Taraji P. Henson Takes TV Guide To Task

You may have heard that actress Taraji P. Henson spoke out via Facebook about being excluded from the promo cover of her new show, Person Of Interest which airs on CBS.  Henson expressed her frustration at being the female lead and not being included.  Somehow that turned into claims from blogs and other media outlets that Henson was blaming "race" as a factor.  


My question is, whatever happened to reading comprehension.  Can or do people bother to read at all.  Or is it that any time a black person expresses dissatisfaction, it's assumed it is because of race?  Take a look for yourself at Henson's comments.

Taraji P. Henson WOW!!!! TV Guide is NOT including me on the cover with my cast memebers……..I am the female lead of a 3 member cast and I’m not included on the cover!!!!!! Do you see the sh*t I have to deal with in this business…..I cram to understand!!!!”

Taraji P. Henson I swear you guys keep my spirit lifted cause it ain't easy AT ALL for a sister in Hollywood. Your love is God sent!!!! Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart. Wanted to tell you all this on live TV at the Emmys (if I'd won) but......oh well. Muah!!!!!

Like · · Share · September 20 at 1:54pm

Not one comment mentioned race.  Well, TV Guide Editor-In-Chief, Debra Bimbaum, responded:

“I made an editorial decision to do a story about the relationship between the two male characters on ‘Person of Interest’ and that’s who I was going to put on the cover. That has been my decision all along, ever since I saw the pilot. We’re certainly fans of Taraji Henson and her storyline on the show was never intended to be the focus of our cover story. I don’t know where there was a misunderstanding about this, but it’s been clear to everyone from the start. I don’t make decisions on who is put and not put on the cover based on race or gender."

Is it just me?  Or did she say that she wanted to do a story on the male characters and then state that she doesn't decide who to include based on...gender? It's surely TV Guide's right to put whomever they choose on the cover, but this sounds like a contradiction to me.  Reading is still fundamental. 

By the way, we've seen the show and it looks like Taraji and CBS have a hit!

Val Watch: Single Ladies Replacement

Before Season 2 gets underway, GirlTD wants VH1 to know that we are on Val Watch, just to see who is going to replace Stacey Dash's beloved character Val.  GirlTD also decided to spice up the search with a little help.

First Up,

Meagan Good

Ideally, Meagan Good.  She's young, gorgeous and can pull off the ingenuity of Val's spirit.  What she may be lacking?  An overall feeling of wisdom to temper that innocence.  Good plays 20's very well, mid to late 30's a stretch.  In love with Jerry and umph needed to carry that role?  We'd have to see it to believe it.



Second up, Keisha Knight Pulliam.  Yes little Rudy has grown up to be a beautiful, wonderful actress.  She has the acting chops, the presentation and the name recognition.  Keisha has to make sure she wears the fab fashions the show became noted for and that the fashions don't wear her.

Keisha Knight Pulliam

Third Up,  the lovely Shaun Robinson.  Although known for her journalism skills, this is an intelligent beauty that has an eye for fashion.  She has to bring the vulnerability to this role because we've only seen her as a strong, powerful role model.

Shaun Robinson

For this round, finally, Eva Marcille.  She has the beauty, the toughness and a natural ability for the industry the character is fully entrenched in.  We've seen her in small roles on "The Game" and "The Young and The Restless".  For this role, she has to lose the over-rated dramatics required for what we've seen in the past and bring out the essence of a wise ingenue, forever in search of true love with a seductive edge, only used when absolutely neccessary.

Eva Marcille "Smizing"

Eva Marcille Fabulous

There you have it.  This is GirlTD's first round of Val Watch hopefuls.  Who would you like to see in the role of Val for "Single Ladies"?

Don't Hate Me Because I Saw A Tyler Perry Movie

I for one, am tired of these smug commentators and self-righteous, short-term memory filmmakers who criticize Perry's work.  It's almost become a discussion staple on news shows.  If you want to be seen or heard, criticize Tyler Perry and his audience.  I usually tune it out.  But I especially took issue when author and CNN commentator, Toure, described Tyler Perry's work as "malt liquor for the masses" and stated that he could see why black women in the south would like it.

