Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 9:50 pm

DWTS: Sambas, Tangos and Middling Scores

Top Chef almost-winner Sam Talbot jumped to the head of the outdoor queue. We boarded an elevator with him (the elevators at the Gansevoort hold maybe five skinny coked-up ladies — any more and it beeped madly and wouldn't close). The crowd couldn't seem to understand. "I was stuck in an elevator a week ago for an hour," Talbot told us. "Now whenever I'm in one, I look around and wonder who's going to be the one that freaks out." The door beeped. Talbot pointed surreptitiously at a short man. "He's going to be the one to freak out." The short man near the front didn't leave.

Upstairs, the lucky 200 people who did deserve to see Prince crowded very tightly into a small room with a big stage. Anderson Cooper was there with a friend who was a boy. They were eating dinner on the terrace. It seemed romantic. Dave Chappelle was there, muscular. Prince was there too, emerging from the space beneath the stage like a funky leprechaun. He's so wee and ageless! How can he truly be 50? Every American — gay or straight, black or white, male or female (because Prince is partially all of these) — would do well to emulate Prince.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 9:30 pm

Prince Gets Intimate With a Couple Hundred People

Photo: Getty Images

Prince, forever enshrined — especially for those of us who discovered Purple Rain in grade school — as a high priest of carnality, a sex-ed tutor with soul, funk, pop, and hip gyrations as his teaching methods, should by all rights transform any setting into a purple, velvet-y budoir. He did more than that Friday night for about 200 people at the Gansevoort Hotel, where he played a set to celebrate his new photo book, Prince 21, and raise money for Love 4 One Another Charities and Urban Farming.

With tickets going for $1,000 a pop, the crowd was more Sex and the City than Glam Slam, but none of that mattered when the Beautiful One — sporting a black sweater with a rough, skeletal patterned, sparkly décolletage, and an appealing aura of compassion — took the stage. He immediately made reference to the economic crisis ("It's been a strange day … we're gonna make you feel better!"), then, appropriately enough, launched into a blues riff. Harmonica solos came to dominate the night, though it wasn't just the Market Crash blues he was singing; there were also curious tales of "cockeyed women."

Backed first by a fedora-clad bass player and keyboardist, then joined by two powerhouse female vocalists and a drummer, he of course delivered classics like "1999," plus a few surprising covers — "Le Freak," "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)." And we were rewarded for the obligatory "Purple Rain" sing-along, which sent much Red Bull Spraying, with sprinkles of some of our favorite, less predictable hits: "Cream," "I Feel 4U," even a quick chorus of "U Got the Look" (sadly sans Sheena Easton). It wasn't Minneapolis in 1986, but when Price closed with encore "Nothing Compares 2U," the room was flush enough with love to make it all right.

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Kelly Cutrone Passed on ‘Hills’ Spinoff, Has New Show in the Works

Kelly Cutrone
Photo: Getty Images

Whitney Port is busy filming her Hills spinoff, The City, which documents her new job at Diane Von Furstenberg. But her former boss Kelly Cutrone told us at the Fashion Unites for Obama fund-raiser at Talavera studios on Friday that she was offered a spot on the new show, but passed. "When I thought about The Hills, when Lisa Love called me at Vogue and when I talked to them, I thought, There has to be a reason why Anna [Wintour]'s doing this. You know? I feel like I maximized that." Cutrone said. "I also didn't really feel like it was a great idea to be on a spinoff of a spinoff of a spinoff. I felt like I already rolled the dice." She added if she was going to do another TV show, she wanted to own part of it (it's the power-bitch way, after all). So she signed with the William Morris Agency. "I have another deal that I'm going to be an exec producer on — that I'll own part of," she explained. The show's in the very early stages, and Cutrone said details are still fuzzy. "I know some real talented people, and we want to be able to produce a show that we're not on as well," she said. "I'll be the Ryan Seacrest of fashion."

But still, she thinks The City will be great for Diane Von Furstenberg, whom she offered some advice. "She said, 'Well, I don't really know how much I'll be on,' and stuff. And I said that she really needed to be prepared for it. First of all, your whole Internet system — whenever MTV comes around — is going to go down. So the cameras blow out the Internet system. I told her I thought it would be a fantastic thing for her business." But like having children, one doesn't know what to expect when shooting these shows until one does it. "Diane has no idea," Cutrone continued. "It's like when Lisa Love called me up and said, 'You should be on The Hills.' I go, 'I know when you said I should be on this show, you gave me a double-edged sword. I didn't know that it came with a cock ring and bat.'" On that note, last-minute thoughts on the election? "I think that John McCain is an idiot, to be honest with you. He scares me, and his wife scares me."

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

'Dewey' chronicles life of author, cat and town (AP)

AP - He was a yellow tabby with twinkling green eyes, who arrived in the overnight drop box of a farmland library one frigid January night. Dewey Readmore Books became the library's star boarder and an international celebrity.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:55 pm

Variety welcomes Millie Chiavelli

Front Page: Exec named managing director of N.Y. office -- Variety has tapped Millie Chiavelli as managing director of its New York office.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:50 pm

Urie, Wiig, Broderick and Rudetsky to Read 'Celebrity Autobiography' at the Triad (Playbill)

Playbill - "Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie and "SNL" regular Kristin Wiig are scheduled to be part of the Oct. 13 performance of Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words at the Triad.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:47 pm

The Former New Yorker, in Town for a Weeklong Booty Call

Once a week, Daily Intel takes a peek at what your friends and neighbors are doing behind doors left slightly ajar. Today, the Former New Yorker, in Town for a Weeklong Booty Call: 27, female, straight, art director, single.

DAY ONE
12:30 p.m.: Back! Flight from the Midwest lands. I'm planning on seeing three guys on this trip: the Ex-Boyfriend's Friend (XBFF), the Art Director, and potentially the Love of My Life. It's never the right time for a relationship for me, but I have a lot of these in-betweens. I met the Art Director a few months ago, but I was too heartbroken over the Love of My Life. And I felt fat. Every time I'm over the LOML and meet someone else, he's into me again. I've been avoiding calling him.
3:30 p.m.: Can't wait to see the XBFF. We always liked each other. Hoping we can maybe talk about a possible long-distance pseudo-relationship. I wish I were skinnier for this trip.

