"When we accepted [Obama's piece] I said to David Shipley, our editor, 'okay here's how this is gonna go. We are going to run this thing and the McCain people will ask for equal time. And we are going to give it to them because it's only fair. And they are going to send us a horrible, unprintable op-ed piece. And we're going to ask them for the same exact changes we asked Barack Obama for and we are never going to hear from them and they're going to leak it to Drudge and attack us for dissing McCain.' And that is exactly what happened.

Of course, if they had known all of this was going to happen, they maybe should have been a bit more diplomatic about it. Rosenthal conceded that the reply letter they sent to the McCain campaign was "slightly inartfully worded," so just maaaayyyybe this could have been avoided. But probably not, really. And anyway, that would have contradicted the narrative the Times had already decided upon, and we all know how that goes over.

Andrew Rosenthal explains why McCain wasn’t published in NYT [Franz-Strasser]
Earlier: Bono Signs Deal With New York 'Times'
John McCain Could Write an Op-ed for the ‘Times’; He Just Doesn't Want To

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:40 pm

BREAKING: City Council Votes to Extend Term Limits

Photo: Getty Images

In a major and historic victory for Mayor Bloomberg, the City Council just narrowly voted to pass his proposal to extend term limits. The Times reports that after Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who presides over the council, announced the final result, the balcony erupted in shouts of “The city’s for sale!” and “Shame on you!” [NYT]

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:38 pm

Slideshow: The Ladies and Men of Lights and Ex Reverie, True CMJ Highlights

Photo: Sarah Forbes Keough

Last night's Language of Stone showcase was for the CMJ haters: There was no line to get in or anyone (as far as we could tell) live-blogging it, and the bands actually represented a vital indie subcurrent rather than whatever it is magazines are telling us to listen to (like, we dunno, Ponytail). Here the recent (and sustained) reinvention of folk felt more like a good old-fashioned revival — not simply of folk, but the lace-and-chain-mail fantasy metal dreamed up by the likes of Robert Plant. In fact, Ex Reverie seem positively intent on bringing back medieval times. Lights aren't so easy to peg — they can be heavy, but it's in service of easy vibes. (The same could not have been said of Zeppelin.) The show's only bummer: Due to technical difficulties, Wizard Smoke's projection cut out early on; the papier-mâché Poseidon had looked so good swimming in her improvised, liquid psychedelia.

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:31 pm

'Spring Awakening' to close

Front Page: Tony-winning musical to end run on Jan. 18 -- Tony-winning tuner "Spring Awakening" will shutter Jan. 18 after a Broadway run of just over two years.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:24 pm

'High School Musical 3' aims for No. 1

Front Page: Franchise film going up against 'Saw V' -- Just how loudly will Disney’s "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" sing when it makes its theatrical debut at the worldwide box office this weekend? Loudly.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:18 pm

Artist Olaf Breuning Submits the Worst-Ever ‘Project Runway’ Application

Olaf Breuning's Brian (2008)
Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures

What a lovely wound! Such elegant cucumber fingers! As glamour shots go, rising Swiss art star Olaf Breuning's portrait of his friend (and frequent canvas) Brian Kerstetter is overflowing with such playful grotesquerie that the only response is a gagging retch crossed with a laugh — a disquieting sound. Made a decade after Breuning gave his then-girlfriend similar debeautification treatment in Sibylle, the picture works as a critique of notions of beauty in art, a low-fi nod at Cindy Sherman (a Metro Pictures stablemate), and a reminder to Crocs wearers everywhere that their shoes are ungodly hideous. At Metro Pictures through November 8.

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

‘Times’ Dividend Cut Could Make Paper, Family More Vulnerable

Lil' Sulz
Photo: Getty Images

After reporting losses in costs and a big drop in advertising sales, the New York Times is considering cutting its dividend, Bloomberg reported today. This is bad news for the Ochs-Sulzberger clan, since, as New York's Joe Hagan wrote earlier this month, the dividend, which provides the family with around $25 million quarterly, is the prime source of their wealth. "If they make a serious cut to the dividend, which I suspect they will, that will negatively impact the stock price and that will negatively impact cash flow among the Ochs-Sulzberger families," an analyst confirmed to Bloomberg today. Which could therefore make the paper more vulnerable to a sale: If the Sulzbergers are suddenly unable to keep up their lifestyles of globe-trotting and mountain-music-making, they might be all the more open to entreaties from the Rupert Murdochs of the world.

