I’m not the biggest fan of Chelsea Handler, but yesterday on Howard Stern she said she had sex with 50 Cent and their relationship ended because she used an epithet that was borderline racist, likening his behavior to that of the street.

Whew!

You’re not supposed to answer these questions, you’re supposed to be evasive, it’s supposed to be private.

But now privacy’s for pussies, the hoi polloi give it up online day after day, it’s the celebrities who are out of touch, no wonder they’re fodder for ridicule. Used to be we looked up to celebs, now we’ve got contempt for them.

I believe the whole paradigm was delineated accurately by Barney Frank in last Sunday’s "New York Times Magazine":

"Lawyers are very, very good at keeping you out of prison, but they will sacrifice your reputation and credibility to do so. So don’t be evasive and don’t be cute. And unless you think there is a serious chance you’re going to jail, don’t listen to your lawyer."

The Not-So-Retiring Barney Frank

Once upon a time, musicians were revered for being honest, and the resulting credibility made for long careers. Today the acts are evasive, worried about offending a potential audience member, and they come and go.

Lay it out there. Then not only is it behind you, you garner respect from those who care, for being forthcoming, for being honest.

Dishonesty is for politicians. But dishonesty has crept into not only the musicians, but the music itself. The biggest records of all time have been honest, whether it be "Jagged Little Pill" or any random Eminem album.