|
JAYSON WILLIAMS FACES MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE
Former NBAer freed on bail; could face up to 15 years in prison.
*Former New Jersey Nets rebounding machine Jayson
Williams surrendered to authorities yesterday and faces a possible
manslaughter charge in connection with the accidental shooting
death of Costa Christofi. Christofi a limousine driver and was on
Williams' property waiting to take the sports star to an event,
according to news reports.
Supposedly, Williams was playfully twirling a shotgun,
around when it discharged. There is also speculation
whether Williams let the driver bleed to death before
contacting authorities.
No stranger to headlines, Williams touted in his
autobiography that he almost shot fellow athlete Wayne
Chrebet while skeet shooting, and faces a hearing
this week regarding assault on a police officer.
The former NBA player and NBC commentator
(of NBA games) was released on $250,000 bail, and
of course, he had no comment.
NAPSTER NOT DONE
RIAA loses a court battle, war rages on.
*Last week Napster finally scored a point against
the majors (albeit a small one since they're already
paying out the nose to the majors)
A District Court judge denied a request by the Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) and music publishers
for a summary judgment in the copyright-infringement case
they brought against the file-swapping service.
SPIKE DOES COMMERCIALS FOR THE BLUELIGHT
Commercials are nothing special, show everyday life.
*What do you do when your competition is flourishing
and your business is on its knees? You go find the
rootin-tootiness film director this side o' the Appalachians.
K-Mart's new advertising campaign, the brain child
of Spike Lee, features individuals engaged in "everyday"
activities. In one, a man says:
"Everybody's got to buy a plunger sometime."
Another man, holding an infant, says: "Sleep past 7?
What is that?"
Sorry, but now K-Mart is really doomed. Look
what Spike's involvement has done for the Knicks?
FUNKMASTER FLEXED CLOUT?
Why did Hot 97 underground show have to go ...
*According to a report out of Hip-HopDX.com, the
cancellation of one of the biggest stages for underground
artists may not have been formulated in the boardroom,
but in the mind of perennial DJ extraordinaire Funkmaster
Flex.
Future Flavas, presided over by Pete Rock and Marley
Marl, may have met its maker because of alleged beef
between Flex and the aforementioned duo. There is also a
rumor circulating that WBLS will snatch up the show.
(We certainly hope so...)
33RD ANNUAL NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
Rice receives special President's Award & Denzel Wins again.
*While the Oscar buzz is all about the three African-Americans
nominated for best actor or actress. The NAACP's Image Award
buzz seemed to be all about National Security Advisor
Condoleezza Rice.
Rice was the recipient of the President's Award. This was
fitting, as the NAACP is trying to make goody-goody with the
Bush administration after a gaff by Julian Bond (Chairman of the
NAACP) last July, when he referred to the president as a "puppet"
of the "Taliban wing of the Republican party," according to an
Associated Press report.
Rice is among a select group who have received the special
President's Award, reserved for those that advance the cause
of minorities through leadership or example.
And the winners are ... Denzel, for best film actor for
"Training Day" (his fifth win in seven years), Halle (I took
off all my clothes I hope you still like me) Berry won best
movie actress for her role in "Swordfish" and "Ali" took home
best picture honors.
Backstage there was a bit of red carpet wrangling between
"Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood." It Seems
"ET" was supposedly guaranteed first dibs on celebs on the
red carpet AND backstage area. Then "Access Hollywood"
complained and played the race card, claiming they cover
more black celebs than "ET" and besides, one of their
correspondents, Shaun Robinson, was a one-time Image
Award presenter.
The Image Awards tried to make goody-goody (they're doing
a lot of that lately) and give "ET" first crack at the red carpet and
"Access" first crack at the backstage interviews. Not good enough
for "ET" who ended up boycotting the backstage, according
to PageSix.com.
The NAACP Image Awards will air this Friday, March 1
on Fox, 8:00 pm ET/PT.
For a complete list of winners, go to EURweb.com:
<http://eurweb.com/articles/morenews/02232002/morenews583502232002.cfm>
LIL' J IS ON HIS WAY TO YOUR TOWN, USA
Hollywood Records artist on tour with IMX and B2K.
