A.W.: Hey, Dahlia, how's life in your un-American neck of the woods? Here in Berkeley we are spending our days drinking lattes, paying our taxes, wiping our children's behinds, and enjoying the prospect of Michelle Bachmann living out the rest of her life as a Denny's waitress in real America.

D.L.: Those of us residing in the non-real Virginia send greetings to the exoburbs of San Francisco. If someone can send mail explaining where — geographically — the "real" America begins and ends, it would help enormously when it comes time to file taxes.

A.W.: Well, it's clearly not out here, because from my window, I see only "Obama" signs, "No on Proposition 8" signs, and a few people walking Labradoodles and cockapoos.

D.L.: Michelle Bachmann. Sigh. Do we have to go there?? One of my lifetime credos has always been: Suspect anyone who sees Fox News as an end in and of itself…

A.W.: I know it's a tiresome subject, but where do they find these women? And why do I allow myself to be continually surprised that women can be, and are, just as ignorant and crass as male politicians? Someday the lessons I learned in my hairy-armpitted Wesleyan days will finally abate, and I will stop expecting more of women than I do of men. After all, Jim Inhofe doesn't surprise me. He depresses me but doesn't surprise me.

D.L.: Well, for starters, you probably like to believe that women think before they talk. Bachmann suggests otherwise. Like me, you probably thought that if women do anything better than men, it's nuance. Hmm. Not so. Does it comfort you at all that Bachmann's stupid comments may have helped snatch electoral defeat out of the jaws of victory for her?

A.W.: It does indeed. I have myself donated happily to her opponent. That incident is, I have to say, one of the more enjoyable things that has happened in this election cycle. It might just delude me into thinking that justice is possible.

D.L.: I wonder if voters are harder on women who say moronic things than they are on men? I.e., if a man had said the same dopey crap about Obama, would he be losing an election today? Or is Bachmann (and Palin too) a victim of the fact that we love to watch gorgeous women screw up on YouTube more than men?

A.W.: Interesting question … I think there is a certain zoo-animal quality to it. It is, after all, the only reason the cable networks have people like her on the show. God knows the country is replete with neo-fascistic blithering-idiot congressmen who have yet to receive the privilege of airtime.

Now, if I weren't in such a state about the bogus "voter fraud" pseudo-stories being trumpeted nonstop on Fox News.

D.L.: Yes, the 24-hour jumped-up vote-fraud "crisis" that has Fox News anchors spitting goo about "stolen elections." It would be funny were it not for the fact that every damn time they repeat the lie about Dems stealing elections, it undermines "voter confidence" that our system of voting is fair. I wrote about this last week in Slate. Chipping away at voter confidence allows the GOP to enact ever more draconian laws that have the effect of suppressing poor and minority votes. That's the whole point. Blather about vote fraud today. Bounce blacks and Hispanics off the rolls next year!

A.W.: Terrific piece. This is, I think, the single most important issue of the election cycle now. The idea that this election might once again be decided in the courts is chilling.

I cannot tell you how many times I've had to explain to progressive, Democratic voters, that there is no fraud, that ACORN is doing what it is legally required to do, and submitting the bogus registrations, tagged in order to make clear to the boards of elections that they are likely false. But somehow, again, the Republican voter-suppression goon squads have managed to distract the country. They are like magicians flickering their fingers in the air in order to keep the audience's eyes off the real trick.

D.L.: One of the things that makes me frantic about the fraudulent vote-fraud coverage is that the True Believers speak interchangeably about voter-registration fraud (i.e., the easy-peasy act of drinking a Bud and registering Daisy Duck to vote) and polling-place vote fraud (i.e., the vastly more complicated act of procuring for oneself a Daisy costume, making up some fake Daisy I.D. and then risking a felony conviction for voting twice). Vote fraud doesn't happen because it's (a) stupid and (b) hard and (c) kinda pointless. Registration fraud DOES happen because it's (a) stupid and (b) easy and (c) basically costless. That's why ACORN turns in its own problematic registration cards!!

A.W.: Exactly. have you been following the Wisconsin story? The GOP advertised for veterans and off-duty cops to work at "inner city (more challenging) polling places." I.e., they are large men to loom threateningly over voters in minority districts. Goon squads to suppress African-American votes. This kind of thing reads out of some early-sixties Alabama news story.

D.L.: And you are right to say that what the goon squads do in response to claims that Dems are out there gaily voting six times in funny noses and mustaches is far worse: They intimidate and harass minority voters with flyers claiming that voters will be arrested for traffic violations when they show up on Election Day, or hire thugs as you note, in Wisconsin, to look "intimidating." Since when are Americans supposed to roam free and "challenge" the validity of other voters?

A.W.: And that's precisely the law that's on the books in some states. Voters are entitled to challenge other voters.

