Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

After 14 years on television, “106 & Park,” is calling it a day. Well, they’re calling it a day on television at least.

According to BET.com, the show’s final episode will air on December 19, and after that, it will transition from cable to online. Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials for BET, had this to say about the show ending:

AJ accepting Janet Jackson’s challenge to…dance. Bow Wow laying that kiss on Tyra Banks (or was it the other way around?). Free crawling around the set LIKE Catwoman WITH Catwoman Halle Berry. Julissa’s taking over Halloween as “Wonder Woman.” Keshia brilliantly bonding with First Lady Michelle Obama. Paigion flying around the world with Rihanna on a 777. Rocsi salsa dancing with Victor Cruz and putting him to shame. Shorty and Ms. Mykie’s killer rap, “The History of Justin Timberlake,” visably [sic] thrilling JT himself. Terrence beatboxing while Jamie Foxx rhymed. Tigger making Tom Cruise do the of-the-moment “motorcycle dance.”

We all have our favorite moments from the show that has put youth culture on television daily since the first year of this century. We have pride in being involved with the show that has welcomed almost every movie star, music superstar and fresh-faced talent you can name (you can even throw in a first lady). We’ve all laughed with and been entertained by the young men and women hosts that have charmed us at 6 p.m. (and more recently 5 p.m.) each weekday.

All of us have been touched by 106 & Park. 

Now it’s time for 106 & Park, as a daily TV entity, to take a bow and exit.

It’s been a great 14-year run as America’s top music/variety show on cable. And now that very valuable brand is going to take its talents to the digital realm. The interactive brand you helped build, 106 & Park, is alive and well…and it’s moving to the space in which our audience NOW interacts with music the most: online. It’ll be very exciting to connect with the millions of people that are already engaged with 106 & Park and other BET digital and social media entities and bring content that will further evolve the 106 & Park brand — and enhance the overall BET Networks brand. As we transition to the digital space, we look to continue 106 & Park’s role as both a leader of and a mirror to youth culture. We’ll have more information to share about how that is to roll out very soon.

And 106 & Park will still have specials on BET. What’s a New Year’s Eve without 106 & Party? 106 & Park Presents: 106 & Party will be on-air to take our viewers into the beginning of the second half of this decade in a big way. And when it’s time for the BET Awards to come around, you can be sure that 106 & Park Presents: Live, Red and Ready will be ushering you into the show and that 106 & Park will be an integral part of the BET Experience.

I’m not trying to minimize it; this is a very big change. We thank all the people who have worked on the show over the years; the talented hosts, the hard-working staff, production crews and all the incredible guests we’ve had. Most of all, we’d like to humbly thank the “livest audience,” both in studio and at home, who fueled this landmark TV show from the very beginning. Meet you in the digital domain.

“106 & Park” has been one of BET’s highest rated shows since it first debuted in 2000, and it has had quite a few hosts over the years. Free and AJ Calloway kicked things off from 2000-2005 and were fan favorites. When they left and the network was looking for new hosts, in the interim, Big Tigger and Julissa Bermudez hosted from 2005-2006. Rocsi Diaz and Terrence Jenkins hosted from 2006-2012, and after that, I think we can all admit that things went a little left.

The network tried to have four different hosts at one time, including Bow Wow, Shorty da Prince, Paigion and Miss Mykie for a few months from 2012-2013. When they were shown the door, Angela Simmons became co-host with Bow Wow for a short time. Eventually, Bow Wow and Keshia Chante became the new, and last hosts of the program.

“106 & Park” has definitely had a good run, but with YouTube, it really doesn’t make much sense for a video countdown show to be on anymore. “Total Request Live” got the hint in 2008.

Will you miss the show? What fond memories do you have of it?

Splash News

So… I promised myself that I was over the endless hair articles that clog up the Internet daily. But after witnessing the public thrashing of Blue Ivy’s locks after her unbearably cute appearance at last Sunday’s VMAs. I couldn’t resist chiming in on a topic that has been exhaustingly rehashed for no good reason.

First of all, Blue Ivy is an adorable girl who has super star parents. She is a celebrity by default and so she will always be judged based on her looks. It is pathetically sad that she has to endure the wrath of ignorance before she is even able to construct a complete sentence. But thanks to the luxury of social media, we are susceptible to the fiery nature of naysayers and inconceivably rude people who take pleasure in mocking or degrading innocent victims.

