Author: JD
Miley Cyrus Goes Full Frontal for ‘V’ Magazine
DAMN!!!! MILEY Miley shared a series of private polaroids from her travels with best friend Cheyne Thomas. there’s a slew of other photos where Miley can be seen in semi-nude and even fully-nude poses. All of the photos are part of a feature in the latest issue of V magazine which hits newsstands on January 16. However, you can pre-order it and receive a foldout poster of the polaroid seen above.
2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
HARD!! Unveiled recently at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Porsche has pulled back the drapes on its new 911 variant, the 911 Targa 4 GTS. According to Porsche, this latest model is a distillation of performance characteristics to an all new degree, with increased power, all-wheel drive configuration and the option of Porsche’s 7-speed Doppelkupplung gear-shifting system. Aesthetically, the stylish Targa bar is a new roof concept hearkening to the feel of driving a drop-top Porsche. For a better idea of the roof’s revolutionary functionality, check out the video below. The performance-oriented 911 Targa 4 GTS will be made available from Porsche beginning in April for $132,800.
2Pac Biopic Movie Is Set To Begin Production
After delays and setbacks, sources have confirmed that the long-awaited Tupac Shaker bipopic is finally set to begin. In a recent interview with one of the film’s producers, Randall Emmett, new information about the production revealed the process will begin moving forward this coming June. “That project is being put together for a June start date,” Emmett told Collider, “The script is great. We’re ready to make the movie. We’re just prepping the logistics.”
Jimmy Carter: Charlie Hebdo Attack Could Help Defeat Islamophobia
There has been plenty of fallout from last week’s Charlie Hebdo attack by Islamic extremists: a manhunt for the suspects, rallies in Paris and across Europe and heightened Islamophobia, not to mention the cartoonists at the magazine who lost their lives. In a HuffPost Live interview Tuesday, former President Jimmy Carter said he hopes the attacks actually decrease the Islamophobia surrounding the event, telling host Marc Lamont Hill that people keeping up should take a closer look at the true tenets of the religion. “I think this is a positive turning point in some respects,” Carter said. “Because a lot of people now are trying to understand what do the Muslims really believe. Their beliefs are very similar to Christians as far as peace and harmony and so forth. But they have a few radicals who are misled … But I think, now, we’ll have a better approach to cure [Islamophobia] in general. Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation here.
UBER AGREES TO SHARE TRIP DATA IN BOSTON WHILE REFUSING TO DO SO IN NEW YORK
As Uber trumpets a new data-sharing partnership with the city of Boston, unveiled today in a company blog post, the on-demand ride service is continuing to fight the City of New York over requests for the very same trip-level data. That inconsistency in policy creates a challenge for the company as it seeks to win back the trust of riders and local officials following a series of debacles that appeared to reveal a cavalier attitude toward user privacy. “We intend to make [the Boston reports] a national standard policy that we are going to offer any U.S. city,” Justin Kintz, Uber’s head of policy for North America, told the Wall Street Journal. Kintz also said the company is specifically in talks with New York City officials about sharing data reports—but that is a claim the Taxi & Limousine Commission denies. “No communications taking place between Uber and the TLC could be characterized as their ‘being in talks’ with us. There are no negotiations to be had,” spokesman Allan Fromberg told Fast Company. The New York commission requested trip data in October from the five dispatch bases Uber owned at the time, as part of a broader data request put to 16 high-volume bases operated by various livery cab companies. Uber refused to comply, citing “an individuals’ [sic] reasonable expectation of privacy,” and the commission suspended those bases earlier this month, leaving the company with just one New York City dispatch center. All six bases, plus a livery center that the company acquired yesterday, are currently operational while Uber appeals the commission’s decision. In Boston, where Uber gained recognition as an official transportation service on January 3, the company brokered a deal with Mayor Martin J. Walsh that will associate trip data such as ride duration and distance traveled with users’ zip codes, in order to maintain their privacy. Boston plans to use the data for city planning purposes, from reducing congestion to preparing for events. Elected officials in New York have been less than eager to collaborate with Uber, as the City Council debates a bill that would place a cap on the company’s controversial surge pricing. “If it looks like price gouging and if it sounds like price gouging, if it acts like price gouging, it is probably price gouging,” Councilman David Greenfield, the bill’s sponsor, said in yesterday’s transportation committee hearing, according to Capital New York. Greenfield has proposed limiting surge prices to twice the normal rate. Taxi commissioner Meera Joshi testified at the hearing that she supports a cap in principle, but recommended changes to the bill. “It is essential that the City help ensure that consumers have true transparency about the prices they will be paying,” she told the committee. “I strongly support regulation surrounding surge pricing to protect passengers from egregious pricing.” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman brought Uber into compliance with state regulations around price gouging during times of emergency after the company increased fares by as much as seven times the normal rate during a 2011 snowstorm. At the moment Uber’s maximum rates are $39 per mile and $9.50 per minute, according to the commission—significantly higher than Lyft’s maximum rates of $6.43 per mile and $1.20 per minute. For-hire vehicles are free to set their own rates, provided they report them to the commission on an annual basis, or as they change. The Boston deal, through which Uber will provide anonymized, trip-level data on a quarterly basis, serves as a lone victory following a week in which the company found itself increasingly under siege in cities around the world. As the headaches over potential shutdowns grow more severe, the company is hiring dozens of policy and communications staffers and reducing prices in 48 U.S. cities. “As we have grown, so has our ability to share information that can serve a greater good,” Uber told Fast Company in response to requests for comment. “We look forward to partnering with cities across the country to deliver data that will help cities achieve their transportation and planning goals without compromising personal privacy.” [via Wall Street Journal]
BlackBerry is tweeting from an iPhone
WOW!!! Oh, BlackBerry. We can understand when your celebrity creative director accidentally tweets from a competitor’s smartphone — or is the victim of a “hack.” But your own, central Twitter account? That probably shouldn’t happen. And yet somehow it’s exactly what’s just happened. Moments ago, BlackBerry tweeted out a message urging its last bastion of loyal users to keep up with the conversation on Twitter. You’d think the BlackBerry Classic would be a perfect device for thumbing out 140-character missives and sending them to the world; that keyboard is undeniably fantastic. But nope. Whoever wrote this fired it off from an iPhone. You wouldn’t see it anywhere in the regular Twitter app, but companies still seem to forget this stuff is plainly visible in Tweetbot, Tweetdeck, and other third-party clients. Let’s learn the lesson already, everyone. Why was this message so urgent that it needed to be tweeted from a phone? An iPhone, at that? We’ll never know. And in case you were wondering, yes, a Twitter app for BlackBerry most definitely does exist.
TV One Is Adding Original Films to Its Lineup, Starting w/ Projects Starring Sharon Leal, Larenz Tate, Jill Marie Jones, Richard T. Jones
Over the weekend, at the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour, TV One announced the expansion of its programming with the introduction of monthly original films throughout the year, beginning in February. The first 2 of this new original movie lineup will be: “White Water” and “Hear No Evil.” “White Water,” airing Saturday, February 7th at 8PM/ET, is described as a riveting and culturally relevant film exploring the complex experience of a child’s first encounter with racial tension during the civil rights era. Directed by Rusty Cundieff, it stars Sharon Leal, Larenz Tate and more. Meanwhile, “Hear No Evil,” which premieres on Saturday, March 14, at 8PM/ET, captures the journey of a hearing-impaired teenage girl, who when impacted by two phenomena, begins to challenge the world that she came to rely on and shocks every person she encounters. The film is directed by Russ Parr, and stars Jill Marie Jones, Richard T. Jones and others. This new original movie programming comes on the heels of what the network says was a strong 2014 that ended with the series premiere of “Hollywood Divas,” and the original movie premiere of “Second Chance Christmas,” as the network continues to maintain its position as one of cable’s top 10 networks among Black Women 25-54. “Last year, we celebrated ratings successes in the performances of our original movies, including the premieres of Girlfriends Getaway and Second Chance Christmas. Increasing our rollout of original movies to an unprecedented number for the network provides us with the opportunity to offer our audience thoughtful and engaging content while working with talented filmmakers and actors,” said D’Angela Proctor, SVP of Programming and Production. “Our upcoming slate will showcase our talented Hollywood Divas, build upon our signature brand Unsung with biopics and deliver films that will have theatrical releases in the near future.” Additionally, the network announced the premiere dates for two fan-favorite series returning as part of Black History Month observance. “Unsung Hollywood” premieres an all-new season on Wednesday, February 11th starting at 8PM/ET, providing revealing portraits of notorious stars like Vivica Fox, and other captivating people and moments within the entertainment business. Then, at 10PM/ET, the network’s highest-rated docu-series, “R&B Divas LA,” rounds out the night as two new Divas – Christina “Brave” Williams and Stacy Francis – join the cast. Lastly, Black History Month programming content will also include The 23rd Annual Trumpet Awards, honoring Jamie Foxx and Lou Brock, among others, airing on