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Will Smith apologizes yet again for Oscars slap

Again, here we go! Last week, Will Smith made the decision to come out again and gave a 10 minute explanation of the notorious slap at the Academy Awards that was heard all over the world. To put this in context, let me explain. The smack ought never to have occurred. Period! 

For your reference here is a brief recap. The winners of the greatest films released between March 1 and December 31, 2021 were recognized at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022, during the 94th Academy  Awards ceremony, which was presented by the (AMPAS). 

Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes presided over the event. Since the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011, this was the first ceremony to have several hosts. These are established facts. On the largest night in the movie business, movie elites and nominees gathered to be recognized for their efforts in the hopes of winning the most coveted Oscar prize with their colleagues looking on!

 It’s not simple to achieve success in the entertainment business. From my living room sofa, you could see the utter excitement and tension in the theatre on people’s faces as they awaited the announcement of the winners. Who knew an unwelcome, unscripted dramatic performance would play out in front of our very eyes?

Chris Rock holds a special place in my family’s heart. Comedy comes naturally to him. Who could ever forget Rock’s portrayal of the illustrious “Pookie” in New Jack City? Everybody Hates Chris, a family comedy loosely based on the life of Hard Rock, was a must-see for lots of families throughout its primetime run. How soon Will Smith became well-known was impressive. He rapped his way out of Philly with sidekick Jazzy Jeff with classic hits, Summertime & Parents Just Don’t Understand. He further advanced his career beyond rapping by securing a well-known role on “The Fresh Prince,” figuratively moving from a small to a giant screen. Despite the flops—or should I say, inferior films—that tanked at the box office, it was amazing to watch Smith’s star rise following Men In Black, Bad Boys, and Ali. Critics shunned films like Gemini, Collateral Beauty, and even the Disney remake of Aladdin!

Chris made a joke about Jada, Smith’s wife, saying, ” GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” which caused Jada to frown, give Rock the side eye, and glare at Will who was laughing. After a brief pause, Will’s tone changed quickly as he yelled at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” before walking up to the platform and punching Chris. Why the hell did security fail to stop this? Smith should have been restrained, but he wasn’t. He was wrong if he thought the move made him look like a tough guy. It gave him the illusion of being weak by attacking someone who was smaller than him. For instance, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is someone who he probably wouldn’t have done that to.

The viewers were affected psychologically by the slap. Was it prewritten? Chris’s shocked and embarrassed response unfortunately taught us right away that it wasn’t. Rock recently disclosed that he suffers from a non-verbal learning disability, which makes it challenging for him to interpret social signs. The Academy has since punished Smith for his wrongdoing. Jada laughed gleefully as the camera panned over her as her husband lost control while trying to defend her dignity. That kind of behavior is quite destructive. The alopecia Jada has wasn’t mentioned in the show. What would have happened if she had contacted her agent about a GI Jane 2 movie? The movie would have been amazing, in my opinion. Interpretation is the key to everything. Nevertheless, she made it about her insecurities.

Will says Chris doesn’t want to talk to him right now. I don’t blame him, though. He recently had a performance in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, in that I attended. He described the sensation of being slapped in the face. He said that he was still “processing” everything. Will must confront the toxic relationship in his marriage that burst into flames on the most significant night of his life and determine whether or not coping with it is even worthwhile.

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Great day for football fans in Detroit

Today, it was announced that Detroit would for the 1st time ever, host the 2024 NFL Draft! I’m freaking stoked about this! I love football and cannot wait to attend the festivities around the city when it hits the town. Super Bowl XL was held in 2006, 16 years ago, which is hard to believe. Detroit hosted some of the best VIP parties I’ve attended in the city during the Super Bowl.

The 2nd good news of the day is the 19th season of HBO’s, “Hard Knocks.” Dan Campbell unfiltered is going to be must-see television! I stand by this comment and predict this will be one of the highly watched seasons. Wait and see! Watch this space…..

