Ol' Dirty Bastard's release from prison after serving a two-year sentence for probation violations stemming from weapon and drug charges will be the focus of ODB on Parole, the first episode of VH1's new cinema verite documentary series, Inside Out, airing August 7th.

ODB (real name Russell Jones, though he now also answers to Dirt McGirt) was released on May 1st after serving half of a four-year prison term. The Wu-Tang Clan rapper's release and an immediate press conference to announce his signing to Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records, will be included among the documentary's footage, along with meetings with his parole officer, interaction with family (he has thirteen children) and resuming his creative process, as ODB begins to write and record a new solo album and continue his career.

"I thought I wasn't gonna touch no more microphones or something," he said upon his release. "I was incarcerated for two years and several months and it was hell out there. But I feel good. I'm happy my eyes are open. I'm all right physically and mentally . . . The first thing I wanted to do was give my mother a hug."

Inside Out has other episodes in the work. On August 24th, the show will focus on the creation of Warren Zevon's final album, which he undertook after learning he had terminal cancer. Another episode will follow the birth of Velvet Revolver, the new band featuring former Guns n' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum; no air date has been set.

ANDREW DANSBY
(July 30, 2003)