New York Times Considers Cutting Dividend, Posts Loss (Update2) [Bloomberg]

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 8:55 pm

SAG, Alliance agree to mediate

Front Page: Federal supervisor to sit in on union talks -- The congloms will take their first step next week toward returning to the bargaining table with SAG under the supervision of a federal mediator.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 23 Oct 2008 | 8:30 pm

Dr. Pepper Announces Lame Details of Its ‘Chinese Democracy’ Promotion

Photo-illustration: Dr. Pepper, Getty Images

There was a time when our nation could believe in a soda company's solemn promise to deliver a free can of its beverage to every man, woman, and child in America (Buckethead and Slash not included) pending the release of a fabled, fifteen-years-in-the-making hard-rock album that most assumed would never come out — it was last week. But now that the details of Dr. Pepper's Chinese Democracy promotion have been finalized, we can't help but feel a little disappointed. We were under the distinct impression that our soda would be helicoptered in from DPHQ and hand-delivered right to our door. NOT SO!

In order to collect, one has to log on to DrPepper.com specifically on Sunday, November 23 — the day of Democracy's release — and sign up for a coupon. But not only is the coupon offer good for just the one day, you have to be on the Internet to get your drink on. According to Nielsen, there are only 220 million people in the country with Internet access at home or at work (plus, who will be at work on Sunday?), leaving something like 73.4 trillion proud Americans tragically un-Peppered. And that's just the beginning — everyone means everyone, including people in comas, people who just got here from Romania, and people who had the Eternal Sunshine memory-erasing thing done after GNR released The Spaghetti Incident?. Americans are all equally thirsty, Dr Pepper.

Guns N’ Roses Bring A Free Dr Pepper To All Americans: Here’s How To Get Yours! [MTV]

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 8:30 pm

Coming Soon: Stories on How Sarah Palin and John McCain Hate Each Other

Photo: Getty Images

Yesterday, beloved punkin' pundit Chuck Todd went on the air with MSNBC and voiced something that some people have been wondering about for a while: Do John McCain and Sarah Palin actually kind of hate one another? In describing NBC's series of interviews between Brian Williams and the running mates, Todd said:

There was a tenseness between the two. There's no chemistry. I couldn't see chemistry between John McCain and Sarah Palin. I felt as if we grabbed two people and said, 'Here, sit next to each other, we're going to conduct an interview.' They're not comfortable with each other yet. The other thing about it is, you can tell they know that they're losing. They're drained, their campaign seems drained…

Todd went on to emphasize what he described as "the odd body language." He wondered also whether they were each blaming one another for perceived problems with the campaign. Now that this suspicion has been bared, you can expect to see it more and more. "Body-language experts" may be called in, "insiders" will be quoted, and if the McCain-Palin ticket loses (something that is further from reality than many Dems hope), it will almost assuredly be a plotline in campaign postmortems.

Here are a few isolated incidents or situations which were heretofore viewed as unrelated, but which we predict the media will try to link together if they go with the whole "McCain/Palin" tension meme:

1. The body language during the NBC interviews. We didn't really see the tension between them that Chuck Todd described during last night's Nightly News segment (maybe that's more obvious in later portions?), but we did notice that every time Palin talked, McCain looked quietly downward, as though he was trying very, very hard to listen. Or pray?

2. The idea of Palin as running mate was sprung on McCain at the very last minute by his two strong-willed advisers, Fred Davis and Steve Schmidt. This weekend's New York Times Magazine story reveals just how short a time period it was between when Davis and Schmidt unilaterally presented their case and when the announcement was made by McCain (five days). According to the story, McCain made up his own mind, but in retrospect he may regret the timing and spin.

