JumpinJack AJ

BRANDY: Her 'Story' Exposed Posted Jun 11th 2007 1:19PM by Karu F. Daniels Filed under: Entertainment Newswire By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices If you think you've known Brandy, you haven't seen anything yet. The BV Newswire has learned that the former multimedia superstar will be the subject of an E! channel expose which will detail how she went from singing in a Mississippi church to rise to international stardom. The show also talks in detail about her professional ups and downs. "Brandy: The E! True Hollywood Story" will premiere June 23 at 6pm et/pt on E! Following in the path of a niche that was carved out by late hip-hop soul starlet Aaliyah, Brandy Ryanna Norwood stormed the music scene with her infectious pop and soul sensibilities. Previously known as a TV actress (on ABC's short-lived sitcom 'Thea'), the camera-ready musical prodigy seemed poised for mainstream success -- which she did achieve with a string of chart-topping singles, including 'Baby,' 'I Wanna Be Down' and 'Brokenhearted.' From there, the precocious teen morphed into a superstar -- with a starring role in the TV show ('Moesha'), a CoverGirl contract, movie roles ('Cinderella' and 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,' respectively) and a Mattel doll. She garnered a Grammy Award for the record-breaking hit single duet 'The Boy Is Mine' (with Monica). Along the way, she dealt with personal insecurities, a string of high-profile relationships (with then sought after black, rich young bachelors Kobe Bryant, Wanya Morris, Mase, and Quentin Richardson), and tragic loss including her involvement in the highly-publicized car accident that resulted in a fatality last December. On the show, close associates, co-stars and industry colleagues sit with E! to disclose the personal and professional ups and downs of the young star, who when life spun out of control, never lost sight of her dream. Some highlights below... Producer Chris Stokes on the fatal car accident -- "I was just so overwhelmed and so sorry for the family and so sorry for Brandy. I was completely a loss for words." 'Moesha' co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph on the fatal car accident – "I do not believe that Brandy got up, got in her car with the intention to hit somebody." Producer Mike City on Brandy's debut album – "To find out that she was only 14 years old, it sounded like she was 24. I was like this is crazy." Former 'Vibe' magazine chief Emil Wilbekin on Brandy's mother taking over as her manager – "Sonja is definitely a pit bull, but I think she at the end of the day has Brandy's best interest at heart." 'Moesha' producer Ralph Farguhar on Brandy's initial reading for the show – "She was horrible. I called up my wife, I said 'I'm dead. I just sold the network a bag of smoke.'" Sheryl Lee Ralph on show fans during their cross-country tour – "Oh we got trampled with the police and everything, everybody trying to get us to safety. It was just Moesha madness." 'Moesha' co-star Countess Vaughn on rumors of her fighting with Brandy – "What really pissed me off was because we were 15 years old, and these adults were coming in on an argument that would've blown over, but it didn't because of the outside and the media." 'Moesha' co-star Shar Jackson on Brandy's hectic schedule – " It got to a point where I'd see her, we'd spend the whole day together, and the only thing I saw her eat was a trail mix or something." Sheryl Lee Ralph on Brandy's breakdown – "She just flat passed out. She was exhausted. She just passed out. That was it, boom." Countess Vaughn on Brandy giving birth to daughter Sy'rai – "I believe it changed her life. She really brought something out of Brandy." Shar Jackson on tragic death of co-star Merlin Santana in 2002 – "It hit her hard. It his us all really, really hard, but we were all there and being really, really supportive of each other." Shar Jackson on tragic death of co-star Lamont Bentley in 2005 – "Losing Lamont, we're still not through that." Music super-producer David Foster on Brandy – "She definitely caught lightning in a bottle and beat the odds because there's so many actors that are actors because the singing thing didn't work out, but she is one of the few that made the cross." Through archival footage, Brandy also speaks on her relationships. About her mother, she said, ""People hate on my mom so much, like they say, 'Well, Brandy's mom needs to let her grow up.' And sometimes she can be like a little over protective, but I don't know what I would do without her." About the faux marriage to producer Robert Smith -- her daughter's father, she said, "Unfortunately, I didn't have the love so I had to be brave and say this is not where I want to be. I'm not happy. I need to move on." About breaking up with Morris, who is believed to be her first love, she shared, "It's kind of hard because that was my only boyfriend in the whole world, so I'm still getting over him. I still can think about it and cry."

