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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>Tyra Banks: Replacing Miss J with Andre Leon Talley for New Season of 'Top Model'</title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/television/" rel="tag">Television</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a></p><p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/miss-j.jpg" style="width: 194px; height: 273px;" alt="" /><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/andre-leon-talley.jpg" style="width: 195px; height: 271px;" alt="" /><br /></p>
<p>Say Goodbye to <strong>Miss J. Alexander</strong> and hello to <strong>Mr. Andre Leon Talley</strong>.</p>
<p>For her new season, <strong>Tyra Banks</strong> is mixing things up on her top-rated show 'America's Next Top Model.'</p>
<p>The 90-minute premiere of Cycle 14 of the CW model competition series will kick off on Mar.10 with some new line-up changes. It was officially announced by the network today.<br /></p>
<p>Talley, Vogue magazine's long-time editor and <strong>Anna Wintour</strong>'s right-hand man, will serve as a regular judge alongside Banks, photographer <strong>Nigel Barker</strong> and a rotating weekly guest judge. Miss J., in the meantime, will relinquish his role as a judge and instead mentor the thirteen hopefuls - a role he is thrilled to move into.</p>
<p><br /></p><p><img hspace="8" border="1" align="right" vspace="8" alt="" id="vimage_3" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/tyra.jpg" />"After cycles of watching the girls not get it right, I thought they would benefit more from my 'high heels' and hands-on approach than my sitting in a chair judging their photos," he said. "And with Andre Leon Talley, this should be the best cycle yet," he added.</p>
<p>Talley is one of the most influential people in the fashion industry.  A renowned head-turner with his own eye-popping fashion sensibility, the 60-year-old Durham, North Carolina native has worked his magic on celebrities such as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mariah Carey, Venus Williams</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jennifer Hudson</span>,. to name a few. <br /></p>
<p>He has been a huger champion for designer <strong>Rachel Roy</strong>, who will join actress <strong>Dania Ramirez</strong>, pioneer model <strong>Pat Cleveland</strong> and Wilhelmina Models President <strong>Sean Patterson</strong> as a few of the big names that will turn up as guest judges this season.<span style="display: none;" class="priceGrabberMicroFormat">A.L.T.</span><br /></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19350160/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/tyra-banks-miss-j-andre-leon-talley-americas-next-top-model/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><dc:creator>Bridget Bland</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-09T07:34:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Drake: Headlining Solo Tour this Spring</title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/music/" rel="tag">Music</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a></p><p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="left" vspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/drakegrammynodsvelvet.jpg" style="width: 299px; height: 215px;" alt="" />Drake</strong>, hip hop's most hyped lyricist of the moment, will headline his first North American solo tour this spring.</p>
<p>According to his spokesperson, the Grammy Award nominated <strong>Lil Wayne</strong>-cohort will take fellow Canadian rapper <strong>K-OS </strong>and New York City based synth-pop band <strong>Francis &amp; The Light</strong> out on 'The Away From Home Tour," starting April 5 in a city to be determined. </p>
<p>This marks the 23-year old's first concert outing since tearing his ACL (knee ligament)  while performing as part of Lil Wayne's 'Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted' music festival last July. <br /></p>
<p>He's since had to endure knee surgery and undergo rehabiitiation and thereby took a brief hiatus from recording his eagerly anticipated debut album, which may finally see the light of day next month.</p>
<p>The upcoming 25-city tour is in tandem with The Campus Consciousness tour, hitting colleges &amp; Universities across the country and promoting green technology. Not only will the former 'Degrassi' star's tour bus use bio-diesel, but he's also decided to adopt biodegradable and recyclable products on the bus and backstage. <br /></p>
<p>Drake has also vowed to make his tour rider agreement more eco-friendly.<br /></p><p><img hspace="8" border="1" align="right" vspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/drake-performing-red-sweater.jpg" id="vimage_2" alt="" />Note-worthy stops are planned for the New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival, as well as Bamboozle.</p>
<p>See below for a complete list of 'The Away from Home' tour dates.