While Jon Stewart gave Best Song cowinner...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 26 Feb 2008 | 1:33 am

New Bourne to Make Four

Universal is opting to keep Jason Bourne on the run. Their ears ringing with the sound of three Oscar wins for the "Bourne Ultimatum," Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass have...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 26 Feb 2008 | 12:39 am

Dennis Quaid

US actor Dennis Quaid poses during a photocall for the movie "Vantage Point" on February 16 in Berlin. Thriller "Vantage Point," reconstructing the assassination of a US president through the eyes of eight...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:51 pm

N.Y. Philharmonic arrives in North Korea

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra arrived in North Korea Monday to perform a historic concert in the secretive communist nation's capital.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:41 pm

Exclusive: Limited-Edition Obama Silk-screened Tee

Spotted: Ryan Philippe wearing a cool Barack Obama T-shirt last week. The design might look familiar: It's a silk screen of a poster by graffiti artist Obey (né Shepard Fairey), which is now selling for hundreds to, well, thousands on eBay. Only about 900 of the shirts were made and then handed out for free at rallies, which is how Philippe nabbed one in L.A. It's a pretty cool design, and you're looking at a relatively hot guy wearing the shirt (and perhaps you're even a fan of the politician depicted on said shirt), so obviously you want to score this look, don't you? Well, you're in luck: A thousand more shirts have just been made and are on sale for $25 apiece at Upper Playground starting now. If word spreads, you can expect this limited-edition stock to swiftly sell out, so buy early and often.

Shepard Fairey Shirts [Upper Playground]

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:20 pm

Daniel Loeb Gets His Dream House

Notoriously prickly hedge-fund manager Daniel Loeb has finally closed on his $45 million penthouse at 15 Central Park West. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom (plus two half-bathrooms!) apartment on the 39th floor is 10,674 square feet, and that's not including the 709-foot wraparound terrace. It also comes with access to a 75-foot lap pool, around which Loeb can hobnob with neighbors Sting, Denzel Washington, and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein; a screening room; English-oak-paneled library; formal dining room (with a private in-house chef); climate-controlled wine rooms (keep your Gewürztraminer chilled!); and a general sense of extreme self-satisfaction, especially if you pay for it in cash, as Loeb did. One issue, though: Loeb's views of the park will be obstructed by views of Sandy Weill's $42.4 million apartment. Well, even the rich sometimes suffer, a little.

15 CPW ALERT! Loeb's $45 M. 'Panorama' [NYO]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:15 pm

Michael K. Williams of ‘The Wire’ on Honey Nut Cheerios, Spider-Man, and How Omar's Story Will End

Longtime viewers of The Wire have been shocked at the exploits this season of Omar Little, America's most beloved gay stickup artist. From pulling "some Spider-Man shit" and disappearing off a balcony to calling out Marlo on the streets of Baltimore, Omar has been transformed into some combination of superhero and ghoul. As the final episodes of The Wire approach, Michael K. Williams talks to Vulture about what the future holds for his character — and for him. (Hint: He's in a Cormac McCarthy movie.)

Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't watched season five.

When did you shoot Omar’s last episode?
August.

How did you manage to keep Omar's death a secret for so long?
The HBO legal department! Really, I didn’t want to spoil it for anybody. When people found out that The Wire was definitely coming back, there was so much glee in everybody’s faces. “The Wire’s coming back! Oh my God! Oh my God! But Omar’s gonna die.” There would have been a cloud.

How did your friends and family take it?
My mother doesn’t watch it. It’s not really her cup of tea. My brothers and sisters all watch it. One of my brothers, he took it really hard. Instead of seeing Omar, he saw his little baby brother. My family — we’re sensitive people.

Omar gets popped by a little kid in a corner store. Did you want a more heroic ending for him?
David [Simon] and Ed [Burns] have been doing a phenomenal job writing this character. I never got in the way of that, and I wasn’t going to start to do it now. It’s sad that he had to go. If I had my way, he would have stayed in Puerto Rico with Renaldo. It’s sad. I’m not going to lie.

We were so upset! As a viewer, we were frustrated that none of the characters were that upset. It was just this thing that happened. The guy wasn’t even mourned. Should he have been?
That’s the life he lived. He didn’t bring anybody close to him. He didn’t live anywhere, didn’t have any neighbors. But off camera, and outside of our characters, I got so much love from my co-workers. Wendell Pierce, who plays Bunk, he called me last night. Out of all the calls and the e-mails and the texts that I’ve gotten, his got through to me in a way that none of them did. It was a very heartfelt call. He said, “Mike, I want you to know that I will never, ever forget this night. Tonight is the night that Omar died.” It pierced my armor.

Toward the end, did Omar’s exploits ever get too unbelievable? I’m talking about when he jumped from that building and landed with only a broken leg.
That actually really happened. Omar’s character is based on a brother named Donnie Andrews. [On The Wire, the real-life Andrews played] the gentleman that got shot and killed in that apartment with Omar. I said, “Donnie, man, what happened that night? What was going through your mind to jump through the window?” He said, “Michael, I wasn’t thinking. There was no time to think. I was just trying to escape some hot ones.” Your partner just got murdered. You got people gunning at you. And there’s an open window? What are you going to do?

Honey Nut Cheerios. Is that your favorite cereal or Donnie Andrews's favorite cereal?
I think that might just be something they wrote. I do happen to love Honey Nut Cheerios. I don’t know if I want to walk down to the store in my pajamas for them. But I do love them. I think that was just bringing something familiar to the character.

What would you put on Omar’s tombstone?
Omar Devone Little. A stand-up dude. Rest in peace.

What are you working on right now?
I just came from Arizona. I’m working with a young native who wrote and directed his first piece — an independent film called Addicts. I leave to start production on The Road, [a Cormac McCarthy adaptation] directed by John Hilcoat and starring Viggo Mortensen and the lovely and talented Charlize Theron. I’m really excited about that.

You’ve played Omar for five seasons. Are you having trouble shaking him off?
That character’s become a part of me. I don’t think I would ever — or want to ever — completely shake him off. —Aileen Gallagher

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:15 pm

More Mommy Time for Britney

After not seeing her boys for almost two months, Britney Spears has scored her second face-to-face visit in a three-day period. The embattled pop star received another in-home visit from one-year-old...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 25 Feb 2008 | 11:00 pm

Vulture's Read the Screenplay for the Notorious B.I.G. Biopic

If you, despite everything, were still holding out hope that Notorious B.I.G. might get the smart, probing biopic that his legacy deserves — through the delays, the director changes, the producers' appalling decision to cast the rapper via an Internet talent search, etc. — we have some bad news: We've read the script, and we're not optimistic.

