02-27-09 EUR: Tavis Smiley - The State of the Black Union symposium returns to L.A.

EUR Headlines - February 27, 2009

TAVIS SMILEY: HIGH STAKES FOR 'THE STATE': The State of the Black Union symposium returns to L.A.
By Kenya M Yarbrough
*"It is THE conversation every year where we bring together Black America’s thought leaders, opinion makers, influencers to talk about the issues that trouble and travail Black America,” Smiley described. Read Full Story

WHITNEY TO RIHANNA: DON'T TAKE HIM BACK: Plus, Rihanna vacations in Mexico following photo leak.
*Whitney Houston is reportedly going public with her support of Rihanna, urging her not to reconcile with Chris Brown following an alleged fight between them that left her with cuts and bruises. Read Full Story

SACRAMENTO RADIO STATION DROPS CHRIS BROWN: Plus, singer's court date may be pushed back.
*Radio station 103.5 the BOMB in Sacramento told listeners it has joined several other radio stations across the country in deciding to pull all Chris Brown songs from rotation indefinitely. Read Full Story

STEVIE WONDER GETS SOME WHITE HOUSE LOVE: Motown legend accepts 'Gershwin Prize' in Wednesday ceremony.
*In presenting Stevie Wonder with the nation's highest award for pop music, President Barack Obama thanked him for creating "a style that's uniquely American" and praised the artist's music for helping him land his future wife. Read Full Story

DMX REBOOKED ON ASSAULT CHARGES WHILE IN JAIL: Rapper reportedly throws tray of food at detention officer.
*DMX, currently serving a 90-day jail sentence in Arizona, was booked on aggravated assault charges Wednesday for allegedly throwing a tray of food at a Maricopa County detention officer. Read Full Story

MICHAEL VICK CLEARED FOR HOME CONFINEMENT: No room at the halfway house, so NFL star will get monitoring device.
*Michael Vick will get to serve out the rest of his prison sentence under home confinement because of the lack of space available for him at a halfway house, a government official told The Associated Press Thursday. Read Full Story

PERRY HAS LOVE-HATE TIES WITH MADEA: The character is a cash cow, but is the physical transformation to play her worth the continued effort?
*Tyler Perry has been pretty vocal about his bittersweet relationship with Madea, the pistol-toting grandma character he created and portrays on both the stage and the big screen to much financial success. Read Full Story

JAMES BROWN EXHIBIT OPENS AT SC STATE: Plans for museum on hold until family can work out legal mess.
*An exhibit of James Brown memorabilia has just opened at South Carolina State University, while larger plans for a museum remains in limbo as family members haggle over how to divide his estate. Read Full Story

DEREK LUKE CAST IN NBC PILOT 'TRAUMA': Starring role marks actor's foray into television.
*Film star Derek Luke will transition to the small screen with a starring role in the NBC drama pilot "Trauma," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Read Full Story

SAMUEL L. TO PLAY NICK FURY IN NINE FILMS: Actor signs unprecedented deal with Marvel Entertainment.
*Marvel Entertainment has secured Samuel L. Jackson via an unprecedented nine-picture deal to reprise the character of Nick Fury in a series of films for the studio, beginning with next year's release of "Iron Man 2." Read Full Story

SANTONIO HOLMES WAIVES RIGHT TO PRELIM. HEARING: Super Bowl MVP facing misdemeanor marijuana charges.
*Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from an October traffic stop. Read Full Story

LANCE REDDICK TALKS OBAMA, JAY-Z, 'LOST': Actor's work on 'The Wire' noticed from Hollywood to the White House.
*Since the swan song of HBO's "The Wire" last March, Lance Reddick has been able to book several high profile television gigs, including a regular spot on FOX drama "Fringe," and a guest starring role on ABC's "Lost." Read Full Story

AL REYNOLDS PREPARING TO PROPOSE AGAIN?: Rep for Star Jones' ex says recent Tiffany purchase is for Mom, not 'girlfriend.'
*While Star Jones has moved on to chef Herb Wilson after the crumbling of her marriage to Al Reynolds, her ex-husband is reportedly picking up the pieces with a new flame of his own, Miami attorney Nicole Hutchinson. Read Full Story

