Are The Jackson 5 Also Praying For A Miracle?

Regarding the YouTube/CNN Debate question about black-on-black crime. Wouldn’t it have been better for Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani to admit to Prentiss Tate and Son that they haven’t really considered the subject relevant to their campaign? Why mention Cosby if you’re not talking with him? 

When it comes to the The Jackson 5, the first family of pop music, some are praying for a miracle that their reunion will erase the sour notes. 

Bryan “Baby” Williams, a.k.a. Birdman, reached out to MTV News to talk about his arrest for marijuana possession. 

In yet again the case of another power-rabid jurist, Judge Robert Restaino, spent two hours of inexplicable madness jailing 46 people because of a ringing cell phone. 

Rascal Flatts will perform today on Oprah with a surprise guest. Could it be Jamie Foxx reprising their CMA Awards show-stopper She Goes All The Way? I got the video for ya! 

In more Jaime Foxx news, he will produce a reality TV show titled From Gs to Gents in which a group of men compete to become gentlemen. I hope the conditioning sticks and the guys aren’t doing it only for the camera. 

“They’ve been targeting him” is the suspicion surfacing from Cardinals defensive back Antrel Rolle on the premeditated murder of friend Sean Taylor.  

Richard Roberts, President of Oral Roberts University is embroiled in scandal. The son of founder Oral Roberts is accused of illegal involvement in a local political campaign and lavish spending at donors’ expense, including numerous home remodeling projects, use of the university jet for his daughter’s senior trip to the Bahamas and a red Mercedes convertible and a Lexus SUV for his wife, Lindsay. 

On Breaking Down the NBA, an NBA blog, Reggie Miller Bashes Isiah Thomas, Stephon Marbury and the New York Knicks as a league-wide joke. Yeah, he said it. 

Tonight, Kathy Griffin: Straight To Hell on Bravo. Enough said of this talented pixy.  

Tiki Barber’s appearance on Project Runway was little comfort to the failing Carmen. Who new making men’s clothing would be such a bitch? 

Farewell to James Clement of Survivor: China. Just a sweet guy in a viper pit who longs to frolic. 

“We are never deceived, we deceive ourselves.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]  

Salvation Army Wants Only Hispanic 'Change'

Just hours after Dancing with the Stars‘ resident charmer Helio Castroneves quickstepped his way into the winner’s circle—getting cheered on by family and friends but not, rather tellingly, his fiancée—Aliette Vazquez confirmed on E! satellite radio show that she and the race car driver have put the brakes on their betrothal. 

50 Cent is selling his 48,000-square-foot mansion for $18.5 million. And tonight, he’s showing off the property on a special edition of MTV’s “Cribs” so fans can take a peek before he moves out. 

Nominations for the 2008 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards were announced yesterday. Among the nominees, Don Cheadle [photo]and Chiwetel Ejiofor picked up nods for “Talk to Me” for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. 

Some Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed banning spanking in the state. If enacted, it would be the first time any state would outlaw the practice. Proponents claim it’s another way to protect children from abuse, but many parents see it as a government intrusion into their homes.

Online pornography hunters’ Internet adventures are already fraught with danger from malicious code many porn sites use to commandeer visitors’ machines or steal personal data. Now comes a scheme some researchers say amounts to extortion: One site’s threat to disable visitors’ computers with relentless pop-up ads if they don’t pay for a subscription they were automatically signed up for after a free trial. 

Check out the new Snoop Dog ‘Sensual Seduction’ video. It goes with the hair. 

TV Review: Shrek the Halls doesn’t achieve that timeless appeal. But I’m sure Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, and Cameron Diaz were well taken care of. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that it had sued The Salvation Army for discriminating against two Hispanic employees by requiring them to comply with an English-only policy and imposing an English fluency requirement, even though the employees successfully performed their job duties for at least five years prior to their termination. 

“We are each burdened with prejudice; against the poor or the rich, the smart or the slow, the gaunt or the obese.  It is natural to develop prejudices.  It is noble to rise above them.”  [Author Unknown]

People of Color Rule and Champion 'Dancing'

Real-life tragedies and on-stage dramatics made this season the most exciting ever. And yet Dancing With The Stars slammed the competition in ratings while showcasing people of color in an unrivaled television spectacle. Last night’s finale awarding of Helio Castroneves as champion may have been the pinnacle of the season but let’s not overlook the multicultural wealth bestowed upon its audiences all over the world.  

Television casting has a tired tradition of stacking the deck with white males to the point of abject predictability. However, ‘Dancing’ reflects a multitude of faces and races while providing a program of collaboration and competition that is as entertaining as it is inclusive. Other producers and creators should take note at how well the public embraced ‘Dancing’s’ culturally diverse success. 

Judge Bruno Tonioli has a cacophony of similes, metaphors, and analogies that tickle the brain and emotion. Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman round out the panel of judges with technical critiques that illuminate both dancers and viewers. Host Tom Bergeron is the wit that won’t quit. His timing, comedy, and insightful comments are gentlemanly skillful. Samantha Harris brings a cushion of warmth and sensitivity to the competitors’ interviews. The bangin’ musical direction of Harold Wheeler harkens back to the days when live music on television was essential to the success of the new medium.  

