SHERRI VS. ELISABETH ON OBAMA’S JUDGMENT October 8, 2008

Sherri Shepherd went off on Elisabeth Hasselbeck Tuesday morning during a Hot Topics conversation about – what else – the presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain.

 

      For the second day in a row, Hasselbeck suggested that Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, has not been open about his past relationship with former 60s radical William Ayers. She also said it was inconceivable that Obama was unaware that his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, “was a hatemonger.”

 

      Co-host Whoopi Goldberg immediately checked her on the “hatemonger” label, saying in Wright’s defense, “this person did not like America. As a black person, we are very, very lucky. You don’t see where that’s relevant?”

 

       After more back-and-forth, Hasselbeck said of Obama in general, “Are you a liar or do you have poor judgment?”

      At this, Shepherd whipped around toward her Republican co-host and snapped: “Can we talk about poor judgment? What about the woman that McCain left that didn’t even want him to know that she had been in a horrible, horrible accident, and then he came back, met another woman named Cindy McCain and left the woman that waited for him. Can we talk about that?”

 

Translation: John McCain’s first wife Carol, a successful swimwear model when they married in 1965, was disfigured in a car accident while her husband was in a POW camp in Vietnam. (Icy roads caused her car to skid into a telegraph pole on Christmas Eve, 1969. Her pelvis and one arm were shattered and she suffered massive internal injuries. To save her legs, surgeons had to cut away huge chunks of shattered bone, taking with it her tall figure. She was confined to a wheelchair, was forced to use a catheter and has walked with a pronounced limp ever since.) She hoped that news reports of her accident would not reach McCain at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” because she didn’t want to weaken his spirit. When McCain returned home in 1973, he began cheating on Carol and eventually divorced her in 1980 to marry Cindy (18 years his junior and the heir to an Arizona brewing fortune) one month later.

 

      Watch the Shepherd/Hasselbeck exchange below.

John Legend Links W/Raphael Saadiq For Tour Short Tour October 8, 2008

R&B stars John Legend and Raphael Saadiq will be heating up stages across the country as the duo prepare to launch their nationwide tour next month.

According to Billboard, the singers will begin their thirteen-date showcase at a variety of small venues primarily among the East Coast in major cities including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Greenville and Charlotte.

The artists are expected to use the tour to support their latest albums from Sony Records with Legend’s Evolver hitting stores at the end of this month while Saadiq’s The Way I See It recently landed in stores a few weeks ago.

Beginning Wednesday, November 19 in Minneapolis, the tour will run through December 13 in Durham, North Carolina.

Nov. 19: Minneapolis (Northrop Auditorium)
Nov. 20: Chicago (Chicago Theatre)
Nov. 24: E. Lansing, Mich. (Wharton Center For Performing Arts)
Nov. 26: Detroit (Masonic Temple Theatre)
Nov. 28: Toronto (Roy Thompson Hall)
Nov. 29, Dec. 1: Montclair, N.J. (Wellmont Theatre)
Dec. 2: Boston (Orpheum Theatre)
Dec. 5: Philadelphia (Tower Theater)
Dec. 8: Baltimore (Lyric Theatre)
Dec. 9: Washington, D.C. (Constitution Hall)
Dec. 10: Greenville, S.C. (Peace Center)
Dec. 12: Charlotte, N.C. (Ovens Auditorium)
Dec. 13: Durham, N.C. (Durham Performing Arts Center)

In related news, Legend’s highly anticipated album is set to arrive in stores later this month. Making a strong buzz with his hit single “Green Light” with OutKast’s Andre 3000, Legend told Billboard his third album will show off a never-before-heard version of himself.

“This album doesn’t sound like me,” he revealed to Billboard. “The tempo is faster than I’ve done before. It will be different for people, because Evolver has a bit more instrumentation than I’ve used before. But it’s not like you won’t recognize the artist-it’s me.” 

Legend’s upcoming project also features appearances by Kanye West, Estelle and Brandy.

Evolver is scheduled to drop on Tuesday, October 28

Lil Jon Inks Solo And Label Deal With Universal Republic October 8, 2008

Crunk definitely isn’t dead, according to Universal Republic.

