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! URBAN !

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CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER: PASSING THE PEAS (BY)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — During the rest of the year, he's Cedric the Entertainer. But come Thanksgiving, you could call him Cedric the Carb-eater. The comedian and actor says when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, you can forget about all that "lite" stuff. He describes himself as "a cornbread person" and since it can be the basic ingredient for turkey stuffing, he's good with that. He says he's also big on macaroni and cheese — though he insists he is trying to be careful when it comes to the high-calorie dishes.

Sound:

<<CUT …002 (11/26/09)>> 00:16 "macaroni and cheese"

Cedric the Entertainer, actor/comedian

Cedric the Entertainer says he likes to indulge in some high-calorie food on Thanksgiving.

DON CHEADLE/MEKHI PHIFER: A PAIR OF THANKFUL ACTORS

HIGHLAND, Calif. (AP) — So what are Don Cheadle and Mekhi Phifer thankful for this Thanksgiving? Cheadle says he's grateful to be able to help others. He says "when you are fortunate enough" to be in the public eye, "it's important to give back and try to spread that around." Cheadle says he's "nothing but thankful everyday." Phifer says he has a lot to be thankful for — not the least of which is life, itself. He says he's also thankful that he has a healthy family, which includes "two beautiful sons."

Sound:

<<CUT …026 (11/26/09)>> 00:15 "spread that around"

Don Cheadle, actor, in AP interview

Don Cheadle says he knows he's in a good place and he's thankful for it.

<<CUT …027 (11/26/09)>> 00:07 "to be here"

Mekhi Phifer, actor, in AP interview

Mekhi Phifer says he has a lot to be thankful for.

GLORIA GAYNOR/THE ROOTS/KEKE PALMER: ON PARADE IN NYC

NEW YORK (AP) — Not all the big stars at today's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be led down the streets of Manhattan tethered to ropes. The earthbound stars will include Gloria Gaynor. She is marking the 30th anniversary of her biggest hit, "I Will Survive" and will be featured in the march-off through the streets of midtown. Also appearing will be The Roots, along with their late-night partner in crime, Jimmy Fallon. And Keke Palmer will also be in the parade, along with an assortment of giant balloons and marching bands. For the record, this year's parade will take a different route. Instead of going down Broadway for most of the way, the marchers will use different streets, since New York City officials have turned the area of Broadway near Times Square into a traffic-free zone.

On the 'Net:

Macy's Parade site: http://social.macys.com/parade2009

NATURI NAUGHTON: APPEARING IN HOUSTON'S T'GIVING PARADE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The parade in New York City isn't the only one to mark Thanksgiving Day. There are similar events being held in Philadelphia, Houston and Chicago. Among the acts in Houston's parade is singer Naturi Naughton, while Chicago's parade will feature some members of the Harlem Globetrotters, including Curly Neal and Moo Moo Evans.

BEYONCE: THANKSGIVING SPECIAL ON TONIGHT

NEW YORK (AP) — How 'bout a little Beyonce' for desert tonight? She will be featured in an hour-long special on ABC. "Beyonce: I Am ... Yours" will feature concert performances as well as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. It airs at 9 p.m., Eastern time.

MELANIE FIONA/SHONTELLE: SINGING AT HALFTIME OF NFL GAME TODAY

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions aren't much to watch these days — as bad as they've been playing. But there's at least a reason to listen to some of today's game when they host the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. The halftime show will feature a performance from some of today's Motown stars like Shontelle and Melanie Fiona performing music from the label's past. It's all part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the label that launched the careers of artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations and The Jackson 5.

BARACK OBAMA: A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON — FOR A TURKEY

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama got to pardon his first Thanksgiving turkey yesterday — and he did it with the kind of flair that you don't often see during the traditional ceremony. First, when his daughters approached the bird and stepped forward to pet it, the president jumped a little as if to frighten them. Then, when proclaiming that the turkey's life would be spared, he noted the pardon came courtesy of his little girls. As for Obama, he joked that he had thoughts about eating "that sucker." In the end, the gobbler was pardoned and sent off to Disneyland in California.

