Television March 31, 2010
LL Cool J Says No Way to Sarah Palin Special
FOX is going to have to find another rapper to feature on the former Alaska governor's new series, "Real American Stories."
A promo for the show read, "Rapper and actor, LL Cool J, and the former chairman and CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, will both speak about their success in this country in a segment entitled, ' In Their Own Words.'"
LL Cool J was surprised by the guest appearance since he knew nothing about it. The show had apparently taken an old interview LL did with FOX in 2008 and re-used it for Palin's show.
A rep for the rapper released this statement to "Extra," "Contrary to what was reported, LL COOL J was never scheduled to be a guest on "Real American Stories" with Sarah Palin this week. The show had planned to use an interview from 2008 that was being repurposed without LL's permission. This statement is not a reflection of any feelings LL has toward FOX News or Ms. Palin, whom he has never met, rather a clarification of what we have seen published in the media."
FNC head of programming Bill Shine said in a statement, "Real American Stories' features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith's interview fit that criteria."