Ms. Perry's Free Press Page 11 Former Reality Star Omarosa Studying to Become a Minister Pimp Saga Closer to the Big Screen Robert "Iceberg Slim" Beck's 1969 autobiography, "Pimp: The Story of My Life," is on its way to the big screen. Rob Weiss, an executive producer of HBO's "Entourage," along with several other produc- cr have acquired film rights to the best-sell- Born into poverty, Beck became a pimp at I 8 and rose to kingpin status in the Chicago underworld. He served several stints in prison, making one escape. After retiring from the business he became an insecti- cide salesman in Los Angeles. During a call to a college professor, Beck men- rioned that he had been a pimp, and the professor encouraged him to write an autobiography. Three months later, Beck had penned "Pimp." The book has sold more than 5 million copies and is the second-best- selling book by a black man, after Alex Haley's "Roots." "The story is really the birth of the American inner city," said Weiss. "It speaks of a very specific time in America and its street culture. The book is filled with broken souls but shows how, in the end, Iceberg Seminary President Wendy Deichmann had a welcome gift: a tiny mustard seed, a reminder of the Bible passage in which Jesus says an amount of faith even as small as a mustard seed makes all things possible. Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth says few people have faith in her transformation, and that made it a wonderful present. She's taking classes in the Old and New Testaments and the History of Christianity. She's also required to minister to the sick and dying at hospitals. eO* DAYTON, Ohio - Omarosa has gone from Donald boardroom to her first day in the class- rooms of an Ohio seminary. The former villain of reality TV shows such as "The Apprentice" entered United Theological Seminary in Dayton on Monday for studies to become a minister. Official ballers. id a way to heal himself. During his working vacation in Phoenix last er the years, many parties have tried to get a movie adaptation of the weekend, President Obama and the first family k under way including a rendition starring Ice Cube with Bill Duke ate at Macayo's to celebrate his half-sister's acting. Pras of the Fugees was trying to mount a film version as birthday. TMZ.com found out that "in addition ntly as 2004. to having the triple fajitas, Michelle and Barack e stumbling block has been an ongoing lawsuit between the author's each had a Tres Margarita -- made with Sauza te and the publisher (Beck died in 1992). With the suit recently set- Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila, Presidente Weiss and Davis, who had been involved with the project earlier, Brandy and Patron Citronge. His bill ran around nered with investors Drexler and Left to pounce on the rights, $200 --and he tipped each waitress 20% and an airing them outright. additional $100 each. Tempestt Bledsoe & Darryl Bell: A New 'Reality' With 'Househusbands' their careers, taking care of their children. I have nothing but respect for that." Respect indeed. Although the new series may appear to be just another commodi- ty among today's prime-time line- up, show producers wanted to open up a timely dialogue. The increas- ing trend of husbands staying at home and raising families due to the current economic crisis is a demographic shift that has hit men harder then women. According to U.S. labor statistics, unemployment rates among men grew at nearly double the pace of women in 2008, to 7.9 percent from 5.0 percent for men and to 6.4 per- cent from 4.8 percent for women. This is the fact that Bledsoe thinks will benefit the show's potential success. "I think this [program] shows in a very positive and realistic light what it is for a man to take over the role [of child raising], and I have a lot of admiration for them," she said during a presentation to TV critics. "It is easy to cast these men as something not very manly. ...I think that's a real disservice. The time is good to look at this show and see these men for what they really are." "The fact that there are men who are raising their children should enable stay-at-home dads," said Bell. "Hopefully, we are looking at it from the humorous point of view and everyone enjoys that and enjoys the dynamic between all of the guys." Also featured on 'House Husbands of Hollywood' are former Los Angeles Dodger Billy Ashley, whose wife, Lisa, is a celebrity makeup artist; former Marine sniper Grant Reynolds, who is mar- ried to FOX 11 morning news show -thost Jillian Reynolds; ,and aspiring- actor Danny Barclay, whose wife;, Katherine, is a high-powered LA lawyer. While audiences across the nation are glued to their television sets for Bravo's hit series 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' FOX Reality TV has decided to garner some attention of its own. Beginning Aug. 15, former 'Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' stars Tempestt Bledsoe and Darryl M. Bell will be featured in the network's all-new reality series, 'Househusbands of Hollywood.' The show highlights husbands juggling the household duties of cooking dinner, planning parties and chauffeuring kids around Los Angeles. The men, who also have career aspirations of their own, will share stories with each other about their money-making wives. Despite the show's title, Bledsoe and Bell have been together for 16 years and are not married with chil- dren. Their relationship attracted executive producer Marilyn Wilson, who saw a test reel for the show and thought the couple was entertaining. "I think the thing that most peo- ple will be surprised about is that we are on the show," said the for- mer "Cosby" star who became a household name when she played Vanessa Huxtable. "Not only do we not talk about our private life, we don't do this type of show. We don't fit into the mold of show, so I con- stantly get that question. I hope people will get past the title and see what these men are doing: pursuing FULL SERVICE CASINO Slot Machines Roulette Poker Craps Blackjack -3 Card Poker Caribbean Stud Fri-Sun on a chartered plane from JIA Call Casino Steve at 1-800-553-7773 **MONTHLY TRIPS ALSO TO ATLANTIC CITY'S TROPICANA CASINO** Arrest warrant issued in Mass. for Bobby Brown CANTON, Mass. An arrest warrant has been issued for Bobby Brown after he failed to appear in a Massachusetts court on a contempt complaint. The judge ordered Brown arrested the next time the singer is in Massachusetts. He failed to appear at a June 29 hearing., Brown had fall- en $45,000 behind in child support payments for the two teenage children he had with for- mer girlfriend Kim Ward. The 40-year-old Brown is supposed to pay $5,500 in child support per month for the children. Brown was jailed for four days in 2007 for failing to make the payments. "Idol" taps Mary J as guest judge as : Singer joins Simon, Randy and Kara in the ATL. Mary J. Blige is part of the carousel of female pop stars serving as guest judges for "American ' Idol" in the absence of Paula Abdul, who will not return when the new season debuts in January. Blige is on the second day of a two-day gig along- side regular judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi at the Atlanta auditions - which began Sunday. As previously reported, Queen Latifah is rumored to be on Fox's list of guest judges as well. Steve Harvey Joins Good Morning America The recession has nothing on Steve Harvey. The vet- eran radio jock who has often carried two or three S jobs at a time just got another new gig courtesy of ABC's "Good Morning America." The comedian will contribute family and relation- ship-related segments to the morning program, with his first airing this week. The 52-year-old Harvey will continue to host his nationally-syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, heard in 60 markets around the nation. He also just finished hosting his annual Hoodie Awards, which honors local businesses, churches and high schools for their community contributions. Harvey authored the best-selling book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man," and he previously starred in his self-titled sitcom for seven seasons on the WB network. Dancing with the Stars Cast Announced The 'Dancing With the Stars' season 9 cast has been announced nd it has a few interesting names. Joining this season's cast are R&B singers Mya and Macy Gray and sports great Michael Irvin. Other castmates include Donny Osmond, Chuck Liddell and Kelly Osborn among others. Michael Jackson to get Birthday Burial Singer will be laid to rest on Aug. 29, according to Papa Joe. In an interview with the New York Daily News, Joe Jackson stated that his son Michael will finally be laid to rest on Aug. 29, which would've -..been.thessinger's 51st buthda) .. -.: t .- z, -d,W. ,- .....-..--.. ,,The family patriarch said the burial would take place at 10 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., where he is currently being held in a crypt belonging to Motown founder Berry Gordy, according to reports. found Ov book direct rece On estal tiled, part acqu Real life couple Bell and Bledsoe cut their teeth as central characters on "A Different World" and "Cosby Show" respectively. Door locks won't work. Mace won't help. So, how do you fend off the nation's deadliest killer? Simple, don't smoke. By leading to lung cancer, heart disease and countless other ailments, smoking kills 438,000 smokers each year. If you never light up, you'll never be one of them. And if you'd like to save someone else, tell them to visit tobaccofreeflorida.com or call the Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW for free cessation aids like patches, gum and lozenges while supplies last. Florida Department of Health ugust , ----4 A 20262009 I .