Blue Ivy can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to her appearance. The jokes about her looking more like Jay-Z than Beyonce erupted the same day her official photos were released. Who cares what she looks like? The girl is wealthier than a nation right now and she will not have to rely on her beauty in order to live a pretty fulfilling life. Be that as it may, I happen to think she is the cutest thing ever! And yes, I am aware that since North West entered the world, the comparisons have been relentless. Particularly since one of them has that “good hair” that we all salivate over, and the other has, well, something that looks like our worst nightmare.

It might be your nightmare but it’s my reality. Yes, my hair looks like Blue Ivy’s. It’s thick, natural, and gorgeously wild. No, I don’t like to pile on a plethora of products in order to achieve that “shine” because it does nothing but clog up pores and cause my scalp to itch, which unleashes itching sessions that I can quite frankly, do without. I also don’t believe in combing or brushing my hair needlessly, especially when all I have to do is pick apart my curls and fluff accordingly.

Everyone is griping about how “dry” and “unkempt” natural hair tends to be when it is left it’s own devices. I think I know what the real issue is and you are not going to like it. It is clear that we will never be completely accepting of the tresses that we blessed with. Our hair is unique and comes in various textures, which means that there is no regimen that will work for everyone. None of us has the right to project our insecurities on someone who doesn’t seem to live up to our standard of the “perfect mane”.  Just because you wash your hair every other day doesn’t mean I need to do the same. And if you love the way Miss Jessie’s products bring out your curls, that’s awesome for you, but I don’t get those same results.

There is nothing wrong with Blue Ivy’s natural hair, but there is something wrong with the way black women react to it. You seem to be so convinced that you would do a better job. I am sure this is because she represents something that you are uncomfortable with. Almost like an embarrassing representation of our true selves. That’s why so many of you are determined to hide behind your weaves that cost more than your rent. You can’t bear to expose your that part of you that not only leaves you vulnerable but potentially makes life just a little more complicated.

For those of us, who don’t mind being natural, we embrace the complexities and revel in the freedom that it brings. I am not saying that natural is the only way to go, in fact, I am contemplating getting a weave in a couple of weeks. Hair is an accessory and I treat it as such. I also never tell anyone how to manage their mane, nor do I make mothers feel inadequate about the way they care for their daughter’s tresses.

Blue Ivy’s hair looks like mine, in fact it may even look and feel better than mine. I am offended for her and for myself, when I read and hear the nasty comments floating around. In case you are clueless, let me help you out – natural hair is hair that is devoid of chemical treatments. Aside from moisturizers and gels, your hair is basically riding the wave of it’s own God-given texture. Blue Ivy’s hair looks fits that description and so does mine. So get off her back, and pick a more appropriate topic to discuss. Like maybe how we can endeavor to send the right message to our little girls about self-esteem and self-acceptance.

Back in early April, August Alsina’s name was everywhere, but not because of his new album. While promoting his CD, Testimony, he stopped by 106 & Park for an interview with Bow Wow and Keshia Chante. He had spoken in the past about his issues with Trey Songz (a topic he brought up in the media), and despite his claims that he told everyone at the show that he didn’t want to talk about Trey during his interview, Chante asked him about it anyway. As you already know, he ended up cursing, saying, “I told ya’ll not to ask me about that s**t…” It was a very intense exchange, one which saw Chante eventually walk off stage minutes after being embarrassed by his response.

Alsina says that he has since returned to BET. According to a new interview he did with HOT 97, he says that while he doesn’t take back anything he said, he did tell Chante that it wasn’t his intention to make her look the fool on TV:

Ebro: “I saw you spaz on the pretty girl on BET. You was mean to that girl.”

August Alsina: “I wasn’t mean. Here’s the thing. People get honesty and mean mixed up nowadays.”

Ebro: “But you didn’t have to curse at her.”

Alsina: “You can say that now, but if you put me in a position, that’s how I felt. I went back to BET yesterday and that’s exactly what I said. She was like, ‘I didn’t mean to disrespect you’ and I was like, ‘Well it wasn’t my intention to disrespect you.’ Before this conversation, I felt how I felt and I spoke on how I felt and I don’t take back nothing that I said.”

Laura Stylez: “Did you have a conversation with her where you specifically told her not to speak on that?”

“My whole squad. But you know what though? I think that sometimes people can be set up. And people, like you said, are ‘doing their job.'”

Alsina also acknowledged that the situation was partly his fault because he was telling the world about his problems with Trey Songz instead of keeping that bit of information to himself.

Ebro: “It’s your fault though, you know this is all your fault? Because you’re the one who went public with your friction with Trey Songz.” 

