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SGL Contents
4 Editor‟s Letter 5 Movies 6 Music 7 Exclusive: What‟s Jood to James Earl Hardy? 12 What‟s The T? The Entertainment Report (Iman Takes Over The Fashion Show, Jamie Foxx stags another Film, Joe Torry is back to Reality, Insiders Not Feeling J-Hud Tracks, ‘Nutty Professor 3′ is in the works, and more)
Cover Image: Charlie t Book Photo Courtesy of Kensington Books
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Editor’s Letter
We are back with another exciting issue this week and with this issue we are going bi-weekly. Over the course of the summer we will be making a lot of changes with the magazine and website. Our cover model this week I am very excited for him to grace our cover and that man is a SGL Legend James Earl Hardy. I am a living witness that dreams come true. It has been a dream of mine to sit and talk with the man that help me with my sexuality through his novels over the years. In this issue we continue with our movies, music, Whatâ€&#x;s The T? section. So enjoy the issue and tell a friend about us, also please send us your comments about the magazine sglweeklymag@gmail.com. Go to www.sglliving.ning.com to read and please let us know what you think about the issue sglweeklymag@gmail.com. Cordially, Cleavester Editor In Chief www.twitter.com/cleavestershow 4
Movies
Truth Hall Some dirty little secrets are about to come out! Riskier and more provocative than Waiting to Exhale, Truth Hall examines the bonds of friendship linking a group of African-American women who were inseparable in college. But now, years after graduation, they reunite for a wedding and find that they have drifted apart. Lingering grudges and long-buried passions from their college days ignite... setting off a firestorm that could stop the wedding and destroy their cherished friendships.
Misconceptions This hilarious look at the culture warâ€&#x;s opposing factions follows a conservative, religious married woman who impulsively decides to be a surrogate mother. She "forgets" to tell her born again husband that the couple is both interracial and gay.
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Music
Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers features 20 brand new songs from the hit TV show. The deluxe version features fan favorites like "Gives You Hell," "Beautiful," "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and "Bad Romance," plus 6 exclusive deluxe edition tracks like "House is Not a Home," "Home," "Rose's Turn," "Beth," "Loser," and "Poker Face."
Distant Relatives [Explicit Lyrics] International Hip Hop superstar Nas and Grammy-winning artist Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley join creative forces to release this highly anticipated and exciting 2010 collaboration. This is an album created by the two serious artists to explore and celebrate the correlations and deep-rooted connections between reggae and Hip Hop, tracing both sounds back to the African motherland that is both the cradle of humanity and the wellspring of mankind's music. The project features the signature instrumentation and musicianship of Marley with the hard-hitting beats and lyrics of Nas. Distant Relatives traces the direct line from Dancehall Reggae's breakthrough moment 40 years ago to the rise of Hip Hop several years later.
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What‟s Jood to James Earl Hardy? A Cleavester Brooks Interview Images by: Marc Newell, Kensington Books, Alyson Books I am a living witness that dreams come true. It has been a dream of mine to sit and talk with the man that help me with my sexuality through his novels over the years. By reading B-Boy Blues it let me know that the feelings I was having for the same sex was ok and right. On that note he is back with a new book which is a tribute to E. Lynn Harris featuring 2 other SGL writers Terrance Dean & Stanley Bennett Clay called “Visible Lives” and a new play called “Confessions of a Homo Thug Porn Star” based on the life of Porn star Tiger Tyson. We talked about his new book, play, life, and the future. The Author Cleavester: What is the new book, Visible Lives, about? JEH: It‟s a tribute to E. Lynn [Harris]. Terrance Dean, Stanley Bennett Clay and I each contribute an essay about our friendships with him and his legacy, as well as a novella in which E. Lynn appears as a character. Cleavester: What kind of impact did Everett Lynn Harris have on you? JEH: I learned, through his example, that if I wanted to see a story on a bookshelf that reflected the world I lived in, I‟d have to write it myself. Here was a man who quit his corporate job to write and self-publish his first novel, and sold it out of the trunk of his car. That took tremendous courage, will and faith. I had hoped that we would collaborate on something one day; this collection will be the closest I come to that dream. Cleavester: Your novella is titled "Is it Still Jood to Ya?" Tell us a little about that. 8
JEH: I wrote “Jood To Ya” for my erotic anthology, The Freak Filez. But, given that E. was such a fan of Mitchell and Raheim, it only seemed fitting that it be included [in Visible Lives]. The story picks up where A House Is Not A Home left off. The question many have been asking is finally answered: Do Pooquie & Little Bit get back together? Cleavester: How much time do you spend writing? JEH: I write every day, usually after midnight. Cleavester: Where do you get your ideas from? JEH: Everywhere.
