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Fox has announced a partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that will will bring HBCU students, faculty and alumni together with executives from Fox’s media and entertainment divisions, reports Target Market News.  The new union, called the FOX/HBCU Media Alliance (FHMA), is an effort to encourage  students who are interested in pursuing careers in the film and television industry. It also aims to advance the careers of HBCU alumni currently working in media and entertainment across the Fox businesses.

The initiative will be spearheaded by Fox Audience Strategy, the company’s cross-divisional unit that focuses on advocating diverse perspectives in entertainment. This is just one division of the company that brings you Fox News, Fox Business, 20th Century Fox and programs like The Cleveland Show, American Dad, and Glee.

“As a HBCU alumnus, I know first-hand the extraordinary level of talent coming out of these schools,” said Nicole Bernard, Senior Vice President, and head of FOX Audience Strategy, in a press statement. Bernard received her undergraduate degree at Howard University before earning her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center.

“I am excited that we will have the opportunity through regional events, workforce initiatives and social networking platforms to not only identify, cultivate and advance the best and brightest from this vast community, but to provide an array of tangible platforms for their creative gifts,” she continued.

Through the partnership, FOX Audience Strategy is also establishing and funding the Fox Film Grant that will enable one FHMA member to participate in the diversity and mentorship program Project Involve, a year-long program of Film Independent, nonprofit arts organization that champions the independent filmmaker.

Based in Los Angeles, FHMA will also have chapters in Washington, D.C. and New York City, led by HBCU alumni in the media and entertainment industry,  according to Target Market. Membership in the Alliance is open to all current HBCUs, their students, faculty and alumni who work in the media and entertainment sector.

“This partnership will help Howard and other HBCUs to continue their tradition of producing quality talent that creates award-winning work,” said Sidney A. Ribeau, Ph.D., president of Howard University, in a press statement.

Rapper 50 Cent certainly appears to have achieved his life’s mantra to “get rich or die trying”. The entrepreneur has been making money hand over fist since he went mainstream with street anthem “Wanksta” back in 2002, and he seems to be maintaining that same momentum. His most recent endeavor is a comedic, animated series, that is somewhat based on his childhood, reports Deadline.

50 has partnered with feature producer Randall Emmett of Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox TV. The show, which was actually written by Carl Jones, will follow a precarious, but well-meaning little boy and the sticky situations he finds himself in with his “eccentric” family and neighbors.

The project is currently untitled and is still being negotiated, but is expected to get a pilot or presentation order from Fox. In addition to Randall Emmett and Carl Jones, 50′s all-star team includes television producer’s Andrew Jameson and Brian Grazer. This will be the second project that 50 has released based on some of his life experiences, the first being his 2005 movie Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

The series sounds like it has the potential to be quite entertaining and successful, especially since 50 already has a fairly humorous personality. Talk of this show puts me in the mind of Damon Wayans’s Saturday morning cartoon, “Waynehead”, which I found to be pretty funny, although I’m not quite sure if 50′s show will be kid-friendly or not. I’m really interested to know who would actually do the voice of the show’s protagonist. I’d be absolutely tickled to find out it’s 50.

50 and Emmett have also partnered up to executive produce “Power”, a scripted series that follows the life of a crooked night club owner. It is said to be in development at Starz.

What do you think of 50 Cent’s latest endeavor?

Photo courtesy of WENN

Jazmine Denise is a news writer for Madame Noire. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise

Source: Fox

I haven’t watched “American Idol” since Ruben Studdard was on the show but I know plenty of people who still rearrange their schedules to get home and catch Americans make a fool of themselves and get dogged by hosts because they have no singing ability. Unfortunately for Fox, it doesn’t appear there are too many of those people left. According to Entertainment Weekly, Wednesday night’s premiere of “Idol” brought in the lowest ratings for the show ever.

“‘Idol’ delivered 17.9 million viewers and a 6.0 adults 18-49 demo rating. That’s down 19 percent from last year’s opener, which was the previous lowest-ever record-holder.”

“Idol” has actually been on the decline for several years now, particularly since 2009 when reality singing competition shows became a dime a dozen. Plus, with the show being in its twelfth season, it had to die out at sometime. Truth be told, that time still probably isn’t now, as despite the decline in ratings, “American Idol” still takes the title as the top-rated singing show premiere this season.