J.LO AND MARC SUE STROLLER COMPANY: Couple says Silver Cross used photo of them in an ad without permission.
*Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony are suing a British stroller company for using their images and their twins' for an advertisement without their permission, according to reports. Read Full Story

BARKLEY SAYS 'I ALWAYS KNEW I'D HAVE TO DO TIME': Former NBA star preparing for 5-day jail sentence for DUI.
*Charles Barkley says he's ready to begin serving his brief jail sentence next month after pleading guilty Monday to charges of drunk driving. Read Full Story

OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
By Kam Williams
Crossing Over (R for sexuality, nudity, graphic violence and pervasive profanity) "Crash"-like ensemble drama chronicles the clash of cultures in L.A. resulting from the flood of immigrants attempting to attain legal status in the U.S. Cast includes Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd and Alice Braga. Read Full Story

VILLAGE PEOPLE CAN PERFORM DESPITE LAWSUIT: Judge allows band to keep booking gigs during legal battle against former member.
*Revamped 70s group the Village People have been granted permission by a California judge to continue performing as they fight a lawsuit brought against them by one of the band's founding members. Read Full Story

TIGER ELIMINATED FROM ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY: Golfer's first tournament since knee surgery ends early to Tim Clark.
*Tiger Woods was knocked out of the Accenture Match Play Championship Thursday by Tim Clark of South Africa, who earned a 4-and-2 victory after pulling ahead for good pulled ahead for good on the back nine. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: First Lady's dress; President's Tuesday ratings; Dondre and Salli's baby; Lewis Dix Jr.'s 'Baby Madness'; Uncle Darrow's 9th Annual Mardi Gras.
*The pink dress worn by Michelle Obama on the cover of People magazine is a creation from African American designer Tracy Reese, reports AOL Black Voices. 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

02-27-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

02-26-09 EUR: Chris Brown To Anger Managament?

EUR Headlines - February 26, 2009

CHRIS BROWN IN ANGER MANAGEMENT: Singer takes steps to repair his image after allegations of domestic violence.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that Chris Brown has enrolled in anger management classes in the wake of allegations that he physically abused his girlfriend, Rihanna. Read Full Story

50 CENT STOPS JOKING ABOUT RIHANNA BEATING: Rapper changes tune after seeing leaked photos. Plus, new album to drop after Eminem's 'Relapse.'
*Rapper 50 Cent had been making light of the altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna in comedy skits on his Thisis50.com Web site, but the artist had a come-to-Jesus moment when he saw the leaked photos of her cuts and bruises. Read Full Story

MORGAN FREEMAN SUED BY CAR CRASH VICTIM: Demaris Meyer and lawyer Gloria Allred to also reveal if she really was actor's mistress.
*TMZ.com is reporting that the passenger who was with Morgan Freeman during his near-fatal car crash in August is now suing the actor over the accident, claiming he had been drinking before he climbed behind the wheel of her car. Read Full Story

COULD OCTOMOM'S MONEY TROUBLES BE OVER?: Mother of many offered $1 million to do XXX porn film.
*If you were in Octomom's shoes and all of a sudden you had the opportunity to make a MILLION dollars if you did a porn film, would you do it? That's the interesting situation that Nadya Suleman, finds her self in. Read Full Story

NEW AT 'EUR THIS N THAT' BLOG: Wow, It's So Big!: Nigerian Condom Trumps Magnum
*Check out this Nigerian commercial that both encourages safe sex and advertises a condom called Trust. The innuendo in the ad will make some of you sisters want to get your Nigerian airfare together today! There’s a little twist at the end of the commercial that suggests that all of the stereotypes about black men have been true, but maybe undersold. :) Read Full Story

EARTHA KITT LEFT OUT OF OSCAR'S ' IN MEMORIAM': Late entertainer's rep is not happy.
*A publicist for late actress/singer Eartha Kitt is outraged that his former client was not included in the "In Memoriam" segment during Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony. Read Full Story

LL COOL J'S 'NCIS' SPINOFF ROLE DETAILED: Rapper to play Middle East expert based in Los Angeles unit.
*More details have been released regarding LL Cool J's announced role in CBS' planned spinoff of "NCIS." Read Full Story

