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Whoopi Goldberg, Pat McGrath, Shonda Rhimes, Kim Kardashian, Shiggy, and more! [VIDEO] | What's The 411 News & Commentary - Ep. 129

Shonda Rhimes Lists 8 New Shows for Netflix; Living while Black; family of Duchess Meghan (Markle) trying to cash in; and Michelle Williams coping with mental illness

In this video, journalist Kizzy Cox, and comedian Onika McLean are discussing relevant stories of the week.

In Quick Takes, the duo is giving a rundown of the following news stories:

Kim Kardashian’s latest round of Kimoji fragrances—Kimoji Cherry, Kimoji Peach, and Kimoji Vibes—made $5 million in just five minutes. There’s no verification, but it’s Kim, so nearly anything is possible.

• Talking about the Black Girl Magic of Pat McGrath, we have learned that Black-owned cosmetics line, Pat McGrath Labs, which is a staple at Sephora, was recently valued at $1 Billion.

• ‘Love & Hip Hop’s’ Jessica Dime recently posted a photo of her 3-month-old daughter, Blessing Briel’ Williams, on Instagram for the first time, and she is beautiful.

• Showrunner, Shonda Rhimes, just released a list of eight shows to the NY Times, which includes The Warmth of Other Suns, and Pico & Sepulveda, a series set in Mexican California at the start of the Gold Rush in the 1840s.

• Comedian Shiggy, who came to fame impersonating, ESPN’s star host, Stephen A. Smith on Instagram, is back in the news in another video showing him pushing aside, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback at that, so he can take a photo with Ciara at the ESPYs. And, in case you don't know, Ciara is Russell Wilson's wife.

• Gospel singer Cissy Houston, is battling dementia, according to sources close to the Grammy winner. Cissy Houston is the mother of the late pop singer, Whitney Houston. We send our best wishes to the Houston family.

 

WHAT’S POPPIN – HEALTH

Recently, designer Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef and cultural curator, both committed suicide. Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny’s Child, is choosing life and is taking another approach. For years, Williams has been coping with mental illness and decided to check herself into a mental health facility to get help.

Q. What do you think it will take for Americans, and particularly, Black Americans, to embrace mental health in the way that we embrace physical health?

 

WHAT’S POPPIN – POLITICS

Jeanine Pirro, a former Westchester County District Attorney, and now a Fox News host was on The View to promote her new book, Liars, Leakers and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy and things went left when Pirro told The View's host, Whoopi Goldberg, that she is suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Q. Why do conservatives feel the need to call people names when they have a legitimate issue with Trump?

 

WHAT’S POPPIN – CULTURE

Rolling Out reported that a white woman in Berkeley, CA. started harassing a group of Black people, yelling at them saying you don’t belong here. When the police arrived, a white female witness backed up the black family’s account of the story. The police arrested the white woman not because she was harassing people, but because she had a parole violation.

Q. What is it going to take for law enforcement to take these complaints more seriously and for there to be more consequences?

 

WHAT’S POPPIN – FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

The family of the Duchess of Sussex, better known as, Meghan Markle, is doing everything to extend its 15 minutes of fame. According to Page Six, Markle’s half-sister, Samantha Grant, is reportedly being lined up to appear on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother. The network is theming this summer’s reality hit as The Eye of The Storm and is expected to introduce housemates that have all been caught up in their own media controversies. Even her father is turning up on various television shows.

Q. Should Meghan Markle's family be in the business of trying to cash in on her royal status?

Russell Wilson Posts Sweet Mother’s Day Note to Ciara on Instagram

Push Back on Russell Wilson's Mother's Day Note is Fast and Furious primarily from rapper Future’s fans, for two words, “our kids” [VIDEO DISCUSSION]

This past weekend was Mother’s Day and Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, posted a sweet Mother’s Day note on Instagram to his wife, Ciara, and rapper Future’s fans came for Wilson’s head. The note said:

“Nothing better than spending time with you. You are an amazing mom & I'm so grateful I get to spend the rest of my life with you & raising our kids. I love you! #HappyMothersDay Weekend my love. @Ciara

Surprisingly (or, perhaps, not), people objected to Wilson saying “our kids.”

Should Wilson have not said, “our”?

Are those who objected to Wilson stating “our kids” out of line?

A Special Conversation about the Killings of Alton Sterling, Philandro Castile, Dallas Police, and More

VIDEO DISCUSSION: A dialogue about policing, politics, black economic development and empowerment

In this special episode of What's The 411, the panel of Kizzy Cox, Courtney Rashon, Onika McLean, and Sydney Wayman are discussing the events of the past week regarding the shooting deaths of two unarmed black men, Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile by police officers in Baton Rouge and Minnesota respectively; as well as the shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas, Texas. They are also discussing the presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and the need to pay attention to their rhetoric; the need for people to take their civic responsibilities more seriously; and the WhereU App to find Black-owned businesses across the country.

