Dear Michael, Happy Birthday...and Many, Many More!

CLEVELAND(AP) Michael Jackson, a true American icon and innovator of music, dance and culture turns 50 years old today.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Jackson!

Jackson was an incredibly important figure in my childhood in particular and my entire life (thus far) in general. Today being such a landmark birthday of his, I feel the need to reflect on his immeasurable influence on me and the world.

It is true that Jackson has had his share of criticism and even questionable judgement, his trial in 2005 on charges of child molestation being perhaps his biggest misstep. However, no matter how people feel about his legendary eccentricities or other misdeeds, those things can't erase his gigantic contributions to the music and entertainment industry.

I relate to him so much because, in spite of people's endless insults and criticisms, he has never conformed or kowtowed to anyone. He is unique and unusual, not weird and wacky. Those are all things which he and I have in common. He is a creative genius and has heavily influenced many of today's performers from Chris Brown and Usher to Justin Timberlake and on and on.

I can't say enough about his historic career, but I will say this: Enjoy your day and your life, Michael. You have given us fans one heck of a time.

I love you and may God bless you!

The Dream We All Need To Wake Up From

CLEVELAND (AP) The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the course of history for not only Blacks, but all proponents of civil rights in the U.S.

It was forty-five years ago today that King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech and it just happens to coincide with Senator Barack Obama's official acceptance of the democratic nomination in the 2008 Presidential Campaign, an event that has many people giddy with excitement and optimism that we as a people have "turned the corner" on racism.

Dream on.

Don't get me wrong. I wish all of this were true, but I have seen too much in my years. Obama's historic nomination is without question, a seminal moment in American history. It is also one of the most mis-leading occurrences of all time. Racism still pervades this country to an enormous degree and always will.

Dr. King was as much a visionary and inspiration as he was a naive idealist. His speech, delivered at the legendary March on Washington truly motivated people from all walks of life to take a long hard look in the mirror. Unfortunately, the very nature of racist people is to ignore good common sense and rational thinking and advocate misguided emotion and unfair prejudice.

I want a better America. I want racism and inequality to vanish into thin air forever. But I see a nation 40 years removed from King's assassination that is largely the same segregated mass of disgrace as it was then.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Susie a Racist? Faye a Nympho? Must Be Another Date with Deante!

a Date with Deante (The Freak and the Drunk, part 2) from April Fool's Entertainment on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND(AP) The conclusion of "The Freak and the Drunk" premires exclusively at www.deanteyoung.com with Susie undergoing a drunken meltdown and Faye seemingly close to creaming her underpants at the arrival of a new black man in her face.

Raw. Edgy. Shocking. Hilarious.

It must be a new episode of a Date with Deante.

Freaky Black Girls and Drunk White Girls Take Over

a Date with Deante (The Freak and the Drunk, Part 1) from Deante Young on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND (AP) The number thirteen is usually regarded as both lucky and unlucky. For the girls on the newest episode of a Date with Deante, both seems to be true.

The trailblazing series premieres its 13th installment today entitled, "The Freak and the Drunk, part 1" with the raunchy host interviewing his first ever sexual conquest, Faye, who delights in conveying her love for black men.

Susie occupies the hot seat and begins with a calm and sedate demeanor, which quickly dissolves into an alcohol-induced belligerent rant.

This is only part one. You're guaranteed to be anxious for the conclusion to these two interesting women and their words.

Young's Alter Ego Exploits White Women in New Blog

CLEVELAND(AP) Hugh Hefner became a first amendment icon in the 1950's and '60's. Larry Flynt followed suit in the '70's. Howard Stern became the face of envelope-pushing controversy in the 1980's and basically every year since ... and now:

Deante Young.

The jack-of-all-trades entertainer has launched a new blog entitled, "White Girls Are Easy" (http://www.whitegirlsareeasy.com/) under the moniker, Mr. SnowPlow which happens to be his alter ego. The blog features articles, photos and video purportedly proving "the easyness of white women."

Needless to say, it has sparked the usual round of controversy and a pervasive public outcry.

"What Mr. Young fails to understand is, he is polluting our culture with this racist and sexist garbage," says UCLA Social Development Director John Uptight. "He's a talented and creative genius, but this [the new blog] sells those attributes short."

In a statement issued through his production company, April Fool's Entertainment, Young defends his latest endeavor; "It's just like my talk show. What I do is exploit the actions and words of adults. The public hates brutal honesty, but I am blessed to have the courage to be who I am and not who others want me to be."

The blog is available at www.whitegirlsareeasy.com.

A Dirty Dozen

CLEVELAND (AP) Deante Young has been "dirty" for quite awhile.

The controversial entertainer and host of the probing Internet series, a Date with Deante debuts the 12th episode of the show today with a trip to two different sub sandwich establishments.

Pricelessly hilarious, it is further proof of Young's singular greatness.

a Date with Deante (Sub-Servers) from April Fool's Entertainment on Vimeo.

Exclusive: Deante Interviews Deante

a Date with Deante (Set the Record Straight) from Deante Young on Vimeo.

