Britney Spears "Circus" is back -- new album, tour (Reuters)

Reuters - Britney Spears starred in her own "Circus" on Tuesday, performing songs from her new album of that name under a big top in New York City, unveiling plans for a 2009 tour and celebrating her 27th birthday.

Britney Spears "Circus" is back -- new album, tour (Reuters)

Reuters - Britney Spears starred in her own "Circus" on Tuesday, performing songs from her new album of that name under a big top in New York City, unveiling plans for a 2009 tour and celebrating her 27th birthday.

Jared Kushner and Pa Targeted by Kind of Gay Lawsuit!

A former employee of the financing arm of the Kushner Companies has accused Charles Kushner and his golden child, Jared, of siphoning millions from a huge real-estate deal into other holdings, including the New York Observer. Kevin Swill argues in a New Jersey legal filing that the elder Kushner funneled $5 million from the "complicated purchase" of the $1.8 billion office tower at 666 Fifth Avenue to the operations of the perpetually money-losing paper. The family denies that an undue transfer of funds took place. But Swill also has a more menacing accusation: that the Kushners diverted $300,000 from the financing to Mark O'Donnell, the investment officer in their company who happens to be the live-in boyfriend of former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey. You'll recall that O'Donnell is famously paying McGreevey's bills, as the latter is in seminary. Kushner had long been a McGreevey supporter even before the big homo ever got elected. Was this his way of paying the disgraced governor's bills? "Not true," protested a rep, saying that O'Donnell didn't even have a working relationship with Kushner at the time of the alleged payment. "Not," the rep added, "that there's anything wrong with that."*

Suit alleges Kushner diverted $5M to prop up N.Y. newspaper [NJ.com]
Related: Jim McGreevey and His Main Man [NYM]

*The rep didn't really say that last part.

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: business, charles kushner, jared kushner, jim mcgreevey, mark o'donnell, white men with money

Publisher of Harcourt Houghton Mufflin quits (AP)

Publisher of Harcourt Houghton Mufflin quits

Kanye, Guns N' Roses Post Slow Debut-Week Sales [Billboard]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: chinese democracy, guns n roses, music

Source: Vulture | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:45 pm

Rumor: Carine Roitfeld to Replace Anna Wintour Next Month

Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld.

The expletives are yearning to burst forth from our fingers as we type, for we can scarcely believe the latest chapter in the rumors about Anna Wintour's imminent retirement. Gawker is reporting that, according to recent buzz at the Waverly Inn, Condé Nast overlord Si Newhouse is meeting with French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld in Paris to iron out details of her takeover of American Vogue from Anna, which will occur right after New Year's. It seems Si left early for his annual three-week vacation in Vienna to meet with Carine, raising many a Condé Nast eyebrow. Condé Nast eyebrows were also raised, Gawker reports, when A-Dubs told a Cut reporter who asked about her purported retirement to "just go away" at the National Book Awards last month.

True, Anna's grand Vogue empire has dwindled to something more like a small, rural village in the economic downturn — Men's Vogue is holding on for dear life as a biannual supplement to Vogue, Vogue's newsstand sales and ad pages are down, and Fashion Rocks has been put on hiatus. But we can scarcely imagine anyone but Anna running it. That said, we heart the hell out of Carine, and if Anna must be replaced in the New Year, we'd love to see her take the wheel. Nonetheless, these are all just rumors, so who knows what could happen? Maybe Si just wanted to go shopping at Colette.

Related: In Which We Offend Anna Wintour and She Shoos Us Away

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: anna wintour, carine roitfeld, conde nast, french vogue, rumor mill, si newhouse, vogue

Source: The Cut | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:40 pm

Severed: Ivana Trump and Rossano Rubicondi

Ivana Trump, 59, and Rossano Rubicondi, 35, have severed their partnership, citing New York City as the catalyst: "Rossano wants to live in Miami and work in Milan," Ivana Trump said in a prepared statement. "But, I am a New Yorker and my family, friends and businesses are here." Also, yesterday he was photographed kissing another lady. The split comes as something of a shock: When Trump and Rubicondi married in an elaborate ceremony in Palm Beach last April, everyone thought that this, Ivana's fourth wedding, was going to be it — that at last, Ivana had found a soul mate, and so what if he happened to be an Italian reality-show star twenty years her junior? As anyone could see, the two had a spiritual, intellectual, and physical connection that would bind them together for all eternity. Ha, just kidding, everyone thought he was a total gold-digging sleazeball: "You can't be overly surprised by this, it's unfortunate it [the marriage] ever took place," Ivana's ex, Donald Trump, tells the Post."I was extremely skeptical [of the marriage] and when I got to know him, I was not a fan of everything I saw." She should really have asked the Donald his advice. After all, he is in a relationship with a woman who loves him.

IVANA SAYS IT'S FINITO [NYP]

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: ivana trump, rossano rubicondi, Unhappy Endings

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: goldman sachs, lloyd blankfein, The Greatest Depression

Source: Daily Intel | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:18 pm

Tina Fey and husband talk about scar on her cheek - Newsday

ABC News

Tina Fey and husband talk about scar on her cheek Newsday - 1 hour ago Tina Fey and her husband are talking about something the "30 Rock" actress had not discussed in the past: the scar on her left cheek. Tina Fey puts a good face on childhood trauma Boston Herald 30 Rock: Tina Fey Graces the Cover of 'Vanity Fair' BuddyTV People Magazine - eFluxMedia - New York Daily News - Zap2it.com all 325 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:13 pm

Britney Spears To Kick Off Circus Tour In March - MTV.com

Metro

Britney Spears To Kick Off Circus Tour In March MTV.com - 1 hour ago By Gil Kaufman Britney Spears is hitting the road. After four years of sporadic live performances and no touring, the singer has announced the dates for a tour in support of her new album, Circus, which drops Tuesday (December 2). Britney Spears Celebrates 27th Birthday Under the Big Top People Magazine Britney Spears Announces World Tour ABC News Extra TV - MarketWatch - Access Hollywood - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com all 35 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:11 pm

Britney Spears To Kick Off Circus Tour In March

Pop star announces 25 dates in North America and two in the U.K. next spring.By Gil Kaufman Britney Spears Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images Britney Spears is hitting the road. After four years...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:10 pm

Tropicana Las Vegas Presents The Xtreme Magic Holiday Spectacular

Celebrate the Season with Amazing Illusions, Festive Music, Goodies, Guests and More LAS VEGAS, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur adds a new
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:07 pm

Miss America Repatriates Mario Lopez (E! Online)

E! Online - No need for Miss America to miss Mario Lopez.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:02 pm

A Chilly Night in ‘Gossip Girl’ Country

"As a gymnast I admire your blazer." "Thank you, it's armadillo."