Similar recent music bios have been wise to limit their scope to specific parts of their subjects' histories. The 113-page screenplay for Notorious (by journalist Cheo Hodari Coker) makes the unfortunate decision to pack an entire (albeit short) life into a two-hour movie. 8 Mile's focus on Eminem's early, pre-fame career gave the film a natural story arc and taught us things we didn't already know. Notorious — on paper, at least — plays like a loose-knit highlight reel; it's basically the screenplay adaptation of Biggie's Wikipedia entry.

It opens with his murder and funeral, then doubles back to his Brooklyn childhood. We get a few scenes of Biggie at home, in the classroom, and on the corner dealing crack; there are some rap posters in his bedroom, and we see him fill a rhyme book during a nine-month prison sentence, but there's no real explanation given for how he went from enthusiastic fan to one of hip-hop's all-time most revered emcees. Nevertheless, by page 30, he's signed to Puffy's label, and from there it's a mad, tensionless dash to the end of his biography, with all emerging conflicts — his mom's breast cancer, baby-mama drama, various love triangles (Biggie, Faith Evans, Lil' Kim; Biggie, Evans, Tupac) — resolved within a scene or two.

Notorious was purportedly written with input from Biggie's mom, Voletta Wallace, and his managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts, all of whom are credited producers on the project. This much is clear in the way that many of Biggie's most important moments are told after the fact through his conversations with them; we only learn about Biggie's marriage to Evans when he tells Barrow and Pitts about a month later (though, curiously, we're there when he asks them both to be his managers), and it's only in phone calls with his mother that he denies involvement both times Tupac gets shot.

No killer is explicitly fingered in Biggie's own death either (understandably, we guess); the script makes clear that we never see the shooter's face. We do, however, see him in a garage cleaning and oiling his weapon in preparation. He has police scanners on his workbench and in his car, along with LAPD credentials on his dashboard that lets him drive past a police blockade on his way to the murder, though there's no speculation on who he is or who he might've been working for.

Anyway, the script isn't a total wash. The early pages on Biggie's adolescence are compelling enough — we just wish they'd been more the focus. Two-thirds of Notorious takes place after he's already famous, dwelling more on his success than his early ambition or talent (which would've been way more appealing). It's hard to imagine anyone these days feeling too inspired by his fame or record sales, since they were hardly replicable even in the nineties as they were happening, much less in today's music business. The filmmakers would probably have done better to concentrate on what made Biggie one of rap's greats, or at least given us a scene or two of him honing his craft.

We wanted a penetrating look at the guy who made Ready to Die, but Notorious cuts about as deep as your average, single-disc greatest hits. You may want to adjust your expectations accordingly.

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 10:45 pm

Taryn Davidson Books Paris Runways, Italian ‘Vogue’

Though she debuted at last year’s Calvin Klein show alongside Karlie Kloss and Toni Garrn, Canadian Taryn Davidson has remained more under the radar. One could attribute this merely to her being Canadian — our northern neighbors tend to lie low. But Taryn's creating a stir in Paris: Usually catwalk bookings are confirmed the day of, but Davidson’s already snagged spots this week at Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga. And she’s also blowing up off the runway, having shot an upcoming Italian Vogue editorial with Nathaniel Goldberg. Not too shabby, eh? —Kendall Herbst

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 10:27 pm

The ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Don't Exist in a Vacuum

As you all know, Gossip Girl is returning to the airwaves soon, therefore saving us from having to unleash all of our obsessive glee on another unwitting subject. But if we were to do so, the victim of our endless critiques would probably have been The Real Housewives of New York City. Come on, you know you're going to love hating yourself for loving to hate it. We got hold of the first two episodes, and they did not disappoint. The show serves to show us a whole new class of people that we haven't really seen before. The Orange County edition was just as campy and trashy as one would expect; after all, money is what shows status out there. Here, class still matters. Real Housewives trains a telescope on the little-examined but arguably powerful firmament of wealthy adults in Manhattan, those who aggressively crowd around established society stars, hoping that some of the glitter may fall on them. They're the people in the background of Bill Cunningham's pictures in the "Styles" section, the donor names you don't recognize, the bodies filling in the chairs at Da Silvano. It's kind of uncomfortable to watch, because at the end of the day most of the women are sort of sweet, happy, and slightly flawed. You feel like you're watching a show about your mom's kooky friends. What saves the show, though, is the reactions of the supporting cast family members, friends, and staff around the five ladies. They make the women redeemable and real. For every nutty social climber, apparently there is a nanny, a tennis pro, one to three children who have a 50-50 chance of surviving boarding school, and a devoted husband or boyfriend. This week in New York, we profiled our five favorites. Check it out, and if anybody's slept with the tennis pro, e-mail us at intel@nymag.com. We don't want to publish anything; we just have some questions.

Behind Every Housewife… [NYM]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 10:25 pm

Lowest Rated Oscars. Ever.

The Oscars might have made history Sunday night. But not the good kind. If early Nielsen numbers hold, the ABC telecast will go down as the lowest-rated Academy Awards ever. Already,...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 25 Feb 2008 | 10:08 pm

New Roots Single Predictably Excellent

1. The Roots, "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)"
"Show me the puppet that don't need a puppeteer" go the lyrics to this new Roots single. You show us that, and we'll show you an iPod that doesn't need this MP3. [Nah Right]

2. Cloud Cult, "When Water Comes to Life"
Cloud Cult's new track starts with angels and plucked strings but ends with thunder and the line "all you need to know is you were made of water." All you need to know, though, is this song was made of awesome. [Pitchfork]

3. Boris, "Your Points Is the Umbrella"
Here's the latest epic from our favorite long-haired, screaming Japanese dudes. [Audiversity]

4. Cool Kids, "Action Figures"
Cool Kids are back with a spare banger about cops and crazy uncles. We like it. [Gorilla vs. Bear]

5. Throw Me the Statue, "About to Walk"
Are these guys paying homage to Indiana Jones? We don't know, but they sound pretty great. [Bridging the Atlantic]
—Ehren Gresehover

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 10:00 pm

Emma Thompson Fights Miramax's Weight-Loss Demands

Ever wonder why some actresses suddenly show up to award shows all thin and sickly? (Besides for the obvious reasons, we mean.) Well, it's kind of like when guys show up with facial hair, looking inappropriately scrubby and explain that it's for a movie role: Studios sometimes ask actresses lose weight when they don't need to. (Shocker.) Take 25-year-old Hayley Atwell, whom Miramax executives told to slim down for her role in the forthcoming film Brideshead Revisited. Thanks to co-star Emma Thompson, the studio relinquished the weight-loss demand, according to First Post:

Says Atwell: "I went round to Emma's one night and she was getting very angry that I wasn't eating all the food she was giving me. I told her why and she hit the roof." The no-nonsense Thompson was so outraged that she called the producers the next day and threatened to resign from the film if they forced Atwell to lose weight. Faced with Thompson — a two-times Oscar winner — on the warpath, Miramax Films swiftly relented.

