PATTY JACKSON 411

Mary J. Blige is brushing off reports that she went upside her husband’s head at her album release party. Blige was celebrating her latest album, Stronger With Each Tear, at a New York nightclub when the trouble started. Blige was with her husband, Kendu Isaacs, and her management team, and reports say Blige became upset when she noticed Kendu flirting with a waitress. There is video showing Blige raising her hand, but did it result in her husband’s bloodied face? After the altercation, Blige, Kendu and crew left the club. They have not been seen in public over the past few days. Hopefully, this will not end their marriage. Blige always appeared happy with her husband and his family.

Teddy Riley got into serious trouble over the holidays. Riley reportedly attacked his daughters. Riley is best known for the New Jack Music era and his work with Guy and Blackstreet. Riley’s 18-year old daughter says her dad took the guitar from the video game Rock Band and attacked her and her older sister. She says they were stomped, punched and bashed by their 43-year old dad. The incident took place at their L.A. home, and a hearing is set for January. Over the past few years, Riley has had to file for bankruptcy, lost his Virginia recording studio and had a failed marriage with a woman he met over the internet.

Broke celebrities are making headlines this week. There’s Funk Pioneer George Clinton. At age 68, he’s broke and is seeking new management. Clinton’s mother died a few weeks ago, and he didn’t have the money to give her a proper burial. Clinton has been struggling to provide for his family. He says he was swindled out of his fortune by his former business partners who tricked him into signing away the rights to the publishing and masters of his music. The catalog includes such classics as One Nation Under A Groove and Flashlight. Famed Comedian Sinbad is also having money problems. He has had to auction off his assets and has filed for bankruptcy. He owes $50 million to creditors, and he is behind $8 million in back taxes. He says he only has $50,000 in saving.

After five years, Tyra Banks is calling it quits. Banks recently announced that production on The Tyra Banks Show will end in the spring. Banks says she will continue with America’s Next Top Model, and she is starting a film production company. Many feel Banks is throwing in the towel because of low ratings, and then there’s the “Wendy Effect.” Ever since premiering her talk show, Wendy Williams has had amazing success, and has knocked Banks out of the box.

It’s over for Matthew and Tina Knowles. The famed couple and proud parents of Beyonce and Solange Knowles are calling it quits. The marriage has seen many good days and many bad ones. For many years, Tina looked the other way dealing with her husband’s addictions and other women. Matthew is about to be a dad again. He got one of his jumpoffs pregnant, and she’s due soon. Tina is ready to live her life on her own terms. She is expecting a financial windfall once the dust settles. Beyonce and Solange knew this day was coming, but they are still taking it hard.

Fantasia’s new reality show, Fantasia For Real, debuts January 11th on VH1. The show takes a look at her life and her cousins (Singers K-Ci and JoJo Hailey) will also be featured.

What’s going on with Dr. Conrad Murray? Murray was Michael Jackson’s personal physician at the time of his death, and has yet to be charged in Jackson’s death. Dr. Murray admits giving Michael Jackson the Propofol. The Jackson family blames Murray for Michael’s death, so what’s going on? Dr. Murray won’t face murder charges, maybe a manslaughter indictment, but not murder charges. The case is very complex, and it has turned out to be very expensive. Dr. Murray just signed a deal for a TV show showing his life after Jackson’s death, and he recently opened his Houston medical practice. His Las Vegas’ site will open in late winter.

What’s going on with American Idol? The 9th season, with Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul, kicks off January 12th and 13th, but will this be the last one with “Mr. Mean,” Simon Cowell? Cowell wants to leave the hit show to start his own show, an American version of his hit British show The X-Factor. The past few seasons, we have watched Cowell appear bored and uninterested almost as though he could care less. Will the fans miss him if he leaves the show? Can American Idol go on without him? The FOX network is planning on three more years of the show, with or without Cowell. I hear Cowell will still appear on Idol, but in a reduced role so he can focus on his X-Factor show, which debuts on FOX in 2011.

Get ready for some DVD releases: January 12th it’s Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself, and February 16th it’s Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair.

Robin Thicke and his wife Actress Paula Patton are expecting a baby boy in the new year. Thicke says his name will be Julian.

