STAR JONES AND HER UNUSUAL SUSPECT

Not wishing anyone terrible news or blocking there blessing but I think it is a good thing Star Jones is going through what she is going through, an I like her contrary to what my initial statement sounds like.

I never believed the Fairy Tale romance and wedding Star Jones presented and I believe most of America felt the same way. At its core, that was the “bitter” pill that we all were forced to swallow during the whole ABC/ The View fiasco that resulted in Star Jones’ firing. We lived the drama and people drew lines in the sand over which side you stood. Either you loved the Woman who transformed her life and switched channels from the Big Girls Show to that of the Divalicious. I sided with Star ‘Diva” Jones because I am always a sucker for the underdog, and Star was a “Dog” in the eyes and lips of man people. Especially Black Women.

In my experience, I have noticed that Women are very hard on other Women who do well. Those that can go from pain and misery to health and spiritual enlightenment, often are placed in degrees and categories of acceptance, Women being selective in who they embrace when those that survive that climb into empowerment. Star Jones somehow must have taken the wrong staircase in her climb to the top because she never caught a break since she shed the pounds and decided for Professional and Personal reasons not to endorse publicly the radical methods for loosing weight. As a MAN, I was like, “Good for you Star, you did what you needed to do to get healthy.” To my Sisters, “That Bitch thinks she’s all that since she lost all that weight.”

It is just interesting that Star Jones was liked BEST when she was a Big Girl and the bigger she got, the more she was loved and adored. It was as if Star Jones encompassed the pain, insecurities, depressions and feelings or inadequacies and daily as she appeared on television absorbed those feelings and emotions until she was about to burst. In reality, she was about to BURST. The Woman’s heart was about to give out and in a moment to choose life over death, SHE decided to live. This was not acceptable for the World because Star Jones, as a Woman, and Black Woman, as a Fat Black Woman, as a Self Destructive Fat Black Woman was suppose to die and become the latest casualty for the decadence that is America. In THAT moment Star Jones lived and lived as LARGE as the body she once had and like all stars that go “nova”, she energy touched everyone including those that did not want to be touched. This energy included her “Happiness”.

OK so we know about how Alicia Keys had help HOOK up Star Jones with her soon to be ex-husband, Al Reynolds. We did the whole his Traditional Black Southern and my Southern Traditional family stories, the All-Star engagement proposal, a whole one year marriage counseling, one year of celibacy, the on air wedding dress shopping, The View as the year long Bridal Party, HELL we even grudgingly had to sit through a one-woman American Idol-like Star Jones solo act of her singing a Whitney Houston song. And by that time I too was going through a period of Star Rejection. Then we got in the final closing of the Star Jones Experience with her Wedding of the Century or as the media dubbed it “The Most Outrageous Celebrity Weddings of 2004”. Once this was done we were just like … OK what next? What was next was to figure out, "What Man Would Marry Star Jones?"

So now that we were exhausted about the woman, we now had to look at the MAN but what we found was someone that was NOT QUITE WHAT WE EXPECTED. He was just a regular Jack and Jill expressing, God Fearing (because we know he had to be that type of Christian), Independently wealthy, well educated, Black and masculine. Well, that last point, the “masculine part” was suspect. Much like the Barak Obama and the Reverend Wright controversy, this one issue never quite left the minds of the many “He-and-She-Hates” Star Jones followers BUT, if Star Jones said Al Reynolds was ALL MAN and not Gay than we will accept that for now.

Fast-forward four years later, Star Jones has rebounded time and time again from her The View Issues to her own show on Court-TV and still everything was Roses. One thing about Roses though, they grow, they bloom, they are admired and then they dwindle and die. There wasn’t a moment when we did not hear how WONDERFUL the Reynolds marriage was and how much it is this and how much it was that. For me, that was a RED FLAG. No one needs to reaffirm a good thing when life does that without assistance. Especially when no one asks.

Year 2005 and we are hearing comments from Star Jones’ Spokesperson, "This story is absolutely ridiculous and untrue. Star and Al are very committed to each other and their marriage." This statement was in response to the idea that the marriage was a sham and a means to boost The Views ratings, the rumors of past affairs by Al Reynolds and his visits to Fire Island (for those not in the know, Fire Island is a very popular place for Gay Summer Activities and Events) and pictures floating about the Internet in swimwear which for some, must be an antidote for Homosexual behavior. I mean from the start there has to be something “wrong” with this MAN to like …. HER. The rumors never stopped, if anything they became more insidious from two avenues, tabloid media and the Gay Community. Which as far as I am concerned are pretty much one and the same.

Each year the announcement of the two getting a divorce became an annual event with Star Jones reaffirming that the two are still living in Honeymoon Bliss. One thing I know about Honeymoons, they eventually end and the REAL marriage begins. And just that, people who either LOVE or HATE Star Jones know that what we see in public, ISN’T the real Star and Star never shows you her HAND.

But why do people keep bringing up The Star Jones Marriage? Why not just let up and move on to maybe other People’s Marriages? Is it that people still cannot release from the fact that this once “Ugly Betty” has become a Star or is this more like Marion Jones and her drug scandal (no relation … seriously) where people know something that everyone was else is ignoring and the accused is just not letting go of the Lie. Maybe Star Jones really is a Diva and has pissed off so many people that until she BURST the way people had hoped she would have on The View, she will be doomed to be hassled until then? How about the fact people either did not feel that they got their money’s worth (since Star Jones nor Al Reynolds paid a dime for it) or there was some small writing in the bridal Contract which stated that the PUBLIC owns Her for life? Regardless of the reasons, it’s official, Star Jones is getting a divorce and we are hearing the, “I TOLD YOU SO, HE AIN’T WANT HER BLACK ASS.”

So now what? Star Jones has lost the Weight, she’s lost The View, she’s lost her Talk Show, now she’s lost her Marriage. I am still an underdog supporter, regardless of the reasons, I am behind her 100% because I can relate when it comes to dropping dead weight and moving forward .. especially when you KNOW the person isn’t into you. We have been previed to the "Star Jones Saga" since day one and part of me would like to just shyt it all down and move past it BUT I do like Star Jones and I am looking forward to seeing how SHE bounces back from this one because like many people, This Marriage Seem Suspect from the start and wasn't going to last long anyway.

MONTEL WILLIAMS CASUALTY OF IRAQ INVASION

No sooner than I send off STAR JONES and close the door, Montel Williams gets my attention as he asks for his hat and coat to leave as well. My BLACK TV HOST PARTY is starting to get smaller.

Montel Williams is the latest casualty of the Iraq Invasion and the FOX Network. Montel the ex-Marine, Rodeo Clown, National Syndicated Talk Show Host, Spokes Person for (MS) Multiple Sclerosis, Spokes Person for Partnership for Prescription Assistance, Speaker of Veterans’ Rights and now recently fired from the FOX Network.

Lets just detail how this happened:

"Shortly before Fox-owned and operated television stations in major markets terminated Montel's talk-show contract, Montel appeared in an interview on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends, and was asked to discuss Heath Ledger's death. He used the interview to point out that TV networks had continued to extensively cover Mr. Ledger's death while ignoring the deaths of 28 US soldiers in Iraq since the beginning of the year. Montel expressed sympathy for Mr. Ledger's family and remorse for his passing but also encouraged the three interviewers to recognize the absence of coverage for the US soldiers killed in Iraq. The interviewers sought to point out that their audience wanted celebrity news and it was more interesting than soldier deaths. Montel suggested that US news networks had the capacity to lead the country's attitudes by placing more importance on US deaths in Iraq than the deaths of celebrities. Montel noted that he had awoken that morning very saddened by the unknown names of those slain in Iraq and was further saddened when he could not find their names on the web.

Three minutes into this awkward segment on Fox, one host cut off Montel in order to go to a commercial. Montel did not return after the break."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montel_Williams

Four days later, after 17 years as a television host, Montel lost his job. The SPIN is that Montel Williams quit. I find it hard to believe that a man of his caliber, with the OUTREACH of a NATIONALLY syndicated show and the causes he support would QUIT. Last I checked, Marines don’t QUIT.

I am not a big Montel Williams fan. I won’t front and say I never was but like all things, some of his personal philosophies rubbed hard against many of my beliefs. Personally I feel many of his Montel’isms are a product of his military career (which in itself is a unique ideology) and choices in his personal life. But that is the beauty in GOD’s creation, we are all uniquely different individuals and thus the spirit of a MAN allows for civilized co-existence or at least in the United States the Right to agree to disagree without fist-to-cuffs. Regardless of my indifference to Montel Williams, I don’t like when people get JACKED and AXED for speaking Truth. The MAN SPOKE truth and for it, he is not necessarily SILENCED but is stabbed at his reputation and the money he makes. You see most people fear for their lives but WEALTHY people fear POVERTY more. To go for the pockets/pocketbooks is the standard for silencing the wealthy and FOX decided to go that routine which as far as I'm concern will be a practice of the past come election time.

I recall a speech made several years ago where the topic was BUYING BLACKS OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. The speaker spoke on how various annals of America tease and titillate the most talented in BLACK communities with promises of Money, Political Influence (never any real Power), Fame and Beauty. The speaker also detailed a number of Blacks whom had taken the APPLE FROM THE TREE and decided to share that knowledge or speak for those they had left behind and the actions taken to bring them down and or silenced before they succeeded. He had also detailed those that currently are riding the wave of success and in Black’s praise of them, only time will show if they will compromise or reach out to help others rise as well. So far, they haven’t. Montel wasn’t on that short list but the events of his show’s cancellation clearly details how much loyalty one has for the TRUTH and the extent THE POWERS THAT BE would go to destroy it.

Lately Montel Williams have gone public to discuss his objection to Obesity, Child Abuse, Internet Predators, Holistic Living, Detoxing of the Body, making the names of Military Officers Public, the effects of Poverty in Relation to Crime and many more social concerns. With his Talk Show as a venue for discussion, it was only a matter of time before the FOX Network saw fit to cancel his show. It’s like that one person at work that gets all the accolades. As long as he/she doesn’t affect the Boss or Supervisor they are safe. Bring attention that their performance is better or more efficient, they are gone because of some minor infraction. Montel, not wanting to talk about a dead man and the details of his death before an autopsy was done was a fair and respectful as well as an honorable thing to do. His Momma taught him well.

Am I upset that his show was cancelled. Not really, I didn’t watch it and yet it does not take away from the fact that others did and that Montel Williams did serve a purpose and regardless of my personal feelings toward him, I’d still call on him to do GREAT THINGS in my community. He’s a Good Man and FOX doesn’t want Good Men, they only want SHEEP. Last time I checked, the Marines Don’t Do Sheep.

STAR TODAY GONE TOMORROW

I never understood the desperation by which people aspire to be famous. There was a time where there were shows on PBS and the ABC After School Specials (yeah I know, I'm dating myself with that one) where the overall theme was to, “Be yourself”. Some show themes talked about how loosing your identity can do my damage to you and your family than friends than all the fame in the world. People like Brittney Spears being shipped to the CRAZY HOUSE, ACTIVE THREATS against OJ Simpson, OVERDOSING of Heath Ledger, you ask yourself how much of your soul to you sell for that kinda life?

Well in the business, STARS rise and stars fall. They get up there again but at some point they implode and become nothing more than echoes in the sky.

The STAR JONES SHOW has been cancelled. He’s what they say in Reuters edition Jan. 31, 2008:

"Due to the re-branding and programming refocus of the network, truTV and Star Jones Reynolds have mutually agreed to cease production of 'The Star Jones Show,"' said a memo from Marc Juris, executive vice president and general manager of the channel formerly known as Court TV.

The show, which began in August, showcased Reynolds' work as a TV host and former lawyer. She will remain with the network as a contributor to the channel's trial coverage."

Two things. They are actually re-tooling the image of truTV (and by the way, what F&*%’ing idiot came up with that TAG?) or the STAR JONES SHOW was so bad and a drain on the budget that to just come out and say the FAT LADY (I mean the simmer and more slimmer LADY) just hit her last note and its time to “EXIT, STAGE RIGHT”.

I would bet on the latter. I watched STAR’s show and I honestly gave her my support and prospers. I like a good comeback story, especially how ABC did her. In recent Blogs such as You Should Have Learned Your ABC's, posted on Yahoo360’s Blog site on June 13, 2007, I detailed the cold decisions that Entertainment and Media, specifically ABC, can make at the expense of the bottom line or personal feelings. In light of ABC's diminishing number of Black Actors and non-existing News and National Corespondents, actors like Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy), Star Jones (The View), Taye Diggs (Day Break) and Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives) have come and quickly gone on to where most Black actors go until someone at a desk in Hollywood feels the pressure to show some Color in a project. So in my support of the underdog I watched the STAR JONES SHOW and watched and watched and then I started to yawn. That was all SHE WROTE. I started to get the STAR TREATMENT; attitude, Star’isms, personal rants and if I hear one more time about WHAT HER GRANDMA told here or scolded her about I was going to scream. Maybe she should have ignored Grandma more and did what was needed and kept the show a legitimate LEGAL SHOW. The show started to become everything that people turned off to when she was on The View.

When Star dropped knowledge it was for the better. It initially was advertised as a place to get legal information from. It was also suppose to be a show with "a little of this and a little of that." RED FLAG !!! But I still had love for my STAR. I recall an earlier show where she discussed A Patients Bill of Rights, the rights of a patient to keep their medical records secure and private. After that show I began to pull that knowledge into play and got very positive results. There were other shows that talked about money issues, credit protection, false arrests, orders of protection and a personals legal right to act against Credit Card Companies. Shows like "When is it right to sue your family when they steal your identity?" There were a few great legal stories up in her lineup that I made sure I recorded or jotted down the details, but that other SHYT? What was that all about?

OJ Simpson, Brittney Spears, Kidnapped Babies, Wives disappearing (when we all know the HUSBAND DID IT), it was the same TV that many people turn to cable to escape. Star Jones went from Lawyer Girl to Gossip Girl in a matter of three months. The format kept changing, o’ Girl kept trying new things out; there were very few ONE ON ONES. I mean where were the exclusive Celebrity Contract Disputes, the CEO’s caught with their hands in the cookie jars, where were the pieces on WHERE ARE THE GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE WHISTLE BLOWERS NOW? How about a step-by-step list on what to do when you WIN the lottery? I mean there was so much a person can do and all I got was ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT meets TMZ meets THE COCHRAN GROUP. In essence, there was too much FAT and not enough LEAN.

STAR STAR STAR … you should know about getting rid of the FAT GIRL SNACKS, the Fluff and Sweets, the salt and grease. After a few months the show started to get REAL MESSY especially with the exclusive OJ Simpson coverages. That was the final sign that the show was doomed to fail. It would have been a BOLD STATEMENT to NOT cover that bogus trial. Star Jones told us she would be directly involve in all aspects of the show. Maybe she needed a little HANDS OFF TREATMENT with this one. I don’t want to hate too much cause I like you Star (and based upon the people I talk to – Sistahs included, they ain’t feelin you too much) I want you to bounce … I mean get back in the saddle. Not the one you got at home for your FREAK FELLAH I mean back in front of the camera so we can REALLY SEE the legal mind your have. People need more of that then all the Celebrity CRAP truTV or LawTV or whatever they want to call it now tried to spoon-feed instead of a bogus recipe on how to bring down the HEAVENS and a STAR.