D.L.: I am scared too. Scared that, in the face of those types of intimidation, threats, and the vile voter purges that don't even become known until November 4, that the only recourse left is to file a million lawsuits at 3 p.m. November 4. The definition of "too little, too late."

A.W.: Precisely. I think the Obama campaign is doing what it can — they had that victory in Michigan when the local Republicans sought to use rolls of home foreclosures to challenge voters — but if the only way to fight this is state-by-state, issue by issue, then I fear we lose. There is simply too much of this kind of thing going on. For example, states are engaging in wide-ranging voter-roll purges.

D.L.: And the truly scariest part of duking this out in the courts on Election Day? If we learned anything at all from Bush v. Gore, it's that hastily crafted, pseudo-"pragmatic," and highly ideological decisions about voting rights have zero to do with "the law" as you and I conceive of it.

A.W.: It's perfectly legitimate, of course, to purge rolls of dead people, of people who have moved. There is even an argument, I suppose, for purging the rolls of someone who hasn't voted in many years (although I have a hard time understanding why it's necessary). But the law precludes state governments from purging so close to Election Day, and yet we are seeing those purges happen. So what's an honest voter or campaign's only recourse? To file suit seeking an injunction against those purges.

D.L.: The most disheartening part of the history of Crawford, the Supreme Court decision on Indiana's harsh voter-I.D. law last year, wasn't even the goofy result (upholding the law because even if there is no such thing as vote fraud, people believe in it, as they do Elvis sightings). The worst part was that until the case arrived at the Supreme Court every judge decided with their party in that case. Republicans found for the Republicans, and Dems for the Dems. It's like they were living in wholly separate election-law worlds that never intersect at all.

A.W.: Remember when we were in law school and we had a fuzzy notion of jurists as individuals devoted to the law, to the Constitution, rather than to a partisan agenda? Justice Souter is a perfect example of a jurist who considers his job to be to interpret the law, not to further a political agenda. And yet he's demonized by the right.

D.L.: It's odd that most cases — truly most — get resolved that way. But invariably the hellishly partisan ones — guns, Gitmo, God, and now voting — might just as well be jurists pulling the lever for their party. It's like once the passions kick in, judges can't see any straighter than the rest of us.

A.W.: The judge I clerked for in the Northern District of California, Fern M. Smith, was appointed by Reagan, and was no liberal, and yet political hackery played absolutely no part in her judicial decision-making. And yet on all levels now the courts are poisoned by the last eight years of appointments that have had little to do with qualifications and everything to do with party affiliation. I have to say that I hold Bill Clinton in some part responsible for the current state of the judiciary. After all, he left an empty bench for Bush to cram full of party hacks. I realize that Clinton faced tough opposition in the Senate to his appointments, but if he had focused on this most enduring presidential legacy, we might not be in quite the same fix we're in.

D.L.: I think history will remember George W. Bush as a raging success in one way. He really did pack the federal bench — not just at the high court but in all the lower federal courts and appeals courts — with "movement" conservatives.  This is not Sandra Day O'Connor or even Anthony Kennedy. These are Federalist Society guys who have been hydroponically bred to uphold executive power, chip away at Roe, restore the primacy of business over workers …  They really believe in whatever it is they bring to the bench. Talk about fuzzy. If liberal jurists are drinking any Kool-Aid, it's clear, low calorie, and low carb.

A.W.: Just like I find the bullshit voter-fraud stories maddening, so do I find the conservative bellowing about "judicial activism" maddening. Never in the history of the country have we seen an activist bench like the one foisted upon us by the Republican machine.

D.L.: But in spite of that, do you have any reason to believe a President Obama would appoint ideological counterparts to an Antonin Scalia or Clarence Thomas to the high court? He won't. He will appoint moderates. Sigh. This is how you win the battles and lose the war. You are right. Bill Clinton is to thank.

A.W.: Yes, I think Obama will appoint moderates by and large. Because the truth is he is a moderate in many ways. But I think he prizes intellectual honesty above all, and we'll see truly competent and qualified judges. Wouldn't that be a change?

Back on the voter-suppression issue — I'm worried, too, about another Palm Beach. Have you seen the stories about the North Carolina ballots? They are designed so poorly that voters are coming out believing they've voted the straight Democratic or Republican ticket, without understanding that they had to vote separately for president.

So what happens next, Dahlia? What do we do about this? How do we combat what is shaping up to be a massive voter-suppression campaign, the likes of which we've never seen before?

D.L.: That last question is the biggie. And the only easy answer is that if this isn't a close election, vote suppression and intimidation (although it will happen) won't matter. If we have to rely on courts making hasty calls, we are in trouble, especially in light of the transformed federal judiciary. I guess the "answer," to the extent there is one, is to hope that there will only be a handful of nutjobs and bullies who resort to self-help. It's to hope this country — with its history of literacy tests and poll taxes — knows it is better than bullying voters at the polls. I know it's scary when the GOP officially sanctions vote caging and voter-roll purges. But let's maybe have faith in our better selves?

