Is Scandal’s Olivia Pope the ‘Magical Negro?’

On the "Feminist Wire," male feminist Brandon Maxwell writes that "Scandal" is actually nothing special. It presents stereotypes with which Americans are comfortable, like patriarchal characters and a strong black woman who repeatedly saves the day, like the "magical negro" archetype.

Here's an excerpt from Maxwell's take:

Top 5 moments at the Grammys

Sunday night's 55th annual Grammy Awards were as much about the performances as it was the actual statues handed out.

The evening saw some powerful collaborations among artists, and all eyes were on one controversial performer. Here are the top 5 moments of the night:

Tina Turner applies for Swiss citizenship

Singer Tina Turner is giving up her American passport to become a citizen of Switzerland, according to news reports.

"I am very happy in Switzerland, and I feel at home here. I could not imagine a better place to live," Turner told the Blick, a German newspaper. Turner, once part of the duo of Ike and Tina Turner, has lived since the mid-1990s in Kuesnacht, Switzerland, a suburb of Zurich.

Zuerichsee-Zeitung, a Lake Zurich, Switzerland, web portal for regional newspapers, reported that local authorities have approved Turner's citizenship application. State and federal authorities, however, must give their individual thumbs up.

Countdown to Valentine’s Day

Can you just feel it in the air? There's nothing like love, huh?

It's "Boo Season #2" – better known to the masses as St. Valentine's Day! It's that one day a year that you have to prove to that special someone how much you care...because the other 364 days just really don't matter.

It's also that one day per year that most guys seem to have a shortage of creativity. I've seen guys stand in line on Feb. 14th with an arm load of candy and roses and leftover cards from Walgreens because they waited to the last minute and simply did not do their proper planning.

Kam’s Kapsules: Weekly previews - 02/08/2013

For movies opening February 8, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS

"Identity Thief" (R for profanity and sexuality) Crime comedy about an account rep's (Jason Bateman) attempt to wrest control of his name back from the con artist (Melissa McCarthy) 2,000 miles away who stole his identity and went on a spending spree. Ensemble cast includes Amanda Peet, T.I., Jon Favreau, Morris Chestnut, John Cho and Robert Patrick.

Grammy buzz a good fit for Tamela Mann

For Tamela Mann and her legion of Christian-market fans, a truly historic weekend kicks off with a live performance at the University of Memphis' Rose Theatre on Friday evening.

A gospel-industry showstopper for two-plus decades, Mann will be bringing new fire for her repertoire. The fuel is the news that she's been nominated for her first Grammy Award for the No. 1 gospel single "Take Me To The King" from her aptly titled 2012 CD, "Best Day."

Sounding wonderfully enthusiastic and down to earth, Mann shared the Grammy news and more with The New Tri-State Defender during a telephone interview from her home in Dallas on Wednesday.

Historical musical scores another hit for Stax Museum

The "Sacred Side of Soulsville" – performed at the Cannon Center Tuesday evening (Feb. 5) – brought the word pastiche to mind. Pronounced "pas-tēsh," it paints a picture of "stylistic imitation."

With that backdrop, I can say definitively that the celebration of the Stax Museum's 10th anniversary hit a distinct high note with a play performance so apropo for African American History Month.

Combining a Broadway-style performance troupe from Soulsville Charter School and the Stax Music Academy as orchestra and stage troupe, the show's writer, Justin Merrick, began the stage story in Grandville, Miss., lighting up the stage with a pyrotechnic intro of an eloquent dance sequence depicting slavery.

Viola Davis: The ‘Beautiful Creatures’ interview

Viola Davis – who has string of high-profile performances set for release – talks about her latest outing as Amma in the screen adaptation of the romantic fantasy novel "Beautiful Creatures."

Kam Williams: Hi Viola, thanks for another opportunity to interview you.

Viola Davis: Absolutely!

KW: Congratulations on winning another NAACP Image Award. I loved your performance in "Won't Back Down."

Top Ten DVD releases for Feb. 5

"Flight"

"Side by Side"

"Here Comes the Boom"

"Building Hope: The Story of Mahiga Hope High School"

"My Worst Nightmare"

Beyoncé was ready for her Super Bowl moment

By the time the clock ran out on Beyoncé's Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, the singer had put to rest doubts that she would give it her all.

The 31-year-old had been at the center of controversy leading up to her anticipated game day show thanks to her decision to use a recorded track when she performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration in January.

That left some questioning whether she'd do the same in New Orleans on Sunday, but Beyoncé clarified that she would "absolutely" sing live during the game, something that seemed evident as she soared through a decade-plus of hits.

Frank Ocean letting fight with Chris Brown go

Frank Ocean says he'll "choose sanity" and let his fight with Chris Brown go.

"No criminal charges. No civil lawsuit," Ocean said on his Tumblr page Saturday night.

"As a child, i thought if someone jumped me it would result in me murdering or mutilating a man," the post said.

"But as a man I am not a killer. I'm an artist and a modern person. I'll choose sanity."

Beyoncé: Yes, it was prerecorded

Yes, Beyoncé can sing – all by herself, thank you very much.

That much she showed Thursday, when she opened her appearance before reporters in New Orleans – where she's set to headline the Super Bowl XLVII halftime performance Sunday – with a stirring, a cappella rendition of the national anthem.

It was the same tune she sang just over a week ago at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

But on that momentous occasion, Beyoncé admitted on Thursday, she had some help.