"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." -- George Bernard Shaw, "Mrs. Warren's Profession," 1893

ANGELA BASSETT GETS STAR: Actress lauded by Lawrence Fishburne and Forest Whitaker.

       *To paraphrase Ice Cube, Thursday was a good day for actress Angela Bassett. But, it didn't start out that way for her.

      "Do you ever have one of those days? I woke up and the sun wasn't really shining but then it burst through the clouds and it was glorious. Hallelujah!" Bassett spoke those words to the crowd gathered to watch her accept her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

      At the ceremony, the Yale University trained and Oscar nominated actress was joined by her husband Courtney B. Vance, their children and guests Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne and Rick Fox, her co-star in the new film "Meet the Browns."

      "You get a lot of no's in this business and you have to have that desire and determination which is what Angela has," Fishburne shared.

      Whitaker said that Bassett was "a powerful artist, a beautiful person, a mother, a wife, a friend who illuminates my life."

      Bassett received the Walk of Fame's 2,358th star.

EUR Bonus Coverage: On the red carpet for 'Meet The Browns,' Angela Bassett give EURtv the lowdown about the film: 

DEMS WILL CHOOSE BARACK OVER HILLARY: Bill Clinton's former advisor, Dick Morris, says it's practically a done deal.

     Will the Gospel According to Jeremiah Wright sink the Obama candidacy? Not very likely.

Let's start with two basic facts:

     (a) Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has already won the Democratic nomination. It's over. Regardless of how the remaining primaries and caucuses go, including Michigan and even Florida, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) can never catch Obama in elected delegates. His current lead of 170 pledged delegates will not be overcome no matter what happens.

     Even if Clinton beats him by 10 points in each of these primaries, he will still lead among elected delegates by over 100. The superdelegates will not override the will of the voters unless Obama is in jail.

     They will not let themselves in for a civil war by overruling a black man who is beloved by the young by going over the heads of the electorate and naming the candidate that lost the primaries as the nominee. Regardless of how damaged Obama may be by the Wright tapes, it will not provide sufficient cover or cause for them to do so.

     (b) Wright's rantings are not reflective of Obama's views on anything. Why did he stay in the church? Because he's a black Chicago politician who comes from a mixed marriage and went to Columbia and Harvard. Suspected of not being black enough or sufficiently tied to the minority community, he needed the networking opportunities Wright afforded him in his church to get elected. If he had not risen to the top of Chicago black politics, we would never have heard of him. But obviously, he can't say that. So what should he say?

     He needs to get out of this mess with subtlety, the kind Bill Clinton should have used to escape the Monica Lewinsky scandal -- but didn't. As the controversy continues, Americans will gradually realize that Obama stuck by Wright as part of a need to get ahead. They will chalk up to pragmatism why he was so close to such a preacher. As they come to realize that Obama doesn't agree with Wright but used him to get started, they will be more forgiving.

     While he lets this fact sink in, he needs to continue to distance himself from Wright by characterizing that kind of anger and animosity as a thing of a generation past. He needs to compare the progress of which whites are proud in discarding the racism of our forebears with his own pride at being a post-racial candidate. He needs, again and again, to reject what Wright says and emphasize his belief in America and the validity and morality of the American Dream.

     As the controversy matures, he can increasingly depict those who fan its flames as trying to live in the past and re-fight the civil wars of race that have divided America.

     All these themes were evident and articulately presented in Obama's Tuesday speech on race.

     What Obama needs not to do is to resort to the kind of Clintonian fudging that animated his interview with Keith Olbermann. By saying "I wasn't there" and "I didn't know" and "I didn't hear him say it," he will invite contempt and derision. If he were to continue in that vein, he would buy himself a controversy akin to that which drowned John Kerry in the facts and allegations of his service in Vietnam. People will surface to say, "I sat next to him, and Wright said such and such," and Obama will be hostage to everybody's subjective memory.

     But if he handles the situation with subtlety and lets what he cannot say -- that it was opportunism that led him to stay in that church -- sink in among the electorate, he can and will survive this battle.

     And let's remember one other thing: The Democrats will increasingly realize that he will be their nominee and, in continuing this battle, they are eating their own.