Cleavester: Where did the inspiration for B-Boy Blues come from? JEH: Most assume that it‟s my story of falling in love with a b-boy one summer but it isn‟t. I had been carrying around the plot for years. I just didn‟t think I, a journalist, would be the one to tell it. Cleavester: Will there be another book in the series? JEH: I didn‟t believe there would be a sequel and, now, a part seven, so you never know. There are a few things I‟d like to know the answers to. And some characters, like Montee the bisexual singer and Malice the Gay Rapper, have become so popular they could get their own novels. Cleavester: What area do you want to expand into in the future? JEH: I‟m looking forward to seeing Mitchell and Raheim on stage and the screen. Theatre Cleavester: You have a new stage play out called “Confessions of a Homo Thug Porn Star.” How did that come about? JEH: Tiger Tyson approached me about penning his memoir. As he opened up, I realized just how ripe his life story was for the stage. So, with his blessing, I developed the material into a one -man show. Cleavester: Did you accomplish everything that you set out to? 9
JEH: Judging by the audience response, yes. Porn stars are people, too, and my goal was to humanize Tiger, to let folks get behind the image. You might think you know who he is but after seeing the show you realize you don‟t. The show rests on the shoulders of the actor portraying him, and Johnathan Cedano kills it. Even Tiger was blown away by how well Johnathan channeled him. It‟s not easy portraying areal person--especially when they are sitting in the theater watching! Cleavester: You just won the Best Short Prize from the Downtown Urban Theater Festival. What did that feel like? JEH: After hearing the news, I screamed so loud and so hard that I almost lost my voice. It is my first professionally produced theatrical piece; it means so much to have it acknowledged. The award will get the show more attention and into more venues. We plan to hit the pride circuit, events like Fire Island Black Out and Blatino Oasis, and then land at a theater in New York for an extended run. Life Cleavester: Who is James Earl Hardy? JEH: I‟m still getting to know him -- and enjoying the discovery. Cleavester: Where are you from? JEH: Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Brooklyn, New York. Cleavester: What was life like growing up? JEH: My neighborhood was notoriously known as “Do or Die Bed-Stuy,” but living there was rather uneventful, even tranquil. Very suburban-like. Nothing at all like the crime and crack ridden ghetto that media reports often tagged it as. It was and will always be home to me. Cleavester: What did you want to be growing up? JEH: A teacher. Cleavester: Which talent would you most like to have that you don't? JEH: To sing like Luther. Love Cleavester: When did you have your first kiss? JEH: With a boy from around the way, Lorenzo. We were both 10. He was my first crush. His family moved to California a week later. He was too cute as a kid, so I‟m sure he grew up into a fine man. Cleavester: What do you look for in a guy? JEH: A sense of self and purpose, integrity, a joyful spirit, soulful eyes, a baby grand smile, firm yet smooth hands, pretty feet. And a butt you can eat breakfast off and out of. Cleavester: Describe a date with you? JEH: Lots of laughs and possibly some lip-lockin‟.
