01-30-09 EUR: J-Hud Films First Video Since Murder of Family

EUR Headline - January 30, 2009

MEAGAN GOOD: The Unborn Interview with Kam Williams
*Born in Panorama City, California to Tyra Doyle and Leon Good on August 18, 1981, Meagan Monique Good was raised along with her three siblings mostly by her mom. Read Full Story

J-HUD FILMS FIRST VIDEO SINCE SHOOTINGS: Clip for 'If This Isn't Love' in the can and set to debut the week of Feb. 9.
*The Associated Press is reporting that Jennifer Hudson has filmed her first music video since the slayings of her mother, brother and nephew. Read Full Story

MAXWELL, AL GREEN, NE-YO JOIN ESSENCE FEST: Baker, Legend, Thicke, En Vogue and Salt-N-Pepa also added to the lineup.
*Maxwell, Anita Baker, Al Green, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Salt-N-Pepa, Ne-Yo and En Vogue are among the performers joining previously announced headliner Beyonce at the 15th annual Essence Music Festival, organizers said Thursday. Read Full Story

MACY GRAY'S OBAMA CRUSH 'OUT OF CONTEXT': Singer was falsely reported to have said she wants 'to have his kids.'
*It is true that Macy Gray said she has "the hots for Barack Obama" and wants to "have his kids," but the singer was in character – as herself – on the Starz TV show "Head Case" in an episode that hasn't even aired yet. Read Full Story

ABC BOOKS NEW SHONDA RHIMES PILOT: 'Inside the Box' set in the world of TV journalism.
*Shonda Rhimes shifts from doctors to journalists in her third pilot project for the ABC network. Read Full Story

FIRST BROTHER-IN-LAW TO WRITE BOOK: Michelle Obama's sibling Craig Robinson to pen inspirational guide due next year.
*Craig Robinson, the brother of First Lady Michelle Obama, has signed a deal with Gotham Books to write a tome described by the Associated Press as "part tribute to his family and part inspirational guide." Read Full Story

DENZEL IS AMERICA'S FAVORITE MOVIE STAR - AGAIN: Will Smith, Morgan Freeman also in the top ten.
*For the third year in a row, Denzel Washington comes in on top as America’s favorite movie star, beating Clint Eastwood at No. 2 and John Wayne and Will Smith, in a tie for No. 3, according to The Harris Poll. Read Full Story

'THRILLER' PRODUCER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT LANDIS LAWSUIT: Nederlander hopeful director's money dispute with MiJac will be resolved.
*Broadway producer James L. Nederlander says he is confident that a resolution can be reached in a lawsuit filed against him, as well as Michael Jackson, over rights to a planned musical based on the singer's "Thriller" video. Read Full Story

CNN'S DON LEMON ENJOYS OBAMA BOUNCE: Coverage of the election gives journalist much more face time.
*Hollywood trade magazine Variety is pointing out the increased presence of CNN anchor Don Lemon, particularly in the wake of the network's election and inauguration coverage. Read Full Story

VIOLA DAVIS SALUTED IN SANTA BARBARA: Film Festival honors 'Doubt' standout with one of its five Virtuosos Awards.
*Viola Davis has been chosen by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival as one of five actors to be rewarded for a breakout year on the big screen. Read Full Story

'NOTORIOUS' SCREENWRITER TO TAKE ON RUN-DMC: Cheo Hodari Coker hired to pen rags-to-riches film about Queens trio.
*"Notorious" screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker has signed on to write yet another biopic that involves the unsolved murder of a rap star. Read Full Story

SMOKEY ROBINSON TO RECEIVE AFTRA HONOR: Motown great will be honored for his sound recordings.
*Smokey Robinson will be feted with the AMEE Award in Sound Recordings during the 2009 AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards gala on March 9 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Read Full Story

FANNING BALANCES FINALS WITH OBAMA: Teen's school scheduled exams on Jan. 20, but made inauguration available in auditorium.
*"The Secret Life of Bees" star Dakota Fanning was afraid that she would miss the inauguration of Barack Obama because her final exams were being held on the same day. Read Full Story

