February
23 It's hard out here for a censor

The nominated tune "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow" with music and lyric by Jordan Houston ("Juicy Jay"), Cedric Coleman ("Freysier Boy") and Paul Beauregard ("Deejay Paul") has, by my count, 10 repeated words which would not pass network clearances. They are "fuck," "shit" and "niggaz."

Producer Gil Cates says when he informed the trio that those words would have to be changed, they immediately told him they'd alter 'em. Meanwhile, Cates said "bitch" and "ho's" are ok since they're already heard on network shows.

The new, replacement lyrics will be heard by the Oscar team and ABC network for the first time next Tuesday (Feb. 28) when the group pre-records for the March 5 Oscar show. Host Jon Stewart, his wife, two babies and writing staff arrive in L.A. Sunday.

Update Friday 2/24: Houston, one of the nominated team who wrote "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" was reached with the group, Three 6 Mafia, at their gig in Gary, Indiana, on Friday. When asked about the questionable lyrics he assured me "When we go onstage at the Oscars it will be a clean show. It will be hip-hop at its best." He emphasized it will be completely clean -- no vulgar words at all.

The group is also celebrating their newsest record, "Poppin' My Collar," which has gone gold and is on its way to platinum.