Zack and Miri Make Very Little Money

Uh oh! Harvey Weinstein needed a hit this weekend and didn't get it: Kevin Smith's Apatovian Zack and Miri Make a Porno bowed to a measly $10.7 million (an estimate that rival studios are claiming is "at least $1 million too high"), and which was barely enough to make it, rather appropriately, the weekend's No. 2 film (behind High School Musical 3, obviously). So what happened? One assumes the semi-inane decision to open Zack and Miri on Halloween was a factor, and we're sure its close brush with an NC-17 rating probably didn't help either. Have audiences fallen out of love with Seth Rogen? Or were they just put off by the poop joke? In any case, this is all doubly embarrassing for the Weinstein Company since, thanks to the end of daylight savings, the weekend contained an additional hour during which people could've conceivably seen the film.

Weekend studio estimates [Box Office Mojo]
'High School Musical 3' repeats at boxoffice [HR]

Earlier: Critics Agree: ‘Zach and Miri’ Money Shot Is Gross!

'Peruvian Songbird' with amazing range dies

‘The Black Swan’ Author a Lucky Duck

The randomness of world events is really working out for Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Not only did the NYU professor's book, The Black Swan, come out last year, pretty much at exactly the right time for a book forecasting doom in the markets, enabling it to become a bestseller and securing for Taleb a reported $4 million advance for his next book, but now the hedge fund he helped start, Universa Investments, which bets on unlikely market events based on themes in the book, is one of the only hedge funds out there to have reported gains. "We're discovering the fragility of the financial system," Taleb told the Journal this morning. Incidentally, the Amazon ranking of The Black Swan is at 72 today, up from 152,723 last week.

October Pain Was 'Black Swan' Gain [WSJ]
Related: The Fearmongers of Finance

Joaquin Phoenix to Quit Movies - Ocala

Joaquin Phoenix to Quit Movies Ocala - 26 minutes ago It seems the rumors are true: Actor Joaquin Phoenix says he's retiring from the acting business. Phoenix personally confirmed the story as he walked the red carpet in Hollywood on Saturday night for a screening of his new film 'Two Lovers. Joaquin Phoenix confirms he's done with movies The Associated Press Phoenix to give up movie career Salina Journal Daily Telegraph - BBC News - TMZ.com - Metro all 457 news articles

Bond breaks British box office record (Reuters)

Reuters - The new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace" enjoyed a record opening weekend in Britain, earning 15.4 million pounds ($25 million) at the box office, Hollywood studio Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Monday.

Bond breaks British box office record (Reuters)

Reuters - The new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace" enjoyed a record opening weekend in Britain, earning 15.4 million pounds ($25 million) at the box office, Hollywood studio Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Monday.

Behold: Pope Diddy!

As promised, here's a photo of Diddy dressed as the Pope on Halloween night. According to a publicist for Pascha, where the picture was taken, he was blessing dancers with holy water from the D.J. booth — just like the real pope!

Earlier: Vulture Exclusive: Diddy to Be the Pope for Halloween

Joaquin Phoenix confirms he's done with movies (AP)

AP - The writing on Joaquin Phoenix's fists said it all.

Mourners celebrate lives of slain Hudson relatives (AP)

AP - Mourners in Jennifer Hudson's childhood church Sunday listened as the second-grade teacher of the entertainer's slain nephew read aloud from journals written by his classmates — including one who lamented that Julian King didn't live long enough to become president.

Mourners celebrate lives of slain Hudson relatives (AP)

AP - Mourners in Jennifer Hudson's childhood church Sunday listened as the second-grade teacher of the entertainer's slain nephew read aloud from journals written by his classmates — including one who lamented that Julian King didn't live long enough to become president.

Def Jam exec a suicide

Poll Gives Great News to State Senate Dems, Except Leader Malcolm Smith

Over the weekend, state GOP leaders were staunchly optimistic when speaking with the Times about their chances to maintain control of the Senate. “I’m confident we’re going to be victorious, and I’m not thinking about ‘what if,’” Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. of Long Island told the paper. Al D'Amato also said he was "convinced" the Republicans would retain their majority. Yet poll numbers today in both the Post and Daily News had grim tidings. If voters turn out in accordance with a Siena College poll released over the weekend, the Democrats will be in control after Wednesday. Four state races have turned in their favor, more than enough to overcome the narrow 31–29 majority enjoyed by the GOP. That would break the party's 43-year control of the Senate and give Dems full control of the state government.

But this isn't necessarily great news for the entire party leadership. Reports in both tabloids have Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, a friend and ally of Governor David Paterson, treading on thin ice going into election day. Both Elizabeth Benjamin and Frederic U. Dicker predict a coup attempt by his second-in-command, Bronx senator Jeff Klein.

