Hart celebrating the Fourth in Philly

IT'S A BIG WEEK for North Philly born and raised comedian Kevin Hart: His second theatrically released stand-up movie, "Let Me Explain," hits theaters; he turns 33; and he'll host the Roots-curated 4th of July Jam, featuring John Mayer, Ne-yo, Jill Scott, J. Cole, Grace Potter, Ben Taylor and Demi Lovato.

For the record, he's most excited for homegirl Scott. And the cheesesteak he'll get from Max's Steaks on Broad and Erie, his go-to stop whenever he's in town.

But before Hart hosts, he'll release "Let Me Explain" on Wednesday. Few stand-up stars release their acts into movie theaters anymore, but Hart's done well at the endeavor in the past, netting about $7.7 million with 2011's "Laugh at My Pain." "Let Me Explain" is more global, though, showing off Hart's fanbases from around the world, including a sold out show at London's O2 Arena.

"Let Me Explain" hasn't been Hart's only theatrical endeavor as of late, building a respectable movie career through his "Think Like a Man," and headlining BET's "The Real Husbands of Beverly Hills" (look out for Ed O'Neill, Katie Couric, Chris Rock and Media's own Wanda Sykes next season, by the way).

So why stick with stand-up? "I owe them," Hart said, referring to his fans.

Hart may be blowing up, but he's still a Philly guy at heart. At the 4th of July Jam, Hart promises live-band accompaniment and lots of audience interaction and participation.

"It means a lot," Hart said about hosting the 4th of July Jam. "Anything that's Philadelphia-related means a lot. I take any chance I have to go back, to show my appreciation."

* Speaking of Hart, I hear that South Street comedy club the Laff House, where Hart got his start, is closing its doors. Its last day will be on July 3. "Mona Wilkerson, the Laff House business administrator] and I are like proud parents right now watching our little child grow up. We're still saying, 'That's our Little Kev,'" said owner Roderick "Mr. Rod" Millwood. "But you have to give him his props. The boy done grown up. He never forgets where he came from."

* In other comedy news, noted local scenester Doogie Horner is up and moving to NYC. The art director at Quirk Books is perhaps best known for his 2010 appearance on "America's Got Talent."

* Brace yourselves, people. The one, the only Oprah Winfrey was in Cape May this weekend with boy toy Stedman Graham, who hails from Whitesboro. The duo stayed at Congress Hall and dined at the hotel's Blue Pig Tavern. I hear Cape May regulars Tina Fey and Anne Hathaway were also recently seen at the shore hotel, chilling by the pool like any other guests.

* Boyd Tinsley, violinist for the Dave Matthews Band, wanted to thank fans after Saturday's show at the Susquehanna Bank Center by showing up at the Dave & Busters on Columbus Boulevard. He spent a whopping three hours chatting with fans and signing autographs.

* Ace character actor Chris Cooper (you may remember him from his Oscar-winning supporting role in "Adaptation" or as the evil villain in the most recent Muppet movie) took Amtrak from Philly to New York City.

Krissi Biasiello, a contestant on the fourth season of Fox's "MasterChef," has a nasty social media past. The show, hosted by hotheaded chef Gordon Ramsay, features amateur chefs competing for culinary glory. Some of my spies sent me tweets from Biasiello's account where she says some not so nice things, including, "why do the 76ers keep coming up in my who to follow. i HATE basketball. NBA=N------ bouncing around."

Shortly after I reported this story on PhillyDailyNews.com, Biasiello deleted her Twitter account and canceled an appearance on Totally Driven Radio, where she was a regular guest.

I called up the reps for "MasterChef" and they had no comment on the matter.

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