Young Scheduled To Release Series' Final Episode Today

CLEVELAND - According to a source at April Fool's Entertainment, entertainer Deante Young plans on releasing the 20th and final episode of his popular Internet series' first season today.

Young, busy working on his first short film was unavailable for comment.

The shocking series, a Date with Deante hit the airwaves last Spring to heavy criticism for its frank interviews of everyday people. The often raunchy subject matter (deemed exploitative by many) landed Young, the show's creator and host, in hot water with media watchdogs.

In the forthcoming 20th installment, Young reportedly issues a special message for Democratic nominee Barack Obama and goes one-on-one with yet another unsuspecting white girl.

Young is already developing the show's ambitious 2nd season which begins in January 2009.

Even If McCain Wins, He's Already Lost A Lot of Class

CLEVELAND - Barack Obama sits in the enviable position of frontrunner in this seemingly endless presidential campaign.

But even with a mere five days remaining, John McCain could still emerge victorious.

As awful as that is, there's something going on that's much worse. Sen. McCain has run his campaign with all of the rancor and acrimony of a hundred vengeful women. Instead of focusing on key issues pertinent to the American people, the Republican nominee harps incessantly on negative attacking tactics designed to indict Sen. Obama's character.

It reeks of desperation and a lack of originality.

Meanwhile, Obama has shown a remarkable resiliency and razor sharp focus on all the things that truly matter. While it is true that the young Democratic nominee has occassionally fired off his own assaults on McCain and his camp, keep in mind that most of that has been in defense of himself against the unfair and below-the-belt vitriol spewed by the Republicans.

Let's keep it real.

McCain has allowed his pathetic and sneering V.P., Alaska governor Sarah Palin to smear Obama early and often during her rallies and interviews. McCain has been worst in his last-ditch efforts to gain ground in this historic election. He has suggested that his rival is a pervert by castigating him for wanting sex education to be taught to kindergartners. He has constantly taken Obama to task for his connection to 1960's radical William Ayers and ridiculed his "spotty" executive experience. And let's not forget the incredibly tasteless "Robo-calls."

What gets lost in all of this is valuable time that could be spent on discussing the economic meltdown that the U.S. faces. More time could be spent on health care, education and the war in Iraq among other things.

McCain has mentioned ad nauseum the sacrifices he made for our country. He has branded himself a hero and a legendary statesman. This sentiment has been echoed by not only his colleagues, but Sen. Obama himself.

But after the cheap-shot tactics, McCain seems to be a very small man. It's more than a sin and a shame. It's pathetic and ignorant.

And it proves that McCain is really a no-class coward with an undeserved reputation of a hero.

Bryant Enters 13th NBA Season With Questionable Legacy

CLEVELAND - Kobe Bryant, a basketball prodigy when he joined the NBA straight out of high school and a highly criticized star for years, begins his 13th pro campaign when the 63rd NBA season tips off tonight.

And his place in the sport's history has never been more ambiguous.

Bryant was, like many gifted basketball players of the past 20 years or so, saddled with the moniker of "the next Michael Jordan" since very early in his evolution, but has had a rocky road towards those impossible expectations.

He joined the L.A. Lakers in 1996 and was viewed as a project with a lot of potential. At the time, Jordan himself was nearly 34 years old and coming off his 4th championship with the Chicago Bulls.

Bryant, then 18 had a huge advantage. He joined a highly talented team that featured stars Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel and a new addition; a 24-year old Shaquille O'Neal. All of this meant that Bryant could sit, watch and learn the game without being counted on to carry the entire franchise like Jordan had been expected to do a decade before.

Bryant averaged less than eight points per game as a rookie but by his third season, he was scoring about 20 a night. He had also become an all-star. Bryant's fourth season was O'Neal's best as a pro as he earned MVP honors and led the Lakers to their first NBA crown in a dozen years.

This is where Bryant's disdain for Shaq became obvious.

As Kobe's talents grew, so did his uncoachability and insolence. The Lakers won three consecutive titles but was wrought with turmoil from within. After failing for the second year in a row to claim another title in 2004, O'Neal was exiled to Miami and Kobe was left to steer the Lakers, a supposed dream come true.

