Thursday, March 31, 2016

Ratings Command

Ratings Speak - In final nationals from Nielsen, “Empire” was revised upward to a 4.8 rating/15 share in adults 18-49 and 12.45 million total viewers — matching the show’s top demo score for its final seven episodes last fall and its largest total-viewer count since that third episode on Oct. 7 (13.10 million). 

Fox’s “Empire” has proven it’s the rare show strong enough to survive a lengthy midseason hiatus, returning Wednesday with surprisingly robust numbers that towered over everything else on the night.


At a time of the year when better weather and spring breaks contribute to a decline in the number of young adults watching television shows live or same-night, the midseason premiere of “Empire” averaged an impressive 4.7 rating/15 share in adults 18-49 and 12.2 million viewers overall — making it the top-rated regular-timeslot series telecast in the demo on the Big Four networks in 2016. The only series telecasts to rate higher in same-night demo ratings so far this year have been AMC’s “The Walking Dead” (averaging around a 6 in the demo) and the special post-football premiere of “The X-Files” reboot on Fox in January (6.1).

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Monday, March 28, 2016

Hollaback Girl @ #1 Claps Back!!!


#1 - Gwen Stefani third time is a charm.  Her new CD 'This Is What The Truth Feels Like' achieves the fete FINALLY, that her two previous  solo efforts failed to obtain.  Stefani has the #1 position on Billboards Top 200 chart, moving around 84,000
Units.  Seemingly Divorce agrees with her!


Horrific Movie big $$$ ....

#1 - Despite HORRIFIC reviews and lukewarm audience reception, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ruled the box office this weekend, both in international and domestic markets, bringing home an estimated $424.1 million worldwide. The record-breaking performance saw the film set a new domestic March opening weekend record and it also serves as the largest domestic opening for Warner Bros. ever. And while the clash of superhero titans was doing it's thing, Universal's counter-programming release in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 also performed well as did Roadside's Hello, My Name is Doris and Bleecker Street's Eye in the Sky.


With an estimated $170.1 million, Batman v Superman topped the March opening weekend record previously held by The Hunger Games at $152.5 million. Should estimates hold, and WB seems to be confident they will, this also tops the $169.1 million Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 opened with in 2011, making it the largest domestic opening for the studio. This is also the largest Easter opening, topping the $147.1 million brought in by Furious 7 last year as well as the largest opening for a film based on a DC Comics property, a record previously held by The Dark Knight Rises at $160.8 million. But this weekend's records are one thing, how the film will hold up is another.

Heading into the weekend the swath of negative critical reviews were a major focus as the film now sits at a 29% rating on RottenTomatoes and no film with a rating lower than 63% on the site had ever opened over $150 million. Clearly Batman v Superman bucked that trend as it is now one of only five live action films to have ever grossed over $100 million on opening weekend with a RottenTomatoes rating lower than 30%. So does this say something about critics, about films with baked in audiences... or both?

From an audience perspective, Batman v Superman received a so-so "B" CinemaScore with a "B-" coming from males, which made up 62% of the audience, and "B" from females. Audience members under the age of 18, however, scored it an "A-", which brings our attention to next weekend. Recent films such as Avengers: Age of Ultron and Batman v Superman predecessor Man of Steel saw 59.4% and 64.6% second weekend drops respectively. It's also worth noting a large drop should be expected no matter what, if only because $27.7 million of Batman v Superman's opening came from Thursday previews.

From a historical perspective, a second weekend drop around 62% is a safe bet at this time, and anything better than 60% would show the film is holding well in the face of odds that would otherwise suggest it was in trouble over the long run. Speculation aside, it won't be until we see how far it drops that we can get a good grasp on just how big it may go, but its success doesn't rely wholly on its domestic prospects as it also got off to a very strong start overseas.