DEMS TO SNAG STATE SENATE [NYP]
Control of State Senate in Dems' Grasp [NYDN]
Election May be a Lose-Lose for Malcolm Smith [NYDN]
DEM BIDS TO DUMP MALCOLM [NYP]

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen to Wait Patiently

Waiting For This: Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart will star together in a West End production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. The show debuts April 30, the same day as an American staging of Godot starring Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin. The pairing marks the first time that Stewart and McKellen have worked together since appearing as rivals in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, which makes us excited but slightly worried that Brett Ratner might be called in to direct the sequel. [Variety]

More Kath! (Also, More Kim): NBC has ordered nine additional episodes of Kath & Kim. The sitcom, starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, has averaged six million viewers for its first four episodes, which isn't great, but if NBC canceled it they'd have nothing to replace it with. Ergo, it's a huge success. Ben Silverman, you are a genius. [Variety]

Reality Check: Mike Fleiss, the brains behind The Bachelor, has been tapped by CBS to bring seven episodes of a new reality show to the Eye. The show is about a neighborhood of families competing against each other for a super-special prize. It was the first project ordered by CBS reality chief Jennifer Bresnan, who can count on it being quickly cancelled and replaced with repeats of The Mentalist. [Variety]

Uncharted Desert Isle: Staten Island might finally get the respect it's long deserved when Staten Island, a cop drama being developed by FX and West Wing writer–executive producer Lawrence O'Donnell, hits the air. The show centers on a "compromised police chief" in the borough, and is expected to become the successor to The Shield when it signs off on November 25. We're hoping that the entire police department is staffed by members of the Wu-Tang Clan, though surely that won't actually happen. [HR]

Meet the TV: Meet the Parents co-writer Jim Herzfeld is bringing his talent for writing uncomfortable family comedies to TV, with NBC's Fockers-ish Changing Positions. The multi-camera project centers on a finance type who loses everything and is forced, along with his wife and kids, to move in with his horny, sex video–making in-laws. Hijinks, laughter, and a half-season's worth of episodes will presumably ensue. Ben Silverman, you are a genius. [HR]

Events and Sales: Archival Rodarte; 80 Percent Off Anna Sui

EVENTS
• The Fourteenth Annual Artwalk NY party honors artist Robert Rauschenberg with artist studio tours, silent auctions, and a party benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless. Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin, Chuck Close, Cushnie et Ochs, ThreeAsFour, Amanda Hearst, and more are expected to attend. Purchase a general-admission ticket ($200) at coalitionforthehomeless.org or call 212-776-2056. Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 6:30 p.m.

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Presse, a Los Angeles shop, has pulled together pieces by Rodarte for an archival sale on its Website. The items appeared on the runway but were never produced. Starts today at 3 p.m. at presseboutique.com.

• The Anna Sui sample sale has items starting at $15, and the rest of the stock is 70 to 80 percent off retail prices. 250 W. 39th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Eighteenth fl.; Mon.–Fri. (8–9, 11:30–2:30, 4:30–7).

STARTING TOMORROW
• Men's and women's shoes and accessories from Fred Perry are on sale. 547 W. 27th St., nr. Tenth Ave. (212-736-3030); Thurs., Fri., Mon., Tues. (10–7 ), Sat.–Sun. (noon–6). Cash only.

'Heroes' loses two of its own heroes - Entertainment Weekly

RTE.ie

'Heroes' loses two of its own heroes Entertainment Weekly - 59 minutes ago A major development to report from the set of NBC's Heroes: EW.com has learned that co-executive producers Jeph Loeb (left) and Jesse Alexander, two of the show's most instrumental writer/producers, are leaving the three-year-old series. 'Heroes' duo get the ax Variety 'Heroes' Co-Executive Producers Off From Their Duties AceShowbiz End Of Show - IGN - Gear Live - SyFyPortal all 16 news articles

Seth MacFarlane is 1 wealthy 'Family' guy (AP)

Def Jam Boss Commits Suicide

Shakir Stewart, the executive who replaced Jay-Z as head of Def Jam, died on Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 34. [NYP]

Joaquin Phoenix: I'm done with movies

Ever-Glory International Group, Inc. Announces Reporting Date for Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Belo Reports Results for Third Quarter 2008

