Michael Jackson Steals James Brown's Spotlight -- at Funeral!

It was near pandemonium during the Godfather of Soul's final viewing when Michael Jackson entered the James Brown Arena. The packed house screamed as the reclusive King of Pop stopped by to pay his respects with Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. "James Brown is my greatest inspiration, ever since I was a small child," said Jackson, who wore a black leather suit and dark sunglasses. "When I saw him move, I was mesmerized. I've never seen a performer perform like James Brown, and right then and there, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life." He then bent down and kissed Brown's forehead.

JUILIA ROBERTS BABY MAKES 3 ON THE WAY...

Julia Roberts and husband Danny Moder are reportedly expecting a third child, says Page Six, and their latest babe will be coming next summer. The couple already have twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel, delivered after a difficult pregnancy, according to the Post. Of course, with a baby coming (no word on whether it's a boy or a girl), Julia's work schedule could get a lot more difficult. She's got a Mike Nichols movie ("Charlie Wilson's War") and has signed on to "The Friday Night Knitting Club" for 2007.

Christina, Gives Diddy Girls, 2X the Baby Love

Since Christina Aguilera knows what a girl wants, the pop diva sent a giant gift basket of baby items for Diddy's newborn twin girls, D'Lila Star and Jessie James Aguilera contacted baby boutique Petit Tresor on Tuesday and had over $1000 worth of girly things shipped to the music mogul's mansion. Merry Christina-mas! The basket, which included two of every item for Diddy's kiddies, consisted of frog slippers, hand-embroidered clothing sets, musical teddy bears, pink cherry shoes, chenille pillows, mobiles, and leather diaper bags which retail for $340 each. Beside being friends, X and P share a business relationship; Christina is featured on Diddy's latest single "Tell Me," while his girl group, Danity Kane, will open for Aguilera on her upcoming tour. Diddy and girlfriend Kim Porter welcomed the twins on December 21. Per US Mag

Paris & Britney Split: Paris Calls Brit "The Animal"

They’ll always have Vegas! Paris Hilton and Britney Spears (who struck up an unlikely kinship in late November, following Spears’ separation from hubby Kevin Federline, 28) are on the rocks, and it looks like Spears, 25, was the heartbreaker. Weeks ago, “Britney called Paris and said she had decided not to be seen in public with her ‘for now,’” a Hilton source tells Us. Though the pair were once practically joined at the hip (they previously had a sleepover in Las Vegas and were spied dancing on banquettes at West Hollywood’s Hyde), things went sour after Spears took heat in the media for partying while leaving her two kids, Sean, 15 months, and Jayden, 3 months, at home. “Britney told Paris that it’s not personal,” says an insider. But beware a Hilton scorned. According to another source, the heiress, 25, didn’t invite Spears to her December 18 Christmas party and now refers to her ex-pal as “Animal.” Why? “Britney doesn’t think about things before she does them. She just acts out,” says the source. (Spears’ rep couldn’t be reached for comment. Says Hilton’s camp: “Her friendships are her own business.”)

WIDOW EVICTED FROM BROWN HOME

The widow of late soul legend JAMES BROWN has been evicted from the couple's South Carolina home - with lawyers claiming the pair were never "legally married". TOMI RAE HYNIE was denied entry to Brown's Beech Island mansion on Christmas day (25DEC06), just hours after the star's death. Locks had been changed and the security staff had been ordered by Brown's lawyers and accountants to keep former backing singer Hynie from the house. Brown and Hynie married in 2001, however Hynie was already married to another man at the time - but insists her first marriage had been annulled before becoming Brown's fourth wife. She says, "(My first husband) was from Pakistan. He wanted to enter the US. I was young and desperate. "A judge told me I was never legally married." But legal representatives are alleging the Brown-Hynie marriage was not legal because of Hynie's previous nuptials - and have branded the 38-year-old merely "a houseguest of Mr Brown". BUDDY DALLAS, Brown's lawyer, said, "It's not a reflection on her as an individual. "I have not even been in the house nor will I until appropriate protocol is followed. "I suppose it would mean she was, from time to time, a guest in Mr Brown's home." James Brown died on 25 December. He was 73. 27/12/2006 12:38

