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Russell T. Davies: Behind 'Doctor Who,' 'The Sarah Jane Adventures ... Sun-Sentinel.com - By Alison Pollet | Los Angeles Times April 13, 2008 It was a damp and windy afternoon in Cardiff, Wales, and Russell T. Davies had a cold. Who Spin-Off Sarah Jane Adventures Hits Sci-Fi Critic's Corner weekend |
 Monsters and Critics.com | Is Katie Couric giving up the anchor chair at CBS? Chicago Tribune - The Wall Street Journal has a story saying Katie Couric may be on the way out as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. The former "Today" anchor may leave after the presidential elections in fall, according to the WSJ. Couric seen as discontented at CBS What $75M Kat-astrophe, says CBS about Katie Couric |
No one would call Vanilla Ice a heavy hitter anymore except for, perhaps, his wife.
The circa-1990 rapper is cooling his heels in Palm Beach County Jail after being arrested Thursday...
It is not clear whether the leak was a malicious move on the part of someone inside CBS to nudge Couric out the door, but similar gossip has sometimes been deployed in TV news to usher out unwanted personalities (see, for one example, David Hartman here). According to the Times, CBS executives are "adamant" Couric will stay at least through the election.
The Times story ended with a "close associate" saying it is doubtful Couric will complete her contract.
[Times]
Neighbors criticized the plan for threatening one of the largest undeveloped spaces remaining in the area. Local planning authorities expressed similar concerns — but said they had little choice but to approve it since Mr. Weinberg had done his research, and the subdivision plan was done by the book.
"I really feel this is not best for the area," the Middletown Township Planning Board's chairwoman, Judith Stanley Coleman, said at the time of the vote, according to the Asbury Park Press, a local newspaper. "But we have laws in front of us that we have to take into consideration, and that is what we have to abide by."
I figured all rockers eventually sell out like this when I saw Bob Dylan's Cadillac Escalade commercial.
[WSJ]
Footloose:
Chinatown:
Mean Girls:
Grease:
Forrest Gump:
Zoolander:
So much for the computer market; now for phones.
Am I the only person in the world who keeps his phone in his pocket and doesn't stare at it while it rings? Or is everyone going to start not picking up the phone because they want to watch ten seconds of Top Gun instead? I'm guessing video ringtones will never take off like actual ringtones, but I just don't understand why anyone important at Paramount thinks they will.
Romney eyes the prize in Salt Lake City, March 27.Photo: Getty Images
In the middle of March, he went on Fox News and declared, “I think any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice-presidential nominee, myself included.” A couple of weeks later, he accompanied McCain on the trail, attending some fund-raisers with him out West and showering the Arizonan with praise. And now Mitt is stumping for McCain in Pennsylvania, keynoting a Republican dinner in Lancaster tonight — a turn that the guys over at NBC’s First Read label an “audition.”
What does McCain think of all this? He seems as amused by it as I am. The day after Romney’s Fox News turn, McCain was asked on his campaign jet if he thought Romney was angling for the gig. He replied, “I got that impression from him watching his interview last night, I got that impression” — cackling the whole time. But that doesn’t mean McCain isn’t taking the concept seriously. His veep-selection process in still in its early days, as his people run down lists that include governors from pivotal states such as Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Charlie Crist of Florida, and Mark Sanford of South Carolina, as well as outside-the-box choices such as Condi Rice. But I can report that Romney has some powerful advocates in his corner. In fact, according to a well-informed, highly placed Republican insider, two of them are Karl Rove and George Herbert Walker Bush — individuals who are especially influential in tandem, because they represent such different generations, outlooks, and brands of Republicanism.
The arguments for and against Romney as McCain’s VP can be summed up pretty easily. On the positive side: (a) his business background and ability to talk about the economy fluently, which McCain manifestly lacks; (b) his fund-raising prowess and his ginormous bank account — though God knows Tag and the other Romney kids would weep at the prospect of seeing more of their inheritances poured into politics; (c) his capacity to help McCain in Michigan and New Hampshire, and potentially to offset some of Barack Obama’s strength in the Rocky Mountain West. On the negative side: (a) his flip-floppery on issues, which the press would scrutinize more heavily than they did during the primaries because of the chance he might wind up sitting in the Big Chair either during or after McCain’s first term; (b) his Mormonism, for the same reasons; and (c) the fact that the Democrats and the media would replay endlessly the vicious bickering and snide potshots between him and McCain during the primaries.
