This morning during her ‘Hot Topics’ segment, talk show host Wendy Williams burst into tears talking about Whitney Houston’s appearance on “Oprah” yesterday. She told the audience about her own decade-long addiction to cocaine and expressed disappointment that Whitney didn’t ‘own’ her part in her addiction. Now some may argue that Houston was more candid than expected but the recovering addict in Williams wanted Houston to take responsibility. And it clearly upset her that the singer didn’t seem to. And it is unscripted moments like this that makes her a viable force in television (whether you like her or not). There is something very real about Wendy Williams and her show. She took the time to not only explain her background but also to give viewers insight into why she has become the person she is now. How refreshing. Read the full story

Celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine had a big blowout (no pun intended) at the Warren Tricomi Salon in NYC”s Plaza Hotel Thursday night to launch his “Basics of Beauty” instructional makeup DVD. It seems like everybody came out in spite of the rain because it was wall-to-wall people. (and I thought my freshly blown hair was about to revert to natural). But here are some of the beautiful faces that were in the crowd.

There is no doubt that 2008 was the year of President-Elect Barack Obama (and Future FLOTUS Michelle Obama too). (Or should I say Obamarama as the folks over at the late, great site Sterohyped used to say.) The historic and successful campaign, the controversies (who can forget The New Yorker cover and Barack the Magic Negro), and the smart, skilled way Michelle won over those who had labeled her an ABW (angry black woman). Anyway, this post is not about the Obama’s, instead let’s take a look at some of the other stories that captured our attention (for good or for bad) in 2008. Read the full story

One thing I forgot to mention yestereday was that Tyler Perry didn’t make the obvious choice of casting  Robin Givens as the selfish, obnoxious character. How refreshing that this actress didn’t get typecast once again. Between A Rage in Harlem, Boomerang and even Head of State, she’s somehow been relegated to the role of femme fetale, golddigger or basically up to no good (after coming to our attention as such a good-goody on the sitcom Head of the Class.) And unfortunately, those monickers seemed to stick to her in real life too after that infamous Barbara Walters interview when she was still married to Mike Tyson. Read the full story

When Wendy Williams announced that she was doing a six-week trial run of a daily talk show, I was excited for her. As a native New Yorker I will never forget how she was unceremoniously booted off the air after allegedly calling a certain celebrity’s sexuality into question. But when I saw the first show, I was a little worried for her.  The outlandish radio host seemed a bit like a fish out of water. And her hair was acting as a shield because it was difficult to see her face. Read the full story