When I heard that Lifetime was remaking Steel Magnolias, I have to admit that wasn’t pleased about it. I was like why mess with a good thing. Well when I watched Lifetime’s revival of the Oscar nominated movie, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that tonight’s version that debuts at 9p is better than the original one. While the 1989 decided to add more comedy to the Dramedy, the new one focuses more on the heart. Because of that I really believe this version is even better and more emotional than the original.
The Lifetime movie has a cast that is just as stellar as the original. Queen Latifah plays M’Lynn and Condola Rashad plays her daughter Shelby. Even though Queen is playing her TV mom her real mom Phylicia Rashad is starring as Clairee. Clairee’s best friend Ouiser is played by the perfectly cast Alfre Woodward. Jill Scott stars as the heart of the movie Truvy and Adepero Oduye is her assistant Annelle. Together these women, who shot the movie in just 18 days, make it seem like they have been lifelong friends and because of that you want to be in on their circle of friendship.
Recently I was on a conference call with the telemovie’s producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and they told why the adapted this play for the small screen. Here is what Zadan said about it:
We approached it as though it was a new piece of writing and we’re not doing anything to copy the original production because the original play was amazing and the original movie was amazing.
And we wanted to do something that was brand new and we wanted to do something that would be done our way with our cast and our production. And it’s using the material as the basis of that. And the same way as if you work in the theater, you do what they call revivals.
And, you know, it may have been done originally the play earlier, you know, on and then it’s done later on with other casts. And each production is relevant because they’re done with different directors, different producers, different actors.
So we feel like what we’ve done is fresh and different from the original and yet as relevant as the original.
When you watch the movie on Lifetime tonight at 9p, you will see it is as relevant as the first one if not more so!
Buddy Guy was playing with the band on The Late Show yesterday, so when David Letterman introduced Queen Latifah he made sure to have a song that would be fitting, for well, a Queen. Well she took the opportunity to sashay sexily to beat as she walked to the couch. Once she sat down, the CBS late night host talked about how special Guy’s music is. She said she wanted to move her body like she was at Juke Joint. Then she stood up, the band began to play and she wiggled curves like a peacock as she slowly used her hands to walk down Dave’s desk. How hot was she? Let’s just say she steamed up Letterman’s glasses. I don’t think he has been that happy since Drew Barrymore flashed her boobs to him.
Bauer-Griffin Online
After years of denying her sexuality is Queen Latifah ready to finally to come out? The Oscar nominee and Jeanette Jenkins were photographed looking like a couple very much in love as they shared a boat with newlyweds Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.
While Queen was away California overturned Prop 8 and I wonder if spending the time with two honeymooners gave Jeanette and her the idea to get married or maybe at least confirm that they are a couple if they are one?
Unlike a lot of countries around the world the United States of America does not have a King or a Queen. But what we do have is a Larry King and Queen Latifah, and when she appears on his show we get a King and a Queen for one night. Too bad Prince wasn’t on his show because then we would have a King, a Queen and a Prince!
Wow even I admit that was totally lame. But the real reason why I posted it not because Larry King Tweeted that picture along with, “In the make-up room with @IAMQUEENLATIFAH. She’s our guest tonight. Tune in for the King & Queen!” But I posted it because he should never Tweet a picture of himself without his glasses and being fully made up because that Tweet just gave me nightmares. Seriously he is so scary without his glasses.
Variety says that Queen Latifa has signed on to be in the remake of the 1984 movie All of Me which starred Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin. I just don't get why New Line is remaking this movie and with her. In fact when I heard they were remaking the movie I actually pictured Cameron Diaz in the role and I was still dreading the movie. When will Hollywood just come up with new movies and stop remaking crappy ones?
Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes are in talks to star in "Mad Money," a pic to be directed by "Thelma & Louise" scribe Callie Khouri. Nu Millennium and Granada are financing the film. Glenn Gers script, based on British film "Hot Money," concerns three female employees of the Federal Reserve who plot to steal money that is about to be destroyed. Khouri did a rewrite on the script; pic will shoot in Shreveport, La. The third actress is not yet cast. Holmes, who is making her return to acting after maternity leave, has dropped out of "The Dark Knight," Warner Bros.' Christopher Nolan-directed sequel to "Batman Begins."
SHE was kind to Catherine Zeta-Jones at the Glamour Awards, but Queen Latifah was royally rude to "Law & Order" actor Bill Burns last week. Burns approached Latifah at Newark Airport and tried to give her his business card. She responded by prompting a friend with her to "rip it to pieces and throw it on the ground," our source says, adding that the companion also spewed racial epithets at Burns (who is white) in front of a crowd. One onlooker called Latifah’s friend "a total thug," though no one dared to insult the diva. Her reps said the tale of racist comments is "completely untrue."