Anyone else grow up watching Mr. Wizard in the 80's? ------------------ TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89 By LYNN ELBER AP LOS ANGELES (June 13) -- Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey. "He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory. In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned TV into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items. "He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature." Herbert encouraged children to duplicate experiments at home, said Jacobs, who recounted serving as a behind-the-scenes "science sidekick" to Herbert on the '80s "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired on the Nickelodeon channel. When Jacobs would reach for beakers and flasks, Herbert would remind him that science didn't require special tools. "'You could use a mayonnaise jar for that,"' Jacobs recalled being chided by Herbert. "He tried to bust the image of scientists and that science wasn't just for special people and places." Herbert's place in TV history was acknowledged by later stars. When "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted in 1982, Herbert was among the first-night guests. Born in Waconia, Minn., Herbert was a 1940 graduate of LaCrosse State Teachers College and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II. He worked as an actor, model and radio writer before starting "Watch Mr. Wizard" in Chicago on NBC. The show moved to New York after several years. He is survived by six children and stepchildren and by his second wife, Norma, his son-in-law said. A private funeral service was planned.

DONNY HATHAWAY - Someday We'll Be Free A Donny Hathaway Collection (1990)

Is this a "homemade" video or something? The live performace of the song that i saw b4 the album dropped makes me look at the song in a slightly different way than most people. At this point, i think we should put up every performace we can find. Not just 4 us...but as promotion. Otherwise, those live performances are just gonna disappare...never 2 be seen again.

ENREQUE IGLESIAS - On Top of You Insomniac (2007)

I just think the whole thing is hilarious. What an idiot!? The overdramics of that article are just hilarious. I can't stand her...that picture totally balances out all the idiotic, unintellegent, and unoriginal things she's done thinking she waz a diva or an "entertainer." Nobody wants 2 go 2 jail. Suck it up and taking it like a woman. I'm with TopDawg...how can u think "it's not fair" that u could do something stupid like driving drunk and risking the lives of other people, and that a few days in jail is unfair. That whole family is just stupid. Props 2 the judge for not letting her, her family, and fools in the police department get away with her getting out early 4 no reason at all.

Legendary emcee Chubb Rock (biggest hit "Treat Me Right") has a new joint out!! I don't know the title (Old School Flava or something) but it's dope. Anyone who loves 80's and early 90's Hip-Hop will love this joint. Chubb has regularly addressed the embarassing state of the commercial front of Hip-Hop and Rap...this song gives props 2 it's truest era. It shouts out all the classic countless artists and groups of the artform...EPMD, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, EPMD, Eric B. + Rakim, KRS-One, Dana Dane, etc). Why i don't know the exact lyric, he has a line in there that says something like "DJ Jazzy Jeff have the turntables shook...(something)...Will Smith from Overbrook." Anyways, reguardless of the JJ+FP shout out, if u love true Hip-Hop...check Chubb Rock's new party joint. I have a feeling his new album will be part of the soundtrack 2 my summer. Great feel-good party song!!

RALPH TRESVANT - Yo, Baby, Yo! House Party II Soundtrack (1991)

Ha! Same here!!

Very cool. What's the source?

T-PAIN - Time Machine Epiphany (2007) Very good album!

I think anyone who drinks and drives deserves jail time. It's only one of the dumbest things u can do. Often times that jailtime gets cut down. But they shouldn't have let her out for being sick. That's just idiotic. There's lots of people in jail who have gotten sick...ha ha.

"Gangsta" is one of BBD's best songs. I love that joint. U can find it on both versions of their Greatest Hits albums.

T-PAIN - Church Epiphany (2007)

Paris Hilton may be the biggest waste of a human life i've ever seen. I don't mean 2 just talk about her like that. But her whole attitude and the attention she gets by doing NOTHING amazes me. I loved how they tore her apart at the MTV Movie Awards WHEN SHE WAZ THERE!! I just read a new article that the judge who sentenced her waz really mad 2 hear the news and is considering penalizing the cop u released her and 2day she has 2 appear in court so that judge can do whatever he wants to do. I guess we'll see what happens 2day.

