A police officer that taped rapper The Game in a holding cell flashing a wad of money, throwing gang signs and smirking is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s internal affairs division. The unnamed officer took the footage of the Compton, CA rapper using a cellphone on May 12, after The Game was arrested for allegedly pulling a gun on a man during a basketball game in South Los Angeles. The Game has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of making a criminal threat, possessing a firearm in a school zone and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of an officer.
Snoop Dogg and his family will be the subject of a new reality show being shot for E! Entertainment. According to reports, the show will be “hilarious and heartwarming” as Snoop, 35, balances his time as a rapper and a devoted family man. “Snoop Dogg is, without a doubt, one of the most charismatic and intriguing personalities in pop culture today,” said Ted Harbert, president and CEO of Comcast Entertainment Group, the parent company of E! Networks.”While he has captured a legion of fans as the king of hip-hop, what makes Snoop most interesting is the side of him that people have never seen. The juggling act that Snoop faces day-in, day-out between career and family is certain to resonate with our viewers.” The untitled half-hour show is slated for a late 2007 debut.
Rapper/actress Queen Latifah is adding restaurateur to her resume as a new owner of a FatBurger franchise in Miami, Florida. Fatburger was originally founded in 1952 and has more than 85 franchises nationwide. Queen Latifah’s Fat Burger, which is slated to open later this year on South Beach, is one of several projects she is involved in. In addition to starring as “Motormouth Maybelle” in the upcoming movie Hairspray, Latifah is preparing the release of her latest album Trav’lin’ Light, which hits stores September. 25.
Rock/rapper Vanilla Ice will star in a new reality series titled Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge. The series follows a group of actors as they travel to Murray’s ranch in Stephenville, Texas, to tackle the dangerous and fascinating sport of bull riding in less than two weeks. Murray gives each contestant tutorials on how to ride a bull, take major falls, practice extreme mental concentration and how to “survive the most intense eight seconds in sports.” During the series, Vanilla Ice pays homage to the world-class bull rider in the form of a new tattoo. Other stars include Leif Garrett, Stephen Baldwin, “Rocket” Raghib Ismail, Nitro from American Gladiator and others. Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge debuts August 10 at 9:00 pm on CMT.
