Ol’ John Cougar says he’s really not a party animal
John Mellencamp may have joined a coalition of musicians trying to unseat President Bush, but he says he doesn’t have anything against Republicans. “If there was a Democrat in the White House, and this was going on, we’d still be doing this,” Mellencamp says.
“This is a protest. It’s a protest about the abuse of what we feel are American values. And in this case it just so happens that, yes, this is a Republican president, and yes, the proceeds will go to efforts to defeat that Republican president.”
Mellencamp will join Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks and other musicians in a series of October concerts aimed at defeating President Bush’s re-election.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he’s “heartbroken” that Springsteen, one of his idols, is involved in the project.
Opening his weekly radio show with Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” the 43-year-old Republican said: “I really appreciate his music, but I wish he wouldn’t interject his music with politics.”
Hey, wait, is that a Polish joke?
Hey, “girlie men” — lighten up, it was just a joke, says California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
On “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Schwarzenegger said his put-down of state Democratic lawmakers last month was blown out of proportion.
“People are so serious, especially in the political arena,” he said. “Everything is interpreted, you know, attacking gay people and lesbians and all this stuff.”
Added Arnold: “People call me ‘girlie man’ when I sit at the hairdressing salon and get my hair, you know, blown or get my fingernails polished.”
Could be one of those freak occurrences
An autopsy Saturday failed to determine the cause of death for funk legend Rick James, who died in his sleep Friday at age 56.
The “Super Freak” singer, who had a history of cocaine addiction, also was a diabetic who had a pacemaker and suffered a stroke in 1998.
His three children say they believe their father died of heart failure. The coroner’s office is awaiting results of a toxicology test, which could take several weeks.
Hilary just keeps getting hotter
Teen star Hilary Duff‘s concert in Atlanta was stopped for nearly an hour Sunday afternoon after an overhead speaker caught fire. No one was injured.
“This is by far the craziest show ever,” Duff told the audience after the problem had been fixed.
And her last shreds of dignity? Already gone
Los Angeles police are investigating a burglary at the Hollywood Hills home of Paris and Nicky Hilton.
“Simple Life” reality TV star Paris said the thieves took “everything. … Just all my valuables. All my jewelry. All my money.”
Us Weekly magazine reported that the haul included laptop computer, several designer purses, video tapes and photographs of Paris with ex-boyfriend Nick Carter.
Uh … what’s the frequency, Steven?
A 46-year-old Staten Island, N.Y., man has been charged with second-degree aggravated harassment after sending 3,500 e-mails to Tom Brokaw, including 13 that threatened the NBC anchorman.
“Tom is just trying to help me,” said Steve Koplan, who will be arraigned Wednesday.
As for the threats, he added: “I indicated to the staff at MSNBC I would never act out on any of that.”
The birthday bunch
Singer Eddie Fisher is 76. Actress Rosanna Arquette is 45. Actor Antonio Banderas is 44. Singer Neneh Cherry is 40. Singer Michael Bivins (Bell Biv Devoe, New Edition) is 36. Actress Angie Harmon is 32. Country singer Jennifer Hanson is 31. Singer Nikki Bratcher (Divine) is 24.