7/1/2013

 Jim Kelly, who played a glib American martial artist in 1973's Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee, has died. He was 67. Marilyn Dishman, Kelly's ex-wife, said he died Saturday of cancer at his home in San Diego. Sporting an Afro hairstyle and sideburns, Kelly made a splash with his one-liners and fight scenes in the martial-arts classic. His later films included Three the Hard Way, Black Belt Jones and Black Samurai. Kelly said he started studying martial arts in 1964 in Kentucky and later moved to California where he earned a black belt in karate. He said he set his sights on becoming an actor after winning karate tournaments. He also played college football. The role in the Bruce Lee film was his second. He had about a dozen film roles in the 1970s before his acting work tapered off. In recent years, he drew lines of autograph seekers at comic book conventions.

Cirque du Soleil performer dies after accident during show
A Cirque du Soleil performer died Saturday after an accident during a performance of the show "Ka" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, authorities announced Sunday. Sarah Guyard-Guillot, 31, was pronounced dead shortly before midnight Saturday, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. A cause of death has yet to be determined. Audience members told the Las Vegas Sun that a performer suspended by a wire in the show’s final scene dropped a distance of nearly 50 feet into a pit below the stage. “Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the choreographed fight. But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage,” Dan Mosqueda, who was attending the show with his family said. The newspaper also reported that Guyard-Guillot was a mother of two young children and had spent 22 years as an acrobatic performer.  "I am heartbroken. I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family.  We are all completely devasted with this news.  Sassoon was an artist with the original cast of KÀ since 2006 and has been an integral part of our Cirque du Soleil tight family. We are reminded, with great humility and respect, how extraordinary our artists are each and every night,” Cirque du Soleil said in a statement released Sunday. Performances of "Ka" have been indefinitely suspended, the company announced.

BET AWARDS FASHION... more news below


Jessica Simpson Welcomes Son Ace Knute
Jessica Simpson‘s tiniest fashion star has arrived! The Fashion Star mentor, 32, and her fiancé, Eric Johnson, welcomed son Ace Knute Johnson on Sunday, June 30, her rep confirmed. The middle name honors Johnson’s Swedish grandfather, the rep explains. The new addition joins big sister Maxwell Drew, who celebrated her first birthday May 1.

Deion Sanders and Pilar Sanders officially divorced: NFL star tweets marriage advice

Deion Sanders and Pilar Sanders' nasty split is finally over. The former NFL player took to Twitter to announce that the "drama" came to an end on June 28. "Thank God Thank God! This 2 year Drama filled divorce is over. Prenup stood, Custody of All kids,pay yo own fees! God is Faithful! Truth," he tweets.
But Sanders didn't stop there. He shared some key advice for other men looking for their dream women: namely, don't let good looks deceive you.  "Men Listen closely! Don't choose a woman with your Flesh choose her with your Spirit & Heart. Yo flesh will Lie until yo flesh die. Truth," he adds. "Thru Trials&Tribulation u get a chance 2 witness many people around u & how they may vary from situation 2 circumstance. Learn & Live! Truth" Unfortunately for Deion, his ex-wife's attorney says the case isn't quite over yet. Several of Pilar's claims, including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and mental and physical abuse, will by heard by a jury in a separate case.
 Brooke Hogan is engaged. Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Phil Costa proposed to Hulk Hogan’s 25-year-old daughter this weekend in Las Vegas. Brooke shared the exciting news on Instagram, writing, “Happiest moment of my LIFE. I am marrying my best friend.” “I wouldnt choose anyone else. I am so lucky and so grateful,” she added, along with a photo of her now-fiance popping the question on one knee, with the Vegas skyline in the distance.


