Highbrid Nation » Entertainment

Topanga Shows She’s Only Gotten Better With Age with her Maxim Cover Shoot

2013-03-12T05:01:04Z

When it comes to boyhood celebrity crushes the list was long. You had Tiffany Warren from In the House, Rudy of course from the Cosby show, Ashley, no doubt from The Fresh Prince and who could forget Tootie from the Facts of Life. I think I’ll speak for most of the fellas out there, when it came to the white girls however, there was one who topped ALL LIST. Topanga from Boy Meets World.

As you can see, Danielle Fishel, hasn’t lost a step. She recently took us back in time with her new spread in Maxim. Time to break out those Boy Meets World reruns on Hulu

Eva Longoria Discusses A Possible Post-Acting Career in Politics.

2013-02-05T16:54:43Z

For 37 years old, Eva Longoria is one fine chica, (not that 37 is old.) But if you’re a conservative she might look just slightly less attractive to you especially when she opens her mouth and shares her very liberal political viewpoints. In a recent interview for a cover story in Cosmopolitan for Latinas explains that’s she might be interested in a career in politics when she’s finished with acting.

During the recent Presidential election, the The Desperate Housewives star was a very vocal advocate for the Democratic agenda. She is also very active with her Eva Longoria Foundation which helps Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship.

“Latinas make up the largest labor pool in this economy,” she told the magazine. “I want to invest directly in their success. I’ve been studying the Constitution for myself but also as a way for me, as a Democrat, to comprehend the Right. I think it’s important that people who are politically active to understand both sides. One of my biggest pet peeves is speaking out of ignorance.”

Could she possibly be gearing up for a political office run in the near future? With the emergence of the Latin majority in this country, Longoria has the look that will appeal. For those looking for a liberal agenda especially on issues important to the Hispanic community like immigration, the economy and social security. But she’s a female. While white male Americans have long put down there pitchforks against the woman’s suffrage movement, the Hispanic culture still dictates that men should be in the position of power. We are seeing a gradual shift from that archaic philosophy with the appointment of Latinas such as Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court amongst others, however Longoria still faces an up hill battle.

None the less the actress remains grounded remembering what she calls the best advice she’s ever received: “My mother gave me one piece of advice that’s always stuck with me,” she gushed. “Don’t forget where you came from.”

Does It Surprise You Too that the New York Knicks are the Most Valuable NBA Franchise?

2013-01-25T16:34:51Z

I know we generally don’t do very well with sports related posts but I saw this and thought it quite interesting. For the headaches and turmoil that have surrounded the New York Knicks franchise in recent years from salary cap problems to the Isiah Thomas regime to a very overhyped Lin-sanity to Carmelo / Amar’e chemistry I am shocked to learn the topped Forbes annual list for “NBA’s Most Valuable Teams.”

With an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion, the Knicks supplanted the Los Angeles Lakers, who topped last year’s list. The franchise’s value rose 41%, due to a $980 million still-yet completed renovation of Madison Square Garden, the teams home. However, that makeover resulted in an NBA-leading $243 million in revenue last season while they raked in an operating income of $83 million, leading all NBA teams.

I would have figured the Lakers and maybe the Bulls would have been above the Knicks. The former, worth $1 billion, increased its value 11% from last year. The Lakers and Knicks are the first NBA teams to be in the billion dollar club. On the flip side the Milwaukee Bucks, as expected, as small market team were the least valuable. My home team and Jay-Z’s pet project the Brooklyn Nets ranked at #9 with a whopping 48% increase.

Roku as an Alternative to Cable TV

2013-01-14T18:42:34Z

I’ll let you in on a little secret: every time I open my cable bill, I want to put my head through a wall.

It’s not just that I’m paying for a lot of stations I never watch. It’s not just that the bill goes up every year. It’s that the cable companies have you locked in a choke hold: if you don’t like them, just TRY to find an alternative. They’ve got you by the short hairs, and they know it.

Recently I purchased a product called “Roku” from Wal-mart for around $70. It is one of many new ‘internet streaming devices’ for sale. And I’ve got to tell you, it’s been worth every penny.

Here’s how it works: One cable plugs into the HDMI cable of your TV. Another cable plugs into the power cable. The device accesses your WiFi internet connection (or a wired internet connection if you buy the $99 version of the product). And that’s it, you’re connected. Though there are monthly charges for some specific channels, the Roku does not have monthly charges, and there are thousands of free channels.

