I don’t know about you but I am not the least bit excited by NBC’s announcement that Nick Adams’ book “Making Friends With Black People” will be made into a sitcom. Race has been the one and only topic of discussion throughout the election cycle and now it will continue in a Hollywood-ized manner with shows like this. (Oh, and I expect that they’ll be plenty of others following suit with similar ideas.)

The show, which is Variety describes as being about “two guys – one African-American and one white – who become close friends, but who don’t necessarily see things the same way,” sounds like it is a white show that will “feature” this black man. But don’t worry, they’ve gotten a black woman to develop this questionable idea in to a viable show. Karu Daniels over at AOL/ Black Voices reports that Mara Brock Akil, the force behind Girlfriends and The Game has been brought on to write the script and executive produce the show. Her husband, Salim Akil, will also work on the show. I am glad that they actually went to some black folks to work on a series behind the scenes (there are far too few of us), but I am still not excited about the prospect of this show.

Anyway, it makes me think that  GQ’s Devin Friedman’s article “Will You Be My Black Friend?” will be the next idea to go into development. At least it would be a bit more compelling and realistic. Friedman advertised for a black friend on Craigslist and wrote a truthful story about how hard creating these friendships can be.

But really, if we actually have to go there as a premise I would rather see the show developed from the black woman’s perspective.A sister straddling the racial and socioeconomic realities of her dual life. At least, the show could explore the labels we are so often saddled with and offer better insight into how we really are. But that might be too good of an idea (and perhaps too serious) and it would move beyond stereotypes. And because of that, no one will tune it.

I have to give credit to Tyra and Heidi Klum. The two have created a booming category of reality television based on folk’s desire to be part of the fashion world. I know Queer Eye For The Straight Guy was first but that was still strictly makeover, these shows are about being household names (or the promise of it anyway). But America’s Next Top Model (who hasn’t yet crowned a real top model) and Project Runway have  brought glamour and style into our living rooms. And now that they’re here, they don’t have any plans to leave. In fact, they’re bringing in their relatives too. Tyra, for example, is also the force behind the Devil Wears Pradaesque competition show Stylista, which is running this fall on the CW.  While celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe got her own show on Bravo.Now, Jay Manuel and Jay Alexander, affectionately known as Mr. and Miss Jay respectively, have begun work on their own spinoff, a makeover show called Operation Fabulous. The show, which is described as a cross between ANTM and Extreme Makeover:Home Edition is taking this duo on the road so that they can bring their over-the-top personas and style advice to women in small town America. I can’t help thinking of that Paris Hilton/Nicole Ritchie vehicle The Simple Life when they tried to be fabulous in absurd situations.

But the Jays claim they aren’t going to totally play this thing for laughs. They really want to help everyday women maximize their assets. But with a name like Operation Fabulous, I do believe there will also be some outrageous behavior, costumes and fish out of water scenarios for the hosts as well.

Well, I’ll admit I’m not one for reality television. I couldn’t bring myself to get beyond the credits of The Real Housewives of Atlanta although so many sisters are watching. We are the force behind the success of lots of other reality shows as well and have been supporting Tyra from the start. So I suspect, lots of sisters will be tuning in for the Jays as well. They’ll just have to wait a few months for their antics to begin.

We’ve been reading for months about Beyoncé’s ambitious new CD, you know the one where she’ll reveal her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. Well today is the day that I Am Sasha Fierce will hit the stores. I don’t know if I’m excited or over it. Don’t get me wrong, I do think that Beyoncé is a pretty good performer and her solo efforts have been much better than I anticipated, but the hype surrounding showcasing the two sides of her personality wreaks of a marketing idea gone wrong.

I watched the singer’s performance on SNL this weekend and I was kind of bored with her rendition of “If I Were A Boy”. She did sound good but she was also just standing there (looking like she was about to have a wardrobe malfunction at any moment). And I am sure she knows by now that the whole fan thing was not a good idea.

