tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208432512024-02-20T13:01:11.069-08:00The A-List MagazineTHE PREMIER VOICE OF A NEW, DIVERSE HOLLYWOODthealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-2595367343344381692009-10-09T08:36:00.000-07:002009-10-12T06:20:38.338-07:00ISSUE 126: GOOD HAIR<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">MOVIE REVIEW</span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >GOOD HAIR</span>,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Dir. Jeff Stilson</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><br /><br />CHRIS ROCK ENTERTAINMENT/HBO FILMS/ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Opening: Oct. 9, 2009</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chris Rock</span>'s <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Good Hair</span> provides such a new national seat at the table of beauty that to analyze it on only one level would be completely remiss. Thus, let's</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > pull off wig.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Written by Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar, <span style="font-style: italic;">Good Hair </span>was p</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">roduced by Nelson George</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, Rock and Kevin O‟Donnell</span></span>.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >First on the cinematic level, do not look for any breakthroughs here. <span style="font-style: italic;">Good Hair l</span>ooks like it can't decide whether it wants to be a renegade, gritty docu or a more theatrical piece. The film</span> <span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >straddles between the two and sometimes</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > distracts from the actual message and topic. <span style="font-style: italic;">Good Hair </span>is not ne</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nyalines.com/imdb/images/tt1213585.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 356px;" src="http://www.nyalines.com/imdb/images/tt1213585.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >cessarily cohesive as one may want offering the more seamless driving intention of, say, The September Issue that the viewer is craving. It seems this might be due in part to the level of expertise in this particular realm from the key producers and the director, Jeff Stilson, a TV comedy writer/producer.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >The editing can be a bit jarring at times. The juxtaposition between the antics of the Bronner Bros. annual hair show and celebrity views just doesn't always flow smoothly. It's such an intriguing topic that it really needs more of a true center, an anchor. What, one asks, is our exact journey's goal here and why? However, one cannot help but state that there are some extremely funny, funny scenes in this film which Rock's natural comedic genius seems to coax out of the subjects--not to mention that some of these stylists need not much coaxing! There is a no holds-barred approach, which is refreshing, yet unfortunately at times, one-sided. When dealing with such a psycho-social issue, a documentary such as this almost begs for input from the usual suspects such as Dr. Cornel West and others. There is not the deep introspection that the viewer yearns for aside from Rock's analysis (which, fine for the film, but becomes truly troubling particularly when watching him on the rounds of the late-night talks shows where he proclaims that Black women are doing this in all to "look White." Not having any formal training or study in the true psychological drive behind all this, it is a dangerous stance that he takes and should be pointed out by his management. Given so little has been discussed about the topic </span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >(and maybe the only exposure that perhaps the White Leno viewer might get), caution is the way here</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >.)</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >The film is also a bit dated because all true hair fiends know that salons from L.A. to New York to Paris are on the "healthy" hair movement and encouraging their clients to go the flat iron/straightening comb root from relaxer. Also, with the explosion of lace wigs, there was nary (a nod to that market trend!</span>)<br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />And for all the beautiful, upscale Black hair care salons that stylists have sacrificed to create; Why oh why didn't we get to see any of those? But kudos to Andre Harrell for his curiosity on "White" hair, but it is unfortunate that it wasn't explained further. Gwyneth's former extensions, Sarah Jessica Parker's exaggerated ones, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton's clip-ins, Victoria Beckhams flatiron obsession also point to something interesting as well: and it would hardly mean that they want to be White--if you haven't noticed, they are. This is more about playing with appearance, defining what feels sexual and feminine to an individual and being able to take control of it proudly.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >The film misses the fact that changing hair texture or length - similar to dying one's hair, changing nail color or wearing stilettos is not necessarily a form of self-hatred but perhaps self-expression. Not necessarily a barrier to intimacy but rather part of the process to get to intimacy. But then, if there were any seasoned women of note asked to be producers on <span style="font-style: italic;">Good Hair,</span> we may not have the product we have. Which brings us to the final point: The lawsuit. This cannot help but cloud Rock's "innovative" film a bit. Inquiring minds want to know if this is actually true? (Full disclosure: the writer frequents Regina Kimbel's salon when in LA yet had no knowledge of this until the digital reports earlier this week). We will, naturally, leave this for the court's to decide; but what would it ultimately mean if the concept were stolen? Paraphrasing Al Sharpton's comments in the film: if Black women can't even control the images about their own hair and profit from those images, then we are wearing our gender oppression daily.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >All in all, a must-see so that you can take part in the national conversation on this from having actually seen the film yourself. <span style="font-weight: bold;">RATING: B+.</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> --The A-List</span><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ></span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-73605654562542590512009-04-01T03:31:00.000-07:002009-06-10T10:38:46.445-07:00#125<p style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-size:180%;">OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></p><p align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">WENDY GETS GREENLIGHT</span></span>....Just got word that <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Wendy Williams Show</span> will debut on <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fox </span>July 13. This comes following her six-week pilot last summer on Fox, which says <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Deirdre Dod</span>, the show's talent exec, that "there were days when the show got higher ratings than Oprah and was the highest rated show on Fox, which includes prime time!" Even though the infamous gossip diva was recenlty suspended from her radio show, we're sure she'll bring the heat to Fox.</span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" align="justify" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >BET GOES ABROAD</span>..<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">.BET </span>has been busy making deals. Just recently the network inked a deal with <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Image Entertainment, Inc. </span>(</span><a style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.image-entertainment.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.image-entertainment.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">), a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America. The two companies signed a multi-year agreement as part of the network's expansion into international markets. Under the deal, BET International will acquire the broadcast rights to Image's entire catalog of Urban titles--which include "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jamie Foxx: Unleashed</span>," "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Letter to the President</span>," "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Notorious B.I.G.: Bigger Than Life,</span>" "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Love For Sale</span>," and "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tupac Shakur: The Life of an Outlaw</span>"--for airing in the U.K. and Africa. BET International will also acquire the broadcast rights to about 30 new Urban titles per year. Good move on BET's part to seek content from elsewhere; many of their original shows aren't global ready.</span></p><p align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">IN THE GAME</span></span>...While many other networks are cutting back on shows, the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Black Broadcasting Network</span> (</span><a href="http://www.blackbroadcasting.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.blackbroadcasting.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">) has announced the addition of three new shows. The network is adding sports to it's programming mix. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Black College Sports, Ringside Boxing </span>and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Premier Basketball League </span>will all be available in full HD to viewers when the network launches later this year. Says <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Yusef F. Muhammad</span>, BBN's President, "Including these programs in our lineup reflects Black Broadcasting Network's commitment to providing quality, best-in-class content for our viewers. Since a wide variety of sports play an important role in young viewer's lives, we want to make sure that we offer them a diverse line up of programs to enjoy - all in thrilling HD." Black Broadcasting Network is a 24/7, ad-supported multiplatform network targeting the 18-34 Urban African-American viewer.</span></p><p class="h5" align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">GEARING UP</span></span>...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Black Television News Channel</span> (BTNC), which is scheduled to launch the nation's only African-American news network in 2010, has eached out to Black-owned ad agency<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Carol H. Williams Advertising</span> (CHWA). CHWA will be a minority stakeholder in the new network, and will exclusively handle BTNC's advertising, marketing and PR services. BTNC (</span><a href="http://www.btnc.tv/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.btnc.tv/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">) will construct the first coast-to-coast all HD television newsgathering providing 24/7 cable news programming dedicated to covering the African-American community.</span></p><p class="h5" align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HITTING THE ROAD</span></span>...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Oprah </span>must like getting punk'd. She's teamed up with <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ashton Kutcher</span>'s production company to produce a travel show for her new network, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">OWN</span>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The series, "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Excellent Adventure</span>," is built around "a celebrity [as yet unnamed] and their best friend as they embark on the adventure they have always dreamed of taking together," according to press materials. While it sounds a lot like the televised road trip O and her best friend, Gayle, took in 2006, with Kutcher involved there has to be a twist. When we find out what it is, we'll let you know.</span></p><div class="h5"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CALL TO DIVERSITY</span></span>...The folks over at <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">NBC Universal </span>want to get the word out about the studio's diversity initiatives. As part of this, the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Short Cuts Festival </span>just announced their call for submissions from minority writers and filmmakers. Winners receive a bold awards package, including the opportunity to create an NBC Universal pilot and a special directorial assignment from the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sci Fi Channel</span>. The efforts are headed up by NBC's Director of Talent Diversity <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Kendra Carter</span>.</span></div><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">LAUGH IN</span></span>...It's time again for the next installment of the<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Starz </span>original stand-up comedy series "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-up</span>." The show just taped at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. "Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-up" is executive produced by Lawrence. Now in its fourth season, the weekly series will feature 35 comedians who take the spotlight to tell it like it is in their own hard-hitting style. Hosted by comedian <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Doug Williams,</span> it <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span>featured<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Rickey Smiley, Nephew Tommy, Thea, Talent Harris, Kid Reid, Gary Owen, Rich Vos, Deon Cole, Ray Lipowski, Brooklyn Mike, Jonathan Gates</span>, and many others.</span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">DVD ALERT</span></span>... <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Dough Boys</span> hits the shelves on June 16th. Starring<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Arlen Escarpeta</span> ( <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We Are Marshall)</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Wood Harris</span> (“The Wire”), <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Reagan Gomez-Preston</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Beauty Shop</span>), <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cory Hardrict</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Gran Torino</span>), <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Maurice McRae</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The King</span>),<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Lorenzo Eduardo</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Hammer</span>) and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sticky Fingaz </span>(“Blade: The Series”). It was directed by <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Nicholas Harvell </span>and the writer/producer was <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Preston A. Whitmore II </span>(<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">This Christmas, Doing Hard Time, Crossove</span>r). In the urban drama, four determined young men struggle to escape the pull of the streets. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">BET</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Paramount Home Entertainment </span>are distributing the DVD, which marked the feature film debut of director Harvell. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dough Boys</span> is the first film to emerge from <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Give Back Raise Up</span>, a program founded by Whitmore to fund independent films and give up-and-coming directors, actors and filmmakers the opportunity to utilize their creative skills. Whitmore has pledged to continue to finance and produce low-budget pictures to <span style="font-size:0;">provide</span> a showcase for talented newcomers both in front and behind the camera...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Universal Studios Home Entertainment</span> celebrates the 20th Anniversary of<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Do the Right Thing</span> with an <span style="font-size:0;">all-new</span> special edition DVD on June 30th<span style="BACKGROUND: yellow 0% 50%; moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initialcolor:red;" ></span>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Digitally re-mastered and <span style="font-size:0;">featuring</span> all-new 5.1 Surround Sound, the DVD is loaded with over four hours of revealing bonus material, including a never-before-seen retrospective documentary with cast and crew, a new feature commentary from director <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Spike Lee</span>, and newly discovered deleted and extended scenes.</span></p></div><br /><p class="im" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FCC ANNOUNCEMENT</span></span>…<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">President Obama:</span> has named a Black woman as <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FCC Commissioner</span>. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mignon Clyburn </span>will head the Federal Communications Commission, an agency in charge of regulating television, radio, satellite, cable, and telegraph communications in the United States. As a commissioner, Clyburn will be instrumental in renewing or declining licenses to broadcasting stations as well as issuing fines.Clyburn was a member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission and publisher and general manager of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Coastal Times</span>, a weekly newspaper in Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.-WLW</span></p><br /><br /><p class="im"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</strong></span></p><br /><br /><p class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">BANNER DEBUT</span></strong>...<strong>David Banner</strong> has signed on to star in the upcoming thriller<strong><em> The Confidant</em></strong>. Produced by former Miss USA<strong> Kenya Moore</strong>, Banner plays Jackson, a talented art major on full academic scholarship. When his best friend and college football star Nigel (<strong>Boris Kodjoe</strong>) mistakenly kills a man in a gambling dispute, Jackso <span style="font-size:0;">forms</span> a pact with childhood friend to <span style="font-size:0;">beat the </span></span><span style="font-size:0;">charge.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Under their agreement, Nigel promises that Jackson will be taken care o financially once released. However, Banner’s character becomes twisted in prison, and upon his release he plots to take over his former friend’s life, starting with the illicit seduction of his lonely wife. <strong>Richard Roundtree</strong> also stars in the film. The project is slated to be the first motion picture under Moore’s<strong> Moore Vision Media</strong> company. Principal shooting begins in May, with a tentative release time for Fall 2009.</span></p><br /><br /><p class="im"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">FESTIVAL COVERAGE</span></strong></p><br /><br /><p class="im" align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Check out what happened at Philly Cinefest09.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Click Here for Philly Film Festival highlights. </span></strong><a href="http://suckmyprettytoes.blogspot.com/2009/03/pff-cinefest09-day-1.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">http://suckmyprettytoes.<wbr>blogspot.com/2009/03/pff-<wbr>cinefest09-day-1.html</span></strong></a></p><br /><br /><p class="im" align="justify"></p><br /><br /><div class="h5"><br /><p><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL</span></strong></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Tribeca Film Festival 2009 has come and gone. While, this year TFF seemed abbreviated in tempo, maybe because the schedule was leaner, in part due to current economics, the schedule included 85 features and 46 shorts , way down from previous years. This year's content was still pronounced and generally inclusive. The lineup included works from esteem local directors such as <strong>Spike Lee</strong> with two documentaries: <em><strong>Passing Strange</strong></em> and <strong>Kobe Doin' Work</strong>, and <strong>Woody Allen</strong>'s world premiere of Whatever Works, serving as instant attention-getters. But as we <span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:100%;">allknow, film festivals are the hot beds for new concepts and emerging artist as TFF is on the cutting edge here</span>.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">As usual there were the sightings and interactions. New Yorkers for the most were unraveled ou know it was just <strong>Robert DeNiro, Spike Lee, David Bowie, Deborah Harry, Edie Falco</strong> and many more. But hey wait was this just a weekend in SoHo?, nah... this was Tribeca --Tribeca Film festival!! But let's get to the details.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The festival entries addressed issues as diverse as the hypocrisy of gay politicians (<strong>Kirby Dick's</strong> documentary <strong><em>Outrage</em></strong>); an Iranian drama about a group of old college friends who reunite for a weekend adventure on the sea (<strong>Asghar Farhadi's <em>About Elly</em></strong>), a black and white documentary </span><span style="font-family:arial;">about hunger in Brazil<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>(<em><strong>Garapa</strong> </em>by <strong>Jose Padilha</strong>); <strong><em>Soul Power</em></strong>, a film about the<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>three-day concert that preceded the 1974 Kinshasa, Zaire boxing fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Which were<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>only two films with explicitly African themes at this year, and<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>a litany of others in between. Below are a series of reviews that gives a broad overview of the festival.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1. <em>Garapa</em>, -documentary- directed by Jose Padilha: Addresses an issue <span style="font-size:0;">that</span> is quickly becoming central to the human condition, hunger. Padiha confronts this topic up close and personal. He shots three families as if it were his family<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>with video home style in 16mm black and white. The result is haunting, disturbing and in the end effective. It begs us to look into our "soul" and ask is this what we would want for our "family" or even more it profoundly begs the question "Who is your family?"</span></p></div><p class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">2. <em>Soul Power</em>, produced<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>by<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Leon Gast<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>is essentially a belated follow-up to Gast's 1996 Oscar-winning documentary <em>When We Were Kings.</em> The question</span><span style="font-size:0;">: W</span><span style="font-family:arial;">hy is it only one of two African theme films in the whole festival? Not to get it wrong the film offers a vibrant and articulate eye on what </span><span style="font-family:arial;">happened</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> in Zaire prior to the Ail/Forman fight in 1974.</span></p><p class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">3. <em>Outrage </em>-documentary- directed by -Kirby Dic is incendiary because he asks a couple basic questions many of us Americans tend to have issues with--How honest do I need to be?, How rich and famous do I want to become? and finally What is my sexuality? These questions combined tend to put a lot of us in a tailspin. Honesty seems to be "self" perceived, so does truth and reality.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>What happens when our self-perception conflicts with our public persona and we are asked for an explanation? Kirby seems to ask- "who are you true to?" Such an ugly<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>but awesome deal.</span> </p><p class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">4 . <em>About Elly</em> by Asghar Farhadi is an Iranian mystery addressing the culture of deceit in modern, middle-class day Iran is both visually and mentally appealing. Think about it like this- what if you created a movie that affected your culture but they could not view it due to political controls. Farhadi is brilliant and brave for keeping true to his truth. The question is, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">can we see that truth and use it pro-actively. This film also won "Best Narrative Feature."</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">5. <em><strong>The Last Mermaids</strong></em> (by <strong>Liz Chae</strong>) is a documentary short that lasts only 19 minutes, and what 19 minutes they are. It speaks of the women of Jeju Island, who generation after generation have survived by becoming Haenyo (women sea divers).</span> </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">These defiant women have for 2,000 years, fought men, governments, and armies to protect their right to make a living from the sea. Now they want the tradition to stop. These are <em>The Last Mermaids</em>.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">These five films encapsulates what Tribeca prides itself on. -Worldwide diversity and understanding.<em><strong><span style="font-size:0;"> </span>--dan k<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>williams</strong></em></span></p><div class="im" align="justify"></div><p class="im"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>SPOTTED</strong></span></p><p class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Actor <strong>Jesse Martin</strong> shopping at the Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.</span></p><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Clint Eastwood</strong> directing his latest film starring <strong>Morgan Freeman</strong> on the Waterfront in Cape Town.</span></div><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div class="im" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"><em><strong>The A List will be on hiatus. Thank you to our readers and our vaulable writers.</strong></em></span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-63860658333543331542009-03-27T08:01:00.000-07:002009-03-30T02:50:47.710-07:00Issue #124<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/images/2007/05/14/georgelopeztp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 247px;" src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/images/2007/05/14/georgelopeztp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px;font-family:arial;" ><strong style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LET'S GET BUSY</span></span>...<span style="font-weight: bold;">TBS</span> is getting a little more flava. The network just an</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nounced a deal with <span style="font-weight: bold;">George Lopez</span>. The actor/comedian will helm a late-night talk show--one that should make Arsenio Hall proud. Lopez says he wants the show to have a spontaneous, street-party atmosphere. If Lopez lives up to his promises and TBS properly promotes the show, they could have a winner on his hands. L</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ate-night fare has been screaming for some color since Hall left the building.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NPR'S MEA CULPA?</span></span>..<span style="font-weight: bold;">.National Public Radio </span>is saying it's sorry it axed the last of its African-American shows. NPR CEO <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vivian Schiller</span> recently announced that it canceled "<span style="font-weight: bold;">News & Notes</span>" because too few stations carried the Black news program. But, she added, that all other NPR shows will now "reflect the full spectrum of our listenership, or our potential listenership...we need to make sure that we are constantly thinking about a diversity of audience. So rather than having a special program that is just for African Americans or a special program that is just for Latino listeners, we needed to be represented in the fabric of everything that we do." While diversity in coverage across the board is a no-brainer, so</span><span style="font-family:arial;">me might say this is a cop out from NPR in not putting funding into a show that could truly offer n</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ews and views from a Black perspective.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IMAGE ONLY.</span></span>..According to a recent report by the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Associated Press</span>, Madison Avenue in the age of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Obama</span> is already producing commercials projecting diversity and racial harmony. From Pepsi's newe</span><span style="font-family:arial;">st spot "Refresh Anthem" to E Trade's latest commercial featuring its usual White baby and now a Black infant, the ad world is being more inclusive. But The A-List wants to ask: How many ad dollars are being spent in Black media outlets? How many creatives of color are being used?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HERE HE COMES AGAIN</span></span>...It doesn't look like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler Perry </span>is going to go away any time soon--or that filmgoers will tire of his Madea schtick. Hot</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">on the heels of the success of <span style="font-style: italic;">Madea Goes to Jail</span>, which has grossed more than $66 million in North America thus far, Perry just</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> begun work on his next project.<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> I Can Do Bad All By Myself,</span> based on Perry's play of the same name, is shooting at his newly opened studio in Atlanta. Perry, of course</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> will star and Madea will make an appearance, but he's also he's pulled in Oscar-nominated T</span><span style="font-family:arial;">araji P. Henson. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lionsgate</span> flick is to open September 11, after which Perry will film his sequel to 2007's<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Why Did I Get Married?</span>, a Easter weekend 2010 release.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BEEN THERE</span></span>...The story of t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">he Tuskegee Airmen has been told and retold. But here's a new twist; singers <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ne-Yo</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jazmine Sullivan</span> are set to hit the big screen in yet another movie about the legendary black fighter pilots, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Red Tails</span>. Taping starts soon in Prague. Good to see Black history getting film treatment, but why rehash a story that's already been put on reel. There are so many other untold stories of the African-American experience that have yet to be been told.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.giant.blackplanet.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/03/340x.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 210px;" src="http://cdn.giant.blackplanet.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/03/340x.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TRIBECA </span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NE</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WS</span></span>...<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Tribeca Film Festival </span>announced that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">ESPN Films </span>production of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Spike Lee</span>’s <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Kobe Doin’ Work</span> will have its world</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> premiere at the fest on April 25. The flick about<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Kobe Bryant</span> is sure to attract attention. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">We'll be there t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">o bring you updated news.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">QUICK TAKES</span></span>...Want to expose your film to the Caribbean moviegoer? Enter the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bridgetown Film Festival,</span> happening June 10-14 this year. For info on how to submit your flick, email filmgroup@sunbeach.net or check out the fest's MySpace and Facebook pages. Deadline: April * 30...Make way for another <span style="font-weight: bold;">Richard Pryor</span> bio pick. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eddie M</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">urphy</span> will play Pryor and Oscar-winning writer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Condon</span> (<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dreamgirls</span>) is attached to the project as well. More details on this later...If you haven't heard, <span style="font-weight: bold;">David Alan Grier</span>'s atte</span><span style="font-family:arial;">mpt at satirical news show on <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Comedy Channel</span>, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate News</span>" has been canceled...Just in:<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Martin Lawrence</span> are teaming up to do a</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> remake of the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">British Death at a Funeral</span>. This could be comedy's new dream team...</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Whoopi Goldberg</span> is one busy lady. "The View" co-host just announced she will joining the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> A&E</span> drama, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Cleaner</span>," for a multi-episode part.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> She'll play the former spouse of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Benjamin Bratt</span>'s character.</span><span style="font-family:arial;">..If you didn't read the credits on the March 26 episode of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">"<span style="font-weight: bold;">30 ROCK</span>," entitled “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Apollo, Apollo</span>,” then you missed that it was directed by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Millicent Shelton</span>. You go, girl!<br /></span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">JERSEY IN THE HOUSE</span></span>...if you're in Newark, check out the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alternate Routes Hip Hop Fest</span>, April 1-4 at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Jersey Performing</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Arts Center</span>. There'll be spoken word jams, open mics and hip hop film screenings--all free. Among the film screenings, which will also include panel discussions, are <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Hip Hop Project and The Other Side of Hip Hop: The Sixth Element.</span> For more info, visit<a href="http://www.blogger.com/njpachiphop.org."> njpachiphop.org.</a></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wendellwallace.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/bdk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 231px;" src="http://wendellwallace.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/bdk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IT'S A BIG DADDY KANE THING</span></span>...Funny h</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ow we recently mentioned the ride of hip-hop bio pics. Now comes word that the life of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Big Daddy Kane</span> will make its way to the big screen in the form of a feature-length doc called<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> BDK</span>. The film covers Kane's start growing up in Brooklyn to his rise to success. The film will be directed by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Anthony</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Marshall,</span> co-founder of the famed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lyricist Lounge</span>. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" > <span style="font-weight: bold;">SPOTTED</span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Morgan Freeman</span> filmin' in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cape Town, South Africa</span>, with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt Damon</span> in a <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Clint Eastwood</span>-directed film called <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Human Factor </span>about Nelson Mandela’s attempts to unify the country after apartheid. Freeman stars as Mandela in the</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Warner Bros.</span> film</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Law & Order" alum <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesse Martin </span>shootin' a new<span style="font-weight: bold;"> NBC </span>series in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cape Town</span> entitled "T<span style="font-weight: bold;">he Philanthropist.</span>" The production is actually based in London and filming in South Africa and the Czech Republic. </span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDInzINfv_mfs8FzPqDKWPwDsTeNDLuAGmTHZjc3ylGpKpALYABdNCs7OMfoROYZ_A0LuJwUz2mojmO8NfM1vKHIp_2460gmauwPBNvIQTruig9xHm27yfUCj2SaoKPR1pqW09g/s1600-h/jalene+and+lil+wayne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDInzINfv_mfs8FzPqDKWPwDsTeNDLuAGmTHZjc3ylGpKpALYABdNCs7OMfoROYZ_A0LuJwUz2mojmO8NfM1vKHIp_2460gmauwPBNvIQTruig9xHm27yfUCj2SaoKPR1pqW09g/s400/jalene+and+lil+wayne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318632572771765234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lil Wayne</span> and actress <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jalene Mack </span>chillin' on the New Orleans set of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Hurricane Season</span>, also starring <span style="font-weight: bold;">Forest Whitaker,</span> Oscar nomi</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nee <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taraji P. 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float: right; width: 153px; height: 190px;" alt="" src="http://www.morphizm.com/images/recommends/film/directors/john_singleton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><strong>OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</strong></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">AT THE MOVIES</span></strong>...<strong>The Academy of Arts and Sciences</strong> have promised a Oscars unlike others in the past. While they are keeping most of the plans hush-hush, they did announce the inclusion of Oscar-nominated writer-director<strong> John </strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Singleton</strong>. They have tapped the filmmaker to direct the trailer promoting the 81st Academy Awards featuring Oscar host Hugh Jackman. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The trailers just started running in more than 11,000 theaters nationwide. Singleton is the first Black filmmaker to create the theatrical buzz for the Oscars. According to an official statement for Academy President <strong>Sid Ganis</strong>, "The Oscars are a world</span>><span style="font-family:arial;">wide phenomenon. I'm thrilled that John could work with us to create a powerful spot that will whet movie lovers appetites for a terrific show."</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MADEA'S EUROPEAN ADVENTURE?</span></span>...His movies have already grossed nearly $300 million at U.S. box offices, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler Perry </span>recently told fans in his newsletter that he hasn't been as successful as he'd like. His nagg</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ing ambition--to have his Madea series of films take over Europe. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Although Hollywood's questionable wisdom claims "Black" films don't sell overseas, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">is the African-American community really eager for Perry's Christian-themed, slap-stick humor infused films to be representative of Black lifestyle? You tell us what you think.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MADSION AVENUE & RACE</span></span>...Things are heating up over at the FCC. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Minority Media & Telecommunications Council </span>wants the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> FCC</span> to extend its broadcast advertising nondiscrimination rule to cable, satellite and telecommunications companies as well. In a recent filing, the group asked the FCC to launch a examination of the issue to "ensure an equal footing for a services in the fight against advertising discrimination." We'll keep you updated on this developing story</span></div><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">NO MORE DRAMA</span></strong>...<strong>The Wendy Williams Experience</strong>, the nationally syndicated radio show that spawned a TV show, has added a new producer. This comes following a sexual harassment scandal involving the former producer and Williams' husband. Now show newcomer <strong>Kenneth Simmons</strong> says he plans to "bringing more guests on the show including experts in finance, careers and health in addition to celebrities (lke Ray J)." Says Simmons, who worked for nine years as a senior producer for X Radio Networks before joining Wendy Williams, "The show is more information intensive now." And Simmons gives <em>The A-List</em> a sneak peek for next week's shows "We will examine America's young Black millionaires with Wall Street Journal reporter Lee Hawkins who hosts the CNBC special 'The Rise of America's New Black Overclass.'"</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >HIP HOP HOLLW</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >YOOD</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HAMMER GETS MORE TIME</span></strong>...As with many Hip Hop sensations from the past, <strong>MC Hammer</strong> has made his way back to the limelight--well, to reality TV that is. <em>The A-List</em> just got word he has landed a deal with <strong>A&E</strong>. And, you guessed the name--"<strong>Hammertime</strong>." The network is calling the program as an unscripted "Cosby Show," as it covers the family man, church-going version of the '90s rap sensation who brought excess and mega showmanship to the game. The show's going to need a little of that old Hammer magic to make people tune in as this is now the umpteenth show about a rapper and his family.</span><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ALL EYEZ IN COURT</span></strong>...Things are looking dim for the much-talked about <strong>Tupac Shakur </strong>bio pick. The film about the slain rap legend is caught in a legal web. According to the <em>New York Times</em>, the production company <strong>Morgan Creek</strong> (<em>Ace Venture Pet Detective, Juwanna </em>Man) is suing <strong>Amaru Entertainment</strong>, which is run by Shakur’s mother, <strong>Afeni Shakur. </strong>According to Morgan Creek, Amaru reneged on an agreement to sell Tupac's life rights for a movie. Amaru's legal rep issued a statement saying, “There is no agreement with Morgan Creek, there never was, and there never will be.” Considering the success the <em>Notorious </em>biopic enjoyed and studios jumping on other hip hop life dramas, it would be a shame if the Tupac project gets stalled indefinitely. Not only would it possible shed more light on the complex life and career of the rapper/actor/activist, but bets are it would be a moneymaker.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>NEWS</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>OBAMA CAMP ON FAIRNESS DOCTRINE</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">According to a spokesperson for President Obama, the Administration will oppose any move to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine. In an official statement to FOXNews.com White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said, Obama "Does not believe the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated." This follows the call from several prominent Democratic senators who have called for the policies to be reinstated. Conservative officials opposed attempts of reinstatement, suggesting that the doctrine is an attempt</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to impose liberal viewpoints in the Conservative media. The Fairness Doctrine was adopted in 1949 and held that broadcasters were obligated to provide opposing points of views on controversial issues of national importance. It was halted under the Reagan administration. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >ON THE SCENE</span></strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8zFBt0bBogAHnS8aYzr4gDPzr7MoyPAZOSXkReSPQSXUL0fSlfKXGhXWX1uI630x7sEmT-hIWN7XYbayOssY-DhwtScLgkWFDrw4gTUwspVFu5xi6Na7QG49etvrUQqjBSVT9Q/s1600-h/estellebrits-500x355.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304888773945851170" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 284px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8zFBt0bBogAHnS8aYzr4gDPzr7MoyPAZOSXkReSPQSXUL0fSlfKXGhXWX1uI630x7sEmT-hIWN7XYbayOssY-DhwtScLgkWFDrw4gTUwspVFu5xi6Na7QG49etvrUQqjBSVT9Q/s400/estellebrits-500x355.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong><em>The A-List</em> At The Brit Awards</strong></span> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >To sum uo this year's The Brits (the Grammy's of the UK) – it was FANTASTIC!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >First, hats off to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Havas Media</span> for the invite and our host<span style="font-weight: bold;"> ITV </span>(the UK's largest, independent TV network and broadcaster of The Brits). <span style="font-size:0;"></span>We couldn't have had a better table in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Earl's Court </span>(a massive venue, think Madison Square Garden) – perched high but close enough to see every thing and every one.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Dinner was delivered with surprising precision. Although it was nothing worth mentioning but the champagne made up for that and it flowed all night!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >The show was hosted by <b>Kylie Minogue</b>,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> James Corden</span> and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Mathew Horne</span>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Can't remember anything they did or said so we're not sure how strong of a choice they were.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><b>U2</b> opened the show with their latest tune "Get on your boots." <span style="font-size:0;"></span>While we love U2, I didn't think there was anything fresh about the song or the performance considering their lofty comments about <a href="http://spin.com/articles/u2-reinvent-rock-new-album" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >reinventing rock'n'roll.</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Other performers included <b>Girls Aloud, Coldplay, Duffy, Take That, Kings of Leon </b>and<b> The Ting Tings </b>together with <b>Estelle</b>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The 2009 "Outstanding Contribution to Music Award" winners, <b>Pet Shop Boys,</b> closed the show with a collection of their songs in true British </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >electro dance</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><a title="Electronic dance music" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_dance_music" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;"></span></a> fashion with help from the U.S sensation <b>Lady Gaga</b> and <b>Brandon Flowers</b> (lead singer of The Killers) – definitely one of the highlights of the evening.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Massive '90s boy band and comeback kids, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Take That</span> dropped from the ceiling to sing their hit "Greatest Day." But the best performance of the night was the live mash-up between Estelle singing "American Boy" and The Ting Tings performing "Shut and let me Go" and "That's not my Name." <span style="font-size:0;"></span>Which brings us to a few interesting observations:<br /></span></p><ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1"><li><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">JUST LIVE RADIO VERSIONS</span> - Other than the mash-up, every performer sang their song in the EXACT same fashion as it's heard on their CD.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Every single note in the exact same arrangement – we could have been listening to the radio!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Why not mix it up a little and do something different.<br /></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHERE WERE THE PEOPLE OF COLOR?</span><span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Estelle was the only Black Brit on stage and only one of three black Brits nominated – <span style="font-weight: bold;">Leona Lewis</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">M.I. A.</span> were the other two.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Funny enough, Leona wasn't even nominated for Best British Female.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>She was right to turn her nose up at the Awards.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Honey was only nominated in one category!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Granted she had more nominations last year but she didn't win any of them and nothing was different this year.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Hey, this is Leona Lewis we're talking about – forget color, she was the fourth highest-selling artist in the UK in 2008 AND <em><span style="font-family:Arial;">first</span></em> solo <em><span style="font-family:Arial;">British female</span></em> artist to have a number one <em><span style="font-family:Arial;">hit</span></em> in the <em><span style="font-family:Arial;">US</span></em> charts for 21 years.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>TWENTY–ONE YEARS?!!<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Her view, according to a source close to the singer, is, "What's the point of getting her glad-rags on if the chances of being recognised on her own soil are slim to none?"<br /><br />If you look the UK's top 20 singles chart right now you've got Leona Lewis, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alesha Dixon, Shontelle, Tinchy Stryder</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taio Cruz</span> -all Black Brits. <span style="font-size:0;"></span>Yes, we know that ethnic minorities only make up 10% of the population in the UK and yes ethnic minorities have an award show of their own,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The MOBOs</span> (music of black origin).<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But voting procedures aside, we can't help but wonder how a country/industry that is consistently churning out White women who sound Black singing soul music (Amy Whinehouse, Joss Stone, Duffy, Adele…) can't seem to find any Black singers singing soul music to promote.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Leona Lewis came up through the reality show <i>Pop Idol</i> and Estelle went to Americans to get her #1 single. Guess the Obama Effect hasn't hit the UK yet (not like our financial catastrophe that is).</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></i></span></li></ol><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >All that aside, the energy of the crowd was great and all together it was a night we won't soon forget.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>One other thing we will say, the Brits have figured out is how to keep award shows short and sweet. We're guessing because everyone wants to knock off work and just get to the after-parties – and the Brits do a DAMN good after-party!<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> --words and photo by Melissa Ross</span><br /></span></p></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-24175828629877677912009-02-06T13:18:00.000-08:002009-02-08T11:22:01.116-08:00Issue #122<div class="ArwC7c ckChnd" id=":j"><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">To join The A-List,</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">email us TODAY</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">For your free subscription:</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gma"><span style="font-size:85%;">TheA-ListMag@gma</span></a><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com">il.com</a></span></strong></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIRECT-TO-DIGITAL</span></span>...<span style="font-weight: bold;">William Morris </span>is looking to harness the power of the Internet for its high-profile clients. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">The mega-talent agency is close to inking a deal with<span style="font-weight: bold;"> YouTube </span>under which the agency's clients will gain an ownership stake in the videos they create for the Web site. After the ink dries, YouTube will being featuring professionally produced videos by A-list actors, musicians and other WM<span style="font-size:85%;">A </span><span style="font-size:100%;">stars such as actors <span style="font-weight: bold;">Denzel Washington</span> and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Russell Crowe</span>. This could open up new arenas to actors, producers, screenwriters to create new projects that go directly to the viewing public instead of signing production deals that sometimes go no where. This will also open up greater distribution avenues for creatives of color , who will no longer have to tussle with studios.</span></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="Ih2E3d"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">ON THE GOOD FOOT</span></strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">...Bio pics, from </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Notorious </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Cadillac Records</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> seem to be Hollywood's latest fancy</span>. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;" ><a href="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/jesus420monkey/Spike-Lee.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 215px; height: 198px;" alt="" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a116/jesus420monkey/Spike-Lee.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Now, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Spike Lee</span> has announced his plans to cast <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wesley Snipes</span> in a <span style="font-weight: bold;">James Brow</span>n bio pic. Snipes won't sing, however; Lee says the film will feature the </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >singer's voice in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paramount Pictures</span>. Although Snipes' last six films were direct-to-video, Lee seems confident the actor, who also stars in<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Brooklyn's Finest</span>, can pull it off as </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >the Godfa</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ther of Soul. With an<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Inside Man </span>sequel in the works as well as a doc on Michael Jackson, Lee could be called the hardest working man in show business. </span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TBS HEARTS PERRY</span></strong>...<strong>TBS</strong> is sold on another <strong>Tyler Perry</strong> sitcom. "<strong>Meet The Browns</strong>" just debuted on the network Jan. for a 10-episode run, and already TBS has ordered for 80 more episodes. The reason: The first two episodes marked cable's second-highest premiere for an original sitcom behind only "Perry's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> House of Payne</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">," also on TBS. "Meet The Browns" is also television's number-one scripted series among African-American viewers. And, according to <span style="font-style: italic;">Broadcast & Cable</span>, the show ranked as ad-supported cable's top comedy in January among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, averaging 3.4 million viewers</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">. Like </span><span><span style="font-family:arial;">Perry's creations or not, he has developed a knack for raking in ad dollars--a tough job in this economy. The test will be if other non-Perry urban TV fare can duplicate the formula.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >QUICK TAKES</span></strong>..<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">.Despite the la</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">yoff and budget pullbacks, the industry is buzzing with new projects--many of them featuring Black talent and creatives. Among them, an </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">underground fighting drama entitled <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Blood and Bone</span>, st</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://freshplays.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/michael-jai-iwhite-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 167px; height: 247px;" alt="" src="http://freshplays.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/michael-jai-iwhite-2.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">arring actor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Jai White</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">left).</span> The flick was just picked up by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sony Picutres Worldwide Acquisitions Group</span>. White plays an ex-con who takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eamonn Walker, Julian Sands, Nona Gaye</span> and Mixed Martial Arts </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">fighter<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Kimbo </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slice</span>; <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Ramsey</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Love and a Bullet</span>) also star...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Outspoken NFL star <span style="font-weight: bold;">Terrell Owens</span> is putting all the drama that surrounds him to good use. He just landed a <span style="font-weight: bold;">VH1 </span>reality show. Exec produced by <span style="font-weight: bold;">E</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">van Prager</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesse Ignjatovic </span>for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Den of Thieves</span> (MTV Music Video Awards 2008), the show will follow Owens around during his daily life..</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >.</span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The A-List </span>told you it was going to happen </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >(<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2008/12/to-join-a-list-email-us-today-for-your.html" target="_blank">thealistmagzine.<wbr>blogspot.com/2008/12/to-join-<wbr>a-list-email-us-today-for-<wbr>your.html</a></span>). Now, it's official.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Christina Norman</span> has been named </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Chief Executive Officer of <span style="font-weight: bold;">OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network</span>. Norman will be located at the company's Los Angeles headquarters..."The Game" is going into overtime. The series was just canceled by the CW, but<strong> </strong><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><strong>BET Networks</strong> <span style="font-family:arial;">has acquired rights to air series. "<span><strong>The Game</strong>" is a production of <strong>Happy Camper Productions</strong> and <strong>Grammnet Productions</strong> in association with <strong>CBS Paramount Network Television</strong>. <strong>Kelsey Grammer</strong> ("Frasier," "Girlfriends"), creator <strong>Mara Brock Ak</strong>il ("Girlfriends," "Moesha," "The Jamie Foxx Show"), <strong>Kenny Smith</strong> ("One on One," "The Jamie Foxx Show") and <strong>Steve Stark</strong> serve as executive producers.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">OFF-SCREEN DRAMA</span></strong>...<span style="font-style: italic;">The A-List</span> predicted that director<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lee Daniels</span>' <span style="font-weight: bold;">Push</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>was going to cause quite the stir (<a href="http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2007/10/89.html" target="_blank">http://thealistmagzine.<wbr>blogspot.com/2007/10/89.html</a>). In addition <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.aolcdn.com/ch_bv/ldaniels300rb0329.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 244px; height: 178px;" alt="" src="http://www.aolcdn.com/ch_bv/ldaniels300rb0329.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">to the accolades the film, starring <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lenny Kravitz</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sherri Sherpard</span>, is getting, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lionsgate</span> recently acquired North American distribution rights to the int</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal;">r</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal;">iguing drama. <span style="font-style: italic;">Push</span>, which is based on the novel by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sapphire</span>, wo</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal;">n both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, only the third film in Sundance Film Festival history to do so. Awards aside, the film is involved in a drama all its own</span></span></span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lionsgate Films </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Weinstein Co.</span> have just filed lawsuits in L.A. and New York, both claiming they had an agreement with producers to distribute the film. </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Weinstein Co. claims it had a "firm agreement" with the film's producers and that Lionsgate interfered. Meanwhile, Lionsgate claims the p</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">roducers signed a written agreement and is seeking a ruling that it owns the rights to distribute the movie in the U.S. and Canada. Weinstein is suing for breach of contract. We'll let you know how this drama plays out.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="Ih2E3d"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >WALK THIS WAY</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >...</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Notorious</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > screenwriter </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Cheo Hodari Coker</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > is on a roll. Following the success of the Biggie biopic, which has taken in $35.6 million thus far at the box office for </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Fox Searchlight</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >, Coker has been tapped to adapt <span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >ill Adler</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >'s </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > for </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >DJ Classicz</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >, the urban arm of </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Davis Entertainment</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The Run-DMC project is still in pre-production with no studio yet attached. According to Adler, who may act as a producer on the project, "</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The idea of making a movie out of my book is the brainchild of the producer Dallas Jackson. He's a huge Run-DMC fan and needed a literary property on which to base a film. He suspected that the release of <span style="font-style: italic;">Notorious</span>"in January of this year might create a climate of appreciation in Hollywood for a film about Run-DMC. I'm hoping he turns out to </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >be right." While no budget has yet been decided, Adler says, "Russell Simmons, whose support is crucial to this project, is adamant about not making this film on the cheap."<br /><br />For a period Hip-Hop </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >inspired films had all but disappeared; but with Hollywood</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > seemingly running out of interesting and exciting story lines, which the rap world is filled with, the industry is getting back on the bandwagon. As Adler notes, "To a certain extent, I feel that the climate is always right for a movie like this. It's a story about a small group of young people who hold fast to their dreams and succeed against overwhelming odds. On the other hand, with Obama in office, I think the country as a whole may be more ready now for a movie with Black heroes than they would have been even a year ago. Of course, Run-DMC, for all of the love they elicited in the Black community, also always had a ton of White fans. Indeed, they never would have gone multi-platinum if they hadn't been selling records to White folks as well as Black -- just as Obama wouldn't have been elected if he'd only received votes from the Black community.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">"</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >NEWS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >SAG GETS COURT RULING</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On Thurs., a judge rebuffed for the second time a bid by Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg to block the union's new negotiating team from reviving contract talks with the major studios. Rosenberg and other board members filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a recent vote by a majority of board members that ousted the union's chief negotiator and disbanded the union's negotiating committee. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied the req</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">uest for a temporary restraining order, ruling that the board's action complied with the state law governing corporations. The ruling, however, didn't dismiss the overall case, doesn't end the uncertainty over when contract negotiations with the studios will resume. Actors have been without a contract since June 30, 2008.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">SPOTTED</span></span><br /></span></span><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoBBNTgc5X1xbnGaA1kInrc_i3LaxIlAPw7Rr_GSimtVredQGkFgLYo3GHAT4OkzDZPii_17N8ve3WqKYI1PK5TsKkVPCpChaXkTE2ZRqJQ7C0-dpZTUAw3lPNi09IrKJvgx_ew/s1600-h/blair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoBBNTgc5X1xbnGaA1kInrc_i3LaxIlAPw7Rr_GSimtVredQGkFgLYo3GHAT4OkzDZPii_17N8ve3WqKYI1PK5TsKkVPCpChaXkTE2ZRqJQ7C0-dpZTUAw3lPNi09IrKJvgx_ew/s400/blair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300504869823068482" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blair Underwood</span> hangin' with the evening's host & honoree <span style="font-weight: bold;">Maria Menounos</span> celebrate the Grand Opening of the new restaurant<span style="font-weight: bold;">, TONYS</span>, on the Sunset Strip and to raise funds and awareness for the amazing work of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Childrens Hospital </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Los Angeles</span>. Bad Boy Recording Artist <span style="font-weight: bold;">Janelle Monae</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Elijah Kelly</span> of “Hairspray” fame, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brian McKnight </span>alongside his two sons (Brian Jr. and Nikolas),</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > and singer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kenny Lattimore </span>all performed. Celeb Guests included <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adrianne Bailon, Al B. Sure, Alex Band, Alice Greczyn, Amber Corwin, Colby O’Donis, Chris Milk, Danny Musico, Derrick Delmore, Eduardo Xol, Elijah Kelley, Evan Ross, Eve Marcille, Faune Chambers, Fonzw</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">orth Bentley, Jake Austin. Janelle Monae, Jason Silva, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Kevin Connolly, Layla Kayleigh, Max Lugavere, Scott Bakula, Shane Sparks, </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shannon Elizabeth, Susie Castillo, Twitch</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vince Spaeda</span>.</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-90029650347067765232009-01-23T10:27:00.000-08:002009-01-27T09:56:20.923-08:00Issue #121<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH60OEzkADEV7A_QDu92VtIrYSGGqbaMmaXjyxKrDOG7yc1v33k6H_nPNRg0knP_utV76LETV2n1UJICNlki99W_gDqY1N9Nfrki0NJkuEx8zT4pHVH_f3sXRw12WnssCrIt3xQ/s1600-h/AO_OM09_ProgramTopArt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH60OEzkADEV7A_QDu92VtIrYSGGqbaMmaXjyxKrDOG7yc1v33k6H_nPNRg0knP_utV76LETV2n1UJICNlki99W_gDqY1N9Nfrki0NJkuEx8zT4pHVH_f3sXRw12WnssCrIt3xQ/s400/AO_OM09_ProgramTopArt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295730411356398690" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="Ih2E3d"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div></div></blockquote></div><div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">To join The A-List,</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">email us TODAY</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">For your free subscription:</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:85%;">TheA-ListMag@gma</span></a><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com">il.com</a></span></strong></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;">OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SLOW TO CHANGE</span></span>...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 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Slumdog Millionaire</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> While this film explores hardships of life in Mumbai, India, </span>no celebrated <span style="font-family:arial;">Indian director was tapped but rather, Irish Englishman Danny Boyle.<span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Then there's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prom Night in Mississippi</span>, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">a film about contemporary integration. While</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> noble in its stance, it is told through the eyes of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">yet another</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> non-diverse</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> filmmaker, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Paul Saltzman</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, a native of Canada. Only when the doors of Hollywood open up and </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">more filmmakers of color are tapped for the all-powerful director's position which obviously comes with economic rewards, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HOT PROPERTY</span></span>...Although he's just completed a new documentary short, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">From MLK to Today</span>, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Antoine Fuqua </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >still managed to land the first deal at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sundance</span>. His police drama, <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brooklyn's Finest</span>,</span> starring <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wesley Snipes </span>was the first film at the fest to be snapped up. for under $20 million </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Senator Entertainment</span> bought the North American rights to the flick in a co-venture with </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. As exec producer on</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > Brooklyn's Finest</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, is also not only adds to his credits but his bottom line.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">WOMEN IN CHAINS</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...Some of the women of now-canceled "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >The L Word</span><span style="font-family:arial;">" won't be disappearing into TV history. One character Alice Pieszecki (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Leisha Hailey</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) will be heading off to prison in a new Oz-like series called "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >The Farm</span><span style="font-family:arial;">." Joining her will be the new Showtime drama are Black actresses </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Rukiya Bernard, Yolonda Ross </span><span style="font-family:arial;">as well as </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Latina actresses </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Onahoua Rodrigueza </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Vanesa Maria Tomasino Rodriguez. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Great to see another diverse cast from the L creators, but does it have to be behind bars?!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">No word on premier date yet.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">NEWS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIGITAL GAP CLOSED?</span></span><br /><br />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.</span></div><br /><br /><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT THEY WANT</span></span>...Never say die seems to be raptor <b>DMX</b>'s motto. Although currently in prison, the hip hop star has announced as reality TV show plans. His </span><span style="font-family:arial;">"</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Pain and Perseverance</span><span style="font-family:arial;">" </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">READY FOR HIS CLOSEUP</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...Move over Melissa Rivers, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Lil Wayne</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> is taking to the red carpet--as on-air reporter. The rapper, and recently turned actor, has been requited by </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >ESPN The Magazine </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span></span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS.</span></span>..It was only a matter of time. A reality show--on<span style="font-weight: bold;"> E!,</span> of course--about Hip-Hop video girls. Excuse us, video models. Described as a </span><span style="font-family:arial;">"docu-soap," "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Candy Grils</span><span style="font-family:arial;">" centers around actresses who work for an agency that casts the models in the videos. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">It is executive produced by</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > Leah Landon, Troy Carter</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Jason Carbone. Good Clean Fn</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Coalition Media </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >SPOTTED</span></span><br /><h2><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrfET9yJWfYKwIPKuKosXhgx7YXXSSGsV_iFSrtP2EpPQsXspjSJuASd_6O6xw2yzfoDkffndE13flhKvjVlDVF8Q8fiTLLGkgFHB7ztCOgIHURqiGP_4kayea18W9bLgMb76_g/s1600-h/Keke&Michelle,SashaandMalia.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrfET9yJWfYKwIPKuKosXhgx7YXXSSGsV_iFSrtP2EpPQsXspjSJuASd_6O6xw2yzfoDkffndE13flhKvjVlDVF8Q8fiTLLGkgFHB7ztCOgIHURqiGP_4kayea18W9bLgMb76_g/s400/Keke&Michelle,SashaandMalia.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></h2> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Rising star <b>Keke Palmer</b><b> </b>meetin' and greetin' the new First Lady, <b>Michelle Obama,</b> and her two daughters, <b>Malia</b> and <b>Sasha</b> at the <b>KID'S INAUGURAL BALL</b>: <b><i>"We Are The Future",</i></b> which aired live from </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Historical Society of Washington DC</span> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Disney Channel</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> January 18</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">th</sup> . (</span></span><b><i><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Photo credit: Lawrence Palmer)</span></span></i></b></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p> </span></div></div></div></div><div class="Ih2E3d"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> </blockquote></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p></span></div></div></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-33790623858219288432008-12-15T12:33:00.001-08:002009-01-18T12:48:55.224-08:00Issue #120<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289407639218248418" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 346px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Lzr55xiF8e1kN0o21H2A7skkQ7_tuXCi81Dns_VFNV8ApDPBr_GXbEMmdKVKQI47Q0_FCkBAsxKj3mPDRRifbg63Gyh1R6RIqzUXM5o7vpx9-vzFikIhkbwW9kAiz-wuGbngpA/s400/AO_OM09_ProgramTopArt.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">To join The A-List,</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">email us TODAY</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">For your free subscription:</span></span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:85%;">TheA-ListMag@gma</span></a><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com">il.com</a></span></strong></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.tribute.ca/tribute_objects/images/directors/george_tillman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 163px; height: 134px;" alt="" src="http://www.tribute.ca/tribute_objects/images/directors/george_tillman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">PLAYA HATER?....