The Bryant-led Lakers tanked for three consecutive seasons despite Kobe becoming a relentless offensive force. He topped out at an unreal 81 points in a January 2006 game en route to a career best 35.4 ppg on the season. The poor showing of the Lakers prompted Kobe to become disenchanted with the direction of the organization and demand a trade prior to last season.

He didn't get it.

Out of nowhere, the team did better than expected and by June '08, Bryant had earned his first ever MVP trophy and the Lakers were favored by many to beat the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

The Lakers got creamed.

Bryant's singular brilliance was nullified by Celtics star Paul Pierce's defense and the team went down in flames. This past summer, Bryant turned 30 years old and won an Olympic gold medal. When L.A. won the title in 2002, Kobe was 23 and had been a part of three championship teams. Most assumed he'd dominate for another decade, winning titles left and right and surpass Jordan's six championship trophies long before age 35, when Michael won his last one.

When Jordan was 30, he had just won his third. Bryant hasn't won one in six years. Jordan's 13th season was Kobe's 2nd. Michael had 4 titles going into year 13. The biggest difference between MJ and Kobe is their roles in their respective teams titles. Jordan was the unquestionable leader of the Bulls title teams. Bryant was second fiddle to the uber dominant O'Neal, who during the team's first title season (1999-00) averaged a sick 30 points and 14 rebounds!

It is often said that Jordan had more help around him than Bryant. I think that is revisionist history. While it is true that Chicago was well-rounded, they were far from star studded. Besides Jordan and Scottie Pippen, everyone else was little more than a specialty player with one discernible talent. Bryant has played with an assortment of markedly better players while being coached by the same guy that coached Chicago's six titles; Phil Jackson.

Bryant only started playing team basketball two season ago. Jordan was far more willing, though just as stubborn early in his career to do so (in MJ's case, he had little choice but to go it alone at times).

Without question, Bryant is a sensational basketball player. His drive augments his talents just as Jordan's did. The $64,000 question here is simple: Is Kobe Bryant capable of leading a team, as its top star to a title. So far, the answer has been "no way."

The Lakers open tonight against Portland. This is the first step towards answering that question.

24 Years Ago Today: Air Jordan Cleared For Take-Off

CLEVELAND - Basketball giant Michael Jordan played his first ever regular season game in the pros on this date, 24 years ago.

And he still had a head full of hair!

Jordan had been drafted four months prior by the Chicago Bulls after completing his junior year at the University of North Carolina. The lithe, 6'6" guard had also competed in the U.S. Summer Olympics and lead Team USA to a gold medal.

In his first pro game, he appeared a bit tentative but showed flashes of his future dominance. In an opening night matchup against the Washington Bullets, Jordan finished with 16 points, 7 assists and six rebounds. The host Bulls won, 109-93.

Always the high-flying scoring machine, Michael would come to be nicknamed "Air Jordan" which also stemmed from the seminal release of his signature basketball shoe of the same name. Indeed, Nike Inc. premiered the controversial red and black sneaker in the Spring of 1985, shortly after the star rookie took to the skies in the Slam Dunk contest and lost.

Jordan was a winner in his first game though. But we as sports fans were the true winners as MJ's presence came to signal a historic occurrence in American culture.

McCain-Palin: 10 More Days of The Circus

CLEVELAND - The dog and pony show, better known as the John McCain/Sarah Palin campaign will finally reach its end in ten days.

Thank goodness!

We will finally elect a new U.S. president on November 4th, and that day can't get here fast enough. With the front running Barack Obama, the Democrats are all smiles but cautions against over confidence. 

McCain-Palin isn't in such a good position.

McCain had been an embarrassment all by himself. Bringing the clueless Palin into the fray in late August has only made the Republicans an even bigger laughingstock. Sure, Palin has her legion of fans and McCain has his share of misguided supporters, but overall, this presidential ticket reeks of desperation and you-gotta-be-kidding-me humor.

Look no further than Saturday Night Live, as they ridicule this sham of a campaign each and every week.

Sen. Obama has gotta be constantly laughing any time he gets a moment away from the cameras. The grandfather and the schoolteacher ticket should make for a great children's book in the future, maybe even a movie or comic strip. But that's about it.

How funny.

For Obama and Black America, Election is About More Than Politics and Experience

CLEVELAND - With a mere 11 days remaining in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, each party is employing very different tactics.