LIL KIM TRIES TO CASH IN ON CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER

According to the Sun LIL KIM is quite the DIVA she is asking for $500,000 to participate in the upcoming Celebrity Big Brother reality TV show. Alongside her hefty pay day she is asking for a personal assistant and a final say in the editing of the shows which is almost impossible since some of the shows are live. She is also asking for expensive trips to London, and other fabulous places. Other rumor celebs are a bunch of D listed Jason Chundy & Lizzie. The show is scheduled to air on Wed Jan 3 and the final line up will remain a secrect until then. (to be continued)

AND I AM TELLING YOU..DREAM GIRLS IS OUT AND SO ARE THE REVIEWS

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TOO SEE DREAMGIRLS AND THE MOVIE SURPASSED WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE ALREADY TOLD US. THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE BEST MOVIE OF 2006. JENNIFER HUDSON WAS THE STAND OUT, BUT BEYONCE, JAMIE FOXX & EDDIE MURPHY PLAYED THE ROLES OF A LIFETIME. THE MUSIC THE COSTUMES WAS TRUE TO THE ERA WHICH MADE EVERYTHING FALL IN LINE. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TAKE THE TIME OUT TO SEE DREAMGIRLS IT'S SOOOOOOO WORTH IT. I APPLAUD EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM FOR MAKING SUCH A WONDERFUL ENTERTAINING MOVIE THAT IS SURE TO BE CONSIDERED A CLASSIC. NOMINATED FOR 5 GOLDEN GLOBES INCLUDING " BEST PICTURE" For those of you who felt Jennifer Hudson put her foot in her performance I thought you might want to her it again.....!!!

MONIE LOVE FIRED AFTER ON AIR CONFRONTATION WITH YOUNG JEEZY

Just weeks after an on-air confrontation with Young Jeezy, female rapper-turned-radio host Monie Love is no longer working at Philadelphia's 100.3 The Beat (WPHI-FM). Sources from the radio station confirmed that Monie (born Simone Wilson) is no longer employed there. Her departure from the station follows on the heels of her December 7 interview with Young Jeezy where the two argued vehemently over whether hip-hop is dead. During that conversation Jeezy also questioned Nas' street cred. The argument ended with Jeezy storming out of the studio. It's speculated that the incident is the real reason behind Love leaving her morning show post, representatives at the station were unwilling to confirm. SEE BELOW VIDEO OF THE WHOE INCIDENT

UNCENSORED TIMBERLAKE ‘SNL’ VIDEO AN INTERNET HIT: NBC’s Web site ran explicit version, which of course ended up on YouTube.

*Last weekend, Justin Timberlake hosted “Saturday Night Live” and appeared in a special Christmas-themed “SNL digital short that has taken the Internet by storm. The skit features J.T. and cast member Andy Samberg in a music video of their tune that spoofs the R&B look and sound of the early 90s. The song, “D*** in a Box,” was aired during Saturday’s broadcast with the D-word edited out. However, NBC.com ran the uncensored version (featured below, but not safe for work), which has since ended up on YouTube and has made its way to an untold number of e-mail in-boxes. NOT FOR KIDS!!!!

Us Exclusive: Michael Jackson's New House

Michael Jackson, 48, has moved into a house in Las Vegas and plans to live there while working on a deal to do a live show on the Strip, a la Celine Dion, a source tells Us Weekly. A veil-clad Jacko arrived at McCarron airport's private hangar on Saturday afternoon, eager to take up residence in his new pad. The gated Spanish-style mansion (featured above) is located in a custom-home community on the city's west side, and features a classic stucco red tile roof. Las Vegas entertainer Jeff Beacher, creator of Beacher's Madhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, confirms Jackson's arrival in Vegas. "He wants to make his comeback here,” the LV entertainer tells Us. "Jackson wants this to be his new Neverland." Sources tell the Las Vegas Review Journal that Jackson's friend, gaming dealmaker Jack Wishna, was instrumental in having the pop icon move back to the United States. Wishna confirmed Jackson's move to the Journal Review, saying "We are working on several projects." Calling Jackson "one of the greatest entertainers in the world," Wishna said the singer "is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon." After being acquitted of child molestation charges in June 2005, Jackson left his famed personal theme park, Neverland Ranch, and relocated to Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf, along with his son, Prince Michael I, 9, daughter, Paris, 8, and son Prince Michael II, 4. He moved his brood to Ireland in June 2006 where they have been living with Irish dance sensation Michael Flatley in his castle in County Cork

