ELVIRA for president.

NICOLE KIDMAN via "satellite" from Australia.

Hordes of fans leaving the show in downtown San Diego.

HENRY ROLLINS and

KEVIN BACON at Fox signings

RAY BRADBURY

ROSARIO DAWSON

GEORGE TAKEI

JANE WIEDLIN

ELVIRA aka Cassandra Peterson

STAN WINSTON and friends

RICHARD HATCH

JENNA JAMESON

GENE SIMMONS and son NICK.

MATT DALLAS from Kyle XY.

Creator of The Simpsons, MATT GROENING.

 It was to be MARY J. BLIJE’S night. Coming into Staples Center, the powerful singer had 8 nominations and a comeback story that had big win written all over it.  BLIGE enjoyed a hugely successful year with “THE BREAKTHROUGH”, and her rise is the stuff of legend. 

Abandoned by her abusive father at the age of 4, MARY and her mother were forced into public housing where she was sexually abused at the age of 5.  She found refuge at 16 singing in the church choir, but fell into the wrong crowd, suffering addictions and abusive relationships until her husband KENDU ISAACS came along. 

MARY’S career break is the stuff of fairy tales, recording an ANITA BAKER song, “Caught Up in the Rapture of Love” at a karaoke/video store in a local mall.  The tape found it’s way to UPTOWN RECORDS where an unknown PUFFY COMBS, became her manager.  The rest is history, though not as record breaking as BLIGE might have liked.

She did win 3 Grammies last night, for BEST FEMALE R & B VOCAL PERFORMANCE, BEST R & B ALBUM, and for BEST R & B SONG (“Be Without You”).  And she was afforded royalty status for her 3 performances throughout the show, bringing down the house with a rousing rendition of “Be Without You/Stay With Me” and returning later to sing with LUDACRIS and EARTH WIND & FIRE.  (Her performance at last year’s GRAMMY ceremony with BONO is still memorable.) 

In accepting her first award, BLIGE started, “This is the first time I have ever been up here to receive anything, and I thank you so much,” as she broke into tears.  It was a touching, full circle moment that seemed to signal a night of coronation for the singer STING called “the heir to ARETHA FRANKLIN’S throne.”  But it was not to be.

BLIGE’S moment, not to mention that of THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS who won 4 Grammies, including BEST ROCK ALBUM, was upstaged by a more gripping story, the even more triumphant vindication of THE DIXIE CHICKS, who were left for road kill on their way to musical stardom after a mild comment by NATALIE MAINES (“Just so you know, we’re embarrassed the president of the United States is from Texas.”) on stage in London about President BUSH, just before the start of the Iraq war.  An uproar ensued, with issues of celebrity relevance in political affairs, and blind obedience to the imperial president.  We all were a bit blinded by the drumbeats from conservatives, and the mainstream media, and more than THE DIXIE CHICKS got swept up in the rapture.

Radio stations refused to play their music after the incident; record stores discarded their product.  At the COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCITION Awards just last November, THE DIXIE CHICKS and their album “Taking the Long Way” were virtually ignored.  Yet last night, at the pinnacle of the music industry honors event, THE DIXIE CHICKS swept the 3 big awards, RECORD OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR and SONG OF THE YEAR.  It had been 13 years since that feat was accomplished, back when ERIC CLPATION won for his song “Tears in Heaven” and the album “Unplugged.”

Grammy President NEIL PORTNOW, and even THE DIXIE CHICKS themselves were reluctant to characterize the result as political backstage in the media room, but NATALI MAINES said it all onstage. 

“I think people are using their freedom of speech here, with all these awards.  We get the message.”

The broadcast portion of the show got off to a memorable start with STEVIE WONDER and TONY BENNETT winning a Grammy for “BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS on “For Once in My Life”, a song WONDER recorded at the age of 17.  IT WAS wonder’s 22nd win, BENNETT’S 14^h.  TONY won another earlier in the non-broadcast portion of the show for BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM, ‘Duets: An American Classic”, which is the best selling recording yet for the 80-year old “wonder”.  BENNETT won his first Grammy 45 years ago, in 1962, for the classic “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

