Professor Locs

Accuser Recants Story about Elmo Puppeteer

The man who accused Kevin Clash, the voice and puppeteer of the “Sesame Street” character Elmo, of an underage sexual relationship has recanted that claim, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

I figured this was just some young trade trying to pimp Clash for some cash. 

I am glad Clash's name has been cleared and he can get back to tickling Elmo....smile.

Elmo Puppeteer in Alleged Sex Scandal

No the scandal is not with Elmo you freaks. It seems "Sesame Street" which is known for its historical commitment to children’s programming has been a hot bed of media attention these days.

Well move over Big Bird your 15 minutes are up!  There is a new character Elmo who is now in the hot seat or at least the man who brings him to life is in hot water. 

Holy Muppet Scandals Batman!

Kevin Clash the puppeteer responsible for one of Sesame Street’s most beloved characters Elmo is facing allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a sixteen year old boy.

Clash admits that he had a relationship with the guy but claims he was of legal age. 

In statement made directly to NBC News, Clash confirmed that he is homosexual but denied any allegations of an inappropriate relationship.

The thing I hate about this scenario is that the public forums are already making references to Clash being gay and an alleged pedophile.  This is such a common misnomer in the LGBT community becasue research will support most pedophiles are heterosexual. 

The LGBT community will however support the rumors of Bert and Ernie being gay life partners....smile. 

Clash does not deny being gay when he shared, “I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter. I had a relationship with the accuser. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was. I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation.”

The folks at Sesame Street are standing behind the man who is behind Elmo.  Representatives shared this statement, “We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action. We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation. We also conducted a thorough investigation and found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated.”

We have to let the legal system work things out but I think this guy got caught up with some young trade that is trying to cash in on Clash’s fame.  The truth will eventually come out. 

All I know is the phrase "Tickle Me Elmo" just took on a nefarious tone...LOL.

You know the lyrics from the Sesame Street song "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"

Well if Sesame Street characters keep ending up in the tabloids, Sesame Street may have to change its address to the corner of controversy lane and scandal road….LOL

BET's President "Explains" Programming

The president of BET, Debra Lee, was recently in the news, attempting to explain why the network does not offer more positive programming.

This should be good. BET has been churning out questionable content for years. Honestly, can you remember the last BET Awards show where someone did not get into a brawl or was shanked? So do we really just now want to have this discussion?

Before we get to Ms. Lee’s big reveal, let’s explore a bit of network’s history. I grew up with BET and have witnessed its creation and, unfortunately, what it has evolved into today. BET at one point did offer a variety of engaging programming.

So what happened?

Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, offered some insight of her own when she recently was quoted as saying, , “I think we squandered a really important cable network, when it really could have been the voice of Black America.”

I believe Ms. Johnson was referencing the acquisition of BET by Viacom for more than $ 1 billion in 2000. So what did you expect would happen when you sold a network with a specific cultural purpose and target audience to a corporation? How much authentic Black Entertainment Television can we expect when the company has not been black-owned for 12 years?

Ms. Johnson goes on to say:

“We had public affairs programming. We had news… I had a show calledTeen Summit. We had a large variety of programming, but the problem is that then the video revolution started up…something started happening, and I didn’t like it at all. We got a lot of backlash from recording artists…and we had to start showing them. I didn’t like the way women were being portrayed in these videos.”

Who knew rap artist had such power? I thought it was the public that paid for cable subscriptions.

I remember when the video trend started. All of a sudden BET was primarily video shows, but the ugly truth is, those shows were also cheap to produce. You had one host, and record labels supplied the content. Easy money.

So back to our story of how the current president, Ms. Lee, justifies BET’s programming. “Over the 28 years I’ve been at BET, we’ve tried different shows, series and nightly news, and it’s always a matter of what are people going to show up to watch,” she said. “Our audience always says they want this kind of programming, but they don’t show up.”

There you have it, folks; the reason for the current and deplorable content on BET is your fault. I love this explanation. It’s like Lee expect us to continue to patronize a Mexican restaurant that serves us Chinese food.

I think there needs to be some accountability from both the historical and current leadership of BET.

Ms. Johnson may be disgusted with the current programming, but the truth is, she and former husband and co-founder Bob Johnson put short-term profit ahead of long-term quality.