<br /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">'The Away from Home' Tour Dates:</span><br />4/6 Charleston, IL Eastern Illinois University<br />4/7 Columbus, OH Private Location<br />4/9 State College, PA Penn State University<br />4/10 Boston, MA Private Location<br />4/11 Lock Haven, PA Private Location<br />4/14 East Lansing, MI Michigan State University<br />4/15 Rochester Hills, MI Oakland University<br />4/16 Morgantown, WV West Virginia University<br />4/21 Orlando, FL University Central Florida<br />4/22 Greenville, SC Furman University<br />4/23 TBA <br />4/24 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival<br />4/26 Kansas City, MO University of Missouri - Kansas City<br />4/27 Lexington, KY University of Kentucky<br />4/29 Lowell, MA University Mass Lowell<br />4/30 Syracuse, NY Private Location<br />5/01 Boston, MA Private Location<br />5/01 East Rutherford, NJ Bamboozle Festival<br />5/04 Worcester, MA Holy Cross<br />5/05 Towson, MD Towson University<br />5/06 Cheney, PA Cheyney University<br />5/07 Ithaca, NY Private Location<br />5/08 Plymouth, NH Private Location</p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19350173/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/09/drake-headlining-spring-solo-tour/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><category>drake</category><category>k-os</category><category>lil wayne</category><category>LilWayne</category><dc:creator>Bridget Bland</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-09T06:33:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Usher: Searches For New Management While Label Waits</title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/music/" rel="tag">Music</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/gossip/" rel="tag">Gossip</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/celeb-updates/" rel="tag">Celeb Updates</a></p><br /><img hspace="8" border="1" align="left" vspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/usher-303.jpg" alt="" />Grammy Award-winning crooner <strong>Usher</strong> changing the release date of his forthcoming album, 'Raymond vs. Raymond,' from Dec. 21 to March 30 has led some to believe that the hold up is over the singer's current management situation.<br /><br />The New York Daily News reports Usher's label, Jive Records, is reluctant to release the album without a proper management firm in place. <br /><br />Unfortunately the 'You Got It Bad' singer gave his mom turned former manager, <strong>Jonetta Patton</strong> the pink slip for the second time late last year due to his alleged new girlfriend <strong>Grace Miguel</strong>, said a source.<br />"She walked away from the project because Usher had his girlfriend [and former Def Jam executive] Grace Miguel was all in the mix," the source told the daily tabloid. The singer had intentions on running his own career with the assistance of Miguel, but the label felt that there "was chaos" within his camp.<br /> <br /> With three singles released since last Sept., fans may very well see the project hit shelves by the end of March. Various reports are stating that he is close to signing a lucrative contract with live entertainment group AEG Live, similar to the late <strong>Michael Jackson</strong>. <br /> <br /> As for Patton's thoughts on severing ties again with her son, the source revealed that, "she felt as though if she didn't end things when she did, it would permanently affect their personal relationship."<br /> <br /> Both reps for Usher and Jive records were unavailable for comment when contacted by <strong>BV Newswire</strong>.<br /><br /> <iframe scrolling="auto" height="275" frameborder="0" width="275" title="Today's News Poll" src=" http://webcenter.polls.aol.com/modular.jsp?template=1749&amp;view=183516&amp;pollId=183808&amp;channel=aol_us_blackfocus&amp;popup=yes"></iframe><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19349896/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/08/usher-new-management-jive-records/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><category>Grace Miguel</category><category>GraceMiguel</category><category>Jonetta Patton</category><category>JonettaPatton</category><category>michael jackson</category><category>MichaelJackson</category><category>usher</category><category>usherraymond</category><dc:creator>Brennan Williams</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-08T18:50:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Tyler Perry: Slapped With Another Gospel Copyright Lawsuit</title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/movies/" rel="tag">Movies</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/television/" rel="tag">Television</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/gossip/" rel="tag">Gossip</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/theater/" rel="tag">Theater</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/celeb-updates/" rel="tag">Celeb Updates</a></p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><img hspace="8" vspace="8" border="1" align="left" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/tyler-perry-303.jpg" />Tyler Perry</span>'s impeccable talent for theater and screenplay has catapulted him into the height of Hollywood's elite fleet of producers. Not to mention, the New Orleans native has a distinctive ear to detect and mesh the perfect song to compliment his various projects.<br /><br />However, not everyone is thrilled with Perry's work, especially if they're being ripped off as one songwriter recently claims.<br /><br />According to TMZ, a lawsuit was filed by <strong>Johnny Tyrone Stringfield </strong>on Feb. 3 in a Los Angeles federal courtroom, stating the 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' creator lifted the lyrics from his 2008 copyrighted song titled, 'I Got Away.' <br /><br />Apparently the gospel track was used in an 2009 episode of Perry's TBS network series 'Meet the Browns,' in which Stringfield states several of the show's characters belted out the lyrics "The Devil thought he had me ... but I got away."<br /><br />And Stringfield is not letting Perry get away with it, either.<br /><br />The songwriter wants Tyler to fork over $100,000 to make sure him and his legal team stays away. And from the sound of it, he's already two-stepping to his own beat. "My family and I have always loved Tyler Perry -- and now we're going to love him a whole lot more," he told TMZ.<br /> <br /> <strong>(You be the judge: check out the similarities between the two songs </strong><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tmz.com/2010/02/05/tyler-perry-lawsuit-meet-the-browns-johnny-stringfield/">here</a><strong>.)