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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?

What's The 411 Episode 95: Robert F. Smith, The Kaepernick Effect, and more

Robert F. Smith donated $20 million to National African American Museum; Kanye West joins Instagram, Nicki Minaj uses Twitter to find girlfriend for her brother, Tinder lets you swipe and chat

In this episode of What's The 411, the panel of Kizzy Cox, Courtney Rashon, and Sydney Wayman are talking about:

Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to give notice that her brother needs a new girlfriend

Uber is requiring its drivers to check in with face time before picking up a passenger

The Magnificent Seven starring Denzel Washington debuted at No.1 with just over $35 million

Strut, a new reality TV show about a transgender modeling agency, executive produced by Whoopi Goldberg, debuted on Oxygen

Tinder's new app will let you swipe while you chat

Kanye West has a verified Twitter account, but it doesn't look like he's using it

Robert F. Smith, a Black billionaire donated $20 million to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, in addition to Oprah Winfrey

• 100 Oakland student musicians took a knee during the National Anthem at an Oakland A's game

• Geode-inspired lips are a hit on Instagram; will it make it to the street?

Caribbean Cook-up

Dance teacher and fitness guru Shola Roberts is Kizzy Cox's guest in the Caribbean Cook-up segment

411 Social

Jasmine Blake and Nicole Okeke, members of the What's The 411 social media team, gave feedback on the Teyana Taylor and #TeacherBae stories, as well as shout outs to people who commented on the stories on the What's The 411TV Facebook and Instagram pages.

Nicole: Shout out to our followers who commented on our Instagram post with the hashtag "TeacherBae." That photo has got a lot of you talking and we were surprised to find out that everyone who commented had no problem with her clothing. So, thanks to Dana Sorrentino for commenting on the Teacher Bae story on Facebook.

Jasmine: And, shout out to ilove_charlie_peter, im_just_evette , and Jimswinger on Instagram for their comments on the "Teacher Bae" story. So keep those comments coming at WhatsThe411TV on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

In Memoriam

Actor Bill Nunn, best known as Radio Raheem in the Spike Lee movie, Do The Right Thing, passed away after a battle with leukemia. He was just a few weeks short of his 63rd birthday.

  • Published in Episodes

A Memorable Trip to Bountiful

On Wednesday, August 14th, I had the privilege to attend a showing of the critically acclaimed revival of Horton Foote's masterpiece, The Trip to Bountiful. Starring Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, and Cuba Gooding Jr., it tells the story of Carrie Watts (Cicely Tyson), who is living in a small Houston apartment with her soft-spoken son (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and very out-spoken daughter-in-law (Vanessa Williams).

Carrie dreams of returning to her home in a small gulf coast town called Bountiful where she grew up and raised her family. Sneaking away with her latest pension check, Carrie heads to Bountiful for the journey of a lifetime. The result is an unforgettable play about the idea of home and its power to sustain us.

This being the first Broadway show I have ever attended I was amazed and in awe of the performances, set design and overall experience. From the serious moments to the downright hysterical, I was enchanted by it all. The main cast and ensemble were a sight to behold.

After the show's end, the audience was treated to a special post show talkback with cast members Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat and Adepero Oduye. The event, moderated by writer and critic Caryn James, gave a behind the scenes look at the creative process of the show. The actors were very candid with both the interviewer and the audience and were open to any questions, which was a real treat for all in attendance.

I highly recommend this show and strongly encourage you to join the list of celebs that have seen the production. They include: Denzel Washington, director Kenny Leon, Whoopi Goldberg, Diahann Carroll, and Harry Belafonte.

Go see it before it ends on October 9th, 2013.

There is currently a 2 for 1 ticket sale going, get tickets while you still can! http://bit.ly/14tzodB

  • Published in Theatre
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