KEYSHIA COLE RETURNS TO B.E.T. FOR A 3rd SEASON, WHILE JERMAINE DUPRI'S REALITY SHOW, 'BRUTHA' & '106 & PARK GOSPEL' MAKE THEIR DEBUT.

BET announced its new and returning television series for the 2008-2009 season at its recent upfront presentation in New York City. Up first: Jermaine Dupri's new docu-reality series Brutha will make its debut on the network this year. Brutha revolves around an R&B group of five 'bruthas' who relocate from California to Atlanta and learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry while discovering who they really are along the way. Hunger for a record deal, stardom, loyalty to family and love for the craft all take center stage. The show was previously aired on Atlanta's Peachtree TV under the name Jermaine Dupri Presents: Brutha.

In addition to Brutha BET will also debut a 106 & Park spin-off. 106 & Gospel is the flagship brand extension you've been clamoring for: an all-new 90-minute weekly music event this growing genre so righteously deserves. In addition to the incredible performances for which the 106 brand is known, 106 & Gospel features a top 20 countdown of contemporary gospel videos, news segments with Tye Tribbett, church fashion and roof-raising youth choir battles. The air date of 106 & Gospel is early next year.

Brutha and 106 & Gospel will premiere in the fourth quarter.

The two most popular reality shows in cable TV among black households will most definitely return. Never one to hold back with her music or her life, platinum-selling R&B superstar Keyshia Cole reveals all about fame and family in season three of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, the #1 series in BET history. Season six of College Hill will also return to BET’s schedule in 2009.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP! AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER SHOWS ARE RETURNING AND PREMIERING ON B.E.T. THIS YEAR.
Other series debuting on B.E.T. include:

JUDGE KAREN - There's a refreshing new judge in town who's about to set it off: Judge Karen! She's uncompromising, smart, and quick to cut through the clutter. Judge Karen was born to hold court on BET, and she's taking no prisoners. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.

THE BOOT - Narrated by MC Lyte, The Boot is a half-hour dating show filled with twists, turns and eliminations. The daily strip show begins with six sexy singles (for example, two girls and four guys). First, the girls meet with all four guys individually. The ladies discuss their personalities and eliminate two guys. The two remaining men and two women are then paired off and sent on dates. Halfway through their date, they swap. The girls collectively decide which of the two guys to eliminate, and then they send one guy packing. With two girls and one guy remaining, suddenly the power shifts. Now the guy has the chance to decide which one of the girls is right for him. Premieres in B.E.T.'s fourth quarter.

ALL-NEW COMIC VIEW - It's the standout of standup, the show that broke the biggest names in comedy. The legendary series returns for a 10th consecutive term completely transformed for 2008. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.

Other returning shows include the biographical reality series American Gangster, the soap opera Baldwin Hills, the boardroom-reality show Interns and the gospel-music show Sunday Best. And the BET Awards, perennially the highest-rated show each year on the network, will be back for another year.

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NEW CANDIDS: DIDDY & (EX-GIRLFRIEND?) KIM PORTER SWARMED BY PAPARAZZI IN BEVERLY HILLS.

Could there be an on-again romance back up in the air for this habitual on-again/off-again couple? Or are these two--or at least Kim--discussing and/or negotiating increased child support payments?! I swear I crack myself up sometimes. But really though, whatever reasons Diddy and his second and fourth baby mama Kim Porter had for hooking up for a leisure day of lunching at Trilussa in Beverly Hills on Friday (4.18.2008), was quickly disturbed. As they exited the restaurant, the on-again/off-again couple were swarmed by the paparazzi who were more than eager to capture a money shot of the two...which is quite understandable considering the fact that these two haven't been publicly lensed together in a while. I wonder if Kim has ever been successful dating other men? Peep the pics below.

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*EDITED* USHER'S 'HERE I STAND' PROMOTIONAL PICS + NEW ALBUM COVER ART: USHER'S 'HERE I STAND.'

