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It looks like P. Miller is ready to take on the folks at BET. According to the "Hollywood Reporter," the hip-hop mogul formerly known as Master P has announced plans to launch his own network next year. Miller has dubbed the channel Better Black Television. He promises the network will provide, quote, "positive content for a black and brown culture." Among the shows BBTV plans to air are a Saturday morning educational show for kids, a financial management program, and a bi-lingual soap opera with African-American and Latino actors. Miller's new network has already attracted some big names. Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington and hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc are among the members of the BBTV advisory board. Production for BBTV's shows is already underway, and Miller is in talks to find local affiliates nationwide.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are making it official. According to "People" magazine, the Emmy winning talk show host and former "Arrested Development" actress tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at their estate in Beverly Hills, California Saturday. The couple reportedly exchanged handwritten vows in front of 19 guests. DeGeneres and de Rossi have been dating for about four years and have been open about their relationship, appearing at Hollywood events together. DeGeneres announced the plans for the wedding on her talk show last May. The wedding comes about two months after California legalized same-sex marriages in the state.
Rick Ross is the target of a multi-million-dollar legal action. According to MTV.com, DJ Vlad has filed a lawsuit against Ross, claiming the rapper's entourage beat him viciously in Houston last week. Vlad, who is best known as a mixtape DJ, said the attack was a retaliation for Vlad posting a video on his YouTube channel that talked about Ross' alleged past as a corrections officer. Vlad said while he was at the Ozone Awards last Sunday he received text messages from Ross, attempting to set up a meeting. When the two met up at a hotel, Vlad claimed Ross' four friends attacked him. Vlad is seeking four-million dollars in the lawsuit. Reps for Ross would not comment on the litigation.
The mother of Yung Joc's seven-year-old son says she wants the child support she's owed. Atlanta TV station WSB reports Fatimah Jester has filed a lawsuit against the rapper, seeking two-thousand dollars. Jester said Yung Joc, whose real name is Jasiel Robinson, didn't make his last payment. She also noted that he's been late with his previous payments, causing her to get behind on her bills. Jester told the TV station, quote, "The type of money he makes, two-thousand is nothing." Jester's attorney has not yet been able to locate Yung Joc to serve him with the papers. The case is due before a judge on September 11th. Yung Joc's camp was unavailable for comment.
Michael Phelps is not only making a huge dent in the sports world, but he's becoming quite the head turner in the celebrity world too. "Access Hollywood" reports Phelps, the champion swimmer who has snagged eight gold medals at this year's Olympic Games, is high on actress Lindsay Lohan's list of people to meet. Back in 2004, Phelps told "Access Hollywood" that Lohan is his top pick of celebrities he would like to meet. Lohan has now responded by sending her good luck wishes to Phelps while he competes in Beijing, China. She also called him amazing, adding, quote, "I want to meet him." Lohan will find out if her request will be met when Phelps responds to her on today's "Access Hollywood." Phelps' mother will also share her thoughts on the possibility of her son meeting the headline-grabbing celeb.
Britney Spears had nabbed another nomination for MTV's upcoming Video Music Awards. The singer is now up for the top honor, Video of the Year, for her music video "Piece of Me." Her competition in the category includes Chris Brown for "Forever," the Jonas Brothers for "Burnin' Up," the Pussycat Dolls for "When I Grow Up" and The Ting Tings for "Shut Up and Let Me Go." Spears is also up for Best Pop Video and Best Female Video for "Piece of Me." She is now starring in a commercial for the VMAs with this year's host, British comic Russell Brand. MTV has said that there is a chance that Spears will appear at the VMAs, but have not said whether or not she will perform. Spears' performance at last year's VMAs was widely criticized. The 25th annual VMAs will air live, Sunday, September 7th, from the sound stages and rooftops of Hollywood's Paramount Pictures movie studios.
Madonna was in a celebratory mood this weekend, toasting her 50th birthday Saturday with a private party at the Volstead nightclub in London's west end. TMZ.com quotes sources who say about 90 people showed up for the surprise party that included Madonna's three kids -- Lourdes, Rocco and David -- and husband Guy Ritchie who reportedly stood up and delivered a speech about the "material mom." At half-a-century, Madonna shows no signs of slowing down. The pop superstar, who was inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, is set to launch her latest tour this Saturday, August 23rd in Cardiff, United Kingdom. The "Sticky and Sweet" tour begins its North American run in New Jersey on October 4th. Madonna's latest album, "Hard Candy," was released earlier this year.
While neither he or actress Jennifer Aniston ever publicly confirmed rumors that they were actually an item, singer John Mayer says the duo's reported breakup last week, had nothing to do with cheating or lying. The Grammy winner stopped to talk to reporters briefly following a workout at a gym in New York's SoHo neighborhood on Saturday. According to People.com, Mayer appeared "emotional," "nervous," and "sad" when he told reporters, quote, "I ended a relationship to be alone, because I don't want to waste somebody's time if something's not right." He did also praise Aniston, saying, quote, "Jennifer Aniston is the smartest, most sophisticated person I think I have ever met." Reports that the two were dating first surfaced in April. Sources confirmed last week that the two had indeed split up.
A fourth Jonas Brother made his MTV debut this week when he joined his three famous big brothers on "TRL." MTV News reports seven-year-old Frankie, known as "Bonus Jonas," didn't appear at all camera shy as he joked with brothers Nick, Joe, and Kevin. He admitted to the audience that he's probably the hardest to please of the brothers, even at his young age. Kevin likened his sibling to "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell saying, quote, "He'll tell it straight up, and he'll be mean if he needs to be. He's a good critic." Bonus Jonas says he hopes to follow in his brothers' footsteps to stardom and it's rumored he may appear on a sitcom with them. Aspiring to start his own band, he adds that someday his big brothers will open for him.
