FOX NEWS CHANNEL TO AIR CANDIDATE DOCS: Documentaries on Obama and McCain to feature interviews with friends and colleagues August 15, 2008

The Fox News Channel announced it will air documentaries on Barack Obama and John McCain that will explore the character, lives and actions of each presidential candidate.

 

       According to Reuters, “2008 Presidential Character and Conduct” will premiere at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday – taking over Bill O’Reilly’s “The O’Reilly Factor” spot while he’s on vacation – and feature interviews with family members, friends and associates from their early days as well as colleagues in the Senate.

 

      “This is an in-depth, detailed examination that’s beyond what has been broadcast in terms of these typical type of biographies,” said FNC anchor Eric Shawn, who will host the McCain documentary on Tuesday. Obama’s doc will air Monday with host Bill Hemmer. 

 

      Neither special will feature interviews with the candidates themselves. The focus, said Shawn, is not what the candidates say but what they do when faced with challenges.

 

       Hemmer added: “The voters are evaluating these men, Obama and McCain, and I believe these documentaries are terrific learning tools by which people can watch and learn, discuss and decide.”

LIL JON IS READY FOR THE ‘WORLD’: Putting ‘crunk’ to the side, producer says new album will show he has broader appeal August 15, 2008

Lil Jon says he has a fresh new sound to go along with his restructured record deal with digital entertainment company The Orchard. He says the music will prove to fans that his talent extends far beyond the crunk genre he helped to create.

 

       “It’s not just music for the United States: It’s world music,” Lil Jon explained to the Associated Press. “I’m touching so many different kinds of people on this album as well as keeping my core fan base at the same time.”      

       His forthcoming CD was supposed to be titled “Crunk Rock,” but Lil Jon says he may change the name to reflect the album’s new direction — and his new freedom.      

       “It’s totally given me a new energy, a new everything,” he said of his release from TVT Records, which was bought by The Orchard. “When you have a lot of stress and negativity around you, when you cut that away, you cleanse. … I’m starting over, basically.”      

       Lil Jon, 37, is reportedly working with dance acts, soca musicians and rock stars on the new album.      

       “I want people to say it’s a breath of fresh air from everything that’s out there,” he says. “It’s still going to be me and what they know me for, but it’s still going to be newer.”

VH1 ANNOUNCES NEW HIP HOP HONOREES: Annual ceremony to fete Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort August 15, 2008

Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort will be saluted by VH1 for their fifth annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors,” premiering Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10 p.m.       

       “Now in its fifth year, the ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music,” said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. “This year’s five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon.”       

       Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year’s musical celebration will feature a host of current rap stars performing musical tributes for the honorees.      

       On Sept. 19, VH1.com will launch its dedicated “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at www.HipHop.VH1.com.  

D-WADE SUED BY BUSINESS PARTNERS: Point guard allegedly failed to promote restaurant chain as promised August 15, 2008

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has been sued for $25 million by two businessmen who said they contributed money to the development of a restaurant chain bearing his name, but he failed to do his part by promoting the venues.

 

       The two partners – West Palm Beach restaurant developer Mark Rodberg and Fort Lauderdale-based British mogul Richard von Houtman – said they’ve spent millions purchasing 13 Florida venues to be transformed into D. Wade’s.     

      They said more cash was spent to buy a $350,000-plus Rolls-Royce with Wade’s Heat number, 3, etched in the center of the wheels. Another $30,000 was used to throw Wade a lavish birthday bash in January, they claim.      

      According to the lawsuit, Wade’s licensing agreement with the duo includes four visits a year in each Florida restaurant, plus the VIP openings. He also was to provide memorabilia. For his “trouble,” Wade was to be paid $1 million in five years in addition to being handed a 10 percent stake in the company.      

      But Wade didn’t follow through on his end of the deal, the pair allege.      

      “He didn’t even show for the VIP opening in Boca,” a source told the Palm Beach Post. “In Fort Lauderdale, he went once for a private party and stayed in the VIP area without mingling with the fans.

LISTEN TO BRANDY’S NEW SINGLE: ‘Right Here (Departed)’ is the first release from her upcoming fall album August 15, 2008

A new single from singer-actress Brandy hit the Internet yesterday afternoon, marking her first official release since 2004’s “Afrodisiac” album. 

