Issue #12

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

SLOW TO CHANGE...Hollywood must not have gotten the "Dream Fulfilled" memo. Although we are starting to see more diversity reflected in front of the camera, the keys to the industry's financial gates and power are still held by mainstream insiders. Take the much-celebrated film Slumdog Millionaire. While this film explores hardships of life in Mumbai, India, no celebrated Indian director was tapped but rather, Irish Englishman Danny Boyle. Then there's Prom Night in Mississippi (pictured), a film about contemporary integration. While noble in its stance, it is told through the eyes of yet another non-diverse filmmaker, Paul Saltzman, a native of Canada. Only when the doors of Hollywood open up and more filmmakers of color are tapped for the all-powerful director's position which obviously comes with economic rewards, shall there truly be change in the industry. And to pull a page from Obama's campaign strategy, the change could come from a grass roots efforts--with ticket buyers voting at the box office.

HOT PROPERTY...Although he's just completed a new documentary short, From MLK to Today, Antoine Fuqua still managed to land the first deal at Sundance. His police drama, Brooklyn's Finest, starring Wesley Snipes was the first film at the fest to be snapped up. for under $20 million Senator Entertainment bought the North American rights to the flick in a co-venture with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group. As exec producer on Brooklyn's Finest, is also not only adds to his credits but his bottom line.

WOMEN IN CHAINS...Some of the women of now-canceled "The L Word" won't be disappearing into TV history. One character Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) will be heading off to prison in a new Oz-like series called "The Farm." Joining her will be the new Showtime drama are Black actresses Rukiya Bernard, Yolonda Ross as well as Latina actresses Onahoua Rodrigueza and Vanesa Maria Tomasino Rodriguez. Great to see another diverse cast from the L creators, but does it have to be behind bars?! No word on premier date yet.

SNAP, CLICK...Kudos to A-List contributor Anthony Davis. His photo of Tears for Fears band leader Curt Smith was selected to appear in a 2009 calender featuring Smith. The photo, used for the month of June, is of Smith and his two daughters during his intimate record release party this past June. Curious? Check it out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/Coyote2012 or www.cafepress.com/curtsmith.336550890. Way to go, Anthony!


NEWS

DIGITAL GAP CLOSED?

The percentage of African-Americans who use the Internet increased to 64% as of December 2008, up from 56% in December 2007, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. In comparison, Internet users represented 74% of the total US population in December 2008, dipping slightly from 75% in December 2007.The proportion of African-Americans who use the Internet increased by 22 percentage points from December 2000 to December 2008, compared with 21 percentage points for the total US population.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

WHAT THEY WANT...Never say die seems to be raptor DMX's motto. Although currently in prison, the hip hop star has announced as reality TV show plans. His "Pain and Perseverance" will follow DMX on the rapper's route back to the top and his studies to become a pastor. Yep, a pastor. No word on if he has inked a production deal, but if DMX is involved viewers surely won't be bored. His BET reality show "Soul Of A Man" was one of the network's highest rated.

READY FOR HIS CLOSEUP...Move over Melissa Rivers, Lil Wayne is taking to the red carpet--as on-air reporter. The rapper, and recently turned actor, has been requited by ESPN The Magazine to be the red carpet commentator for their star-studded pre-Superbowl party on Jan. 30th. Wayne is already a blogger for the pub's website, making him the latest multi-media Hip Hop star--and proving the crossover appeal of the genre.

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS...It was only a matter of time. A reality show--on E!, of course--about Hip-Hop video girls. Excuse us, video models. Described as a "docu-soap," "Candy Grils" centers around actresses who work for an agency that casts the models in the videos. It is executive produced by Leah Landon, Troy Carter and Jason Carbone. Good Clean Fn and Coalition Media are producing the series. With the newest campaign from Hip Hop insiders to encourage a more socially minded message, "Candy Girls" is sure to endure some backlash and fewer viewers as the reality show audience is trendy toward self-help and "real people" shows.