Honestly, when I see Toure coming, I change the channel.  However, it was my Twitter timeline (thanks, Roland Martin) that delivered his insults this go round.  I can understand why some may not like or appreciate Perry's brand of comedy or storytelling.  To that I say,

UNCF/BET Rallies for Funds

The UNCF is not only relevant in the new age of educating our community but is still needed and BET pulled out all of the stops, showcasing fav talent including our own Coby Bell and Pooch Hall who presented valuable information as to why it is important that we continue to support this laudible institution.

Founded in 1944, this organization provides scholarships for students like Delrisha White, a Bennett College attendee who had to wake at 4:00am everyday to make it to school on time at 8:00am, traveling multiple bus and train routes to afford herself the education she sacrificed for and craved.  Academically sound and ready for college, White had to overcome a five-thousand dollar deficit before entering the HBCU, that is until the fund aided her.

UNCF provides opportunity for the students like Angel pursuing dual degrees: MD/PHD and excelling in fields of Math and Science.  Also saluted, Barrington Irving, the first African-American to fly around the world solo and the youngest of anyone.  He credits help from UNCF and his HBCU for helping him to fulfill his dreams to become an Aviation Engineer.

The Stars came out tonight paying tribute to young people who proclaimed that "Our" Future is bright and with our help and contributions, our future can only get brighter. 

Major sponsors: AT&T, American Airlines and of course BET made this night memorable.  We can continue the memory.  To Donate:  www.BET.com/UNCF or UNCF

Pan Am: Premier Re-cap

Pan Am The Series

In an attempt to bring back "the good-old days"  ABC creates a story behind the story of the iconic  airline, Pan Am.  We get to follow the behind the scenes lives of Stewardesses and Pilots as they travel the world on luxury airliners to exotic destinations wielding coveted adventures.

Don't worry, you won't have to endure real-life situations like a mother changing what smells like three day old baby poop, oozing from the kid's diaper on the seat you are about to occupy.  You won't have to endure the bitch-slapping session of a mistress to the man who's wife is approaching their seat demanding to know why he didn't say he was married as he tries to whisk her off to ski for a weekend.    No, Pan Am plans to show you the softer side, the sanitized side of life in the Mile High Club as we dream it.

In the Pilot Episode we follow four Stewardesses and two Pilots, well three, but the third doesn't say much, he's just a Relief Officer, as they navigate Pan Am' newest jet liner, The Clipper on its maiden voyage from New York to London. 

BET bets on Warner and Ross In New Scripted Series Reed Between The Lines

"...A new idea ofwhat it means to be happily married..."  Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends) explains of BET's newest scripted sitcom, Reed Between The Lines beginning 10/11/11 at 10pm.

Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal Warner announcing new show Reed Between The Lines
Photo courtesy of BET

We're excited!  We're excited because this show is shaping up to match impeccable comedic timing, star power and veteran experience with the likes of fan favorites: Malcolm Jamal Warner Cosby, Malcolm &Eddie), Ana Marie Horsford (Amen & The Wayans Brothers) and Melissa De Sousa (The Best Man).

Tia Mowry Takes It Off + Exercise Video Review

Like most new moms, Tia Mowry has a whole new routine-including exercise.  The actress is ready to loose the baby weight.  Pictures of the actress power walking have been floating around the web.  She shared with US magazine that she's walking and doing lunges.

Let's face it, weight loss isn't just a challenge for celebs and new moms.  At some point most women either need to loose weight or find more efficient ways to maintain their weight.  Girl TD takes a look at some of the exercise videos that are all the rage right now.

Basketball Wives Turning Survivor! Evelyn Lozado Calls It Quits?

Original Basketball Wives Cast

It seems that the Basketball Wives Miami is changing Star Island mates again and this leaves fans and detractors wondering if this is the beginning of the end of the popular franchise.

