2009 In Review: 10 Events That Caught My Attention

CLEVELAND - I've been reviewing many top moments of the past decade recently, but today I'm going to recap a few stand out moments from 2009 that caught my attention. These moments are a further reminder of how and why celebrity is so intriguing.

Here goes everything!

1. The Michael Jackson Odyssey, March-December: Since Michael was acquitted of child molestation charges in June 2005, he'd been in heavy seclusion from the public. On March 6, 2009, he resurfaced in London, England to announce a return to live touring. The disgraced icon hadn't toured in a dozen years and news of his planned residency at the famous O2 Arena was to span several months, beginning in July and running until the following Spring. Tickets for the event sold out in rapid fashion, earning about $85 million. Shockingly, Jackson died on June 25, just three weeks prior to the start date for the concerts. His death shook the planet and resulted in global tributes and appraisals of his legendary career and complicated legacy. Of course, it shook me to my core as did his widely telecast memorial service on July 7 in L.A. From there, the media attention continued relentlessly, especially with regard to Jackson's doctor, who administered the deadly drug that killed him. On August 29, many of Jackson's fans across the world held celebrations to honor his would-be 51st birthday. I personally donned a few of his trademark accouterments, played his music videos and songs and had a cake made with his name on it. I also sang happy birthday to him and had several emotional moments that day. Five days later, he was finally buried a full 70 days after his death and I proclaimed he'd "never be buried to me." A hastily pieced together "new" song of his was released on October 12 using decades old vocals, but I felt that it was bland and not at all something he would've put out himself. Two weeks later on October 28, his final artistic work was released to movie theaters all over the world. That work, a pseudo documentary musical film entitled Michael Jackson's This Is It was an assembly of Jackson's private rehearsals for his never-to-be concert tours. I was blown away at his highly detailed creative process, and the film itself garnered massive critical acclaim. It eventually earned more than $250 million worldwide and broke many box office records. In November, Michael was honored posthumously with four American Music Awards, which I felt was "an appreciation too late." Last week, many FBI files were released revealing the agencies' 13-year investigation of the megastar. As it turned out, nothing was ever found that would substantiate allegations of child sex abuse at his hands. In other words, he was essentially cleared of any wrongdoing. AGAIN. One sinister thing did crop up in the FBI report; some nutjob threatened to kill Michael and then-President Bush in 1992. The would-be assassin was trying to get Michael's sister Janet (whom he was obsessed with) to notice him, but was soon sent to prison.
2. Barack Obama Sworn In As 44th U.S. President, January 20: It was a truly transcendent moment in American history and felt like it as it unfolded. Obama greatly impressed me throughout his awesome campaign in 2008, so I was glued to the television when he was set to be inaugurated. With grace, class and endless intelligence, Obama made me proud to be an American. This was an amazing day from start to finish, and what a treat it was watching Obama and wife Michelle attend 10 different inaugural balls that night together and share a ceremonial dance at each one without the tired, stiff and bland monotony of past presidential couples.
3. Tiger Woods Sex Scandal, November-December: When someone is the most accomplished, transformative, iconic and wealthy figure in the history of their profession, it is only fitting that that person's private life would be of great national interest. That is why the stupefying fall from grace of Tiger Woods has been so riveting and garnered the relentless media attention that it has. Yes, I have been amazed at the number of mistresses that Woods has apparently been having sex with. But I have also come to the man's defense. Just because he is an ingenious golf legend worth hundreds of millions of dollars, doesn't mean he is immune from normal human behavior and insusceptible from making common mistakes. In any event though, this story will always be a colossal attention grabber.
4. Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame Speech, September 11: Jordan is the most iconic and well known brand in the history of basketball. He is also widely considered to be the greatest hoopster in league history which would seem to place a ton of pressure on the man to be humble. Judging from his Hall of Fame induction speech, he is a man who feels no need for humility. During MJ's speech, he recapped the past 30 years of his life, half of them spent as an NBA deity. He spoke of searing rivalries he's had with people since his high school years, both in his mind and outwardly. It was his insistence to prove his doubters wrong that birthed his legendary drive and work ethic. The way he seemed to gloat at his endless parade of triumphs at the expense of many ended up alienating many people that heard his vitriolic lecture. They wondered why a man as revered as Jordan was apparently so petty and punitive, even after he'd won basically everything possible in basketball. They wondered why the man is still holding grudges that are decades old. They rolled their eyes at his arrogance and elitist attitude and castigated him for not being more like fellow inductees John Stockton, David Robinson and coach Jerry Sloan. In other words, full of bland and humble effusion. What those critics never seemed to understand and apparently never will is obvious. Michael Jordan became and remained as great, accomplished and iconic as he was and is solely because of his uncompromised mentality. Period. If anyone has a problem with that, then they should really have a problem with people who never fulfill their promise or potential.
5. Kanye West Disrespects Taylor Swift, September 13: For all of West's prodigious talents as a record producer and recording artist, he has chosen to display a severe lack of tact, grace and humility quite often throughout his short but illustrious career. He took those deficiencies to another low level at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 13. As young country sensation Taylor Swift began her acceptance speech after winning an award, West stormed the stage and soiled her moment with a selfish rant about how he felt that fellow nominee Beyonce Knowles should have won instead of Swift. The unbelievable moment was met with immediate shock and booing and earned West an ejection from the building. In the days that followed, West's deplorable behavior ignited a national backlash against him and continues to be lampooned on television and radio. For me, it was classless, tasteless and should never happen between artists, especially when they all understand the artistic investment that they all make in creating their craft.
6. David Letterman Extortion Scandal Breaks, October 1: When Letterman used a pre-emptive strike to reveal a growing extortion attempt against him, America was stunned. What I admired so much about his disclosure was the way he encased it in heavy self-deprecation. Not to mention the fact that he blamed no one but himself for his ill-advised dalliances with female staffers on his venerable late night talk show. Letterman's accountability and contrition were amazing and refreshing, regardless of why they existed, but one other thing impressed me as well. The man never stopped telling jokes (while noting the similarities) about other high-profile men in similar situations as his. It is always awesome to be able to laugh and poke fun at yourself.
7. Chris Brown/Rihanna Domestic Abuse Story, February-December: I always marvel at the hypocrisy of people when it comes to almost any and everything. So when many people in the general public condemned singer Chris Brown for bruising up then-girlfriend and fellow singer Rihanna's face, I wasn't the least bit surprised. Of course, I'm not saying that it was okay or justified for Brown to hit her. I am really saying two things actually. One; no one except those two people know exactly what the exact circumstances of that incident was, so none of us should ever pretend to understand why things happened the way they did. Secondly, none of us are even remotely perfect and have certainly done ill-advised things ourselves. I'll bet anything that many of the same police officers that arrest and imprison domestic abusers are unconvicted and possibly undetected abusers themselves. It sickened me to hear people paint Rihanna as a beautiful and victimized angel when none of us know what she's like as a girlfriend. Suppose Rihanna, in the privacy of Brown's vehicle told him that she'd known that she was HIV-positive long before they became sexually involved. Is that not something that, in the heat of the moment could trigger an infuriated person to lose control? What if she had been pregnant with his child and he saw her snorting cocaine or smoking crack, he yells at her to stop for the sake of the unborn child, but she scoffs and refuses. Is that not a reason to lose control and wail on her? Now, neither of those things probably happened but the point is simple. Never judge a situation or circumstance until having knowledge of all the details. And never pretend that we aren't as imperfect as those whom we criticize.
8. The Sarah Palin/Levi Johnston Sideshow, January-December: When Sen. John McCain lost the 2008 election to Barack Obama, I thought America had seen the last of these two "characters" for at least a couple years or so. Boy was I wrong. From the outset of '09, we were besieged with reports of Palin's unwed-with-child daughter Bristol. Then we had to hear about Bristol's now ex-boyfriend Levi becoming a shameless media whore and peddling salacious stories about the Palins to every media outlet that he could find. Then there was Palin's overexposed mini-feud with David Letterman over a "tasteless" joke he told about one of her underage daughters. There was Levi posing in army fatigues armed with a rifle. There was Palin walking away from her job as Alaska's governor 18 months early. There was Johnston being offered to pose nude in Playgirl magazine. There was the Palin book and accompanying book tour. There was Levi getting a Hollywood makeover and doing pointless and contrived commercials. Then Palin's "legendary" sit-down with Oprah Winfrey! Enough of these desperate losers. Stay far away from our pop culture in 2010! 
9. Roman Polanski Captured, September 26: That filmmaker Roman Polanski was able to successfully avoid being arrested for 32 years on statutory rape charges is nothing short of a major miracle. The elusive auteur finally saw his legendary luck run out when Swiss law enforcement arrested him September 26 in conjunction with his infamous 1977 sex crime against a then-13-year old girl. While many in the media felt that Polanski, now aged 76 should still be forced to pay for his ancient crimes, I felt as though it was a done and over with story. Polanski's victim, now aged 45 has constantly asked the courts to basically act like it never happened and her wishes should hold some weight. The man has lived in a self-imposed exile for decades and has had to look over his shoulder at every turn. Not to mention the fact that he supposedly paid a financial sum to the victim (although that has been debated). All in all, this stunning tale has held my attention for years, but it is time to let it and Polanski go. Nothing can be gained or accomplished at this point.
10. Bruno Defaces Eminem, May 31: This was an event that upset me greatly when it happened. Whack job actor Sacha Baron Cohen made his entrance into the MTV Movie Awards clad in a slinky, flamboyant and winged costume and suspended high above the crowd by wires and pulleys affixed to the ceiling. As he babbled a series of ridiculous lines, he was lowered into the transfixed audience and ultimately landed bare-bottomed on hip-hop megastar Eminem. Making matters worse, Baron Cohen's bare backside ended up only a few inches from Eminem's face which caused the incensed icon to unload a series of expletives at the androgynous freak. Em, famously labeled homophobic for nearly a decade, demanded his coterie of rap artists to "get this motherf***er off [him]." Once the moron was pushed away, Eminem stormed angrily toward the building's exit with his crew following while the celebrity studded crowd sat in jaw-dropping astonishment. In the coming days, it was reported to have been a staged and flawlessly executed stunt with Eminem himself in on the "joke."