Jennifer Hudson says she is not pregnant. Hudson is the mother of a four-month old son, and she is denying tabloid reports of a second pregnancy. During her first pregnancy, she stayed quiet the whole time about being pregnant. Next spring, Hudson heads to Africa to start work on a new movie about Winnie Mandela.

Alicia Keys is bringing her Element Of Freedom tour to Atlantic City. Mark your calendars for March 20th at Trump Taj Mahal’s Mark G. Etess Arena.

More problems for Actor/Comedian Katt Williams getting into public arguments with people, carrying weapons and now he’s getting sued by a former assistant. The assistant claims Williams owes her over $300,000 for work done last year. Williams had a very troubling year. Let’s hope he gets the help he needs before things turn tragic.

Marvin Gaye, III has been having a lot of problems lately. Marvin, III is the adopted son of the late Motown singer and his ex-wife Anna Gordy. Marvin, III receives millions in royalties from his father’s estate, but lately he’s been hounded by the I.R.S. for not paying taxes. He’s also behind in child support payments for his children. Gaye’s troubles don’t end there. He’s being sued in a dog biting incident involving the son of the late Lou Rawls (Lou, Jr.). Gaye was recently kicked out of mother’s house. According to his lawyers, he is trying to pursue a singing career and work out his problems.

February 8th is the long awaited date for the new album from Sade. Soldier Of Love is her latest project. She is backed by her longtime band Sweetback. She wrote most of the songs on the album which deals with lost love. I hear Maxwell is doing a duet with her. At 50, Sade looks fabulous. Let’s hope she tours with this project.

Andre Leon Talley is headed to America’s Next Top Model. The fashionista extraordinaire is the editor-at-large for Vogue magazine. Talley will serve as the 4th judge.

Is Regina King dating Malcolm Jamal Warner? I hear the two former child stars of 227 and The Cosby Show are now dating. King’s latest show, Southland, where she plays “Detective Lydia Adams,” debuts on TNT in January. Now speaking of the show 227, Kings former co-star Alaina Reed Hall has died. Reed Hall, who also co-starred in Sesame Street, had been battling breast cancer for a while. She was 63-years old and is survived by two children.

Denzel Washington’s new movie, The Book Of Eli, opens in theatres January 15th.

Essence Magazine is celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2010. In the spring, they will feature Queen Latifah, Gabby Sidibe, Zoe Saldana and Mary J. Blige in a special Hollywood issue.

Philadelphia’s own Bill Cosby will be the 2010 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. The Marian Anderson Award is an honor that salutes artists whose leadership benefits society. The awards ceremony takes place April 6th at the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce. Past winners include Danny Glover, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones.

The new version of the Karate Kid hits theatres next summer with Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan.

Get ready for Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls in Sex And The City II coming out next May.

Tyler Perry is going to be in Philadelphia next year with his latest stage production, Madea’s Big Happy Family. Tix are on sale for the show, which runs April 29th- May 2nd at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

The Grammy Awards take place January 31st. Scheduled performers include Maxwell and Beyonce.

Chris Rock teams up with Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death At A Funeral. The movie opens in theatres April 16th. The comedy also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover. I have the trailer on my page, Patty’s page, at wdasfm.com. Check it out. It’s very funny.

Idris Elba, Michael Ealy and Rapper T.I. will be starring in the new movie Takers, which opens in theatres February 19th, 2010. Elba has also signed on for the movie Thor, where he will play a superhero.

Queen Latifah will be starring in the holiday campaign for Macy’s Department Stores. She’s also on tap to host The People’s Choice Awards on CBS January 6th.

The stars came out for Lionel Richie and a taping of UNCF’s Evening Of Stars. The show airs in January and will feature Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Natalie Cole.

The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170. Join WDAS’ Mimi Brown on Wednesday nights for The Rising Star Talent Search. They are looking for up and coming musicians and singers to showcase their talent. For more info and to schedule an audition call 215-927-5455. The winner will get $5,000.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will these two sisters be able to resolve their differences? One is successful, and the other is not. She is hanging on to her sister’s success despite the pain she has caused the entire family. Her past romantic involvements have scarred the family forever.

These women are successful, powerful and famous…… but they love to drink….and they can’t handle their liquor!