GODFATHER OF SOUL JAMES BROWN DIES AT 73

ATLANTA - James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a giant of R&B and an inspiration for rap, funk and disco, died early Christmas morning. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Mr. Brown's condition did not seem to be life-threatening, Mr. Copsidas said. On the contrary, after cancelling performances planned for mid-week, Mr. Brown on Sunday night got his doctor's approval for going ahead with a show on Saturday in New Jersey and one on New Year's Eve at B.B. King's nightclub in New York.

WE REMEMBER MIKE EVANS: TV veteran, best known as the first Lionel on ‘The Jeffersons’ and co-creator of ‘Good Times,’ died earlier this month at age

*Mike Evans, best known for his role as Lionel Jefferson on "All In he Family" and in the first three seasons of its spin-off "The Jeffersons," died peacefully with family, on December 14, 2006 after a battle with throat cancer, said his niece Dr. Chrystal Evans. He was 57. Evans was also the co-creator of 70's sitcom "Good Times" with Eric Monte. Ralph Carter’s character on the program shared his name. Evans is survived by daughter Tammy, his mother, Annie Sue, his brother Thomas, cousin Harold, and his niece, Chrystal. Evans will have a private family funeral service and the family requests that condolences be sent t 3717 S. La Brea Avenue #741, Los Angeles, CA 90016.

LLOYD BANKS DUMPS WATER ON A FEMALE FAN

One of LLoyd Banks faithful fans tried to pull a fast one and still his bling ring off his finger but of course he wasn't having that and cussed her out...(TO BE EXPECTED). WHAT KIND OF FANS DOES HE HAS!!!

CANDIDS: JAY-Z & BEYONCE AT THE GAME LAST NIGHT

Beyonjay finally found time out their busy schedules to start their annual basketball game dates. Here they are at last night’s Nets v.s Cavaliers game.

Feud Between Trump and O'Donnell Escalates

The catfight between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell, which started when O'Donnell dissed the real estate mogul on The View on Wednesday, continues apace. O'Donnell, a cohost of the ABC morning chat show, criticized Trump's Tuesday press conference, in which he announced that he is letting hard-partying Miss America Tara Conner keep her crown. O'Donnell said that Trump's statement that he was giving the pageant winner a "second chance" annoyed her "on a multitude of levels." "He's the moral authority?" 44-year-old O'Donnell challenged, after flipping her hair to mimic Trump's famed fluffy comb-over. "Left the first wife, had an affair, left the second wife, had an affair. Had kids both times, but he's the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America," the comedian-turned-actress said to roars of audience laughter. "Donald, sit and spin, my friend." Rosie also brought up Trump's financial past -- saying he went bankrupt and used his father's inheritance to dig himself out of bankruptcy, which Trump denies. She also called him a "snake-oil salesman." She said, "This is not a self-made man." O'Donnell admitted that she expected him to sue her, but taunted “He’ll probably be bankrupt by that time so I won’t have to worry.” The thrice-married mogul has, indeed, threatened to sue the talk-show host - and to have one of his friends steal away O'Donnell's lesbian partner Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell. “She ought to be careful because I’ll send one of my friends to pick up her girlfriend and I think it would be very easy,” Trump, 60, warned. "This woman is totally out of control," he told the New York Daily News. "I'm worth billions of dollars, and I have to listen to this fat slob?" Trump also lashed out at O'Donnell on the television entertainment program, The Insider, ridiculing everything from her appearance to her former eponymous television talk show and magazine. "Rosie attacks me personally? I know her fairly well because her show failed. She didn't retire. She didn't get the ratings! Her magazine called Rosie was a total disaster," he said. "She's out of her mind. I will probably sue Rosie for a number of reasons. I'm worth a lot of money. She doesn't tell the facts," he added. On Wednesday night, Rosie copied and pasted onto her personal blog an excerpt from Wikipedia, an online free-content encyclopedia, which detailed Trump’s past financial woes. At the bottom of the entry she wrote – in her typical haiku style : loving the wiki i use it do u i will let u know if the donald sues me or if kelli leaves me for one of his pals dont u find him charming

KIM FIELDS: YOUR BABY FATHER MIGHT BE GAY...

