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Photo: Getty Images
1. He's the cute one and the talented one.
On every season of American Idol there's one adorable, clean-cut contestant whose prepubescent fan base and popularity among old people practically guarantees him a place in the top 5, regardless of how he sings (see John Stevens, Anthony Federov, Kevin Covais, and Sanjaya). This year it's David Archuleta. At the same time, there's always one steely-eyed professional whose laser-precise singing ability and natural stage presence typically make him or (usually) her a lock to win, even if she's as charismatic as a head cold (previously Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks). This contestant, too, is David Archuleta. Never before in the history of the show have these two been the same person, and with both huge blocs of fans dialing his 800 number, his spot in the finals is more or less assured.
2. He's a guy without a gimmick.
In general, male contestants on Idol have had a problem with mass appeal — which is why almost all the recent successful ones have defined their base early, then played to it relentlessly. Chris Daughtry won over modern-rock radio fans by singing all his songs like Live's Ed Kowalczyk; Taylor Hicks and Bo Bice stuck to dad rock; Blake Lewis bravely added mouth percussion to songs in which mouth percussion clearly had no business (like this one), in spite of what the beatbox-hating majority might think. All four required a gimmick, while female finalists Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Sparks could coast to victory on just being the best singer.
But Archuleta has no shtick and he's still this season's undisputed front runner (Paula Abdul told him as much last night, even after he forgot his lyrics). His huge talent lets him be bland (favorite drink: water) and run a national campaign. With no apparent allegiances to any particular genre, and — even more importantly — no apparent personality, he's in minimal danger of turning anyone off. As more singers are eliminated, this will help him pick up more of their fans than any of his nichier competition.
3. He's got a great sob story.
But a few years ago, David Archuleta suffered a paralyzed vocal cord, which, for a short time, prevented him singing; eventually, he made a full recovery without surgery. Sure, it's not as terrible as losing a parent, or as flashy as being run down by an eighteen-wheeler, but it's got a happy ending, it's non-exploitative, and it doesn't make you feel bad. Most importantly, it gives him a story that local newspapers, network early shows, and Fox producers themselves can parrot to make him seem interesting. Really, it's the perfect Idol sob story.
4. He's pacing himself.
5. He was born to do this.
At 17, Archuleta is the first-ever top-12 finalist born in the nineties. He's spent more of his life absorbing the phenomenon of AI than any other contestant who's ever appeared on it. For probably as long as he can remember, it's been the dominant star-making force behind many of pop music's biggest success stories (plus Taylor Hicks).
The bio on his now-defunct official Website (archived here), cites the AI's premier as a turning point in his life. When Archuleta was 10, an appearance on The Jenny Jones Show got him a meeting with failed contestant AJ Gil, who introduced him to the rest of Season 1's top 10. (In the creepy YouTube clip above, he sings "And I Am Telling You" for Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini in the lobby of their hotel.) Since he wasn't yet old enough to audition for Idol (you have to be 16), Archuleta bided his time by winning lesser reality competition shows, like CBS's Arsenio-hosted Star Search reboot, on which he took top honors in the Junior Vocalist category in 2003. On his own, he recorded a Christmas album and a few cover songs (including Kelly Clarkson's single "A Moment Like This"), but apparently never had much interest in music apart from the standard Top 40 stuff performed on Idol, or any recording contract besides the one with RCA he'll probably get after winning the show. In other words, he's the first contestant for whom AI defines the musical universe. For him, it's not just a means to an end... it is the end.
Courtesy of Fox
Last night, for the first time ever, American Idol dedicated an entire episode to the music of the Beatles. Contestants were visibly unnerved by the iconic status of their songs, and even front-runner David Archuleta flubbed a few lyrics. Will it cost him his inevitable victory? Not a chance!
Courtesy of Fox
Courtesy of Fox
Courtesy of Fox
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Steve Allen MD, Chief Executive Officer
Rick Miller, President and Chief Operating Officer
J. Terrance Davis MD, Interim Chief Medical Officer
Michael Brady MD, Physician-In-Chief and Chairman of the Dept. of Pediatrics
Abigail S. Wexner, Chairman, Board of Directors
Nationwide Children's Hospital
700 Children's Drive
Columbus, OH 43205
Dear Dr. Allen, Mr. Miller, Dr. Davis, Dr. Brady and Ms. Wexner,
We are writing to urge Nationwide Children’s Hospital not to sell naming rights to the
Emergency Department and Trauma Center to Abercrombie & Fitch. Given growing
concerns about the sexualization of young girls, it is troubling that a children’s hospital
would name its emergency room after a company that routinely relies on highly
sexualized marketing to target teens and preteens. The Abercrombie & Fitch Emergency
Department and Trauma Center marries the Abercrombie brand to your reputation; a
company with a long history of undermining children’s wellbeing is now linked with
healing.
