The BV Buzz
June 20, 2005
Pinching Pennies
By Jawn Murray, AOL BlackVoices columnist,
Posted: 2005-07-05 17:47:01
Some major shake-ups just happened at UPN. Last week, news was leaked that actress Elise Neal would not be returning to her starring role as "Tia Jewel" on the struggling sitcom 'All of Us.' Hollywood had been buzzing for weeks that 'All of Us' would likely be cancelled, and most were shocked when it was announced the sitcom would get a third season.
Inside the Buzz
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Elise Neal will be leaving UPN's 'All of Us,' while Flex Alexander will play a much lesser role on 'One on One,' a show he co-created.
- Read Last Week's BV Buzz
"The only reason that the show is coming back is because [executive producer] Will Smith asked the top executives at UPN to give the show another go," a source at the network told BV Buzz. "Otherwise, 'All of Us' would have ended this past May."
Sources also say that the brass at UPN told all show runners on most UPN series, not just 'All of Us,' that expenses for sitcoms had to be cut across the board. Neal was apparently one of the actresses approached about taking a pay cut.
BV Buzz spoke with Neal, who had just returned from presenting a screening of her film 'Hustle & Flow' in Atlanta, and she was upbeat about the situation.
"We couldn't come to terms, and I've moved on to other projects already. I'm perfectly fine," shared Neal.
No word on whether the show intends to kill off Neal's character or recast the role a la "Aunt Vivian" on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' when it returns in September.
UPN along with Warner Brothers Television and the show's producers, issued the following statement regarding 'All of Us' when BV Buzz called for answers: "As we enter the critical third year of 'All of Us' and a new move to Monday nights at 8:30PM this fall, there was a creative decision to focus on the relationship of divorced parents "Robert" [played by Smith's real life best friend Duane Martin] and "Neesee" [played by LisaRaye McCoy] and how they deal with raising a son, which draws them together; while exploring separate personal lives, which pulls them apart. Elise Neal has been outstanding as "Tia Jewel" and we thank her for her tremendous contribution to the show."
More on UPN:
There are also reports that Flex Alexander will only be appearing in six out of 22 episodes of his sitcom 'One on One.' Alexander not only stars in the series, but he's co-executive producer and co-creator of the show.
Sources also say that the brass at UPN told all show runners on most UPN series, not just 'All of Us,' that expenses for sitcoms had to be cut across the board. Neal was apparently one of the actresses approached about taking a pay cut.
BV Buzz spoke with Neal, who had just returned from presenting a screening of her film 'Hustle & Flow' in Atlanta, and she was upbeat about the situation.
"We couldn't come to terms, and I've moved on to other projects already. I'm perfectly fine," shared Neal.
No word on whether the show intends to kill off Neal's character or recast the role a la "Aunt Vivian" on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' when it returns in September.
UPN along with Warner Brothers Television and the show's producers, issued the following statement regarding 'All of Us' when BV Buzz called for answers: "As we enter the critical third year of 'All of Us' and a new move to Monday nights at 8:30PM this fall, there was a creative decision to focus on the relationship of divorced parents "Robert" [played by Smith's real life best friend Duane Martin] and "Neesee" [played by LisaRaye McCoy] and how they deal with raising a son, which draws them together; while exploring separate personal lives, which pulls them apart. Elise Neal has been outstanding as "Tia Jewel" and we thank her for her tremendous contribution to the show."
More on UPN:
There are also reports that Flex Alexander will only be appearing in six out of 22 episodes of his sitcom 'One on One.' Alexander not only stars in the series, but he's co-executive producer and co-creator of the show.
Song of the Day
1989's 'Open Letter (to a Landlord)' remains the most compelling track from Living Colour's smash 'Vivid,' the last platinum album from a predominantly black rock band. Often lost in the swirl of Vernon Reid's chaotic guitar solos were the songs themselves (most of which he at least co-wrote), which were frequently political though not quite revolutionary.
"It won't affect Flex's syndication money since the series is going into its fifth year and likely final season; but the storyline is changing, and the show will become more about Kyla Pratt and Robert Ri'chard's characters," explained a source.
There is speculation that Alexander may become a series regular on 'Cuts,' the UPN sitcom starring Marques Houston that is actually a spin-off of 'One on One.'
A spokesperson for that show was unable to confirm that report or provide any information about the direction of 'One On One.'
Guardian Angel
While The Jackson family is known for being devout Jehovah's Witnesses, they apparently leaned on "The First Lady of Gospel" Shirley Caesar's Christian music to help them cope while brother Michael was on trial for child molestation.
Jacko's younger sibling Janet Jackson was moved to tears upon meeting Caesar at the women's luncheon at the Santa Barbara, Calif. estate of Oprah Winfrey during her Legends Weekend.