10:30 p.m.: Meet up with Gay BFF. Gab. We decide that his fantasy of sleeping with his co-worker is less about actually doing it and more about the fantasy and jerking off to it. Been there, done that. Worst mistake I've ever made besides moving out of NYC.
11 p.m.: I backtrack. It's clear his intrigue in fucking his co-worker is twofold: He can keep it a secret at work, and he can be co-worker's other man. Two taboos mean you've got to hit it.
3 a.m.: Platonic slumber party in bed with Gay BFF and Girl BFF. We're tired.

DAY TWO
10 a.m.: Wake up to 4 a.m. text from Love of My Life, "Are you awake?" You scream, I scream, we all scream: booty call!
11:30 p.m.: My friends are talking about the porn sites they bookmark because they are constantly horny. My bookmark's a secret because I haven't been comfortable sharing my masturbatory online research since my college years.
3 p.m.: Over late lunch with Gay BFF, I admit I don't know if I'll have time to see the Love of My Life since I'm going out of state to see XBFF tomorrow. We randomly discuss and agree that dating and fucking below your class is a waste of time.
6:16 p.m.: I miss NYC and all these beautiful people.
7 p.m.: Art Director texts me to see if I'm free tonight. Think about meeting up because I'm wearing a cute dress but instead take leftovers home to friend's place where I'm staying. This traveling has diminished my libido.
1 a.m.: Watching movie that includes bouncing tits. Turns me on, but I can't masturbate at my best friend's place.
2 a.m.: Off to bed alone; friend is sleeping over at a guy's place. This morning's porn talk must have inspired her.

DAY THREE
8:15 a.m.: Sleepy and pseudo-excited about rendezvous with XBFF, which will probably be the real-vacation part of my trip.
12:20 p.m.: On train with intellectual high-school boy doing his calculus homework. It's so wrong and illegal for me to even think about being his Mrs. Robinson.
7:25 p.m.: At XBFF's apartment. We are still so cool together. He thinks it's kinda weird that we have something since he's friends with my ex-BF. It was years ago. When is it the right time for these things?
2 a.m.: He's been timid all day. Done watching movie on his couch. His head is on my lap, and he pulls me in to kiss. He straddles me and I blow him off. He finishes all over my chest.
2:30 a.m.: I need round two. We go doggy style. It's so rough. He likes to pull my hair. We toss around as he pushes my head into the couch. I'm numb so I can't cum. I tittie-fuck him, and he finishes all over my face. Quick shower and off to bed.

DAY FOUR
10:15 a.m.: Morning embrace. Off to brunch.
1:55 p.m.: I need to catch the next train back to NYC. We cuddle on the couch, proceeds to heavy necking, petting, and grinding.
2:10 p.m.: Bed or couch? Bed. Doggy style is his thing, several variations of this position. Hot and heavy, I move my hips as he's on top. He's so excited and orgasms, but I don't.
2:50 p.m.: In bed, I'm disappointed that I didn't orgasm. We talk about how great the sex was and that we had a "thing" when I dated his friend. Turns out he hasn't slept with anyone in a long time, since me. I tell him he's standoffish with his feelings; he agrees.
3:10 p.m.: My eyes tear because I know I am leaving, and I won't see him for a while. But we both agree that we are just a small part in each other's lives now. Even though we think we like each other. I joke with him that I'm going on dates tonight to finish what he started. If he's jealous, it doesn't show.
4 p.m.: Try calling the LOML because I need some tonight. I forgot after my drought how much I love sex. Dinner plans at 8 p.m.
6:15 p.m.: Texting with Gay BFF, asking the big question: "Am I in serious like with XBFF?" Rehash about how hot the sex was, excited about his timidness, but then his sexual aggression in bed. He hasn't slept with anyone in years since me. I meet too many of these virginal thirtysomethings.
7 p.m.: I'm so confused about not orgasming. Do I have feelings for him and therefore I couldn't?
8 p.m.: Dinner with Love of My Life; we talk and walk back to his apartment. He buys condoms, we lie on his bed, I massage his back, and we both pass out in our clothes. No sex.

DAY FIVE
10 a.m.: Wake up, shower together. There's slight petting, but we're both too tired and running late to do anything.
1 p.m.: Brunch with Girl BFF. I tell her that I tried to be slutty last night but failed. She says it's gross that I tried to make a "cock-tail."
9 p.m.: Sex confessions all exposed with my friends at an outdoor party. The question is, to fuck or not to fuck Love of My Life. It may not be morally right, but what is on vacation?
1 a.m.: See LOML at his place. Slight petting, but we just end up passing out again.
5 a.m.: I awake and try to get him excited, but he's sleeping.

DAY SIX
10:30 a.m.: I'm riding Love of my Life on top, sleepy sex. Then he wakes up and he's on top now. He makes a bad joke that distracts me from orgasming. He does and we both agree it is underwhelming.
12:30 p.m.: Chatting and texting with Gay BFF. XBFF sessions were hotter than this morning; I guess our love history has affected our sex presence. We are creatures of comparison.
2:30 p.m.: Still chatting with Gay BFF, analyzing XBFF's M.O. He must have intimacy issues, or my face must be so pretty that he likes to spray it every time. Is that the new "good-bye"?
11 p.m.: Off to late dinner with the Art Director. Not in the mood to slut it out. All I want is a good meal.
2 a.m.: We're making out, he goes down on me. OMG, it's so good. I'm riding him on top, and I orgasm! It's been years since I've been able to do that while on top. Yeah, I got intimacy issues too. Then I'm on my back and it's his turn. I check the condom wrapper, no joke; it reads "Magnum."
5 a.m.: We sleep and he says that he thought I looked "sexual." I remember when I first met him; even then I knew that he was going to be a great fuck. The foreplay lasted two hours.