Forecast: Temperatures to reach nearly 70 degrees today - Wausau Daily Herald

TheDigitel

Forecast: Temperatures to reach nearly 70 degrees today Wausau Daily Herald - 1 hour ago It might feel a bit like spring today with temperatures in the upper 60s, according to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. There will be fog early, otherwise it will be mostly sunny with a high near 69 degrees. WEATHER: Showers likely tonight in the Salinas-Monterey area The Salinas Californian Cloudy today, chance of rain tomorrow and Wednesday Richmond Times Dispatch Rockford Register Star - TheDigitel - Florida Today - Honolulu Advertiser all 20 news articles

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Releases 'The Graveyard Book' Scents to Benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Free Wedding Gowns for Military Brides

Peruvian-born Yma Suma, 1950s singing star, dies in Los Angeles

Pop Tarts: Hef Who? Holly Madison and Criss Angel Get Spooky ... - FOXNews

TheImproper.com

Pop Tarts: Hef Who? Holly Madison and Criss Angel Get Spooky ... FOXNews - 1 hour ago By Hollie McKay AP LOS ANGELES - While her Beverly Hills home was on heat with Halloween festivities on Friday, Holly Madison was getting hot and heavy with her new beau Criss Angel in the city of ultimate sins. 'Girls Next Door' star Bridget Marquardt leaving Playboy Mansion New York Daily News Criss Angel Believe Variety Boston Herald - ChattahBox - People Magazine - TMZ.com all 32 news articles

Jessica Simpson’s Hairdresser Gets Hurt - Just Jared

The Money Times

Jessica Simpson’s Hairdresser Gets Hurt Just Jared - 1 hour ago Jessica Simpson and BFF/hairdresser Ken Paves leave together after having dinner at Madeos restaurant in West Hollywood, on Sunday. No! Jessica Simpson’s Hairdresser Slightly Injured By A Camera hecklerspray Pap attack! Jessica Simpson's bloody hairdresser rushed to hospital! Los Angeles Times E! Online - People Magazine - The Daily Blabber from iVillage - AHN all 34 news articles

Lil Wayne Isn't Inspired By Today's Music; Rick Ross Borrows Beats From Jay-Z, T.I., M.I.A. For New Tape: Mixtape Monday

R.G. Barry Corporation Reports 1st Quarter Results

Hurray! to Announce Third Quarter of 2008 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on November 20, 2008

David's Bridal Partners With Starlight Children's Foundation to Auction Dresses Used in the Making of Walt Disney Pictures' 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year'

Webcast Alert: Cia Hering S/A Announces Third Quarter 2008 Results Webcast

An Appraisal He Gave Voice to Many, Among Them Himself - New York Times

WELT ONLINE

An Appraisal He Gave Voice to Many, Among Them Himself New York Times - 2 hours ago Chris Walker/The Chicago Tribune, via AP Studs Terkel in 1992, taking a bus home after working on his show at WFMT radio in Chicago. Video: Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Terkel Dies at 96 AssociatedPress Studs Turkel: A working man till the end USA Today Chicago Public Radio - Financial Times - Christian Science Monitor - guardian.co.uk all 729 news articles

"High School Musical" repeats atop box office - Reuters

Reuters

"High School Musical" repeats atop box office Reuters - 2 hours ago By Dean Goodman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" led the North American box office for a second weekend, while the comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" opened at No. High School rules US box office BBC News 'High School Musical 3' tops 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' at box ... New York Daily News Los Angeles Times - eFluxMedia - Monsters and Critics.com - Entertainment Weekly all 565 news articles

Hip-hop label boss kills himself - BBC News

ChattahBox

Hip-hop label boss kills himself BBC News - 2 hours ago The head of the Def Jam hip-hop record label, Shakir Stewart, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Mr Stewart, who succeeded rapper Jay Z as the label's boss, signed artists such as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy. Def Jam boss Shakir Stewart kills himself at Georgia home New York Daily News Def Jam Boss Stewart Shoots Himself In Head, Suicide ChattahBox The Associated Press - News/Talk 750 WSB - New York Post - TheCelebrityCafe.com all 491 news articles

Hip-hop stars stump for Obama in South Florida (AP)

AP - With two days remaining until Election Day, Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs told voters in South Florida not to be scared away from the polls by long lines.

Author Jon Katz writes of dogs, death and healing

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 3 Nov 2008 | 3:48 am

Sarah Palin Wants Four More Years, More Tina Fey

"I want to make sure she's holding on to that Sarah outfit. Because she's gonna need it in the next four years." —Gov. Sarah Palin offering "a little advice to...