Detroit Ford Field
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The Slap Heard Around The World At The 2022 Oscars

By now, you’ve either seen it first hand, or heard about best actor nominee, Will Smith, getting up and clocking Chris Rock in his face in response to a G.I. Jane joke in reference to his wife Jada’s short hair cut. I actually watched it during the live presentation where the camera panned to Jada and her husband who were seated near the front of the stage. Jada flinched in response to the joke, rolled her eyes, and gave Chris Rock the side-eye. Will proceeded to yell out, “Keep my wife’s name out ya fuckin’ mouth!” He was kind enough to repeat this several times as he bolted from his seat and marched up to the stage and slapped the hell out of the comedian. It was hard to believe what I was seeing and very uncomfortable to watch.

Will stunned a visibly shaken Chris Rock. He also shocked viewers, members of the academy & peers who literally sat on the edge of their seats aghast at what they just witnessed. Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz & other attendees jaw dropped in disbelief wondering if this was scripted or not. Viewers pondered the same thing I found as Twitter blew up. Denzel Washington & Tyler Perry pulled Will aside during the intermission to calm him down. Smith ended up winning the coveted Oscar award for King Williams, for his portrayal of tennis legends ‘Venus and Serena Williams father, Richard Williams. Smith received a standing ovation, ironically enough.

In one of the most off the cuff, rambling acceptance speeches about “protection and respect,” Smith rambled on about wanting to “uplift his people” and “protecting” those close to him. Where was Chris Rock’s protection? This was workplace violence, pure and simple. Too bad Smith didn’t deem it necessary to apologize for his abhorrent behavior in that put a damper on the evening.

There are some people who immediately jumped to the defense of Will as his wife suffers from alopecia. I have got to admit, I was stunned to see the amount of Black people post that he was protecting his wife! Some even suggested that Rock wouldn’t have made the same joke to a white actress. I was really disappointed to read a tweet by Prentice Penny bringing up the Crown Act, a bill recently passed about Black hair styles being protected in the workplace as justification for Smith’s actions. Penny is one of my favorite co-creators from the former HBO hit show, Insecure.

Excuse me? Chris Rock was verbally and physically assaulted on national television because of a joke by one of his industry peers. Black people are sporadically acknowledged for their work and are vocal about the lack of diversity in the entertainment industry and I believe this could be a major setback for Black actors and actresses. I hope I’m proven wrong. Something tells me Jada and her handlers will get Rock to come onto her Red Table Talk show and discuss why Chris got clocked by her husband and to forgive & forget. I hope he turns them down if asked.

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Score No More! The Spartans are heading to the Final Four

There is nothing like the frenzy of the NCAA’s March Madness when some of the best universities at the top of their game compete at such a high level. Nothing is predictable. Nothing is guaranteed. It is why I find it as a sports fan, must-see television! It is quite amazing to follow the teams throughout the year, especially the home teams. In my case, MSU, who let’s face it, were underdogs by all of the sports pundits accounts. Look at Sparty now!

Coach Izzo led his team to the Final Four for the first time since 2010 with players that were a serious work in progress the whole season.  At times this season, Izzo’s team displayed little glimmers of hope here and there, but with injuries that plagued the team earlier and shoddy play with losses like the one from Wisconsin a few weeks ago, fueled speculation of doubt, and gave birth to a new generation of naysayers who normally root for MSU, and rival foes who enjoy the privilege of saying, “I told you so!” 

Coach Izzo’s current class in my opinion, truly was the challenge of his entire coaching career at MSU. They struggled to win games this season due to the sloppy play, and poor free throw attempts which were pathetic! It is easy to see how fans, and pundits alike, wrote the Spartan’s off this year. You can believe that the Spartans made it to the top of few brackets going in to this year’s dance.