A.W.: Yes, faith in our better selves is, after all, what Obama is appealing to. If our margin is large enough, they won't be able to steal another election. However, I'm willing to put my money on a close race, and that will mean that if North Carolina, for example, tosses away another 92,000 presidential votes, like it did in 2004, or if the Wisconsin Brownshirts scare away a few thousand voters, or if the Republican secretaries of State manage to purge the rolls of a few hundred thousand new voters, we'll be back where we were eight years ago. And that, my friends (read with scary McCain voice), is a terrifying thought. I'm about ready to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my quaking head, but instead I think I'll get out there and make some calls, donate some money, and plan on traveling to a swing state. The only effective cure for anxiety is activity.

D.L.: Well, on that grim note, I send you best wishes from 100 miles outside of the D.C. suburbs, a land once known as "Virginia" but now known only as "Not."

Earlier: Jennifer Senior and Dahlia Lithwick on Palin’s ‘SNL’ Appearance and McCain’s Problems With Women

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 | 21 Oct 2008 | 9:21 pm

Review: Surrender to the catchy kitsch of `HSM3' (AP)

AP - Someday, Troy and Gabriella will actually open their mouths when they kiss.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 9:01 pm

Daddy Yankee Inks Fragrance Deal; Vincent Cassel Mugs for YSL

Vincent Cassel
Photo: Getty Images

FRAGRANCE
• Proving that anyone can sign a fragrance deal, Daddy Yankee just inked one with Falic Fashion Group to launch his first fragrance at the end of this year. Stocking stuffers! [WWD]

• French actor Vincent Cassel (who you might remember from Ocean's Twelve) will be the new face of Yves Saint Laurent's men's fragrance. [WWD]

• Seven New York's Joseph Quartana curated six designer-perfumer teams called the Six Scent Initiative. The first series of fragrances include Alexandre Herchcovitch, Bernhard Willhelm, Cosmic Wonder Light Source, Gareth Pugh, Jeremy Scott, and Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of Preen and will be sold at Oak. [Unbeige/Mediabistro]

MAKEUP
• Avon is investigating business practices in China. The company said "certain travel, entertainment and other expenses may have been improperly incurred in connection with the company’s China operations." [Cosmetic News]

HAIR
• German jewelry designer Husam el Odeh offers a modern way to wear classic pearls: dangling from combs in your hair. [Chic Report/Fashion Week Daily]

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:59 pm

WB wins 'We Are Marshall' ruling

Front Page: Court rules McG film did not infringe on 'Ashes' -- A federal judge has ruled in favor of Warner Bros. in the copyright infringement case involving the studio's 2006 feature "We Are Marshall" and the 2000 documentary "Ashes to Glory, the Tragedy and Triumph of Marshall Football."

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:56 pm

Chace Crawford Exposes His Forehead

The Cut has gorgeous shots of Chace Crawford from the new issue of V-Man, and we are trés jealous. Though we can't help but wonder whether Zac Efron did this look better in Hairspray. [Cut]

Source: Daily Intel | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:48 pm

‘The Incredible Hulk’ Triumphs Over Comically Low Expectations, Will Get a Sequel

Photo: Courtesy of Universal

First Knight Rider's hilarious ratings were enough to warrant a full-season order — and now this summer's Edward Norton–starring Incredible Hulk will get a sequel after grossing only $2 million more than its Ang Lee–helmed 2003 predecessor, which is widely remembered as a big failure! (Lee's made $132 million domestically; the new Hulk earned $134, though it did do better worldwide by about $16 million.) "When we set out to [reboot Hulk]," says Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, "we really had two goals in mind: one was to make even a dollar more than the first one did, so we could justify that we had done it from a financial aspect, and the other one was to bring a Hulk to the screen that a broader fanbase could enjoy. The good news is, we accomplished both." Given all reported acrimony between Norton and Marvel over the movie's editing, it's probably unlikely he'd come back for Hulk 2, so we anxiously await the interview in which a Marvel executive attempts to spin the inevitable recasting of Eric Bana as a positive.

Will We See The Incredible Hulk Again? Marvel President Says Yes [MTV]

Marvel Prez Says 'Hulk' Coming Back, But Whether Ed Norton Will Return Remains Unknown; But, 'Dr. Strange' Could Come Next

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:47 pm

Ted Allen Gives Directions With Gusto

Photo: Getty Images

Name: Ted Allen
Job: Host of the Food Network's Food Detectives, Esquire scribe, author of The Food You Want to Eat.
Age: 43
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Who's your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional?
Toss-up between Dorothy Parker and J.J. Hunsecker.