All you need is an internet connection.

And what can you watch? First you can use this device to access your NetFlix, Amazon or Hulu+ accounts. At $8 per month each, this is an amazing value for a long list of high-def movies and TV shows.

But that’s not all. With this device, you can access an amazing amount of video and audio sources.

Some of the stranger, (and cooler) things I’ve found:

You tube videos

Traffic cameras from all around the country

Police scanners from thousands of US Cities

Ustream (who doesn’t want to watch live feeds from Japan or Somali at 2 in the morning)

Audio stream from the supreme court, NPR, and other radio stations

Three days after I bought this device, I signed up for Netflix and then cut my cable service down to a basic package. The amount I saved on my first bill paid for the Roku and for a year of Netflix.

And here’s a bonus: your Roku and Netflix accounts follow the device, not the location of the internet connection. So, if you’re going to visit someone, you can take it with you and watch movies over there.

I’ve had the device now for about a month, and I STILL love it. If you’re sick of paying a fortune for cable, if you’re a techno-junkie, or if you just like to be ahead of the curb, do yourself a favor and check out the Roku.

Should ‘The Academy’ Tell Us What Films WE Should Think are the Best When Clear Snubs Abound?

2013-01-11T15:19:01Z

OK so you’ve seen the nominees and I a few of the movies. I know we don’t do a lot of talking movies but I thought it was particularly important to address this year because of the peculiar bias that is simmering below the surface. Aside from Argo and Beast of the Southern Wild I haven’t seen many of the movies so take what I’m saying with a grain of salt. But I’m astonished that Flight and Denzel Washington’s performance “flew” under the radar. And while I haven’t seen Quentin Tarantino‘s Django Unchained, I find it all too convenient that the film’s award potential was muffled by this fabricated uproar behind the films violence in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and the described agregious use of “Nigger” throughout the film. I get the sense it makes those feeling a little guilty about their ancestors role in the 400 YEAR SLAVE TRADE would rather its biopictoral be done more quietly. Let’s sweep this under the rug and blame Tarantino’s weirdness as the reason its otherwise not worthy of more accolades. I mean I have heard Lincoln was pretty good but do we have to get all sappy about a movie that is about literally one of the most famous stories in American history? Its like Daniel Day-Lewis will get an Oscar nod for putting on his socks in the morning. Good ol’ American Apple pie.

On the flip side I’m impressed that they were able to unearth Beast of the Southern Wild. A great and unique movie about the all too familiar topographical challenges of the Louisiana bayou. When I saw it late in the summer, I had no idea it would turn into the Slumdog Millionaire of 2012 and its well on its way. Check out the trailer.

Have you seen the films that have been nominated? Do you take issue with how the Academy chooses to tell us what films we should think are great when clearly there are others that get ignored? SOUND OFF!

This is Not a Machine Gun

2012-12-19T18:42:40Z

From the year 1920 to 1933, the production and sale of alcoholic beverages was against the law, subject to the 21^st Amendment to the US constitution.

During that time, people began to sell packages of concentrated grapes which contained the following stern warning:

Do not add these grapes to 5 gallons of warm water, and do not add 5 pounds of sugar and yeast, or it will ferment into wine, which is ILLEGAL

If you walk into nearly every cigarette store in the country, you will see a display case full of small glass pipes. They are not there to aid in the use of illegal drugs, mind you; they are there because many people prefer to smoke their quality cigar tobacco in small glass pipes.

Gaming the system is as old as America, older in fact. For every law that the government writes, there is someone thinking up a way to get around it.

With that in mind, I would like to introduce you to the SlideFire Gun stock.

Machine guns are illegal in the United States. Well, technically they’re not, but the time, licensing and cost of owning a machine gun (around $20,000) makes it all but illegal for the general public to own.

But a machine gun has a technical definition: it is a weapon which automatically fires more than one bullet when the trigger is pulled one time.

The SlideFire is technically NOT a machine gun. Don’t take my word for it, the BATF has officially certified that it is NOT a machine gun. Which means it’s legal to own.

And what does the SlideFire do? Please…. watch this video. But don’t blame me if you have to change your pants after you realize that your crazy neighbor has just as much right to own this as you do.

