The fact that we’re in the age of Obama signifies that the U.S. has come far in terms of race perception and relations. Even better is the fact that Disney, in 80 years of their existence, finally saw fit to give us a Black princess named Tiana. They have no idea how much of a boost in self-esteem they’re giving little Black girls but also the wonderful lesson they’re teaching everyone else (if they choose to be open). The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck recently got a dose of this reality thanks to her daughter’s affinity for the Tiana doll.

Hasselbeck talked about the fact that her daughter’s favorite doll at the moment is Tiana, on The View yesterday. She said her daughter plays with the doll’s hair, sleeps with it and carries it around everywhere she goes. It’s nice that Hasselbeck and other non-Black parents like her don’t make a big deal out of it because essentially, children don’t see color—but she admitted that she got funny looks one day when she and her daughter plus Tiana ran errands in New York City.

Hasselbeck said that some of the looks she got were pleasant and approving, but every now and then she got looks that were reproachful. She expressed that maybe she was thinking too hard about it but Whoopi Goldberg confirmed that she probably wasn’t (this is why I love Whoopi). Whoopi G. and also Sherri Shepherd told Hasselbeck in a nice way, “Welcome to our world.” Thanks goodness for the truth. As a Black woman, I’ve gotten looks that made me think twice about why someone may have been making a certain face at me that I thought was negative, and even though you want to think you might be overreacting, the look often comes with a certain vibe that Whoopi actually talked about, that let’s you know that it’s not in your head. This goes for anyone living not just in the country, but the world. We are all affected by race, especially people of color. I’m glad Hasselbeck went through what she experienced and wasn’t afraid to talk about it because now at least her eyes are open to the fact that we still have a lot of work to do. Hopefully more parents like her won’t think twice about getting their child a Black doll so that the discussion can continue.

Check out the actual conversation on The View’s website via ABC (from the Nov 19 show).

MTV has exclusively bought the U.S. TV rights to air Michael Jackson’s This is It, the posthumous documentary about the King of Pop which chronicles the journey to his final performance. The film  did well at the boxoffice and will most likely be of high interest to MTV viewers as well as MJ fans who will watch because of their idol. (I still haven’t seen This is It and probably won’t in the theater, but I’d definitely watch it on MTV—not because I watch the network, but because I’m a MJ fan).

Sister networks like VH1, BET and Palladia will also be permitted to air the film. You know what that means right? Once it goes into syndication we’re probably going to see it ad nauseam. So if you haven’t seen it in the theater, there’s going to come a point where you have no excuse not to have seen it at all. But anyway, the president of MTV Networks Music Group tells The Hollywood Reporter, “The film is a true testament to Michael’s musical genius, passion and commitment to his craft,” said Van Toffler, president of the MTV Networks Music Group. “Michael Jackson has always been inextricably tied to our viewers as they witnessed his evolution from a talented performer to a global icon who redefined music. Now, with this film, we can help give his fans a chance to see his final performance.”

Coincidentally, MTV introduced millions more fans to Michael Jackson as a solo artist when they aired the “Thriller” video in the early 80s. That video paved the way for other Black music acts to get their videos show on the network, which previously did not support hip-hop, pop and R&B. It’s ironic that MTV doesn’t even show music videos anymore but at least they’ll help keep The King of Pop’s legacy alive by airing his final performance. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone but we can all  keep our heads up know that he’ll live forever in music, TV, film and our hearts.

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Eddie Winslow Darius McCrary will be joining The Young and the Restless to reprise the role of Malcolm Winters. According to Entertainment Weekly, McCrary has signed a multi-year deal to assume the role beginning Nov. 18. His debut will air on Dec. 29.

Sorry Shemar Moore fans, there’s a new more chocolatey kid on the block. It would make sense to pick someone who at least looked somewhat like the old character folks got used to, but you know how they do in TV world (hence Judy’s mysterious disappearance from Family Matters), especially with soap operas, but I’m sure you’ll get used to the switch in no time. Moore couldn’t re-assume the role because the character will be back full time and his busy schedule won’t allow it. I think McCrary will be fine though.