SPOTTED

Rising star Keke Palmer meetin' and greetin' the new First Lady, Michelle Obama, and her two daughters, Malia and Sasha at the KID'S INAUGURAL BALL: "We Are The Future", which aired live from the Historical Society of Washington DC on the Disney Channel January 18^th . (Photo credit: Lawrence Palmer)

Issue 11

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PLAYA HATER?....Director George Tillman Jr. may be gearing up for the release next week of Notorious, but his mind is already on his next production. He is producing Phenom, a film directed by David Anspaugh, best known for directing episodic TV. The film stars Vanessa Williams, Chris Brown, and Henry Simmons. In the State Street production, the media discovers a new hotshot NBA player (Brown) is the illegitimate son of an aging NBA star. While it sounds like a story ripped from the pages Karl Malone's life, it's not, and that means the acting--and game scenes, are going to have to be riveting to pull a success out of this been there, done that plot.

A DASH OF SPICE...It seems TV foodie Rachel Ray is following in the footsteps of her boss, Oprah Winfrey, and is going into producing. She just announced her Watch Entertainment will produce a new show for the Food Network staring Latino cookbook author Daisy Martinez (pictured left). The weekly "Viva Daisy!" will have a six-week run and will be the network's second show to focused on Latino foods, joining Ingrid Hoffman's "Simply Delicioso." It's about time the Food Network spiced things up with a show sure to pull in ratings, considering the number of Latino TV viewers is the fasting growing segment.

DIGITAL DELAY...The Obama transition team has asked for a delay in the switch to digital. The incoming chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee requested that Congress consider a delay "until a plan is in place to minimize the number of consumers who will lose TV signals, particularly by fixing the flaws in the federal coupon program created to offset the cost of this transition." A delay would be perfect timing, as the National Telecommunications & Information Administration just this week announced that it had run out of funding for its program to distribute government subsidies for DTV-to-analog converter boxes. Because of his new applications would have to be put on a waiting list unless the funding cap were raised or the Antideficiency Act (ADA) rule preventing it from spending money it expected to be freed up by expired coupons was waived. The switch in digital was long in coming, you'd think the government would be well prepared. Hopefully a delay is approved to make the transition as easy as possible for consumer, otherwise no one will be tuning in.

DYNAMIC DUO...With their new production, "True Beauty," already declared a TV hit, reps for Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher say the two are definitely planning future co-productions. The new ABC reality show features women and men living together in a Los Angeles mansion under the impression that they are competing in a beauty pageant-like reality competition series in which they will be judged solely on their physical beauty. But they are actually being judged on their "inner beauty"--sort of "Punked" meets "Next Top Model." It will be interesting to see what Banks and Kutcher dream up next.

OPRAH'S CANDIDATE...According to insiders, former MTV president Christina Norman is in talks to head up Oprah Winfrey's cable network venture the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Great that an African-American female media exec is in the top running, but considering the ratings dive over at MTV during the end of Norman's 17 years with the network, OWN which is geared to female viewers, should be a better fit for Norman.

A FIGHTING CHANCE...Being that the recent slew of mixed martial arts/street fight films have bombed at the box office, it seems Rogue Pictures is taking no chances. The company is creating a major online presence for Fighting, starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard. Rogue just entered a promotion deal with MySpace for the April 2009 release. With the MMA world trying to attract African-American fans, there could be some intersting promotional opportunities for Rogue with Fighting.

PIMPS OUT?...Reports out of Oakland is that city officials are fuming over the new Hughes Brothers' project, an HBO dramatic series called "Gentlemen of Leisure." Members of the Oakland City Council are saying they may not approve a film permit for the production. "Gentlemen," written by Evan Reilly ("Rescue Me") and executive produced by Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine and Polly Anthony for Interscope's TV unit, follows the life of a legendary Oakland pimp. The city is worried about scaring away tourist, while the Hughes are hoping to make a comeback with the gritty tale.