 

       “Right Here (Departed)” from producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins is a mid-tempo track that will appear on her upcoming CD “Human,” due in the fall.       

       It’s also the first effort from the singer-actress since her Dec 2006 car accident on a Los Angeles freeway, in which a woman was killed. The City Attorney’s Office decided in December not to file misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges against her.      

       In “Right Here (Departed),” Brandy sings on the chorus: “When you feel you’re heart’s guarded / And you see the break’s started / And when the clouds have all departed / You’ll be right here with me.”        

       “Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can’t describe,” the singer says about her upcoming album.   Listen to “Right Here (Departed)” below.

 

‘TOP MODEL’ FEATURES ITS FIRST TRANNIE: Cycle 11 to include 22-year-old woman who was once a man August 15, 2008

The new season of “America’s Next Top Model” will feature 22-year-old Isis, who revealed to Us Weekly that she was born a man and has the distinction of being the show’s first ever transgendered contestant – that we know of.

 

      The Maryland native was initially described in a CW press release as a program assistant at a nonprofit organization in New York. But she recently revealed to Us Weekly that she is “a woman born physically male.”

 

       “My cards were dealt differently,” she added.

 

       Isis and the 13 other contestants join host and executive producer Tyra Banks for the show’s new season, which kicks off Sept. 3 with a two-hour premiere.

 

      Isis won’t be the only transgendered star on a reality show this season. Sean “Diddy” Combs opened the door last week with Laverne, one of the contestants vying for a job with the mogul on his VH1 series “I Want to Work for Diddy.”

RIHANNA KISSES KATY PERRY GOODBYE: Seven week-champ, ‘I Kissed a Girl’, falls to pop star’s ‘Disturbia’ August 15, 2008

The rise of Rihanna’s “Disturbia” to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart ended the seven-week reign of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” while also becoming the artist’s fourth career No. 1.

 

       Rihanna is now tied with Beyonce and Mariah Carey as having the most No. 1 singles by a female artist this decade. “Disturbia” is the fourth chart topper for the singer following “SOS” (2006), “Umbrella” (2007) and “Take A Bow” (2008), which is No. 4 on the Hot 100 this week.

 

       Her rumored boyfriend, Chris Brown, stays at No. 2 with “Forever,” while “I Kissed a Girl” falls to No. 3. M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” jumps from No. 16 to a career-best No. 5, aided by its appearance in the trailer for the new comedy “Pineapple Express.”      

       Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” slips 5-6, Kardinal Offishall’s “Dangerous” featuring Akon holds at No. 7 and Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” falls 6-8. Rounding out the top 10, the Jonas Brothers’ ‘Burnin’ Up” rises 11-9, and Ne-Yo’s “Closer” stays at No. 10.      

       On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, “A Milli” dethrones Keyshia Cole’s long-running No. 1, “Heaven Sent.” Ludacris’ “What Them Girls Like” featuring Chris Brown and Sean Garrett is the top debut at No. 73.

OPRAH WINFREY TO APPEAR AT DEM CONVENTION: Talk show host will not speak, but will watch Democratic nominee make history August 15, 2008

It’s official – Oprah Winfrey’s office confirmed Thursday that she will be inside of Denver’s Invesco Field football stadium to witness first hand the presidential nomination of Sen. Barack Obama.      

      “She will be there,” a spokeswoman for her publicist told AFP, without giving further details.

 

      Her homegirl, Barack Obama, also told the TV program “Entertainment Tonight” that the mogul would join Obama for the final night, but would not address the crowds.

 

      Winfrey has been an Obama supporter from day one, and campaigned with the senator before Democratic primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.

 

       The day of Obama’s acceptance speech, Aug. 28, also marks the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

DONDA WEST BILL PASSES CALI SENATE 37-1: Legislation requires physical exam before cosmetic surgery August 15, 2008

With a vote of 37 to 1, the California Senate passed a bill Wednesday that makes it mandatory for patients seeking cosmetic surgery procedures to first undergo a physical exam.

 

      The measure, known as AB 2968, was crafted in response to the death of Kanye West’s mother Donda West. The former educator/author died last year from a heart condition that was exacerbated by cosmetic surgery. 

 

      Earlier this year, Donda West’s niece, Yolanda Anderson, and California State Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto) introduced AB 2968 into the state’s legislature.