Alsina: “…Honest. Nobody would have never known. But it’s all a part of me growing. I speak from my heart, I got a big f**king mouth. It just is what it is, I don’t know how to change that but in all reality what I said was never to try to belittle the next n****a or try to cause a problem with the next n***a, it’s like this is how I feel. I’m the idiot because I said what I said thinking ‘maybe if I say this, these n***as wont ask me about this no more’. But in return it’s like, oh everybody beefing and I never said that, and with these interviews, they put up what they want to put up and not show everything that was said.”

Check out Alsina’s chat with Ebro, Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez below and share your thoughts. 

FayesVision/WENN.com

On 106 & Park last night, singer August Alsina (whom we just had an interesting interview with) was the guest, promoting his new album, Testimony. While doing so, he was asked about his issues with Trey Songz, something we also asked him, but I guess at that point he was sick and tired of talking about it. Alsina claimed that he told the hosts at 106 & Park not to ask him about his issues with Trey before the interview, but when co-host Keshia Chante did anyway, he calmly cursed at her:

Chante: “Is there any chance that two talented brothers will bury the hatchet?”

Alsina: “So you just go against the grain, and go against everything that I just…I just told y’all not to ask me that s**t when I got up in here.”

Things got tense after that.

Chante: “Fair enough. I think the girls wanna know. And you’ve spoken to–

Alsina: “Testimony coming out, baby. Album in stores.”

Chante: “You’ve spoken on radio stations and blogs and you’re on the show and fans want to know. So I’m just asking you what fans want to know. That’s it. If you don’t want to answer that’s fine.”

Alsina: “I won’t.”

Chante: “All right, we move on.”

After that, Chante was quite peeved by being cursed at on live television, as anyone would be. So by the time he introduced his new video a minute or two later, she walked off the stage.

So who was in the wrong in this situation? The feedback has been mixed. But former 106 & Park co-host Rocsi Diaz, who now works for Entertainment Tonight, has spoken out, defending Chante and saying Alsina’s behavior was unnecessary on Twitter. Forgive the grammar issues, Twitter does only provide you with 140 characters…

“Let me go on record and say Keshia Chante did her job as a journalist. Any other Radio or TV personality or blogger would have asked to.”

“2 even applaud how she was responded 2 is what’s wrong with our generation 2day. Also that language on @106andpark its not even necessary”

“She Be applauded for asking the hard question not being shut down”

And when someone tried to say that she used to get cursed out by celebrities on the show too, Rosci shut that down, saying:

“SWEET HEART NEVER ON MY WATCH AND @TerrenceJ wouldn’t let it happen”

What’s your excuse Bow Wow? Just kidding…but not really.

I think Alsina has every right not to answer questions he’s not comfortable with (more celebrities need to do it actually), but to curse at the young woman? Not a good look in my opinion, especially as a new artist, and especially when you consider the fact that Alsina was the one who brought his issues with Trey Songz to light in the media. Once you bring it up, people are going to want to talk about it. In response, just say, “no comment,” and better yet, have your publicist send a memo in advance so things like this don’t happen. I agree that this new generation of young people can be too comfortable talking to people any kind of way these days, and it’s quite ridiculous, especially when you’re talking crazy on live television.

But what do you think? Check out the awkward clip below and share your thoughts.

Source: BET

The other day, we told you about Rihannas #MCM (Man Crush Monday), Mychal Kendricks. We have to give it to ole Rih Rih, if nothing else, the woman has great taste in men. Just like all of her other love interests, Mychal, of the Philadelphia Eagles, is a fione as hell.

And it looks like, based on his appearance on BET’s “106 & Park” yesterday that the feeling might just be mutual…maybe. When he appeared on the show Bow Wow and his co-host, Keshia Chanté, asked Kendricks who was his #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday) and he said he had to go with Rihanna. In fact he said it like this: “Cat Daddy. You already know Rih Rih.”

It wasn’t long before Bow and Keshia pounced, asking what was the status of their “relationship.”

“We haven’t even been in contact. I got a couple of followers.” (i.e. After she called him her #MCM, the ladies and gay dudes flocked to his page.)

So they asked if they were going to try to make anything happen. He said:

“I’m in New York. It’s Super Bowl Sunday, is she here?” 

So they asked him to send a little shout out to Rihanna just in case she happened to be watching. The 23 year old seemed a little nervous as he stepped up to the camera and said:

“Hi Rih. New York.” 

Bahhaaa. I guess that was an invite for her to get at him first?! Perhaps this is how these young boys do it these days.

Then Bow Wow stepped in, “Look Rih, the homie here all weekend. It’s Super Bowl weekend, if you see him out, make sure ya’ll mingle. Say something, exchange information. There it is, I just went ahead and put you on dog.”