Abercrombie & Fitch is one of the most popular brands with preteens,1 yet the clothing
company routinely includes nudity and explicit sexual situations in its advertising. In
2003, the company was the target of boycotts and protests when its catalog featured
young people engaging in group sex.2 In February of this year, in response to complaints,
police carted away two large promotional photographs from an Abercrombie & Fitch
store in Virginia and cited the manager on obscenity charges.3 One current Abercrombie
website promoting its Gilly Hicks line features graphic nudity, boasting “(o)ur site shows
a lot of skin.”4 While visitors to the site are told that they must be eighteen to enter and
“see what we're wearing under our clothes,” Abercrombie does not verify that they are
actually of age. In other words, the preteens with whom Abercrombie & Fitch is so
popular can easily enter the site.
The role that fashion, media, and marketing industries play in the sexualization of young
girls is well documented, most notably in a 2007 report by the American Psychological
Association.5 Research links sexualization with some of the most pressing and common
mental health problems of girls including eating disorders, low self-esteem, and
depression or depressed mood.6 Research also demonstrates a link between sexualization
and the objectification of women in the media and body dissatisfaction and appearance anxiety.7
Appearance anxiety is in turn linked to the earlier onset of cigarette smoking
among adolescents.8 Adolescent girls with an objectified view of their own bodies are
also more likely to have poor sexual health.9 It is worth noting that the sexualization and
objectification of girls and women can have negative effects on boys and men, including
making it more difficult to have satisfying relationships.10
It is equally distressing that a children’s hospital would promote a company that features
impossibly thin and idealized body types in its advertising when 10 million girls and
young women in the United States are struggling with an eating disorder. 11 Frequent
exposure to such advertising is linked to higher rates of eating disorders.12 Mike Jeffries,
Abercrombie’s CEO has publicly stated that his company’s clothes are not for kids that
are overweight, unattractive or unpopular.13 In 2005, high school students launched a
“"girl-cott" of the store for selling T-shirts that demeaned and objectified girls by
featuring slogans such as “Do I Make You Look Fat?” and "Who needs brains when you
have these?”14
Abercrombie has described its clothing as “age-appropriate with an edge”15 but that edge
often means objectifying or demeaning young people. In 2002, the store sold thongs for
10-year-olds with "eye candy" and "wink wink" printed on the front.16 As stated in the
APA report, “Given that girls may be developing their identity in part through the
clothing they choose, it is of concern when girls at increasingly younger ages are invited
to try on and wear teen clothes designed to highlight female sexuality. Wearing such
clothing may make it more difficult for girls to see their own worth and value in any way
other than sexually.”17 The company was also the target of protests for selling shirts that
demeaned Chinese-Americans through the use of racist caricatures.18
Given how much criticism has been aimed at Abercrombie & Fitch, it is not surprising
that the company would want to associate itself with the good name of Nationwide
Children’s Hospital.19 It is distressing, however, that you are willing to promote a
company whose tactics and products are so antithetical to the hospital’s mission “to
enhance the health of children everywhere.”20
We understand that it is common for public health institutions to seek gifts from the
business community. But when these gifts include a quid pro quo like naming rights,
they cross the line from philanthropy to advertising. And, given this company’s
appalling history of targeting children with sexualized marketing and clothing, no public
health institution should be advertising Abercrombie & Fitch. We urge you – for the sake
of your hospital’s reputation and the heath and wellbeing of children – to rescind your
offer to name your emergency room after Abercrombie & Fitch.
Sincerely,*
[names cut]
Times: When a Corporate Donation Raises Protests
Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood: Original letter (PDF)
Executives of the hedge funds would not state their criticism for publication, but a person close to them said: “I think it’s safe to say that the whole is less than the sum of its parts. It’s not clear how a newspaper, a baseball team and Midtown real estate add value to one another.”
