P. Diddy and Jewel sparkle at the AMA noms
It’s hard to say which gem was shining brighter at the Beverly Hills Hotel Nov. 13, the enormous diamond glittering in Sean “P.Diddy” Combs‘s earlobe, or the radiant lady at his side, Jewel.
No, it’s not the start of another high-profile romance between the hip-hop impresario and a beautiful music superstar. The two chart-toppers were at the hotel to announce this year’s nominees for the 29th Annual American Music Awards.
A powder-blue Jag was parked outside whose vanity license plate read “BLOOPER.” Could it belong to Dick Clark or Ed McMahon (of TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes renown)? Sure enough, the eternally young Clark, who executive produces the AMAs, was on hand to emcee, waiting for a slightly late P. Diddy to show up. “It’s the first time we’ve ever started late,” Clark said, then quickly returned to the podium to add, “There’s been a sighting in the doorway!”
P. Diddy was indeed in the house, looking appropriately phat in an electric blue varsity jacket from his Sean John clothing line and some trendy, blue-tinted shades. He was joined onstage by fetching singer/songwriter/poetess Jewel, whose new album “This Way Out” was also making its debut in stores that day. The two stars went on to reveal the nominations, which were lead by soul sensation Alicia Keyes with five nods.
Afterwards, the singer chatted enthusiastically about her new album, revealing that this one–recorded in a breakneck two-month session–came from a very personal place and avoided the typical music-biz slickness that pervades much of today’s pop.
“It isn’t an insult, it’s just the way the music business is today,” she said, explaining that she was eager to do a project that came more from the heart. “When you’re honest about what you do, people respond.”
She also admitted to worrying a little that she’d gotten rusty since the last time she was in a recording studio. “I took a long break. I was off a long time and didn’t know if I could get back to it.” Which is why she decided to escape to a Nashville studio, where she could get back into the swing of things at her own pace. “We just wanted to do our record outside of everything, for the love of the music.”
While Jewel hasn’t officially signed on to appear at the AMAs, which take place at the Shrine Auditorium and will air Jan. 9 on ABC, the show has a lineup that includes Combs, Keyes, Brooks & Dunn, Cher, Shaggy and Garth Brooks.
Spade Stands Up
Although best known for the snide, snarky persona that’s made him a hit with audiences on Just Shoot Me and Saturday Night Live, comedian David Spade showed he’s a
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genuine stand-up guy at the Beverly Hills Police Department’s 13th Annual Black & White Ball, where he performed to thank officers for coming to his aid when he was attacked in his home last year.
“I appreciate you guys keeping an eye on the whole city,” said the 37-year-old comic. Nearly a year ago, Spade’s former personal assistant David “Skippy” Malloy broke into the actor’s Beverly Hills home and zapped the star with a stun gun. Spade managed to call police, who arrested Malloy hours after the incident. He was sentenced to five years probation.
Joked Spade to the 1,000-member crowd of police and emergency personnel, civic leaders, business owners and residents, “A nice officer picked me up… He’s like, ‘Is David Spade here?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah.’ And he says, ‘Can you get him?'”
BHPD presented Spade with a framed photo of the comedian with Police Chief Marvin Iannone in thanks for his support. “Will this get me out of tickets?” Spade asked as he accepted the gift. “I’ll keep it in my glove compartment…And everyone here gets a transcript of my act.”
The abundance of law enforcement personnel didn’t dissuade Spade from making a reference or two about being on the other side of the law. “I hate when I’m driving and I think there’s a cop behind me and it turns out it’s just a car with ski racks.”
And while he had all of the officers cracking up with a spot-on routine about the TV show Cops (“The [suspect’s] always home sitting on the couch watching TV…one sock on, bag of weed on the table…not surprised there’s a cop in the house.”), much of the comedian’s material seemed lost on the older crowd, who didn’t seem to know how to his edgier fare.
“OK, that’ll eat it,” the bemused Spade said, looking at his notepad. “That did eat it…that’s about to eat it.”
Mistress of ceremonies Shannon Elizabeth opened the evening by reminding the cops that they were missing NYPD Blue. Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart and her husband Burt Sugarman, so close with some of the officers they actually ride Harleys with them on weekends, showed up in the audience.
The popular gala, which raised funds for the police officer’s retirement fund, also honored several members of the force, including BHPD officer Jim Keenaghan, who was visiting his native New York on Sept. 11 with his expectant wife and immediately spent several days on the bucket brigade assisting rescue efforts at Ground Zero. Keenaghan, who was placed on duty retroactively for his hard work, was awarded the force’s prestigious police medal.
