Despite being “hit or miss” on the critical front, Lifetime’s biographical films – especially those dedicated to some of music’s most noted acts (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, etc.) – are generally ratings winners. But, after hitting a sour note with viewers thanks to the ill-received Britney Spears biopic from earlier this year, the women’s network is looking to get back on track with a biopic in honor of King of Pop Michael Jackson. 

Titled ‘Searching for Neverland,’ the film comes as an adaptation of the best-seller “Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days.”  Said to be “told through the eyes of Jackson’s trusted bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard,” the flick – set to premiere on Memorial Day (May 29) – will chronicle MJ’s last two years of life.

Get into the trailer inside:

(more…)

‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ star Kenya Moore stopped by The Breakfast Club today and dished out shade in abundance.

Ever candid, the former Miss USA dug into foes Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams for their role in the explosive lie-gate saga that played out on the show’s four-part finale.

Moore, who was at the popular Power 105.1 show to plug her new hair-care line, also tugged at Kim Zolciak – who she confirmed is back for the show’s upcoming 10th season.

Peep the hilarious interview below…

Kenya remains a polarzing as ever, but entertaining nonetheless.

Click here to check out out recent interview with her.

Your thoughts?

Halle Berry‘s long-awaited ‘Kidnap’ has finally secured a new release date.

After spending two years in limbo because of financial issues caused by its parent studio Relativity, the thriller will arrive on August 4th.

Industry insiders fear that the serially-delayed release may not fare as well as it should because of its pushback.

Fortunately, the project is said to have tested quite well among African American audiences and is now being backed by a newly-formed distribution company named Aviron Pictures built by David Dinerstein, formerly of Paramount Classics and Fox Searchlight.

Unfamiliar with its plot?

A single mother named Karla McCoy (Halle Berry) lives a perfect life with her young son Frankie (Sage Correa). One day, upon entering a local park, Karla sees her son suddenly being abducted out of the blue by a kidnapper. To save Frankie from being taken, Karla goes out on a mission to demand people in the city to help rescue her son.

Source.

Your thoughts?

‘Scandal’ is back!

Following a longer than planned hiatus (to accommodate Kerry Washington‘s pregnancy), the show picks up right where it left off – with fireworks!

Forming a central part of the revived TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday) block of programming, the political drama promises (and is already delivering) many a twist and turn for its sixth season. Election, anyone?!

Watch a sneak peek preview of episodes 15 and 16 (its finale) below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: ABC]

Ever since the return of ‘American Idol’ was confirmed, original winner Kelly Clarkson had been touted as a strong favorite to join the new judging panel.

Well, that won’t be happening anytime soon because she’s just been announced as a coach on rival show ‘The Voice.’

In a statement issued moments ago, NBC confirmed Clarkson will appear alongside Adam Levine and Blake Shelton on season 14 of the talent search. A fourth coach will be unveiled soon.

Speaking on her appointment, the multi-time Grammy winner said:

“I’m so excited to join The Voice at NBC. We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry. Watch out Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!!”

Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment added:

“Kelly has been a part of ‘The Voice’ family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp. Every time Kelly Clarkson sings you are reminded what an incredible voice really is. We are looking forward to the sound of Kelly Clarkson on The Voice.”

Just yesterday, Jennifer Hudson was revealed as a coach on the 13th season – which airs this September. She will join Levine and Shelton as well as Miley Cyrus.

Clarkson’s run will air in early 2018.

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Talk of Clarkson and ‘American Idol’ seemed too widespread to be false. Which leads us to believe she was in negotiations with both shows. If indeed the case, it seems as though NBC pulled out all the stops to secure her as it prepares to go head-to-head with Idol on ABC.

Your thoughts?

Whether it’s his skills on the field, dance moves, or boys trips with Trey Songz, Odell Beckham Jr has never been against sharing.

Hence, it’s little surprise that his latest ink job has been chronicled on Instagram.

