Features

The Ru Report #124

Served Up Nicely
To hell with the nay-sayers.

Specifically the mainstream movie critics who branded the brand new Screen Gems movie, You Got Served, as garbage.

The Chris Stokes-feature film directorial debut starring young R&B heartthrobs Marques Houston and the members of the temporarily disbanded platinum-selling group B2K is the number one movie across the country.

Now they can all eat crow.

Literally.

Let's be clear. You Got Served won't go down in the annals of history as a cinematic classic, but it is quite a noble effort for Mr. Stokes, who is well known for 'tapping' into the urban teen marketplace with his slick and syrupy R&B offerings. With a meager $8 million budget, the cost for marketing the movie far exceeds the actual price for making it. And the highly-publicized disbandment of B2K didn't help what many thought would be a bleak opening weekend outcome. Nevertheless, the urban dance flick 'served' its competition the fiercest blow by raking in more than $16 million, surpassing previous box-office toppers as Along Came Polly and The Butterfly Effect. Other new releases The Big Bounce and The Perfect Score performed drastically.

Outside all the dancing and prancing, all of the low-riding basketball shorts and bare chests, all the teeny-bop references, and all the music video hysteria You Got Served also features a shining star that has been brightly lighting up Black Hollywood for half of the past decade; acclaimed comedic everyman Steve Harvey.

A true multi-dimensional powerhouse, Mr. Harvey takes command of just about any medium he's featured. In the new movie, he plays Mr. Rad, the big man in the community, who gives the kids a place to pit their skills against each other. "I'm one of the few adults in the movie and I thought if I'm going to play a role in a movie that's surrounded by young men, if I don't have a redeeming character I'm not going to do that," he shares about taking on the role.

Steve Harvey is holding court with a select group of journalists at the posh St. Regis Hotel in the Century City district if Los Angeles. Dressed in one of his trademark sophisticated suits and a matching fuzzy fedora, the West Virginia native is as sharp as tack. He's breezing through some press rounds on this sunny Sunday afternoon, a bit lethargic from pulling an all-nighter as host of BET's star-studded taping of its "Celebration of Gospel" showcase the night before.

"He really is like a father figure to the boys and to all of us, he's a really good person. He was that easy to work with, no joke," offers Mr. Stokes about working with the sometimes-demanding comedian.

The twice-married, once-divorced 47-year-old Kent State University alum clearly had the upper hand during the production of the movie. For starters, he only offered the filmmakers a four-day shooting schedule after initially turning down the role. If his scenes were to run over the time allotted, a hefty fee would be paid to him. In addition to that, his compensation package is also tied into the overall sales performance of the vehicle.

So naturally there was cause for concern when the stars of the movie--members of B2K--announced their break-up less than a month before the film was to open.

"It was stupid," Mr. Harvey affirms. "I don't know who set these boys down and told them that this would be a good ass idea to break up 25 days before your only damn movie come out."

"If I don't get that million dollar check when the movie hits $20 million, somebody gonna get a million dollar ass whoopin," he continues. "And that's the conversation me and them little boys had, on the real. Because you ain't gonna mess my money up with this little ridiculous thing here. What kind of foolish move is that?"

An in-demand celebrity personality who juggles hosting daily morning radio shows in both Los Angeles and Dallas ("The Steve Harvey Morning Show"), appearing on his weekly WB variety show ( "Steve Harvey's Big Time") and doing chores for his advertisement endorsements (Burger King, GMC), he's quick to point out that he's not a "star."

"I work with microphones," he exclaims, summing it all up. "That's how I make my money."

"Now to me, it doesn't matter if you put it around a table, or give me a radio show, or either standing up on stage where I could perform, you could hang it up from a boom on a TV or a movie set, it's a microphone. It all transcends to that."

One of the Original Kings Of Comedy, he's arguably the hardest working comedian in Hollywood. An acclaimed humorist, Mr. Harvey is the winner of five NAACP Image Awards. In 2001, Harvey received the ultimate honor of his career when the NAACP Image Awards named him Entertainer of the Year--a title he still holds. He also turned his two comedy specials, "HBO Comedy Half-Hour" and "Steve Harvey: One Man," into a million-selling DVD, and produced a musical album for MCA Records called Sign of Things to Come, featuring Mary J. Blige, Carl Thomas and Yolanda Adams, among others.

Movie-wise, he seems to be on a career high. Recently co-starring in The Fighting Temptations, Love Don't Cost A Thing--still in theaters--he will next star in Johnson Family Vacation with his comedic crony Cedric The Entertainer. And then comes an animated film, Racing Stripes co-starring David Spade, which is in production.

And just to think, movie-making is his least favorite medium.

"I don't really like shooting movies because it takes up too much of my time," he reveals. "With TV they put four cameras in front of you and that's it, you go home. Movies are too time consuming. But if someone offered me $20 million, I'll sit up there all day with you."

Steve Harvey has come a long way from trekking from Cleveland to Houston just to make $450 doing stand up comedy gigs. He has Hollywood on its ear with his raw and dynamic delivery, and debonair demeanor. But he's not complacent with the trappings of fame and fortune.

"You wind up chasing these guys out here and you'll never be happy. People say, 'Well you don't make $20 million a movie, how do you measure success?' I measure success because I have a wife, I have four kids, and they're doing well."

