Entertainment: Dark Clouds and Glimmers


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Entertaining the Recession
Entertaining the Recession
The current global recession has affected everyone from Wall Street to the Eiffel Tower. As unemployment rises, countless businesses are finding it more difficult to cope and survive in today's market. Among the many industries under financial stress are those that entertain and relax us. However, as President Barack Obama recently stated there are "glimmers of hope." To chase the dark clouds, certain industries are catering to our escapist fantasies, luring us with offerings that help to relieve the stress. Here's a look at some areas where our favorite pastimes have been affected and how consumers have taken advantage of the recession.

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Mel B Pictures

    In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

    AP

    In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

    AP

    In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **

    AP

    In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

    AP

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

    Getty Images

Black Entertainment News Blog: BV Newswire

Entertainment News

From fast-breaking entertainment news updates, exclusive interviews with celebrity notables to off-the-cuff commentary and tongue-in-cheek prose, The BV Newswire prides itself on being the factual online source for all things entertainment -- as it pertains to African Americans and people of color, globally.
Read the Black Entertainment Newswire

Black Movies Blog: It's All Reel

Black Film Coverage

For up-to-the minute coverage of who's coming up and what's going down on the film circuit, BlackVoices.com contributor Wilson Morales delivers the goods with box-office figures, late-breaking casting updates and engaging interviews.
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Black Entertainment Gossip Blog: BV Buzz

Black Entertainment Gossip

Jawn Murray is back and better than ever. With the new refashioned version of his wildly popular BV Buzz column -- now a blog -- the Washington, D.C., based celebrity journalist is ready to deliver all the scoop we've grown to expect from him, as it revolves around black Hollywood and beyond.
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Filed under: Television Reports have surfaced that 'Grey Anatomy' executive producer Shonda Rhimes and ABC have decided to let Emmy-winning actress Katherine Heigl out of her contract so that she can leave the popular drama. BV Buzz wrote an open letter to Rhimes last year begging her to let Heigl... Read More

Filed under: Exclusives, Television Good news for fans of the former CW sitcom 'The Game.' Sources close to the production tell BV Buzz that Black Entertainment Television has struck a deal with 'The Game's' parent company Paramount to develop new episodes of the popular series. "The deal is... Read More

Filed under: Gossip, Music, TelevisionJust weeks before her comeback CD 'Still Standing' is slated to hit stores, RB star Monica announced that she has split with her fianc, rapper Rodney "Rocko" Hill. Amid rumors that Rocko has cheated on the 'Boy Is Mine' singer, Monica took to twitter... Read More

Filed under: Exclusives, Interviews, Music Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige has constantly shared her life through her music during her 20-year career. From her first CD in 1992, 'What's the 411?,' to last year's 'Stronger with Each Tear;' the New York-bred singer has sung about her highs and... Read More

Filed under: Exclusives, Interviews, Music, TelevisionSeason two 'American Idol' finalist Kimberley Locke is single again! After two years of dating 'Celebrity Fit Club' fitness coach Harvey Walden, the couple recently broke up. "He's not my husband or my boyfriend. We didn't make it,"... Read More

The BoomBox: Beats, Rhymes & Life

The Boombox

Are you interested in the latest news in Hip-Hop? Well pump up the volume and tune into The BoomBox for the latest in hip-hop news, videos, songs, exclusive interviews and more.
Read the rest on the BoomBox

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop NewsNas made an appearance in Pittsburgh, Penn. on Sunday (March 14) where he addressed an audience of 900 high school students at the annual National Keystone Conference for the Boys Girls Clubs of America. The Queens MC joined several other stars including Ne-Yo, who... Read More

Filed under: Soul/R'n'B, R'n'B NewsAccording to reports, singer Lloyd has signed a deal with Interscope Records. Following the dissolution of the his first label, Murder Inc., the crooner languished for several years on Universal Motown. Recently, he began collaborating with Lil Wayne's group... Read More

Filed under: Soul/R'n'B, R'n'B News, R.I.P., Say What!Last week a woman claiming to be legendary soul singer James Brown's daughter, alleged that his body had gone missing from its crypt. Brown died on Christmas, 2006 in Atlanta, and his body was placed in a temporary crypt, in the South Carolina... Read More

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, R.I.P., SongsAs Raekwon hit up a string of release shows for last year's 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2,' he had a special performance at New York City's S.O.B.s venue with iconic hip-hop forefather Kool Herc in tow. After the show, All Hip-Hop and Jump Off TV were... Read More

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Don't Call It a ComebackLess than one year after releasing his fourth album, rapper 50 Cent is already laying down tracks for his up-coming release 'Black Magic.' During a tour stop in Norway, 50 revealed that he has already begun recording a few songs for the... Read More

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