Bryant v.s. James: The Ultimate Christmas Gift

CLEVELAND - With today being Christmas, I felt it fitting to remind the world to be grateful for the gifts we've been given all year. Loved ones. Health. Strength. But there's another gift that today will bring; Kobe Bryant and LeBron James will go head-to-head in Hollywood.

Merry Christmas.

Most pro hoops fans are keenly aware of the famous rivalry between these two brilliant athletes. Bryant is in his 14th NBA season and has amassed an awesome career highlighted by 4 NBA titles. James has only been around for half as long, but has possessed the best combination of size, speed and skill of anyone in the game for years. So today might be a Cleveland Cavaliers-L.A Lakers matchup, but the delicious star quality of Bryant and James is what's actually gift wrapped inside of it. LeBron is the reigning league MVP. Kobe is the reigning Finals MVP. Both men possess the ethereal powers to bend a game, series or season in their favor.

And we get to see the awesome performance front and center on television without the hassle of trillion dollar tickets and endless lines of people. Forget the Cavs' record. Forget the Lakers' record. This is sure to be a treat and should only be appreciated for what it is.

The greatest show on Earth.

2000's In Review: My Favorite Albums

CLEVELAND - My taste in music has always been very diverse. From rap and hip-hop to country and pop, I love it all. So, with the end of the decade near, I am submitting a list of my favorite albums of the 2000's. But ironically, that list isn't very diverse at all.

It's almost all rap.

Don't let this list fool you. I am not one-sided like it will lead you to believe. It's just that I only buy rap albums, but I actually love individual songs of all genres. One day soon, I will start buying the entire albums of the eclectic blend of artists that I enjoy.

Here goes the list.

1. The Blueprint/Jay-Z, 2001: This album was such a huge deal to me, that when it was released on September 11, 2001, I practically ignored the horrific terrorist attacks on America. Instead, I focused heavily on getting this record, which to me is the best work of Jay-Z's career. Eschewing a typical rap album style, this opus showcased a remarkable soul and old-school flavor infused with twinges of modern pop and R&B. In the middle of it all was Jay-Z's incredible lyricism, all of which produced several stupendous tracks. His famous collab with Eminem on "Renegade" is present here, and helps to elevate this record to the upper echelon of the most classic hip-hop albums in history.
2. The Eminem Show/Eminem, 2002: Most critics place The Marshall Mathers LP as Eminem's best album, but this record to me was better. Released three weeks before summer 2002, The Eminem Show was Marshall's 3rd solo album and wowed me endlessly. His epic lyrical dexterity, coupled with his outrageous humor and wit made this a masterful effort. When it hit the shelves, I was amazed at how many young black men in urban neighborhoods had the CD booming through their car speakers. The surprise was in Eminem's pervasive appeal in spite of his race and often unconventional subject matter. Somehow, he crafted a superlative record that showcased a burgeoning legend at his maniacal best.
3. The Best of Both Worlds/Jay-Z & R.Kelly, 2002: Such a shame that this album never had a chance to flourish the way it should have. With the historic collaboration of the best rap artist on the planet and the best R&B artist on the planet, this album was beyond excellent. However, due to the child sex scandal of R. Kelly that surfaced at the same time as this album's release, The Best of Both Worlds was barely promoted. All music videos were canceled and Jay-Z began to distance himself from being associated with this masterpiece. Every single track was outstanding and the production was flawless. Jay-Z would later call the album "a wasted opportunity." I wholeheartedly agree.
4. The Marshall Mathers LP/Eminem, 2000: After his breathtaking debut the previous year, rap music's angriest and most vitriolic man returned better than ever. Eminem's brilliant sophomore effort was met with extensive critical acclaim, but also repudiation from America's conservatives. In any event, his rhymes were more intricate, precise and menacing. Dr. Dre's production was perfectly crafted and his beats fit Marshall's lyrics like a glove. Songs like "Stan" and "The Way I Am" gave Mathers a formidable reputation as a master lyricist. But the way he conveyed intense personal turmoil and channeled it into polished art was what really made the man an acclaimed genius.
5. Graduation/Kanye West, 2007: Each one of Kanye's first three albums could be considered his best. That's how good this guy is and he displays that brilliance in spades on Graduation. Nearly every song on here is single-worthy and practically was. For me personally, I get chills every time I hear "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" both because of its brazen honesty and sonic appeal. By now, West was flying high as an A-list record producer and hip-hop artist hyphenate and with good reason. Despite his seeming arrogance, the man is one of the most important figures in not just music today, but rap music history as well.
6. The Documentary/The Game, 2005: The first time I heard this rookie effort from The Game, I was instantly awestruck. It was obvious to me that the man is a pure student of hip-hop music and has studied the giants of the genre meticulously. What results on this record is absolute perfection in spite of Game's obsession with name dropping rap legends early and often. The man was able to craft a record so good, that he could legitimately say that he was better than his label superior at the time 50 Cent. Of course, the belligerent 50 would never have allowed that which is one reason why The Game hasn't been this good since then. 50 Cent sabotaged him. Even still, The Documentary is a smooth and delightful listen.
7. The Black Album/Jay-Z, 2003: By 2003, Jay-Z was considered a demigod in the world of rap music. With the release of The Black Album, that status was elevated even more. With Jay set to retire after its November 14th release, this record took on an even greater significance. But the bottom line is simple; this is a classic album from start to finish. Initially, I was unimpressed with the tracks which is nearly unthinkable now. But once I continued to listen closely, I was blown away. Amongst my favorite moments; "What More Can I Say?," "Moment of Clarity," "Threat," "PSA," and "1st Song." Jay-Z proved he was every bit as legendary as he told us he was on nearly every song. Thank God his retirement lasted just three years.
8. Get Rich or Die Tryin'/50 Cent, 2003: I had begun hearing murmurs in the summer of '02 about this mixtape hotshot named 50 Cent. After hearing him on the 8 Mile Soundtrack that autumn, I was unimpressed. The hype it seemed, was grossly overblown. Then came February 6, 2003 and I changed my tune quickly. I was living in a semi-rural area at the time and it was stunning to see long lines of country teens in FYE waiting to buy 50's debut record. When I copped it and took it home to listen, I was hooked. In spite of the sprawling 20 track playlist, this album was simply awesome. The cadence of his voice, his cockiness, his tales of street violence were all outstanding. I must admit that the song "Patiently Waiting" featuring Eminem was a major influence on why I loved the record. Now almost 7 years later, 50 Cent still hasn't approached the raw brilliance of his debut.
9. Chicken-N- Beer/Ludacris, 2003: What I loved instantly about Ludacris the first time I heard him was his enormous wit and sense of humor. This 2003 classic featured both of those attributes as well as a litany of excellent songs. From the rapid fire delivery of the record's intro and through hit songs such as "Splash Waterfalls" and "P-Poppin," this was the best album of Ludacris' decade long career. And let's not forgot the two hilarious tracks, "Hip Hop Quotables" and "Hoes In My Room." The latter features Snoop Dogg at his laid back lyrical and humorous best. Who could forget terms like "tupperware titties" and "booga bears?" Like I said. Classic.
10. Invincible/Michael Jackson, 2001: There may have been other albums that were better, but for me, Michael Jackson's return to recording after several long years away was an important moment. Not only was it a comeback of sorts, but the music itself was pure ecstasy. I love the self assuredness and palpable confidence that Michael displayed on the opening song "Unbreakable." The first half of the record was filled with first-rate lush ballads including my favorite "Heaven Can Wait" which I dedicated to my girl. The music video for "You Rock My World" sadly ended up being, for all intents and purposes, Jackson's final short film. The only reason I didn't rank this album higher is because the second half of it isn't nearly as awesome as the first half. It also suffers from what I feel was Michael's obsession to top his own un-toppable legacy. In any event, this record will always hold the distinction of being his final studio LP. That fact alone makes it a worthy addition to my favorite albums of this decade.
    