RATING THE WEB?...If Britain's minister for culture, Andy Burnham, has his way, websites will soon receive the same kind of ratings motion pictures currently have. Burnham recently told The Daily Telegraph newspaper he's planning to negotiate with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to draw up new international rules for English language Websites. With Obama having campaigned on net neutrality, it would seem such talks would be unsuccessful. The beauty of the MPAA is that it's self-regulated; something that may not work online, considering the varying Internet restrictions governments currently have.

DR. WHO MYSTERY...Speaking of goings on over the pond, it seems the BBC has withdrawn actor Paterson Joseph as the next Dr. Who. Joseph would have been the first Black actor to play the long-running role (see The A-List http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2008/11/bob-johnson-planning-new-tv.html). After initially tauting Joseph in the role, the BBC just publicized that little-known White actor Matt Smith will take on the part. Wanting to get to the bottom of this switcheroo, The A-List contacted the BBC. The only response we could get was "We don't comment on our casting process." With all the publicity the BBC garnered from the speculation of Joseph in the role, the network missed a prime opportunity to diversify and pull in new viewers.

A LITTLE LOVE...Lifetime gets a little Black love. The network has just inked a deal with African-American romance writer Kimberla Lawson Roby, whose 11 books have sold 1.6 million-plus copies. Lifetime has picked up rights to her latest, One In A Million, due in May. Let's see if Lifetime ups the production value on bringing the novella to the small screen. BET's run of romance movies based on Arabesque Books, left much to be desired.

MEDICAL MATTERS...TNT is hoping for "Grey's Anatomy" success with its upcoming medical drama, "Time Heals." The network has ordered 10-episode of the series being produced by Jada Pinkett Smith's 100% Women Productions. Smith co-stars with David Julian Hirsh ("Lovebites"), Laura Kenly, Christina Moore ("90210") and Suleka Mathew ("Men in Trees"). Set in a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital, "Time Heals" is co-produced by Sony Picture Television, John Masius Productions and Jamie Tarses’ FanFare Productions.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

WEST TO BROADWAY?...There's talk of Kayne West heading to Broadway. Inside word is he plans on producing--and possibly--starring in a Hip-Hop musical, which will bring rap to the Great White Way. While the concept of musical featuring all rhyme has been done before both on stage and film, with West involved it is sure to be cutting-edge--for better or worse.

NEWS

TV ONE TO DEVOTE 24 HOURS TO INAUGURATION PROGRAMMING

TV One will offer 24 hours of programming devoted to the Inauguration of President Obama, and the activities surrounding this historic occasion. Inauguration Day programming begins Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7 AM (ET), and will include tributes to Obama as well as Dr. Martin Luther King; interviews with the President-elect Obama and Michelle Obama; two, original hour-long documentaries; live coverage; and reports from the multiple balls and high-profile inaugural events around Washington.

MOVIE REVIEW
The Garden

Balcony Films

Very few documentaries address issues that are timeless. The Garden is one of those films which take you deep into a story and situation that affects people globally although its set in a bustling metropolis in America. Directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, the film chronicles the entangled and disturbing story of Los Angeles' South Central Farm. Created from the ashes of the L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farm came to be the largest urban farm in the United States. In 2003, the farmer's found themselves struggling against the city's backroom deals, and exposes the underlying issues of money, power, poverty and racial discord. The Garden is a great metaphoric documentary on the never ending crisis of the haves and have nots, of the wars and battles that are happening right now over land and land rights. The story sends chills down your spine; you will empathize and cry with those in the film for their right just to live a simple life. There is no Hollywood happy ending to The Garden, but there is an awareness that comes from watching the film that we are not powerless and that collectively we can make a difference, even in the face of adversity. Rating: The A-List

SPOTTED

All the stars were out for the NYC premiere of Notorious, including the one of film's producers Sean Combs (Left) and the film's stars Jamal ‘Gravy” Woolard (who plays Big) and Naturi (who portrays Lil Kim)

Taraji Henson shares a laugh with her Curious

Case of Benjamin Buttons co-star, Brad Pitt, on the red carpet at the Critics Choice Awards.

