Aries Spears Gives Up Custody of Son – You Want Him! Take Him!

Comedian Aries Spears has voluntarily agreed to give full physical and legal custody of their 3-year-old son to his estranged wife Elisa Larregui.

According to court records, Spears’ wife Elisa Larregui filed for divorce February 7, due to irreconcilable differences. In one of the stipulations of the filing, Larregui demanded full custody of their 3-year-old son.

Although not initially requesting it with the divorce documents … four days later, Elisa filed for a restraining order against Aries, claiming he swung a baseball bat at her and nearly killed her.

According to Elisa’s restraining order docs, Aries was also a verbally abusive father … and had been physically abusive with one of her children from a past relationship.

Elisa was granted a temporary restraining order, requiring Spears to stay 100 yards clear of Elisa and their son unless there’s a prearranged visit.

Spears’ lawyer commented, “The family is mending and for the moment, they have chosen to place some distance between themselves. Aries and Elisa have been communicating peaceably and have worked things out between themselves. Aries looks forward to spending quality time with his son.”

Katt Williams arrested in LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Katt Williams, the comedian who has repeatedly found himself on the wrong side of the law, is out on bail after being arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of child endangerment and possession of a stolen gun.

Police Officer Norma Eisenman says Williams was taken into custody Friday after the LA County Department of Children and Family Services did a welfare check at his home. Authorities found more than one firearm, one of which had been reported stolen.

Eisenman says the DCFS did not specify how many children lived at the home or whether they were removed.

The 41-year-old was arrested this month on a felony warrant related to a police chase. In November, he was accused of hitting a man on the head with a bottle during a fight.

Jamie Foxx Responds to Elementary School Shooting

NEW YORK — While promoting his latest film “Django Unchained”, Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx,
found himself compelled to comment on the Newtown, Conn. elementary school massacre.

Friday, a gunman mortally wounded his mother and then went to an elementary school,
where he killed six adults and 20 children before committing suicide.

Foxx, said Saturday as he promoted the upcoming ultra-violent spaghetti Western-style film of
Quentin Tarantino, “…actors can’t ignore the fact that movie violence can influence people.
We cannot turn our back and say that violence in films or anything that we do doesn’t have a
sort of influence. It does.”

In true Tarantino form, buckets of blood explode from characters as they are shot or shredded
to pieces by rabid dogs in “Django Unchained.”

Despite Friday’s mass shooting, promotion for the film, which opens in theaters
Christmas Day, continued in New York as scheduled on Saturday.

Tarantino, whose credits include “Pulp Fiction” and the “Kill Bill” volumes, said he was tired
of defending his films each time the nation is shocked by gun violence. He said “tragedies happen” and blame should fall on those guilty of the crimes.

Foxx’s co-star Kerry Washington said she believes the film’s explicit brutality serves an
important purpose in educating audiences about the atrocities of slavery.

“I do think that it’s important when we have the opportunity to talk about violence and not
just kind of have it as entertainment, but connect it to the wrongs, the injustices, the
social ills,” she said.

Joan Rivers Drops Comedy Game

Don’t be alarmed. Joan Rivers is not quitting the comedy game…(at least not as far as we know) but what she is doing is more of exactly what we’ve come to know her for. Dropping game. Straight talk with no chaser. In her recent article for The Hollywood Reporter article, Rivers, 79, grants her readers a brief look into the behind the scenes world of the comedy game. But although the look is brief, she somehow seems to say so much more. Here it is:

 

Steve Harvey Calls It Quits – Finished With Standup

Performing at a sold out MGM Grand, Las Vegas August 2, 2012, legendary comedian-turned-author, actor, and all-around media conglomerate Steve Harvey called it quits — from live stand-up performances.