We'd also be irritated if someone came over to eat and then just stared at her food, especially when she's already thin and good-looking. It's sad younger stars don't have enough pull or forethought to get out of these kinds of demands on their own. But we love that Thompson took such a strong stand; perhaps she can start a young-actress adoption program of sorts? Anyhow, we're going to go get some hot chocolate now. And a cookie.

Brit actress saved by outraged Emma [First Post]

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:57 pm

Renfro's Oscar Omission

In the end, there was no final curtain call for Brad Renfro. The former child star, whose high-profile credits ("The Client," "Apt Pupil") were eventually overshadowed by...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:41 pm

Clive Campbell Wants Slavery Reparations From Jay-Z, Of All People

Atlantic Yards: Activist Clive Campbell has filed a $5 billion suit against Bruce Ratner, Jay-Z, and Barclay's bank. He's suing for slavery reparations, because of alleged slave trade ties in the history of the bank. [NYO]
Bedford-Stuyvesant: Cleaning your dog's poop is all about respect. Respecting yourself, that is. [Newyorkshitty]
Dumbo: If you want your short film to play on the big screen at Brooklyn Bridge Park, now's the time to submit it to Movies With a View. No subtitles, please. [Dumbo NYC]

Gowanus: A cheap Comfort Inn here just got cheaper. You could almost, like, have your parents come visit now. [McBrooklyn]
Midtown: Three people were stabbed today on 45th and Fifth (OMG, that's right by where you work) after a confusing scuffle. Diamonds were involved. [Gothamist]
Upper East Side: Ratner's legal woes didn't stop him from plunking down nearly $7 million for a brownstone on 62nd, far, far away from the Atlantic Yards. [NYO via Brownstoner]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:40 pm

Cavalli's Cell Phone Is Like a Cinder Block

Earlier we mentioned how designers can't use everyday technology like computers and cell phones. And now we've some choice visual proof — fresh from Milan, no less! — of designers' frightening inability to modernize. Pictured at left, Roberto Cavalli's ginormous cell phone seen resting on a table at the designer's after-party. Well. If Zack Morris could get ahold of Cavalli, we're sure he'd ask for his phone back.

Earlier: Lagerfeld, Jacobs, Prada Don't Know How to Surf the Net [Cut]

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:29 pm

The Viewers Have Spoken, and They Hate Montages

Preliminary ratings for last night's Academy Awards are in, and, as many predicted, it was the worst-watched Oscar telecast of all time! Viewership was down 20 percent from last year and 14 percent lower than 2003's lowest-rated ceremony ever. Maybe Americans weren't clamoring for high-quality scripted entertainment after all!

Oscars Are a TV Ratings Dud [AP]

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:21 pm

Stefan Ruzowitzky with his Oscar

Winner for Best Foreign Film Austria's "The Counterfeiters" director Stefan Ruzowitzky poses with the trophy during the 80th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. Austria celebrated its first major Oscars...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 25 Feb 2008 | 9:11 pm

Wintour's Favorite Prada Dress — in Blue! — Gets Press

Remember Anna Wintour's favorite Prada dress? Well, she's got it in blue, too. And thar it blows in this weekend's T Style mag's "Maiden Voyage" spread. (It costs $3,120, for those of you who are concerned with such petty matters.) We don't even need to ask who wore it better since those neon factory gloves just make the model's outfit. Hands down (zing!).

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:58 pm

Beauty Marks: Alba's Hair, Marion's Makeup

HAIR
• Oscar night’s sleek hairstyles, from Jessica’s braids to Heidi’s bun, and other red-carpet faves. [BellaSugar]
SKIN • Frida Kahlo’s makeup collection — yes, she has one — releases a skin-care box with mango face cream and cucumber eye serum. All yours for just $230. [Luxist]
• De-stress with a Skyn Iceland product containing Theanine — the relaxing, balancing ingredient found in green tea. [Beauty and the Blog]
MAKEUP • Many stars (Katherine, Marion) wore Chanel makeup to the Oscars. Classic choices all around. [All About the Pretty]
• Fresh’s spring makeup collection captures the look of “tranquil eyes, sun-caressed skin, and bright, glossy lips” with peaches and soft reds. [Spoiled Pretty]

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:51 pm

Our Night at the Oscars*

So last night New York Magazine threw its annual Oscar party at the Spotted Pig, and even though everyone had promised themselves they would act professionally and not drink too much, by the time Best Picture was announced, Chris was in the corner stroking Alan Cumming's beard and Jessica was wondering if it would be okay to ask Dave Zinczenko if she could touch his abs. Or the abs of Dan Abrams and Bill Hemmer, who were (as always) hanging out with him. Really, any abs would do. Happily, our man Darrell Hartman was there asking the important questions. "So, have you ever drunk anyone's milkshake?" he asked stylist Kate Schelter. "I've shared a milkshake," she replied dubiously. Diane Neal from Law & Order drifted by, looking judicious. "Julian Schnabel has been going to events in pajamas," Darrell said, importantly. "What do you think about that?" Diane replied that she had been wearing pajamas until moments before arriving at the event. "I have the onesie footie pajamas, but they do not have the button on the anus," she said. "I gotta say, the only problem is when you have to go to the bathroom. It gets pretty cold, because you have to take everything off."

Darrell was speechless. Did Casey Novak just say anus? He recovered nicely. Diane should get the kind with the flap in the back, he suggested. Like a union suit! She could wear them to the next Emmys! Actually, they'd actually come in handy. "I peed a lot at the Emmys," Neal said. "I peed three times at the Emmys, and each time I was accosted by fans who'd won tickets from like a radio station to be at the Emmys and they would look over the stall. Thank God for enormous dresses, because you're sitting there and girls are like 'Oh my God, are you from Law & Order? I looooove youuuuuu. Yeah, I won these tickets on KPYX.' I'm not kidding. 'How you doing? You're peeing forever! Oh my God, that's like Austin Powers!'" Darrell laughed politely and tried to act like he had never done that before. Suddenly, Nick Denton arrived, having just fired Gawker writer Maggie Shnayerson via e-mail moments beforehand. Across the room, Jessica reeled into Phylicia Rashad's date for the evening, causing the poor woman to spill a kalamata-olive martini all over her long, feathered wrap. She later learned that this person was actually Debbie Allen, which Jessica totally should have known since she had watched a marathon of Girlfriends that very weekend. What? It's always on.