2000's In Review: Top 10 Movies According To Me

CLEVELAND - As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, I am looking back on the best and worst, the highs and lows and everything in between. Today, I'm naming my favorite movies of the decade.

Just my opinion, folks.

1. Training Day, 2001: When it was in theaters, I had the most difficult time trying to see it. One thing after another kept occurring which prevented my viewing of the flick. But when I finally saw it on DVD, I was blown away. Denzel Washington's unbelievable and Oscar winning portrayal of L.A. narcotics detective Alonzo Harris was both intimidating and hilarious. Every line he spoke in the film was either legendary or just plain funny. In any event, me and several of my friends consistently imitated his lines...and the cadence of his voice: "You've been smokin' PCP all day," Harris said to his understudy Jake Hoyt after forcing him to do the illegal narcotic, to which a mortified Hoyt responded: "You've been planning this all day?" Washington's Harris snapped back with an ominous and arrogant flair: "I've been planning it all week, son. You talk that crazy s**t, I'll make sure your blood gets back to the lab." As always, Denzel Washington was the quintessential master of cinematic excellence. 
2. Deja Vu, 2006: Once again, Denzel Washington delivered an ingenious performance, this time as an ATF agent who must travel four days back in time to prevent a terrorist attack on a ferry in New Orleans. Along the way, he also decides to save a murdered woman whom he falls in love with. This film wowed me greatly with its complex plot and storyline, especially the way it was intricately laced and woven through events early in the film and at its climax and denouement. In the middle of it all was Washington, who mastered the science fiction element of the film as expertly as a Steven Spielberg disciple.
3. Unfaithful, 2002: I never knew Diane Lane was such a hottie. This is the film that proved that for me beyond a shadow of a doubt. With her wayward portrayal as [Richard Gere's] adulterous wife, Lane was delicious in her deceit and stunning in her brazen audacity which was sparked by nothing that Gere as her husband did or didn't do. Erotic scenes and imagery aside, the cautionary tale about the impossibly tragic consequences that infidelity can bring to a relationship was both resonant and compelling.
4. 8 Mile, 2002: At the height of his glittering music career, Eminem was also a movie star. This film, loosely based on his pre-fame struggle to become a rap star was for me, much deeper than just a simple movie about rappers. It told a subtle story of being aware of how others view you and how those negative stereotypes can be used as a major advantage. This was evident throughout the film, but most notably in the climactic rap battle sequence. All in all, a very underrated movie with many great performances by its cast.
5. The Pursuit of Happyness, 2006: This film, arguably star Will Smith's most inspirational is based on the real life rags-to-riches story of Chris Gardner. Smith's nuanced and emotional portrayal was first rate and the underlying moral of "never give up on your dream" made for a truly indelible flick.
6. Hustle and Flow, 2005: This is when I became a Terrance Howard fan. Similar to 8 Mile in the sense that its urban musical elements obscured its true inspirational personality, this movie was a surprise hit and told the story of DJay, a small-time pimp who aspires to be a rap musician. Through many setbacks and false starts, his steely determination to realize his goal resonated with me greatly.
7. Seven Pounds, 2008: The great Will Smith continued to show his evolution as an actor in this film. Even though it wasn't as commercially successful as many of his films, the story was original and delivered in a very intricate way. Smith, as IRS agent Tim Thomas made a very careless and tragic mistake in his recent past and through intense guilt, sought major redemption. This set his unique yet vague-to-the-audience plan in motion and through it all, ended in a major tearjerker conclusion. I felt that Smith had grown and diversified as an actor, and this flick illustrates that.
8. American Pie 2, 2001: The original film in the trilogy was very popular with me. When the sequel came out in the summer of '01, I was over eager to see it. The plot follows Jim, Kevin, Finch, Oz and of course Stifler on their summer vacation from their first year in college. With all of its usual sexual themes and the crude humor of Seann Willian Scott's Stifler, this was a delightful and fun movie for me. Of course, the "kissing lesbians" set-piece was very well written and acted and made this installment better than Part 3, and nearly equal to the original.
9. White Chicks, 2004: The Wayans family have been a comedic powerhouse for 20 years and this film once again showcases that. With Marlon and Shawn at the controls, this film soars into uproariously funny territory. They are FBI agents who get extensively transformed to become white women in order to solve a crime. The writing is trademark Wayans, but the awesome Terry Crews steals the show with his laugh-out-loud portrayal of obsessed-with-white-women football star Latrell Spencer. At one point, I watched this movie three times a day.
10. Gran Torino, 2008: I never knew Clint Eastwood was so awesome and believable as a tough guy, but this movie made me a late arriving fan of the man. His gruff, raspy voiced and subtly racist portrayal of Walt Kowalski was genius. His habit of drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, sitting on his front porch armed with a shotgun and his trademark sneering at anyone he felt like sneering at were things that I enjoyed and soon imitated. In short, Eastwood was freaking awesome, even at age 78. The utterly unexpected conclusion upset me, especially in light of his tough guy claim in the film that "Me, I finish things."

2000's In Review: Top 10 Moments According To Me

CLEVELAND - Hard as it is to believe, we are on the cusp of yet another decade which means an evaluation of the outgoing one. So since there are just 10 days left in Year 10 of the 2000's, I will issue the top 10 moments of the decade as they were to me.

Just my opinion, folks.

1. June 25, 2009/The Death Of Michael Jackson: This event took place nine and a half years into the decade, but was nevertheless the biggest moment for me by far. I never knew that I was capable of crying so many billions of tears, but I did. Michael was more than a megastar, icon or figure on television to me. He was my father, brother, cousin, inspiration and mentor. The unbelievable and impossible horror and shock of that day still screws with my mind, but his indelible style, philosophy and unique genius will always pervade my own sensibilities and personality.

     2.  November 4, 2008/The Election of Barack Obama: I never thought it would happen in this century, 

          but it did; a Black man having a legitimate shot at the presidency and then actually winning it. I first  

          became aware of Barack Obama in 2006 when I curiously stared at him and his name of the cover of a 

          magazine. But it wasn't until 2008 that his formidable intelligence and steely ambition became evident 

          to me and he began his historic assault on U.S. history. I followed Obama's masterfully executed 

          campaign religiously, but I was totally unprepared for the tears I shed the night he earned the White 

          House. Even though I never experienced the Civil Rights Era or slavery, it was as if I had the same 

          sort of historical perspective as any 70 or 80 year old African-American. His acceptance speech was

          as transcendent as it was inspirational.

     3. September 11, 2001/Terrorists Attack America: It didn't matter to me much when it actually

         happened, but as the tragedy continued to unfold that morning, I became more and more nervous about

         what else might be on the horizon. In spite of my preoccupation with going to buy Jay-Z's released-that-

         day album The Blueprint, I fully understood that a major and horribly awful thing had been inflicted 

         upon our country. It was a day wrought with intense paranoia and epic sorrow for the thousands of 

         innocent people that died simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. One that I 

         will always look back on with more and more sadness every time.

     4. July 10, 2003/The Birth of My Second Daughter: The world didn't know about it, but it was a 

         major moment for me personally. My oldest daughter was 4 and a half years old at the time, but even

         though I'd experienced childbirth first-hand before, this was still a huge event. I attended every

         doctor's appointment with her mom for about eight months and that was enough to build major 

         anticipation for her summer arrival. When my child, Desiree Young entered the world at 6:24AM that

         morning, I promptly introduced my self to her by grabbing her tiny, clammy palm and saying to the 

         2-minute old squirmer, "it's nice to meet you." And it truly was.