I’m curious how these ratings will hold because after watching just 27 minutes of Wednesday’s show I was already over the cattiness between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey (and that’s my girl), plus Nicki just needed too much attention and this show is not about her. Unless Randy Jackson is gonna snatch up both of them and tell them to grow up at some point, I probably won’t be tuning in — like I didn’t last night.

Did you watch the two-night premiere of “American Idol” this week? Are you sticking with it? Also, check out Wendy’s synopsis of “American Idol’s” problem. It’s pretty on point.

PatrickMcMullan.com via AP Images

African Americans are changing their TV viewing habits. As we reported recently, more blacks are tuning in to cable  TV. And that includes cable news channels. Case in point, the newly released ratings for MSNBC. The channel has recently seen a 60.5 percent black audience increase in 2012.

One of the reasons blacks viewers are tuning in is the network’s “progressive leaning approach to the news and wide array of Black hosts and pundits likely helped cause the increase,” writes Ebony. The channel already had a significant number of viewers who were African American, and this only adds to its dominance with black viewers. Compare this with CNN, which saw an increase of  23.7% of black viewers. And Fox News, not surprisingly, had a decrease in its black audience numbers. (Fox News’ Hannity actually shed about half of its viewers after the election some think because the show was so wrong about how the voting was going to go.)

Andrew Toth/PatrickMcMullan.com/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images)

MSNBC has an array of black hosts and pundits, including Toure, Melissa Harris-Perry, Tamron Hall, Joy-Ann Reid, Karen Finney, Michael Steele, Rev. Al Sharpton, Eugene Robinson, Jonathan Capehart, and Goldie Taylor.

“I think we made a commitment, we decided, that in order for this channel to succeed, that we had to reflect the country. This meant that we had to be part of the country in ways that the other channels weren’t,” remarked MSNBC president Phil Griffith recently, as reported by Ebony.

“We have a diverse on-air group of people, because that matters, and people want to know that we reflect their world. And it’s not just a single show – it’s across the board. You look at the guests every hour and we make sure that we have women, African Americans, everything, and I think to spend a day watching MSNBC is to see America as we have seen it.”

DANG! Just when I was getting excited about the possibility of an In Living Color reboot, it looks like it’s not happening. Oh wait. I wasn’t ever excited about it? Oh yeah, I forgot…

Truth is, when I heard that the only original cast member who would be making a return was Keenan Ivory Wayans, and that was just to be an executive producer and possible host (according to early reports), I realized that I would probably prefer to watch old episodes and leave the show as a sketch comedy classic. Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about a reboot ruining all of that anymore, because according to reports, the hopeful redo, which was announced by FOX in 2011, might not see the light of day at all. Which makes sense since it is 2013 and nothing had changed in the show’s status as far as a launch date.

According to Vulture, an hour worth of test footage was made in the hopes of doing a special for the network’s 25th anniversary in 2011, but Fox clearly wasn’t feeling it because they shelved it. Last July, even the network’s chief executive admitted that the footage they shot wasn’t going to air any time soon. Vulture says their sources have confirmed that the show is kaput as of now on the FOX network, but that doesn’t mean another network might not be willing to pick up the show and give it life. But until then, you’ll have to cling onto your In Living Color DVDs and say “Hated it!” on your own time. But let’s be serious, while I’m all for seeing talented folks get work (they had already cast the show and brought in a new batch of Fly Girls), it would be nice if people would stop remaking everything, as well as going the reality route, and instead, look to create some fresh new show ideas and stories. Just saying…

Were you looking forward to the reboot, or did you never want to see it in the first place?

WENN

It’s always entertaining to read a Solange interview, because the older she gets, the more real she keeps it. Case in point, her recent sit-down with Rosie Swash of The Guardian. While she discussed the new music she has on the way (an eight-song LP coming out at the end of the month), the interview mostly focused on trying to decode the ever-changing little sister of Beyoncé, and it definitely cleared up a lot.

