On this day in 1969, transcendent children's program Sesame Street debuted on PBS, changing television forever. After the jump, a collection of some of the Street's most memorable guest appearances, complete with our favorite: kids freaking out to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

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It's troublesome to think that there are tykes out there who think that "Lady Marmalade" was originated by Lil Kim, Pink, Mya, and Christina Aguilera. Labelle's 1974 version was a number one hit, and its "voulez-vous coucher" line could quite possibly be one of the most butchered in music history. Anyone notice how Patti might be more flamboyantly dressed, but has on about 100 lbs less makeup than she wears now?

As PETA dug down to the very depths of their creative reserves to design this racially-questionable and, considering the man's two-year prison sentence and current state of financial ruin, rather unnecessary Michael Vick e-card, they totally missed a prime, red-paint-splashing opportunity at Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains album release party. Patti LaBelle and MJB look oh so happy and warm under several layers of fur while their animal indifference goes unchecked. More pics after the jump.

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Patti LaBelle might love the gay men, but the gay ladies she can do without.

“When I got my divorce, the women jumped on me like white on rice! I said, ‘Look, I ain’t ever did fish, I don’t intend to do fish so leave me alone.’”

Wait, rice? Fish? Is she talking about lesbian sex or sushi? [QT]

• Patti LaBelle is the mother of all gays. Her words. [C&D]

• Lauren London and Lil Wayne are a match made in…I don't know. But definitely not heaven. [Bossip]

• Mannie Fresh's sister was murdered. R.I.P. [SP]

• Blah blah blah, Jay-Z's phony, blah blah blah. [NYMag]

• Are Will Smith and Tyler Perry smarter than you? It's very likely they're a lot richer. [EW]

Does Ciara look so happy at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo because, as the 3am Girls allege, 50 Cent sent a chartered plane to Monaco filled with rose petals, teddy bears, and chocolates? Lord I hope not. I say she's just a naturally happy girl. More pics from the show after the jump.

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I'm not sure what it is — I'd hazard a guess that it has something to do with not being attached at the hip to Irv Gotti and Ja Rule — but I have a newfound appreciation for Ashanti all of a sudden. She looks good, she sounds good, and she has seriously weakened her association with The Inc. I like that.

She glammed it up at Denise Rich's Angel Ball last night along with lots of others. Check out more pics after the jump.

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Though they're separated and have each taken up with younger, hotter significant others, it doesn't mean that Kimora can't throw Russell star-studded surprise 50th birthday parties. Lots more pictures after the jump, including some heartwarming bonding between Djimon Hounsou and Russell. They should be a lesson for broken families everywhere!

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It's unlikely you'll ever be in this situation, but if you are every on stage with Patti LaBelle and think it's a good time to tell a joke, it's probably not. Just for future reference.

[C&D]

It was the era of the Supermodel — you know, when they all went by their first and last names but certainly didn't need to — think Naomi, Christy, Linda — and claimed they didn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.

New York Fashion Week shows were more glamorous (read: they weren't sponsored by Olympus or Mercedes Benz and were held in lofts, clubs, and restaurants instead of tents). And Sam Fine was behind the scenes — at Geoffrey Bean, Fernando Sanchez, Tracy Reese, Todd Oldham, Isaac Mizrahi, etc. — giving the models faces to match their designer looks or rushing from show to show with Naomi and Tyra.

It was the first half of the '90s when Sam Fine both assisted the late Kevyn Aucoin and worked the shows on his own. Those were the good ol' days… that he doesn't really want to go back to.

"It's a fun gig, but I leave it to the young at heart and the ones that really love fashion," he told Stereohyped.

And it's not like being a celebrity makeup artist, which is the the job Sam Fine graduated to when he left the fashion show world, is any less glamorous. Or that much different.

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I'm shocked and amazed at the lack of major fashion don'ts last night, considering the crowd. Even Lil' Kim, while I wouldn't have chosen that outfit/makeup/hair necessarily, could have done much, much worse. I'm not saying there weren't some questionable wardrobe and hair choices — I'm talking to Keyshia Cole and Vivica Fox specifically, here — but in general things were looking pretty good. More red carpet pics than you can handle after the jump.

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It may not be Dreamgirls, but Ciara's starring role in the motion picture version of the play, Mama, I Want To Sing, could propel her closer to Beyonce triple-threat status.

The movie, based on the Vy Higginsen-created hit Off-Broadway musical, centers on the story of choir girl morphing into a pop star. According to 'Variety,' 'Mama' will also star R&B diva Patti LaBelle and screen siren Lynn Whitfield. The film is scheduled to start shooting next month in Louisiana with plans of opening in theaters next February.

Thoughts: Lynn Whitfield's role in the film should erase those pesky pregnancy rumors. Ciara's voice can't possibly stand up to Patti LaBelle's. I wonder what they'll do about that issue.

[BV]