Evelyn Lozado
photo courtesy of VH1 and S2S.com

In a not so shocking announcement, Evelyn Lozado, original cast member is taking a self-imposed hiatus from social media and refusing to sign on for any more episodes of the popular train wreck which spawned franchise mates Basketball Wives LA and the defunct Football Wives (canceled after one season).

Freshology Delivers To Tia Mowry

In discussing her strategy for loosing the baby weight, Tia Mowry mentions a food delivery service called Freshology a gourmet meal delivery weight loss program.  Which happens to be one that I've tried.  This is great for helping you learn portion control, loose weight, with an added benefit of saving time.

You can choose from one of three programs that have different price ranges.  If you live in the California area, they can deliver fresh to your door.  However if you are elsewhere in the USA, the meals are delivered frozen in an insulated bag on a weekly basis. 

You receive Breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert for seven full days.  Here's my Freshology Experience:

I Thought I Bought A Ticket For Columbiana, Not Mexicana?

So finally on this Labor Day Weekend, I finished what I'd started during the opening night of the movie, Columbiana.  I actually got to finish the movie! I must say it was absolutely fantastic and Zoe Saldana is fast becoming the go-to-female for outstanding action.

Aside from all of that, I ventured with my husband to what is considered to be one of the premier movie theaters in Los Angeles.  The seats are roomy and plush, cup holders that actually hold large beverages, latest in surround sound and visual effects as well as a number of other nice amenities, that make it a popular destination.  We both eagerly anticipated the opening of the show since the previews some six months ago.  With popcorn and water in hand we made sure we situated ourselves a to not miss a morsel, so much so that we entered the theater early, before the pre-previews.

We chatted a bit, after all the lights were still bright when a woman turned around to look me square in the face and state, "I hope your conversation isn't going to be a problem during the movie...." 

HawthoRNe Canceled?!!

I don't want to believe it.  TNT has cancelled HawthoRNe after three seasons.  I loved this show and I know I wasn't alone.  The medical drama starring Jada Pinkett Smith earned 3.6 million viewers for the season finale.  TNT released an official statement:

"TNT has decided not to order a fourth season of 'HawthoRNe.  TNT truly appreciates the tremendous dedication of everyone involved in 'HawthoRNe'. The series gave TNT the opportunity to work with many outstanding people, including Jada Pinkett Smith and the rest of the show’s talented cast, crew, producers and writers. We wish everyone involved with 'HawthoRNe' nothing but the best."

Sigh.  Well at least now we know who killed detective Renata: the executives at TNT!  They know Drama.

Was Hawthorne one of your favorites?  What did you think of last season?

Robinson Peete vs. Underwood

Sheryl Underwood and Holly Robinson Peete courtesy of YBF.com

It is true, Holly Robinson Peete is being replaced by Sheryl Underwood on the CBS Talk Show, “The Talk”.  Sure this is disconcerting.  After all, I’ve rarely watched the show and when I did, it was because of Holly Robinson Peete, and/or an interesting guest like Wayne Brady was promised to appear.  I am an advent fan of Robinson Peete and have been since 21 Jump Street.  Other than that I found “The Talk” to be a watered down replica of “The View” vying for content, perspective, credibility and versatility. However, with the exception of comedy, "The Talk" usually matches “The View”, Julie Chen as the journalistic moderator, Sharon Osborne as the quirky, industry connected, elderly wisdom, the caffeine over-dosed commentary of Leah Remini, (who is also being replaced by Kris Kardashian, formerly known as Jenner) and Sarah Gilbert; I’m not sure which role she satisfies, the peacemaker perhaps? Or is it because she's one of the executive producers?

 So even with all of the above mentioned elements, the show remains with the comedic angle unfulfilled.  So in comes Sheryl Underwood.  Known to those of us who are familiar as a comedienne, Sheryl has big shoes to fill.  Holly Robinson Peete is an absolutely stunning wife, mother of four, educated, intelligent and a front line advocate for a cause that plagues one in one hundred of our male youth.