Harvey, who has enjoyed a highly successful show business career for nearly 30 years, retired from the thing that brought him fame — stand-up. During his self-proclaimed final stand-up comedy show, Harvey hit us with what has been his M.O. since his early days — Leaving Everything Funny On The Stage. True to his lengthy run as one of the nation’s most beloved comics, Harvey under-scored his wild romp around comedic bits with some themes that have always managed to come through loud and clear — themes that speak to the passions of a man who may be a comic, but is certainly no joke.

From informing his swan song audience that “cussin’ started with Moses,” to boldly offering plain-speak about ways to make the alleged triggerman behind the Colorado shooting massacre who now claims amnesia to remember his actions — via the formation of an “A$$-Whuppin’ committee” — Harvey did in his final stand-up show what Harvey has always done: make people laugh, cry and shake the cobwebs off their brains in order to wrestle with the more serious issues of our times.

Harvey, author of the national best-selling book-turned-movie, Act Like a Woman, Think Like a Man, shared that he wrote the book as advice for his daughters. Harvey has been giving straight talk advice to his audience for 27-years — and not only advice on relationships.

One of Harvey’s recurring themes has been living an honest and sincere life of faith. Never professing to be perfect — “Being a Christian is hard; they got too many rules — on a good day I get seven out of ten.” Harvey has always challenged his audience members to treat others the way they themselves want to be treated — even while taking the time to laugh about those church seniors who come to service after more than 8 months on the sick and shut in list to sing in the choir. The MGM roared with laughter as he asked, “Why at 95 do they still have to read out of the hymn book, they should know the songs by now?”

“Always encourage your kids; I don’t care what kind of crazy ideas they come home with,” said Harvey, serious as a heart attack, while somehow finding a way to make people laugh at the painful moment in his own childhood when a teacher belittled Harvey’s own crazy dream of one day being on TV.

Harvey revealed that it was the support of his father during that incident that made all the difference in the world. Thus, it stands to reason that one of Harvey’s recurring refrains during his three decades worth of shows has been a call for parents to be parents. Harvey’s life off stage reflects this same commitment in a multiplicity of ways, not the least of which is his legendary work with mentoring programs across the U.S. And from that, and other such work, Harvey will still be going full speed ahead. Just don’t expect to see him on stage live, cracking jokes.

With the feel of a long goodbye, Harvey told his MGM Grand audience, “People ask, ‘Where do you get this stuff from?’ I let them know, I just report the news.” And report the news he has — whether it’s sharing stories about personal family issues or old childhood friends like “Ug,” or providing side-splitting, behind-the-scenes insights about hosting the game show Family Feud. Harvey also reflected on and thanked those persons who have been by his side in various capacities throughout his lengthy stint in the limelight.

“Seeing him up there was nostalgic,” said Brandi Harvey, commenting on her father’s last show. “I can remember as a child going to see him; my sister and I use to watch my dad perform live, the ups and downs, before he became such a success.”

“People ask me if he is really finished with stand-up. For the most part, he is done when he says he is done. My father is going to be on a different stage via Family Freud, his new talk show, and of course, fans can still enjoy him on his nationally syndicated radio show,” said the proud daughter.

Thus, through it all — his final live stand-up performance and his entire career, Harvey’s audiences could feel his sincere love of children, his appreciation for the opportunities he has been afforded, the hard work he put forth to take advantage of those opportunities, and his undying belief that we as a society can do and be so much better.

“I just want to thank everybody for 27 years of love and support and God willing I’ll do 27 more, it just won’t be at this. But I really just want to thank everyone!”, Steve expressed at the close of his last performance.

Harvey will certainly be around in many other shapes and forms. When fans take in a show at comedy stages around the country and wonder where the humor with heart went, they will remember that the great Steve Harvey, one of the original kings of comedy, rocked his last live MIC, August 2, 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada; and he will be missed.

Eddie Keeps it Real – Bows Out as Host of the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced on Wednesday that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of this year’s Oscar ceremony.Host of the 84th Academy Awards®

Apparently, Brett Ratner (one of the producers of the telecast) made some “offensive” public remarks that upset some AMPAS members.

