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As a celebrity profiler, Cleveland native Scott Raab doesn't shy away from asking about Ewan McGregor's penis, Ryan Seacrest's sexual orientation, or Dennis Rodman's romp in the sack with Madonna. And you can read all the anecdotes he's written for GQ and Esquire in his new book, Real Hollywood Stories, which he'll sign tonight in Legacy Village. "This isn't the book I thought I'd write when I was reading Kafka. But because these profiles are 9,000 words, they have a quality and a depth that Us Weekly is never going to aspire to," says the 55-year-old Raab. "We all know what Ewan McGregor is up to — who gives a shit? — but only one guy went to the zoo with him. And that was me." The anthology of articles and backstories includes interviews with A-listers like comedian Bill Murray, actor Nicolas Cage, and fellow Clevelander Drew Carey. And because he's from down-to-earth Northeast Ohio, Raab gives props to his roots for his being unimpressed with star status. "For the celebrity profiler, every job is a blind date," says Raab. "And the sweaty fat girl is always you." Raab signs his book at 7 tonight at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 24519 Cedar Road in Lyndhurst. Admission is free. Call 216-691-7000 or visit www.josephbeth.com.
Sun., June 22, 7 p.m., 2008