The broadcast version of the show went more than 3 hours, but there was another 3 hours prior to that where an eclectic group took home Grammy honors.  MADONNA won for BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM, “Confessions on a Dance Floor.”  BOB DYLAN took two megaphones for BEST CONTEMPORARY FOLK/AMERICAN ALBUM, “Modern Times” and BEST SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE, “Someday Baby.”  As did BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN for BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO, “Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run”, and BEST TRADITIONAL FOLK ALBUM, “We Shall Overcome.”  VINCE GILL won BEST MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE, “The Reason Why.”  PETER FRAMPTON, a blast from the past (“Do You Fell Like I Do?”) won a Grammy for BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM, “Fingerprints.”  RUBY DEE and former President JIMMY CARTER shared wins for BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUMS, “In This Life Together” and “Our Endangered Values”, respectively.  ENYA made her first appearance for the Grammies after 3 other nominations, and won for BEST NEW AGE ALBUM, “Amarantine”. 

JOHN LEGEND was compared to MARVIN GAYE backstage (a tribute he humbly deflected), while hoisting his two Grammies for BEST MALE R & B VOCAL, “Heaven”, and BEST R & B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR A GROUP, “Family Affair.” LUDACRIS won BEST RAP ALBUM, “Release Therapy” and for BEST RAP SONG, “Money Maker.”

GNARLS BARLEY won 2 with BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM, “St Elsewhere” and BEST URBAN/ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE, whatever that means for the great song “Crazy” which lead singer CEE LO performed to great effect on the primetime telecast.  The actor JOAQUIN PHOENIX won a Grammy for BEST SOUNDTRACK, for the film WALK THE LINE.  And IKE TURNER, TINA’S ex even won a Grammy for BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM, “Risin’ With the Blues.”  It was his 2^nd Grammy, having won once before 36 years ago with TINA on their signature song, “Proud Mary.”

Other winners in the non-broadcast part of the show included T. I., who sounded like a bitter old-timer, saying, “It’s only so long that people can overlook you…if you really, really have talent, if you’re really worthy of a position at the top of this industry, it’s only so long you can be overlooked”.  How old is this kid?  Is he even 30 yet? 

CARRIE UNDERWOOD CHRISTINA AGUILERA LUDACRIS TI CHAMILLIONAIRE DIXIE CHICS ENYA IKE TURNER PETER FRAMPTON RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS ROBIN TROUP WOLFMOTHER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAMILLIONAIRE broke the media up with his description of his color changing car and his ho-hum “I have to go do the rapper thing and hang in the clubs, but only for 1 hour, right (publicist)”.  It was very funny, and even more surprising.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEYONCE won for BEST CONTEMPORARY R & B ALBUM, “B’Day”, JOHN MAYER for BEST POP VOCAL, “Continuim”(JOHN also won BEST MALE POP VOCAL for “Waiting for the World to Change” during the broadcast portion of the show) JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, BEST RAP COLLABORATION, “My Love” and BEST DANCE RECORDING, “Sexy Back”, THE BLACK EYED PEAS, BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR A GROUP, ‘MY HUMPS” and CHRISTINA AGUILERA for BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE, “Ain’t No Other Man.”

 But it was AGUILERA’S tribute to the late JAMES BROWN, with “It’s a Man’s World” that stole the show in a show of noteworthy performances.

The night began with great fanfare, as the POLICE reunited, in advance of a world tour to follow, singing their first hit, “Roxanne”.  It fell short with STING unwilling, or unable to recreate the classic hooks in the song.  BEYONCE was flawless on the less than inspiring “Listen”, and SHAKIRA recreated “Hips Don’t Lie” with WYCLEF JEAN.  The camera work was miserable with more shots of the artist’s ankles than their mouths, a sin when you are broadcasting vocal performances.  SHAKIRA’S face could hardly be seen so that the cameras could catch the harem of dancers and circus staging for the number.  They barely showed her famous, gyrating hips, which deserved a tight shot. 

One of my favorite moments was the “My Grammy Moment”, a gimmick, but infecting once it took stage.  ROBYN TROUP was selected from thousands of contestants, 3 of whom remained in the front row of the show, and was called into duty seconds later as she sang and danced with JUSTIN TIMBELAKE to “”Ain’t No Sunshine” and then was the filling in a JUSTIN and T. I. cream puff for “My Love.”  By then she looked a bit overwhelmed, but the girl has the pipes.  Backstage she intimated that she might be a finalist on AMERICAN IDOL this season.  All she could say was she did try out, but refused to answer whether ”she made it to Hollywood.”  The girl can sing. 

