World Entertainment News Headlines for May 19, 2008

Lydia Hearst and Posse Turn Against Justin Bartha

Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bartha, Ashley Olsen's new squeeze, is allegedly "a little bit psycho-y," and didn't handle being dumped by ex-girlfriend Lydia Hearst so well. We don't believe a word of it because we think he's dreamy. Lydia's pals Blake Lively and Leighton Meester attended Nylon's Young Hollywood party with respective boyfriends (and Gossip Girl co-stars) Penn Badgley and Sebastian Stan (Carter Baizen), but Meester and Stan PDA-ed a lot more. Meanwhile, at the same party, publicists claim that Chace Crawford and Chuck star Zach Levy have both tried and failed to pick up newly single Jamie-Lynn Sigler. John Stamos showed up at Morimoto on Thursday acting weird and with a nasty black eye, though a rep for the actor says he got it from a kickboxing accident. Ethan Hawke laughed when he saw a DVD of Gattaca for $3 at a Chelsea stoop sale. Real-estate mogul Aby Rosen celebrated his birthday with Samantha Ronson, the Trumps, Donny Deutsch, and Ian Schrager in the $70 million Forstmann mansion on East 71st Street.

Petra Nemcova kind of stalked Sean Penn at a variety of different Cannes parties, even though he's back with ex-wife Robin. Mischa Barton was spotted knocking back tequila shots and smoking a joint at the Hotel du Cap in Cannes. The Bushes are blaming the wedding singer for leaking details of Jenna's nuptials. A vodka-swigging Brody Jenner went to six bars in less than two hours in Chicago in search of female companionship. Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson had an Alice in Wonderland–themed reception after their wedding on Saturday. (Maid of honor Jessica brought Tony Romo as her date.) Mike Tyson, now a sober Muslim, demanded that caterers get rid of pizza with pork and take down Grey Goose advertising in the VIP section at the after-party for James Toback's documentary about him. Kathy Griffin says Apple billionaire Steve Wozniak had his secretary dump her over the phone, and that he married someone else three weeks later. A celebrity assistant named Dan McMann planted an item in "Page Six" about himself. "Page Six" wonders if favorite whipping boy Keith Olbermann is on the verge of having a "professional meltdown" at MSNBC, but their evidence is minimal at best. Cindy Adams says Barbra Streisand switched agents because she wants to start acting again.

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 19 May 2008 | 2:45 pm

How Will VSL Editor Gary Foodim Get His Family the Alcohol They Need?

Samantha was so wasted
she had to be carried home. Photo: NYP.com

There's been a slew of stories lately about how the faltering economy is affecting the little guy, and the Post this morning brings us the tale of Very Short List editor Gary Foodim, who claims his family's cost of living has risen hugely since last year. Why? Foodim says it's because his son Jackson, 4, and daughter Samantha, 2 ½ are eating more as they get older, and the Post tries to make the case that rising food costs are responsible. But a quick glance at the chart of the family's expenses shows where the real problem lies: Jackson and Samantha are drinking more. This year, the Foodims spent $313 on alcohol a month, up 177 percent from last year, and a bigger increase than anything else on their list. "We're always looking for entertainment related to the kids to try and keep them occupied," Foodim tells the Post. Mmm-hmm. And by entertainment, he means "butterscotch schnapps."

YIKES! HIKES HIT $1,000+ A MONTH [NYP]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 19 May 2008 | 2:20 pm

Sales: 70 Percent Off John Varvatos; 50 Percent Off Victoria's Secret

STARTING TODAY
• R.J. Graziano’s dizzying assortment of fashion jewelry is 60 percent off. Through 5/21. 389 Fifth Ave., nr. 36th St., third fl. (212-685-3737); Mon.–Wed.(11–5:30).

• John Varvatos suits, jackets, shirts, and more are 70 percent off retail at the Underground NYC sale this week. Through 5/23. 207 W. 38th St., nr. Seventh Ave. (212-239-7272); Mon.–Fri. (10–7).

STARTING TOMORROW
• The signature rectangular women’s and men’s eyewear from Alain Mikli International normally retails for $200 to $700 but is on sale for $45 to $95 at this sample sale. Through 5/23. 264 W. 40th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; Tues.–Thurs. (9–5:45), Fri. (9–5).