DANITY KANE DOWN TO TWO IN 'BAND' RETURN: Diddy's show returns Feb. 12 with Dawn and Aundrea left to 'pick up the pieces.'
*Diddy's "Making the Band" will return to MTV on Feb. 12, but with three less members following last season's abrupt firing of Aubrey O'Day and D. Woods, and the voluntary exit of Shannon Bex shortly afterward. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Grammys add Rihanna; Serena in Aussie finals; Doolittle's debut; T-Pain & Legend; 'Backwards' Whoopi.
*Rihanna has been added to the list of performers for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 8 in Los Angeles and broadcast on CBS. Read Full Story

OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
By Kam Williams
New in Town (PG-13 for brief profanity) Romantic comedy about a high-powered, big-city businesswoman (Rene Zellweger) who reevaluates her life priorities after falling for a local yokel (Harry Connick, Jr.) in the rural Minnesota community where she has been ordered to close down a company factory. Read Full Story

OBAMA BITS: Blago ousted in 59-0 vote; Richard Parsons rides rails to the White House; First Lady's birthday surprise.
*Gov. Rod Blagojevich was unanimously convicted at his impeachment trial and tossed out of office Thursday, ending a nearly two-month crisis that began with his arrest on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. 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

01-30-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

01-28-09 EUR: Baker Apologizes For Racist Obama Cookies

EUR Headlines - January 28, 2009

TERRELL OWENS CATCHES PASS FROM VH1: Network to house reality show surrounding Dallas Cowboys receiver.
*Controversial Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is the newest addition to VH1's "celebreality" lineup with an upcoming show that follows his offseason activities. Read Full Story

BAKER APOLOGIZES FOR RACIST OBAMA COOKIES: Pastry chef baked 'drunken negro face' cookie 'in honor' of new president.
*A bakery owner in Greenwich Village, NY has apologized for selling what he called "Drunken Negro Face" cookies "in honor" of the nation's first black president, Barack Obama. Read Full Story

RAVEN-SYMONE JOINS WITH DOVE TO RAISE THE BEAUTY BAR: Super celeb talks tough about self-esteem issues ... including her own.
By Kenya M Yarbrough
Raven-Symone has been a successful child model, a movie star, a recording star, and conquered television, including her Emmy-nominated Disney show “That’s So Raven” – Disney Channel's highest-rated and longest-running series. However, in all the triumphs and honor, it might surprise fans that the young star has also had to face off in self-esteem battles. That is in part why she has teamed with Dove for the Dove Self-Esteem Workshop Tour. Read Full Story

FABOLOUS' CREDIT CARDS DECLINED AT BAR: Rapper was trying to pay for 20-plus member entourage.
*The New York Post's Page Six is reporting that rapper Fabolous tried to pick up the tab for an entourage of more than 20 at an Atlanta restaurant, only to have five of his credit cards declined. Read Full Story

NEW AT 'EUR THIS N THAT' BLOG: Dishin' Dirt on Kelly Rowland, Mathew Knowles, Monica, Dame Dash and Jay Z…
*As we move forward in this new year, we're bringing you some changes as well. Presenting the EURthisNthat blog. Read Full Story

BEALS, DENZEL TOGETHER AGAIN ON BIG SCREEN: 'Devil in a Blue Dress' pair reteam for new Hughes Bros. flick.
*With production on her Showtime series "The L Word" completed for good, Jennifer Beals returns to her feature films roots with a role in the action thriller "The Book of Eli," starring Denzel Washington. Read Full Story

LIL WAYNE BRINGS FACEBOOK TO 'PROM': Rapper to perform new single live today on social networking site.
*Lil Wayne will offer a live performance of his new single "Prom Queen" tonight on the social networking site Facebook through a partnership with AT&T. Read Full Story

DRUM MAJOR SUSPENDED FOR NOD TO OBAMA: Gesture during inaugural parade brings heat to firefighter.
*Drum Major John Coleman couldn't resist acknowledging President Obama while leading the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums past his inaugural viewing stand last week. Read Full Story