Saturday, February 21st at 8PM/ET, hosted by Laila Ali and Dolvette Quince, as well as the previously announced 46th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Anthony Anderson, airing on Friday, February 6th at 9PM/ET. The announcements were among remarks made today by Brad Siegel, President of TV One, during the network’s presentation at the 2015 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour. Details on TV One’s new films and returning series are included below. “Hear No Evil” In this edge-of-your seat thriller, a freak accident jolts Shelby Carson (Jahnee Wallace) — a 15-year-old hearing impaired student — from her peaceful world of silence and seclusion into the world of the hearing. When she begins to hear messages from God, Shelby discovers that more than just her hearing was restored in the accident. Filled with chaos and confusion, Shelby struggles to cope with her newfound circumstances. She battles with what she should do with the knowledge of startling realities — including compromised health and well-being — facing the people around her. What initially seems to be a blessing on the surface could very well be a curse that unravels the bond between her dearest loved ones. Relationships are tested and secrets are revealed in this compelling story of family, faith and the resolve of a young girl. “Hear No Evil” also stars Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends) as Kate, Richard T. Jones (Why Did I Get Married?) as Samuel and Jackie Long (ATL) as Jason. Russ Parr, from Up To Parr Productions, serves as the Director and Screenwriter. Eric Tomosunas serves as Producer. Lamar Chase is Producer for TV One. Executive In Charge of Production and Programming is Tia A. Smith. D’Angela Proctor serves as Executive Producer for the network. “White Water” Based on true events and set in Opelika, Alabama, during the summer of 1963, “White Water” is an imaginative tale of Michael (Amir and Amari O’Neil), a seven-year-old black child who becomes obsessed with the desire to taste water from the “whites only” drinking fountain. Michael sets out on a quest to do the unthinkable: to drink from it. His loving and protective mother, Annie (Sharon Leal), and free-spirited father, Terrance (Larenz Tate), learn of Michael’s obsession with tasting the “white water” and make several attempts to steer him away from this risky adventure. All of Michael’s friends, the local police and the KKK are also against Michael’s mission. His unwavering determination to ignore racial limitations leads him to finally understand the true dangers of his quest. During the film, Michael applies a child’s logic to decipher the conventions of racism. His insights are consistently more practical than the logic of the closed-minded adults that created the customs of the segregated South, but as Michael quickly matures, he must consider whether the risks involved are worth the reward. “White Water” was Directed by Rusty Cundieff of White Water Productions. The film is produced by Dwayne Johnson-Cochran and the screenplay by Michael C. Brandy and Eric Stein. Jubba Seyyid serves as Executive in Charge of Production for TV One, and D’Angela Proctor is Executive Producer for the network. “R&B Divas LA” With continued success as the network’s most-watched series, “R&B Divas LA” has been picked up for a third season. Each episode will follow the cast of exceptional artists as they balance a series of personal matters while fighting to rise and stay on top of the R&B charts. Cast members Chanté Moore, Lil’ Mo, Michel’le, Chrisette Michele and Leela James reunite as this season introduces the story of two new Divas on the rise: Christina “Brave” Williams and Stacy Francis. The group will also show their philanthropic side as they use their musical talents for good by coming together to collaborate on a special charity project. The season will conclude with a two-part reunion special. “R&B Divas LA” is produced for TV One by Thinkfactory Media. Executive Producers are Leslie Greif, Adam Reed, Adam Freeman, Phil Thornton, Paul Coy Allen, Aaron Fishman, Mykelle Sabin, Faith Evans and Nicci Gilbert. Lamar Chase is Producer for TV One. Executive in Charge of Production is Jubba Seyyid. D’Angela Proctor is Head of Programming for the network. “Unsung Hollywood” “Unsung Hollywood” shines a spotlight on groundbreaking entertainers who devoted their lives to making their mark in movies, television, comedy and sports — and in the process, helped elevate and transform our world. This season will highlight the cult classic Baby Boy, aspirational college-hit TV series “Different World” and legendary comedian and actor Redd Foxx, with behind-the-spotlight stories that have never or rarely been told.”Unsung Hollywood” continues the legacy of the flagship series Unsung by being a vehicle in which to answer questions through in-depth personal interviews and exclusive footage, along with revelations from industry associates and loved ones. Season two of “Unsung Hollywood” will premiere on Wednesday, February 11th at 9PM/ET. “Unsung Hollywood” is Executive Produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Mark Rowland, and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. Production for TV One. Henry Schipper is Co-Executive Producer. Lamar Chase serves as Producer for TV One. Executive In Charge of Production is Robyn Greene Arrington. D’Angela Proctor is Head of Programming for the network.