</strong><br /> <br /> To Perry's dismay, this isn't the first time he's being slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit. Last year, he was <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/11/30/tyler-perry-madeas-jesus-rant-leads-to-copyright-infringemen/">accused of using portions of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bertha James</span>' 1950 Gospel track</a>, 'When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus' and incorporated it without permission in his hit film, 'Madea Goes to Jail.' <br /><br />TMZ reported that the song's chorus was used within a monologue spoken by lead character, Madea. <br /> <br /> Lionsgate Entertainment, who distributes Perry's movies, were also named in the suit, which seeks unspecified damages in excess of $75,000 for copyright infringement.<br /> <br /> As of Nov. James's estate were also requesting a jury trial.<br /><br /> <iframe scrolling="auto" height="275" frameborder="0" width="275" title="Today's News Poll" src=" http://webcenter.polls.aol.com/modular.jsp?template=1749&amp;view=183466&amp;pollId=183758&amp;channel=aol_us_blackfocus&amp;popup=yes"></iframe><script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/keyexp/kits/ke_kits.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script>  <!-- START KE KIT -->
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<h2>Six Degrees of Tyler Perry</h2>
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<!-- END KE KIT --><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19347263/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/another-tyler-perry-gospel-copyright-lawsuit/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><category>meet the browns</category><category>MeetTheBrowns</category><category>tyler perry</category><category>tyler perrys madea goes to jail</category><category>TylerPerry</category><category>TylerPerrysMadeaGoesToJail</category><dc:creator>Brennan Williams</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-05T18:06:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Around the Web: NBC's Black History Month Menu Snafu, Mehcad Brooks Taking it Off, Brandy &amp; FloRida, Mo'Nique</title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/music/" rel="tag">Music</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/television/" rel="tag">Television</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/gossip/" rel="tag">Gossip</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/celeb-updates/" rel="tag">Celeb Updates</a></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/questlove-450pk050210.jpg" alt="" /><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP<span class="priceGrabberMicroFormat" style="display: none;">Roots phrenology</span></span><br />You'd think that NBC would lay low after all the bad press following the <strong>Conan</strong> <strong>O'Brien-</strong><strong>Leno Leno</strong> late-night fiasco. But the network just can't get it together. <a href="http://music.aol.com/artist/the-roots/biography/1141040"><strong>The Roots</strong></a> drummer <strong>Questlove</strong> always Tweets things he finds funny. Yesterday, the 'Late Night With <strong>Jimmy Fallon</strong>' 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. [<a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/02/racist_nbc_lunch_menu.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Mag</span></a>]</p>
<div align="center" style="padding: 10px;"><strong><a href=" http://hiphopwired.com/2010/02/07/uestlove-releases-statement-on-nbcs-black-history-menu//" class="aolBtn"> UPDATE: Questlove Responds to the Controversy</a></strong></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">*****</span><br /></p><p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="right" vspace="8" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/claudetteortiz-oct2009.jpg" id="vimage_2" />BLAME IT ON THE ALCOHOL<br /></strong>Former <a href="http://music.aol.com/artist/city-high/biography/1433895"><strong>City High</strong></a> front woman <strong>Claudette Ortiz</strong> is not feeling the allegations that she drove her ex-boyfriend and group mate, <strong>Robbie Pardio,</strong> to alcoholism. Pardio was featured on an episode of A&amp;E's 'Intervention' and said it was Ortiz's marriage to their third group mate, <strong>Ryan Toby,</strong> 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&amp;E gets that man some help and that he's ready to get sober. [<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://lmortlock.blogspot.com/2010/02/coversation-with-claudette-ortiz.html">She Is blog</a>]</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></p>
<p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="left" vspace="8" alt="" id="vimage_3" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/mechad-brooks-green-tshirt.jpg" />AT ATTENTION!<br /></strong>Most people don't even know who <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mehcad Books</span> is. What better way to get people's attention than by taking off your clothes (see <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/12/17/rihanna-chosen-as-woman-of-the-year-again/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rihanna</span></a>). '<a href="http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/01/07/ask-the-deep-end-cast-a-question-for-outside-the-box/">The Deep End</a>' star -- who is actually a great actor on the rise -- is modeling his <span style="font-weight: bold;">Calvin Klein</span> underwear, and, boy, is his body banging. The 29-year-old stud, who recently starred in HBO's 'True Blood,' was shot by <strong>Mikael Jansson</strong> 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 <strong>Kellan Lutz</strong>, Japanese soccer pro <strong>Hidetoshi Nakata</strong> and Spanish tennis star <strong>Fernando Verdasco</strong>. [<a href="http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/02/03/mehcad-brooks-first-shots-as-a-calvin-klein-model/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just Jared</span></a>]</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></p>