This last point is of particular importance. If you were paying even cursory attention to the Republican primaries, you know that McCain and Romney don’t seem to enjoy each other’s company much. And the truth is that the degree of animus they evinced in public conveyed only a fraction of the bad feeling that existed between them. (As for their aides, well, the words that come to mind to describe their mutual disregard run along the lines of “despise,” “detest,” and “loathe.") When asked about whether this might make it, um, awkward for them to run together, McCain has said that warm personal feelings aren’t required for running mates: “I don’t think you have a personal relationship, but you have to have a comfortable, professional relationship.”
In theory this is true, since running mates actually spend precious little time together once the campaign kicks into high gear and the team spreads out to cover as much key territory as possible. But before McCain decides to listen to Rove and Poppy Bush, he ought to give a call to his buddy Bob Dole and ask him how much fun he had in 1996 running with a fellow, Jack Kemp, whom he kind of hated — and who, for all his flaws, was a helluva lot less irritating and phony than Governor Headroom. —John Heilemann
But the scene outside Nikki Midtown earlier this week didn't exactly resemble the thousands of hopefuls you'd see lined up for a shot of American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance. Actually, it didn't even resemble a half-price latte sale at your local Starbucks."There were less than 40 people there," one audition insider tells OK!. "There were girls wearing matching pastel prom dresses with Swarovski crystal pendants and updos, ghetto-fabulous girls and two goth-inspired girls with bleach blonde hair, pale makeup, eyelash extensions and leather clothing."
Photo: Getty Images
Shushing doctors on HIV-positive babies (1994): Deflecting a proposal by Assembly member Nettie Mayersohn to require doctors to inform parents whose newborns test positive HIV, Silver works out a compromise that instructs physicians to encourage moms to get themselves tested, just in case.
Strong-arming Rudy over Strong Island (1994): Staten Island politicians tried to secede from the city, which they felt ate up their tax dollars. When Governor Cuomo double-dared the breakaways to show their hands in the Capitol, Silver, whose call the vote was, demanded that newly elected Rudy Giuliani and the City Council first submit a “home rule message” agreeing that the city wanted to shake loose its most Republican borough — knowing Rudy couldn't afford to lose the Island's tax base or its GOP votes. The idea died.
Controlling rent-control (1997): As old rent-control protections faced a June 15 expiration, Silver lets the laws expire without ever calling on the lawmakers to debate — then immediately strikes a deal with Republicans to increase rent hikes on empty stabilized apartments.
Dashing Rudy’s dreams of dominion (2001): When “America's mayor” proposed an unsanctioned third term so he could keep calming the city into 2002 — and block a Democrat from his office — Silver refuses to schedule a vote on amending term-limit laws until after the Democrats had agreed on a nominee. Giuliani dropped the idea.
Extinguishing the Olympic torch (2005): The murky Public Authorities Control Board, on which Silver casts a critical vote, preempts debate over the Olympics’ citywide benefits by refusing to approve a stadium on the Hudson Yards site.
Seeding Atlantic Yards (2005): As Brooklyn residents get their knickers in a twist, the Public Authorities Control Board approves $200 million in public seed money for Atlantic Yards — without officially counting how many Brooklyn lawmakers support seventeen-tower cluster around a Frank Gehry arena.
Showing his law firm the state money (2006): Silver shuffles the Judiciary Committee, and a Senate-passed bill to bar pension-drawing public employees from suing their employers dies without a vote. Silver’s private law practice focuses on bringing such suits.
Holding charter schools back (2006): A proposal to allow 250 charter schools in New York City, up from the currently allowed 100, gets no Assembly vote.
Spitting out Spitzer picks (2007): Rather than let his members vote on one of three nominees Eliot Spitzer put up to replace Alan Hevesi, Silver spirits Tom DiNapoli into the job.