DAY SEVEN
12 p.m.: I'm leaving his apartment. Sex was so good. But he's a player, I know — these kinds of guys always are because they are too good not to want to share their tricks.
3 p.m.: I do want to fall in love and be in a relationship. Recap to Gay BFF. He's jealous and swears he's going to trap a bear this weekend.
8 p.m.: Gay BFF refers to my vacation as straight-up porn. Got to be careful of my reputation, says Gay BFF. I know I should, but whatever.
9 p.m.: Totally getting excited about the Art Director. He hasn't returned my text — God, this was such a one-night stand.
10 p.m.: Totally tingling just thinking about how fucking hot that session with AD was. We are so sexually compatible; I've only met two other guys that could do that to me.
12:30 a.m.: Ending my last night with LOML, just sleeping together. Sleep intimacy is what we have together, the kind where it's so naturally wonderful and easy. No sex. This trip was just a one-week stand, an expensive booty call where my days and nights blended into one another as well did the guys.

Totals: Five acts of intercourse with three men (one one-night stand, one sleepy morning sex with Love of My Life, and two acts of rough doggy-style sex with XBFF) resulting in one orgasm; two acts of fellatio, one with ejaculation on face; one act of cunnilingus; one tittie fuck.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:45 pm

‘As Long As I Have Money for Cat Food and Cigarettes, I’m Fine’

Did anyone happen to make it through the epic story in the "City" section of yesterday's Times about Rubyfruit, the lesbian bar in the Village? It goes on forever, as though the writer originally filed it in May but just kept on adding to it as the editors held it all summer long, and it contains all kinds of weird awesome details, like that the owner and her associates shop for supplies at Western Beef and have called the Mexican dishwasher the wrong name for years. And then comes the money quote, from Annette Marino, a faithful employee who's worked there for years for almost no pay: "As long as I have money for cat food and cigarettes, I'm fine," she says. A heroine for our time. [NYT]

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:20 pm

Philippe Dauman defends Viacom

Front Page: CEO delivers upbeat assessment at Mipcom -- Viacom CEO-prexy Philippe Dauman delivered an upbeat assessment of his company's prospects at Mipcom on Monday.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:14 pm

Stump for Your Candidate, ‘Times’ Style

Photo: Courtesy of nytimes.com

Want to show support for Obama or McCain but just can't bear to wear one of those awful buttons? We can't blame you. Times "Style" section to the rescue! Nothing says "Elect my guy" quite like the $1,350 gold-and-diamond rings with candidates' names emblazoned on them featured in this Sunday's "Pulse." And you can wear them for a few more weeks! Money well spent! Ahh, always so in touch with the world at large, "Style" section. We're going to go check our dwindling 401(k)s now.

Pulse | No Returns After Nov. 4 [NYT]

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:04 pm

Anne Slowey Thinks Sarah Palin Could Use a Little Airbrushing

Photo: Getty Images

Since soon-to-be Stylista star and Elle Fashion News Director Anne Slowey was holding court among the "media elite" at the Fashion Unites for Obama fund-raiser at Talavera studios on Friday, we ducked the glass of wine she was swinging wildly around and asked what she thought of Fox's claims that Sarah Palin's Newsweek cover was under-Photoshopped. "I don't think anybody should be airbrushed, myself included," the notoriously food-averse fashionista said between bites of actual sushi. "I feel like reality is so much more interesting than illusion." But!

"I'm sure I'll live to regret those words, come October 22 (when her Tyra Banks–backed show premieres), Slowey laughed. Anyway, "They should be airbrushing her words more than her face. She needs an editor more than she needs an airbrusher. Or maybe an education!"

Her Stylista co-star, Elle Creative Director Joe Zee, chimed in: "I would think there was something seriously wrong to retouch her to look like Gisele" on the cover of a news magazine, he laughed. "I mean, my God, we might as well retouch McCain to look like George Clooney." And speaking of fantasies, what would Palin look like if she ever landed on the cover of Elle? "Two words," said Zee: "Blowout and contact lenses."

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:00 pm

We Renounce ‘Entourage’

Photo: Courtesy HBO

For some time now, we've called Entourage the one show we can't stop watching–slash–can't stop hating ourselves for watching. But knee-deep in season five, our pleasure centers only feebly buzzing and our guilt mounting, we no longer feel that we can in good faith continue to recap this show. Consider the evidence from last night's episode alone.

Dom, thuggy old friend of the guys, pops back up, apropos of nothing but the show's apparent need for a high-speed car chase, and once again provokes Vince's sympathy and Eric's suspicions. Then they drive him back to prison and everything returns to normal.

Vince convinces Drama to hire Turtle as his assistant — and we're subject to their endless bickering as Drama Queen subjects his new employee to a long list of ridiculous demands involving custom-mixed breakfast cereals and thinly sliced bananas. Then Turtle quits and everything returns to normal.

Ari throws a game of golf with Alan Gray, hoping to trick him into betting big on the next round and giving up a part for the desperate Vince. Gray kicks Ari's tight-trousered ass, launches into a mad tirade against him and Vince, and then, in some classic Entourage stunt action, has a heart attack and drops dead on a gorgeous green overlooking the Pacific. A sobered Ari calls the boys to let them know what happened and announces he's going home to his family because life is short. Next week, we assume — and will only assume, not actually try to find out — everything will return to normal.

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 8:00 pm

OpenGate purchases TV Guide

Front Page: Macrovision sells magazine to Capitol group -- TV Guide has finally been unloaded to a private equity buyer.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 7:48 pm

Enter the Park Slope ‘Updos for Obama’ Contest!

Our favorite picture of our dearly departed grandmother is from the late fifties and shows her rocking a hairdo she would fondly recall as an "updo." And now, the Medusa Hair Salon (love that name!) in Park Slope has a thing going where you can get a Sarah Palin upswept hairdo for $75 and the proceeds will go to Obama's campaign. You will also be entered in a Palin look-alike contest, and if you win, $25 will go to Planned Parenthood in Palin's name. [Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn]

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 7:40 pm

Is It Really Over for McCain?

Photo: Getty Images

With three weeks left until Election Day, and with Obama maintaining a steady seven-point lead (according to RealClearPolitics), do you think John McCain is preparing to concede defeat? Hell no. In a comeback-themed speech later today in Virginia he'll proclaim, maverick-ly, "We’ve got them just where we want them.” Oookay. That kind of confident optimism might be a necessary posture for McCain to take at this point, but political pundits are debating whether Barack Obama already has a landslide locked up, and if there's anything McCain could possibly do to stop it.