Morris, a former political adviser to Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and President Bill Clinton, is the author of "Outrage." To get all of Dick Morris' and Eileen McGann's columns for free by email, go to www.dickmorris.com.

ROY JONES JR., MYA IN CBS REALITY SHOW: Celebs to showcase talent in different professions in weekly competitions.

     *Boxing champ Roy Jones Jr., singer Mya and singer/percussionist Sheila E. are among the celebrities who will compete in the upcoming CBS reality series, "Secret Talents of the Stars."        

       Premiering live on April 8 at 10 p.m., the show will feature actors, athletes and music artists who will compete against each other by performing an unknown talent. Like "American Idol," judges will critique the performances, but viewer votes will decide who goes home each week.      

       Roy Jones Jr. will compete as a rapper, while Mya attempts to earn victory as a tap dancer. Also, former "Cosby Show" star Malcolm-Jamal Warner will perform bass guitar on an original song, Sheila E. will juggle with The Flying Karamazov Brothers and former boxing champ Joe Frazier will compete as an R&B singer.

       Other celebrities slated to appear on the seven-week show include actress/model Marla Maples, Olympic medalist, Sasha Cohen, spokesmodel/actress Cindy Margolis, actor/radio DJ Danny Bonaduce, model/actress Bridget Marquardt and pop culture personality Ben Stein.

DON'T TELL ANYONE, BUT SHARPTON SUPPORTS OBAMA: Rev says he prefers to keep his love for the Senator on the hush hush.

     *It didn't take a recent "Saturday Night Live" cartoon for Rev. Al Sharpton to realize that a public display of affection for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama may do more harm than good.

      According to the New York Daily News, the civil rights veteran said he's made the strategic decision to keep quiet about his support for the Illinois senator, despite speaking with him "two to three times a week."

       "I said, 'I'm gonna do whatever I gotta do to help you. Hillary Clinton has never done nothing for us,'" said Sharpton, recounting a conversation with Obama during a weekly rally Saturday for his group the National Action Network.       

       Asked to explain his comment that Clinton had "done nothing for us," Sharpton said he was referring to his NAN organization, not the black community.      

       An endorsement from the controversial Sharpton is a double-edged sword, impressing some voters and driving others away. A recent "SNL" cartoon poked fun at the idea of Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson attempting to help Obama's campaign, only to be sent on phantom assignments in remote parts of the world by Obama in an attempt to distance himself from the two civil rights veterans.      

       Sharpton told the Daily News Tuesday he has no plans to officially endorse Obama, but admitted he's "absolutely supportive" of his White House bid.

       So why go public now? Sharpton said one of the reasons he has "started discussing my private feelings is because of the disappointment I've had in the public conduct of the Clinton campaign."      

       He specifically mentioned racially charged statements from former President Bill Clinton, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro as troubling.

J.LO NOW FOCUSED ON LOSING BABY WEIGHT: Entertainer flies out famous fitness guru to assist.

     *Now that the twins are out, Jennifer Lopez has reportedly turned her attention toward getting back to her fighting weight with the assistance of a personal trainer, which she recently flew out from California to her New York home with hubby Marc Anthony.

      The National Enquirer is reporting that Beverly Hills-based fitness guru Gunnar Peterson was hired to develop a workout regime for Lopez, who gave birth to twins Max and Emme about a month ago.

       A source close to Peterson tells the tabloid: "She wants to lose the baby weight fast. She wants to trim at least 20 to 25 pounds right away. She put on almost 40 pounds when she was pregnant with the twins.      

       "Jennifer called Gunnar and asked him to get on a plane as soon a possible to come to New York. He has Jennifer doing different high-cardio workout programs at her home gym for an hour to an hour and a half every day."

BLACK MAN SENTENCED IN WHITE TEEN'S SHOOTING: But victim's family says his jail time is a joke.

      *A black man who grabbed a gun instead of calling police when his son awakened him with a claim that carloads of abusive white teenagers were headed to their home was sentenced to prison Wednesday for killing one of the boys, reports the AP.      

       The relatively light sentence -- two to four years -- for John White, a 54-year-old construction laborer from Miller Place, incensed the family and supporters of Daniel Cicciaro, the 17-year-old who was killed in August 2006.      