The company announced today they signed Lil Jon to to a label deal that will see the rowdy producer deliver solo albums, in addition to serving as an A&R for the company as well.

“Lil Jon is a larger than life figure who casts a giant shadow over every facet of the entertainment business,” Universal Republic CEO Monte Lipman said in a statement. “His name is synonymous with brand-building and we want him plugged into multiple Universal Republic platforms for maximum results. I view him as our Urban Music Czar!”

Jon’s long-delayed follow-up to 2005’s Crunk Juice is set for an early 2009 release.

Lil Jon was previously signed to TVT Records where he delivered a number of albums, including Kings of Crunk and Put Yo Hood Up. The rapper became a free agent when TVT filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

What Will They Miss About You? October 8, 2008

By The Fly Guy

Who really wins in a break up? On the one hand, you have the “break up-ee” who is forced to cope with the conflicting pain and outrage of being told they are no longer needed nor wanted by their significant other. On the other side of this broken equation, you have the “break up-er,” the one effectively putting an end to the continued progression of the relationship. Since the “break up-er” made the decision to call it quits, then any rational thinker would naturally assume they came out on top right?

Not so fast.

There are occasions when the “break up-er” impulsively ends the relationship, only to later regret it. In the eyes of the “break up-er,” I’m sure they initially thought they were making the right decision. Over time though, they begin to miss the smile, the kiss, or the laugh of the one they pushed away, which causes them to double back and try to make amends for their foolish mistake.

As I listened to Ne-Yo’s “Part of the List” this morning, his lyrics perfectly mirrored such a notion, further pushing me to bring the conversation to the group. With that being said, here are my Fly Questions of the Day.

The Fly Questions of the Day:

If someone were to leave you today, what would they miss about you?

On the flipside, have you ever broken up with someone, and then missed certain qualities about them? If so, what were they?

The Wrong Kind Of Break Up October 8, 2008

By The Fly Guy

What initially started off as a regular morning for Tonya, quickly spiraled out of control without any warning. As soon as she arrived at work, she logged on to instant messenger, as she always did, to chat with her significant other. Suddenly, things between the two of them took an unexpected turn for the worse.

The Conversation

10:40am Tonya: Hey, how is your day going?

10:41am John: It’s going. No complaints. You?

10:43am Tonya: I’m lost in a pile of paperwork. Mondays are always the worse. At least I’ll get to see you tonight, so I can forget about all of this madness.

10:45am John: I feel you…

10:46am Tonya: But enough about that, where do you want to go to dinner tonight?

11:30am Tonya: You there?

11:52am John: Yeah I’m here. I don’t think I can go to dinner tonight.

11:53am Tonya: Oh ok. Everything ok?

12:01pm John: Not really.

12:02pm Tonya: What’s wrong?

12:05pm John: I don’t think I can do this anymore.

12:06pm Tonya: What do you mean by “this”

12:08pm John: Us. I don’t think I can be with you anymore.

12:10pm Tonya: WTF? Are you seriously trying to break up with me over instant messenger? I thought you had more respect for me than that?

12:12pm John: I do. And that’s why I don’t want to waste your time anymore. I respect you too much to string you along anymore. You deserve so much more than I could give you.

12:15pm Tonya: I can’t believe this…

The Fly Guy Response: I can’t believe it either. But sadly, this reality occurs all too often. There are both men and women, who when faced with the task of having to end a relationship, look for the easy way out of the situation. Some send text messages. Some, as in this instance, do it over email or instant messenger. Others take it a step further, and just disappear, never to be heard from again. In my opinion, all acts are in fact cowardly. But with all of that being said … and I hate to keep driving this point home, it happens all the time. Which brings me to my Fly Question of the Day.

Fly Questions of the Day:

Have you ever broken up with someone in a less than respectable way? If so, what did you do?

If faced with a similar circumstance, would you do it again?

On the flipside, have you ever been the victim of a shady breakup. If so, how did they break the news?

Weezy, Whatcha Puffing On? October 8, 2008

 

Lil’ Wayne smokes weed.

(Allegedly)

Shocking, right?