• John Harwood writes that, based on history, a McCain comeback is unlikely, and what little chance he has is basically out of his hands. He may need "a misstep by Mr. Obama or a national security crisis" in order to turn things around. [Caucus/NYT]

• Walter Shapiro contends that the Bradley Effect, which posits that white voters misrepresent their support for black candidates, could possibly still take its toll on Obama. Beyond that, there are four factors that can keep McCain's hopes alive: volatile public opinion, an October surprise, another big stunt, or focusing exclusively on must-win (or must-defend) states. [Salon]

• William Kristol thinks that the situation may be "hopeless" due to the unfriendly political environment and the "strategic incoherence and operational incompetence" of the McCain campaign. What McCain should do, basically, is scrap his entire campaign and start from scratch for the last three weeks. [NYT]

• Nate Silver calculates McCain's chances of winning at a measly 5.9 percent, though he has a much better chance of surging and coming close without actually winning, like Hubert Humphrey in 1968. [FiveThirtyEight]

• Steven Thomma says that while unforeseen events, like a terrorist attack, could still change the race, "Obama is now well positioned to win the Electoral College" in a "landslide." [McClatchy]

• Alex Koppelman believes that while "there’s good reason to believe that what Thomma predicts will come true," it's still the case that "even with just a few weeks left in the election, anything can happen." [War Room/Salon]

• Michael Tomasky warns us not to "scoff" at McCain's "comeback" speech, as the race is "heading in the direction of being over, yes. But it's not over." Something "unusual" would be needed to swing all the swing states for McCain, giving him a narrow victory. "But it isn't impossible." [Guardian UK]

• Peter A. Brown examines how the margin of victory could impact how effective a President Obama could be once in office. [Political Perceptions/WSJ]

• Anne E. Kornblut and Jon Cohen write that "McCain's path to victory seems steeper" because "the percentage of 'movable' voters continues to shrink." In addition, he faces "an unprecedented grim view of the country overall." [WP]

• Roger Cohen looks at traditional Republican voters supporting Obama in Missouri, and says he's "starting to believe in a Republican bloodbath." [NYT]

For a complete and regularly updated guide to presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain — from First Love to Most Embarrassing Gaffe — read the 2008 Electopedia.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 7:15 pm

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince Back Together

You may be bitter to be working today while all your friends are sleeping off hangovers from the partying they enjoyed last night, but this news will surely lessen your doldrums: Kate Moss and Jamie Hince are officially back together. It's of so much consequence to you, right? And they made their first reappearance in public together eating humble pie in Selfridges — something you might do on a day off in London! Oh, our hearts are warmed. [Mirror]

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 7:00 pm

‘SNL’ to Launch Video Site Way Too Late

Photo: Courtesy of NBC

Encouraged by the world-changing online success of Tina Fey's glorious impersonation of Sarah Palin, NBC and Lorne Michaels are planning a Saturday Night Live–branded video site similar to Funny or Die or Comedy Central's site for The Daily Show. Of course, the projected launch date for the site isn't until long after the presidential election is over, Fey is gone, and everyone's gone back to not caring about SNL again, so we think it'll be a huge success. [Broadcasting & Cable]

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:46 pm

Ludacris Hated ‘The Happening’ Just As Much As You Did

Photo: Getty Images

"The minute I realized I got to point a gun at Mark Wahlberg, I said 'I'm in.'" —Ludacris on his part in Max Payne [NYDN]

"People say it's juvenile music, but pardon me. I thought rock 'n' roll was supposed to be juvenile. You sing what you know. What am I going to write about — Rembrandt?" —Angus Young [NYT]

"Yeah, I understand it, but nobody said comedy. And I always saw this as a comedy." —Josh Brolin on hearing Bush's life described as a tragedy [LAT]

"Oliver went to a very wealthy liberal investor, and he claimed the script was too pro-Bush for him. The same thing happened with German investors. They said, 'You made him a human being.'" —W. screenwriter Stanley Weiser [NYP]

"[The fathers] are like, 'Look, man. We've been finished eating for an hour and a half and my daughter won't let me leave!'" —Zac Efron on being confronted for autographs in restaurant bathrooms [People]

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:30 pm

Hockey Fans Boo Sarah Palin, But She Shouldn’t Take It the Wrong Way

Photo: Getty Images

As a general rule, sports fans do not like it when politics intersects with their games. If I am a scientist and you believe dinosaurs and humans used to hang out together, but we are both fans of the Jets, our differences will not matter. Which is why it’s always a shaky proposition for any politician to make an appearance at a sporting event. When Sarah Palin showed up to drop the first puck Saturday before the Rangers-Flyers game in Philadelphia, her very presence probably reminded fans of the economic crisis, or attack ads, or any number of things that they went to this hockey game to escape from. So she was booed. Partisans may make something out of this, but the audience just wanted to watch their game in peace. Plus, as we pointed out before, they’re from Philadelphia — they boo everything.

All told, Palin didn’t get it too badly. Dick Cheney suffered much worse when he emerged from his underground lair to throw out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game. Booing politicians is a bipartisan endeavor: Dubya got it, Bill Clinton got it, and, even though he’s a die-hard White Sox fan and even introduced legislation congratulating them on their World Series win, Barack Obama got some boos when he threw out the first pitch of Game Two of the 2005 World Series. And John McCain went through the same thing four years earlier.

Perhaps politicians should look to the past. In the days before JumboTrons, they threw out the first pitch from the stands. (See this photo of President Nixon opening the 1969 baseball season.) Bill Clinton was actually the first president to throw from the mound. That’s now commonplace. For the sake of everyone, maybe it shouldn’t be.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:30 pm

DreamWorks, Universal ink deal

Front Page: Studio signs seven-year distribution pact -- DreamWorks has nailed down its seven-year distribution pact with Universal — as expected — but there are several aspects of the deal that stand out.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:22 pm

'Brady Bunch' star tells of addiction

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:19 pm

Music Review: Kenny Chesney takes chances on CD (AP)

AP - Kenny Chesney, "Lucky Old Sun" (Blue Chair/BNA/SonyBMG)

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 6:15 pm

'Marcia Brady' Actress Maureen McCormick Reveals Addiction

McCormick writes about her struggles in a new memoir, "Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice," hitting stores Tuesday.
Source: FOXNews.com | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:56 pm

Reporters: 24-hour news shows hurting the industry (AP)

AP - "No Time to Think: The Menace of Media Speed and the 24-hour News Cycle" (Continuum Books. 240 pages. $24.95), by Howard Rosenberg and Charles S. Feldman: Critics who pan 24-hour news channels now have a pair of unlikely allies — two veteran journalists who agree that frantic deadlines and an endless hunger for content have left news shows bloated and often worthless.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:54 pm

Kevan Hall Sets the Bar High as LA Fashion Week Begins (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - You know you are doing something right when a star-studded packed house repeatedly breaks out in cheers and applause in the midst of your runway show; that's what happened to designer Kevan Hall as his latest womenswear collection launched this season's Los Angeles Fashion Week on Sunday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:54 pm

Protest Thwarts ‘Project Runway’ Taping in L.A.