I must admit, when i saw Shreck The Third 2nite, i saw the trailor for Transformers again and actually liked it more this time. So i'm thinking about seeing it more.

Back 2 E-40 for a minute.. The reason i say his stuff isn't what it used 2 be is cuz when u compare "Tell Me When To Go" to "Sprinkle Me"...there's just no comparison. From what i've heard, his lyrics and style are pretty much the same. But the production and the people he work with are just awful.

I personally don't think this is a year for movies. In the past 3 years i saw TONS of movie and i'm not really a movie-goer. But since last summer, i haven't gone 2 the movies very often...there's just nothing 4 my pesonal taste. Superman Returns, Invincible, Step Up, The Pursuite of Happyness, Shooter, Reno 911, Jackass Number 2 and Norbit are the only movies that i actually remember seeing...and i wouldn't even say most of those are that great...entertaining...but not great.

I think his stuff from the 90's waz really good. But the singles i heard on the radio in the past year...not so much.

I don't think anyone did!!! Can we be sure that's officially it's title tho'? I hope nobody actually has use that...cuz we all have the albums, right?

RIHANNA - ? (whatever track 7 is...the freakin' song aren't listed on the back of the CD case!!! Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) So far so good...love Rihanna.

E-40 is definitely a legend in his own right. But he's changed his sound for the worse and his current singles are pretty bad. At least and old skool player like him is getting some success...even tho' his current singles don't compare 2 his real music. I didn't hear the album so hopefully that's better than stuff like "Tell Me When To Go."

Ha...i never saw the 1st one. I heard thru' alot of people that the 1st movie waz just okay. Since i'm a fan of DC Comics and not 2 big on Marvel, i passed on it. However, i did buy the extended cut of the movie thinking the 20 minutes of footage put in2 it would make it better than what my friends said it waz. Since i love comic book/super hero movies, i figured i'd watch the 1st one so i could see the 2nd. Besides, this newly released extended version has movie cash so i can see the new one for free. 1 brand new DVD and a movie ticket for $17...not bad. It better not suck!! I gotta say that the only comic movies i'm really waiting on is the Batman movie coming out in summer 2008...and the "talked about Wonder Woman movie, Flash movie...and the Justic League movie.

I wanna sent out a prayer request for some awful news i just got. One of my best friends that i grew up with just has tragity hit his household. Apparently, one of the family friends was calling his house trying 2 talk to his wife (also one of my friends). She wasn't answering the phone which was pretty weird, so the person trying to call the house called him at his work. He left work to check the house and his wife on the kitchen floor unconcious. Apparently she had some kind out-of-the-blue medical issue and slipped into a coma. She was on life support for about a week when they found that there was no brain activity and that they didn't plan on ever finding any. He made the hard decision to stop the life support and she died the next day (yesterday). I grew up with this guy. We've known each other for almost 20 years. I've known he wife for 10 of them. Even after we stopped seeing each other regularly (about 5 years ago), we've stayed in touch and they come to my photography studio for family pictures. About a year ago they had their 1st baby and just a few weeks ago, they had their 2nd. It was kind of weird because a few weeks ago, he brought their son in to get pictures and we didn't have much luck. He just didn't wanna cooperate. So a few days later he came came in with his wife and we tried again. We kinda talked and hung out since business was slow. Then to get this news, my heart just totally goes out to him. I can't imagin going thru' something like this and how he's going to raise 2 very young kids without a mother. I just got the news and i plan on calling him today or tomorrow. I have no idea what 2 say, but i gotta do it. For weeks i've felt like we were gonna start keeping in touch better and seeing each other more often and i'm feeling that now it may be cuz he's gonna need help getting thru' all of this. I'm just asking for company praying for this young family go give them strength, support, and comfort thru' this storm. I'm also asking for a prayer helping me to say the right words the right way when i talk to him. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, there's no way millions of people can actually think Young Joc and Jim Jones actually make good music. They just like what radio stations make people listen 2.