While it was billed as the holiday event for high-school seniors, the Snowflake Ball did not feel as festive, as lively, or as crucial as the Gossip Girl Big Events of the past. The décor, of course, was flawless, thanks to Lily; the sound, thanks to Rufus, sublime. Blair and Chuck bantered, the mean girls cackled, and everyone made little dancing motions in their ice-violet gowns, but the guests didn't seem to be having fun, and neither were we. Something was off. Everyone was preoccupied — the characters, yes, but also, cameramen, who at one point lost their sense of purpose and drifted away from taking meaningful shots (Fuzzy Serena with Focused Dan in the background! Fuzzy Dan with Focused Serena in the background!) and at one point homed in on a handful of extras who quite frankly had no business representing actual Manhattanites. (Did anyone else see that couple tongue-kissing? It was worse than "November Rain.") But some well-drawn characters and funny dialogue warmed up what otherwise might have left us cold. And anyway next week Bart officially dies and Chuck does something spiteful that causes Rufus to wear a pullover. We can't wait! Now, on to this week's reality index.

Realer Than a Jeff Beck Anthology on Vinyl
• What's amazing is that while Jenny herself buys Vanessa's lies about Nate hook, line, and sinker, her neck appears to completely know what's up. Plus 2.
• Penelope: "Oh, hello, weird documentary girl." Vanessa: "Oh, hello, sad Blair wannabe." Plus 5.
• When Aaron Rose comes onscreen, Jessica's husband, who claims he doesn't really watch Gossip Girl but is forever wandering in and saying stuff like, "What is Dan thinking?," comes into the room and just goes: "That guy's a dick." "Why do you say that?" Jessica asked, because he hadn't seen an episode in a while. He thought about it: "He just seems like a dick." See? Boys can tell.
• Aaron's ex-girlfriend is Ally Hilfiger?? Plus 5.
• Seriously, she is great. Lexi is just as awesomely terrible as Aaron. Maybe even worse. We especially enjoyed that
(a) Lexi asked Dan if he had any Kopi Luwak coffee, which is passed through the intestine of the Asian civet and therefore costs $175 a pound, despite the fact that it tastes like actual shit. "I had it in Indonesia," she says. "It is sooo good." Plus 1.
(b) She said, "Okay, wait, pause," when Serena mentions the Snowflake Ball. Plus 2.
(c) Her Brooklyn walking outfit consists of a hooker cheetah jacket, purple tights, a short pleated skirt, and black bootees. Plus 3. We hate her so hard.
• Dan talks about how he always wanted to knock on Norman Mailer's door, but he didn't, and now he's dead. Plus 1, because this is kind of moving and lovely. And because now we know who they originally wanted for the Jay McInerney role.
• Serena buys Aaron Letters to a Young Poet, because she knows from experience that's what artsy dudes are into. Plus 1.
• Everything about how Dan and Serena try in this really over-the-top way to be "friends" while simultaneously testing each other's boundaries (and trying to see how much the other person still cares about them) is spot-on, from Serena's showing off the Rilke she bought for her new boyfriend to the awkward-aggressive way Dan brings up Serena and Aaron's plans to Finally Do It like he doesn’t care, his own obvious relief at the fact that someone wants to have sex with him and her totally pouty overreaction to this information ("I just thought sex was meaningful to you, that's all") followed by his lame and insensitive joke ("It is, especially when I haven't had it in a while") — it all rang so true we got an adolescent pimple (near the hairline!) just watching it. But we're only giving a Plus 5, because right now the Dan and Serena currents seem to be running a little too strong for our liking, with the whole "It was the greatest night of my life" business. If they get back together, where will it go? Especially since the Rufus and Lily current is going full blast, too. Sorry about this metaphor. But seriously, is it all going to come full circle, back to season one and incest? If so, we will give loads of points because that would rule.
• Blair: "I have depths that [Chuck] will never plumb." Not true, but great, gross imagery. Plus 2.
• Serena: "Shouldn't I give him a heads-up or something?"
Blair: "Oh, absolutely. Guys hate to be caught off guard by sex." Plus 3, because Blair remembers all too well when she had to Murphy the seat of Chuck's limo after her little surprise.
• Blair refers to one of Dorota's picks for a date with Chuck as a "cross between moron and Mormon." Plus 1. "Where did you find these people?"
Dorota: "Facebook. I joined few groups!" God, give that woman a raise. Plus 5.
• Vanessa kind of looked skinny and great in that outfit. Plus 5, because the only reason the girls at the ball would have made such a spectacle of seeing through it briefly would be because they were all jealous. Seriously, one of Serena's boobs displaces more air than Vanessa's entire body.
• Speaking of which, how hilarious was it when Serena's boobs asked Dan to dance? Plus 1.
• Plus 20 for the slightly uglier, ten times more hilarious Blair and Chuck knockoffs, and the fact that they are referred to as "Beta Chuck" and "New Blair."
• Jenny knows she's done a bad thing, so she's wearing her best Cruella De Vil outfit, which appears to be made entirely of black Labrador retriever. Plus 2.
• Lily: "I never thought my life would turn out like this. I always tried to do the right thing!" Plus 2 because oh please, and also, of course she would think that about herself.
• The stock PI, Anthony, is appropriately Italian and greasy. Plus 1.
• Blair looks suspiciously fantastic at the ball: lovely necklace, great hair. She knew what was going to happen all along. Plus 2.
• Vanessa's crying scene is really kind of moving. Her face gets all nice and scrunchy and she almost gets hiccupy. She then tearfully confesses she has "never felt about anyone" the way she feels about Nate. Plus 1, for the writers instilling her with teenage hormones. Because otherwise obviously the Nate thing makes no sense. They have like nothing at all in common.
• OMG, if Bart dies, does that make Lily a billionaire? Or better, does it make Chuck a billionaire? Either way, Plus 20.

