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{blackbabes} Sightings

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Christmas - Michael Bublé

Rihanna celebrating her brother Rorrey Fenty's 24th birthday at Finale, where she arrived at 2 a.m. Thursday with Rorrey and a crew and repeatedly raised a flute of champagne to toast him all night . . . Taxi tycoon Andrew Murstein jokingly sticking out his foot as Larry David walked to his front-row seat at MSG. David started cracking up . . . Gavin DeGraw and his band at Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Meatpacking District on consecutive nights before performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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{blackbabes} Moving Beyond the Sad and the Angry to Write a Valediction for New Orleans

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Christmas - Michael Bublé

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HBO's "Treme" was an unlikely proposition from the start. It was predicated on a natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina, that happened five years before the show started, and that lag has always been awkward. The meticulous re-creation of not quite recent outrages — perpetrated by politicians no longer in office and cops already indicted — has made the show seem to be in a weird time warp all its own.

Then there's the contradiction that can make watching the show a slightly queasy, off-putting experience. Created as a celebration of American authenticity, it often feels like the sort of theme park drive-by it is supposedly condemning. Here's a bounce club, here's a second line, here's Mardi Gras, here's Cajun Mardi Gras. Extra credit if you know that Toni the lawyer holds all her meetings at Li'l Dizzy's. With its earnest ethnography and hipster aspirations, the show can seem like a video guidebook for Japanese or German tourists.

The news — good news if, like me, you're a fan of the show, despite its foibles — is that those tendencies have receded almost completely into the background as "Treme" begins its fourth and final season on Sunday night. In these last episodes, there's a noticeable decline in the lecturing and hectoring, as well as in the name-dropping and celebrity cameos.

"Treme" has always been a sad as well as an angry show, but this coda has a decisively valedictory tone. Battles are still fought, as Toni (Melissa Leo) and the good cop Terry Colson (David Morse) keep pushing for the truth about the police department's post-Katrina atrocities. But for most characters, it's now about moving on. Antoine (Wendell Pierce) settles into his new role as music teacher and unexpected role model; LaDonna (Khandi Alexander), recovering from her brutal attack in Season 2, gets the bar running again; Albert (Clarke Peters), mortally ill, tries to reconcile with his son, Delmond (Rob Brown), and prepare his chief's outfit for one last Mardi Gras.

It's to the credit of the show's creators, David Simon and Eric Overmyer, that these characters have become so familiar and alive in only 30-plus episodes. But it's primarily a tribute to the three actors, Ms. Alexander, Mr. Pierce and Mr. Peters, who have made "Treme" a must-watch series, regardless of how you felt about its politics, its purity or its poky storytelling. Ms. Alexander, in particular, with her ability to combine fierce intensity and kittenish vulnerability, practically in the same moment, has been riveting throughout the run, and that continues in Season 4.

Not every role or story line is as moving or authentic. The struggle of the Cajun fiddler Annie (Lucia Micarelli) to stay true to her musical roots is still mostly a bore, and you wonder why we had to follow her trajectory rather than that of her former boyfriend Sonny (Michiel Huisman). But the fight of the chef Janette (Kim Dickens) to open yet another restaurant has a rueful charm, helped immensely by the lack of atrocious cameo appearances by celebrity chefs.

"Treme" defined New Orleans, and organized its own narrative, along three poles: corruption, food and music. It's always done best by the music, and the frequent renderings of performances by a panoply of New Orleans bands, filmed on location in the city's clubs, have been a remarkable bonus. It feels as if there are more songs than ever in the final five episodes, from BeauSoleil, Trombone Shorty, Aurora Nealand, Zachary Richard and on and on. If you can't enjoy that kind of party, well, "Girls" will be back soon.

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{blackbabes} Christmas baby Jordin Sparks on her Lifetime movie 'Dear Secret Santa'

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Christmas - Michael Bublé

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Jordin Sparks loves Christmas. How could she not? Her birthday is Dec. 22, so the most wonderful time of the year is synonymous not only with celebrating the festive holiday, but also her birthday. So co-starring in Lifetime's latest Christmas movie, "Dear Secret Santa," premiering Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, is an extra special treat.