• Children’s clothes from the Ollypop brands like Mim-Pi, Cakewalk, Molo, Me Too, and more are 40 to 80 percent off. Through 5/22. 241 W. 37th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Ste. 1003, tenth fl.; Tues.–Thurs. (10–5).

ENDING TOMORROW
• Bag your beachwear with the spring sample sale at Salon 9 Showroom. Swimwear from Zimmerman, Brette Sandler, Red Carter, and Birdie Jo are 65 to 80 percent off. Through 5/20. 241 W. 37th St., nr. Seventh Ave. (212-754-1400); Fri., Mon., and Tues. (11–8).

ONLINE
• Victoria Secret’s Semi-Annual Sale is on! Stock up on your underthings on the cheap: Bras are up to 25 to 50 percent off, starting at $13, and panties are up to 25 to 60 percent off, starting at $4 and up.

Source: The Cut - New York Magazine's Fashion Blog | 19 May 2008 | 2:00 pm

Vito Fossella: Up, Down, and On the Pot

He just read the News.Photo: Getty Images

What's up with Vito Fossella these days? Well, it depends on which New York City newspaper you read. According to the Post this morning, Staten Island Republicans are staunchly behind the congressman, anticipating that he will run again and win in the fall. But the Times today ran a "Metro"-section cover story explaining that, in fact, "Signs Fossella May Run Again Unnerve G.O.P." (Emphasis ours.) Staten Island GOP granddaddy Guy Molinari says he thinks Fossella might be able to win reelection, but that it "would take an all-out effort and a substantial amount of money."

So where does the Daily News stand on all of this? They don't weigh in on the likelihood of Vito's candidacy. Instead, they spend today visualizing what his toilet will be like if he ends up going to prison. Now that is the kind of tabloid coverage we've been waiting for.

VITO A PARTY FAVE [NYP]
Signs Fossella May Run Again Unnerve G.O.P. [NYT]
Big shots aren't coddled at jail Vito Fossella may call home [NYDN]

Source: Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine | 19 May 2008 | 2:00 pm

Mark Ruffalo and Amy Adams to Grouse in Noah Baumbach's Latest

Photo: Getty Images, FilmMagic

Baumbach's Next With Ruffalo, Adams: Greenburg, Noah Baumbach's next relationship comedy-drama, will star Mark Ruffalo and Amy Adams. Scott Rudin produces. Plot details are under wraps, but experts are guessing Ruffalo and Adams will play unhappy people sniping at each other. [HR]

Weaver to Lifetime: Sigourney Weaver makes the long-dreaded move to Lifetime Original Movie territory by producing and starring in Prayers for Bobby, about a conservative woman who questions her beliefs after her gay son commits suicide. Alternate titles eventually rejected: Not Without My Dead Gay Son, and Mother, May I Sleep With Men? No? Well, Then I Shall Commit Suicide. [Variety]

DreamWorks Encourages Piracy: DreamWorks will produce a biopic of legendary pirate Blackbeard, to be written by David Franzoni (screenwriter of Amistad and Gladiator, two other boring historical epics). Barry Josephson and Pat Croce — the 76ers owner who also owns a pirate museum in Florida — will produce. The film will be rated Arrrrrrrrrr. [Variety]

Brosnan, Sarandon Commit to Downer: Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon will play grieving parents in The Greatest, writer-director Shana Feste's debut. The pair will play the heads of a family that is thrown into chaos after the loss of a child. If Sarandon's character deals with her grief by drinking to excess, that'll make two in a row! [Variety]

Weinstein Co. Performs Alchemy: The Weinstein Company will produce Laurence Fishburne's film of Paulo Coelho's gazillion-selling The Alchemist, continuing Fishburne's connection with the exciting new field of pseudophilosophy, first displayed in his work in The Matrix. [HR]