As it happened, Allen is no stranger to wardrobe issues. On one red carpet, she said, "I wore this top that was designed by Issey Miyake. It was kind of made out of black scuba-diving fabric, and it had these black cups that were my breasts," she explained. Pretty! "It actually looked pretty hot," Allen explained, sensing perhaps that description did not do the outfit justice. "I got on the Worst Dressed list, but it was a beautiful picture." Well, that's all you can hope for. At that point, Eddie Izzard whistled, loudly, to get everyone to shut up. Kate Schelter ignored him and kept talking. "I'm going to get them to turn the volume up," Izzard grunted, and bounced off to find the keeper of the remote. Alan Cumming was not intimidated, either. "I think I'd like to do George Clooney, just to see what it was like," he mused aloud. "For research purposes, because everyone swoons about him. I'd like to see if he's got the goods" Then Eddie Izzard came back with the remote control, turned the volume up, and drowned everyone out.

See more photos and interviews from New York's Oscar party.

*Doesn't HD make you just feel like you're right there?

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:45 pm

Artist William Eggleston Wonders What It Takes to Get a Little Service Around Here

He's an innovator in the field of color photography, so it’s no wonder William Eggleston took to redheads. Let these sun-kissed locks serve as a lesson to self-hating “gingers” (we’re talking to you, Lindsay and Nicole) the world over. Eggleston’s work is part of the Fisher Landau Center’s ongoing group exhibition “Pictures in Series: Multiple Visions and Sequential Imagery.” —Rachel Wolff

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:20 pm

Lagerfeld, Jacobs, Prada Don't Know How to Surf the Net

If you're anti-technology, you might want to consider a career in fashion. Many of the world's top designers barely know how to use computers, if at all. Take Karl Lagerfeld:

The designer, who fills his home and studio with the latest technology, from plasma screens to iPods, cannot operate any of it himself.

Lagerfeld sees things his way — and given his profound culture and the multitude of books surrounding him, he is probably correct in his judgment. "I don't use a computer; I do research with my brain," Lagerfeld says. "And if I want or need to — I get people to do it for me."

Does this mean Lagerfeld employs a household head of technology to push buttons on TVs and iPods for him? Oh, the awkward joys of the high life!

Marc Jacobs, on the other hand, is more tech savvy since he took up the Internet as a kind of hobby when he got out of rehab in 2000. He "know[s] how to Google," has had "a relationship from the Internet," and comments on blogs to unwind and amuse himself — nevertheless, he still can't sync his iPod. Jacobs's boss Yves Carcelle, chief executive of Louis Vuitton, "doesn't touch technology and famously, in the well-wired LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group, answers queries with handwritten replies." Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere doesn't know how to use the Internet but, interestingly, just got a BlackBerry. We pity the assistant who will have to teach him how to use it. Miucca Prada doesn't know how to use the Internet either — if she needs to see something on the Web, her staff has to show her.

Suddenly, as we alternate our writing with intermittent bursts of HTML code, we feel severely unfashionable.

Computerphobia: Is It Undermining the Fashion Industry? [IHT]

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:03 pm

The S&M Comedian

Once a week, Daily Intel takes a peek at what your friends and neighbors are doing behind doors left slightly ajar. Today, the S&M Comedian: 27, male, Midtown East, straight, single.

DAY ONE
8 p.m.: Meet Jen for dinner.
10:25 p.m.: Back at my place and Jen tells me she is sleepy from the wine.
10:30 p.m.: We go to the bedroom, and I put a leather collar on her for the first time. She gives me that loving submissive look. Tie her hands behind her back with rope.

10:55 p.m.: Have sex doggy style with her hands still tied behind her back. She has never been this excited before. Untie her and switch to being on top.
11:30 p.m.: Both naked talking on the bed. Jen leaves the collar on. I snap some picture of her. I think it was a hit.

DAY TWO
2 p.m.: Jen sends me the pictures I took last night. I begin looking online for a custom-made leather collar.
8 p.m.: Perform a comedy spot downtown, which goes great.
9:10 p.m.: No decent girls in audience so I bail right after my set. I crave any kind of attention from women. After all, I’m a comedian.

DAY THREE
11 a.m.: Talk to Jen online. Thoughts of having Jen tied up run through my mind.
6 p.m.: A girl stops me on the street and says “Hey, where you going.” I am immediately intrigued because she is really hot. Then I notice the green coat, the dreadlocks, and a clipboard. She is an activist, trying to get my signature. Keep walking.
10 p.m.: Perform downtown. Jen meets me at the spot. Have drinks with her at bar after my set.
Midnight: Have great sex with Jen. Multiple positions: me on top, her on top, doggy style. She commands me to do her a certain way. Makes me think she has dominance in her.

DAY FOUR
2 p.m.: When Jen and I wake up, we have gentle sex. What is happening to me: holding, kissing, touching. I guess I really like her.
4 p.m.: Lie around naked in bed with her.
8 p.m.: I perform all the way down on the Lower East Side. The booker’s wife is pretty hot but seems like white trash. Though I would have sex with a girl that is white trash if it came down to it.
11:15 p.m.: Go to a party. How many comedians can you fit in a cramped Upper East Side apartment? The correct answer is 120. If you guessed that, you win nothing.
11:30 p.m.: Jen meets me at the party and we drink.
2:36 a.m.: We have sex. Jen orgasms hard and then claims she can’t move. She rolls over and passes out fast. I let her sleep and go into the living room.
3:10 a.m.: Look at porn on the internet. I do not jerk off though.
4:30 a.m.: Pass out on couch.

DAY FIVE
2 p.m.: Pick up food order from restaurant. A fugly girl behind the counter starts flirting with me and invites me to a karaoke party on Friday. I wonder where she gets the confidence to ask me out.
10 p.m.: Go out for drinks with my friend Mike.
11:15 p.m.: Bar in meatpacking district. Mike and I start talking to two not attractive girls for kicks. I don’t give one serious answer to them. I’m not sure if they think I’m funny or a huge asshole. I’m fine with either.
2 a.m.: Two Australian girls come up to us and use some cheesy line. “Do you know any good dance clubs around here?” They don’t look Australian, and only one of them is borderline fuckable. We decide to bail on them and head to East Village to meet Mike’s friend.
2:30 a.m.: Bad move because nobody is at this bar. I go home and leave Mike with his friend.

DAY SIX
1 p.m.: Talk to Jen online, and she tells me she ordered a cock ring online. Never used one before, but I’m game. Is this a kinky way of her proposing to me, by putting a ring on my penis?
9:40 p.m.: Perform a set at a comedy club. Seven minutes of pure joy.
11 pm.: I talk to Jen online. It comes up that she loves submitting to me, but the idea of using a ball gag freaks her out.

DAY SEVEN
11 a.m.: Hot arty girl on the subway. I notice she has an animal-rights button on her bag. I wonder if under any circumstance she would consider fucking me (currently wearing leather coat, like leather collars, etc.). Would I have to get a pleather collar for her?
2 p.m.: Talk dirty with Jen. She tells me I could cum on her face, however, not in the eyes and not when she has to run right out the door. She is adorable. I really like her.
2 a.m.: Porn.

Total: Four acts of intercourse, two of which involve S&M, one act of post-sex photo shoot, two acts of looking at porn, one conversation in which girl draws the line at the ball gag.