Issue #10

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

HE'S BACK...He just couldn't stay away from broadcasting. BET founder Bob Johnson recently revealed his plans to launch another new cable TV network. While he has claimed the new venture will not compete with BET, it will be an urban network targeting a multicultural audience. His partner in the project is Ion Media Networks, Inc., which owns and operates the largest broadcast television station group in the U.S. The network is awaiting FCC approval. Any new network geared to the viewer of color is more than welcome, but what really is needed is some new blood in the playing arena. One can only hope that with the Obama administration there will be different directives that enable new, young pioneers shake up and re-invigorate the media world!

ON THE CASE...Hollywood is buzzing about Gabrielle Union re-teaming with X-Files writer/producer Frank Spotnitz to develop a new series for NBC. The pair worked together on ABC's short-lived "Night Stalker" (2005-2006). Spontitz will write the show and Union will star as a detective who must race to save someone's life before it's too late. While this concept sounds a but too familiar, we're looking for Union and Spotnitz to bring some edge to the proposed series. Universal Media Studios is producing.

PETITION POWER...A petition has just been created to urge National Public Radio (NPR) not to cancel one of last remaining African-American shows on the radio network. Earlier this week NPR announced cut backs and program cancelations and "News & Notes," which covered issues and people from an African American perspective, got the axe. Fans of the show have created a petition--http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newsandnotes/index.html-- and with so few offerings for Black listeners on NPR, The A-List is urging our readers to take action.

WHO'S THERE?...A British television icon has gone Black--literally. British actor Paterson Joseph has signed on to be the first Black "Doctor Who." For those who don't know a hoot about who, he's the main character in BBC's favorite and long-running television science-fiction series. Great move for the producers to bring in a little color, but seems the BBC isn't ready to promote Joseph yet. Our interview inquires were met with "We're not doing any press at this time." As the next season gets into gear, we'll be watching and waiting to see if there is mega promo.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL...Tyler Perry has put to bed his latest legal cases. Perry was victorious in a recent copyright infringement lawsuit brought by a women who claimed Perry stole material from her play for his hit film Diary of a Mad Black Woman." And he has come to terms with the Writers Guild of America West on a contract covering writers on his TBS sitcoms "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns." The Guild claimed Perry fired four writers without due cause and was not properly compensating others. While no details of the deal were released, negotiations went on for months. With Perry's "House of Payne" just becoming the most watched show by Black females, according to Nielsen, it seems Perry is on a winning streak. Now, we'd would hope he encourages his writers to get a little more creative and daring.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

HE GOT JOKES...The Wu-Tang Clan’s the RZA has teamed up with writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up). The RZA’s co-stars in The Funny People, a summer 2009 comedy that revolves around the story of a famous comedian coping with a near-death experience. Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann also star. Interesting move for Rza, but like his many ventures into Hollywood we're sure he'll bring the heat.

NEWS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN BROWSER, BLACKBIRD, LAUNCHES

New media company 40A, Inc. has launched Blackbird, a new Mozilla-based browser targeting African-Americans. Blackbird is a customized version of Firefox 3 for Windows XP and Vista. It includes a variety of tweaked tools that search African-American resources, news, and video sites, social bookmarking and networking tools, webmail integration, and a charity content channel called "Do Good" that connects users with African American-focused organizations. It was soft launched in Beta earlier this week.

SPOTTED

Singer Cassie and reality TV star Kim Kardashian strikin' a pose at the star-studded “Empowerment for Africa” dinner at Hearst Toer in Manhattan. Hosted by Hearst Magazines, A Diamond is Forever and The Diamond Empowerment Fund (founded by Russell Simmons) in recognition of World AIDS Day, raised money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

SEASON'S GREETINGS EVERYONE!
THE A-LIST WILL RETURN AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

Issue #9

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

THE NEW FRIENDS...The President-Elect hasn't even taken office yet, but change has already come to TV Land. NBC, former home of "The Cosby Show," has announced it is developing a comedy based on comedian's Nick Adams book Making Friends With Black People. The Mara Brock Akil (creator of "Girlfriends")/Salim Akil produced series will be a buddy comedy focusing on the state of race relations in the U.S. The Akils, who also exec produce "The Game," will write the script, which will center on two close friends--one African-American and one White who don't necessarily see things the same way. Universal Media Studios and Industry Entertainment are behind the project. Adams will serve as a co-producer on the project. America proved i was ready for a Black president, now it it ready to laugh a race relations? Ratings will tell.

LIVE ANOTHER DAY...Even though the industry was buzzing a bit last week on the recent cancellation of "Lipstick Jungle," NBC must still obviously believe in the Candace "Sex In The City" Bushnell series. Fasten your seatbelts because Bushnell is getting second chance. Seems the folks at NBC think the series, starring not a single African-American character, just needs a bit of retooling. Ah, if only some of the "shows of color" could get these resuscitation and over-the-long-haul commitments from the networks as well.

NOT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD...In international news, seems South Africa isn't too impressed with Hollywood. One community in the country known for its own thriving film production business recently nixed plans for a $14 million-Hollywood-style studio. Residents of Pella said they'd rather keep their "sacred" scrubland, which was won in battle by their forefathers, than become home to the studio that promised to attract A-list celebrities due to the growing trend of Hollywood productions being filmed on the continent. The project was proposed by Desert Star Studios and would have included a studio, production offices, stunt tracks, storehouses, workshops, a luxury resort, golf course, and private landing strip. The deal would have also created 18,000 jobs. Despite the lure of much-needed employment and cash flow, the people of Pella can't be bought--even by Hollywood.

DARN, DARN, DARN, DARN!...Talk about letting an idea marinate. The Wayans Brothers first announced their intention to bring Seventies TV series "The Munsters" to the big screen in 2004. Well, Shawn Wayans has just told MTV News that the project is finally about to start--as soon as they wrap the dance spoof Dance Flick. But, says Shawn, don't expect a Black cast. According to the Wayans brother, the characters will remain true to the original--White and green.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW...Here's another reason to keep you tied to your Blackberry--or at least VH-1 hopes so. The network and mobile application development agency Mobui have just launched the new "VH1 Watch and Discuss Live Chat" application with AT&T. This app lets you use your mobile phone to discuss VH-1 programming in real time by instant messaging with friends, fans, and--get this--VH-1 celebrities. With the popularity of the network's reality shows, chatting with pseudo celebs like Miss New York should boost business for Vh-1.

TV TIDBIT...Reported recession got you down? If so, this could be good for TV ratings. Or so a new study found. Unhappy people watch television 30% more than happy people--regardless of education, income, age and marital status. The survey polled nearly 30,000 American adults between 1975 and 2006 as part of the General Social Survey. The survey however could not determine with people tuned in to get cheered up or to wallow in their moody state. Judging from the number of hit sitcoms on the air, we surmise the latter.

QUICK TAKES...After 14 seasons, Fox has plugged the plug on "Mad TV." But word is producers--which include Quincy Jones--are looking into ways to keep the show alive maybe on another network...Jessica Alba (pictured) is teaming up with Casey Affleck for the Michael Winterbottom-directed The Killer Inside Me, an adaptation of a novel from noir author Jim Thompson...While the other "I Want To Work For Diddy" contestants hated on Kim (AKA Poprah), VH-1 feel in love with the trash-talking diva enough to give her a dating reality show based on the entrepreneur-wannabe's newly launched website BIGGIRLSONLINE.COM.

ON THE COMEUP...The A-List said to watch out for young actress Keke Palmer. Well, now in addition to her hit films, her Nickelodeon series "True Jackson, VP" premiered to the channel's largest live-action series premiere audience ever for kids 6-11 (2 million), tweens 9-14 (2 million) and total viewers (4.8 million). Can we spot 'em or what?... Samuel L. Jackson has just signed on for Blown, opposite Jim Caviezel ("The Passion of the Christ"). The London spy thriller will be directed by British filmmaker Martha Fiennes...The L.A. theatrical production on Not A Genuine Black Man is fast generating a buzz. The semi-biographical dramedy is a one-man show featuring comedian/actor Brian Copeland (The Bucket List) is currently playing a limited run at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Loosely based on his personal experiences of “living as a Black man” in America, Copeland provides thought-provoking insights into the African American experience.