Blocking the congestion-pricing box (2008): The Speaker declines a vote on an amended congestion-pricing proposal. The Times quotes him as saying: “Let me be clear: If I were making the decision alone, I might have made a different decision.” —Alec Appelbaum
Denise RichPhoto: Patrick McMullan
At left we have socialite mother hen, Denise Rich. We don't even know where to begin. The abstract yellow cowprint? The textured shiny leather element? The gingerbread tan? Highlighted by the too light makeup creeping over her whole face? Spring is light, yes, but not like this.
Hey, it's Dee Occleppo and her husband, Tommy Hilfiger! We love her bag. Looks ideal for swatting away paparazzi (we know you all have that problem all the time). The high-waisted skirt is equally chic. We were on the fence about that style of footwear, but now we know we really don't care for it. Thanks for clearing that one up, Dee! On the right, the print on Melissa Berkelhammer's dress looks like some sort of confusing, overly abstract collage. Not necessarily in a bad way, but not necessarily in a good way, either. We've not felt so ambivalent in a long time.Photo: Patrick McMullan
On the left is Lara Meiland Shaw. We love the color on her dress (it sure makes those other two ladies disappear from the picture), but the shape could be more flattering. On the right, it's Tara Subkoff. One word: Love.Photo: Patrick McMullan
On the left it's Blaine Trump and her BELT. Wait, did you notice her BELT? Seriously, it cries for more attention than her face. Not a good thing. Meanwhile, Lydia Hearst seems to have robbed us of that old slip our mother made us wear under our homecoming dress.Photo: Patrick McMullan
Photo: Getty Images
CBS cancels 'Talent' show [Variety]
Photo: Photo Illustration: Everett Bogue; Photos: Getty Images
Al Gore: "How the fuck do you still walk the Earth after handing the keys to the White House to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney? I don’t want to hear about Nader and Florida. You lost Tennessee and West Virginia. How on earth do you not disembowel yourself? Take your fucking Nobel Prize and drop dead."
Ron Rosenbaum, who wrote an overblown and overreferenced essay for Slate last year on the death of the celebrity profile: "If you want to say it like some kind of cliché, the only thing more tired and worn out than the celebrity profile is guys writing about how worn out and tired celebrity profiles are."
Nic Cage: “When you were balling Lisa Marie, did you ever pretend to be Elvis?”
Scott Raab: How to Talk To Famous People [Esquire]
Looks from Prada's spring/summer 08 show.Photo: imaxtree
PRADA PROTOTYPES AUCTIONED ON LINE FOR CHARITY Exclusive pieces on prada.com from April 15 to May 6 Milan, April 10, 2008 – An auction of PRADA prototypes from the 2008 Spring/Summer collections gets underway on April 15 at 12.00 C.E.T. (Central European Time.)The prototypes, ten unique pieces in total split between women’s clothes and
accessories, will be auctioned each Tuesday on a weekly basis. Those going on-line
will have seven days to get their favourite item: three trouser prototypes will be
available from April 15 at midday, one bag and two pairs of boots from April 22, the
third week offering four skirts.Proceeds from the auction will go to the San Raffaele Foundation, one of the most
important Italian institutions concerned with medical research, clinical work and
training.The auction offers bidders the chance to interact with Prada and other on-line users,
uploading their own photos and promoting their own Internet site. A graphic allows
one to track the history of bids made for each item.THE LOTS
The prototypes are part of the work that went into the development of the
Spring/Summer 2008 collections, using unusual colours in an imaginative print
which conjures up an intense landscape of carnivorous flowers, dragons, hybrid
creatures and mysterious nymphs.The ready-to-wear items are made in Gazar, a heavy organza, popular in Haute
Couture of the Fifties. The twenty colour per square printing process ensures a more
precise and richer result than with the more normal ten colour print.The accessories, which reprise the same unusual themes are unique prototypes made
specifically for the auction, in plum and antique pink coloured doeskin, with
printing using a inkjet process, before finally being rubbed down to obtain a shiny
effect.IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• The auction is only open to those who are 18 years of age or over.
