Brother's Keeper

I read the most disturbing article on the May 29th edition of the Black Voices Buzz. It was in regards to the CW's decision to renew All of Us. I'm copying the article that was written by Jawn Murray (just so you know that I'm not trying to take any credit for it...*LOL*)

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Close Call

Did Chris Rock rescue 'All of Us' from cancellation? That's the word in Tinseltown!

Sources say that the series, which stars Duane Martin, LisaRaye McCoy and Tony Rock (Chris' brother) and is produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, was set to be cancelled and was not planned to be on the fall roster for the new CW Network. Insiders told BV Buzz that it was actually 'Half & Half' that was supposed to join the urban-lineup at the CW, until Rock placed a call to CBS Chairman Les Moonves and asked him to save his sibling's series.

Apparently, at the eleventh hour, 'Half & Half' was given the ax-despite its executive producer Yvette Lee Bowser wowing the CW brass with her presentation-and the struggling 'All of Us' was given the green light. A rep for CW said the decision to bring 'All of Us' back just fit what the network was trying to do with that two-hour show block. "I don't believe there's anything to that," Paul McGuire said about the rumors.

Nonetheless, Hollywood insiders are likening 'All of Us' to a cat, joking that the series has nine lives. Apparently, this would be the second time that 'All of Us' was slated to be cancelled but was spared. The show was not supposed to return for the 2005-2006 TV season and producers at Warner Bros. were moments from pulling the plug on the show. That time, it was Smith who supposedly placed the call and had the series saved. It returned without co-stars Elise Neal and Terri J. Vaughn.

In another CW Network controversy, online chat rooms and blogs alike have been buzzing about the news that 'Girlfriends' star Jill Marie Jones may not be returning to the show. We broke news last week that Jones may be out when the show premieres on CW this fall. Now we hear that it was actually Jones' decision to leave the hit former UPN series. Despite her being absent from the CW Network's upfront rollout in New York City, and Jones' image and bio being removed from the 'Girlfriends' website, a rep for the network said nothing is finalized. "It remains to be seen," McGuire said.

Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Reggie Hayes will return for the sitcom's unprecedented seventh season. Wouldn't it be nice to see a full-figured friend added to the 'Girlfriends' mix? Just asking…

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This is E now.

All I can say is that I am truly disturbed if what transpired is true. On the one hand, it's nice that Mr. Chris Rock cares for the welfare of his brother and didn't want to see him unemployed. But on the other hand, All Of Us got renewed. Why? What is the point of this show with Elise Neal's character being gone? What was the point when she was there? Okay, the little boy is adorable. But he alone a show not make.

Boo Chris! If you wanted to, you could've given your unfunny brother a job on Everybody Hates Chris. You are one of the executive producers of that show. Geesh.

I may have to boycott Everybody Hates Chris because of this, despite my crush on Terry Crews and my embarassing "I need my ass sent to jail" crush on Tequan Richmond. That picture of him is so from when he was nine. He's around thirteen now. That boy is so going to be a heartbreaker, as if he ain't now.

I can't believe that Half & Half was so close to getting renewed but got stiffed at the last minute. It just goes to show the office politics that are involved even in Hollywood.

Things are looking dim as far as Half & Half getting saved by another network. It's a shame that a show in its prime got cut to its knees due to possible nepotism.