COURT IS IN SESSION...The jury is being selected for a court case involving actor/director Tyler Perry who is being sued over a film script. The copyright infringement case is being held in Marshall, TX. and in it screenwriter Donna West claims Perry's film Diary of a Mad Black Woman was "copied largely from the her copyrighted script." West is suing Perry, Tyler Perry Company Inc. and Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. Perry showed up for the first day of jury selection. And no, he didn't have on his Madea outfit. But odds are if he loses, Perry won't be doing community service like his alter ego.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD
CALL HIM BROADWAY JOE...As hip hop continues to prove it has crossover potential into various arts arena, rapper Jim Jones has just wrapped his own off-Broadway show about his life written and directed by J. Kyle Manza. The limited-run Hip Hop Monologues: Inside The Mind Of Jim Jones pulled in an impressive crowd--from theatre-goers to celebs to NY society. Could a bio pic be far off?

NEWS

TWO BLACK WOMEN BEING VETTED FOR OBAMA'S FCC CHAIRMAN SLOT

According to reports in BusinessWeek.com, two African-American women are rumored to head Obama's FCC Chairman short list. Julia Johnson, a Florida consultant who serves as chairman of the Video Access Alliance, an advocacy and advisory group for emerging, independent and minority networks and Internet content providers, is one. Another possibility is Mignon Clyburn, who has been a commissioner for the Public Service Commission of South Carolina since 1998 and who has a background in journalism. Clyburn also is a daughter of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

JOURNALIST STEVEN HOLMES JOINS CNN

Washington Post's Steven Holmes is to join CNN as director of standards & practices. Holmes, most recently national domestic policy editor, will become the network's Executive Director for Standards and Practices. The department oversees and vets controversial pieces. At the Post for three years, Holmes spent the previous 15 at the New York Times as a reporter and editor in the Washington bureau.

LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
Atlanta Opening Night
A revival of the Tony Award-winning musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’ ( http://www.aintmisbehavinontour.com/), traveled to Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Tuesday evening. In celebration of the show’s 30th Anniversary, the new cast is headlined by two famous alums of "American Idol"– Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis. In spite of the unseasonable, winter-like temperatures (but encouraged by the “recession special” ticket price reduction), the cast performed to an intimate crowd. Having just debuted one-week prior in NY, the cast seemed overly rehearsed during the first act. Nervously concerned with hitting the right notes and stage marks, a connection with the audience (and each other) eluded them. However, the power and delivery of the second act, made up for that disconnect! It is here, that the vocal and performance ranges soar to new heights.

Ruben shines with humor in his rousing rendition of “Your Feets Too Big,” while joining fellow cast mate David Jennings on “Fat and Greasy” as they enlist the crowd in call-and-response.

There were two break-out talents – Trenyce Cobbins and newcomer Patrice Covington. A lesser-known contestant on "American Idol," Trenyce is pure talent! Her vocal range, acting chops and command of the stage is inviting – you simply cannot take your eyes (or ears) off of her! Ditto for Covington, whose distinctive voice consistently brings her to the forefront. --Raegan L. Burden for The Robertson Treatment

SPOTTED

Lawyer-turned-actress Jalene Mack posin' with Forest Whitaker on the New Orleans set of Hurricane Season. The 2009 Dimension Films release also stars Isaiah Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Bow Wow, Courtney B. Vance and Lil' Wayne. The movie is based on the story of Al Collins, basketball coach for John Ehret High School in Marrero, LA, who led his Patriots to the state championship a year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the school.

Issue #8

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

LOVE ON THE HORIZON...Just as "Gray's Anatomy's first lesbian storyline was heating up between Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), Smith got the boot from series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes. Word is Rhimes didn't think the chemistry was hot enough. Even though ABC seems to be leading the way for gay and lesbian characters, a snag has been hit. Rhimes is said to take the Torres (pictured) love story featuring a Latina actress on network TV very seriously. So be on the lookout for a steamy romance coming up.