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 8:00 pm

Harrison's Oscar-Night Sheriffeur

On Sunday night, some stars opted for limos, others a more green-friendly Prius. But for Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, only the back of a squad car would do. Proving that having a name...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:57 pm

‘The L Word’: No Turkish Oil Wrestling!

If the Turkish-oil-wrestling episode of The L Word was like a night on Ecstasy (it felt amazing at the time, but left a bad taste in your mouth and made your back hurt), this week's show was the serotonin-starved day after: No. Fun. At. All. Lez Girls actress Niki Stevens gets the chance to star in a blockbuster action flick — except those pesky photos of her grappling with her girlfriend in a greasy pit have her management in a tizzy. Tina's solution? Get a hot, young Hollywood stud, rather than Jenny, to accompany Niki to a big movie premiere. An invitation also has Bette playing Debbie Downer yet again: Jodi asks Tina and her DP Sam to a dinner party, which provides the pouty Bette and her ex with another opportunity to be awkward and contemplate reuniting. But wait, there's more: What could be sexier than Tasha's military-expulsion hearing?

Hookups
One of Lez Girls' ostensibly straight stars attempts to throw herself at Shane, who wards her off … [crickets] … Yup, that was it for topless time. Hope you got an eyeful last week during all those slo-mo shots of Jenny and Niki thrashing around in the oil, guys — we mean gals!

Processing
At Tasha's hearing, a former underling crumbles on the stand under the tough questioning of the lesbionic prosecutor. (Not one person giggled when the junior officer was asked if she'd like to serve under Tasha in the future. Where's Beavis when you need him?) When “self-professed lesbian” Alice takes the stand, she — you guessed it — mixes it up enough to make Colonel Gillian Davis nervous. In a bizarre reversal, the colonel offers to take it easy on Tasha if Alice agrees to ixnay the outing-ay, but Tasha instead takes the stand, outs herself, announces she loves Alice, and then kisses the host of Alice in Lesboland in front of all her former colleagues. What a tidy way to wrap up that pesky little story line!

Shane continues to chase (increasingly unconvincing straight girl) Molly Kroll, who is bored with her safe boyfriend and safe plan to go to law school. Knowing full well that Shane is an uneducated Lothario (her mom's words, not ours, though they made us chuckle), Molly dares to dip a toe into Shane's rocky waters.

Adele's Campaign of Creepy carries on at the film premiere, where she torments Jenny by venturing inside (ostensibly to get Niki to let them in) and not returning; she later gives Niki instructions to kiss her boy escort on the red carpet to the delight of the paparazzi and dismay of Jenny Schecter. So, let's get this straight: Nobody wonders why the mousy assistant is suddenly hot. Or why she suddenly knows so much about the movie biz. Or why she is suddenly confident and bossy. The ever-skeptical Max doesn't appear this week. Neither does the MIA Helena, and Kit gets one line. We majored in semiotics, not logic, but here's a little “if A, then B” puzzle: Jenny is detestable. If Jenny is obsessed with her own movie, and The L Word is now obsessed with that movie … oh, screw it, we'll just watch the oil-wrestling footage again. —Chelsea Brady

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:30 pm

Girl to Watch: Emma Pei

Some of our favorite new catwalk staples are Asian beauties, and upbeat newcomer Emma Pei is our fave du jour. So let's welcome her to the esteemed club of runway rulers that is our Model Manual, shall we? A little bit about Emma: She had a solid first season in New York, walking in thirteen shows including Peter Som, Vera Wang, and closing Diane Von Furstenberg. Expect to see more of her this week in Paris; last season she booked McQueen and Dries Van Noten. She has a couple of striking Chinese Vogue covers under her belt this past year, and we should be seeing Pei in some major Western publications in no time. —Kendall Herbst

Check out Emma's bio and hundreds more with our Model Manual, an indispensable resource for anyone who cares about the pretty people. Which you do.

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:20 pm

All the Backstage Buzz From the Oscars

Daniel Day-Lewis on the Clooney kiss, and other funny things heard backstage.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:18 pm

What Really Happens On a Shrink's Couch

New HBO drama may spur more people to seek psychological help.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:16 pm

Schnabel: He'll Always Be a Schwinner to Us

As you probably know, Julian Schnabel did not win an Oscar for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly last night. In fact, he lost, to the bespectacled directors of a movie with "few sympathetic characters, brutal, unredeemable violence, and an ending in which the closest thing the story has to a protagonist is killed offstage." The disappointment on Schnabel's face when the verdict was issued was difficult for us to bear, even as it quickly turned to annoyance. Clearly, this was a political, polemical conspiracy, you could see him thinking. Javier Bardem! That hair! Gimmicky. But what did it mean? Does it mean that the world at large will never recognize Schnabel's true magnificence? This we cannot believe. Though we are bowed by this defeat, we are not broken. The Schnabe comes from a long line of stout, hairy, strong souls, and he will emerge again, like, yes, a butterfly from a pupa. Until then, Schnabel, we Schalute thee.

Related: Julian Schnabel is My Cousin [Consent of the Governed]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:15 pm

'Juno' Star: 'I Feel Weird Being Nominated'

Ellen Page and other stars sit down with Barbara Walters on Oscar night.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 7:01 pm

Barneys Sale Update: Kate Moss Plague Slowly Lifting?

We stopped by the Barneys Warehouse Sale this weekend, and while there were certainly a few tumbleweeds rolling about the Kate Moss for Topshop aisle, we did notice an interesting new development: Customers were touching the merchandise. Could a purchase be far off?

Earlier: Live From the Barneys Warehouse Sale

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:58 pm

Daniel Day-Lewis Will Kiss Anything That Moves

"George is just so incredibly generous. He's a great guy, really. I had to kiss someone. I kissed my wife, and in the interests in parity, I kissed him too.'' —Daniel Day-Lewis, who thinks he needs a reason to kiss George Clooney [EW]

"I like to play the guy that has no self-awareness, kind of the likable buffoon who will stick his foot in his mouth and say the wrong thing." —Fred Willard [NYT]

"An addiction to a drug is no different than an addiction to Harry Potter or the Internet or pornography. Although it's not always a bad thing. There's a community that you get with Harry Potter that you don't get with heroin." —psychology professor Dr. Jeffrey Rudski [MTV]

"i love dthat tattoo on her ( Dibalo) and her cute thigh and the wietzman shoes were actually pretty unnatractuve really." —Courtney Love on the Oscars [MySpace]

"We ride different places. He was obviously more seasoned as an actor. But it can be said that my interpretation will have more impact on this generation." —Diddy on his interpretation of Sidney Poitier's role in A Raisin in the Sun [LAT]

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:45 pm

Monday-Morning Quarterbacking: Oscars Edition!

