It’s a sad day for all “Cosby Show” fans….

Actress Claurice Taylor (a.k.a. Grandmother Huxtable) has passed away.According to reports, Taylor died of heart failure at the age of 93 on Monday in Englewood, NJ.

She will be remembered for her role as Harriet on “Sesame Street” and Bill Cosby’s mother on the “Cosby Show,” which she received an Emmy nomination for in 1986.

Taylor is survived by two sons and five grand-kids.

R.I.P. :(

Not only is Bill Cosby against Donald Trump and his bid for presidency, the TV legend is also against today’s television, especially “cheap TV” like ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ (which just so happens to be Trump’s show).

According to sources close to Cosby, the 73-year-old media maven hates what people are watching on TV these days. Shows like “Jersey Shore,” “16 & Pregnant,” “Teen Mom” and even Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” are offensive to Mr. Cosby, who would like for TV to educate and entertain … not just the latter.

“‘The Cosby Show’ reminded us we are all one family,” Mr. Cosby told Pop Eater at The TV Land Awards taping last Sunday (Apr 10). “It lifted us up and up to higher ground. The ‘Cosby Show’ made impact on comedy, television and culture. We rejected lowering the bar.”

“Bill hates what he sees when he looks around and sees what people are given to watching these days,” a friend of the actor tells me before rattling off a list of offending show’s like ‘Jersey Shore,’ ‘Teen Mom’ and yes, Trump’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice.’ “All I know is, Bill wanted TV to educate as well as entertain,” the friend adds. “Now all anyone cares about is getting ratings even if they humiliate the cast in the process.”

While accepting ‘The Impact’ award at The TV Land Awards Bill talked about how proud he was that his show had respect for mothers and father. How parents taught their children lessons and even grandparents were shown as human beings, not old folks who couldn’t do anything for themselves.

“I’m afraid those days of TV are long behind us,” one TV industry insider tells me. “Now we have mostly forgettable and cheaply produced reality shows. Pretty certain we won’t be honoring Donald Trump and ‘Apprentice’ 10 or 20 years from now.’

The ‘Cosby Show’ not only broke ground on television for its portrayal of a black family, but families in general. Dad was not the bumbling fool, and Mom didn’t go around dusting the house in heels and pearls. The kids were not wisecracking mini-adults, but regular kids, who tried to do the right thing, and they usually succeeded with a gentle nudge from Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad also showed true passion and affection for each other. The stories were cleverly written, never preachy, and got their point across with knowing and loving humor.

From watching reruns on Nick at Nite, you might not realize this, but the reaction of TV audiences at the time was overwhelming: ‘The Cosby Show’ was the nation’s most watched program for four consecutive years. Newspaper and magazine articles about the show were everywhere, hailing it for its intelligence and realistic depiction of a functional family.

Source

Does Bill Cosby have a point? Is today’s TV as “cheap” and forgettable as he says it is? Discuss!

As can be expected, Donald Trump is finally firing back at Bill Cosby. After the legendary comedian blasted “The Apprentice” star on “The Today Show” last week, the Trump is claiming Cosby’s nothing more than a two faced phony.

It’s all over Bill’s controversial statement he made on “The Today Show,” claiming the Donald should either “run or shut up,” referring to Trump’s narcissistic stance on running for President in 2012.

Donald, who can’t publicly declare his candidacy until this juicy season of “Celebrity Apprentice” is over, returned fire this week in a statement of his own, claiming:

“While I have never been a fan of Cosby’s, I had always assumed he liked or respected me because every time I met him … he was always so nice.”

Trumps adds, “If [Bill] doesn’t want me to run because he’s obviously an Obama fan, he should state the reasons and not … treat me like his best friend, only to denigrate me when I’m not around.”

Check out Trump’s response to Bill Cosby in its entirety below:

The other day on The Today Show, right after I was interviewed by Meredith Vieira, a terrific person and reporter, I happened to watch Bill Cosby who was on at the end of the show. While I have never been a fan of Cosby’s, I had always assumed he liked or respected me because every time I met him—the last time at the David Letterman show where I preceded him as a guest—he was always so nice, saying “let’s get together”—asking me out to dinner, and being polite to the point of offering to buy me a suit because he has a “great tailor.”

In any event, as I watched the show, the subject of Donald Trump came up. I was surprised to hear him blabber, somewhat incoherently “you run or shut up.” The hatred was pouring out of his eyes when he said this. As I am sure he must know I cannot run until this season of Celebrity Apprentice ends. I know that he has taken a lot of heat over the years  in that he seems to be talking down to the people he’s talking to and purportedly trying to help. Actually, based on the way he acted, things are not looking too good for Cosby.

I wish he would be more honest, and if he doesn’t want me to run because he’s obviously an Obama fan, he should state the reasons and not come into my “green room” in front of numerous witnesses and treat me like his best friend, only to denigrate me when I’m not around. Sadly, he got more attention talking about me than he did on the merits of his own appearance—maybe he is not as dumb as I thought.

Clearly no love lost, no love found here.

Bill Cosby isn’t impressed with Donald Trump not one bit. And when we say not one bit, we seriously mean not one … little … bit!

Peep below to see what he had to say on the “Today Show” about Trump running for President in the upcoming 2012 election:

That damn Bill is a fool…..gotta love the guy though.

Bill Cosby don’t take no mess! Apparently, he and Russell Simmons have been beefing since 2009 when Cosby launched his “State of Emergency” campaign calling for the clean up of hip-hop lyrics. Simmons let it be known that he opposed Cosby’s campaign against Hip-Hop, but more recently at the Jackie Robinson Annual Awards Dinner, Uncle Rush tried to apologize … and Mr. Huxtable did NOT wanna hear it!

In a blog post written on Global Grind (Simmons’ website), he writes:

“I wanted to find him to apologize, to tell him I was sorry about my statements and to tell him that I loved him.”

The Def Jam co-founder goes on to explain how when he went to personally apologize to Mr. Cosby, the 73-year-old actor/comedian sharply responded with: “Get the f**k out my face!”

But that wasn’t the end of their encounter. Later during the evening, Bill purposely nudged his shoulder when they crossed paths again, Russell recalls.

“[Bill Cosby's] next move was straight up old school pre b-boy hood shit. He walked by me and bumped me with his shoulder as I walked offstage after presenting my award to Sean Combs, who was honored at the event . . . I then loved him even more.”

WOW! Bill Cosby is a real triple O-G! (LMAO)

Peep Russell Simmons’ full blog post below (we did you a favor and highlighted the good sh*t):

He was staying off the stage, although I had seen him as Master of Ceremonies all night. He was not present as I stood on stage prepared to give Sean Combs the “Renaissance Man Of The Decade, ” his well-deserved award, at the annual Jackie Robinson foundation event. Sean had delivered from Broadway to Hollywood to music to fashion to liquor and countless other industries plus done so much social, political and philanthropic work in his young career. He has been a true role model to me.

So there I was about to give the man of the hour his award but still I wondered where Bill Cosby was, the evening’s MC. I knew I had once said he was too judgmental of black folks and especially rappers, but I also knew for sure that he had dedicated his life to the betterment of our people and I have come to understand his feelings that we and the next generation had let him down. We didn’t march through the doors he, Harry Belafonte and the Civil Rights movement opened. When I look back, I feel remorse for judging him. And it has been a source of a “rap beef” for years. He has been critical of the poets but I have maintained that the entertainment, especially most of the poets, are simple reflections of cultures of truth. Anyhow, I wanted to find him to apologize and tell him I was sorry about my statements and to tell him that I loved him. Suddenly I turned and he was behind the curtain and I said, “I love you” and he responded on some real hip-hop, “Get the f**k out my face!”

I took it in stride but I wondered if he recognized the effect the heroin or crack epidemics had created. Or worse “the war on drugs” that became the war on poor black America, sending diseased kids to jail and educating them in criminal behavior then dumping them back as hardened criminals to poison the communities. Still today, the only factory giving out jobs in many urban cities is the corner drugstores and the education for those jobs is the street corner life. Or does he see the systematic white supremacist attitude that, although it may be subtle, is still a burden to many African Americans. I wondered if he understood what Elijah Muhammad said about the condition of some of black America; that some black men’s brains had been so tarnished or chained during slavery, Jim Crow and even now, that when the chains come off they still don’t move.