Not surprising.

Republican John McCain trails his Democratic counterpart, Barack Obama by several points and needs to virtually win each of the remaining battleground states to claim victory.

Obama simply has to keep his smooth and highly effective campaign going in the direction that it's going, and he'll be just fine.

McCain has consistently questioned and ridiculed Obama's lack of experience and plan to raise taxes for Americans making a minimum of $250,000 per year. His running mate, Alaska governor Sarah Palin has similarly disparaged the Illinois senator during rallies and interviews.

What White folks don't understand is that this election represents more than simply who will make a better leader for our nation or who has the most experience. Obama would be the first African-American president in history, which is incredible considering how much of a fight it was just for a Black person to use the same water fountain as Whites.

Indeed, within Obama's lifetime, Blacks have traveled seemingly a million miles. In 1961, Barack was born to a White woman who had been impregnated by a Black man. At that time, the Kennedy Administration was initiating legislation to improve Civil Rights for Blacks. By the time Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, Obama was but a mere toddler.

But there were still lynchings all over the South of "Negroes."

Interracial marriage wasn't even legal at the time of his birth. The Ku Klux Klan was in decline but still flexed their racist muscle with "hate crimes" against Blacks. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in the middle of a seemingly hopeless fight for racial equality, until he was murdered in 1968.

Obama was only a first-grader at the time.

My point of bringing all of this up is for Whites to understand why an Obama victory in the election would be more than just historical. It would be transformative in the minds of many folks, especially our youth who will undoubtedly become empowered more than ever after witnessing such an unprecedented occurrence.

Whites have never been at a disadvantage. Hell, even today they out number Blacks by an almost nine-to-one ratio in the U.S. Obama shows us that we finally have a "seat at the table."

But don't get it twisted.

I'm not saying this country is leaving its racist reputation behind. That will never happen. I am simply saying that us Blacks have come a long way, in spite of how long we still have yet to go. But the path of Blacks, especially in Obama's lifetime is rather stunning. It was unthinkable in the 1990's that a Black person could actually be our president. In the early 1960's, it was nearly criminal to entertain such a notion.

Look at us now.

Mr. McCain, stop acting as though you never saw the mistreatment of Blacks. You've been around since the 19th century so you're well aware. Stop the hate mongering and the William Ayers references and give Obama the respect he deserves.

Or go to hell.

Young Set to Star In and Direct First Film

CLEVELAND - Entertainer Deante Young, host of the controversial Internet series, a Date with Deante is reportedly shooting his first short film says his publicist.

The 31-year old star is said to have written the screenplay and, in addition to directing and producing the film, portrays multiple characters in it, which serves as his first foray into acting. The film began principal photography earlier this week on location in Ohio.

No exact release date currently exists, but insiders hint at a possible pre-Thanksgiving premiere. Earlier this month, Young announced that he will air the 20th episode of his talk show this month before ending the first season to retool for its early 2009 return.

At press time, Young could not be reached for comment.

Powell Endorses, Praises Obama

CLEVELAND - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell crossed party lines yesterday to formally announce his endorsement of Democratic nominee Barack Obama in his quest for U.S. President.

That's huge.

Powell, a Republican and former U.S. general was also once a potential candidate himself for the nation's highest office. He has been friends with Obama's rival, Sen. John McCain for twenty-five years.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain the way I have this morning, and I regret that," said Powell. This came at an outdoor press conference after formally announcing his support moments earlier on Meet the Press.

Powell contrasted the two men to explain his choice. In Obama, he noted the Illinois Senator's "ability to inspire" as well as the "inclusive nature of his campaign." He went on to lavish more superlatives on him by calling him "a transformational figure" who displays an "intellectual curiosity and a depth of knowledge."

He expressed an unhappiness with McCain's campaign and took exception to the "negative turn" it has taken. He feels that his longtime colleague has "moved more to the right that I would like to see." Citing McCain's constant mention of 1960's radical and former terrorist William Ayers (and his link to Obama), Powell believes that this tactic has made the Republicans' campaign appear quite "narrow."

While Obama expressed his thanks and joy for Powell's endorsement, McCain downplayed its meaning. He did however, mention that he "respects and admires" Powell and said that his decision "didn't come as a surprise."