Here are some of the assets the Times' source was referring to, all of which could potentially be sold off:
Times Co.'s talk about selling assets does not necessarily mean it is seriously considering doing so. If the company ruled out major asset sales, it would face serious charges of being a poor shareholder fiduciary.
New York's Adam Platt said last year that it was worth "fighting your way inside for a little bite" at the Waverly "maybe just once," but that "when the Waverly finally opens for business, the food won’t taste half as good."
And here's Frank Bruni's prediction in the New York Times:
Someday the people who know you and the people who know your key staff members and the recognizable or attractive people who take the trouble to stop in, willing to submit to a visual once-over and try to make a reservation in person — someday there won’t be enough of these people to fill the seats, and you’ll have to take all callers and comers, and it will all be so much different.
It's probably premature to declare Waverly over, given that Carter can still throw the showbiz world into conniptions by canceling a single party. Hold any condemnation, at least, until people stop trying to scalp Waverly reservations.
(Photos via Splash News, DListed)
Emmy is headed downtown.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has inked a 10-year deal with a Los Angeles developer to move its star-studded kudosfest--the small screen's biggest...
Photo: Getty Images
Well, someone looks disgusted!Photo: Getty Images
According to WWD, Talley wouldn't comment on the shows, saying he prefers not to judge them until "after I see the clothes." It's funny how much happier Talley looked at New York Fashion Week. After the jump, we compare and contrast New York ALT and L.A. ALT.
Talley at L.A. Fashion Week. Note his depressed gaze and subtle look of exasperation.Photo: Getty Images
On the left, Talley at the Sean John show in New York: It's a candid shot that's captured our man looking pleasantly surprised by the sudden photographer in his face. On the right, Talley at the Ralph Lauren show in New York appears radiant and content, with his signature looking-down-his-nose head cock. He not only is he fabulous, he's inhaling the scent of additional fabulousness.Photo: Getty Images
Fashion Scoops: Scribes at Smashbox [WWD]
Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar channeling June Carter Cash. But her next role will be a real stretch.
The 5-foot-2 actress has landed the lead voice role in DreamWorks Animation's next...
Photo: Getty Images
Earlier: Reacting to Eliot's Mess
"Cat piss," or fabulous in a bottle?Photo: Courtesy of Nordstrom
• Thierry Mugler will launch a new limited-edition fragrance called Alien Eau Luminescente by early April. It's a spin on their 2005 Alien fragrance. [Now Smell This]
SKIN:
• Benefit releases sheer facial tint ‘Talk To The Tan’ with the tagline “Who needs makeup when you’ve got tan-i-tude?” Oh, har! They claim it doesn’t make you orange, but the girl on the bottle looks, well, orange. [Beauty Reporter/Allure]
NAILS:
• The Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen polish colors are fun for spring, and affordable. Tunisian Sand, the color used in Reese’s show, is just $6 a bottle. [Bella Sugar]
• Nubar’s Passion Fruit Cuticle Oil is great for hydrating winter-dried cuticles. It also has Jojoba. [15 Minute Beauty]
MAKEUP:
• Goopy eyeshadow in the creases of your lids? Yes, it looks gross. But! Urban Decay’s Primer Potion ought to prevent it. [She Finds]
Photo: Getty Images
"Lincoln was remarkable unwilling to judge other people on issues like this," said Kushner, by now demonstrating an almost eerie psychic mind meld with POTUS 16 over Client 9. "That's why I think he'd be uncomfortable with the modern Republican party." And finally: Would Lincoln, thought by many to have had a hot and heavy gay affair before marrying Mary, be the subject of another Kushner "gay fantasia on national themes" in the screenplay? "I'm struggling with that question while I'm writing it," said Kush. "The historical record is very cloudy. There's possibly some evidence he was bisexual at least." —Tim Murphy
1. Lil Wayne, "Lollipop"
This probable first single from Wayne's Tha Carter III just leaked this morning and already it's the best-ever rap song to use lollipop consumption as a metaphor for oral sex. (Sorry, 50 Cent.) [Nah Right]
2. Peter Morén, "Social Competence"
It's probably blasphemy to say so, but we like him even better without Björn or John (and not just because it's hard to type umlauts). [Stereogum]
3. Jesse Malin, "You Can Make Him Love You" (Hold Steady cover)
Malin's version of the Boys and Girls in America track makes us feel like drinking, but in the good way. [Stereogum]
4. Jesse Malin, "Walk on the Wild Side" (Lou Reed cover)
Sadly, this cover just makes us feel like doing heroin (in the bad way). [Fuel Friends]
5. Tokyo Police Club, "Graves"
TKP's new album leaked over the weekend, and it's at least as good as last year's EP. Here's our fourth-favorite track! [Send Me Dead Flowers]
Stefano Gabbana, left, and Domenico Dolce.Photo: Getty Images
Milan-based public prosecutor Laura Pedio, who is heading up the case, told WWD on Monday the probe into alleged undeclared earnings and value-added tax was "at an early phase," but declined to give further details. The crime can carry up to a three-year prison sentence.Italian news daily La Repubblica reported Sunday that neither Domenico Dolce nor Stefano Gabbana has so far been named in the investigation, but that their eponymous fashion group could be liable for more than 125 million euros, or $192 million at current exchange, in unpaid taxes and fines.