Anyway, this split personality thing may kind of come back to haunt her. Reviews of the double disc seem to prefer Sasha Fierce over the real Beyoncé. Rolling Stone’s review says “the “Sasha” disc boasts Beyoncé’s most adventurous music yet.” And it also notes that the singer has never sung with more restraint (which they think is a good thing.) The Hartford Courant describes the Beyoncé ballads as “nice enough, in a syrupy, overwrought way.” I don’t know about you but I don’t think that description is actually glowing. Finally, Ann Powers from the Los Angeles Times thinks that the Beyoncé made a mistake by giving each persona its own disc. “As a vocalist, Beyoncé seems more comfortable in Sasha’s stilettos. Stretching on the Beyoncé ballads, she risks sounding ponderous,” Powers writes. “When she finds the right balance, as on the first single, “If I Were a Boy,” she can be exquisite.”

I hope the emphasis of these two personalities doesn’t distract her loyal fan base. Because in the midst of all those personalities there might actually be some good music.

UPDATE: But now comes word that Beyoncé may have made a calculated error by submitted this double disc for Grammy consideration this year. She just barely made the deadline and will be up against Alicia Keys’ megahit “As I Am”. Odds are strong that she could get shut out.

I don’t know if Michael Jackson is delusional or he is some sort of secret con artist. We already know that he left his poor (yes, literally) brothers high and dry when he nixed being a part of a reunion tour. Now comes the news that Michael is being sued by Sheik Abdulla Al-Khalifa for about $7 million. Remember when Michael fled to Bahrain after his child abuse trial? Al-Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain, offered to help him out. Turns out that it was Jermaine who introduced the two. (Poor Jermaine will probably get blamed for this debacle too).

According to the UK paper The Mirror, the Sheik paid Jackson’s outstanding legal bills, paid to have a recording studio built at The Neverland Ranch (that Michael actually never returned to) and subsidized his living arrangements which included paying for gifts. It is alleged that Michael took everything that was offered in exchange he was to record an album, write an autobiography and a stage show. To no one’s surprise (but perhaps the Sheik’s) Jackson did none of it. I do remember him making noises about recording when he first moved to Bahrain though. I guess when he wore out his welcome he got someone else to subsidize his current lifestyle in Las Vegas (probably with a promise of a show). All he has to do is cry cash poor and some other poor sucker is on the line. What a way to further muddy a legacy. Now, comes the report that Jackson is too fragile to come to court to testify. Isn’t that convenient?

Anyway, Jackson believes that everything he received from Al-Khalifa was a gift. He is the King of Pop, is he not? So why shouldn’t other Royals pay to be in his presence? I am sure it all makes sense in Michael’s head—you know where he is considered to be the most important recording artist in the world. It just saddens the rest of us who happen to live in the real world.

So here’s Michael in his better days with “Bad”

Wanda Sykes’ presence is almost ubiquitous. She always seems to be the sassy sidekick in every random movie or television show. Her run as Barb on Julia Louis Dreyfeus’  New Adventures of Old Christine is actually quite successful. But lest we forget, there’s always Pootie Tang. But Sykes is taking that ‘take no prisoners’ candor she usually applies to her stand-up act and bringing it on strong in her real life. What spurred her on? The passage of Proposition 8 in California. Yesterday, to the surprise of many, she appeared at a  gay rights rally ( fresh from her stint at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino) to express her outrage at the bill banning gay marriage.

Sykes, who previously didn’t deny her sexuality (but also didn’t broadcast it) told the crowd she felt attacked by the ban. “Now, I gotta get in their face,” she said. “I’m proud to be a woman. I’m proud to be a black woman, and I’m proud to be gay.” Go Wanda. Although the Left Coast is supposed to be progressive about everything, this Proposition 8 kerfluffle has shown that all is not sunny and bright in California. I am glad that stopped pointing the finger at our people as the reason this bill passed. Obviously, it is more complicated than that and the protests have just begun.

