Barack Obama made an appearance on Tavis Smiley's PBS show last October. But the host, who experienced backlash from blacks for being critical of the nominee, says chances are "slim to none" that he will come on his show before the election. And, he added for good measure, "slim is out of town."

What the viewers and listeners who feel that he is unfairly critical of Obama don't understand, Smiley told MarketWatch, is that his job is to "hold people accountable." Despite seeming a tad hurt about the whole thing in interviews, he says he takes the criticism as a compliment: "They see me as 'Brother No. 1,'" he said. "They see me as the 'go-to commentator' in black America."

• With new museums and monuments, Seattle is finally recognizing the blacks, Asians, and Hispanics that helped shape area. [NYT]

• After last year's faculty hunger-strike over alleged racist practices, MIT is investigating its minority recruitment practices. [TheTech]

• Premiering tonight at 9 on PBS, African American Lives 2 is "bigger and badder." [CPD]

• My prediction: The Grammy celebrity fashion show is not going to be good. Mark my words. [CBS]

• 50 Cent has beef with another rapper. Yawn. [EUR]

In a sneak peek from the new season of African American Lives, the Henry Louis Gates-hosted PBS series that helps black celebrities trace their ancestry, Chris Rock gets choked up after hearing about a relative that served in the Union Army during the Civil War. If you didn't see the previous installment, it's a fascinating show that's worth watching. It premieres February 6th.