What Entertainment story stood out for you in 2012? It's been an an amazing entertainment year. The biggest story had to be the death of Whitney Houston,  Her death in February shocked the music world. Theaccidental drowning of one of the world's greatest singers left a void that will never be filled. What really happened at the end of her life? When Houston was filming the movie Sparkle, she seemed to be doing well, but it appears her demons took over. Her family was left devastated by her loss. They have moved on with their lives, and now they are starring in their own reality show The Houstons: On Our Own on Lifetime. This has been a tough time for Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kris. This show has not been a good look for her, and she is due to come into her mom's inheritance. Whitney's mom Cissy Houston is ready to talk about her life with her daughter by releasing a book in February of 2013. Whitney's ex-husband Bobby Brown had an interesting year himself. He celebrated the 30^th anniversary of New Edition by touring with his bandmates. He also hadrun ins with the law because of his D.U.I.'s. Brown entered rehab but quickly left. He also got married to his manager and longtime girlfriend Alicia Etheridge.

We lost a lot of celebrities in 2012. South Philly's own Jack Klugman died Christmas Eve at the age of 90. He had a long, distinguished career in films and on Broadway, but TV is where he had the biggest impact. Klugman won two Emmys as “Oscar  Madison,” the sloppy, abrasive roommate to Tony Randall's fussy, neat freak “Felix Unger” in the legendary sitcom The Odd Couple. Klugman made a comeback with the highly-rated drama Quincy, M.E. Where he played a medical examiner solving crimes and taking on pressing social issues. Klugman also tied Burgess Meredith for the most appearances on the classic 60's TV anthology series The Twilight Zone. We remember “Soul Sister # 1,” Marva Whitney. She died last week at the age of 68 andwas a frequent collaborator of The Godfather Of Soul James Brown. Whitney's big hit songs were Unwind Yourself, which was sampled into DJ Kool's Let Me Clear My Throat and It's My Thing, sampled intoPublic Enemy's Bring The Noise. The King Of Character Actors, Charles Durning, also died Christmas Eve. He was nominated twice for the Oscar playing the corrupt governor in The Best Little Whorehouse InTexas and for the Mel Brooks' remake of To Be Or Not To Be as an inept Nazi officer. Durning, an award-winning star of stage, film and TV, was 89. This year, we also lost brand new Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Donna Summer, Soul Train Founder Don Cornelius, American Bandstand's Dick Clark, Dallas & I Dream Of Jeannie Actor Larry Hagman, Michael Clarke Duncan, Davey Jones of The Monkees, Weathercaster/Newsman Herb Clarke, Singer Etta James, Radio and TV Pioneer Hal Jackson, The Godfather Of Go-Go Chuck Brown, TV Host/Actor Richard Dawson, Rodney King, Gospel Singer Gabriel Hardeman, Andy Griffith, Al Freeman, Jr., Singer Major Harris, Chicago Soul Music Mogul Carl Davis, Jazz Pioneer Dave Brubeck, The Jefferson's Sherman Hemsley. Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys and Funk Music Pioneer Jimmy Castor.

In radio, we lost three pioneers. Brian Carter of the popular Power 99 morning team Carter & Sanborn In The Morning leaves behind a decade-long run at the top of the ratings in Philly morning radio amongst his many achievements. Radio Newscaster Fatimah Ali passed away in January with friends and family pointing to her acclaimed body of journalistic work including here at WDAS. Finally, what can I say about WDAS-AM/FM Vice President/General Manager Joe Butterball Tamburro? From doo-wop to hip hop, from Aretha Franklin to Alicia Keys, from The Miracles to Mint Condition, from Marvin Gaye to Tank, Butter brought it all to the WDAS listeners as both an air personality and in his 40-year run as program director. January 3^rd marks 50 years since Butter began working at WDAS-AM & FM. 1480 WDAS-AM will begin the AM & FM tributes to Butter with an anniversary show on January 3^rd.

2012 featured a lot of breakups: Kimora Lee Simmons & Djimon Hounsou, Hoopz & Shaq, Chad Ochocinco Johnson & Evelyn Lozada, Stevie Wonder & his wife Designer Kai Millard, Heidi Klum and Seal and Ann Curry & The Today Show.

Katherine Jackson...... kidnapped?!!! The Jackson family was embarrassed by a botched kidnapping of the family matriarch by her children. Janet, Jermaine, Rebbie and Randy put together a plan to both take theirmother and take control of her money from the Michael Jackson estate, but Michael's children went public and the plot was foiled. Katherine was embarrassed and hurt by the actions of her children. The press was especially harsh for Janet Jackson because she was caught on tape fighting with her niece Paris. Since the kidnapping ploy was foiled, the family has been quiet including during Papa Joe Jackson's recovery from a mild stroke in November.

A former NFL star made the transition from football analyst to TV host. That's what Michael Strahan did when he joined Kelly Ripa on Live replacing longtime Host Regis Philbin.

The Mike Tyson redemption tour continues with his one man show, Undisputed Truth, which he is taking on the road next year. Spike Lee directed the show, which was a hit on Broadway. It's Tyson talking about his colorful life.

The Olympics made a star out of Gabby Douglass even though people wanted to be petty and hate on her hair.