Faker Than Hearing a Cell-Phone Conversation Under the Elevated Subway
• Serena is holding out on sex with Aaron? Minus 2. That would have been the first weapon she deployed in the Getting Aaron Rose to Commit arsenal.
— "There's something I love about the Snowflake Ball," Serena says. "It reminds me of Anna Karenina only by Anna Wintour." While we believe that Serena knows who Anna Wintour is, she would never have read or seen Anna Karenina. Wouldn't that have been assigned when she was blowing lines with Georgina? Plus 5.
• Okay, even we must say "enough" at some point. The Snowflake Ball is "THE holiday event for high-school seniors" according to Blair. As opposed to the ten non-holiday events for seniors? Or the ten holiday events for non-seniors? There are too many effing parties on this show that are THE event. What happened to the one Gold and Silver party (the Red, White and Blue ball for you younger folks) every year and then interschool dances? Didn't those used to be enough? Minus 3. And why is Lily and/or Blair always in charge? Minus 2. And why is it in Brooklyn? Minus 2.
• It's too early for Casablanca lilies. Minus 2.
• We're sorry, does everyone swallow their sentences now? Is that the new cool high-school thing now? Instead of rainbow parties, does everyone sit in someone's basement and toke up and whisper? Minus 2.
• Rufus and Lily go to the PTA meetings? Minus 2. Do private schools even have PTAs? (Seriously, we don't know.)
• Jenny and Nate's excuses not to date one another are always that the other one isn't into it. That's not a reason. The real Vanessa would see this and go bonkers. Minus 2.
• Wait, did Jenny make Penelope's dress in three minutes? Minus 5. And since when does Jenny design like Jessica McClintock? Minus 1.
• Speaking of which, why was everyone else wearing Marchesa Grecian knockoffs at the Snowflake Ball? Was there a toga theme no one told us about? Minus 3.
• Vanessa had a gift certificate to Grimaldi's? No way would she admit to that. She'd be a Di Fara diehard all the way. Minus 3.
• Wait, they just bartered Dorota? Minus 5.
• UGH, Aaron is wearing a red checked farmer jacket. This is our least favorite hipster trend, mostly because Daily Intel editor Chris grew up wearing that jacket. On a farm. Minus 1.
• Dan wouldn't want the four of them to go to the dance together. He's too awkward. That kind of setup would make his brow knit together so far his eyeballs would have to burrow into his brain. Minus 2.
• Chuck's sparkly tuxedo and striped bow tie: Minus 10.
• Nastia Liukin only got two lines? One of which was "Oh"? Minus 4.
• Seriously, Lily would have waited to find out what the deal with the PI was before deciding to divorce Bart. One doesn't drop a billionaire so easily, especially before the prenup has built up some time credits. Minus 3.
• Why is the party in the same place that the Kiss on the Lips party was? Minus 1.
• Minus 1 for "Dan is going to be taking a ride on the Lexicoaster," which is just not up to Blair's usual standards.
• In one scene, Vanessa is, we swear to God, wearing one of Delta Burke's sweaters from Designing Women. In another, she appears to have borrowed the jacket that Michael Jackson wore in "Thriller." If Vanessa worked in wardrobe at Universal Studios, sure, this would make sense, but she works in a coffee shop in a gallery in Brooklyn. So it doesn't. Minus 2.
• "You're not who I thought you were," Nate says to Jenny. Honestly, what is he talking about? Sometimes we think he thinks he is actually on that other show, where they all live in North Carolina. Jenny has been a petulant, vindictive, crowd-following 15-year-old this entire time. Minus 2, because even Nate would have figured it out sooner.

You know the drill — put your points in the comments!

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler and Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: bart bass, chuck bass, dan humphrey, gossip girl, jenny humphrey, nate archibald, serena van der woodsen, The Greatest Show of Our Time

Source: Daily Intel | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

Events and Sales: 60 Percent Off Rag & Bone; James Jeans Samples Are $50

EVENTS
• Vera Wang just opened her two-level boutique on in Soho, featuring the designer's latest ready-to-wear and Lavender lines. 158 Mercer St., nr. Prince St. (212-382-2184); Mon.–Sat. (10–9), Sun. (10–7).

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Helmut Lang and rag & bone staples for men and women, including outerwear, blazers, sweaters, and denim, start at 60 percent off at the Clothing Line showroom. Through 12/5. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; Tues. and Thurs. (10–7), Wed. and Fri. (10–6).

• Skinny, straight-leg, and flare jeans are $90, boot-cut jeans are $70 to $90, and one-of-a-kind samples are $50 at the James Jeans sample sale. Through 12/5. 500 Greenwich St., nr. Spring St., Ste. 202 (212-221-4603); Tues.–Thurs. (9–7), Fri. (9–2).

• White+Warren's cold weather essentials are 30 percent off online with the code KLC30. That brings their classic wrap scarves down to $122.50 from $175 and men's V-neck cashmere crews down to $192.50 from $275. Through 12/14.

• Stock up on Hanky Panky lingerie while their signature thongs, low-riders, and boy shorts are up to 75 percent off. Through 12/5. 260 Fifth Ave., nr. 29th St. (212-725-4996); Tues.–Wed. (8:30–8), Thurs. (8:30–7), Fri. (9–1).

• Oversize cashmere ruffle wraps are $150 (originally $330), striped crewnecks are $89 (originally $245), and cashmere toggle coats are $185 (originally $540) at Autumn Cashmere's sample sale, where all other men's and women's fall merchandise is 75 percent off. Through 12/12. 231 W. 39th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Ste. 924 (212-398-2244); 12/2–12/5 (9–7), 12/8–12/12 (9:30–6).

• Loungewear and nightwear basics from Hanro's men's and women's collections are up to 75 percent off. Through 12/3. 40 E. 34th St., at Madison Ave., Ste. 207; Tues. (8–6), Wed. (8:30–4).

• Bathing suits are $65 to $125 (from $125 to $250) and jewelry is $10 to $45 (from $85 to $150) from Vix Swimwear and Lisa Curran. Through 12/2. 250 W. 39th St., nr. Eighth Ave., Ste. 510 (212-221-2349); daily (9–8). Cash only.

• Eberjey's swimsuits are $40 (originally $120), mesh chemises are $25 (originally $70, and lace thongs are three for $25 (originally $18 each). Through 12/3. 180 Madison Ave., at 34th St., Ste. 1101 (212-696-5393); Tues. (9–7), Wed. (9–5).

ENDING TODAY
• Women’s cotton cardigans and V-neck knits are $30 from $158, men's striped hoodies and crewneck knits are $35 from $188, and other DDCLAB merchandise is 75 to 90 percent off during their sample sale. Through 12/2. Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., nr. 15th St.; daily (10:30–7).

STARTING TOMORROW
• Giambattista Valli's women's sample sale offers wardrobe staples for over 50 percent off; a double-breasted wool blazer is $995 (originally $1,995), and an orange chiffon cocktail dress is $1,200 (originally $3,000). Through 12/4. 2109 Broadway, at 73rd St., Ste. 9157; Wed.–Thurs. (10–7).

• Thread Social's party dresses and other fall and summer collection pieces are up to 85 percent off during their private sale, and you're invited. Through 12/5. 26 W. 17th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 301 (212-414-8844); Wed.–Fri. (9:30–9).

• Past season's men's and women's items from Grey Ant, Iro, Spring & Clifton, Richard Ruiz, and more are up to 75 percent off, and vintage finds are $5 to $100 at the eM Productions Showroom sale. 1 Bond St., nr. Broadway, Ste. 5C (212-228-2428); Wed.–Fri. (10–7). Cash only.

• Clutches start at $40 and bangles start at $20 at Ted Rossi's sale. Also, python and leather bags, jewelry, and hair accessories are all 75 percent off. Through 12/5. 15 E. 30th St., nr. Madison Ave., Ste. 300 (212-683-1726); Wed.–Fri. (10–6).