• Orders can be placed from 217 countries around the world (details on
www.prada.com)
• In accordance with normal international commercial practice, the Prada
Group undertakes to expedite the products free of charge in as short a time
as possible.
• The auctions start each Tuesday at midday C.E.T. (Central European Time)
and finish the following Tuesday at the same time.
Photo: FilmMagic
2. Animal Collective, "Water Curses"
From their new EP, here's another top-notch piece of magic-mushroom-inspired nonsense from the undisputed masters of that sort of thing. [MySpace via Stereogum]
3. Young Buck, "It's Not OK"
Buck laments the world's ills: poverty, drugs, violence, and — worst of all — the fact that he's been kicked out of G-Unit. [Nah Right]
4. Radiohead, "Nude" (live on Jonathan Ross)
The band plays its current single live on the BBC and makes it all the way to the end without screwing up. [Raised on Indie]
5. The Only Ones, "Another Girl, Another Planet" (live on Jools Holland)
The reunited seventies punks perform their sorta hit for a crowd that probably wishes it had gotten tickets to the Jonathan Ross show instead. [Culture Bully]
Spring is gala season in New York, and it seems the surfeit of social obligations is proving exhausting to the revelers. BAM’s Spring Gala boasted a performance by Paul Simon last night, and New York correspondent Fabiola Beracasa took a camera along to chat up the guests. Though Simon himself didn’t talk to press at the post-party (perhaps choosing to conserve valuable social energy?), Fab did find Mario Batali, Parker Posey, Philip Glass, and others in a party daze. Will the calendar relent? Not anytime soon. This month alone, schmoozers still have events for WNET, City Harvest, New Yorkers for Children, Urban Health, the United Way, etc. etc. etc. … Someone get these people cocktails, stat!
Photo: Imaxtree
Photo: Getty Images
It makes more sense when you read that Peck is collaborating with Tim Kring, creator of Heroes, on the trilogy. And we just read the thirteen-page proposal for the series, called "The Flag of Orpheus"; it's not really sci-fi at all, but a dense stew of the CIA, LSD, Timothy Leary, and Heroes, as a character named Chandler Forrest — who gets superpowers through a bizarre reaction to the LSD he's given in a CIA experiment — faces off against two ex-agents, one a villain and one a dogged pursuer of the truth. The first novel, Shift, takes place during the sixties and features the JFK assassination as a major set piece; the second, Front, is set during Watergate; and the third, Drive, takes place in the present.
The proposal's good — as vivid a setup as you'd expect from Kring, and as sharply written as you'd expect from Peck. But $3 million for a drug-fueled conspiracy trilogy that posits an alternate-history version of the JFK assassination? Reportedly, the book was sold with a video trailer that the agent hosted online; if anyone has a hookup to that video, we'd love to watch it to find out how this deal got made.
Heroes Creator Tim Kring Writing Trilogy With … Dale Peck! Sold to Crown for $3 Million [NYO]
Out editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin. That face alone is
worth $6 million!Photo: Getty Images
PlanetOut agrees to sell magazine business for $6 million [SFBT via Towleroad]
Jordin SparksPhoto: Getty Images
FRAGRANCE
• These little paper-flower earrings are designed for you to scent with your own perfume. Thank God — we have always wanted that. [Now Smell This]
SKIN
• The Delightful Shape gel cream from L’Occitane claims to firm skin and reduce appearance of cellulite by promoting skin circulation. Right. [British Vogue]
• Earth Day is twelve days away, so it seems about time for a report that claims the number of new environmentally friendly products has grown over 200 percent since 2002. In 2007, 328 green goodies launched, compared to five in 2002. It's a bit sad that no one gave a crap five years ago. Then again, it wasn't quite so chic then, was it? [Cosmetics and Toiletries]
HAIR
• Legendary hair colorist Jet Rhys's spring must-haves include Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler and the Crystal Gel Treatment by Malibu Wellness for hair. [Daily Obsession]
Photo: WireImage
Good thing, too, since it's … Sean Hayes, a.k.a. Jack of Will & Grace. (Yes, the show's off the air, but how else should we refer to him? Of Bucket List fame?) We have nothing against the comedian-actor, but the move seems a little bit ambitious. Though he was appropriately catty and occasionally devilish on the NBC show, we can't picture him as an actual, intimidating Devil. He just seems a tad boyish to us. The last New York revival featured Victor Garber, then Jerry Lewis. Compare.