"I just love Christmas movies so I was excited to be a part of it," Sparks tells Zap2it. The singer-turned-actress plays the best friend of Tatiana Ali's Jennifer, a woman who moves into her childhood home and begins to receive letters from a secret admirer who knows so many personal things about her it's almost as if her recently deceased friend Jack is the one who wrote them.

Watching the movie will be a family event in the Sparks household. "I can't wait for my family to watch it because we all love Christmas. My best friend Bailey is going to die because we're both Christmas babies. I'm the 22nd, she's the 21st, so any Christmas movie we always watch together. I'm so excited to watch with her -- I'll just be in it."

It's a positive, uplifting film, and perfectly appropriate for Thanksgiving weekend family viewing. "It's about love and realizing that family is the most important thing and to never give up on someone," she says. "I really loved the story; I loved the script. I was so excited when I finally read through the whole thing. I was like, 'This is going to be so great!'"

To be a part of such a strong ensemble, which includes Della Reese and Ernie Hudson, is a bonus. "When I saw everybody they had cast I was so honored to be among those people -- these are my peers now," Sparks, who recently guest-starred on an episode of "CSI," marvels. "This is insane."

Even if Christmas movies aren't your favorite, Lifetime movies are fun for everyone. "They're feel-good movies, you know? They're positive and they've got a good story. They pull at your heartstrings and they make you laugh."

"Dear Secret Santa" airs Saturday (Nov. 30) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.

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{blackbabes} Rihanna's hairstylist explains AMAs look

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Christmas - Michael Bublé

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When Rihanna went up to receive her Icon Award at the American Music Awards last week, all eyes were on her hair, which was wrapped around her head and secured with bobby pins.

For many black women, the singer's look was a familiar one -- called a doobie or wrap -- usually worn when leaving the salon and employed at bedtime to preserve one's hairstyle for the next day. And, because it is such a casual style, many fans were left wondering if Rihanna intended to leave the house like that or not. (Think of it like leaving the house with rollers in.)

Her longtime hairstylist Urusla Stephen confirms that the look was all Rihanna's idea. Stephen spoke with Elle about the conversation-starting look.

"It was actually Rihanna's idea," Stephen tells the mag. "She had her mind made up! Honestly, I was a little hesitant but I knew she could pull it off, so I was all for it."

And, Stephen was well aware that the style would cause some buzz, which came in the form of hundreds of tweets and memes during and after the show. "I knew it would get a reaction but I wasn't sure if it would be positive or negative. A doobie on the red carpet has never been done before so I knew it could have gone either way."

Stephen adds that, if anything, Rihanna and her blinged-out bobby pins were a nod to Old Hollywood glamour and that the out-of-doors doobie isn't as unusual as people may think.

"Yes, the '30s were all about [the wrap]! The pins helped to elevate the look from just your average doobie. ... Everyone has an opinion. However, the doobie has been worn to Bergdorf Goodman. They just haven't been paying attention. And it's been around since the '30s. Part of my job is to know eras, trends and fashion, and to keep looks alive by adding a modern twist."

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{blackbabes} Black Nativity: 5 Things to Know About This Holiday Musical

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Christmas - Michael Bublé

Black Nativity, Holiday Movie Guide 

Ready for some holiday cheer?

A celebrated gospel play by Langston Hughes gets an update in this heartfelt (if saccharine) melodrama. Jacob Latimore stars as Langston (yep, named for the writer), a streetwise teen who lives in Baltimore with his single mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson).

Strapped for cash, Naima sends Langston to New York City to spend Christmas with her estranged parents, Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the strict preacher's rules, Langston looks for a way to return home while also trying to uncover secrets that tore his family apart.

Before you behold this Nativity, check out these five joyous facts: 

Birth of the Show: Hughes' Black Nativity was first performed in the late 1950s (as Wasn't That a Mighty Day) and later opened on Broadway in 1961. A retelling of the classic Christmas story, the play incorporated traditional carols sung in gospel style, plus a few original songs. Despite its ongoing popularity, the show, like a dream deferred, seemed impossible to adapt for the big screen. That changed when producer Celine Rattray and actress/director Kasi Lemmons discovered their mutual passion for the project and decided to give the musical a more contemporary context.