And in response to Ms. Lee: BET has offered such unacceptable content for so many years that the audience you speak of long ago abandoned the network. You offered years of content that eroded the image of African Americans, glorified the rap-thug culture and visuals that frequently showed misogynistic images of women, and then you wonder why a community that doesn’t support those images refuse to tune in when you decide to produce “positive programming” on a timeline that shadows the appearance of Haley’s Comet.

BET could have been the TV-1 of today -- a network committed to original content blended with historically significant programming with a strong cultural focus. Instead, it chose to focus on music videos and reruns.

Thankfully, we have more options today. Commerce creates competition, Ms. Lee, so if you want your audience back, you are going to have to work for it. So let us know when you are committed to putting some significant “Black Entertainment” back in BET.

Professor Locs guest on The Late Afternoon Show with Rico McDaniel

Hey guys I wanted to share a great talent with you, one of my former students Rico McDaniel.  This young cat is immensely talented, funny and over the top with wild energy. 

This young brother is a real throw back to an old school era of style and sensibilities.

I was very honored when he asked me to be a guest on a concept show he had been working on for some time, "The Late Afternoon Show with Rico McDaniel."

My appearance on the show was a wonderful opportunity to merge Charles Easley with my alter ego Professor Locs...lol.

The show was directed by one of my favorite people Associate Professor Lea Anderson and the crew was a talented group of my former students.

Another former student Milanio Drum was spinning some serious beats as DJ.

Here is brief descriptor of the show:

"We discuss the importance of Blood Donations with American Red Cross Minority Diversity Services Director James Jeter and we discuss blogging and education with Professor Charles Easely. Welcome to the Late Afternoon!"

I come in around 13:13 onto the show.  I had such a great time, enjoy! 

You can watch the video on You Tube.

Thank you brother Rico and continued success! 

Stacey Dash: Confronting Race and Politics

Race and politics are not new themes, but I have observed an expanding movement to where racial identity is often at odds with patriotism. This was most recently and publicly displayed when actress Stacey Dash came out in support of Mitt Romney.

Many know Dash from her role in the film “Clueless” and more recent projects like “Single Ladies.”

Dash’s endorsement of Romney created such a maelstrom of controversy that she decided to sit down with Piers Morgan of CNN to address the backlash.

“I don’t understand it,” she said. “I don’t get it…I was shocked, saddened. Not angry. Saddened and really shocked. But you know what; you can’t expect everyone to agree with you.”

I believe some folks are truly shocked when confronted with the reality that they do not enjoy the same autonomy as others. Did I send Dash an offensive tweet, or worse, the American Idol Season 3 Christmas CD? No, but I did give her the side-eye based on her statement.

Why?

Like it or not, people from marginalized groups are seen as having a monolithic voice. And even those within such groups often deal harshly with dissenting voices. It is the same phenomenon that makes you cringe when you see someone on the news with whom you share a culture being interviewed with missing teeth, speaking broken English and inevitably ending with a shout out to “Peanut and them.”

Dash, who has all her teeth and is well spoken, caught a lot of flack from folks who were downright pissed by her statement. One tweeter shared, “You’re an unemployed black woman endorsing Mitt Romney. You’re voting against yourself thrice, you poor beautiful idiot.” (I know it’s harsh, but I am still impressed when anyone can work the word thrice in a sentence.)

And even famous black folks chimed in, including actor Samuel L. Jackson, who is public supporter of President Obama. He tweeted, “Wait, did Stacey Dash Really endorse Romney today?! REALLY????! Is she CRA...........??!"

So where does all this tension come from as it relates to having ones racial identity questioned based on political affiliation?

The ugly reality is that whether folks take on that responsibility or not, the expectation is still there, draped casually across our shoulders like an invisible shawl. Dash was dealing with the harsh reality of “speaking” for her race and negotiating the backlash when her individual philosophy collided with the status quo.

For those wishing to field-test this theory, simply visit any urban church, hair salon, barber shop or Red Lobster and announce your support for Romney, then note the response you get. Conversely, others should visit more mainstream haunts sporting Obama regalia to record similar reactions.

Do I understand Dash’s position? No, not really. But I don’t have to, and that is what really defines the strength of our nation; that regardless of our filters, and the perceived or personal pressures that come with those filters, we all have the autonomy of individual thought and choices.

The Walking Dead: Season 3

Just in time for Halloween the long awaited premiere of the hit series The Walking Dead, Season 3 premiered last night.  I will be the first to admit I am not a zombie fan but this series is well written. 

The world has been hit with an epidemic that leaves the dead to walk the earth in search of fresh flesh.