Still, it's been so long since Krakowski's turn in Nine that we even don’t mind that Damn Yankees was onstage fairly recently itself, in 1994–1995 with Bebe Neuwirth as Lola. Producers, cast whomever you want as Joe Hardy & Co. The only thing that would make this better is if Tracy Morgan could find time between shooting (we hope!) W to bring an entourage to the front row.
People, this is not just huge. It's Enormé! —Lori Fradkin
Jane Krakowski's a great catch for 'Damn Yankees' [NYDN]
On the bright side, at least Dan Rather wasn't completely dissed in court.
But glass-half-empty types might focus on the big storyline: A New York Judge on Thursday threw out substantial parts...Downtown Brooklyn: There is nothing like a big, fat, scary drill parked right outside your little Latin restaurant to drive away customers in the final weeks before wielders of said drill demolish your place. [Brownstoner]
East Village: Hm, it looks like even our somewhat conflicted but basically nice video couldn't stop a small crowd on the Bowery from protesting the new Varvatos store going into the old CBGB space. [Gothamist]
Little Italy, Bronx: Reading about how this half-century-old Arthur Avenue bakery abused its workers (like making them work their first week for free!) and is still somehow operating might make you want to go up there and flip them the cannoli. [NYT via West Bronx Blog]
Long Island City: It's hard to know how you couldn't feel for this longtime LIC artist in his claims that condo construction adjacent to his house is making his life miserable, but this blog thinks he's such a jerk that it's really not worth getting upset. [LICNYC]
New Dorp: If you thought that a story about a Staten Island neighborhood couldn't possibly go on for an endless seven links, you clearly haven't visited the content-rich burg that is the Dorp. [amNY]
Prospect Heights: While Atlantic Yards languishes, another, more-modest complex (of condos) is going up nearby, and it's called Hello, Kitty! Oh … wait. No. It's called Hello Living. That makes much less sense. [NYS]
West Village: Look at these early signs of a special meatpacking-district pedestrian plaza where drunk girls can throw up. [Streetsblog]
Angelo Filomeno’s Rex et Regina (2008).Courtesy Galerie Lelong, New York
Photo: iStockphoto
Upon entry you could see that the minimalist, chic interior could possibly benefit from an upgrade (which, in today's economy, could be daunting). The retail area had a variety of beauty products to choose from, but lacked a wide selection of nail colors. [...] She failed to massage my legs and feet and the steamed towels she applied after the moisturizer had already cooled. The rolled tissue, which was used as toe separators, easily leads to polished toes touching each other, and appeared out of place.
She does say the polish was painted on very nicely. But damn, for $48? If that kind of money doesn't buy a girl foam toe separators, we're petrified of what this recession has coming.
Mischo Beauty Review: Rescue Beauty Lounge [Mischo Beauty]
Photo: WireImage
Setback For Dan Rather Lawsuit Against CBS [CBS]
Related: Dan Rather's Last Big Story Is Himself [NYM]
Oh, yes, they're back! (And they're played by Leven Rambin, apparently.)Image courtesy of Random House
The Twins: Probably to prolong their shelf life, the books are now tragically vague when it comes to fashion. For instance, in the original series debut, Double Love, Jessica longs for an outfit of Elizabeth’s that involves a tuxedo shirt, matching pants, and a bow tie. (What, no cummerbund? Horrors!) In the revamped edition, Jessica 2.0 is seduced by a mere J.Crew skirt. Right. The follow-up, Secrets, turns Jessica's burgundy ribbed sweaterdress into a black wrap; otherwise, she mostly prances around in miniskirts and halter tops, while we hear almost nothing of Elizabeth's wardrobe unless she's doing her homework in sweatpants. (Get it? She's SMART, and therefore drab, while Jessica is SUPERFICIAL and shows more skin. Some stereotypes never go out of style.)
