Well, I just came back from seeing the prescreening for Michael Jackson’s This Is It. The movie opens tomorrow, October 28th and it includes backstage rehearsals for what would have been Michael’s last tour. I think it’s definitely worth seeing. I am very impressed with Jackson’s execution and professionalism. Rather you are a big Michael fan or just enjoy a song or two, you will appreciate what this man was putting together. You’ll also appreciate that a 50 year old man could fall on the stage, kick his legs in the air and get back up like it was nothing. Go Michael!

Do you plan to see Michael Jackson’s This Is It?

I don’t know too many people who’ve endured the things media mogul Tyler Perry has endured. It’s truly extraordinary for someone to overcome so much adversity to make something of themselve. Unfortunately, that doesn’t exempt him from criticism. Director Spike Lee has recently called Perry’s shows Meet The Browns and House of Payne coonery and buffoonery. Perry is not too happy about the comments.

Perry and Lee’s work are a matter of taste. You might like one and not the other. You might not like either. They both have a right to make the films that they want. Do you think Tyler Perry’s movies and shows are coon-type entertainment?

I understand that after we get used to something we tend to compare it to everything, even when the comparisons don’t belong together. This happens most in the entertainment industry. Actress Paula Patton is on the cover of Giant Magazine and they thought it appropriate to hail her as the next Halle Berry. Now, Halle’s not dead! And even if she were, why can’t Patton (who’s expecting her first child with husband/R&B singer Robin Thicke) have her own identity? My theory is that no one really knows what to do with Patton. Sure, she’s pretty and smart but that’s all most people know about her. Although she’s been around for a little while, she hasn’t broken out just yet.

Does it make a difference to you when actors or singers are compared to other more established actors/singers?

Earlier this week, news hit that a “fan” punched singer Leona Lewis in the head. She was at a signing for her book, Dreams at Waterstones. After the attack, the singer left the building in tears. The attacker, Peter Kowalczyk, is being charged for the assault. There are a lot of issues that come up here but one that stuck out like a sore thumb was this “fan” business. Since when is someone who punches you in the head a fan? It doesn’t sound like a fan to me.

Do you think the guy that punched Leona Lewis was really a fan?

If you ask him about women, he’ll say he knows a lot. Comedian Nick Cannon recently interviewed with Blackvoices.com about his luck with women. Cannon attributes his luck to his sensitivity. He also talked about how he nurtures his wife, pop singer Mariah Carey, giving her flowers and cards.

It’s great that he’s getting the hang of marriage but I wouldn’t quite call him an expert yet. I’d rather take advice from someone who’s been married for twenty years. They may know a little more.

Do you agree with Nick Cannon? Do you think sensitivity is the key to a woman’s heart?

Embattled NFL player Michael Vick is getting his own show on BET called The Michael Vick Project. He says he wants to show people that he’s a human being and inspire hope in others. If you can remember, Vick went to prison for unlawful dog fighting. He was sentenced to prison for 23 months but he is now out of prison and playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

I think it’s admirable that he wants to turn his ordeal into something positive. However, I don’t know that a show will work, especially one aired on BET. I have nothing against BET. Yet, I don’t think they target the audience he is trying to reach. African American tweens and young adults are generally unconcerned about his dog fighting past.

Do you think a show will help Michael Vick improve his image?

This past Friday, I went to the movies to see The Invention of Lying, starring Ricky Gervais. You can see the review for it on www.etwireonline.com. Anyway, I was struck by the movie but I couldn’t understand why. I did a Google search on Gervais and found that he is an atheist, i.e. he doesn’t believe in God. It should be noted that Gervais is the star, co-writer and producer of The Invention of Lying.

An atheist theme appears midway through The Invention of Lying, which I found to be a distraction. It was supposed to be a comedy but it really wasn’t all that funny. It was almost as if the movie makers were trying to make a point.

If an actor or entertainer is an atheist (hindu, muslim – take your pick), should they avoid putting their beliefs in their work? Or do they have just as much a right as everyone else to express their beliefs?

Ashley “A.J” Jewell, Kandi Burgess’ ex fiance’ died after a fight outside an Atlanta club. He suffered a severe head injury. A.J and Kandi were engaged when they filmed season two of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Shortly after, they decided to take a “hiatus” from each other to work out their problems.

This news is especially unfortunate and my thoughts go out to his family. Do you watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta? What do you think of the show?