Cut Wacko Jacko some slack-o
Michael Jackson knows his reputation as a freak – but just ignores it.
“I don’t pay attention to that,” the 49-year-old singer tells Ebony magazine. “In my opinion, it’s ignorance. It’s usually not based on fact. …
“Every neighborhood has the guy who you don’t see, so you gossip about him. You see those stories about him, there’s the myth that he did this or he did that. People are crazy!”
The twice-divorced father of three says he hasn’t changed all that much since releasing his blockbuster “Thriller” nearly 25 years ago.
“I always had this tug in the back of my head, the things I wanted to do, to raise children, have children. I’m enjoying it very much.”
Jackson – whose last album, 2001’s “Invincible,” went double platinum but failed to produce any monster hits – is reportedly collaborating with the likes of Kanye West for his forthcoming CD.
“I always want to do music that influences and inspires each generation,” he says.
“Let’s face it, who wants mortality? You want what you create to live, and I give my all in my work because I want it to live.”
Forgive you, father …
A Boston priest has been arrested for stalking talk-show host Conan O’Brien, writing threatening notes on parish letterhead, contacting his parents and visiting his studio.
Calling himself “your priest stalker,” the Rev. David Ajemian complained of not being allowed into a show taping, adding: “Is this the way you treat your most dangerous fans?”
Well, 2 bad 4 her
It looks like Rosie O’Donnell won’t be facing off with Larry King after all.
O’Donnell announced on her blog that talks about hosting a prime-time show on MSNBC had fallen apart, saying: “poof/my career as a pundit is over/b4 it began.”
The J.Lo-down
Another day, another celebrity pregnancy confession: Jennifer Lopez, who’s touring with husband Marc Anthony, told Florida concertgoers that she’s with child.
Fellow singer Christina Aguilera confirmed the obvious earlier this week.
Three-ring circus
Britney Spears must provide a single, working telephone number to be called in for drug testing, a court commissioner ruled Thursday in her custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Her lawyer said Spears failed to respond to several calls within the required one-hour period because she was sleeping, but the commissioner noted she had lost telephone numbers and changed them.
Her whole life’s in the pits
Mom Lynne Spears says she blames herself for Britney’s troubles and is working to bring her daughter and Federline together.
“They’re good people,” she says. “Britney loves her kids from the pit of her soul.”
The birthday bunch
Singer Mary Travers (Peter, Paul and Mary) is 71. Actor Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”) is 55. Rapper Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) is 38. Actor Eric Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 35. Actress Nikki Blonsky (“Hairspray”) is 19.