3. Palin and McCain don't actually agree on everything. Palin famously protests McCain's resistance to ANWR drilling, which the campaign dealt with early on. But then Palin ankled McCain by publicly protesting his decision to pull out of Michigan. They aren't the big issues of the race, but it's far from the eventual lockstep displayed by the Obama-Biden ticket.

4. Palin seems to be bristling at the fact that she's so closely managed. Anyone as tough and driven as Sarah Palin can't enjoy being so closely controlled (and perhaps as mistrusted) as she is by the McCain campaign. This week, Palin said during her NBC interview that she would release her medical records, something Chuck Todd later pointed out "was a surprise to her campaign staff."

5. Palin is an easy scapegoat for McCain. Colin Powell, Kathleen Parker, David Frum, Matthew Dowd … all those people should have firmly been in the Arizona senator's camp, but they're now voicing what many conservatives are thinking: Palin's inexperience is crippling the ticket. If he loses, all McCain will have to do is agree with them.

6. McCain is an easy scapegoat for Palin. The governor of Alaska may bill herself as a hockey mom, but she's no fool — as The New York Times Magazine pointed out, once she was elected, she was careful to impress, and forge alliances with, every important conservative she came across, including Dick Morris, William Kristol, and any other neocon who happened to drift by Juneau in a cruise ship. She impressed many by being a tough cookie, but she's been caught off guard by a lot of the pressures and questions during the campaign. With more time to prepare, she could have been a much more viable candidate in four or eight — or even twelve — years. As Tina Brown pointed out, Palin might just realize that by picking her before she was ripe, McCain might have shriveled her future chances at the White House. With allies like Kristol and Morris, she can build upon these mistakes by blaming them on — who else? — John McCain.

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 8:15 pm

Watch the ‘30 Rock’ Season Premiere RIGHT NOW

In case you've been living under a rock, or just haven't visited Hulu.com yet this afternoon, you should probably be aware that 30 Rock's season premiere has made its online debut today a full week before its scheduled airtime on boring old NBC. Get a jump on your television-owning Luddite friends and watch it after the jump!

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 8:00 pm

World's poorest take centre stage at Rome film festival

Eight filmmakers sought Thursday to hold wealthy nations to account for the UN Millennium Development Goals as their joint project, "8," had its world premiere at the Rome film festival(FIR.
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 23 Oct 2008 | 7:58 pm

Park Slope Women Dress Up As Palin Out of Rage

Photo: Brooklyn Paper

"Park Slope resident Lori Ungemah got her shiny brown locks professionally styled while bouncing a baby Trig Palin doll in her lap and reading from a Bible," reads the Brooklyn Paper account of last weekend's eye-rollingly liberal "Updos for Obama" event, at which Park Slope women paid $75 for a Palin-like hairstyle in order to raise money for the Democratic ticket. Because they really just can't stand that awful woman, apparently. [Brooklyn Paper]

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 7:48 pm

Blair Maybe Needs an Assistant

We can always dream.
Photo: Photo-illustration: Everett Bogue; Photos: Patrick McMullan, Courtesy of CW

Intel just heard that Leighton Meester, a.k.a. Blair, is looking for a personal assistant: "She needs someone 'uber-organized and hypersensitive' and located in New York," says our sourcelet. Exciting! However, we don't think that "hypersensitive" in this case means should have feelings of your own, at least not the kind that can be hurt. Like, for instance, to present a totally hypothetical situation, if one day you had to call Leighton's manager's office in L.A. (310-526-0320) just to check out some totally innocent information about something that you clearly have made a big point of saying that you love, and some snotty assistant who answers the phone snaps, "I don't see how that's NEWSWORTHY," then you probably shouldn't get so upset that you slam down the phone and yell to no one in particular, "THAT'S WHY NO ONE MADE YOU A JOURNALIST, BITCH," and tear off your headband and throw it across the office while bursting into loud, liquidy sobs. If you happened to get into such a situation.

