Entertainment

Reel-ality TV Talk

Published

9 years ago

February 23, 2015

By Marquesa LaDawn
NNPA Columnist

It was wild and crazy week in Housewives Land. Let’s start with #RHOA, which had a big episode. They picked up on Apollo’s rant as he left home for the Big House. Or, should I say, Jailhouse? It’s sooo sad when I think of how defiant Phaedra was when it came to her marriage to Apollo. She was all in and not budging, in spite of the various red flags. But, as soon as he got arrested, she could not wash him out of her life fast enough. I get it, you love and then you leave. But, deep down, I don’t believe Phaedra 100 percent. Why? She’s a smart woman when it comes to business, too smart not to notice all the money that was being spent by her hubby. If I had a hubby with that background, I would be on him like white on rice. On second thought, I wouldn’t have a hubby like that. I think if Phaedra was more open with her emotions and less stoic, I would trust her more.

I have to say that I’m excited about the possibility of her seeing a Mr. Chocolate. Longtime housewives fan notice how the tide quickly shifts. You see, Phaedra was great at bad talking other housewives when they considered mysterious suitors. Now, she’s in the hot seat. I will stay tuned, as always. Perhaps the chocolate may just melt.

On to my other face in #RHOA land, Kenya Moore, who’s getting attacked from so many places, all at one time. Where should I start? Where does anyone start? First, let’s try the blogosphere, where play, movie, whatever is being exposed as a sham.

There was a claim made by “Fresh Prince of Bell-Air” actress Janet Hubert, one of the actors in this production. Supposedly, this was just a fake production that yielded fake pay. I guess we will see. I enjoy Kenya in the mix with others. The whole production thing is kind of a bore. It’s funny, because you can see Kenya wants a piece of Vivica A. Fox’s life, her nemesis on #CA, the movie star part. I bring up Vivica famous beef on #CelebrityApprentice

Bored or not, I am curious about Kenya confronting Phaedra over her mystery man. You see, Kenya is still irked about Phaedra calling her a whore and other unflattering names. She’s really hurt that after Apollo, her husband, admitted he lied on Kenya, she never got an apology or at least a sincere one from Phaedra. She has a major ax to grind, which should surprise no one. I will say that having fast talking Claudia as a buddy works to her advantage; even Cynthia is proving to be a great asset.

The Queen of RHOA, Nene, appeared on #WWHL with my girl, Tracie Ellis Ross and boy did she spill some tea. Nene’s pretty bold about reacting if she feels shamed or attacked and #bravo via #andycohen can do that in a charming way. Everybody’s talking about Nene’s poor hair choices and like any woman, she’s embarrassed. Don’t know if she’s more embarrassed about the hair or the talking. My guess is that she’ll get it right eventually. I just wish she’d figure out who she wants to be. I saw her interview with Meredith , and whoa! All of a sudden, I was introduced to Nene trying to be someone else. I will just say although she shared her back story in a big way, she at times lacked being authentic, trying to be a character of herself. You’ve gotta watch it. She’s a work in progress, like the rest of us.

In #RHOBH land, …last week built on the previous week of Kim being the center of discussion. In short, she’s in denial about her addiction and everyone around her is trying to figure out what to do. I’m getting bored. This was the storyline three years ago. If Brandi wasn’t acting up, I wouldn’t watch. I heard a rumor that Brandi is considering leaving the housewives, yeah right. That show makes her relevant. Right now, she’s feeling vulnerable from all the attacks from the other housewives and #celebrityapprentice; Just think about it, she may garner a lot of screen time, but she’s always the bad guy, and she’s playing herself. Gotta Love Brandi!

I’m in tears over #CelebrityApprentice ending… It was so good. The housewives created drama like true professionals and the second female celebrity apprentice winner emerged, Leeza Gibbons. She doesn’t know it yet, but Leeza would make a fabulous housewife although she has a bit of a Stepford Wives vibe. I loved how she told the story about being invited to Brandi’s housewarming not realizing it was being taping for the show.

She popped in and then out with her hubby in tow. When she was asked about being Brandi’s friend, she dodged that question with a silent no. It’s important from a career perspective that she’s not put into reality TV world too much. But, Leeza can I say, it was reality TV that made you hot again, so don’t kick it too much.