CNN’s Don Lemon Snaps on Will Cain’s Newtown ‘Mental Health’ Excuse, Rants on Assault Weapons

2012-12-18T16:33:03Z

For the first time in America for as long as I can remember America is engaged in a real debate over gun control. The NRA’s power over politics has prohibited us from having this debate in a serious forum. However the murder of innocent AMERICAN children on AMERICAN soil pretty much trumps genocide, slavery, AIDS and any other social issue. Hell its even got our resident gun enthusiast, Malcolm scratching his head. But what happened on CNN Monday was nothing short of unusual.

During a segment discussing the aforementioned with CNN regulars Soledad O’Brien, Carol Costello, Will Cain, LZ Granderson, Don Lemon flew off the handle when Will Cain suggested this was an issue solely about mental health. Quite unusual for a station journalist to become so passionately opinionated about a topic that didn’t have to deal directly with a political party.

The deaths of 20 elementary school children and six adults in Friday’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School really has people shaken up. Previously gun conservative lawmakers are shaking an angry fist, voicing outrage, demanding stricter controls.

This is all going to come to a head and the NRA STILL has yet to issue a statement. In the words of Malcolm Gladwell, we’ve reached The Tipping Point.

50 Cent Win 1st Bout As Boxing Promoter w/ Fighter Yuriorkis Gamboa on Marquez / Pacquio Undercard

2012-12-11T15:55:29Z

WHAT A FIGHT THIS WEEKEND?! NO! I’m not talking about Juan Manuel Marquez doing his best Deebo impression on Manny Pacquiao I’m talking about 50 Cent. For those who don’t know, the entertainer extraordinaire and life-long boxing fan scored his first victory as a boxing promoter in Las Vegas on Saturday when his SMS Promotions fighter Yuriorkis Gamboa won on the undercard of the Pacquiao fight. The win has of course been overshadowed by what would come later and the social media frenzy it caused with images of Pacquiao being photoshopped in all types of compromising places sleeping as he was on the canvas following the punishing Marquiez blow.

But back to fif, he’s celebrated his new Nevada state promoter’s license last month in style with his Cuban born fighter landing a unanimous decision over Filipino, Michael Farenas. It wouldn’t have been 50 if he didn’t perform however as he opened for Gamboa with his new single, “My Life” featuring Adam Levine and Eminem.

I’m proud of 50 for diversifying his portfolio. Its what any good entrepreneur should do, however he needs to hand up the mic. His time has come and passed, he’s not good any more and it clearly only dilutes his other products. Perhaps he’s jellous or envious of Jay-Z‘s ability to continue to rhyme while doing other things. I guess Fat Joe warned him J.O.S.E., Jealous Ones Still Envy.

34th Street

2012-12-11T14:37:47Z

(Note: I honestly can’t remember if I’ve posted this before. But since it’s the holiday season, it’s on my mind again).

Are you, or any of your friends budding hip hop or rap stars? If so, I have a song idea for you.

I have no talent myself; and I know it. And because I have no talent, I will never be able to do this idea any justice. So, I’m giving it all to you. Have at it. But if you make a million dollars, you owe me a pizza and a shout out when you’re on Leno.

The idea is for a rap/hip-hop comedy Christmas song.

But first (before we get to the plot), the important part… how you can make money on it.

In 1979, the song ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” was released. You know it. EVERYONE knows it. It’s a song people love to hate. But guess what, every December the cash register starts ringing for whoever holds the copyright on the song – because it’s being played constantly. And it happens every year.

Why? Because there aren’t enough good modern Christmas songs.

So, if you write a quality Christmas themed hip hop song, you’re going to have built in market share every December.

The Plot:

The song is about a guy who’s channel surfing on Christmas eve, when he stumbles across the 1947 film ‘Miracle on 34^th street’. The entire song is him trying to describe the plot of the film, with his commentary on what he’s seeing.

Watching the movie through modern eyes, he’s dumbfounded by what he is seeing. In modern day terms, the actions of the characters in the movie are reckless bordering on criminal.

To him, the ‘miracle’ on 34^th street is that all of the characters in the film weren’t hauled off by child protective services for the sh*t that’s going on.

Have you ever actually WATCHED the film? The plot, in modern terms is this…

(note: the plot I’m listing is based on the actual plot of the film. I’ve only turned the story around by changing the motivation of the characters.)