With future plans to launch his own clothing line (of sophisticated suits and accessories) and a dream to open youth centers (named King Love Center) across the country, Steve Harvey will continue to serve the masses, with all that he's got.

For sure.

In The Money
Long before Caucasian chanteuses like Pink, Christina Aguilera and the often forgotten Taylor Dayne shook up the music world with their soulful offerings, one blue eyed soul diva ruled supreme: Teena Marie. With a string of Top 10 R&B and pop hits under her belt, Ms. Marie proved to the music masses that true talent could transcend any race during her chart-topping run of the late 70s into the 80s.

With an occasional club tour here and there, and noteworthy TV appearances (like BET's "Walk Of Fame Tribute To Aretha Franklin," last fall), Ms. Marie was able to stay in the good graces of her loyal legions of fans.

Now comes wind that she officially signed a major label deal.

Thank God.

This week, Cash Money/Universal Records will officially announce the signing of veteran R&B/Pop singer/songwriter Teena Marie to the label's roster of thug-friendly hip hop platinum-sellers. The multi-dimensional and versatile Santa Monica, Ca native's debut Cash Money opus, titled La Donna is set to be released in the late Spring/early Summer.

Chicago's WVAZ-FM has already begun spinning the single, "Still In Love," written and produced by the artist we affectionately call "Lady T." Co-produced by Cash Money's resident hit-maker Mannie Fresh, the new single is a prelude for what's to come.

According to a spokesperson at Universal, the album will also feature collaborations with R&B crooner Gerald Levert, rappers MC Lyte and Medusa and a long overdue reunion with Ms. Marie's former lover and long-time friend Rick James.

The two R&B veterans joined forces on cross-country reunion tour late last fall, generating rave reviews.

Ms. Marie, who is famous for passionate ballads like "Portuguese (pronounced PORCH-UHHH-GEE-SAY) Love," "Déjà Vu," and timeless club classics like "Square Biz," "I Need Your Loving," "Behind The Groove," and "Ooh La La"--which The Fugees resuscitated in the mid-90s--will self-produce the new album.

Hot Stuff
It only been three weeks since Showtime's steamy new series, "The L Word," has been on the airwaves--and performing respectable numbers. The premium cable network has ordered a 13-episode second-season renewal, making it the fastest renewal in history. Production on Season Two is slated to begin in June for the series which airs on Sundays at 10:00 PM ET/PT, centering on a group of young women in Los Angeles, following their lives, careers, and romantic relationships--both gay and straight. The one-hour drama's cast includes Pam Grier, Erin Daniels, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig and Jennifer Beals.

Funnyman Adam Sandler signed on the dotted line to star in an updated version of the 1874 comedy, The Longest Yard for a partnership with Columbia and Paramount Pictures. Mr. Sandler, the star of such blockbuster hits as Mr. Deeds, Anger Management and The Waterboy, will play the part of Paul Crewe, a retired quarterback-turned-con who leads a team of prison inmates in a game against the guards. According to a press release, the producers are in discussions with Chris Rock to play "Caretaker" and Snoop Dogg to play a member of the team. A who's who of rap stars and current and former NFL players are promised to round out the cast. Sheldon Turner wrote the script.

Janet Jackson really let it rip at last night's big Super Bowl XXXVIII hoopla. Literally, with Justin Timberlake exposing her plump right breast in a last ditch effort to shock the millions of viewers--and add some zest to her show. Moments after the Half-Time spectacle, Ms. Jackson's record label, Virgin Records, issued a press release with details from her forthcoming album, titled DAMITA JO--that's her middle name. Although she didn't perform the new track, "Just A Little While,"--produced and co-written by Dallas Austin (Monica, Joi, TLC)-- the record company says a firestorm of interests via illegal internet downloading. Noting that the track wasn't chosen as the official first single, it will still be digitally distributed to radio stations across the world this morning. Helmed by Ms. Jackson's long time collaborators Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the album will feature collaborations with Mr. Austin, along with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds (Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton), Rich Harrison (Beyonce, Amerie), and producer/rapper Kanye West. DAMITA JO will be released on March 30.

Video View
The Fighting Temptations (Paramount) starring Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce Knowles in what was branded as a 'hip hop, gospel musical.' Okay. The chemistry was all wrong between the two leads, but the music--Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans, Angie Stone, The O'Jays--will keep you delighted.

Lost In Translation (Focus Features) starring Academy Award nominee and former "SNL" star Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in the slow-moving drama/comedy about lonesome married spouses in Japan, directed by Sofia Coppola.

Under The Tuscan Sun (Touchtone) starring Diane Lane in a beautiful Tuscany search of adventure and unexpected surprises. Directed by Audrey Wells, the movie is perfect for romanticism and for Valentine's Day viewing.

Only The Strong Survive (Miramax), the critically acclaimed 'celebration of soul' produced by celebrity journalist Roger Friedman and featuring music legends Jerry Butler, Isaac Hayes, Mary Wilson, Ann Peebles and Wilson Pickett, amongst others. All films available on Feb. 3.

Notable Quotable
"We need this one because we don't have any African American reality shows. This is like the first of the kind...you are going to be fascinated by these stories...I mean, Shalondrea, our sophomore, is pregnant, and so while she's navigating going through the academic side of her life, she's also trying to figure out who her baby's father is."
--Hollywood power broker Tracey Edmonds about her latest brainchild, "College Hill," a BET 'reality' series.

And I am telling you, I'm not going!

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com

©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

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