Features

The Ru Report #154

Will Oscar Have A Lotta 'Hart"
There is no denying it. Tupac Shakur lives on!

The late rap legend is amongst this year's Oscar glitterati with Tuesday's announcement that the biographical documentary "Tupac: Resurrection" was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Documentary Feature.

One can only imagine how gossip guru Tanya Hart felt when she heard the news that the film will be foot-noted in Tinseltown history.

The nationally syndicated radio personality was in her usual spot at the American of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences headquarters in Beverly Hills, covering the pre-dawn Oscar nominations announcement when she heard the news.

And this is news because…

Well, the celebrated on-air personality is all over the film. Ms. Hart has a prominent part in "Resurrection" culled from the first major television interview Mr. Shakur conducted with her on "Live in Hollywood with Tanya Hart," which originally aired on BET in 1991.

"Actually, I missed it," Ms. Hart revealed to "The RU Report" regarding the announcement. "I was in a heated conversation with one of my colleagues sitting next to me on radio row. His station's engineer had failed to order their phone line and he was trying to take mine. Now you know I wasn't having that, especially since I had to go [on the air] live.

"So the entire press conference was over before I realized [the film] had been nominated."

Nonetheless, she's ecstatic to arguably be considered the first journalist to actually be covering the Oscar nominations press conference who is included in one of the nominated films

"When I finally realized it was nominated," Ms. Hart continued, "I thought to myself 'WOW!' but I wasn't surprised because the movie is so well done. Then it dawned on me that I appear several times, and I started recalling my times with Tupac, even up to weeks before his death, and a feeling of sadness hit me and then exuberance rushed in as well.

"After the rush of emotions, I settled into a nice big smile on my face, because it had already been a great morning for Black folks, and this put the icing on the cake."

An entertainment media legend in her own right, Ms. Hart is no stranger to acclaim. She already has a number of coveted awards under her notch, including four Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.

The Lauren Lazin-directed "Resurrection" was released by Paramount Pictures in a partnership with MTV Films on November 14, 2003. It stands out as the only film made in collaboration with Mr. Shakur's mother, the former Black Panther Afeni Shakur.

And most likely, it is the first hip-hop oriented documentary to ever be nominated for such a prestigious honor.

A Special Collector's Edition DVD package was released via Paramount Home Video last summer, featuring deleted scenes, never before seen interviews with the thug rap icon, along with candid interviews with his celebrity pals like Jada Pinkett-Smith, and former label mate Snoop Dogg.

Also in the Best Documentary Feature category is the fast-food expose "Super Size Me," the confrontational, child molestation saga "Twist Of Faith," "Born Into Brothels" which centers on prostitution in Calcutta, and the miraculous music-infused "The Story Of Weeping Camel."

"As far as The Academy is concerned this seems to be the year where they are going for ratings success," Ms. Hart –who is syndicated on up to 500 stations via American Urban Radio Networks (AURN)--continued. "As you know there are so many of these shows that the audience, especially the younger demo, isn't tuned into. They are trying to get them on board, and what a better way than to hire Chris Rock as host to keep it 'edgy.' And what other film in the doc category fits into that genre better than Tupac."

Alrightee then.

Meanwhile, the late rapper (often considered "The Elvis of Hip Hop") is approaching platinum sales status with his most recent posthumous CD, "Loyal To The Game," which was released via Interscope Records last month.

"I'm sure Tupac would be thrilled," she concluded. "After all, had he lived perhaps he would be the Sean Combs or the Jay Z of today."

Lost Gem
And just when I thought--or more like hoped--that the brilliantly-directed August Wilson play "Gem Of The Ocean" would make it through to Tony Award season, the show's closing has been confirmed. According to a spokesperson, the Broadway production will shutter on February 6.

Directed by Kenny Leon ("A Raisin In The Sun") and starring Phylicia Rashad, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, LisaGay Hamilton and John Earl Jelks, "Gem" will have played 15 preview and 72 regular performances at The Walter Kerr Theater since the first performance on November 23, 2004.

"Despite a wealth of positive reviews and overwhelming audience response we were simply unable to build an audience during the historically harsh months of January and February," stated Rocco Landesman, President of Jujamcyn Theaters.

I wonder why they opened during the "historically harsh months" then. Hmmmm.

"I have been repeatedly moved by the dedication and perseverance of this incredibly talented cast and creative team."

"Gem" is the ninth play in Mr. Wilson's extraordinary ten play cycle chronicling the African American experience through each decade of the 1900s. Set in 1904, it became the first play chronologically in Wilson's odyssey through the 20th century.

I encourage all avid theater patrons to catch this excellent show before it leaves The Great White Way. It's not too late.

Stages
In the midst of the media blitz HBO is setting up for his film directorial debut, "Lackawanna Blues," Tony Award winning theatrical whiz George C. Wolfe announced that he will direct the world premiere of Neil LaBute's latest play, "This Is How It Goes." Set to start previews on March 8 at The Public Theater's Anspacher Theater, the play--described as a fierce drama of manipulation, exploitation, infidelity, and passion--will star comic actor Ben Stiller and Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning thespian Jeffrey Wright. Academy Award winning actress Renee Zellweger is reportedly being courted to join the production. In previous interviews she has described herself as a fan of Mr. LaBute's work. But can the "Cold Mountain" star stand up on the Big Apple stage? We'll see. A spokesperson for The Public said that Ms. Zellweger is not joining the production, at press-time.