</span></strong>Director <strong>George Tillman Jr.</strong> may be gearing up </span><span style="font-family:arial;">for the release next week of <em>Notorious</em>, but his mind is already on his next production. He is producing <em><strong>Phenom</strong></em>, a film directed by<em><strong> </strong></em><strong>David Anspaugh,</strong> best known for directing episodic TV<em>. </em>The film stars <strong>Vanessa Williams, Chris Brown,</strong> and <strong>Henry Simmons</strong>. In the <strong>State Street</strong> production, the media discovers a new hotshot<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>NBA player (Brown) is the illegitimate son of an aging NBA star. While it sounds like a story ripped from the pages<strong> Karl Malone</strong>'s life,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">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</span>. </span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.thisnext.com/img/20070509003453/press/martinez_download.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 228px; height: 258px;" alt="" src="http://s2.thisnext.com/img/20070509003453/press/martinez_download.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>A DASH OF SPICE</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...It seems TV foodie<strong> Rachel Ray</strong> is following in the footsteps of her boss, <strong>Oprah Winfrey</strong>, and is going into producing. She just announced her <strong>Watch Entertainment</strong> will produce a new show for the <strong>Food Network</strong> staring Latino cookbook author <strong>Daisy Martinez </strong><em>(pictured left</em>)<em>.</em> The weekly "<strong>Viva Daisy</strong>!" 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.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DIGITAL DELAY</span></strong>...The Obama transition team has asked for a delay in the switch to digital. The incoming chairman of the <strong>House Energy and Commerce Committee </strong>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 <strong>National Telecommunications & Information Administration</strong> 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<span style="font-family:arial;"></span> 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. </span><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DYNAMIC DUO</span></strong>...With their new production, "<strong>True Beauty</strong>," already declared a TV hit, reps for <strong>Tyra Banks</strong> and <strong>Ashton Kutcher</strong> say the two are definitely planning future co-productions. The new <strong>ABC</strong> reality show </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span></span> </p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">OPRAH'S CANDIDATE</span></span>...According to insiders, former MTV president <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christina Norman</span> is in talks to head up Oprah Winfrey's cable network venture the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Oprah Winfrey Network</span> (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, <span style="font-weight: bold;">OWN <span style="font-family:arial;">which is geared to female viewers, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">should be a better fit for Norman.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSsJpTx2dG1J2CU_1dMTpmpJlX2Fs11dvYn7DZaDA35M84EayYNeeTiJMKsjcNFJ_k6qFo0k-lTcD83C0cBMiw7zOj3LBRyxG-m7W93lebPRiNf6uyoFRJUfV9XhFwB8Jq4LgpA/s1600-h/image002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289413527188752162" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 243px; height: 188px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSsJpTx2dG1J2CU_1dMTpmpJlX2Fs11dvYn7DZaDA35M84EayYNeeTiJMKsjcNFJ_k6qFo0k-lTcD83C0cBMiw7zOj3LBRyxG-m7W93lebPRiNf6uyoFRJUfV9XhFwB8Jq4LgpA/s400/image002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A FIGHTING CHANCE</span></strong>...Being that the recent slew of mixed martial arts/street fight films have bombed at the box office, it seems <strong>Rogue Pictures</strong> is taking no chances. The company is creating a major online presence for <em><strong>Fighting</strong>,</em> starring <strong>Channing Tatum</strong> and <strong>Terrence Howard. </strong>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 <em>Fighting.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PIMPS OUT?</span></span>...Reports out of Oakland is that city officials are fuming over the new <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hughes Brothers</span>' project, an <span style="font-weight: bold;">HBO </span>dramatic series called <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Gentlemen of Leisure</span>.<span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span> Members of the Oakland City Council are saying they may not approve a film permit for the production. "Gentlemen<span style="font-style: italic;">," </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">written by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Evan Reilly</span> ("Rescue Me") and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">executive produced by Interscope Records Chairman <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jimmy Iovine</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Polly Anthony </span>for Interscope's TV unit</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">RATING THE WEB?</span></span>...If Britain's minister for culture, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andy Burnham</span>, has his way, websites will soon receive the same kind of ratings motion pictures currently have. Burnham recently told <em>T<span style="font-style: italic;">he Daily Telegraph </span></em>newspaper he's planning to negotiate with U.S. President-elect <span style="font-weight: bold;">Barack Obama</span> 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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DR. WHO MYSTERY</span></span>...Speaking of goings on over the pond, it seems the <span style="font-weight: bold;">BBC </span>has withdrawn actor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paterson Joseph</span> as the next <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dr. Who</span>. Joseph would have been the first Black actor to play the long-running role (see<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > The A-List <a href="http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2008/11/bob-johnson-planning-new-tv.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2008/11/bob-johnson-planning-new-tv.html</span></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">). After initially tauting Joseph in the role, the BBC just publicized that little-known White actor </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Matt Smith</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> will take on the part. Wanting to get to the bottom of this switcheroo, <em>The A-List</em> 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.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A LITTLE LOVE</span></strong>...<strong>Lifetime</strong> gets a little Black love. The network has just inked a deal with African-American romance writer <strong>Kimberla Lawson Roby</strong>, whose 11 books have sold 1.6 million-plus copies. Lifetime has picked up rights to her latest, <em><strong>One In A Million</strong>, </em>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.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MEDICAL MATTERS</span></strong>...<strong>TNT</strong> is hoping for "Grey's Anatomy" success with its upcoming medical drama, "<strong>Time Heals</strong>." The network has ordered 10-episode of the series being produced by <strong>Jada Pinkett Smith'</strong>s<strong> 100% Women Productions. </strong>Smith co-stars with<strong> David Julian Hirsh</strong> ("Lovebites"), <strong>Laura Kenly</strong>, <strong>Christina Moore</strong> ("90210") and <strong>Suleka Mathew</strong> ("Men in Trees"). Set in a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital, "Time Heals" is co-produced by <strong>Sony Picture Television</strong>, <strong>John Masius Productions</strong> and <strong>Jamie Tarses’ FanFare Productions</strong>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>WEST TO BROADWAY?</strong>...</span>There's talk of<strong> Kayne West</strong> 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.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >NEWS</span></strong></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>TV ONE TO DEVOTE 24 HOURS TO INAUGURATION <span style="font-size:130%;">PROGRAMMING</span> </strong></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">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. </span><br /><br /></div><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>MOVIE REVIEW<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>The Garden</em></span></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Balcony Films</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Very few documentaries address issues that are timeless. <em>The Garden</em> 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.<em> The Garden</em> 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 <em>The Garden</em>, 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: <em>The A-List</em></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ></span></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>SPOTT<a href="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/bands/n/notorious_big/notorious_preimere/diddy/140x105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 140px; height: 105px;" alt="" src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/bands/n/notorious_big/notorious_preimere/diddy/140x105.jpg" border="0" /></a>ED</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >All the stars were out for the NYC premiere of<em><strong> Notorious</strong></em>, including the one </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">o</span><a href="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/movies/n/notorious/premiere_010709/woolard_naughton/281x211.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 201px; height: 211px;" alt="" src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/movies/n/notorious/premiere_010709/woolard_naughton/281x211.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">f film's producers </span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Sean Combs</strong> (Left) and the film's stars <strong>Jamal ‘Gravy” Woolard</strong> (who plays Big) and <strong>Naturi</strong> (who portrays Lil Kim)</span></div><div><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Taraji Henson</strong> shares a laugh with her Curious </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAsGZixudlguyTUkrNKukYtvU8xTPIsbVCypTz3xRge-vEuCNDvlhhnY9BlhlAVVBpVubux931pOjAtEZwWWi-bVF-KeylyiQXTZ5SKc9RXXlLgYBj0W2p8k_m-nMYLvIqZmoAg/s1600-h/taj.jpg"><em><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289414386084723634" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 264px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAsGZixudlguyTUkrNKukYtvU8xTPIsbVCypTz3xRge-vEuCNDvlhhnY9BlhlAVVBpVubux931pOjAtEZwWWi-bVF-KeylyiQXTZ5SKc9RXXlLgYBj0W2p8k_m-nMYLvIqZmoAg/s400/taj.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Case of Benjamin Buttons</em> co-star, <strong>Brad Pitt</strong>, on the red carpet at the Critics Choice Awards.</span> </span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAsGZixudlguyTUkrNKukYtvU8xTPIsbVCypTz3xRge-vEuCNDvlhhnY9BlhlAVVBpVubux931pOjAtEZwWWi-bVF-KeylyiQXTZ5SKc9RXXlLgYBj0W2p8k_m-nMYLvIqZmoAg/s1600-h/taj.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-12549296420367083532008-11-24T08:25:00.001-08:002009-01-18T12:39:47.259-08:00Issue #119<div align="right" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">To join The<span style="font-style: italic;"> A-List,</span><br />email us TODAY<br />For your free subscription:<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/TheA-ListMag@gmail.com">TheA-ListMag@gmail.com<br /></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">HE'S BACK</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...He just couldn't stay away from broadcasting. BET founder </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Bob Johnson</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">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</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Ion Media Networks, Inc.</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, 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 </span>will be <span style="font-family:arial;">different directives that enable new, young pioneers shake up and re-invigorate the media world!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/09/07/434749/GabrielleHeadhsot06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 194px; cursor: pointer; height: 229px;" alt="" src="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/09/07/434749/GabrielleHeadhsot06.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">ON THE CASE</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...Hollywood is buzzing about </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Gabrielle Union</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> re-teaming with X-Files writer/producer </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Frank Spotnitz</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to develop a new series for</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > NBC</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. The pair worked</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> together on ABC's short-lived "Night </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Universal Media Studios</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> is producing.</span> </div><div face="arial" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div face="arial" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">PETITION POWER</span></strong>...A petition has just been created to urge <strong>National Public Radio</strong> (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 "<strong>News & Notes</strong>," which covered issues and people from an African American perspective, got the axe. Fans of the show have created a petition--<a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newsandnotes/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newsandnotes/index.html</a>-- and with so few offerings for Black listeners on NPR, <em>The A-List</em> is urging our readers to take action.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHO'S THERE?</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...A British television icon has gone Black--literally. British actor </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Paterson Joseph </span><span style="font-family:arial;">has signed on to be the first Black "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Doctor W</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >ho</span><span style="font-family:arial;">." For tho</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.open2.net/drfaustus/images/paterson_joseph_fp_00202427_4569.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 134px; cursor: pointer; height: 81px;" alt="" src="http://www.open2.net/drfaustus/images/paterson_joseph_fp_00202427_4569.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">se who don't know a hoot about who, he's the main character in BBC's favorite and long-running television science-fiction series. Gr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">eat move for the producers to bring in a little color, but seems the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >BBC </span><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LET'S MAK</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">E</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.lvrj.com/images/1835673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 193px; cursor: pointer; height: 251px;" alt="" src="http://media.lvrj.com/images/1835673.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A DEAL</span></span>...<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler Perry</span> has put to bed his latest legal cases. Perry was victorious in a recent copyright infringement lawsuit brought by a women who claimed </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Perry stole material from her play for his hit film </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Diary of a Mad Black Woman.</span><span style="font-family:arial;">" And he </span><span style="font-family:arial;">has come to terms with the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Writers Guild o</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">f America West</span> on a contract covering writers on his <span style="font-weight: bold;">TBS </span>sitcoms "<span style="font-weight: bold;">House of Payne</span>" and "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">et the Browns</span>." The Guild claimed Perry fired four writers without du</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e cause and was not properly compensating others. While no details of the deal were released, negotiations w</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ent 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. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/rza.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 215px; cursor: pointer; height: 219px;" alt="" src="http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/rza.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HE GOT JOKES</span></span>...The Wu-Tang Clan’s the <span style="font-weight: bold;">RZA</span> has tea</span><span style="font-size:small;">med up with </span><span style="font-size:small;">writer/director <span style="font-weight: bold;">Judd Apatow</span> (<em>The 40-Year Old Virgin</em>, <em>Knocked Up</em>). The </span><span style="font-size:small;">RZA’s co-stars in <em style="font-weight: bold;">The Funny People</em>, a summer 2009 comedy that revolves around the story of a famous comedian coping with a near-death experience. <em></em><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, </span>and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Leslie Mann</span> also star. Interesting </span>move for Rza, but like his many ventures into Hollywood we're sure he'll bring the heat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NEWS<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></span><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">AFRICAN-AMERICAN BROWSER, BLACKBIRD, LAUNCHES</span></p><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">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.<br /></p><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />SPOTTED</span></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3f_Xzfinw-QwTwnoLkHb1picmW1rkHvQias7FmldqnpcDLB10CYH4S8tjBP9YAOi__4SVJeyNGX95m_7Q_3tYO3cUWFxce5XNft6gWU3MM0VwZsfx-ok0hwg1cwzh_lDvzDlsw/s1600-h/KK.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275819118180371346" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 266px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3f_Xzfinw-QwTwnoLkHb1picmW1rkHvQias7FmldqnpcDLB10CYH4S8tjBP9YAOi__4SVJeyNGX95m_7Q_3tYO3cUWFxce5XNft6gWU3MM0VwZsfx-ok0hwg1cwzh_lDvzDlsw/s400/KK.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Singer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cassie </span>and reality TV star <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kim Kardashian</span> strikin' a pose at the star-</span><span style="font-family:arial;">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. </span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">SEASON'S GREETINGS EVERYONE! </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />THE A-LIST</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> WILL RETURN AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.</span></span> </div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-79882084489998553302008-11-07T13:12:00.000-08:002009-01-18T12:30:01.396-08:00#118<div align="right"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">To join The A-List,</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">email us TODAY</span></strong></span></div><div align="right"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">For your free subscription:</span></strong></span></div><div align="right"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:85%;">TheA-ListMag@gmail.com</span></a></strong></span></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong><br /></strong><div align="justify"><strong><br />OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE NEW FRIENDS</span>...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<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Making Friends With Black People</span>. 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. </span><br /></div><br /></div></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>LIVE ANOTHER DAY</strong></span>...Even though the industry was buzzing a</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > bit last week on the recent cancellation of "<strong>Lipstick Jungle,</strong>" NBC must still obviously believe in the Candace <strong>"Sex In The City" Bushnell</strong> 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.</span> </div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>NOT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD</strong></span>...In international news, seems <strong>South Africa</strong> 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 <strong>Pella</strong> 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 </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >project was proposed by<strong> Desert Star Studios</strong> 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. </span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>DARN, DARN, DARN, DARN!</strong></span>...Talk about letting an idea marinate. The <strong>Wayans Brothers</strong> first announced their intention to bring Seventies TV series "<strong>The Munsters</strong>" to the big screen</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > in 2004. Well, <strong>Shawn Wayans</strong> has just told MTV News that the project is finally about to start--as soon as they wrap the dance spoof <em><strong>Dance Flick</strong></em>. 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.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW</strong></span>...Here's another reason to keep you tied to your Blackberry--or at least <strong>VH-1</strong> hopes so. The network and mobile application development agency <strong>Mobui </strong>have just launched the new "<strong>VH1 Watch and Discuss Live Chat</strong>" application with <strong>AT&T</strong>. 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 </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >the network's reality shows, chatting with pseudo celebs like Miss New York should boost business for Vh-1.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>TV TIDBIT</strong></span>...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.</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>QUICK TAKES</strong></span>...After 14 seasons, <strong>Fox</strong> has plugged the plug on "<strong>Mad TV</strong>."</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://pibones.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/jessica-alba-113jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 159px; height: 168px;" alt="" src="http://pibones.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/jessica-alba-113jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > But word is producers--which include <strong>Quincy Jones</strong>--are looking into ways to keep the show alive maybe on another network</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >...<strong>Jessica Alba</strong> (<em>pictured</em>) is teaming up with <strong>Casey Affleck</strong> for the <strong>Michael Winterbottom</strong>-directed <strong><em>The Killer Inside Me</em></strong>, an adaptation of a novel from noir author <strong>Jim Thompson</strong>...While the other "<strong>I Want To Work For Diddy</strong>" contestants hated on <strong>Kim (AKA Poprah)</strong>, <strong>VH-1</strong> 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 <strong>BIGGIRLSONLINE.COM</strong>...<em>The A-List </em>said to watch out for young actress <strong>Keke Palmer</strong>. Well, now in addition to her hit films, her <strong>Nickelodeon</strong> series "<strong>True Jackson, VP</strong>" 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?... <strong>Samuel L. Jackson</strong> has just signed on for <strong><em>Blown</em></strong>, opposite <strong>Jim Caviezel</strong> ("The Passion of the Christ"). The London spy thriller will be directed by British filmmaker <strong>Martha Fiennes</strong>...The L.A. theatrical production on <em><strong>Not A Genuine Black Man</strong></em> is fast generating a buzz. The semi-biographical dramedy is a one-man show featuring comedian/actor <strong>Brian Copeland </strong>(<em>The Bucket List)</em> is currently playing a limited run at the <strong>Hudson Theatre</strong> 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. </span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>COURT IS IN SESSION</strong></span>...The jury is being selected for a court case involving actor/director <strong>Tyler Perry</strong> who is being sued over a film script. The copyright infringement case is being held in Marshall, TX. and in it screenwriter <strong>Donna West</strong> claims Perry's film <em><strong>Diary of a Mad Black Woman</strong></em> was "copied largely from the her copyrighted script." West is suing Perry, <strong>Tyler Perry Company Inc.</strong> and <strong>Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.</strong> Perry showed up for the first day of jury selection. And no, he didn't have on his Madea outfit</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >But odds are if he loses, Perry won't be doing community service like his alter ego.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>CALL HIM BROADWAY JOE</strong></span>...As hip hop continues to prove it has crossover potential into various arts arena, rapper <strong>Jim Jones</strong> has just wrapped his own off-Broadway show about his life written and directed by <strong>J. Kyle Manza</strong>. The limited-run <em><strong>Hip Hop Monologues: Inside The Mind Of Jim Jones</strong></em> pulled in an impressive crowd--from theatre-goers to celebs to NY society. Could a bio pic be far off?</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>NEWS</strong></span></div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>TWO BLACK WOMEN BEING VETTED FOR OBAMA'S FCC CHAIRMAN SLOT</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >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.</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>EXECUTIVE MOVES</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>JOURNALIST STEVEN HOLMES JOINS CNN</strong></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><em>Washington Post's</em> 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<em> New York Times</em> as a reporter and editor in the Washington bureau.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW</strong></span></div><br /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’</strong><br /></em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Atlanta Opening Night</span><br /></strong>A revival of the Tony Award-winning musical,<em> Ain’t Misbehavin’ ( <a href="http://www.aintmisbehavinontour.com/" target="_blank">http://www.aintmisbehavinontour.com/</a>)</em>, 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 "<strong>American Idol</strong>"– <strong>Ruben Studdard</strong> and <strong>Frenchie Davis</strong>. 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. </span></span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ruben shines with humor in his rousing rendition of “Your Feets Too Big,” while joining fellow cast mate <strong>David Jennings</strong> on “Fat and Greasy” as they enlist the crowd in call-and-response.</span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">There were two break-out talents – <strong>Trenyce Cobbins</strong> and newcomer <strong>Patrice Covington</strong>. 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. --<em><strong>Raegan L. Burden for The Robertson Treatment</strong></em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >SPOTTED</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268239612330002898" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 220px; cursor: pointer; height: 154px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCUdXpqmRiegOhozJYtg-dCMWac4rki7Cmjv1W3SmShox681tC1BxRTQSXVKfaMfiY8ElfgrUZL-gw0geLvea1C_R4iEHPwegIDRVGFLkj81bvlrAdHzJq8fW6rWlOzxCBhwvdA/s400/157.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Lawyer-turned-actress <strong>Jalene Mack</strong> posin' with <strong>Forest Whitaker</strong> on the New Orleans set of <strong><em>Hurricane Season</em></strong>. The 2009 <strong>Dimension Films</strong> release also stars <strong>Isaiah Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Bow Wow</strong>, <strong>Courtney B. Vance</strong> and <strong>Lil' Wayne.</strong> The movie is based on the story of <strong>Al Collins</strong>, 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.</span> </div></span></span>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-39099111708693744542008-11-07T07:39:00.000-08:002009-01-18T12:17:22.344-08:00Issue #117<div align="right"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><strong>To join The A-List,<br />email us TODAY<br />For your free subscription:<br /></strong></span><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><strong>TheA-ListMag@gmail.com</strong></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://chemapunk.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/72323-sara-ramirez-callie-torres.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 147px; cursor: pointer; height: 180px;" alt="" src="http://chemapunk.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/72323-sara-ramirez-callie-torres.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LOVE ON THE HORIZON</span></span>...Just as "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Gray's Anatomy</span><span style="font-family:arial;">'s first lesbian storyline was heating up between Dr. Callie Torres (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Sara Ramirez</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) and Dr. Erica Hahn (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Brooke Smith</span><span style="font-family:arial;">), Smith got </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the boot from series creator and executive producer </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Shonda Rhimes</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Word is Rhimes didn't think the chemistry was hot enough. E</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ven though ABC seems to be leading the way for gay and lesbian characters, a snag has been hit. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Rhimes </span><span style="font-family:arial;">is said to </span><span style="font-family:arial;">take the Torres (<em>pictured</em>) love story featuring a Latina actress on network TV very seriously. So be on the lookout for a steamy romance coming up.</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/16524_15287_001_jpga017e0caf9119cc47e6729799c0161ba_jpg53e8239f57618a9e8ec03da57d938259"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 183px; height: 196px;" alt="" src="http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/16524_15287_001_jpga017e0caf9119cc47e6729799c0161ba_jpg53e8239f57618a9e8ec03da57d938259" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">LADIES OF CINEMA</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...If you're in <strong>New York</strong> next week be sure to check out <strong>the11th Annual International Film Festival</strong> (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.aawic.org/" target="_blank">http://www.aawic.org/</a>) hosted by <strong>African American Women in Cinema</strong> and <strong>Save Africa Concerts</strong> 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 <strong>Tamara Tunie</strong> ("Law & Order," "Days of Our Lives") and<strong> Phyllis Yvonne Stickney</strong> (<em>New Jack City) </em>and Nollywood Superstars <strong>Patience Ozokwo</strong> (Mama G) and <strong>Ini Edo</strong> to host various events. Not to industry: Di</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">verse voices can drive sales, so a trip to check out this unique fest makes for good busienss.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">OPRAH's NEW TV DIGS</span></strong>...This just in: <strong>Oprah Winfrey</strong> will take her talk show out of broadcast syndication and move it to her own cable channel, the <strong>Oprah Winfrey Network</strong>, by 2011, according to the <strong>Discovery Channel</strong>. With a new TV home, to win and boost ratings Winfrey might consider revamping the show.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT</span></span>....<strong>Chilli</strong>'s manager/agent recently brokered a deal with <strong>VH-1</strong>, which may leave the network current bachelorette--Ms. New York--behind. The<strong><em> </em></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">formerly of the Grammy winning group <span style="font-weight: bold;">TLC, </span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:arial;">the</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> 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. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MORE O TO COME</span></strong>...We promised to keep you up to date on actor-turned-filmmaker <strong>Edward Norton</strong>'s untitled Obama doc. Well<strong>, HBO</strong> has announced it picked up the film from Norton's <strong>Class 5 Films</strong> 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 </span><span style="font-family:arial;">about Obama, Norton promises exclusive access and behind-the-scenes insight to the 44th President. Norton, writer/producer/actor <strong>Stuart Blumberg</strong> and actor/producer <strong>Bill Migliore</strong> are producing the feature, with newcomer <strong>Amy Rice</strong> and producer-turned-director <strong>Alicia</strong> <strong>Sams</strong> directing.</span></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://getout.amarillo.com/images/reviews/101207/georgelopez.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 211px; height: 167px;" alt="" src="http://getout.amarillo.com/images/reviews/101207/georgelopez.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">CAN WE TALK?</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...Finally, late night television may get some color. Everyone's buzzing about the possibility of comedian<span style="font-weight: bold;"> George Lopez </span>landing in late night with his own talk show. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Warner Bros</span>. is producing the program although it has yet to find a network home. We'll keep you posted.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></strong></div><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/nintend/jens%20shit/TheLastDragon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 136px; height: 168px;" alt="" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/nintend/jens%20shit/TheLastDragon.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">KISS MY CONVERSE</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...Remember <strong>Berry Gordy</strong>'s <em><strong>The Last Dragon?</strong></em> Well, the 1985 flick will receive an upgrade from <strong>Samuel L. Jackson</strong> and <strong>Wu-Tang Clan</strong> rapper/producer<strong> RZA</strong>. According to insiders, Jackson has signed on as "Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem," a role previously played by the late <strong>Julius Carry, </strong>and write the screenplay. The RZA will co-produce the <strong>Columbia Pictures</strong> remake with <strong>Dallas Jackson, John Davis</strong> of <strong>Davis Entertainment</strong> and Berry Gordy's son <strong>Kerry Gordy</strong>.</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >NEWS</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>RADIO ONE PROFITS PLUMMETS</strong></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong></strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>MOVIE REVIEW</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">NOAH'S ARC: JUMPING THE BROOM</span></em></strong>, Blueprint/Logo</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Not Ready For The Big Screen</strong></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial">In <em>Jumping The Broom</em> Noah falls flat on his face. </div><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial"><br />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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial">To put it bluntly, the movie is a "Hot Ghetto Mess."</div><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial"><br />From the opening scene of <em>Jumping The Broom</em>, 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. </div><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial"><br />That's just one of the many problems with <em>Jumping The Broom</em>. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial">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.<br /><br />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. </div><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial"><br />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 <em>Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom</em>, they all seemed to be minimized to a speck of dust. Rating: C+--<strong><em>Anthony Davis</em></strong></div><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >DVD REVIEW</span></strong></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Stargate: </em><em>Continuum</em></strong>, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">MGM Home Entertainment<a href="http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics/news3/Stargate_Continuum_rev.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 172px; height: 218px;" alt="" src="http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics/news3/Stargate_Continuum_rev.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><p align="justify"><em>Stargate: Continuum</em> 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.</p><p align="justify">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.<br /><br />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- <strong><em>--A.D.</em></strong></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >SPOTTED</span></strong><br /></p><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" face="arial" align="justify">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 (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.cbgcla.org/" target="_blank">http://www.cbgcla.org/</a>), ICEF Public Schools (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.icefpublicschools.org/" target="_blank">http://www.icefpublicschools.org/</a>), and the Success Through the Arts Foundation (<a href="http://www.sttaf.org%29./">http://www.sttaf.org).