Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Lily Tomlin - Movie


(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.


Lily Tomlin -Movie

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist 



Lily Tomlin

The Iconic Actress Is Still In The Driver’s Seat!

Photo Courtesy Focus Features Films



     Icon is a word that is sometimes loosely thrown around. However, in the case of veteran actress Lily Tomlin, the title is as deserving as it is apropos. Tomlin has not just been there, done that; but the awards she has garnered over the years attest to a true and marvelous set of talents. Her trophy mantel houses, a Grammy, six Emmys, a Tony and many more major awards in and out of the biz. In her latest film “Admission,” Tomlin plays the eccentric mom Susannah to Princeton University admissions officer Portia played by Tina Fey. Playing a mom is nothing new to Tomlin and she is pretty darn good at it. Susannah in this film is a little over the top in attitude and her values on life.




Lily Tomlin as Susannah
     In describing her character Susannah, Tomlin says, “Susannah was intellectual and wrote a book and being very brainy while thinking a lot of stuff through, she was wed to that mythology that she created for herself when she has sex with some guy on a train out of sheer attraction or lust, whatever. But she doesn’t want to admit that’s how she got pregnant. She wants to think that she commanded her own destiny and so she’s built this idea or as I said mythology around her and she has imposed it on her life and on her daughter’s life and I understood that.” 


Tomlin as Susannah working on her bike
     The question here is does Susannah not give a damn or is she just super radical? Tomlin laughs, “First of all she’s not 30 anymore she’s 70 and a lot of life has gone under the bridge. Plus she has a grown daughter that she really doesn’t have a relationship with. So we all make these choices in life and many of them we regret.”



Tina Fey as daughter Portia
     In real life Tomlin has no children so where does she draw her mother instinct from? Flashing that famous broad smile, Tomlin explains, “You just have to be a human being. I probably feel as much a mother to my cat as I do to Tina. I mean it’s just human relationships. We’re not all so different. You don’t have to know very much to understand it. You just have to be open to what you’re living and what part of life is.” 

Paul Rudd (John) & Tina Fey (Portia)


     What was Tomlin’s relationship like with her real life late mom? She reflects, “Somewhat more parental. I was that kind of open assertive kind of kid, free in the neighborhood, lived in an old apartment house. My mother and dad were blue collar. My daddy worked in a factory, my mom was a nurse’s aid they’re from Kentucky so every summer I’d go to rural Kentucky and then the rest of my life I’m living in inner city Detroit. It was an explosion of cultures in an old apartment house where all of these different people lived. I was just fortunate because you learn. I saw so many human beings and saw how they acted and they were pretty much all the same no matter if they were real political, radical, conservative, if they were White, Black or Jews; if they were anything, they were so much alike. They did despicable things, beautiful things, they were funny, tragic and I know that is what made me be so accepting of the species. I mean I’m not bragging or slapping myself on the back for it. As my Hungarian dress maker used to say, I lived it in the skin.”



 © 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook

Gospel Goes To Hollywood Awards Luncheon - Charity



(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.


Gospel Goes To Hollywood Awards Luncheon - Charity

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment columnist


Second Annual “Gospel Goes To Hollywood Luncheon

Honors Professionals In The Faith!

Photos Enf

Host Wendy Raquel Robinson
     The setting was the beautiful Taglyan Complex in Hollywood for the Second Annual Gospel Goes To Hollywood Benefit Awards Luncheon. The gala was hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and comedian D. Ellis Mr. Entertainment! The elegant affair was a celebration of the untold stories of faith in Hollywood honoring Hollywood couple Terry & Rebecca Crews, Marla Gibbs, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kym E. Whitley and Sony Exec Devon Franklin.

     The afternoon's entertainment was rendered by Erica Campbell of Mary Mary; Singer Ami Rush and J. Kingdom.

 The event was a benefit on behalf of battered women and their children via the HELPPPPing Hands Foundation and a donation was made to Haven Hills, Inc. This event was produced by Tomeka Holyfield of the Helpppp Agency based in Atlanta, GA, and Gary Taglyan of the Historical Taglyan Cultural Complex.


 © 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook
 



Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Reason To Believe Gala - Charity


(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.


Reason To Believe Gala - Charity


By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment columnist




Reason To Believe Gala

Honors Stars and Benefits EPA.

Photo wdb


Louis Gossett, Jr.
     The recent Inaugural “Reason to Believe Gala” held at the beautiful Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, honored Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (EPA Lifetime Achievement Award), 6-time NAACP Image Award Winner actress and singer Keke Palmer (EPA Rising Star Award), R&B singer-songwriter Johnny Gill (EPA Longevity Award) and California State Senator Curren Price, Jr. (EPA Reason to Believe Award).  The entertainment for the evening was provided by comedian Tommy Davidson, R&B “Superwoman” Karyn White, and honoree Johnny Gill, along with former NBA All-star Cedric “DJ Ced” Celballos spinning the sounds on the turntables.  