Anyway, while others stars like Queen Latifah continue to neither confirm or deny being gay, Sykes decided that expressing her outrage was much more important than protecting her privacy. It certainly won’t impact her sassy sidekick status. And maybe, if she gets the chance to get her own sitcom again, the show creators won’t try to make her vaguely asexual as was the case in Wanda At Large but actually make her a fully formed character that still makes us laugh.

Aretha, Tina and Gladys may have earned a place on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time but when it comes to creating a persona that we won’t forget there is no one like Grace Jones. While Rihanna and other so-called tastemakers employ a cadre of stylists to help create their look, Jones was the original collaborator. Her legendary  partnership with photographer and director Jean Paul Goude resulted in a persona like no other.

Jones is now 60 so there are lots of people who didn’t get to see her in her prime. So the only recollection they have of her may be her hilarious turn as Strange´ in “Boomerang”. That was, of course, a over-the-top carricature of Jones at her artistic height but it doesn’t give her credit for the creative energy and imagination she brought to the music scene during her reign. As more of a performer than a song stylist or singer, she always knew how to give a show. Jones also wasn’t the Hollywood idea of beauty. With her dark skin, full lips and short natural hair she personified black beauty in a new and very striking way. And as a former model she knew a thing or two about setting herself apart with her attire. Whether she was pushing androgyny or was overtly sexy, she made it hard to look away.

Now, Jones has just completed filming a  documentary with director Sophie Fiennes which will fill us in on what she’s been doing the past couple of years. We’ll probably have to wait until next year to see the film. It certainly it promises to be entertaining. In the meantime, we can check out her new CD entitled Hurricane which was released earlier this month to decent reviews. You’ll see that she’s still making music and videos that capture your attention.

Check out her newish video Corporate Cannibal below as well as one of her signature performances:

I saw “Soul Men” this weekend and I have been grasping for something positive to say about the movie ever since. There isn’t. The bottom line is that I can think of no compelling reason for anyone to spend upwards of $10 to see this movie. (Just wait to watch it free on cable.) But it looks like the public already knew this because they mostly stayed away. The proof: the flick only took in a disappointing five million dollars in its opening weekend. (I was in a half empty late afternoon showing.)

I know that this is far from the first “black” movie with a thin plot and broadly drawn characters, but I was hoping for something more—especially since this was Bernie Mac’s last film. But he didn’t take it knowing that so he never meant it to be his epitath. I laughed hard at times but the story never seemed to gel. First, I didn’t buy Bernie or Sam as the old dudes they were supposed to be. Their crass language was just more of the same and the long-running Viagra joke just wore thin. Samuel L. just continued playing an amalgamation of his “Pulp Fiction”, “Snakes On A Plane” and “Jackie Brown” personas—with more peculiar facial hair.

Women aren’t painted in a great light either—it doesn’t matter if they were black or white. I didn’t even know Sharon Leal was in the movie until I saw the opening credits. Unfortunately, hers was a thankless and far-fetched role. As the daughter of the woman they both loved, she started out a hard-hearted worker living with an idiot who beats her and ends up a stunning beauty with a voice who shows up just in time to sing with them at that pivotal moment. And she can definitely sing (unlike Bernie and Sam). I think it is a shame that she is the only actress from “Dreamgirls” who has yet to find a breakout role of her own. But I guess she fared better than John Legend who I don’t think uttered a single line (since he was dead the whole time). What a waste.

I like Director Malcolm Lee, but he seems to be moving in the wrong direction. He’s gone from a good film “The Best Man” to this with some suspect stuff in-between (”Undercover Brother” and “Welcome Home Roscoe Lee Jenkins”). Hey Malcolm, You’ve got to do better next time. Do it for Bernie Mac.

All day long I’ve been hearing Brandy’s new single, “Right Here (Departed)” over and over on the radio. It’s obvious, she’s working hard on this comeback (there have been so many false starts). But the music scene has changed so much since she was a young TV star and Pop Princess battling over boys with Monica. It makes me wonder: can she resurrect her once loyal fan base?