Another AMERICAN IDOL singer had a pretty decent night.  CARRIE UNDERWOOD, who won the mega talent search in 2005, took 2 Grammies for BEST NEW ARTIST and for BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE.  She even got to sing a few songs on the big stage.  Not a bad night for the “amateur”.

But it was CHRISTINA AGUILERA, emerging from below the stage in her white pantsuit, wailing away about men and their world, who stole the show.  Afterwards she gave the media a glimpse into her not so bad woman’s world, talking about her new single/video “Candyman”, where she directs and plays all three of the LENNON sisters-blonde, redhead and brunette.  She embarks on a concert tour, and will be reviewing scripts for a move into the acting world.  If SCARLETT JOHANNSON can introduce the ALBUM OF THE YEAR with a tease that she is recording an album of her own, then why can’t CHRISTINA AGUILERA go into acting?  The girl can do what she wants, and she will.

 

As will THE DIXIE CHICKS, who persevered years of a bad rap, and had the decency and perseverance to do the media rounds 2 full hours after the show was done.  (That’s more than most in this industry would do, and they did it with smiles on their faces.)  They not only snagged the big 3, they went 5 for 5, winning in every category where they were nominated.  They beat the system.  They were down for the count.  Out cold.  Taken for dead. 

Take that religious right, President BUSH, country music, and all those who hate freedom.  The freedom to speak your mind, isn’t that what America, and the music business is all about?

You bet it is!

THE DIXIE CHICKS were one of many performers who paid tribute to MUSICARES Person of the Year, DON

HENLEY Friday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  JOHN MAYER, NATALIE COLE, JON SECEDA, BRIAN WILSON, MICHAEL McDONALD, KEB MO, CHARLIE PRIDE, SAM MOORE, GARTH BROOKS & TRISHA YEARWOOD, SHAWN COLVIN, JACKSON BROWNE, CARNIE WILSON and others showed up to honor the former EAGLES drummer who had just as successful career as a solo artist.

 

Brian Wilson Carrie Wilson

Charlie Pride Dixie Chicks

HENLEY, along with SCARLETT JOHANSSON announced THE DIXIE CHICKS as winners of ALBUM OF THE YEAR on Sunday night, but Friday THE CHICKS honored HENLEY by singing DESPERADO, which was far and away the consensus pick among the artists in attendance, as their favorite DON HENLEY/EAGLES song.

Dixie Chicks

Ed Begley	Emily proctor	Howie Dorough
	Garth Trish
Jackson Browne	John Mayer	Jon Secada
Keb Mo	Michael McDonald	Moore Wilson
Shawn Colvin	Grammy Girls	Natalie Cole
Roger Fox	Musicares	Sam Moore

·      October 9, 2006—With tensions strained on ABC’s hit ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ the cast and crew witnessed a scuffle between Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey. “I’m not your little faggot like T.R.,” Washington yelled at Dempsey. What should have been an internal problem to be dealt with became national tabloid fodder when details of this incident were leaked to the press.  Every gossip website, TV talk show and newspaper reported on this.

·      October 19—Knight came out in People with the statement: "I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

·      In the October 23 issue of People, Washington states, "We were like two baseball players . . . nose-to-nose. We had a difference of opinions while working on set but we've resolved it."

He said the dispute was over "time and (keeping) the production going. The communication was lost in translation".

When asked if they came to blows, Washington reasoned, "Our faces are too beautiful for that!" He added, "I've never been that close to (Patrick) before. He has really pretty blue eyes."

·      Days after—Washington issues an apology to People: “I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on set.  Both are beneath my own personal standards… I have nothing but respect for my coworkers… and have apologized personally to everyone involved.”

·      January 14, 2007—Fast forward to the night of the Golden Globes, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ won the Globe for ‘Best TV Dramatic Series.’  With the ecstatic cast all gathered before the reporters in the pressroom, E! gossip columnist Ted Casblanca asked the cast about the October 9 incident.  Washington grabbed the microphone from ‘Grey’s’ creator Shonda Rhimes and stated, “No, I did not call T.R. a faggot.  Never happened, never happened.”