The story starts off with Atlanta as ground zero of the outbreak it seems.  Yes even in a zombie series Black folks are killed off first...lol.

The storyline revolves more around the human condition of the survivors. The zombies are just a backdrop and could be replaced with werewolves, vampires, ghouls or even crack heads for that matter...lol. 

I gave a blow by blow account on my FB page while watching the show:

OMG Walking Dead premiere is on! They already been run out of a house.

WD two alpha males are now going into the wood to hunt for the rest of the group. I guess there are no Piggly Wiggly's left on Walking Dead...lol

Now the WD group has found a prison for shelter. I guess Buckhead in ATL was not available.

WD wife looks to be 9 months pregnant. What do you bring to a Walking Dead baby shower?

WD survivors just laid waste to dead prison population. This might be a new twist on Scared Straight series.

WD dead girl survivor singing around camp fire. I wonder if there is a Walking Dead Girl Scouts badge?

WD pregnant lady wants To talk about who's the baby daddy. I wonder if Maury survived the plague?

WD folks are now thinking about busting into a prison. Prison Break walking dead style.

WD survivors are now fighting zombies in riot gear. Ironic. No

WD ..who is the Amazon sister with the Locs and fierce zombie slaying skills? They are close to ATL I bet she is from College Park...lol

WD I would just like to point out that there is one Black person left in the group. This is a new season. If this were a horror film he would be like on the 8th sequel.

WD. After a zombie battle survivors check each other for scratches. Kind of like a Walking Dead Simeon grooming ritual...lol

WD. Okay what is the deal with Black amazon zombie warrior and her pet armless male zombies. I think she is family but with serious male authority issues...lol.

( I was tipped off that the zombie pets are her boyfriend and best friend) That explains it. That is touching yet also very creepy...lol.  Thanks Nikita for the insight!

WD when did these zombies start moving so fast? Some of them should be Olympic sprinters.

That is it pretty much episode one. The survivors get hemmed  up by zombies in the prison and end up having to hack someones leg to save him from turning after he was bit.  The Black Amazon has been traveling with the other fierce blonde woman that got left at the farm.  I see them as kind of like an interracial, post-apocalypse, Thelma and Louise...lol. 

If you have not seen the series you have to give it a try.  Again even if you are not a zombie fan, and I am not, the series is very compelling and well written. 

Check out the teaser for the next episode!  

My Unemployment Office Phobia

I shared with you a few weeks ago that I became a recent casualty of corporate restructuring. Since then, I have been busying myself with projects, like redoing the basement as my creative man cave because a dark specter loomed in the shadows. Yes, I’m talking about a trip to the unemployment office (insert scary movie scream).

My apprehension about the unemployment office -- or the Division of Employment Security, as it is now called -- stems from the fact that I grew up in the 1970s, so my perception was shaped by television shows and films from that era. You know, films like “Claudine” and “Mahogany” and TV shows like “Good Times.”

I had visions of long lines filled with folks with big hair, vintage clothing, somber expressions and winter wear. (For some reason, it was always winter when they featured the unemployment office.) Oh, and let’s not forget the evil unemployment representative who typically berated those in line and always referred to them as “those people.”

There has been a historical stigma associated with being one of “those people.” The unemployment rate in North Carolina in August was 9.7 percent, and like many of you I had followed similar numbers not knowing that I would be part of the equation -- in short, one of “those people.”

But I digress; back to my story.

A letter from the Employment Security office had arrived a few days earlier. It included a colorful pamphlet that talked about depositing my unemployment funds on a debit card. What!? So I was not going to get a big “government check” that I would have to cash at one of those cash-checking places next to the liquor store!?

The letter went on to say that I could also set up my account online, have funds deposited to my checking account and report my job search activities as well, all online. You mean I would not have to brave the bitter, Southside Chicago winds as the “Theme from Mahogany” played, while I stood in line among other weary, worn, displaced workers?

This may not be as bad as I thought, Jinx.

I went online this weekend to set up my account and report my job search activities for the week. I was then given a prompt that my account was on hold due to a pending ruling. I would have to call customer service on Monday.

Monday morning arrived and I dialed the customer service number and get a busy signal. I dialed off and on all morning. I watched “GMA”; got a busy signal, “Live with Kelly and Michael”; got a busy signal, “Dr. Phil”; got a busy signal, “The View”; got a busy signal, “The Chew”; got a busy signal, and just when I thought I would exhaust the daytime television lineup, sometime around 2:30 p.m., my call went through.