Deante Young goes one-on-one with ... Deante Young?

That's right. Mr. Young responds to his legion of critics about his envelope pushing Internet series, a Date with Deante in a brand new episode entitled, "Set the Record Straight."

Re-live some of the most highly criticized moments in the show's short history. Also, A special treat: Trina and Rickie share their first ever dance as one.

Watch a Date with Deante, Episode 11. It's here!

Where it All Started

Deante Young, a longtime creative genius premiered his groundbreaking Internet series, a Date with Deante on April 18, 2008. In the first episode, the filmmaker welcomed the reluctant but cooperative Beth Ann to his show along with cherubic pal Sarah.

"Are you a nigger lover?" Young asked Beth Ann as she repeatedly tried to dodge his invasive and racially charged questions. Clearly caught off guard at his pervasive use of the n-word, she recovered and revealed her naughty side along with Sarah... the "part lesbian, part not" chick.

When Sara Spitler and Justin Mc Kissick enter the fray, the controversial host ends the interrogation with a silly flourish.

Be a part of history. Watch episode one.

Ross Delivers Subtle Message in New Commercial

Filmmaker and actor Shavar Ross, a friend and colleague of Deante Young has just debuted his brand new commercial short, What Kind of Man?

Watch. Study.

What is the lesson here? Think about it.

Report: Young Inks Exclusive Deal With Chinese Company

CLEVELAND, OH (AP) Filmmaker and entrepreneur Deante Young has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with a Chinese sneaker company to create and endorse his own line of athletic shoes, his publicist stated.

Terms of the deal as well as the companies' name were not disclosed but it is believed to be worth several million dollars.

Young, 31 is the host of the Internet series a Date with Deante and the founder of April Fool's Entertainment.

"Mr. Young is a creative individual and has been his entire life to this point," says marketing consultant Brandon Harvey. "We are certain that his incredible imagination and signature style will greatly influence this new and exciting endeavor."

The shoe is slated for a limited release in China in time for the holidays and in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2009.

Alive and Well

LOS ANGELES (AP) Entertainer Deante Young is alive and well and did not meet with foul play, authorities said.

The controversial filmmaker was reported missing yesterday by an unnamed source just as he was wrapping up filming an episode of a Date with Deante in Los Angeles.

"A strong, overpowering wind knocked Mr. Young unconscious while he filmed in Malibu," says his publicist. "He was covered over in about three feet of sand and no one could find him. He's doing well now, with no injuries."

At press time, Young was heading back home to Ohio.

With This Ring ...

Why is Amy talking about Deante's cousin? Why is Trina so very happy? Why is Deante making fun of people at Hometown Buffet? What happened to Deante in Los Angeles?

The 10th episode of a Date with Deante aims to answer these pressing questions. You've been warned.

a Date with Deante (With this Ring ...) from Deante Young on Vimeo.

Entertainer Deante Young Reported Missing in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA (AP)

During location filming of the 10th episode of "a Date with Deante" in Los Angeles, the iconic host and filmmaker was reported missing by unnamed sources. Just as filming was set to wrap, "something went terribly wrong" says an eyewitness who had just gotten the entertainer's autograph. Calls to Mr. Young's office were not immediately returned.

The Last Laugh

Bernie Mac wasn't someone that I followed a lot, but I was acutely aware of his brilliance and stature in his chosen field. I also found him to be funny as heck.

Today, the comic actor succumbed to an illness first made public just over a week ago when he was suddenly hospitalized with pneumonia. The world of comedy will not soon forget his contributions.

Even though I wasn't exactly a dedicated follower, I respected his talent. He sort of reminded me of another comic whose life was cut very short; Robin Harris. Mac's demeanor and delivery were all reminiscent of Harris, who died in 1990 at age thirty-six.

Back in December 2005, I was shaken quite a bit when the great Richard Pryor, a true legend if ever there was one, passed away after a long illness. I was a huge Pryor fan and his stamp and impact on the industry and our culture was sealed long ago.

God bless Bernie and his family. The rest of us will treasure the last laugh he gave us.

The Ross Report Coming Soon!

Everyone remembers Shavar Ross as Dudley Ramsey on the hit 1980's series Diff'rent Strokes, but there is much more substance to this great and often underrated actor than most folks realize.

For the first time in history, Mr. Ross goes one-on-one with entertainer and filmmaker Deante Young and tells the side of his story most people have never heard. The Ultimate Shavar Ross Interview premires here at deanteyoung.com in August.

The edge of your seat is calling.

Crack and Babies

What do you get when a drug addicted woman has mindless, drunken sex all the time with an endless stream of strange men? Watch this clip from a Date with Deante entitled, Crack and Babies and find out. Real life is often ugly. These are the facts.

Crack and Babies from Deante Young on Vimeo.

Deante Does it Again!

How does he do it? Deante adds to his legacy and his iconic Internet series just by being him. In this ninth installment of his famed show, he goes one-on-one with Derrick and Brittney and goes on his first ever DE-tour to a suburban pool.