During the interview, the writer asked Solange about the infamous video of her setting a Fox reporter straight in 2008 after the folks in the newscast allegedly disrespected her family behind the scenes. And she claims they tried to tie her in to news about Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in a negative way. She says that the small backlash she received from the interview just proved the fact there are huge double standards out there over black men and women in the industry sticking up for themselves:

If I was a male rapper responding in that way, it would have been no big deal,” she says. “But when a black woman stands up for herself suddenly she has an attitude problem.” Besides, she adds, who cares? It’s Fox.

And while Solo and Bey might be living the glamorous life now, they were just as broke as everybody else back in the day, and they have the Filas to prove it–on tape:

My sister and I were not allowed expensive clothes. We so badly wanted these Fila sneakers as kids but my mother took us down to the flea market and got imitation ones. Look at the early Destiny’s Child videos, you’ll see.

Solo also touched on that very sketch debut she made with the album, Solo Star, trying to do a twist of reggae music and attempting to get her pseudo-Rastafari on. And the music and style she displayed on that album was inspired by a family vacay to Jamaica:

I just fell in love with Rastafarian culture, in that way one does at that age, in that you get things a little wrong,” she recalls. “I grew my hair right down to my butt, and when I got home I tried making reggae music. My label’s reaction was, ‘What. The Hell. Is this?’

Solange also talks about getting married and having a baby at the age of 17, something her parents weren’t too excited about:

In retrospect, it was very young to get started on those things, but I had been working since I was 13, so I felt I had a head start. I’m sure deep down my parents were not completely thrilled, but I had my own money. I’d been working for five years by then, so there wasn’t much they could do but offer moral support, which they did.

Solange has come a long way, had a child, gotten divorced, found love again, picked up a new sound and is definitely coming into her own. Somebody’s definitely #winning! Check out the rest of her interview at The Guardian.

Source: WENN

It was getting to the point that people were about to put out an Amber Alert for John Legend who has been pretty low-key these days since blowing away audiences when he hit the scene with Kanye-to-the in the early 2000s. But I don’t think anyone expected that when John resurfaced it would be with a television project instead of an album.

Well that’s the case according to Deadline.com, which is reporting that Fox just bought an untitled comedy project based around John Legend’s upbringing. The sitcom was written by Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman who created “Sons of Tucson” and is reportedly “[a]bout a guy in his early 20s who becomes the guardian to his own siblings while having to manage his burgeoning career and social life.”

Not much is really known about the life of  John Roger Stephens, a.ka. John Legend, pre-fame. The gifted 33-year-old was born and raised in Springfield, OH, his parents divorced when he was 10, which reportedly caused his mother to suffer a breakdown. At 12, John entered high school and four years later he graduated as Salutatorian at 16. He then went on to study English at the University of Pennsylvania which is around the same time his music career got it’s major start and after graduation things really began to take off. The rest is sort of history.

Chernin Entertainment and John Legend’s production company Get Lifted will rake in the cash from this deal should it be successful.With the right actor — and writing — this could be an interesting sitcom to watch. What do you think?

WENN

After news and footage spread this morning of that cuss fest between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey going at it behind the judges’ table for “American Idol,” you know Nick Cannon had something to say about it.

But don’t worry, there were no diss songs put out (thank you Lord) or tweets. Instead, the fella some call Mr. Mariah Carey showed up for “Access Hollywood Live” this morning to do a rendition of the squabble with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover (he played Randy), and to give his two cents about his wife’s response, and why Fox and producers of “American Idol” should be disappointed with themselves.

When asked his thoughts about it all, the well-dressed man kept it real, and real calm (unlike some people we know who wear pink wigs…):

NC: “I mean, we all have our thoughts and everything. But I honestly think that when you think about the show and what it’s all about and represents, I feel it’s taking away from the quality of what “Idol” is all about. This is about people accomplishing their dreams and you know, experts guiding these young people to, you know, do what they’ve done, so I think…

KH: But does FOX like this?

NC: Yeah, I’m kind of disappointed in FOX and everything because they’re taking away from the quality of what Idol is.

BB: Do you think they’re celebrating like a pack of hyenas here?

