TV & Video Beat - Liz Taylor talks King & Michael Jackson - June 2006

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Wednesday June 7, 2006

Liz Taylor - Larry King - Michael Jackson Barbra Striesand - Filipino Singers on ASAP TV show - Toni Braxton IN DEMAND - Cambodian Miss Universe contest - American Idol - Prince & Sheila E - NR Top 20 according to YAHOO & GOOGLE

LIZ TAYLOR IS BACK - talking to the King about Michael Jackson

When Michael Jackson was going through his legal trail last year one person was noticeably missing from his usual supporters…. actress LIZ TAYLOR.

The former queen of the silver screen is recognized for being the highest paid actress of all-time at that time when she received $1 million US for her role of Cleopatra in the self-titled film.

Recently we received a press release to dispel the rumors printed in the tabloid newspapers that she was dead, dying, very ill etc.

This past week Taylor appeared on the Larry King talk show to tell the world that she is indeed alive and well and now has her own business designing jewelry.

King noted that she was sitting in a wheel chair to which Taylor responded that was because of her back problems that she has had since birth. Taylor is now in her 70's.

After a number of softball questions King finally got around to asking the all-important question about her relationship with Jackson.

She noted that she met the gloved one after she took 30 guests to see him perform years ago. She didn't specify haw long ago.

She noted that she and her guests were seated so far back in the stadium that she and her guests couldn't see him work. She and her guests left half way through the show.

When Jackson heard of her experience he called her and they talked for hours. After numerous telephone conversations they met and have been friends ever since.

King then mentioned that Jackson was now living in Bahrain to which Taylor said that he was treated so badly in the USA.

Next!!!

LAVISH BARBRA STRIESAND

$100 million US is a lot of money to some people but apparently not to singer Barbra Striesand. She turned it down. The deal included a substantial portion of the broadcasting revenue. Full story…

TFC Philippine singing talent

When it comes to excellent singing Asian voices that sing English the Philippines has the best talent in Asia. They have an advantage sine they teach English in their schools. The problem is that they do not utilize their abilities.

TFC (The Filipino Channel) produces the ASAP show that features singers singing in English. After the song they talk in their native language.

The network is trying to sell their programming internationally and is currently available in Australia and the US.

In doing so they are limiting their market and not exposing their talented singers to those that DO NOT speak the Philippine language thus limiting their marketability. The talent is worthy of more than just such limited exposure.

It raises the questions Why? And what language is spoken the most in the world… English or the Philippine language? We place this in the GO FIGURE FILE…

PRINCE'S SHEILA E

When we received a press release that Prince had released a CD and was going to tour out first thought was if long time Prince band member, percussionist Sheila E (Escovedo) would be touring with him.

His PR firm company said not at this time.

The last information that we had on Escovedo was when she was the musical director of the ill-fated Magic Johnson TV show.

Prince recently made a surprise appearance in the American Idol final TV Show.

VANDA SIGHTING

Former 2005 Freshie Girl runner-up Vanda was seen as a co-host on the Women Talk TV show of TV 3 June 1.

Vanda waited patiently to be acknowledged by the regular hosts but was ignored. They talked too much and talked around her. They didn't work as a team.

It seemed as if they were in a contest to see who could talk the most minutes.

Though lacking experience Vanda is a natural and a true professional. She patiently waited to be included in the show and didn't interrupt and force her way into their apparent egotistical conversation.

This rising star is too talented to be ignored. She has a warm personality and ability. Her persona is accessible. The other hosts come off as if they are better than others.

Vanda has the skills and is worthy of having her own show. She knows how to interview and INVOLVE her guests.

TV 3 has some good ideas developing shows for the youth market but matching talent isn't one of them.

CAMBODIAN MISS UNIVERSE???

Noy Rauv one of the organizers of the Freshie Boy and Girl contest that was televised on Cambodia's TV3 says her Planet Productions is planning on having a Miss Cambodia contest. The winner will be entered in the Miss Universe 2007 contest.

Prior to leaving for the United States three weeks ago Rauv said the semifinals of the Miss Cambodia contest will begin in August and the final will take place in September.

Stay tuned on this one. Anyone that has dealt with Cambodia knows that things are subject to change drastically without notice.

TONI BRAXTON - IN DEMAND

Life is sometimes very strange.

While watching the NBA playoffs I really was attentive to the performance of the New Jersey Nets all-star guard Jason Kidd.

When I see Kidd I think of Toni Braxton. WHY? Good Question…

I first saw Braxton while I as a member of the TCA (Television Critics Association). We were invited to the Paramount Movie studios for a party. The talent for the evening was the Braxton Sisters with Toni being the lead vocalist.

Prior to that I had never heard of them. They were great and I never forgot the striking beauty of Braxton and her excellent voice.

About a year later I interviewed Kidd while he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks in the mid nineties.

He was a very polite and humble person. I never forgot how surprised he was that I wanted to do a story about him.

Within a year Braxton turned up again as the girlfriend of Kidd. The problem was she also became the girlfriend of Kidd's teammate Jim Jackson…. AT THE SAME TIME.

Team chemistry problems arose and both players were eventually traded to other teams.

Last month, the day after we started to do a story about Kidd a few weeks ago we a press release that Braxton was signed to a long term deal to appear in Las Vegas. How strange.

Within a week she appeared on American Idol's final show of the season. How strange.

Kidd has since moved on to become recognized as one of the best guards in the NBA and is now married with children.

Jackson was a member of this past season's LA Lakers squad. He has been with numerous teams since being with the Mavericks.

Braxton remains beautiful, talented and seems to remain being in demand.

NR TOP 20 According to YAHOO

NR TOP 20 According to GOOGLE

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