• Christopher Fischer's will warm you up, as cashmere and blended sweaters are $40 to $150 (from $195 to $495), and accessories, scarves, and gloves are $30 to $95 (from $195 to $250). Through 12/7. 80 Wooster St., nr. Spring St. (212-965-9009); Wed.–Sat. (10–7), Sun. (11–5).

• A men's puffer coat with a fox-fur trim by Iceberg is $1,250 (originally $3,000), while a jersey halter gown is $400 (originally $950). At the same venue, find discounts on Frankie Morello — women's wide-leg jeans are $85 (originally $210), and other items are 40 to 75 percent off. Through 12/4. 2109 Broadway, at 73rd St., Ste. 9157; Wed.–Thurs. (10–7).

• Soho jewelry designer Jill Platner is marking her distinctive men's and women's sterling-silver collection 15 to 30 percent off for one day only. 113 Crosby St., nr. Prince St. (212-324-1298); 11–7.

Read more posts by Sharon Clott and Kate Zimmerman

Filed Under: fashion calendar, sales, shopping

Source: The Cut | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

Estranged Relative Arrested in Hudson Killings - ABC News

BBC News

Estranged Relative Arrested in Hudson Killings ABC News - 1 hour ago By DON BABWIN AP Writer AP Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, has been arrested in Illinois in the deaths of the singer's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Video: Estranged Relative Arrested in Hudson Killings AssociatedPress Brother-in-Law Arrested in Hudson Slayings Extra TV BBC News - Radar Online - Chicago Tribune - New York Daily News all 1,004 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

Shia LaBeouf, Attorney-at-law

Shia LaYalie: Shia LaBeouf and Paramount are teaming up again for the film adaptation of John Grisham's The Associate, which isn't even out yet. Due in January, the book focuses on a student (the Beef) who's about to graduate from Yale Law School when he's manipulated into accepting a job at a prestigious law firm, presumably by huge robots. [Variety]

Before the Battle: The Sci Fi Channel has given the green light to Caprica, the Battlestar Galactica prequel you've been waiting for. Set to star Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales, the show will be set 50 years before the Cylons attack the human race and focus on how the people of the Caprica deal with emerging artificial intelligence. "I think, because (Galactica's) backdrop was space and spaceships, there was a barrier to entry for some viewers. Caprica has none of that. It's an intense family drama set on an Earthlike planet…" said Sci Fi president Dave Howe. So why isn't this show airing on Sci Fi's sister network, the Boring Earthlike Stuff Channel? [Variety]

Funny Guys: Overture Films has inked a deal with Peter Farrelly and Charles Wessler to produce an untitled feature project that will be made up of as many as 24 comedy shorts. Farrelly will direct two of the shorts himself, and talks are ongoing with Brett Ratner, Todd Phillips and Mike Judge to write-direct segments. Given the early looks of this one, we'll go ahead and bet that the number of female writer-directors in this is under one. Any takers? [HR]

Child Stew: According to producer Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro has a creepy script ready for their adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches. Del Toro's also planning on amping up the creep factor by shooting the whole film in stop-motion animation. The story centers on a cadre of evil witches, intent of ridding the world of children, and it's all part of Del Toro's plan to break the record set by Where the Wild Things Are for highest number of crying children at a test screening. [Empire]

Stevenson Gets Booked: Ray Stevenson has joined the cast of Denzel Washington–led action-drama The Book of Eli. Stevenson, best known as the Punisher, will play a tough guy sent to kill Eli (Washington) as he fights his way across America, protecting a sacred book that holds the key to saving human kind. Spoiler alert: The sacred book is the unreleased eighth Harry Potter. [Variety]

News Flash: Courtney B. Vance and Jack Davenport are the first actors to sign on to ABC's pilot Flash Forward, rumored to be similar to Lost. The show is based on a sci-fi novel and chronicles the worldwide chaos that happens when the world's entire population "blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and has a mysterious vision of the future that changes lives forever." Vance plays the Los Angeles chief of the FBI, and Davenport plays a father searching for his son. Remember to pay close attention to this one. You can get some tips for when the Hadron Collider sucks us all into a black hole. [HR]

Read more posts by Adam Raymond

Filed Under: abc, alfonso cuaron, battlestar galactica, brett ratner, charles wessler, courtney b. vance, denzel washington, eric stoltz, esai morales, flash forward, guillermo del toro, jack davenport, john grisham, lost, mike judge, movies, overture films, peter farrelly, ray stevenson, roald dahl, sci-fi channel, shia labeouf, the associate, the book of eli, the industry, the witches, todd philips

Source: Vulture | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

AKD Acquires Licensing Rights for Boy Scouts of America

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- AKD announces the recent acquisition of licensing rights for the Boy Scouts of America. President of AKD, Greg Shafer, states,...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

Young Jinsu Makes History With A.C.T.I.V.E.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: Four Kings Production is currently conducting a national school tour for Young Jinsu, combined with the efforts...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 2:00 pm

The 'Curious Case' of Brangelina - Extra TV

Thaindian.com

The 'Curious Case' of Brangelina Extra TV - 1 hour ago Hollywood super couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie headed to New Orleans last night to promote Pitt's new flick, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" -- and declared their love for the Big Easy! New Orleans Stars In Movie WDSU Pitt, Jolie promote "Benjamin Button" at Elmwood The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com OK! Magazine - The Gossip Girls - WWL - MyParkMag all 45 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:57 pm

ThinkFun Announces 36 Cube Contest to Challenge Puzzlers and Benefit Schools Nationwide

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Need a fun challenge to beat the winter doldrums? ThinkFun, Inc., a leader in educational games, today announced a way to entertain and...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:55 pm

Nicole Kidman Takes a Beating on Facebook

Type "Nicole" and "Kidman" into a Facebook search and you're confronted with the horrible, disturbing, catty world of Kidman haters
Source: FOXNews.com | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:54 pm

Piano for the queen: Condi Rice plays the Palace

Live from the palace _ Condi Rice on piano! U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice performed in a piano quintet Monday night for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Rice played
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:51 pm

National Geographic Channel Is First Network To Receive Second-By-Second Data From Nielsen's DigitalPlus Set Top Box Service

NGC Will Acquire Granular Insight on Engagement and Commercial Retention NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nielsen Company and the National Geographic...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:49 pm

Art Bridges Gallery Adds Recognized Southern California Artists Online

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Art Bridges Gallery, an online gallery of well-known Southern California artists, introduces established artists Joseph Beckles,...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:45 pm

Twilight fails to match the novel - The Tattoo

New York Daily News

Twilight fails to match the novel The Tattoo - 1 hour ago By Brice Birdsall Portland, Oregon, USA - As a big fan of author Stephenie Myer's Twilight Saga, I was ecstatic when I heard that the movie was coming out. Life and love eternal Philippine Star Kristen Stewart Says Robert Pattinson Is 'Perfect' Vampire People Magazine Los Angeles Times - New York Daily News - The State Journal-Register - InsideVandy all 241 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:43 pm