TIGER'S BACK AND THE WORLD IS WATCHING: Golf Channel and NBC covering Accenture Match Play event.
*Amid an impressive amount of media hype, Tiger Woods' return to golf at the Accenture Match Play Championship began yesterday in Marana, Ariz. It's his first PGA Tour play since his eight-month hiatus from knee surgery. Read Full Story

WHITE HOUSE DOG COMING IN APRIL: Michelle Obama says debate with daughters ongoing over what to call the pooch.
*First Lady Michelle Obama tells People magazine that the White House dog can't come soon enough for her two girls, who have been hounding her about the exact date of its arrival for weeks. Read Full Story

URBAN NETWORK TO HONOR BERRY GORDY: Four-day summit to also include Black Filmmakers dinner; celeb golf tournament; Mint Condition performance.
*Legendary music executive and founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, will attend the Urban Network Music-Entertainment Summit's Awards Gala, March 14 at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, California. Read Full Story

ATL HOUSEWIFE'S 'BIG POPPA' TO APPEAR NEXT SEASON: Kim Zolciak's secret married boyfriend to get face time on season 2.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" has just started filming its second season and this time, Kim Zolciak's secret married boyfriend will show his face. Read Full Story

KNICKS FINALLY RELEASE MARBURY: Point guard now free to join another team.
*Troublesome NBA point guard Stephon Marbury was waived Tuesday by the New York Knicks, ending a rocky five-year stint in which the former All-Star couldn't lead his hometown team to a single playoff victory. Read Full Story

BEYONCE'S 'SINGLE LADIES' DANCE CONTEST ANNOUNCED: Fans have until March 6 to enter; winners get cash and clip played on singer's tour.
*Beyonce has announced plans for an official, fan-created "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" dance video contest. The winner will get $2,500 in cash and have the video shown on the singer's upcoming world tour. Read Full Story

SERENA CHOOSES CONTEST WINNER FOR G2 AD: Tennis champ picks dancer based on her story of turning tragedy to triumph.
*Serena Williams teamed up with Gatorade G2 at Hollywood's famed Roosevelt Hotel this week to select who will appear alongside her in a new national "Everyday Athletes" ad campaign for the Gatorade G2 low-calorie sports drink. Read Full Story

UNCF SCHOLARSHIP NAMED AFTER HILL HARPER: Org teams with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to promote mentoring and service.
*A new Big Brothers Big Sisters of America scholarship administered by UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—aims to encourage students to commit to service through mentoring. Read Full Story

ANIKA NONI ROSE EMOTIONAL OVER TIANA DOLL: Actress voicing Disney's first black princess tears up during unveiling in NY.
*Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Disney's first African American princess, had an emotional moment during the unveiling of her character's doll last week in New York City. Read Full Story

PAULA SAYS FOURTH 'IDOL' JUDGE IS A MISTAKE: Abdul says she loves Kara, but extra critique 'disrupts flow of show.'
*After months of talk that Paula Abdul was secretly stewing over the decision of "American Idol" producers to add a fourth judge, the former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader finally admits that it may not have been a good idea. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Changeling
By Kam Williams
*When a movie opens with an absolute assurance that what you're about to watch is "A True Story" you certainly expect to see a drama far more credible than this patently absurd tale which doesn't even pass the smell test. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: The International
By Kam Williams
*Was Run Lola Run a fluke or what? When released a decade ago, that frenetic crime thriller landed on many a critic's Top 10 List for 1999, present company included. Read Full Story

SHARPTON NOT IMPRESSED BY MURDOCH APOLOGY: Plus, NAACP says his mea culpa for chimp cartoon didn't go far enough.
*In a response to New York Post Chairman Rupert Murdoch's apology for a controversial editorial cartoon published in the paper, the Rev. Al Sharpton said it was a "good gesture," but not good enough. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: J-Hud on 'Oprah'; BET's 'Harlem Heights'; TV One's 'Unsung'; C.U.N. honors Peas.
*Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to perform on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" tomorrow. The singer and Oscar-winning actress will return to Oprah's stage for her "Friday's Live" broadcast. 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