Versatile acting virtuosos Tamara Tunie and Eamonn Walker have signed on to join Denzel Washington for his Broadway turn in "Julius Caesar," which opens at the Belasco Theater on April 3. Ms. Tunie, who is no stranger to the New York City stage, currently stars in two TV shows; the long running soap opera "As The World Turns," and the cop drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Mr. Walker, who starred in the Broadway production of "The Crucible" and "Art," can be best remembered as Muslim leader Kareem Said from the hit HBO series "Oz." "Julius Caesar" will be directed by Daniel Sullivan and is set to run through June 12.

And lastly, New York City's HERE Arts Center will present the premiere of James Scruggs's "Disposable Men," beginning February 4 and running through February 12. Directed by HERE's co-founder and Executive Director Kristin Marting, "Disposable" is described as a humorous solo work presenting a series of interactive monologues demonstrating the flippant irreverence with which the popular media treats the disposability of African-American men. Post-performance discussions will be conducted on February 9-10 with Dr. Carlyle Van Thompson, professor of African American literature at Medgar Evers College and author of the recently published "The Tragic Black Buck: Racial Masquerading in the American Literary Imagination." Call SmartTix at 212.868.4444 or visit here.org.

Something Serious
Music legend Isaac Hayes will be in the City Of Brotherly Love, this weekend.

The soulful Grammy and Oscar Award winning entertainer and humanitarian will be in Philadelphia to promote a new cookbook, titled "Kidney Friendly Comfort Foods: A Collection of Recipes for Eating Well with Chronic Kidney Disease." Mr. Hayes, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002, wrote the Foreword to the book.

After the passing of his close friend and fellow R&B legend Barry White, due to kidney failure, Isaac has compiled kidney-friendly recipes (for breakfast, dinner and dessert) for people with kidney disease that all people can enjoy. According to a spokesperson, the marketing of the book is quite timely--just in time for the New Year when many are making resolutions to get fit and stay healthy.

Mr. Hayes is also the new spokesperson for Shire pharmaceuticals, a company focused on developing projects and marketing products in the areas of central nervous system, gastrointestinal, and renal diseases. He previously authored the best selling cookbook, "Cooking with Heart and Soul: Making Music in the Kitchen with Family and Friends."

On Sunday, January 23, Mr. Hayes also will be speaking to the public for free at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, about his work and the importance of protecting your kidneys. Last weekend, the Grammy Award winner held a similar presentation at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton.

For more information, call 1-866-220-4467.

On another serious note, Steve Bensusan, one of the owners of the Blue Note jazz club in New York, appealed to members of the media to help support the efforts of his good friend Jeff Trimarchi's baby, Jordan, who needs immediate help. Born on January 18, Baby Jordan was diagnosed with an extremely rare tumor within his heart and underwent open heart surgery soon after being born. He's under the supervision and care of Dr. Jan Quagenborg, one of the world's leading pediatric heart surgeons. Unfortunately, doctors were only able to remove part of the tumor. As of last night, Jordan was on a heart bypass machine and needed a heart transplant. Please contact Helene Trimarchi, at 718-258-8281 for more details.

Ruminations
Is Reality TV becoming "chic"? Waning pop diva Madonna ("Road To Stardom") and tough broad actress Faye Dunaway ("The Scarlet") are part of the latest crop of pop culture headline grabbers to join the ranks of Donald Trump, Tyra Banks, Paris Hilton, Victoria Gotti and Sylvester Stallone in the over-exploited television genre.

And then there's Martha Stewart, the currently imprisoned Diva of Domesticity, who has her own NBC series coming this fall. At the Television Program Executives conference in Las Vegas, it was announced that the show has been sold to over 60 percent of the country.

I wonder how long wills this fad last.

Etc.
Kid Rock told Warner to 'take care!' this week. The multi-platinum selling rapper turned rocker bid adieu to Warner Tamerlane, his longtime publishing company. According to a statement issued by Mr. Rock's office, Warner expressed a strong interest in continuing their relationship with the Detroit based music superstar but he decided to move on saying "We've had a great run and we'll miss many of the individuals at Warner's publishing company. We wish them all the best." With 20 million albums sold and nearly 900,000 tickets sold for his 2004 tour, alone, Mr. Rock said he felt it was time to move his new projects forward with partners that are more interested in music than IPOs. Ouchee. Warner Tamerlane is a subsidiary of Warner Chappell, which is a part of the Warner Music Group--the company he records for via the record label Atlantic Records. Well, at least for now. I always say 'Where there's smoke, there's fire."

Notable/Quotable
"If all you have is dirt to play with, you make mud pies. Sooner or later, you learn to make bricks with that mud instead," white-hot actor Terrence Howard, who’s on a hot streak with a deluge of film projects underway within the coming months.

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