Rapper speaks about Imus, role models
It might surprise you to hear Darryl McDaniels discuss Don Imus. "I don't care if he says 'ho.' He's a [expletive] grown man," the Run-DMC rapper said about the fired shock jock. "It becomes an issue for me when little kids in the 'hood talk that way." McDaniels, who was at the Roxy last night to perform at a benefit for Boston-based Peace Games, said rappers are role models, whether they like it or not. "Don't get me wrong, their records don't make people act this way, but kids listen to this [expletive] and think it's OK," he said. "You can rap about hos if you want, but you should also rap about mothers, aunts, nurses, and teachers." Peace Games, which teaches children to resolve problems peacefully, is one of many anti-violence efforts McDaniels supports. "We know how many pools and jacuzzis these rappers have, and we know what's in their fridge," he said. "But we don't know what they're saying because they ain't saying nothing." Other celebs supporting the cause last night included Rashida Jones of "The Office" and Harvard alum Donal Logue, star of the ill-fated "Knights of Prosperity."
Spacey eyes the Boston stage
Kevin Spacey had a blast shooting "21" in Boston, and he can't wait to come back. But next time, instead of making a movie here, the celebrated actor would like to be in a play. "There are great venues there," Spacey told us. "I would love to do something on the stage. Boston's a great theater town." We ran into the Oscar winner, quite by accident, at a party in New York for Gotham magazine. Spacey said shooting "21" was a labor of love, a movie he'd wanted to make from the moment he read Ben Mezrich's blackjack book, "Bringing Down the House." Yes, it took longer than expected, he said, but "the movie looks great." Spacey headed straight for Broadway when he left Boston. He's starring in "A Moon for the Misbegotten" on the Great White Way.A better choice than the ‘24’ finale
We know someone who didn't watch Monday's finale of "24." Actor James Cromwell, who plays Jack Bauer's dad, Phillip, on the Fox drama, was at the Elliot Norton Awards at the same time his character was being blown to bits on the season finale. (Something tells us he TiVo'd the show.) Cromwell was in the crowd because his wife, Joan MacIntosh, was nominated -- and won -- for her role in the ART's production of "Britannicus." . . . Never mind Nick Hornby, Stephen King may be the writer with the best musical taste. In the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, the scary Sox fan compiles his list of the greatest rock ' n' roll songs ever, and it's hard to argue with his choices. Fans of Boston rock should be especially pleased that King's cuts include "Help You Ann" by Jeff "Monoman" Conolly and the Lyres, and "Mass. Ave." by Willie "Loco" Alexander. Of "Help You Ann," King writes: "The best stalker rock song ever. Listen to it once and you'll never bother with 'Every Breath You Take' again."As it does every year, the benefit for the Hoffman Breast Center at Mount Auburn Hospital attracted a flock of fine writers Monday, including Jodi Picoult, Robert Parker, Susan Orlean, Ann Hood, Gregory Maguire, and Jacquelyn Mitchard. Organizer Alice Hoffman gave special thanks this year to filmmaker Sam Weisman and his wife, Constance McCashin, who've helped put the event together. . . . For tonight's "American Idol" finale, the Greatest Bar is flying in "Idol" also-ran Perla Meneses. Just so happens Meneses has a single to hype. You can hear it at myspace.com/perlameneses. . . . According to the Harvard Crimson, figure skater Emily Hughes is headed this way. The paper reports that the Olympian will be a member of the class of 2011, following her sister Rebecca, who graduated from Harvard in '99. Her other sister, 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes, attends Yale.
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