During the final episode, Kenya was asked one more time about #phonegate. Did you steal Vivica’s phone? Of course she said, no. Several cast members recommended a lie detector test. No matter what they say, Donald Trump, the housewives made your show relevant! Go girls!!

Marquesa LaDawn is a professional business woman who escapes the pressures of living in New York City by retreating into the real world of reality TV. Visit her at www.Realitytvgirl.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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April 19, 2024

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Entertainment

O.J. Simpson, 76, Dies of Prostate Cancer

Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson, who rose to fame as a college football player who went on to the NFL and parlayed his talents in acting and sportscasting, succumbed to prostate cancer on April 10, his family announced.

Published

5 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson. Wikipedia photo

By Post Staff

Born and raised in San Francisco, the Galileo High School graduate was recruited by the University of Southern California after he was on a winning Junior College All-American team.

At USC, he gained wide acclaim as a running back leading to him becoming the No. 1 pick in the AFL-NFL draft in 1969 and joining the Buffalo Bills, where he had demanded – and received — the largest contract in professional sports history: $650,000 over five years. In 1978, the Bills traded Simpson to his hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers, retiring from the game in 1979.

Simpson’s acting career had begun before his pro football career with small parts in 1960s TV (“Dragnet”) before “Roots” and film (“The Klansman,” “The Towering Inferno,” Capricorn One”).

He was also a commentator for “Monday Night Football,” and “The NFL on NBC,” and in the mid-1970s Simpson’s good looks and amiability made him, according to People magazine, “the first b\Black athlete to become a bona fide lovable media superstar.”

The Hertz rent-a-car commercials raised his recognition factor while raising Hertz’s profit by than 50%, making him critical to the company’s bottom line.

It could be said that even more than his success as a football star, the commercials of his running through airports endeared him to the Black community at a time when it was still unusual for a Black person to represent a national, mainstream company.

He remained on Hertz team into the 1990s while also getting income endorsing Pioneer Chicken, Honey Baked Ham and Calistoga water company products and running O.J. Simpson Enterprises, which owned hotels and restaurants.

He married childhood sweetheart Marguerite Whitley when he was 19 and became the father of three children. Before he divorced in 1979, he met waitress and beauty queen Nicole Brown, who he would marry in 1985. A stormy relationship before, during and after their marriage ended, it would lead to a highway car chase as police sought to arrest Simpson for the murder by stabbing of Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.

The pursuit, arrest, and trial of Simpson were among the most widely publicized events in American history, Wikipedia reported.

Characterized as the “Trial of the Century,” he was acquitted by a jury in 1995 but found liable in the amount of $33 million in a civil action filed by the victims’ families three years later.

Simpson would be ensnared in the criminal justice system 12 years later when he was arrested after forcing his way into a Las Vegas hotel room to recover sports memorabilia he believed belonged to him.

In 2008, he received a sentence of 33 years and was paroled nine years later in 2017.

When his death was announced, Simpson’s accomplishments and downfalls were acknowledged.

Sports analyst Christine Brennan said: “… Even if you didn’t love football, you knew O.J. because of his ability to transcend sports and of course become the businessman and the pitchman that he was.

“And then the trial, and the civil trial, the civil case he lost, and the fall from grace that was extraordinary and well-deserved, absolutely self-induced, and a man that would never be seen the same again,” she added.

“OJ Simpson played an important role in exposing the racial divisions in America,” attorney Alan Dershowitz, an adviser on Simpson’s legal “dream team” told the Associated Press by telephone. “His trial also exposed police corruption among some officials in the Los Angeles Police Department. He will leave a mixed legacy. Great athlete. Many people think he was guilty. Some think he was innocent.”

“Cookie and I are praying for O.J. Simpson’s children … and his grandchildren following his passing. I know this is a difficult time,” Magic Johnson said on X.

“I feel that the system failed Nicole Brown Simpson and failed battered women everywhere,” attorney Gloria Allred, who once represented Nicole’s family, told ABC News. “I don’t mourn for O.J. Simpson. I do mourn for Nicole Brown Simpson and her family, and they should be remembered.”

Simpson was diagnosed with prostate cancer about a year ago and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, according to Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter. He died in his Las Vegas, Nevada, home with his family at his side.

He is survived by four children: Arnelle and Jason from his first marriage and Sydney and Justin from his second marriage. He was predeceased son, Aaren, who drowned in a family swimming pool in 1979.

Sources for this report include Wikipedia, ABC News, Associated Press, and X.