Mom is a gold digger. She’s a single mother who divorced her husband right after her 6 year old daughter was born. She’s now working at the department store, running the parade.

After her original Santa shows up drunk, she grabs some old guy off the street and forces him to play Santa.

The Santa she hires winds up being a communist, secretly telling customers where to find toys at other stores. By a strange turn of events, the owners of the two major department stores eventually buy into this commie crap, and start having a competition to see who could give away the most customers.

(Note: the film ends on Christmas day. I’d like to see what happens in February when the 4^th quarter numbers come out. I’m sure as both chains are filing for bankruptcy; they’ll look back fondly on how they gave away their entire Christmas sales)

Meanwhile, across town, her 6 year old daughter is hanging out in the apartment of a middle aged man the mother has never met. The only thing protecting the child is that the maid is keeping a close eye on her through the window.

(Note: I only saw two black people in the film: the maid I just mentioned, and a guy at the post office. They seem to be the only people in the movie acting as responsible adults; the only ones who aren’t using the kid as a pawn in their schemes)

Anyway… mom comes home, and decides to meet the dude who her kid has been hanging out with for weeks. But her suspicions disappear as soon as the dude offers her a cup of coffee.

Now here’s where it gets real twisted…

Mom finds out the dude is a lawyer, so she starts making moves on the dude. And the dude decides to use the kid as a pawn in order to make moves on the mom.

So now it’s all… ‘sure… you can hang out with my toddler, just like all GROWN MEN like to do…”

She’s met the guy once, had one cup of coffee, and the NEXT DAY, she allows this dude to take her daughter, alone, across town to meet Santa Claus where she works.

Mom, by now, has found out that her Commie Santa is also nuts. So what does she do, she takes him to the store psychologist.

Stop right there… did you hear that… the department store has a psychologist. I don’t know where they write labor laws, but I don’t think you’re allowed to force psycho-analysis on someone, no matter how many hours you’re paying them for.

Anyway… Santa starts to get wise to what’s going on, so the psychologist has him committed. No trial, no hearing. Just the department store police dumping you in a mental institution.

But by now, the mom’s career is starting to rise because of Santa, so she gets him sprung from the nuthouse, and takes him home with her.

Now… at this point, the mom starts letting the crazy ‘I think I’m Santa’ guy play with her toddler alone. But it’s OK you see, because when the daughter comes out clawing on her clothes, Santa says it’s because he’s teaching her about imagination, and she’s acting like a monkey. (Ya, tell that to the abuse councilors.)

Now… I kid you not. In the film, the dude looks over at Santa having a little ‘quality time’ with the child, looks back at mom, SMILES… and then invites Santa to come live with him.

I guess this makes sense. If you’re a grown man who likes to hang out with toddlers, you’d probably like a partner in crime.

The little kid is starting to pick up on her mom’s gold-digger traits. So when creepy crazy old Santa (now alone with the child putting her to bed) asks her what she wants for Christmas… she says a HOUSE.

It goes on from there. Mom continues to pimp herself and her child off on the lawyer and the crazy old man a little more; a judge perverts justice for political gain; the post office decides to dump their dead mail off on the people who work at the court building…

And in the end, the lawyer falls for it all. He decides to marry the mom; he buys the kid her house; and no one ever even asks if he has decent credit or can afford to buy the house.

Through modern eyes, The Miracle on 34^th street is a twisted story. It would make a great hip-hopera (in the manner of trapped in the closet). If I had the talent, I would write it myself. But since I don’t, I’m giving the idea to you. Have at it.

SOUND OFF: What are YOU ‘Not Impressed’ By?

2012-11-19T16:54:08Z

We have been a little serious here around the Nation lately so here’s my attempt to lighten the mode. I had to laugh this weekend when this picture of President Barack Obama mimicking U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney’s “not impressed” face went viral. The photo was part of a non-scripted portion of the Women’s gymnastic visit to the White House Saturday.

Maroney was photographed making the stink face while she was on the medal stand during the London Olympics after winning silver on vault, an event she thought she should have won gold in. It spawned all types of Facebook humor and parodies including one showing a photoshopped Maroney in the White House Situation Room on the night Osama Bin Laden was killed.