 
     The lavish affair was hosted by CNN Showbiz Tonight contributor Kita Williams. Comedian Tommy Davidson put on a side-splitting stand-up set while sex siren, platinum singer Karyn White delivered a sultry performance which included material from her latest album “Carpe Diem” (Seize The Day) and her mega-hit “Superwoman.” Then soul master Johnny Gill close out the entertainment with a set that fired up all the ladies in the room especially when he sung his signature platinum hit “My, My, MY.” Gill came off the stage onto the ballroom floor and the women made a circle around him as he laid it on them. It was indeed a magical moment.


   The Inaugural Reason to Believe Gala is a charity fundraiser to introduce the Executive Preparatory Academy of Finance (EPA), a non-profit public charter high school opening in South Central Los Angeles in Fall 2013. The raised funds will go to complete renovations needed to launch the school; and to highlight the mission of EPA which is to close the financial literacy gap within the minority community by providing a high-quality college-preparatory educational experience.  The goal is to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs by educating students on the importance of proper money management, wealth building and investment to ensure a successful life. For more information on the school or to make a donation please visit www.ExecutivePrep.org and keep in touch by following on Twitter @ExecPrep and Facebook.com/ExecutivePrep



© 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook

BET Music Matters Showcase TV/Muisc


(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.


BET Music Matters Showcase TV/Music

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist



BET NETWORK’S MUSIC MATTERS’ SHOWCASE 
 GRAMMY® EDITION 


“LIPSTICK ON THE MIC”

FEATURING MARSHA AMBROSIUS, ELLE VARNER, STACY BARTHE, LEAH LABELLE AND RaVAUGHN,


       BET Celebrated Grammy Week with their annual Music Matters showcase “Lipstick on the Mic,” at the Belasco Theatre in downtown Los Angeles featuring the slow simmer of Stacy Barthe, RaVaughn’s familiar R&B riffs, sultry pop diva Leah Labelle, the “Perfectly Imperfect” Elle Varner who was a nominee  for a 2013 GRAMMY® Award for Best R&B Song and the always amazing Marsha Ambrosius who headlined her own Music Matters tour in 2011

Highlights of each performer:



Marsha Ambrosius

Marsha Ambrosius 

  Already proven as a talented, sought after songwriter and revered platinum-selling artist, Marsha Ambrosius continues to reinvent herself as a solo artist with her second J Records release disc “Friends and Lovers,” the follow up to her critically-acclaimed “Late Nights & Early Mornings.”  Over the years, Marsha has built a name for herself as a songwriter and producer, creating “Butterflies” for the late Michael Jackson and other hits for artists such as Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx and Nas.  BET Music Matters is one of the first to embrace Marsha’s solo career and she has performed on BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, the BET AWARDS and the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS.





  


Elle Varner
Elle Varner  

   The first time the nation saw Elle Varner was on the BET AWARDS ’10 as a part of the all new Music Matters segment.  She was then embraced on 106 & PARK, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS. One of the first artists selected to be a part of BET’s Music Matters, singer/songwriter Elle Varner has been steadily establishing herself as a new force in music. “Refill,” from her first album Perfectly Imperfect (MBK Entertainment/RCA Records), was nominated for R&B Song of the Year at this year’s GRAMMY® Awards. 


Stacy Barthe
   Stacy Barthe  

   Signed to a publishing deal with Motown/Universal Music Publishing Group back in 2007, Stacy started her music career penning songs for some of the industry’s biggest names including Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kelly Rowland, to name a few. Stacy also the penned the track “Cheers (Drink to That)” for Rhianna which hit #7 on Billboards Top 100.  In 2010, she decided to venture out on her own, and with help from Surf Club, she released two EPs “Sincerely Yours” and “The Seven Days of Christmas” in 2011. Stacy recently released the lead single, "Flawed Beautiful Creatures," from her upcoming mix tape P.S. I Love You, due out in February.


Leah Labelle
Leah Labelle    

  Introduced to the world as a finalist on the third season of “American Idol,” Leah Labelle got her break as a solo act when she signed a joint deal with Epic Records, Jermaine DuPri’s So So Def label and Pharrell William's I Am Other label in 2011. The Toronto-born, BET Music Matters artist, recently released “Lolita,” a follow-up to "Sexify," the lead single from her forthcoming studio debut album.  Leah also received rave reviews for her tribute to the late Teena Marie, singing the classic hit “Square Biz” at the 2012 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS.  


RaVaughn
 RaVaughn 

Signed to GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo’s Compound University label, RaVaughn is making many in the industry stand-up and take notice. Already an in-demand demo and backup singer, RaVaughn is currently putting the finishing touches on her solo Columbia Records debut, “Love Always.”  Expect an amazing 2013 from BET Music Matters artist RaVaughn.

Follow Music Matters on Twitter @BETMusicMatters as well as Facebook at facebook.com/BETMusicMatters

For more information on Music Matters, visit www.BET.com/musicmatters



© 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook