» Interviews

Shavar on The Coo’ Show

Shavar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:30:53 +0000

Hey, check out my interview for the 50th episode of The Coo’ Show Podcast. Coo’ Will, Coo’ Larry and Connie P. Coo’ are really “coo’” peeps, lol.

The Coo’ Show

On Leno: Charles Barkley Talks About Kobe’s “Model Look”

Shavar — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:45:06 +0000

Charles Barkley is so naturally funny he deserves his own TV sitcom, lol. The guy is a riot. You will find this video very entertaining, trust me, lol.

As you know, Jay Leno‘s back (The Tonight Show)–Michael Douglas was a guest (last night) and Charles came on the show to “just be himself.” Funny interview and Jay couldn’t help but ask Charles about Kobe Bryant‘s new model pics–you know, the pics that everyone’s been “scratchin’ their heads” over? The Kobe of Arabia pictures?

LOL, anyway, as you know, Charles was honest. Gotta love Charles.

He also talked about his recent weight lost (and his fear of droppin’ dead and having to leave ALL his money to his family, lol), LeBron James, his prediction on who will win this year’s NBA championship and Kenny “The Jet” Smith in whom he calls an idiot, lol. All in good fun though. Check the video.

60 Minutes: Conan O’Brien Speaks Out

Shavar — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:00:40 +0000

Late-night television comedian Conan O’Brien appears in his first interview since having to give back his spot on the “Tonight Show” to Jay Leno. Steve Kroft reports.

Al Pacino’s Rare Interview with Katie Couric on ’60 Minutes’

Shavar — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:30:21 +0000

In a rare sit-down interview, Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino talks to Katie Couric on ’60 Minutes’ about his films and how he prepares for them, including his upcoming movie in which he stars as Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

This was a great interview, Al Pacino is such a down-to-earth guy and we all know he’s a brilliant actor. But just look at the trials and tribulations he went through starting out as an actor, wow.

Goes to show you to never give up on your dreams. And by all means, never let anyone stop you from pursuing it.

Tameka Raymond Discusses ‘Lost Ones’ Foundation on CNN

Shavar — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:50:31 +0000

Speaking for the first time since her divorce from recording artist and actor Usher, Tameka Raymond sat down with CNN‘s Don Lemon yesterday to speak about her Lost Ones Foundation for young women.

She also was asked to give her take on the meaning of Usher’s already successful album, “Raymond Vs. Raymond.”

Raymond also noted that both she and Usher remain friends.

twitter.com/TAMEKARAYMOND

LostOnesFoundation.org

One Question With: Actress Lonette McKee

Shavar — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:00:28 +0000

Celebrities don’t usually have time for lengthy interviews.

I only ask ONE question. I better make it unique. Better make it stick.

Lonette McKee is an American film and television actress, music composer/producer/songwriter, screenwriter and director.

Shavar: Major U.S. news organizations have recently reported “the subject” as if it’s a national epidemic. Why do you think 42% of African-American Women are Unmarried?

Lonette McKee: “Because we’re too smart for the childish, self-absorbed, cheating men that populate the world nowadays. Times have changed; women are no longer identified by who we’re “with.” We don’t care. We support ourselves and enjoy our freedom and independence. What’s so wrong with that? Men talk about this subject as if we’re suffering some sort of great loss. Quite to the contrary, we’re doing better than we ever have in history… without men. Thank God. And frankly, who cares about such silly subjects anyway?”

Shavar: Well shut my mouth. Thank you for your response, Ms. McKee. I respect your words.

(Used with permission from Lonette McKee)

Biography

Lonette McKee was born in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of Dorothy and Lonnie McKee. Lonnie was a bricklayer and auto manufacturer employee.^[1] McKee’s career began in the music business in Detroit as a child prodigy, where she started writing music/lyrics, singing, playing keyboards and performing at the age of seven. At fourteen, she recorded her first record, which became an instant regional pop/R&B hit. McKee wrote the title song for the film Quadroon when she was fifteen.

She has written and produced three solo LPs, the most recent, Natural Love, for Spike Lee’s Columbia 40 Acres and A Mule label. McKee scored the music for the well-received cable documentary on the Lower Manhattan African Burial Ground, as well as numerous infomercials. McKee has toured extensively throughout the world singing concert performances, including the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall.

McKee studied film directing at The New School in New York and apprenticed directing with filmmaker Spike Lee. McKee studied singing with Dini Clark and ballet with Sarah Tayir, both in Los Angeles.

McKee won critical acclaim for her Broadway debut performance in the musical The First. She became the first African American to play the coveted role of ‘Julie’ in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of Show Boat on Broadway, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Her tragic portrayal of jazz legend Billie Holliday in the one-woman show, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill won critical acclaim, standing ovations and a Drama Desk Award nomination. She reprised the role of ‘Julie’ on Broadway in the most recent revival of the musical Show Boat directed by Hal Prince.

Filmography

Her feature film credits include: Sparkle (1976), Cuba (1979), Which Way Is Up? (1977) and Brewster’s Millions (1985) – both opposite Richard Pryor; The Cotton Club (1984) and Gardens of Stone (1987) for Francis Ford Coppola; Lift (2001), for which she earned a Black Reel nomination. Other films include Honey (2003), Men of Honor (2000), Round Midnight (1986) for the great filmmaker Bertrand Tavenier, Jungle Fever (1991), Malcolm X (1992), He Got Game (1998) Recent features include She Hate Me for Spike Lee “A Day in Black & White” and “ATL”. Television miniseries and films include, The Women of Brewster Place (1989), for which she received an NAACP nomination, Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years (1999), Queen (1993) with Halle Berry, To Dance with Olivia (1997) and For Love of Olivia (2001) for CBS Television Network and Blind Faith (1998) for Showtime Cable Network. Lonette also received an NAACP nomination for her appearances on the long-running CBS soap opera As The World Turns.

Recent work

McKee had a recurring role on the NBC drama Third Watch. McKee was featured in People magazine’s Fifty Most Beautiful 1995 issue.

McKee teaches a master acting workshop at Centenary College of New Jersey, where she serves as an adjunct professor in the Theater Arts department. She is producing her first feature film Dream Street, which she wrote and will direct. She also appeared on the CW sitcom The Game as Mrs. Pitts, the mother of Jason (played by Coby Bell).

(Wikipedia)

Todd Bridges ‘Opens Up’ in New Book: ‘Killing Willis’

Shavar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:00:15 +0000

Yesterday a few friends alerted me that my old pal Todd Bridges was on the ‘Today Show’ promoting his new tell-all book entitled, “Killing Willis,” which gives ‘shocking but inspirational details of his struggles with addiction, brushes with the law, and fierce fight to carve a path through the darkness and find his true identity.’

The book was made available today via all major retail outlets across the nation and Todd is currently doing a national book tour to promote the book. In addition to appearing on the ‘Today Show’ yesterday morning, Todd also sat down with Larry King later that day to discuss his past struggles and triumphs.

Todd will also be appearing on The Wendy Williams Show today (March 16) so check your local listings!

Excerpt from the Book

For Todd Bridges early stardom was no protection from painful childhood events that paved the road to his own personal hell. One of the first African-American child actors on shows like Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and Roots, Bridges burst to the national forefront on the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes as the subject of the popular catchphrase, “What’chu Talkin About Willis?” When the show ended, Bridges was overwhelmed by the off-camera traumas he had faced. Turning to drugs as an escape, he soon lost control.

Now, for the first time, Bridges opens up about his life before and after Diff’rent Strokes: the incredible reversals of fortune brought on by fame and the precipitous—and very public—descent that followed; the persecution from police; the drug addiction that nearly consumed him; the criminal charges that almost earned him a life sentence; and his successful legal defense led by Johnnie Cochran. Through it all, Bridges never relented in his quest to fight his way back from the abyss, establish his own identity—separate from Willis Jackson—and offer his ordeal as a positive example for those struggling to overcome similar challenges. His triumphant story of recovery and redemption is recounted here as well.

Todd Bridges has lived a life of remarkable twists and turns—from the greatest heights to the lowest lows imaginable. In this shocking but ultimately hopeful memoir, he proves that what he was really talking about was survival.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ricky Schroder: Out of Hiding

Shavar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:07:05 +0000

Glad to know my old pal Ricky Schroder (Silver Spoons) has been keeping himself busy. Yes, four kids will keep ya busy alright, lol.

Rick has always been an all-around nice guy; one of the few former child actors who seems to have kept his head on his shoulders, hehe.

Media usually only talks about the “bad” former child actors, lol, but it was nice of Good Day L.A. to invite him on the show Tuesday.

Rick sat with Steve Edwards and the crew to talk about his role in an upcoming movie called “Blood Done Sign My Name.”

He’s also been living in Spain for the last 6 months but judging from the video, sounds like he’ll be back.

He’ll be back.

Wanna see a real old school pic of me and Rick? Click here. Back in the dizzay.

Raven-Symoné Tells Bloggers to Leave Her Eyebrows Alone

Shavar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:19:00 +0000

Actress and television personality Raven-Symoné sat down with Wendy Williams this week and spoke about the Internet, bloggers, and her eyebrows.

I’ve always said that blogs are powerful and especially if that said blog such as [fill in the blank] has a large following.

Blogs hurt celebs, I’m sure, and Raven admits that it does. Bloggers can be so cruel sometimes but nevertheless, an all grown up Raven, now 24 has some things in the works so check out this short video clip.

Raven also spoke about the new multi-cultural women’s empowerment movement pepsiweinspire.com.

Anyway, Raven’s comedic timing as an actress has always been brilliant to me (Lucille Ball-like) and somebody needs to give her own talk show and FAST.

Shavar Ross, Dr. Gore’s Funhouse Interview: Friday the 13th 5

Shavar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:37:44 +0000

Here is my interview I recently did for Dr. Gore’s Funhouse on my time making Friday the 13th 5.

Cool people.

Not quite confirmed but I think I will be at the Camp Blood: Friday the 30th Convention in August.

Will keep you Friday the 13th 5 horror fans posted!