Rick Pitino and the Cardinals came to play and it was evident in the fast pace the game got off to. As a Spartan fan, Wayne Blackshear had me nervous. Even when he sat because of his nosebleed, only to come back into the game moments later, had me biting my nails along with the excessive fouls committed by the 7th seeded Spartans.   Montrezl Harrell’s domination of the game in the first half and as we headed into overtime left me beside myself with disgust that we didn’t put Louisville away when they had a chance due to free throws. The Cardinal’s were a play away from victory! This was a game that didn’t have to go into overtime.  Let’s just say it was a good thing I was at home watching the game, because I may have been thrown out of a bar because of my colorful language!

Denzel Valentine,Travis Trice, and  Brandon Dawson got the running game going, and at time they were sluggish, but you could see they were on a mission, and I am glad to witness seeing these young players turn into men out on the court. Wishing the Spartans well on their way to Indy! This has been a dominating month of Izzo!

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Elizabeth Edwards:A true champion in life and death 1949-2010

Today, the world lost a true champion in the death of Elizabeth Edwards. She represented so many things for women, as she fought breast cancer, and a failed marriage, and the death of her son. In our lifetime, we tend to have one life challenge at a time, however, Elizabeth weathered more than most, while living in the public eye.

There are many people whom Elizabeth touched throughout her personal battles, as she was brutally honest about her feelings, and her need to heal and concentrate on her children in that she separated from her husband, John Edwards for his affair. Despite all of her trials and tribulations, Elizabeth always appeared with a smile, and seemed hopeful for the future.

As a woman, Elizabeth was a mother, wife, sister, and friend to all. I must add that she was a tremendous teacher. The lessons she left behind was to confront your biggest fears, no matter what they are, and make the most of your life. Even while doing it with a broken heart. Elizabeth said in a recent interview, all she wanted was for her husband to be faithful to her. We know how it turned out.

I pray that women really look at their lives and make responsible decisions about who they choose to love. As much of an inspiration Elizabeth Edwards was and will remain to be, she died of breast cancer and a broken heart. There are 3 children now, without a mother.

I pray that John can set aside his narcissitic ego, and go to counseling with his children to help deal with the loss of their mom. Please keep Rielle away from the children, as everytime they look at her, they will remember the pain she put their mother through.

Women have to be accountable for having affairs with married men. The marital vows include one from the bride, and one from the groom to each other. This affair did affect Elizabeth’s health as it was such a strong sense of betrayal, and lost of trust.

I am hopeful that the lessons Elizabeth Edwards left behind will be around for a long time to come. I, for one, will by her books as a form of sisterhood. Forever, may you find peace, and your family comforted by your warmth, charm, style, and character.

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The hypocrisy of adultery: Rielle Hunter & John Edwards

Well, here we go again about yet another high profile sex scandal. This time, the culprit is John Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina and some washed up, trashy looking bitch. I must say this for the record, I would never knowingly screw someone else’s husband. There are way too many available men on the market that I could have right at my fingertips and for that reason, I wouldn’t take that route.

Here is a married man alert, so men, please pay attention. If a woman says that she is comfortable committing adultery with you because the sex is so amazingly good, and she really doesn’t need a man in her life other than for a good time, don’t buy into it.

Edwards was looking for a temporary distraction to help balance the stresses that comes with dealing with a spouse that is fighting a serious battle with cancer. He should have found another way of channeling his energies. Rielle couldn’t resist the temptation of having someone of Edwards caliber pay any attention to her and pounced on the opportunity.

I wasn’t there with them, but you can believe that Ms. Hunter lived up to her last name by assuring Edwards she would be discreet, whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, would be fine for her. I imagine she probably even had the nerve to say that she didn’t have time for a relationship and this arrangement would work to both of their advantage.

I am sure John Edwards rarely gave Rielle a second thought,unless it had to do with sex. But unlike him, this manipulative, lying witch probably longed for Edwards in the wee hours of the night when she was all alone, possibly plotting to get pregnant despite the fact, Edwards was already married with children.  This clearly was a desperate attempt to be a part of someone’s life who already had one, at any cost.