The “face” has become Maroney’s trademark and a symbol of “MEH! I’m not impressed.” I think as a whole society we get too hype about the underwhelming. Here’s your chance to voice your opinion and make “The Face.” What or who are you “NOT IMPRESSED” by? SOUND OFF!!

Terry Bradshaw Throws Away Career

2012-11-05T23:33:03Z

Terry Bradshaw, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, four-time Super Bowl winner, 2-time winner of the Super Bowl MVP award, and current (as of yesterday) commentator for Fox sports… threw away his career yesterday.

During the broadcast of a game yesterday, Bradshaw described Reggie Bush’s run as though he was ‘chasing after a bucket of chicken’.

You would think that after so many times something like this has happened, everyone would know the rules; but I guess not.

You can watch it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kf7pX2cvBOw

No word on when Fox is going to fire him (there hasn’t been talk about it yet), but we all know it’s just a matter of time.

Updates:

1. As noted in the comment section, Bradshaw works for Fox Sports, not CBS Sports.

2. The extended explanation for this incident might actually be plausible.

According to Bradshaw, the comment was an inside joke with the Fox crew, making fun of co-commentator Jimmy Johnson and his post-game tradition.

According to Bradshaw, after each game, Johnson orders a bucket of KFC, eats it at the desk, and refuses to share it with anyone; and has become the brunt of many jokes about it with Bradshaw and the Fox crew.

Here’s a link to the TMZ story that talks about it.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/11/05/terry-bradshaw-jimmy-johnson-racism-chasing-chicken-comment-fox-nfl-sunday-reggie-bush/

Looks like ‘Chicken-gate’ might be short lived.

Flo Rida Punishes Alma Mater By Donating Dreadful Football Uniforms

2012-10-26T13:41:21Z

They say that no good deed goes unpunished. (Not sure who they are by the way.) Well I’m not sure whose doing the punishing here but these uniforms are clearly punishment for whoever is forced to wear em. These duds were the brainchild of Flo Rida who tapped design firm Futuristic Woo, to honor his Miami (Fla.) Carol City High School Chief’s 50th anniversary.

Its probably bad enough that the school uses the antiquated idolatry of Native Americans as its mascot but having that imagery on the players crotch? Laughable. I know my man Flo was just trying to do a good deed but this #Fail was better left on the drawing board.

Now if you think these are bad. Crosstown rivals, Atlantic High School is vying for the crown of #UniformFail with their own similarly dreadful duds. Which are worst? SOUND OFF!

Palm Beach Post

Often Retired Floyd Mayweather Recruits Joseline & Ray J to Drop 50K on Some Strippers in ATL

2012-09-28T19:55:50Z

Recently released from prison, Floyd Mayweather Jr. solicited the company of Ray J. for a night on the town in Atlanta complete with a whole compliment of strippers. (Sidenote: why is Ray J. always in the middle of a story that involves naked women?) The two are rumored to have dropped $50K in singles carried along in Floyd’s Louis man-purse. If you were a dancer at Diamonds of Atlanta who called out that night you’re sick. Speaking of sick, Joseline from VH1′s “Love & Hip Hop” and a dancer in his/her own right, tagged along for the fun.

SOUND OFF: Do Rappers, like @NickiMinaj have the Authority To Judge Musical Talent

2012-09-19T17:09:41Z

I’m sure the vast majority of the Nation wouldn’t classify as “Fans” of American Idol. So perhaps that was the reasoning behind the move to add Nicki Minaj as a judge. For the first however many years of the wildly popular reality talent show, the judges were pretty static. However as ratings have waned recently, the show brass has sought to shake up the mix more regularly. But Nicki Minaj? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this show about singing? While I know Hip Hop unfortunately has misdirected to a more sing-songy game, what “authority” does Barbie have to make decisions on the future of aspiring vocal artists? During the NYC auditions on Sunday, Brian Miller, content director at RapRadar.com spoke to MTV about joining the show defending her position.

“Miller doesn’t expect to see rap opening singing competitions’ flood gates all of a sudden. However, he believes that artists like Nicki have already achieved a fair amount of pop success, and that’s why she is attractive to “Idol.” Not only does Minaj rap, but she sings, dances, sells cosmetics and has even done voiceover work in “Ice Age 4;” her crossover success makes her a clear representative to the mainstream audience.

