Words & Sounds, Post 38

Here's a track from Alicia Keys' latest album As I Am called "Teenage Love Affair" and it is my current obsession!

>> Download: "Teenage Love Affair" - Alicia Keys <<

Check out Ashlee Simpson on MTV

MTV has just posted their interview with Ashlee Simpson in which she is one of their First Ladies:

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Watch Jill Scott's "The Real Thing" from the BET Honors

Check out this incredible performance from Jill Scott of "The Real Thing" which aired last night on the BET Honors Awards:

Watch the video.

Check out Ashlee's new single!

Here's a link to hear Ashlee Simpson's new single "Little Miss Obsessive" which features Tom Higgenson from the Plain White T's.

>>> Listen @ AshleeSimpsonMusic.com <<<

EXCLUSIVE: Goodbye 'Girlfriends' Video Montage

'Girlfriends': My Thank You

Even though I am still very upset about the way Girlfriends ended, I want to celebrate what this show represented, the way the show's creator did [see her statement]. So here's what I, MAC at Oh Hell Yes!, have to say about my favorite show Girlfriends:

I want to congratulate everyone on making history and giving us a show with meaning, a show that became much more than primetime television. Watching the cast of Girlfriends over the last eight years has truly been a pleasure and I have grown to love Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross), Maya (Golden Brooks), Lynn (Persia White), Toni (Jill Marie Jones), and William (Reggie Hayes) as well as Monica (Keesha Sharp) and Darnell (Khalil Khan), Aaron (Richard T. Jones) and Jabari (Kendre Barry), and all the other crazies in between.

I want to especially thank Mara Brock Akil for creating such a stupendous show, and I want to thank God for allowing this show to continue for as long as it did. So while I am still very saddened by the news of no series finale, I want to celebrate the 172 outstanding episodes of our Girlfriends beloved that do exist!

[Thanks to Wikipedia for the images.]

Best Of 'Girlfriends' Episode List on BET's Schedule

As previously mentioned, BET will be airing a full 12-hours of the Best of Girlfriends to honor the show.

Here's what episodes they'll be airing beginning at 9am on Saturday, February 23 and lasting through 9pm:

S1 -
. Girlfrenzy
. Never A Bridesmaid
. Pregnant Pause
. The List
. Bad Timing
. Old Dog
. The Burning Vagina Monologues
. A Kiss Before Lying
. Loose Lips Sink Relationships
. Jamaic-Up?
S2 -
. The Fallout
. Just Say No
. Buh-Bye
. Trick Or Truth
. Joan's Birthday Suit
S4 -
. Just The Three Of Us
. New York Bound
. New York Unbound
S5 -
. The Rabbit Died
. Maybe Baby
. The Mother Of All Episodes
. When Hearts Attack
. Porn To Write
. P.D.A. - D.O.A.

Upcoming shows on BET this weekend

BET is the place to be this weekend!

Friday night, February 22nd, at 8pm is the BET Honors Awards which will feature a performance by Jill Scott!

Then on Saturday the 23rd, BET is showing a full 12-hour block of Girlfriends from 9am-9pm, which is more than that fucking joke of a network theCW is going to do for our show...

So tune in this weekend and enjoy the goodness!

Second singles from Ashlee Simpson & Sara Bareilles

Recently, both Ashlee Simpson and Sara Bareilles have announced their second singles.

For Ashlee, we have the incredibly catchy "Boys" which I have been loving.

And for Sara we have another strong vocal song called "Bottle It Up" which has some of the best lyrics about love.

What do you think?

Article: Tracee Ellis Ross as 'Girlfriends' episode director

The New York Daily News had this article about Tracee Ellis Ross' directorial debut on Girlfriends this past Monday at 9 for the episode "What's Black-A-Lackin?"