<p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="right" vspace="8" alt="" style="width: 279px; height: 186px;" id="vimage_2" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/kellybrandyjan3110.jpg" />LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE?<br /></strong>Her brother <strong>Ray J</strong> appears to have found love on his VH1 show, and now it seems as if <strong>Brandy </strong>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 <strong>FloRida</strong>. 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 <strong>Kelly Rowland</strong> is said to have hooked the couple up. Best of luck to them. [<a href="http://bossip.com/211771/new-couple-brandy-flo-rida-where-dey-do-dat-at/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bossip</span></a>]</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></p>
<p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="left" vspace="8" alt="" id="vimage_2" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/moniquelaughingsag.jpg" />READY TO JAM<br /></strong>She may have gotten an Oscar nomination for her breakout role in 'Precious,' but trust that<strong> Mo'Nique</strong> 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 <strong>Shaquille O'Neal</strong>. <br /></p>
<p>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. [<a href="http://www.eurweb.com/index.php/archives/6550"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eurweb</span></a>]</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></p>
<p><strong><img hspace="8" border="1" align="right" vspace="8" alt="" id="vimage_4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/kanyewest-shades020110.jpg" />CLASS ACT<br /></strong>He just got charges dropped for assaulting a photographer at LAX, and already <strong>Kanye West</strong> is acting a fool. <br /></p>
<p>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. <br /></p>
<p>Well, after a lot of hooting and hollering, 'Ye got his wish. Come on, dude, business class really ain't that bad. [<a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lack_of_class_BlluwaPH7zhaCN38mD46JL"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Post</span></a>]</p>
<br /><br /> <iframe scrolling="auto" height="275" frameborder="0" width="275" src=" http://webcenter.polls.aol.com/modular.jsp?template=1749&amp;view=183454&amp;pollId=183746&amp;channel=aol_us_blackfocus&amp;popup=yes" title="Today's News Poll"></iframe><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19346051/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/nbc-black-history-month-menu-snafu-mehcad-brooks/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><dc:creator>Bridget Bland</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-05T13:11:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Elise Neal: Returns to TBS with Third Season of 'My Manny' </title><link>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/</guid><comments>http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/television/" rel="tag">Television</a>, <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a></p><p> </p>
<p><span style="display: none;" class="priceGrabberMicroFormat">Tyler Perrys house of Payne</span><img hspace="8" border="1" align="top" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bvnewswire.com/media/2010/02/elise-neal-450.jpg" alt="" /><br /></p>
<p>This month, 'My Manny' starring 'Hustle &amp; Flow' actress <strong>Elise Neal</strong> and 'ER' actor <strong>Sharif Atkins</strong> is returning for a third installment to TBS.</p>
<p>The sitcom is called a micro-series because it will air within commercial time during <strong>Tyler Perry</strong>'s 'Meet the Browns,' every Wednesday evening for five consecutive weeks. This new type of programming is the network's way of retaining viewers during commercial breaks and integrating a brand through a natural story line. </p><br />
<p>'My Manny' follows Jennifer, played by Neal, as a widow and successful caterer, who hires Mike the Manny (a male nanny) to care for her 8 year-old son, and ends up falling for him.</p>
<p>This time around, Disney Parks is on board as the show's exclusive sponsor and the episodes follow the family as they on vacation to The Magic Kingdom and Epcot. </p>
<p>'My Manny,' which debuted in Jan. 2009 within Perry's wildly popular 'House of Payne' series, also stars <strong>Alana Ubach</strong>, <strong>Greg Alan</strong> <strong>Williams</strong> and <strong>Tarren Mason</strong>. Each of the ten episodes will encore online at TBS.com. </p>
'My Manny' premieres on Feb.24.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/forward/19345982/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/02/05/elise-neal-tbs-third-season-my-manny/#commentsInline" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><br/><br/><a href="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/iMapRedirector?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;pos=0&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid="><img src="http://newsletter.adsonar.com/nwrss/imgs/nwr_1450788_14790225_302054_1664767_4_1.PNG?placementId=1450788&amp;plid=302054&amp;pid=1664767&amp;ps=14790225&amp;rotation=4&amp;type=2&amp;zw=585&amp;zh=90&amp;v=5&amp;url=NA&amp;uid=" width="585" height="90" border="0" alt=""/></a>]]></description><category>EliseNealHustleandFlowMyMannyTBSDisneyParks</category><dc:creator>Bridget Bland</dc:creator><dc:date>2010-02-05T11:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item></channel></rss>