 

       According to Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), the tragedy comes as a wake-up call for patients and their families to take steps to ensure a safe medical experience.       

       “Many of us are concerned about the quality of care extended to those who receive elective surgery,” the senator told the Times.

 

LISARAYE HOSPITALIZED AFTER FIGHT WITH MISICK: Both parties release statements; actress interviewed by local news August 15, 2008

Our spy on the Turks & Caicos Island says LisaRaye McCoy Misick remained in the hospital Thursday afternoon after Wednesday night’s physical altercation with her husband, Turks and Caicos president Michael Misick.

 

      The confrontation followed allegations from LisaRaye that Rocsi from BET’s 106 & Park had been having an affair with Misick and was staying at the mansion last weekend while LisaRaye was in New York. 

 

       As previously reported, Misick released a statement Tuesday announcing his separation from the TV star. According to Caribbean Net News, LisaRaye returned to the island earlier this week to work out a divorce settlement. But sources told the news outlet that the process had gone very badly from her standpoint. Misick ended up banning his wife from the mansion and she was reportedly forced to be stay at a local beach resort.

 

        On Wednesday night, LisaRaye ignored the alleged ban and confronted Misick at his mansion. The situation turned violent.       

       “He beat her bad,” a source told EUR Thursday afternoon. “She came in the same day Rocsi went out, and he had already issued the statement that they were separated. Apparently she went over there and got into the fight. She’s now in the hospital.      

       “The sub-story is that he has been under investigation because $57 million dollars is missing from our government. They froze all of his bank accounts. He’s getting a separation because he can’t afford to get a divorce.”       

Michael Misick

      Misick, according to our source, dispatched his fleet of bodyguards to stand around the perimeter of the hospital to prevent reporters from interviewing LisaRaye about the incident.

 

DUELING PRESS RELEASES

 

       Although LisaRaye is reportedly hospitalized with injuries, which was said to include bite marks, Misick released a statement Thursday denying that he assaulted his wife, and accused LisaRaye, her cousin and her rep of attacking him.

It read:     

            “Last night LisaRaye, her cousin Phillip Travis, and her publicist Lynn Jeter assaulted the guard at the Premier’s home, proceeded to ransack the house, and then assaulted the Premier and his sister. As the result of her assault on them, both the Premier and his sister were taken to the hospital with injuries and later released. The Premier at no time had any physical contact with LisaRaye.       

            “It is public knowledge that the couple has been separated for months, and LisaRaye has no lawful right to be in the residence. Her conduct yesterday clearly contradicts her stated commitment to dissolve the marriage amicably.”

 

         Several hours later, LisaRaye released the following statement:

 

        “It is with great sadness that I have to announce that my husband and I have separated.        

        Last night, Wednesday August 13, 2008, an attempt was made by and on behalf of my husband to first prevent my entry into our home and then, later, to make me leave our home by force.

        It was necessary for me to receive medical treatment for injuries suffered and in relation to those injuries I shall continue to assist the police force with its enquiries.

        Whilst it is my sincere wish to avoid unnecessary conflict, I shall not be intimidated, nor shall those individuals whose job it is to protect and represent me.

        I ask that my privacy be respected in these difficult times and I believe that the people of the TCI will understand and support my wish to receive the necessary independent representation from the legal counsel of my choosing. I hope that, in time, the TCI government will come to share that view.       

        Although I have always been a supportive wife even in light of the very serious allegations currently pending against the Premier, there are limits even for me.        

        I continue to have the utmost respect for the people of the TCI who have always shown me kindness and support. I vow to continue my work amongst the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.      

        Until recently I had hoped that I would be able to continue to assist my husband during what will undoubtedly be difficult times ahead for him. I do not wish to have to add to his difficulties.”

 

       Local TCI news station WIV4 interviewed LisaRaye at the airport when she returned to the island earlier this week – before the fight.       

       “I was just as shocked about hearing about it as anyone and everyone else, but just as any wife’s position would be in such an allegation as this, it has to put a damper on the marriage,” she told the WIV4 reporter.      

       “With all that’s happening with Michael – the rape and the corruption allegations, and his ill behavior, even this weekend for our recent music festival – I think he’s just spiraling out of control. I will just continue to be uplifting, and I will pray for him.”

       Watch her entire WIV4 interview below.

LisaRaye Interviewed on WIV4