At the time of this writing, the folks here at BCNews could not establish whether Mr. Ratner refused to apologize for the “offensive” remarks, or if the apology offered was deemed disengenuous and as a result refused. In any event, Ratner resigns from the show. Now this is the part where Eddie Murphy comes in…

Eddie Murphy and Brett Ratner are friends… so much so that the only reason Murphy accepted the hosting gig was at the invitation of Ratner.

In fact the two had just finished collaborating on this year’s comedy caper, “Tower Heist.”

 

In a statement Murphy said, “I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

Murphy already had a stormy history with the Oscars. He appeared on the show several times, most recently when he presented Jerry Lewis with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2009, but is famously known for making an early exit from the Kodak Theater in 2006 after losing to Alan Arkin in the Best Supporting Actor category.

That nomination, for “Dreamgirls,” was the only one of Murphy’s career.

One Academy member stated regarding Murphy’s decision, “He needs to stay on and work with the new producer, or it’ll look like he’s supporting the stuff that Brett said,” said one member of the public relations branch on Tuesday afternoon. “He won’t look good if he leaves now.”

Murphy, though, recently told Rolling Stone that he considers himself “a semi-retired gentleman of leisure,” and said, “I only want to do what I really want to do, otherwise I’m content to sit here and play my guitar all day.”

Early in his career, Murphy dealt with his own charges of homophobia, and apologized for joking about AIDS and using derogatory language to refer to gays.

Murphy’s exit leaves the Academy with two big holes to fill in the upcoming show: a producer to work alongside Don Mischer, and a host to replace Murphy.

While the producers are virtually always in place by this time of year, it is common for the Oscars not to have a host at this point in the calendar.

Of the last three Oscar hosts, or host teams, only the Steve Martin/Alec Baldwin pairing at the 2009 Oscars was announced in early November. Last year’s hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway, weren’t in place until November 29, while 2008 host Hugh Jackman wasn’t announced until mid December.

In the past, hosts have been announced as late as early January.

 

Eddie Murphy Says He’s Gotten Over His Grudge Against ‘Saturday Night Live’

A perfect storm is brewing for Eddie Murphy to make his first appearance on this weekend’s “Saturday Night Live” since leaving the show in 1984 and igniting a feud with creator Lorne Michaels.

Work is going on behind the scenes for Murphy to pop up on the NBC show when his “Tower Heist” co-star, Ben Stiller, hosts Saturday night, we’re told. Murphy’s hosting the next Oscar telecast, which happens to be produced by “Tower” director Brett Ratner.

Reports of bad blood between Murphy and “SNL” surfaced after cast member David Spade took a shot at him during a career slump. In a mock entertainment news segment, Spade showed a picture of Murphy and joked around the time of his 1989 film “Harlem Nights,” “Look children, a falling star … Quick, make a wish!”

Sources say Murphy was not amused at the time and complained bitterly to Michaels, “demanding an apology, but Michaels sided with his writers, saying he had to give them creative freedom.”

Murphy has never joined any “SNL” reunions or specials, sparking further speculation of a long-standing beef with Michaels. But sources say Ratner eased the way to bring Murphy back and bury the hatchet.

But reps for both Murphy and Ratner said it wasn’t definitely in the cards yet. “There are no plans for Eddie to appear on ‘SNL’ at this time, but perhaps in the future he will make a return,” said a rep for Murphy, which was echoed by Ratner’s rep.

“Eddie rarely does appearances, and nothing is scheduled,” said another source. A different spy close to the show noted, “He hasn’t been on ‘SNL’ for over 25 years, it would be astonishing if he did it.”

Another source denied tension between Murphy and Michaels, claiming, “There was never any hatchet to be buried. Eddie has never had any issues with Lorne.” An “SNL” rep didn’t get back to us.

Diddy : I want to be the next Eddie Murphy

Puffy has revealed that he wants to be the next Eddie Murphy, saying, “I’m funnier than you think”.