The Adults: Back in the day, falsely accused student-romancer Ms. Dalton "never looked prettier" than when chaperoning a dance in her long velvet skirt, an old-fashioned blouse with "lots of ruffles and tucks," and a fake rose pinned over one ear. To avoid modern-day confusion that she is either Amish or a refugee from Anne of Green Gables, she now wears an eggplant sheath. What, no leggings? And yet a lawyer whom the twins wrongly suspect of seducing their father has not been rescued from the indignity of an “ice blue suit,” though the new version swears it’s “gorgeous.” Doubtful then, doubtful now.
The Boys: BMOC Bruce Patman once made Jessica melt at the sight of him in cream-colored cords and a blue sweater, but no male wardrobe merits much mention anymore. Pay heed, Project Runway: Nobody cares about menswear. (Lascivious Bruce also lost his Porsche in favor of a Cadillac, and there is no mention of his 1BRUCE1 vanity plate — both are deeply mourned losses.)
The Tertiary Characters: Elizabeth's BFF, Enid Rollins, a walking nap before, is now even duller: We never thought we'd miss her pale mauve off-the-shoulder gown with mother-of-pearl hair combs, but then New Enid went and wore yet another slinky black number in its place. Boring. Even Valley of Death's outlandish singer is tamed. Where we once had black velvet jeans, pink sparkly leg warmers, and a purple satin blouse, we're left with nothing but references to heavy eyeliner. They made the poor girl Pete Wentz.
The References: Adios to fictional boutique Lisette's; enter real brands like J.Crew, Juicy, and Roxy. At least two guys are described as being Abercrombie-hot — so, we guess they're saying the dudes are pretty, ripped, and homoerotic? — and whenever there's a sexual undertone to anything, it's slapped with some comparison to Maxim. But our favorite ham-fisted update: Describing Jessica's awed expression, rich-bitch Lila says, "Wow, Jess, you look like you just saw your first Roberto Cavalli." Yes, and that Bob Mackey sure is a dream. —The Fug Girls
Related: 'Sweet Valley High' Updates Bury the Wakefield Twins in Cavalli
The '90210' Update: Who's the New Brenda?
For more of the Fug Girls' deliciousness, check out their complete archive.
Lethem at BAM last night.Photo: Getty Images
Lethem's upcoming book sees the author returning to New York, and he says it's a "long, strange novel about the Upper East Side." Like Gossip Girl for adults, maybe? "Oh yeah! I don't know — I haven't seen Gossip Girl so I can't compare them. I don't know how to compare it. It's kind of just a big, crazy novel about bohemians who snuck into these rent-controlled apartments in the middle of where all the wealthy people live." OMG — can you, like, imagine if Rufus, Dan, and Jenny tried to infiltrate the Palace like that? —Fiona Byrne
He was a captain and not a sheriff, okay???Photo: Getty Images
A front-page obituary and a headline in some editions on Sunday about the actor Charlton Heston misstated his age and the year of his birth. He was 84, not 83, and was born in 1923, not 1924.
This was sort of strange, because it's not like it would have been a rush job — Heston had had cancer and Alzheimer's for like ten years, and his obit probably was written before even that. But shit happens and anyway actors lie about their age all the time, everyone knows that.
The Times was later reminded that names are also not to be taken at face value when it comes to actors and were forced to issue a second correction about, oh, a few other things:
An obituary in some editions on Sunday and in some copies on Monday about the actor Charlton Heston misstated his given name at birth. It was John Charles Carter, not Charlton Carter. The obituary also referred incorrectly to the character played by Orson Welles in the film "Touch of Evil," in which Mr. Heston had a starring role. The character, Quinlan, is a police captain, not a sheriff. And a list of Mr. Heston's films accompanying the obituary on Monday misstated the relationship between two characters in the film "Midway," in which Mr. Heston played a Naval officer. The characters, the officer's son and a woman of Japanese descent, are hoping to marry; they are not already married.