Hallelujah! But before I could celebrate, an automated voice told me that all operators are busy (psyche) and that I should leave my number and a representative would call me back within 4-7 minutes. I was like, “right!”

I left my number and, to her credit, a nice representative, Ms. Lisa, called me back within five minutes and walked me through step-by-step what I needed to do to get my unemployment benefits started.

A couple of times I would interject about something that sounded contradictory, but Ms. Lisa would jovially repeat, “Are you listening?”(which was code for, “I cannot tell you directly because the call could be monitored, but if you shut up and read between the lines I can get you paid, fool.”) I would then smile, shut up, take copious notes and follow her instructions to the letter.

Ms. Lisa made a daunting experience much more humane. And unlike Ms. Ross in “Mahogany,” who went from the unemployment line to becoming an international model, I am not sure how my story will pan out, especially given my current waistline and rusty runway skills.

Honestly, I am unsure of the road ahead of me, but just in case there are tollbooths along the way, I will have faith that my benefits angel -- Ms. Lisa -- will ensure my debit card has the necessary funds to pay the fees…smile.

Stay tuned.

RuPaul's Drag Race Star, Sahara Davenport Dies

Drag Diva Down!  Drag Diva Down! 

Sahara Davenport (Antoine Ashley)  star of RuPauls Drag Race season two, has died at the very young age of 27.

The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Davenport is survived by his/her boyfriend  Karl Westerberg, who  also competed  as Manila Luzon on season three of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Hmm two drag queens as lovers.  Now this is what we refer to in the gay world as bumping pocketbooks. 

I just noticed this but is it just me or does Sheree from "Housewives of Atlanta" look like Sahara Davenport?

LOGO released the following statement regarding Davenports untimely death:

"Logo is profoundly saddened by the passing of Antoine Ashley who fans around the world knew and loved as Sahara Davenport.  He was an amazing artist and entertainer who'll be deeply missed by his Logo family. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, especially his boyfriend Karl, in their time of need."

Heaven just became a bit more fierce and fabulous. R.I.P. Diva! 

Whoopi Vs. Ann Smackdown on The View

I was wathing The View the other day and came across some juicy television. 

Ann Coulter who typically gets on my nerves but is so right of center I usually do not pay her much attention. 

Ms. Thing was on the view hawking her new book which I will not give her any free publicity here in this forum. 

Anyway the discussion quickly turned to issues of race and whatever Ms. Ann was trying to peddle, well Whoopi was not having it on her show. 

Whoopi finally asked Coulter, " 'Tell me what you know about being black.'

Coulter countered with, "I don't think liberals ever cared about black people."

Ms. Thing went on about some other stuff that was clearly not sitting well with Whoppi when she finally exploded with, 'B*******! B*******, I'm sorry! That's bull, that's bull.'

I thought at one point Whoppi  was going to start snatching off her ear rings, glasses, she already wears sneakers and jump  across the table and give Ann an old school beat down! 

Just watch the video and the madness! 

Watch More News Videos at ABC | 2012 Presidential Election | Entertainment & Celebrity News

 

A Kanye West Sex Tape

Move over Paris Hilton and Ray J there is someone else wanting a piece of the celebrity sex tape business, Kanye West. 

Have we not seen and heard enough from Kanye?  I guess not...lol.

We are used to the evolution of rappers turned actors now we have rappers turned porn stars. 

It seems Kanye has been practicing with a Kim Kardashian look alike before he met the real thing. 

Recently Radar Online, is reporting that a footage of a sex act between Kanye and an 18 year old Kim Kardashian look alike is being shopped around to the highest bidder. 

TMZ is also reporting that this is not Kanye's first trip to the sex tape rodeo, apparently he has been  filmed more than once in recent years, and there is now a second sex tape being shopped around.

Hey just in time for your holiday shopping!  Nothing says Merry Christmas more than a narcisstic rapper sexing up a married 18 year old!

Wait there is more folks! 

Apparently there is a porn site, Sex.com and they are prepared to offer over 5 million dollars for exclusive rights to both sex tapes. 

If Kanye's boo Kim's tape is any indicator of how much a sex tape can do for your career and profile then Kanye could be on his way to a whole new level in his status as a cultural icon.  

We know how competitive Kanye is so watch out Kim he may want to tape a video with you to out sale  Ray J's sex tape....lol.