Private Practice Loses One Of Its Main Characters

Naomi Bennett will bid adieu to Oceanside Wellness and its inhabitants at the end of this season.

Audra McDonald has decided to leave her role due to familial obligations  
on the East coast.

Don't worry Naomi may visit the gang occasionally. According to McDonald, she is not closing the door on the show or the character which brought her into our homes week after week.

Kerry & Columbus Join Shonda's New Show

 Shonda Rhimes has chosen film star Kerry Washington as the lead on her new show Scandal. It’s great that the lead is going to be Afro American and with Shonda’s penchant for hits (think Grey’s and Private Practice, not the short lived Off the Map) I have high hopes for this one. The trailer is interesting http://www.tvrockstars.com/scandal-on-abc-promo-preview-trailer/ and so is the backstory of how the show came to be.

The show is about the PR/crisis management world and is based on real life "fixer" Judy Smith who has worked with Michael Vick among others. Washington will play Olivia Price, the head of her own agency and the show will also feature an assortment of telegenic characters who work with Olivia at the agency.

Cutie Columbus Short who starred in Stomp The Yard , This Christmas, and Death At A Funeral will play an attorney at the firm who will probably hit the sheets with Olivia (this is just an assumption on my part, but if you have seen Shonda's other shows you know I am probably not too far off the mark!)

Fantasia To Play Gospel Great Mahalia Jackson

Popeater just announced that season 3 American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino will portray gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in a film adaptation of her biography.

Even though there has been talk of Fanny playing Aretha, I find this role a better fit for her. Mahalia has a very interesting backstory and with the right director and script, Fanny could be looking at Oscar gold.

Gaga's Cover Art Revealed

If you are a Lady Gaga fan like myself, I am sure your curiosity is piqued when it comes to the new music coming our way on 2/11.

The CD Born This Way will be out in May, so this new single will be the perfect appetizer before the main course!

Essence Hollywood Issue

Angela Bassett is Essence Magazine's latest cover girl. I am sure in the issue Angela will discuss the new role she's taking on in the ABC series One Police Plaza where she plays a police commissioner, and what it feels like to be one of the honorees for the Women In Hollywood luncheon Essence sponsors around Oscar time. Other honorees include Viola Davis and the always working Loretta Devine.

Kudos ladies!!