BV Entertainment Newswire May 5

'House' Up For Grabs

Tyler Perry's first foray into television, 'House of Payne,' will debut in some major cities as early as next week, including New York (WWOR/9) and Houston (KXTH/20) on May 8.

Perry, who has had multi-million dollar success at creating what is commonly referred to as 'chit'lin circuit' theater -- said he wrote, produced and financed 'House Of Payne' because he found out "that in TV when you go the traditional route you really have no control over your show.

"This didn't sit right with me at all," he added. "When it comes to me and us, I feel like I know what we want to see so if it doesn't feel right to me I have no problems walking away no matter how much money.

"I was not about to go on TV and have you all talking about me saying 'This show is terrible...what was TP thinking?' he said. "It wouldn't have been because I didn't give my ideas, but because they shot it down and I was out of there on the next thing smoking."

'House of Payne,' centers on the comical situations that ensue when a multi-generational family lives under one roof. " Allen Payne plays a fireman named CJ whose wife has a drug problem and burns down their house to cover their mounting debt," Perry explained. "So, they have to move in with his parents Cassi Davis, and Lavan Davis from [the play] 'Madea Goes to Jail.' CJ has two kids and he and the grandparents have very different ideas about raising these kids."

"I wanted this show to be what my movies are; funny, but serious, with life lessons in them. Like my plays, but for TV," the New Orleans native said. "The shows that everybody wanted to watch because they not only made you laugh, but they had some heart. Well, this is one of those shows with heart."

'House of Payne' is also set to run in syndication this spring in Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Baltimore and Raleigh throughout the spring and summer seasons, with plans for a national distribution run in the fall, confirmed a rep for the production..

"This was a huge gamble, but if I know anything I know my faith," Perry -- whose debut book 'Don't Make A Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings,' recently debuted in the 'New York Times' best-seller's list--, said. "And I know my folks. And that's why I did it."

Perry’s next film, 'Daddy’s Little Girl,' will be released in 2007. His most recent box-office hit 'Madea's Family Reunion' will bow on home video next month.

The 'Rush' Is On

New Line Cinema has announced that Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan have signed to star in 'Rush Hour 3,' reuniting with the billion dollar franchise director Brett Ratner. According to the studio's president Toby Emmerich, the film will start production this fall for a planned release next year. "We are thrilled to team up with Chris, Jackie and Brett again to bring another installment of this entertaining franchise to life," said Emmerich. "The first two 'Rush Hour' films have become pop culture classics, and we are confident that the third one will deliver the trademark mix of great action and big laughs that made the previous films so successful."

Tucker and Chan will reprise their respective roles as LAPD detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee in the film, which will feature the action comedy duo traveling to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads. The previous films in the "Rush Hour" franchise -- including 1998's "Rush Hour" and 2001's "Rush Hour 2" -- have a combined box office gross of nearly $1 billion worldwide.

Johnsons Honored In Detroit

Johnson Publishing Company's late founder John H. Johnson, and his daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, will be honored at the 43rd Annual Bal Africain June 24, at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The event, themed 'Trailblazer,' will highlight the many contributions made by the Johnson family as founders and owners of 'Ebony' and 'Jet' magazines, and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Local news anchor Rhonda Walker will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the black-tie event. "In honoring John H. Johnson and Linda Johnson Rice, this year's event shines a spotlight on an extraordinarily successful publishing company," said Institute director Graham W. J. Beal. "Their story of entrepreneurship and rise to prominence is an inspiration for all, and we are happy to recognize them at the 2006 Bal Africain."

Jazz Exchange

On May 9, Jazz at Lincoln Center will host a free concert featuring world renowned trombone player Wycliffe Gordon and his septet, to preview its first ever tour to South Africa, in collaboration with the Field Band Foundation. Septet artists Mark Braud, Lawrence Ketchins, Roderick Paulin, Doreen Ketchins, Herlin Riley, and Shannon Powell will also perform at the show, to be held at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York's Lincoln Center.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the exchange program will use jazz performance and education as vehicles to advance HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among youth. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the US department of state and Jazz at Lincoln Center on this Exchange Program," said Scott Morgan, Chairman of the Board for the Field Band Foundation, Inc. "The opportunity for the musicians from the US to learn about South African music and the training of the New Orleans tradition of jazz that they will pass on to our youth involved in our program is going to be a life-time experience that none of them will forget."