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 7:15 pm

Filmmaker Branan Edgens Would Like to Sell You David Lynch’s Coffee

Look, it’s not every day that your filmmaking idol brings out his own line of gourmet coffee, so we can understand the impulse that propelled Vulture Picture Palace alum Branan Edgens (whose hilarious short Shiny Shit we featured almost a year ago) to try and attempt to make a commercial for David Lynch Signature Cup. That’s how Edgens ended up with The Darkest Coffee, which functions less as a commercial and more as a four-minute creepfest about the experience of consuming said hot beverage. It’s a perfect homage to the maestro, as well as a nice little teaser for Halloween next week. Be sure to turn the volume up loud when you watch it.

Oh, and you can buy David Lynch Signature Cup here.

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 7:15 pm

CBS extends 'Evening' for Nov. 3

Front Page: One-hour broadcast set for eve of election -- The Eye network is planning an extended, one-hour broadcast of "CBS Evening News With Katie Couric" on Monday, Nov. 3, the eve of the presidential election.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:55 pm

'Star Trek' Stars Spat Over Gay Nups

William Shatner called his former co-star sick and psychotic.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:40 pm

Alan Greenspan Whipped on Economic Crisis

Photo: Getty Images

It was Alan Greenspan's turn to visit the dungeon of Representative Henry Waxman, the Head Dominatrix of the House Government Oversight Committee, this morning. The former Federal Reserve chairman looked frightened and old as he waited for Waxman to slap his whip across his flaccid white thighs. Metaphorically, we mean. Then he started blubbering:

"The crisis has turned out to be much broader than anything I could have imagined," Greenspan said in his prepared remarks. "Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders' equity (myself especially) are in a state of shocked disbelief."

Waxman was unimpressed. "My question is," he said, "were you wrong?"

“I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms,” Greenspan continued. “I have found a flaw. I don’t know how significant or permanent it is. But I have been very distressed by that fact.”

“In other words, you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right, it was not working,” Waxman said.

“Absolutely, precisely.”

"In other words, you are nothing! You are a WORM. That's what I'm going to call you now, WORM. Now get down on your knees and swear your obedience to me, WORM!"*

*Yeah, kidding about that last bit. But he might as well have.

Greenspan Concedes Error on Regulation [NYT]
Greenspan Admits Some Mistakes Amid Grilling by House Lawmakers [WSJ]
Earlier: Intel's coverage of Henry Waxman, House Dominatrix

Source: Daily Intel | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:32 pm

Cool Coots and Sexy Sexagenarians: Vulture’s Favorite Daffy Old People

Photo: Courtesy of ABC

The Chicago Sun-Times reports today that everyone behind the scenes at Dancing With the Stars is fed up with Cloris Leachman, the 82-year-old hoofer who's perked up the show's seventh season. "We expected her to maybe make it through one or two weeks," a staffer says. "But now it's gone from people being amused … to being downright concerned." Unlike that staffer, but like everyone else in America, we certainly hope Leachman isn't voted off anytime soon. She's just the latest in a long and proud line of elderly entertainers who let it all hang out, demonstrating that once you hit AARP age, it's no longer necessary to give a good goddamn what anyone thinks of you. From public feuds to awards-show acceptance speeches to celebrity roasts, Vulture's favorite Daffy Old People give us hope that our golden years might offer something a little livelier than sponging off our children and clucking over our empty 401(k).

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:31 pm

Old-Fashioned Romance for Modern Brides at JLM Couture (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - Old-Fashioned Romance for Modern Brides at JLM Couture Renata Espinosa October 23rd, 2008 @ 10:22 AM - New York Bridal house JLM Couture showed the latest collections of gowns prospective brides and their bridesmaids will choose from next year on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with classic, romantic looks from their diverse array of labels: Jim Hjlem, Alvina Valenta, Lazaro and Tara Keely.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:20 pm

Priests get $2 mil to be pop stars

You could call them New Clergymen on the Block: three Roman Catholic priests from Northern Ireland who on occasion swap their rosary beads for microphones and their parishes for studio time. Their album, "The Priests," is due out in November.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:08 pm

Shatner rips 'Star Trek' co-star

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 6:07 pm

Lil Wayne: Lover of Baseball, America, and Fine Pop Music

Photo: Getty Images

"I know the Rays got the Backstreet Boys to sing the national anthem before Game 1, and that's gonna be something. I thought Backstreet Road was closed for construction, but I guess not." —Lil Wayne [ESPN]