The annual parade of gowns down the Oscars' red carpet last night was a big-time bore; no one looked absolutely dazzling. And no one looked absolutely dreadful, unless you count Ryan Seacrest. Though there was also Colin Farrell … But we digress! We don't understand why more stars don't wear fashionable things to the Oscars. This year's numerous solid-colored silk gowns harkened back to prom, per usual, but thank God for Marion Cotillard, who at least livened things up a little bit. The Guardian called her Jean Paul Gaultier fish gown "creepy," while the Telegraph called it a "winner." Finally, controversy! The postshow fashion analysis, along with our own takeaway, after the jump.

Marion Cotillard
Hilary Alexander for the Telegraph says: "Marion Cotillard, Best Actress – This scalloped, embroidered, haute couture ‘mermaid gown’ by Jean Paul Gaultier, was a winner from the moment she stepped out of her limo, accessorized with an unusual multi-strand diamond necklace by Chopard."
Imogen Fox for the Guardian says: "Her full-length and literal take on fishtail by Jean-Paul Gaultier, complete with scales, was undoubtedly silly and a little creepy, but last month I couldn't even spell her name and now she's my out-and-out red carpet favourite."
We say: It was just about the only interesting gown of the night, so even though it's weird, we loved it just for the sake of having something different to look at.




Tilda Swinton
Eric Wilson from the New York Times says: "Ms. Swinton, bless her Dobby the House Elf-loving heart, will most likely wake up with a few bruises tomorrow for her dress (from Lanvin)."
He adds: "The hits were few and the misses, well, seemed to be less a result of actresses who dare to risk the wrath of the fashion police (Tilda Swinton leading the charge in a shapeless black bolt of fabric that appeared to be designed by the House of Hefty) than a general sense of red carpet malaise"
We say: Even a bruised Swinton will be the wittiest actress on most red carpets, and we think brains and personality are more noteworthy than the House of Hefty. Girls like Miley Cyrus have a lot to learn from her.





Cameron Diaz
Imogen Fox from the Guardian says: "Because a loose ponytail exudes red carpet confidence. [The Best Hair] award could have gone to Rosamund Pike, Cate Blanchett or even Ellen Page. But Diaz gets it because it successfully distracts from the fact that she's wearing last year's dress."
Alexandra Fullerton for the BBC says: "Cameron Diaz, who presented the best cinematographer award, wore a sugar-pink Christian Dior gown, but cleverly avoided slipping into saccharine territory with the addition of some edgy origami-style pleats."
We say: She looked and acted like a drab mess, but we love that her whole look seemed to say, "I'm so over it."

Sarah Larson
Hank Stuever for the Washington Post says: "At last, the Clooneyjam works its way toward us. His girlfriend, Sarah Larson, is wearing Valentino, all jewelish and flowery. The evil, un-[Tim] Gunn person in us thinks shower curtain, but we aren't about to say it. Clooney'd slap us silly."
We say: Shower curtain maybe, but we'd call it the upholstery on grandma's couch.
















Faye Dunaway
Hilary Alexander for the Telegraph says: "This gold lace second-skin of a gown by Pamella Rolland, is too tight, too revealing, too see-through, too much."
We say: She looked glam. She doesn't have that body so she can hide it under a sack.
















Nicole Kidman
Hilary Alexander for the Telegraph says: "There’s plain and there’s just plain boring. Pregnancy is no excuse. What’s with the droopy rows of chains and crystals dangling over the bust and back?"
We say: Maybe the necklace was meant to offset the work that appeared to have been done on her lips. Or maybe she was trying to outdo Kimora Lee Simmons's million-dollar hairpiece.













Heidi Klum
Hank Stuever for the Washington Post says: "Heidi Klum in a Coke-can-red Galliano (which she says she'll be donating to an auction for that whole [Product] Red charity? As in, just strip it off right there at the Governors Ball and let the bidding commence? It's a milkshake, and we drink. It. Up."
Imogen Fox for the Guardian says: "Let's leave goody two shoes dresser Anne Hathaway and perma-bore Heidi Klum to battle it out for the best red dress prize in Marchesa and Galliano respectively."
We say: Why was she there anyway? We don't think we'd be able to handle Heidi Klum the actress (yawn?) so let's hope her Oscar cameo wasn't a subliminal advertisement for acting ambitions.








Rebecca Miller
Imogen Fox from the Guardian says: "Worst supporting partner: Rebecca Miller. Theirs is a difficult role come Oscar night. It's not your night, so you're not meant to look leagues better — or leagues worse — than your partner. Alas, Miller, wife of Daniel Day-Lewis, chose tablecloth check shoes, orange bows that looked like they came from Clinton Cards and tarantula-sized brooches. All on lace, which can be difficult at the best of times. Granted, she probably spent the hours before the ceremony advising her husband on his earrings and worrying about how she'd cope with his ego issues if he didn't win, but still."
We say: At least her outfit plucked her out of her husband's shadow and earned her a good bit of publicity.




Jennifer Hudson
Us Weekly says: "Two years in a row! After being panned for her brown dress and gold cape last year, the Best Supporting Actress winner donned an awkward white gown with diamond snakeskin straps."
We say: Yes it's kind of tacky, but at least her boobs defied gravity.














Jessica Alba
Hillary Alexander for the Telegraph says: "Heavily pregnant but simply stunning in an aubergine silk, empire-line gown with rose-appliqued bodice, by Marchesa."
We say: Are those sea anemones clinging to her chest?

Earlier: Live From the Oscars: It's the Red Fugging Carpet!

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:33 pm

Conservatives Target Obama — Finally!

Just in case you had any lingering doubts about Barack Obama’s brief honeymoon with conservative elites being over, Representative Jack Kingston (R-Georgia) showed up on Real Time With Bill Maher Friday night and brought the slime. Kingston didn’t just slam Obama for being short on substance and foreign-policy experience (“He’s all ready to go hug Raul Castro, a little lovey-dovey there … Now that he knows who Musharraf is, he apparently still wants to bomb Pakistan”). He also brought up that dopey false story, not so fresh off the Internet, about Obama declining to place his hand over his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kingston is the perfect bleeding-edge attack dog for the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy: a guy with a lifetime rating of 96.4 from the American Conservative Union who is also media-genic and funny enough to have gone head-to-head with Stephen Colbert and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and who is now backing John McCain. But it wasn’t so long ago that conservative talking heads seemed genuinely fascinated rather than disingenuously appalled by Obama. They had sensed his transcendent appeal, which was particularly interesting at a time when Republican presidential candidates were having a hard time getting anybody excited. They admired his willingness to speak to American ideals and eschew victimology. And of course they saw Hillary Clinton as a common enemy. The day after Clinton beat Obama in New Hampshire, right-wing radio was abuzz with hosts inveighing against the tragic inevitability of her triumph. Rush Limbaugh assured listeners he, at least, would stick around to keep attacking Hillary.