December 21. Last week Kim Fields announced that she and boyfriend Christopher Morgan (photo'd below) are expecting their first child. The pair have reportedly been dating for more than a year. But despite the length of the relationship, one person questions whether the two are truly a couple. That's because the person, who worked closely with Christopher on a recent musical production, believes that Morgan is gay. In an exclusive interview, the tipster who questions Christopher's sexuality. According to our source, he and Christopher struck up a friendship on the set. The source explains, "Me and [Christopher] spoke almost every day for months, and I'm pretty sure he's gay ... Actually, I think he's openly gay." And the tipster recalled one conversation where the two discussed dating options. The source tells Media, "Once I complained to [Christopher] that there were no good men left in New York. He rolled his eyes at me and said 'You're crazy, this town is full of good men'." Christopher Morgan is a classically trained singer and actor. He's starred in a number of Broadway musicals, including Kiss Me Kate, From My Hometown, and Five Guys Named Moe. TO BE CONTINUED

Star Jones May Use Oprah Winfrey To Get A Fresh Start

Star Jones has revealed that she will be joining pal and talk show host Oprah Winfrey on a trip to South Africa next month. Star, who recently admitted to 'EXTRA' that she's a diva, has received invitation from Oprah to South Africa to see the opening of her girl's academy. TMZ reports that the diva could secretly be using the talk show host queen to get her foot into a new door. Since Star confessed to 'EXTRA' that she's always been a diva and has enjoyed being a 'celebrity' a little more than she probably should have, Star may need an extra boost to get back into the game. Oprah could be just the boost Star needs.

Jen's Worst Fear Comes True

With Angelina Jolie on a PR blitz for her film The Good Shepherd (which included releasing a batch of family photos of her children with Brad Pitt), Jennifer Aniston is having to endure her ex’s public joy with his happy new family. And friends are worried. When Aniston was still just dealing with the reality of her ex-husband’s new romance, long-time pal Kristin Hahn confided to Vanity Fair in September 2005, “My worst fear is that Jen will have to face them having a baby together, because that would be beyond beyond painful.” And Aniston, who has said of kids, “Ideally, I’d like to have a couple,” broke down and looked “stabbed in the heart” talking to VF about a rumor of Jolie’s pregnancy. Now it’s for real – and on the Internet, in print and on TV. "The Shiloh pictures kill Jen,” says one Aniston source of the pricey pictures, which also feature the couple's son, Maddox, 5, and daughter Zahara, 23 months. Adds a second Aniston source, who says that Aniston was warned that Pitt, 43, and Jolie, 31, would soon release this second round of family pictures: “She is so torn-up about the fact that Brad was able to move on and has a perfect family life with that witch.”

Diddy Has Twins...

Sean Combs and girlfriend Kim Porter are the proud new parents of twin girls."Diddy received an early Christmas gift! It gives us great joy to announce the arrival of Diddy's twin girls," says Diddy's rep Robert Zimmerman in a released statement. "The beautiful, healthy baby girls were born this morning with Diddy by mother, Kim Porter's side. The first arrived at 7:56 AM weighing 5 pounds, followed 2 minutes later by the second at 5 pounds, 4 ozs. Diddy had a plane on stand by in Toronto where he is filming "Raisin in the Sun" and made it just in the nick of time for the delivery. Both Kim and the girls are doing great." Combs and Porter also have a nine-year-old son named Christian. The 37-year-old singer has another son, Justin, 12, from a previous relationship with celebrity stylist Misa Hylton-Brim.