"I don't know if Obama can say Morgan Freeman paved the way, but it hasn't hurt." —Moviefone editor-in-chief Scott Robson on Morgan Freeman's strong showing in their poll of America's favorite movie presidents [Reuters]

"I think Charlie had funny moments, but Charlie was quite tortured and into meth. The guy that I play on Chuck is just an out-and-out lunatic." —Dominic Monaghan on the differences between his two English rock-star characters [Ausiello Files/EW]

"I've spent five years on this. You should spend an hour on it. You know, spend two hours on it. That would be the decent, respectful thing to do, as opposed to writing a snarky five-minute thing that's making fun of me, or saying what other people have said." —Charlie Kaufman has some homework for movie critics [A.V. Club]

"I don't know why he picked me. Maybe because he'd already entitled it Hope Leaves the Theatre." —Hope Davis on acting in Charlie Kaufman's radio play, Hope Leaves the Theatre [LAT]

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 5:45 pm

McG to direct 'Dead Spy' for WB

Front Page: Director to produce film through Wonderland -- Warner Bros. has acquired rights to “Dead Spy Running” for McG to direct. He will produce with Jeanne Allgood through their studio deal at Wonderland Sound and Vision.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 23 Oct 2008 | 5:22 pm

Marketing For ‘Synecdoche, New York’ Also Hard to Follow

It's not just Synecdoche, New York's plot that might leave you bewildered — the movie's promotion is confusing too! An L.A. gallery is putting on a show by Adele Lack, Catherine Keener's artist character from the film, and some blogs have written it up with no knowledge that Adele is fictional and that the artworks are props from Synecdoche. Also, in order to purchase tickets for the movie online, you must first enter a portal into the brain of Fandango.com. [Spout Blog]

Source: Vulture | 23 Oct 2008 | 5:15 pm

‘Harper’s Bazaar’ Makes Cutbacks

So Hearst is cutting back. Word is "company president Cathie Black is going 'floor by floor' at the Hearst Tower to trim costs — and staff positions — where possible." Harper's Bazaar closed its L.A. and San Francisco sales offices on Tuesday and also cut positions in its merchandizing division last week. Maybe they should put editors in hostels during Fashion Weeks, too. [WWD]

Source: The Cut | 23 Oct 2008 | 4:56 pm

Sarah Palin’s $150K Wardrobe Upsetting But Legal

Photo: Getty Images

Buying Sarah Palin a $150K wardrobe on the fly was perhaps not the McCain campaign's best move. Because now Palin is mired in all these "but what does this mean for the campaign?" issues. Sure, she needed an upgrade from her fleeces and secondhand Escada jackets, but how is she supposed to relate to the regular folks when she's wearing Valentino? As Joy Behar said on The View yesterday, “I don’t think Joe the Plumber wears Manolo Blahniks.” No, but Janet the Plumber might. Kidding!

And then there are the donors. Politico even talked to an "irate" one:

“I’m not one who says a candidate shouldn’t wear fine clothes,” he added. “I’d just like to think they were successful enough in the private sector to have afforded their wardrobe with their own money, not the party’s or the campaign’s, which is really our money as contributors.”

Sing it, sister! But it's hard to argue she doesn't look polished and professional — generally the way someone in her position ought. However, even though this $150K revelation has distanced her from her Joe Six-Packs sitting in their living rooms drinking Bud Light everywhere, and even though major campaign funders are "irate," the purchases were technically legal. Reported by the Republican National Committee, the funds came from an account shared by the RNC and the McCain-Palin campaign. But now Palin might have to pay taxes on the clothes, unless she can offset some of that by donating the clothes to charity, which the McCain campaign says has been the plan all along. We cannot wait for that auction.