02-26-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story

02-24-09 EURxtra: Jazmine Sullivan Soars Into New Film

EUR Headlines - February 24, 2009

JAZMINE SULLIVAN SOARS INTO NEW FILM: Singer books role in movie about Tuskegee Airmen.
*Up and coming R&B artist Jasmine Sullivan, a recipient of five Grammy nominations, takes a leap into acting with her first film role to begin shooting in April. Read Full Story

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR J-HUD/ROBIN THICKE TOUR: Six-week outing to begin March 31 in Albany.
*Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke will co-headline a six-week tour next month that will travel through 19 cities, beginning March 31 in Albany, New York. Read Full Story

TMZ DEFENDS POSTING OF RIHANNA PHOTO: Gossip site's Harvey Levin says picture was obtained legally; LAPD still investigating leak.
*TMZ.com's head honcho Harvey Levin is defending his Web site's posting of a battered Rihanna against speculation that they were given the photo by someone in the Los Angeles Police Department. Read Full Story

T-PAIN SCRAPS GUYANA SHOW AFTER DEATH THREATS: Monday's Carnival gig canceled after phone call and e-mail from unidentified source.
*Vocoder-loving artist T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Najm, was forced to cancel a show in Guyana on Monday after receiving "credible death and kidnapping threats," according to the show's promoter. Read Full Story

N.O.R.E. ARRESTED AFTER BURGER BRAWL: Rapper accused of assaulting customer in Miami Beach fast food spot.
*Rapper N.O.R.E., whose real name is Victor Santiago, was arrested in Miami Beach on Sunday after a trip to the local Fatburger took a violent turn. Read Full Story

RIHANNA HAS LOW-KEY B'DAY PARTY: Chris Brown reportedly calls to wish her 'Happy Birthday.'
*The New York Daily News is reporting that Rihanna – back in Los Angeles from Barbados – celebrated her 21st birthday Friday with a "celeb-free circle of friends" and a phone call from Chris Brown. Read Full Story

PRINCE'S OSCAR GIG DEDICATED TO PENELOPE CRUZ: Artist moved party this year from living room to Hollywood's Avalon Ballroom.
*Shortly after 10 a.m. Monday in Los Angeles, Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Penelope Cruz made her scheduled appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at LA's Kodak Theater -- after leaving an after party that ended just five hours earlier. Read Full Story

TYLER PERRY TO ADAPT 'I CAN DO BAD': Madea's weekend success prompts filmmaker to don fat suit again with a quickness.
*With Tyler Perry's Madea-assisted film earning over $41 million at the box office this weekend, it's no surprise that his next movie will also feature the larger-than-life, gun-toting grandma. Read Full Story

NAACP WANTS NY POST CARTOONIST FIRED: Plus, Sharpton has petition asking FCC to stop Murdoch from running three media outlets in same market.
*In the continued fallout surrounding a New York Post cartoon that appeared to link President Obama with a chimpanzee, the NAACP has called for the firing of the cartoonist, while Rev. Al Sharpton is targeting the local media monopoly of the paper's owner Rupert Murdoch. Read Full Story

XZIBIT MAD AT BLOGS FOR BLOWING UP DIDDY ANECDOTE: Fans question rapper's motive after sharing story about mogul's gay club visit.
*Xzibit is doing his best to thwart a media-fueled rap beef between himself and Sean "Diddy" Combs over an accidental trip to a gay club. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: W.
By Kam Williams
*Oliver Stone has never been afraid to court controversy, and this bio-pic is no exception. The iconoclastic director has made presidential docudramas before (JFK and Nixon), but W. is the first about one still in office. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Sex Drive
By Kam Williams
*Ian Lafferty (Josh Zuckerman) is your prototypical high school grad with one mission in life: to lose his virginity before heading off to college in the fall. Read Full Story

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR WORTH GRAIN OF 'SALT': Actor to join Angelina Jolie in espionage thriller.
*British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has been cast opposite Angelina Jolie in the upcoming film "Salt," reports Moviehole.net. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Carey, Cannon and Kim K; J-Lo's twins; 'Push' renamed 'Precious'; 'Penitentiary II' rerelease.
*Bossip.com claims Mariah Carey had to keep her husband Nick Cannon in check recently when they both ended up in the same room as Kim Kardashian. 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

02-24-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR all on ONE page! Read Full Story