On the entertainment side, The Wilsons, Russell Wilson and Ciara, are now married, and in-studio, we have an interview with Samirah Horton aka DJ Annie Red, a 7-year-old rapper, musician, athlete and painter.

 

Rapper Future Not Happy Taking Backseat to NFL Star Russell Wilson

Is singer Ciara's moving on with new beau making Future's blood boil?

It seems like rapper Future is having a little trouble with singer Ciara moving on with her life. When Future was asked about photos showing Ciara's new man, NFL Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Russell Wilson, pushing little Future in a stroller, the rapper voiced his disapproval.

"You don't even bring a man around your son," he shared on the breakfast club. "You know this dude for a few months and you're bringing him around your kid? Who does that? Nobody does that."

Is Future right? Is it too soon for Ciara to expose her son to a new man in her life?

What's The 411 Episode 58: Future Throwing Shade at Ciara and Russell Wilson

Camille Cosby Opens Up; Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson Get Emmy Noms for Lead Actresses in Drama Series and more

In What's The 411 Episode 58, the panel of What's The 411 hosts Glenn Gilliam and Kizzy Cox and correspondents Onika McLean and Essence Semaj are discussing the Eric Garner case, Bill Cosby, BB King; rapper/producer Timbaland; Bobbi Kristina; rapper Hussein Fatal, NASA scientist Claudia Alexander; the Emmy nominations; rapper Future's feud with singer Ciara over her new beau, NFL Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson's involvement with their son; Amazon's selection of Spike Lee's film, Chiraq; President Obama's work ethic; the Harlem Book Fair's Wheatley Awards and author Selma Jackson's win of a Wheatley Award; Kizzy Cox calls Texas police On the Carpet for the death of Sandra Bland; and a Reality TV Recap focused on VH1's Twinning and Bishop TD Jakes' scolding of the Braxton sisters on the Braxton Family Values.

What's The 411TV Episode 58 Rundown

What's The 411 Quick Takes

A settlement was reached in the Eric Garner case. Garner was the Staten Island man who died after being placed in a chokehold by police in 2014. The Garner Family settled with the City of New York for $5.9 million dollars.

WBLS.COM and the New York Post are reporting the Camille Cosby believes that her husband's accusers 'consented' drugs and sex. More than 40 women have come forward accusing the disgraced actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, of rape. In the meantime, President Obama, when asked about the alleged allegations at a press conference, said: "if you give a woman -- or a man, for that matter -- without his or her knowledge a drug and then have sex with that person without consent, that's rape." recently, The New York Times has obtained a 10-year-old deposition in which Cosby spoke more of how he used fame, drugs, and fortune for sex. Comedian and talk show host, Whoopi Goldberg, after originally defending Cosby on the View, has now backtracked her support.

We have an update on the late blues man B.B. King. King's daughters said he was poisoned which led to his death. Now, according to a recent autopsy report, he died of Alzheimer's Disease and other complications.

THE GRIO.COM is reporting that NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is number one newscast for three consecutive weeks.

And it doesn't get any better for rapper-producer Timbaland. His wife, Monique Mosley, has filed for divorce for the second time; Nick Gordon has been served with a $10 million dollar lawsuit on behalf of Bobby Kristina Brown. The documents state that Gordon misrepresented himself as Brown's husband to control and limit Brown's spending and interactions with others; and rapper DMX was sentenced to 6 months for not paying child support.

Speaking of Bobbi Kristina, movie mogul Tyler Perry recently visited her at the hospice in Atlanta. Perry later pleaded to the media: "It's heartbreaking to think that even in a time like this, this child is still not allowed any peace. I assure you, the family will issue an official statement if something changes. Until then, can we just pray for Krissi, and the Houston and Brown families?"

In an "Only in New York" story, singer and actress Brandy boarded a New York City subway train, in complete disguise, and sang on board a packed train. No one paid her any attention.

AND IN MEMORIAM, WE REMEMBER:

MARLENE SANDERS, ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO BREAK INTO TELEVISION NEWS, HAS PASSED AWAY. SHE WAS 84.
D'ARMY BAILEY, THE FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM HAS PASSED AWAY AT AGE 73.
• RAPPER, HUSSEIN FATAL, WHO WAS A MEMBER OF TUPAC'S GROUP, OUTLAWZ, DIED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. HE WAS 38.
MICHAEL MASSER, WHO WROTE SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITS FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON, HAS DIED AT 74
• NASA SCIENTIST CLAUDIA ALEXANDER, WHO HELPED DIRECT THE AGENCIES GALILEO MISSION TO JUPITER HAS PASSED AWAY FROM BREAST CANCER. ALEXANDER, WAS 56.