GOP donors critical of Palin's pricey threads [Politico]
$150,000 Wardrobe for Palin May Alter Tailor-Made Image [NYT]

Earlier: How to Spend $150,000 at Saks and Neiman Marcus

Source: The Cut | 23 Oct 2008 | 4:07 pm

Victoria Beckham Lands Indian ‘Vogue’ Bridal-Issue Cover

• Victoria Beckham is on the cover of Indian Vogue's bridal issue. And she's got a hairpiece! But perhaps not enough jewelry. [Sassybella]

• PPR CEO François-Henri Pinault was named Person of the Year by the French-American Chamber of Commerce but said "no, thanks" to the accompanying gala scheduled for November 13. "I consider that the time is not right for celebration," he said. [British Vogue]

• Christie's will auction rare or sold-out shots of Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie, Gisele Bündchen, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford as part of its "Distinctively Dutch, Distinctively Nordic" series. An image of Gisele in an Indian headdress could fetch 6,000 to 8,000 pounds. [British Vogue]

• Urban Outfitters has opened a new concept store called We the Free in Boerum Hill, a casual, knit-driven spinoff to the Free People label. [WWD]

• Naomi Campbell's lawyers would like you to know she's not pregnant. [NYP]

Source: The Cut | 23 Oct 2008 | 3:32 pm

Philip Seymour Hoffman's Mind-Bending Trip

Actor describes working on Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York" movie.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:46 pm

Man in Jay Leno Suit Kills Self

A Manhattan parking-garage exec killed himself just days after he and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno were sued for allegedly swindling an elderly Macy's heir out of two pricey cars, The Post has learned.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:46 pm

Fug Girls: ‘Stylista’ Wears Its Awfulness Well

Photo: Courtesy of CW

We sat down to watch last night’s premiere of the Tyra Banks–created Stylista with great trepidation. When we weren’t scrutinizing preview clips for clues to the deal with Anne Slowey’s awkward gait — in all seriousness, Anne, if you have a peg leg, then just say so; there's no shame in that — we couldn’t help but notice that the rest of it looked … well, like an epically wretched hour of contrived shenanigans designed solely to move issues of Elle. But we have to admit, after the first hour, we were pleasantly surprised — not because the show isn't as terrible as we thought, but because it was simultaneously a lot more awesome. Miss Tyra, you win again.

Don’t misunderstand: There are major problems, starting with Slowey herself. She and the producers strain to create a Devil Wears Prada air without a real devil and, possibly, without any real Prada; if they thought an airy vocal affectation would make Slowey look like an imperious but brilliant Wintour-in-training, they were sorely mistaken. For one thing, Anna's accent does not originate somewhere around the outer reaches of Upper Fakeola, and for another, she runs the world's most influential fashion magazine. Slowey is merely installed in a custom-built office set at a place where her title doesn't even involve the word "creative" or "in-chief." She suffers in comparison to actual bigwig Joe Zee, who projects an easy credibility when he appears while still being amusing (telling one contestant, and rightly, "Your scarf gives me anxiety").

Unfortunately, we see too little of Zee. In fact, when it comes to insights into Elle itself, so far we've learned nothing except that Joe doesn't approve of boobs and that one should NEVER mix melon with other fruit. Oh, and that sometimes, when you are slaving away in your cubicle trying to string together 300 positive words on sweater robes, your bosses will herd you into some random studio to watch them ogle a bunch of reality-show contestants standing on a dais wearing stuff from H&M. You know at least one of those staffers was like, "This is bullshit. I HAVE ACTUAL WORK." Unlike the cast's first task, an idiotic, meaningless challenge where the interns had to pull together a healthy breakfast for Slowey — idiotic because they got shot down for not knowing she takes her iced latte with a teeny straw, and meaningless because we all know Anne Slowey doesn't eat.

But the show's contrived awfulness and total lack of self-awareness make it endlessly amusing, like when Tyra goes undercover on her talk show in a fat suit or as a dude, and then invites people to the studio to explain how fantastic she was. We should have figured anything La Banks touched would have brilliant camp potential, and certainly the casting gods smiled upon her here the same way they do on America's Next Top Model. The mark of a good reality show is when you're invested enough to want to slap at least one contestant and hug another, and Stylista nailed that in the first ten minutes. We are aching to fling megabitch "store owner" Megan out the nearest window, wipe the excess mascara from under the hilariously named Cologne’s spiderlike lower lashes, and embrace the aptly nicknamed but unfairly maligned Boobs. We have no idea what her real name is, but neither do her castmates; they just hate her for having cleavage. Clearly they have never met Miss Tyra.