    5.  October 30, 2001/Both MJ's Return To Their Stage: I called it "National Michael Day." It was the

         best of times for me that autumn day. My two all-time favorite legends returned to the public after years

         away. Michael Jordan, who retired  in January 1999 after a stunning pro basketball career returned to

         the court for his first game with the lowly Washington Wizards. Though he was very much past his      

         prime at nearly 39 years old, it was awesome to see the man back in his element. Michael Jackson

         hadn't made a brand new album in 10 years and his double CD from 1995 was half greatest hits. On

         this day, the greatest entertainer in history released what would come to be his final record, Invincible.

         Though many critics panned it, Jackson's brilliance was on full display on this album and even though it

         was an uneven performance, it was still a certified legend doing his thing. That made me happy.

     6. June 13, 2005/Michael Jackson Acquitted: I was so much on pins and needles when Santa Maria

         jurors began deliberating to determine whether Michael Jackson was going to prison for accusations of

         molesting a 13-year old boy. On this day, once the verdicts of "not guilty" of all ten counts came down,

         I cried uncontrollable tears of joy. I never believed Michael was guilty, but I know how vicious the

         media could be, especially with him since he'd been the tabloid's favorite target for nearly 20 years. This

         I felt would negatively influence the judge and jury and send him away for many years. Thankfully, he

         was exonerated but was never redeemed in the court of public opinion. But for me, Michael was

         exactly where he belonged; out of harm's way.

    7.  June 23, 2007/The Woman I Loved Said She Never Loved Me: I had been through many trying

         times with my fiancee and vice-versa. In spite of that, we always managed to emerge from each 

         challenge stronger than ever. On this day however, it seemed as if we had reached the point of no 

         return. After a disheartening and stunning metamorphosis by my girl, she capped off several months of

        shocking disrespect and callous behavior towards me by telling me on this day that she she "never loved"

        me as anything more than a friend. This was unfathomable given the fact that we'd been together for

        nearly six years of highs and lows. The next day, after having much time to think and reconsider, she still

        held firm to what she'd said. That was incredibly earth shattering for me and when she told me months

        later that she didn't mean it, it felt contrived. The damaged had already been done.

   8.   October 31, 2002/My Fiancee Leaves Me: I've had bad experiences with women and awesome  

         ones with women. But on this Halloween Day, the woman whom I was madly in love with and had       

         become engaged to just 8 and a half months earlier ditched me for reasons that made no logical sense. 

         Making matters worse, she shockingly cheated on me three weeks before -- all behavior that was   

         impossible to foreshadow given her seemingly angelic perfection and bucolic upbringing. In any event,

         it reduced me to a bumbling, depressed mountain of tears. The love of my life had left me. But she came

         back.  

   9.  April 16, 2003/Jordan Flies Away Forever: Michael Jordan has been one of my biggest heroes for 

        many years, so each time he retired, a bucket of my tears followed him off the court. When he played

        the Wizards' final game of the 2002-03 season in Philadelphia, his groundbreaking pro career flashed

        before my eyes on top of the tears. Hit with the realization that MJ would never again grace pro 

        basketball with his iconic presence, I was inconsolable for awhile after he waved goodbye to the game

        that made him world famous and insanely wealthy.

 10.  March 24, 2009/My Childhood Home Is Tore Down: This was unforeseen and very sad. The 

        extensively dilapitaded house that I was conceived in and lived in until I was 18 years of age was 

        demolished due to its very poor condition. It was truly the end of an era for me since that is the location

        in which that I learned to talk, walk, create and entertain. I fell in love with Michael Jackson in that house

       and watched the "Thriller" video for the first time ever in that house. I watched him dominate the 1984

       Grammy Awards in that house. Even though I moved out in the summer of 1995, my grandfather 

       continued to live there for another 12 years. During that time, I frequently visited the house either to see

       him or to just sit on the steps as though I was still a resident. Even during the final year and a half of its

       existence when it was abandoned, I still sat on its porch in spite of the boarded up windows and 

       overgrown grass. That house and I still had a connection.

Brittany Murphy Had Both Beauty and Talent

CLEVELAND - I'm no different than most everyone else when they learned of Brittany Murphy's sudden death yesterday at the far-too-young age of 32. I'm saddened, shocked and finally reflective. That young woman brought a whole lot of wonderful to the table.

And she will be missed dearly.

Murphy, a Hollywood actress for nearly two decades was far from being A-list. But in spite of that, she played several memorable roles in film and even some unsung ones on television. I wasn't exactly a fan of hers in the purest sense, but I was aware of her work and I admired and respected it. In the 1995 film Clueless, it was nearly impossible for me to take my eyes off the alluring Alicia Silverstone, yet Murphy was certainly memorable in her "frumpy rawness." Her mystery and humility was even more noticeable when juxtaposed with Silverstone's brazen superficiality in that flick. Seven years later, she apparently shed her dowdy appearance and had blossomed into a real beauty, next getting my (this time) undivided attention in the film 8 Mile. Her scenes with Marshall Mathers were enticing as she masterfully portrayed young vixen Alex with a luscious flair. 

Who could forget their sex scene?

Murphy did other, less-known films over the years and should be applauded for her work in those too. All I know is, for me to not be a big fan of hers...she certainly was on my mental radar when I got the tragic news. That's because she was anything but obscure; just ask the folks in Hollywood and they'll say the same thing I would.

Brittany Murphy left an awesome impression.

Woods Scandal Exposes Blacks As True Racists

CLEVELAND - I've always been very proud of being an African-American, but that doesn't mean that I will ignore it when my fellow Blacks show their racial ignorance. The Tiger Woods sex scandal has brought out the very worse in my people and it is quite frankly, an embarrassment.

Seriously.

Woods, the legendary golfer and multi-millionaire product endorser has been in hiding during the past three weeks after a mysterious car crash morphed into a full expose of his habitual adultery. With the national media ripping his once squeaky clean public image to shreds, Woods has become persona non-grata for many Americans but remains a deity to many others. In no way will this setback taint his colossal legacy in the long run, but for now Woods is taking some very hard hits.

Many Blacks, especially women have vilified Woods because of his marriage to a white woman. Indeed, Elin Nordegren is a blonde beauty and has children with Woods, who himself is part Asian, Native American, Dutch and Black. To those in the black community, Woods is a black man plain and simple. As a result of this thinking, they have often expressed disdain at Woods for referring to himself as "Cablinasian," a term he coined to describe his entire ethnicity. Add in the facts of the ongoing sex scandal, which has revealed that each of the many mistresses that Woods has cheated on his wife with have all been pale faced white women, many with blonde hair and you get a nation of black women wanting to all but assassinate Woods.

Ignorant.

What I've read in the past few weeks from esteemed blacks is that Woods should be with a black woman. I've also read that many black women are infuriated that wealthy and famous black men seem to purposely seek out white women to have as wives, girlfriends etc. instead of "their own kind." They cite pro athletes such as O.J. Simpson, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Woods as being major offenders. Journalist Bryant Gumbel, mogul Russell Simmons and musician Seal are on the list as well for being "sell outs." No one ever mentions that Jordan was married to a black woman for 17 years and had three children with her. They also never mention that his new girlfriend isn't white, she's Cuban. Not that it matters. Or that Simpson had three children with his first wife, who happened to be black. All that gets talked about is how these super successful black men choose a white woman at some point in their life and how that is akin to committing a crime.

Yeah okay.

I even read a quote from a scholarly black woman who said she's happy that President Obama is married to a black woman and that if he'd married a white woman, then she would have thought twice about voting for him. That is one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard anyone say. Obama is bi-racial. His black father abandoned him as a child and he was raised by his white mother and white grandparents. That is where his intelligence and confidence developed; in a loving white upbringing. Yet, it would have made him less appealing to many black voters if he had married a white women, even though that was probably the most likely thing to happen given his upbringing and who showed him the most love as a child and adolescent.

People are stupid.

Obama is thought of and packaged as our first black president, so therefore many blacks choose to only see him as black. In truth, he has as much right being with a white woman as anyone else has. Same with Woods. His mother is Chinese, Thai and Dutch...but according to the idiots, the small part of black in him is what he should focus on more. Whatever. It sickens me to say this, but black folks that have these opinions only want to be able to lay claim to the black people that have done extraordinarily well for themselves. That's why they claim bi-racial stars like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Halle Berry as being singularly black when they aren't. If a bi-racial person did something horrible and criminal, would these black people claim them as readily?

Doubtful.

During the slave days and the segregated era of the first sixty plus years of the 20th century, black people were angered at the double standard that existed in this country. The White man treated us unfairly solely because of our race and nothing else. Equality didn't exist, which is exactly what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought so hard for. We still don't have it all the way, but things are much better. So when Blacks are being just as bad as Whites have been (stick with your own kind, Boy), it makes us all look bad.