The Heat Hotter At Box Office Than White House Down
Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy brought “The Heat” against Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx at the box office. The Fox action-comedy starring the funny ladies as mismatched police detectives earned $40 million in its opening weekend, topping the $25.7 million debut haul of Sony’s “White House Down,” according to studio estimates Sunday.m“White House Down,” which features Tatum as a wannabe Secret Service agent and Foxx as the president, came in fourth place. Disney’s animated prequel “Monsters University” remained the valedictorian in its second weekend, earning $46.1 million in the top spot at the box office. Paramount’s zombie drama “World War Z” also took another bite out of the office in its second weekend with $29.8 million in third place.

RAPPER LIL SCRAPPY LEAVES REHAB
Rapper Lil Scrappy has kicked his addiction to marijuana after a successful stint in a rehabilitation facility. The hip-hop star, real name Darryl Kevin Richardson II, voluntarily checked into a treatment center in Atlanta in May to seek professional help for his habit after allegedly failing a court-ordered drug test. On Saturday, June 29, he was released from rehab and his attorney Mawuli Mel Davis insists Lil Scrappy has changed his ways. Former MTV VJ Damien Fahey married style blogger Grasie Mercedes on Friday in Camarillo, California. Fahey is best known for his time as a host on Total Request Live, while Mercedes also has an MTV connection, as the style expert on Girl, Get Your Mind Right. Mercedes took to Twitter and Instagram to share her wedded bliss with her more than 5,000 followers, including this picture of the newlyweds dancing with the caption “Just the most perfect day!”:

Drake bails on BET Awards at last minute: Was Chris Brown the cause?

Drake was noticeably missing from the 2013 BET Awards. Not only was he scheduled to perform at the awards show, but he was also the night's top nominee. So what forced him to pull out from appearing at the last minute? According to new reports, Chris Brown. A source says that "the reason Drake isn't [at the BET Awards] is 100 percent all about Chris Brown." Drake reportedly didn't let the BET organizers know about his absence until the last minute, but it might have been for the best. Allegedly Drake didn't want to risk starting a fight with Brown, his longtime rival, at the awards show. During a recent interview with GQ, Drake admitted that he doesn't think his rivalry with Brown will end well. "If I think about it too much, I feel it wrapping around my foot, like I get a feeling it could end really badly," he said. For his part, Brown was a big presence at the awards show. Not only did he perform early on, but he also won the FANdemonium award. During his acceptance speech, Brown made sure to remind viewers that he's just a normal guy, and that they shouldn't believe media reports on him. Of the awards announced, Drake won the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice, Best Video and Best Collaboration awards. His absence was never explained during the 2013 BET Awards. Drake took to Twitter after the BET Awards ended and gave a different reason for not appearing: his album. "Thank you to BET and to the fans for voting! I'm home finishing the album and spending time w/ family before we begin our journey Sept 17," he tweets. "Congrats to Kendrick as well! NWTS."

Buju Banton gun conviction scrapped over juror's criminal intent

Buju Banton just lucked out. The reggae singer had been charged with a gun conviction from a 2011 trial, but U.S. District Judge James S. Moody recently opted to overturn the charge. The reason? It turns out Terri Wright, a jury foreman, allegedly did independent research while serving on the case and shared it with the other jurors. Wright has now been charged with criminal contempt. The drug conviction against Banton, for which he is serving 10 years in prison, still stands. Banton's attorney reportedly says they are considering filing an appeal to overturn that as well, though a decision has not been made. Banton may face a retrial. Banton has currently served 40 months of his sentence, which was over a cocaine conspiracy and trafficking. Wright is now looking at a fine and a maximum of six years in prison.

Jennifer Lopez apologizes for singing to Turkmenistan ruler

Jennifer Lopez apologized Sunday after a barrage of criticism followed her singing "Happy Birthday" to the leader of Turkmenistan, a country described by human rights groups as "among the most repressive in the world." The singer and actress performed in the former Soviet bloc country on Saturday night. A statement released Sunday by her publicist to the Associated Press said the event was hosted by the China National Petroleum Corp. and wasn't a political event. However, the country's leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, attended. Berdimuhamedow has been criticized for his oppressive rule by Human Rights Watch and similar organizations. Lopez's publicist said the event was vetted by Lopez's staff: "Had there been knowledge of human rights issues any kind, Jennifer would not have attended." The birthday serenade was a last-minute request made by the corporation to Lopez before she took the stage, and she "graciously obliged," the statement said.