ARETHA'S HAT INSPIRES LESS PRICEY COPY: Detroit-based designer will offer lower-priced alternative to his inauguration day creation.
*The designer behind Aretha Franklin's hat worn during the inauguration has announced he will create a less expensive line, inspired by the original, to debut next month. Read Full Story

TYRA, DIDDY, 'NOAH'S ARC' GET GLAAD NODS: Banks also earns special Excellence in Media honor.
*The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will present Tyra Banks with the Excellence in Media recognition for her work on several projects, including the "Tyra Banks Show." Read Full Story

FIRST LADY'S INAUGURAL DRESS SMITHSONIAN-BOUND: Museum hopes to display Jason Wu gown by summer's end.
*The next stop for Michelle Obama's inaugural gown will be the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, where it will be displayed alongside inaugural night dresses worn by previous first ladies. Read Full Story

MICHELLE OBAMA DRESS CRITIC GETS DEATH THREATS: Black Artists Association co-founder said First Lady should've picked African Americans.
*Black Artists Association co-founder Amnau Eele has received death threats in response to her public criticism of Michelle Obama for not wearing an African-American designer to the inauguration. Read Full Story

LISARAYE REFLECTS ON FAILED MARRIAGE: Actress discusses divorce from Turks & Caicos premier; defends against 'opportunist' label.
*It has been nearly six months since the marriage between LisaRaye McCoy-Misick and her husband, Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick, came to a violent, tabloid-friendly crescendo amid cheating allegations. Read Full Story

HARRY POTTER REACHES OUT TO OBAMA GIRLS: Actor Daniel Radcliffe extends First Daughters invitation to Hogwarts.
*Malia and Sasha Obama have been cordially invited to meet one of their favorite literary characters, Harry Potter, by the actor who plays him in the soon-to-be eight films based on author J.K. Rowling's book series. Read Full Story

APOLLO'S 'AMATEUR NIGHT' TURNS 75: Anniversary to be celebrated tonight with rapper Ron Browz.
*Harlem's Apollo Theater will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its "Amateur Night" segment with a show tonight featuring rapper Ron Browz. The first 75 tickets will cost $7.50, according to the Associated Press. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: 'Daddy's Girls' renewed; J.Lo courting 'Heights'?; famous 'Survivor' cast members; Duke Ellington quarter.
*MTV has announced renewals for several programs that helped spark double-digit audience gains, including the "Run's House" spinoff "Daddy's Girls," which stars Vanessa and Angela Simmons. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Defiance
By Kam Williams
*In 2006, Black Book put a provocative new spin on the Holocaust genre by featuring Jews as resistance fighters rather than in the generally-depicted role of passive victims of genocide. Read Full Story

EVENT CALENDAR: will.i.am at Mobile Backstage; LL Cool J at DIRECTV'S Beach Bowl.
*Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am will be among the headline speakers at Mobile Backstage, a special one-day Mobile Entertainment-focused conference on Thursday, Feb. 19, as part of the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. 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

01-28-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

01-27-09 EURxtra: Oprah Responds To Blago's Senate Seat Story

EUR Headlines - January 27, 2009

BLAGO CONSIDERED OPRAH FOR SENATE SEAT: Ill. governor explains reasons during Monday's NY media blitz.
*Talk show host Oprah Winfrey was among the numerous Chicagoans on a short list to fill Barack Obama's vacant senate, Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich revealed on several TV programs Monday as his impeachment trial began in Springfield. Read Full Story

MIJAC'S 'THRILLER' VIDEO TO HIT THE STAGE: Groundbreaking clip to be stretched into a musical theater production.
*The 14-minute video of Michael Jackson's song "Thriller" will be developed into a musical theater production with the full blessing of the entertainer, according to reports. Read Full Story

NBC SCORES OBAMA FOR SUPER BOWL PRE-GAME: Lauer to handle first White House interview before Sunday's NFL championship.
*The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals won't be the only marquee attraction on Super Bowl Sunday. Read Full Story

'SWAGGA LIKE US' CREW ADDED TO GRAMMYS: Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West to perform their hit single.
*Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West are among the newest artists added to the performance lineup for the 51st annual Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 8 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Read Full Story