</a> The <strong>Dream Believe Achieve Inspiration Gala</strong> was an evening fill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaD2kHW11eTBJWE9b3X_MOCHPJnxR-GGC8aHfCRlRP02vFtRbGcHBgxoNfgQLshEzYtVXd6XBoGwuurpYFmwJ92C1pOfNR9POwDz7Pm7hgpxiSIY1zGMudOroXzGt3E9SaNxDCg/s1600-h/Goddes+Alfre+Woodard+&+The+Marvelous+Actor+Don+Cheadle-3%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272375514108147730" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 271px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaD2kHW11eTBJWE9b3X_MOCHPJnxR-GGC8aHfCRlRP02vFtRbGcHBgxoNfgQLshEzYtVXd6XBoGwuurpYFmwJ92C1pOfNR9POwDz7Pm7hgpxiSIY1zGMudOroXzGt3E9SaNxDCg/s400/Goddes+Alfre+Woodard+%26+The+Marvelous+Actor+Don+Cheadle-3%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a>ed with musical performancesand messages of hope to benefit the children and families of South Los Angeles. Hosted by <strong>Don Cheadle</strong> (pictired with <strong>Alfre Woodard</strong>) and featuring musical performances by Jackson <strong>Browne, Earth Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson</strong> 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<strong> Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa</strong>, other luminaries in attendance included <strong>Herbie Hancock, Halle Berry, and Louis Gosset Jr</strong>. (<strong><em>Photo by Anthony Davis</em></strong>)</div></span>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-31355381818201873282008-10-24T12:33:00.000-07:002008-11-17T09:25:05.249-08:00#116<div align="justify"><br /><div align="right"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:85%;" >To join <em>The A-List</em>,</span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:85%;" >email us TODAY</span></strong></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:85%;" >For your free subscription:</span></strong></div><div align="right"><a href="mailto:TheA-ListMag@gmail.com"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:85%;" >TheA-ListMag@gmail.com</span></strong></a></div><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE NEXT FRONTI<a href="http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/because_of_winn_dixie/wayne_wang/winndixie1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/because_of_winn_dixie/wayne_wang/winndixie1.jpg" border="0" /></a>ER</span></strong>...The Internet is fast becoming the place for filmmakers--seasoned and new--to present their latest projects. Now, following in <strong>Michael Moore</strong>'s mouse clicks, director <strong>Wayne Wang</strong> (<em>Last Holiday, Made in Manhattan, The Joy Luck Club</em>) has premiered his new movie for free on <strong>YouTube</strong>. <em><strong>The</strong></em> <em><strong>Princess of Nebraska</strong></em>, the story of a pregnant Chinese girl in the U.S., can be seen at </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgbIz6CM_E" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgbIz6CM_E</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. You may recall M</span><span style="font-family:arial;">oore caused a stir when he released is latest doc, <em>Slacker Uprising</em>, for free on the Web. Smart move for Wang: This helps in creating greater avenues for diverse voices and a window into the fascinating elements of young, Chinese-American culture.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>DAYS GONE BY</strong></span>...One-time Hollywood "super" manager/agent <strong>Benny Medina</strong>, who has handled the careers of <strong>Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Mariah Carey, Usher, Chris Rock, Will Smith, Diddy</strong> and <strong>Nicole Richie</strong>, is shutting down his <strong>Handprint Entertainment</strong> firm at year's end. It's been a fast and turbulent ride for Medina, who while handling mega stars also reportedly burned more than a few bridges at the studios. No word on what is next for Medina,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> but could it be that he missed too many connects for clients since he allegedly doesn't "do" email in an era of new media.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">NEW ENDEAVOR FOR LEE</span></strong>...It seems <strong>Spike Lee</strong> wasn't too happy that his critically acclaimed film<em><strong> Miracle at St. Anna</strong></em> flopped, taking in just $7.5 million to date. <em>Miracle</em> came on the heels of Lee's highest-grossing film ever<em>, Inside Man</em>, which earned $176 worldwide in 2006. Lee seems to be placing blame with his agent of 15 years, <strong>William Morris</strong>. The controversial director didn't waste any time; he's just moved over to Endeavor. But it seems to <em>The A-Lis, </em>comparing the two films, given the subject matter of <em>Miracle</em>--historical based verse action/thriller--and the fact it was an ensemble movie rather than star-driven like <em>Inside Man</em> with <strong>Denzel Washington</strong>, the only way it could h</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ave pulled bigger box office numbers would have been with a more intense promo campaign. Could Lee have moved too quickly or was it a way to shake things up?</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TIME'S UP?</span></strong>...Is "<strong>60 Minutes</strong>" behind the times? The long-running news magazine has seemingly not kept up with the growing TV viewing demo; the average TV viewer today is of color. Since the departure of creator <strong>Don Hewitt</strong> and the death of <strong>Ed Bradley</strong>, the program has failed to include even one journalist of color but has managed to even add scandal-ridden Lara Logan, a blond British journalist, to the mix. That, in addition to the occasional appearances of Mr. Everywhere, <strong>Anderson Cooper</strong>, who in our opinion already has enough of the TV pie with CNN's "360" and his guest host spots on "Live With Regis & Kelly," "60 Minutes" have no room at the inn for a reporter of color. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Will someone please inform "60 Minutes" that diversity equals profitability? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HABLO ESPANOL</span></strong> <strong>...Oprah</strong> has finally gone bilingual. "<strong>The Oprah Winfrey Show</strong>" is now available in Spanish <span style="font-family:arial;">in the country's six largest Hispanic TV markets: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston and Dallas. More cities are expected to be added this season. We're actually surprised the "Queen" of </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">media hadn't done this before, considering the number of Latino TV viewers. So, file this in the category "Better Late Than Never."</span> </span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ON DECK</span></strong>...After being on simmer for a minute, director <strong>F. Gary Gray</strong> (<em>A Man Apart, The Italian Job, Set it Off</em>), has turned up the heat. He's currently in production on <em><strong>Marvin: The Life Story of Marvin Gaye</strong></em> and just signed on to helm<em><strong> Armored</strong></em> starring <strong>Eric Bana</strong>. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he has also just taken over for <strong>Frank Darabont</strong> as director of legal thriller<em><strong> Law Abiding Citizen</strong></em>. The film will star <strong>Jamie Foxx</strong> as a man who seeks vigilante justice against a district attorney (<strong>Gerard Butler</strong>), whose plea deal set free the killer of his family. Word is Darabont, who co-wrote the script, left over creative differences with producers. All good, but let's see if Gray can really kick it up a notch by extending his eye and attention to the new media side of each of the films' experience as well. Game on!</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/50/46/0000035046_20061021052150.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 180px; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/50/46/0000035046_20061021052150.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">CNN ON THE D.L.</span></strong>...We're not sure that a news network can do comedy, but <strong>CNN</strong> thinks so. The network has announced a weekend comedy show with <strong>D.L</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>. Hughley</strong>. Titled <strong>"D.L. Hughley Breaks the News,"</strong> the show will air live Saturday nights and replay 24 hours later. Jon Stewart and "Chocolate News's" David Alan Grier don't have to worry however. Hughley describes the program as a news-oriented talk show, more like David Letterman and Jay Leno. With the beautiful political comedy synergy of "Saturday Night Live," which is raking in the ratings, CNN may be onto something here. But we question the "safe" choice of Hughley. What about going with a more biting comedian.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>PURR..FECT PICK?</strong></span>...Here we go again. <strong>Beyonce</strong> is playing yet another singer. Having just portrayed<strong> Etta James</strong> (who the singer herself reportedly wanted singer<strong> Faith</strong> in the role) in the upcoming film <strong><em>Cadillac Records</em></strong>, insiders tell us Mrs. Carter will next play <strong>Eartha Kitt</strong> in a bio pic. This we have to see. Physically, Beyonce is nothing like the Cat Woman, and she'll have to get a handle on Kitt's distinctive purr and voice. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.rassgat.org/myndir/fjorfarar/19/jay_manuel.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="http://www.rassgat.org/myndir/fjorfarar/19/jay_manuel.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FIERCE TWOSOME</span></strong>...We're wondering how <strong>Tyra Banks</strong> is taking the news tha</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t two of her "<strong>America's next Top Model</strong>" (ANTM) cohorts, <strong>J. Alexander</strong> (aka Miss J) and <strong>Jay Manuel</strong> (who recently sued ANTM for unpaid commissions, and settled), are getting their own show on the <strong>CW</strong>. We hear the network has ordered a pilot of "<strong>Operation Fabulous</strong>" in which the pair travel cross country giving makeovers. One thing we do know, with these two Js together, we're sure the show will have over-the-top attitude. </span></div><br /><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE SISTERS SIMMONS</span></strong>...Speaking of fierce twosomes, <strong>Rev. Run</strong>'s (Run-DMC) daughters, Simmons girls--<strong>Angela and Vanessa</strong>--are at every party these days. The Sisters have even recently secured a spin-off deal from "<strong>Run's House</strong>" called "<strong>Daddy's Girls</strong>." The <strong>MTV</strong> reality series will follow the sisters as they adjust to life in Los Angeles. Question is, do viewers care?<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">NO LONGER A CONTENDER</span></strong>...Producers behind <strong>Jamie Foxx</strong>'s upcoming <strong><em>The Soloist</em></strong>, costarring<strong> Robert Downey Jr</strong>., are said to be upset that <strong>Paramount Pictures</strong> has taken the film, which has gotten early raves, out of Academy Award contention by moving its release date from Nov. 21 to March 13. The studio told <em>Variety</em> the move was to attract greater moviegoers. But if the film were to obtain an Oscar nod, the studio could possibly gain even more ticket buyers. According to <em>Money</em> magazine a nomination "could garner nearly $11 million in ticket sales for a film between the day the nominations are announced and the Oscar. Time will tell if Paramount made the right choice; hopefully it's a "win."<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A DAY AT THE BEACH</span></strong>...Singer <strong>Ne-Yo</strong> is heading to Hollywood, according to his camp. He will star in and executive produce the <strong>Fox Atomic</strong> film <em><strong>Venice Beach</strong></em>. He'll also produce the soundtrack. The film, which may be directed by music video director-turned filmmaker <strong>Paul Hunter</strong> (<em>Bulletproof Monk</em>), follows an 18-year-old Manhattan Beach woman who represses her own singing talent until she meets a gifted musician-singer (Ne-Yo) from Venice Beach. So far, this storyline's not blowing us away...but we are curious; will Ne-Yo act sans his trademark hat?<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">WHITE HOUS</span></strong><strong style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E TO GO Hi-TECH?</span></strong><span style="font-family:arial;">...A "Chief Technology Officer"? Now, that's what we call a forward-thinking presidential candidate. Earlier this week </span><strong face="arial">Barack Obama</strong><span style="font-family:arial;"> has called for the creation of a "chief technology officer," who would make sure the federal government imports the best technology tools from the private sector, according to </span><strong face="arial">William Kennard</strong><span style="font-family:arial;"> (Clinton's former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission), a technology adviser to the Obama campaign. This would be the first for a presidential cabinet. The tech czar would also be charged with reaching out to the public for their own new media ideas. </span><em style="FONT-FAMILY: arial">The A-List</em><span style="font-family:arial;"> has been at the forefront of ideas, has addressed the disparities in new media ownership and suggested strategy for the last several years, so look no further.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/GNOFCGFGFPNN/KattWilliamsEvent.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 185px; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/GNOFCGFGFPNN/KattWilliamsEvent.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:130%;">WILLIAMS MIA</span></strong><span style="font-family:arial;">...When viewers tuned into earlier this week to the </span><strong style="FONT-FAMILY: arial">BET Hip Hop Awards</strong><span style="font-family:arial;">, they immediately noticed host</span><strong style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"> Katt Williams</strong><span style="font-family:arial;"> was MIA. Word has it that Williams called in as a no-show at 4 am the day of the taping. BET execs quickly secured artist-of-the moment</span><strong style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"> T. Pain</strong><span style="font-family:arial;"> to fill in. According to an official statement from BET, Williams lost a breakdancing contest to T. Pain, thus losing his hosting spot. This strikes us as a bit odd. Underground buzz is saying that there was an arrest. We'll be diggin' further into this and keep you updated! </span></div><br /><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WEST SIDE!</span></strong>...Lovers of West Coast Hip Hop may want to check out the just-released DVD <em><strong>Once Upon A Time In Compton</strong></em> by <strong>Lonzo Williams</strong>, the founder of the<strong> World</strong> <strong>Class Wreckin' Crew. </strong>Williams held court recently with<strong> Lil' E</strong>, son of original gangsta' rapper <strong>Eazy E</strong> at a recent Hollywood screening for the <em>VH-1 Roc Doc: NWA The World's Most Dangerous Group</em>. The DVD, distributed by <strong>Dub-Kris Media</strong>, documents the early history and origins of the Los Angeles rap scene. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >NEWS</span></strong></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FINANCIAL TROUBLE AT NATIONAL AMUSEMENT</span></strong></p><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" align="justify">Despite being $1.6 billion in debt, National Amusement, executive chairman Sumner Redstone announced he does not plan to sell any more shares in National Amusement companies Viacom Inc. or CBS Corp. National Amusements recently sold $233 million of its nonvoting stock in CBS and Viacom. Redstone, who is the controlling shareholder of both of Viacom and CBS, said he is in talks to renegotiate the company's debt.</p><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >MUSIC BREAK<br /></span></strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">INTRODUCING BOLISTIK...</span></span><br /><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">In an industry saturated with brainless lyrics, sex and violence, its always refreshing to hear music that moves </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW1i4QltgsNDcd8ON8BZhNVSQppX-zMwJoa8RBZT2tQ7OAzqYMIyw97-jyoXuLku065ei5QDWLO1Qkx0lA9ieSUtb4DCQsckkDcUiDc4ZzWfllGKAHONr8NPdOKAXRcpVRh798Q/s1600-h/yamiboloBW.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269525059937044930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW1i4QltgsNDcd8ON8BZhNVSQppX-zMwJoa8RBZT2tQ7OAzqYMIyw97-jyoXuLku065ei5QDWLO1Qkx0lA9ieSUtb4DCQsckkDcUiDc4ZzWfllGKAHONr8NPdOKAXRcpVRh798Q/s400/yamiboloBW.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">the masses in a different more upbeat direction. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Such is the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">current project from <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Goodworx Music</span>, a hodgepodge of various Reggae, R&B, and soul artist coming together for a project called "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bolistik</span>." Bolisitik is the brainchild of <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jetsun Bradford-Ebey</span>, the CEO of Goodworx Music. It is also the first project from the newly formed label in which the project will be released. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Bolisitik was </span><span style="font-family:arial;">mostly recorded in the studios built by Jetsun on family property just north of San Francisco. Jutsun explains that the label and project came Into being out of the creation of a production facility and realizing a record label needed to be created to create a space for various projects to come through and flourish.<br /><br />"We want to build a musical community on a global scale that infuses various cultural and rhythmic values and create relationships to support not only ourselves but other artist who are trying to do the same thing," says Jetsun. "In doing so, we're trying to bring a different vibe and frequency based on making a better world."<br /><br />Joining Jetsun on this project are artist such as Jamaican-born singer <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Junior Reid </span>(best known as the lead vocalist in Black Uhuru), reggae greats<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Lutan Fyah, Ras Attitude, </span>and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Rankin Scroo</span>; Cuban-born rapper <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mano Negra;</span> Morocco native <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bouchaib Abdelhadi</span>, and many others. Jetsun is already working on the second album for Bolistik, which will use some of the same artists and new ones as well putting together a live set that will begin to tour later this year. Sounds like a project built on solid ground and grooves and positive change. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">--Anthony Davis</span></span></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial-BoldMT;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:small;"></span></b></span></p></span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><p><span style="font-family:Arial-BoldMT;"><b><span style="font-size:small;"></span></b></span></p></span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">We Remember...</span></strong> <a href="http://www.onlineathens.com/images/080307/23728_223.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 165px; HEIGHT: 210px" alt="" src="http://www.onlineathens.com/images/080307/23728_223.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Rudy "Dolemite" Ray Moore</span></strong><br />Rudy Ray Moore, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Rap" who influenced countless rappers and comedians with<a href="http://media.comicmix.com/media/2008/06/13/moore,-rudy-ray-dolemite.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="http://media.comicmix.com/media/2008/06/13/moore,-rudy-ray-dolemite.jpg" border="0" /></a> his rhyming style, braggadocio and profanity laced routines, has died. He was 81. Moore's raunchy low-budget films--Dolemite, The Human Tornado, Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's Son-in-Law and Money Hustler in the 1970s became cult classics.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.impawards.com/2008/posters/princess_of_nebraska.jpg"></a>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-83842366897788410712008-10-10T16:52:00.000-07:002008-11-17T15:13:42.638-08:00#115<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xT2yf-rbkUkrNMcqyu3kOTHcNowt1KU2RdZrhIQTiP8eJBV1IePe11VfUBO03Xi3XtUuEpm5JgxqvXIj21APu-jFaO_2hYD19XvO8HLPU-920MSIehO9BiPlaB9r5T-47B-SqQ/s1600-h/NewLogo[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256009920593208914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xT2yf-rbkUkrNMcqyu3kOTHcNowt1KU2RdZrhIQTiP8eJBV1IePe11VfUBO03Xi3XtUuEpm5JgxqvXIj21APu-jFaO_2hYD19XvO8HLPU-920MSIehO9BiPlaB9r5T-47B-SqQ/s400/NewLogo%25255B1%25255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><div align="right"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"><br /><br /><br />To join <em>The A-List</em>,<br />email us TODAY for<br />your free "membership"<br /></span></strong><a href="mailto:thealistmag@gmail.com"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">thealistmag@gmail.com</span></strong></a><br /><br /></div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></strong><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><strong></strong><strong style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">ALL EYEZ ON PERRY</span></strong><span style="font-family:arial;">..</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucdC_8QPbzFbhPCh6M8xsQT0s-Km-Wr4uTm5T8-G7bHxJ6r0020C6oOHGEMB8cc_JgNLZ77MbN_SFYzkUwjM60hahbNP2QGzEGP7hVrqX1wiCGukU-55lrchGZvnqHHdGgneDA/s1600-h/55887210tylerperry106200820632pm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256007658403695122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucdC_8QPbzFbhPCh6M8xsQT0s-Km-Wr4uTm5T8-G7bHxJ6r0020C6oOHGEMB8cc_JgNLZ77MbN_SFYzkUwjM60hahbNP2QGzEGP7hVrqX1wiCGukU-55lrchGZvnqHHdGgneDA/s400/55887210tylerperry106200820632pm.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.Even after stinging complaints by four writers</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> on the "The House of Payne" TV show who accuse <strong>Tyler Perry</strong> of unfair labor practices,<em><strong> The Family That Preys</strong></em> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">director </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">still attracted star turn out </span>for the grand opening of his massive Atlanta production studio. Those who crossed the picket line (albeit a small on</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e) included: <strong>Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey</strong> (who </span><span style="font-family:arial;">broke out in tears when she saw <strong>Sidney Poitier</strong>), <strong>Cicley Tyson</strong>,<strong> Patti Labelle</strong>, among others. Not the progressive set by any stretch of the imagination, b</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ut what can you say. Those not celebrating? The four striking writers who, by the way, this same week attracted support from director <strong>Spike Lee</strong>. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Thus, while Perry will more than boost Black film production with the studio, it's not all good unless everyone involved in the success benefits and that means playing by the rules for fair compensation.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Let's see how this controversy all plays out. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE WAR ROOM</span></strong>...And speaking of <strong>Spike Lee</strong>, has the acclaimed film director begun influencing other filmmakers of note to set the stor</span><span style="font-family:arial;">y straight on diverse participation in past wars? Following the release of Lee's African-American war heroes flick, <em><strong>The Miracle at St. Anna</strong></em> legendary filmmaker/producer <strong>George Lucas</strong> has announced he's bringing<strong><em> Red Tails</em></strong>, the story of the first group of Black airmen to serve as pilot escorts for American bombers in WWII, to the big screen.<strong> Anthony Hemingway</strong> ("The Wire," "CSI: NY," "ER") will direct; <strong>John Ridley</strong> (<em>Three Kings, Undercover Brother</em>) has written the script; and Lucas will serve as exec producer on the <strong>Lucasfilm</strong> feature. While it been reported that Lucas actually started developing the project in 1989, he had put it aside until now. Could be Lucas was inspired by Lee.</span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">VERIZON TAKES A HIKE</span></strong>...From major studios to original content producers, promoting and selling content at least on the <strong>Verizon Wireless</strong> platform may become a bit more expensive. The company just announced a 3 cent increase for every <strong>MT</strong> (mobile terminated) - ie. press "Y" for yes, "N" for no if you just requested a purchase for "Iron Man" wallpaper) message processed on its network beginning Nov. 1. Since text messaging is the most widely used data application in the world, with 2.4 billion users and since Verizon is the second largest wireless telecommunications company in the U.S., this 3 cent shift</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> from consumers to content producers maintain millions for Verizon while its content producers pay more. This comes on the heels of an anti-trust investigation regarding the exorbitant and steadily increasing text fees charged to consumers during content purchase. And, even though industry experts expect outrage among companies including <strong>CNN</strong> and <strong>ESPN</strong> who use MT messages to send t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ext-search results, real-time news and sports updates, etc., other wireless companies are expect to follow Verizon's lead. According to Verizon--which already makes approximately 40% on all actual content sales-- the new fee was necessary to cover the carrier’s overhead in delivering such messages. Calling the<strong> MPAA,</strong> <strong>RIAA</strong> and others to have a quick sit down right with <strong>CTIA</strong> and work this out. With a budding industry not only for creative expression, promotion and revenue why threaten it with yet greater fees? Remember mobile carriers without the entertainment industry, offerings are mighty slim for this growing revenue stream outside of your voice</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> business!</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">OUT OF TOUCH</span></strong>...If aliens landed today and watched prime time they'd th</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI67hifauATJ8d3g8GbOa60WAzu_04HMXY7jno2J9zBnT9CUH6NYogZXAtsPtHV9K_NhyphenhyphenNXMo4e6Vc4thNHrW5cq4qzzewBAs26n1XD-wOMJO2XbQ5c8PHDB1LVTEY5a_W5ccXA/s1600-h/Jimmy-Smits-Biography.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256008291191037778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI67hifauATJ8d3g8GbOa60WAzu_04HMXY7jno2J9zBnT9CUH6NYogZXAtsPtHV9K_NhyphenhyphenNXMo4e6Vc4thNHrW5cq4qzzewBAs26n1XD-wOMJO2XbQ5c8PHDB1LVTEY5a_W5ccXA/s400/Jimmy-Smits-Biography.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">ink America was all White judging from the new batch of shows. Aside from <strong>Tristan Wilds</strong> on the <strong>CW</strong> teen drama "<strong>90210</strong>," </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Lance Reddick</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jasika Nicole</span></span> <span style="font-family:arial;">on</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> "<strong>Fringe</strong>" (<strong>FOX</strong>), <strong>Lisa Bonet</strong> of <strong>ABC's</strong> "<strong>Life on Mars</strong>" (and she's not even one of the main cha</span><span style="font-family:arial;">racters) ad <strong>Jimmy Smits</strong> joining <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Showtime</span>'s three seasons-old "<strong>Dexter,</strong>" there's a dearth of people of color on the tube. The networks shouldn't be surprised as shows start to tank. Face facts: America is now a Brown nation, and when television starts reflecting America's beautiful diversity the viewers will tune in. Otherwise, look for these eyeballs on your nearest computer and mobile phone screen where original, organic entertainment abounds.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">BOLLYWOOD CALLING</span></strong>...The latest Hollywood trend seems to be foreign fiance collaborations. Now <strong>Steven Spielberg</strong> has completed a $1.2-billion deal with Mumbai, India-based </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Reliance ADA Group</span> to</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:0;"> </span>launch his own filmmaking company and depart from <strong>Paramount Pictures</strong>, which in 2005 purchased <strong>Dreamworks</strong>. With this latest development, Paramount has release DreamWorks co-founder Spielberg and his team of executives from their contracts. Under the new deal, Spielberg is expected to produce about six films a year, with the first at least a year away. According to <em>Businessweek, </em>Reliance will invest $500 million in equity for a 50% stake and has helped arrange another $700 million in debt through its longtime bankers, JPMorgan Chase. If countries such as India are wooing filmmakers like Spielberg and entering the market, could new entrants in this cou</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ntry from other nations without the racism roots that American-based companies have finally give light to more films of color?<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ALL OBAMA, ALL THE TIME</span></strong>...Obama is aiming to command the airwaves as the campaign hits the final stretch. By now you've probably heard Obama has purchased a prime-time half-hour block of air time on CBS and NBC for Oct. 29 (the anniversary of Black Tuesday). But did you know the senator from Illinois, has temporarily purchased--until Nov. 4th--a TV channel. If you have the<strong> Dish</strong> network, you can tune into <strong>Channel 73</strong> aka <strong>Obama TV</strong>, the cable channel owned and operated by the presidential candidate's campaign. According to<strong> DishNet </strong>it charged "no more </span><span style="font-family:arial;">than what we charge a commercial advertiser" to lease an infomercial channel. Having just laid out some serious campaign cash for the network airtime, we can see where the infomerical channel with its one-time fee for endless commercial would make financial sense. But unless the campaign has some special plans to drive people to the channel, they're just going to get channel surfers occasionally tuning in.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DITTO</span></strong>...Speaking of <strong>Obama</strong>, if you need any more pro-Barack product, <em><strong>Wilson Ebiye's RockCity Entertainment </strong></em>along with <strong>Pearl Jr.</strong> and <strong>Cecil Holmes' Elbow Grease Productions</strong> are releasing a DVD entitled<em><strong> Barack Obama The Power of Change</strong></em>. The 110-minute DVD includes speeche</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s by Obama<strong>, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Stevie Wonder, Hill Harper, Tyson Beckford, Cornel West</strong> and <strong>Tavis Smiley</strong>. You may remember Ebiye, his last DVD release, <em>The Amazing Grace</em> was the first Nigerian/Nollywood film to be distributed throughout North America. He also produced <em><strong>HipHop Story: Tha Movie</strong></em>, which featured Tupac Shakur, and Jay Z.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A McCain A DAY</span></strong>...Obama isn't the only one dominating the airwaves. His opponent, <strong>Sen. John McCain</strong>, has been releasing a new TV ad every ad and at least three new Web ads a week, accounting to campaign observers. Between the two camps, TV viewers and Internet users are surely going to get election fatigue--leading to a total tune out.</span><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MUST SEE TV</span></strong>...Check out <strong>David Alan Grier</strong>'s "<strong>Chocolate News</strong>," "The Daily Show" urban style, on <strong>Comedy Central</strong>. As usual, <em>The A-List</em> was on top of multiculti trade news when it told ya back in August that this was one to watch (</span><a href="http://thealistmagazine.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/112/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">http://thealistmagazine.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/112/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">). <span style="font-family:arial;">Well now it's here, and it's hilarious. Grier can hang with the best of the network tongue-in-cheek hosts such as <strong>Jon Stewart</strong> and <strong>Stephen Colbert</strong>.<br /><br /></span></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A NEW L WORD</span></strong>...Following the tracks of BMW, <strong>Lexus</strong> is making an entry into online entertainment. The first project on the carmaker's Internet-only branded channel<strong> L Studio</strong> is with former "Friends" st</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ar <strong>Lisa Kudrow</strong> in in a shortform comedy series called <strong>"Web Therapy</strong>." Insiders say the venture is a $30-million project that will recruit more celebrity contributors. Note to Lexus: If it isn't in the plans yet, where you will really win is via ensuring collaboration with actors and content creators of color. It would more than support the carmakers recent boost in ads marketed to Black auto buyers and its special podcast, launched in 2006, targeting African-American consumers.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MAKE ROOM ON THE MANTLE</span></strong>...<strong>James Earl </strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jones</span> is taking home another award. Jones, whose career highlights include critically acclaimed films, Broadway success, lending his voice to the characters of <strong>Darth Vader</strong> and <em>The Lion King's</em> Mufasa, will be honored with the <strong>Screen Actors Guild</strong>'s most prestigious accolade—the <strong>Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award</strong> for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment at the "15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award," which premieres live on <strong>TNT </strong>and <strong>TBS</strong> Jan. 25, 2009.</span> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE MAN FROM OZ</span></strong>...<strong>Eamonn Walker</strong> is back in a big way. He is co-starring in <em><strong>Cadillac Records</strong></em> as Howlin Wolf, is on the new <strong>NBC</strong> series "<strong>Kings</strong>" as the prophet Samuel, and co-stars in the upcoming film<strong><em> The Messenger</em></strong> with Woody Harrelson. Whew. Just listing the upcoming credits made us tired. </span><br /></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THINKING OF A MASTER PLAN</span></strong>...<strong>Master P</strong>'s big TV plans seem to be on hold for the moment. While P's <strong>Better Black Television</strong> network already has a Web presence (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.betterblacktv.com/" target="_blank">http://www.betterblacktv.com/</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.betterblacktv.com/" target="_blank">ktv.com/</a>), financial backing (his own and private investors), and shows in production (including a multicultural soap opera and children's programming), he's missing one major item--a broadcast distribution outlet for his BBTV. His reps tell us exclusively he's in talks with various cable giants, but still no deal. We'll keep you posted on this one for sure.</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE GODFATHER NOIR</span></strong>...It hasn't even been a month since the leaders of a multi-state cocaine trafficking ring known as the <strong>Black Mafia Family,</strong> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">infamously well-known on the underground Hip Hop scene</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, were sentenced in Detroit federal court Friday to 30 years in prison, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and already </span><span style="font-family:arial;">there's a film deal. Beating out several bidders, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>DuBose Entertainment</strong> acquired all media rights to the “Black Mafia Family” story, and is now </span><span style="font-family:arial;">developing a scripted series with plans for a feature film and a book to be completed down the road. </span><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>NEWS</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>RealDVDs ON HOLD--FOR NOW</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong>Earlier this week, a federal judge upheld a temporary prohibition against the distribution of RealDVD, DVD-ripping software. Judge Marilyn Patel of the U.S. District Court of Northern California decreed that RealNetworks must not distribute its software for now. The MPAA and RealNetworks filed dueling lawsuits over the software on Sept. 30. Movie studios contend that the software will allow consumers to "rent, rip and burn" movies for personal use. RealNetworks contends that its software is legal since it does not bypass copyright encryption.<br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;" >EXECUTI</span></span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxoFNLyMFwYy8AVDiBvqZ1_YR86dk6ZS1uyjUKrWmlMDKwBHnYKgOu4UXIymoLJ1xuKBv4OIlx_aIFfx7CSzzGORZ9qygELujoWLzmqls5EPNsWmhvAB8jwqFY6Z4ISwGDrBNHw/s1600-h/Robyn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256010432906952658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 97px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxoFNLyMFwYy8AVDiBvqZ1_YR86dk6ZS1uyjUKrWmlMDKwBHnYKgOu4UXIymoLJ1xuKBv4OIlx_aIFfx7CSzzGORZ9qygELujoWLzmqls5EPNsWmhvAB8jwqFY6Z4ISwGDrBNHw/s400/Robyn.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;" >VE MOVES</span><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">DUBOSE ENTERTAINMENT TAPS NEW PRESIDENT</span></strong></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Robyn Lattaker-Johnson has been named president of Dubose Entertainment. She will oversee television and feature film development. Prior to joining DuBose, Lattaker-Johnson served as SVP of Original Program Development at BET Networks. She developed the critically acclaimed series “Baldwin Hills,” “American Gangster,” “Sunday Best,” “College Hill,” “Hell Date” and “Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown.” Prior to BET Networks, Lattaker-Johnson was a creative executive at the Sci Fi Channel.</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>A-LIST NIGHT OUT</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">VH-1 RocDoc "NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group"</span></strong><br /><br /><em>The A-List</em> caught the recent "premiere" of the <strong>VH-1 RocDoc "NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group.</strong>" Held at the<strong> Landmark Theatre</strong> on the westside of LA, the event was a nice one though sparsely attended. After a bit of mixing during a small reception at a cozy bar/lounge adjacent to the theatre, we all ascended to the reserved theater. (Note to VH-1: Receptions normally include complimentary food and drink, <a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1436/1422583661_c325e96f57_o.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 276px; HEIGHT: 239px" height="337" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1436/1422583661_c325e96f57_o.jpg" border="0" /></a>so it's a bit awkward to partake in the cheese, mini-pizza, grape and cookie festival while then having to saunter across the room to purchase wine at a cash bar. Complimentary soft drinks are always nice or at least one drink ticket or skip the recep all together.)