Essay 368

Courts, choirs, cuts and commercials with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Michael Jackson’s lawyer argued the King of Pop could suffer in his child-custody battle because of past anti-Semitic remarks and lyrics, especially since the arbitrator on the case is Jewish. Heaven forbid Jacko might actually face backlash based on, say, being repeatedly accused of child molestation.

• The Boys Choir of Harlem is now refusing to vacate their rent-free school headquarters, filing a lawsuit against the Education Department to extend their stay until June. Today was the city’s official deadline for eviction. “There are no plans to move [today],” a choir spokesman said. “We’re having ongoing talks with the city. We’re optimistic until the 11th hour.” It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. But Mo’Nique is definitely tuning up at this point.

• Time’s up for Time Inc. employees, as the company is cutting 66 staffers from Time magazine and Sports Illustrated. The final firing tally could reach 100. A company spokeswoman said, “It’s not just about cost cutting — it’s about moving human and financial resources to high-growth areas. It’s another step in our restructuring.” And probably 100 new Newsweek and ESPN The Magazine subscribers.

• San Francisco entertainment lawyer Steven Ames Brown accused Pepsi of some shady dealings involving Black music performers. The soft drink company was ordered to pay $250,000 to doo-wop group The Flamingos for using the tune, “I Only Have Eyes For You” in a spot without permission. Brown insists Pepsi also failed to pay Black artists for songs used in other commercials. “Pepsi routinely pays the Caucasian performers who appear on camera, but refuses to pay the African-American singers whose voices are used in the soundtrack unless they sue,” Brown said. A Pepsi spokesperson vehemently denied the charges. Then again, Pepsi did set Michael Jackson’s hair on fire. And they dissed Ludacris. Wonder if MC Hammer ever got paid.