It’s the same name, but he’s not Rick James rich

Rick James faces a formidable challenge in his campaign for a city council seat in Jackson, Miss. – from comedian Dave Chappelle. James shares his name with the late funk music legend who’s spoofed in a series of sketches on Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show.”

And because of that, he says, his campaign signs have become popular targets of thieves, often showing up in dorm windows at area colleges.

“It’s gotten so bad, I can put out a sign and the next day, sometimes the same day, it will be gone,” said James, 53, who estimates that $600 in signs have been stolen.

James said he’s down to his last 10 signs, adding, “It makes it hard to run a serious campaign.”

He wrote a letter to Comedy Central asking the network to help pay for the signs, which cost about $5 each. The network released a statement saying it felt “bad about the signs being stolen” but has offered no cash.

That’s how you unseat an incumbent

Detroit’s city council may be dancing to a brand new beat come election time.

The 63-year-old former lead singer of Martha Reeves & the Vandellas is circulating petitions for a council seat.

“I think that our city council could probably get along better if they had a little music,” Reeves said, adding: “I’ll get them to dance in the streets.”

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas’ hits include “Dancing in the Street,” “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave” and “Nowhere to Run.”

Time for some upper anger management

Donald Trump says he feels “very badly” for Chris Shelton, the “Apprentice” candidate who was arrested over the weekend for disorderly conduct at a Florida hotel/casino.

“He’s got an anger management problem,” Trump said of the 22-year-old real estate millionaire. “We talked about it on the show. He truly is an angry guy.”

Trump said Shelton’s temperament will again be on display during Thursday’s episode. “By circumstance, it happens to involve Chris to a large extent,” he said.

Crazy like a Foxy?

Rapper Foxy Brown says she didn’t beat up two nail salon workers over a $20 pedicure – and her toes are worth more than that anyway.

“A $20 pedicure? Are you serious?” she joked to reporters Monday outside the New York courtroom where she pleaded not guilty to assault over the August 2004 incident. “I mean, look at me!”

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, pleaded not guilty to using her cell phone and fist to attack the manicurists on Aug. 29.

He’s the Letterman of the law

David Letterman showed up for jury duty Monday at the Westchester County (N.Y.) Courthouse and was considered for a medical malpractice case, but excused.

(Maybe the defense attorney remembered Letterman’s Top 10 “tips for being a good juror” five years ago on his CBS “Late Show,” which ended with: “Remember: everyone’s guilty.”)

“I’ll be serving jury duty next in Montana,” said Letterman, who has a ranch there. “I plan to serve on jury duty in all 50 states.”

The birthday bunch

Actor Don Adams (“Get Smart”) is 79. Actor Lyle Waggoner (“The Carol Burnett Show”) is 70. Actor Paul Sorvino is 66. Actor Tony Dow (“Leave It to Beaver”) is 60. Musician Al Green is 59. Actor Ron Perlman is 55. Actor Rick Schroder is 35. Singer Lou Bega is 30.