</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">As always, with these RocDocs; they are well-produced and leave the viewer wanting more. Special treat here: Chris Rock narrates the 90-minute piece. New interview footage from Cube and Yella gives the doc a fresh vibe, and one feels that the emotional journey is pretty much complete by the time the credits roll on this thorough documentary. We can't help but wonder though, why these producers rarely tap any female writers/experts/professors for their points of view. The long-suffering wife is the only female face we see, leaving one to actually think there aren't notable and respected female figures in LA who could speak to and were close to this subject matter. <strong>Creature Films</strong>, the force behind the project, may want to take note going forward.</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">In addition, there is a the nagging feeling that roles in the music industry are still very much dominated by race and those with the "power" seem to remain in those power positions holding the keys to the gateway for talented young recording artists and entrepreneurs (i.e. Jerry Heller and Bryan Turner). While the Q&A afterwards held promise, we are not certain if Eazy-E's son <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">L'il Eazy E</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Yella </span>as "panelists" offered the most compelling insight nor provoking thoughts. Writer <strong>Cheo Hodari Coker</strong> held his own as moderator of sorts. In the house were:<strong> John Singleton</strong>, <strong>Alonzo Williams</strong> (aka Lanzo) from the<strong> World Class Wrecking</strong> crew and a few other L.A. locals.</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">All in all, a nice way to kick off this doc and album release of N.W.A and their<strong> Family Tree</strong>, which features a variety of "18 genre-defining" tracks by N.W.A., Snoop Dogg and others. The only thing missing is a more appropriate name to this series painfully making clear the mainstream establishment just doesn't want to let go of long-silenced reign of rock and resonation of MTV Networks historic barriers to anything non-White. Given that these documentaries cover all kinds of genres (and might we add some of the most popular not covering rock) might we see the term "RocDocs" change anytime soon?</span><br /><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>QUOTE OF THE WEEK</strong></span> </span><br /></p><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Acclaimed <em><strong>Winged Creatures</strong></em> director <strong>Rowan Woods</strong> to Australian paper <em>Live News</em>: "A [film company] executive told me straight: `Even if he [<strong>Forest Whitaker</strong>] wins the Oscar he's ugly, he's Black and he's unbankable.'"</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-55811618556973854782008-09-19T15:11:00.000-07:002008-09-20T11:13:40.390-07:00Issue # 114<div align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNiEJnxsp_btMszFGWOscXu7ob7JVuAzNHD5BKK7-1xpNGRaB8hL_1NgXS6KLK0lpOnBC9_3-75rdy2dwfGd1ge35KeHXDXp0ft6_Ma2C9tQ4ZHSLRkXchlKXsBErBBn8NVQ69Q/s1600-h/MJF51-728x90_AAJ[1].gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247812402046300434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 504px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNiEJnxsp_btMszFGWOscXu7ob7JVuAzNHD5BKK7-1xpNGRaB8hL_1NgXS6KLK0lpOnBC9_3-75rdy2dwfGd1ge35KeHXDXp0ft6_Ma2C9tQ4ZHSLRkXchlKXsBErBBn8NVQ69Q/s400/MJF51-728x90_AAJ%5B1%5D.gif" width="400" border="0" /></a></div><div align="right"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">To join <em>The A-List</em>,<br />email us TODAY for<br />your free "membership"<br /></span></strong><a href="mailto:thealistmag@gmail.com"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">thealistmag@gmail.com</span></strong></a> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></strong> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kevincolby.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/obama-oprah-blog.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://kevincolby.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/obama-oprah-blog.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">OH THE DRAMA</span></span>...In an unprecedented move, Oprah has announced that <strong>GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin</strong> is not invited on the "<strong>Oprah Winfrey Show</strong>"--at least not until after the election. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">It seems the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Florida Federation of Republican Women</span> is quite upset about this booking decision and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">have c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">alled for a boycott and issued a statement that said in part: "Wo</span><span style="font-family:arial;">men in Florida helped build Oprah into the icon she is today...We find it to be an abuse of her power-gained on the backs of our patronage of her advertising empire-to use</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> her program to so </span><span style="font-family:arial;">blatantly support Obama in the face of this historic moment. So, we are tuning out and canceling our subscriptions to <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">O Magazine</span> and encourage other women to do the same."</span> We'd like to know, <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">is this the opportunity for dialogue regarding personalities who wield unusual sway and public pull via a media outlet to consider personal choices affecting their business? </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aafri/tahar.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aafri/tahar.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsblaze.com/pix/2007/1217/pix/will-smith.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://newsblaze.com/pix/2007/1217/pix/will-smith.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">MOVE OVER KING TUT</span></span>...Could <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Will Smith</span> be step</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ping up to yet another blockbuster? One complete with an African theme? Word has just leaked that Smith has signed on to st</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ar in the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">The Last Pharaoh</span>. He'll play the role of <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Taharqa</span>, a Nubian Egyptian Pharaoh who battled the Assyrians during his 26-year-reign. Written by <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Randall Wallace</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Braveheart, The Man in the Iron Mask, </span>and <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Pearl Harbor</span>), Smith's production company <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Overbrook Entertainment</span> will produce the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Columbia Pictures</span> project. It will be curious to see if Smith can turn this Nubian legend into a box office</span> hero. </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>ALI COMEBACK</strong><span style="font-size:100%;">... Smith's former "Fresh Prince" co-star<strong> Tatyana Ali</strong> is making moves of her own. Ali is launching a TV comeback--well, sort of. With the death of multicultural prime time TV shows, Ali is hitting the Web. She is co-executive producing a Web-based show called "<strong>Buppies</strong>." Described as a cross between a "Sex and The City" and "Entourage," judging from the trailer Ali must have employed a few soap opera writers. In the mix: jealousy, cat fights, hot fashion, brothers on the downlow, affairs. In other words: High drama. Created by indie writer/director <strong>Julian Breece,</strong> the series is set in L.A. and Malibu. Obviously the Web has fast become the place to launch new projects in hopes of getting network attention. Considering the power and reach of the Internet, if promoted properly, Ali could have a success on her hands. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WELCOMING SUNDANCE</span></strong>...It's spreading worldwide. The<strong> Sundance Institute</strong>, that is. The organization recently launched a program in East Africa, Sundance spokesperson <strong>Kris Parker</strong> tells us. "It is an exciting program, but still being shaped," says Parker. The aim of the program will be to assist East African filmmakers in not only creating their projects, but also helping them have a global reach. We'll keep you up to date on the developing program.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">NEWS STRAIGHT, NO SPIN</span></span>...If you're tired of biased news reporting and just want the facts, there's a new website application that claims it can snoop out the "spin." Launched on Sept. 8th, a</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> beta version of <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SpinSpotter</span> (accessible only through the Firefox browser) spots certain potential indicators of bias in news articles/websites. The application's algorithms work off six key tenets of spin and bias derived from both the guidelines of the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Society of Professional Journalists' Code Of Ethics </span>and input from an advisory board composed of journalists. In an age where news pundits are more common than true journalists, it becomes hard to separate opinion for fact and if SpinSpitter actually works, then maybe the reader read a factual story and form their own opinions. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hissip.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/eva-longoria.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 231px" alt="" src="http://hissip.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/eva-longoria.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">BRINGING HOME THE BACON</span></span>...<strong><em>Forbes</em></strong> recently compiled the <strong>Top 5 Earning Women in Prime Time TV,</strong> and <strong>Tyra Banks</strong> led the pack, pulling in $23 million last year. The dinero came from the <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://hissip.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/eva-longoria.jpg" target="_blank"></a>two shows she hosts and produces: "<strong>The Tyra Banks Show</strong>" and "<strong>America's Next Top Model</strong>," along with a mega deal with <strong>Warner Bros</strong>, which will involve the 34-year-old ex-model launching "<strong>Stylista</strong>," yet another reality show. This one is centered around a fashion magazine. Then there's the straight-to-DVD series Banks is developing based on <em><strong>Clique</strong></em>, a popular series of best-selling books for teenagers. What surprised us however was that <strong>Eva Longoria</strong> came in fourth place. While the "<strong>Desperate Housewives</strong>" star doesn't take home a mega check like Banks and she hasn't going super branding, the Latina actress still pulled in a whopping $9 million last year, from a combination of the show and her endorsement deals with L'Oreal shampoo and Bebe Sport's athletic wear. Imagine what she might earn given a great global branding strategy that truly utilizes her diversity.</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">VIRTUAL VANITY PROJECT</span></strong>...<strong>Facebook</strong> has turned to screenwriter/producer Aaron <strong>"West Wing" Sorkin</strong> to write an untitled film project about the founders of the popular social networking site that <strong>Scott Rudin</strong> (<em>No Country For Old Men, The Queen</em>) will produce for <strong>Columbia Pictures</strong>. While this has no urban angle, other than the millions of people of color who use Facebook, we had to question the unusual project. A film about Facebook--Could a flick about <strong>BlackPlanet</strong> be far behind?</span><br style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP</strong></span> <span style="font-family:arial;">...No surprise here. Nielsen reports Blacks will again be largest ethnic segment of all TV households for 2008-2009. The number of African-American TV homes increased 300,000 to 13,950,000 in one year,</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">an increase of 2.2%, or nearly twice the national growth rate. The number of Hispanic TV homes is estimated to increase 4.3% from 12,140,000 in 2008 to 12,660,000 in 2009. With all this viewing, Blacks should be getting their money's worth--more content geared toward them, increased opportunities in front of and behind the TV set. But if no one complains, it will be more of the same staid, generic TV shows. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">LET'S GET BUSY</span></strong>...He's back..well temporarily. <strong>Arsenio Hall</strong> will host <strong>TV One</strong>'s "<strong>THE BLACKLIST: 100 GREATEST POWER MOVES</strong>," a five-hour special chronicling cultural movements and personal achievement that have "advanced" the Black race on Nov. 13. Produced for TV One by <strong>Dark Matter Entertainment</strong>. With executive producers <strong>Jason Bolling</strong> and <strong>P.J. McSwain</strong>, "The Blacklist" will --as the promo info says--"encompass Power Moves from a wide cultural and historic perspective, from unwavering civil rights leaders to Nobel Prize-winning literary giants to independent-thinking film directors to a pop star who 'Beat It.'" Sounds like a worthy project, but we'd still like to see Hall back on late night where the time slot is void of any color. </span></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">QUICK TAKES</span>...F. Gary Gray</strong> is attached to direct an adaptation of the<strong> Oni Press</strong> graphic novel <strong><em>Julius</em></strong>, a contemporary urban crime adaptation of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"...<strong>IFC</strong> <strong>Films</strong> has acquired North American rights to the <strong>John Leguizamo</strong>-starring drama <em><strong>Where God Left His Shoes</strong></em>. Salvatore Stabile's film revolves around an ex-boxer (Leguizamo) and his wife <strong>(Leonor Varela</strong>) who are forced to move their family to a homeless shelter. </span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DO YOU REMEMBER?...</span></strong>Hey Hip Hop Headz? Remember the <strong>World Class Wreckin' Crew</strong> ("Turn Off The Lights," "Cabbage Patch" and "Dr. Dre to Surgery") out of the West Coast? Well, one of the founders <strong>Lonzo Williams</strong>, long recognized as the Godfather of West Coast Rap, is now unveiling his storehouse of flyers, photos, and original VHS footage in the<strong> Dub-Kris Med</strong>ia DVD release, <em><strong>Once Upon A Time In Compton</strong></em>. Chocked full of historical anecdotes, unforgettable vintage footage and throwback rap classics the DVD is also Lonzo's autobiographical account of himself as a determined young man overcoming the odds to succeed in the music business jungle. Who would have thought that we reached the point where there would actually<a href="http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Lil-Wayne-bm09.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" height="318" alt="" src="http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Lil-Wayne-bm09.jpg" border="0" /></a> be "vintage" hip hop footage?</span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">NEW JACK MOVES</span></strong>...Move over <strong>Wesley Snipes</strong>.<strong> Lil Wayne</strong> has partnered with <strong>Streets Talk DVD</strong> to release a limited edition documentary entitled <strong><em>The Nino Brown Story</em></strong>. It's actually about Weezy's tumultuous professional and personal life on the road. But the title comes into play from Wayne's constant lyric references to the 1991 cult classic film <strong><em>New Jack City</em></strong>, <em>The Nino Brown Story</em> includes cameos by <strong>Kanye West, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Jae Millz, Freekey Zekey</strong></span><strong> </strong><span style="font-family:arial;">and <strong>Baby</strong>. <em>New Jack City</em> screenwriter <strong>Barry Michael Cooper</strong> says he's honored he inspired Wayne. "I always felt the film <em>New Jack City</em> would make an impact, because of the timing--during the Reagan/Crack era--and how it the movie addressed an epidemic that was beginning to unravel the country. Lil Wayne...as a child, witnessed crack's destruction first hand, so I am sure in some way this movie has a lot of meaning for him. He comes out of the Crack Generation, and he speaks to those kids who understand his new rap language...it makes the timing of <em>The Nino Brown Story</em> a really great marketing move. Ironically, I am just putting the finishing touches on my novella <em>The Diary Of Nino Brown: The Untold Story Of A Street Legend</em>. And,I heard Warner Bros is trying to make a straight-to-DVD sequel. Well, if they were smart, they may want to holla at Lil Wayne. Because right now, he's Bob Marley of the Crack Generation."<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">EXECUTIVE MOVES</span></strong><br /><strong>TARIQ ALEXANDER APPOINTED TO PRESIDENT OF RUFF RYDERS FILM DIVISION</strong><br /></span><a href="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/member/a/4/e/3/member_1842211.jpeg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 102px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" height="603" alt="" src="http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/member/a/4/e/3/member_1842211.jpeg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">Ruff Ryders Records which came to prominence in 1988 and whose roster included Eve, The Lox, DMX and Drag-On, has appointed Tariq Alexander as President of Ruff Ryder Film Division. Alexander, who is also the CEO of TSW Film Production, will help expand the Ruff Ryders brand into the film and TV industry by developing projects that depict real-life urban experiences. Alexander, a former actor and model, created "The System Within" (TSW) a production entity and entertainment community, that produces films and reality shows featuring top entertainers.</span> </span></span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>NEWS </strong></span><br /></span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>FREE MOVIES NOW SHOWING ON IMBD</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Internet Movie Database, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has just begun showing more than 6,000 feature films and television shows on its site for free. Col Needham, founder and managing director of IMDb.com, said in a statement, "We're excited to offer our users a simple online experience to watch full-length movies and TV episodes for free. Our goal is to show our users every movie and TV show on the Internet for free on IMDb.com."</span> </span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">ONE-ON-ONE</span> </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Pop Critic and Journalist Elvis Mitchell Takes on the African American Experience</strong></span> </span></span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><a href="http://twitchfilm.net/site/images/uploads/elvis_twitch.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px" height="501" alt="" src="http://twitchfilm.net/site/images/uploads/elvis_twitch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">For journalist Elvis Mitchell, telling great stories is more than a passion, it's his way of life. He has spent years as one of America's premier film critics at leading newspapers like the Fort Worth Telegram and the Detroit Free Press, before landing in the top seat as the chief film critic for the <em>New York Times</em>. </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Mitchell has now expanded his creative pursuits into other forms of media that includes radio, where he's the host of the KCRW's pop culture and film interview program "The Treatment," and television where "Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence" airs on Turner Classic Movies. His latest project, "The Black List," made with director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders features such luminaries as Richard Parsons, Colin Powell, Toni Morrison and even former Guns and Roses front man Slash, discussing race and culture. <em>The A-List</em> .com recently met up with Mitchell to discuss his projects. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:0;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Explain your motivations for creating this show?</strong><br /></span></span></div></span></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I'm a film critic, but first and foremost I'm a black audience member, and wanted "The Black List" to be the kind of thing I'd never seen before. I knew what I had seen in documentaries, and often documentaries on African Americans perpetuate the victim mentality, or suggest that black people can't get through the day without a social welfare infrastructure. I felt this film should be an answer to many of those archetypes, starting with the title, which is a way of reclaiming the negative, as much of African American culture has been. It's an unsentimental look at the pleasure African Americans take in their success, and telling their own stories about achieving their goals.<br /><br /><strong>How did you go about the selection process for the subjects involved in the project?</strong> </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Part of that process involved us trying to get the most eloquent and provocative people, in an attempt to break away from the kinds of expectations people might have about such a film. That's most specifically reflected in the choice of the opening subject -- he was chosen as a shot across the bow, and a way of making clear this was not the usual look at black people that viewers have been conditioned to watch. Given that the guiding philosophy behind the project was to offer a perspective on the African American experience in the 21st century, we tried to touch on as many disciplines and points of view as possible.</span><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>What statement do you seek to make by assembling such an interesting mix of personalities?</strong> </span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I always thought of the film in this way; if you walked into a party and saw all of the subjects, what do they have in common? They're African Americans -- to have that kind of diversity strike the viewers squarely between the eyes, and for them to note the things that the subjects have in common and the things that make each of them differ.</span><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>After your interviews for <em>The Black List</em> did you discover a core value or belief system that the subjects had in common?</strong><br />They were all indomitable to me, and sometimes that fire was spoken as clearly as Susan Rice's saying that when she got mad she just worked harder and better. Or, on the other side politically, Colin Powell taking affirmative action dismissals in stride and saying that things had been imbalanced towards whites for years, and still working hard. An Olympian amount of discipline, and self-confidence in what they had to offer, as well as a sense of themselves in terms of the history of their fields of endeavor and what they had to contribute. Despite their talents, none took the effort needed to succeed lightly. And they all have healthy sense of humor about themselves, too.<br /></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>What do you want audiences to get from this project?</strong><br /></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I'd like to see "The Black List" function as a catalyst for further conversation</span>, so that people understand that we ignore race as an issue at our peril. Bill T. Jones talks about fatigue over black rage, and I think there's been a similar kind of exhaustion over the fact that race is still a dividing line. Maybe the film will encourage healthy conversation about this topic, rather than wishing it away. Tell us about your other upcoming projects. With any luck, one of those upcoming projects will be continuing with <em>The Black List</em> and ensuring that it gets seen by as many kids in schools around the country as we can manage. The educational aspect of the project is something that has been a goal of the Freemind Ventures guys -- Mike Sloane, Scott Richman, Chris Mckee, Payne Brown -- from the outset. </span><strong><em><span style="font-family:arial;">--Gil Robertson IV</span> </em></strong><br /><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpVzIiIywh4dcWIK5owKxKwwvyoaLGXqm8Krt-0uN5ys40XzS2kTTNeSCe8JaHsVuOv1JXnQfME7HhPR6WQVAVcJrqEpW3vNdKnUOeaT7o_oiDy-6UAIExVZM6Y74r4b4QGeOhQ/s1600-h/2BmcJuly2008[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247831416917734514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" height="326" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpVzIiIywh4dcWIK5owKxKwwvyoaLGXqm8Krt-0uN5ys40XzS2kTTNeSCe8JaHsVuOv1JXnQfME7HhPR6WQVAVcJrqEpW3vNdKnUOeaT7o_oiDy-6UAIExVZM6Y74r4b4QGeOhQ/s400/2BmcJuly2008%5B1%5D.jpg" width="49" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">SPECIAL FEATURE</span></strong><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><em><span style="font-size:100%;">As Spike Lee readies for the release of his latest film, The Miracle at St. Anna, famed screenwriter/producer Barry Michael Cooper refelcts on Lee and the histroical times that inspire him.</span></em></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, Part 1: Spike Lee's Sonogram Of An American Stillbirth</span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">by Barry Michael Cooper</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Both Truman Capote and Saint Teresa of Avila made copious notes on the tearful taxes that come with the cosmic payoff of answered prayers. I don't know if the Rt. Rev. James Dobson and his Pharisees-On-The-Family minion Stuart Shepard are aware of the havoc they might have caused by asking their flock to pray for rain in order to sabotage a certain political convention.<br /><br />Their prayers were answered. Only thing, that "Abundant rain, torrential rain, urban and small stream flood advisory rain" in Shepard's venomous supplication during his "Spotlight" broadcast, pounded the Gulf Coast instead. Not Denver. The powerful eyewall of rain and wind that fell in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Plaquemines Parish, also set its sights on St. Paul, Minnesota, resulting in Hurricane Gustav's collateral disruption of the Republican National Convention's opening ceremonies.<br /><br />Thus far, Gustav has not been as destructive as his older sister Katrina, but the damage has been done, literally and figuratively. Many who were scheduled to speak at the Xcel Energy Center--including President Bush and Vice President Cheney --have decided to focus on the relief efforts in the hurricane's aftermath. Quoting a story reported in the Sunday New York Times by Patrick Healy and Adam Nagourney:"With the storm expected to hit the Gulf Coast on Monday, Mr. McCain and his team spoke by phone on Sunday morning and, one participant said, quickly decided that there was no choice but to cancel much of the first day of the convention. McCain advisers said the programming for the rest of the four-day convention would be determined on a day-to-day basis, and many questions remained open, such as whether Mr. McCain, of Arizona, and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, would appear here to accept their party’s nominations, or would appear by video from the Gulf Coast."Wow. Memo to Dobson and Shepard:Wrong prayer. Wrong day. Right (wing) convention....<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://r4thaz.blogspot.com/2008/09/when-levees-broke-spike-lees-sonogram.html">TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE</a></span></strong></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">(Also check out Cooper's interview with Lee in the September 2008 issue of Interview Magazine)</span></em></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">SPOTTED</span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Mariah Carey, Oprah, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Williams</strong> all wearin' handbags designed by <strong>Siedah Garrett</strong> (</span><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.siedah.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.siedah.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">), who in her other life is a Grammy Award winning songwriter/musician.</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-85213946125078989012008-08-30T12:32:00.000-07:002008-09-16T09:42:57.317-07:00Live From Denver #8<p></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >EXCLUSIVE COVERAG</span></strong><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >E: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">DAY 5/INSTALLMENT #8: Madness at INVESCO, Partying With the Stars, Reflecting on the Days Past</span></strong><br /><strong></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvdLpdPxbuF0EgQDpK3EKaLCnJA-4X6WUoEb8tczDOHOyRhbme6hMvQxc9lmVxQJmLUF9AEK23CEJh0tmM6rIOrOxwYZpCVhOfxrlv_EbQpjcyZ4BupVjVR-Kd3gAqjKpZufoZA/s1600-h/bb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240485709258594866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvdLpdPxbuF0EgQDpK3EKaLCnJA-4X6WUoEb8tczDOHOyRhbme6hMvQxc9lmVxQJmLUF9AEK23CEJh0tmM6rIOrOxwYZpCVhOfxrlv_EbQpjcyZ4BupVjVR-Kd3gAqjKpZufoZA/s400/bb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I know all the impact o</span><span style="font-family:arial;">f this will r</span><span style="font-family:arial;">eally not sink in until much later. This is just</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> so much that took place!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But what you don't know, dear r</span><span style="font-family:arial;">eaders is how things were handled</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> for transportation for delegat</span><span style="font-family:arial;">es, media, etc after all the fabulousness inside.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Oh but wait - first of all, a few impres</span><span style="font-family:arial;">sions about the evenings event and the s</span><span style="font-family:arial;">peech itself. I really did have one of</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the bes</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t positions in the stadium. Located i</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n a skybox directly in front, not to the left</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> or right of the stage, was were we found ourselves. The windows opened here and so it was a </span><span style="font-family:arial;">party from the word "go."<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We actually thought there would an opportunity for</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> cock</span><span style="font-family:arial;">tails but given the fact that there was also general public involved, we guess the s</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ecret service wasn't having it because the bars were</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> "dry" for that night! No matter. As </span><span style="font-family:arial;">we looked </span><span style="font-family:arial;">out into the huge crowd and up at the sky which turned from a brilliant blue with intense sunlight to a beautiful sunset and then a starry night, you </span><span style="font-family:arial;">could feel</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fis4fish.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/02/yes_we_can.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 141px" alt="" src="http://www.fis4fish.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/02/yes_we_can.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> the electricity in the air. Everyone's spirits were up a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nd seeing all that live,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> complete wi</span><span style="font-family:arial;">th waving flags, moni</span><span style="font-family:arial;">tors and more was truly an assault (though </span><span style="font-family:arial;">of the best type) on the</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> senses. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I don't th</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ink anyone can say that, even though rumors would have it otherwise, the campaig</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n did a fair j</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ob of booking talent of diverse genres and appealing to different ages. From </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://wil.i.am/" target="_blank">Wil.i.am</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> to <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Michael McD</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">o</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">na</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ld</span> it was on. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">And then, finally .... <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Obam</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">a </span>himself. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I know all of you feel he presented his confidently and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">perhaps</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> with a bit less of the sometimes perceived arrogance </span><span style="font-family:arial;">we have seen in times past. No,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> this was a strong leader-in-the-making who not only came out and accepte</span><span style="font-family:arial;">d but took the opportunity to address everything from McCain's swipes a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t his celebrity image to c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ircling back to the Iraq issue. Yes, without a doubt - and looking at the transcript of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the speech, dude has a plan.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Just how these ob</span><span style="font-family:arial;">jectives will be funded and who will be heading up these areas is the next question, should he arrive </span><span style="font-family:arial;">in office.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusvDMCDDtXEyy4uTLJ7VVCoopESUoJEMX__OxjRSUYgiPekWsivPRtwz1M7nM5VGXTKVEQhHPROUIOK6gAoU1j703p9j-OPg0vR6UtD-w0YMQMwRQ0pW59StGas4aoCF3URz8SQ/s1600-h/vv.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240486345017796434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusvDMCDDtXEyy4uTLJ7VVCoopESUoJEMX__OxjRSUYgiPekWsivPRtwz1M7nM5VGXTKVEQhHPROUIOK6gAoU1j703p9j-OPg0vR6UtD-w0YMQMwRQ0pW59StGas4aoCF3URz8SQ/s400/vv.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">When I was asked, during </span><span style="font-family:arial;">my interviews afterwards with <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">KPOO </span>how</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Obama could continue to engage African-Ame</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ricans voters, I immediately saw his educational plan bei</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ng that should be high on the list given the c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">urrent, sad statistics</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Thing is, how much effort will the campaign actually put int</span><span style="font-family:arial;">o continuing to engage </span><span style="font-family:arial;">"us." Is it, as usual, just assumed that Democrats have the Black vote, and if that is the cas</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e, just how can we become more vital to not only this presidential race but to races local and federal going forward. It is a question that certainly anyone Black in politics must seriously begin to ask him/herself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For me, the hot so</span><span style="font-family:arial;">undbite was the portion wher</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e the Senator discus</span><span style="font-family:arial;">sed the difference between mutual responsibility (of government to society and vice-versa) as well as individual responsibility. I think this was the mos</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t realistic vision that Obama has give</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n any of us since he fi</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rst jumped on the campaign trail. One also wonders though, if he isn't also using the words to begin stuffing a cushion for himself should some of the iconic fervor begin to</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> quickly</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> wane when people don't see "change" quite as quickly as they want? Only time will tell here.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Naturally all this is both "branding" at its best while trying to present information. The icing on the cake being the confetti entwined family with that of the supportive vice-presidential couple at the end, c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">omplete with fireworks.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Yes, we are celebrating the next progression o</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n the "d</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ream,</span><span style="font-family:arial;">" with obviously much work still to do.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">As we moved from the benediction to begin and complete interviews though, we had no idea just how much "work" would lay ahead in simply getting from point A to point B, as it were.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So as you know, the "campaign" took over here at INVESCO, and the decision to move to INVESCO was made so that Obama</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> could speak to a greater audience that would</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> obviously also translate well on television. Thing is, the chaos that ensued from this idea was a price that had to be paid by those attending.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All was pretty smooth at the <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Pepsi Cente</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">r </span>rega</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rd</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ing</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> transportion</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and everything else but at <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">INVESCO</span>? Forget it. Believe</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">me when I tell you that no one knew which shuttles were what, nothing clearly marked, nothing r</span><span style="font-family:arial;">eady to go was only the half of it. I am sure we all kept being directed to walk around almost 3/4 of that huge stadium in search of the DNCC buses. And upon arrival, the name of the game became waiting. Naturally this puts a damper on one's hang out mood - and we were </span><span style="font-family:arial;">slated for parties galore. But this is purely superficial</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> in ligh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t of th</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e fact that the disabled and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">elderly</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> were forced to wait just as others with no extra comfort or explanation. Really shameful. Someone from the stadium did finally drive</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> a golf cart over for about three women to sit on. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Not to whine, but from the time </span><span style="font-family:arial;">we left the skybox t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">o the time we arrived at the first party was about two hours (keeping in mind, these site</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s are about 10 -15 minutes from each other). Whoever was coordinating or not coordinating the buses, for shame! But I felt a bit better as one DNCC exec who even got caught up in the madness told me, "the</span><span style="font-family:arial;">y will definitely hear about this at tomorrow's meeting!" </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Give 'em hell, sista.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But strangely, a second wind came up as we neared</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the huge tent that would host the final "<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Party with a Purpose</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.epochtimes.com/news_images/2006-3-11-davie.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://en.epochtimes.com/news_images/2006-3-11-davie.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">" closing event. Although late, we arrived just in time to get a whiskey at the open bar and watch and intimate performance by<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> The Black Eye</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">d Peas</span> where even <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Herbie Hancock</span> joined them as a</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> s</span><span style="font-family:arial;">tage sur</span><span style="font-family:arial;">prise. N</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ew buzzworthy artist <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Janelle</span> also came on</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> for a </span><span style="font-family:arial;">quick set. And then</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> J<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ohn Legend</span>, who was in</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> per</span><span style="font-family:arial;">fect voice. All this while <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Spike Lee </span>move</span><span style="font-family:arial;">d about, the cutey from "Lost" <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Daniel Dae Kim</span> (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">right)</span>, actress <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tracey Ross,</span> and more. Food flowed from the buffet all night and the wonderfully diverse crowd looked hot at one of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the millions of night's</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> events.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Although I would loved to have stayed longer, I left at about 1:30pm.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Question: How do you get out of town on the same day about 60,000 other peo</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ple </span><span style="font-family:arial;">are?</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Answer: Very carefully</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You see, what I had not thought of was that</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> everyone would be leaving Friday morning, early afternoon for the most part. The airport gave me</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> heads up saying that they were predicting it would be like Thanksgiving/Christmas with at least 120,000 people during the day. Yikes!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Super Shuttle already told </span><span style="font-family:arial;">me on </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Monday t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">hey were book</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ed for that time on Friday and had absolutely no vans available. Tha</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t left taxis wh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ich, at the least the company I called, did not take reservations. So yours truly</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> foun</span><span style="font-family:arial;">d herself sleeping</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> two hours, my convention record, getting up calling a taxi in advance only to be put on the wait list and picked up 3 1/2 hours before my flight (and was well suggested I take it because they would </span><span style="font-family:arial;">n</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ot assure service anytime after).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's strange but beautiful thing to see night turn into dawn as </span><span style="font-family:arial;">you've just witnessed one of the most exciting and historical weeks of your life.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I'm</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> sure once I fully catch up on sleep over this holiday weekend, I will be able to appreciate it even more.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Last reflection!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">While I believe the convention made a noble attempt to work <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">new media </span>platforms into the experience, it was an elementary one. Simply texting on issues will not provide the proper type of engagement with constituents that can really be cre</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ated with greater creativity and planning. Further, there is the question of data costs to simply have one's voice "heard." There were missed opportunities here and there is still no strategy which is demographic-specific so there are certainly voids to be filled in the future - hopefully with <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Pu</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">nch Media Group</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And shout out to all the nice people in Denver wh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">o helped out, the DNC</span><span style="font-family:arial;">C staff, new friends, biz associates, KPOO and my blog editors.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am out!!!!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:georgia;" >SPOTTED<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Our photos from the D</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">NCC.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLs6eohz1I1OA7yWpm05Vjb4vu6EF0E4ni6F3RA7auEWo3Filej3n8CcNZxiZzH1dc_AmDTRp7r60q4vfXJRCK2HT2nZKSqQ8GTXz88shSWSLzjl9qj1BRK5atClH7Z2c-tzoow/s1600-h/DSC_5613[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246656122468383970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLs6eohz1I1OA7yWpm05Vjb4vu6EF0E4ni6F3RA7auEWo3Filej3n8CcNZxiZzH1dc_AmDTRp7r60q4vfXJRCK2HT2nZKSqQ8GTXz88shSWSLzjl9qj1BRK5atClH7Z2c-tzoow/s400/DSC_5613%5B1%5D.JPG" width="355" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSok5M2XRLqeV822wv0NKC4jehNuSJqngetONMEWme8DRVCgxAmIkGWl3TMrzLeIdgkUwdneRpdoWCeZHtfE4YST_uymHtrokmjqmtbHx4VOTvQz4wTHBIZaf1ek2_sjolqf_elg/s1600-h/DSC_5606[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246656065149233906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSok5M2XRLqeV822wv0NKC4jehNuSJqngetONMEWme8DRVCgxAmIkGWl3TMrzLeIdgkUwdneRpdoWCeZHtfE4YST_uymHtrokmjqmtbHx4VOTvQz4wTHBIZaf1ek2_sjolqf_elg/s400/DSC_5606%5B1%5D.JPG" width="308" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbFupm2t13DUz1TMSVizcwnaN_qBgPmum4haI3_2L5lIYOLPB-98V5FGIi-x8rm8P2WnNwi1Gywt6_hX0YPAPeLMdC4OYvUFryRQ8d5GUKC8IIY9x5-tvNgn6EvwHJuIoJoD_rQ/s1600-h/DSC_5794.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241602440562579330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 175px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbFupm2t13DUz1TMSVizcwnaN_qBgPmum4haI3_2L5lIYOLPB-98V5FGIi-x8rm8P2WnNwi1Gywt6_hX0YPAPeLMdC4OYvUFryRQ8d5GUKC8IIY9x5-tvNgn6EvwHJuIoJoD_rQ/s400/DSC_5794.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> (Above) Lauren Coleman (right) schmoozing with Los Angeles Mayor <strong>Antonio Villaraigosa</strong> ; strikes a pose with <strong>Congresswoman Maxine Waters</strong> (D - CA); taking a quick break with the news director of <strong>KPOO</strong>, for whom she provided new media analyst comments. Below, more moments from the DNCC. </span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N9Dda_unAhjMqrqu8KxtCoueQKs0vL30f7QVHIodPHtbSQYDEUfNRf2x9DHXUrKlk3O2U5KCTRyAeoeApolMb8keVmOFDaJmEU0j9YBmnH-pPx9tHhZRm7llfCqjgQxBdHI7tA/s1600-h/pepsictr[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240509624549653442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 314px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N9Dda_unAhjMqrqu8KxtCoueQKs0vL30f7QVHIodPHtbSQYDEUfNRf2x9DHXUrKlk3O2U5KCTRyAeoeApolMb8keVmOFDaJmEU0j9YBmnH-pPx9tHhZRm7llfCqjgQxBdHI7tA/s400/pepsictr%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPitnbL7JURlO2agOhHB79OzCYyTAT07e7UfU-_5t9DWUr1cXZA1cxRkK2M0xN8LQo-O04PiBajQ4Elt4-sH4yRbyfkfcHymoa4i-jvJMynSNLW2ccNviCtYJhaGnLbp2wuQ21Q/s1600-h/invesco[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240512415681274674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPitnbL7JURlO2agOhHB79OzCYyTAT07e7UfU-_5t9DWUr1cXZA1cxRkK2M0xN8LQo-O04PiBajQ4Elt4-sH4yRbyfkfcHymoa4i-jvJMynSNLW2ccNviCtYJhaGnLbp2wuQ21Q/s400/invesco%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9niOSsIDVQXnbimr2D4nHTEiuoHkhAyvCrVdoMMng0HSeNsYNyB1Ff6lBQpm2ON0M_jm1wqGL5lUhwo1i40P7jlJA3NNjXzeivkckgqMedaDowD8WNR13j6S-z7QgvHk_QV_yIQ/s1600-h/cnn.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240500344224979522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 277px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9niOSsIDVQXnbimr2D4nHTEiuoHkhAyvCrVdoMMng0HSeNsYNyB1Ff6lBQpm2ON0M_jm1wqGL5lUhwo1i40P7jlJA3NNjXzeivkckgqMedaDowD8WNR13j6S-z7QgvHk_QV_yIQ/s400/cnn.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS27MWPkdGlDcAaeanz61EJn2iBdax8QoaeUFJqTfBJBubXVj_LkI3WRMXNlCHi1P8UQLLkKVRoclI0ClBl-gQsnmq07ecJWEFOxoBF2VZm9xEJ9VkC8E1jxUTAuCDqhaDgY-GNw/s1600-h/SWAT[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240513760459524866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS27MWPkdGlDcAaeanz61EJn2iBdax8QoaeUFJqTfBJBubXVj_LkI3WRMXNlCHi1P8UQLLkKVRoclI0ClBl-gQsnmq07ecJWEFOxoBF2VZm9xEJ9VkC8E1jxUTAuCDqhaDgY-GNw/s400/SWAT%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMO9_e012JKlX5TxlTb7FUyL3gyOUCkGlM0CvTgyn9w3J9P0EwxXa-oCBULUP3iPttbfGLAtb-H8QXW0uUKTXoYNBTrkRRSARDbIrY59uG9aDszLwX1Y80Bp9zsKI5mCHD74P0g/s1600-h/pepsisky[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240511369892438098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMO9_e012JKlX5TxlTb7FUyL3gyOUCkGlM0CvTgyn9w3J9P0EwxXa-oCBULUP3iPttbfGLAtb-H8QXW0uUKTXoYNBTrkRRSARDbIrY59uG9aDszLwX1Y80Bp9zsKI5mCHD74P0g/s400/pepsisky%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczHy6ox_rJ4eBnUlM-E5LeeRih7Muw6enw1Xn5RiVrLvnYHR-7BckMzCU5sC_KjT_tzzOXFdGQGBrOhoVY1E4kQ7QtE4JK2tCbS8l41VhSbqq68gAqskbSD8bTWte3Mjqci-_CA/s1600-h/hillarylunch[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240500824775878450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczHy6ox_rJ4eBnUlM-E5LeeRih7Muw6enw1Xn5RiVrLvnYHR-7BckMzCU5sC_KjT_tzzOXFdGQGBrOhoVY1E4kQ7QtE4JK2tCbS8l41VhSbqq68gAqskbSD8bTWte3Mjqci-_CA/s400/hillarylunch%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrv_qJ8JEA1YVfshXxz3kK289QdvncB0t_Z2v1ErNjcIP0OsXtfzBWZch9jDrWhJHrOetNHJArqxwyUSOZaKKiwsGq3yE3toTxtjjPU5OhlEEAEob6sArQL7M-WB3qNCFBh06Dg/s1600-h/DSC_5840.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241601429811716338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrv_qJ8JEA1YVfshXxz3kK289QdvncB0t_Z2v1ErNjcIP0OsXtfzBWZch9jDrWhJHrOetNHJArqxwyUSOZaKKiwsGq3yE3toTxtjjPU5OhlEEAEob6sArQL7M-WB3qNCFBh06Dg/s400/DSC_5840.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1in1miRd36FxRSwyUkVhvzPSz3vTVcwwuG13OX0DJh3M2no_R3PjMJnuyfvk3ql4roHgvtTSm967OgFxuojOLi3WOcaX8-A1kvdj-xjSmAjEavBrHViAYj7VGW7CCVzJ-2LiA/s1600-h/herbie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241602161058072802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 349px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1in1miRd36FxRSwyUkVhvzPSz3vTVcwwuG13OX0DJh3M2no_R3PjMJnuyfvk3ql4roHgvtTSm967OgFxuojOLi3WOcaX8-A1kvdj-xjSmAjEavBrHViAYj7VGW7CCVzJ-2LiA/s400/herbie.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfboBqstJwpvpVXXMjYDLr4Ch0rUx1PpXGfiUNWMes-Ke-4iFuvFxeYnuwspqaQw8Y-MyveGXYHof6UhHJIX4aqEgIXm-sRq7LYHVfQkZApRfUsmG8XuWgBE4MpPFEVUytO7HpA/s1600-h/will.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241601644547657410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 304px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfboBqstJwpvpVXXMjYDLr4Ch0rUx1PpXGfiUNWMes-Ke-4iFuvFxeYnuwspqaQw8Y-MyveGXYHof6UhHJIX4aqEgIXm-sRq7LYHVfQkZApRfUsmG8XuWgBE4MpPFEVUytO7HpA/s400/will.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrV-GgVneoB4BBk-kYnmWMgY72Gi2S6Qw3kZurj4o7V1bHLd8rNM-2nTZrffZWdVY30BwBR4HY6O4_Ss-SwDhy6cQyCmL2HZxmk4soJ9xY51jIV631QkBaJ7TZeDxF1JBr_DeKQ/s1600-h/rundnc[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240513901953350562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrV-GgVneoB4BBk-kYnmWMgY72Gi2S6Qw3kZurj4o7V1bHLd8rNM-2nTZrffZWdVY30BwBR4HY6O4_Ss-SwDhy6cQyCmL2HZxmk4soJ9xY51jIV631QkBaJ7TZeDxF1JBr_DeKQ/s400/rundnc%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHRNexPdLbikknbNd0u8_zQWtsfer01kKUBoBKV_lM1wC2tjRDNA-fRkC8gWETdlDaFeUOkQztjJC_1ebjMevH5mmT19CVtezFiarWEPnljbwDNdvZOHgsRRyHHf2Ji9XxSox6Q/s1600-h/bill2[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240510922882452754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHRNexPdLbikknbNd0u8_zQWtsfer01kKUBoBKV_lM1wC2tjRDNA-fRkC8gWETdlDaFeUOkQztjJC_1ebjMevH5mmT19CVtezFiarWEPnljbwDNdvZOHgsRRyHHf2Ji9XxSox6Q/s400/bill2%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-5728934050401407512008-08-28T18:01:00.000-07:002008-08-30T12:32:22.110-07:00Live From Denver #7<strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >DAY 4/INSTALLMENT #7: Celeb Sightings, Food Issues</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Designer <strong>Oswald Botang</strong> just wondered into media arena slinking around looking for interviews. He is here with <strong>Jamie Foxx</strong> who is doing interviews for his radio station and all charring about the <strong>Vanity Fair</strong> party.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Hectic at concession stand--ALL volunteers, so that portion of proceeds go to charity so </span><span style="font-family:arial;">feeding 70,000 people using people who have never served meals before and running out of food too makes things more than interesting!</span> </div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-49084198850436854932008-08-28T16:03:00.000-07:002008-08-28T16:44:45.781-07:00Live Fron Denver #6<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>DAY 4/INSTALLMENT #6: From Joe Biden To Obama-Loving Cab Driver To Kayne West--A Night of Nights</strong></span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Things just keep getting better and better.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/images/politics/july-dec08/biden_speech1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px" height="485" alt="" src="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/images/politics/july-dec08/biden_speech1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">So, some skill and diplomacy was needed last night. Not only did I post part of this blog during <strong>John Kerry</strong>'s speech but then had to time it so that I could at least watch <strong>Joe Biden</strong>'s acceptance speech on the monitors and hear it on the audio speakers as I left the Pepsi stadium to meet exec X from hot sponsor company y to pick up my exclusive credentials. There only being one, had to excuse myself nicely from my little circle in the skybox to then hook up with the other circle in attendance at the event. The audio of Biden's son's story of the car accident is echoing all over the perimeter of the Pepsi Center, and it's just so touching that I'm kinda glad I'm not sitting still focusing on it too much because it's just too sad. I pause a moment to think well for him and his family, no doubt!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The pure pedestrian and ground traffic is absolutely crazy here so you need to leave three times the amount of time to do something than you normally would. I had to pick up the credential at one part of town and then get to an entirely different part of town before a certain time because I was assured that it would be so packed that no one would be let in after probably 10:30pm. I grabbed the by-now famed 16th street shuttle and made it to the hotel bar to meet my new biz associate who I almost got so wrapped up discussing his former political career before his current career (over a quick drink) that I found myself having to quickly scoop up my <strong>Kanye West</strong> image graced credential, step right out into a taxi and make it to Denver's EXDO club.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I get the most charming Ethiopian cab driver who is super into all the events of the week. He recently became a citizen and explains that he has been following Obama's career since he watched him deliver his famous speech at the previous convention. Dude is no joke on his knowledge!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">There is already a crazy line outside complete with generators whirring and at least 20 klieg lights flashing. This is the place to be.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Although the club seems a bit cavernous, it fills up quickly. The crowd is certainly more stiff than a regular music industry party. And I don't see nearly the amount of diversity in the club as I do on all the monitors. You see, this party is thrown by the philanthropic <strong>One</strong> organization in tandem with the <strong>Recording Industry Association of America</strong>. The event is to bring awareness to malaria in Africa and there are nothing but the usual images of Africans looking ill and deprived. I can't help but wonder what mainstream America would do if Africa were not always around to "save" and if people of color are accepted more on either a celebrated level or some level such as this only rather than the real trickle down effects of balance in that actual room. </span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Hmmmm.... (cause for the RIAA making the bulk of its revenue thanks to artists of color and execs of color who know how to push them....know what I mean?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">)Anyway, I grab one of the limited stools there around a table and are soon joined by some people who work for a prominent Congressman. We end up having a gang of fun together and are later joined by an insider at the DNCC and that person's companions. Did you know that when the convention originally started that no one knew who the nominee was going to be and that is why everyone was called to convene to "vote."</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Hence the "roll call" of the states and all. I found this out from my new politico connects. This is also why now there is just so much talking in the hall (unless it's a big speaker) because there is not that level of intrigue anymore. Oh, I should mention, if you don't already know, there are hours and hours of speakers and coverage which you are not seeing on TV and even what you are seeing on TV is cut - in real time. Crazy, huh?</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway, I get some interesting information which I can't really share, but here<a href="http://www.merryswankster.com/images/KanyeWest_stop.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px" height="561" alt="" src="http://www.merryswankster.com/images/KanyeWest_stop.jpg" border="0" /></a> is some I can. While we are talking, the secret service is doing a sweep of <strong>INVESCO</strong> so that it is prepared by 3am for east coast morning shows to be on the ground of the stadium reporting. They have to work fast and expertly in order to time it. Usually more time is given! It's less than 24 hours. No joke.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">But almost at the anticipated time of shortly after midnight, our boy appears and it's hot. <strong>Kanye</strong> takes the stage like a pro with his full band. It's live, it's hot, it's fun. We're even privy to portions of songs which he just wrote two days ago. But when <strong>Jamie Foxx</strong> comes out to do "Golddigger" with him, I almost lose my mind! Surprise. "Good Life" was a crazy highlight as well. Icing on top of the cake? Around 1am the club served waffled, pancakes and breakfast burritos buffet style. Too cute.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Ben Affleck</strong> and others were in the house as well.</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I hear the rumor that it's a million-dollar party but neither myself, nor my confidant, can see that reflected although - don't get me wrong, it was cute.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Ah, the money that is available in this country!I fall into bed around 3am. No interviews for this girl. I'm chilling and having a nice breakfast and meeting some Denver friends before heading leisurely to <strong>INVESCO</strong>.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Today is like Xmas, New Year's and your b-day all rolled into one. It's Obama-time!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Much more later, kidz.....</span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-92211768678650223872008-08-27T12:30:00.000-07:002008-08-28T16:28:23.776-07:00Live From Denver #5<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>DAY 3/INSTALLMENT #5: SHOWTIME FOR CLINTON, PARTY WITH A PURPOSE, TALKING NEW MEDIA</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><a href="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CD947_clinto_NS_20080826233454.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px" height="273" alt="" src="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CD947_clinto_NS_20080826233454.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">All keeps moving like a fabulous, power-party train headed to the destination of the <strong>Obama</strong> platform.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">When I last left you, I was headed to the convention floor after a few conference calls in the lounge at the <strong>Denver Sheraton</strong> fresh from the <strong>Pelosi-Clinton-Obama</strong> (Michelle) extravaganza just finishing up moments in the ballroom on the floor below.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">From there, flagged down a convention shuttle after flashing my credential to make it to the convention as the sun started to set on Denver and the crowds of delegates and VIPs and government officials filed in to that evenings speeches.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">And while many inspirational words were heard, the only person most were waiting to hear were those of <strong>Senator Hillary Clinton</strong> herself. I felt rather privileged that I would hear her live not once but twice in the same day--and that being on the anniversary of the women's right to vote--not many people could say that.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">If I thought the Pepsi Center was packed before, it was full to the rafters in anticipation of her speech. From our skybox we could even hear security officials yelling for people to move from the stairs in the center.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">By now you have all seen her speech and probably provided your own critique and read that of at least three or four others. So suffice it to say, that one cannot deny it was powerful and I don't think she could have selected a better word-picture than that of <strong>Harriet Tubman</strong>. The subtlety was not lost on this writer at all!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Still riding high off the energy, all filed out after the Clinton speech and headed into the sea of shuttle buses for the night's events.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The Black Newspaper Association</strong> had a low-key affair at the <strong>Ritz Carlton</strong> where I had the opportunity to chat with issues pertaining to youth culture and new media with <strong>Congresswoman Maxine Waters</strong> and <strong>Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa</strong>. Gracious and open, these two are no joke. You can peep my photos too. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Actress <strong>Angela Bassett</strong> along with <strong>Bernard Parks</strong> and others made it to the reception.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Beyond tired, headed from there to <strong>Vinyl</strong>, a club in Denver that was host to the second night affairs of <strong>Party with a Purpose</strong>. Celebs such as <strong>Blair Underwood</strong> were definitely in the house to check out <strong>Slick Rick, Whodini</strong> and more.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Barely fell into bed at the rented condo in<strong> Cherry Creek</strong> before it seemed it was morning already and time to get back on the air for interviews.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Who knows what time all these police and S.W.A.T and Secret Service guys get up though. And they are EVERYWHERE--On horse, motorcycle, golf carts. Surely, this must be the safest place on the planet--and the <strong>Big O</strong> hasn't even shown up yet. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The cool thing is, they are always quite friendly with their "good mornings" and it provides a great way to start the day.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Zooming past yet more security, I barely make it to the <strong>KPOO</strong> area for interviews which include speaking to the<strong> Vice-Chair of the DNC</strong> regarding strategy for diversity (or lack of it), <strong>San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris</strong> and helping her with the proper url for her new Facebook incarnation to running into<strong> Jamal Simmons</strong>, frequent CNN commentator in the hallway and talking mobile-meets-politics.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Rushing to yet another event at the <strong>Ritz-Carlton</strong>, where coincidentally, Kamala will speak, then some meetings regarding new media with government officials. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Time will fly before all the heavy hitters lined up for tonight so let me get moving.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">There are people to see and much opinions to be exchanged on the issues and figures.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I need a coffee!!</span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-72979554181531489602008-08-26T19:10:00.000-07:002008-09-03T11:39:01.915-07:00Live From Denver #4<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><strong>DAY 2/INSTALLMENT #4: WOMEN WORKING IT!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Ah, it's not easy doing deals, meeting with government officials regarding my upcoming <strong>Entertainment & Innovation Forum</strong> and assisting <strong>KPOO</strong> and documenting loads in this blog but I am holding it down! </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br /><br />Just got out of what was clearly the "historical" event of the day. Don't think the <strong>Denver Sheraton</strong> could have had more Secret Service officers to protect what would be the highlight of the afternoon, <strong>The Emily's List Gala</strong> from the organization that has helps empower female democrats. And on no more fitting day than that which celebrates the 88th year of the law giving women the "right" to vote. Truly some major energy shift is taking place right before our very eyes. From a time where there were only four female delegates to 2008 boasting the fact that the majority of delegates are now women! </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">This was the hot ticket, one which celebrated the "power of women to create a more progressive America." Packed cannot begin to describe the lower level of this hotel's entrance to the ballroom. Energy is high, newfound friends are made and the conversations are nothing but energy. Dashing from side to side are aides, assistants, producers and more. Mini-cheesecakes being served somehow manage to take the edge off a bit, though. Then, finally, time to start the event!<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Such distinguished speakers including of course, <strong>Ellen Malcolm</strong> - the energy force behind the organization, governors, congresswomen.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Highlights included not only <strong>Nancy Pelosi</strong> up close and personal,<strong> Hillary Clinton</strong> and "special guest" <strong>Michelle Obama</strong>. Talk about a power-packed room, and I am so excited to be just a handful of those able to witness this live and in person.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Denver is truly the hot spot and I am mixing politics, business and pleasure like few out here.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Gotta dash. Things to do before the next night on the "floor." People buzzing about Hillary's upcoming speech....</span><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Spotted<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ1Vn8PhHg2-noXuGAGbzm690vjy_2rmUOu865ZjynApZbOtMs0lc9e9WOBtDdk2M-QSvmTMXFFLVSczv6qSI8UmdCmHlDVgRCyvQ0jmYInOHLHvoZaaD_y9H8ZtzrdQOaQB9Ug/s1600-h/lc.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239199814037717826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ1Vn8PhHg2-noXuGAGbzm690vjy_2rmUOu865ZjynApZbOtMs0lc9e9WOBtDdk2M-QSvmTMXFFLVSczv6qSI8UmdCmHlDVgRCyvQ0jmYInOHLHvoZaaD_y9H8ZtzrdQOaQB9Ug/s400/lc.jpg" width="314" border="0" /></span></a></strong></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I, <strong>Lauren Coleman</strong> (co-publisher of <em>The A-List)</em> posin' in Denver with <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z8nSkpHlumOEEKo2ObncnnRGDpMoR61LeIqAgQO8iBOzPEPZYWKydl5Kg0Qn04shZh_tULb_yOTh3xwqpoR8_nfb1zVLpgxFj_cuUn3xc7xtQMu40pVYNaBTDUSg91E0d3vpEQ/s1600-h/sharp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239199736030926242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z8nSkpHlumOEEKo2ObncnnRGDpMoR61LeIqAgQO8iBOzPEPZYWKydl5Kg0Qn04shZh_tULb_yOTh3xwqpoR8_nfb1zVLpgxFj_cuUn3xc7xtQMu40pVYNaBTDUSg91E0d3vpEQ/s400/sharp.jpg" width="287" border="0" /></a>actor <strong>GianCarlo Esposito</strong> (<em>above)</em> and activist the <strong>Rev. Al Sharpton</strong> (<em>left).</em></p><div align="justify"><br /></span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-74617244850394243932008-08-26T12:14:00.000-07:002008-08-27T12:55:33.727-07:00LIVE FROM DENVER #3<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">DAY 2/INSTALLMENT #3: INTERVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, INTERVIEWS</span></strong></div><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/images/225040/0_61_092106_MichaelSteele.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.foxnews.com/images/225040/0_61_092106_MichaelSteele.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Just in the media room sipping some chai after early morning interviews one of which included former lieutenant Governor of Maryland turned political pundit <strong>Michael Steele,</strong> who is dynamic and fabulous. For mor<a href="http://styletraxx.com/jennifer_hudson.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" height="352" alt="" src="http://styletraxx.com/jennifer_hudson.jpg" border="0" /></a>e, listen to </span><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://kpoo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">kpoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Big day with <strong>Michelle Obama/Pelosi</strong> event at Denver Sheraton. Also got word that Oscar-winning actress/singer <strong>Jennifer Hudson</strong> has signed on to sing during the closing night of the convention. Ah, a little flavor added to that night's entertainment lineup. Readers, Stay tuned!</span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-66990622693646625092008-08-26T08:12:00.000-07:002008-08-26T08:29:29.100-07:00Live From Denver #2<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080825/cvn-michelle-obama/images/c22356ec-9534-4cd4-a85a-0610632a33a4.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" height="496" alt="" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080825/cvn-michelle-obama/images/c22356ec-9534-4cd4-a85a-0610632a33a4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Day 1 Continued: MICHELLE OBAMA, TED KENNEDY, & BARACK ONESIES</strong></span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">As you can imagine, <strong>Michelle Obama</strong>'s speech was the anticipated highlight of the night but I'm sure you could feel the love for <strong>Ted Kennedy</strong> through your TV screens. It was NO joke to be on the floor the moment he took the podium. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Kudos to the DNC marketing team for including the "Kennedy" cards. As I stood next to actress and politico <strong>Susan Sarandon</strong> taking it all in, you could feel that history was being made.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Moving on to Michelle's speech. I think one can't help but be impressed by her poise and grace. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">For me however, I feel like as the months pass they are truly grooming this woman to be less and less feisty and more "good wife" and "mother." Is that what it takes? </span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">And for that matter, is that also what it takes to basically make no reference to being African-American to ensure a White House win. One can't help, between the lily White, midwest family we see balancing out the image of the Black family on stage coupled with the Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen performances scheduled after Barack Obama's upcoming speech on Thursday, just what this all means in a larger sociological aspect. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">It's certainly nothing that many executives in our country have had to do before but if that is the case, then where is the "history" as Blacks have always been notoriously known for being given "gifts" once they assimilate well. Ah, but this is a topic for exploration in a much more expanded context, I suppose.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">All this going on while <strong>Spike Lee</strong>, <strong>Gov. Bill Richardson and </strong><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://will.i.am/" target="_blank"><strong>Will.i.am</strong></a> move easily through the crowds and concession stands just taking it all in.I can't help smile, as I make my way after the convention through Denver's busy downtown 16th street, as I listen to a White guy expound about how Black athletes are too apolitical today and need to take a stand like Muhammad Ali.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This all going on next to a clearly delinquent kid who just got a $65 ticket for skateboarding that only serves to build up his rebellion.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">And if you think the police are joking here, just try it. Sweet as can be, even posing for pictures, they are in full body armour with a rumor that there is one policeman for every five people. A new friend here says that her friend's husband is just one of many cops brought in from neighboring cities to "man" the event--6 straight 15 hours shift days. Whew!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But official organizing ain't the only thing going on here. Every enterprising entrepreneur is selling T-shirts, buttons, bags--even baby clothes!--is here, too. My personal favorite? A baby nightie that says "<strong>Barack-a-bye Baby</strong>." Gotta love it.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">And what is a convention without parties!? So I hit the <strong>TV One</strong> event, complete with open bar and <strong>Biz Markie</strong> spinning. A little tame, but nice. NPR's <strong>Farai Chideya</strong> and I exchange thoughts about the political event, then I grab and champagne and I'm out.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">In just a few hours, it will be time to be on the air again!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">However, just before I make it to my rented condo (which I hear is not that far from <strong>Oprah</strong>'s rented mansion), I meet a Black woman who asks if I've been to the convention. When she hears I was even "on the floor," she exclaims, "Gir-r-r-rl, how did you do that?" Turns out she is into the history making aspect of this. From the original civil rights generation, this woman is beyond into it. She flew from Nashville just to be in the mix. Not a credential or hook up in sight. She says she asked to volunteer but was turned down. I can't help but remember all the fresh-faced young White kids I've encountered who are volunteering and continue to wonder, in this day of new media meets multiculti prez nom, just how much history is still really being made....</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>SPOTTED</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">On floor saw Speak of the House<strong> Nancy Pelosi, Jesse Jackson Jr.,</strong> <strong>former President Jimmy Carter</strong> among a sea of flags.</span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-46064304479059058312008-08-25T17:16:00.000-07:002008-08-26T07:27:50.279-07:00LIVE FROM DENVER #1<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE DNCC</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><p align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">DAY 1: CIVIL RIGHTS, CELEBRITIES & INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONEERS</span></strong></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">When it comes to events, this is probably the biggest in the world this year. Forget the Olympics, it's all about the <strong>DNCC--The Democratic National Convention.</strong></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">And Denver could not be more hospitable. Everyone is helpful and excited and friendly.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">What started off a bit<a href="http://www.iagofilms.com/photo/giancarlo.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" height="602" alt="" src="http://www.iagofilms.com/photo/giancarlo.jpg" border="0" /></a> quietly on Sunday has risen to a full crescendo. Sunday afternoon kicked off with a me stopping at an event at the <strong>Denver Press Club</strong> where actor <strong>GianCarlo Esposito</strong> (<em>left) </em>was promoting his new film, <em><strong>Gospel Hill</strong></em>. Perfect timing with all the Black press in town. Wait - what "all"? Even though there may be a multiracial candidate, one is hard pressed to find a lot of multiracial representation here no matter what the form: media, delegate or otherwise.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><a href="http://www.cnn.com/interactive/allpolitics/0105/speaks.democrat/3.maxine.waters.