Pop Tarts: Geri Halliwell Parties Panty-Free

We always knew Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell was cheeky, but we just weren’t aware quite how cheeky as the sexy songstress left very little to the imagination while attending the BAFTA British Academy Children’s Awards in London over the weekend.
Source: FOXNews.com | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:59 pm

'Slumdog' highlights India's forgotten poor

They are the tales of two very different people.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:46 pm

Oprah Took Millions From Obama Foe

Man who worked to scuttle Barack Obama's presidential campaign is second largest donor to Oprah's South African school
Source: FOXNews.com | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:33 pm

`Cadillac Records' plays song you've heard before (AP)

AP - Darnell Martin could have made an entire movie about Muddy Waters. Or Etta James. Or Chuck Berry.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:28 pm

`Cadillac Records' plays song you've heard before (AP)

AP - Darnell Martin could have made an entire movie about Muddy Waters. Or Etta James. Or Chuck Berry.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:28 pm

Gavin Rossdale Talks Music, Paps and Life as a Dad

Gavin Rossdale may be a new dad and hubby to rock royalty, but don't tell 'Wanderlust' reveals his softer side!
Source: FOXNews.com | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:28 pm

Former UCLA hospital worker admits selling records (AP)

AP - A former employee of UCLA Medical Center pleaded guilty Monday to selling information from the medical records of celebrities and high-profile patients, including Britney Spears and Farrah Fawcett, to the National Enquirer.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:25 pm

Barker and DJ AM reunite for gig - BBC News

ABC News

Barker and DJ AM reunite for gig BBC News - 3 hours ago Ex-Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and US radio host DJ AM will perform together for the first time since surviving a plane crash. Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunite After Crash New York Times DJ AM, drummer Travis Barker to reunite for New Year's Eve bash New York Daily News Monsters and Critics.com - eFluxMedia - MTV.com - ABC News all 348 news articles

Source: Google News - Entertainment | 2 Dec 2008 | 12:20 pm

Blockbuster, Live Nation link up

Front Page: Video retailer to sell concert tickets -- Blockbuster and Live Nation have set a three-year partnership that will see the vidtailer sell exclusive blocks of tickets starting in the 2009 concert season.

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

Shia LaBeouf to star in 'Associate'

Front Page: Paramount nabs rights to new Grisham thriller -- Paramount Pictures has set Shia LaBeouf to play the title role in the bigscreen version of John Grisham's upcoming legal thriller "The Associate," which the studio has just acquired rights to.

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

Sci Fi greenlights 'Battlestar' prequel

Front Page: 'Caprica' to star Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales -- Sci Fi Channel has greenlit "Caprica," the much-anticipated prequel to hit series "Battlestar Galactica."

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

"Class" earns high grades with tale of courage (Reuters)

Reuters - "Hallmark Hall of Fame" productions are typically feel-good, life-affirming movies that put a dent in your supply of tissues. But not all of them are rendered as perfectly as CBS' "Front of the Class," an especially touching story of a young man who would not let Tourette's syndrome keep him from what he loved most: teaching.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 2 Dec 2008 | 1:45 am

Man charged with murder in Hudson slayings

Chicago police Monday arrested a man on a charge of murder in the deaths of three relatives of actress Jennifer Hudson, a police spokesman said.

Honor Just to Be Asked In, as Film Academy Tightens Its Ranks [NYT]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: ampas, ellen page, kudos, movies, oscars

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 11:40 pm

Billboard CD reviews: Britney Spears, Delta Bluesmen (Reuters)

Reuters - From the synthy open of "Womanizer" to the regretful ache spurring "Blur," "Circus" gives Brit pop a whole new meaning, as the singer does double duty as a dance diva and brokenhearted balladeer.
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 1 Dec 2008 | 11:29 pm

Relive the Spring 2009 Collections in the Latest ‘Look New York’

The new issue of Look New York is out, which means you can relive the glory of all the spring 2009 shows from New York, Milan, and Paris in stunning photographs by war photographer Benjamin Lowy, Sacha Baron Cohen portrait included. For more on Sacha and his alter ego Bruno, who crashed the European shows with relish, read Hadley Freeman's firsthand account of his antics at Stella McCartney. Amy Larocca runs down the dangerous shoes that caused slips, stumbles, and wipeouts on runways like Prada. And in a conversation with New York fashion director Harriet Mays Powell just before his Paris show, Lanvin's Alber Elbaz reveals he almost left fashion to go to medical school. Get to know Anna Selezneva, this season's breakout model star, and four more models who made a killing this season. Finally, take a peek at all the season's trends, for men and women.

Look New York

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: alber elbaz, anna selezneva, best things ever, bruno, lanvin, look new york, models, prada, sasha baron cohen, shoes, spring 2009, stella mccartney

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 11:20 pm

Is It Us, or Was It Cuter When It Was Obama?

Posters like the ones pictures have been popping up all over Paris, according to Andrew Sullivan. They appear to mimic the famous Shepard Fairey "Hope" images of Barack Obama, except this new version is a little more, um, wrinkly. The artist couldn't even manage to erase Nicholas Sarkozy's subtle-but-omnipresent French sneer.

The blogger Cedric from Paris2e, who snapped pics of the images, didn't know who was putting them up, or what they meant. But we do: It's simply more evidence that Europe is totally, cuticle-mashingly jealous of America now!

More Sarkobama in Paris [Paris2e]
Earlier: Europe Is Finally, Totally, Awesomely Jealous

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: barack obama, early and awesome, election hangover, europe is totes jellers, france, nicholas sarkozy, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 11:15 pm

Paris auction of Impressionist works falls short (AP)

AP - A benchmark Paris sale of Impressionist and Modern paintings that belonged to French fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin fell well short of pre-sale expectations Monday, in a clear signal the financial crisis is hitting the previously resilient art market.
Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 1 Dec 2008 | 11:02 pm

Anna Wintour ‘Vogue’ Documentary to Sweep Sundance?

A while back R.J. Cutler made a documentary about Vogue, specifically the preparation for the magazine's September 2007 issue. And film-industry insiders are saying the movie has a good shot at making it into Sundance, the lineup for which will be announced this week. According to WWD, the film was made "with the full cooperation of editor in chief Anna Wintour and staff." Proceed to freak out with us. If you didn't care about Twilight, this is your retribution. Now, who's making the Wintour-documentary fan sweatshirts? If there's one thing Twilight fans have taught us, it's that properly freaking out requires wearing one's enthusiasm.