In an impromptu interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 40 year old hip-hop mogul spoke about his desire to be taken seriously as an actor.

He said: “To be honest, as an actor, I had a dream – and everybody had laughed at me – but I was like, there’s nobody to ever fill the void of the way Eddie Murphy was in 48 Hours or, you know, even Chris Tucker.”

“And as a comedic actor, I think I could one day fill that role.

“And people are like, ‘Are you crazy? You’re not even funny’. And I’m like, ‘No, you’ll see. I’m funnier than you think’.

“And that’s my mission.”

Combs plays a music mogul in the Russell Brand comedy Get Him To The Greek, revealed that he arduously prepared for the role, even going so far as creating a background for his character Sergio Roma.

He said: “I think this role will definitely be a revelation to people.

“People have this perception of me – which is my fault – of champagne-sipping and The Hamptons and white fur and just cliché-type of things that are just kind of old and dated and corny…

“That was just part of my image for a second. It wasn’t who Sean is.”

He added: “You evolve – like, I need to retire my diamond necklace and fur jacket now.

“Things change. Times change…”

Donnell Rawlings

MyNetworkTV picks up ‘The Tony Rock Project’

MyNetworkTV has green lighted “The Tony Rock Project,” a comedy reality series starring the comedian brother of Chris Rock.

The series, from Langley Prods. and C to the B Prods., is scheduled to premiere in the fall 2008, airing at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

The half-hour program features the humor of Tony Rock, younger brother of Chris, as he observes the hilarious habits of regular people. Through man-on-the-street style interviews and hidden-camera segments, Rock uses his comedic style to expose some of society’s stereotypes, hang-ups and prejudices.

“Tony’s charming personality, quick-witted comedy and cutting-edge social commentary makes the program a perfect addition to our Wednesday night comedy block,” MyNet president Greg Meidel said.

Exec producers are John and Morgan Langley and Claude Brooks.

MyNet’s lineup also includes Langley’s “Jail” and “Street Patrol” and C to the B’s and Qtopia Entertainment’s sitcom “Under One Roof” starring Flavor Flav.

Mo’nique Hits Her Sexual Peak

Actress Mo’nique loved turning 40 because the older she is, the better her sex life gets. The larger-than-life star hit the landmark age in December, and she is already reaping the benefits.

She explains her midlife joy: “I’m experiencing something so different and liberating. Everybody says 40 is the new 20. But I don’t want it to be the new 20. Everything is so better now. At 20, sexually, you don’t know what you’re doing. You look for it, you find it, you lose it a few times.”

International Wax Exhibit Celebrates Black History Month with Jamie Foxx Tribute

In the spirit of Black History Month, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas has chosen to honor Oscar-winning actor and performer, Jamie Foxx, with an official unveiling of his life-like wax statue.

The unveiling kicks off Madame Tussauds Black History month-long celebration exhibit where the new Foxx replica will join other notable African-American figures including Muhammad Ali, Louis Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Oprah Winfrey. Each famous wax figure featured in the attraction will be accompanied by a biography highlighting each of the figures’ contributions to American history.

Jamie Foxx is the first African-American in history to receive two Oscar nominations in the same year for two of his films, Collateral and Ray.

Foxx took part in a two-hour private sitting enabling Tussauds Studio artists to create the highly-detailed $300,000 wax reproduction.

Political correctness? What’s that?

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The guy just wants to be funny. So why does comic Tracy Morgan often think that he’s tiptoeing through a minefield?

One thing he knows for certain: he hates the feeling. He may be proudly black, but he doesn’t want anyone telling him that jokes about race are out of bounds or that it’s wrong to be funny about religion or even mental illness.

That’s why Morgan felt like he had died and gone to heaven when NBC unleashed the taboo-breaking 30 Rock on unsuspecting viewers and cast him in the role of an addled television star whose behaviour frequently borders on dementia. He knows why 30 Rock has won such a cult following.