Do you think Mychal was a bit nervous or does he just want to exchange a few #mcms and #wcws and call it a wrap?

You can check out the video of the interview below.

Source: BET

Is Michelle Obama the coolest First Lady ever or what? The Harvard Law School graduate recently paid a visit to BET’s popular music variety show, 106 & Park, to offer great advice about education and discuss her latest initiative. Check out a few highlights from her interview.

 On the advice she would give her daughters about education:

“The same thing that my parents told me. You know, they have to put 120% in your education. And one of the things that I’m hoping to develop is their passion for learning. So many young people just get into the grades and checking the boxes—just doing what they think they’re supposed to do. But there’s also a value in learning how to love to learn, because you’re gonna have to be doing that forever. The way jobs are going now, nothing is set in stone. It’s not like people are working at the same job forever and in the end, getting that gold watch. People are needing to retrain and be able to re-educate themselves so that they stay on top of the jobs of the future. I want my girls to be life-long learners. But I also don’t want them to take anything for granted. They don’t have any excuse not to be outstanding students.

On wanting Sasha and Malia to have the college experience:

“I’ve been talking to my kids about college and getting them to think about how much fun that’s going to be, and getting excited about the possibility of living on a campus with other young people. You know, being able to explore and making it something that they are desperate to get at, you know? I don’t want them staying at home up under me!”

On what she’d tell her younger self:

“You know, that girl was always afraid. You know, I was thinking, maybe I’m not smart enough. Maybe I’m not bright enough. Maybe there are kids that are working harder than me. I was always worrying about disappointing someone or failing. And the thing that I would tell that girl is, ‘Don’t worry about failure because failure is the key to success and you are smart enough to sit at any table and compete and have your voice heard.’ Fortunately, I’ve come to know that.”

On applying and getting accepted to Princeton despite being discouraged by counselors:

“I was breathing a sigh of relief because by then [senior prom], I had gotten into Princeton. Even though there were counselors and people told me that I shouldn’t reach that high—that I didn’t have what it takes to get into a school like Princeton. But I ignored that naysayers, I got myself together, I focused on my application and I sent my forms in. It turned out that my parents could provide some support. I got grants and scholarships. I was flying high because I’d achieved one of my most important goals—after all of the worry and the hard work.”

She’s such a class act!

 Catch the FLOTUS on 106 & Park Tuesday, November 19th at 6 pm E/T.

Jazmine Denise is an entertainment and celebrity news blogger. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise.

These shows started off with a bang — and great ratings — but over time they fizzled out and for some reason, unbeknownst to us, remained on the air.

“Basketball Wives”

Former basketball wife Shaunie O’Neal had a hit on her hands when she introduced the world to Jennifer Williams, Evelyn Lozado, Royce Reed and Gloria Govan, better known collectively as the “Basketball Wives.” While some of the men in the NBA were upset the women in their lives were given a show, fans tuned in each week to see how the rich, yet slightly ratchet, lived. The show was so successful, it spawned a spinoff version in Los Angeles. But as the cast members changed each season, the show’s fights became more insane. By the time Evelyn jumped over a table barefoot to go after her former friend and fellow cast mate Jennifer, there was a public outcry against the show and a petition was started to end the violence. While the fights have now died down, so did everyone’s interest in the show.

Source: BET

Last week’s episode of Catfish had the internets going nuts. If you recall, Keyonnah thought she was in a relationship with rapper Bow Wow. After the episode aired on MTV, Bow Wow issued a very arrogant, unsympathetic response. In the midst of fawning over himself, he did manage to invite Keyonnah and Dee Pimpin, the woman who was pretending to be Bow Wow, to “106 & Park.”

They had that meeting yesterday on the show. And it was quite entertaining.

From the moment she hit the stage, Bow Wow presented her with flowers and a hug that Keyonnah let linger. After being embarrassed on national television, she was not shy.

“We flew you in, we did the hair up. We got your makeup right. That’s how a real fella is supposed to treat a lady.”

Keyonnah explained why she’s been such a Bow Wow fan since she was 9 years old. It was almost too hard to watch as she listed all the things that contribute to Bow Wow’s appeal. His eyes, his hair when he had. She said she likes that he is “out here and ’bout it.” And Bow soaked up every last bit of it.

“You really thought that was your boy?”

She said she was skeptical at first but then when Dee Pimpin started sending money, she assumed he was the one.

And then… Dee Pimpin’ came out boppin’ like she was accepting an award that day. After Bow Wow told her not to scam any women in New York, he asked Dee why she decided to imitate him.