·      Earlier that evening on the red carpet, Washington told ‘Access Hollywood,’ "I love gay. I wanted to be gay. Please let me be gay."

·      After making his comments in the press room, Washington came straight to ‘Access Hollywood’s’ Billy Bush and Nancy O’Dell to explain.

“There is no way I could do anything so vile, and so horrible, not only to a castmate, but to a fellow human being,” he insisted.

When asked what spurred his comments on the October incident Washington told Bush, “It’s the truth. It did not happen. I was going to hire some other great shiny publicist, but you know what, God laid it on my heart to say it because it was so close. The reports were all wrong. It did not happen. I’m very disappointed that the New York Post actually wrote legitimately about something that was put in a tabloid about some angry person to get some validity to this, and then it just rippled.”

·      ‘Grey’s’ co-star Katherine Heigl came to Knight’s defense immediately at a Globe afterparty. "I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period," Heigl told "Access Hollywood.” "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I'm not OK with it."

"I don't think (Washington) means it the way he comes off," Heigl said. "But T.R. is my best friend. I will throw down for that kid.  I will beat you up. I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings."

·      In a timely manner, ABC Media Relations released their official statement –“We have a longstanding policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed ‘unfortunate’ in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.”

·      January 17—Knight appeared on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ (taped on January 16) and addressed the whole name-calling incidents.
“It’s an awesome word, isn’t it?” Knight remarks to DeGeneres.  “I’ve never been called that to my face.  So I think when that happened, something shifted, and it became bigger than myself.”

Knight’s reaction to Washington’s Golden Globe outburst? "I don't know what to say, really, about that."

·      January 17—the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has asked for an apology from Washington for using the ‘f-word’ and promoting homophobia. In a statement to TMZ, GLAAD President Neil Giuliano said, “When Isaiah Washington uses this kind of anti-gay slur - whether on set or in front of the press - it does more than create a hostile environment for his castmates and the crew of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm’s way. Washington’s repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable.”

·      January 18—Washington issued his new apology statement: “I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.

“I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I’ve hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I’ve opened.

“T.R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”

·      January 18—Singer John Mayer posted on his blog his suggestion on how to chastise Washington—have his character, Dr. Preston Burke, come out of the closet and proceed to live a happy, flamboyant gay life at Seattle Grace Hospital.

·      Recently-outed Neil Patrick Harris told TVGuide.com, "TR (Knight) has proven himself to be an incredibly classy, dignified guy. I'm impressed that Katherine Heigl said what she said. I was shocked that it all reared its ugly head again."

·      January 22—Various news outlets reported that Washington had fired his longtime publicist and hired publicists Allen Mayer and Kelly Mullens, who are crisis management experts. Mayer has done damage control for clients including R. Kelly, Tommy Lee and comedian Paula Poundstone.

·      January 22—the start of ‘No-Name-Calling Week’ had Washington breaking away from filming for an hour-long meeting with Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and GLAAD executives.

·      January 22—Out actor Rupert Everett knows how to get publicity.  In a signing and reading of his just released memoir, “Red Carpet’s and Other Banana Skins,” Everett gave his opinion of the name-calling.

“I like being called faggot, queer.  Everyone’s got phobias, even gays for straights,” Everett told an E!’s Planet Gossip’s reporter.  “I’d rather be called a faggot by someone who felt it—then you know where they stand.  It’s so much better to say what you feel.”

·      In response to Everett’s comments, GLAAD’s president Giuliano said, “Most of the time it’s used to degrade, hurt and humiliate people.  The bottom line is, it’s not a good thing.”

·      January 24—‘Grey's Anatomy’ creator Shonda Rhimes finally released her first words regarding Isaiahgate via this statement:
"I speak for all the executive producers here at Grey's Anatomy when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference.
We’ve been working within the Grey’s family as well as with ABC and Touchstone Television to address the issue in a way that underscores the gravity of the situation while giving us all a foundation for healing. We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues.
We appreciate the support the fans have always given our show, particularly during this stressful time. Creatively, we continue to strive to make the best television we can with the hope that our show reflects the talent, hard work and professionalism of our cast and crew."