As a female, I am pissed that a woman would fuck someone’s husband, and especially without a condom! There needs to be a sisterhood between women that we protect each other, and not try to destroy someone’s home by humiliating ourselves for an orgasm.

There is a fine line men need to walk when they cheat. If you cheat on your spouse more than once with the same woman, that is foolish because most women are emotional, and despite what they develop feelings and might want more. If that happens, an erection isn’t the only thing that may be hard, so please think about that before you unzip your pants!

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Rev. Jeremiah Wright is Coming to town

It was announced earlier today that Rev. Wright would be attending a NAACP annual dinner as a keynote speaker in Detroit on April 27, 2008. So, what I want to discuss is a  number of items that popped into my head as this news blared from my car stereo this morning. <p>

Senator Obama is running a campaign based on change, I get that part. I hope that Wright does too. Last Friday, April 4, 2008, marked the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assasination. Could you imagine if Rev. Wright appeared before the group of I am sure a record number of more than 10,000 with a rabbi, priest, and other influential religious leaders and apologized for the offensive sermons he preached in the pulpits?<p>

Within the past 40 years since King’s death, racist issues hasn’t gone away because it has not been addressed in a way that would bring healing. Dr. Wright  provoked much anger, yet there seems to be a fascination with the minister and he should use this tool as a way of helping heal the divide across the lines. Granted, Wright isn’t Superman by any means. Albeit, he is one person who could help heal a wounded nation by reaching out to other religious leaders and working hard to come together instead of encouraging divide. Dr. King would be proud.<p>

History could very well be in the making here. However, at what cost? Rev. Wright is a brillant scholar, with  exemplary military honor. Yet, I am sure that he has, as many others been subjected to things that have made him angry throughout the years, and as real as those feelings are, they can no longer be allowed to accumulate. It is baggage from yesterday which we cannot take into the present. Let’s keep in mind, lots of us weren’t there when it happened. Yet, because of stories we’ve heard from family & friends, or individual personal experiences, we share a bond of familiarity with Rev. Wright that indeed does hurt at some point, but then, you move on. <p>

So, when Rev. Wright gets up in front of thousands and stands before members of the NAACP and hungry news channels like CNN, Fox, and others, I want him to know that I am looking forward to him being an agent of attitudinal change for the next 40 years, not for the past. He can’t erase that. However, he can bring forth so much more and leave a lasting legacy that is truly bigger than he could have ever imagined it to be.<p>

Detroit is being pulled through the mud because of a selfish, scandulous mayor who refuses to step down from office. It would be best if Wright would concentrate on the nation, and not the city of Detroit’s personal dealings, meaning this should not be a Kodak moment for Kilpatrick. We are the laughing stock of the country and will continue to be until the case is settled in court.

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Vina Interview & Podcast w/ TheGrits.com

Recently Vina did a interview and Podcast with the website TheGrits.com.

Listen to artist/model/vocalist, Vina St. Fran, talk about book one of her new multicultural trilogy, One Foot Outside the Door, with On The Air host, Marlive Harris.

One Foot Outside the Door centers on the life of Cyndarella Worthy who is a 30- something African-American woman with a successful career and about to marry her prince, Thad Mitchell. Just when she thought her fairy tale life was complete, a blast from the past in the form of her high school sweetheart and first love, Bashar Bazzi an Iraqi, Chaldean (Christian Arab) American who left abruptly ending their four year relationship without explanation, reappears and wants very much to pick up where they left off. The stakes are high to become Mrs. Thaddeus Mitchell, but when Bashar resurfaces, all hell breaks lose. The opening paragraph of this new novel is sure to have readers hooked to the very end!

Let Us Know Your Thoughts!

If you have comments about our feature with Vina St. Fran, please let us hear from you via our Comment Line at (214) 615-6505 ext 9377. Thank you for listening to, On The Air!