>>>

Playing Joan Carol Clayton on "Girlfriends" is old hat for Tracee Ellis Ross at this point, but directing an episode of the long-running CW sitcom is a whole new challenge for the actress.
"It's something I've always wanted to do," Ross told the Daily News. "And the further I got into the show, years down the line, I just started to realize that I really had an interest in being involved in a different point of view of how you tell the story - not just as an actress."
"Girlfriends" is currently in its eighth season. The show, also starring Golden Brooks and Persia White, explores all manner of modern-day issues that women face, in relationships, with family and at work.
Though it is currently the longest-running live-action comedy on TV, executive producer Mara Brock Akil and White have voiced their disappointment at the fact that the media hasn't truly embraced the show, pointing a finger at race and gender.
Ross, however, chooses to focus on the positive.
"I don't know what the reasons are for not having this or that, but what I can say is that the show has gotten a chance to be on the air for eight years, with a very loyal and a growing audience," said Ross. "I can't complain. It's given me an extraordinary life and I really think it has done an extraordinary job of giving women a new face. Not just black women, but women in general, that we can be these multifaceted leads of television shows with enough stories to last eight years."
To prepare for her directorial debut, airing tonight at 9, Ross says she spent a lot of time shadowing other directors and setting up shots. And when it came down to the actual task, she was surprised at how much she already knew.
"I took to it like a duck to water," Ross said. "Although I was clearly, and am clearly, a beginner, I knew more than I thought I would know. And working with my cast members wasn't a challenge at all. I think we had a really fun time."
There was one issue, though. Ross says she usually has no problem with her lines, but when she tried to direct and act at the same time, her memorization skills went out the window.
"I couldn't remember anything because I was so busy thinking about the scene in general," said Ross. "I thought it was going to be challenging because you can't see yourself [when you're directing yourself as an actress], but it's having to split your focus in so many different places. To jump back and forth between the two is almost impossible."

<<<

Words & Sounds, Post 37

I am really feeling this new song from Mary J Blige's new album Growing Pains called "Hurt Again." I think it's a really great song with a great flow and I'm really loving Mary J's vocals.

Check out "Hurt Again" and let me know what you think.

More on the end of 'Girlfriends'

From TVGuide:

When Aaron proposed to Joan in Girlfriends' seventh-season finale, fans suspected that that episode was the series' swan song. But it wasn't. The show returned for an eighth and final season.

But instead of going out with a bang, Girlfriends went out with a whimper — another victim of the writers' strike. Today, CW executives announced there will be no new post-strike Girlfriends episodes because the network has decided to "focus its creative and financial resources on shows that are in consideration for renewal next year."

So Monday's episode, where Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross) read her fiancé Aaron's letter to his former students and learned that he would be returning from Iraq in two weeks, will be the series' last. New episodes of its spin-off, The Game, are expected to premiere in March.

"Although it's always difficult to say goodbye, I choose to focus my energy on the history that Girlfriends has made," Mara Brock Akil wrote in her official farewell statement. "I am immensely thankful to the amazingly talented cast, writers, directors, staff and crew for their endless dedication and hard work for eight seasons."

Girlfriends ran for 172 episodes. Akil is currently in talks with CW and CBS Paramount Studios to produce a farewell special for the series, which has consistently ranked among the top shows with African-American viewers.

The sad truth...

... Girlfriends has in fact been cancelled. A rep for theCW confirmed it on Black Voices today:

>>>

In an abrupt move that many are saying is an unfortunate result of the Writer's Guild Association strike, the CW Network has pulled the plug on their long-running sitcom 'Girlfriends.'
The show, created by Mara Brock Akil and executive produced by Kelsey Grammer, debuted on the UPN Network on Sept. 11, 2000.
Word came on Monday, Feb 11th, that the network intended to cancel the series without fulfilling its remaining obligation to shoot nine episodes.
The last show aired the day the announcement was made and was actually directed by Tracee Ellis Ross.
Contrary to reports online, there has been no party or celebration of this announcement. Instead, cast members were notified via telephone by Akil that the network had decided to end the show.
'Girlfriends' most recently starred Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Reginald Hayes.
Actor Khalil Kain and actress Keesha Sharp were series regulars on the show.
Former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Jill Marie Jones was the fourth 'Girlfriend,' but the actress left the series in the fall of 2006 to pursue other interests.
Her departure from the series just as it was being switched over from the defunct UPN Network to the upstart CW Network caused major controversy for the show.
Jones left the series on her own accord contrary to many online reports speculating that she had been fired.
I interviewed Akil about Jones' departure in August of 2007 and she said, "This is just one of the things that's out of my control. I don't have the control to make an actress come back to work."
There had been talks of extending an invitation to Jones to return for a series finale, but everything was preliminary according to a network source. Akil conveyed to me during our previous interview that there was an open door for Jones to return if she wished.
I spoke to 'Girlfriends' star Brooks via cell phone today about the cancellation of the show.
"It's bittersweet," she began. "The show has run its course and I feel really blessed to have been a part of a series that made television history."
The 37-year-old San Francisco native would not elaborate any further about what prompted the cancellation or any of the reports about shows plans prior to. She did concede that she feels the fans deserve a proper finale.
Brooks, who has starred in the films 'Something New' and 'Beauty Shop,' did confirm that she received a telephone call on Monday with the announcement.
With eight seasons under its belt, 'Girlfriend' is one of the longest running African-American sitcoms in the history of television.
Only 'The Cosby Show' had been on air as long.
At the 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 14, 'Girlfriends' is nominated for 'Outstanding Comedy Series.'
Ross, Brooks and Hayes are also up for nominations for their acting work on the sitcom.
Requests to the CW Network for comment have not been returned.
In the meantime, outraged fans are letting their voices be heard and are demanding the CW at least shoot a series finale for the show.
Contact the network executives listed below:
President of Entertainment – CW Network
Dawn Ostroff
818-977-2525
Dawn.Ostroff@cwtv.com
Director of Current Programming – CW Network
Traci Blackwell
818-977-2537
Traci.Blackwell@cwtv.com
President of CBS Paramount Network TV
Nancy Tellem
323-575-2380
nancy.tellem@tvc.cbs.com

********* UPDATED*********
'Girlfriends' executive producer Mara Brock Akil had a statement sent over to me late last evening.
"Although it's always difficult to say goodbye, I choose to focus my energy on the history that Girlfriends has made, the human stories that we told, the beautifully complex images that we projected and the blessings 172 episodes bestowed on us, both personally and professionally. I am immensely thankful to the amazingly talented cast, writers, directors, staff and crew for their endless dedication and hard work for eight seasons, to the network that always wanted us and the studio that always supported us, but mostly to the audience, especially African-American women, who took the time to tune into us every Monday night at nine to have a dialogue with us and who have been our partner in this journey. I am currently in talks with the studio and network on how to best honor and celebrate this landmark show, so please stay tuned," Akil said via e-mail through a 'Girlfriends' publicist.
CW rep Melissa Burton originally issued the following statement on behalf of the network regarding the cancellation.
"The prolonged strike has changed business conditions and our programming strategy for the balance of the 2007/08 season. To better focus its creative and financial resources, The CW will only resume production on shows that are in consideration for renewal next year. As a result, we will not order additional episodes of the long-running comedy, `Girlfriends,' which planned to conclude its 8-year run at the end of this season. This was a very difficult decision for us, and was based solely on the considerable cost to license each episode in an extremely unusual business environment.
The affection, appreciation and respect for the show's accomplishments and the talents of the artists could not be greater. 'Girlfriends' was a landmark comedy that helped anchor important nights for both The CW and UPN, and proved to be one of the most enduring and popular shows in TV history with African-American viewers.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for eight great seasons from creator Mara Brock Akil, stars Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Jill Marie Jones, Reggie Hayes, Khalil Kain, Keesha Sharp and all the cast, crew and production who have worked on the show. We are in discussions with Mara and the cast to bring closure to the show and its fans with a retrospective special to air this season."