VIVICA TALKS ABOUT HER MAGAZINE: Actress juggles editor-at-large gig with two indie films and stint on HBO’s ‘Curb.’

*Looks like 2007 will be jam packed for Vivica A. Fox. Fresh from her limited run on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” the actress is producing two new independent movies, appearing on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” next season, and running her own magazine. "I have a magazine called Jolie, which is a fashion magazine which stands for 'live pretty,'" Fox told People in Miami on Saturday. "I'm editor at large, which basically means my responsibility is that I interview whoever is on the cover and I also recruit cover models." The 42-year-old entertainer says the publication is targeted toward minorities, and so far has featured herself, Tyra Banks, Kimora Lee Simmons and LisaRaye Misick on the cover. “We celebrate the fabulous life,” Fox adds. "We are a magazine that is about encouraging, having a positive attitude and no matter what size you are, from a two all the way up to size 20, that you are fabulous and that you are loved and beautiful too." As for interviewing celebrities, Fox says: "I'm enjoying it," though "I do have to remember that as a celebrity (myself) I am different. I'm very sensitive about certain taboo subjects. There may be a better way to ask a question than to just come straight out and turn the celebrity off." But she adds: "I've got that finagling power."

‘TYRA’ TALK SHOW RENEWED IN 22 MARKETS: Program remains strong among its target demo - women 18-34.

The Tyra show is aired on *Several Fox-owned TV stations around the country have decided to keep their daily appointments with former supermodel Tyra Banks. Her Warner Bros. Domestic TV-syndicated "Tyra Banks Show" has been renewed in 22 markets for another two years, through the 2008-09 season, reports Variety. In some of the 22 markets, including New York, Dallas, Washington and Houston, two Fox-owned stations carry Banks' show in different time periods. In New York, WWOR carries it at 5 p.m. on weekdays Although ratings have dropped for “The Tyra Banks Show” by 8% among its demographic of women 18-34, the syndicated program is still the fourth most watched series in that demo among all 13 syndicated talk shows. and WNYW schedules it at 9 a.m. KTTV has "Tyra" exclusively in Los Angeles at 10 a.m. WPWR, a MyNetwork station owned by Fox, plays it exclusively in Chicago at 4 p.m THAT'S IS SO AWESOME!!!

BEYONCE DOES HER ROUNDS TRL & DAVID LETTERMEN

DAVID LETTERMAN TRL Beyonce made a number of appearances today, first stopping by ‘Good Morning America’, then visiting TRL, and ending the day with David Letterman. She talked about her reaction to be nominated for a Golden Globe, and mentions that she knows she has no chance up against Meryl Streep. At least she knows. I love Beyonce but we see her everyday on everything.....

JINGLE BELLS BRITNEY SELLS HER SMELLS

SHE LOOKS A LITTLE BIT BETTER!!!

NFL fines Cowboys' Owens $35,000 for spitting on Hall

THIS IS JUST GROSS!!!.... T.O. was fined $35,000 by the NFL on Monday for spitting in the face of Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall during Saturday night's Cowboys-Falcons game. Owens, however, told Westwood One radio that he has filed an appeal of the fine. Although it's more than twice as much as the last fine for spitting, the flamboyant receiver avoided a suspension. That doesn't mean he is out of Cowboys coach Bill Parcells' doghouse. Parcells said Monday "we don't condone that kind of activity," adding that the team may also punish Owens. "If we did, I wouldn't make anybody aware of it," Parcells said, thus indicating that the penalty wouldn't be a suspension either. Owens wasn't ejected because officials didn't see it. Hall had called for the NFL to suspend Owens. "I think, for what he did, he deserves more than a fine," Hall said on Sunday. "The guy has all the money in the world. He's making $10 million or whatever this year. So what's a fine going to mean to him, really? What he did, it was [vulgar], you know? But he's a great player, a great competitor, and what would hurt him a lot more than a fine is making him sit. That would get his attention. And that's what I think the league should do. They need to do something pretty [severe], because there's something wrong with him, and he just can't get away with this kind of stuff." When told on Monday that Owens was not suspended, Hall responded, "It's over, it's done. We are getting ready for these Carolina Panthers to come to town. I can care less if I hear his name again." "When it happened, we were jawing in each other's face, so it wasn't anything intentional," Owens said. "I didn't intentionally spit in his face. He's trying to make it seem like more than what it was by saying I hauled off and spit in his face. I feel like if I spit in his face ... somebody would've seen it."The punishment hardly makes a dent in Owens' wallet. He's making $10 million this season as part of a three-year, $25 million contract signed in March.