Weezy celebrated his 26th birthday at Mansion in Miami, but not before rolling up a joint and puffing away on an unknown ssubstance.

Let’s just assume for a second that he wouldn’t risk losing his street cred by rolling his own cancer sticks and say it’s weed.

For a guy who has had his share of legal troubles, he’s pretty bold to be just lighting up out in the public.

But then again, this is Wayne’s World.

The Queen Remains In The Closet October 8, 2008

Does The Queen like Kings or Queens?

That’s been the question for years regarding Queen Latifah’s sexuality, and it appears she is still not ready to discuss her personal life.

From People.com:

“I don’t have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay,” she told the New York Times. “But I do have a problem discussing my personal life.” “You don’t get that part of me. Sorry,” Latifah, who recently spoofed the vice presidential debate on Saturday Night Live, told the paper. “Nobody gets that. I don’t feel like I need to share my personal life, and I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not.”

“Assume whatever you want,” she added. “You do it anyway.”

I’m all for celebrities having a private life, but just come out of the closet, Queen.

Nobody would judge you any differently if you were openly gay. You are still one helluva actor and musician.

Until you do though, you should get used to people speculating about your sexuality and private life.

P. MILLER SUED BY PEPE JEANS OVER LOGO October 8, 2008

       Miller, formerly known as Master P, argues that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has his first use date recorded in public record as April 1, 2003, while Pepe’s registered mark falls on June 1, 2003.       

       “I went to the web site of PepeJeans.com and couldn’t find a circled-P anywhere, on their clothing, or the brand advertising within the site,” Miller explained to AllHipHop.com. “I’m the future of affordable fashion and big brands will always hate me, but they shouldn’t throw stones if they live in a glass house!”

      Miller says he plans to fight the allegations with a countersuit on the ground of malicious interference with his company.

 

        “I’m the brand of the community. I sell jeans for $20 and t-shirts for $10. People don’t buy my clothes for the logo. They buy them because it’s high-fashion at an affordable price,” Miller said. “I guess they didn’t do their homework. I am also filing a countersuit against Nitin, Arun, Milan Shah and Pepe Jeans London, LLC for tortious interference with my business and future business with Wal-Mart. And since they saw fit to go after my retailer, I will return the favor and file suit against several of their retailers like Macy’s, Dr. Jay’s, Nordstrom, and Eastbay.”

‘WEIRD AL’ PARODIES T.I.’S ‘WHATEVER YOU LIKE’ October 8, 2008

Weird Al” Yankovic is back, this time with a parody of the most popular song in the United States this week – T.I.’s current No. 1 single, “Whatever You Like.”      

       A press release from Jive Records says the parody, also titled “Whatever You Like,” topically “mashes together the swagger of the T.I. song with the cold, hard realities of our current economic climate.”      

       For the first time in his career, Al is releasing a parody of a song on iTunes while that song is still No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.      

       Al said in his recent MySpace blog: “One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with in my career is keeping my material topical even though I only release albums every three or four years. Now, with the advent and popularity of digital distribution, I don’t have to wait around while my songs get old and dated — I can get them out on the Internet almost immediately. It kind of boggles my mind — I thought of the idea for this new song a week ago, and next week it’s getting released.”       

       Weird Al’s new single will be available exclusively on iTunes for two weeks (through Oct. 21) and then made available at all major online retailers.

R. KELLY TRYING TO COLLECT LAWSUIT MONEY October 8, 2008

R. Kelly won $3.4 million in a lawsuit against his former tour promoter, but has yet to collect on the judgment.

 

       The singer’s camp is now asking a Los Angeles court to assist him in tracking down the payments, reports the Associated Press.       

       His company, R. Kelly Touring, filed documents on Monday asking a judge to confirm the award that an arbitrator granted last month against Rowe Entertainment. Kelly claimed that Rowe never paid him in full for shows that he performed in late 2007 and early this year. An arbitrator agreed with Kelly’s claims.       

       Documents show Rowe disputed the arbitration, but did not offer any defense during a recent hearing, reports the AP.

 

       Singer Ne-Yo recently won a $700,000 judgment against Rowe after he sued because he was dropped from Kelly’s tour after only two shows.