What's the best meal you've eaten in New York?
“Battle Parmigiano” on Iron Chef America with Mario Batali and Andrew Carmellini.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job?
Eat. Complain. Repeat.

Would you still live here on a $35,000 salary?
Yes, if it were 1963.

What's the last thing you saw on Broadway?
Wicked — niece was in town.

Do you give money to panhandlers?
I give money to street musicians, especially if they’re playing something improbable, like a harp. And the guys who break-dance in subway cars.

What's your drink?
Gin. Then a Robert Mondavi reserve Cab.

How often do you prepare your own meals?
About four nights a week, when there’s time. There’s almost nothing more tantalizing than the smell of olive oil heating up in a pan.

What's your favorite medication?
Claritin-D. And gin.

What's hanging above your sofa?
Three little paintings of scary-looking bunny rabbits by Laurie Hogin.

How much is too much to spend on a haircut?
With hair like this, I should probably just go to Supercuts.

When's bedtime?
One-ish.

Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square?
Another toss-up: muggers and junkies vs. sidewalk-hoggers and Olive Garden?

What do you think of Donald Trump?
That he spends more money on his hair than I do on mine — to even more dubious effect.

What do you hate most about living in New York?
Trucks and jackhammers.

Who is your mortal enemy?
High-fructose corn syrup.

When's the last time you drove a car?
Today. I love Clinton Hill, but the grocery stores suck.

Who should be the next president?
This is the first time in my life I’ve given money to a political candidate: www.barackobama.com.

Times, Post, or Daily News?
Times, of course. Frank Rich is the main reason I haven’t committed suicide during the past seven years.

Where do you go to be alone?
What, I’m gonna tell everybody in the city where I go to get away from them?

What makes someone a New Yorker?
Giving directions to out-of-towners with gusto and authority. Also, correctly pronouncing, “How ya doin’?”

Source: Daily Intel | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:21 pm

Victoria’s Secret Takes Over Lounge on Broadway

Photo: Konstantin Sergeyev

The celeb-courting Soho boutique and D.J. haunt Lounge was bought out by Victoria’s Secret to create a 24,000-square-foot lingerie mecca next year. The sprawling new space will be twice as large as the current VS store on Broadway near Prince Street. While we wait for the surplus of spangled bras to arrive, head over to Lounge's blowout sale to score discounts of up to 90 percent on designer wares. [NYP]

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:19 pm

This Election Is About Really Cool Carved Pumpkins

This video put together by Obama supporters is unintentionally hilarious in its juxtaposition of inspirational quotes about the candidate with pictures of people holding absurdly intricately carved pumpkins with the candidate's face on them. But they win our respect with dedication they've shown to creating perfect Barack O'Lanterns. The Shepard Fairey–inspired one at the left actually utilizes three layers of pumpkin. You could totally do that, if you had no life at all. [Towleroad]

Source: Daily Intel | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:05 pm

Artist Swoon Has Seen the Needle and the Damage Done

Swoon's Untitled (2008).
Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Wheat-paste aficionado Swoon is one of the "urban" lady artists up at ALPHABETA for a month, this time administering her street art to gallery walls. Not sure what this enchanting woman is sewing — has her blouse unraveled, or is she literally sewing herself? Whatever it is, something in that chiseled face tells us she knows what she's doing.

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:00 pm

Yahoo to cut 10% of staff

Front Page: iPhone sales juice up Apple -- The strong in Silicon Valley are getting stronger while the weak are looking more sickly amid all the global economic turbulence.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 21 Oct 2008 | 8:00 pm

Review: Nuance goes missing in `Changeling' (AP)

AP - Something more than a child goes missing in Clint Eastwood's "Changeling," his tale casting Angelina Jolie as a real-life single mom whose young son vanishes in 1928.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:40 pm

Mistrial in Britney Spears case

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:37 pm

Jules Kim of Bijules NYC Knows Jewelry Can Be Frisky

Jules Kim, founder of Bijules NYC
Photo: Melissa Hom

Jules Kim designs jewelry to ruffle your feathers. Her line, Bijules NYC, has a cult following because it's known for twisting ideas (like crafting earrings out of hair extensions) and creating underground trends (like a ring for your fingernail). And her one-finger bar ring, which stretches across four fingers, is the fanciest variation on a brass knuckle we've ever seen. Plus, she's embraced her street and commercial status, as everyone from Santogold and M.I.A. to Katy Perry and Rihanna has rocked her wares. We caught up with Jules to talk about her favorite designers, her signature New York style, and how jewelry makes you feel frisky.

Your Hairem collection used hair as jewelry, and then hair showed up on all the spring runways. Is "hair all over" the next big trend?
I saw the runways and totally laughed my ass off. I definitely think the trend is going to catch on! And with my stuff, like the "hairrings," I'm not going to say I'm the first, because hell no, I'm not — no one is ever the first in fashion. But it's the first time I've ever done anything like that. That's the whole purpose to designing out of this realm. Being a trendsetter, being a designer, it's a new look, and people need to be exposed to it in an acceptable way.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I'm inspired by most anything I see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. I react to my environment by producing accessories and jewelry derived from it.