Miss USA Headed to Rehab

IF ONLY VANESSA WILLIAMS COULD HAVE GOTTEN THIS BREAK??? Miss USA Tara Conner is headed to rehab after allegations of sexual misconduct and underage drinking nearly cost her the crown. “She parties like one ofAdds another NYC nightclub source, “Tara goes through guys like nobody’s business.” (Rumored hookups include Travis Barker and MTV VJ Damien Fahey.) the guys,” pal Jay Galvin tells Us of Conner, who turned 21 yesterday and moved to New York shortly after her Miss USA win in April. “She drinks Jack Daniels like it’s water.” During a press conferenceThe Miss Universe Organization co-owner explained that he will use Conner as a role model. "I believe she can do a tremendous service to young people," Trump said. on Tuesday, Donald Trump told reporters: "She's agreed to go into rehab. She knows that if she makes even the slightest mistake from here on, she will be immediately replaced.”

JANET ON THE COVER OF HARPER BAZAAR

Or does Janet Jackson look really freakish and scary on the cover of the new Harper's Bazaar???

Jennifer Lopez - Que Hiciste (Sneek Peek)

NY: Nas Celebrates Hip Hop Is Dead At Black & White Ball

(NIK AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL)

Bow Wow & Chris Brown on Regis & Kelly

TAYE DIGGS: “YOU CAN’T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY..”

Taye Diggs and wife Idina Menzel back in April Last week, Taye Diggs’ TV series “Daybreak,” was cancelled due to low ratings. I personally tried to watch it but it was hard to follow but the Rumor has it that African-American women refused to support the series because Diggs’ love interest wasn’t black. Their lack of support was instrumental in the numbers being down and the show getting the boot. Last month he sat down with Rolling Out magazine to talk about why black woman are more accepting of the “Will Smith” & “Denzel” types Taye Diggs says is see below: “What [black women] were happy about was that [Mendes’ character in Hitch] wasn’t white; she was Latina,” Diggs explains when asked why Will Smith’s role in the film didn’t draw as much cultural ire as some of the choices he’s made on- and off-screen. “That’s what they were happy about, if we’re gonna be real. That’s how the scale goes. First off, if it’s a dark brother and the dark brother isn’t with a dark sister that causes issues. … After that, if you’re going to date outside the race, then they go down the list of how poorly other minorities have been treated after blacks. [So] after that, you have Latino. … Like, I’ve had people say that about my wife: ‘At least she looks Spanish.’ Like that makes it a little bit better. So that’s why people accepted it. If Will Smith had been with a lily-white woman, it would’ve been a completely different situation in the black community as far as females are concerned. I guarantee you that.” [SOURCE] Here is when he got a little attitude when the interviewer asked him about his white wife: “I’m too far along in my life and in my career to really give a question like that any type of dignified answer,” says Diggs, who was raised in black, middle-class Rochester, N.Y., intones. “When I was in high school, maybe. College, maybe. But I’m a grown-ass man and if people have a difficult time dealing with that, then I welcome them to see a movie with Omar Epps or Denzel Washington or some of those other brothers that have chosen to spend the rest of their lives with sisters, as you say. I just don’t have time for it. You can’t make everybody happy. And for the fans that are out there that are into me; they don’t really give a f— what’s going on with my personal life.” [SOURCE]