In related Jonas Brothers news, Joe celebrated his 19th birthday on Friday. According to "People" magazine, Joe received a motorcycle with a sidecar from his family and blew out his candles on a strawberry shortcake birthday cake. He told Radio Disney, quote, "I'm pumped!"
Lindsay Lohan is reportedly heading in a new religious direction. Lohan's father, Michael Lohan, tells E! Online that his daughter is exploring the Jewish faith right now. She has reportedly learned about the faith from her constant gal pal Samantha Ronson who was raised Jewish. Michael, who is a self-proclaimed born-again Christian, said, quote, "as long as she believes in God." He says Lindsay has also been looking into the Church of Scientology and Kabbalah. He added, quote, "I think it's just another phase. But either way, she's involving God in her life, and I'm happy about that."
Although she's in the late stages of carrying a bun in the oven, Gwen Stefani is already in high gig demand. E! News reports the very pregnant singer is wanted by Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin to perform with the Dolls in her new nightclub. Antin says she really hopes Stefani hops on board, adding, quote, "I love Gwen. She's the ultimate Pussycat Doll." It won't be the first time Stefani performs with the Dolls if she agrees to do it. Back in 2000, she performed with them at the Viper Room. On the upcoming birth, Antin added, quote, "I'm so happy for her. She's a great mom and her children are beautiful."
Actress Cameron Diaz is at the top of "Forbes'" list of the year's top earning actresses. The magazine reports Diaz took in 50-million dollars from June 1st of last year to June 1st of this year. That's due in large part to her recurring role as Princess Fiona in the "Shrek" movies. Keira Knightly placed second on the list with 32-million dollars for the year. "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston's busy film schedule earned her 27-million dollars and third place on the list. Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow tied for fourth with a take of 25-million dollars each for the year.
After weeks at the top of the movie box office, Batman is taking a back seat to "Tropic Thunder" this weekend. The new comedy starring Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. is the new box office champ, with an estimated take of 26-million dollars in its opening weekend. "Tropic Thunder" marks Downey's second number one movie opening this year following his headlining role in the blockbuster action-adventure "Iron Man." While pulling in another 16-point-eight-million-dollars in ticket sales this weekend, the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" had to settle for second place after a monthlong reign at the top of the box office. That was still enough to push "The Dark Knight" up to another historical benchmark. With more than 471-million-dollars amassed in domestic ticket sales, "The Dark Knight" is now the second-highest-grossing film ever behind the 601-million-dollars grossed by all-time champion "Titanic." Coming in third at the box office this weekend was the animated adventure "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" with 15-and-a-half-million dollars in its debut.
The church hosting the memorial for late soul man late Isaac Hayes is weathering a bit controversy over the fact that Hayes practiced Scientology. Memphis' "Commercial Appeal" newspaper says the Hope Presbyterian Church church received a barrage of angry phone calls and e-mails late last week, after it was reported that a Scientology minister would be presiding over the service. But a Hayes family publicist is denying any official Scientology involvement, and the family also says it won't be a religious service. Hayes' family notes in a statement that the memorial will provide a chance for friends and fans of all faiths to, quote, "pay tribute to the music legend and reflect upon his life through speeches, musical performances, photos and video clips."
This is sure to spark some gossip at "The Office." Actor Craig Robinson, best known for his role as warehouse foreman Darryl on NBC's "The Office," is facing felony drug charges stemming from an arrest in late June. E! Online says the 36-year-old actor is due in court his Thursday, August 21st for an arraignment. Robinson was reportedly busted on June 29th following a traffic stop in Culver City, California. Police say they found drugs in the car after they pulled him over. Robinson was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Robinson currently co-stars in the stoner comedy "Pineapple Express." His other credits include "Arrested Development," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."
Popular MTV series "The Hills" is back for another season. The fourth edition of the unscripted show will premiere on the cable channel tonight at 10, Eastern. "The Hills" follows "Laguna Beach" alum Lauren Conrad as she adjust to adult life in Los Angeles. "The Hills" also features Lauren "Lo" Bosworth, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, Conrad's former friend Heidi Montag and Montag's boyfriend/fiance, Spencer Pratt. Conrad, who has her own fashion line, has been asked to design a gown for the women who hand out statuettes at the upcoming Emmy Awards to wear. The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sunday, September 21st at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC from the new NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles.
Another Lethal Weapon may be in the works. A Hollywood insider says a great script has lured the film's big stars back into the fold. "Mel has always been keen on the idea of picking up the franchise. Danny was dead set against it but even he has been won over by this script. It looks like there is a very good chance that it will actually get made."
Duane 'Dog' Chapman's family is back in the news. His wife, Beth Smith, slammed Linda Hogan this past weekend when she said, "I know she [Linda] told [Hulk] she was gonna fix his ass, but it looks to me like he looks like an angel and she looks like a slut . . . I used to really like Linda, but then we started to get to know her and she is a real drunk."
NeYo says he is working on an animated series for the Cartoon Network."It's a cartoon for adults, like Family Guy. I've been busy developing it. I created the characters and the world they live in. And I did the original drawings and wrote the story. I'm working on the music for the series, too. It will all be original."
EA Sports is adding Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes to their Celebrity Sports Showdown video game.Fans will be able to battle against them in Inner-Tubing, Wild Water Canoeing, Beach Volleyball, Rapid Fire Archery, Arena Dodgeball and Smash Badminton.
U2has been told to start working out. A source says, "U2 has an album coming out around January. And then the band is going on another world tour in March and April - so the boys have been told to start exercising all the summer weight off."
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