VH1 Honors Black History Month in February With Extensiv

[Daniela]

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Press Release Source: VH1

VH1 Honors Black History Month in February With Extensive Special Programming Spotlighting African American Performers

Monday January 27, 3:13 pm ET

Stars of 'Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway' Lend Their Voices To Special Public Service Announcement Spots Which Will Run Throughout The Month

VH1 Radio Network, VH1 Satellite Radio, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VH1.com Also Join in Black History Month Celebration

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- All things VH1 will salute Black History Month in February with an extensive programming and promotional lineup spotlighting African American performers, led by the VH1 premiere of "Hendrix," Saturday, February 1st at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT*). The hit VH1 series "Driven" premieres two all-new episodes, presenting "Driven: Jay-Z" on Sunday, February 9th at 9:00 p.m.* and "Driven: Lil' Kim" on Sunday, February 16th at 9:00 p.m.* Also, helping VH1 to celebrate Black History Month will be the poets of "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam On Broadway" in special public service announcement spots that will run on the channel in throughout February.

The entire VH1 family will join the celebration as the VH1 Radio Network and VH1 Satellite Radio honor Black History Month within their regularly scheduled programming every day throughout February. On VH1.com, viewers can log on www.vh1.com/shows/events/sayitloud/ to find Artist interviews, Key Moments Timeline, Photo Flipbooks, Artist Tributes, and more on all their favorite black artists. And the digital channels VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul will also air special video programming all month long.

Beginning on February 1st, a special series of PSAs entitled "A Song Can Be History," featuring the stars of "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam On Broadway" will begin airing as part of the month-long celebration. The thirty-second PSAs highlight original solo and ensemble pieces specially written and performed for VH1. The poems featured in "A Song Can Be History" express images of music, moments, or individuals from the pantheon of Black music who have inspired the poets and the world.

"Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam On Broadway" was conceived by Stan Lathan and Russell Simmons and directed by Mr. Lathan and presented by Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, in association with Kimora Lee Simmons, Island Def Jam Music Group, Brett Ratner, and David Rosenberg.

Some of the shows airing on VH1 during Black History Month include: Say It Loud, A Celebration of Black Music In America; Driven: Halle Berry; Movies That Rock: The Temptations; TLC: What It's Like In Hotlanta; King of Videos: Michael Jackson; The Arsenio Hall Show; Legends: Jimi Hendrix; VH1 Original Movie: Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story; Driven: Brandy; Behind the Music: Sean "P. Diddy" Combs; Behind the Music: Notorious B.I.G.; Behind the Music: Dr. Dre; VH1 Presents the 80's: Hip Hop/R&B; VH1 Soul; Legends: Sam Cooke; Mariah: What It's Like: Around the World; Top 30 Hip Hop Music Videos of All Time; Movies That Rock: Talkin' Dirty After Dark; FanClub: Destiny's Child; Driven: Notorious BIG; Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration; Movies That Rock The Jacksons: An American Dream; Movies That Rock: Little Richard; Movies That Rock: Livin' For Love: The Natalie Cole Story

"Driven: Jay Z" and "Driven : Lil' Kim" are productions of VH1. Executive Producers: Michael Hirschorn, Shelly Tatro, and Suzanne Ross.

"A Song Can Be History" PSAs are a production of VH1. Creative Director: Nigel Cox-Hagan, Senior Producer/Director: Joe Kanellitsas, and Line Producer: Rebecca Ritchie.

All times are ET/PT.
VH1 produces and programs a wide variety of music-based series, specials, live events and acquisition-based programming that keeps viewers in touch with the music they love. VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks owns and operates the television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, VH1, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV LAND, TNN, CMT: Country Music Television and The Digital Suite From MTV Networks, a package of nine US digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

 

[Daniela]

www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/...el.cowell/

CELEBRITY NEWS

'Idol' judge Simon Cowell lets it rip

Getting Simonized

Monday, January 27, 2003 Posted: 3:26 PM EST (2026 GMT)

(PEOPLE) -- Back for a second season as the cattiest of talent judges on American Idol, British pop producer Simon Cowell, 43, took a moment out of his busy schedule terrifying contestants to oblige PEOPLE with snap judgments on matters major and trivial. He even has some advice for Ben Affleck and Michael Jackson -- which you'll read only on PEOPLE.com.

Cloning "Those Raelians are completely nuts. It's like watching an old edition of 'Star Trek.' The idea of cloning myself isn't bad. But not with that lot."

Mariah Carey's comeback "Was there one? I'm not sure if anyone cares anymore. If you're going to come back, it has to be with an awesome record, like Kylie Minogue's."

The royal family's messes "They're a family like any other, they make mistakes, they're human. But the royal family is what makes England special. I love it."

"Chicago" the movie "Not sure I could sit through it. Musicals bore me. On 'Idol,' we restrict each song to a minute and a half."

The Justin-Britney to-and-fro "If I were him, I'd be playing the field at this point. And I don't find her sexy. Actually I find the whole thing rather dreary."

Carbs vs. proteins "I don't know anything about that. All I think about is, 'Do I like the taste?' "

North Korea "Have you seen the way they march? They're like robots."

Kelly Osbourne "I don't think she can sing."

Eminem "I have a lot of respect for him. He is the voice of a generation, whether you like it or not. He's very consistent and he's very smart."

"The Bachelorette" "I think [Trista Rehn] will be back on the singles market in a year. I met her, and I told her to give me a call when she is."

Michael Jackson "How the mighty fall. It really is the final straw for this guy. Just when you think things can't get any worse, he holds his baby out of a window. It's actually quite unbelievable. I suppose he'll blame Sony for that, as well."

Winona Ryder "Only in Hollywood could that happen -- it really was hysterical. But she is more interesting now than she was before."

Saddam Hussein "History. He's over, isn't he? He ought to get out now."

Whitney Houston "If she was a friend of mine and she ever asked me for advice -- which is hard to imagine -- I'd say, 'Dump the husband!'"

The last movie he saw "'Analyze That.' Absolutely dreadful. What a load of crap. Pointless."

J.Lo and Ben "Good luck to him."