LADIES OF CINEMA...If you're in New York next week be sure to check out the11th Annual International Film Festival (http://www.aawic.org/) hosted by African American Women in Cinema and Save Africa Concerts on November 12-15. This four-day, star-studded event celebrates and highlights the work of aspiring and prominent women filmmakers of African, Latin and/or Asian Descent throughout the Diaspora. Look for Hollywood Actresses Tamara Tunie ("Law & Order," "Days of Our Lives") and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (New Jack City) and Nollywood Superstars Patience Ozokwo (Mama G) and Ini Edo to host various events. Not to industry: Diverse voices can drive sales, so a trip to check out this unique fest makes for good busienss.

OPRAH's NEW TV DIGS...This just in: Oprah Winfrey will take her talk show out of broadcast syndication and move it to her own cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network, by 2011, according to the Discovery Channel. With a new TV home, to win and boost ratings Winfrey might consider revamping the show.

LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT....Chilli's manager/agent recently brokered a deal with VH-1, which may leave the network current bachelorette--Ms. New York--behind. The formerly of the Grammy winning group TLC, the R&B singer is on the lookout for the "love of her life" and the network is going to help her find him with a new reality show. No name for the program just yet, but look for it this next season. To draw in ratings like New York and Flavor Flav, Chilli is going to have to really turn up the heat.

MORE O TO COME...We promised to keep you up to date on actor-turned-filmmaker Edward Norton's untitled Obama doc. Well, HBO has announced it picked up the film from Norton's Class 5 Films and will premiere it in 2009. The documentary crew followed Obama from his trip to Africa in the summer of 2006 and will go through through the inauguration. While it seems we all know everything we want to know about Obama, Norton promises exclusive access and behind-the-scenes insight to the 44th President. Norton, writer/producer/actor Stuart Blumberg and actor/producer Bill Migliore are producing the feature, with newcomer Amy Rice and producer-turned-director Alicia Sams directing.

CAN WE TALK?...Finally, late night television may get some color. Everyone's buzzing about the possibility of comedian George Lopez landing in late night with his own talk show. Warner Bros. is producing the program although it has yet to find a network home. We'll keep you posted.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

KISS MY CONVERSE...Remember Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon? Well, the 1985 flick will receive an upgrade from Samuel L. Jackson and Wu-Tang Clan rapper/producer RZA. According to insiders, Jackson has signed on as "Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem," a role previously played by the late Julius Carry, and write the screenplay. The RZA will co-produce the Columbia Pictures remake with Dallas Jackson, John Davis of Davis Entertainment and Berry Gordy's son Kerry Gordy.

NEWS

RADIO ONE PROFITS PLUMMETS

Radio One Inc. has reported a loss of $266.1 million, compared to a net income of $4.7 million. Radio One's radio stations are seeing the most drop in ads and CEO Alfred Liggins said they will instead focus on TV and new media. “Our focus remains on increasing our radio market share, cutting costs and diversifying into TV and online revenues. We continue to make progress on each of these goals, by outperforming our radio markets by 170 bps year to date, restructuring our radio workforce, and generating solid revenue growth in TV One and Interactive One.” Radio One owns and operates 53 radio stations in 16 markets.

MOVIE REVIEW

NOAH'S ARC: JUMPING THE BROOM, Blueprint/Logo

Not Ready For The Big Screen

In Jumping The Broom Noah falls flat on his face.

Let us make it clear that even with all its weaknesses, we've been fans of the LOGO TV show "Noah's Arc." No where else have we seen such embracing warm positive images of Black gay men on the small screen. We were dismayed over the untimely cancellation of the series on LOGO to pursue "a big screen theatrical expansion" of the story. We were sceptical from the beginning as the series wasn't given enough time to reach its television peak (like other shows such as "Sex In The City"). And, surprise, upon viewing this movie version of the popular TV series, our scepticism and fears were realized.