Get a clue my Black people.

Without MJ, Jackson Brothers Bland And Boring

CLEVELAND - Watching "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" on television last night began as a curiosity, then descended into intense boredom and ultimately embarrassment. Featuring brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito, this shameless "reality show" ignored its most glaring reality.

Without Michael Jackson, the other brothers suck.

I hate to say it, but that has been fact for 40 years now. The fact that these four non-descript middle aged men are appearing in their own "mini-series" on A&E less than six months after Michael's death feels curiously and suspiciously suspect and opportunistic. But I won't venture into that territory. Instead, I want to condemn this farce as arguably the most worthless piece of trash in the history of American television. Its only appeal is in examining what the brothers were feeling after that horrible news came to the world on June 25, 2009.

Because of the white-hot luminosity of Michael's mega stardom, the other brothers never had a chance of being worthwhile. That was obvious even in 1969, when an 11-year old Michael enraptured the crowd and television audiences on The Ed Sullivan Show with his singing and awesome stage presence. The other brothers were in the background for a reason and should never have been allowed on center stage. It's not that they're completely terrible or totally untalented, it's just that they can't be evaluated without being compared to Michael's stunning brilliance and groundbreaking career. It was very telling when, during a scene in the debut episode the brothers arrived at a dance studio to work on some moves. While we are being forced to try and look at these guys on their own merits, their 1978 hit "Shake Ya Body (Down to the Ground)" blares over the speakers with Michael's indelible and magnificent voice filling the room singing the lead vocals. At that moment, it is shown very subtly that Michael Jackson was overqualified to even be a member of the Jackson family.

I'm just sayin'.

Of course, there was the usual bickering and petty disagreements between the brothers and too many seemingly fake moments, but what was most appalling is how every time an interviewer asked the brothers if they were financially capitalizing on Michael's death, they issued truly inane rejoinders that went something like "how can we capitalize off something we created together?" In other words, these delusional wiseguys feel as though they were all equal to Michael, you know the man that authored a litany of legendary albums and music videos and became the most iconic and popular entertainer in history.

Um, yeah.

There was another moment in the show where Jackie, Marlon and Tito visited a record store. As they perused the CD section marked "Jackson," they ran across a multitude of family hits. There were several classics from Michael and a few from his fellow family icon Janet and maybe two or three Jackson 5 records. Marlon marveled at the expansive collection that his family had at the store and mumbled to Tito proudly, "we need our own division." I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. Will these guys ever understand that "we" is far too strong a word for what the legendary Michael Jackson accomplished on his own? That Janet Jackson accomplished on her own? Beyond those two seminal figures, the Jackson clan is far from being a dynasty.

Delusional and irrelevant is more like it.

Tiger Woods Is Latest Victim Of Public Hypocrisy

CLEVELAND - Tiger Woods is one of the wealthiest, widely admired and highly accomplished pro athletes in history. His skills on the golf course are nonpareil and his focus is stunning. But in spite of all that uncommonality with the average human being, he is and was always just a human being.

Imagine that.

This past week has been one nightmare after another for the world's number one golfer. After a mysterious minor accident on Thanksgiving night, his perfectly cultivated public image and brand have sustained major damage. With several women claiming to have been sexually involved with the married Woods during the past few years, his sterling reputation has come under fire and his moral character ripped to shreds by the national media and the general public.

Quite simply, folks have labeled Woods a loser and a jerk for "destroying the sanctity" of his marriage. I have been appalled to hear people also say that Woods should never again be considered a role model because of the "transgressions" (as he put it in a statement on his blog) he committed against his family.

Yeah, okay.

Hey, I'm not advocating or endorsing Woods' behavior. I just think it's crazy that people, especially the media have spent the past 12 years building him up to all but be deified and in the process, they forgot that he was still just a person despite his colossal achievements in his sport. Sure, he's worth hundreds of millions of dollars and his career has been both groundbreaking and breathtaking. But he's still a person that made a mistake and guess what? Us humans tend to make mistakes, often the same mistakes over and over.

Woods has been deliberately vague as to what he actually and specifically did wrong. As a result, we've had to receive the sordid details through others, including a mistress that he met in 2007 who this week released a voice mail of Woods calling her to "cover his tracks." As bad as this will sound, global fame and fortune doesn't erase the fact that Woods is still just a male with sexual urges. Yes he's married, but men and women have been known to stray for obvious reasons as well as clandestine ones.

Tiger Woods is a human being.

As for the people that say he should never again be seen as a role model, I challenge them to look in the mirror and think back on their own mistakes and bad judgments. If firefighters and doctors have an indiscretion or two, does that erase the role model type good that they do everytime they save a person's life? Since we all know that humans are not infallible, why do we act as though the people that we idolize and canonize are perfect? From priests to schoolteachers, everyone has had their screw ups. So since Woods is being persecuted for his, shouldn't all of us get the same treatment? Just because he's a public figure, those rules don't change. Each one of us are "public figures" to our children and spouses and friends when we fail at being perfect so we should strip ourselves of any role model worthiness as well.

I'm just sayin'.

Jay-Z At 40: Celebrating His Impossible Reality

CLEVELAND - Jay-Z once rapped in a song: "difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week." Today, as the legendary hip-hop artist/tycoon turns 40 years of age, I think it's worth celebrating the man's obvious belief in those words. And that's why he is one of the greatest inspirations in history.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Carter.

Mr. Carter, as in Shawn Corey Carter (Jay-Z's birth name) is nothing short of amazing. Most talk nowadays by his naysayers and critics centers on his age, which is considered ancient in the young dumb and full of cum world of rap and hip-hop. But the truth is, Jay-Z has excelled so well at his craft, that it has become merely one of his considerable attributes as he's parlayed his prodigious prowess on the mic into a half billion dollar empire. In other words, no one in hip-hop even touches his legacy, nor his smooth command of the music. But man, these young dudes try to make their listeners think and believe that he's an antiquated relic, when in reality he's the best in the business.

Even at 40.

What amazes me about Jay-Z is how transcendent he is. The man was born into poverty in the oft-mentioned Marcy Housing Projects in NYC. Without the benefit of having his father around, he became a street kid turned drug dealer in the mid-1980's. A few years later, he turned his circumstances around and began building his lyrical legend in the early '90's. By the end of that decade, he'd become the hottest superstar in rap and the owner of his own record label.

Fast forward to right now and the man's story gets even more stunning. Married to super beauty Beyonce Knowles. Friends with the president of the United States. Owner of a successful clothing line. I'm in awe of Jay's crossover appeal; holding company with Oprah Winfrey and President Obama with an elegant and dignified flair, while "chillin" with LeBron James and Young Jeezy in all of his "hood nigga" turned executive posturing. As further proof of his adaptability, throughout his illustrious career, Jay has performed with such contrary music acts as Linkin Park and Bono, played smooth in duets with Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys then brought it hard and heavy in collaborations with the Notorious B.I.G., Kanye West and friend turned foe Beanie Sigel.

The king of versatility.

Though guys like 50 Cent have mocked Jay for being accepted into the upper crust society that embraces Oprah while trying to maintain a street edginess and credibility, I feel that Jay's success in doing that only expands his legend. Indeed, Jay has done what was actually nearly impossible; a poor black kid who turned to a life of drug dealing became a wealthy mogul with Madison Ave. appeal and a resonance across both impoverished and privileged communities.

At 40, that's the deck of cards Jay-Z is playing with. Who else can say that?

Influence Of Jackson's Thriller Video Still Amazing

CLEVELAND - I'll never forget how I felt the first time I watched "Michael Jackson's Thriller" video because even though I was just six years old, I knew that is was a masterpiece of originality and brilliance.

I'm not kidding.

It was 26 years ago today that the groundbreaking music video premiered on MTV after a much ballyhooed promo campaign in the weeks leading up to its release. Even though it was officially a music video for the title track of Michael's unstoppable album, it was ostensibly a short film musical complete with a storyline, horror film motifs and expensive special effects. Jackson had already wowed the world with his creativity in music videos with the early 1983 clips for "Billie Jean" and "Beat It." But "Thriller" was a far more ambitious endeavor as Jackson treated it like a feature length film from the start. The 25-year old megastar eschewed traditional music video protocol and instead enlisted film director John Landis to helm the project.

It had never been done before.

MJ also brought in acclaimed film make-up artist Rick Baker to make the gore of the flick as realistic as possible. In other words, he went all out and spared no expense to craft a stunning film that would amaze its viewers and acquire a lasting legacy. As a result, the budget was outlandishly high for '83 and nearly derailed the film's production.

