The Jerry Lamothe (Nora’s Hair Salon) movie Black Out will premiere on BET on February 1st, 2008 at 8 P.M. The film, which Lamothe also wrote, chronicles the 2003 blackout and how it changed the lives of estranged neighbors.

Part 4 and season 2 to be exact. Speaking with Cristina Kinon, the rapper and music impressario revealed that some of the members of his reality show have started romancing each other to his dismay:

“Because they’re on the same label, I didn’t expect that there would be some romance involved. But there are definitely some hookups. That’s not something I want, because I don’t know how long it will last and I know that they have to be on tour together.”

 Oh, and gone is Diddy the tyrant.

“They’ve gotten much more comfortable with me. It’s important to show that side of me also. Once they get signed to the label and I get to know them, there is that side that we do become friends.”

Aw.

[Pic Credit: Mark Mann/MTV]

“The Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav” arrives in stores on February 12th and will be available on the comedy network’s online site. Think you’ll good off with just the taped version? Comedy Central made certain to include “extras” on the DVD version including nearly an hour of additional celebrity red carpet interviews, a Flav backstage tour and, oh, plenty of Flav-clock-cam bonus footage.

Vanessa will be making her off-Broadway debut alongside many radio personalities Michael Shawn (Hot 97 Morning Show), Déjà vu (Power 105.1),  and Ann Tripp (WBLS The Steve Harvey Morning Show).

Vanessa chose her words carefully when giving her view on the play and about the whole rappers-turning-to-actors controversy:

“I think that it’s good that people are giving rappers the opportunity to be film stars, but at the same time I feel that because of a name, real hard working actors miss out on great parts where they know they can deliver.”

[Source]

The show is set to showcase talent of up-and-coming comedians, but also has other objectives. Says Rock:

“We’re also doing something a little different by providing viewers with a glimpse of the total comedy experience, not just what they normally see on stage. The backstage moments give viewers an authentic perspective of how comics interact, what challenges we face before going on, and how we feel after appearing on stage.”

The show will premiere on TV One starting tonight from 10-11 PM ET.

Writing in the Washington Post, the prominent African-American critic Courtland Malloy wrote:

“Turn on the television news these days and you’ll see history being made. A charismatic black man and a savvy white woman are running neck and neck to become the Democratic nominee for president. But despite the rich racial and gender implications of Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s candidacies, you won’t see much in the way of news analysis by African Americans — men or women.

Many are quick to point out that since Tavis Smiley’s ousting after the Viacom takeover of BET, the station’s programming is music-focused. But BET’s nemesis TV One is equally sans  newscast. Which brings one to ask: what gives? Are the cable networks’ heads afraid of starting a black-focused newscast? Who’s there to fear? Potential investors maybe? The Black Family Channel went kaput last year; are other non-conglomerate networks afraid of a similar fate? Are they afraid of rousing the ire of advertisers?

In mid-2007, the network came under fire from critics who blamed it for perpertuating negative images and stereotypes of blacks. But CEO Debra Lee is optimistic and had this to say about the awards show:

“We are thrilled to present the first-ever BET HONORS and pay tribute to the thinkers, trailblazers and trendsetters whose accomplishments serve as inspirations for current and future generations. Each of these remarkable individuals has made significant contributions to the Black community and American culture overall, and BET Networks is proud to recognize them through this very special, new tentpole event. We’ve done a number of significant shows in other cities, but what better place to honor these individuals than in our home city of Washington, D.C.”

Among the presenters for the night: Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean, Danny Glover, Kerry Washington, Vivica A. Fox and Hill Harper. Honorees include=Alicia Keys (Entertainment Award), Tyra Banks (Media Award), Dr. Cornel West, University Professor in the Center for African American Studies (Award for Education), Richard Parsons (Corporate Citizen Award), The Honorable Maxine Waters (Public Service Award) and CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd (Entrepreneur Award).

 ”Tyra? Are you joking? I’m the only male supermodel there is, the only one who can make a supermodel. Do you think Tyra can just call up Naomi Campbell and ask her to teach these kids how to walk the runway? Please! You know Tyra and Naomi aren’t cool like that right? And we’re in New York, Tyra’s in L.A. Nothing’s going on in L.A. [My models] will go on go-sees, be doing what it takes where the action is, in New York. Please!”

About the Niki Taylor casting, Mr. Supermodel had this to say:

 ”I wouldn’t work with a TV person. I needed another supermodel [as his co-host] and I had to be in charge of my wardrobe — I’ve got to look like people expect me to look. I’m the only male supermodel out there — not everyone knows Marcus Schenkenberg.”

Schenken who? Don’t know him either Ty. And about whether ANTM will be outdone by MMASM remains to be seen. The ratings will bring on the verdict.

[Source]

 According to CBS, Ali brings a lot to the table:

“She has been a dedicated educator and author in areas of heath and fitness. She has a spiritual side, while being a fearless competitor.”

Ali has shown herself as a versatile talent to say the least. She’s strutted her stuff on “American Gladiators” and “Dancing with the Stars”.

[Source]

“As long as people don’t try to make me out to be a comedian. I’m definitely not that. I’m a person with a sense of humor, but there’s a difference. I can’t be in someone else’s lane driving the way they drive, but I go for things I feel I can pull off, and it usually works. They know what they’re getting when they get me.”

The Queen is also up for Best Leading Lady in an Horror Film (for her role as Motormouth in Hairpray) on the awards show which will be televised tonight at 9 P.M. on CBS.  [Source]