People: The pot calling the kettle …
A stand-up routine by black comedian Eddie Griffin was stopped after he repeatedly used the N-word.
Griffin was performing at a Black Enterprise magazine event in a Miami suburb on Friday when he was cut off after using profanities and the N-word, a magazine spokesman says.
Black leaders, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have challenged the entertainment industry and the American public to stop using racial slurs.
In a statement on the Web site of his National Action Network, Sharpton “expressed gratitude that the nation’s pre-eminent magazine for African-Americans stands behind the efforts of National Action Network in getting rid of the N-word.”
Public discussion of the word increased following a tirade last year by “Seinfeld” actor Michael Richards, who used it repeatedly during a comedy routine.
At its July convention, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held a mock funeral for the word.
Griffin’s publicist did not immediately respond to requests to comment.
Shepherd joins the flock
Actress Sherri Shepherd will become the newest cast member on “The View,” according to sources close to the daytime talk show.
Shepherd, whose film credits include “Who’s Your Caddy?,” has been a “View” guest host more than a dozen times, many of them this summer as she tried out for the spot left empty since Star Jones Reynolds left last summer.
“View” creator Barbara Walters is scheduled to make an official announcement Monday.
Making Whoopi perfectly clear
Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg, the “View” replacement for the departed Rosie O’Donnell, says she didn’t mean to defend Michael Vick during her first day on the job Monday.
Goldberg pointed out that Vick, who pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges, was raised in a culture where that was acceptable.
“I was not condoning nor was I saying I thought Michael Vick did anything right,” Goldberg said on Wednesday’s show.
“If you read the papers today I’m eating dogs, I’m swinging them by their tail – I mean, it’s ridiculous!”
Into his own hands?
Actor Jude Law was arrested on assault charges this week after allegedly attacking a photographer outside his London home.
The “Alfie” star, reportedly upset that the paparazzo was after his kids, apparently hurt the guy when grabbing his camera.
Britney? Ryan? Gimme less
Comeback-bound Britney Spears will open Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards with “Gimme More,” the first single from her upcoming album.
And “American Idol’s” Ryan Seacrest, who’s hosting the show, says he might sing a tune himself instead of an opening monologue.
The birthday bunch
Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 77. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 58. Singer Chrissie Hynde (the Pretenders) is 56. Actor Corbin Bernsen is 53. Model Angie Everhart is 38. Actor Tom Everett Scott is 37. Actress Shannon Elizabeth is 34. Actor Devon Sawa is 29. Actress Evan Rachel Wood is 20.