I personally feel that McCain needs to be shunned by as many of his party members and undecided voters as possible. His campaign has been nothing short of divisive and negative. He also tries repeatedly to justify it all.

Consider this latest endorsement to be yet another nail in the McCain-Palin coffin.

Palin's Appearance on SNL Proves She's A Joke

CLEVELAND - Republican V.P. nominee Sarah Palin has run the gamut from GOP energizer to national laughingstock. Saturday Night Live has done an expert job in illustrating her path.

Thank you, Tina Fey.

Fey, a former SNL writer and cast member bears an uncanny resemblance to Palin. During the past several weeks, she has lampooned the Alaska governor in several pitch perfect skits. Last night, the real Palin made a cameo on the show in both a skit involving Fey and another during "Weekend Update."

The show poked fun at Palin right in her face!

With Sen. John McCain choosing the previously unknown governor as his running mate, he was taken to task for making such a risky move. When Palin became a national sensation, he was applauded.

That was short-lived.

Though Gov. Palin has regained a bit of her luster recently, it has become clear that she's woefully unqualified for her position. Going on a show that has essentially mocked her unmercifully time and again only proves how much of a sideshow clown she truly is.

Some good advice for Palin: just go. Go away.

Letterman Grills McCain

CLEVELAND - Late night talk show host David Letterman welcomed Sen. John McCain to his show last night.

'Welcomed' may be too strong a word.

Three weeks ago, the Republican presidential nominee was slated to appear on the long-running talk show, but cancelled at the last minute. It was later discovered that McCain instead did an interview with Katie Couric which drew Letterman's ire. It also prompted an endless stream of jokes and ribbing from the comic.

Once McCain apologized and admitted his "mistake," Letterman immediately moved to more serious topics such as the Republican's performance in the final debate with Sen. Barack Obama.

McCain felt that he did well against his Democratic rival and stuck to his claim that Obama's economic plan leaves a lot to be desired. When Letterman questioned McCain about his choice for V.P., Sarah Palin, the older man spoke glowingly about the Alaska Governor.

He also noted her willingness to stand up to members of her own party and downplayed her inexperience, choosing instead to call her a "reformer" whose eminently capable of running the country should an unforeseen tragedy strike McCain.

Regarding the constant mentioning of ex-terrorist William Ayers and the hate mongering at McCain-Palin rallies, McCain briefly mentioned that he shoots such attacks down when he's "within earshot" but quickly pointed the finger at Obama. "He should have repudiated John Lewis for making his statements about me."

Lewis, a civil rights icon, compared the racial and violent outbursts at McCain-Palin rallies to segregationist George Wallace. McCain supposedly admires the Georgia congressman (Lewis), but was disturbed by the remarks.

What I enjoyed about Letterman's interview is this: he never let McCain off the hook. Anytime the Republican nominee tried to paint Palin as 'a great choice,' Letterman was quick to question her readiness for such a huge responsibility. He also delved into McCain's exhaustive linking of Ayers to Obama by asking him about his own ties with felon Gordon Liddy.

McCain seemed trapped, but as usual weaseled his way out of the whole thing.

Kudos to Letterman for keeping the Arizona senator on his heels. And shame on you McCain for your double standard practices.

McCain Scores Early, Obama Finishes Strong

CLEVELAND - John McCain came out sharp, fiery and scored major points in the opening moments of his final showdown with Barack Obama.

Then reality set in.

The third and final Presidential debate, held at Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y. took on a harsh tone early on. McCain cut right to the chase and labeled the Illinois senator as a big-spending, inexperienced liberal. Each time Obama responded to a comment, McCain smirked, sneered and arched his eyebrows in disbelief.

Interesting.

McCain's best highlight came when he snapped at Obama by saying, "I'm not President Bush, if you wanted to run against [him] you should've ran four years ago." The Republican senator scored even more as he recounted a story about an Ohio plumber named Joe (now popularly known as 'Joe the Plumber'). Joe took exception to Sen. Obama's tax plan and how it will affect his (Joe's) pending small business.

In contrast to McCain's early success, Obama appeared flat and his responses seemed reserved. Within a half-hour however, he was back in top form and counter-punched McCain by noting that all of McCain's focus has been spent on such irrelevant topics as ACORN and the William Ayers story.