Memo Pad: VOGUE, THE MOVIE [WWD]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: anna wintour, movies, sundance, twilight, vogue

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:59 pm

Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marque

Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez gestures during a celebration for Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes' 80th birthday in Mexico City, in November 2008. Three Nobel laureates threw their support Monday...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:55 pm

Daily Intel Is Having Had Technical Difficulties

As some of you have noticed, something is going on with the links in our headlines, and instead of taking you to our posts they are instead taking you on a maddening journey back to the homepage. We don't know what's up with that — we just type here. But rest assured the appropriate parties have been informed, and ostensibly the right people have been dispatched to the core of the Internet to sort everything out. In the meantime, we'll try to keep everything above the jump, and pray it all works out in time for Gossip Girl tomorrow. Stay strong, comrades. Update, 6:21 p.m.: We're back, and we're sexier than ever!

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: technical difficulties

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:54 pm

The 1976 Lotus Esprit Coupe used in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me"

The 1976 Lotus Esprit Coupe used in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me" is shown in the Bonham's auction room in London, ahead of a Sale of Important Collectors Motor Cars, Pioneer and Vintage Motorcycles...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:51 pm

Spotted: Vanessa and Chuck, KISSING

One of the things we love best about Gossip Girl is that the show goes on all the time. Off-camera the cast, or "the cast" (picture us doing air quotes), act so much like their characters that we have been able to forget they have actual identities unrelated to their "characters," unlike, say, Angelina Jolie, who you never forget for a second is Angelina Jolie. How Josh Schwartz got them to do this we may never know. It's like he found the most malleable young creatures and then had them drink a special serum or something that erased their human souls. Some may say this is a bad thing, and one day he may be put in jail, but let's face it, whatever he's done, the man is a genius. Anyway, the point was: A W spy saw Chace Crawford (a.k.a. Nate), Ed Westwick (a.k.a. Chuck), and Jessica Szohr (a.k.a. Vanessa) in the airport in Texas, and Chuck and Vanessa were kissing. "Definitely on the lips," says their source. "Not a French kiss, but a smooch definitely. They were being very flirty when people were not paying attention." That is so like them!

Thanksgiving Treat! Gossip Girl Trio Delayed at DFW[W]

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: chuck bass, gossip girl, The Greatest Show of Our Time, vanessa

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:45 pm

Puerto Rico's actor Benicio Del Toro

Puerto Rico's actor Benicio Del Toro poses during a photocall prior to the screening of Argentina's director Steven Soderbergh's latest film "Che" in which he is starred. Two movies about fallen Cuban...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:43 pm

Justice League Movie Finally Dead?

Terrible news for fans of Adam Brody and Armie Hammer! The long-gestating Justice League of America movie — which has previously suffered writers'-strike-related delays, awful casting, and the denial of a crucial $80 million Australian tax rebate — may finally be dead. Dark Horizons reports that George Miller, the hapless director linked to the ensemble superhero project for the past year, is officially off the film. In an appearance on Sydney-based morning show Sunrise today, Miller confirmed that he's no longer involved "in any capacity." Also, he says that if Warner Bros. does eventually decide to shoot a JLA movie, it will likely be recast since "the studios seem to want bigger stars in their superhero movies now."

Miller Officially Off "Justice League" [Dark Horizons via /Film]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: adam brody, armie hammer, george miller, justice league, justice league of america, movies, sadness

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:36 pm

‘Time’ Has Poor Holiday Timing

Last week was short, and nobody likes to give out a pink slip just before Thanksgiving, so we're bracing ourselves for a bad week this time around. Already British journalists are covering their necks, Time doesn’t have room for all corners of Asia, and more media soirées have been slashed. The media-deathwatch pulse quickens:

• Time had a bit of good news today when a survey said it was the No. 1 magazine among college students. But today’s Times points out that the posh winter Time Style & Design issue may not be the most popular with recession-savvy consumers. A rep conceded that the issue of high-end items was written “before the severe downturn” and, anyway, “the only real luxury is time and a cup of tea.” So lay off! [NYT]

• As predicted, Time is amalgamating its international editions. Its South Asian edition is now just plain Asian, and its European editorial offices will probably become, well, New York offices. [FishbowlNY/Mediabistro]

• The tidal wave of media layoffs could soon reach shores across the pond, with “tens of thousands” of British journalists likely to be fired soon. [Reuters]

• NBC Sports staffers might have gotten the ax, just after their halftime special aired. [FishbowlNY/Mediabistro]

• Four Hollywood publicists at PMK/HBH, which reps the likes of Matt Damon and Will Smith, are feeling the burn. They’re fired, but they’re saying it’s just exhaustion and that they’re just friends, on repeat. [Deadline Hollywood]

• I Want Media, a media-news Website, has a front-runner for its Media Person of the Year: the Laid-Off Journalist. And he’s single. [Page Six]

Read more posts by Mike Vilensky

Filed Under: julia allison, layoffs, media, media deathwatch, time

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:30 pm

The Cut Now Available for Your Mobile Pleasure

We know how it is: The Cut has been less than easy to read on a BlackBerry or iPhone. And they said it couldn't be done on a Treo. Yet during a time when spending is down, when media layoffs are daily, one Website will rise above to launch a mobile platform so that our blogs can be read on your cell phone. Yes we can.

So starting now, the Cut and all of nymag.com's blog content has been made highly suitable for your mobile browsers: Just bookmark m.nymag.com for the latest headlines across all our blogs, or check out m.nymag.com/thecut for your Cut-directed dose of fashion and style. Note: This is just our beta site, and we'll make improvements in the new year. But we thought it was important to roll out something in time for the holidays, especially since we're all giving our grandparents iPhones for Chrismukkah.

Read more posts by Jessica Coen

Filed Under: announcements, cell phones, corporate fluffing, iphone

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:25 pm

Studios: WGA upped SAG rancor

Front Page: Majors: Guild snag due to writers' kibbitzing -- Hollywood's labor brawl has turned ugly, with the majors accusing the Writers Guild of America of pushing SAG to strike by "blatantly" sabotaging the guild's last round of negotiations.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:20 pm

Why Oh Why Won’t Barack Obama Call on Fox News Reporters?

He hasn't turned to one FNC journalist during any of his transition-team press conferences. And, as the Huffington Post observed, today he even called on CBS' Dean Reynolds, the reporter who famously complained about the smelly Obama campaign plane and unfriendly staff! [FishbowlDC/Mediabistro]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: barack obama, cbs, dean reynolds, fox news, in other news, media, obama transition, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:12 pm

Donald Trump Not Making Good on His Loans?

That's what Deutsche Bank, who forked over $620 million for a tower project in Chicago, claimed in a lawsuit filed Friday. The Donald said he would pony up $40 million of what he owed last month, bankers claim, but then he didn't. Plus, his casino company missed a $53 million payment deadline on loans for his Atlantic City Properties. He has 30 days to make good on them or investors can start asking for their money back. Though things could be worse — his farcical fourth marriage could be falling apart. [Crains, MarketWatch]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: business, donald trump, loans, real estate, white men without money

Source: Daily Intel | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:05 pm

Cyndi Lauper and the Hives Aim for a Filthy New Christmas Classic

Quick! Put the soap in!