The film brought in an estimated $254 million internationally this weekend, giving it the fifth largest international opening weekend of all-time. The global opening of $424.1 million is the fourth largest of all-time. The breakdown by territory shows China leading the pack, delivering an estimated $57.3 million in its first three days, the largest opening ever for WB in China. Results from other territories include the UK ($21.9m), Mexico ($18.6m), Brazil ($12.2m), Korea ($10.5m), Australia ($10.0m), Russia ($8.5m), France ($8.4m), Germany ($8.2m), Spain ($6.3m), Italy ($5.8m) and Japan ($4.4m).

As will be the case domestically, how well the film performs next weekend in all these territories will be of vital importance when it comes to determining just how big a hit this will end up being. At this point, it looks as if Batman v Superman will become the 25th film to cross $1+ billion worldwide as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the only film to open with over $158 million domestically and not cross the $1 billion mark worldwide.
 
 

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Happy (72) Birthday Diana


72 - Happy Birthday to Global Superstar Diana Ross.  It's hard to believe that the Legendary Icon hasn't had a hit record since her 1984 Top Ten Pop hit 'Missing You' which was penned by super songwriter Lionel Richie.  Born Diana Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and record producer.   Ross was raised in Detroit, she rose to fame as a founding member and lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes, which, during the 1960s, became Motown's most successful act and is to this day America's most successful vocal group as well as one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. As part of the Supremes, her success made it possible for future African American R&B and soul acts to find mainstream success. The group set a record scoring twelve number-one hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 including the hits "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love", "Come See About Me", "Stop! In the Name of Love", "You Can't Hurry Love", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Love Child" and "Someday We'll Be Together".


Following her departure from the Supremes in 1970, Ross released her debut solo album, Diana Ross, which contained the hits "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and the number-one hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". She released the album Touch Me in the Morning in 1973. Its title track reached number 1, becoming her second solo hit. By 1975, the Mahogany soundtrack included her 3rd number-one hit "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)". Her 1976 album Diana Ross included her fourth number-one hit "Love Hangover". In 1979, Ross released the album The Boss. Her 1980 album Diana which reached number 2 on the Billboard albums chart and spawned the number-one hit "Upside Down" and the international hit "I'm Coming Out". After leaving Motown, Ross achieved her sixth and final number-one hit with the duet "Endless Love".


Friday, March 25, 2016

In Stores Now ...

K' Michelle 'More Issues Than Vogue'

TGIF


Honesty works against propaganda.  Pure thoughts, helps to keep your inner sanctum, which is your space to rule and dominate. #TGIF

Happy (74) Birthday Ree Ree


Happy (74) Birthday Aretha Franklin.  Highly renowned and hailed as the 'Queen Of Soul'.  Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, the fourth of five children of a Baptist preacher and a gospel singer. A gifted singer and pianist, Franklin went on tour with her father's traveling revival show and later went to New York and signed with Columbia records. She went on to release several popular singles, many of which are now considered classics.


In 1987, she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin won her 18th Grammy Award in 2008, making her one of the most honored (18) artists in Grammy history.


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Happy (63) Birthday Chaka Khan


63 - Happy Birthday to Chaka Khan a ten time Grammy winning Legend!

Phife Dawg transitions RIP


Peaceful Journey - A rap pioneer has transitioned Phife Dawg of legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, has died at 45. Although no press release has been issued as of yet, several sources have taken to Twitter to express their respect for the fallen MC, including Questlove of the Roots and Chuck D of Public Enemy.


Phife, born Malik Taylor but known as “The Five Foot Assassin” (he stood at 5’3″) had battled health issues in recent years, including diabetes, and had a kidney transplant in 2008. He told his story of his health struggles in the 2012 Tribe documentary Beats, Rhymes and Life. 


He kept a mostly low profile after A Tribe Called Quest broke up in the late ’90s, releasing just one solo album, 2000’s Ventilation: Da LP. 

A Tribe Called Quest was formed in the late 1980s by Phife, Q-Tip (aka Jonathan Davis), DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White. Their debut album was 1990’s game changing People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.


Tribe Called Quest got me through school and has remained one of my favorite in rap history.  Always socially conscious always spoke wisdom and empowerment. The group broke through the color barriers and elevated cultures.  Rest In Peace PhifeDawg

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

What The Hell ...