Photo: Courtesy of Bravo

Project Runway really, really shouldn't have moved to L.A. for the sixth season. Aside from the move possibly causing Michael Kors and Nina Garcia to miss some episodes, the crew encountered some other logistical problems last week when WGA workers staged a raucous protest of the show. An eyewitness tells Defamer:

This morning, about 10:45am, I was returning some clothes to the Michael Kors store on Rodeo Drive when I had to cross a big picket line of shouting strikers (all male writers, WGA posters and banners) protesting "Project Runway." They had pulled the fire alarm on the nearby Valentino store also, adding to the noise of their shouting. I walked past them and the two security guards and went to enter the store, and upon opening the front door was startled to see Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum staring at me! They were obviously shooting a segment for the upcoming season, as there were lights and baffling filling the entire showroom. I quickly shut the door and ended up giving my good [sic] to a saleswoman who cam [sic] around from the back. There was a huge crowd watching all of this and taking pictures. I don't know how they are going to edit this as I'm certain the yelling and commotion could be heard inside the store.

Sounds pretty embarrassing for Heidi "Who, me?" Klum and Tim "Never Hurt a Fly" Gunn there. At least they have plenty of time to re-tape stuff since they probably won't come back on the air for another year. Hell, for that matter they may as well scrap this season and reshoot the whole thing in New York like it's meant to be!

Unruly WGA Mob Protest 'Project Runway' Rodeo Drive Shoot [Defamer]
Related: Lawsuit Majorly Delays Sixth Season of ‘Project Runway’

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:46 pm

Tina Fey: If Palin Wins in November, ‘I’m Leaving Earth’

Photo: Courtesy of NBC

When we first heard that Sarah Palin might go on Saturday Night Live, we weren't sure if it would really happen because it seems like the gang that's been spoofing her so pricelessly this season (Tina Fey most of all) really actually loathes her. Well, as many of our commenters pointed out, even if they do hate her, Palin would be ratings gold. So Palin will go on this weekend and we will all find our own ways to laugh about it.

But today we learned two things — one, several political experts think that Fey's biting impressions of the Alaska governor probably took a very real political toll on the Republican ticket. And two, we learned that Tina Fey, as we suspected, totally does loathe Palin. "That lady is a media star. She is a fascinating person, she’s very likable. She’s fun to play," Fey told TV Guide. As for whether she'll keep playing the role, she might until November. "If she wins, I’m done. I can’t do that for four years," she said. "And by ‘I’m done,’ I mean I’m leaving Earth."

Wait, is there a spaceship leaving Earth in November? And will Tina Fey be the onboard entertainment?? Where do we get tickets?!

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:45 pm

Mad Men: A Case of Darkest Before the Dawn?

The good, repressed old days.
Photo: Courtesy AMC

On last week's pitch-black episode, Mad Men put Betty through the ringer and nearly every other character in motion, building toward the finale three weeks from now. Here, Betty gets some much-needed rest while everyone else goes haywire.

The Pitch
Indulge yourself, sucker.

The Campaign
Advertising is an elaborate rationale for hedonism. It's an aspirational religion that tells people they'd be crazy to abstain — crazy not to try something new, to fly to Los
Angeles, jump in that convertible, to sleep with that absurdly young woman with her hair pinned back just so. Don's always gotten high on his own supply. He's always suckered himself. This week, he's not alone.

The episode begins with a dark distillation of the absurdity of what these men do. In a hotel scene with Roger and Jane (his nubile, lesser-Joan), the world-weary, cynical alpha male is revealed to be a fool: "Inhaling the fragrance of the sheets / feeling the warmth of where you were just laying," intones Jane, breathily. "You make wine taste sweeter." Jane says she writes "a lot of poetry when I'm inspired." But it's clearly just plagiarized from bad advertising about better wine and cleaner sheets. Even the old hard-ass Roger isn't immune to self-flattering fantasy. His wife is about to take everything but the shirt on his back. Looks like Jane will take the shirt.

Crazy schemes are afoot everywhere else. Chastised by Roger, Duck finally gulps down a martini, and his dignity, before concocting a plan with his old Blighty pals to take over Sterling Cooper. Meanwhile, money-minded Harry reveals that he only seems like the nicest guy in the world: "I don't know why people keep stirring up trouble," he says of the civil-rights movement. "It's bad for business." Ken Cosgrove's biggest line of that night? "Kurt's a homo!" In Kurt's words: "I like to make love with the men, and not the women." But why does he have to queer-eye Peggy's haircut?

The real action is in California, where they're building new men with "superstrength." Pete, ditched by Don, hangs by the pool, where babes wearing the latest Bikini Atoll fashions ignore him. Don, on the other hand, meets a 21-year-old temptress named, oh so appropriately, Joy. He turns her down, then later sees her in a slick white convertible and Jackie O. sunglasses and head wrap, where she poses the episode's central question: "Why would you deny yourself something you want?

Don is then immersed in a louche, itinerant Euro-bohemian commune that's twice as hedonistic and three times as ridiculous as Midge's old Beatnik scene. Don is so overwhelmed that he literally passes out. Then he eats exotic Mexican food, makes love, ogles a skinny-dipping orgy, and discovers that Joy's own father is the same viscount who practically pimped her out. "You are beautiful, and you don't talk too much," Joy says, explaining why her father likes Don, but echoing Bobbie Barrett. This story line is borderline ludicrous — but it clicks into place when Don's lost suitcase arrives at his once-happy home without him. It's the kind of thing that only makes sense in Hollywood, or on Madison Avenue.

