LL Cool J Removed From Sarah Palin-Hosted Show

By Marc Schneider Posted Mar 31st 2010 01:50PM

Sarah Palin loves Cool James, but the feeling isn't mutual. Rap legend and actor LL Cool J was included in the Palin-hosted 'Real American Stories,' airing on FOX News on Thursday, but the network never asked him to participate.

"Fox lifted an old interview I gave in 2008 to someone else and are misrepresenting to the public in order to promote Sarah Palin's show," the real-life James Todd Smith told his Twitter followers Tuesday night. "WOW," he added.

In response, FOX has decided to strip the rapper from the program at the last minute. In a snark-dripped statement issued to TV Newser, the cable news giant says, "As it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career."

Aside from LL, country star Toby Keith and former GE exec Jack Welch were also billed as appearing on the show, which is supposed to feature "real-life tales of overcoming adversity."

Keith is slated to talk about his patriotic anthem 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).' He, too, was caught off guard by his involvement. "Toby was not asked to participate nor has he ever done an interview with Sarah Palin," his publicist told PopEater when reached for comment. Like LL, Keith's interview for the special was also taped in 2008.

"FOX has never contacted me about this special," Elaine Schock told us. "We found out about it yesterday."

LL Cool J was to talk about his personal life and career in a segment called 'In Their Own Words.' The site AllHipHop.com discovered this snippet from the special: "My family is very pro-American," he said. "My grandfather used to sit me in his lap, and we would watch all of the old World War II shows that used to come on, back in the day. I'm totally on it, totally into it, and I love it. My grandfather, even after we said grace, he would say, 'Chow!'"

After fans began airing their displeasure after seeing the FOX News promo for the show, the 'Momma Said Knock You Out' star re-sent the same Twitter message more than a dozen times. He has made no other comment.

It's unclear what Palin's exact involvement with the special will be; however, she did conduct some of the interviews. The former Alaska governor is also prepping a show for TLC called 'Sarah Palin's Alaska.'

Tags: ll cool j, Sarah Palin

Comments

(145)

Wednesday 31 March

By sherry

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I am blocking TLC Sarah Palin is a domestic TERRORIST and liar. I do not want my children to watch her

By tony

ooooooohh now what will they do

By cynthia

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I don't understand how a program can promote interviews without asking the interviewees permission and then when called on it, they defame the character of someone bc they weren't ask to participate...sounds like bs to me...plus, LL is doing real well on NCIS-LA...growup FOX...u got caught with ur pants down.

By catch22

This is typical for Fox News to do. Use footage and interviews without contacting people or stealing footage. If they get caught, they apologize, then do it again. Hannity got caught by Jon Stewart for using footage from another protest and saying it was there's. Palin's involvement is all they way and these are tactics of hers just like giving out addresses of members of congress who voted for the health care bill. She just needs to go away.

By larry

Leave the Goobers alone. The Goobers need something to watch after their shift at Burger King is over............

By carneyva

The fundamental problem with Palin and her ilk is that they do not respect the right of others to govern. Her inflammatory rhetoric does not advance any legitimate interest. And, memo to all you Tea Baggers and Palin supporters: She is no longer one of you. You've made her rich! As for her future in politics, she has none; she gladly threw it away to chase money and celebrity. Any talk of 2012 is just a con-job to cover a bank-job that she's pulling. So laugh it up. You've paid for it!

By Colleen

I didn't know LL Cool J was a supporter of McCain/Palin. And how very snarky of the Palin freaks to wish LL a wonderful fledgling acting career. If it weren't for narrow-minded fools, Sarah Palin would still be in Alaska, hunting bears and advocating seal clubbing.

By unclebuck61

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Why is TLC in the wrong here? Palin's show on TLC is about Alaska. Something that she may actually be able to enlighten people about. Fox News is the channel that needs to be blocked for airing interviews that are old and re-edited to suit a political agenda that the interviewed doesn't support.

By gideon waxfarb

Nothing more than an all too obvious attempt to humanize herself by doing reality type tv to take the edge of the stupid image she has that most intelligent people are already well aware of.She's trying to make herself over and appear more human/caring to get more votes for 2012,not to win anything for herself (that won't happen anytime soon)but to drag away as many votes/states from President Obama so they can ensure that no true,meaningfull change for the better ever happens.They don't want change,they're the real enemy.

By Hangaleft

Palin isnt worth the headlines or coversation. Enjoy your 15 minutes she's ruined the party and it's johns fault. Idiot

By mrs kathy grosso

kudos to ll cool j and everyone else who sticks to their political convictions by bowing out of palins so called show. shame on tlc for giving this obnoxious,egotistical and ignorant woman a platform to preach!! i will no longer watch tlc!!!

By William

Sarah Palin is a great American. I'll watch her on any show on any channel. God Bless Her.

....and fantasize about you-know-what. You're a moron.

By Broncoman

Who are you morons calling terrorists? Do you know how ignorant that makes you sound? Blocking TLC? Ignorant x 100 = liberals

By LYNN

HONESTLY WHO THE HELL WANTS TO BE ON A PALIN SHOW.. SHES BORING RACIST AND VERY STUPID !!!!!! THE ONLY PLACE SHE BELONGS ON IS SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AS THE BUTT JOKE !

BFRJDS1981 - THE WAY OBAMA IS RUNNING THE COUNTRY IS A LOT BETTER THAN THE WAR LOVER BUSH EVER DID !

By Stu

Really, Lynn? How about that 10% unemployment. Oh, sorry, I'm not supposed to use FACTS when I make a point to a lib!

By avantecd

I am so sick of hearing about Sarah Palin. It is obvious that she quit being a governor so she could cash in on her "star" quality. First she writes a book (with help), then is on Fox Noise, she gives speeches and then she has a reality show, and now is interviewing pople on TLC? No she sure isn't a quitter, she is an opportunist. I did love watching Sen. McCain standing next to her while she rallied the base for McCain. He was as stiff as a board, probably thinking "how low can I go?"

By EVE

Jamal I agree Obama's doing great.. just there are some who are so blind they dont see it..

By Richard

I like Sarah Palin, but to be fair, I would not call LL Cool J's acting career "fledgling". He's been in lots of movies (not to mention the hit TV show NCIS Los Angeles, and, frankly, he's proven himself to be a pretty darn good actor.

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