A group of 20 ministers has banded together to protest Nelly's upcoming performance at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro on March 12 over concern that the Grammy-winning rapper's lyrics discuss sex, violence and drugs."Jonesboro is a wonderful city because of what does not come here," the Rev. Adrian Rodgers of the Fullness of Joy Church told the Associated Press. The pastors are fearful that Nelly's music might incite trouble and violence in the city. Yet, despite the pastor's urging townspeople to "tear up their tickets," sales for the show remain strong.


In this month's issue of W magazine, the actress and "singer" Lindsay Lohan finally lashed out at her alcoholic father, declaring he had no right to any percentage of her earnings. The 18-year-old's father, Michael Lohan, was arrested in December on drunk driving charges and has also pleaded guilty to assaulting his brother-in-law.

Dina Lohan filed for divorce in January. Her husband reacted by saying he wants half of the 15 percent his daughter allegedly gives her mother-a sum that could amount to $6 or $7 million a year. However, Lindsay fired back in W that she doesn't think her father even deserves her respect.


It's no joke for Tonight Show host Jay Leno when it comes to the gag order in the Michael Jackson child-molestation case. Nonetheless, Leno, who has been subpoenaed to testify by Jackson's defense, is seeking exemption so as not to lose one of his chief sources of material. Leno's lawyers argue that he can claim constitutional protection from the gag order under the First Amendment.

In the meantime, Leno affirmed that though he couldn't make Jackson jokes, he could still write them when he had Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett act as his stand-up substitute last Friday. Garrett told several of Leno's one-liners, such as, "They said this trial will probably last six months, although Michael Jackson asked for some time off to entertain the troops. OK, they're Cub Scout troops, but they're still troops.