May 29, 2006

Close Call

Did Chris Rock rescue 'All of Us' from cancellation? That's the word in Tinseltown!

Sources say that the series, which stars Duane Martin, LisaRaye McCoy and Tony Rock (Chris' brother) and is produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, was set to be cancelled and was not planned to be on the fall roster for the new CW Network. Insiders told BV Buzz that it was actually 'Half & Half' that was supposed to join the urban-lineup at the CW, until Rock placed a call to CBS Chairman Les Moonves and asked him to save his sibling's series.

Apparently, at the eleventh hour, 'Half & Half' was given the ax-despite its executive producer Yvette Lee Bowser wowing the CW brass with her presentation-and the struggling 'All of Us' was given the green light. A rep for CW said the decision to bring 'All of Us' back just fit what the network was trying to do with that two-hour show block. "I don't believe there's anything to that," Paul McGuire said about the rumors.

Nonetheless, Hollywood insiders are likening 'All of Us' to a cat, joking that the series has nine lives. Apparently, this would be the second time that 'All of Us' was slated to be cancelled but was spared. The show was not supposed to return for the 2005-2006 TV season and producers at Warner Bros. were moments from pulling the plug on the show. That time, it was Smith who supposedly placed the call and had the series saved. It returned without co-stars Elise Neal and Terri J. Vaughn.

In another CW Network controversy, online chat rooms and blogs alike have been buzzing about the news that 'Girlfriends' star Jill Marie Jones may not be returning to the show. We broke news last week that Jones may be out when the show premieres on CW this fall. Now we hear that it was actually Jones' decision to leave the hit former UPN series. Despite her being absent from the CW Network's upfront rollout in New York City, and Jones' image and bio being removed from the 'Girlfriends' website, a rep for the network said nothing is finalized. "It remains to be seen," McGuire said.

Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Reggie Hayes will return for the sitcom's unprecedented seventh season. Wouldn't it be nice to see a full-figured friend added to the 'Girlfriends' mix? Just asking…

Love Bites

I won't say, "I told you so." Well, at least not yet. But I did report that things were not kosher with Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. My sources have said for quite a while that the couple was estranged and living separate lives.

Brown's sexual advances toward actress Tamala Jones ('The Tracy Morgan Show') at Nick Cannon's birthday party last fall-she disclosed the details to yours truly in a cover story for SMOOTH magazine-and the New York Daily News report of him announcing backstage at the SWV and Guy concert at a Connecticut casino in January that he and Houston were getting a divorce, haven't helped his case much at all. Nonetheless, Brown has refuted those details in his frequent features in Sister 2 Sister magazine and during his interviews with radio jock Wendy Williams.

Last week at Atlanta's Chastain Park, where Brown was the surprise guest with New Edition, Hot-107.9 radio talent Akini asked the 'Being Bobby Brown' star "How's Whitney?" According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Brown responded: "I don't know! Ask Whitney. Whitney, when you get this, give me a call!"

Maybe Houston isn't speaking to her husband because he's been hanging out with his sister Tina Brown-you know the one who made upwards of $100,000 for selling sordid details of Houston's life to the National Enquirer. I hear that Brown's sister is regularly featured in the new season of 'Being Bobby Brown' and that she even co-hosted a party with her brother at an Atlanta club called Insomnia for their father Pop Brown's birthday.

Is the writing on the wall for this couple? Only time will tell! All I'm saying is that Alicia Keys may want to consider remixing her song "Unbreakable" because it looks like a split is inevitable for these two.

Buzzworthy

'Soul Food' star Malinda Williams is looking for a lady to take with her to the BET Awards. To celebrate the launch of her lingerie line Modern Goddess, Williams and Vivica A. Fox's magazine Jolie want to transform a lucky winner into a real-life goddess and give her a glam makeover for the awards ceremony. To enter, submit a short essay about "what makes you a modern goddess" at www.moderngoddess.net. The winner not only gets a Hollywood makeover, but she'll walk the red carpet with Williams at the BET Awards. In other Williams news, she'll star on the new NBC show 'Windfall' starting June 8, and in the Outkast movie 'Idlewood,' which hits theaters August 25.