Oprah primed for ABC Winfrey sells two reality shows to network

The queen of daytime is headed for primetime. Oprah Winfrey has sold a pair of reality skeins to ABC via her Harpo Prods. banner. Despite her involvement in everything from magazine publishing to satellite radio, projects rep the first time Winfrey has attached her name to a weekly primetime series.Skeins are the first productions to emerge from Harpo's recently formed TV development group, headed by exec VPs Ellen Rakieten and Harriet Seitler.Deal reps a major coup for ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson and alternative topper Andrea Wong. For years, ABC execs have subtly tried to woo Winfrey to primetime -- but have had to accept her decision to produce only specials and a handful of highly rated "Oprah Winfrey Presents" movies and minis. "Oprah Winfrey getting into series TV is monumental," McPherson said. "These two shows are a perfect fit for our alternative brand, with their focus on wish fulfillment and making lives better." First project, dubbed "Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give," has an eight-episode order from ABC. Skein follows a group of 10 people who will be handed money and resources -- and then challenged to find dramatic and emotional ways to use the coin to help others. Contestant field will be winnowed down each week, with the winner getting his or her wildest wish granted. ABC also is teaming with Harpo on the tentatively titled "Your Money or Your Life." Each self-contained episode will focus on a family facing a crisis. An "action team" will move in and give the family a total money and life makeover. ABC is developing the projects with Harpo's Chi-based TV development group, which Winfrey launched in September. Seitler and Rakieten said Winfrey decided to get into the reality business herself after years of watching others "borrow" ideas from her show

LaBelle Pushes Cancel Button

Lady Marmalade didn't want to get in a jam. Patti LaBelle pulled the plug on her sold-out "Gospel According to Patti" mega-church tour, citing inconsistencies, breach of contract and failed obligations of the promoter -- leaving disappointed fans in Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis and elsewhere. "I really had hoped to continue to reach the gospel audience ... but I have an obligation to my staff to make sure they can keep their plans without last minute changes and to make sure they are paid for the work they do," said the OneTouch spokeswoman and long-nailed warbler. Good lookin' out, Patti. Patti is hoping that they can find another promoter to handle the tour. Her CD, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, is #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart. TMZ contacted the promoter, Impact Strategies of Washington, D.C. Our calls have not yet been returned.

USHER’S WINE BAR OPENS IN THE ATL: The Grape is the first of a chain he hopes to open in NY, L.A. and Vegas.

*The grand opening of a new wine bar owned by Usher took place yesterday in Atlanta. The Grape, located in Inman Park (two miles east of downtown Atlanta), opened its doors for a newspaper reporter earlier in the week as construction workers and employees were hustling to get things ready for its scheduled Thursday debut. According to John Kessler of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Usher was also on hand for the private preview – dressed in "This is my favorite wine," Usher said, according to the newspaper. "But I also like Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru," naming a storied French vineyard. "If you're gonna call yourself a wine drinker, you've gotta have at least a burgundy in your stash." a purple velour blazer over a purple shirt – and “hoisted aloft a glass of deep purple pinot noir called Credo.” A Grape in New York is scheduled to follow in late 2007, and will reportedly coincide with the release of his new album. After Grape conquers the Big Apple, there are plans for its expa Grape CEO Jack Mazur and business manager Solomon Smallwood also see Grapes growing in Chicago, South America, Shanghai and Tokyo. out west into Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Mazur and his partners decided to capitalize on the growing interest of wine among younger drinkers and came up with the concept for Grape. All the wines poured in the bar are available for sale in the attached store.

TV Funhouse - Diddy Kiddies

10th Annual Miami Best Buddies Gala

VIVCA FAKE!!

SISTER OF CASH MONEY’S BABY KILLED IN CAR CRASH: Tamara Williams,.

*The 26-year-old sister of Cash Money Records mogul Bryan “Baby” Williams was killed in New Orleans on Monday (Dec. 11) when her car was struck head on by a motorist driving the wrong way on a downtown street. Tamara Williams, a psychology major who was pursuing a nursing degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, was behind the wheel of her 2006 Toyota Camry when it was hit by a car moving into oncoming traffic on Causeway Boulevard early Monday morning. The other driver, thirty-year-old Jason Williams, no relation, is in serious condition at a local hospital. Williams, also a 2003 graduate of Dillard University, is the youngest of six siblings, including Cash Money co-founder Ronald "Slim" Williams. A report in the Times Picayune newspaper quoted friends as saying she never boasted about her family ties. She was fiercely independent and worked hard in school to make her way on her own. "That's why she went to school and was getting her second degree," said Holy Cross classmate Erika Martin. "She wanted her own accomplishments." Tamara Williams is survived by a husband and three children. This is so sad....