I have edited and bumped this post (originally posted 4.18.2008 @ 6:01 AM) to add three HQ promotional photos of Usher because I tire at the notion of making a brand new post about him. Thanks to Ericka, the Admin over on USHERFOREVER.COM for supplying me with these pics. Click them to view their full image.

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What you see below is the cover of Usher's new album Here I Stand. I'm pretty sure the license tag on the car in the photo has some significance to it, but right about now, I'm too lazy to go out and figure what it is. Moving on. Now, if you're wondering about the title, just let me inform you that there's a track on the album of the same name...this song is also the song dude wrote for Tameka (as well as performed for her) at their wedding. So, at least to me, it sounds like this album is more of a dedication to her than anything else. And ain't nobody, especially me, trying to hear all that. She already got the man, so what does she need my money for--to maintain her weekly luxuries? I truly think not! Therefore and thus and such, I'll wait on the bootleg copy of Usher's album to hit my local flea market or hair salon. Yeah, I said it! Besides, the last time I brought an Usher album was on 8707, literally. Anyhoo, look for his second single to be Moving Mountains. He's also the featured cover story for Vibe magazine's May 2008 issue.

Peep the pic below. And am I the only person wondering what the business is with his top lip?! Looks like it belongs on one of Jim Henson's Muppets.

ETA: I've just been told that the license plate in the photo is in honor of his first born son: CINCO (Usher V) and 11.26 (the day his son was born). Nice! Thanks carmen and 'anonymous' for that tidbit...although I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why his upper lip looks the way it does!

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FOXY FLEES FROM PRISON. NEXT STOP? TO THE CHURCH HOUSE. + PIRISON RELEASE PICS.

Foxy has left the (prison) building. And just like any other typical freed inmate, the first place she wants to go is to the church house. To God be the glory. After serving a grueling eight months behind bars...mostly in solitary confinement because she couldn't seem to act right, the 29-year-old Brooklyn rapper finally saw the light of day when she was released from the Rose M. Singer facility at Rikers Island around 12 noon before being greeted by a swarm of photographers and fans. Outside waiting were a fleet of luxury cars: three Rolls Royce Phantoms, a Mercedes Maybach and two Cadillac Escalades. "I feel good," she said to the crowd. "I'm back home." Brown, wearing a brown leather blazer, a gold cross, blue jeans, and a brown Fendi head scarf cried as she hugged friends. She even singled out a couple people, saying, "These are my two number one fans. They are like family." After the teary reunion, Brown's entourage went to LaGuardia Inn so the rapper could talk to the press. "My family never missed a visit in eight months, ever. I cried coming out. I didn't cry coming in. There's a big difference. I believe that God put me there for a reason, Incarceration is serious," she told Access Hollywood. Adding that the first place she wanted to go after her "learning experience" was church. "He got me through," she said.

Later Friday Brown was spotted buying a pocketbook and two pairs of shoes at a store called Signature in Harlem near the Apollo Theater, where she was again mobbed by fans and photographers. Well, I hope she's satisfied. She got the media circus she craved for and them some. Now, if she can learn how to keep her hands (and BlackBerry) to herself and her big mouth shut she won't have to go through this again. But hold up: she's due in court next month on charges that she assaulted her neighbor. The court date had been postponed dude to the rappers incarceration.
PEEP PICS OF FOXY'S PRISON RELEASE. SHE KILLING WITH THE BABY HAIR & CORAL LIPSTICK, AIN'T SHE?

To watch the video of her release, CLICK HERE.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

The rapper, born Inga Marchand, was sentenced to a year in prison last September for violating the terms of her probation stemming from an altercation over payment for a manicure with two employees at a New York nail salon in 2004. While on probation, she was arrested twice last year, for throwing her BlackBerry at a neighbor, and for scuffling with an employee at a beauty-supply store in Florida. Even behind bars, Foxy managed to find trouble. In October she served 76 days in isolation after getting into a scuffle with another inmate and refusing a drug test.