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 3 Nov 2008 | 2:00 am

Universal hot for 'Inferno'

Front Page: Studio wins bidding battle over videogame -- Universal Pictures won a bidding battle for an unreleased Electronic Arts videogame that sources said will be called "Dante's Inferno" by the time it hits the marketplace next year.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 3 Nov 2008 | 2:00 am

HSM3 Closes Out Fall Box Office With Win (E! Online)

E! Online - The Wildcats rallied.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 3 Nov 2008 | 12:43 am

John McCain, Tina Fey appear on 'SNL'

With three days to go before the elections and polls showing him trailing, Republican presidential candidate John McCain appeared on NBC's late night comedy show "Saturday Night Live," poking good-natured fun at his campaign.

With new bride Scarlett Johansson cheering him along the way, the Canadian actor completed the New York City Marathon on Sunday in just under four...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 10:00 pm

'Heroes' duo get the ax

Front Page: Alexander, Loeb fired in shakeup -- Big shakeup on the staff of NBC's "Heroes" came down on Sunday with the axing of co-exec producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 9:58 pm

James Bond finds overseas 'Solace'

Front Page: 'Quantum' breaks records at foreign box office -- James Bond returned with a record-setting blast at the international box office as Sony/MGM's "Quantum of Solace" gunned down a socko $38.6 million at 2,123 playdates in the U.K., France and Sweden, two weeks ahead of the domestic launch.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 9:55 pm

"Other End of the Line" as exciting as a dial tone (Reuters)

Reuters - A mild cross-cultural romantic comedy dropped into a few theaters by MGM with all the hoopla of a fugitive entering the Witness Protection Program, "The Other End of the Line" has the dramatic impact of a dropped cell phone call. The MGM film opened Friday, earning a puny $57,000 from 91 theaters.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 2 Nov 2008 | 9:55 pm

HSM3 Closes Out Fall Box Office With Win

The Wildcats rallied. High School Musical 3: Senior Year overcame a weak Halloween night to gross $15 million for the weekend and remain atop the box office standings, per studio...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 9:25 pm

'High School Musical' No. 1 again

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 2 Nov 2008 | 8:49 pm

Fox v. FCC heads to Supreme Court

Front Page: Ruling could cut org's authority over airwaves -- The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on a case that could have the most profound effect on federal regulation of broadcasting in 30 years.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 8:21 pm

ESPN's magic 'Monday'

Front Page: Games help network thrive with record ratings -- Americans will turn their attention to Washington Tuesday, but on election eve, more than 10 million also will be transfixed by what's transpiring in the nation's capital ... on ESPN.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 8:15 pm

McCain's No Palin, But SNL's Not Complainin'

On Saturday Night Live, as at campaign rallies, John McCain gets outdrawn by Sarah Palin. Last night's show, featuring a QVC-pitching McCain, pulled a 9.0 in the overnight ratings,...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 7:54 pm

Joaquin Phoenix Confirms He's Done With Movies

Goodbye to Hollywood: Joaquin Phoenix confirms he's through with movie acting
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 2 Nov 2008 | 7:28 pm

Tunisian culture minister Abderraouf Basti and Ethiopian director Haile Gerima

Tunisian culture minister Abderraouf Basti (R) and Ethiopian director Haile Gerima are pictured with the Tanit d'or trophy for Gerima's film "Teza" at the 22nd Carthage International Film Festival (JCC)...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 2 Nov 2008 | 7:21 pm

Ben Affleck Brilliant as Overdone Keith Olbermann

Forget Gigli, Ben Affleck, all is forgiven. Brilliantly skewering partisan windbag Keith Olbermann on Saturday Night Live last night, Affleck did a dead-on impersonation of the sputtering,...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 5:52 pm

'School' still rules box office

Front Page: Saturday bump puts Disney pic on top -- Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” enjoyed a massive rebound from Halloween to place No. 1 at the North American box office for the second weekend in a row and push its worldwide total to an estimated $146.8 million after 10 days in release.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 4:16 pm

Jessica Simpson's BFF Injured by Paparazzi

He's the hairstylist to the stars, but Ken Paves just took one for the team. E! News has learned that Paves was rushed to the hospital early this morning after being injured by...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 3:30 pm

John McCain Makes Case as Comedian-in-Chief

He still trails in all the polls, but John McCain would definitely be our choice for comedian-in-chief. Joined by wife Cindy and Sarah Palin (okay, Tina Fey), McCain's appearance on Saturday...

Source: E! Online - Top Stories | 2 Nov 2008 | 3:11 pm

Stewart, McKellen set for 'Godot'

Front Page: West End production opens next season -- The West End is getting a "Godot" next season to match the one on Broadway.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 2 Nov 2008 | 2:55 pm

Oscar, Blockbuster Season Gets Going

"Australia" and "Slumdog Millionaire" are two fall films pegged to do well.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 2 Nov 2008 | 1:58 pm

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