Eminem Might Incite Grammys
Will the real Slim Shady please show up?
That has got to be what the producers of the 43rd annual Grammy Awards telecast are secretly hoping now that the Recording Academy voters gave four nods to divisive rapper Eminem and his sophomore album "The Marshall Mathers LP." CBS' ratings could easily get a boost if the platinum-haired controversy magnet decided to attend - or better yet perform live on the Feb. 21 telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Just imagine the rhymer with the proclivity for the profane seated between fellow nominees such as Paul Simon and Barbra Streisand, leering at Faith Hill or even sandwiched between two of his favorite targets - Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Love him for his unique lyrical gift and snappy flow or hate him for his unapologetic homophobia and misogyny, it would be fascinating TV.
But Grammy officials shouldn't hold their breath. And all nervous executives at CBS can relax.
Eminem is as likely to show up as fellow nominees Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley and John Lennon.
After all, he skipped last year's Grammys, even though he was nominated for three awards and won two (Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album).
And he has made no bones about how he feels about the Grammys. On the septuple-platinum "Marshall Mathers" he raps, "You think I give a damn about a Grammy? Half you critics can't even stomach me, let alone stand me."
Eminem has yet to comment on the nominations he received on Wednesday. But Recording Academy President Michael Greene, who has heard Eminem's anti-Grammy rant, said, "It's easy to criticize the organization, but we love the artist whether they love us or not. "It ain't a problem."
Among those who do have a problem with the Grammy organization's honoring the rapper is homosexual advocacy organization GLAAD, which issued a statement saying that Eminem's songs "endorse hatred."
If Eminem did show up would he be seen as a hypocrite?
Not by anyone whose opinion he cares about, which would be exactly no one. He's made it clear that he doesn't give a tiny gramophone what anyone thinks, so an appearance isn't out of the question. If he does attend, expect protesters to gather outside the Staples Center. On the other hand, Eminem might generate more publicity - if such a thing is possible in a year in which he was sued by his mother, was arrested twice, and filed for divorce and reconciled with wife Kim - by staying home. He could even invite MTV over to film him not attending.
Of his four nominations - Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for "The Real Slim Shady" and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Forgot About Dre" - the Detroit rapper can expect to at least win the rap awards, which usually are not televised.
His competitors for the night's biggest prize, Album of the Year, are Beck, Radiohead, Paul Simon and Steely Dan. His chances here are tricky because Grammy voters tend to be pretty conservative. They try to look hip and edgy by nominating acts such as Eminem, Beck and Radiohead. But then they vote for the boomer who will not swear, gripe or embarrass his or herself when accepting this most prestigious award.
But if Eminem does win - and show up - you can expect whoever has the finger on the bleep button will get a good workout.