Truth be told they’ve been kind of iffy on her— if you base that on the success (or lack thereof) of her previous two CDs. Each which may have had a couple of individual hits but weren’t exactly blockbuster sellers. Plus, it’s hard to grow up before the public’s eye as she did.  I still recall her preteen presence on the mostly forgettable Thea, with that unfortunate mushroom hairstyle. That, of course, was before she found her footing and her fame on Moesha.

It doesn’t help that her little brother, Ray J, has been chewing up the scenery in her absence trying to make a name for himself any which way he can. Kim Kardashian, Karrine Steffans, Lil Kim, Whitney Houston, etc…. And as a result he’s become more infamous than famous (sort of like a running joke to most of us). But none of that compares to the events of the past couple of years. Being in a car accident that results in someone’s death has got to be a heavy weight on her spirit.

As Brandy releases her new CD in a few weeks, she’ll have to continue to be strong. She’ll be up against the chart-topping Beyonce, who will know will dominate the charts for weeks and months to come. She just needs to spark some interest and maybe she’ll catch on fire again.

Here’s a little taste of Brandy now and then:

Jada Pinkett Smith is not always right in front of our faces, but she certainly keeps herself busy. As the one of the producers of “The Secret Life of Bees”, she helped to ensure that Sue Monk Kidd’s bestseller made it to the big screen with a stellar cast. Tomorrow, she’ll reprise her role as Gloria the Hippo in the likely megahit “Madagascar 2″ (which also features the voices of Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, and Sherri Shepherd). And then there was the much-touted (and mostly disappointing) remake of “The Women”. Well, you can’t win them all. 

Jada has come a long way since her breakout role as Lena James in  ”A Different World” (I would be lying if I said I remembered her in Menace II Society). That turn as the spunky girl from the hood trying to navigate her way through unfamiliar surroundings at an HBCU was delightful and instantly made her a sister we wanted to root for. Since then, she’s worked hard to build her Hollywood credibility. It worked more so in “Jason’s Lyric” and “Set It Off” than “The Nutty Professor” or “Low Down Dirty Shame”—even though that latter was hilarious. And then there was the unfortunate “Woo”. Enough said.

Well, I think that Pinkett Smith deserves to have that role expunged from her resume because  since her role in “Ali” and her strong showings as Niobe in “The Matrix” sequels, she’s gone from strength to strength. Along the way, she’s expanded her skills and has added producer, executive producer and director (as well as entrepreneur and rocker) to her resume.

It helps that she’s part of a Hollywood super couple (or should I say super family because Jaden and Willow have proved to be no slouches either). But what is most refreshing about this sister is that she still exhibits the same warmth and beauty that made us like her in the first place. We should probably like her more now because she uses her powers for good and seems to genuinely care about helping others—a refreshing attitude in the land of artifice.

But it is hard to believe that Jada may just be approaching her prime. That means she’s far from done. It will be amazing to see what the future holds for this star who continues to shine so brightly.

Here, some vintage Jada as well as what makes her special now:

Jermaine Jackson was so sure that he and his brothers (including Michael) were going to reunite next year for a tour that he announced it to some reporters in Australia. I guess he should have checked with Michael first because he has no intentions of either recording or touring with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy next year or anytime thereafter. This other part of the statement he released Thursday also mentioned his plans to record his own project. I know, we’ve heard this from MJ before but he hasn’t done anything new since 2001 (the Thriller anniversary doesn’t count).

I am sure that Jermaine and company are devestated. Earlier this year, the brothers Michael left behind made news because they’re all basically broke. Tito was the only one who was actually working in the music industry (albeit at very small gigs) while the rest had no means of visible support. The exception was Marlon, who stocked groceries at the supermarket. I have heard that the Jackson brothers have been waiting for Michael to pay them royalties for something or another. That isn’t likely to happen either.  

So does Michael owe them? I think so. The Jackson family came out in full force to support Michael during that child molestation trial. But when it was all over he left the family in the dust the same way he did his beloved Neverland Ranch. If he is tired of supporting his family the tour would have been a way for them to make their own money and perhaps retain a little dignity. Now it all looks like wishful thinking. And the group’s once mighty legacy will never recapture its luster.