DanMargarita.com

Several news outlets, particularly TMZ, have reported that “Porn legend” (their words, not mine) Sasha Grey was a celebrity guest reader to 1st and 3rd graders at the Emerson Elementary School in Compton, California as part of the “Read Across America” program. I suspect she’s also done many other things across America, but I digress.

When word of Ms. Grey’s appearance got out, several parents complained to the PTA and later to the IBTC.

The school committee denied that Ms. Grey was ever at the school, not realizing that we no longer live in the age of quill pens but of cell phone cameras and Twitter. Thus, their denial of Ms. Grey’s presence was easily debunked.

Grey has won awards for her work in the adult film business, including the… “Best (use your imagination) Award” for her role in “(Not even going to attempt this one).”

After the public brouhaha, Ms. Grey released a statement defending herself against her critics, stating:

“I read “Dog Breath” by Dav Pilkey to the sweetest 1st and 3rd grade children.”

Hopefully that wasn’t her nickname among her acting colleagues.

Ms. Grey also stated, “I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.”

Somehow I don’t think Gloria Steinem will be inviting her to speak at the next meeting for the National Organization of Women.

No doubt it proved to be an embarrassing moment when a gentleman walked in and said, “Did somebody here order cookies and milk? No? Well, as long as I’m here…”

Okay, I made that one up.

Some parents watching the reading may have thought they were witnessing the taping of a David Lee Roth music video. Then again, I’m not sure how this leaked out but I’m wondering how some of the parents knew of Ms. Grey’s previous acting career. If they recognized her, doesn’t that mean that they’ve admitted to watching porn videos?

It’s highly unlikely that the kids knew of her past work. They just knew a pretty lady came in and read to them. I doubt upon introducing her, the teacher gave a list of her film titles. I can’t name any of them here but in 2009 alone, she starred in 34 videos. How she was able to remember all of that dialogue, I’ll never know.

In fairness, Ms. Grey has been one of the few adult film stars to successfully cross over to mainstream movies and that is more likely why she was invited to do the reading. I suspect that porn actor Ron Jeremy is on tap at Emerson Elementary to read “My Pet Goat.”

She is set to star in a film called “I Melt With You” starring Rob Lowe, which is ironic since the height of his fame may be when he was involved in a sex tape scandal in 1988 while he was campaigning for presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. This was the night before the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, so I guess Mr. Lowe didn’t take The Duke’s advice to “Make It In Massachusetts.”

Ms. Grey allegedly has “retired” from the adult film world, but since most porn stars don’t get to cross over to mainstream films, I’m not sure what retired porn stars do with their free time (well, I can guess). Ballplayers (snicker) often have their number retired. As to what a porn star has retired, it’s anyone’s guess.

Ms. Grey has vowed to keep reading to kids and I’m sure the material will be closer to Dr. Seuss then it will be to Nabokov (Lolita). Hell, if I can get Sasha Grey to come to my house and read to me, I will add a library, because “Reading is fundamental!”

Oh, TMZ is also reporting that Lindsay Lohan’s sentencing was “Delayed For Naked Playboy Pics.” If I’m ever sentenced for anything, I’ll give that one a shot.

Well, old Doc Scarpito ran a successful program with “Reading For Pleasure,” although some people prefer to watch videos.