In spite of obvious baiting, Obama remained cool and focused on the issues "most important to the American people." They both laid out their economic plans and clashed over the abortion issue. Each time, Obama presented himself as anything but "risky" and "clueless" while the veteran McCain got easily agitated.

My opinions on this debate are simple. McCain is a man who is admirable for many things. He's very skilled and capable at a lot, but being our next president isn't one of them.

Barack Obama is what this country truly needs.

The Chocolate Perspective

a Date with Deante (Sista' Act) from April Fool's Entertainment on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND - Filmmaker Deante Young released the penultimate installment of a Date with Deante today, which includes a couple of black women as his guests and a few disturbing predictions regarding Sen. Barack Obama.

Obama, 47 is vying to become the first African-American U.S. President in history.

Young recently disclosed his plan to wrap up the racy series' first season after 20 episodes, then go on hiatus before returning in early 2009.

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

CLEVELAND - For Senator John McCain, tonight could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

The final showdown.

The Republican nominee squares off against Sen. Barack Obama (D.-Ill.) in the third and final Presidential debate at 9PM EST in New York and with so much at stake, (namely the White House) expect McCain to pull out all the stops in a pathetic attempt to close the gap with his frontrunning rival.

Obama won't flinch.

For a man with so much (purported) class, McCain has been rather vicious in recent weeks in his personal attacks on Barack, hitting below the belt on several irrelevant topics, especially painting Obama as a not-to-be-trusted greenhorn with ties to a terrorist (William Ayers). Such claims have ignited a myriad of disparaging remarks from conservative supporters of the GOP and has, in my opinion, discredited every "good thing" McCain supposedly stands for.

Just being honest.

Tonight, McCain will employ many last ditch efforts to paint Obama in "metaphorical blackface" in hopes of swaying Independent voters by making Barack appear sinister and dangerous. He'd rather waste time on that than focus exclusively on the real issues such as the nosediving economy, healthcare, education and the war.

As for McCain's defense of Obama last week in Minnesota, it was just smoke and mirrors.

And the mirrors that McCain has been using "reflects" his true character.

Eminem Voted 'Best Rapper Alive' By Vibe Magazine

CLEVELAND - Eminem (nee Marshall Mathers) is my all-time favorite rap artist as well as the one I most relate to. His first CD was the first ever rap CD that I purchased. Recently, Vibe magazine voted him "the best rapper alive."

I'm not sure I agree.

Don't get me wrong, the guy is utterly brilliant at what he does. He continues to inspire me in my musical endeavors. My problem with this vote is more or less centered around the fact that he has been silent for nearly four years.

That's an eternity.

Sure, he released a greatest hits album in 2005 and a compilation in '06 entitled, The Re-Up, but his last solo set was 2004's Encore, which acted as sort of a sequel to the mega brilliant, 2002's The Eminem Show. All told, he has released just one album in the past six years.

Vibe's contest pitted some of the industry's greatest stars against each other and had a final four of Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne, Andre 3000 and Em himself. The votes were made by fans as the final two, Em and Jay went head-to-head.

A surprising landslide for Eminem: 69% to 31% for Jay. Me personally, I would have picked Jay-Z because he has released 12 albums in the past 12 years. Since Eminem's last album, the hip-hop mogul has released two albums in spite of being retired for half of the past four years.

Impressive.

I just hope that Eminem's expected forth coming CD puts him right back in the saddle. I love my man Jay-Z and I think his brilliance and consistency trumps Em's brilliance.

But I sure do miss Marshall.

McCain and Palin Could Learn A Little Class From Clintons

CLEVELAND - Sen. John McCain has perpetuated and allowed endless despicable remarks about his rival, Sen. Barack Obama in this hotly contested and emotionally charged Presidential election.

What a no-class jerk.

McCain, 72 trails the Democratic nominee in national polls for the upcoming election by several points and has resorted to a relentless character assassination of Obama. This has encouraged many of his supporters to utter inflammatory remarks about the freshman senator from Illinois, something that McCain finally took a stand against on Friday.

