By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Wednesday, June 7, 2006

The Game was a no-show at his manager's sentencing for second-degree assault in Prince George's County yesterday, same as during the two-day trial back in January. But the courtroom saga of hip-hop impresario James Rosemond got an overdue injection of A-list glamour with the surprise closing-minutes arrival of . . . Queen Latifah !

The Oscar-nominated actress and singer, in a lavender-gray pantsuit and upswept hair, arrived late after her six-person entourage got stuck in the morning rush through the metal detectors at the Upper Marlboro complex. In town for a Capitol Hill event, she volunteered to serve as a character witness for Rosemond, a longtime pal from her NYC days.

But Judge Graydon S. McKee III kept things short, and defense lawyers decided against putting the star on the stand. They didn't need her: Rosemond, convicted of slugging a WKYS DJ during his rapper client's visit to the Lanham studios last year, walked away with no jail time -- just a suspended five-year sentence, three years' probation and a $2,500 fine. Prosecutor Frank Denison had recommended six months behind bars.

The 41-year-old ex-con -- who recently shrugged off his "Jimmy Henchman" nickname -- made an emotional plea for leniency. "One thing I never want to be is a hypocrite," he said, telling McKee how he counsels children against violence. He also brought letters of support from dozens of friends, including Warner Music VP Kevin Liles . Rosemond still faces civil suits from Richard "DJ Zxulu" Dunkerson and another man who claims he was injured in the fracas.

So where was The Game, who barely escaped charges himself in the incident and went on to rap about it ("Don't make me remind y'all what happened in D.C.")? His publicist didn't return a call. The Game's got a new movie and CD coming out soon -- and Rosemond still manages him.

Actress Lynda Carter began her first-ever commencement address by quoting Paul Simon's "Kodachrome": When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all.

Coming after effusive praise for Bethesda-Chevy Chase's Class of 2006, the line got laughs -- but some students, parents and staff at last Wednesday's graduation at DAR Constitution Hall were taken aback. "It wasn't quite what one expected at a high school graduation," says BCC PTSA President Carole Brand .

Past BCC speakers include Condi Rice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hillary Clinton and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Wonder Woman tried to break the ice by contrasting her own school experience with that of BCC's graduating seniors. "These things tend to be so formal, so I thought it would get a laugh and get everybody in a good mood," Carter says. "It was totally tongue-in-cheek."

Carter spent her teenage years more fixated on show business than studies. She says she was very touched to be asked to speak at the commencement and decided to use her own life to illustrate 10 pithy lessons for the graduates, among them "Life is a journey, not a destination," "Dare to dream," "Serve others" (including a passionate plug for Al Gore's new movie) and "Attitude is everything." "If students take them to heart, they would serve them well," Brand says.

Carter's son, Jamie Altman , is graduating from Landon (which did not invite the actress to speak, she noted in her speech). His BCC pals gave his mom a thumbs-up. "Getting a compliment from my teenage son makes everything worthwhile."

· Rob Thomas , picking up some $14 shaving cream at the Kiehl's store in Georgetown Monday. The Matchbox Twenty lead singer, in town for his solo concert at Merriweather Post last night, wandered in with model/wife Marisol ; he was reportedly quite well accessorized (bracelets, expensive sunglasses) in a burnt orange polo and hair that was lighter than usual. He also walked off with a bunch of free samples.