The Huffington Post has a lot of questions about how all of this could have possibly happened. But to us the answer is pretty obvious: They wrote it before Google. The real question is this: What Charlton Heston fiend wrote in to correct that he played a "police captain" and not a sheriff in Touch of Evil? Because we'd love to meet that guy. But not really.
Charlton Heston, Epic Film Star and Voice of N.R.A., Dies at 84 [NYT]
Jackson in a look from Giorgio Armani's recent
runway show.Photo illustration: Getty Images, WireImage
"The funny thing is, Sam is trying to get us to use the materials in the women's collection for the men's — ever since he wore the opalescent purple velvet jacket at Cannes," joked Barry Frediani, senior director of entertainment industry relations for Armani. "I'm trying to get them to use different things," laughed Jackson, who attended an Armani Collezioni event at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills on Tuesday evening. "I like brocade, I'm thinking of trying to get them to experiment with a beaded fabric."
It's true. Women and Vegas performers really do have all the fun.
Fashion Scoops: Mixing with Armani [WWD]
Welcome to the D.A., bitch.
As expected, Mischa Barton pleaded no contest Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence in a deal designed to spare the starlet from any jail...
Photo: Getty Images
"How many rich jerks that want to be in Sex and the City can there possibly be in America? OK, a lot, but there's not a limitless supply. If the upcoming Sex and the City movie tanks, it will be for the societal good." —Mike Doughty on gentrification [Gothamist]
"I know that judges are not fans of what they call 'props,' but I think that most props are thought of as crutches, and I thought that the unicycle was hardly a fake set of bull horns." —Adam Carolla on his ouster from Dancing With the Stars [Us]
"We've said time and time again that we derive our songs from many different sources. Have you ever heard Patrick sing? There's the bulk of the R&B right there." —Joe Trohman on Fall Out Boy's myriad influences [MTV]
"We want to be funny enough that they laugh, but not so funny that they don't think it's real. We try to walk that line carefully. Yes, we really want people to call in and give real money and not ironically funny money." —Robert Smigel on his upcoming benefit show, Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education [AP via Yahoo]
Nah nah, some of us had real cameras.Photo: WireImage
FINANCE
• Yahoo's search for a white knight could take a surprising twist if Microsoft and the News Corp. band together to ward off Google. [NYT]
• If you look at the fine print, Apollo Global Management isn't really doing that "initial public offering" thing. [DealBook/NYT]
• Lehman Brothers liquidated three funds worth $1 billion. [DealBook/NYT]
MEDIA
• Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama get bylines in...Us! [NYO]
• It must be so tough being full all the time. Glossy-magazine writer Alan Richman whines about being a food critic. [WWD]
• Is the bleak state of the newspaper industry Wall Street's fault? Sure! [E&P]
LAW
• Can being too nice to lawyers with children cause big problems for big firms? [Law.com]
• Entertainment Weekly ranks the top fifteen most trustworthy television lawyers. Surprisingly, Atticus Finch beat out Lionel Hutz! [EW]
REAL ESTATE
• The Willets Point Stadium project seems stuck in the seventh-inning stretch. [NYO]
• Update your résumés: The Freedom Tower needs an observation-deck operator. [NYP]
• After undergoing seven different zoning modifications, Chelsea's HL23 building gets the green light. [NYP]
Model Maryna LinchukPhoto: Imaxtree
According to Didier Grumbach, president of the French Fashion Federation, the charter is intended to educate the public about body image rather than impose regulations. "We will attack anything that encourages excessive weight loss, but the idea is not to create more rules," he said, adding that regarding the fashion industry, France's laws for monitoring health are already extremely protective. "Generally speaking [the charter] is a decision to be extremely careful and fight [negative body image] in any way we can, but no more legislation," he said.
Lawmakers know better. Valerie Boyer, a deputy from France's UMP party, hummed a very different tune yesterday when she called for new legislation that would impose a $50,000 fine on anyone who promotes anorexia (like pro-anorexia bloggers) and put them in prison for two years.