NC: Only thing cause…otherwise, how would all of this get on TV? My wife is the strongest and the classiest woman that I’ve ever met. I mean if you watch the video, she just maintains her exposure like she does. So I don’t think she’s moved by the theatrics and pageantry of it all. She signed up to do a job to help young people accomplish their dreams. This is like a sidebar. I hope that’s not what this show becomes about, is the cat fights.”

Interesting point Nick brings up, because I’m pretty sure the thought probably crossed everyone’s mind that this whole argument could have been used and leaked for the purpose of getting ratings and buzz for “American Idol” when it comes back to FOX. What, with “X Factor” and “The Voice” and the slew of other talent competitions coming for the crown, and AI being somewhat unstable and desperate for the past few seasons (We’ve seen everyone from Ellen to J.Lo and now Nicki try and critique singers), so it’s safe to say that producers are thirsty. But then again, Nick’s comments could also be a shot at FOX because he works for NBC as the host for “America’s Got Talent.” But hey, whatever works.  To close out his interview with “Access Hollywood Live” and conclude his feelings about the drama, Nick summed it up short and sweet after listening to the transcript from the divas’ argument, saying, “If you read that you can see, anybody can see what the issue actually is…but you know my wife is strong and classy and she maintains her strengths. I think it’s not about the theatrics, let’s get back to what the core of the show is about.”

Could he be calling the jealousy card? Whatever he’s saying, stand by your wifey. Though I would love to hear what SB would have to say on Nicki’s behalf…Anybody think Lil Kim is somewhere laughing her a** off?

Check out the video from Nick’s appearance at Buzzfeed.

What do you think about what Nick had to say?

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Source: Ryan Seacrest Instagram

I would just like to go on record as saying this is the weirdest “American Idol” lineup ever in life.

Over the weekend, news broke that Black Barbz herself is officially a new judge on “American Idol,” joining Mariah Carey as the second female on the panel and, oddly, country music star Keith Urban.

We knew Nicki Minaj was in talks to join the Fox reality singing competition but there were a few chinks in the chain along the way that were slowing things down, like Mariah Carey’s obvious disapproval of the choice and questions over how Nicki’s endorsement deal with Pepsi would affect this contract. The final answer seems to be not at all, as Business Week reports Nicki is getting $12 million for a one-year deal to judge other people’s talent. No, that’s not a joke.

At Jazz at Lincoln Center where “Idol” auditions were taking place yesterday, Mariah Carey was asked whether she was anxious about who would be joining her on the judging panel. She semi-joked with the crowd saying no, “because all I really care about is me,” then quickly added, “Only kidding.” As far as what type of judge she’ll be, she hasn’t decided yet, saying:

“Am I the mean one? Am I the nice one? … It’s not about me, me, me, it’s about them (the contestants) and what I can bring to them to help guide them in the right direction.”

Being the Mimi stan that I am, I’m going to go out not so far on a limb and say she’ll be the real one (i.e. mean), Nicki will be the odd one, and Keith will be the nice one. Randy Jackson seems to be pumped about Nicki Minaj coming to the show, saying she “brings a whole other cool vibe we’ve never had on the show.” I’m just curious which of her many personalities will actually be on the set on any given day. Stay tuned if you dare.

Does Nicki Minaj have you sold on the next season of “American Idol” or turned off?

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Source: fashcraze.blogspot.com

I know you all have to be as sick of the new “American Idol” judge rumors as I am, but this time it’s not just a “somebody reached out to them” story, word is this is really happening.

Two sources have confirmed to Us Weekly that Nicki Minaj will join Mariah Carey on the judging panel for the show’s next season. Crazy, right? One insider said:

“I’m not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it, a few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening.”

Another source said:

 ”100% confirmed to judge American Idol.”

I’m sure the Barbz are jumping up in down in their pink wigs right now, but this is surprising news to me. Nicki is a huge hip-pop star right now, so it’s clear Fox’s head is in the right place and is pulling out all stops to make sure “Idol” doesn’t take a back seat to “The Voice” or “X Factor.” But Nicki and Mimi on one stage? That is a lot of personality. I’m also curious how much Nicki will take in for this gig, given Mariah’s been confirmed at $17 million. Regardless, it does look like we’re getting a lot closer to having an all-black “American Idol” season this next time around. Gotta love that.

Thoughts on Nicki Minaj becoming a judge?

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