story of 2008 — followed closely by the economic meltdown that will test his leadership, according to U.S. editors and news directors voting in The Associated Press' annual poll. Read Full Story

RIHANNA TO SING AT INAUGURATION BALL: Singer booked for RIAA's event to benefit nation's largest hunger-relief organization.
*Rihanna will be in Washington D.C. next month with hundreds of other celebrities who are taking part in various inaugural balls following the swearing in of Barack Obama. Read Full Story

HEAR BOBBY BROWN & THE NEW BIGGIE IN THE EURCAST: Plus, Johnny Gill's hilarious imitation of Lee Bailey
*Get an early taste of the upcoming Biggie Smalls biopic "Notorious" from the man playing the title role, Jamal Woolard, in this edition of the EURcast. Plus, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill talk about teaming with fellow ex-New Edition member Ralph Tresvant for their new group Heads of State. Read Full Story

NEW OBAMA RADIO SPECIAL READY: 'Hail The Chief, The Dream Comes To Life!
*Not since we produced the iconic, award-winning "King: From Atlanta to the Mountaintop" have we been more excited about bringing an educational and entertaining biographic profile to the airwaves. Read Full Story

JD LAWRENCE: THEATER’S BEST KEPT SECRET: Playwright’s latest on stage; preps TV show.
*Playwright JD Lawrence may just very well be the best kept secret in theater. Considered the “new face of urban theater,” Lawrence has written and produced 12 stage plays, but he’s been doing it since 1991. In addition to writing and directing, Lawrence is most of the cast at times. In his current production, he plays seven characters. Read Full Story

DMX EXTRADITED FROM MIAMI TO ARIZ.: Rapper to answer animal cruelty, drug and ID theft charges. Bond raised to $120,000.
*Rapper DMX is back in an Arizona jail today after he was extradited from Miami to Phoenix Friday to face a number of charges. Read Full Story

NEW AT 'EUR THIS N THAT' BLOG: Dishin’ Dirt on Michael Jordan, Real Atlanta Housewife DeShawn Snow and Tempestt Bledsoe ...
*As we move forward into the new year, in anticipation of a new president, we're bringing you something new as well. Presenting the EURthisNthat blog. Read Full Story

JERMAINE DUPRI SAYS JANET IS NOT PREGNANT: Producer blogs about the rumors that just won't quit.
*Jermaine Dupri is using his own blog to set the record straight regarding his girlfriend Janet Jackson and the never-ending rumors that she is pregnant and/or the two have split up. Read Full Story

DIDDY FILMS 'CSI MIAMI' APPEARANCE: Rap mogul guest stars as a defense attorney; episode to air during Feb. sweeps.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs added another line to his acting resume last week. The entertainment mogul finished filming a guest role on CBS' hit drama "CSI: Miami" for an episode scheduled to air in February 2009, reports People.com. Read Full Story

50 CENT A CASUALTY OF MTV OVERHAUL: Rapper's show scrapped as network moves toward 'themes more consistent with Obama generation.'
*In the midst of declining viewership among its core audience of 12- to 34-year-olds, MTV hopes to stop the bleeding by adding 16 new reality shows as part of its biggest programming overhaul ever, reports Variety. Read Full Story

KEYSHIA CHANTE TO PLAY AALIYAH IN BIOPIC?; Reports have Canadian R&B singer in film about late star's life.
*Canada's National Post newspaper reported Friday that local R&B star Keshia Chante, 20, has been cast as Aaliyah in an upcoming film about the late singer's life. Read Full Story

MILIAN 'SHOCKED' OVER EX'S MARRIAGE TO MARIAH: Singer says 'It just seemed like a weird match.'
*Christina Milian said she was caught off guard upon hearing news that her ex-boyfriend, Nick Cannon, married Mariah Carey within weeks of meeting each other earlier this year. Read Full Story

MIJAC SUED BY 'BILLIE JEAN': Plus, Quincy Jones talks about singer's plastic surgery in new autobiography.
*The TV show "Extra" is reporting that Billie Jean Jackson, a woman who claims she is the mother of Michael Jackson's youngest son, is suing for custody, as well as $1 billion in child support. Read Full Story

WE REMEMBER DOCK ELLIS: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher claimed to have played an All-Star game on LSD.
*Dock Ellis, who infamously claimed he pitched a no-hitter for Pittsburgh while high on LSD and later fiercely spoke out against drug and alcohol addiction, died from a liver ailment Friday at the age of 63, his former agent Tom Reich said. Read Full Story

BLACK EX-NASCAR OFFICIAL HAPPY WITH SETTLEMENT: Maurica Grant had sued for racial discrimination and sexual harassment.
*The former official who filed a $225 million racial discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit against NASCAR said she is pleased with the financial settlement reached weeks ago through mediation. Read Full Story

OBAMA ON VACATION IN NATIVE HAWAII: President-elect plans to keep a low profile during 12-day trip to Oahu.
*Barack Obama and his family arrived in Oahu over the weekend for a 12-day vacation before he takes the oath of office next month. Read Full Story

RAPHAEL SAADIQ RECORDS WITH FANTASIA: Plus, singer/producer makes more time for the road.
*Fresh from a fall North America tour supporting John Legend, singer/producer Raphael Saadiq is heading back to the studio to work on a new album for "American Idol" winner Fantasia, reports Billboard.com. Read Full Story

EUR BLACKTROSPECTIVE 2008: Kam William’s Annual Assessment of the Best (and Worst) in Black Cinema
*2008 will be remembered as a breakout year for African-American women both in front of and behind the camera, with my #1 picks for Best Feature (The Secret Life of Bees), Best Independent (I’m Through with White Girls) and Best Documentary (The Souls of Black Girls) all being directed by sisters. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Oprah house hunting in DC; Leona books Crawford; Kanye says "peace" to paps; CCH Pounder selling home; MiJac needs lung transplant?!
*The New York Post's Page Six says Oprah Winfrey is looking for a home to purchase in Washington D.C. 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

12-22-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
12-22-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE Read Full Story