While it’s not the Pogues' “Fairy Tale of New York,” the brash and boozy “A Christmas Duel” can rightly take its place alongside Shane McGowan’s story of doomed gutter romance on hip Christmas playlists. Cyndi Lauper and Hives singer Pelle Almqvist are a surprisingly good fit, but if the two make something like beautiful music together, the characters they inhabit definitely do not: All manner of atrocious indiscretions are confessed (we won't spoil who delivers the line “I wrecked your daddy's car and went down on your mother”). Leave it to garage-rock revivalists and an eighties icon to bring a bittersweet dose of holiday nostalgia.

Download “A Christmas Duel”: Letters Have No Arms!

Read more posts by Ehren Gresehover

Filed Under: cyndi lauper, music, pelle almqvist, right-click, the hives

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 10:00 pm

Katie Holmes Makes Eight New Friends for Miu Miu Campaign

Imogen Morris Clarke walking at the Miu Miu show in October.

Katie Holmes may be the celebrity headliner for Miuccia Prada's new Miu Miu campaign, but the label's not pushing a one-woman army to sell the new collection. Eight other models are expected to star alongside Holmes in the photograph shot by Mert & Marcus, which is easily vying for the Most Anticipated Campaign title of spring/summer 2009 (though surely not to be outdone by the $10 million plans of Madonna for Louis Vuitton).

Rumblings on the Fashion Spot determined Miuccia's multi-girl cast will include the following models: Darya Kurovska, Elena Lomkova, Imogen Morris Clarke, Katie Fogarty (a fellow American named Katie), Myf Shepherd, Sophie Srej, Tilda Lindstam, and Yulia Leontieva. That puts the total number of women in the campaign, including Holmes, at lucky number nine, which means we're expecting the star to be basking in beauties wearing printed tiled fabrics of earth-toned colors for the actual photo. What a way to share the spotlight.

Myf Nabs Miu Miu – Apparently Alongside Katie Holmes [Frockwriter]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: darya kurovska, elena lomkova, imogen morris clarke, katie fogarty, katie holmes, miu miu, miuccia prada, model tracker, myf shepherd, sophie srej, tilda lindstam, yulia leontieva

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:56 pm

Mark Leckey wins Turner Prize 2008

British artist Mark Leckey speaks after winning of the Turner Prize 2008 at the Tate Britain in London. Leckey won contemporary art's most prestigious award with a film that included cartoon characters...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:33 pm

WATCH: Getty to Paps: Leave Sienna Alone

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:33 pm

'Four Christmases' debuts in No. 1 slot

Read full story for latest details.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:25 pm

Studios ogle future of 3-D

Front Page: Panel has all eyes on format -- The 3-D format is a boon to both studios and exhibitors, and it's here to stay -- or it will be, as soon as the credit markets thaw.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:24 pm

Artist Rafael Perez Will Get His Pants Back From That Bird

Rafael Perez's Checking the Safety (2008).

Rafael Perez uses oil and watercolors to render whimsical women with dangerous curiosities. Here, a pantless woman inspects her kinda dainty rifle with care. Is it too late to make a Sarah Palin joke? Anyway, see her and other tender psychos at DFN Gallery through Friday.

Read more posts by Emma Pearse

Filed Under: art, art candy, rafael perez

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:15 pm

‘America’s Next Top Model’ Winner Joins Park Slope Barista Force

Our brother blog Grub Street has learned that America's Next Top Model cycle-four winner Naima Mora is working as a barista at Cocoa Bar in Park Slope. It positively reeks of glamour, no? But she hasn't given up on modeling — Naima's now signed with Basic Model Management instead of Ford, whom she signed with as a result of winning ANTM. What's worse than her day job? According to Internet commenters, she's not even the cutest barista in the joint. [Grub Street]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: america's next top model, basic model management, ford models, naima mora, wanna be on top

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 9:15 pm

Soulja Boy on How One Actually ‘Supermans a Ho’

Since emerging from his Batesville, Mississippi, bedroom armed with a smash single–slash–cultural meme, “Crank That,” Soulja Boy has racked up 400,000,000 views on You Tube and another 50,000,000 on MySpace. His 2007 debut, Souljaboytellum.com, went platinum, shifted 5,000,000 ringtones, and earned a Grammy nomination. Along with instant success arrived a legion of detractors, most notably Ice-T, GZA and even Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James. Most recently, the 18-year-old Soulja Boy (born DeAndre Way) caught flack for a sarcastic interview, where he shouted out these detractors as "the slave masters." Soulja Boy spoke to Vulture while backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live! about his new album and product line, his mogul aspirations, and his practical advice for any aspiring YouTube sensations.

Most rappers make videos, but you might be the first in history to make an instructional guide for your video. What inspired you to create the "How-to-“Crank That” clip?
Back when the video only had 15,000,000 views, before it blew up in the mainstream, before there were haters telling me, “Soulja Boy sucks,” there were only the people who liked the music. And they were like, "Your dance is so tight. How I can I do it?" I decided to teach them, and when we were filming the actual "Crank That" video, I said, "Let’s make the how-to guide now." Everyone was dressed up, and we had the nice video cameras. Then the label edited it, and it got just as many views.

What advice would you give to people with poor dance skills, who are unable to follow the video? A generation of 13-year-olds on the bar-mitzvah circuit breathlessly await your response.
If you just can’t dance? Man, I don’t know.

Liquor, prayer, weed?
It’s really simple. That’s why the instructional video got so many views. You just have to sit down and keep on rewinding it.

How does one go from being a 16-year-old making videos and songs in your bedroom to being a Grammy-nominated cultural phenomenon in one year?
I found out about the Website SoundClick. You’d post MP3s and people would rate on your music and you’d get put on charts. I had this song called “Doo Doo Head.” It was this stupid comedic song — and after a few weeks, it went No. 1 on the charts and everyone started coming to my page looking for new music. Then I found MySpace, made my first page, and linked the MySpace page from SoundClick. Really all my MySpace views came from SoundClick and my YouTube clicks came from MySpace; they fed off each other.

What about the phrase "supermanning a ho"? Have you ever supermanned a ho, and, if so, why would anyone want to?
I first recorded the song a long time ago, before I ever got signed. I was 16 and it was just something that I was saying. I was like “Watch me crank that Soulja Boy and superman that ho.” Then I got signed [by Atlanta-based Collipark Records], then I went to Interscope, the song blew up in the mainstream and people started making up all kinds of crazy definitions on the Internet. It’s really nothing that you can actually do.

Your second album, coming out next month, is called iSouljaboytellem. Does it have any new dances that we probably won’t be able to do?
My first single is a dance song called “Birdwalk.” The whole concept of the album is based off of iTunes and Apple. Everything is going digital: ringtones, movies, videos, games. And I’m Soulja Boy, the newest of the new, representing the kids. We’re also rolling out a live-action cartoon created by the dudes who did Robot Chicken on Adult Swim. I’ve got a clothing line called Yumms, with my own shoe. Also, in 2009, there’s going to be the Soulja Boy Tell Em video game coming to Xbox 360.