If you could describe the woman who embodies your accessories, who would she be?
The Bijules woman is one who loves to live and expresses herself in a very personal way. Maybe she wakes and feels frisky, puts on a set of gold nail rings, and goes out to kill it. Or maybe she is feeling super subtle and slips on a pair of the new Arsenic & Old Lace high-waisted panties with gold suspenders. And when she calmly rides in the elevator up to work, she quickly makes the men writhe next to her, wondering where the gold chains on her shoulders are coming from, and where they are going.

How do you think your style represents New York?
Let's just say walking down the street in Paris, I don't get passed over. I was where all the high-end jewelers are, and I was walking down the street, running into women wearing Balenciaga shoes, Prada, and they were looking at me like, "What the fuck is she wearing?" They can't identify with it, they just stare. It's fucking hilarious. I represent New York in that I do whatever I please and wear whatever I want. And here, no one gives you a second look.

Who are your favorite designers?
Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Tom Binns.

What designers or labels do you wear the most?
I'm wearing Andrea Crews from Paris, vintage shoes, and Bijules rings right now. Yesterday I was wearing Raquel Allegra, leggings, purple Melissa shoes for Alexandre Herchcovitch, and a Birthday Suit sequins scarf. But I am in no way a label whore. I only wear what I like.

Where do you shop?
Court is the shit on Mulberry. Also, Pixie Market is great for innovative looks.

What’s one thing you really want to buy right now?
Just when I thought I'd forget and stop dreaming about it, a Christian Lacroix bridal gown. I'm not engaged or really that close, but I'll get married for the hell of it if I can wear this dress.

Are there any trends you wish would go away?
Ugh to Uggs! Take them off, ladies, burn them. They do not deserve the sweat between your toes.

What’s something that every woman should have in her closet?
Hangers.

Fill in the blank: Never leave the house without _____.
Tampons.

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:36 pm

Jon Stewart Wants to, Very Quickly, Say ‘F**k You’ to Sarah Palin

Jossip uncovered a video of Jon Stewart performing a comedy routine at Northeastern University, during which the Daily Show host slags off on Sarah Palin. If you've ever watched Stewart doing stand-up live, you'll realize that a lot of it is cadged from jokes either he or guests have made on his television show. Such is the case here, except for the part where he says "fuck you" to Sarah Palin. That, to our knowledge, never made the air. Here are some of his best lines from this clip:

• "I like the woods … I just don't know if I would pull my vice-president out of the woods randomly."
• "She came out again today. She was talking to a small town, she said that small towns, that's the part of the country she really likes going to because that's the pro-America part of the country … You know, I just want to say to her, just very quickly, fffffuck you."
• "I've never seen someone with a greater disparity between how cute they sound when they're saying something and how terrible what they're saying is."
• "If New York City was good enough for fucking Osama bin Laden, it better be good enough for you."

Jossip compared this to the time that Air America host Randi Rhodes was fired after she called Hillary Clinton a "fucking whore." We don't think they're the same — Stewart here is reacting to the idea that Sarah Palin is promoting, that is, that small towns are the only real pro-America parts of the country. Stewart is just expressing his anger at Palin, as opposed to calling her a professional person who sells her body for money. With angry language like that, hell, the McCain campaign might invite him to one of their rallies!

Jon Stewart to Sarah Palin: F**k You! [Jossip]

Source: Daily Intel | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:30 pm

Thanks to the Economy, All of 2010’s Movies Will Star Born-Again Chihuahuas

Photo: Courtesy of Disney

The New York Times today examines the ways in which Hollywood is dealing with our current economic apocalypse in movies and on TV. Mostly, say producers, they're trying to just ignore it, lest the bailout package work and American magically return to financial prosperity, thereby making a Wall Street–shaming script seem passé. Also, citing the recent surprise success of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, some expect a shift toward non-depressing escapist films with absolutely no basis in reality: "In bad times especially, people do not want to see on the screen what they're living through," says one Hollywood agent nice enough to pinch-hit for obvious-stater Paul Dergarabedian. So, yes, we can obviously all expect more Chihuahua-based children's entertainment.

But what about the fall's other surprise non-reality-based hit? The Daily Beast reminds us today that evangelical action spectacular Fireproof — the new film in which Kirk Cameron plays a fireman who overcomes an Internet-porn addiction and huge motherfucking fireballs to save his marriage — is a massive stinking success. Just this past weekend it cracked $20 million at the box office, which is semi-astounding considering its $500,000 budget and a cast seemingly made up of whoever was walking past the set the day they were filming. Is this the future? Right now Hollywood will green-light literally any film in which Jesus is played by a dog.