*There are more folks in the music business with
Lil' as a prefix to their moniker these days than anytime
in recent history. Hollywood Records artist Lil' J is
one of them. He will be hittin' the road as a companion
act to a tour that will feature the likes of IMX and B2K.
Sixteen year old Lil' J will be promoting his highly
debut release, "All About J," slated for an April 2 release.
LANCE BASS MAY BE LAND LOCKED
*NSYNC member may be a space cadet in his own mind.
*Last week news organizations across the net were talking
about *NSYNC's Lance Bass' plans on buying a $25 million
ticket on a Russian space flight.
Bass' agents and commercial space exploration company
Mircorp had earlier expressed optimism the 22-year-old pop
star would sign a $25 million deal for a seat on a Soyuz
space taxi due to fly to the International Space Station
(ISS) in October.
If you were buggin' upon hearing the news, imagine how
the Russians felt. A spokesman for Russia's space agency,
Rosaviakosmos, said Thursday that they haven't started any
talks with Netherlands-based MirCorp about sending the
*NSyncer into space. Rosaviakosmos spokesman Sergei
Gorbunov told Reuters.
"MirCorp has no right to sell these flights. They have no
link to Rosaviakosmos, we have no contract linking us."
STARS COME OUT FOR BILLY JOEL
When Stevie comes out you know it's for something big.
*What do Nelly Furtado, Stevie Wonder and Natalie Cole
have in common? A love for Billy Joel. They, along with Garth
Brooks, Diana Krall, Jon Bon Jovi and others, were on hand when
Billy Joel was honored with the MusiCares Person of the Year
last night in Los Angeles.
The event also featured a silent auction on music and sports
memorabilia, artwork and luxury items, all benefiting the MusiCares
Financial Assistance Program. Joel was named this year's honoree
in December, joining previous recipients Paul Simon, Elton John
and Bonnie Raitt.
ALL HAIL AALIYAH, THE NEW BOX-OFFICE QUEEN
Late singer/actress' vampire tale is number one
*There's a new queen at the box-office. Her name is Aaliyah.
The late singer/actress stars in the Anne Rice vampire movie
"Queen of The Damned." It brought in over $15 million.
Denzel Washington's "John Q" dropped to 2nd place with
a take of $12.5 million over the weekend, bringing its total to just
over $39 million. Kevin Costner's "Dragonfly"was third with $10.4
million.
Even though "Queen" was generally hated-on by the critics,
it got a big boost from young fans of Aaliyah (who was killed in
a plane crash last summer). Mostly ethnic women under 25 made
up 30 to 40 percent of the film's audience, said Dan Fellman, head
of distribution for Warner Brothers.
"Her fans liked the movie,'' Fellman told the AP. "I think they
were drawn by their loyalty and curiosity and desire to see Aaliyah
on the big screen.''
"Queen of the Damned,'' playing at 2,511 locations, averaged
a healthy $6,035 a theater, compared with a $5,000 average in 2,505
theaters for "John Q'' and $4,148 in 2,507 cinemas for "Dragonfly.''
"Queen of the Damned'' was budgeted at $30 million. The
opening was termed "solid" which means it has a very good
chance of turning a profit for the studio.
VAN PEEBLES IS ONE OF "10,000"
Actor learned to become invisible.
*In the film "10,000 Black Men Named George," Mario Van
Peebles plays Ashley Totten. The Showtime movie explores the
challenges the mostly-black porters faced as they tried to unionize
under the stewardship of A. Philip Randolph.
Since porters were in a position to see and hear a lot of things
as they worked the trains, Van Peebles said he often had to be
reminded to remain seen yet invisible as he worked on the movie.
"I think one of the biggest things that we had to adjust was
in terms of the mentality that you had to keep. To be invisible.
To be able to be there, be present, and yet just be serving, the
actor said "That mentality, that job was a difficult one, one we
had to be reminded of."
"10,000 Black Men Named George" aired Sunday night.
For repeat times go to Showtimes website: www.sho.com <http://www.sho.com>.
|