"She walked over and she stood by me and she was crying and she said to me, 'I grew up Jehovah's Witness, and we were not allowed to listen to your gospel music. But when I got out of the nest, I was able to listen to not only your gospel music but other gospel singers.' She said, 'It's your songs that have been carrying us through this storm with my brother,'" Caesar shared about Janet during a luncheon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to kick off her new record label Shu-Bel Records.
Following her meeting with Janet, the veteran gospel singer says she immediately began to solicit prayers for the Jackson family during concert dates up until the trial. Caesar was in the studio recording when she got the news of M.J.'s acquittal.
"Honey, I left the mic, and I walked into the room and began to give God glory! I gave God praise! You've got to understand that there are a lot of people who want to become instant millionaires at anybody else's expense," she concluded.
Shipwrecked
Reality television's most popular star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth should have had the cameras of TBS' 'The Real Gilligan's Island' tailing her during a recent vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stallworth and actress Jasmine Guy ('A Different World') were guests on the private yacht of the Prime Minister of Turks and Caicos when the luxury boat hit an enormous sand dune and got stuck.
"It should have been a scary situation but we were laughing and joking," the star of VH1's upcoming season of 'The Surreal Life' told us.
After nearly four hours of being stranded at sea, Stallworth, who traveled with her mother, and Guy, who was with her husband, were finally rescued by the Turks and Caicos coast guards.
There is speculation that Alexander may become a series regular on 'Cuts,' the UPN sitcom starring Marques Houston that is actually a spin-off of 'One on One.'
A spokesperson for that show was unable to confirm that report or provide any information about the direction of 'One On One.'
Guardian Angel
While The Jackson family is known for being devout Jehovah's Witnesses, they apparently leaned on "The First Lady of Gospel" Shirley Caesar's Christian music to help them cope while brother Michael was on trial for child molestation.
Jacko's younger sibling Janet Jackson was moved to tears upon meeting Caesar at the women's luncheon at the Santa Barbara, Calif. estate of Oprah Winfrey during her Legends Weekend.
"She walked over and she stood by me and she was crying and she said to me, 'I grew up Jehovah's Witness, and we were not allowed to listen to your gospel music. But when I got out of the nest, I was able to listen to not only your gospel music but other gospel singers.' She said, 'It's your songs that have been carrying us through this storm with my brother,'" Caesar shared about Janet during a luncheon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to kick off her new record label Shu-Bel Records.
Following her meeting with Janet, the veteran gospel singer says she immediately began to solicit prayers for the Jackson family during concert dates up until the trial. Caesar was in the studio recording when she got the news of M.J.'s acquittal.
"Honey, I left the mic, and I walked into the room and began to give God glory! I gave God praise! You've got to understand that there are a lot of people who want to become instant millionaires at anybody else's expense," she concluded.
Shipwrecked
Reality television's most popular star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth should have had the cameras of TBS' 'The Real Gilligan's Island' tailing her during a recent vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stallworth and actress Jasmine Guy ('A Different World') were guests on the private yacht of the Prime Minister of Turks and Caicos when the luxury boat hit an enormous sand dune and got stuck.
"It should have been a scary situation but we were laughing and joking," the star of VH1's upcoming season of 'The Surreal Life' told us.
After nearly four hours of being stranded at sea, Stallworth, who traveled with her mother, and Guy, who was with her husband, were finally rescued by the Turks and Caicos coast guards.
Can't Say Names...
... BV Buzz has heard what this year's big surprise will be at the BET Awards on June 28. BET's Executive Vice President for Music and Entertainment Programming, Stephen Hill, has hyped up the show by saying what happens at 8PM will be the defining moment of the show. Many have speculated that the top-secret performance will be Michael Jackson and his brothers, but a source says the network has something else in store. Will BV Buzz spill the beans? Check back next week and see if we're ready or not.
Buzzworthy
... Anthony Hamilton is so hot right now that Rhino Records is resurrecting an album of the singer's that was never released. Hamilton recorded an album called 'Soulife' in the late '90s that was set to drop in 2001 on Soulife Records/Atlantic. The label was also home to then hit maker Sunshine Anderson. But the label's grim financial realities left Hamilton's career in limbo until he lent his vocal performance to the Nappy Roots hit 'Po' Folks' in 2002 and later earned his deal with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Records. The rest, as they say, is history. Hamilton's 'Soulife,' which features appearances by Anderson and Macy Gray, will hit stores on June 28.
... Singer Lil' Mo shot the music video for her new single 'Dem Boyz' last week in Baltimore. The video will feature appearances by 'Half & Half' star Chico Benymon and 'That's So Raven' star Orlando Brown. Slim and Baby from Cash Money Records were on hand to make sure things went smoothly. The pint-sized singer's junior album is slated for August.