"Senator Obama is not someone you need to be afraid of as President," said McCain at a Minnesota rally. "He's a decent, family man and I respect him very much." To me, this comes as too little, too late. McCain's conduct has been appalling, particularly in lieu of his VP running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin acting as "attack dog" at rallies, repeatedly painting him in unfavorable and often unfair lights.

By contrast, President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary (D-N.Y.) have overcome the vitriol that spewed from their mouths just a few months ago during the Democratic primary when Sen. Clinton went head-to-head with Obama. They are currently campaigning for Barack, who's attempting to become the first African-American U.S. President. The Clintons have also stated, along with Democratic nominee Joe Biden that Obama is "what this country needs."

Since McCain's slogan is "Country First," we need to consider our country and not consider McCain as even a possibility for our 44th President.

Eminem Book Scheduled For Fall Release

CLEVELAND - Rap artist Eminem, who's scheduled to release his long awaited CD before the end of the year is releasing a new book as well entitled, The Way I Am this fall.

The title comes from his 2000 song of the same name.

Born Marshall Mathers, the wildly successful artist's book will include his inner most thoughts as well as lyrics and exclusive photos never-before-seen.

The book is slated for an Oct. 21 release date.

Shocker: McCain Defends Obama to Hostile Crowd

CLEVELAND - Sen. John McCain held a town-hall type rally last night in Minnesota and was faced with an unexpected challenge.

Defend his rival to his rabid supporters.

As McCain went around the room speaking directly to the crowd, a woman told the Arizona senator that she was afraid of an Obama administration and went as far as calling the Democratic nominee an "Arab."

McCain took exception to that.

The elderly Republican nominee told her that Obama is not only not an Arab, but he's a "decent family man." He went on to another group in the crowd who were shouting epithets about Obama and voicing their fear and displeasure over the freshman senator's frontrunning status in the current U.S. Presidential election.

To a surprising chorus of boos, McCain told the crowd that his rival is "a person you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States." He also stated that he respects Obama in spite of their disagreements on certain pressing issues plaguing the nation.

"I think I'll be a much better president," McCain said to much applause.

The surprising remarks by McCain impressed me. After a week of disgruntled Republican supporters spewing their vitriol about Obama, I am very happy that someone finally spoke up and didn't allow such ignorance to continue.

People, especially McCain's running mate Gov. Sarah Palin, have accused Obama of hitting below the belt as well in his television ads and during his own rallies. Even if that is true, he has never encouraged words from his supporters that could very well end in violence.

Not to mention that Obama is black.

Race has always incited hostility in people, so the hateful words being thrown out about Obama carry an especially rancid taste. This could escalate to a horrific level, which is why McCain's admonishments were so important.

On this one McCain, I salute you.

Ninth Season Premiere of CSI Both Brilliant and Emotional

CLEVELAND - The long running CBS procedural drama, CSI opened its 9th season last night with a conclusion to last Spring's shocking cliffhanger.

Warrick Brown is dead.

Gary Dourdan, who played the beloved character since the show's inception in 2000 decided to leave the show earlier this year after he couldn't come to terms for a new contract with the show's producers. To facilitate his departure, a storyline was constructed for Dourdan's Brown to get tangled up in a mysterious tale involving the murder of a notorious crime boss.

Warrick was framed for the murder.

Upon his being cleared of any wrongdoing, he was shot a few times by an unscrupulous undersherrif just as last season ended.

I was beyond shocked.

With Warrick's fate hanging in the balance all summer, loyal fans of the show expressed their displeasure and hope that he would not die. Within the first three minutes of the new season's premiere episode, it was clear that he was done.

A very emotional installment and well done. But I only wonder how long it will take us true fans to get over such an awful turn of events.

Young Announces Show's 20th Episode Will End First Season

CLEVELAND - Entertainer Deante Young will produce two more episodes of his critically acclaimed talk show, then go on hiatus to revamp its format until it returns in early 2009 said his publicist.

Young, 31 is the creator and host of the Internet series, a Date with Deante, a reality show that has provoked a firestorm of controversy since its debut last April.

"My fans have supported me from Day One just as my critics have given me the finger since Day One," says Young in an interview with Access Hollywood. "I think its a fair balance."

The filmmaker promises that the second season will continue to push the envelope and will undergo a "creative makeover" before it returns in January 2009.