OBAMA DOES THE 'SINGLE LADIES' HAND FLIP: Moment captured by John Legend's video camera following Lincoln Memorial concert.
*America has a president who not only knows Beyonce's song "Single Ladies," but has seen the "Saturday Night Live" spoof of the video featuring Justin Timberlake as a background dancer, and has even mastered the song's hand flip choreography. Read Full Story

JANET'S JAPANESE TOUR SNAGGED BY BAD ECONOMY: Singer cancels Asian leg of 'Rock Witchu' blaming credit crisis.
*After the U.S. leg of her Rock Witchu tour was shut down due to an alleged bout of vertigo, Janet Jackson has now had to cancel the Japanese leg of the trek – this time due to the sinking global economy. Read Full Story

PAULA TAKES CREDIT FOR BEYONCE, RIHANNA: 'Idol' judge says her 80s videos are 'the almanac for every performer.'
*Paula Abdul, a six-time chart topper in the 1980s who sold over 23 million records worldwide, believes that her fame in the 1980s helped to lay the groundwork for such current pop superstars as Rihanna and Beyonce. Read Full Story

TYSON PLUGS HIS DOCUMENTARY AT SUNDANCE: Boxer says the whole film experience was 'surreal.'
*While most attendees of last week's Sundance Film Festival left Park City, Utah early on to attend the inauguration in Washington, Mike Tyson stuck around to try and push his critically-acclaimed documentary "Tyson." Read Full Story

SEAL MOVED ANEW BY SAM COOKE CLASSIC: 'A Change is Gonna Come' took on deeper meaning for singer during election.
*Sam Cooke's 1963 single, "A Change is Gonna Come," experienced a resurgence during the "change"-themed presidential campaign of Barack Obama. The extra weight carried by the song was not lost on one Grammy-winning singer. Read Full Story

EDDY CURRY'S EX FOUND DEAD IN CHICAGO APT: Woman and her 9-month-old daughter victims of multiple gunshot wounds.
*The ex-girlfriend of New York Knicks player Eddy Curry was found shot to death in a Chicago apartment, reports the Associated Press. Read Full Story

FLAVOR FLAV TURNS 'TALES' INTO TV SHOW: Halloween movie due on DVD Feb. 3; as a BET series later this year.
*Rapper-turned-reality TV star Flavor Flav and filmmaker Deon Taylor have signed a deal to develop their BET movie "Nite Tales" into an anthology television series, reports Reuters. Read Full Story

MARBURY TAPS BOW WOW FOR APPAREL LAUNCH: Rapper to help develop extras for baller's Starbury line.
*NBA star Stephon Marbury has recruited rapper Bow Wow to help develop a new line of clothing and footwear for the athlete's Starbury brand, which was launched with the goal of keeping prices reasonably low, reports Allhiphop.com. Read Full Story

JILL SCOTT DISCUSSES FERTILITY CHALLENGES: Singer 'was told I couldn't conceive.'
*Essence.com features Jill Scott in its new Q&A feature discussing a number of topics, including the prospect of motherhood after doctors had told her she could never conceive. Read Full Story

HARVEY TACKLES RELATIONSHIPS IN NEW BOOK: 'Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man' in book stores today.
*Steve Harvey is plugging his new book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships Intimacy and Commitment" during a mini promo tour that will take him up and down the East Coast. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Crips and Bloods: Made in America
By Kam Williams
*How many young lives would you guess have been claimed in gang-related warfare in Los Angeles over the past four decades? 100? 200? 500? Try 15,000 and counting. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Silent Light (Stellet Licht)
By Kam Williams
*Johan (Cornelio Wall) is a devoutly-religious family man who lives close to the land with his wife, Esther (Miriam Toews), and their big brood of about a half-dozen children in a sparsely-populated desert region of Northern Mexico. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: J.J. Fad reunion; Serena in Aussie Open quarters; Rihanna a Charlie's Angel?; Tyra giving out bling; Larry King's son.
*Los Angeles based rap trio J.J. Fad has reunited to mark the 20th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album, "Supersonic – The Album." 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

01-27-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story