... Nona Hendryx of the legendary funk-soul outfit LaBelle says that she and group members Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash recently met to explore the possibilities of organizing a reunion effort. "We're just trying to find the perfect time to do it. Maybe next year some time," she told BV Buzz. Hendryx was recently in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at the Bobby Jones International Gospel Industry Retreat to present her new artist Najiyah. The 11-year-old singer is signed to Hendryx and partner Bobby Banks' new label Rhythm & Spirit, a division of Rhythmbank Entertainment.
... Dwight "Heavy D." Myers stars in the compelling stage production of Tom Cole's 'Medal of Honor Rag,' which marks the directorial debut of actor Delroy Lindo ('Romeo Must Die'). 'Medal of Honor Rag,' which is co-produced by Will Smith, tells the true story of a Vietnam veteran. The show runs at the Egyptian Arena in Hollywood until July 17.
... Veteran Hollywood-based film publicist Rosalind Stevenson, of the sought-after Roz Stevenson Public Relations, recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of her public relations company. RSPR is the premiere company for promoting motion pictures to the African-American market and is responsible for successfully campaigning such films as 'Ray,' 'Are We There Yet?,' 'Coach Carter,' 'You Got Served' and 'Friday Night Lights.' A who's who of Hollywood heavy-hitters came out to toast the occasion. Among the well-wishers were BET's Stephanie Frederic, American Urban Radio's Tanya Hart, King Magazine's Adell Henderson, Urban Network's Tosha Thomas and Radio Scope's Lee Bailey.
... BV Buzz has heard what this year's big surprise will be at the BET Awards on June 28. BET's Executive Vice President for Music and Entertainment Programming, Stephen Hill, has hyped up the show by saying what happens at 8PM will be the defining moment of the show. Many have speculated that the top-secret performance will be Michael Jackson and his brothers, but a source says the network has something else in store. Will BV Buzz spill the beans? Check back next week and see if we're ready or not.
Buzzworthy
... Anthony Hamilton is so hot right now that Rhino Records is resurrecting an album of the singer's that was never released. Hamilton recorded an album called 'Soulife' in the late '90s that was set to drop in 2001 on Soulife Records/Atlantic. The label was also home to then hit maker Sunshine Anderson. But the label's grim financial realities left Hamilton's career in limbo until he lent his vocal performance to the Nappy Roots hit 'Po' Folks' in 2002 and later earned his deal with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Records. The rest, as they say, is history. Hamilton's 'Soulife,' which features appearances by Anderson and Macy Gray, will hit stores on June 28.
... Singer Lil' Mo shot the music video for her new single 'Dem Boyz' last week in Baltimore. The video will feature appearances by 'Half & Half' star Chico Benymon and 'That's So Raven' star Orlando Brown. Slim and Baby from Cash Money Records were on hand to make sure things went smoothly. The pint-sized singer's junior album is slated for August.
... Nona Hendryx of the legendary funk-soul outfit LaBelle says that she and group members Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash recently met to explore the possibilities of organizing a reunion effort. "We're just trying to find the perfect time to do it. Maybe next year some time," she told BV Buzz. Hendryx was recently in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at the Bobby Jones International Gospel Industry Retreat to present her new artist Najiyah. The 11-year-old singer is signed to Hendryx and partner Bobby Banks' new label Rhythm & Spirit, a division of Rhythmbank Entertainment.
... Dwight "Heavy D." Myers stars in the compelling stage production of Tom Cole's 'Medal of Honor Rag,' which marks the directorial debut of actor Delroy Lindo ('Romeo Must Die'). 'Medal of Honor Rag,' which is co-produced by Will Smith, tells the true story of a Vietnam veteran. The show runs at the Egyptian Arena in Hollywood until July 17.
... Veteran Hollywood-based film publicist Rosalind Stevenson, of the sought-after Roz Stevenson Public Relations, recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of her public relations company. RSPR is the premiere company for promoting motion pictures to the African-American market and is responsible for successfully campaigning such films as 'Ray,' 'Are We There Yet?,' 'Coach Carter,' 'You Got Served' and 'Friday Night Lights.' A who's who of Hollywood heavy-hitters came out to toast the occasion. Among the well-wishers were BET's Stephanie Frederic, American Urban Radio's Tanya Hart, King Magazine's Adell Henderson, Urban Network's Tosha Thomas and Radio Scope's Lee Bailey.
2005-03-16 19:03:00
About the Author
Jawn Murray is an entertainment news reporter on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show'. On TV he's been featured on VH1, E! Entertainment, Court TV, BET, TV One, 'Access Hollywood' and 'America's Black Forum.' Jawn is a contributor to the New York Daily News and has penned cover stories for Savoy, Smooth, Jewel and Black Elegance. Learn more about him at http://www.jawnmurray.com.
