See why we’re reaching for the instant coffee:
• Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey are a match made in TV-ratings heaven! Perry’s scandalous new drama, The Haves and the Have Nots, set a new ratings record for OWN Tuesday night. The show earned 1.77 million viewers during its first episode. The ratings grew to 1.8 million in its second episode—the largest series debut in the network’s history. Life with La Toya held the previous record with 1.18 million viewers. Fans on Twitter and Facebook raved about the new show starring Tika Sumpter. The numbers for Perry’s second OWN show, Love Thy Neighbor, have yet to be released. [Hollywood Reporter]
• Lifetime’s hit series, Drop Dead Diva, just picked up a brand new superstar. According to a press release, actress Annie Ilonzeh will guest star in the drama’s 5th season, which begins June 23. Ilonzeh will Nicole, a top-notch legal assistant who becomes involved with another co-worker.
• Will Smith dismissed a question comparing his family to the Kardashians in the latest issue of New York magazine. Inside he said, “For our family, the entire structure of our life, our home, our business relationships—the entire purpose is for everyone to be able to create in a way that makes them happy. Fame is almost an inconsequential by-product of what we’re really trying to accomplish.” [New York Mag]
• President Barack Obama’s half-brother, Malik Abongo “Roy” Obama, is selling two letters the president sent to him. The handwritten notes on White House stationary are going for $15,000 each. U.S. collector Gary Zimet is seeking out the letters, it’s unclear what he will do with them. [NY Post]