The debate about what happened to black America is ongoing and I am reminded of it everyday on the website I founded, GlobalGrind.com. Certainly if anyone knew their way out of suffering and into spiritual and economic freedom, they would take it. Still, I guess someone has to judge and someone has to hold out a liberal loving hand. Hopefully one day soon the decline in productivity by black men and the black community will turn around. It might take people like him and the president to analyze or at least mention the possible causes of the poverty mindset that exists in parts of our communities that are filled with hopelessness, violence and struggle.

Anyhow, I love Bill. His next move was straight up old school pre b-boy hood shit. He walked by me and bumped me with his shoulder as I walked off stage after presenting my award to Sean, just like the cool ass character in Let’s Do It Again. I then loved him even more. He’s from the same hood I’m from, just got a lucky break like me, cause I am those suffering men. And after that elbow, I knew he was too.

Let’s all discuss the real causes of the suffering and not point our finger at a few poets who are mere reflections of a reality that needs all of our attention.

Source: Global Grind

Gotta love that ol’ Heathcliff Huxtable. We we would pay big bucks to have seen this go down in person. #Classic!

Your thoughts?

We know that Bill Cosby has no problem sharing his opinion of the black community and has said some very controversial things. He recently gave the keynote speech at the African-American Education Summit during Essence Music festival over the weekend and here’s a little excerpt from his speech:

Cosby on how to help cut the rate of teen pregnancies in America:
“We’ve got to lay it out for them. Let’s tell them about life. You’re 14 and having sex. OK. So, what kind of job do you have?” We need to start getting into people’s business. We need to say, ‘Hey, I’m your cousin man, I’m your brother, I’m your sister and I don’t care if you don’t talk to me anymore but your teenage daughter ain’t got no business dressing like that!’ Tell them. How long do we wait? When are you going to wake up? We can’t keep blaming people and expecting people to fix it. This has to stop.”

“Apathy is strangling you to death,” he said, to rousing applause and a few ‘Amens’ from the crowd. “Get up. Stay on the scene. Be a studying machine,” he said, drawing from soul singer James Brown’s lyrics. We need to start getting into people’s business. We need to say, ‘Hey, I’m your cousin man, I’m your brother, I’m your sister and I don’t care if you don’t talk to me anymore but your teenage daughter ain’t got no business dressing like that!’ Tell them.”

Source

Cosby clearly has no problem speaking his mind! But do you agree with what the man is saying?

THIS WEEK’S TOPICS » Bill Cosby to release a rap album – Lil Wayne attacks his friends and DJ – Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama + more!

WESLEY SNIPES ACQUITTED OF TAX FRAUD, BUT MAY STILL SERVE TIME » Wesley Snipes was acquitted of tax fraud in a Florida courtroom on Friday, but was convicted of failure to file taxes. Snipes, who was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of failing to file a tax return on his income that amounted to millions of dollars. As he left the court room, he said: “I’m feeling great – a little confused, but great.” When asked if he is worried about going to prison, he replied, “I don’t know. It’s nice to be out here with you right now. We live in the moment.” He was acquitted of two felonies, including conspiracy to commit tax fraud. He was also acquitted of three misdemeanor counts of willful failure to file a tax return. Snipes now faces up to three years in federal prison, which is a lot better than facing a possible 16-year prison sentence, had he been convicted of failure to file taxes.

And speaking of “failure to file taxes,” another celebrity might be in trouble! Word on the sidewalk is that Fat Joe might owe over $150,000 in back taxes to the IRS.

EVA MENDES SEEKS HELP FOR “PERSONAL ISSUES” » What the hell is Eva Mendes doing in rehab? Yeah, that’s the first question that hit my mind too! Apparently the “Ghost Rider” actress checked into a swanky rehab facility in Utah a few weeks ago to deal with a supposed substance abuse problem. This is what her rep had to say:

“Eva has been working hard for the past year and made a positive decision to take some much-needed time off to proactively attend to some personal issues that, while not critical, she felt deserved some outside professional support. Out of respect for Eva’s privacy, we do not wish to discuss further details.”

Eva is currently checked into the Cirque Lodge rehab facility, which is also the same facility Lindsay Lohan checked into back in August 2007. The substance Mendes is being treated for has not yet been reported. Eva was just named Sexiest Actress of 2008 by Victoria’s Secret and will be featured in an upcoming Calvin Klein Fragrances advertising campaign, which will debut next fall. Mendes also just wrapped filming on two flicks, “The Spirit” and “The Women.”

BRITNEY’S FATHER NOW (TEMPORARY) POWER OF ATTORNEY » Jamie Spears, accompanied by ex-wife Lynne Spears, was granted temporary legal control over their daughter in an emergency court hearing this Friday. Commissioner Reva Goetz stated that she found Jamie’s petition for conservatorship to be in the singer’s “best interest,” and that Jamie was a “suitable and qualified person.” The decision from the court also states that Britney’s manager, Osama Lutfi, is not allowed to see her. The ruling by Commissioner Goetz gives Mr. Spears the power to hire round-the-clock security guards to protect the singer, to bar people from her property in Beverly Hills, and gain temporary control of her assets.

Word on the sidewalk is that when Britney heard the news, she wasn’t particularly happy. “Nobody’s taking my house. Who is my family?” she screamed into a phone at one point, TMZ said. Britney Spears, whose home was robbed on Friday, is currently under psyche evaluation at the UCLA Medical Center. Her original 72-hour stay has been extended to 14 days.

BILL COSBY TO RELEASE A RAP ALBUM SOON … NO REALLY, HE IS! » Bill Cosby, who is very outspoken on his opinion of rap music, is set to release a Hip-Hop album called “State of Emergency,” which will be a sanitized, issue-oriented CD, reports All Hip Hop. Sources tell the hip-hop website that the actor, comedian and philanthropist will address issues like proper parenting, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, Black-on-Black crime and the dropout rate in America’s high schools. In 2004, Cosby said in a speech:

“Your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it’s cursing and calling each other [the N-word] as they’re walking up and down the street. They think they’re hip. They can’t read. They can’t write. They’re laughing and giggling, and they’re going nowhere.”

Cosby’s album will not contain any profane language, nor will it offer any denigrating comments towards women. State of Emergency would be the 35th album for the legendary comedian, actor, who released his first album Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow in 1963. Whether or not Cosby will work with rappers on his lyrical flow or his musical selection was not known at press time.

FYI: Damn, it feels great to be back! Where the hell was I you ask? Well, to make a long story short, there was some digging on some property beside my house and the workers cut right through our cable line, leaving us without television and internet for the past 30 hours! Yeah, I was bored as hell, but luckily I had my BOONDOCKS SEASON 1 DVD to ease the pain. Obviously I couldn’t update here so I hope you didn’t miss me too much! Anyhow, for the next day or so I’ll be “playing catch-up” to post the things I missed out on in my blockage of the outside world (no tv and no internet is NO FUN … trust me!) By the way, if you’re looking for “Weekend Update” … THIS IS WEEKEND UPDATE! Now on to playing catch-up!

“THE COLOR PURPLE” AT THE 2007 TONY’S »

I can’t believe I didn’t post these! I was looking through the archives from the past couple of weeks and photos from the Tony’s were nowhere to be found. In fact, they were still sitting here on my computer in a zip archive waiting to be extracted, uploaded, and posted. My bad y’all, here they are! More photos of ‘Tasia can be found after the cut, along with the rest of the first edition of today’s “Playing Catch-Up!”

29TH ANNUAL PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL »

Here’s Bill Cosby aka “Cliff Huxtable” and Malcom-Jamal Warner aka “Theo Huxtable” at the 29th annual playboy jazz festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood! I didn’t know Malcom sang … and Bill looks a mess with the crocks and joggin suit on, NO SIR! :-X

ZOE SALDANA CELEBRATES HER BIRTHDAY AT TAO NIGHTCLUB »

Today, June 19th 2007, actress Zoe Saldana celebrates her 29th birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE! But she had a party over the weekend at the famous Tao Nightclub in Vegas. Normally Zoe’s my boo ala Drumline, but uhh … she looks a little tipsy. But it’s all good Zoe, enjoy yourself! Lol…