Nearly.

Looking back, it stuns and amazes me when I think of how ahead of his time Michael was. Nothing about the "Thriller" video was standard or commonplace and its tour-de-force nature inspired artists then and since then to up their game and their creativity. While it is very true that the "scary" nature of the video terrorized countless children nationwide, the true scariness was in just how brilliant Jackson's mind was. He trumped every one of his peers, not just because he outworked them, but because his outside-the-box thinking was fourth dimensional.

If anyone wants to know how enormous of an impact "Michael Jackson's Thriller" still has, take one look at the recently completed worldwide "Thriller dance" in which prisoners and scores of individuals from foreign countries get together in their streets and re-create the famous, synchronized choreography of the video. Take a look at any contemporary music video and notice the "story" as well as the costumery and how slick the production is. Those characteristics derived from the ultimate game changer; "Thriller" and today's artists readily admit its influence on them.

Just one more reason why Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer in history.

Pryor's Influence Extended Beyond Fellow Comics

CLEVELAND - Richard Pryor was once very flatteringly called "The Picasso of [comedy]." Bob Newhart once labeled him "the seminal comedian of the last 50 years." Very effusive praise for a man as tortured and flawed as Pryor, but millions the world over agreed with those sentiments.

Including me.

Today is the 69th anniversary of Pryor's birth. Since he sadly died nine days after his birthday in 2005, I'm simply calling it an anniversary as opposed to an actual birthday. In any event, Pryor's physical absence on Earth pales in comparison to his very pervasive presence and enormous influence over the world of comedy, even nowadays. Scores of comedians were influenced by Pryor and became comics themselves. His frank observations on race, social issues and sex were fascinating. His unadulterated style of delivering those observations was riveting and wholly groundbreaking. Where his critics saw filth, his fans saw uncompromised honesty. He wasn't so much vulgar and obscene as much as he was perfectly plugged into the hidden psyches of the common man.

It served him quite well.

As a child, I was enamored with Eddie Murphy's comedic style. Later, I discovered that Murphy himself was essentially a disciple of Pryor and shamelessly (and secretly) emulated him as an adolescent living on Long Island in the mid-1970's. So as it turns out, the man I grew up idolizing was actually infusing me with Pryor-inspired doctrines and attitudes with a little of his own interpretations thrown in. It's no wonder that, when my step father would send me out of the room so that he could listen to one of Pryor's groundbreaking comedy albums, that I would chuckle hysterically in the next room after overhearing it through the walls.

It is a well known fact that Pryor has long been canonized in the world of comedy. Luminaries such as Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Steve Harvey, Dick Gregory, Chris Rock and Jamie Foxx have all issued very glittering praise for the man and extolled his massive legacy. What I'm more interested in is how he impacted me and my sensibilities as an entertainer and comic. Because of Pryor, I am always unafraid to push the envelope or make a blunt observation of an inconvenient truth. Though I hated Pryor's often masochistic and self-loathing tendencies, I realize that those exact qualities birthed his incredible gifts and talent.

Long live Richard Pryor.

27 Years Ago Today: Jackson Redefined Music

CLEVELAND - Michael Jackson came to the world's attention as a blindingly gifted child star in the late 1960's. A decade later, he morphed into an adult superstar with the 1979 release of Off the Wall. But the most important day of Jackson's career didn't take place until November 30, 1982.

At the time, it felt like just another day.

Today marks the 27th anniversary of the release of the historic Thriller album. Released on Epic Records, it was Michael's sixth solo album and his second straight collaboration with super producer Quincy Jones. At the time, Jackson's status in the music industry had not yet become ethereal. It was merely outstanding thanks to the chart topping success of Off the Wall. He was seen as an incredible vocalist who possessed a huge repertoire of dance moves and at age 24, he was a burgeoning superstar. The Thriller album was met with mild kudos, not universally effusive praise when it hit record stores. Some critics even issued negative reviews of the album, especially after the tepid yet fun lead single (a duet with Paul McCartney) called, "The Girl Is Mine" hit radio five weeks before the entire album debuted.

It wasn't until the first couple months of 1983 that the album became a runaway freight train of unparalleled success. Jackson crafted a cutting edge music video for the song "Billie Jean" which infused the record with a huge jolt of electricity. The music video for "Beat It" was issued in early spring and became another massive hit with its amazing merging of rock, pop and heavy metal. By now, it was becoming very clear that Michael was the biggest star in music and his popularity was greatly augmented by his visual style.

With his show-stopping performance of "Billie Jean" on the televised "Motown 25" special, Michael had officially ascended to legend status and had become a veritable pop culture phenomenon. His singing, dancing, wardrobe and command of the stage were as awesome, precise and singularly brilliant as anyone in the history of show business. During the next several months, he released more "low-key" singles from Thriller, all the while planning his most ambitious project yet.

The film for the album's title track.

Released on December 2, 1983, "Michael Jackson's Thriller" took amazing to another level. Filmed and produced as though it were a feature length film, the 14-minute opus firmly entrenched the 25-year old Jackson into the ranks of only the most accomplished pioneers in entertainment history. The groundbreaking flick caused the one year old album to once again scale the music charts and sell an astonishing one million copies per week after nearly 55 weeks in release. This ushered Jackson into 1984 on an historic streak of unfettered success, popularity and achievement. It was no surprise that the supernova earned 16 awards in less than six weeks for the superlative album.

Sheesh.

By now, sales of Michael Jackson apparel and other accouterments were in the tens of millions. "Making Michael Jackson's Thriller" became the biggest selling home video in history and his signature Jheri-curled hair was a mainstay as was his single, white glittery glove. It was ironic that Jackson was such an original figure given the fact that he was an amalgamation of many showbiz legends from Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire to Sammie Davis, Jr. and James Brown. The degree of idolatry that engulfed his very being was on par with Elvis Presley and even The Beatles. Thriller, the album went on to become the biggest seller in history with some estimates set at an absolutely staggering 104 million copies sold globally!

I believe that the true legacy of Thriller lies in the fact that it changed the way the music business handled and promoted new music. The crossover hits on the record, the shattering of racial barriers, the numerous songs released as singles, the revolutionary nature of the music videos that created even greater fanaticism with the album, Jackson's singular and imitable style and the sheer perfection in every facet of the production and performing of the music. In short, Thriller birthed the music industry as we know it today.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the great Michael Jackson for blessing us with that indelible masterpiece 27 years ago today.

Jackson's 4 Awards Are An Appreciation Too Late

CLEVELAND - First off, I am absolutely thrilled that the great Michael Jackson won four awards at the 37th annual American Music Awards last night. But I am outraged that it took the man's death to occur for him to get properly appreciated.

That's disgusting.

Everyone knows that I adore and love Michael and always have, but this isn't a "fan rant" on my part. I'm just very upset that, prior to last night, Michael hadn't won an AMA in 20 freakin' years! Yes, he has now won a record 23 AMA's, but the four he posthumously won last night seemed to be too little too late in appreciation of the relentlessly vilified Jackson. Even the man who accepted his awards on his behalf, his brother Jermaine was a questionable choice. Jermaine is the man who so often defends and praises his legendary brother with great effusion, but he's also the guy that wrote, recorded and released a vitriolic diatribe in the form of a song against Michael in 1991.

Jerk.

Even though it is obvious that Michael's stunning death five months ago greatly influenced sentiment towards him in voting last night, it is also true that he genuinely deserved each of the awards he won. He'd been nominated for five, and won four, losing out to teen sensation Taylor Swift, who very deservedly won Artist of the Year. Swift, beauty that she is, accepted her award via satellite and was humble and thoughtful as she acknowledged Michael's iconic brilliance and lamented his loss saying, "we'll miss and love [him] forever."

Michael dominated the AMA's 25 years ago. That was the evening that he, flanked by Brooke Shields and Emmanuel Lewis won a record 8 awards for his steamrolling Thriller album. His fame and popularity were at an all-time high at that time, and he was still the world's most dominant and iconic entertainer when he won five years later. In the two decades since that last win in 1989, he became an oft-maligned, heavily criticized and mocked pariah. Dogged by two different child molestation allegations a decade apart and a rapidly changing visage, Jackson's superlative legacy absorbed massive destruction. As a result, he became a laughingstock to idiots the world over, though he still retained a great measure of his enormous mystique (especially abroad) and by the spring of 2009, he had planned a stunning comeback to the world of live performing.

