RUSSELL SIMMONS-"GET OVER YOURSELF!"
The Russell Simmons interview just might've been one of the most bizarre situations we have ever had on WGN Morning News. Well, the dancing cockroach brothers in '95 were weird, but today wasn't "weird-funny," just "weird-awkward."
Apparently, Russell is tired of talking about racist lyrics and Don Imus. But this being a news program, Robin asked our first question about racist lyrics, and Simmons immediatley turned on us, and accused us of "co-opting" the interview, which was "booked on the premise that we'd talk about my book." Simmons then refused to look at Robin and me, and instead directed a long speech to Dean.
Simmons' approach actually backfired. In his frustration, he tailspinned back to answer the initial question about racism which ultimately left him very little time to talk about his book. The kicker here is that his book is about ways to find inner-happiness. Maybe he needs to reread it.
After the interview, he fumed more. He started to say "Well I had brought these gifts, but..." and as he picked up the bracelets and started to walk away, I think the light-bulb went off that said "Oh yeah--I just wrote a book about being spiritual and happy---and this all looks bad."
As he stepped back and presented the bracelets to us, Robin chided him for not looking at her through the entire interview, and Simmons sort of played dumb.
When he finally stepped off the set, I explained to him that our intention was to ask about the news element--- racism---and get it out of the way, so we could talk about other things. He started to backpeddle a bit, and blamed his PR people. What his PR people should've told him was to hold of on the book tour until the post-Imus thing died down. I guess he failed Simmons Law #6 (p143) "Surround Yourself With the Right People."
What we didn't get to in the interview is that SImmons is a proponent of Yoga. Page 71, he writes, "Meditation can help bring you back to a place that you probably forgot even existed. A place where you will know the right choice to make in every situation. A place where you can be in control of your emotions and ignore the distractions that keep you from focusing on what's really important."
Maybe all that sitting in silence caused his inner Ying or Yang to explode. All of the book's quotes from Ghandi about peace and love are fine, but it's all hard to take seriously when the author is cussing on two phones at the same time, and text-messaging his empire, instead of focusing on the people sitting right in front of him.
Comments
I was wondering who would get him first, you or Dean. He is such a high and mighty diva, and for someone who help start the hip-hop era, he sure did behave like a DIVA instead of a gangsta!!! Great blog Larry, glad someone called the lil "B-word" out on his behavior!
Posted by: Yolanda | April 27, 2007 11:47 AM
That certainly was one of the more awkward moments I've seen on TV! Thanks for commenting on it in your blog! I was wondering why Russell was being so fussy and rude. I know I won't be buying his book.
Posted by: Stephen | April 27, 2007 11:49 AM
Russell Simmons demonstrated arrogance, hipocracy and social ineptness in their truest forms.
I thought something seemed a little "off" during the teaser before his segment. He had that "deer in the headlights" dazed look. Was he on something?
While it was happening, at the first sign of ignorance during the interview, I thought it would have been just precious if somebody "accidentally" hit the friday dance footage button.
Or maybe he would have been thrown off his game if somebody would have interrupted with "Russell Simmons? Wait, I thought we booked Russell Crowe."
Or "Russell, I must tell you, I absolutely love your candy. You are the candy guy, right?"(Russell Stover)
You never should have shown the graphic of his ridiculous "book". Instead, to complete the surreality of it all, I would have preferred Wayne's World type "unnecessary zooms" of the crazy guy's eyes, elbows or the set. (I supposed it was really invented on The Bozo Show during the grand prize game player/arrow search.)
That hilarious fake sports reporter guy (the skit one) or Paul and his merry men in spandex would have been a perfect ice breaker. : )
What a whacko!
Posted by: Dee | April 27, 2007 11:50 AM
I'm glad you called him on it afterward, Larry. How arrogant. And his stand on hip-hop artists not needing to be accountable for the lyrics had me livid.
Posted by: gracie | April 27, 2007 2:23 PM
I was going to drop you guys an email to tell you how uncomfortable that whole thing was, but I saw that you talked about it on your blog instead.
I absolutely noticed that he didn't look at you (especially Robin) and that he acted like Robin wasn't even there. (And her expression told me exactly what she was thinking and feeling.) And he wonders why people question his attitudes toward women!!!!
I thought he had some interesting points about Hip Hop being the mirror of society, but his points were lost in his rudeness and arrogance.
Maybe someone needed to remind him that people watch your program because we're YOUR fans, not HIS!!!!
Keep it up guys!
Posted by: Sandy | April 27, 2007 3:51 PM
Robin SOOOOOO got told!!!!! Can Russell spell misogyny or only sing it???? I really liked the bored look at the end. Way to go Robin!!!!!
Posted by: jill goldrich | April 27, 2007 6:02 PM
His Industry is known for not respecting women. He comes on and treats Robin like she's dirt under his feet. Later - he goes on another popular radio program and his first comment is how he needs to "get l**d" - Proving that women are the lowest of the low in his book. Get a clue!
Posted by: LoveyouinLakeview | April 27, 2007 6:50 PM
great blog. i actually had to rewind the tivo when he snapped at robin to make sure i heard him correctly. what a brat!
Posted by: jen | April 29, 2007 12:37 PM
I did not like the way that entire interview unfolded on live television. You guys were very unprofessional. Put your self in his shoes. Larry you are attacking him in more ways than one and that is it not right.I am sure you have had others to do the same or something similar, so get over it.
It may happen again.
Posted by: Sparkle | May 1, 2007 1:00 PM
Every time I think I'm ready to like Russell Simmons he does something arrogant and or stupid. I'd like to thank you and Robin for not kissing his a** because he's rich and famous! He's so out of touch with reality and consistently unwilling to take responsibility for the negativity and disrespect he continues to spew into the world. I love hip-hop and R. Simmons is a bad example of the culture.
Posted by: Tarynitup | May 2, 2007 4:00 PM
I thought Aries Spears was bad, but Russell Simmons takes the cake. What a jerk! Robin, you handled the situation like a pro! You all showed him that at WGN even though you guys like to have fun on the air, you are professionals. That is why you have the best morning news in Chicago.
Posted by: Annette Evans | May 3, 2007 1:59 PM
Well said Mr. Potash.
I've enjoyed The Show for years.
Thanks... to you and the present cast. Please continue the good work.
Posted by: Matt Kenneally | October 16, 2007 12:40 PM