Last week the fashion house was ordered to pay a $3 million fine for tax evasion. But this criminal investigation is a whole other bag. It seems the company that owns Dolce & Gabbana, Luxembourg-based Gado Sarl, is a legal entity used to avoiding Italy's higher corporate taxes. Investigators are also looking into potentially shady books at the house's U.S. subsidiaries. We'd hate to see for any of this to keep the boys from continuing to bathe the world in their signature Italian excess, because we simply refuse to kiss that good-bye. Godspeed, boys.
Dolce & Gabbana Faces Tax Probe [WWD]
Related: Dolce and Gabbana to Move Into a Monastery?
Mary Ann is in trouble thanks to Mary Jane.
"Gilligan's Island" star Dawn Wells has been sentenced to six months' unsupervised probation after she was arrested last October...
Photo: Getty Images
• In preparation for a day in which he may have to face prosecution over his role in the Emperor's Club prostitution debacle, stepping down from the governorship would be a great trump card. He could use it as a big sacrifice in any deal, saving himself from other punishments like fines, disbarment, or jail time. [National Review]
• He could be destroying documents or evidence, suggests DealBreaker. Though it sounds far-fetched, a private security expert tells them that the reason executives under investigation at big companies are immediately escorted out of the building is so that they can't do that. "They should have the FBI there right now to prevent Spitzer from deleting his hard-drives," their source argues. [DealBreaker]
• Silda, Spitzer's wife, and a couple of key advisers have told him not to resign in haste. He could just be waiting for the dust to settle and the hysteria to die down to evaluate the situation in terms of public and political opinion. [NYT]
• His Paul, Weiss lawyers, ever the fighters (they represented Scooter Libby), got to him before he could resign last night and are pursuing every possible venue out of this mess. He's just waiting to see what they come up with. [National Review]
• Spitzer and his lawyers know it may be weeks before the Feds drum up charges against him, are holding out to see what they will do, and won't make any plan until that happens. [NYS]
Here's a look at the 10 most watched broadcast network prime-time shows for the week ended Sunday, according to Nielsen Media Research:
1. "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 28.5...
Photo: Imaxtree
April’s German VoguePhoto: The Fashion Spot
Photo: WireImage
Our Long National Smooth-Jazz-Related Nightmare Is Over: The Washington Post says the recent shuttering of several smooth-jazz radio stations could spell the death of the genre. As long as there are supermarkets, however, we expect Chuck Mangione to keep getting checks in the mail. [WP]
Gnarls Barkley Combat Piracy, Sort Of: Gnarls Barkley have moved up the release of their upcoming second album, The Odd Couple, by a week (to April 1) after it leaked on the Internet last Wednesday. [NME]
Harbinger Doomed: Fans of Valiant Comics' Harbinger may soon get to be disappointed by a Brett Ratner–helmed film version of the series, as Paramount acquired the rights today and are naming him as a possible director. [Variety]
Leonard Cohen to Tour: Likely embarrassed by American Idol contestant Jason Castro's recent version of "Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen will attempt to clear his name by embarking on his first tour in fifteen years. [Billboard]
Tribeca Lineup Announced: The lineup for the seventh annual Tribeca Film Festival was announced today. The features this year lean hard on "complex relationships within families" and "death, sexuality, and immigration." The documentaries will be mostly about Iraq. [Variety]
Photo: Randi Eichenbaum
The fourth season of Top Chef promises to be the same as the previous ones — which is to say, preposterously entertaining. The rivals are made up of the usual assortment of smug favorites, sympathetically vulnerable underdogs, foxy lady chefs, and the inevitable molecular gastronomist. This year’s crop also includes a lesbian couple — and as always, slow-speaking host Padma Lakshmi and her sidekick, Tom Colicchio. Subtle as ever, the show — set this time around in Chicago — kicks off with a deep-dish-pizza contest.
