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Hip-hop icon’s a picky swearer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hip-hop godfather Russell Simmons has a problem with the n-word, the b-word and that h-word Don Imus spewed over the airwaves last month. But the s-expletive and the f-bomb? Simmons seemed to have no issue dropping a few of those Tuesday night at a Literate Nation discussion and book signing at Emory University — where most of the attendees were metro area high school students.
“This book is a culmination of all I’ve learned,” Simmons said of his new publication, “Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success.” Then the 49-year-old shook his head and muttered, “Man, I’m old as [expletive].”
He went on to tell the audience that he sent an early version of “Do You!” to cultural tastemaker Oprah Winfrey, when it was titled “The Hip-Hop Laws of Success.” She told him he should change the name. “I thought it was funny,” Simmons recalled. “Oprah told me my [expletive] was corny.”
Over the past month, Simmons has practically been a fixture in Atlanta. “This is called Hotlanta for a reason,” the Def Jam co-founder explained after his talk. “And if what you’re doing doesn’t work here, how hot is it, really?”
COMIC MAKES TIME FOR A PAL IN NEED
Last week Fayetteville native and comedic actor Gary Anthony Williams finished production playing a cross-dressing lawyer on ABC’s “Boston Legal.” He arrived in Atlanta this week with a full agenda: attend a family wedding; check out a play he wrote spoofing “Rocky” for Agatha’s — A Taste of Mystery theater; and help his college buddy Donna Blair raise money for her daughter Maggi, who suffers from a rare chromosome disease.
Williams, who also voices Uncle Ruckus on Adult Swim’s award-winning “The Boondocks” cartoon, helped put together a fund-raiser at Manuel’s Tavern tonight for Maggi featuring Laughing Matters, an improv group both Blair and Williams used to be a part of. He also procured a “Boston Legal” script signed by castmates James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen for auction.
Blair said her 2-year-old daughter suffers from Trisomy 9 Mosaic, which causes problems with the heart, kidneys and immune system. She’s hoping to raise up to $7,500 to help pay for Maggi’s education at Joseph Sams, a special needs school in Fayetteville. Kids with this disorder seldom live past age 4. “We’re hoping that won’t happen to Maggi,” Blair said. Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 at the door. More info at 404-225-5000.
THEY’RE REALLY STUCK ON NEW SPIDEY FLICK
Morning show duo Murph Dawg and C.J. from 95.5 The Beat will be easy to pick out at the around-the-clock screenings for “Spider-Man 3” tonight at the Atlantic Station Regal Cinema 16. They’ll be the folks in Spidey PJs and carrying pillowcases. As a stunt, the pair have signed up to watch the comic book flick for 48 hours straight tonight and through Saturday. They’re broadcasting Friday’s morning show from the venue as well. “Murph Dawg is such a sci-fi comic book geek he would probably be doing this even if it didn’t involve work!” 95.5 The Beat program director Lee Cagle told Buzz on Wednesday.
‘GREEN’ MAG PARTY JUST AN ILLUSION
Longtime Rolling Stones keyboardist and environmentalist Chuck Leavell let some scoop fly while guesting on Mara Davis’ lunchtime show Wednesday on Dave FM. The Georgia tree farmer disclosed that the recent two-page spread in Vanity Fair magazine’s “Green Issue,” which featured Leavell and other green-minded musicians, was largely Photoshopped. It seems that the only other folks present at Leavell’s sitting were Jack Johnson and Alanis Morissette …
LOUNGE LEGENDS JOIN COBB VENUE DEBUT
Cocktail lounge icons Michael Feinstein and Linda Eder will headline opening-night festivities at the new $145 million Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Sept. 15. Ticket details will be released later. Info about the gala, which includes the show, is available at cobbenergycentre.com or by calling 770-989-5120.
TWO OUSTED ON ‘IDOL’
With “American Idol” skipping an elimination last week because of its big charity event, the voters Wednesday got rid of two contestants instead of the usual one: former Hooters manager and Justin Timberlake copycat Chris Richardson and Navy petty officer Phil Stacey. Four remain. Results were based on what host Ryan Seacrest said was 135 million votes over two weeks.
Neither departure was a terrible shock though some “Idol” bloggers were predicting LaKisha Jones. Fortunately for her, she made up for a few shaky weeks with a powerful “This Ain’t a Love Song” Tuesday. It was so good, judge Simon Cowell said he could kiss her. She obliged.
Stacey had picked up the pace recently, capped by a strong rendition of “Blaze of Glory” Tuesday, but the bald dad from Jacksonville fell short in the voting department. Richardson, of Chesapeake, Va., was criticized for his nasal delivery and boy-band vocal runs.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“He told me, ‘You have to be Jackie Kennedy today.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Jackie Kennedy? Her husband was murdered. You lied and cheated on me. And now I have to be Jackie Kennedy?!’ ”
— Former New Jersey first lady Dina McGreevey, on “Oprah” this week, recalling what former hubby James McGreevey told her the day the self-proclaimed “Gay American” resigned from office in 2004
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Folk singer Pete Seeger is 88. Actress Ann B. Davis (“The Brady Bunch”) is 81. Singer Frankie Valli is 73. Sports announcer Greg Gumbel is 61. Actor Dulé Hill (“The West Wing,” “Psych”) is 32.
Contributing: Sonia Murray, Rodney Ho, Tom Sabulis, news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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