       White, who could have received up to 15 years, was convicted in December after an emotional three-week trial in which defense attorneys -- referring to the teenagers as a "lynch mob" -- invoked the nation's violent racist past in arguing the shooting was justified.      

       "Nice message it sends to society that as long as you're black and there's a problem at the end of your driveway you can grab an illegal handgun and shoot someone in the face and get away with it,' an infuriated Daniel Cicciaro Sr. told reporters while dozens of young women -- friends and relatives of the man's son -- sobbed loudly nearby. "Well let's see what happens when Aaron White gets shot and see how the laws are,' Cicciaro said, referring to White's teenage son.

       Defense attorney Frederick Brewington said Cicciaro's remark appeared to be a threat and demanded an investigation. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said the matter was referred to police and the Whites were assigned extra protection at their home.

OPRAH'S HARPO INKS DEAL WITH KIRSTIE ALLEY: Future project with the studio unclear for now.

     *Kirstie Alley is now officially part of the Oprah Winfrey machine. The actress, who has been a frequent guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," signed a development deal with Oprah's Harpo Prods. for as-yet-unnamed television projects.

       According to Variety, Harpo is considering a daily talk show to be hosted by the former "Cheers" star, who recently resigned from her gig as spokeswoman for the weight loss company Jenny Craig.

      "I'm very open with what I've been through in my own personal life, and nothing -- I mean nothing -- is off-limits for me to talk about," Alley said. "And I won't lie -- I live a beautiful life. So I hope to bring those elements together to offer something totally fresh for the television audience."      

       In addition to having her kitchen famously remodeled by Oprah regular Nate Berkus on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Alley also made headlines for a November 2006 appearance in which she wore a bikini to flaunt her 75-pound weight loss.

MS. KELLY ROWLAND, DIGITAL DIVA: Her new CD available exclusively online March 25.

     The Grammy winning R&B/pop superstar Kelly Rowland is back with her new studio album, Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe, a groundbreaking digital-only collection of new songs and scorching remixes available exclusively through all major online digital music providers on Tuesday, March 25.

     Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe premieres five new Kelly Rowland tracks as well as remixes of Kelly's co-compositions "Come Back" (Karmatronics Remix) and "Like This" featuring Eve, a Redline Remix of Kelly's international smash and #1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play recording.

     "The tracks on Diva Deluxe are too hot to hold onto," said Kelly Rowland, "so I decided to release them digitally so my fans could get into them as soon as possible. I hope everyone enjoys the new songs as much as I did recording them."

     Kelly Rowland is currently enjoying the mounting international success of her latest single, "Work," which is the #9 Top Digital Single across Europe and is charting in the UK (#8, #1 TV Airplay), Ireland (#12), France(#11), Germany (#1 Club Record), Switzerland, Sweden (#3 Video Chart), Denmark (Top 20 Dance) and Australia (#2 Most Added at radio). "Work" will be released as an extended play of dance mixes to US digital music providers on February 26 with an extended play of dance mixes of Kelly's new single, "Daylight," going to US digital music providers on March 4.

     Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe is Kelly's first new collection of songs since June 2007 when Ms. Kelly, her second solo album, entered the Billboard Top 200 at #6, giving Kelly her first Top 10 album as a solo artist, while debuting on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at #2.

     Ms. Kelly was the long-awaited successor to Rowland's best-selling 2002 gold-certified solo debut album, Simply Deep, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide. Peaking at #1 in the UK, #3 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart, and #12 on the Billboard Top 200, Simply Deep included the smash hit, "Dilemma," Kelly's duet with the rapper Nelly,which earned the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2003 and spent 10 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.

     One of the vocal superstars, and founding member, of Destiny's Child, the top-selling female group of all time, Kelly Rowland proved a major contributing force as the trio racked up sales of more than 60 million records worldwide while earning two Grammy Awards in the Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category (2000: "Say My Name";
2001: "Survivor").

     Kelly's natural charm and charisma have opened up the doors to roles in movies and on television. Her big screen acting credits include starring roles in the 2003 horror blockbuster, "Freddy vs. Jason," and 2004's comedy romance, "The Seat Filler," executive produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Among her television appearances, she has appeared as "Carly" in three episodes of "The Hughleys" and as "Martha Reeves" (of Martha & the Vandellas) on "American Dreams." She has performed on "Saturday Night Live" and as a guest host on "The View."