Currently in France, modeling agencies must obtain a license from the government and special authorization for models younger than 16. Girls under 16 are also encouraged to get regular medical checkups. But despite current French law, girls on the catwalks and in fashion magazines over there have remained superthin, so we're skeptical of the effectiveness of any new charters — especially since they're voluntary. Do we really expect Karl Lagerfeld to voluntarily pore over the new charter and cast his next shows and campaigns in compliance with them? Of course not. He's too busy deciding which rings he's going to wear that day.
French Groups Promote Body Diversity [WWD]
Skinny Models Are Out In France As The Fashion Industry Fights Anorexia [All Headline News]
Photo: Getty Images
People are already praising Richard Jenkins’ performance. How did you make the decision to go with him?
It was early on. I really wanted Richard’s character to kind of be an Everyman, not at first glance this strapping leading man. I wanted him to be a guy you would just pass on the street, and Richard can be that way. The character can be pretty caustic at times, but people just really love Richard as an actor and I think there’s sort of an empathy for him from the very first time you see him. We shall see. With small movies like this, it’s so delicate. It’s as if you’re sending your kid off to school, like "Good luck! You’re doing fine! They’re just buck teeth! It’s no big deal!" But our fingers are crossed.
A lot of people say filming in New York is a blessing and a curse. What was the hardest scene to shoot?
You’re right about New York. You have those moments where you’re shooting a scene in the park on a beautiful Indian-summer day and you don’t even need extras because the drummers start playing and people are just coming out of the woodwork to watch, at the perfect increments to build time continuity, you know? And then you’ll be filming at a café on the Lower East Side and you’re just all set up perfectly when suddenly a grate door flies open and the owner reveals that there’s actually a sweatshop underneath you and that they’re going to be coming out occasionally for breaks.
That really happened?
Yeah, that really happened. It’s like, Oh, really? A sweatshop? Terrific! Another New York moment: I read a great book while I was researching the movie called The Prophet of Zongo Street, by Mohammed Naseehu Ali, about a man’s returning to Ghana and his experiences going back and forth to America. I flipped it over and it said, “Mohammed lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids, and he plays the djembe in a jazz trio.” That was such a creepy coincidence that I arranged to have coffee with him. It turned out he was a friend of [Station Agent star] Peter Dinklage’s, and I ended up taking djembe lessons with him once a week in my little West Village apartment.
And how were you?
Horrible. [Laughs.]
It seems like strangers coming together to form new communities is an idea that resonates with you…
I think this is something I’ll have to look back on in 30 years, like what was I going through at that point in my life? It’s obviously something I’m interested in — both loneliness and connection, on some level. I think a big part of why I live in New York City is that you are constantly thrust into these situations where you have to interact with different kinds of people. It’s got to be one of the great benefits of living here. It’s certainly isn’t real estate or anything else.
So have you written your next one yet?
I’ve had this idea in my head for a little while. I’ve got these two characters in my head and a third — I’m not really sure what he does yet. But what’s the story? I’m kind of there again.
Will it be another “The” movie?
The — oh. I don’t know! It’s not gonna be now that you’ve pointed that out. You’ve ruined it for me. You’re going to get a really random angry e-mail from me in about two years angrily accusing you of robbing me of an option. —Sara Cardace
Lara Logan, be patient. Your time will come. Maybe just a little later than expected.
CBS has put the kibosh on a widely circulated report that Katie Couric might be exiting from her CBS Evening...
God, we hope she leaves the pooch home.Photo: WireImage
Versace hasn't revealed if she'll dress her hosts, but considering the other guests include Colin Firth and his wife, Livia, Jamie Hector, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Sonja Sohn from HBO's The Wire, it ain't a bad idea (yeah, we're dreading all the "so-and-so goes to Washington" jokes, too). But Versace's presence will finally shine light on some of the world's most burning questions: Does Donatella find Stephen Colbert funny? Will she restrain herself from wearing fuchsia and — dare we suggest it? — perhaps actually tone down her look? Can the fabulous hang in Washington? All this and more will be answered on April 26. Christmas in April, y'all.
Fashion Scoops: Fashion Goes to Washington [WWD]
In just one short month, George Clooney has gone from the last great movie star to the latest celebrity hoax victim. And this time around, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt had nothing to do with it.
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