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Haaz Sleiman Exits "Nurse Jackie"

Probably not the Christmas present you were expecting: Showtime has unceremoniously written off the character of Mohammed "Mo-M" De La Cruz from the hit series Nurse Jackie. The fan fave was played to perfection by Haaz Sleiman and the departure is not addressed in the second season, notes EW's Michael Ausiello, "as if he never existed."

I hate to be the bearer of rotten news just three days before Christmas, but I just learned that one of my (and no doubt your) favorite Nurse Jackie characters will not be returning for the show’s upcoming second season. I’m taking about Mohammed “Mo-Mo” De La Cruz, the sasstastic gay nurse played by Haaz Sleiman. A Showtime rep confirmed that Sleiman is no longer with the acclaimed dramedy, but provided no further details. A rep for Sleiman, meanwhile, says producers felt "the character’s storyline ran its course… We were surprised. It came out of left field." Adding insult to injury, I just screened the first two episodes of Season 2 and Mo-Mo’s departure isn’t even addressed. Not even his best bud Jackie acknowledges his absence. It’s as if he never existed! Not cool. Not cool at all.

The Lebanese-born actor shot to fame in The Visitor and as flirtatious muscle boy "Tyson" in Maurice Jamal's ;The Ski Trip. Sleiman's role on Nurse Jackie was described as "the only gay character of Middle Eastern descent currently on the air and one of the few ever portrayed on television." It wasn't a meaty role, but he was great to watch. Here's hoping to better luck in 2010.

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Omar Epps Spotted Boasting That He Has 16" and a Hard ...

... Hard drive. What did you think we were talking about?

Omar Epps is spotted looking quite fit in the new GQ in a full page advert for the Toshiba Satellite. I've had my ups and downs with that brand but if Omar wants to show his hard(drive) ...

Lance Gross Shaves His Beard

And we don't mean model "girlfriend" Eva Pigford.

Not sure do you recognize the babydaddylicious House of Payne actor after he recently shaved all of his facial hair. More of Lance Gross' new sexy WHEN YOU JUMP.

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Fans Flee Tracy Morgan's Raunchy, Homophobic Carnegie Hall Show

Tracy Morgan's raunchy Carnegie Hall performance in New York City over the weekend was reportedly marred by numerous walkouts. The Daily News, the first to report the story, says many in the audience "walked out in disgust" only minutes after the 30 Rock comedian's homophobic, XXX "comedy" routine:

"People seemed to not be laughing at his jokes, but more because they were shocked and appalled with what was coming out of his mouth,” reports one audience member. Morgan talked trash about homosexuality (saying it’s “a choice,” which drew gasps), drugs, pornography and what he calls “politricks” — far edgier subjects than what his alter ego, Jordan, gets air time for. "There was a continuous flow of people getting up and leaving throughout the show," our spy reports, adding that many in the crowd clearly didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Middle-aged women were the most flabbergasted when he started ­mimicking explicit sex acts on stage.

The Huffington Post adds a little more color, describing Morgan's routine that included highly scatological "jokes" involving rimming and buying a glass coffee table to "watch" his wife do Number 2. One HuffPo reader writes: "I'm an aspiring standup and I went to the show cause I love Tracy on SNL, 30 Rock, etc. To call it a disappointment would be THE understatement of the century."

In 2005, Morgan played a cross-dressing, effeminate, gay inmate in the remake of The Longest Yard. Clay Cane has described that as one of the all-time gay roles by straight actors "we could have lived without".

Lee Daniels in "OUT 100"

Filmmaker Lee Daniels, director of the critically-acclaimed Precious,  was photographed by Jason Bell for the Out 100:

"If Daniels wins best director at this year’s Oscars for the devastatingly beautiful Precious—as he almost certainly will—he will be the first gay African-American to take the honor. The producer of not-so-lightweight films like Monster’s Ball and The Woodsman, Daniels is on his way to collecting a trophy case full of awards (the film has already won top prizes at the Sundance and Toronto film festivals) and securing himself a spot alongside directors like Alexander Payne and Ang Lee as a distinctive voice of his generation."

On a related note, Lee Daniels talks to the Chicago Free Press about the challenge of being an openly gay black director in Hollywood. 

For me, I think the gay part is not an issue. But more the black gay part is a bigger issue. As a gay man, gay men, there so many of them in Hollywood and (they’re) decision makers and it’s a cult, I think. I don’t have to worry about prejudices right now, anymore. I fought so long all my life—prejudices about being gay, about being victimized because I was gay, being victimized because I was black, being victimized because I was gay and black. I’m so happy at 50 years old, that I’m being embraced for my spirit and for me. And it’s so overwhelming. It’s just so beautiful that people can accept me for me and being open. I don’t have to lie. 