The Early Results
One thing is certain: This season won't end quietly. We know Don will come back somehow, but let's give Mad Men credit for making his absurd California vacation seem so plausible. Don's whole life contradicts this idea that you can't run from who you are — that you can't ever escape real life, whether it's race and the civil-rights struggle or your family and your wife at home. At the end of this episode, you really feel like he could just slip away. Even though he won't.

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:30 pm

Whitley Kros: Ragamuffin Bohemians (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - Designers Sophia Coloma and Marissa Ribisi are the women behind Whitney Kros, the casualwear label chosen to be the "Mercedes-Benz Presents" Designers at the Mercedes-Benz Spring 2009 Los Angeles Fashion Week being held at Smashbox Studios in Culver City all this week.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:20 pm

Dow roars back from worst week

Front Page: Wall Street stages biggest rally since 1933 -- Wall Street stormed back after its worst week ever and staged the biggest single-day stock rally since the Great Depression on Monday, catapulting the Dow Jones industrials to a 936-point gain and finally offering relief from eight consecutive days of stock market carnage.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:14 pm

Darren Aronofsky Used to Drive a Cab in Brooklyn

Photo: Getty Images

Lately, the economic downturn is never far from our minds, and at last night's premiere of The Wrestler — a story about a pro wrestler looking for his last shot — we found ourselves wondering if super-successful people, like director Darren Aronofsky, had ever been laid off or otherwise down on their luck. "I've been fired many, many times, and I've been told no many, many times, but I don't think layoffs were happening when I was first working," he told us as wife Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts chatted behind him. What was his first job? "I was working in the eighties for $3 or $4 [an hour]," he said. "My big job — I drove a gypsy cab in Brooklyn for a long time and that's how I used to make a lot of money as a kid," he said, smiling at the memory. Then he trailed off, prompting us to ask what happened. "I got fired," he said. Wait, isn't the whole thing about gypsy cabs that they're unregulated? Why would they have fired him? "I can't talk about that," he said. "You know, I felt oppressed a little bit." Oh, artists.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 5:00 pm

Jack Spade Launches Men’s Apparel

Kate Spade's brother accessories brand is branching out. Jack Spade will launch a line of men's apparel for fall 2009. Paul Smith and Original Penguin alum Cuan Hanly has been appointed vice-president and is in charge of launching the new line. But first he plans to introduce a capsule collection of men's outerwear, shirts, and sweaters for spring 2009. Bloomingdale's, Barneys Co-op, and Fred Segal will carry the line. [DNR]

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 4:45 pm

Peter Lied to Christie About Not Taking the Kids on a Single-Engine Plane

Photo: Getty Images

Christie Brinkley thought she got Peter Cook not to take their two kids on a single-engine plane, but he faked her out and did so anyway, which is mean. Also, so not necessary for us to know about. Cindy Adams wonders if Bloomberg will run for that third term as an independent. Cindy also reminds us that today commemorates the moment when "Chris and his guys came over on the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria." Thanks, Cindy! Courtney Love wants to move into an East Village walk-up, but friends like Gwyneth and ScarJo tell her she should get a doorman building, probably because her life is messy. Robert De Niro wants Jean-Georges Vongerichten to succeed Mirco del Vecchio as top chef at his restaurant Ago. Gisele and Tom ate an insane amount of food at the Kobe Club. Diddy and oil heir Brandon Davis got in a shoving match last month at Butter.

Tomorrow, McCain gets a $28,000-per-person fund-raiser in New York by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (who has a girl's name, by the way). Ivana Trump maybe got her younger husband, Rossano Rubicondi, on an Italian reality show so he could make some money after her attempts to launch his singing career failed. (Also, Ivana and Sarah Palin are friends and go way back.) George Clooney gets treated better than regular people and deserves it, says Liz Smith. Stylist Sally Hershberger may do a reality show about her life.

Chrissie Hynde wants to open a vegan restaurant in the Freedom Tower so there are "no mangled, burnt bodies on that menu." (Chrissie, that's in really bad taste, speaking of vegan food.) Leo DiCaprio had a condom filled with some liquid flung in his face by drag queen Ms. Rosewood at that crazy notorious hangout The Box. Sam Ronson is suing lawyer Martin Garbus for allegedly botching her cocaine-related defamation case against Perez Hilton.

Photographer Bruce Weber is suing indie actress Anna Thompson for nursing care for her deceased mother, which Thompson thought was a gift. No perfect, naked young men appear involved at this point. Maria Bartiromo hinted to Vanity Fair that the feud between her and fellow CNBC biz correspondent Erin Burnett was concocted by network execs to pump ratings, but somebody else says they really hate each other. Suri Cruise seems starved for socialization with other kids.

J.Lo and Marc Anthony renewed their vows in Vegas alongside Carlos Beltrán and his wife, something that's exciting for all of us. Jimmy Kimmel impersonates famous presidents in the new GQ. Sandra Bernhard said at a private gay benefit that Madonna looks "straggly and [bleep]," like Dyan Cannon — this shortly after joking about Sarah Palin being "gang-raped" by blacks. The Delano Hotel in South Beach got flack for renting out a beachfront bungalow for auditions for a hard-core porn movie.

Source: Daily Intel | 13 Oct 2008 | 4:30 pm

Oliver Stone Talks ‘W.’, and Other Culture Highlights From This Week’s ‘New York’

Photo: Uli Heckmann

John Homans chats with Oliver Stone on W. Hugo Lindgren reviews the Pretenders' Break Up the Concrete. David Edelstein reviews Happy-Go-Lucky and Religulous. Christopher Bonanos reveals how Hilary Berseth makes his beeswax sculptures. Jerry Saltz reviews "Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night." Alexandra Peers looks into MoMA's potential patronage problems. Scott Brown reviews A Man for All Seasons, Liesl Schillinger reviews Chekhov Lizardbrain, and Dan Kois reviews 13: The Musical.

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 4:30 pm

Experts: Angelina Jolie Magazine Cover Will Inspire Moms

The new W magazine cover featuring Angelina Jolie breastfeeding one of her 3-month-old twins will inspire more mothers to breast-feed, experts say.
Source: FOXNews.com | 13 Oct 2008 | 4:09 pm

‘Dexter’: But He Was Such a Nice Serial Killer

Photo: Courtesy Showtime

In the beginning, this show was premised on a provocative question: "Are you prepared to like Dexter?" Which is to say, can you imagine rooting for a serial killer? If you've stuck around until now, the answer is obviously "Yes."