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RAY J. SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING BOBBY'S BITCHING REMARKS ABOUT HIM.

Ever wondered what it sounds like to read two men going at each other's throat like a couple of bitch-made females? If not, then here it is. Brandy's baby brother Ray J., has responded to the snide-ass remarks Bobby Brown has made about him regarding his relationship with Whitney Houston. Ray J. who has dated Whitney in the past says he doesn't appreciate Bobby calling him a 'little man' in his new book, Being Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But... And although he says he has nothing personal against Whit's ex-hubby, he'd appreciate it if old dude would stop dwelling on the negative about his marriage to Houston. Ray told In Touch magazine, "I think what Bobby's saying in his book is just ridiculous. He should really go back in and pray and figure out what he should do on the positive tip." Of Brown's height jibes, Ray J. says, "We're the same height, Bobby, come on!"

Also, Ray J. denies his new song Boyfriend is about his relationship with Houston and his feelings about Brown. He adds, "I don't want anybody to think I'm taking any shots at Bobby personally and spilling out my relationship or my sex life with Whitney-I would never do nothing like that. I don't kiss and tell, I don't exploit other people's business and I don't think it's cool that Bobby's doing that!"
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RAVEN SYMONE REVEALS WHY SHE INSIST ON STAYING TRUE TO HER IMAGE; ALSO CANCELS UPCOMING PROMOTIONAL TOUR.

"I have to stay true to who I am. I am not going to sing about sex, drugs and violence, that's just not who I am...When I look in the mirror and see how voluptuously fabulous I am, I can't even worry about it. My conflict in life is just making sure I remember I'm beautiful just the way I am, no matter what size I am. I am just fabulous."


--Child star-turned-entertainment mogul Raven Symone to Jet magazine on why she refuses to change for fame and why she insist on staying true to her music and staying true to her image by being comfortable with her size.

In related news, the 22-year-old actress/singer/producer has canceled her cross-country "Pajama Party" tour. Originally slated to kick off in late April (and run through mid-July), the star has decided to postpone her upcoming tour due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and apologizes to her fans for any inconvenience this may have caused. Ticket refunds will be available from the original point of purchase. How this will affect her new self-titled album (which will be released April 29th) sales remains to be seen. The announcement of the tour cancellation has tween Raven fans in an uproar to say the least. Members on one of the actress's fan sites are threatening to return their That's So Raven and Cosby Show DVD sets, they're so mad. Bless their hearts. While some fans feel Raven scrapped the tour because she grew tired of entertaining her young audience and that she now prefers to hang out with adults her own age, others have demanded the star step forth and explain the real reason as to why she backed out. Well, I say this: as long as you're getting a refund for your ticket, the 'unforeseen circumstances' reason should suffice.

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IN TODAY'S 'THIS N!GGAH, HERE' NEWS: SINGER AKON AIN'T NO EX-CON.

It's bad enough when the color of your damn lips are darker than the color on your damn nose. But it's just damn near sad when a person wants to be so accepted by the hip-hop industry that they'd take it upon themselves to make up a fake criminal past to do so. And that's just what 35-year-old convict wanna-be Akon did. Mmm-mmm-mmm. The singer is not the gangster rapper he says he is, having only served several weeks in jail rather than the years he's claimed, the Smoking Gun reports. The Web site conducted an investigation into his claims of having done three years of hard jail time in the late 1990s for his role as the "ringleader of a notorious car theft operation" and found that instead, he was arrested in 1998 for driving a stolen car in Georgia and served five months in jail before the charges were dropped.
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ALBUM COVER ART: ASHANTI'S 'DECLARATION.'

The folks over there at Urban Bridgez.com posted up the cover of Ashanti's upcoming and fourth studio album, Declaration. The album drops on June 3rd. I'm absolutely loving it...although they could've toned down the hair just a little bit. How about yall?