The estranged wife of a celebrated Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko has been charged with killing the couple's two daughters at their home in suburban Fort Worth.

Benbrook Police said Sofya Tsygankova, 31, has been charged with two counts of capital murder in the deaths of daughters, Nika, 5, and Michela, 1. Kholodenko, 29, discovered them in their bedrooms early on Thursday when he went to visit them at their mother's house.

"We have probable cause, reason to believe, that she committed the homicides," Benbrook police Commander David Babcock told a news conference.

She will transported to Tarrant County jail after her mental health evaluation.

Tsygankova suffered what appeared to be self-inflicted stab wounds in the incident. She was in the hospital for treatment of her physical injuries and will be undergoing a mental evaluation, he said.

The charges can bring the death penalty in Texas.

Presidential Daughters Growing Up


Sunday, March 20, 2016

Affirmation

Happy Sunday Everyone, ...
I am Blessed, I am a child of Godly ...
Forever Grateful, Forever Thankful ..


'For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son, and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise them up at the last day'.  John 6:40

Friday, March 18, 2016

TGIF


Missed opportunities rarely present themselves again, chance and choice, every day counts. #TGIF

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Ladies & some men love cool James


The Return - 'Mama said to Knock You Out' ... The return of the GOAT(LL Cool J) ....
James Todd Smith has made a career of winning at being unpredictable.
In 1995, when he was enjoying one of his many career peaks, he successfully launched a career on television, which would go on to boost his status in Hollywood from cameo maker to leading star. And as of 2009, he has starred on CBS red-hot series NCIS: Los Angeles, which hasn't exactly given him all the time in the world to continue to make music.

At the turn of last weekend however, that unpredictability reared its lovely head as the two-time Grammy winner and five-time Grammy host made a splash on Facebook when he stopped by Dr. Dre's Beats 1 Pharmacy show and blessed the booth with his presence. Its 4.5 million views as of press time speak volumes for how much the people still love the man who ladies still love, especially when he's delving into the aggressive compartment of his rapping repertoire.

The cats over at HipHopDX caught up with LL as he was putting in work during yet another studio session to get the scoop on his recent Dr. Dre session, a reinvigorated verse he says only took fifteen minutes to write.
"Basically my man DJ Pooh had called me up and said Dre was trying to link, you know, just have me come by the [Beats 1] show and say what up, etcetera, etcetera," LL tells HipHopDX during a phone call from the lab. "I just went to hang out and maybe talk and vibe and next thing you know, one thing led to another and we're talking Hip Hop and Dre says "Maybe you do a drop or something," and I'm like, 'A drop? Fuck that!' and then The Good Doctor went and got his laptop and the rest is history," he recalled with a hearty laugh.

"I just love this culture and I love Hip Hop. It's just engrained in my DNA," he admits. "I'm addicted to it and there's no way out for me. It doesn't matter what I do or where I go or what money I make or celebrity—none of that. Nothing ever compares to being in that booth and being on that mic."
Thirteen albums worth of relevancy is an unprecedented number in Hip Hop culture and while LL admits his last project in 2013's Authentic wasn't his best work (or best representation of the culture), he gets excited when asked about the itch to return to pure emceeing and let kids who maybe only know him from TV know his history.

"I got an itch so crazy right now, I need to find a hydrocortisone connect," he continued, with his mind obviously still in punchline mode from the studio session. What I'm going to do is make something for [the fans]." "Like a special record that's really going to be for Hip Hop. I get into experimental mode and I get in my creative scientist mode and I like to do different things. Every now and then, I like to do weird shit. I'm going to give them something special, you'll see. And what it's gonna do is, it's going to change the game because a lot of people are getting away with 25-point games right now and they need someone to drop 50 on 'em. This shit is crazy to me!"
Few pundits will argue that the bar or standard in this day and age has been restructured to allow more variation in rap get a shot at mainstream acceptance but is Mr. Smith aiming to create a new renaissance for lyricists? He actually doesn't feel that is necessary.