To put it bluntly, the movie is a "Hot Ghetto Mess."

From the opening scene of Jumping The Broom, you get the feeling that this movie is doomed, a fish out of water. There is Noah (Darryl Stephens), dressed flawlessly for a wintry day on a boat by Martha's Vineyard but actually filmed in Nova Scotia. Yea, you read right, NOVA SCOTIA! If LOGO wanted to find a way to doom a Black gay urban drama/comedy, the best thing to do is to film it where there are no Black gay people of color.

That's just one of the many problems with Jumping The Broom.

All of the main characters are back, two years after the car accident that left Wade (Jensen Atwood) either dead or badly hurt. We didn't know for sure in that last episode but he's fine and in love with Noah in the movie and has whisked him to a home owned by his folks (who still don't know he's gay) to marry in a small ceremony. All of Noah's friends--Alex (Rodney Chester), Chance (Doug Spearman), and Ricky (Christian Vincent)--tag along. It just all felt incomplete. Having Trey (Gregory Kieth) in the movie by video phone and an adopted child was wasteful. Moments of intense drama cut short by either bad editing or the fear of going too deep for the 'target audience' made some of the more promising scenes flat.

But I have to give kudos to the actors for making the best of a bad situation. The best performance by far was given by Baby Gat (Jason Steed) and Brandy (Jennia Fredrique). They were colourful, flawless, and added much needed depth and comedy to a rather trite boring story.

The ending of the movie was very unceremonious. With Wade and Noah being married, one would expect to feel joy and excitement. Instead you feel like someone was cleaning up a mess they made. A show with such talent and potential gone to waste. TV series turned into movies are suppose to make the characters larger than life. In Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom, they all seemed to be minimized to a speck of dust. Rating: C+--Anthony Davis

DVD REVIEW

Stargate: Continuum, MGM Home Entertainment

Stargate: Continuum is the second straight-to-DVD movie of the popular Sci-Fi Channel series (and original motion picture). In this movie, the SGI team are on a mission to witness a Tok'ra extraction ceremony of Baddie Ba'al (Cliff Simon) but things go horribly wrong when members of the SGI team began to disappear and soon everyone else. The remaining SGI members, Colonel Cameron Mitchell (Ben Browder), Colonel Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) realize that Ba'al somehow has gone back in time on Earth and altered their history to which SGI was never created. Through a series of traveling to other systems and times, the remaining members try to set their timeline straight and keep Ba'al from conquering Earth.

The whole someone goes back in time to change the present/future story line has been done so many times, and badly, that when one is presented with the synopsis that their favorite characters are going back in time to create a different future and sustain the present, one rolls their eyes. There are way too many logical questions like if Baal went back in time to stop SG1 from ever coming into existences, why didn't he just conquering Earth at the same time? How was Ba'al able to do this in the first place? And the questions continue.

It's entertaining, if you're a die heart fan and you like mediocre Sci-Fi. But if you're looking for something to too Wow you, this is not the movie for you. Rating: B- --A.D.

SPOTTED

The stars gatherin' at the Ahmanson Ballroom in the Skirball Cultural Center to support children's at the Dream Believe Achieve Gala in L.A. The gala benefited three non-profit organizations who work together to provide educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for the children and families of South Los Angeles: Challengers Boys & Girls Club (http://www.cbgcla.org/), ICEF Public Schools (http://www.icefpublicschools.org/), and the Success Through the Arts Foundation (http://www.sttaf.org). The Dream Believe Achieve Inspiration Gala was an evening filled with musical performancesand messages of hope to benefit the children and families of South Los Angeles. Hosted by Don Cheadle (pictired with Alfre Woodard) and featuring musical performances by Jackson Browne, Earth Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson and others, the Gala will benefit three non-profit organizations who work together to provide educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for the children and families of South Los Angeles: Challengers Boys & Girls Club, ICEF Public Schools, and the Success Through the Arts Foundation. In addition to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, other luminaries in attendance included Herbie Hancock, Halle Berry, and Louis Gosset Jr. (Photo by Anthony Davis)