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REAL OR RUMOR: EDDIE FINDS LOVE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 2 YEARS WITH A WAITRESS.

Let In Touch magazine tell it, Eddie Murphy has found love (for the third time in two years) on the rebound with a dead ringer for his ex-(spiritual) wife Tracey Edmonds. The actor/comedian, who refuses to take care of his youngest child because he oh, so stupid, has been linked Lara LaRue, the sister of CSI: Miami star Eva LaRue, and friends insist Murphy is beyond smitten. The couple met at Sushiya restaurant in Los Angeles, where Lara works as a waitress, and they've become inseparable of late. They share the same April 3rd birthday. Now that's a coincidence because his (biologically) fatherless daughter, Angel, also shares her birthday with her 'dad.' According to In Touch magazine, "He is already telling his friends that he is in love... He's been sending Lara huge floral arrangements practically every day." If true, isn't this the same shit he said at the beginning of his relationships to both Melanie 'Mel B.' Spice and Tracey?

But what I want to know is why in the hell would In Touch magazine refer to her as a 'dead ringer' for Tracey...because I don't see it. Eddie's ex-wife, Nicole, yes. But Tracey? I can't see it.
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CANDID PICS: USHER'S DINES WITH HIS COUGAR AT CRUSTACEAN'S IN BEVERLY HILLS.

Here are candid pics of lil man and his big man dining on the patio of Crustacean's in Beverly Hills yesterday afternoon. And although I've heard the rumors that his wife is supposedly expecting their second child together, with all the antics and shenanigans that Usher has pulled in the past, I'm compelled to say I will believe it when I see it. Let me also say that I wouldn't be surprised if she is pregnant just four mere months after giving birth to their son. Knowing her, she probably got pregnant just for the hell of it. However, I can't help but to wonder if Usher's initial facial expression/reaction to her alleged new baby news mirrors his facial expression/reaction in the first pic below. LOL!

Pics: USHERFOREVER.COM via Mavrix
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NEW SITCOM STAR FLAVOR FLAV SAYS HE HOPES TO BECOME THE NEXT EDDIE MURPHY.

I swear sometimes the stuff some people say boggles my mind tenfold. Flavor Flav, former hype-man-turned-sitcom-"actor" says he's hoping and praying his new sitcom will turn him into--now, get this--the next Eddie Murphy. For reasons still unknown, someone apparently felt Flav could carry the lead role in a new show, aptly titled, Under One Roof (which also stars former One on One co-star Kelly Perrine) which revolves around a convict (Flav) attempting to turn his life around. Well, I guess that can't be too hard to do considering his background....Anyhoo, Flav claims his former classmate Murphy is his acting inspiration. He says, "Eddie was in my ninth grade English class at Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School. Today he is one of the most successful actors and I'm very proud of my boy."

Flav also claims he has slipped into his Under One Roof role easily - because his bad boy character echoes his own early life. He adds, "It relates to my life a lot because, back in the days before I became Public Enemy, I was always in and out of jail, getting in trouble."

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RUMOR OR REAL: ALICIA KEYS TO WED HER LONGIME BOYFRIEND & MUSIC PRODUCER KERRY 'KRUCIAL' BROTHERS?

With the recent semi-hush-hush nuptials of longtime celeb couple Jay-Z and Beyonce two weeks ago, reports are now surfacing claiming multi-platinum selling artist Alicia Keys will marry her longtime boyfriend Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers this summer on Long Island, New York. According to Star magazine magazine, the couple has booked Oheka Castle on Long Island for a ceremony on July 4th (Independence Day). Managers at the 32-bedroom French-style chateau have confirmed a wedding will take place that weekend, but have refused to reveal the identity of the bride and groom.

Like Jay-Z and Beyonce, Keys too has kept her relationship with Brothers under wrap for years by never openly speaking about their relationship. They have been songwriting partners for years, co-owning the KrucialKeys production company and New York's Oven Recording Studios. A representative for Keys has yet to confirm or deny the wedding reports.