“I don’t think Nas would ever get $8 million for judging someone in a hip-hop competition, you have to be a pop star to acquire that kind of money,” he said. “If you’re not in a pop lane, you’re never going to ever get this kind of exposure or these kind of crossover looks.”

What do you think? Does Rap or Rappers for that matter have the “authority” to judge vocal talent? SOUND OFF:

SOUND OFF: Should Michael Vick Be Allowed To Purchase a Puppy for his Kids?

2012-07-20T16:28:27Z

Despite having spent 19 months in prison and losing valuable years in the prime of his playing career for illegal dog fighting, many people will not just give Michael Vick a break. Are you one of them?

The Philadelphia Eagle was recently a guest on CNN with Piers Morgan and set off a firestorm when he told the host he hopes to get a puppy for his kids. Led by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), animal rights organizations are claiming he still shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near animals.

“Vick’s journey toward rehabilitation and redemption has not reflected any direct concern for the well-being of animals, and we’ve never heard him express a shred of empathy toward the dogs he brutalized and killed,” the ASPCA told TMZ.

Apparently the jailtime and loss of millions didn’t mean much in their eyes saying he’s still not accepting responsibility and failing to realize the “horrors and brutalities of dog fighting.”

“Vick’s actions have been simply self-serving and not remotely expressing remorse. Because of this, the ASPCA has serious concerns about Vick’s ability to be a responsible pet guardian.”

The dogs certainly were mistreated but I guess these animal rights groups won’t drop their vendeta until he follows their same fate. SOUND OFF: Do you think Michael Vick should be allowed to buy a puppy for his children?

Obama Admits His Biggest Mistake in Office

2012-07-13T14:38:07Z

Watching the Presidential Election unfold, I am like a kid in a candy store (By the way there’s a great new one if you’re from Brooklyn called the Candy Rush in my old stomping grounds of Crown Heights. Boy has the neighborhood changed.) I digress. I am by no means the political aficionado that Malcolm and others are but despite my rooting and more importantly, voting interest I just love seeing the jabs and hay-makers from both sides. Its like a heavyweight fight. Often with just as much buffoonery and corruption in the “judges” scoring.

One recent fascinating move by the Obama camp was his CBS interview that is scheduled to air Sunday night. An excerpt was released today in which the President spoke about what he feels is his biggest mistake to date.

“What do you think the lesson has been that might guarantee success in the second term, if that happened?” interviewer Charlie Rose, (who I love) asked Obama.

“The mistake of my first term —a couple of years — was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right. And that’s important, but the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times. It’s funny, when I ran, people said, ‘Well, he can give a great speech, but can he actually manage the job?’ And then in my first two years, I think the notion was, “Well, you know, he’s been juggling and managing a lot of stuff, but where’s the story that tells us where he’s going?’ And I think that was a legitimate criticism.”

While I don’t think its necessarily wrong to admit wrong as the incumbent running for the second term his answer was… well… Stupid. Its like George W. Bush saying his biggest mistake was not finding the exit to the stage and standing there silly that one time or perhaps reading the book upside down at the Children’s read-a-long. Speaking of George W. Bush, he would have NEVER admitted failure as a sitting President.

The problem here is it gives extra ammunition to the opposition. Not only are you poking holes in your own iron clad facade, but the vulnerability seems contrived. Its like come on dude, you’re here trying to show me the “HUMAN” side and that like every-man you make mistakes. But not being a better storyteller? I mean, I get it. You’re walking a fine line trying not to give the Republicans sound bytes, but in so doing you’re setting it up on a tee for them. You’re reinforcing their point, albeit wrong that “you don’t get it.” That’s their whole pitch. Obama doesn’t understand you and you’re reinforcing it. SIDENOTE: He also refers to his “first term” as if a second is a forgone conclusion. Hmmmm.

OH LOOK! The Romney camp has issued a statement.

President Obama believes that millions of Americans have lost their homes, their jobs and their livelihood because he failed to tell a good story. Being president is not about telling stories. Being president is about leading, and President Obama has failed to lead. No wonder Americans are losing faith in his presidency.

As I said.

Was Romney’s NAACP Speech Antagonizing Blacks or Energizing White Conservatives By Antagonizing Blacks?