From left, Gaiman; Lieb.Photos: Getty Images (Gaiman); bigthink.com (Lieb)
In contrast to the hauntings of The Graveyard Book is the out-and-out comedy of Daily Show executive producer Josh Lieb's proposal for a YA novel, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President. The book — which, we heard, was sold to Razorbill by agent Richard Abate — is the very funny story of Oliver Watson, a chubby Omaha seventh-grader whom everyone believes to be somewhat dull-witted but who is actually an evil super-genius and the third-richest person in the world. The book's voice is a pitch-perfect mix of smart-ass kid and cartoon villain, and the story follows Oliver as he runs for student-council president in an attempt to impress his hated father. Agent Brian Lipson at Endeavor sent the 30-page proposal out on an official submission when it leaked all around town; we hear that a number of producers are interested, including Lorne Michaels. —Michelle Kung and Dan Kois
Chelsea: The School of Visual Arts has acquired the Chelsea West Cinemas on 23rd Street for use as auditoriums … and the school's acting chair, design legend Milton Glaser (who did both the "I Heart NY" logo and the original New York Magazine emblem), will redo the place inside and out. Cool! [Mediabistro via Blog Chelsea]
Cobble Hill: Did some of Spitzer's ho brokers live here or in Brooklyn Heights? Either way, kinda classy hoods to be associated with this tawdriness, if you ask us. [Cobble Hill Blog]
Coney Island: The city will replace huge, ugly, hazardous gaps in the boardwalk with a concrete-plastic wood-look-alike material … but, fakaktaishly, not until after the summer season. [NYDN]
Harlem: City-planning czarina Amanda Burden is "a rich, rich, rich horrible person" who's "destroying" the hood. That's the kind of reaction she got from countless livid folks yesterday after the planning commish pushed through the supersensitive rezoning of 125th Street. But we like her! [Curbed]
Jamaica: The French Baroque Jamaica Savings Bank building finally gets landmarked, complete with its carved stone beehive and garlands of fruit. [amNY]
Lower East Side: Longtimers here miss their narcotically quiet, pre-frat-hell hood of old: "At least with the drug dealers there wasn't any noise." [Gothamist]
Richmond Hill: People around here who nonchalantly steal cute, little Pomeranians should know that they will be caught on video … like this one! [Queens Crap]
From left, V, French Vogue, British Vogue
If new editorials are any indication, models were roughed up at Fashion Week. Catherine McNeil’s in a wheelchair (and Givenchy ankle boots) for March’s French Vogue. British Vogue’s April issue has Karen Elson on crutches, sporting a bandaged head. Raquel Zimmermann’s taking things to an even darker level, slipping a noose around her neck in front of Linda Evangelista in V magazine. The trend’s also jumped off the page and into reality: Erin O’Connor’s hobbling around London with a sprained ankle. So forget the Balenciaga gladiators — for spring, the only accessory you need is a bandage. —Kendall Herbst
Justin Francavilla’s I Said You Fckn Die (2007).Image courtesy of the artist and Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York.
"Say, Hillary, do you know of any hotels I can get by the hour down in D.C.?"Photo: Getty Images
Paterson was awarded superdelegate status by dint of his membership in the Democratic National Party. (Spitzer only scored it when he became governor.) If Paterson resigns from the DNC, voilà: His original superdelegate spot opens back up. According to Damien LaVera, a spokesman for the DNC, party chairman Howard Dean would select this new superdelegate. Dean, to continue this highly hypothetical line of thinking, could appoint someone he knows to be a Clinton supporter in order to maintain the pre-Spitzergate balance and avoid accusations of meddling or favoritism. How likely is this? Not very. U.S. congressman Gregory Meeks, of Queens, for instance, also has dual superdelegate status (without, apparently, feeling overwhelmed), and there's no guarantee that Dean would choose another Clinton supporter. “I don’t see why [Paterson] would” resign, LaVera told us. —Dan Amira
Right or wrong, people have identified rapper Black Thought as the Roots’ weak link ever since the band broke out the college-circuit ghetto a few years back. But apparently Thought’s had enough of all that: Over this track’s sirenlike bass line, the MC spits three and a half minutes of breathless fury, throwing darts at nameless detractors and basking in his hard-earned riches. See him beat the crap out of a gagged suit in the awesome video!