In Hollywood, the Wall St. Plots Will Thicken [NYT]
The Red Hot Christian Blockbuster [Daily Beast]

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:30 pm

Review: `Pride and Glory' a formulaic cop thriller (AP)

AP - Everything about the dirty cop thriller "Pride and Glory" is formulaic and forgettable, even down to its generic title.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:26 pm

'Brass Verdict' is suspenseful and fast paced (AP)

AP - "The Brass Verdict" (Little, Brown, 405 pages, $26.99), by Michael Connelly: Michael Connelly is hard on his heroes. They are always getting shot, stabbed, bludgeoned, kidnapped, blown up or run over. And given the emotional trauma he subjects them to, physical injury is often the least of it.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:18 pm

Revealed: Chace Crawford in ‘VMan’

Gossip Girl hottie Chace Crawford landed the cover of VMan's first-ever winter issue, shot by Mario Testino. Indeed, it is the rare occasion that you can actually see Chace's forehead (smooth and well proportioned to the rest of his face as expected), which is normally covered by a sexy, thick mess of bangs. And seeing how well he pulled off a look much more like Chuck Bass's than Nate Archibald's really speaks to his hottie versatility, we think. In the cover story, Crawford talks about how he started out as a model in Dallas before he became an actor. He says he didn't like that, but we'd never guess from looking at his pictures. See more of those after the jump!

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 7:12 pm

Hunky actor prefers to be offbeat

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:59 pm

‘Chinese Democracy’ Leaker Pleads Not Guilty

Kevin Cogill, the blogger who bravely and selflessly posted nine tracks from Chinese Democracy on his Website in June — back when we all still assumed the thing would never actually come out — pleaded not guilty today in an L.A. federal court. Apparently for Cogill to get the maximum five-year sentence he's facing, the jury must find that he leaked the tracks for profit (which seems unlikely), instead of just for simple rocking (which will put him away for only three years). It is our firm position that it would be lame to toss him in the clink for sharing not a long-lost musical artifact but just some crap you'll be able to get at Best Buy in a month. [Reuters]

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:54 pm

‘The Hills’ Relocates to Cabo

"You don't treat me good, Justin Bobby!"
Photo: Courtesy of MTV

Last night, about 22 minutes into The Hills, we got up to take a quick break (taking notes is tiring!) and thought we minimized our Word doc. When we returned to the couch, we realized we had actually closed it without saving, losing all of our misspelled, nonsensical ramblings like, "Steph is wearing some weird gray thing. I have a boyf, they had the talk, so nice to have him, everyone’s out of town." People, the irrational anger we felt about this lost "work" made us worry that there are larger things going on in our life that we need to deal with (that, or The Hills is so bad lately that the prospect of rewatching it is Just. That. Painful). The existential crisis that ensued was devastating: Why did we close without saving?? WHY? What does it all mean?! The point of this story is — well, there’s really no point. Annoyed, we went back and rewatched the episode, retook our notes, and are none the worse off for it. Double The Hills, double our half-hearted fun. Moving right along, then!

This week, the gang is taking a private plane to Cabo, because in the pseudo-real Hills universe, there’s no such thing as an economic downturn — just private planes, pool parties, and low self-esteem. Audrina and Justin Bobby are both on the plane and Aud is struggling to resist his magnetic allure. She tells Frankie that J.B. is planning on hooking up with other girls on this trip (remember, last week J.B. made it clear that during Cabo he'd have a metaphorical "hall pass" that permits him to hook up freely … got that? He’s about to remind us about it, like, twenty times).

Once we get to the Cabo mansion, the Audrina–Justin Bobby drama continues. She’s put in the same room as J.B., but she refuses to stay with him because, well … HALL PASS! The boys lounge in the hot tub, all wearing matching Ray-Bans and backward caps, and they’re really the dorkiest bunch of guys ever. They talk about Audrina’s new "boyfriend," Cory, and J.B. says, “She has the audacity to give me shit…” J.B. is a complete idiot, yes, but his vocabulary’s not too shabby. Well done, J.B. — audacity is an SAT word! Brody wisely sums up the conversation. “I have one thing to say: All girls are shady.” This coming from a guy who has a girl named Britney Canada Whore in his phone.

Back in L.A., Stephanie tells Heidi that she has a new boyfriend named Cameron. That was quick. “It’s so nice to have him, everyone’s out of town in Cabo,” says Steph. We’re sure Cameron would love to hear that she’s only dating him because everyone else is away. Heidi bullies her into having a double date with them that night. Stephanie and Cameron are somewhat late to the restaurant, and Spencer flips his shit, of course. We need to point out, also, that somewhere along the way, Heidi has morphed into a complete bitch. They nastily joke about Stephanie’s tanning-salon habit (Heidi, you should talk!). Then they decide to order before Steph and her boyfriend get there, which is just rude. Eat some bread, meanies. Once the other couple does arrive, Spencer is in rare form, making fun of how this is Stephanie’s first boyfriend and bringing up the fact that she used to date Doug. Stephanie’s not great, we admit, but she doesn’t deserve this. Meanwhile, Cameron just sort of sits there in silence, seemingly dumbfounded by his girlfriend’s brother’s antics and wearing a skater outfit that would be more appropriate for a 17-year-old.