Bow Wow: “It was so many celebrities that you could have been. It’s a lot of other guys in the game who have strong, female fan bases as well. You could have been Trey, you could have been Drizzy Drake, you could have been Chris Brown. But you picked Bow Weezy.

Dee: Bow Wizzle!

Bow Wow: What made you say that I’m gon’ be Bow Wow?

Dee: A lot of kids they called me you, when I was younger. Cuz I had the afro and I was doing music at a younger age. So I kinda fell into your path and tried to walk your steps.

Then they played this cute little trivia game where Dee Pimpin’ answered questions about Bow. Check out the videos on the next page and then the video of Dee and Keyonnah answered questions from Instagram followers.

Source: WENN

From Hello Beautiful

Terrence J’s memoir, The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom: The Lessons That Made My Life Rich recently debuted and it proves itself to be a record of trained mastery. Terrence J delivers a good book and a solid reminder of what happens to those of us who try to be our best—you inherit a pretty good life. We can all learn from Terrence J is the art of the debut.

In an era that seems to be defined by chronic unemployment, abundant talent and creative dreams that remain without their own GPS tools, The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom is a soothing read that honors the idea that success comes to those who endure and endure…and endure. It is definitely a book that every parent should share with a child in high school or college, it is also a nice reminder to those who are Terrence J’s peers about what success is all about.

Observing Terrence’ steady gaze into the camera every weeknight on E! News, as he rattles off the latest notes on pop culture, makes you wonder what it is like to be so lucky. To his right is the powerhouseGiuliana Rancic, and very frequently, he is exchanging off-camera quips with media mogul Ryan Seacrest. And yet the young host does not miss a beat, does not break a sweat. Since the moment he debuted on the network, it seems as though he’s always been with E! News. He is effortlessly in-step with the culture of red carpet fashion rewinds, famous party fails and the greater guilty pleasure of figuring out whether or not celebrities are, in fact, just like us.

Just a year ago, Terrence J co-hosted BET’s 106 & Park (along with Rocsi Diaz), the music countdown show that beat slayed the competition during his time there. As a young veteran, Terrence J’s style has not shifted. The same command that drew in thousands of Hip-Hop fans

now captures the evening regimen of regular viewers of what is very much the House of Kardashian. There are subtle differences in his demeanor now, his swag and trademark smile remaining intact. When watching him, there are times when it is clear he that is still pinching himself, appearing at times bashful, yet deferential to the company he now keeps. Terrence J is a man whose star is rising, and if you are at all into astrology, it is clear that his constellation is just beginning to cast its design.

The Terrence J how-to guide is worth consideration. BET has produced a roster of incredible hosts whose futures after their shows have not always held fast to the national spotlight. Al Shearer, host of the iconic show, Hits from the Streets, appeared in Punk’d and has pursued acting with appearances in movies, including Glory Road, but never ended up with his golden parachute exit.

Terrence’s predecessors on 106 & Park continue to work as hosts: AJ Calloway as a correspondent with Extra, and Free working as an on-air radio personality. Terrence’s former co-host Rosci is a correspondent with Entertainment Tonight. And of course, the brightest star to break from BET is Ananda Lewis, host of Teen Summit, who went on to be a MTV VJ and correspondent with The Insider, who at one point hosted her own daytime talk show.

Read more at HelloBeautiful.com 

YAAAAAASSSS to this! That baby can “sang!”

Fantasia enlisted the help of her girl Missy to perform the popular single “Without Me” on 106 & Park last night. As my “YAAAAAASSSS” implies, the two women definitely killed it when they opened the show with the hit. Fanny’s vocals were on point, as were her background singers’ voices as they took over Kelly Rowland’s verse since she wasn’t available. And what can you say about Missy? Energy is always on 10.

Dressed in black leather with her background singers, and showing off her edgy haircut (the half-shaven haircut that can’t seem to bow out gracefully), Fantasia growled and danced and just had a gool ‘ol time on the main stage. When talking about the song’s inspiration later while being interviewed by Bow Wow and Angela Simmons, she said she was “feeling some type of way” about a certain somebody when she made it:

“When I recorded ‘Without Me,’ I was feeling some type of way that day. I got a little phone call and I remember going back into the studio like, ‘Yo, I need a record that’s gonna give me some club feel. I want to go a little hood, I want to get a little ratchet.’ You know what I’m talking about.”

She definitely had more fun on this track than any of the songs I’ve heard her put out recently, and it has been a huge club banger. Check out Fanny and Missy’s performance above and let us know if you were grooving as much as we were around these parts!