"It's really just about putting music out," he says of the notion of "reinventing the wheel," a feat he's actually accomplished in his career.
"I don't have 'bring back' anything. I'm just going to do what I do," he continued. "But I know the Hip Hop culture needs me because their is a void there and people think that just because somebody makes a song that has a female appeal they think that's 'LL Cool J' and when you don't have the real LL to compare it to, it's easy to make those comparisons. So I realize that the game needs me. I'm clear [as to what] it needs from me. It doesn't need me to come in and play games and experiment. It needs me to come in and kick their ass. So I'm gonna do that."


Delaying the G.O.A.T. 2 was strictly LL's doing but now he has the people's ear, don't be surprised if it arrives in the immediate future. He's pretty good at this unpredictable thing.

Friday, March 11, 2016

TGIF


We are vessels to serve, protect, teach and honor.  Remember to whom much is given, much is required. #TGIF

Monday, March 7, 2016

Well Well, Say it isn't so Maria ...


Well Well Well - The rules are always different for them.  The Tennis world was given a MAJOR bombshell today, their Polly purebred granola media darling Maria Sharapova tested positive for doping just like Martina Hingis ... Sharapova confessed in a press conference earlier today stating "I received a latter from the ITF that I failed a drugs test at the Australian Open,". "I take full responsibility for it.



"For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my family doctor and a few days ago after I received the ITF letter I found out that it also has another name of meldonium which I did not know.

"It is very important for you to understand that for 10 years this medicine was not on WADA's banned list and I had legally been taking the medicine for the past 10 years.

"But on January 1st the rules had changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance which I had not known."


'Sounds very cut and dry that she was only able to achieve her greatness using an illegal substance.  The Williams sisters have been ridiculed their entire career, but continue with stellar results.  It's going to be pretty interesting to see how the Tennis world,and the Commentators, try to put a positive spin on this one.  She only held a press conference and came clean because she was forced to.

Okay I get it, give all your Titles and $$$ back and go away. ' KK

Farewell Ms. Nancy Reagan


Former first lady Nancy Reagan died Sunday at the age of 94.
The news was first reported by TMZ, citing a "close family member," and confirmed by a spokeswoman. The Reagan Library said in a statement that the cause of death was "congestive heart failure." 
The widow of former President Ronald Reagan had been hospitalized in October 2014 with a fractured pelvis.
She served as first lady from 1981 to 1989 and was known for her work in combating youth drug abuse through the "Just Say No" campaign.

She was born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City. When her stepfather adopted her in 1935, she took his last name of Davis. She majored in theater at Smith College in Massachusetts.
In 1951, she met her future husband when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild and she was a Hollywood actress billed as Nancy Davis. They married in Los Angeles in 1952 and had a daughter, Patti Davis, and a son, Ron Reagan.
"My life really began when I married my husband," Nancy Reagan often said. She even referenced the quote in her 1989 book My Turn.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Affirmation


Happy Sunday Everyone ...
I Woke up Feeling Hallelujah ...
Giving Praise to the Most High ...

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Rest In Peace Bud Collins


Bud Collins, the prominent tennis writer and historian who was known for his unique style, elegant writing and passion for tennis, has died at age 86.  
Collins, who started writing columns for the Globe in 1963, was beloved by his fans, including many in sports journalism. He was known for his creative nicknames for players (Roger Federer, The Swiss Who Can’t Miss) and colorful outfits, which often included a bowtie. Collins worked for 35 years for NBC before moving to ESPN, and was one of the first print reporters to make the transition to announcing on TV. At NBC Sports, he was the face of “Breakfast at Wimbledon.” 

“He was the best friend tennis ever had in this country, as a writer and as a broadcaster,” Mike Lupica wrote in the New York Daily News in September, when Collins was honored at the U.S. Open.


Rest In Peace Bud ... 


60


Forever a 'Lovergirl' ... (60) Happy Birthday Teena Marie.  She would have celebrated 60 today.  Gone but not forgotten.  Truly one of a kind. #Truesoulster


Friday, March 4, 2016

TGIF



You will be tried, tested, and in the midst of it all, let your truth be authentic. #TGIF