·      January 24—Washington released his official statement: "With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again. I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity, and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally."
January 26—In an essay posted in the “In your Own Words” section on davidmixner.com, GLAAD President Neil Guiliano stated:

·      "Grey’s Anatomy, Mr. Washington, GLAAD and Me"
Someone called earlier this week after seeing me on CNN and asked if I had any idea a week ago that this situation with Isaiah Washington would become such a big story. I had to honestly answer: yes. I knew the minute I saw it.
Like many others, I could not believe what I heard when I tuned in to Access Hollywood on the day after the Golden Globe Awards.
Footage from the press room at the Golden Globes showed Washington, co-star of ABC's hit series Grey’s Anatomy, grabbing the microphone in response to a reporter's question about an on-set argument referencing castmate T.R. Knight last October. “No, I did not call T.R. a fa**ot," he said. "Never happened. Never happened.”
Like many others who saw the incident, my emotions went from shock to outrage in a nanosecond. To attempt to defend oneself using the same offensive word you had been accused of using in the first place is totally unacceptable and only makes matters worse.
Unlike others, as the president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), it was important for me to move from rage to constructive engagement – requiring considerably more deliberate focus. Within minutes of seeing the clip and talking with my staff, both our immediate next steps and our longer-term objectives were clear. As the media advocacy and anti-defamation arm of the LGBT movement, GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate and inclusive representation of LGBT people and events in the media. Our responsibility to our mission and to the communities we serve was two-fold: to rise up, visibly challenge this incident in the media and create a national discussion about anti-gay slurs and bigotry, and to engage the individual responsible in our ongoing work to create public awareness and understanding about the destructive impact of anti-gay prejudice.

We initiated a high-profile media campaign to focus attention on this slur and the hurt it inflicts. We issued a statement condemning Washington's repeated use of the slur, demanded that he apologize, and requested an in-person meeting to discuss the situation. And we made it clear that an apology was necessary but not sufficient to repair the damage and Washington's relationship with our community. Washington would need to do more than stop being part of the problem; he had a responsibility to become an active part of the solution.
We also opened some backchannel communication with contacts close enough to the situation within the TV industry to have knowledge, and who could provide access to information that would otherwise be near impossible to obtain.
In the first few appearances and interviews following the release of our public statement, I reiterated our outrage and repeated my desire to meet with Washington face to face. Then, a week ago Thursday night, just 30 minutes prior to appearing live on the CNN Paula Zahn show while in the car on the way to the studio, we received word that Washington was about to release a statement apologizing and agreeing to meet with me. I read his statement on my blackberry as we pulled up to the Time Warner center in NYC. Clearly, the focus of the interview had just changed and I would need to refocus my messages as well.
On Monday, January 22, I sat down with Washington and GLSEN's Kevin Jennings in Los Angeles. Washington was genuine, apologized and said that the incidents are not what he is all about, not at all, and he didn’t know where that came from, but he was going to get help and find out because it was all so very wrong. He agreed to work with both organizations in the future to educate others to the hurt caused by anti-gay slurs and bigotry.
On Wednesday of this week, we learned that Isaiah has checked in to a behavioral center to deal with his issues. Sure, there is a PR effort underway of course, but from meeting with him, I believe his need for working through his issues is real and I am pleased he is getting the help he needs.
At the same time, it is important to note the strong bravery of T.R. Knight who has had to personally endure through this entire situation. Communication with him and his representatives indicates he is doing well and that is good to know.
The opinions about the entire affair are of a wide range with strong emotions. One thing we know: we must not soon forget this incident. There will be more media coverage of this unfortunate story, so GLAAD will stay engaged and continue the public education and awareness that will lead to changing hearts and minds.
But the story must evolve from that of one celebrity actor who greatly offended millions of people and his problems, to one of a society that needs to have an ongoing discussion about the use of anti-gay slurs and the anti-gay bigotry that still exists.
Yesterday on a lay-over while traveling from the west to east coast, a friend called to say his workplace lunchroom conversation was all about the incident, with people citing personal situations and examples of similar outbursts, now recognizing the real hurt, the denigrating and offensive nature, of such anti-gay language. He said people’s views changed, his peers had never had such a discussion.
It won’t make the front page or evening news, but that is the big story.”

·    March 3 : NAACP Image Awards awarded Isaiah with the Best Actor in a Television Drama. Now we know for sure the 'f' word isn't as offensive as the 'n' word.  Can you imagine NAACP giving him any award if he had uttered the 'n' word instead???