The truth about that "Jamie Foxx" special Email Alert

For those people who got that email about the Jamie Foxx show tommorow night, or who heard the rumor on the Russ Parr morning show this morning, check out the story on EUR Web:

*Someone tried really hard to start some drama surrounding tomorrow night’s airing of Jamie Foxx’s “Unpredictable” special on NBC.

Despite television promos that have been airing since last week, Foxx’s two-hour interview accessibility via satellite and a nationwide telephone press conference with reporters on Monday – not to mention interviews in Time and TV Guide and a guest spot this evening on “The Tonight Show” to promote the special – an e-mail is being passed around to industry insiders and the general public claiming the network is deliberately trying to ambush the program by refusing to promote it and throwing it under the “American Idol” bus.

The e-mail - of course from an unknown source - says NBC “is purposely putting his show up against the second week of “American Idol” in hopes that it will fail.” It further states: “This will give them the excuse to never give another black person a music special because ‘it doesn't work.’”

The author of the e-mail also says that “NBC is not doing any marketing and publicity” on the special “because he stood his ground and wouldn't have any white guests as they requested.”

Responding to EUR’s request for comment, NBC would only say “we don't comment on baseless rumor and speculation.” However, Foxx’s publicist Alan Nierob confirmed to EUR’s Lee Bailey that the Oscar winner had indeed spent Monday morning talking to media outlets via satellite and telephone, in addition to the interviews for Time and TV Guide.

Filmed at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, “Jamie Foxx - Unpredictable: A Musical Journey” features such R&B and hip-hop artists as Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Snoop Dogg, The Game and Common.

The performances will include his current hit single “Unpredictable,” a duet of the remake “Love Changes” with Blige, and a medley of “Gold Digger” and “With You” with Snoop Dogg and The Game.

Playwright and author David E. Talbert, who co-produced and staged the special, came on board after receiving a sudden phone call from Jamie's manager, Marcus King.

“The next thing I know, I'm in Miami with Jamie Foxx on the set of ‘Miami Vice’ putting the pieces together,” Talbert says. “Really it's Jamie's story, my job was to take what was in his head and bring it to life theatrically.”

According to NBC, the “inspirational special centers on the milestones of Foxx’s life and his musical influences growing up in Texas. Dramatic vignettes lead up to each musical performance and portray childhood conversations with his grandmother and family minister, as well as life-changing events such as falling in love and the birth of his daughter.”

The Jamie Foxx "Unpredictable" special airs Wednesday night, at 8pm E/P on NBC and re-airs Friday night.
Source: EUR Web