Even after Obama rebounded, it was safe for wingers to dip a toe into Obamamania, because they couldn’t quite bring themselves to believe Clinton could lose. After Obama’s victory speech in South Carolina on January 26, Kathryn Jean Lopez wrote at the Corner, “I tell you, he almost had me tonight until he talked about the war that shouldn't have been authorized and reminded me there are real policy issues at stake in this election!” But Michael Graham demurred: “It's over. The Clintons have defeated [Obama] already, because he is leaving South Carolina as ‘the black candidate.’ He won't win another state. Even worse, in November Hillary will carry 90 percent of the black vote, despite their cynical, race-based campaign against the first viable black presidential candidate.”

Coming to grips with Obama, not Hillary, as the 2008 face of the Democratic Party made conservatives realize that he’s … liberal! Suddenly the bloom was off the rose. David Brooks signaled a shift in genteel punditry, mocking Obama as “The Chosen One” on the day of the Wisconsin primary. In scummier waters, Cliff Kincaid outed one of Obama’s childhood mentors as a Communist. Since then, Lisa Schiffren has speculated (without any evidence) that Obama’s parents might have met through Communist politics. John Derbyshire has written, “I really need persuading that when I look at Barack Obama, I'm not just seeing Al Sharpton minus the pompadour and the attitude.” Even Michelle Obama’s senior thesis at Princeton has come in for criticism.

Thing is, many of the attacks on Obama have an anachronistic feel to them. Hauling out the Pledge of Allegiance is so George H.W. Bush. Red-baiting is an even more tired stunt. For the moment, right-wingers are attacking Barack and Michelle Obama as America-hating left-wingers. But if most voters hadn’t already accepted the American success as a central story line in the Obamas’ narrative, the Obama campaign couldn’t have come this far.

On Friday night, while Representative Kingston was broadcasting Internet hoaxes on HBO, former Bush speechwriter David Frum was sitting at the same table telling Bill Maher that an Obama presidency will make the nation nostalgic for hard-working Hillary Clinton — a point echoed by a National Review Online writer with the nom de cyber “David Kahane.” Well, maybe. But what conservatives really seem to be lamenting in the defeat of the Clintons is the unexpected passing of an enemy they knew how to attack by keeping the culture wars stoked.

Barack Obama may or may not be post-racial. But movement conservatives are not yet post-1968. —Peter Keating

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:30 pm

Oscars may be headed to worst ratings ever

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:27 pm

Kimmel Efs Affleck, Apes Damon

Jimmy Kimmel has let loose the dogs of a YouTube war. After keeping his silence for an agonizing three and a half weeks in the wake of girlfriend Sarah Silverman's hilarious music video...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 25 Feb 2008 | 6:22 pm

Clinton's Barbs Condoned by the Patron Saint of Bitchy Sarcasm, Tina Fey

Above is the terrifyingly shrill clip of Hillary Clinton's sarcastic comedy routine about Barack Obama that's been making the rounds today. Some people seem to think the crack, which she delivered at a rally yesterday, is good for her, because it shows her funny side. Other people found it "unattractive." We kind of found it to be both riveting and appalling at the same time. Also, we can't help but suspect that Hillary felt empowered to pull the stunt because of Tina Fey's rather surprising, rabble-rousing Clinton endorsement on Saturday Night Live the day before. We have that video after the jump. Watching both these videos, you kind of have to admit that Tina's on to something. Bitch may be, in fact, the new black.

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:50 pm

Jon Stewart Hosts an Academy Awards

In case you missed it in between the endless montages, interviews with past years' winners, and the 26 (approximate) musical numbers from Enchanted, last night's Oscar telecast had a host: Jon Stewart, returning after a passable performance as last year's 2006's emcee. "These past three and a half months have been very tough," he told the crowd. "The town was torn apart by a bitter writers' strike, but I'm happy to say that the fight is over. So, tonight, welcome to the makeup sex."

Still, the specter of the strike hung heavy over last night's awards. Last month, Academy producer Gil Cates warned us what would happen if the labor unrest wasn't resolved in time for the ceremony — stars and host would stay home, and the show would be filled out with hours of tributes and montages. In the end, the stars and the host showed up, but, sadly, so too did the montages. God, there were a lot of montages.

And viewers still accustomed to months of strike-affected TV probably recognized Stewart's semi-wooden performance last night from A Daily Show, the scribe-less version of The Daily Show. Sure, his monologue was okay, but shouldn't it have been funnier? We liked the joke about inviting writers to the Vanity Fair party, but did it really take these past two weeks to come up with the Gaydolph Titler thing? And we never thought we'd wish for one of Billy Crystal's lame musical numbers about the nominated films, but wouldn't even that have been better than Wii tennis and iPhone gags?

As David Edelstein pointed out this morning, one of the show's best moments came when Stewart brought Once's Marketa Irglova back out after her acceptance speech got cut off by the obnoxious orchestra. It was unscripted, but in the good way.

Earlier: How Did ‘No Country for Old Men’ Win the Big Prize?
Related: Edelstein Reacts to the Oscars [Projectionist]

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:45 pm

Will Jackson's 'Discipline' Break Through?

Janet Jackson hopes her "Discipline" will reignite her career.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:26 pm

Combs, Rashad Shine in 'Raisin'

The TV movie features impressive performances from stage and screen vets.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:25 pm

Why Did the Oscars Do That to Poor Amy Adams?

Did Amy Adams insult Gil Cates's mother or something? We don't know how it was that she sang one of the nominated songs from Enchanted, while Kristin Chenoweth sang another in her place, but apparently Adams pissed off Oscar producer Cates something fierce.

Chenoweth, who could sell a song in her sleep, got the help of a cast of dozens of colorfully costumed dancers for her song, "That's How You Know." Meanwhile, the charming Adams was placed all alone on a bare stage in a single spotlight for her number. We would understand that, maybe, if the song was a torchy ballad. But the song was the light, fluffy "Happy Working Song," which is tolerable in the film only because its performance is accompanied by the sight gag of rats, pigeons, and cockroaches cleaning an apartment. What sadistic producer heard "Happy Working Song" and thought, Let's put Amy Adams onstage all by herself, but let's give Kristin Chenoweth a lot of help for her number? Adams didn't do terribly, but she's no Broadway star, and we felt kind of awful for her.