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Cleavester: Describe a relationship with you? JEH: I‟m on facebook. JEH: Intense. When I love, I love hard and long. I still love all the men I was involved with to- Cleavester: Do you have any special message day. Now, do I like all of them? That's a differ- for our readers? ent story! JEH: Thanks for embracing and making Pooquie, Little Bit, Li‟l Brotha Man, Baby Doll and the rest of the B-Boy gang a part of your family. The Future Cleavester: I hear that one of your books is in This wasn‟t a literary course I would‟ve chosen pre-production. for myself but I am so glad that it chose me. JEH: Yes, we just had a reading for the screenplay for The Day Eazy-E Died. Kirk Shannon Butts is directing. Given that many have forgotten that Eazy-E did in fact die and what he died of, and that AIDS is still decimating Black America, I hope the film can serve as a serious wake-up call. It can be our Philadelphia. Cleavester: Can we expect the series to come to life in the form of a movie or TV series? Who would you cast? JEH: Yes. The film and the play are still in the development stage. As far as the movie, Mitchell and Raheim will more than likely be portrayed by unknowns. I‟d love to see Don Cheadle or Jeffrey Wright as Gene. Boris Kodjoe as Babyface. Jennifer Hudson as Michelle. Loretta Devine as Mitchell‟s mother. Alfre Woodard as Raheim‟s mother. And who else could play Aunt Ruth but Jenifer Lewis? Cleavester: Tell me something about you that your fans may be surprised to know? JEH: I have two sons: Cornell, who is 20, and Andre aka Bamm Bamm, who is 16. Folks wonder, why do several years go by without a book? It‟s because I‟m being a domestic daddy. Cleavester: What can we expect from you in the future? JEH: The Tiger Tyson memoir. The Freak Filez is still in the works, although it may turn into a more general anthology that includes other writers. Cleavester: How can people get in contact with you? 11
What’s The T?
The Entertainment Report
Iman Takes Over The Fashion Show Bravo has renewed its “Project Runway” knockoff “Fashion Show” for a second season, but it has given the big “auf wiedersehen” to co-host Kelly Rowland. The network announced it will replace Rowland with legendary supermodel Iman, who will join co-host Isaac Mizrahi when the show returns with new episodes later this year. “We are happy to welcome Iman to the Bravo family,” said Bravo executive Frances Berwick. “Breaking barriers in the fashion industry, Iman is a true pioneer and her unparalleled credibility will inspire the contestants and be a perfect match to the always exciting, Isaac Mizrahi.”
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Kelly Rowland and Isaac Mizrahi of "The Fashion Show" (season one) In addition, Iman will also replace Rowland as a regular member of “The Fashion Show‟s” judging panel. “I am so excited to be joining the Bravo team and to be working again with Isaac Mizrahi, my close friend of many, many years,” said Iman. “I am also looking forward to all of the behind-the-scenes excitement and drama that is generated through the creative process of these undiscovered fashion designers. This will certainly be a show any follower of fashion will want to see.” Bravo is currently holding open casting calls for “The Fashion Show‟s” second season, which will follow a group of professional designers as they compete in a “Project Runway”-like competition to have their designs sold for the mass retail market. “The Fashion Show” was developed to fill the vacancy left when Bravo‟s “Project Runway” moved to Lifetime.
Jamie Foxx stags another Film We just discovered that actor/comedian/singer Jamie Foxx has added ANOTHER new film under his belt that he is scheduled to film. We hear that Foxx has recently joined the all-star cast of the new film titled Horrible Bosses which is a workplace murder comedy film to be being directed by Seth Gordon. The film is about three best friends who, frustrated by their jobs, come to the conclusion that the only solution is to kill one another's bosses. We also hear that actors Jason Bateman and Charlie Day are on board as two of the buddies, while Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell are in negotiations to play two of the three employers. Word is that Foxx will play a scam artist who offers murder advice to the three pals. The film is to be produced by Brett Ratner’s Production company Rat Entertainment.