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" height="324" alt="" src="http://www.cnn.com/interactive/allpolitics/0105/speaks.democrat/3.maxine.waters.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">However, not letting that put a damper on things.In fact, spirits were lifted ASAP at an event that <strong>Congresswoman Maxine Waters</strong> held at the famed <strong>Buell Theater</strong>. She along with <strong>Tavis Smiley</strong>, actor<strong> Danny Glover</strong> and others hosted an evening which honored and examined "<strong>The Success of the Civil Rights Movement</strong>." It explored the history and future of the impact of these organizations on politics. It was a completely moving evening and one much welcomed. However, I cannot help but look at events such as these and think how constituents and consumers could be so easily reached with at least some kind of engaging on-line and mobile phone version of something so very important. This omission, may, even though these pioneers are the reason I can even blog about this today, point to the fact that "re-branding'"is even needed in the approach to Civil Rights overall and dare I say Equity Rights!!</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Who wouldn't want to have captured the <strong>Rev. Al Sharpton</strong>'s comments from the evening during his acceptance speech of his award, though. Sum it up to say that he quoted a smug person who said to him that their stellar resume was not created by Civil Rights. To this he replied, "Maybe, but it's the Civil Rights Movement that makes somebody READ your resume." To which the house came down. Yeah, after that, I had to get a photo with him as we chatted a bit outside.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Late night to an early day which then began with only four hours of sleep and weaving through the LONG labyrinth of security checks and credentials checks to the very large and modern <strong>Pepsi Center </strong>for interviews (both of myself and conducted by myself) for radio station <strong>KPOO</strong> in San Francisco. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Spoke to the head of <strong>NABJ</strong> regarding policy particularly for more media ownership of color ,which lead to a dynamic and passionate discussion. Stay tuned for interviews with <strong>Louis Gossett Jr, Jamal Simmons </strong>from <strong>CNN</strong> and more. </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Working a ton in the media centers (in between chair massages and smoothies). While out and about met the VP of the <strong>Republic the Congo</strong> who was here for the festivities. Interesting! Nice international presence.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Energy HIGH as all the talk is about <strong>Michelle Obama</strong>'s speech. Heading onto the actual floor now! More later....</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">(oh, but why did I notice the crawl late last night on the <em><strong>Denver Post</strong></em> building that <strong>Bon Jovi</strong> and <strong>Bruce Springsteen</strong> are performing at O's acceptance speech. Where is the diversity in that??<em><strong>--Lauren Coleman</strong></em></span></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-17190945757654230882008-08-15T12:19:00.000-07:002008-09-15T08:15:53.663-07:00Issue #113<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NH03_MmDplYsbMp6MSNDTzVKO16yRHQrlbo8IuRAy248olweQyyD8ArJQL7wnpvSCsXtJGkCdYoMx1IA30tPO3junO5-731Xu7lv6nw-de4uCfWPeEhmyRvi0xbx9J0JhJSPkg/s1600-h/MJF51-728x90_AAJ[1].gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234843954604288338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NH03_MmDplYsbMp6MSNDTzVKO16yRHQrlbo8IuRAy248olweQyyD8ArJQL7wnpvSCsXtJGkCdYoMx1IA30tPO3junO5-731Xu7lv6nw-de4uCfWPeEhmyRvi0xbx9J0JhJSPkg/s400/MJF51-728x90_AAJ%5B1%5D.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&attid=0.2&disp=inline&view=att&th=11bb92713181d036"></a><br /><div style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)" align="right"><strong>To join The A-List,<br />email us TODAY for<br />your free "membership"<br /></strong><a href="mailto:thealistmag@gmail.com"><strong>thealistmag@gmail.com</strong></a><br /></div><br /><p><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>OV</strong></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>ERSEEN &</strong></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong> OVERHEARD</strong></span><br /></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">TIME TO MAKE THE MOVIES</span></strong>...<strong>Time Inc. </strong>is venturing into films. According to the media giant, it has teamed up with man</span><span style="font-family:arial;">agement-production company <strong>Collective </strong>and<strong> XYZ Films</strong>, a production firm that finances rights acquisitions, script development and bridge lending, to produce features and documentaries based on articles published in Time Inc. magazines--<em><strong>Time, Sports Illustrated, </strong></em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><strong>Fortune</strong></em> and <em><strong>Life</strong></em>. Here's how the deal works: XYZ will contribute a seven-figure development fund that will option articles, hire screenwriters and tie talent to packages that ca</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n then be shopped to studios. The first project out of the gate will be based on a <em>Sports Illustrated</em> article entitled <strong>"Breaking the Bank"</strong> about Ultimate F</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ighting Championship player <strong>"Lighting" Lee Murray</strong>, who is suspected of masterminding the largest bank heist in history in 2006. Smart move for magazines to venture into other arenas, given the stats released this week that magazine newsstand sales dropped 6.3% the first quarter of 2008. To make the </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Time Studios</strong> venture even more successful, the company will need to not only reach out to Urban Hollywood, but to also pr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">oduce films that wil</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l appeal to a multicultural audience.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>THE BIBLE FOR SALE?</strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">...The rumor about the <em><strong>Hollywood Reporter</strong></em> being placed up for sale b</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">y the Nielsen Company is the talk of the town</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">. The Hollywood trade bible has been down in readership and ad sales. If the gossip mill is true, this only points for the need for more diversity in the media. </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And as the browning of America continues, it is only wise for all media--including the trades--to boost their multicultural coverage and readership.</span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><a href="http://www.wern.fm/SherylLeeRalph4.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; HEIGHT: 197px" height="486" alt="" src="http://www.wern.fm/SherylLeeRalph4.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DATE WITH A DIVA</span></strong>...It's almost hard to believe but it's been 18 years since actress <strong>Sheryl Lee </strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Ralph</strong> launched her annual <strong>DIVAS: Simply Singing</strong> (<a href="http://www.divassimplysinging.com/" target="_blank" mce_href="http://www.divassimplysinging.com/">www.divassimplysinging.com/</a>) to benefit AIDS programs. We just got word from her camp that this year, the charitable event will take place October 11th in LA at the Wilshire Theatre</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Beverly Hills . Confirmed DIVAS slated to perform are leg</span><span style="font-family:arial;">endary singers <strong></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Patti Austin, Siedah Garrett, Miki Howard</strong>. All money raised through their efforts goes to help those in</span><span style="font-family:arial;">fected and affected by HIV/AIDS, making this a great event to support. </span><a href="http://www.jacklail.com/blog/archives/031212_stewart_vsm_7a.vlarge.jpeg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 166px; HEIGHT: 200px" height="511" alt="" src="http://www.jacklail.com/blog/archives/031212_stewart_vsm_7a.vlarge.jpeg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FAILED TEST</span></strong>...<strong>NPR</strong></span> <span style="font-family:arial;">has pulled the plug on its experimental weekday morning program "<strong>Bryant Park Project,</strong>" which was aimed at drawing a you</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nger audience. Hosts <strong>Alison Stewart, </strong>formerly of MTV, and former NPR radio host <strong>Luke Burbank</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">wrapped up their last broadcast of this New York-based progr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">am on July 25. You can't say NPR didn't try; the first-year budget for the program, which debuted Oct. 1, was more than $2 million.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The live two-hour program included a range of topics from news to culture. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Despite promise the show was on shaky footing from the star</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t, say insiders. First Burbank quit before the debut,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> staying on on-air just for three months. Stewart, on maternity leave, was then absent from the show for weeks. The news anchor, Rachel Martin, jumped to ABC News in May and two NPR execs who helped develop the program departed. The <span style="font-family:arial;">show's idea seemed innovative enough, but the misstep may have been in not tapping young, fresh faces as hosts and anchors. Stewart, now 42, is a seasoned </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">journalist</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> but the target audience may have b</span><span style="font-family:arial;">een itching for a media newbie. And the lack of marketing certainly didn</span><span style="font-family:arial;">'t help</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> draw audiences to the program.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><a href="http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gawker/2008/05/angela-bassett_l.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 184px" height="533" alt="" src="http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gawker/2008/05/angela-bassett_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>CAN YOU SAY "STAT"?</strong>...</span>Film actress <strong>Angela Bassett</strong> is spreading her wings. She's finally making her small screen debut. Bassett </span><span style="font-family:arial;">has signed on to the cast of "<strong>ER</strong>" for the long-running series' fina</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l season. As will all those who pass through ER's hospital co</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rridors, Bassett's character will have a troubled past. She comes to the ER as a </span><span style="font-family:arial;">doctor just back in Chicago after a few years in Indonesia doing tsunami relief. While it'll be great to see Bassett in prime time, <em>The A-List</em> can't wait to see her in the just-wrapped B.I.G</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. biopic <em>Notorious</em>.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">GIRL SURFERS</span></strong>...Cyber power, that's what Black women are going for, so a new study says. It seems Black women are more likely than other female consumers to spend time using technology, and they view cellphones and the Internet as tools of empowerment and self-expression,according to a new <em><strong>E</strong></em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><strong>ssence Magazine</strong></em> survey. Blac</span><span style="font-family:arial;">k women are five times more likely to use cellphones for three or more hours a day. The survey found Black women, 31% of those questioned, also embrace new mobile technology, with 21% of them using cellphone Web browsers to make purchases, compared with 8%</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> of</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> other women.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> With all this usage by Black females, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">content distributors and providers are missing the boat by not creating more online destinations catering to this growing market. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Surf on sisters, surf on.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>GOVERNMENT AT WORK (WE HOPE)</strong>...</span>At last, someone in government is moving to create more minority media ownership, something <em>The </em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>A-List</em> has been calling for since we created a "increased opportunities" petition to the FCC (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/463150484" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/463150484</span></a>). A bill to promote minority media ownership was recently introduced by <strong>U.S. </strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Senator Robert Menendez</strong> (D-NJ<strong style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">)</strong> The bill supports diversity in media ownership with new legislation to restore the tax certificate policy for sales of telecommunications properties to socially disadvantaged businesses, or SDBs. The tax certificates policy, according to the proposed bill, should cre</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ate new opportunities for socially disadvantaged broadcasters and encourage investment in their companies. It would also promote diversity of voices in the nation's current media outlets. The bill would provide $350 million in tax certificates for use over a six-year period to qualified SDBs to use as incentives for corporations to sell telecom properties to them. In a statement, the senator said: "I support diversity in media ownership because it provides a window into comm</span><span style="font-family:arial;">unitie</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s, languages, views, and values that might not otherwise be heard without these outlets...Unfortunately, we see major news outlets airing too many sensationalist stories on outlandish topics, such as immigrants with leprosy, black street gangs or Mexican plots to </span><span style="font-family:arial;">re-co</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nquer the United States. Americans should be able to flip to stations where we can hear about Asian-American CEOs revolutionizing their industries, African-American doctors saving lives, and Hispanic soldiers, many of whom are not yet citizens, bravely fighting overseas under the flag of the country they're proud to call their own." The real test will be if this moves through the Senate with fast</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> approval. We'll keep you updated.</span><br /></div><br /><p align="justify"><strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-size:180%;" >HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-family:Georgia;font-size:6;" ><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj140/mwzadotcom1/common.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; HEIGHT: 126px" height="326" alt="" src="http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj140/mwzadotcom1/common.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></span></strong><br /></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE END IS NEAR</span></strong>...Another <em>Terminator</em> is on the way. John Conner (<strong>Christian Bale</strong>) teams up with a freedom fighter, </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">"raptor" <strong>C</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><strong>ommon</strong>. <strong><em>Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins</em></strong> is a<strong><em> </em></strong><strong>Halcyon Pictures</strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span>production and will be distributed by <strong>Warner Bros</strong>, domes</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">tically. <strong>Son</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><strong>y</strong> will pick up the international release. <strong>McG</strong> (aka Joseph McGinty Nichol) is directing. In the flick, a th</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">irty-something Connor leads what is left of the human race in a battle against the machines. If<em> Terminator</em> is as popular as Bale's <em>Dark Knight</em> movie, then Common has jumped on board </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">a blockbuster. </span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MASTER TV</span></strong>...Is <strong>Master P</strong> turning into the Tyler Perry of Hip Hop? Maybe. Master P, who now goes by his given name Percy Miller, has announced he's launching a family-friendly cable network, <strong>Better Black Television</strong> (BBTV). The network will provide "positive content for a black and brown culture," according to a press release. BBTV, set to launch in 2009, will be a general entertainment channel running a wide range of scripted, unscripted and news programming, including drama and comedy series, movies, animation, reality, politics, sports and entertainment news, children's educational and teen programming, as well as "responsible hip-hop music and videos." Check out the lineup of BBTV advisory board members: <strong>Denzel Washington</strong>; Vault Load Films president <strong>Jim Finkl</strong>; NAACP executive director <strong>Vicangelo Bullock</strong>; NBA player <strong>Derek Anderson</strong>; cable industry veteran <strong>Prof. Sal Martino</strong>; hip-hop pioneer <strong>DJ Kool Herc</strong>; entrepreneur <strong>Olatokunbo Betiku</strong>; and real estate mogul <strong>Curtis Oakes</strong>. The cable channel is in the process of purchasing local cable channel affiliates across the country. Production on BBTV's programs, which include a classic R&B and Hip Hop music video show, a children's education program entitled, cooking show, a finance program, a comedy show, a bilingual soap opera and film showcase has begun in California, New York, Louisiana and Florida. Sounds like P, excuse us, Mr. Miller is serious about this venture. We'll keep you updated on developments.</span><br /></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"></strong></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:georgia;" >EXECUTIVE MOVES</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Boos</span></strong></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57pU_lJNdGgShVOEAxTYqCER2kL_-WlT_laHCxXxoYMASekj_lBmy0A7w9NHfOm9GuttQoh94VdRjh2TzEglNRmOOO324wlEgqP3EzRbNWTvSugYqGGkBpn4zh16jcheEatsGPg/s1600-h/mattcarter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234165489778072418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57pU_lJNdGgShVOEAxTYqCER2kL_-WlT_laHCxXxoYMASekj_lBmy0A7w9NHfOm9GuttQoh94VdRjh2TzEglNRmOOO324wlEgqP3EzRbNWTvSugYqGGkBpn4zh16jcheEatsGPg/s400/mattcarter.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">t Mobile names M</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">att Carter senior vice</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> president and GM</span></strong> </span></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint Corporation, has named Matt Carter as senior vice president and genera</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l manager. Carter now lead Boost's operations, including the Marketing, Sales and Distribution, Product Development, Finance and Customer Service departments. Most recently, Carter served as senior vice president, base management at Sprint. Carter holds a</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and an MBA from the Harvard Business</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>JAZZMYNE PUBLIC RELATIONS CELEBRATES 20 YEAR</b></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXYRY0d6BU2jMucUxVISjlETFY6bMb3fP1zx6GbTn6LHIVGkbPfcZKTzA9Z2KS4vCYvmGZTQzk4gkdC28sFWXRHDZ02icQeOt_o-CZOKoe8PVQvrili3QiNNn3cEPKTgcwLaYOw/s1600-h/97.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234166139981653106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXYRY0d6BU2jMucUxVISjlETFY6bMb3fP1zx6GbTn6LHIVGkbPfcZKTzA9Z2KS4vCYvmGZTQzk4gkdC28sFWXRHDZ02icQeOt_o-CZOKoe8PVQvrili3QiNNn3cEPKTgcwLaYOw/s400/97.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>S<br /></b></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">A-list celebrities, athletes, aut</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">hors, filmmakers, music producers, rappers, special events and businesses alike have received not only expert publici</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ty service, m</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">anagement and consulting and pers</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">onalized service from Jazzmyne agency head, Makeda Smith. Now celebrating 20 years in business, the boutique PR firm has consistently boasted a client base that <span style="font-family:arial;">competes with the majors. Past celebrity accounts have included Kevin Eubanks, Jamie Foxx, Nick Van Excel, Mo'Nique, Dorien Wilson, and J. Anthony Brown, to name a few. Prior to launching Jazzymne, </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Smith was Associate Director of West Coast Publicity at Hervey & Company, a public relations firm headed by industry veteran, Ramon Hervey.</span><br /></div><br /><p align="justify" style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)">NEWS</span></span></strong></p><br /><p align="justify" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:13;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >NCBCP and AURN announce joint initiative to "Get Out the Vote"</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span></span></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) have launched a nonpartisan radio campaign aimed at ensuring Americans register, verify their names on voter rolls and vote on Election Day. Over the next two months, the Unity '08 Campaign will target 18 states with their message of "Be the Change." According to the organization, in addition to promoting the NCBCP's Unity '08 voter assistance hotline 1-866-MYVOTE-</span><span style="font-family:arial;">1, the goal in the initial phase of the radio campaign is to make sure each eligible voter is registered, locates their polling place in advance and knows what to do if they incur problems at the polls. The initial phase of the campaign runs through October 1 and wil</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l be followed with phase two, encouraging citizens to vote early or on Election Day, November 4, 2008. </span><br /></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)">SPOTTED</span> </span></strong></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: georgia" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidD_yUNahnxJMcxeA2T61wUxF7g5_vuROClDtERrTR_4FNzlg-I8AkolKDbRvKoOBQELeqxComYPd26ykguQo1PoJwaz3gItyNQU453BqLYHUDBOsmh6sGNGtUMdWx202RS8QRg/s1600-h/Stevie_Wonder_and_Kenny_G[2].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234433228482136770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 220px" height="300" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidD_yUNahnxJMcxeA2T61wUxF7g5_vuROClDtERrTR_4FNzlg-I8AkolKDbRvKoOBQELeqxComYPd26ykguQo1PoJwaz3gItyNQU453BqLYHUDBOsmh6sGNGtUMdWx202RS8QRg/s400/Stevie_Wonder_and_Kenny_G%5B2%5D.JPG" width="298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:0;"><strong style="FONT-FAMILY: georgia"></strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Kenny G headed to KJLH-FM radio station in Los Angeles where he was spotted posin' with KJLH Program Director Aundrae Russell, Stevie Wonder, Will Downing and KJLH Morning Host Guy Black. Seems Kenny G was at the studio promoting</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> his new album <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Rhythm & Romance</span> and he and Will Downing were both in town to perform at the LA Jazz & Music Festival on July 26 at the Greek Theater. Stevie Wonder surprised the crowd that night by joining Kenny on-stage during his set. </span></span></p><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)">REMEMBERING...</span><br /></span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>BERNIE MAC & ISAAC HAYES</strong></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.southernledger.com/images_ap/1f0eef52-49c7-46fc-bcf5-31b8331b294c-1f0eef52-49c7-46fc-bcf5-31b8331b294c.jpg"><strong><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 144px" alt="" src="http://www.southernledger.com/images_ap/1f0eef52-49c7-46fc-bcf5-31b8331b294c-1f0eef52-49c7-46fc-bcf5-31b8331b294c.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.zap2it.com/20041110/berniemac_berniemac.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 171px" alt="" src="http://images.zap2it.com/20041110/berniemac_berniemac.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The tributes have</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> been flowing in for two Black Ho</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">llywood icons, who died suddenly last week and both of whom star together in the upcoming </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:arial;" >Soul Men,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> directed by Malcolm D. Lee and also starring Samuel L. Jackson. Our own Gil Robertson and members of his African American Film Critics Association had this to say.</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“Bernie Mac had the ability to effortlessly make people laugh,” says critic Wilson Morales. “He was an incredible talent with whom my colleagues and I in AAFCA always looked forward to covering. Bernie had a big heart and he will certainly be missed </span><span style="font-size:100%;">by the members of our organization.” </span></span></div><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“The loss of Isaac Hayes less than 24-hours after Bernie M</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ac represents a major double blow to the entire entertainment industry, black Hollywood in particular,” says AAFCA President Gil Robertson IV. “The art form and expressions created by Isaac Hayes in particular resonated not only in American pop culture but throughout American life. Both are talents that will be missed but always remembered.”<br /></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0);font-size:85%;" >The A-List <em>is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondent...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist</em></span></p></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-46202453651955776752008-05-23T14:55:00.000-07:002008-06-10T22:53:48.947-07:00107<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulmeKSl31DEgGcgNTjhbXFjH-3YLon5u5bA5s05_O31GnH4f7x6LxlN7QbUPGTrEA2QLSLDmqmnDpb0jPCJ47sn3IPgXYnW0QMcOmpTh6WwZ1FpgNmkow4E-CZ1zx0LHxH7aGjQ/s1600-h/NewLogo%2525255B1%2525255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulmeKSl31DEgGcgNTjhbXFjH-3YLon5u5bA5s05_O31GnH4f7x6LxlN7QbUPGTrEA2QLSLDmqmnDpb0jPCJ47sn3IPgXYnW0QMcOmpTh6WwZ1FpgNmkow4E-CZ1zx0LHxH7aGjQ/s400/NewLogo%2525255B1%2525255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203332482765497170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">TO SEE THE LATEST ISSUE OF <span style="font-style: italic;">THE A-LIST</span>,<br />PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW LINK:</span><br /><a href="http://thealistmagazine.wordpress.com"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">http://thealistmagazine.wordpress.com</span></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><strong>To join <em>The A-List,</em><br />email us TODAY for<br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong>your free "membership"</strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="mailto:thealistmag@gmail.com" target="_blank"><strong>thealistmag@gmail.com</strong></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD<br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">BEST IN SHO</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rem.ufpr.br/REMv7/Brett_Wood/RuPaul.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 245px;" src="http://www.rem.ufpr.br/REMv7/Brett_Wood/RuPaul.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">...Looks like </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">Logo</b><span style="font-family:arial;">, the digital network from </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">MTV Networks</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">Viacom</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> for the LGBT community, is on the come-up in terms of additional programming. Grand "dame" of the drag world, </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">RuPaul</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> has just been tapped to host a brand new reality show wonderfully titled "</span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">RuPaul's Drag Race.</b><span style="font-family:arial;">" The series, executive produced by </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">Randy Barbato</b> ("What Perez <span style="font-family:arial;">Sez"),</span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"> Fenton Bailey</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> ("What Perez Sez") and </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">Tom Campbell </b><span style="font-family:arial;">will consist of six, one-hour episodes in which contestants will compete for the crown of best Queen. One lucky contestant will actually be selected for a spot on the series via entry on the show's site, </span><b style="font-family: arial;" face="arial">RuPaulsDragRace.com</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> where on-line votes will determine the winning contestant. Teases RuPaul, "We're planning lots of surprises, plus stars who fit very easily into the dragosphere-biologically male and female." Hold onto your hats, Folks. This should be a good one, but you'll have to wait until early '09 for episodes to begin airing.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><b>WEB WAR</b></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...</span><b face="arial">Google</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><b face="arial">Yahoo!</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> have a group of activists on the war path. A coalition of 16 civil rights and rural advocacy groups is speaking out against a penitential online advertising partnership between the two Internet giants and is urging federal regulators to investigate the potential combination. The coalition includes the </span><b face="arial">Black Leadership Forum</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> (an umbrella group of 36 civil rights organizations, including the </span><b face="arial">NAACP </b><span style="font-family:arial;">and the </span><b style="font-family: arial;">National Urban League</b><span style="font-family:arial;">) and the </span><b style="font-family: arial;">League of Rural Voters</b><span style="font-family:arial;">. The problem: The deal would is predicted to give the Google-Yahoo union almost 90 percent of the search advertising market and strengthen its influence over Internet users' access to information thereby potentially limiting new business opportunities on the Internet for African Americans. (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Click here: </span></span> <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Contact/ContactUs.asp?ievent=278162&en=imJULaNQJiK0JaMQLeJZLpN2IlI6KgPXIkK3LiP0JtI1JiP0JdIZLlM6IAK" target="_blank">Web War</a>).<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><b><span style="font-size:130%;">MISSI</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><b><span style="font-size:130%;">NG SUPER HERO?</span></b></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...We should have known something was up</span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.movieweb.com/news/01.2008/han2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 237px;" src="http://media.movieweb.com/news/01.2008/han2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> when the intrusive </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Hancock</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> ads around construction </span><span style="font-family:arial;">on Hollywood near Vine disappeared. Obviously,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> there may be trouble in future paradise for what had promised to be an action box office hit. Our connects at </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://cineblend.com/">cineblend.com</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> report that the next special-effects/action add-water-and-stir recipe upon which </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Will Smith </span><span style="font-family:arial;">seems to heavily rely for a sure-fire formula, may be missing an ingredient or two. Reportedly, the movie's world premiere that had been scheduled to take place next month in Australia has now been unceremoniously canceled. Cineblend.com says that due to reshoots the flick just won't be ready in time. But what really has us curious is the reason behind all this. Insiders say that the cause is "do-overs," which usually spells trouble. Whatever</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the case may be, we'll keep ya posted.</span><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:Georgia;font-size:24;" ><span style="font-size:180%;">HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD</span><br /></span></b><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><b><span name="intelliTxt">HYP</span></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd16qjMA9y_zWohfnJplXZPpfs7uOgGMuQ-ZOApRAhOyjl753FNcvc1Qr8xQOK3_QhA-IudmLt17nqwia7F4XdQlr0Rq7Zk2GgQ3cv8_76_wyll5MZ7QpPBz_M6li0AMARNfdJg/s1600-h/hypepic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd16qjMA9y_zWohfnJplXZPpfs7uOgGMuQ-ZOApRAhOyjl753FNcvc1Qr8xQOK3_QhA-IudmLt17nqwia7F4XdQlr0Rq7Zk2GgQ3cv8_76_wyll5MZ7QpPBz_M6li0AMARNfdJg/s400/hypepic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203335308853977954" border="0" /></a><b><span name="intelliTxt">E GETS NERDY</span></b></span><span style="font-family:arial;">...We've been waiting and wondering if famed video director Hype Williams might ever re-enter the cinema scene after the "Belly" scenario. Well, wonder no more. He's ba-a-a-a-ck. for the next </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Hype Williams</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> (</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >pictured) </span><span style="font-family:arial;">flick. The </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Belly</i><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;">revered, in-demand music video director has made a film about the hip hop super trio collection </span><b style="font-family: arial;">N.E.R.D.</b><span style="font-family:arial;">--you know, the group recording artist and multi-platinum producer </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Pharrell Williams</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> fronts along with producing partner </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><span name="intelliTxt">Chad Hugo</span></b><span style="font-family:arial;"> of super production duo </span><b style="font-family: arial;">the Neptunes</b><span style="font-family:arial;">, and their partner </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Shay Haley</b><span style="font-family:arial;">. The untitled movie will hit theaters this December and is said to be a musical documentary of sorts. No word yet on the studio. Pharrell has been telling media folk it's like </span><b style="font-family: arial;">The Beatles'</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Hard Day's Night</i><span style="font-family:arial;">." So this we gotta see. Apparently the bad taste Hollywood supposedly left in Hype's mouth washed out after </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Belly'</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s poor reception has wash out.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:Georgia;" >EXECUTIVE MOVES</span></b></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><b>TV One N</b></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCTu1nJ_M4lfXas-NeCmLOiLRDc9deTp8B4bpRqVAQGX6eOiQxzXLLj287mhFSAkrPmjAYVIjqSKU_nMU2bgisSHEm9i1G7rfbQi9W-5EB31rvuLR2emHgElcds4RfAemtD3Ug/s1600-h/rice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCTu1nJ_M4lfXas-NeCmLOiLRDc9deTp8B4bpRqVAQGX6eOiQxzXLLj287mhFSAkrPmjAYVIjqSKU_nMU2bgisSHEm9i1G7rfbQi9W-5EB31rvuLR2emHgElcds4RfAemtD3Ug/s400/rice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203604337015464818" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><b>ames Michelle Rice Executive VP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Michelle Rice has been named executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing of TV One. Rice joined TV One in January 2004 as vice president of distribution strategy and operations and in April 2005 was named senior vice president. Before joining TV One, she was Northeast regional vice president for affiliate relations and national accounts for iNDemand in New York. At iNDemand, she was responsible for affiliate sales and local marketing efforts in the Northeastern United States, including negotiating and implementing the company's affiliation agreements for carriage of pay-per-view, video-on-demand, event, and HD channels.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >NEWS</span><br /><br /><div style="font-family:arial;"><b><span style="font-size:130%;">TIME WARNER & TIME WARNER CABLE SPILT</span></b></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Time Warner Inc. and cable television arm Time Warner Cable Inc. have announced their boards recently approved the companies' legal separation, with Time Warner Cable expected to pay a $10.9 billion one-time dividend to shareholders. As parent of the nation's second-largest cable operator, Time Warner will receive $9.25 billion of the payout, or $10.27 per share of Time Warner Cable common stock. The dividend will be distributed just before the deal is completed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to a favorable Internal Revenue Service ruling on its tax treatment as well as regulatory reviews and local franchise approvals.</span><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >The A-List <em>is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondent...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist</em></span><br /><div class="Ih2E3d"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> </blockquote></div> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span><div class="Ih2E3d"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div class="gmail_quote"><div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div class="gmail_quote"><div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> </blockquote></div></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></div><br /></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-61651566958531330342008-05-12T15:00:00.000-07:002008-05-20T06:33:45.067-07:00106<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVeFzyVfnvEgZLdOW2s_YzPOl_I9yZwsQSydQ_Xw6drcbdrZrbWMf9HiFveE9nuTxsbyBbI2XU0OwwOYzaluZAtM-7NPCLqU-Ej8j1VL6c2BI_X2x-OrtviOQOdh7gQEwwajIag/s1600-h/NewLogo%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199600498229359650" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVeFzyVfnvEgZLdOW2s_YzPOl_I9yZwsQSydQ_Xw6drcbdrZrbWMf9HiFveE9nuTxsbyBbI2XU0OwwOYzaluZAtM-7NPCLqU-Ej8j1VL6c2BI_X2x-OrtviOQOdh7gQEwwajIag/s400/NewLogo%2525255B1%2525255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><strong>To join <em>The A-List,</em><br />email us TODAY for<br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong>your free "membership"</strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="mailto:thealistmag@gmail.com" target="_blank"><strong>thealistmag@gmail.com</strong></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" >OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FREE NET NEWS</span></strong>...Folks for a net neutrality are celebrating--at least for the moment. Earlier this week,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Democrats <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rep. John Conyers</span> (Michigan), who is African American, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Rep. Zoe Lofgren</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> (from the Silicon Valley area of California) </span><span style="font-family:arial;">introduced a bill--the </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act</span><span style="font-size:0;">--</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">that would subject broadband providers to antitrust violations if they block or slow Int</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ernet traffic</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">"Hollywood’s creative community depends on Net Neutrality to guarantee that the Internet remain</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s a free-flowin</span><span style="font-family:arial;">g medium for independent writers, producers and filmmakers," </span><span style="font-family:arial;">notes </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jen Howard,</span> spokes</span><span style="font-family:arial;">person for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Press </span>(</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.freepress.net/conference">http://www.freepress.net/conference</a>)</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">largest media reform organization in the U.S.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> whose efforts include </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.savetheinternet.com/">SaveTheInternet.com.</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The bill's passage would result in keeping the Internet free and open. "The larger goal is affordable Internet access for everyone, everywhere. We need a competitive Internet that will bring lower prices, faster speeds and more choices to all Americans," says Howard. "If Internet service providers continue to block Web sites and services, Americans will be denied the economic and social opportunities that innovative technologies promise. You might want to mark your calendars for </span><span style="font-family:arial;">June 6-8 when</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Free Press holds its National Conference for Media Reform</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> in Minneapolis. The Net Neutrality issue is of great concern, of course, to African Americans in new media as this new distribution avenue is vital. Shout out to Conyers for is efforts to push this forward. You know, we'll keep you posted on any other developments.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CANNO</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">N READY TO SERVE</span></span>...He may best be known these d</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ays as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mariah Carey</span>'s new hubby, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nick Cannon</span> also has other developments. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Will Smith</span> ha</span>s just recently tapped <span style="font-family:arial;">Cannon to play tennis legend <span style="font-weight: bold;">Arthur Ashe</span> in a biopic Smith's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Overbrook Productions</span> is bringing to the big screen. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The unnamed project will start shooting later this year. Let's see if Cannon can serve up enough on-screen acting ability to put him the serious dramatic actor league.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://z.about.com/d/gaylife/1/0/-/M/Photo_Big_300RGB-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 189px; cursor: pointer; height: 201px;" alt="" src="http://z.about.com/d/gaylife/1/0/-/M/Photo_Big_300RGB-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ICEBERG HEATS UP</span></span>...<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Mack Daddy Alert. </span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Ice</strong><strong>berg Slim</strong>'s clas</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >sic pimp novel <em><strong></strong></em></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><em><strong>Ma</strong></em></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><em><strong>ma Black Widow</strong></em></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > is being brought to the big screen--after a heated bidding war over the book right</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >s. "It was </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > extremely difficult, says p</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >roducer <strong>Erika Connor</strong> (co-producer,<em> Idlewild</em>). Ultimately, the producers had </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >"to overbid by quite a high number to secure the rights/</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >property," she</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > adds. Now </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Darren Grant</strong> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Diary of A Mad Bl</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">ack Woman) </span>is set to direct; </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Kerry Washington, Mos Def, Rhianna, Anthony Anderson</strong> and <strong>Macy Gray </strong>(<span style="font-style: italic;">pictured) </span>are all attached. Currently in </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >pre-pro</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >duction, filming is set to start on location in L.A .and Chicago this summer. Budgeted at $5 million, Connor </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >says they are "</span><span style="font-family:arial;">still securing private financing" and are in talks with several </span><span style="font-family:arial;">studios about distribution. "Besides his familiar classics <span style="font-style: italic;">Pimp </span>and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Trick Baby</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> critics have said </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Mama Black Widow</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, about a Black transvestite, is one of Slim's most important w</span><span style="font-family:arial;">orks," says Connor. "My fellow producers, Darren, and I all agreed that our goal is to have [the audience]understand this characters' psyche." While Connor and Grant seem to be on a roll with their film adaptation, the movie adaptation of </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Pimp</i><span style="font-family:arial;"> (to be directed by </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Bill Duke</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and staring </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Ice Cube</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) seems indefinitely on hold. In 2004 rapper </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Pras </span><span style="font-family:arial;">acquired the rights to produce a movie based on the book. What would be equally as interesting as any of Slim's novels, would be a biopic on the life of the colleg</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e-stude</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nt-tuned-pimp-turned-convict-turned-author.<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210311672_0" style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">REALITY DREAMS</span></strong>...Hold onto your hats,<strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">comedian, actor </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210311672_0" style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><strong>Eddie Griffin</strong> is returning to TV. Lacking </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210311672_0" style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">a great track record with scripted sitcoms, Griffin is going the reality route. <strong>VH1</strong></span> has picked up a reality series starring actor <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1210311672_1" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Griffin</span> tentatively titled "<strong>Edd</strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>ie Griffin Going for Broke.</strong>" Unfortunately it sounds like a rehash of Snoop's recent successful series on E! show as the concept</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> is similar. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Now even the reality shows are becoming bad reruns. As the reality show circus become dominated by people of color, it's going to be up to those in front of the camera, many of whom are co-producing the shows, to step up the game and keep this genre fresh and exciting.</span><strong></strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">SCHOOL NEWS</span></span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">...Looking to reach a younger audience, <strong>ABC News</strong> plans to open bureaus this fall on the campuses of five universities across the United States. While offering on-the-job training to aspiring journalists, ABC News said it would gain greater insights into the lives of the 33 million U.S. 18-to-25-year-olds--a demographic every major network news division is striving hard to reach. The initiative will be launched in journalism schools at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Arizona State University, Syracuse University, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,</span> and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> University of Texas at Austin</span>. What's missing? An HBCU--Historically Black College or University. But ABC spokesperson Paige</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Capossela told <span style="font-style: italic;">The A-List</span> exclusively, "ABC News considered several top rated journalism schools that were geographically and socially diverse...We wanted to begin with five schools in our first year, to insure they receive the proper attention and mentoring. We do hope to expand the program in 2009 and broaden our pool of schools involved." With more than 100 HBCUs, including <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hampton </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">University, Dillard</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Howard</span>, who are considered to have some of the best journalism programs around--ABC shouldn't have a hard time finding one to partner with next year.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH</span></span></strong><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NvmFVt0ZtiG3PndUG7RLBkfN-tR5I4ZIJiTRmaMdWtCsWjRNXZNGs320azF7M4SGxHk00SYRgaqOF56dOc5hzk7b5GBebGurpN_h_x02Bg2hSQgOXNpqe_VJvJwEZoBTr80d-A/s1600-h/clem.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201045595810673714" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 89px; cursor: pointer; height: 119px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NvmFVt0ZtiG3PndUG7RLBkfN-tR5I4ZIJiTRmaMdWtCsWjRNXZNGs320azF7M4SGxHk00SYRgaqOF56dOc5hzk7b5GBebGurpN_h_x02Bg2hSQgOXNpqe_VJvJwEZoBTr80d-A/s400/clem.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Next Act…</strong></span></p><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">While the power of Hollywood's television industry has long been the vehicle of choice for mass media political discourse, this may just be the first campaign in U.S. history that has used the Internet in now growing force. The campaign is being played out in Cyberspace. And, there's no doubt, the Internet is taking its rightful place, helping candidates to spread the word and boosting their fundraising budgets with the Web's unprecedented targeted outreach unlike the mass reach of TV.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">In fact, according to a recent Pew Research study nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) say they regularly learn something about the campaign from the Internet,</span><span style="font-family:arial;">almost double the percentage at a comparable point in the 2004 campaign (13%). And the role of socia</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l networking sites such as <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">MySpace</span> and <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Facebook</span> has become a story in itself. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Now when a celeb, such as <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Tom Hanks</span>, wants to announce his endorsement of a candidate--in this case, Obama--he didn't hold a press conference. He uploaded a video announcement via his <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">MySpace</span> page.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On the flip side, the Pew study found that the proportion of Americans who turn to traditional news sources for information about the campaign has </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">remained static or declined slightly since the last presidential campaign. "Compared with the 2000 campaign, far fewer Americans now say they regularly learn about the campaign from local TV news (down eight points), nightly network news (down 13 points)...Cable news networks are up modestly since 2000, but have shown no growth since the 2004 campaign," says the Pew report.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So where are folks surfing? According to recent reports/stats/metrics/ratings <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">MSNBC</span> (at 26%), CNN (23%) and <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Yahoo News</span> (22%). But non-traditional sources of campaign information--the Drudge Report (</span><span style="font-family:arial;">3%)</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">MySpace</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">(</span><span style="font-family:arial;">3%)</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">YouTube</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">(</span><span style="font-family:arial;">2%)--are also in the mix</span><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br /><br />And with the youth adoption of all things new media, there are numbers for young people seeking campaign info online is substantially higher. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Overall, Pew research disclosed that more than a quarter of those younger than age 30 (27%) – including 37% of those ages 18-</span><span style="font-family:arial;">24 – have gotten campaign information from social networking sites. They are going online to view videos of campaign debates, speeches and commercials. In fact, about four-in-ten people under age 30 (41%) have watched at least one form of campaign video online, compared with 20% of those ages 30 and older.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Yes, election</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > is now being played out daily by media affiliates blogs, and websites. Who can imagine life without <a href="http://cnnpolitics.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">cnnpolitics.com</span></a>, <a href="http://politico.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">politico.com</span></a>, The Huffington Post, or <a href="http://msnbc.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">msnbc.com</span></a>. Urban coverage has been beefed up, not only on long-standing sites such as</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">blackpoliticsontheweb.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and BlackElectorate, but with </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://theroot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">theroot.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>and even on BlackVoices, BET and many Hip Hop portals..</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Not only are formal media outlets themselves but the candidates are directly </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >tapping this infinite resource. The candidates have, particularly on the Democratic side and especially the Obama camp, with its "Barack TV channel" and ringtones, are using the power of the We</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >b. Whether it be emailing updates to constituency, s</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >ending videos/commercials/interviews via <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">iPod</span>, with new media, candidates can reach millions immediately. Just recently, as <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">John Edwards</span> was formally endorsing Obama live on air, the Jr. Senator's camp was downloading the up-to-the-minute photos of the two on stage to Obama's </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://flickr.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">Flickr.com</span></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > page</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >. And while <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Sen. Clinton</span>'s Internet invasion has been well-thought out and organized, she has not been truly able to capture the attention of the Web's main force--the youth. Will adding her own ringtones, wallpaper and other mobile "accessories" help? Probably not, as her core constituency is older. <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">John McCain</span> even further illustrates the online age gap. His use of new media, well almost invisible. But candidates today and in the future should take caution. Another growing segment on the web are seniors. According to the Department of Aging, </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Americans over the age of 60 are the fastest growing segment of computer and Internet users.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">As we continue to factor in and ponder new media's influence on the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">2008 Presidential campaigns, I have </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to ask who wouldn't want to be a person on the true inside of politics right now. Much like the way we wrap our day-to-day lives in work, and play this phenomenon is beyond exciting. I</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t's apparent that the Web has revolutionized the political scene and its on the way to changing the way people politic. In other words, the revolution won't be televised (we already did that) it will be downloaded. But just how connected will African Americans be if Urban issues are short shifted in the new media arena, as they have been else where, remains to be seen <span style="font-size:100%;">-<span style="font-weight: bold;">-</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Clemetine Clarke</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Clemetine Clarke, owner of the governmental affairs, political strategy, fundraising an</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >d community relations firm CMH & Associates, strives to help women of color get elected to political office. Clarke has also served as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Democratic Party. </span></span><br /><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" >EXECUTIVE MOVES</span></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">Boo</span></b></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONiEY1DR_IYVPMAtUtvDxlF9o5m0G9o2508tyOe-l8tvyT8IVSW4mbIlMzuw2P5t4xhyfkTmNOoLRztHwNPdlbmFrvM2B_bTYTVYh-qOjOzuPeZHykGtctK65rtM5o9eNNWeVgg/s1600-h/mattcarterboost.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201051205037962306" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONiEY1DR_IYVPMAtUtvDxlF9o5m0G9o2508tyOe-l8tvyT8IVSW4mbIlMzuw2P5t4xhyfkTmNOoLRztHwNPdlbmFrvM2B_bTYTVYh-qOjOzuPeZHykGtctK65rtM5o9eNNWeVgg/s400/mattcarterboost.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">st Mobile Appoints Matt Carter Senior Vice President and General Manager </span></b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Boost Mobile has named Matt Carter as senior vice president and general manage</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >r. Most recently, Carter served as senior vice president, base management at Sprint. Carter holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><p><br /><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">BEDI A. SINGH NAMED PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR MGM STUDIOS</span></div></div><p><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. has names Bedi A. Singh, most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., President, Finance and Administration & Chief Financial Officer of MGM. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">In this newly created position, Singh takes on the overall responsibility for the company's financial activities. </span><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><br /></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><br /></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >NEWS</span></strong><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >SAMSUNG ANNOUNCES MOBILE TV PARTNER</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Samsung Electronics has announced it is combining efforts with fellow Korean electronics maker LG Electronics to develop a new standard for mobile TV broadcasts. Harris Corp., an American broadcast technology company, will provide key elements of the technology, which will allow mobile devices such as cell phones to receive signals sent out by local TV stations. Mobile TV broadcasts will be one of the ways broadcasters hope to capitalize on a federally mandated switch to all-digital signals. After Feb. 17, 2009, all regular analog broadcasts will stop and older, non-digital TVs not connected to cable will need a converter to display broadcasts.</span><br /></p><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>FEATURE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW<br /></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >NOKIA "DOES THE RIGHT THING"</span></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://uk.gizmodo.com/spike%20lee%20nokia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 388px; cursor: pointer; height: 233px;" alt="" src="http://uk.gizmodo.com/spike%20lee%20nokia.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Has cell phone distribution of film properties come of age?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, if Nokia has it's way, whatever progress has been made will now move exponentially..By now you may have heard</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> about the unique partnering of</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> filmm</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">aker Spike Lee and Nokia via a ton of different media outlets. But we decided to dig deeper.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">If not, in a nutshell, Lee will direct a movie<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">compiled of cell phone footage from everyday people in what he calls the "democratization of film." The fi</span><span style="font-family:arial;">lm by Nokia Productions (<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://promotions.yahoo.com/nokiaproductions/">http://promotions.yahoo.com/nokiaproductions/</a></span>) will consist of three acts: an "assignment" for each act will be announced online and people will then have four weeks to pr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">oduce their submission.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">But today's savvy consumers will understand that Nokia isn't heading into these productions for art's sake. The concept is a cross-promotion made in heaven. Not only can filmmakers strut their stuff, but Nokia gets to promote their product. "Nokia Productions platform was designed for consumers who are dedicated to the latest trends in social networking and technology. Through this, Nokia is </span><span style="font-family:arial;">creating awareness and increasing the appeal of its brand with the very consumers who can best take advantage of the latest devices and services that Nokia is today making available," says senior marketing manager Nicki Purcell, who is heading up Nokia Productions.</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span><br /></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">For Lee, the partnership will help push film into the next arena. And, Nokia and Lee seem to be reading from the same script. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">"What appealed to Nokia was how Spike Lee is so well known for breaking the mold in his films. We see Nokia Productions as also breaking the mold in how people think about what a film can be," says Purcell. "One thing that he told us is that 'The future of filmmaking is changing and mobile-generated art is fast becoming the next medium for film. In five years, I believe we will be watching films in movie theaters that have been shot on a mobile phone.'"</span><br /></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">But this isn't the first time Nokia reached out to Hollywood. The company previously tapped Gary Oldman in 2006 to create a short film, entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Donut</span>, on the then-new Nokia N93 multimedia computer. "The Gary Oldman project was quite well received, and we see Nokia Productions as something that builds upon prior programs that explored mobile filmmaking by adding a compelling community element to the mix that has never been attempted before," says Purcell.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">As Nokia continues to develop phones that allow the users to create films, Nokia Productions is here for the long haul. And now with Lee on board, it would seem that at Nokia multiculturalism is in the, which will really take this project to the next level.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">AROUND TOWN</span></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It was double duty for singer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lyfe Jennings</span> who teamed up with<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lifebeat</span> for a party to stress AIDS awareness recently in NY at hotspot <span style="font-weight: bold;">Home</span>. But it was also the night Jennings celebrated his CD release, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Change</span>. So of course we were excited as we hopped out of the cab just as many other guests were just arriving as well.<br /><br />The club had a smooth atmosphere--dark, nice acent lighting, and a real laid-back vibe. Not to mention the music was awesome, thanks to <span style="font-weight: bold;">DJ Suss.One</span>. The setting was straight out of a rap video.<br /><br />We hung around a minute before making a beeline to the V.I.P section where Lyfe and his people had settled in. We spotted a few familiar faces including <span style="font-weight: bold;">BET</span>s own<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Cousin Jeff</span>. Once inside the inner circle, we chatted with Jennings, who told us he is heading soon to the big screen--if he has his way: "</span><span style="font-family:arial;">I can act!," he said, then added jokingly, "I am around these industry cats all day, they tell me to do something different and I say ok I'll do it!"<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> After Lyfe's event wrapped, we all--include in Lyfe--headed across the street to hot new R&B singer<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Estelle</span>'s ("American Boy") own release party. But wait: We were stopped at the door. We waited for a while, but eventaully Lyfe grew tired and decided to jet. Just then someone from the club ran out and said Lyfe--but only Lyfe--could come enter. But believe it or not, Lyfe said "Forget that." Needless to say, we all left. But <span style="font-style: italic;">The A-List </span>left felling good about having met such a gentleman in the game. And you know we'll have our ticket in hand when he does make his film debut.<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> --</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Jaleesa Brown (aka L e e S a B*)</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><strong>SPOTTED</strong></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Tosha Smith, Tisha Campbell</strong> and <strong>Sally Richardson</strong> enjoyin' a girl's day out while exiting <strong>Phipps Plaza</strong> in the exclusive Atlanta suburb of Buckhead during a break from filming <strong>Rockmond Dunbar</strong>'s directorial debut <strong><em>Pastor Brown.<br /><br /></em></strong></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >The A-List <em>is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondant...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist.</em></span></p>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843251.post-7750585868295633372008-05-05T23:04:00.000-07:002008-05-09T01:49:28.957-07:00Tribeca Wrap up<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><b>2008 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL WRAP-UP<br /><br /></b></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><b><span style="font-size:130%;">Day Five<br /></span></b></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It was early Sunday afternoon and <b><i>Chevolution</i></b> (<strong>Red Envelope Entertainment</strong>) fit the mood</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Directed by <strong>Luis Lopez</strong> and <strong>Trisha Ziff</strong>, the documentary explores who is<b> Che </b></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62C3YBL3ETZ_ZcTyX30KKsH1D14wEvlVZ0zrMaNzKbXKPQ3Y4zsbOUFZfSaBDKHFsAXZ8tyk5lnU5Pau2ufvIKSHlC991ivNGULJVk16oREKoygVCfFsNcwKtYoQOXI93v_v55w/s1600-h/CHEVOLUTION_STILL01_LOW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62C3YBL3ETZ_ZcTyX30KKsH1D14wEvlVZ0zrMaNzKbXKPQ3Y4zsbOUFZfSaBDKHFsAXZ8tyk5lnU5Pau2ufvIKSHlC991ivNGULJVk16oREKoygVCfFsNcwKtYoQOXI93v_v55w/s400/CHEVOLUTION_STILL01_LOW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198296304196080530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><b>Guevera</b> and the reason behind the fame of his image. The film asks rather interesting questions about how a photograph of the revolutionary and a close ally of <b>Fidel Castro</b> could become the selling tool of such diversified capitalist goods from beer to bikinis. This film effectively shows how co-option of a symbol, in this case a photograph, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">can dilute its</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> intended purpose. One very well-presented cautionary tale of what happens when one does not protect his/her intellectual property be they revolutionaries or capitalist, this film should not be missed.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6taR4paPQUo/SB85XzjhJBI/AAAAAAAAA44/4dcxvGdyFX4/s1600-h/CONFESSIONSDOOFUS_POSTER_LO.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6taR4paPQUo/SB85XzjhJBI/AAAAAAAAA44/4dcxvGdyFX4/s400/CONFESSIONSDOOFUS_POSTER_LO.jpg" border="0" /></a>Then it was </span><span style="font-family:arial;">time to move on to something that offered something a little more light-hearted: the latest creation from the living legend <b>Melvin Van Peebles</b>. <i><b>Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha</b></i> (<strong>Yeah Incorporated Productions</strong>) is an amusing yarn is about a boy from Chicago who wants to see the world and get rich but discovers that all he needs is the love of a good woman. Based on Van Peebles' 1982 Broadway show <i>Waltz of the Stork, Confessions</i> chronicles the adventures of a man who, armed only with a can of contingency cash, swims his way to New York, joins the merchant marine, romances women of all ages, and dances for his life. That Van Peebles, at 75, plays the title character from boyhood to age 47 only adds to the playful inconsistency </span><span style="font-family:arial;">of this saga. Van Peebles uses digital media not as a substitute for film, but as a brand-new toy, effectively exploiting HD cam, animation, stock footage, wipes, multi-exposures, split screens, and every other effect in the basic digital book.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><b><span style="font-size:130%;">Day Nine</span></b><br />Well, after taking off a few days from the festival we came </span><span style="font-family:arial;">back with some thoughts, questions and further reviews.<br /><br /></span><div class="Ih2E3d"><div><span style="font-family:arial;">There were a few films that address African-American issues such as Mariah Carey's<i> Tennessee</i>, and the profound documentary <i>Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans,</i> to mention a few. But what seems missing at Tribeca a sense of lack cohesion when it comes to African-American films.<br /><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">But, back to the reviews. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">May 1, and it's </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Movement for Workers and Immigrants Rights Day</b> and if we had forgotten, the massive rally in Union Square one block</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> away from the film's press office was a dramatic reminder. In tune with the mindset of the day, we headed off to <i style="font-family: arial;"><b>Celia The Queen,</b></i> a profound documentary about the life of the <b style="font-family: arial;">Queen Of Salsa--Celia Cruz</b><span style="font-family:arial;">. The documentary was listed in three categories at Tribeca: political, Latin, and "women" films, which speaks loudly to the impact the Cuban refugee has had on the world. The film is an engaging recapturing of Celia story and how she used her music to force down the barriers of racism and sexism.<br /><br /></span></span><div align="justify" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><b><span style="font-size:130%;">Day Eleven</span></b><br />Not wanting to miss the 2008 winner of the Tribeca documentary award, we scurried to the press-screening library. Directed by</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Gini Reticker, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:0;"><strong></strong></span><strong><em>Pray The Devil Back To Hell</em></strong> (Fork Films Production) is a film about the Liberian women's movement and how they used non-violence to bring positive change to Liberia when it was on the verge of total chaos in 2003. The film effectively documents how thousands of women, Muslims, and Christian came tog</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ether with resolve to end the bloodshed that was tearing their country apart and without malice forced a peace accord in the country's civil will and culminated with the election of the first democratically elected woman president in Africa. Can we say Woman Power?!<br /></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Another African film we screened was <strong><em>War Child </em></strong>(<strong>18th St. Films</strong>)<strong><em>,</em></strong> a poignant, profound and enlightened 93 minutes of film directed by</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> C. Karim Chrobog.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The m</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5iPHM-aCRTG-hRriQFc8i4sRmhIezSXXJYcKlpTUe43Ew8uljKUH1M1U65twGmaVml9nhLjO_TC1vzwmJS058kc_5DadrURdZSFJ0qfpsmfthz7T8knYg6Gx2eZ1bpmkb4Pj3g/s1600-h/WARCHILD_STILL02_WEB-01_LOW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5iPHM-aCRTG-hRriQFc8i4sRmhIezSXXJYcKlpTUe43Ew8uljKUH1M1U65twGmaVml9nhLjO_TC1vzwmJS058kc_5DadrURdZSFJ0qfpsmfthz7T8knYg6Gx2eZ1bpmkb4Pj3g/s400/WARCHILD_STILL02_WEB-01_LOW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198297081585161122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">ovie manages to keep </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the human condition and the complexity of life on stage every second. <i>War Child</i> focuses on rising hip-hop artist <b>Emmanuel Jai</b> and his journey from child solide</span><span style="font-family:arial;">r in Sudan (as in Darfur) to the international stage. Emmanuel is from the time we meet him at about age 10 an articulate, smart and savvy kid and just listening to him one would think he's just your average child holding his best friends hand and playing games, but then reality slaps the viewer </span><span style="font-family:arial;">right in the face. This seven- year-old is a solider with a gun and will kill to survive--one of 10,000 child solider in Sudan's civil war. It all seemed </span><span style="font-family:arial;">profound that a child who grew up in such complex circumstance would then become</span><span style="font-family:arial;">though his music the voice for a those who endured the pains of Sudan's civil war. He's using hip hop to bring attention to the bright of Darfur; he's using music to build schools; Jai is using music and his tumultuous past to bring hope.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><i>War Child</i> seems to have come at the right time, it seems to remind one that things aren't ever hopeless, just as long as you believe and are willing to fight for that belief.<br /><br />Between all the screenings, celeb sightings, and NYC happenings there was actually business being done. A number of films, especially the documentaries, found buyers. Among the flicks that landed deals were: <em><strong>Cocaine Cowboys 2: Hustlin' With the Godmother</strong></em> and <strong><em>Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which were both </em></strong>bought from <strong>Magnolia Pictures</strong> by <strong>NonStop Entertainnment</strong>. Meanwhile, <strong>Magnolia Pictures </strong></span><span style="font-family: arial;">picked up North American rights to writer-director <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peter Tolan</span>'s <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Finding Amanda,</span> starring <span style="font-weight: bold;">Matthew Broderick</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hammer Films</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Spitfire Pictures</span> has acquired remake rights to a Swedish flick called Lat den ratte komma in. <br /><br />According to Tribeca organizers, attendance of just under 400,000. Some 199 directors attended the Festival from 23 different countries. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">All in all, another successful year for the Tribeca Film Festival<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">.--dan keith Williams</span></span><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div></div>thealistmaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15892448963799406845noreply@blogger.com