The New York Giants star playfully poses in the snap above as he’s tattooed on his hips and derrière.

It goes without saying that this definitely has tongues wagging; but ultimately we wouldn’t be seeing this if he didn’t want us to.

Do you OBJ, do you.

Your thoughts?

Season 9 of the ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ has come to an end and so too has Phaedra Parks‘ stint with the popular Bravo show.

As widely seen, the attorney/philanthropist/mortician got caught in a “mega-watt lie” pertaining former friend Kandi Burruss and Porsha Williams.

Her mute response as the drama unfolded confused many, but according to Parks sources close to Parks editing was the reason for this. Because, she did indeed point the finger at someone.

Page Six explains:

“Phaedra tried to blame producers for manipulating the scenario, and it was cut from the reunion show. They’re not allowed to break the ‘fourth wall’ and talk about production. It may not have been entirely Phaedra’s fault, but she has to take the fall,” the source said.

A Parks source said there was “a producer who told her the drug and rape story, which she repeated to another cast member. It snowballed. The editing was not kind to her.”

A Bravo rep said, “Production is not involved.”

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This does make a lot of sense. After all, had they let that breaking of the fourth-wall air, it would have compromised the “real” in “reality” and dented the credibility of the show overall. No way would that have been allowed to happen, hence why Phaedra (in her uncharacteristic silence) seemed almost resolute to being the sacrificial lamb.

However, it still doesn’t explain why she’d repeat the alleged production whisper as first-hand info to a fellow cast-mate and supposed friend Porsha. Like as much as we rode for Phae, that aspect of the narrative is inexcusable.

It figures then why the rest of the cast apparently rallied together to demand she not be brought back – something creator Andy Cohen and Bravo higher ups reportedly decided anyway immediately after the reunion. With word on the curb being that not only was the nature of the lie problematic at a network level, it saw Phae break a “morality clause” that forbids any comments that could be considered as libel.

Still, we don’t anticipate this being the last we’ve seen of Ms. Parks on the show.

She’ll no doubt need to let the dust settle, new dramas play out, and change occur in her real life. But when the time is right, it’s entirely plausible that she’ll be reintegrated into the mix. There’s too many juicy avenues to explore on that front, namely her life after the chaos, mending her relationship with the ladies, and her romantic liaisons.

Just our two cents. What are…

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Hudson is heading back to The Voice – and this time on home-soil!

Fresh from winning her inaugural season on the UK branch of the show, it has been announced that the Oscar and Grammy winner will be joining season 13 of the US series.

Set to air this September, J.Hud will star as a coach alongside Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton. 

Speaking on her addition to the panel, NBC Entertainment president Paul Telegdy said:

“Jennifer is an extraordinary vocal talent and one of the premier voices of our time. She embodies the experience, expertise, positivity and sheer talent that The Voice stands for. Her exceptional skills as a singer and actress have extended to film, television and Broadway, which makes her an incredible addition and a natural fit for our show.”

The news comes as singer-actress readies her fourth studio album for release later this year.

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During Hudson’s run on the UK show, she easily served as one of – if not “the” – most popular personality on the panel. As such, she’ll most definitely be an asset.

Musically, we’re buzzed for her because this’ll also provide a solid platform to plug her new material too. A win for all.

Your thoughts?

Season 7 of ‘Scandal’ looks set to be bittersweet for fans of the ABC show.

For on the one hand, its recent renewal means the political drama will stretch into next year. However, on the other, it’s being reported that it will indeed be its final instalment.

The news comes via The Hollywood Reporter, who asserts that the end of Olivia Pope and co will be announced formally at the ABC Upfront 2017/18 presentation next week.

Throughout the show’s run, creator Shonda Rhimes has been emphatic in stressing that she has always known when the show would end; asserting that it was never meant to be a “10 season type of series.”

However, following last year’s controversial US election, she admitted that the real-life political landscape had thrown the show’s for a loop and she was no longer sure of its end destination.