     Kelly Rowland has appeared as celebrity spokesperson for the "Dark & Lovely" hair product line from Soft Sheen-Carson (consumer products division of L'Oreal USA, Inc.)

Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe - tracklisting

1. Daylight (featuring Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes) - 3:30 2. Broken - 3:24 3. Come Back (Karmatronics Remix) - 6:20 4. Like This (Redline Remix) - 2:48 5. Love Again - 3:50 6. Unity - 3:51 7. No Man No Cry - 3:28

Daylight (Remix EP)

1. Hex Hector Remix
2. Maurice Joshua NuSoul Remix
3. Karmatronics Remix
4. Lost Daze Remix
5. Dan McKie Remix

Work (Remix EP) - timings forthcoming

1. Freemasons Club Mix
2. Freemasons Dub Mix
3. Steve Pitron& Max Sanna Radio Edit
4. Steve Pitron& Max Sanna Extended Remix

DON 'MAGIC' JUAN LAUNCHES WEB SITE TO SAVE BRITNEY: Site to feature celebs offering help to the troubled pop star.

     *Archbishop Don "Magic" Juan, the former pimp best known as the spiritual advisor to Snoop Dogg, has launched a new Web site that aims to help troubled singer Britney Spears.

       HelpBishopSaveBritney.com features a series of Bishop-hosted episodes that include interviews with celebs willing to help Spears in her "journey of recovery," according to Allhiphop.com.

       "Britney all I need is 33 minutes of your time to sit down, to talk and to find out what it is that you’re missing in your life to fulfill your dreams because dreams do come true," said Don Magic Juan.

       The Bishop said he hopes the Web site can help Spears find joy, love and happiness in her life.       

       "I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I understand what you are going through Britney and you don’t have to go through it like that," he said. "One day at a time. That’s all God asks for. One day at a time. Don’t worry about the day before or the day after."

ITTY BITTY BITS: Lil' Kim role petitioned; Kimora admires Djimon's 'package', but mourns loss of her dog; ESPN's 'Black Magic' makes history.

     *There's a petition posted on the Internet that collects signatures in an effort to get actress Naturi Naughton removed from her role as Lil Kim in the upcoming feature film about rapper The Notorious B.I.G.  The petition from an unknown fan states: "Myself along with others feel the casting for the role was not given enough thought and consideration and should definitely give more suitable actresses the chance to apply for it. We are outraged!!!" Naughton was a member of the R&B trio 3LW.     

       *Kimora Lee Simmons was asked to comment on a huge Calvin Klein billboard in Hong Kong featuring her man Djimon Hounsou in nothing but some snug tightie whities. "He's really big," Simmons, 32, winked to People magazine. "We were just there when it went up. Isn't it a great billboard?" Calvin Klein's reps claim the ad is the largest in Asia, prompting Simmons to add: "He's the biggest one in the world, honey."

      *In other Kimora news, the E! reality star is currently mourning the death of her beloved 18-year-old dog, Zoe. "You have to ... grieve," she told People. "It's okay to take time and say this meant something to my life and [to] honor it. …There is a company that makes diamonds out of your loved ones. [They] make diamonds from a little of the carbon from the ash, so I might do that. I might turn her into a diamond."

       *Sunday’s first part of ESPN’s critically acclaimed "Black Magic," which aired commercial free in two parts March 16 and 17, was watched by an average of 1,211,000 households, making it ESPN’s most-watched documentary ever.  The film, directed by Dan Klores, tells the story of the injustice which characterized the Civil Rights Movement in America, as told through the lives of basketball players and coaches who attended and worked at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  The second part of Black Magic also performed very well, with an average of 948,000 homes (1,182,000 viewers), based on a 1.0 rating.

EVENT CALENDAR: Eric Benet at 6th Annual “Field of Dreams; Jaheim and Steve Harvey Morning Show throw “Ultimate Jamaica Destination Wedding.”

• The top 3 entries will be posted on www.SteveHarvey.com beginning April 14. Listeners will then vote online until April 17 for their favorite entry to determine the winner. The winning entry will be announced on-air on The Steve Harvey Morning Show and posted online at www.SteveHarvey.com on April 18.