Sound: 4:32 aes

BARACK OBAMA: PRESIDENT, FAMILY HAND OUT FOOD AT DC PANTRY

WASHINGTON (AP) — The day before marking their first Thanksgiving as the nation's first family, the Obama family spent time helping those less fortunate. The president, first lady Michelle Obama and his daughters passed out turkeys, stuffing and other holiday foods to people at a food pantry in Washington D.C. The president placed pumpkin pies into people's bags at Martha's Table — and wished them a happy Thanksgiving. The president, his wife and children were joined by Mrs. Obama's mother, Marian Robinson.

Sound: 4:32 aes

MICHAEL JACKSON: LAST WEEKEND IN THEATERS

UNDATED (AP) — This is almost it for "This Is It." The Michael Jackson film will be ending its theatrical run this weekend. It was originally only supposed to run for two weeks. But Sony decided to extend the stay through the long Thanksgiving holiday. It probably didn't hurt that the film has been making oodles of money for the studio. It is already the best-selling music documentary ever. And it's drawing huge box office dollars overseas.

RIHANNA: DOING SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna has never been on "Saturday Night Live" before. But that will change in a couple of weeks. She's inked in as the musical guest for the December 5 episode, which will be hosted by Blake Lively. Other musical guests following Rihanna the next two weeks are Bon Jovi and Muse.

ALLEN IVERSON: CALLING IT QUITS?

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — For Allen Iverson, it appears the "answer" ... is retirement. An online report says Iverson is ready to call it quits from the NBA. Commentator Stephen A. Smith says on his Web site that Iverson still feels he can play at the NBA level but that he plans to quit. The statement quotes Iverson as saying he still wants to play and still has a great love for hoops. Iverson played all of three games this season with the Memphis Grizzlies before taking a leave of absence to take care of unspecified personal matters. The team waived him. There was talk the talent-challenged New York Knicks would pick him up, but they say they aren't interested.

BOYZ II MEN: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1994, the Boyz II Men song, "I'll Make Love To You" was number one on the pop chart for the 14th week. That tied the record set by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." At the time, the two singles were the longest-running number-one hits of the rock era. The record has since been broken by "One Sweet Day," the duet by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, which stayed at number one for 16 straight weeks.

MILES DAVIS: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1982, jazz trumpeter Miles Davis married actress Cicely Tyson in New York. Comedian Bill Cosby was the best man.

MICHAEL JACKSON: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1992, Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album was released. Hundreds of fans lined up at stores nationwide to buy it on the first day.

TINA TURNER: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — Tina Turner turns 70 today. One of the legendary performers in modern music, Turner was born Annie Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee. She joined Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm in 1956, and the couple married two years later. They first recorded as Ike and Tina Turner in 1960, hitting the pop and soul charts with "A Fool in Love." Their recording success continued in the early 70's with cover versions of songs such as "Come Together" and "Proud Mary." But their personal life was nowhere near as successful. The couple divorced in 1976 -- and their stormy relationship was chronicled in Tina's autobiography, which was later made into a movie.

Tina began a comeback in 1981, which culminated three years later with the success of "Private Dancer." The title track from that album went to the top of the charts in 1984. The follow-up album, "Break Every Rule," was also a big hit.

JEAN TERRELL: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — It's birthday number 65 for Jean Terrell (ter-REHL'). She's the singer who replaced Diana Ross when Ross left the Supremes for a solo career. She is also the sister of former heavyweight boxer Ernie Terrell. At one time, she was also related by marriage to the late Tammi Terrell, who had a bunch of hit duets with Marvin Gaye.

MAIA CAMPBELL: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — It's birthday number 33 for actress Maia (MY'-ah) Campbell. She has starred in the TV sitcom "In The House."

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II