'Coach Carter' star Texas Battle will star in 20th Century Fox's bloody horror film 'Wrong Turn 2.' The movie is slated to shoot in Canada and will also star Henry Rollins ('Batman Beyond'). Also, Battle appears in Ebony magazine's June 2006 issue as one of its Most Eligible Bachelors.

Pop trio 3LW is finally making a comeback. Their forthcoming album 'Point of No Return' will bow on So So Def/Jive this fall. In the meantime, group member Adrienne Bailon told me at Hill Harper's book party at Mr. Chow in New York City's Tribeca nabe that the single "Feelin' You" will hit radio next month. "We're finally dropping new music," she smiled. The group still consists of founding member Kiely Williams and their newest member Jessica Benson, who joined the group after Naturi Naughton was unceremoniously booted in 2002. Bailon also stars in the MTV film 'All You've Got' starring Ciara and Datari Turner, in addition to returning along with Williams in 'The Cheetah Girls 2: When in Spain.'

We hear that gospel powerhouse Beverly Crawford is joining the roster of JDI Records. Crawford, a one-time member of Dr. Bobby Jones' ensemble New Life, was previously signed to Bishop T.D. Jakes' Dexterity Sounds label. Apparently she will record her new live album this September in Los Angeles. JDI Records recently inked a distribution deal with Sony and is also home to Norman Hutchins and DeNetria Champ, who was featured during Oprah Winfrey's 'Legends Ball' special.

Speaking of gospel signings, word has it that singer Lexi has inked a new deal with Tyscot Records. Lexi has released four albums-three on Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Records, including the critically acclaimed 'A Praise In The Valley ' in 2004. The singer is also the face of the Word Network, where she hosts a variety of programming for the Christian cable channel.

The Essence Music Festival has announced the lineup of lounge acts performing at Houston's Reliant Park for this year's three-day event. The performers include Goapele, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, C.O.C.O Brown & The Phat Cat Players, Kindred The Family Soul, The Brand New Heavies, Loose Ends and Musiq-let's hope he doesn't sing the 'National Anthem.' Main stage acts already announced include Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Toni Braxton, Cedric the Entertainer, Charlie Wilson, New Edition, Bobby Brown, Steve Harvey, Jaheim, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Earth, Wind & Fire, LL Cool J and Yolanda Adams. The Essence Festival takes place Saturday July 1 through Monday July 3.

Can't Say Names…

Could two "old friends" be ready to get hitched? Sources say that a certain Hollywood actress and her longtime R&B-belting buddy could be secretly engaged. It's no secret the pair have been pals since childhood and it's speculated that they dated during their teens, however, now a source close to the two tells us they could be preparing to quietly get married. I don't want any mo' trouble, so I am leaving this one alone.

Frankly Speaking

"I think that anyone who is still calling urban theater the chitlin' circuit, are the same people still calling rap a fad." - Malik Yoba, speaking on the criticism of black touring plays on BET's 'The Chop Up.'

BV Scene

Gospel star Kierra "KiKi" Sheard having tea with a small entourage at the Tea Box inside the Japanese department store Takashimaya on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Upstairs, 'Extreme Home Makeover' host Ty Pennington shopped with a female companion… Eddie Murphy's ex-wife Nicole spotted partying with 'Best Damn Sports Show Period' host John Salley at a Busta Rhymes party at The Highlands in Hollywood. Among the others at the bash were rapper Chingy, comic Alex Thomas, singer Sleepy Brown and Kel Mitchell ('One on One')… Gnarls Barkley, Big Gipp with girlfriend Tamala Jones, Ne-Yo, Angell Conwell and singer Trey Songz partying at Lotus in New York City… Kym Whitley, Darnerien McCants of the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton separately dining at Clydes at Gallery Place in Washington, D.C… 'Rent' star Taye Diggs getting his work-out on at the Reebok Sports Club on New York's Upper West Side.