Reversal of Fortune

a Date with Deante (Freshly Squeezed O.J.) from April Fool's Entertainment on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND - O.J. Simpson gets acquitted of murder in 1995 and convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008 to lead off the exciting 18th episode of a Date with Deante.

Check out the new installment above.

Obama, McCain Throw Swift Punches in Second Debate

CLEVELAND - Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain stepped into the proverbial "ring" again last night with each other and battled to a standoff.

For the frontrunning Obama, that's akin to a victory.

Held in Nashville, Tennessee, the town hall-style debate (the second of three) saw both men clash over the usual key issues affecting the nation. The discussion focused heavily on the economy, taxes and healthcare and seemed fairly acrimonious at times.

Obama repeatedly linked the elderly Arizona senator to the highly unpopular President Bush while McCain continually painted his rival as inexperienced. "We don't have time for on-the-job training, my friends," said McCain of the freshman senator from Illinois.

In my opinion, McCain did what he always does; speak from the rich man's perspective. If he doesn't realize soon that most Americans are middle class and in a major bind, he'll lose this election in stirring fashion.

15 Years Ago Today: Jordan Retires For The First Time

CLEVELAND - Basketball great Michael Jordan retired from the NBA at the peak of his imposing skills 15 years ago today.

It was a very dark moment for his fans all over the world.

Jordan, 30 at the time had just come off a virtuoso season, his ninth as a pro in leading the Chicago Bulls to their third consecutive championship. Clearly the best player in the game, MJ set an NBA Finals record by averaging a searing 41 points per game. The Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-2.

"I have nothing left to prove," said Jordan at his somber and hastily scheduled press conference held at the Bulls' practice facility The Berto Center. Indeed, in less than a decade, Jordan had put his stamp on basketball and took it to unprecedented levels of popularity. To that point, he'd amassed a record-tying 7 straight scoring titles and won 3 MVP awards.

He also left the game under a cloud of suspicion and controversy. His propensity for gambling had become front-page news after a former golfing buddy wrote a tell-all book which branded the basketball hero as a gambling addict. Further adversity came for MJ when his father was found murdered in the summer of '93.

Though incredibly difficult for me at the time, it was heaven on Earth when Jordan returned to the court in March 1995. Of course, he retired twice more ... once in 1999 and finally, 2003.

Neither of those retirements hurt as bad as the one in '93. They were expected. The first one however, was totally out of left field considering Jordan had been on a roll and in his athletic prime.

Glad I finally got over it.

Unlucky 13: Simpson Found Guilty Of All Charges

CLEVELAND - On the 13th anniversary of his historic murder trial verdict, football legend O.J. Simpson was found guilty of all charges in his armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas.

Talk about irony.

Simpson, 61 now faces possible life in prison and will be sentenced on Dec. 5. Clarence "C.J." Stewart, Simpson's co-defendant was also found guilty of all 12 charges against him. On Sept. 13, 2007, Simpson allegedly gathered five armed men to reclaim much of his priceless memorabilia which the former NFL star contended was stolen from him.

The jury heard 12 days of testimony before deliberating for 13 hours. The verdict was reached at around 10PM PST and all the lawyers as well as the defendants made their way to the Clark County courtroom. When Simpson's fate was revealed, he winced and pivoted slightly toward his attorney Yale Galanter.

Judge Jackie Glass denied either men the possibility of bail.

I have felt a close connection with Simpson since those infamous murders 14 years ago. I supported him tirelessly back then and was rooting for him this time. When the news broke of a reached verdict, I felt nervous butterflies in my stomach just as I did then.

I pray that the appeals process produces a miracle for O.J.

Simpson Verdict: 13 Years Old Today

CLEVELAND - O.J. Simpson is currently awaiting the verdict on felony charges in his televised trial. That's exactly the situation he was in back in 1995 around this time.

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

That historic trial culminated in a shocking "not guilty" verdict 13 years ago today in a Los Angeles courtroom that essentially served as a television sound stage for the 9-month televised trial, a daily event that gripped the nation and influenced conversation all over the world. Currently, the former football great faces armed robbery and kidnapping charges in Las Vegas stemming from an incident in 2007.

Many Americans hope Simpson gets sent to prison for a long time in light of the perception that he got away with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman on June 12, 1994 which precipitated the so-called "Trial of the Century."