But despite our cautious optimism that this train wreck will be an entertaining one, we do have one major beef: the use of the term "stylista" like it's a real word. It's not, fools. "Stylista" is the "fetch" of the CW network, and like Regina George to Gretchen Wieners, we're here to tell them it's NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. So cut it out and get back to more scenes about how Anne Slowey "doesn't do almonds unless they're soaked overnight." That idiocy is your gold mine, people. Work it.

Related: The Cut's obsessive coverage of Stylista
For more of the Fug Girls' wisdom, check out their complete archive

Source: The Cut | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:45 pm

Man Sues Oprah Over His Arrest on Extortion Charges

A Louisiana man has filed a lawsuit against TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey, claiming she and an attorney made false statements that led the FBI to arrest him on charges that he tried to extort her.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:43 pm

Anne Hathaway's Ex Headed to Prison

Raffaello Follieri, ex-boyfriend of actress Anne Hathaway, has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:42 pm

Lohan's Ugly Behavior Gets Her Cut From 'Ugly Betty'

It got so ugly on the set of "Ugly Betty" between Lindsay Lohan and the popular ABC show's star, America Ferrera, that Lohan was cut from an agreed-upon six episodes to four.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:21 pm

Events and Sales: Deals on Betsey Johnson, Prada, and Marchesa

EVENTS
• Shop for treasures at City Opera Thrift Shop's annual fall vintage event, which features a collection of vintage designer clothing from Hermès, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Chloé, and more. A Moschino couture red cocktail dress is $150, and a Halston black pleated skirt and jacket set is $300. Admittance is $10, and proceeds support costume design at the New York City Opera. 222 E. 23rd St., nr. Second Ave. (212-684-5344); 5–8.

• Loehmann's two Manhattan stores will celebrate "Shop & Share" events to benefit Gilda's Club NYC, which supports those living with cancer. Enjoy 15 percent off your entire purchase with 5 percent of profits going to the organization. 101 Seventh Ave., nr. 16th St. (212-352-0856); 2101 Broadway, nr. 73rd St. (212-882-9990); 4:30–8:30.

• Listen to a D.J. spin while perusing the Hickey fall collection at Bloomingdale's. Receive a special gift with a purchase from the fall collection. Bloomingdale's, 504 Broadway, nr. Broome St. (212-729-5900); 6–8.

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Betsey Johnson's fun, girlie collections are on sale; evening dresses are $120, day dresses are $90, and sportswear is $50. Through 10/24. Millennium Broadway Hotel, 145 W. 44th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; Wed.–Fri. (9–8).

• Streetwear and sneaker kings Alife and A.R.C. are taking 20 to 50 percent off stock at their courtyard clearance sale this weekend. Through 10/26. 158 Rivington St., nr. Delancey St. (212-375-8128); Thurs.–Sat. (12–7), Sun. (12–6).

• Select vintage pieces from the wardrobe of Rosamond Bernier, an art historian and editor, will be available on Yoox.com today, including a Karl Lagerfeld suit from the eighties and a Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche wrap skirt from the late sixties. Today only.

• Don't miss the Castle Starr sample sale featuring 40 to 60 percent off retail prices; dresses are $290 from $600, and tops are $180 from $400. Through 10/24. 494 Eighth Ave., nr. 35th St., third fl. (212-564-8083); 9–9.

• Skagen Designs opens its New York showroom to the public with a sample sale. Enjoy discounts on the brand's titanium, stainless-steel, and leather watches, sunglasses, leather bags, jewelry, and cashmere sweaters. A portion of the sale's proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer organization. Through 10/23. 339 Fifth Ave., nr. 33rd St., fifth fl.; 8:30–7.