Down in Mexico, Audrina and Justin continue to immaturely ignore/insult each other. Weirdly, J.B. looks really hot at dinner. Did he shave? Hmmm. Doug’s gift to Brody is a gaggle of skanky girls, who immediately take off their clothes and start Jell-O wrestling. Not really, but almost. All the girls are chomping their gum, which bothers us. Then there’s some absurd pool party, in which people play chicken and Audrina wears a cutout one-piece that somehow makes her look even trashier than the group of groupies. J.B., once again, mentions his hall pass. WE KNOW YOU HAVE A HALL PASS, J.B.! It was a good metaphor … ONCE. Aud mentions again how Cory “treats [her] good,” and we die a little inside for her, for tenth time this season. Finally, Lauren and Audrina have a talk about how she needs to cut things off with J.B., once and for all. Ya think? “Let him go,” says Lauren. He’s not a caged bird, L.C. Whatever.

Next week: Brody returns to his meddling ways and wants to tell Cameron that Stephanie is crazy. Audrina tells Cory that they’re moving too fast, 'cause even after JB threatened to drown her, she still hearts him.

And now, our Unequivocal Hills Reality Index:

As Real As Boys in Tank Tops Are Lame
• Justin Bobby’s hall pass. Okay, J.B., to expand your overused metaphor: Your entire relationship with Aud has been one, long free period during which you’ve smoked outside at the cool kids’ wall, played a game of Watermelon, and then tooled around in your reworked Chevy.
• Audrina’s jealousy. Sad, sad Audrina. There’s no faking that blank stare of unrequited love.
• Spencer’s freaky facial hair.

As Fake As Lauren’s "Concern" for Audrina
• The double date. There’s no way Stephanie would have gone out with Spencer unless an MTV producer was holding a knife to her throat.
• The fact that J.B. and Audrina were "placed" in the same room in Cabo. Was it some magical room-assigning fairy that did it?
• Heidi’s innocence. Girl is evil, just like her boyfriend.

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:44 pm

Killer News: Showtime Orders Two More Seasons of ‘Dexter’

Photo: Courtesy of Showtime

Making NBC look kind of wimpy with its mere nine-episode extension of Knight Rider, Showtime just ordered a fourth and fifth season of its serial-killer drama Dexter. Says network entertainment president Robert Greenblatt: "I thought at best we would attract a devoted cult audience but soon realized that, ironically, this show is so thematically rich and layered with humanity that audiences of all kinds have flocked to it." But, honestly, what else were they going to watch? Have you seen what's on HBO these days? [Broadcasting & Cable]

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:35 pm

Ted Nugent Explains His Personal Philosophy, Drives Down Property Values Near His House

Photo: Getty Images

"Let's say I just love to shit in the river. That's my pursuit of happiness. I've got a less than desirable pursuit of happiness. I would make sure that I didn't shit upstream of you. You know what I mean. I can't pursue that pursuit of happiness because it would fuck up yours if you're downstream. It's about cause and effect. It's about being cognizant of your cause and effect and altering it so that, not only don't we want anyone to tread on us, we review our treading to make sure we're not treading on anyone else. So, yeah, libertarian, but with a sense of consciousness." —Ted Nugent [Runnin' Scared/Village Voice]

"If you think an appearance on Saturday Night Live would sway voters and actually affect the outcome of the election, you may have more contempt for the electorate of this country than the Republican National Committee does. And that's a lot of contempt." —Alec Baldwin on Sarah Palin's SNL appearance [HuffPo]

"I'm sure she's very bright. But so is the Butterworth woman." —Chevy Chase on Sarah Palin [Access Hollywood]

"When I think of this Georgie Fruit character, I try to think of him as a middle-aged black man, probably in his fifties. And somehow — even though it sounds totally absurd and ridiculous — there is a middle-aged black man inside of me. But there's also an adolescent Chinese girl inside of me, or whatever." —Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes [Pitchfork]

"I gained almost 15 pounds to play the role. It was way easier — and tastier — than having to lose so much weight for Dreamgirls." —Beyoncé on gaining weight to play Etta James in Cadillac Records [In Style via People]

