Tyler Perry is up and ready to roll on a sunny California day as he knocks out a battery of media chores for his latest movie, 'Madea's Big Happy Family,' at Beverly Hills' posh Four Seasons hotel.

A crack team of handlers -- consisting of image makers and secret-service-like security detail -- are at his beck and call as journalists and media personalities are ushered in and out of his interview chamber.

At first glance, he seems to be in good spirits. He should be. His money making alter-ego Mabel "Madea" Simmons is in rare form in his latest flick, a critic-proof comedy romp that will surely continue his winning streak at box office dominance.

In true form, Mr. Perry (as some young studio staffers are commanded to refer to him) is ready to throw his interviewers through a loop when out of nowhere the loud and ornery voice of Madea appears to be yelling out catch-phrases a mile a minute -- thanks to a handheld device he has that threatens to "punch the hell out of you" with the push of a button.

"I wanted to bring her with me," he joked. "So ask her anything you want."


A direct question about his "formula" seems to catch Perry a little off guard. Eleven movies released in six years and grossing nearly $500 million, combined, at the North American box office is something no other director -- black or white -- has accomplished.

"The formula?," he pondered. "I never thought much about the formula as much as I'm a workaholic. I like to work. I like to be busy. I like to keep moving and as long as I'm giving people what they want, then I'm in a good position. And i think that's what makes it work. There's a huge audience that I've built long before I ever did a movie who are waiting for the next thing, so that's pretty exciting to me."

Though his Oscar nominated co-host James Franco turned out to be a no-show at last night's exclusive screening of 'Scream 4,' rap superstar 50 Cent held down the fort and represented The Weinstein Company's hit slasher franchise well at New York City's Crosby Street Hotel.

For the after-party, held at Mr. H at Mondrian Soho, hip-hop royalty such as Russell Simmons and Eve mixed and mingled with the likes of Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe, rock goddess Courtney Love, hip-hop soul singer Estelle, 'Saturday Night Live's latest black scene-stealer Jay Farrow, and actresses Vanessa Ferlito and Tika Sumpter.

He's approaching 53 but Prince is showing no signs of slowing down.

And the Minneapolis native who introduced 'Controversy' to the masses in 1981 may just about set the concert industry ablaze with his unorthodox approach to touring.

Today, tickets went on sale for his latest 'Welcome 2 America Live' tour dates, billed as '21 nite stand' in L.A. and announced just yesterday – playing at the Los Angeles Forum April 14, 21st and 22nd.

Going where no artist seems to have gone before, Prince hasn't only just surprised fans with the new spate of shows, but he also declared that roughly 85% of all tickets will be available at $25, inclusive of all service fees.

Taking a very different approach with his concerts, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician is announcing shows a matter of days before they happen. And his loyal fan base have come out in full force and shown their support.

"He needs to stop saying that racist bullsh-- birther sh--. Quote me please. He should be ashamed of himself. It's awful, really."

--Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend on Donald Trump's recent comments about President Obama. (NY Mag)

BlackVoices.com has exclusively learned that Derek Luke has signed on to star in Jada Pinkett Smith's critically acclaimed medical drama 'HawthoRNe,' which returns for its third season June 14 on TNT.

According to a network spokesperson, the 'Antwone Fisher Story' actor will play the role of Dr. Miles Bourdet, a hot, young surgeon who arrives at James River Hospital to become the protégé of Dr. Tom Wakefield (played Michael Vartan). Currently in the midst of a divorce, Miles will attract the attention of Camille Hawthorne -- daughter of Pinkett Smith's Christina Hawthorne.


Luke, who was last seen starring in NBC's short-lived medical drama 'Trauma,' has signed on for a multi-episode arc that begins with the season premiere.

While the overall television landscape is littered with all kinds of specialty channels, many of which seem redundant and directionless, what remains clear is that the medium is in dire need of more diversity.

Even with the much anticipated debut of Oprah's OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) at the top of the year, the lane is still fairly wide open for more niche programming.

Today, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and a group of businessmen and entertainment industry luminaries announced the formation of Bounce TV, with the aim of presenting the nation's first-ever, free, over-the-air broadcast television network designed exclusively for African-American audiences.


Set to launch this fall, the channel will target African-Americans primarily between the ages of 25-54 with 24-hour programming that will include movies, live sporting events, documentaries, inspirational faith-based programs, off-net series and original dramas.

Bounce TV's Founding Group and leadership team include Ambassador Young, Martin Luther King III, Andrew "Bo" Young III, television executives Ryan Glover and Jonathan Katz and filmmakers Rob Hardy and Will Packer.

"Charlie, he'll get it together. Listen, he passed all the drug tests. If the drug tests say he's clean, he's clean. Maybe he's got some emotional issues, maybe, and maybe he's not a drug addict. Let's get him checked on that and see how's the outcome. He might be clean on that. He might be okay. And Charlie is just Charlie, and we all need to get some of that new drug Charlie Sheen is on... I love Charlie."

- Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson commenting on bad boy actor Charlie Sheen ('Access Hollywood Live')

It looks like there's some sugar and spice coming to Steve Harvey's nightly TV show.

Miss Lawrence, an overnight sensation on Bravo's wildly popular 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' series, has been tapped to join the cast of 'The Steve Harvey Project,' which airs on BET's Centric nightly.

The feisty cross-dressing hairdresser, stylist and singer will host a segment titled 'Spilling the Tea With Miss Lawrence,' providing entertainment tidbits, celebrity gossip, red carpet commentary and fashion/beauty critiques.

"I'm so excited," Lawrence said about the opportunity, adding, "I've found the chemistry and talent between us to be really natural."

For a minute - a brief minute - it looked like Chris Brown was doing well on the comeback trail.

On the heels of a scorching hot 'Saturday Night Live' appearance, the platinum-selling R&B hottie is readying the release of his new album, 'F.A.M.E.,' via Jive Records on March 22, which has already yielded radio hits with 'No. B.S.' and 'Look at Me Now' (featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes).


And while his presence on radio and television seems to be along the lines of a winning formula, his Internet activity, on the other hand, has become quite questionable.

Last week, the zeitgeist was all abuzz about Brown mysteriously bleaching his hair blond.

This week, the world truly can see that the curtains don't match the rug.

Nude photos of the 21-year-old Grammy Award-nominated singer (or someone with a striking resemblance to him) have allegedly been leaked - to the Website worldstarhiphop.com.