3) And, hooftie, if you can follow this one: "This one hurts because I would have never thought of this B list film actress as a home wrecker. She has always been a favorite. B list film actress sounds so generic now doesn't it? How about we make (#1) gorgeous and aging, but not old. How about someone who is taken seriously as an actress but is definitely not shy about showing off her body. OK, so on the set of her new film she and her female co-star (#2)who was once a B list actress and is now closer to C, but is well known and made her reputation from basically one television show and one serious boyfriend, were bonding and talking smack about the other cast members. At some point they both started talking about our B-/C+ actor (#3) who is doing this film but is known much more for two great television roles on two great television shows. OK, they were both good shows, but I only liked one. Turns out that #3 had hit on both #1 and #2 and #2 was discussing how she would never do anything with him because #3 has a long term girlfriend (#4) who used to be A list and just kind of wanders from role to role now. #2 was looking to #1 for agreement that it was wrong to sleep with #3, and #1 confessed that she had been sleeping with #3 since the third day of filming and that #3 was going to leave #4 for #1. #2 and #1 haven't spoken to each other since." [Crazy Days and Nights]

Is one wedding enough for pop diva Mariah Carey? What do you think? [Showbiz Spy]
Actress Gina Gershon was fired by her assistant, who then had a little party to celebrate. He's still got Natalie Portman and Brook Shields as clients, which means he's one of those assistants who, in turn, has his own assistants. [P6]
Britney Spears' vacation with Mel Gibson in Costa Rica is over. [OK!]
Scarlett Johansson doesn't want to hang out with Woody Allen at Cannes. Understandable. [Perez]

Olbermann has been criticizing O'Reilly on his show for four years, including naming him the "worst person in the world" and saying his kids have a home life as difficult as that faced by the forthcoming child of a pregnant, transgendered man.

Instead of taking what he dishes out nightly, O'Reilly allowed News Corp. chairman Murdoch and Fox News chief Roger Ailes to complain to NBC executives on his behalf, asking that Olbermann be reined in. NBC refused, and O'Reilly launched a campaign on his show against NBC corporate parent General Electric and its CEO Jeffrey Immelt, saying that GE's business with Iran — "mostly... sales of oil, gas and energy and health-care equipment," according to the Washington Post — endangered American troops in Iraq.

News Corp. then offered to end the attacks in exchange for Olbermann backing off O'Reilly, according to NBC.

The Washington Post said Ailes threatened to deploy the New York Post against Olbermann, but an Ailes spokesman denied this, saying, "Roger doesn't control the editorial policy of the New York Post."

Within a few hours of that denial going online, the New York Post published its initial attack on Olbermann on its website.

That Murdoch properties do one another's dirty work and then lie about their actions is hardly surprising; but one would hope thinned-skinned rageaholic O'Reilly would learn to fight his own battles at some point instead of complaining to his bosses and permitting a sucker punch from Page Six, as though he doesn't have enough media firepower at his disposal on the O'Reilly Factor.

[Page Six, Washington Post]

"We had to broaden the channel to change the misconceptions of the genre... that it was for geeky young men."

Amazing, then, that I know two women once far more into Sci Fi Channel mainstay Battlestar Gallactica than I, at least until the plot took a turn for the sappy, despite the fact that it features both spaceships and the future. And my favorite Sci Fi blog is even edited by a woman.

But of course the channel can always count on those sorts of hard-core fans tuning in, even if the name is disastrously changed to "the Imagination Channel" as once discussed, according to the Times article. In the meantime network executives are trying to build a global mega-brand, and to them the "Sci Fi" in "Sci Fi Channel" is best viewed, as Howe puts it, as merely an advantageous "signpost" amid "the fragmentation of media," albeit one with a "downside" — the downside being that the channel taken at face value, and believed to be sci fi in nature, when in fact it wants to be So Much More, and thus so much less.

[Times]

One, the Times thinks the magazine has enough brand cachet to get people to take drugs. Laughable, but flattering for Wired. Two, notoriously wrong Wired ("Push" internet will kill the Web browser! Tech's "Long Boom" will continue forever!) has stopped even pretending people take its advice seriously. As the Times noted elsewhere today, the magazine has successfully transitioned from the sterile, fact-based technology reporting it was once at least marginally associated with (day-glo typesetting aside) to the unverifiable buzzmaking at the heart of lifestyle publishing. The result: advertising and circulation are both on the march. See, drugs really do give you a boost!

[Times, Wired]