Precious, which is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, opened Friday in limited release and earned some $1.8 million at the box office. The film is showing at only 18 theaters nationwide. Its $100,000 per screen average is an industry record.

WATCH: Jennifer Hudson Performs "Over the Rainbow" in Central Park

Here is someone that we haven't mentioned for a minute: Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson made an appearance in New York City's Central Park last night to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. J-Hud performed a contemporary rendition of the iconic and gay favorite "Over the Rainbow". It's a little over the top in some sections, but an amazing tribute to the film and Judy Garland.

In related news: The new mother says her one-month old son may have inherited her love for music.

Love to hear your thoughts on the song. Watch, AFTER THE JUMP.

"District 9" Banned in Nigeria

Nigeria joins the ranks of China, Iran and other repressive regimes displeased with Hollywood. District 9, the summer science-fiction blockbuster about an alien refugee camp in South Africa, has been banned in Nigeria and criticized by government officials because of its portrayal of Nigerians as gangsters and cannibals.

Information Minister Dora Akunyili has asked movie houses in the capital of Abuja to stop screening District 9 because the South Africa-based sci-fi movie about aliens and discrimination makes Nigerians look bad. "We have directed that they should stop public screening of the film," she said. "We are not happy about it because it portrays Nigeria in bad light."

Akunyili said she has asked Sony for an apology and wants them to edit out references to Nigeria and to the name of the main Nigerian gangster Obesandjo, whose name closely resembles that of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A recent report by the State Department slams the oil-rich and notoriously corrupt nation for numerous human rights violations and especially its treatment of LGBT citizens. It's too bad the government doesn't believe or care its human rights record "makes Nigerians look bad."

Actress Rachel True on Twitter: "Of Course I Support Marriage Equality"

Actress Rachel True (The Craft, Noah's Arc) Tweets her support of gay rights and marriage equality to Patrik-Ian Polk. The Noah's Arc director has begun a Twitter-based campaign to raise awareness around marriage equality and wants to know "especially how black celebs feel about gay marriage & who has the guts to answer publicly."

Tweet your thanks to @RachelTrue and @PatrikIanPolk. Oh and Tweet your favorite celebrities and ask them how they feel about marriage equality or even basic employment rights.

700+ Posters for Gay South African Film Festival Removed by Vandals

More than 700 posters for the Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Cape Town, South Africa were "systematically" removed from lamp posts and buildings over a two-day period.

"Launched in 1994 to celebrate the constitution prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the festival is on at the Nu Metro V&A waterfront until Sunday. Out in Africa South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival director Nodi Murphy suspects the 'two-day systematic removal of the 700 posters' had been carried out by fundamentalist religious or right-wing groups. Murphy said she hoped to see the vandals 'in the court of law, with them doing community service at a gay and lesbian project'. She said the organisers had been advised to lodge a complaint so that they could receive permission to view CCTV footage of where many of the posters had been. The office of the executive mayor of Cape Town approved and paid R32 000 for the posters, Murphy said: 'It’s their money that’s been wasted and I can’t imagine them being too happy. I’ll be in their office tomorrow discussing the matter.' She believed the festival had helped to promote tolerance. 'I kept thinking that there was an end to my work and that people have come to tolerate gays and lesbians. I don’t know why there has been this upsurge (in homophobia) all of a sudden. I think it’s because we’re an easy target. When there’s fear in the world its easier to go after a minority group.'"

The posters were created by local artists Toby Attwell and Quinton Bruton. Murphy said the posters were one of the few means the festival could advertise and there had been many messages praising the design.

The Independent Online reports Murphy lodged a complaint and asked Metro Police to view CCTV surveillance footage. She received only a single fax message: "No footage available."

Fashion Week: Front Row and Backstage at Duckie Brown

Courtney Taylor and a few models backstage at the Duckie Brown Spring 2010 Fashion Show at Bryant Park that was held Thursday in New York City. The collection was very Rat Pack-inspired and 1950s casual. And now that same look on the runway...

That same look from the side. One Tree Hill's Robert Buckley was one of several boldface names in the front row. Oh and Henry Watkins wearing a lot more clothes than usual ...

Holly Robinson Peete and shirtless runway hotness backstage, WHEN YOU JUMP.