<<<


Happy Valentine's Day though... how sad! This is really horrible news. I mean we all knew the day was coming one day when Girlfriends wouldn't be on the air, but why like this? Why did theCW have to fuck them over? Is a series finale so much to ask for??

Here's hoping something comes together that will give Girlfriends its proper send-off...

Say goodbye to 'Girlfriends'?

According to TVGuide, even though the Writer's Strike has finally come to an end, our beloved Girlfriends may never return.

The CW has pretty much taken away any hope of this season continuing and finishing its 22 episodes, but in an attempt to make it better, they might give us a clip show.... a clip show! Are they fuckin kidding?! After 8 whole years, over 170 episodes of Joan, Maya, Lynn, Toni, and William, we are supposed to be satisfied with a clip show to bring it all home? This is ridiculous!

As a better alternative, though not great by any means, the CW may also agree to produce a full one-hour series finale to give a proper send off. Even this is infuriating, but believe me you, I will take it! Anything to give Girlfriends the proper goodbye.

Here is a list of names and phone numbers that all fans of the show must call in order to demand that we get a real finale [thanks to member of the CW Lounge]:
The CW Network:
Dawn Ostroff
818-977-2500
/
CBS Corporation:
Les Moonves
212-975-4321
/
Warner Bros.:
Paul McGuire
818-954-3000
/
Paramount:
Nancy Tellem
323-956-5000 or 323-575-2345

Tell them that we want a real Girlfriends series finale! Please!

What's really ironic is that this news comes on the day when GIRLFRIENDS: THE THIRD SEASON is released on DVD... in an effort to support the show, go out and buy yourself a copy!

Jill Scott pics from the Grammys... she looked fiiine and happy!

Grammy Awards results - Jill & Lupe WIN! (+ more)

Woo hoo!!!

Jill Scott and Lupe Fiasco's wonderful collaboration "Daydreamin" has won the Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance!

Unfortunately, though, upon checking the official Grammy website, it appears that Jill Scott has not won the award for Best R&B Album :( Like some thought, it went to Chaka Khan... better luck next album Jill!

On the bright side, Jill could still win for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Hate On Me", so here's hoping. Stay tuned. [UPDATE: Unfortunately, Jill did not win, but Alicia Keys' "No One" did take the award, which is another amazing song. Sorry Jilly - better luck next time, your incredible God-given talent will be recognized one day!]

P.S. - Jennifer Hudson won for "Love You I Do" for Dreamgirls, so that's cool.

UPDATE (7:50pm): Just saw Beyoncé on the red carpet and she had different hair, much blonder and shorter, but she looked fiiine. Her dress was tight and she had that Beyoncé glamour that only she can always possess. But I'm still not sure if I'm completely feeling this new look. But she did give Ludacris some love and I think she was taking a picture with Jennifer Hudson, so that's cool.

UPDATE 2 (9:04pm): Beyoncé performs a version of "Deja Vu" that names all of her inspirations as a female artist like Diana Ross but it seemed that it had been previously recorded which is fine cuz she wasn't singing much, it was just talking and saying names over the beats. Then she introduced Tina Turner who sang a little medley. Then Beyoncé and Tina performed "Proud Mary" together live, which was really fun.

Grammy Awards Sunday night (Jill Scott, Beyonce)!

Sunday night at 8pm on CBS, the Grammy Awards are airing! Be sure to tune in to see if Jill Scott nabs any of those three awards she's up for (including Best R&B Album for The Real Thing)! And watch Beyonce perform on stage during the night as well.

Words & Sounds, Post 36

This edition of Words & Sounds is a video from Chrisette Michele who will be making a guest appearance on Girlfriends this coming Monday. What's interesting about all this and the video for "Be OK" is that Persia White, Lynn on Girlfriends, appears in the video!

So here we go:

Oh Hell Yes! EXCLUSIVE Jill Scott: Live In Paris++

Preview The DVD » | Purchase Standard » | Purchase Deluxe DVD+CD »


The extra "+" is for the Oh Hell Yes! Exclusive version of the CD/DVD release of Jill Scott: Live In Paris+.