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TYLER PERRY SAYS SOMEONE IS STALKING HIM.

Someone is stalking my Uncle Tyler. I can't help it. There's just something about him that makes me want to call him my Uncle Tyler. And then again, there's something about him that makes me wish he was my Uncle Tyler! Anyhoo, after checking my email to read his latest letter to his fans (because dude's went ghost for a while), I truly thought he was joking. He opened the letter up stating: "Okay, I know that I haven’t written in a while but I’ve been dealing with a situation. I’m trying to be careful how I say this without inciting this person, but I have a stalker. This person sends several hundred emails a day to my office and has planned our wedding and bought rings and such. She has showed up at my house several times. What’s crazy is I’ve never met this woman nor have I even responded to her emails. I’ve had to increase the guards at my house as well as travel with body guards and I hate that. I hate to have big guys following me around. Anyway I’ll try to keep this positive. Let me breathe..."

Dude, all you have to do is put on your Madea get-up, invite her somewhere for a serious and intense back-bending game of 'grit-ball', curse her ass out and be through with it. It ain't that hard. But are you sure she wasn't just asking you to forward those letters, emails, wedding plans and phone calls to Lamman Rucker? I mean you handsome and all, but I'd have an easier time believing this story if the person she was stalking was Lamman. Some days, I'm a photo collage and a pair of binoculars away from becoming his stalker my damn self! LOL! Tyler went on to say that the ratings fro his TBS sitcom Tyler Perry Presents House of Payne have gone through the roof. And I believe it. The show has gotten 10 times better...especially with the addition of celebrity guest stars such as Michael Jai White, Robin Givens and Keshia Knight-Pulliam.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!'

And what Tyler letter would be complete without him asking his supportive fans for a favor? LOL! Bless his heart! It's the least we could do. According to Perry, Time magazine has listed his him as a finalist on it's 2008 Top 100 Influential People list. However, in order for him to make the list, fans have to click this LINK and vote as many times as you wish. Tyler said, "I don't know what this means or why they selected me for this list but since they did, I'd sure like for you to have a voice in this contest." Other black celebrities mentioned on the list include: Will Smith, Chris Rock, Oprah, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Nelson Mandela, Condolezza Rice, Tyra Banks, Jay-Z and will.i.am.

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TALLAHASSEE RESIDENTS: CHECK OUT CHILLI TONIGHT @ THE MOON (10 PM-2 AM); ALSO DISHES UP AN LIVE IN-STUDIO INTERVIEW W/ TALLAHASSEE'S BLAZIN' 102.3.

For all you Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas fans, during a live in-studio interview with J.Blaze on Tallahassee's Blazin' 102.3 radio station (shout out to my sister Dree waking me up at of my sleep to let me know she was here!), the singer made an announcement stating that would be making an appearance at College Night at The Moon (located on Lafayette Street) tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you read my girl Necole Bitchie's interview last week with the pretty and petite Southern Belle, then you know she revealed more than what folks bargained for. Subsequently, during her interview with J.Blaze, Chilli dished a tad bit more details about her personal life as well as her music. You may be surprised by what you see below in the snippets I took from her interview:

• Although she didn't mention Blaque's new reality show Blaque in the House, she did say she and T-Boz are working on television projects together as well as on each other's solo albums.
• She's still working on her solo album with help from Missy, Akon and T-Boz; although Tallahassee's own T-Pain (who she considers an 'amazing guy') wrote on her album, he will not be featured on any song on her debut cd.
• Dallas Austin, with whom she shares a son will not produce on her album. Chilli said that although they are 'cool with each other', she doesn't like blending her personal life with her professional ventures.
  
• When asked about Dallas' imprisonment on alleged drug charges in Dubai a couple of years ago, Chillii stated that Dallas never said that he had been jailed. Folks just made speculations that he was behind bars.