What's Poppin'

 

2015 Emmy Nominations

The 2015 Emmy nominations are in. Among the nominees are actresses Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis, who are up for outstanding lead actress in a drama for their respective shows EMPIRE and How To Get Away With Murder; Uzo Aduba for outstanding supporting actress in a drama for Orange Is The New Black; Don Cheadle and Anthony Anderson for outstanding actor in a comedy for their shows House Of Lies and Black-Ish respectively; Queen Latifah and David Oyelowo are nominated for outstanding actress and actor in a TV movie for Bessie and Nightingale respectively; Khandi Alexander and Cicely Tyson are up for outstanding guest actress for Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder respectively; and Regina King, Angela Bassett, and Mo'nique are up for outstanding actress in a limited series or movie for their work in American Crime (King), American Horror Story: Freak Show (Bassett), and Bessie (Mo'nique). Congratulations!

Future-Ciara-Russell Wilson

It seems like rapper Future is having a little trouble with Ciara moving on with her life. When Future was asked about photos showing Ciara's new man, Russell Wilson pushing around in a stroller little Future, his son with Ciara, the rapper voiced his disapproval.

"You don't even bring a man around your son," he shared on the Breakfast Club. "You know this dude for a few months and you're bringing him around your kid? Who does that? Nobody does that."

Is Future right? Is it too soon for Ciara to expose her son to a new man in her life?

Amazon Selects Spike Lee

Amazon Studios says it has acquired Spike Lee's new film as its first amazon original movie. The film, with the working title Chi-raq, features a cast including Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, and Teyonah Parris, as well as D.B. Sweeney, Harry Lennix, Steve Harris and Angela Bassett, plus John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.

Amazon studios' Ted Hope said, "It would be impossible to find a better filmmaker" than Lee to launch the studio with.

Under The Radar

The hardest working man in government is ... you guessed it, is President Obama. According to Americans Against the Tea Party, President Obama would need to take the rest of his candidacy on vacation to add up to the time former President George Bush took on vacation. If you recall, Roger Ailes, President and CEO of Fox, about two years ago:

"Obama's the one who's never worked a day in his life. He never earned a penny that wasn't public money. How many fundraisers does he attend every week? How often does he play basketball and golf? I wish I had that kind of time. He's lazy, but the media won't report that."

411 Book Party

Luvon Roberson, What's The 411's Book Editor, tells us about the Harlem Book Fair's Wheatley Awards and a recap of her interview with author Selma Jackson, one of the winners of The Wheatley Awards.

On The Carpet: Texas Police

Every week there's at least one person that gets called on the carpet. And this week we are calling on the carpet the Hempstead Police Department in Texas.

Stories like this are on rewind! Twenty-seven-year-old Sandra Bland was on her way to her new job when she was pulled over by state trooper Brian Encinia in Prairie View, Texas for failing to signal when changing lanes. The police then claimed that she was combative with the officer, which required him to slam her to the ground and another officer to hold her down as well. But there was a witness who recorded the incident and Bland doesn't appear combative but is heard yelling that they slammed her head into the ground so hard she couldn't hear! What's worse is that they threw her in jail and two days later she was dead. The county sheriff claims she died of suicide by asphyxiation...but this is the same sheriff who was fired from his post as Chief of Police in Hempstead, Texas in 2007 for racism and abuse against black people! Why was he allowed back into law enforcement at all?

This just keeps happening, the excessive force, the death of black people at the hands of law enforcement. It has to stop, just like white lives, Black lives matter.

Reality TV Recap

 

VH1's Twinning

According to perezhilton.com, Vh1 is ready to dip its feet back into the reality TV pool with the launch of its new show, Twinning on July 22nd. This show will feature twins in a survivor-like competition for a grand prize of $222,222.22. For 10 weeks, a dozen sets of twins will live apart from one another and compete in challenges to see which pair really has the closest bond.

Braxton Family Values

Bishop T.D. Jakes gave the bickering Braxton Sisters the scolding of their lives on Braxton Family Values. In short he said:

"You're spoiled. You're flat-out spoiled."

"To see you in these fancy shoes and these nice clothes, and act like this??? "How can we teach our children to respect black women, if black women don't respect black women? This has got to stop."

What's The 411TV host Glenn Gilliam, put a wrinkle in the commentary. Glenn suggested that Bishop Jakes needs to use his pulpit to comment on larger issues affecting the Black community.

COMMENTS

If you would like to call someone on the carpet, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter @whatsThe411TV with who you want called on the carpet and why. If we choose your story, we'll include it on the show.

Super Bowl 2015 in the Rearview Mirror

Comedy of Errors Gives Patriots a 28-24 Win over Seahawks

What can be said that hasn't already been said??!