Now, in the third episode of season three, the show seems to be prepping for an even more complicated question: "Are you ready to dislike Dexter again?"

Dexter's heinous actions have so far been justifiable — to him and, to some extent, to us — by his adherence to "Harry's Code." Rule one: You only kill killers. This season, however, started with Dexter repudiating Harry and realizing he has to forge a new code of his own. And so far, the new code's proving conveniently flexible.

For example: Astor runs into a creepy, Cheerios-loving sex predator at the grocery store (and my apologies, or kudos, to that actor, whom I will never be able to see again without feeling a slight shiver), and Dexter immediately sniffs out the deviant. (This scene smacks a little too much of some Heroes-style mutant power — "Wait! My psycho sense is tingling!" — but we'll let it pass.) Later, Dexter tracks him down, breaks into his house, and dispatches him with typical Dexterity.

Now, sex predators are right up there with Nazis and shotgun-wielding racist hayseeds in the pop-culture stable of irredeemable villains. But think about this plotline for a second: Dexter uses his police access to check up on a guy's criminal record, then tracks him down and executes him. The guy's crime? Taking photos of Dexter's adopted step-daughter. Creepy as hell? Of course. Punishable by death? Apparently so, according to Dexter's new code. "Maybe there's another code," he muses, in a voice-over. "A code that says you've stepped uninvited into my world, and that's a place where I decide who gets to live and who doesn't." Wow, Dexter — are you going all Colonel Kurtz on us?

At least Freebo had a few murders in his past, even if his ex, Teegan, wasn't one of them. (Meanwhile, the as-yet-un-nicknamed killer — the Slice 'N' Dicer? The Skin-Patch Taker? — strikes again.) But throw in Dexter's accidental gutting of Oscar Prado, and suddenly he's becoming a willy-nilly one-man killing spree.

In a related story, Miguel Prado hands over the bloodstained shirt from last episode in an effort to win Dexter's trust. Now the old, code-loving Dexter? You could trust that guy with a bloody shirt. The new Dexter? We're not so sure. We wonder if, before season's end, we won't see Miguel Prado thrown under the bus. Maybe literally.

In any case, this is a clever twist: a smart way to keep the show interesting by undercutting its central assumption. You have to imagine that Dexter's Kurtzian tendencies will only get worse before they get better, and Dexter may need to step back and totally recalibrate his ethical compass. Until then, we may need to recalibrate our feelings about him.

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 4:01 pm

Jolie: Obama Win Would Be 'Nice' for Family

Jolie won't say who she's backing but she is showering praise on Obama.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:55 pm

‘Chihuahua’ Still Top Dog

Photo: Courtesy of Disney

We hope you like terrible headlines like the one above because Beverly Hills Chihuahua is once again No. 1 at the box office! The Disney comedy made $17.5 million, bringing its cumulative gross to $52.5 million and hilariously defeating the Russell Crowe–Leonardo DiCaprio thriller, Body of Lies, which earned a measly $13.1 million. "I might be overstating things," said Paul Dergarabedian yesterday, presumably in his fancy new office. "But if we ever needed a movie like Beverly Hills Chihuahua, it's right now. How can you think about the mortgage crisis when you're sitting in that movie?" A nation salutes you, Beverly Hills Chihuahua. [AP]

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:41 pm

Topshop to October Magazines: ‘You Got Punked!’

The joke's on all of us.
Photo: Courtesy of Marie Claire

According to original plans, Topshop was slated to open this week on Broadway. Alas, in mid-September, news broke that it got pushed back to March 2009, which left us bloggers buzzing about the delay. Virtual tears, if you will. Unfortunately, print magazines were probably more pissed than the Internet world. Forced to close pages months ahead of time, Topshop's October opening landed in the pages of several mags: Nylon said they had "drool-inducing anticipation," while Surface boasted "Sad news for Brits: They can no longer claim exclusive access." (Sadly, they still can.) Marie Claire also ran an entire page on "the new stateside shop." Nice fake-out, Topshop! Fooled us. Now, save us the drama and open already! Pretty please. With a cherry on top.

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:40 pm

Was 'Lightness of Being' author an informant?

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:35 pm

So Why Isn’t ‘30 Rock’ Back Yet?

Photo: Getty Images

Now that Tina Fey's hilarious Sarah Palin impression has unquestionably made her the world's most famous person, some are asking why her show, 30 Rock, won't be back until October 30. "If we knew then what we know today about how hot Tina was going to be, would we do it differently? Maybe," says NBC wunderkind Ben Silverman. Even though the network has several episodes of Rock already completed and could easily have run one last Thursday instead of the series premiere of Kath & Kim, Silverman says that would've undone NBC's original strategy, which was apparently to wait until the impending Fey backlash reduces her profile to pre-Palin levels and America forgets all about the Emmys 30 Rock won last month. Also, this could be an ass-saving maneuver, since if Kath & Kim isn't a hit, Ben Silverman will probably get fired.

It’s Easy to Find Tina Fey on TV, but Not Her Show [NYT]

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:30 pm

Music Review: Snider rotest music has funny side (AP)

AP - Todd Snider, "Peace Queer" (Aimless)

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:27 pm

Music Review: Keane delivers in 'Perfect Symmetry' (AP)

AP - Keane, "Perfect Symmetry" (Interscope Records)

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:22 pm

Star Jones on Ex-'View' Co-Hosts: 'Those Girls Were Hateful'

Star Jones is slamming her former "View" co-hosts, saying “Those girls were hateful" during her departure from the show in 2006.
Source: FOXNews.com | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:06 pm

No. 1 hip-hop star: I'm 'anxious' about prison

Earlier this year, T.I. was sentenced to jail time and community service over his arrest on weapons charges last year. The hip-hop artist, who has the No. 1 song and album in the country, says he's ready to do his time -- and come out a better person.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 3:00 pm

'Gossip Girl' Writer, Producer Removes Breasts to Prevent Ca

Jessica Queller, supervising producer and head writer of "Gossip Girl," choose to have her breasts removed - and she didn't have breast cancer
Source: FOXNews.com | 13 Oct 2008 | 2:58 pm

Taxpayers Inexplicably Upset About Having to Pay for Brad Pitt Movies

Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

With the imploded economy putting a strain on local governments across the nation, budget cuts are inevitable. But if shuttering our jails and elementary schools doesn't get us out of this mess, could states' incentives for movie production be in jeopardy? Maybe! The New York Times reports that taxpayers in Louisiana are outraged over a $27 million bill they're footing for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the upcoming David Fincher–Brad Pitt film made possible by a completely insane incentive allowing Paramount to recoup even parts of the movie's $167 million budget that weren't spent in the state. And in Michigan, where nobody's had a job since 1986, lawmakers in both parties are trying to put a cap on movie-related spending after they made an offer to pay 40 percent of film costs incurred there and movie studios astonishingly took them up on it.

