Tattle: More feudin' for the Jacksons
"Members of the Jackson family can't agree . . . "
The latest feud has to do with whether Michael's three children will be part of an A&E reality show titled "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty."
Unfortunately, the title "Mad Men" was taken.
An Us Weekly source says that the program will include the MJ Three, even though eldest sister Rebbie (who will not take part) says that Michael would never have let it happen.
The unnamed Us source says that mom, Katherine, "is just going along with things" now that Janet is on board for the show, but a TMZ.com story says Katherine has told them that Michael's kids will not appear on any TV reality show in her lifetime.
Joyner gets justice
Thomas and Meeks Griffin, two great-uncles of syndicated radio host Tom Joyner sent to the electric chair for the 1913 murder of a Confederate Army veteran, were unanimously pardoned yesterday by South Carolina.
Officials believe that the men are the first in the state to be posthumously pardoned in a capital murder case.
The Griffins were executed after a jury convicted them of killing John Lewis, 73, a wealthy white veteran living in Blackstock, 40 miles north of Columbia. Two other black men were also put to death for the crime.
Records indicated that the Griffins had been framed by a small-time thief named John "Monk" Stevenson, who later confessed that the men had nothing to do with the crime. He pointed them out to police to save himself from the gallows.
Stevenson also told at least one inmate that he had framed the Griffin brothers because he thought they were wealthy and could afford a lawyer.
"This won't bring them back, but this will bring closure," Joyner said. "I hope now that they rest in peace. This is a good day.
"These were hardworking, outstanding community citizens," Joyner added, noting that the family owned about 130 acres. "Out of nowhere it seems, they were accused of murder."
"They were framed because they were the richest black people in the county," historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. said. "I as a historian am honored to see something rectified in the present."
Gates, you may recall, was arrested a few months ago for breaking into his own house.
On the plus side, he wasn't executed.
Madonna finds Jesus . . .
. . . and gives him money.
In Touch Weekly reports that Madonna boy toy Jesus Luz, 23, has really increased his earning power by being at the Material Girl's beck and call.
"Jesus basically lived paycheck to paycheck before he met Madonna," says an unidentified friend, "and he, like most people, had bills."
Now, he happily accepts handouts like he's Goldman Sachs.
"Madonna gives him about $10,000 a month to cover his expenses, including his cell phone, insurance and credit-card payments," says the talkative buddy. Madonna may also have bought Jesus a $2.7 million apartment in New York.
Nice work if you can get it, folks.
'Good Hair' giveaway
The first 12 Daily News readers who go to our front desk at 400 N. Broad St. can get two free tickets to attend a screening of the documentary by Chris Rock, "Good Hair." Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. No phone calls, please. Showtime is at 7 p.m. Monday at the Bridge (40th and Walnut streets). The screening is sponsored by Duafe Holistic Hair Care, Different Drummer, Urban Philly and Jennifer Dent Events. Note: Show up early since seating also is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Book 'em
* "Bleeding Love" took on some new meaning for pop star Leona Lewis yesterday, when a young man punched her in the head as she signed autographs and posed for photos at a bookstore in central London.
Lewis, 24, was at Waterstone's in Piccadilly to promote her new autobiography, "Dreams."
The puncher was immediately led away by security and later arrested by police. Lewis was shaken up by the incident and went to see a doctor as a precaution.
* Nelson Mandela will release a memoir focusing on the best of his personal archives and letters from his time as anti-apartheid activist and South African president, publisher Macmillan said yesterday.
Like anyone would want to read Mandela when there's a Leona Lewis bio on the shelves. She's had one hit song. What's he done?
Tattbits
* Beyonce and Lady Gaga are joining forces for Beyonce's single, "Video Phone," Life & Style reports.
"On Oct. 7, Lady Gaga and Beyonce were working on the video together at a studio in NYC," an insider reveals. "Everything on the set was being kept very hush-hush, and security was extremely tight."
* Former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater denied trying to blackmail John Travolta after the death of his 16-year-old son, she testified in her extortion trial yesterday. In an unsworn statement, Bridgewater told jurors that she was set up by the movie star's lawyers, and complained that she's been ridiculed and ostracized since being charged in January.
"I maintain my innocence," said Bridgewater, who was not subject to cross-examination because she did not swear an oath. "I will be the first to say I am no saint. But I am no devil."
There's a defense for you.
Daily News wire services contributed to this report.
E-mail gensleh@phillynews.com




