Movie producer Tyler Perry's mother dies at age 64- Tyler Perry's Mother Dies (AP)
0 comments at 09:53
Willie Maxine Perry, who helped inspire the character Madea played by her movie producer son Tyler Perry, has died. She was 64. Tyler Perry announced her Tuesday death on his Web site, where he thanked fans for their prayers. He did not say where his mother died or anything about the cause. Perry's publicist, Keleigh Thomas, would not give further details Wednesday afternoon. Perry owes much of his popularity to his portrayal of Madea, a sharp-tongued, iron-willed Southern matriarch played by Perry in a padded suit and wig. She is the central character in films like "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," In an October interview, Perry told CBS' "60 Minutes" that the character is a celebration of strong black women who is based in part on his own mother. "Madea's a cross between my mother and my aunt — she's the type of grandmother that was on every corner when I was growing up," he said. "... She's a strong figure where I come from, in my part of the African American community." But the character has also earned criticism from some black community figures who argue Perry is reinforcing stereotypes of black women as overbearing, violent and brash. Film maker Spike Lee recently labeled Perry's TBS sitcoms and films "coonery." Arlene Barron, executive director at the Jewish Community Center in New Orleans, said Maxine Perry had worked there as a nursery school assistant for about 10 years from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.Peter Gammons leaving ESPN for MLB network-Peter Gemmons ESPN baseball reporter joins MLB
0 comments at 20:46
Peter Gammons is leaving ESPN after 20 years to become an analyst for MLB Network. Gammons will offer commentary for breaking news and big events such as the postseason, winter meetings, amateur draft and the trade deadline. He will appear on the network's news shows as well as develop short documentary-style pieces. He also will write regularly for MLB.com, becoming part of its new columnist Web site. "To be involved with people whose network is devoted to baseball, and baseball only, is something I look forward to with excitement," Gammons said in a statement Tuesday. Gammons joins Bob Costas as a major presence at MLB Network. In addition, Gammons will become an analyst and reporter for NESN, the regional sports network in New England affiliated with the owners of the Boston Red Sox. "It's hard to imagine a reporter who is more deeply associated with a sport than Peter is with Major League Baseball," MLB president Tony Petitti said. "Having Peter associated with MLB Network is an incredible opportunity and another great step for MLB Network as we head into our second year on Jan. 1."Gammons joined ESPN in 1989 and has been an integral part of its baseball coverage. He wrote for the Boston Globe starting in 1969 and also worked for Sports Illustrated (1976-78, 1986-90). "Peter was the best and the brightest in making the transition from print to video," ESPN executive vice president John Walsh said. The 64-year-old Gammons received the 2004 J.G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing and was honored during the 2005 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He signed in October with Creative Artists Agency. "My decision to leave ESPN and move on at this point in my life has been conflicted," Gammons said. "ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am." Gammons interviewed Alex Rodriguez on camera in February when the New York Yankees slugger admitted using steroids from 2001-03 with the Texas Rangers. In June 2006, Gammons was stricken with a brain aneurysm while driving near his Cape Cod home. He returned to broadcasting three months later.
David Hasselhoff
A 911 call released Tuesday revealed that David Hasselhoff was hospitalized over Thanksgiving weekend after he repeatedly fell over and couldn't stand up. "My dad just... he's collapsed," David's daughter Hayley, 17, tearfully tells the 911 operator. "He's standing up but he keeps falling back down... but then he got back up and he's fine. It's kind of scaring me." She continues, crying, "He fell over and stiffed up." Later, an unidentified male caller gets on the phone and tells the fire department, "It's very, very bad here." Hasselhoff, 57, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and was released that weekend.
A rep for the "America's Got Talent" host declined to comment on rumors that Hasselhoff's hospitalization was alcohol related. Hasselhoff's attorney, Mel Goldsman, denied reports that the former "Baywatch" star was held on psychiatric hold or had a seizure.
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