While being enraptured in such celebration I do wish for a minor change for ‘Dancing’. After seeing Mel B descend to first runner-up I wish there were bronze, silver, and gold awards. In no conceivable way did she lose. A silver honor would seem appropriate in light of her brilliant series of performances. She’s most definitely a stunner in every sense of the word. Yet I can’t take anything away from Helio’s charismatic technical ease. 

On a final note you must admire the sly Donnie Osmond who characterized the three finalists on Entertainment Tonight as “Helio from Spain, Mel B from England, and Marie from America.” Good divide and conquer strategy but not quite enough to fool the people – this time. 

Mel B loses Dancing With The Stars finale to Helio Castroneves 

Helio Castroneves: My Wednesday Morning Hangover 

Performance vs. technique, talent vs. fan base 

“Never talk defeat.” [Norman Vincent Peale]

Young Kenyan Males, White English Women Sexing It Up

By now you’ve heard the rumors of older white English women traveling to Kenya as sex tourists to hook up with twenty-something brothas. But some call it preying on poverty. 

It’s Oprah’s next film. This time she produces The Great Debaters which stars Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Whitaker (not related), Jurnee Smollett, and Nate Turner. Directed by Denzel Washington the film opens Christmas. Get a taste and a clue here. 

Called the worst imaginable tragedy by team owner Daniel Snyder, team and fans mourn the death of Washington Redskins star defense player Sean Taylor. Just back in 2006 Taylor reached an agreement with prosecutors to drop felony charges against him and pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in an assault case.  

Actress Regina King of This Christmas speaks about the ins and outs of making a family-friendly Christmas movie. The film exceeded expectations. Not one to stand idle, actor Idris Elba [photo] also produced Angie Stone’s second single (on her current album) called ‘My People’ and Jay-Z’s intro on his new album ‘American Gangster.’ 

In Time magazine Mark Halperin questions Barack Obama’s readiness and outlines why Oprah’s support won’t help him. 

Is your drive for success dependent on the failure of others? Well a new neurological study suggests that to be very true. 

They say we sometimes look for news to support our own worldview. Be that as it may, odds-makers pick Mel B. to take home Dancing With The Stars trophy. 

After ten years on the air, The Food Network has canceled Emeril Lagasse’s Emeril Live. It’s my bet that they’ll reconfigure a new show for the popular chef. So Doc Gibbs and the Emeril Live Band should have their homes just about paid for. Maybe they’ll cut an album. 

Twiggy’s out and Paulina Porizkova is in as judge for the next cycle of America’s Next Top Model.  

You gotta admit Steve Kroft and 60 Minutes did a nice piece on The Eagles last Sunday. It wasn’t hard-hitting but being a fan I enjoyed seeing Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit talk for a change, and after all these years. 

How are you finding Alicia Keys raw and intense new vocal style on her latest CD?  If you have it let me know what you think. 

“It is well, when judging a friend, to remember that he is judging you with the same godlike and superior impartiality.” [Arnold Bennett]

Michael Vick Enters 'Red Zone'

Tennis champion Venus Williams graduates from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale this December with a degree in fashion design. So what does she have and how good is she? 

Oh no! Not another dance competition reality series! What will Randy Jackson and MTV do to this format to make their attempt entertaining and refreshing? 

Published ten years ago, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list and remained on the BusinessWeek bestsellers list for nearly two years. Today the book has been 70% rewritten and updated with valuable insights no leader can ignore. 

In the market for an HDTV? Rumor has it that the best time to pounce is Friday. 

Michael Vick surrendered to U.S. marshals three weeks before he was to be sentenced for a federal dogfighting charge, and a legal expert said it’s unclear whether the move will soften his punishment. 

Terrell Owens caught touchdown passes of 4, 31, 46 and 52 yards, marking the first four-TD game of his career, to get the Cowboys to 9-1 for the first time since 1983. They’ve won four straight since losing to New England, this being the third in a row against division foes. So how’s he and America’s team doing? 

With a number of friends, Stevie Williams is a 27-year old gold-tooth, bling-flashing skater from Philadelphia has his own line of Reebok gear, and is regarded as a successor to Allen Iverson and Jay-Z as a pitchman with street appeal.  

What does Diddy, TI, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mya, Wendy Williams, and Rihanna have in common? VibeTV. 

You can hardly go to any entertainment site without seeing a “for your consideration” ad linking Denzel Washington’s American Gangster performance to the upcoming 2008 Academy Awards. Competing with the likes of Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, and Emile Hirsh is not child’s play. Here’s to the fellahs! 

Dancing With The Stars is overshadowing everything else in primetime. Last night’s show yielded two perfect “30” scores for both Mel B. and Helio Castroneves. If they’re not the last two celebrities standing I will be most unhappy. 

I’m taking an early holiday leave so that I won’t take leave of my senses. But I shall return come Tuesday. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Then, come back.