• When asked about what was different from going from being a group member to going solo, Chilli said the only difference is that she doesn't have to get approval or run anything by anyone else. This time around, if there's something she wants to do, all she has to do is tell her 'people.'
• Says she was the 'dumb, dumb, dumb' one for letting Marlon get away.
• She considers Dumb, Dumb, Dumb the 2008 version of No Scrubs.
• She has anointed herself as 'Supermom' and giggled a bit when folks in the studio teased her about having his picture on her purse.
• Recently parted ways with TLC manager Bill Diggins over money issues. It must've been something serious because Chilli says ol' dude packed up his wife and kids and left the country. So, I'm thinking TLC weren't the only clients he screwed over. And for those of yall wondering, yes, the ladies of TLC finances are straight. LOL!
• Here's the kicker: when asked if she would ever take Usher back Chilli just giggled and said, 'I'm not answering that.' She gave the same answer when the dj asked her if she would accept Usher's phone call if he decided to dial her up. The only difference with the second question is she paused before answering once again, 'I'm not answering that.'
• After hearing the dj refer to Usher as 'dumb, dumb, dumb' before slapping on his Confessions track, Chilli once again just.....giggled.
• When questioned about her relationship status, after she'd already stated that she was single, Chilli quickly pulled attention back onto her new single, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.

So again, all of you fellas, fans, groupies and stans who want to see Chilli live in person, the place to be is The Moon from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. And for those doubters out there, if you listen to 102.3's live stream, you'll hear them promoting her Moon appearance.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!'

I'm telling yall right now, Chilli is dead serious about launching her music career. I can say this now with a bit of hope because I remember her announcing she wanted to do her solo thing waaaaaaaaaaay back when she first hooked up with Usher but placed it on the back burner to record what would be TLC's last studio album. And now seven years later, after more than a couple of hit and misses, she is finally about to make things happen for herself as a solo artist. What's even better is she's launching her new music right before Usher's fourth album drops next month. Now that's what you call promoting your sh!t. And who could blame her? If it looks like she wants to milk their past relationship in order to jumpstart her solo career, more power to her. Hell he did it...and ended up with a diamond certified album. He knew that album wasn't about their break-up and yet he exploited their relationship and used it to his advantage to sell millions of records. If anything, he should've cut her a check! LOL!

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THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDS RUNS OUT OF STEAM. SHOW HAS TOOT ITS OWN HORN FOR THE LAST TIME.

As far as I'm concerned, this should've been done after their 1997 broadcast. Therefore I'm now surprised one bit that the show has pulled into the station for the last time due to low attendance by African-American celebrities--even the D-list celebs--now you know that's bad especially since the show was created to celebrate and honor African-Americans! According to yahoo.com, a spokeswoman said the show would not go ahead with its 22nd annual installment this year, but a reason was not specified. At last year's event in Pasadena, most of the winners did not show up, including such A-listers as Beyonce Knowles, Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Gnarls Barkley. The show takes place a few weeks after the Grammys, the music industry's top awards. Similarly themed ceremonies like the BET Awards have also provided some competition. Perhaps more critically, the underlying syndicated dance show Soul Train ended its historic run in 2006. It was distributed by Tribune Entertainment, which exited the syndication business when billionaire Sam Zell took its Tribune Co. parent private late last year in a highly leveraged deal.

SOURCE

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The Soul Train TV show has served as an important promotional springboard for black music's biggest stars since launching in national syndication in 1971. It claimed to be the longest-running show airing in first-run syndication. The franchise is the brainchild of Don Cornelius, an ambitious Chicago DJ who decided in the late '60s that there was a need for a TV show featuring young black people dancing to recorded music. Few shared his view, and he self-funded a pilot in 1969. It aired on a Chicago TV station the following year, and quickly became a hit. Cornelius, famed for an expansive afro in his younger days, hosted the show for the first 22 years. But he has kept a low public profile and rarely consents to interviews. He tearfully accepted a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2005.

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