Dream Girl: Lemmons always envisioned Hudson for the role of Naima, even while writing the screenplay. An Oscar winner for Dreamgirls, Hudson wasn't looking to do another musical at this point in her career, but she was intrigued by the project and agreed to read the Nativity script. She fell in love with the story and became a champion of the film. As expected, Hudson totally kills it on all her songs, especially the rousing spiritual "Be Grateful." That's a powerhouse voice to be grateful for.

From Butler to Pastor, From Witch to Wife: The star of Lee Daniels' The Butler, Whitaker trades his White House tux for Baptist Church vestments to play Reverend Cobbs. Whitaker had never appeared in a movie musical before (though he had played jazz giant Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood's Bird), but after Lemmons saw YouTube footage of him singing she knew he was perfect for the part. Bassett, currently casting voodoo spells on American Horror Story: Coven, mixes it up as a devout preacher's wife. Though she was directed by Whitaker in Waiting to Exhale, this is the first time the two have shared the screen.

Black Nativity, Holiday Movie Guide 

Hark! The Herald Actors Sing: Talented musicians round out the supporting cast, including Grammy-nominated R&B songwriter, model and actor Tyrese Gibson (Fast and Furious), who plays pawnshop hawker Loot. Rap star (as Nas) and songwriter Nasir Jones is the street prophet Isaiah, while Grace Gibson and Luke James—as homeless versions of Mary and Joseph—duet on a lovely rendition of "Silent Night." Most heavenly of all, legendary soul singer Mary J. Blige sports angel wings while wailing "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow." Hmm, "No More Drama (No More Pain)" would've worked, too.

A Sense of Community: It was important to Nativity's filmmakers that they shoot in Harlem, where Hughes arrived in the 1920s and helped spark the creative movement known as the "Harlem Renaissance." A resident of the neighborhood herself, Lemmons wanted to portray Harlem as it is today—multicultural and trendy but also with rich history and character. She and her team used numerous Harlem actors and locations, including a historical brownstone—a small hotel previously converted into a private home—that served as the Cobbs' residence. 

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{blackbabes} Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon and Twins Moroccan and Monroe Prepare for Thanksgiving-See the Cute Pic!

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A Christmas Story
Mariah Carey, Thanksgiving 

It's almost that time!

With just a few hours until Thanksgiving, Mariah Carey is putting all the finishing touches on her family feast.

The former American Idol judge shared an adorable snapshot on Instagram of her twins Moroccan and Monroe, and hubby Nick Cannon, preparing for the meal in the kitchen.

The family of four is shown around a table, complete with a perfect view of the New York City skyline, and working on one of the dinner's desserts.

"Family prepping time! #pecanpie," Carey captioned the image.

Dem babies were sitting on both parents' laps while enjoying lollipops as the pop star and Cannon mixed a bowl of pecans.

Little 'Roc and 'Roe looked as cute as can be in their striped and leopard pajamas, respectively.

An assortment of squashes and pumpkins are also shown as a holiday-themed centerpiece on the wooden table.

"It's going down in this kitchen! Happy Thanksgiving everyone," Cannon tweeted.

"Up late, getting ready for Thanksgiving @MariahCarey and Dem Babies!"

It looks like these guys are well on their way to having a turkey day to remember!

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{blackbabes} Sightings

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A Christmas Story

Billionaire philanthropist Charles Rockefeller at a private Palm Beach dinner hosted by John and Marianne Castle, where other fancy guests included Countess Christina de Caraman, Jell-O heir Orator Woodward, Homer H. Marshman Jr. and Freddy Melhado . . . Billie Jean King leading a standing ovation at Carole King musical "Beautiful" on Broadway . . . Nicole Murphy dining at Greenwich Project with girlfriends . . . Nicki Minaj at Philippe Beverly Hills after catching Drake in concert.

White Christmas
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