Proponents of the incentives argue that they create jobs and stimulate local economies. Critics point out that this is completely stupid: "These are not long-term jobs," says Michigan Republican Nancy Cassis. "If just one state offers more, they'll be out of here before you can say 'lickety-split.'" She should probably just be happy that they're shooting potentially good movies (like Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino and Michael Cera's Youth in Revolt) in her state, instead of obvious stinkers like the ones they're making in Rhode Island — taxpayers there help fund Hard Luck, a straight-to-DVD film starring Cybill Shephard and Wesley Snipes (ironic, given Snipes's noted appreciation for taxes).

States' Film Production Incentives Cause Jitters [NYT]

Source: Vulture | 13 Oct 2008 | 2:45 pm

Sir Philip Green’s Next Move; Nicolas Ghesquière Nabs Accessories Award

Kirsten Dunst, not in Prada.
Photo: Newscom

• Topshop owner Sir Philip Green flew to Iceland over the weekend to negotiate a deal with retail investor Baugur. That's right — he's got dough to blow. He could get a big discount on stakes in London's High Street brands like Whistles. [Guardian]

• Mary J. Blige will present at the Accessories Council Excellence (Ace) Awards on November 3. Honorees include Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Stella McCartney. [WWD]

• Model Lara Stone: "When I was 16, being naked was a problem, but it has never really been an issue for me. Better naked than wearing really tight corsets. I don't put myself in situations that I feel uncomfortable with, you know, someday my children are going to see this. My tits are not really that big. Next season I might go for a more dressed up Lara, like a librarian or something." [Fashionologie]

• Kirsten Dunst was spotting wearing a piece of the new Prada spring 2009 collection but did not pair it with the shoes that made the models fall. [Grazia]

• Eva Longoria was spotted out in a pair of jeans from Victoria Beckham's dVb line. Maybe the line has a fighting chance after all. [Denimology]

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 2:41 pm

Events and Sales: $50 Spa Treatments; 25 Percent Off DVF Shoes

EVENTS
• It's Spa Week! Indulge in spa treatments like facials, waxes, massages, and more for only $50 at participating spas. Book your appointment at SpaWeek.org now.

• Don't miss Shecky's Girls Night out, a five-hour shopping experience featuring up-and-coming designer fashion at up to 75 percent off, as well as complimentary cocktails, spa services, and goody bags. Tickets can be purchased online for $10. Through 10/17. The Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St., nr. Houston St. (212-274-8900); Mon.–Fri. (5–10).

• Meet Joan Hornig at Bergdorf Goodman, where she'll introduce her new jewelry collection in an exclusive trunk show. One hundred percent of all profits will go to a charity of the customer's choice. Through 10/17. Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., nr. 59th St. (212-753-7300); 11–4.

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Frames and shades from Lafont, Alain Mikli, and Prada are 40 to 60 percent off at Chelsee Eyes. Through 10/27. 20 W. 20th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 804 (212-242-4823); Mon.–Fri. (10–5), Sat. (by appointment only).

ENDING TODAY
• Stop by any Free People store to get one free sale item when you buy two sale items. Through 10/13. 79 Fifth Ave., nr. 16th St. (212-647-1293); 1319 Third Ave., nr. 76th St. (212-744-0379); Mon.–Sat. (10–8), Sun. (11–7).

• Diane Von Furstenberg is slashing 25 percent off all shoes. Through 10/13. 874 Washington St., at 14th St. (646-486-4800); Fri.–Sat., Mon. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6), and online.

• Enjoy 25 percent off all boots by DKNY, both online and in stores. The black patent Knickerbocker rain boot is $87 from $125, and the lace-up combats are $332 from $475. Through 10/13. Check here for store locations.

STARTING TOMORROW
• Paul Smith is opening a discount shop in Williamsburg where prices on everything will be slashed by 30 percent year-round. 280 Grand St., nr. Havemayer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-0020); Sun.–Wed. (noon–7), Thurs.–Sat. (noon–8).

Source: The Cut | 13 Oct 2008 | 2:00 pm

Jimmy Smits lands special guest role

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 1:51 pm

What TV stars would make in real life

The guys from HBO's comedy series "Entourage" have it pretty good. Lounging by the pool every day, buying (and selling) movies, last-minute trips to Vegas, driving luxury cars, private jets with Kanye West to Cannes, France ... no big deal.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 1:48 pm

Leading Men Not What They Used to Be?

Today's H'wood heartthrobs are softer, more boyish than earlier generation.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 1:34 pm

Fans paying big bucks for 'Dallas' reunion

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 1:29 pm

Tim Robbins gets star on Walk of Fame

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 13 Oct 2008 | 1:09 pm

Ringo Starr to Fans: Please Stop Sending Autograph Requests

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is telling fans that he will no longer accept letters and requests for autographs after Oct. 20, Reuters reported.
Source: FOXNews.com | 13 Oct 2008 | 12:45 pm

"Sex Drive" takes a familiar route (Reuters)

Reuters - Trying for reheated "American Pie" if served up by Judd Apatow, the raunchy "Sex Drive" is by no means "Superbad," but thanks to a likable cast, neither is it superbad.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 12:38 pm

"Quarantine" a tiresome zombie horror (Reuters)

Reuters - Oh, "Blair Witch," what hath thou wrought?
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 13 Oct 2008 | 12:28 pm