• Steve Fabrikant's knits, jackets, separates, dresses, and eveningwear are all below wholesale prices. One day only. The Regency Hotel, 540 Park Ave., nr. 61st St.; 8–5. Cash only.

• The Evisu sale offers 50 to 90 percent off the brand's signature denim, hoodies, shirts, dresses, and outerwear, plus several exclusive pieces. Through 10/26. 440 Broadway, nr. Grand St.; 11–7.

• Robert Marc marks 50 to 90 percent off eyewear. A pair of Lunor glasses start at $49 from $475 to $995, and Gimme:Glasses start at $59 from $325 to $395. Through 10/25. Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave., fourth fl. (212-675-5200); 10–7.

ENDING TODAY
• Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig's fairy-tale gowns, cocktail dresses, and evening separates from their Marchesa and notte by Marchesa lines are 50 to 80 percent off. Through 10/23. Warwick Hotel, 65 W. 54th St., nr. Sixth Ave., Essex Suite, second fl. (212-247-2700); Wed. (8–7), Thurs. (8–6).

• John Hardy, a jewelry brand based in Bali, is hosting a 60 percent off sale on its hand-crafted collections of sterling-silver, yellow-gold, and diamond-pavé jewelry for men and women. Through 10/23. Westin Times Square, 270 W. 43rd St., nr. Seventh Ave., ninth fl. (212-201-2700); Wed. (8–7), Thurs. (8–6).

STARTING TOMORROW
• Oliver Peoples frames can easily cost $350 to $500, but at the sale, select styles are $121 and under. Through 10/26. 755 Madison Ave., at 65th St. (212-585-3433), and 366 W. Broadway, at Broome St. (212-925-5400); call for store hours.

ENDING TOMORROW
• Get discounts on Prada and Miu Miu ready-to-wear and footwear from past seasons at their friends-and-family sample sale. 609 W. 51st St., nr. Eleventh Ave.; Sat.–Sun. (9–6), Mon.–Fri. (9–8).

• Gant is slashing 80 percent off its classic menswear basics; a red flannel shirt is $29 from $115, and wool blazers are $95 from $545 to $845. Through 10/24. 20 W. 55th St., nr. Fifth Ave., eleventh fl. (212-230-1949); Wed.–Thurs. (8:30–6:30), Fri. (8:30–5).

• Hit the Bonpoint sale for 50 to 75 percent off fancy French kids’ clothes; an Adelia blouse is now $58. Through 10/24. 317 W. 33rd St., nr. Eighth Ave. (718-747-1656); Wed. and Thurs. (9–6:30); Fri. (9–5).

Source: The Cut | 23 Oct 2008 | 2:00 pm

Celebrities give support to same-sex marriage

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 1:33 pm

FOX 411: Janet Jackson's Career Chaos

Has Janet Jackson straightened out her career chaos at last?
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 1:18 pm

Al Pacino collects award at Rome Film Festival

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 23 Oct 2008 | 1:05 pm

Pop Tarts: Duchovny Sues Daily Mail Over Affair Story

Reports have been running rampant all week that David Duchovny cheated on wife Tea Leoni with a tennis instructor, but according to the actor it is all "salacious and sensational gossip" that has caused him "substantial harm."
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 12:38 pm

FOX 411: Isaac Hayes Leaves Nothing for Scientology

The last will and testament of the late superstar Isaac Hayes’s is being probated right now. And guess what? Hayes left nothing to the Church of Scientology.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 12:28 pm

Jolie Says Kids Question Why She, Pitt Haven't Married

The 33-year-old actress told Italian Vanity Fair the kids want to know why Shrek and Fiona, characters from the movie "Shrek," got married and they haven't.
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 12:21 pm

Medal of Honor recipient criticizes war planning (AP)

AP - "If Not Now, When?" (Berkeley Publishing Group. $25.95. 275 pages), by Col. Jack Jacobs (retired) and Douglas Century.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 23 Oct 2008 | 11:33 am

Lingerie Model Has Simple Message in November 'Complex'

Victoria's Secret model Marissa Miller doesn't understand why everyone can't be nice
Source: FOXNews.com | 23 Oct 2008 | 11:14 am