Well I'll tell you, Patriots miracle play-making CB Malcolm Butler is a cheater, just like the head Cheater in coach Bill Belichick and his supermodel QB Tom "Stop Playing with My Balls" Brady!! Few people seem to acknowledge it, but Butler committed a major penalty of pass interference during a critical Seattle possession in the fourth quarter.

Butler, who coincidentally was covering Seattle WR Ricardo Lockette again, when he fell down and intentionally grabbed the wide-out's foot and tripped him, opting to take the penalty instead of a huge gain and possibly a point scoring play for Seattle...but no flag! Apparently everyone in the University of Phoenix Stadium saw it but the refs. The game announcers saw it, Chris Collingsworth wondered how it was missed and said Pats got away with one and Lockette, who still almost caught the pass got up signaling the foul and demonstrably looking for the flag...but none was coming.

As a lifelong New York Jets fan, I can say this objectively, New England, for a team that cheats and plays dirty most of the time, has never been whistled for a penalty on a crucial play. The tuck rule for which Tom Brady is infamous for, BS! Time and time again there's no call or the wrong call and if you want to know how to get away with murder, play for "Witch-Kraft'" and his Patriots, sorry couldn't resist, hey Viola!

Seriously, the last impossible to understand play of the game, had former LOB now Pats CB Browner, with his hands full of WR Kearse's jersey, a holding call against anyone else!... And any talk of conspiracy that Coach Pete Carroll wanted his QB Russell Wilson to make the game-winning play as opposed to "I'm just here so I won't get fined" Money Lynch, didn't see the previous play when Marshawn Lynch ran for four yards instead of five! Ridiculous!

Seattle-Seahawks-Quarterback-Russell-Wilson-and-Running-Back-Marshawn-Lynch 700x350

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch

As the loquacious and supremely brilliant former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Denny Green once decried, "they are who we thought they were and we let 'em off the hook!"...with a little help from the refs, just sayin'.

  • Published in Football

Super Bowl XLIX: New England Beats Seattle 28-24

Referees Missed Crucial Call Giving Game to New England

What can be said that hasn't already been said??!

Well I'll tell you, Patriots miracle play-making CB Malcolm Butler could be considered a cheater, just like the head Cheater in coach Bill Belichick and his supermodel QB Tom "Stop Playing with My Balls" Brady!!

Few people noticed it was Butler who committed a major penalty of pass interference during a critical Seattle possession in the fourth quarter. Butler, who coincidentally was covering Seattle WR Ricardo Lockette again, when he fell down and intentionally grabbed the wideout's foot and tripped him, opting to take the penalty instead of a huge gain and possibly a point scoring play for Seattle...but no flag!

Apparently everyone in the University of Phoenix Stadium saw it but the refs. The game announcers saw it, Chris Collingsworth wondered how it was missed and said Pats got away with one and Lockette, who still almost caught the pass got up signaling the foul and demonstrably looking for the flag...but none was coming.

As a lifelong JETS fan I can say this objectively, New England, for a team who cheats and plays dirty most of the time, has never been whistled for a penalty on a crucial play. The tuck rule for which Tom Brady is infamous for, BS! Time and time again there's no call or the wrong call and if you want to know how to get away with murder, play for "Witch-Kraft'" and his Patriots, sorry couldn't resist, hey Viola!

Seriously, the last impossible to understand play of the game, had former LOB now Pats CB Browner, with his hands full of WR Kearse's jersey, a holding call against anyone else!... And any talk of conspiracy that Coach Pete Carroll wanted his QB Russell Wilson to make the game-winning play as opposed to Marshawn "I'm just here so I won't get fined" Money Lynch, didn't see the previous play when Marshawn Lynch ran for four yards instead of five! Ridiculous!

As the loquacious and supremely brilliant former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Denny Green once decried, "they are who we thought they were and we let 'em off the hook!"...with a little help from the refs, just sayin'.

  • Published in Football

NFL Pre-Season Player Ranking Lists Are Biased

NFL Pre-Season Rankings Becoming an Irritant

Every year before the NFL season starts, the player ranking lists make their way to the public consciousness.

Glenn Gilliam, Host, What's The 411Sports, is not happy about the latest NFL player rankings. He's concerned that Russell Wilson, despite winning the Super Bowl last year, is being ranked too low.

He also feels Geno Smith, a rookie quarterback with the New York Jets, received no love even though he helped the New York Jets attain an 8-8 record with no real offensive help.

Chris Graham believes that Geno Smith has more room to grow this year with Michael Vick behind him. 

Give the young guns aka new jacks, the praise they so rightfully deserve.

On the other hand, What's The 411Sports reporter Gregory Alcala is a bit more cautious; he feels that we should wait to see what else the new jacks accomplish.

However, when asked would he start a new team with the new jacks or the old heads; Gregory said he would go with the newer players.

Who would be on your team, new players or the older guys?

VIDEO: Join in the conversation

 

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