Well, it’s looking like an answer has manifested.

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Though longtime lovers of the show, we’re actually at peace with this. After all, the best titles know when to bow out. So, with ‘Scandal’ arguably nearing its qualitative ceiling, what time better than its 7th cycle to have its final curtain call.

As the age old adage goes: all good things must come to an end.

Your thoughts?

Bow Wow hasn’t released charting music in almost a decade, but has instead made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

His latest faux-pas came today and centers on a plane. Stay with us.

See, in what appears to be a case of flossing gone wrong, the rapper (real name Shad Moss) took to Instagram to share a snap of himself boarding a private plane to New York to do press for his new show.

The issue? It appears he wasn’t on a private plane at all.

An observant Snapchat traveller shared the following, which has gone all sorts of viral…

Here’s the image Bow shared on Instagram…

To make matters worse, it looks as though he posted a stock image:

Bow Wow used a picture from a transport company & pretended he was the one getting on a private jet.

He even filtered it ????? pic.twitter.com/dwb59IcLBN

— Ottilia Anna M (@MaS1banda) May 9, 2017

The ultimately kii is that he’s embarrassed himself for literally no reason. Like, folk struggle to care about his music much less his travel arrangements. Yet, in trying project himself to be this high-flyer, he ironically knocks himself even further into the ground. Oh well.

Your thoughts?

After months of speculation, stalled and then re-started talks, ‘American Idol’ is officially being revived.

Following a heated bidding war, ABC announced this morning that they have won the rights to air the next incarnation of the singing competition

As widely reported, FOX – who aired the original show for 15 seasons – was very interested as was NBC.

Ultimately, though, it’s ABC who secured the broadcast privileges from Idol’s joint owners Freemantle and Core Media Group.

And while it was thought that Idol was being readied for a 2018 return, there’s talk that that it may be back on air this year and form a central part of ABC’s 2017-18 schedule.

Speaking on the network’s major coup, Channing Dungey – the president of ABC Entertainment – said:

“American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon. ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”

Ben Sherwood – co-chairman of ABC’s parent company Disney – chimed in and promised a “bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.” He added:

 “American Idol on ABC… that has a nice ring to it. Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor.

There’s no formal word on a host, but it’s notable that Ryan Seacrest recently signed on the new co-host of Live With Kelly – housed on ABC.

Word on the curb is that the network plans to bend backwards to accommodate Seacrest’s schedule so as to facilitate his Idol comeback.

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On the one hand this is a major touchdown for ABC, who’ve struggled to make any kind of mark in the reality singing arena. Indeed, while they’ve sunk with titles such as ‘Rising Star,’ NBC and FOX scored wins with the likes of ‘The Voice’ and the original ‘Idol.’

Still, one has to wonder how the new revival will fare.

Internally, the reported feeling was that Idol ended prematurely because it just became too expensive to produce (thanks largely to the superstar judges it courted). However, there’s no denying that ratings were on a downward spiral and that it struggled to yield stars on the caliber of Fantasia (pictured), Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Hudson. A natural reality, arguably, given how long the show was on air.

People gravitate towards “newness,” as such it’ll be interesting to see whether a new network and likely changes to the format will be enough to entice viewers back. Or are folk just over such shows in general?

What do you think?

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Getty]

Despite only being only 20-years-old, Normani Kordei has overcome a lot in her life – including racist bullying online.

The starlet rose to prominence as part of popular girl-group Fifth Harmony and, for all the band’s success, has still had to pend off the nastiest abuse. So much so that she quit social media for a period of time.

Chronicling the pain and how she overcame it on this week’s ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ Kordei and parter Val Chmerkovskiy conceived a Contemporary piece based on the situation.

For their efforts, they scored a full 40/40 from the judges – for the second consecutive week.

All the action below…

Later in the night, the pair tackled the Country Jive and slayed – earning a 39/40.

Your thoughts?