I’m not really into soap operas but several others (my mom, sister and closest friends) around me are so I’m sometimes forced to watch. I guess it’s a trade off. I get my reality TV, they get their stories but I digress. Apparently, this Michael character is capricious and edgy. From what I know, Malcolm is usually in the middle of the more dramatic story lines. He’s coming back to town to see his brother and to reunite with his biological daughter who is fighting for her life.

Here’s another fun fact: McCrary will be reunited with another Family Matters alum. Bryton James, who used to co-star as Richie Crawford on Family Matters, plays Devon Hamilton (for whom he also won an Emmy). Wow, everyone is all grown up (and I officially feel old).

What do you think?

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Orlando Jones will make a guest appearance on the cult TV drama, House. His character introduces us to the missing relative in Dr. Eric Foreman’s family. Jones will play Foreman’s estranged brother, Marcus. For those who aren’t too familiar with the character, Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) specializes in neurology and has a shady past that includes a history of crimes as a juvenile. He’s a rebel and frequently opposes House’s unorthodox decisions.

This is a big deal because viewers have already met Foreman’s father (Charles S. Dutton) and mother (Beverly Todd) but his brother was only mentioned in passing. The only thing viewers know about Marcus is that he also had a troubled childhood.

Jones’ episode has already been filmed and is scheduled to air in February. It finds the siblings reconnecting on the eve of Marcus’ parole hearing. Of course, Dr. House sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong and stirs up the pot causing drama, drama and more drama.

I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on that show for so long.

House airs on Thursday nights at 8/7c on USA.

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After much anticipation, Sarah Palin’s appearance on Oprah Winfrey will air today. There has been criticism of both parties for going through with this but it’s a smart move for obvious reasons. I’m not a Palin fan but I’m looking forward to the interview—not because I think I’ll find out anything about her that I didn’t know, but because it will be nice to see more of her personality. Despite not being a Palin supporter, I’ll at least acknowledge that she’s still interesting based on her accomplishments and the facts that she’s a woman and a working mom.

She’ll definitely give the usual politician answers—you know—answer the questions with a circular response that doesn’t really answer the question. But Oprah is too smart for that so when Palin tries to skirt the issue Miss Winfrey is all over that. Check this out:

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Did you see how Palin laughed to give herself time to think about the non-response she was going to give? Do you see how Oprah uppercut her by finishing her long-winded “response” with “So, is he coming or not?” I love it.

Palin will also talk about her infamous Katie Couric interview and her forthcoming book, Going Rogue: An American Life.

The show airs today at 4pm EST on ABC.

If it wasn’t drama enough that Shaquille O’Neal’s wife, Shaunie, has filed a petition for legal separation in Los Angeles, then how about the fact that the couple might be the stars of a reality TV show? Yikes!

According to TMZ, Shaq and his now-estranged wife made a pilot for a reality TV show. The couple began pitching a show titled Love Shaq earlier this year, based on family-style reality shows like Meet the Barkers, Newlyweds and Til Death Do Us Part but clearly fell apart before the show got picked up.

Despite their marriage being in shambles, A&E has confirmed interest and is still considering putting the reality show on air. The show isn’t in production but Shaunie has pulled their kids out of their Florida school and relocated to LA so that would be difficult.

I doubt that Shaq and Shaunie would want to move forward with the show while in the middle of legal and relationship drama but then again, they could be the first celebrity couple with a show chronicling the process, giving a detailed look at their lives as they try to be civil for the sake of their kids. It’s either going to be that or Shaunie getting a show about being a single mom once the smoke clears.

It’s a sad situation. I think it would be tasteless to have a show so soon (but I’d probably still watch it, sadly) but in the reality TV world, there’s almost nothing we haven’t seen so I would be surprised.

What do you think?

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Janet Jackson is giving ABC News exclusive access to her life. She will allow anchorwoman Robin Roberts and cameras into her Malibu home for the first time ever. The introverted Jackson sister will speak about her brother’s death, as she and Michael were reported to be very close.

Though this is Jackson’s first televised interview since her brother’s death, it will not be the star’s first public comments on the matter. At the 2009 BET Awards, Jackson called her brother an icon and thanked the public for their support. She also gave a print interview to Harper’s Bazaar, in which she revealed that she had learned of her brother’s death while on the set of Why I Got Married Too. Miss Jackson also performed a tribute to Michael at the 2009 VMA’s.