TV NEWS

Happy Endings won’t get one: The cancelled ABC comedy is officially done and will not continue on another network. Sony Pictures TV, which produces the series, has ended its search for a new home for the ensemble sitcom. A possible move to USA Network — widely believed to be Endings‘ most likely savior — was nixed earlier this month. NBC and TBS reportedly were possible contenders as well, but neither panned out.


In what could be viewed as promising news for fans of Alicia and Will, The Good Wife is throwing some hard-to-resist temptation Peter’s way.  Hunted heroine Melissa George is joining the CBS drama’s Season 5 cast in the recurring role of Marilyn, newly-elected Governor Florrick’s in-house ethics counsel.


Jayma Mays has signed on for a new show. The actress, who plays Emma Pillsbury on “Glee,” will star as Debbie – sister to Will Arnett’s Nathan Miller – in Greg Garcia’s upcoming CBS comedy, “The Millers." The multi-camera series also features Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges. Jayma, 33, will continue to appear on “Glee” in her current recurring role.


The crossover special Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel — in which the titular pals help dis-empowered superheroes such as Spider-Man and Hulk get their mojo back — will premiere Friday, Aug. 16 on Disney Channel, while Disney Channel SVOD and verified WATCH Disney Channel will offer a first look on Aug. 12.


Glee is thinning its ranks as it heads into Season 5. Original castmembers Heather Morris (who plays Brittany), Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike) will not be returning to the Fox musical dramedy as series regulars. Additionally, Dianna Agron (Quinn) — who was only seen in a handful of episodes last season — is not slated to be back, save for a possible guest appearance here and there. The casting moves hardly come as a surprise, considering four of the five characters graduated McKinley at the end of Season 3, and a fifth — Morris’ Brittany — got accepted to MIT in last month’s Season 4 finale.


The coming season is going to be a romantic one for one lucky Revolution-ary.  Jessica Collins (Rubicon, The Nine) has booked a recurring role on Season 2 of the NBC drama as a love interest for… Well, that part is a bit of a mystery. Collins — who appears in at least the first four episodes — will play Cynthia, a beautiful young woman of deep faith. Her winning humor and blazing intelligence capture the heart of one of the show’s leading characters.


The Mormon church-owned NBC affiliate KSL Salt Lake City announced on its Facebook page that it will air Saturday Night Live this fall for the first time since 1995. Other NBC fare in recent years deemed too racy for the outlet include The New Normal and The Playboy Club.

Drake might have been the top nominee at the 2013 BET Awards, but he wasn't the top winner. Heck, he didn't even show up! The winners were spread out pretty evenly across the wide pool of nominees.
Check out the full list of winners below.

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake - No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar - "Problems"
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne - "Pop That"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake - "Poetic Justice"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z - "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - "Mercy"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Group 
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake - "No Lie" A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar - "Problems"
Drake - "Started From The Bottom"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne - "HYFR"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake - "Poetic Justice"
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz - "Thrift Shop"
Miguel - "Adorn"
Rihanna - "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z - "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - "Mercy"

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Movie
"Beasts of the Southern Wild"
"Django Unchained"
"Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap"
"Sparkle"
"Think Like A Man"

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar - "Problems"
Drake - "Started From The Bottom"
Kendrick Lamar - "Swimming Pools (Drank) "
Miguel - "Adorn"
Rihanna - "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z - "Suit & Tie"

Centric Award
Tamar Braxton - "Love and War"
Fantasia - "Lose To Win"
Miguel - "Adorn"
Nas - "Daughters"
Charlie Wilson - "My Love Is All I Have"