When he died on June 25, 2009 as a result of a prescription drug overdose, it tore my world apart but predictably, it provoked and inspired global tributes and a re-evaluation of his legend. Even his hastily assembled film, "Michael Jackson's This is It" has received extensive critical acclaim. As far as I'm concerned, the world should have shown Michael this love while he was around to appreciate it.

This praise now just seems fake.

20 Years On, 'Back to the Future II' Still Awesome

CLEVELAND - Michael J. Fox is one of my all-time favorite actors, but I must admit, it's probably because of just one of the many roles he has played during the past three decades and it may not even be his most popular.

Marty McFly.

That's right. Fox's portrayal of the 17-year old skateboarding, aspiring musician in 1985's blockbuster hit film Back to the Future got me hooked like a raging crack addict on both he and the film. Needless to say, I eagerly anticipated the long awaited sequel which ended up taking four years to come to movie theaters. And so it was, 20 years ago today that Back to the Future, Part II premiered, much to the delight of my 12-year old self. I had been hanging on every little morsel of info I could that came out prior to the sequel's release. I salivated with joy at a featurette that was produced and broadcast in the weeks leading up to the film's theatrical release. In short, I was insanely obsessed.

Fox starred on TV's "Family Ties" as the ultra-Conservative and proudly young Republican Alex P. Keaton beginning in 1982. When Back to the Future was released in '85, he was in the midst of his third season and enjoying tremendous success on the series. By the time the sequel came out, "Family Ties" had ended and Fox, at age 28, still convincingly played the adolescent McFly with charm, verve and enthusiasm. He even played multiple roles in the flick as well as the finale to the trilogy which was filmed concurrently to Part II and released six months later.

Back to the Future, Part II picked up when the first film left off. Still set in 1985, the sequel called for Fox as McFly to travel 30 years into the future to 2015 to fix a "flaw" in his future kids' life. Doing more harm than good, McFly unknowingly returns to his "present time" of 1985 thinking all was corrected. He soon finds that he must return to 1955, the era to which he traveled in the first movie to correct a "simple error" he made in 2015 that wound up ruining not only his own past and present, but his entire family dynamic and the world at large! The film allowed us to view events and scenes from the first movie at different angle against the backdrop of a more layered and complex story.

It was amazing and innovative.

The film ended in a cliffhanger, just as the first one did and segued into the Western-themed Back to the Future, Part III. Among the awesome aspects of Part II was the hoverboard in 2015 as well as the Nike sneakers with "power laces."

It saddens me to this day that Fox became afflicted with Parkinson's Disease two years after this film's release, though he didn't publicly disclose that until 1998. Now 20 years hence, he has since retired from acting because of the degenerative nature of the disease, but he's remarkable in his positive attitude about it. In Back to the Future, Part II, the 1985 McFly always grew enraged when someone called him a chicken and that fact greatly compromised his future. For Michael J. Fox, he's been anything but a "chicken" in dealing with his present.

That's why, no matter what, his future will always be bright.

'Harlem Nights' Ended A Brilliant Era In Comedy

CLEVELAND - As a child, I idolized one of the worst people a child of the 1980's could idolize: Eddie Murphy. From his hilarious stint on Saturday Night Live to his mega successful films, Murphy was a huge part of where my comedic sensibilities derived. But to me, his true genius hit its apex with the release of Harlem Nights.

The critics hated that flick.

Hard to believe, but it was 20 years ago today that Murphy's final film of the '80's hit movie theaters nationwide. But Harlem Nights, a period piece set in 1938 Harlem, NY had far more value than its unimpressive storyline would indicate. First off, Murphy wrote, directed and starred in the film. Secondly, he assembled a highly accomplished cast that featured Danny Aiello and Michael Lerner as well as Della Reese and Jasmine Guy. Those people were just the icing on the cake. The cherry on top was the appearance of legendary comedians Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx alongside Murphy, who was the biggest box office draw in the U.S. at the time.

Pryor, who turned 49 a month after the film's release had long been the biggest comedic influence for Murphy, who turned to comedy as a result of being amazed at Pryor's racy performances. Similarly, Foxx had been one of Pryor's influences early in his career.

The story of the movie is less important when compared to the awesome assembly of three generations of comedic gold. Foxx, then 67 was best known for his legendary portrayal of junk dealer Fred Sanford on the 1970's sitcom Sanford and Son. Pryor was quite possibly the biggest influence in the history of modern comedy and like Foxx, enjoyed a successful acting career. Murphy, at age 28 was the baby of the group but had amassed far greater film success and financial rewards than both Pryor and Foxx combined. Even still, the hilarious triumvirate meshed well together and each had their individual moments of humorous grandeur in the film.

As great as Harlem Nights was as a showcase of legendary black talent, there is a very sad fact about what that movie came to represent. Pryor had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just three years prior to this film but had not yet begun showing any of the debilitating signs of the disease. Just a few years after Harlem Nights, the effects of MS became so visually obvious that Pryor began to look and act like a shell of his former self. Foxx died less than two years after Harlem Nights premiered and Murphy's film career, nearly perfect until this film was never quite the same. In essence, Harlem Nights ended an amazing era in comedy.

Pryor died in December 2005, which saddened many who remembered the man as a true giant in his field. Though no longer an A-list actor, the 48-year old Murphy has spent the past 15 years reinventing himself as an actor. He hasn't done stand up in 22 years, since 1987's Eddie Murphy Raw, but he still holds some appeal to children (of all people) with his more family friendly roles.

Harlem Nights was a huge deal to me in 1989. Not only did it contain my man Eddie, it also featured Arsenio Hall in a bit part. Hall's celebrity was heavy on the rise at the time because of his eponymous late night talk show which had become a sensation, and I was a big fan of his too. I must admit, I refuse to accept anything Murphy has done after his awesome string of hit films in the '80's (except 1992's Boomerang) so Harlem Nights was almost like saying goodbye to the Eddie Murphy that I knew and loved.

I still can't believe it's been 20 years!

Jordan Deserves LeBron's NBA Proposal

CLEVELAND - LeBron James, basketball prodigy extraordinaire, mentioned last week that he will switch from uniform number 23 and start wearing his Olympic number 6 next season and hopes that the NBA will follow his lead and retire the number league wide in honor of Michael Jordan.

Many have scoffed at this idea.

James, 25 next month is in his 7th NBA season. During his still ascending career, he has both met and exceeded the sky high expectations placed on him after a stunning and highly publicized high school career. Jordan, the recently enshrined basketball Hall of Famer has been widely considered the greatest NBA player in history for at least the past 12 to 15 years. With a pro career that was both legendary and globally pioneering, Jordan achieved an ethereal status that no one ever has in the history of the sport. It is because of that fact, not to mention MJ's omnipotence even in today's game and the way he changed the way business is conducted and pro athletes are marketed that makes LeBron's idea a no-brainer.

No one deserves it more than Michael Jordan.

Naturally, the idea has been met with a lot of criticism and resistance. Many in disagreement readily acknowledge Jordan's epic accomplishments but feel that the greats that came before him are either just as deserving or even more so to have their uniform numbers retired. An NBA player has never had his number retired, but Major League Baseball's Jackie Robinson, an exceptional player and the first African-American to play in the majors during the modern era had his retired more than 40 years after he played his last game.

Jordan retired for the third and final time six years ago.

Here's my take: the NBA's logo is a silhouette of former L.A. Lakers great Jerry West. Without question, West was an awesome player and was known as Mr. Clutch for his penchant for late-game heroics during his 14-year career. However, West was far from being the most prominent member of even his own era. He won just one NBA title and no MVP's, while Bill Russell racked up 11 NBA titles and 5 MVP awards. Wilt Chamberlain won 11 rebounding titles, 7 scoring titles and 2 NBA titles. Oscar Robertson was the only man in history to average a triple double over an entire season and cumulatively, he averaged one for his first five seasons combined.

Wow.

The point is, each one of those guys were far better choices to be bestowed the honor of being the logo. If it were a racial issue (those days were very uneven racially), Bob Cousy or George Mikan were more accomplished than West. Hell...Celtics coach Red Auerbach would've been an awesome choice given his mystique and iconic presence in leading Boston to 9 league titles.

For people to say Jordan is undeserving because of others like Chamberlain and Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Dr. J and Larry Bird completely ignores the merits of the guys that should've been the logo over West. Plus, MJ popularized the game to such a degree that folks became fans of him that didn't even like or care about sports...and then they became basketball fans (that's how I became a hoops fan). In today's game, LeBron and Kobe Bryant are the two most obvious spawns of Michael's awesome trailblazing. From his demeanor and fire on the court to his perfectly crafted image off it, these guys were heavily influenced.

