Florida Sentinel Bulletin

LOS ANGELES – Bolstered by strong reviews and positive word of mouth, “The Help” racked up a solid $4.3M at the Thursday box office and $25.5M during the weekend totaling $35.4M. “The Help” came in second.

The Civil Rights era drama screened in 2,534 theaters across the U.S. and Canada this weekend.

Shot for $25M, the DreamWorks’ adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel focuses on Southern society women and their African-American servants.

 ‘Apes’ Hangs On To Domestic Box Office Lead

Nothing could stop angry apes from tearing through the domestic weekend box office as “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” took the lead with an estimated $27.5M in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales plus $40.5M internationally.

A coffee table book covering the evolution Oprah Winfrey’s award winning talk show entitled, The Oprah Winfrey Show: Reflections on an American Legacy is due to hit stores in November.

The 240 page picture book will include 150 photographs plus personal accounts from frequent celebrity guests and highlights from the billionaire’s talk show that lasted on air for a quarter of a century.

The Oprah Winfrey Show: Reflections on an American Legacy will be priced at $50 and hits stores November 18.

Performers for the “Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert,” being held on October 8th in Cardiff, Wales, were announced.

According to reports, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green and JLS will all take the stage to honor the life and legacy of Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009.

Members of the Jackson family taking the stage October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, include several of Michael Jackson’s brothers, “the next generation of Jacksons,” and 3T, which consists of Tito Jackson’s three sons.

Alternative rock band Alien Ant Farm and British R&B singer Craig David are also on the bill, while other artists will be added.

50 Cent is moving forward with plans to feed the hungry now that he’s announced his new line of energy shots with a goal of feeding 1 billion children.

Pure Growth Partners is launching “Street King” an energy shot made in collaboration with the rapper, actor and entrepreneur. 50’s brand of shots are especially unique considering that with each one bought, a meal for a child in need will be purchased.

“Street King” will launch nationwide in September and feature Orange Mango and Grape varieties for $2.49 to $2.99.

The energy shot contains 100 percent natural flavors, no artificial colors and is made with a natural source of caffeine, which is derived from coffee beans.

Each 2.5-ounce shot contains an amount of caffeine that is comparable to a cup of coffee, but contains zero carbohydrates, calories and sugar. Street King’s Grape variety also is fortified with vitamins and gingko biloba.

During his syndicated radio show, comedian Steve Harvey called out Cornel West and Tavis Smiley for their poverty bus tour, while defending President Barack Obama.

After a listener sent an email about the duo’s tour being a hustle, Harvey didn’t shy away for offering his own opinion — accusing West and Smiley for using personal vendettas to damage the Obama’s name.

“I was a huge fan of Cornel West,” he said. “[But] Tavis, I seen him coming a mile away. His anger started when he had a town hall meeting, President Obama couldn’t come because of the campaign trail and he sent Mrs. Obama. He has held that grudge every since.”

The writer and comedian also mocked West for not getting extra tickets to Obama’s inauguration. Harvey said, “Have you ever been invited to the damn inauguration? Did Bush send for you? Did Clinton send for you? Did Reagan send for you?”

Harvey continued his rant by referring to Smiley and West as being affiliated with UTLO.org (which stands out for “Uncle Tom Look Out”).

Harvey mocked the tour by saying, “Make sure you don’t get on the poverty bus… because if you ain’t po’, when you ride the bus, you become po’.”

A former band member of singer Lauryn Hill has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Killing Me Softly singer was verbally abusive toward her musicians during her 2007 European tour.

In the lawsuit filed by Jay Gore, the guitarist claims the former Fugee front woman was unbearable to work with.

According to Gore, Hill “exhibited the type of behavior for which she had gained public notoriety which contributed to a hostile work environment.” He continued, “After shows, Hill would demand that the musicians and road support personnel attend meetings where she would engage in a person-by-person critique and berating.”

The guitarist also claims in the lawsuit that Hill shorted him pay for his services, to the tune of thousands of dollars. Gore is seeking $20,000 in compensation.

Actor/comedian Chris Tucker talked about where the hell he’s been over the last few years.

It’s been about four years since his last movie, Rush Hour 3, but the 38-year-old film star is back on the scene with a comedy tour that began in July. During the interview, Tucker also touched on the possibilities of doing another Friday film and Rush Hour 4.

Just a few days since Nicki Minaj had a nipplegate episode on Good Morning America, singer Kelly Rowland decided to 1-up Minaj with an on stage nipple slip of her own.

While performing at Club 4Sixty6 in West Orange, New Jersey, Miss Rowland accidentally popped her boob, actually more than once.

Of, course being the professional that she is, and a member of the Matthew Knowles/Destiny Child’s school of performing, Kelly didn’t let a simple nipple slip stop her show and even showed a sense of humor about the incident.

Fantasia will have an extra special reason to bring in 2012 with a bang.

The mom-to-be is reportedly due to have her baby on December 29, 2011.

After months of speculation, ‘Tasia finally announced her pregnancy during a concert. “This child that I am carrying… God has given me this child. And I don’t have to hide it from none of y’all” she told fans.

Fantasia Sued By U.S. Bank for $25K

Looks like Fantasia may be singing yet another bittersweet song about her finances. Fanny is being sued for a whopping $25,057.02 by a collection agency on behalf of U.S. Bank.

But that’s not all. The company is also seeking 10% interest incurred per year since May of 2009.