Entertainment

Reel-ality TV Talk

Published

10 years ago

May 11, 2015

By Marquesa LaDawn
NNPA Columnist

The drama went to the next level during Part 2 of the RHOA reunion. Phaedra and Kandi finally had it out. After a lot of back conversations, Kandi expressed her concern to Phaedra for bad talking their friendship. I have to tell you I was shocked with how emotionally detached Phaedra was to Kandi’s comments. She didn’t seem to care that Kandi has a life as well with big issues that need her attention. But, really, I’m not surprised, Phaedra is an interesting lady, you never know what to believe. I get that losing her husband to prison is tough for anyone, but pushing a real friend away and replacing her with a “friend for the moment like Nene” is not very smart.

Cynthia 2.0 was ready for her word match with Phaedra; I was impressed with her not giving up and speaking her mind. Cynthia also flipped Phaedra’s comment about her modeling for plus size magazines. Hello, Phaedra, you are in the category as well, why are you making plus size seem like a bad thing? Cynthia educated her that plus size modeling starts at size 8 and thanked her for the attention. Classy move.

The men joined this round, which made things really interesting, Peter rebutted accusations by Porsha and Phaedra about him cheating. He made it clear: It’s not happening. He also reminded the housewives that he will always have a voice and express it, women’s biz or not, so deal with it. It was interesting to hear, Greg, Nene’s man, express the opposite by saying he stays out of it and knows Nene will hold it down. Frankly it comes down to, respecting personalities. Greg is well spoken and funny, but likes to be in the background. Peter is bold and outspoken and likes attention.

Nene seem to wake up during Part 2, thanks to Kenya. You see, Kenya seems to hate when she’s portrayed as a loose woman and reacts in a mean way. She admitted flirting and justified it by saying all people flirt and mentioned Nene flirting with Peter as an example. Nene responded like the Nene we know, aggressively. I remember the scenes of Nene flirting with Peter and crushing on him; it was innocent but she flirted.

The check issue remains unresolved. At last years reunion, Nene challenged Kenya to make a donation to any charity she chooses for 20k and she would match it. Kenya did and now Nene refuses to pay. She justifies it by saying this makes a mockery out of charity. She got a lot of heat on social media because she’s dead wrong: this is about the charity, not politics. I hope she pays soon, because playing with karma is not smart.

There’s a reason that Atlanta is #1 in the franchise, it has the most drama. But, I’m waiting for some true fireworks in Part III.

On The Real Housewives of New York, Ms. Bethenny, is doing what I love. She is giving business advice, at least she tried, to Sonya. Bethenny agreed to visit Sonya’s showroom and that’s when the drama kicked off. Bethenny asked real questions and got very few answers. It’s like they want to be on TV but not share. That makes zero sense; we’ll see what happens.

I feel sorry for Sonya because she is struggling to find her purpose. She sees all the other ladies making money and making moves and she’s stuck. Everybody wants validation, but she’s not getting it. What I find interesting is how Heather who in a previous season admitted to not want-ing to deal with Sonya’s business. However, when she heard that Bethenny visited the show-room, she was insulted that she was not invited. What I really think is she fears that Bethenny may actually help Sonya and show up Heather in her domain.

On another note, Carole, is stressing over telling Luann about her tryst with her very young em-ployee/extended family member. Carole, is truly feeling this guy. I frankly do not get how a 20- year-old would connect with a nearly 60-year-old in an intimate relationship. Okay, I hi-five Carole that she attracts the young ones, but it does make her look like she’s trying to desperately hold on to her youth.

A newbie in reality town is Queens of Drama on the POP network and it is really good. You see, celebrities are a little peeved that reality stars are taking over the air-waves, this has been going on for a while. They realize either they sit there and complain or join them. So, we have Donna Mills (Abby from Knots Landing), Vanessa Marcil (from General Hospital and Beverly Hills 90210, Hunter Tylo (Bold and Beautiful) and few others from soap world. I feel like Abby is baack! Move over Bethenny, Donna, is claiming her territory very well.

Marquesa LaDawn is a professional businesswoman who escapes the pressures of living in New York City by retreating into the real world of reality TV. Follow me on twitter @realityshowgirl and subscribe to her podcast at www.RealitytvGirl.com.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Afterlife of Malcolm X

Betty Shabazz didn’t like to go to her husband’s speeches, but on that February night in 1965, he asked her to come with their daughters to the Audubon Ballroom in New York. Did Malcolm X sense that something bad would happen on that night? Surely. He was fully aware of the possibility, knowing that he’d been “a marked man” for months because of his very public break with the Nation of Islam.

Published

13 hours ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Book Cover of the Afterlife of Malcolm X. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Author: by Mark Whitaker, c.2025, Simon & Schuster, $30.99, 448 pages

Who will remember you in fifty years’ time?

A handful of friends – at least those who are still around – might recall you. Your offspring, grandkids, and greats, maybe people who stumble upon your tombstone. Think about it: who will remember you in 2075? And then read “The Afterlife of Malcolm X” by Mark Whitaker and learn about a legacy that still resonates a half-century later.

As the news of his murder spread around New York and around the world, his followers and admirers reacted in many ways. His friend, journalist Peter Goldman, was “hardly shocked” because he also knew that Malcolm’s life was in danger, but the arrest of three men accused of the crime didn’t add up. It ultimately became Goldman’s “obsession.”

Malcolm’s co-writer for The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley, quietly finished the book he started with Malcolm, and a small upstart publishing house snatched it up. A diverse group of magazines got in line to run articles about Malcolm X’s life, finally sensing that White America “’needed his voice even more than Blacks did.’”

But though Malcolm X was gone, he continued to leave an impact.

He didn’t live long enough to see the official founding of the Black Panther Party, but he was influential on its beginning. He never knew of the first Kwanzaa, or the triumphs of a convert named Muhammad Ali.

Malcolm left his mark on music. He influenced at least three major athletes.

He was a “touchstone” for a president …

While it’s true that “The Afterlife of Malcolm X” is an eye-opening book, one that works as a great companion to the autobiography, it’s also a fact that it’s somewhat scattered. Is it a look at Malcolm’s life, his legacy, or is it a “murder mystery”?

Turns out, it’s all three, but the storylines are not smooth. There are twists and tangents and that may take some getting used-to. Just when you’re immersed, even absorbed in this book, to the point where you forget about your surroundings, author Mark Whitaker abruptly moves to a different part of the story. It may be jarring.

And yet, it’s a big part of this book, and it’s essential for readers to know the investigation’s outcome and what we know today. It doesn’t change Malcolm X’s legacy, but it adds another frame around it.

If you’ve read the autobiography, if you haven’t thought about Malcolm X in a while, or if you think you know all there is to know, then you owe it to yourself to find “The Afterlife of Malcolm X.”

For you, this is a book you won’t easily forget.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.