“It’s because the characters on the show are the most unlikely,” the Saturday Night Live veteran proclaims. “Me and Alec Baldwin? And Tina Fey? You gotta watch that show. There’s a little bit of something for everybody in there — something that you can identify with and relate to.”

Morgan is still surprised 30 Rock has even made it onto network television. “It’s really an HBO show.” he says. “We push the envelope — and that’s what TV needs. I’m sick of this political correctness. It’s killing comedy.”

Morgan yearns for the bad old days when the network police were less controlling and society was less uptight and TV comedy could poke fun at a whole range of now taboo subjects.

“Back in the days of Archie Bunker and George Jefferson, we used to make fun of racism. Now you can’t say nothing without people wanting to protest and all that stuff. I came up in a different generation of TV. You know what Redd Foxx was like on Sandford and Son? Anything came out of his mouth — and that was comedy.”

So what does Morgan want to say that he can’t say right now?

“I want to be able to say whatever I want to say,” he replies. “Freedom of speech! Not ‘watch what you say!’ ”

In fact, as he continues his affable rant, Morgan is also taking care to be politically incorrect on this particular morning. The 39-year-old smiles happily when reporters express disbelief that the oldest of his three kids is 22. He sees this as a cue to go off on an outrageous riff.

“Hey listen!” Morgan says. “In the ghetto, we use sex as a sedative, man. It eases the pain of poverty. We couldn’t afford a puppy — make a baby! You need something to love in a broken house.”

So how old was he when he had his first child?

“I was exposed early,” he says mischievously, then adds that if he hadn’t made it in the entertainment mainstream, he could have been a success in the pornography industry.

To explain this, Morgan carries his enthusiasm for political incorrectness to an unprintable level.

All of this is in aid of his theory that his brand of comedy works best when it’s based on life and it ventures into taboo territory.

“When I first started doing stand-up I was young,”Morgan says. “A lot of my material was based on imagination.

“Now I’m an adult, and a lot of material is based on observation, and it’s hilarious. Tragedy is funny — all that stuff.

“What I see is what I’m saying. I’m just gonna inject my sense of humour into it and make it funny. ‘Cause if you don’t laugh, guess what. You’ll cry. And I’m tired of crying.”

Morgan even finds it funny that he’s a guy who gets into trouble himself — with the law (because of an alcohol problem) and sometimes even when he’s working.

Morgan found himself in hot water during the making of his new movie, First Sunday, in which he and Ice Cube play a pair of bumbling buddies who set out to rob a church.

Scenes were actually shot in a church and Morgan — a non-attender — found himself in alien territory.

“I didn’t know how to act,” he says. His colleagues kept reminding him that he was in a holy place. “I’m like, wait a minute, ain’t this a movie? Camera men, grip guys — everybody’s behaving except me.”

He insists that he can’t remember why his conduct was so bad. “But I know I got kicked out a couple of times. ‘Mr. Morgan, you’ve got to go now. You just got to go. You’re making all this noise …’ ”

On the other hand, Morgan thinks the film gives him the chance to show that he’s really an actor — his character, a petty thief named LeeJohn, is one of society’s losers. Morgan wanted to be funny, but he also wanted to show some inner pain.

“When I read the role, it hit home with me,” he says. “It almost scared me, because I’ve known that pain. You see LeeJohn at the beginning and he’s a funny guy — a kind of knucklehead.

“And then you see the layers being peeled back. For a comedian, associated with being funny my whole career, it’s awesome when you get an opportunity to be emotional.”

When he worked on First Sunday, he was going through a “weird” time because of a court order which required him to wear an alcohol-detecting monitoring bracelet on his ankle during filming.

“It was heavy-duty stuff. It was a crazy time in my life filming that movie. I had just got the monitor, and I was going through some ups and downs legally — everybody knows my legal woes. So ain’t it incredible that I did this movie at that time? God works in mysterious ways, sometimes right in front of you.”

Jamie Portman, Canwest News Service © The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008