BEYONCE BEHIND THE SCENE SHOOT FOR SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE

STAR JONES REYNOLDS TO HOST RADIO SHOW...

ERIN CARLSON Associated Press NEW YORK - Fair or not, Star Jones Reynolds has long been labeled as a diva - a perception that has often led to negative publicity. There was that hasty departure from "The View" last summer. The lavish wedding to her husband, Al, which she promoted relentlessly on the ABC gabfest. And her refusal to confirm or deny a rumored gastric bypass surgery. But these days, Reynolds is trying to put that image behind her as she attempts to shape her post-"View" future. "This is a new chapter, a new beginning. ... Absolute new Star," she said Wednesday in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "(A) very happy, healthy Star whose connection is through her family, through her community and completely in touch with what matters in life." She's appearing next week - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, to be exact - as a guest host on "The Michael Eric Dyson Show," a syndicated talk show owned by the Radio One company, which targets black and urban listeners. And - get this - she's nervous. She's never done this before. "I'll try not to be nervous," she said. "I'll try not to let my voice squeak." But she's THE Star Jones Reynolds - She's got the gift of gab! She's saucy! She's opinionated! Reynolds doesn't seem like the kind of person who would get the jitters. "I'm just like the rest of you and everybody else," she said. "That is the dirty little secret. ... I want people to know that I'm connected at the hip, right with them." The 44-year-old Reynolds, a lawyer, began her television career in 1991 as an analyst for Court TV, and appeared on other shows, including her own, "Jones & Jury," before landing on "The View" in 1997. She announced in June she was leaving "The View" because ABC wasn't renewing her contract, drawing the ire of show creator Barbara Walters when the announcement wasn't planned in advance. At the time, ABC said it let Reynolds go because its research showed her weight loss and highly publicized wedding turned viewers off. Reynolds hasn't been seen much on TV since then, though she said she is producing a couple of specials for networks she would not disclose. However, she would welcome the chance to be on the small screen once again. "I miss the opportunity to connect," Reynolds said of having a regular television gig. "I was the host who liked to go into the audience, and that's why this radio show gives me exactly what I miss. ... I still have a lot to say, and I hope that people still wanna hear it." With her temporary radio gig on Dyson's three-hour show, which airs at 10 a.m. EST, Reynolds intends to talk about "real life issues," current events and her personal experiences. There's going to be an "Ask the Lawyer" segment ("You KNOW that," she laughs). "This is the very first time that I am going to be hosting a radio show all on my own, not as a guest," she says. "And you know the old saying - just because you make a good guest, doesn't mean you'd make a great host. So this is a really wonderful opportunity for me to just talk to people about things that matter in their lives. For the first time, people will be able to just get to me directly, and let's just go for it." Reynolds, who is producing a "year-end review of 2006" special for the black cable channel TV One, is a "busy woman." Too busy, she says, to turn on "The View," which is again making headlines with host Rosie O'Donnell, or even the "Today" show to watch "View" veteran Meredith Vieira banter with Matt Lauer. "You have to forgive me," she says. "I'm not watching television! Right now, I'm working my rear end off." ON THE NET Star Jones Reynolds: http://www.starjones.com/ The Michael Eric Dyson Show: http://www.dysontalk.net/

Jamie Foxx Fantasizes About Dating Janet Jackson

Singer/actor Jamie Foxx celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday and has only one birthday wish - to go on a date with Janet Jackson. The singer was recently nominated for three Grammy Awards, but insists he would rather spend time with the sexy singer than win another musical honor. When asked about his ideal gift he says, "I think Janet Jackson would be good! But you know, not a date that's unsupervised, somebody there to kind of watch over the whole thing. I know she has a boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, and everything. It would be nice to have a supervised date with Janet Jackson."Nothing crazy or anything. I don't know if you've ever heard her album, but I just want her to whisper to me like she does on the album. She's the only person I know who can whisper an album. That's all I want."