I watched the historic verdict with my mother back in '95 completely on pins and needles. I didn't want Simpson to go to prison but I felt it was a strong likelihood. When the acquittal was announced, I was beyond ecstatic.

Let's hope O.J. doesn't become the victim of karma this time around.

Palin Held Her Own But Remains A Risky Candidate

CLEVELAND - Most Americans expected Gov. Sarah Palin to botch her appearance at the first and only Vice-Presidential Debate last night.

Surprise surprise, she actually did well.

Palin was surprisingly sharp and confident in her matchup with veteran Sen. Joe Biden, a stark contrast to her recent public performances which led to many in the media as well as average Americans to call for her withdrawal from Sen. John McCain's Republican ticket.

That being said, Palin is still a shaky choice as possible V.P.

Biden also did better than expected and was clearly more knowledgeable about important issues such as foreign policy, health care, Iraq and most notably...the economy. While Biden linked Sen. McCain to the increasingly unpopular President Bush on several key points, Palin unleashed her plainspoken rhetoric and wit to gain, if nothing else, points on style and personality.

None of Palin's likability means a thing in regards to her viability as Vice-President. Sure, she acquitted herself well and far exceeded most expectations, but she still has too little understanding of key issues and procedures, and she uses her Hockey and Soccer Mom references to the point of annoyance.

Like the official polls, I say Biden won the debate but Palin didn't disappoint. Let's just say she did wonders for both camps and was incredibly respectful and friendly with her rival before, during and after the debate.

At the end of the night however, Barack Obama and Joe Biden remained the best choice.

Expect Palin To Crash and Burn in Debate

CLEVELAND - The highly anticipated Vice-Presidential Debate takes place tonight in St. Louis, Missouri, pitting Democratic senator Joe Biden against Republican governor Sarah Palin.

This could get ugly.

When senator John McCain chose Palin as his running mate in late August, it was immediately met with criticism and many raised eyebrows. The Alaskan governor had been a virtual unknown up until that point. Soon, her charming personality and great showing at the RNC sparked the Republican party and made her a national sensation.

That lasted all of two weeks.

Since then, Palin has proven to be an in-over-her-head greenhorn with a propensity for making both herself and her party look clueless and ridiculous with her sometimes moronic statements. Her now infamous quote about being able to see Russia from Alaska has only underlined the riskiness of her stepping in as U.S. President should McCain get elected and something awful happens to him.

During recent interviews, Palin has managed to embarrass herself even further and her very presence has threatened to undermine one of the central themes that McCain has built his campaign on.

Experience.

In Biden's case, he has had his share of gaffes and missteps but is generally regarded as a much better choice for Sen. Barack Obama's White House bid. Biden, who possesses decades of political experience will look to exploit his ticket's advantages while ever-so-subtly underlining Palin's shortcomings. Either way, don't expect much from Palin.

She's a guaranteed disappointment.

25 Years Ago Today: Jackson Begins Filming 'Thriller'

CLEVELAND - The legendary Michael Jackson began filming scenes for the most influential music video in history a quarter century ago today and even though no other website, television program or print publication will mention it, I feel as though the moment deserves attention.

I'm talking about Thriller.

The groundbreaking clip, more of a short film than music video, has had an enormous impact on the music industry as well as American culture at large since its debut twenty-five years ago and earned Jackson, 25 at the time the incredible distinction of "music video pioneer." Indeed, the reclusive entertainer still gets awarded accolades from that transcendent effort all these years later.

Filmmaker John Landis, along with Jackson, co-star Ola Ray and a crew large enough for a feature film took to the streets of Los Angeles late at night, namely on Union Pacific Avenue to film the video's centerpiece dance number. When all was said and done, a seminal masterpiece had been constructed and had its ballyhooed world premiere on December 2, 1983 on the previously segregated MTV network.

The 13-minute film was so incredible, indelible and insanely popular that the album of the same name skyrocketed back up the charts despite being released an entire year earlier!

Unprecedented.

When Vestron Video released "Making Michael Jackson's Thriller" a short time later, it became the biggest selling home videocassette in history. My six year old self was having the time of my life basking in the blinding glow emanating from Jackson's fame.

And it all started 25 years ago today. Wow.