Fresh Prince Name Goes Stale

Just call Will Smith the Artist Formerly Known as the Fresh Prince. Smith is returning to his rap roots in a deal with Columbia Records but he intends to drop the "Fresh Prince" name he rapped under while winning Grammys with partner DJ Jazzy Jeff and go with plain old Will Smith. Smith performs the title track to his new film, "Men in Black."

Taylor Opens the Request Line

James Taylor will be taking cyber-requests tonight. He's performing a "Live by Request" concert tonight on the A&E cable network at the Sony Music Studios in New York. The audience is invitation-only but viewers can request any song in the J.T. repertoire by contacting the website http://www.livebyrequest.com or by calling the 800 telephone number that will be displayed on the screen.

Sade Is a No-Show

A Jamaican court issued an arrest warrant for pop singer Sade today when she failed to appear in court in Montego Bay to face charges of dangerous driving and disobeying a police officer. Her attorney told the court he hadn't spoken to his client for several months. The court stayed the execution of the warrant until June 30, when the case will be called again. The charges arose from an incident on Feb. 27 when the singer, whose real name is Helen Folasade, was driving along the main thoroughfare in Montego Bay. Police alleged that she failed to obey a policeman who signalled her to stop. When she was finally stopped and taken to the police station, she allegedly cursed the arresting officers.

Gumbel Seeks a Title

Bryant Gumbel still needs a title for his new CBS news magazine show. "My preference changes daily," Gumbel told The Philadelphia Daily News. "So many are already taken. 'Minutes' (as in '60 Minutes'). 'Hours' ('48 Hours'). Can't use 'Prime' (ABC's 'PrimeTime Live'). Can't use 'Date' (NBC's 'Dateline NBC')." "Person to Person" also has been bandied about, but CBS News head Andrew Heyward says that's unlikely to be used since it's already gone down in network history as the name of the show hosted by the venerable Edward R. Murrow.

From High School to NBA to Movies

Kobe Bryant leads a charmed life. He signed a multi-million-dollar contract with the Los Angeles Lakers not long after graduating from high school last year and now Spike Lee is considering him for a big role in "He Got Game." Variety reports that Lee has lined up Denzel Washington to play a man who is convicted of killing his wife and then offered a lighter sentence if he can persuade his basketball star son to attend a certain college. Bryant would play the son, of course.

Arnold Hosting Fireworks

Considering the way his latest movies have fizzled, Tom Arnold seems unlikely to be taking part in a fireworks show. But the star of "McHale's Navy" and "Carpool" has been signed to host the syndicated hourlong "Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular," which will feature fireworks popping over New York's East River.

Moviemakers After Geronimo

Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, the former Black Panther recently freed from prison, is a hot property in Hollywood. Pratt attorney Johnnie Cochran, who knows a lot about celebrity clients after winning an acquittal for O.J. Simpson, told the Los Angeles Times that numerous movie offers have come in since Pratt was released on June 10. His conviction for killing a school teacher during a robbery was overturned after Pratt, who maintained his innocence, spent more than 25 years in prison. Cochran says the producers, directors and writers interested in Pratt's story fall into the "major and prominent" category. "This is a great story with a real message about a person who showed real character and integrity," Cochran said.

Young Heston Gets a Job

Charlton Heston's son, Fraser, is going to direct an updated version of the Bram Stoker Victorian gothic novel "Jewel of Seven Stars." It will be about how a young woman gets an E-mail from her long-lost father saying he's alive. She tracks the electronic message to Egypt and links up with an American archaeologist, who helps her find her father and discovers his secret. But before Heston gets too busy with "Jewel of Seven Stars," he's going to direct another film titled "Ground Zero."

Woody Loses a Round

A Connecticut grievance panel today recommended dismissing a complaint by film director Woody Allen against a state's attorney who investigated allegations of child abuse against Allen. The proposal now goes to the full, 15-member committee. Allen claimed that attorney Frank Maco damaged his reputation in 1993 when Maco said there was enough evidence to prosecute Allen on charges of molesting his daughter, but that Maco would not pursue the case. The charges were brought by actress Mia Farrow, and involved the couple's adopted daughter, Dylan.

Carlisle Keeps Top Spot

Christian pop singer Bob Carlisle narrowly retained the top spot on the U.S. album charts, according to sales data issued today. Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace)" sold nearly 124,000 copies during the week, a drop of 47 percent from the previous week. The Spice Girls' "Spice" sold just over 121,000 copies and climbed two places into the runner-up position. Country singer Tim McGraw's "Everywhere" held steady at third place. Falling two notches to No. 4 was "Wu-Tang Forever" from the East Coast rap collective Wu-Tang Clan. Hanson saw its major-label debut, "Middle of Nowhere," retain the No. 5 slot for the third consecutive week.

< Back > < Contents >  < Home >