Jackson’s second compilation album, Number Ones, is set for release later this month. It’s a two-disc set consisting of 33 international number-one hits. There you go, she must get her publicity up. I’m not saying she doesn’t want to talk about her brother but you know how celebs do—they get semi-personal when it benefits them. I say semi-personal because they never tell you anything you haven’t heard or figured out already. However, I’m glad it’s a serious news outlet tackling the job. We might be pleasantly surprised.

The In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Janet Jackson special will air on Nov. 18th at 10PM.

Blaxploitation icon and L-Word regular Pam Grier is joining the cast of Smallville for multiple episodes (and I’m jumping for joy). Pam Grier is my favorite action hero (and I love Blaxploitation flicks) and Smallville is one of my favorite shows on TV so my nerd-meter is on red right now (see, I don’t always just watch reality TV).

It’s cool how a new generation will be introduced to the actress who on Smallville, will be playing villainess Agent Amanda Waller. I’m a comic book nerd—more Marvel than DC— but this is epic. It’s rare that Smallville (or the comic world period) features any Black heroes or villains so this is huge.

Here’s One Version of Agent Waller:

She first appeared in Legends in 1986. Nicknamed “the Wall”, she is a former congressional aide and government agent often placed in charge of the Suicide Squad, a semi-secret government-run group of former supervillains working in return for amnesty (she’s a character that’s good or decent when it suits her and vice versa). In 2009, Amanda Waller was ranked as IGN’s 60th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.

Grier will make her debut in the second hour of the upcoming Justice Society-centric two-parter, “Legends” (go figure), scheduled to air in late January.

I cannot wait.

Donald Trump and Omorosa have joined forces to produce a show for TV One. The super mogul and former Apprentice villainess have created Omarosa’s Ultimate Merger, which will star the reality TV diva as she attempts to choose a mate from a stable of 12 bachelors.

“Omarosa was a great personality on The Apprentice that was watched by over 40 million people as it became the No. 1 show on TV,” Trump told Variety. “Omarosa is smart, witty and difficult, but all of those qualities will make for some very interesting entertainment.”

Omarosa’s Ultimate Merger is being shot in Las Vegas at the Trump Intl. Hotel and Tower and Mr. You’re Fired will appear on camera as he gives advice to Omarosa, who will eliminate one suitor each week until she makes her final choice.

There is no air date yet but the network has picked up eight episodes.

We know that people will watch because everyone loves to hate Omorosa (and wants to see who in their right mind wants to date her) but I wonder if this is the right type of show she needs. Maybe she really needs to appear on Tough Love.

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Wanda Sykes has officially solidified her place on TV as the “only person on Fox not picking on President Obama.” The Wanda Sykes show debuted Saturday night and the bawdy boisterous comedienne delivered exactly what was expected. She’s sarcastic, funny, crass, leftist and [insert adjective here]—basically—everything else wonderfully quirky that fans love about her.

She opened her show with a skit poking fun at conservative political pundit Ann Coulter’s huge eyelashes, followed by a stand up routine that also jabbed at former president, George W. Bush and Republicans in general, who heavily criticize Obama for the mess that W left behind. The routine was funny but toned down—even for Sykes (I guess that’s to be expected with her type of show on airing on Fox). It also dragged. That’s my biggest complaint about the show. Certain jokes could have ended a lot sooner than they did.

The show was peppered with comical vignettes throughout, but the meat of it was her featured guests. Saturday’s episode featured Darryl “Chill” Mitchell, Mary Lynn Rajskub (from 24), Keith Robinson and Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race). They sat at a desk (think The Insider) and talked about pop-culture. Some of it was random, where they talked about people who would spend 4.5 million dollars to travel to space and some of it was relevant, like methods of child discipline—but all of it has potential.

I like her format but my major complaint is the rambling jokes which made the show drag in some spots. My favorite quote of the night was from when Sykes said she was a fan of “beautiful ignorance.” So am I—hence the excessive reality TV that I watch—and I think we’ll be just fine (thanks Wanda).

I’m nervous about the show coming on Saturday night but then again, it might work to her benefit since her competition clutters the week night TV spots. Overall, I give The Wanda Sykes show a B and I’m looking forward to a better, funnier and snarkier season. I think she will deliver. Check out the first episode below:

You can catch The Wanda Sykes Show Saturday nights at 11pm on Fox.