2012-07-12T14:40:23Z

There is only one thing just as insulting as wasting someone’s money and that’s wasting their time. So on the surface that appeared to be the underlying premise behind Presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney’s address to the NAACP convention Wednesday. With the Black vote in little doubt for President Obama it seemed a lost cause for Romney to even attempt to pursade the room of openly avid supporters, if not surrogates for the incumbent. It would seem in a campaign where time is of the essence and every vote in every swing state will matter, his speech would be the proverbial exercise in futility.

But as we know, Mitt Romney is no idiot. He’s very wealthy and didn’t get there but appealing to the wrong target market. So what was his strategic objective. Its unclear. Prior to the address there were many that thought it was a PR stunt to show that the candidate wasn’t just the white alternative to the black candidate. But after poking fun of his underdog status and then later smiling through a chorus of boos when he reiterated his intention to repeal Obamacare it was clear he was intentionally rubbing the crowd the wrong way. But why? SOUND OFF: What was up with Mitt antagonizing the NAACP and thus many black folk?

#FatBack Goddess Maliah Michel Headlines Cast of New Reality Pilot ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’

2012-06-28T18:32:21Z

Desperate housewives may have inspired the “wives” reality movement but over the past year its gotten out of control. I chronicled the movements and the impact its had on TV ratings and the shift of the African American TV market on the our Highbrid Media blog. But just as sure as with Ying, there must be Yang, with wives you HAVE TO have jumpoffs, slideoffs, side pieces, and groupies. Now it looks like they might be getting their own reality show which will top them all. The Mistresses are literally fighting for 15 minutes.

Here’s the official trailer for The Real Mistresses of Atlanta. Memphitz, Toya Carter‘s husband and rumored wife beater produced the trailer which chronicles the shenanigans of four wannabees including one gay man who all claim they keep the men company when the Real Housewives aint keeping em fed. The cast includes “models” Rosee Divine, Branden, aspiring rapper M’Jae aka “strings,” video vixen Sarah Oliver and none other than crowd favorite, Mailah Michel, whose Fat Back is crazy and has been connected to both Drake and . The trailer is currently being shopped to major networks, I’d imagine it won’t last long on the free agent market. WOW!

SOUND OFF: F. Gary Gray Asks: Who Should Be Cast To Play the Leads in N.W.A. Biopic?

2012-06-21T05:12:36Z

Its been a hot minute since we first talked about it but it looks like the N.W.A. biopic might actually be coming to fruition. Initially, John Singleton was slated to direct but that never materialized. Now, former music video beast, F. Gary Gray, the man behind The Negotiator, is at the helm and the project is in the works. He recently tweeted that they’re actively casting for the leading roles.

So let’s play the game we like to play here at the Nation. “Who Should Play that Role?” If you were the casting director of the N.W.A. project who should play Easy-E, Dre, Yella, Ice Cube and MC Ren. If you’re a real hip hop head you might even be able to remember Arabian Prince and cast him as well.
I’m going to say Omar Gooding with soul glow jerry curl is a dead ringer for Ice Cube? NO? SOUND OFF: Who should be cast to play the leads in N.W.A. biopic?

Charlie Sheen: ‘Dave Chappelle is Responsible For My Meltdown’

2012-06-21T04:54:54Z

Some people pay for their mistakes and pay dearly no matter how large or how small. Others, well they just become the subject of pop culture references and actually manage to make money off those mistakes. Exhibit A: Charlie Sheen. He has still yet to fully take responsiblity for his widely documented public meltdown. Instead chooses to either ignore it or blame others. Now the actor is blaming Dave Chappelle, albeit at least half jokingly for his causing the hernia which he says caused his meltdown which caused him to lose his job which caused Ashton Kutcher to take it, which STILL hasn’t caused me to watch “Two and a Half Men”.

I digress.

Sheen says it was his laughter at a “Chappelle’s Show” skit that triggered the hernia.

“Remember the scene where he’s a blind white supremacist who doesn’t know he’s black? It’s f**king hilarious,” Sheen told Playboy Magazine. “I’d never seen it, and I laughed myself into a hernia. That is 100 percent true. It’s his fault. There you go. Dave Chappelle cost me my job.”

Comedy Central

Sheen, of course is referring to the hillarious Clayton Bigsby skits. Well if Dave Chappelle caused Charlie Sheen’s meltdown who caused Chappelle’s??? Oh yeah Africa.