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Up next for Foxx; an ensemble romantic comedy titled Valentine's Day, and has Due Date (with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis) coming out Nov. 5th and an action film with Bruce Willis titled Kane & Lynch (a video game adaptation film). Joe Torry is back to Reality
Comedian Joe Torry has been quietly building up some great momentum with several new ventures about to drop in the market, besides just doing standup. First up, we hear that Torry has recently signed a Voicetone deal with Universal Music Group and a new company titled Krazy Swag Entertainment that will jointly make available their new product on June 29th. We also discovered a new film project that Torry has taken on, tentatively titled Pawn Shop, (which is being produced by Torry), and he is also taking on a new TV project as he is currently filming a new reality show with his brother Guy Torry. We hear there are several networks interested which may include BET, VH1 and/or Comedy Central- but we can't say for certain yet. We do know that the full details on the show will be released soon. Finally, we also discovered that Torry is also becoming a book author, as his new book is going to be titled The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. No word yet on what the book will actually be about, but if we had to guess we would have to say it's his ventures in the stand-up industry and his rise to meteoric fame which began way back as he was the second host of the very popular Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam series on HBO. Insiders Not Feeling J-Hud Tracks
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Jennifer Hudson attends the "Winnie" Cocktail Party at Terrazza Martini during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2010 in Cannes, France. The New York Daily News is reporting that Jennifer Hudson has been forced back into the studio after her first round of new songs received lukewarm feedback at a recent industry event. According to the paper‟s Gatecrasher column, J Records executive Larry Jackson played tracks from the Oscar winner‟s sophomore CD at EMI Publishing‟s recent upfront presentation for songwriters and producers in NYC. “The songs she recorded so far were mostly Euro-dance music suited for Rihanna or Lady Gaga,” according to a music insider who attended the event. “The producers and songwriters unanimously agreed the music didn‟t fit Jennifer and encouraged Larry to send her back into the studio.” The dance-heavy musical direction reportedly blindsided the industry folk, who were expecting more of Hudson‟s usual R&B flavored material. The singer‟s new sound was crafted by producer Rich Harrison, who‟s resume includes hits for Beyoncé, ¬Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige. “The consensus was that the songs were not so not J.Hud,” dishes the insider. A second source says: “She definitely had to go back into the studio. She‟ll be adding some soulful, Aretha Franklin- and Gladys Knight-type songs to the CD.” Meanwhile a rep for Hudson insists, “We‟ve received terrific feedback on the material,” and says the singer is only “in the beginning stages” of recording her album. ‘Nutty Professor 3′ is in the works
Eddie Muphy says he‟s been busy developing ideas for a potential third installment of “The Nutty Professor.”
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“You know what, there might be another „Nutty Professor,‟” he told Access Hollywood„s Shaun Robinson at the LA premiere of “Shrek Forever After” on Sunday. “We kind of wrote something that might be kind of funny.” There‟s no word whether Universal has any desire to shoot another film in the lucrative franchise, but according to Murphy, it will depend on what the studio thinks of his ideas. “If the studios want to do it, we‟ll do it,” he told Robinson, his rumored ex-girlfriend. “If you don‟t see it, the studio was like, „This isn‟t funny.‟” “The Nutty Professor” grossed $273 million worldwide in 1996, and its sequel “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps” grossed $161 million four years later. Terrence Howard channels Marvin Gaye
Terrence Howard is reportedly in talks for director Cameron Crowe‟s planned biopic of Marvin Gaye for Sony Pictures reports Deadline. Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Elizabethtown”) has been developing the film for nearly four years with Will Smith eyed for the lead, but had to go back to the drawing board after he turned down the role. Crowe has secured rights to Gaye‟s music and scored the support of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. Scott Rudin will produce. Howard, meanwhile, says of his involvement: “Nothing‟s been signed on paper yet. Everybody who loves music will hate me if I get this one wrong.”
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