OUR ROOTS RUN DEEPRoots phrenology
You'd think that NBC would lay low after all the bad press following the Conan O'Brien-Leno Leno late-night fiasco. But the network just can't get it together. The Roots drummer Questlove always Tweets things he finds funny. Yesterday, the 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' backing band member decided to post a picture of the NBC cafeteria's "black history month menu," which featured fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collard greens with smoked turkey and jalapeno cornbread. Well, having a million-plus followers gets lots of attention. An NBC public relations executive took down the sign and even apologized for offending people. But the African American cook who made the menu put up a video, letting the world know that she doesn't see what the fuss is all about. So, it's anyone's guess if the Black History Month cafeteria specials will be back at NBC later this month. [New York Mag]

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BLAME IT ON THE ALCOHOL
Former City High front woman Claudette Ortiz is not feeling the allegations that she drove her ex-boyfriend and group mate, Robbie Pardio, to alcoholism. Pardio was featured on an episode of A&E's 'Intervention' and said it was Ortiz's marriage to their third group mate, Ryan Toby, that caused him to hit the bottle. Well, the Latina beauty was having none of that. Ortiz spoke to the She Is blog and said that Pardio has been a drunk since their first meeting in high school and that during their relationship, he cheated on her and threw hair brushes at her. Regardless of how he got on the bottle, let's hope that A&E gets that man some help and that he's ready to get sober. [She Is blog]

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AT ATTENTION!
Most people don't even know who Mehcad Books is. What better way to get people's attention than by taking off your clothes (see Rihanna). 'The Deep End' star -- who is actually a great actor on the rise -- is modeling his Calvin Klein underwear, and, boy, is his body banging. The 29-year-old stud, who recently starred in HBO's 'True Blood,' was shot by Mikael Jansson for the new ad campaign and will also appear in digital films for the line's Web site later this month. The other new CKX guys include Kellan Lutz, Japanese soccer pro Hidetoshi Nakata and Spanish tennis star Fernando Verdasco. [Just Jared]

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LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE?
Her brother Ray J appears to have found love on his VH1 show, and now it seems as if Brandy has nailed herself a rapper. Or another one, depending on who you talk to. The former chart-topper Tweeted last month that she was "excited about a particular person in her life" and that she hoped her attention could be held. Then, she was spotted all over the country with rapper-of-the-moment FloRida. The two have been spotted partying at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, at the Y100 concert in Fort Lauderdale and at the Universal Motown Republic Group Grammy Bash at the W Hotel in Los Angeles last week. Gal pal Kelly Rowland is said to have hooked the couple up. Best of luck to them. [Bossip]

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READY TO JAM
She may have gotten an Oscar nomination for her breakout role in 'Precious,' but trust that Mo'Nique won't be leaving her comedy roots anytime soon. The BET late-night talk show hostess is taking over more hosting duties, but this time it's for a Showtime special with NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal.

On Feb.12, in connection with NBA All-Star weekend, she will head to Dallas to film 'Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam.' The show will premier later this summer. [Eurweb]

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CLASS ACT
He just got charges dropped for assaulting a photographer at LAX, and already Kanye West is acting a fool.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper and his assistant were seated in business class instead of first class on a flight earlier this week, and West allegedly demanded that he be bumped up.

Well, after a lot of hooting and hollering, 'Ye got his wish. Come on, dude, business class really ain't that bad. [New York Post]