Whatever the Metro lacks, it isn't irony

Eating and drinking are prohibited on the Metro, but not temptation.

Steve Harvey, his marriage, and his mistresses

A man with a history of infidelity and multiple marriages may be a really good or really terrible source of relationship advice depending on how you look at it. However you take Steve Harvey, this comedian/actor/radio host turned author and relationship guru is making millions at the bookstore telling women what they're doing wrong when it comes to catching and keeping a man. But, he may have omitted a few embarassing chapters in his own love live that his ex-wife wants to share.

Mary Harvey spoke out recently about Steve Harvey's infidelity. The two were married for 16 years and through several mistresses, including the woman who is now his current wife. There is some speculation Mary Harvey may be writing a tell-all book. Either way, she chronicles some rather salacious parts of their marriage. Below is a YouTube video of her discussing the women he had on the side. Given Mary's revelations, some ladies may want to get their money back from the bookstore.

It's colder than a __________

Can we get an honest weather report like this in the DMV? It's cold here, too.

A taste of Milk + Honey

In case the rebirth of The Game on BET is a little too Young & the Restless for you, there maybe an additional option. Milk + Honey is a scripted TV/web series produced by Brown Paper Dolls with Idris Elba signing on as the executive producer. The dramedy chronicles the loves, lives, and tribulations of several young black women in Los Angeles. You'll see some new and familiar faces in this cast, like Debbie Allen (Fame), Lance Gross (House of Payne), Bryce Wilson (Beauty Shop), Faune Chambers (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Asha Kamali, Yaani King, Shauntay Hinton, Charles Divins, and Rob Smith.

Milk + Honey provides positive portrayals of young black women fulfilling their dreams in the big city, similar to popular shows like Girlfriends and Living Single. Blackfilm.com provides an interesting synopsis of the characters:

Nia, an aspiring actress on a quest to climb the Hollywood social ladder, tries to remain faithful through it all. Harper, the classic Black American Princess, shakes things up in the agency world. Samirah, an Ivy league educated free spirit and DJ, wants nothing to do with “the life.” Conversely, Farrah, a socialite wild child siren and heiress, is constantly looking for love and acceptance on the scene. The fifth character is the Los Angeles landscape – - it’s culture, music and fashion.

Hmmm...maybe BET could add a new show to its Tuesday night lineup?

milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.

The genius of Phaedra Parks

When you hear Phaedra Parks talk about donkey booties, inconclusive due dates, and maternal death, it's easy to underestimate her - which is probably what she wants. Opponents, whether on the Real Housewives of Atlanta or in the courtroom, will see clips off the show and think she's not much of a threat because they're too lazy to do the research. Unlike some of the other RHOA, she's thinking further ahead than the next episode. She plays it smart by playing dumb on the hottest show on Bravo. As the ratings increase, so do her profile and her paycheck. There's no doubt the woman can count.

Phaedra is a well regarded high powered entertainment attorney who's worked with Michael Jackson, Jermaine Dupree, Whitney Houston, and yes, the infamous Bobby Brown. In addition to being a legal analyst for major networks like Fox News and NBC, Ms. Parks had appearances on Court TV, Entertainment Tonight, and Extra. She was also the show producer for Tiny & Toya. You don't do all of that by being a dummy. And, as noted in the video, sometimes a celebrity defending a celebrity is an "effective tool in court".

Phaedra is also one of the few Housewives that isn't struggling with money or her love life. Sure, her husband went to prison, but Apollo served his time, he's handsome, and he knows better than to mess this good thing up. Did I mention that is wife is a high powered attorney? You can't find a more perfect match than someone who's going to love you and defend you in court and public opinion. In a time when a marriage between a black man and a black woman is being treated like an endangered species in pop culture, why do people begrudge Phaedra and Apollo their happiness or him a second chance? Ms. Parks is an attorney and in a better position than other people to judge her situation and her husband's past. Instead of focusing soley on her antics, also pay attention to the size of her heart. In love, law, and reality television, Phaedra is no fool, even if she plays one on TV.

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Race and the Rabbi

Alysa Stanton, the first African American rabbi, is leaving her congregation after two years. By leaving, I mean that the board of Bayt Shalom in Greenville, North Carolina decided not to renew her contract. According to board president Samantha Pilot:

“We felt Rabbi Stanton has brought a lot of gifts to the congregation, but we felt she wasn’t a good fit for the direction we’re going.”

Pilot didn't elaborate on Stanton's "gifts" or why the board isn't renewing her contract, but sometimes clergy and congregation don't click. But, then Pilot says this:

“I can tell you with certainty that race — I never heard that come up once during her tenure or now,” she said. “It’s a non-issue.

Uh....


After reading this story in the Jewish Daily Forward, it appears the Bayt Shalom board president, unprompted, decided to add this little qualifier about race. But, if race is not a factor, why even bring it up? The article also does a bit of tap dancing around the subject, as well:

Stanton, 47, said the challenges that she faced at the Bayt Shalom weren’t all that different from those of any other first-year rabbi, but hers “were more visible because the world was watching.”

And:

And it’s not easy having all eyes on you, as you’re trying to go about your job. “I’m not a novelty or a freak show,” she said. “I’m a rabbi.”

Race doesn't really come to the forefront of the article until you read that infamous quote from Pilot. Perhaps Pilot is responding to a question by the reporter or maybe she brought the issue up on her own. Who knows? But, even after being ordained and leading her own congregation, Stanton is still treated like a novelty.

You didn't think she was a one hit wonder, did you?

Willow Smith, otherwise known as the coolest preteen on the planet, isn't content to have just one hit. A leaked version of her newest song, Rockstar, is circulating. Here's a snippet:


Youtube:MusicIamQ