Watch an NBA game today and look at Jordan's mannerisms, iconic Jumpman logo and often references to him all over the place. To paraphrase LeBron, when one thinks of fly kicks, game winning shots and high scoring performances, you think of Jordan. Plus, the man was a winner and a money player in the crunch on both sides of the ball.

This is a debate and it shouldn't be. Commissioner Stern; retire Jordan's number 23 all across the NBA. Even if it means setting a team-by-team mandate to do so.

Considering what MJ continues to do for your league, you owe him at least that much.

Young's 50th Episode Critically Acclaimed

CLEVELAND - In a decidedly surprising development, critics worldwide have submitted generally positive reviews and critiques of "Deante Young's Thriller," the 50th episode of the obscene web series, a Date with Deante.

Talk about a change.

The short film, which serves as the show's second season finale was praised by many for its script and production, as well as its twist ending. Normally, the show is the target of harsh criticism and vilification, but not this time. Gabriel Svedka of The London Mirror opined; "Mr. Young's Thriller film is extraordinary in its scope relative to his past clips. He is clearly a comedic powerhouse and this flick illustrates that." Aden Winthorp of The Chinese Opinion wrote in his daily column that "Young is a grand filmmaker with a brazen flair for the most shocking of humor. He is a legend in the making."

Here in the U.S., Harry Wexler of The New York Star wrote, "Deante Young's Thriller exudes creativity and genius storytelling. This effort manages to outlast its own filthy elements and survives as a masterpiece of unlimited imagination." Kevin Saxson of The L.A. Tablet remarked, "not since the early days of Howard Stern has a man so reviled created such a fervor and fascination for his brand of sexism and exploitation. But Young does it better than Stern ever did."

A statement issued by Young through his production company thanked the fans and the critics of his show. It also hinted that the entertainer may do an exit interview since his show has reached its hiatus.

We'll be waiting.

Exclusive: Young Reflects On Season 2 Of Series

CLEVELAND - Deante Young has been described in a host of ways, but 'humble' has never been one of them.

Until now.

Young's heavily anticipated short film, "Deante Young's Thriller" premieres online today and also serves as the season finale of a Date with Deante. It is the 50th installment of a web series that has consistently pushed limits, infuriated critics and delighted its followers. Young has spent the past six weeks crafting the flick, but has now decided to reflect on the unforgettable experience he had in producing season 2.

"I'm very proud of what we accomplished this season, " said Young during a press junket for his new film. "We started March 1st and we're now concluding eight and a half months later with a great deal of indelible moments to show for it. I'm blessed that things have worked out so well."

Young was asked what he was most proud of and what he would do differently with season 2 if he could. "I was very proud of the growth and evolution from season 1. From the topicality of the shows to the audacity of the comedy, we really stepped it up. On the other hand, we focused too much on Tony Train Wreck and the trailer park folks."

Young mentioned that once he's done attending parties for the 50th episode, he will rest for a few days, then go back to work on developing season 3.

Episode 50, the final episode of the season premieres today at 6PM.

D.Y. Publicist: Episode 50 Will Debut In 50 Hours

CLEVELAND - According to Deante Young's publicist, the entertainer's highly anticipated 50th episode of his controversial web series will premiere at 6PM EST on Friday, November 13, 2009.

Let the countdown begin.

The statement, released by Young's film company Dirty Truth Films was issued at 4PM Eastern Standard Time, exactly 50 hours before the release of "Deante Young's Thriller," the short film that serves as the 50th episode of a Date with Deante.

The film also serves as the grand finale of the series' 2nd season.

Sources at Dirty Truth Films remained tight lipped as of press time as to the exact nature of the episode. A short trailer was released yesterday that suggested a complex storyline. It has been also confirmed that a private party is planned for tonight in honor of Young's sterling season.

50 Is On The Horizon

CLEVELAND - After a roller coaster ride of perversity, obscenities and endless controversy, Deante Young's cult reality show has reached its much ballyhooed conclusion.

At least, season 2 has anyway.

The shock-tinged web series, a Date with Deante is about to close up shop for the next several months, but not before it unveils its watershed 50th episode on Friday. Young announced weeks ago that the season finale would pay homage to his hero Michael Jackson's seminal music video, "Thriller." Today, a short preview trailer debuts and from the looks of it, the episode will be a very diverse and ambitious endeavor.

Entitled, "Deante Young's Thriller," episode 50 is said to follow an actual scripted storyline penned by Young himself. Dirty Truth Films remained tight lipped about further details of the short film.

In any case, enjoy the 55 second clip above.

HIV Was Blessing In Disguise For Magic Johnson

CLEVELAND - Earvin Johnson was the quintessential basketball player; dedicated, hard-working and mindlessly gifted. To his fans, he seemed to do everything right. But after a dozen incandescent seasons in the NBA, the legendary point guard was forced to retire with a deadly disease.

It may have saved his life.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of Johnson's stunning, sports world shattering announcement that he'd contracted HIV, the virus that causes the deadly AIDS disease. Because of this fact, he declared that he was retiring immediately from the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he piloted to five NBA championships during the 1980's. For the man long nicknamed "Magic," this was a disappearing act that no one was prepared for, nor wanted to see.

Standing at a podium at the famous Great Western Forum, a very somber Johnson broke the unbelievable news that was apparently born out of his careless promiscuity. The 1991-92 NBA season was barely a week old, and the Lakers were set to defend their Western conference title. They were defeated just five months earlier in the NBA Finals by the Chicago Bulls and were clearly one of the favorites to advance to the '92 Finals.

Until Johnson's announcement.

In the immediate aftermath of Magic's disclosure, the media frenzy reached a fever pitch. Discussions of the AIDS virus pervaded television and print media for weeks thereafter and Johnson was castigated for his brazen and irresponsible sex life. Still, others were sympathetic to the basketball hero's plight and the virtual certainty that he'd be dead within five years.

He stayed very much alive.

A special exception was made for Johnson's retired status and how it related to the 1992 NBA all-star game in Orlando. NBA commissioner David Stern allowed Magic's name to be on the ballot in fan voting for the "mid-season classic." In spite of a few protests of Johnson's participation, he not only played in the game, but dominated and authored several highlight plays. In the closing moments, he defended his buddy Isiah Thomas and supernova Michael Jordan one-on-one and "forced" them both to miss jumpers. Then, the iconic point guard drilled his third and final 3-pointer on the other end to punctuate a surprisingly sharp performance. He wound up with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists and of course, the game's MVP award as his West squad spanked the East, 153-113.

That summer, Johnson traveled with the U.S. men's basketball team to Barcelona, Spain to help them compete for an Olympic gold medal. That squad, famously dubbed "The Dream Team" had been selected in 1991, prior to his knowledge of his virus. Of course, the Dream Team dominated en route to the gold medal and Johnson began to turn his focus on more pressing matters than basketball.

He became a very visible and famous spokesman for AIDS awareness and founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, which mainly helps combat HIV. He has been the keynote speaker at countless conferences about the disease all over the world and helped influence legislation on seeking a cure.

Johnson briefly dabbled in pro basketball again in the mid-1990's. After aborting a comeback in the fall of 1992, he actually served as head coach of the Lakers for 16 games in the 1993-94 season which ended in a putrid, 5 wins, 11 losses. In January 1996, he returned to the court as a much heavier, slower 36-year old power forward for the final 32 games of the season. After L.A. got bounced easily from the '96 NBA playoffs, he re-retired for good.

During the past dozen years, Magic has become a shrewd and versatile business magnate. His endeavors have elevated his net worth into the hundreds of millions and, with included help from his gig as NBA analyst, maintained his contemporary visibility and relevance.

In the end, that very dark day in Los Angeles two decades ago ended up being the spark that fueled not only a mega empire, but also national education and government cooperation for this horrible disease called AIDS. Kudos to Johnson for turning a huge negative into an even more gigantic positive.

He remains a champion.

The Penultimate Brilliance

CLEVELAND - Shocking and hilarious. Naughty and audacious. Call it what you want, but Deante Young's obscene web series, a Date with Deante has given America something to talk about, laugh about and complain about.

And the fun is just about to end.

The 49th episode of the series debuted last night and became an instant hit. The clip, entitled "Unbreakable" features a decidedly vitriolic Deante as he defiantly taunts his critics and enemies by reaffirming his scathing brand of humor and its intent to exploit. He insists that he's unbreakable and immune from naysayers, doubters and anyone who opposes his unadulterated humor.

There's also an eclectic mix of interviews which predictably showcase Young as the master of irreverence and wit. All in all, a strong effort in a series of strong efforts for the man, who will release the landmark 50th episode on November 13, which will be the season finale.

It'll be breathtaking.