Notables N’ Quotables: The events and people you’ll be talking about in 2012

2012-02-16T11:22:00.001-08:00

The Mogul:

Simply put – Steve Harvey’s got the Midas touch. Living proof that it’s never too late too late to follow your dreams and if you hold steadfast it will bear fruit. Mr. Harvey commands respect on the radio with his hugely successful syndicated morning show: The Steve Harvey Morning Show, while simultaneously breaking records as the new host of TV game show, Family Feud, and this spring he will dominate the box office with his film Think Like A Man, based off his New York Times Bestselling book of the same name. There’s nothing Mr. Harvey can’t do at this point. In an industry where many people bow out at 35, Steve is just getting started, with no signs of slowing down. Look out for his new talk show next Fall.

The Barrier-Breaker:

One of the most underrated jobs in Hollywood is that of the writer. Sure, it’s not as glamorous as the lifestyle of the on-screen actor/actress and paparazzi won’t follow you 23 hours a day, but make no mistake about it, great television and film writers are close to the top of the food chain; and are not nearly as expendable as the men and women who bring those storylines to life. Enter, Shonda Rhimes, known for her work as creator, producer, and lead writer of the mega-successful Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice series’, Ms. Rhimes is a permanent fixture at ABC and is helping women and minorities secure their validity and influence in Hollywood from the inside-out. Shonda got her big screen writing debut in such films as The Princess Diaries 2 and Introducing Dorothy Dandridge starring Halle Berry. This year Ms. Rimes debuts her legal drama Scandal, and the critics are already buzzing about another hit. Try to name three successful television writers who have staying power on a major network and it would be hard not to mention Shonda Rhimes .

The Next Generation:

Emerging from the ranks of comedy’s royal family is the Wayans’ newest heir to the throne – Damon Wayans Jr. Most known for his role in the dance movie spoof Dance Flick, of which he starred, Damon is out to prove that he is much more than Damon Sr.’s son and his recent success is far from a fluke. Co-starring in the hit ABC comedy, Happy Endings, which has been a ratings dynamo, Damon plays “Brad” a quick-witted, well-to-do, junior executive on the fast track. Damon’s comedy is an amalgamation of his familial influences with a hint of Jerry Lewis. On screen his charm and commanding presence is undeniable and 2012 will only further legitimize his comedic prowess and vision for where television is headed. With the return of comedy sketch series, In Living Color, later this year, expect to see more from Damon Jr. Damon wears the Wayans name with dignity, class and finesse and is easily on his way to being a comedic heavyweight in the game.

The Game Changer:

The 2008 Election was inarguably one of the most pivotal moments in history, but with a wavering economy, party lines divided like never before, health care out of whack and Wall Street steadily tanking, the 2012 Election is crucial. Do we re-elect a president whose approval rating is inconsistent, yet has had adequate success in completing many of the tasks he promised, or do we seek security in one of the new candidates who seem to have all the right answers, yet no merit or proof of success at the national level? Either way, currently we are failing our children, abandoning our elderly loved ones, and isolating our friends from bordering countries and abroad and the U.S. cannot afford another enemy. Saying that we have a huge mess to clean up is the understatement of the century, but regardless of where your preference lies within the candidates, much of the responsibility starts at the local level, in our homes, in our churches, and in our schools. Society needs a shift – will you be a change agent and make the difference? Why does our political system read like a badly scripted reality show? It’s time to change the game – all hands on deck.

The Wild Card:

Nothing about Sofia Vergara’s childhood or even college years would’ve predicted

that she’d be such a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. This Colombian-bred, modelesque, college-educated beauty is sure to be a contender for all of the 2012 award nominations for her role as “Gloria” in the Emmy-winning ABC comedy Modern Family. She made her American debut in Tyler Perry’s 2009 film, Madea Goes to Jail. While discussing her woes of working in the entertainment business, Sofia was quoted as saying: “I'm a natural blonde. But when I started acting, I would go to auditions and they didn't know where to put me because I was voluptuous and had the accent--but I had blonde hair. It was ignorance: they thought every Latin person looked like Salma Hayek.” As the new face of Cover Girl cosmetics and a co-starring role in the new Three Stooges film, it’s safe to say that Hollywood knows exactly where to place her – at the top!

In 2012, I want .....

2012-01-03T05:16:00.000-08:00

More of Elle Varner. Last year, Elle made major waves on the music scene with her single "Only Wanna Give it To You" featuring J. Cole, who also had a stellar year. Ms. V or Lady Elle, if your beasty, is brilliantly eloquent, her sound is unique and quirky, yet her style is totally on trend and mainstream, and she's unapologetically raw and real. Picture: Keri Hilson's sense of style, with Beyonce's looks, yet with a voice reminiscent of a young Lena Horne or Billie Holiday with a tinge of Nina Simone. How could you not like Elle Varner? The answer's easy - you can't!

In 2012, I want more writers and bloggers who support the art of great literature and are not solely out to seek acclaim and sensationalism. Let's not give in to the "Age of the Reality Star". Young people view reading as a chore, and only seek out literature that has been presented to them as an assignment. Not only are the school's reading assignments limited and somewhat linear, it only encourages our future generation to read enough to pass a standardized test. Our youth are struggling and instead of us criticizing their choices, let's bridge the gap and provide more positive examples to draw from. When I was 12, I was an avid fan of authors like: Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin and Richard Wright. They encouraged me to think far greater than my present circumstances and internalize a world without borders and barriers. Writing is also a form of therapy to release from the pressures of growing up in today's world. Let's generate a shift and invoke change. Our next generation depends on it.

In 2012, I want us to remember to wear clothes that fit. Too tight is just as bad, if not worse than too baggy. The criticism with sagging pants has always been about us not wanting to see someone else's underwear showing, but some of our
ladies wear their clothes so tight and ill-fitted that you can see them change their minds. Not only can you see underwear lines or lack thereof, but you can see all of what God has blessed them with between their thighs. And skinny jeans - please take those out to pasture and shoot them. I'm still not sure why guys would opt to prance around looking like horse jockeys or figure skaters in their leisure, but it needs to cease.

In 2012, I want people to realize that President Obama is not our savior and the change we seek is a change that we can help to install. Let's do better business, let's take care of our families, let's show regard for our neighbors and colleagues. Moreover, let us not turn our noses up at people who are unlike us in any way. Let's seek to understand one another or at least peaceably respect each others views and/or opinions. Let's support our local businesses and hold them accountable to a standard of quality service. Small business does not equal shady business. Let's stop allowing "church folk" to do and/or stay anything they please and then mask it with some misguided quote that they've finagled from the Bible. Let's not put higher priority on the NBA lockout than we do on pedophiles and sexual predators targeting our children. Let's not focus on ending crime, let's end the mentality of the criminal and crime will follow. Remember we are all somebody's child and we all value a certain level of love and care. Let's give back - and mean it!

In 2012, I want all of these things and a whole lot more, but 2012 has just begun. I vow to not only talk about these things, but I will continue to do my part, as well. What's on your list for 2012?

The Glitz Factor

Notables N’ Quotables: The events and people you’ll be talking about in 2012

In 2012, I want .....