Photo illustration: Everett Bogue; Photos: Getty Images (store, Shields), iStockphoto (grocer), Courtesy of HBO (Marlo)
A New Day
Wednesdays at 9 on NBC
Cast: Jamie Hector, Brooke Shields (is she available?), Chad Coleman
The pitch: A reformed drug kingpin helps establish the New Day Food Co-op in an effort to raise his standing on the streets. He soon finds that his knowledge of the drug trade doesn't mean anything when it comes to selling organic, pesticide-free produce. Also starring Brooke Shields as the pushy yet vulnerable Co-op member who butts heads with Marlo Stanfield over the selling of bottled water.
The New Adventures of Old McNulty
Fridays at 8:30 on CBS
Cast: Dominic West, Amy Ryan, William Joseph Brookes, Stephen Tobolowsky
The pitch: A fish-out-of-water ex-cop moves in with his girlfriend and her two kids. But wait! He brought a homeless guy named Larry with him! Granted, Larry doesn't do much but sit in the corner and stare blankly at the wall, but that makes him the perfect foil for Jimmy "Nutty" McNulty. Also starring Stephen Tobolowsky as the wacky neighbor.
Valchek!
Mondays at 8 on Fox
Cast: Al Brown, Seth Gilliam, Marlyne Afflack
The pitch: What happens when a bumbling idiot gets appointed police commissioner in one of the most dangerous cities in America? Comedy! You want juked stats? No problem! You want good po-lice work? Don't look now, 'cause Stan Valchek just slipped on a T-shirt that says "Don't Blame Me. I Just Work Here." How will he work with newly elected mayor Nerese Campbell? How will the rest of the police force, like rising star Sergeant Ellis Carver, work under him? Most important, will he ever find that missing surveillance van?
Rawls of Fire
Movie; airing July 11 on Logo
Cast: John Doman, Sean Hayes, Aidan Gillen, Sonja Sohn
The pitch: In this made-for-TV movie for Logo, William Rawls, now of the Maryland State Police, is forced out of the closet by a jilted ex-lover (Sean Hayes). Rather than turning tail and hiding, Rawls stands tall and proves that there's room for an alternative lifestyle in typically heteronormative institutions. Featuring guest appearances by Governor Tommy Carcetti (Aiden Gillen) and Detective Shakima Greggs (Sonja Sohn).
Top Bunk
Tuesdays at 9 on the CW
Cast: Wendell Pierce
The pitch: After years of frustration working for a broken system, Detective Bunk Moreland quits the Baltimore police force and becomes a private investigator. Using his contacts from the police force and his knowledge of the streets of Baltimore, Bunk develops into a neo-noir guardian angel of the city. Watch as Wendell Pierce delivers every line of dialogue with a cigar planted firmly in his mouth, even when dealing with his rebellious daughter (Raven-Symoné).
Mishpacha, Youshpacha
Pilot; never ordered to series
Cast: Michael Kostroff, Domenick Lombardozzi
The pitch: One taste of Mrs. Levy's world-famous brisket was enough for Thomas "Herc" Hauk to decide his future … as a Jew! Herc's decision to convert to Judaism is initially met with reservation from his boss, Maurice Levy, but Herc won't take no for an answer. He continues his Torah studies anyway, and Levy has no choice but to take Herc under his wing, as one mitzvah deserves another. —Stan Park
From left, designs by Daft Punk, Iggy Pop, and The ShinsPhoto: Courtesy of Playboy
Photo: Getty Images
Men Arrested At Kate Hudson's Home [Us]
Photo: Getty Images
The addition of Britney Spears to "How I Met Your Mother" may succeed in bringing eyeballs to the CBS sitcom, but it has sent at least two feet packing.
Sources who work on the set...
Photo Illustration: Courtesy of Universal and Marvel
There's no word yet on what, specifically, the dispute is over, but with Universal under pressure to deliver a more action-packed Hulk movie — after Ang Lee's thoughtful, plot-heavy The Hulk put hard-core fans to sleep in 2003 — the studio probably needs Norton's support to win over nerds and earn back its $150 million investment. We hope this will be a lesson to the next studio considering allowing an actor to do anything!