It was a headline making year for Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Foster-Raymond. Her 12-year old son Kylie, from a previous relationship, was killed in a jet ski accident, and then she lost custody of her two sons with Usher. Usher topped the charts with his latest CD, Looking 4 Myself. Next year, he will be one of the judges on the NBC reality show The Voice.

Who was the breakout star of the Braxton family reality show Braxton Family Values? It's Tamar Braxton of course! She and her husband Vince kicked off their own reality show, Tamar And Vince. Next year,she'll release her debut CD Love And War.

The Sesame Street controversy dominated the headlines when “Elmo” Creator/Puppeteer Kevin Clash was forced to leave the show. His resignation came after four young men accused Clash of underage sex with them. The scandal ruined Clash's career, but sales of the “Elmo” character remained rock solid.

Jesse Jackson, Jr. also resigned but from Congress. It's been a tumultuous year that had the former Congressman in the Mayo Clinic being treated for bi-polar disorder, being accused of misusing campaign funds and an extramarital affair. Jackson, Jr.'s career once shined so bright that many wondered if his career had any limits.

Lionel Richie had a great year with his country CD. Tuskegee became his first number one album in 26 years.

On the 2012 baby watch Congrats to FOX 29 Good Day Morning News Anchor Sheinelle Jones and her husband Uche Ojeh. They welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, who join their older brother. Congratulations to 6ABC Morning News Anchor Tamala Edwards and her husband Rocco Lugrine. They welcomed baby number two. And to CNN's Fredricka Whitfield and her husband John Glenn. The weekend afternoon anchor gave birth to twins, who'll join their big brother.

NBC 10’s Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz, the bow-tied meteorologist, recovered from successful double bypass surgery.

CBS3 Morning News Anchor Ukee Washington recovered from a successful hip replacement surgery.

Food Network Star Paula Deen revealed her battled with diabetes and shared her stories on how she lives it.

Nick Cannon revealed he had lupus.

Chaka Khan changed her eating habits and lost over 60 pounds. Fantasia also made changes in her life and she lost weight as well.

Oscar Winner Halle Berry is hoping for a better 2013. Berry’s battles with her babydaddy Model Gabriel Aubry was very messy and not a good for Berry. Aubry was beat up by Berry's fiance Actor Olivier Martinez
on Thanksgiving morning. This capped off a difficult year for Berry. She was denied her request to move out of the country, and was forced to pay Aubry 20 grand a month in child support. In addition to problems in her personal life, Berry needs a hit movie. Her latest was with Tom Hanks, Cloud Atlas, and it bombed at the box office.

President Obama was once again named Time magazine's Person Of The Year.

Oprah Winfrey was able to turn things for her OWN cable station with the addition of Iyanla Van Zandt getting her own show, Iyanla: Fix My Life, and specials, including Oprah's Next Chapter, on the network.

Can Comedian/Actor Katt Williams get it together in 2013. In 2012, he stayed in trouble with the law. His bizarre behavior made headlines for weeks. Is he doing drugs? Is he crazy? Can Williams get help, orwill he wind up in jail? Many wonder if his career can be salvaged.

It was a great year for WDAS Morning Man Steve Harvey. His movie Think Like A Man was one of the top grossing movies of the year. He debuted his talk show (The Steve Harvey Show) to great ratings and a People's choice Award nomination. Plus, he extended his contract as host of his other hit, the classic game show Family Feud.

Think Like A Man Co-star and Comedian Kevin Hart not only had the top grossing comedy tour of the year, but he made a splash at the movies. Next year, Hart’s new BET comedy/improv-realityshow takeoff, Real Husbands Of Hollywood, debuts January 15^th on BET.

2012 was not kind to Lauryn Hill. She ran into problems with the I.R.S. owing them millions because she didn’t pay her taxes. She also had problems with her exes Wyclef Jean and Rohan Marley. Both men threwHill under the bus with their comments about her personal life.

So what can we look forward to in 2013:

Wedding bells for Janet Jackson and Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana. They just got engaged and are planning a spring wedding in Qatar.

Beyonce signed a $50 million deal with Pepsi. After having a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, in 2012, she is going to be everywhere in '13. Mrs. Jay-Z will be performing halftime at the Superbowl and debuting her HBOdocumentary in February.

American Idol returns to FOX January 16^th with new Judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Country Superstar Keith Urban.

Tyler Perry will be debuting two new shows on Oprah Winfrey's OWN channel this spring. His latest movie Temptations: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor with Jurnee Smollett, Vanessa Williams, Kim Kardashian and Brandy opens in theatres March 29^th.

If you love superheroes, get ready for a new Superman movie and the big screen version of the Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp.

There could be a shake up on the Tonight Show. Is Jay Leno out and Jimmy Fallon in?

Actress Meagan Good has a new show debuting in January on NBC called Deception with Laz Alonso. Good had a great 2012 she married Film Executive Devon Franklin, and she was one of the stars of Think Like A Man.

The return of Robin Roberts to Good Morning America will complete her road to recovery.

2012 Celebrity Apprentice Winner Arsenio Hall returns to late night TV with The Arsenio Hall Show.

If you would like more info please email me at pattyj1053@aol.com   Pattyjackson@clearchannel.com or check me out with my Midday reports at 10:35am, 12:35pm and 2:35pm during the day.