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:15 pm

Joe Dolce, Former ‘Star’ Editor, Gets a Taste of ‘Culture’

MEDIA
• Former Star editor-in-chief Joe Dolce resurfaces, bringing Culture & Travel magazine back into the spotlight. [WWD]
• Former Seventeen editrix Atoosa Rubenstein resurfaces, bringing Alpha Kitty back into the spotlight. [HuffPo]
• And for those wondering how to keep tabs on colleagues who are masthead hopping, check out e-newsletter Gorkana, brought to your in-box by friendly PR people. [NYT]

FINANCE
• Bear Stearns has been advising Cablevision on how to increase shareholder value, which includes the potential sale of Rainbow Media. [NYP]
• Goldman posts smallest quarterly profit in three years. Not so smug now, eh? [WSJ]
• Visa's $18.76 billion IPO could set Wall Street records. [CNN]

LAW
• Big law firms are bracing themselves for a less-than big 2008. [Law Blog/WSJ]
• Ninety-nine-cent text messages could cost NBC Universal tens of millions of dollars. [DealBook/NYT]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 5:00 pm

Elton John Is Belle of This Year's Oscar Party Circuit

Elton John turned out to be the big winner in the Oscar after-party circuit; his 16th annual bash benefiting his AIDS foundation topped the others.
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:48 pm

'Juno' Writer Diablo Cody Rejects $1M Stuart Weitzman Shoes

Fancy-footwear designer Stuart Weitzman had selected the Oscar-nominated "Juno" screenwriter to wear his specially designed $1 million diamond-encrusted Retro Rose shoes on the red carpet, but Cody opted to wear a pair of simple gold flats
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:43 pm

No Snow for Angelo: ‘Recent Events’ Cause Countrywide to Cancel Ski Vacation

Countrywide executives were supposed to be entertaining bankers this week at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch ski resort, a fairy-tale lodge nestled in the mountains near Aspen, Colorado, where rooms start at $725 and a Spago restaurant offers $140 caviar and Kobe steaks, served with a side of wasabi mashed potatoes, for a mere $105. But alas, it is not to be.

This morning, Countrywide decided to cancel their getaway, in light of "recent events," a spokesman told the Times. They didn't specify which recent events. Was it poor snow conditions? Too much work? Or, oooooh, pressure from Chuck Schumer, perhaps? "This brings new meaning to 'snow job,'" the senator said over the weekend, when he urged the company to "call off this shameful ski getaway and put all [the] company's resources into refinancing the borrowers Countrywide took advantage of," in a written statement. Then there was the Post story headlined, "Let Them Eat Kobe." And lest we forget! CEO Angelo Mozilo is scheduled to testify in front of Congress next week, where he'll be asked to justify his ginormous salary in light of the ginormous losses that Countrywide suffered in the past year ($422 mill in the fourth quarter!) and layoffs of 11,000 employees. Just those kind of events. Nothing major.

Countrywide Puts an End to Ski Junket [NYT]
Congress to grill Mozilo, O'Neal, Prince over pay [CNN]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:40 pm

No Stopping 'No Country' at Oscars

The Coen brothers clean up, and Javier Bardem wins best supporting actor.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:38 pm

WENN Apologizes for Saying Will Smith Called Hitler 'Good'

Lawyers for Will Smith say a British media group has apologized for a story that falsely claimed the U.S. actor said Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was a good person.
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:38 pm

Elton John Heats Up Chilly Oscar Night

A slew of stars came out to the singer's annual post-Oscar party.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:37 pm

Writing the Obit for the Character Who Died Last Night on ‘The Wire’

Looking for an appreciation of the character who met his unexpected end last night on The Wire? In deference to all the people who squawked when we revealed too much last time — and with one last grumpy reminder that if you're such a huge fan that you're upset by spoilers, just watch the show, people — we're putting our Fauxbit after the jump. Spoilers, obviously.

Omar Little, a native of Baltimore, was gunned down yesterday buying a pack of Newports at a corner store. He was shot in the back of the head after robbing a stash house under Marlo Stanfield’s control.

Little, who was raised by his grandmother, was a rare independent operator in Baltimore’s drug trade. As he once testified in open court, Little robbed drug dealers for a living. He had a near-tolerant relationship with the Baltimore Police Department based on his adherence to a code that forbade violence against taxpayers and civilians. Little had recently retired and left Baltimore for warmer climes. He returned to the city after his mentor, Butchie, was murdered on rival Marlo Stanfield's orders. At the time of his death, Little was walking on a broken leg suffered when he fell several stories after a gunfight with the Stanfield crew. Despite a bounty placed on his head, Little was openly defying Stanfield, declaring on the streets of Baltimore that he was waiting for the kingpin's parry. That attack never came; instead, Little was killed by a young boy named Kenard — a boy who, playing cops and robbers in the neighborhood, was known to insist on portraying the legendary Omar.

Little was realistic about the dangers of his trade, especially given his status as a rogue operator. “The game’s out there, and it’s play or get played,” he once told the Baltimore police. Murdering Little had been an objective of various Baltimore drug gangs for several years, though all were unsuccessful until now. “You come at the king, you best not miss,” Little said to Barksdale soldier Wee-Bey Brice in a gunfight, and indeed, his war on the Stanfield operation had reached a new high; on his body, Baltimore Police found a list of names associated with Stanfield, believed to be a hit list.

A pioneer for black homosexual stickup men, Little was openly gay. A boyfriend, Brandon Wright, was tortured and murdered by associates of drug kingpin Avon Barksdale in 2002. Little has recently been linked romantically to Renaldo, a getaway-taxi driver. Little, 34, is survived by his grandmother and his imprisoned brother, “No Heart” Anthony. He eschewed profanity and enjoyed Greek mythology. His favorite cereal was Honey Nut Cheerios, and his favorite song was “The Farmer in the Dell.” —Aileen Gallagher

Source: Vulture -- Entertainment, Music, Culture, Theater, Movies, Art -- New York Magazine Blog | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:30 pm

Gary Busey Crashes Oscar Interviews, 'Grabs' Jennifer Garner

Gary Busey lived up to his reputation by strangely crashing Ryan Seacrest's interviews on the Academy Awards red carpet.
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 4:30 pm

Oscar Winner Tilda Swinton Addresses Offbeat Love Life

Tilda Swinton, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her icy performance in "Michael Clayton," addressed her offbeat love life Sunday, saying her young lover and the father of her children are 'close friends.'
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 3:08 pm

Kiss and Tell: Rock Legend Gene Simmons

Kiss' lead singer tells "Nightline" about his "take no prisoners" approach.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 2:56 pm

Bardem, Swinton Win Supporting Oscars

Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton Win Supporting-Role Oscars, `Ratatouille' Takes Animation Prize
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 2:34 pm

No Stopping 'No Country' at the Oscars

The Coen brothers clean up, and Daniel Day-Lewis wins as best actor.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 25 Feb 2008 | 2:06 pm

Valerie Bertinelli About Divorce: 'I Wasn't An Angel Either'

Valerie Bertinelli says despite her girl-next-door image, her marriage to Eddie Van Halen was hurt by infidelity and drug use - by her, too.
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 1:27 pm

List: Winners at the 80th Annual Academy Awards

Complete list of winners at the 80th annual Academy Awards, presented Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles
Source: FOXNews.com | 25 Feb 2008 | 12:16 pm