Ed Norton And Marvel In 'Hulk'-ing Feud [Deadline Hollywood Daily]
Photo: Jezebel
Today hostesses Meredith Viera, Ann Curry, and Hoda Kotb stared at her. There was palpable silence. It was awkward, even for us at home.
Finally, Viera managed to speak: “You’re saying the women should feel guilty that they somehow drove the man to cheat?” she asked.
“The cheating was his decision to repair what’s damaged and to feed himself where he’s starving,” Schlessinger explained. “But, yes, I hold women responsible for tossing out perfectly good men by not treating them with the love and kindness and respect and attention they need.”
Right, because Spitzer was clearly a perfectly good man. Jezebel has video if you'd like to give yourself that nice, midday outraged feeling.
Dr. Laura: Women share blame for cheating men [MSNBC]
Photo: Getty Images
"When we considered the risk and reward ratio, the unintended consequences were untenable," Peter Gabbe, AAFA's chairman, who is also chief operating officer of Carole Hochman Designs, said Monday.But the CFDA is not giving up.
"We have invested a lot of energy and time into this. We are not abandoning this legislation," said Steven Kolb, executive director of the CFDA... "We are comfortable and glad that we went through the process because we have a tighter and stronger bill."
Fight as they may, the CFDA has only a small chance at getting the bill to reach a vote in Congress without the support of the AAFA. But you know what? Some designers, like Derek Lam, don't even mind if chains like Zara knock off their stuff. So even if this were to play out in some dramatic merchandise-affecting way that would turn Forever 21's world upside down, knockoffs — in some shape or form — will always live on. They'll just be called derivativities or imitatettes or some other vague, made-up, slightly less-insidious word.
AAFA Rules Out Copyright Protection Deal [WWD]
Related: CFDA’s Stephen Kolb Touched Eliot Spitzer the Morning After
Mr. Rodriguez Goes to Washington (for Copyright Protection)
Derek Lam Doesn't Knock Knockoffs
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Barack Obama's Machinery of Hope by Tim Dickinson [From RS1048 — March 20, 2007] Photo Gallery: Barack Obama, a History in
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An Endorsement: Barack Obama for President |
Dr. McDreamy is making a real-life contribution to health care.
Patrick Dempsey was in his home state of Maine Monday to announce the opening of a new center to benefit cancer patients at...
Gisele shot by Irving Penn.Photo: Vogue.co.uk
• Victoria Beckham will supposedly guest design for Roland Mouret. After denim and dresses, we have to ask: Is there anything this woman won't design? [Fashionista]
• Fur was hot on the runways for fall, but retailers have mixed views about its political correctness. One in Texas speculates baby-boomers think wearing fur is unethical but their daughters won't have any problems. [WWD]
• Suzy Menkes laments the lack of stylish "normal" pants for women this spring. [IHT]
• Erin Fetherston's eight-minute short film starring Zooey Deschanel as a runaway orphan tripping out on a magic mushroom in the woods premiered at L.A. Fashion Week. [WWD]
• The goverment in Beijing has banned Pond's ads featuring actress Tang Wei because of her role in Ang Lee flick Lust, Caution. Officials called it a "glorification of traitors and insulting to patriots." [NYP]
• LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton CEO Bernard Arnault is one of the best dressed billionaires on Forbes' list of the world's richest people. Meanwhile, fellow billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook guy, dresses very badly. [Times]
• Helena Christensen is helping Tocca bring back the sari dress. She co-owns Butik in Tribeca, one of the select boutiques to stock the $176 item. [WWD]
• Designers like Prada are increasingly using short films to promote their brands. [WWD]
• Topshop is hiring for its New York flagship set to open in Soho in October. [Topshop]
• Former model and British Vogue blogger Erin O'Connor twisted her ankle and can't wear heals. Oh the woe! [British Vogue]
• One woman eschews carbs after 6 p.m. because she heard the routine is how Elle Macpherson keeps her stomach flat. She doesn't have the best discipline, especially when she drinks, but her efforts over one month made a small difference. [Guardian]
• Nicole Richie's dog peed on an expensive dress at a Melrose Avenue boutique. Que Britney. [Daily Mail]
Dueling Versace girls: Lindvall vs. Vilkeviciute.Images courtesy of Versace
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