Aretha Franklin in the (212)

She must have arrived on the freeway of love, 'cause you know this diva won't fly

It's nice to see that Aretha Franklin is out and about -- photographed last night at the Magic-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden -- and looking happy. Every person I know who has ever come into contact with her says she's a nightmare, but what can you expect when the world has been blowing smoke up your ass longer than you can remember? Maybe I'm out of the loop on this, but Aretha finally did confirm she had cancer? I thought I'd heard a denial, but a cursory Web search seems to say finally confirmed it. After seeing her shocking -- and fabulous -- weight loss on the Grammys, I started to wonder if she had had gastric bypass surgery. Whatever the case may be, here's hoping she's fully recovered and remains in good health for years to come. I was born the same year her definitive LP, "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You," came out, and one listen to that masterpiece and you'll be blowing a lifetime of smoke up her ass, too!