Included in this EXCLUSIVE version of the anticipated release are three recent live performances in mp3 format from the immensely talented Jill Scott:

+ "Golden (Live)" on Ellen

+ "The Real Thing/ Hate On Me (Intro)[Live]" on Jimmy Kimmel Live late night show

+ "Whenever You're Around (Live)" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

And as a special plus, here is my exclusive video of "The Real Thing" from Jimmy Kimmel Live in iPod Video format.

Be sure to run out and grab your copy of Jill Scott: Live In Paris+ in stores TODAY!

'Girlfriends' S8.10 Review: "Deck the Halls with Bags and Folly"

Sorry this is way late, ya'll, but my intention was to review the previous episode right before the new one airs, so here we go...

The tenth episode of Girlfriends' historic Eighth Season was the Christmas episode entitled "Deck the Halls with Bags and Folly."



This episode was so funny and you cannot go wrong with Joan singing Christmas carols with William. And then there's the wild dancing of Joan by the piano that was hysterical too.

Stay tuned to Oh Hell Yes! for the review of tonight's episode of Girlfriends called "Adapt to Adopt."

Don't Forget...

... tonight on TheCW is an ALL-NEW episode of Girlfriends at 9pm!

... tomorrow Ashlee Simpson releases a 3-song digital EP with "Outta My Head", "Rulebreaker" (NEW song), and "Catch Me When I Fall" on iTunes.

... tomorrow the highly-anticipated Jill Scott: Live In Paris+ DVD is out in stores!

And on the news front, Jill Scott's classic song from her first album, "It's Love", is featured on the official soundtrack to the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins', available tomorrow on CD.

So we've got quite the exciting few hours ahead of us! Woo hoo!

Words & Sounds, Post 35

This could possibly be my all-time favorite Beyoncé song.... the emotion and strength in this song is so inspiring and Beyoncé's voice is flawless. Here's "Listen" from the amazing film Dreamgirls.

'Girlfriends' Season 3 DVD will have special features!

Upon checking Amazon's listing for the upcoming Girlfriends Season 3 DVD (in stores February 12!), I discovered that the set will in fact have special features!

So here's what you get:

All 24 episodes from the 2002-03 season on four discs
It's What You Wear That Counts
Here Comes the Bride: An Invitation Inside the Wedding
-Some episodes may be edited from their original network versions
-Some music has been changed for this home entertainment version

How exciting! I cannot wait for this Monday (2/4) for the new episode of Girlfriends at 9pm on TheCW, Tuesday (2/5) for Jill Scott and Ashlee Simpson, then next Tuesday (2/12) for Girlfriends Season 3 and Why Did I Get Married? from Tyler Perry, starring Jill Scott!

SEMI-EXCLUSIVE: Ashlee Simpson "Boys" NEW song

The newest Ashlee Simpson track to hit from the album Bittersweet World which drops on April 15, 2008 is called "Boys" and was ripped by me from Johnjay and Rich's radio show in 104.7 KISS FM.

>> Download: "Boys" - Ashlee Simpson <<

What do you think? I am really loving the new sound from Ashlee Simpson and I totally look forward to the new album.

Be sure to buy the "Outta My Head" EP from iTunes this Tuesday, February 5, 2008 for another new song from Bittersweet World called "Rulebreaker."

[This song is an Oh Hell Yes! SEMI-EXCLUSIVE because while I was not the first to rip the song, I did do it myself using only the source radio show, therefore it is a semi-exclusive.]

Words & Sounds, Post 34

With the release of Jill Scott: Live In Paris + quickly approaching, here is another song that features the lovely Ms. Scott.

Called "What Time It Is", the track appears on Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations, the latest Hidden Beach CD from Cornel West & BMWMB and features labelmate Jill Scott.

>> Download: "What Time It Is" - Cornel West f/ Jill Scott <<