Source: Vulture | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:30 pm

Banana Republic Designer Unveils New Direction

Photo: wwd.com

Banana Republic’s new design and creative director Simon Kneen presents the spring/summer 2009 show tonight, his first full collection for the brand. The former Brooks Brothers executive says he’s been revamping silhouettes and introducing organic fabrics since he was hired in January, in an effort to revive Banana’s sales during the economic slump. The collection is inspired by painters: David Hockney’s serene California scenes, Wayne Thiebaud’s still lifes of candy and sweets, and Elizabeth Peyton’s vivid portraits. It will include a few surprises like a commercial version of the harem pant ubiquitous on high-fashion runways and new fabrics like paperweight leather and parachute silk. He'll also update the brand’s office staples, like a double-breasted trench dress and a versatile white blazer. Sounds like this change will be a good thing. [WWD]

Source: The Cut | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:23 pm

Music Review: Hank III is stirring things up again (AP)

AP - Hank Williams III, "Damn Right Rebel Proud" (Sidewalk Records)

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 6:14 pm

Game Review: 'Wii Music' falls flat (AP)

AP - Nintendo's "Wii Music" invites players to pick up their wireless remotes and strum, toot, bang and drum their way through improvisational jam sessions using more than 60 virtual instruments on which there can be no wrong notes, no mistakes.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 5:47 pm

Large and in Charge: Beyonce Packs on Pounds for New Role

Grammy-winning singer Beyonce packed on 15 pounds to play Etta James in the new film Cadillac Records, and loved every minute of it, People magazine reported.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 5:26 pm

And Clay Aiken's Winning Biographer Is ...

The 'Idol' star ran a contest to see who could best sum up his life and times for Playbill.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 5:14 pm

Hulk's Son Out of Slammer After 5 Months

Nick Bollea served 5-month term for car crash that critically injured a friend.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 4:38 pm

Anne Hathaway's on 'Sexy' New Man: He's 'Got It Going On'

Actress Anne Hathaway seems to have moved on from her troubled ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri and tells People magazine that she even has a ‘sexy’ new mystery man in her life.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 4:25 pm

Together Again: Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer Back On

Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer are an item again as they have been spotted leaving a restaurant in Hollywood this weekend.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 3:22 pm

Brooke Hogan Overjoyed at Brother's Release From Jail

The 18-year-old son of celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan has been released from jail in Florida after serving five months for causing a serious traffic crash and his sister, singer and reality star Brooke Hogan, says she 'can't wait to see her Nicky.'
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 2:36 pm

'Fable II': a living, breathing world of adventure (AP)

AP - Peter Molyneux is one of the video-game industry's most enthusiastic promoters, always pushing the boundaries of what games can accomplish. He's generally credited with inventing the "god game" with 1989's "Populous" (to which this year's "Spore" owes an incalculable debt), and his other successes include "Syndicate," "Dungeon Keeper," "Black & White" and "The Movies."

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 21 Oct 2008 | 2:27 pm

Newest 'Guitar Hero' lets you create music

It has fed the dreams of millions of air guitarists, headbangers and rocker wannabes. It has exposed a new generation of fans to classic rock and metal while helping the slumping record industry boost sales.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 2:17 pm

Man Arrested on Cross-Country Trip to 'Meet Beyonce'

A Detroit-area man was arrested after driving erratically and nearly hitting a police car, saying Beyonce was waiting to meet him.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 2:11 pm

Bosom Buddies? Paltrow Helps Madge Cope

Gwyneth Paltrow says she's helping friend Madonna through marriage split.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 2:09 pm

Pop Tarts: A-Rod All Smiles After Divorce News

Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez was all smiles as he partied with pals last Thursday a day after rumored-fling Madonna announced her divorce.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 1:18 pm

Rapper's aide says he saw gun, pot on bus

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 1:00 pm

Paltrow: I'm helping Madonna through breakup

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 12:43 pm

Britney Spears Wearing Her Ex-Boyfriend's Ring

The troubled star was snapped wearing a ring made for her by Adnan Ghalib
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 12:38 pm

FOX 411: Mel Gibson's Church Worth $42 Million

Mel Gibson has parked another almost $10 million in his Holy Family Catholic Church up in Malibu, Calif.
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 12:29 pm

Diddy Rescues Hip-Hop Clothing Label

Sean 'Diddy' Combs buys hip-hop label for less an a quarter of its original price
Source: FOXNews.com | 21 Oct 2008 | 12:05 pm

Saviano has lived under police protection for two years

Italian writer Roberto Saviano speaks during a meeting of the World Social Summit in Rome, September 25, 2008. British authors Martin Amis and Ian McEwan are among several literary figures to rally in...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 21 Oct 2008 | 12:00 pm

Taylor: 'I never did feel cool'

James Taylor, the prototypical sensitive singer-songwriter, puts his spin on several non-Taylor songs with his new album, "Covers." But he says he's no rock star, despite a lot of rock honors: "I'm a folk musician," he says.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 21 Oct 2008 | 11:59 am