VH1 Divas is Back

Now with most of you thinking that there aren't any specials for those of us who actually like music that you don't need an urban dictionary app for, we're in luck. VH1's much acclaimed Divas is back and airs December 19th. But the real excitement is that the theme for this year is soul. And in particular soulful cities like Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Philadelphia and London. It looks to be awesome.

 Featured performers include Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Estelle, and non-divas Boyz II Men and Travie McCoy. While every artist isn't a headliner, it looks to be interested and Divas is well known for dynamic twists on classic cuts, mash-ups, and great duets. And with the Roots is the house band, there's no reason not to miss this. I know I won't.

Divas Lineup

The Target Lady Scares Me

I used to think the Target lady that really scared me was Kristen Wiig's infamous incarnation of the bowl cut, word mispronouncing not employee of the year. But Maria Bamford's Rocky-esque character in the Target commercials takes the cake. She is cray-cray (super crazy) to the extreme.
Anyone who likes shopping this much has problems. And I say that with love and affection. Unfortunately I can't give you the number to a psychiatrist, but after you read this and still want to shop, please use Google to help yourself.
 I know some people say it's all in good fun, but it's too much for me. I know it's important to save money, but it shouldn't be more important than say a good meal with the people you cherish most. But this lady, well, let's just say I hope you act more like this:

Than This:

An Offer He Should Have Refused?

 Francis Ford Coppola, legendary Hollywood director now admits he shouldn't have made the "Godfather" sequels in the years after the iconic debut of the franchise. And nearly several years after one of the most acclaimed sequels in "Godfather" 2, it seems like a statement of regret.
 I've never seen any of the "Godfather" films. And that is partially because of the violent nature of the films as well as the deeply entangled plot about the Mob. It's not that I think all movies with violence are bad. I did see "The Departed", but it took me a while to get over the gross amount of violence featured in the flick.
 But as much as the average guy loves "Godfather", there's much to be said for the unnecessary appropriation of sequels in modern cinema. There isn't a "Casablanca 2" or a "Gone with the Wind: It's Still Blowing Kinda." It ended when it ended. And maybe what Coppola is trying to say he should have left with a bang than go out with a whimper. However as much as he'd like to change the account of the past, he can't rewrite the script that made him an icon.
Only One Godfather?

Jenny from the (Fiat) Block

 Perhaps the most talked about performance of last night's American Music Awards (AMAs) was Jennifer Lopez's bodysuit clad, Fiat endorsement of a performance. This was supposed to be a comeback celebration, but I doubt anyone wants J Lo to comeback from anything but selling out. The Fiat located on the middle of the stage, essentially was the other star of the performance.
 Now the question at hand is, Is it okay for celebrities to blatantly endorse products? Yes, but it's not okay for it to be incorporated in such a way that people are insulted. The early days of television were primarily sponsored by companies like GE. But did they sit on top of a GE washer while actually in the show? Well, I'm not sure but people weren't upset.
 I understand why celebrities, especially musicians want to endorse a product. The music business is no longer based on sales, but touring and if you don't tour regularly, well that money's got to come from somewhere. Unfortunately for J Lo, she's not only a musician but an actress and an entrepreneur so this makes her look even worse. She not only has a steady income, but she also has a well-paid gig on American Idol as the new Paula.
 But then again she is going through a divorce. And about to enter the murky world of single motherhood, so maybe we should give her a break. Okay, maybe not but let's at least admire the fact she still wears flesh tones on live television.

TV Heartbreak

 If you saw the drama of last night's "How I Met Your Mother" it was heartbreakingly real. Real in the way that we haven't seen from a television couple recently. And while Barney and Robin aren't a couple, they were and in some ways are more of a couple not together than they were together. But with the infidelity that occurred between them highlights a bigger dilemma.
While I did appreciate Nora for taming Barney, it was Robin that stole his heart and I don't think he'll ever get it back. Robin, on the other hand, doesn't feel the same way and walked away more confused. She stayed with her boyfriend/ex-therapist Kevin, but we know she did it out of guilt and obligation. If she followed her heart, she would have stayed with Barney.
 But what we've really seen from this episode is that Ted's story is very much not the focus. But how much his story ties into that of his friends and how their relationships represent what he truly wants and what he has to do to really grow up. And while we know that involves Barney, Robin and Ted moving on from being the best of friends, it also means the show will continue to show us that growing up is a lifelong process.

In Memory of Heavy D

 By now I'm sure you've heard the shocking and tragic news about the man who called himself the Overweight Lover. Best known as one of the most influential rappers of the early 90s, Heavy D was one of the rappers to embrace the party rap style by not making music laced with profanity, sex, or drug use. He just rapped about everyday life.
 As a kid, I appreciated his music because it was one of the few times I could listen to rap and understand clearly what was being said without asking my parents. My personal favorite song was, "We Got Our Own Thing" but his biggest hit was a rap remake of "Now That We Found Love" featuring Aaron Hall. He also contributed the theme song for most seasons of the now classic "In Living Color."
 His rap career cooled in the mid 90s with the official takeover of gangsta rap, but he forayed into acting quite successfully. In addition to a guest stint on "Living Single" he also guest starred on shows like " A Different World", "Bones" and "Law & Order: SVU." He also appeared in films like "Step Up" and the recently released "Tower Heist."
 But the real mark of his impact was the major respect he received from rappers of all kinds in the past few hours. There were no negative words, just memories of laughter, love, and support. But it just goes to show that no matter how you live your life, all that matters is who you touched and how you impacted the world around you.

Drake's Album Leaks

 If you haven't heard, the sweater-loving Bill Cosby of hip-hop, Drake, has had his latest album Take Care leak. Drake himself isn't offended or upset. This is probably because he knows this will only build anticipation for the official release by offering a sneak peak of the tracks.
With this leak, there is a listing of lyrics from various tracks were again he mentions Rihanna for the thousandth time. I would just like to understand why he wants to keep bringing this up? Is this his version of hip-hop or is he just trying to attract attention from the public? Either way, I don't think it's necessary. Mainly because his relationship with RiRi wasn't even that long. It's one thing if they had a years long love affair like some of music's other famous couples. But also because it's just irritating. It would be like me lamenting about the fool who stole the lock on my locker in 7th grade. I understand his need for closure but how about doing it with the help of a therapist?
No matter what happens, this only serves to help build Drizzy's profile as one of the elite of hip-hop's new class. And that isn't a surprise considering he's being mentored by my favorite Gremlin, Lil' Wayne. While he continues to redefine his career by rapping and singing in  such a way that gets our attention. Whether or not it is good is highly debatable.
 But what I do find interesting about Drake is that he's honest about fame and what it has done to his life. Unlike many rappers who boast about swag and girls, he seems to understand the fleeting nature of it all. Hopefully he will continue to do this in such a way that keeps us all listening. But once again I ask, if you are going to talk about an ex-girlfriend, go to therapy first.