You have another new video out called “Turn My Swag On.” What is swag, and how can it be turned on?
I think swag is very important to rappers. It’s the overall appearance and style of an artist — these blue shorts and this blue hat and this $80,000 chain, this jewelry and all these tattoos, that’s swag. Swag defines an artist, period. Lil Wayne has his super-tattooed pierces and dreads swag. Jay-Z has his New York, grown man, Beyoncé and 40/40 Club swag. Soulja Boy is on his dance, down south, young, 18-year-old, comedic swag. It’s really just each person’s personality; if every rapper had the same swag, it would be kind of boring.

Read more posts by Jeff Weiss

Filed Under: chat room, music, soulja boy

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 8:45 pm

Too Strong Perfume at the Office Brings Lawsuit; Origin of Tina Fey’s Scar Revealed

Tina Fey

FRAGRANCE
• A federal judge in Detroit ruled that a worker is allowed to sue a co-worker over perfume that "significantly restricted" the worker's ability to breathe. [Now Smell This]

SKIN
• Tina Fey's husband, Jeff Richmond, revealed the origin of Fey's facial scar. Apparently she got it at the age of 5 when a stranger slashed her face. She doesn't want to exploit it, though, saying, "Everybody's got a better side." [CBS News]

• Here's a list of eighteen reader-recommended exfoliating body scrubs. The Africa spa salt scrub from the Body Shop ($28) is ranked No. 1. [Total Beauty]

MAKEUP
• Kat Von D: "I never let people see me without makeup. And it's not an insecurity thing. It's another artistic outlet. And the 45 minutes it takes me to get ready … is very therapeutic for me. It's hard to start my day without that. You can tell my mood by my makeup. When I'm depressed, it's really dark. Then I'll do super-dumb happy makeup." [LAT]

• The Lancôme holiday collection called C'est Magnifique showcases midnight-blue hues of eye shadows, eyeliners, and nail polishes. [Spoiled Pretty]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: beauty marks, fragrance, kat von d, makeup, skin, tina fey

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 8:30 pm

Relative arrested in Hudson slayings

Front Page: William Balfour awaiting murder charges -- Police arrested the estranged brother-in-law of Jennifer Hudson on Monday in the deaths of the entertainer's mother, brother and young nephew, taking him from a prison where he had been held on a suspected parole violation.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 8:16 pm

‘Dexter’: Attention, Emmy Committee …

Can you see the acting?

We can't say we're loving this season, what with its predictable plotlines (this week Dexter finally concludes that he has to kill Miguel, an outcome which seemed obvious from the second time they met), familiar twists (Deb is making bad relationship decisions! Again!) and soporific overdose of Rita's wedding preparations (with all the dress fittings and catering talk, sometimes we have to double-check to make sure we're not watching WEtv). But ho boy, are we ever being treated to some tasty, grade-A acting.

We are quite serious when we advocate for Emmys for both Michael C. Hall and Jimmy Smits, and we'll even throw one in for the direction of John Dahl. (It's not often you notice directing style in series television, but Dahl consistently sneaks in impressively imaginative angles.) For proof, consider the rooftop scene between Miguel and Dexter, in which Miguel rants in what seems like a conscious wink to Denzel Washington's spittle-spewing in Training Day. "You've got the ring?" Miguel spits at Dexter, over his supposed piece of leverage. "I have City fucking Hall!" Then he adds, "I'll do what I want, when I want, to whomever I want!" Scary! And impressively grammatical!

All of which makes Hall's impassive restraint all the more delicious. As Miguel rants, he watches, eyebrows cocked like the Grinch, before bidding him adieu with a little palms-at-heart-center Namaste-yoga bow. Damn! Does anyone remember that this guy used to play timorous David Fisher on Six Feet Under?

The bad news is that there are two episodes left, so we're going to have to wait for Dexter's retribution on his onetime buddy. We're also going to have to worry that Yuki Amato might pop up again. (Though it seems like the producers have buried her, like Ellen Wolf.) LaGuerta looks about ready to finger Miguel for Ellen's murder, given that Miguel, despite Dexter's tutelage, turned out to be the worst murderer in history. (First I'll drive my truck to the crime scene. Then, after a witness has described said truck, I'll drive my truck to the house of the lead investigator on the case.)

We're also going to get a final face-off (maybe literally!) between the Skinner and Dexter, who got nabbed in this week's closing minute. Call us queasy, but this mano a mano serial-killer blood match feels a little too much like a Saw movie for our tastes. We can only hope Dexter dispatches the Skinner quickly. We don't want the same fate for Miguel, though — not before he gets to unleash at least one more scenery-chewing Emmy clip.

Read more posts by Adam Sternbergh

Filed Under: dexter, emmys, jimmy smits, john dahl, michael c. hall, overnights, tv

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 8:00 pm

California in midst of fiscal crisis

Front Page: Schwarzenegger to address deficit -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency Monday and called lawmakers into a special session to address California's $11.2 billion deficit.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:55 pm

Christian Van Gastel Must Be Recession-Proof, Judging by His Clothes

Publisher Christian Van Gastel's style mantra is simple: "I don't have a style. I just like buying what I like," he tells this week's Video Look Book. When we caught up with him, he wore a suit and shoes by Yves Saint Laurent and a jacket by Hermès. Of his glasses, he said, "I don't even recall who they are — someone gave them to me. I think they may be Gucci or something." Recession? What recession? Watch and hear Christian's travel-wardrobe advice.

Read more posts by Sophie Donelson

Filed Under: gucci, hermes, video, video look book, yves st. laurent

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:41 pm

Review: Britney's 'Circus' needs more truth

Britney Spears is making a habit of putting out albums with titles that promise more self-revelation than she's ultimately able to provide. "Circus," her latest, could use some of the bracing honesty she brings to some songs.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:25 pm

"Reader" delves into complexities of postwar guilt (Reuters)

Reuters - "The Reader" is the last project of producers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, both of whom passed away during the film's making. It's a testament to the kind of productions each was associated with -- films of entertainment, often with stars, that also reach out in terms of situations, themes and settings to embrace larger issues that confront society.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:25 pm

The ‘Mad Men’ Dilemma, and Other Culture Highlights From This Week's ‘New York’

In this week's issue of New York: Are we suffering from Quality Show Fatigue? Adam Sternbergh investigates. Need a primer on indie culture? Here's one! David Browne drops in on Golden Animals. David Edelstein reviews Frost/Nixon and Cadillac Records. Stephanie Zacharek reviews Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate. Dan Kois reviews Blasted. Jesse Oxfeld raps with Pal Joey's Stockard Channing and Martha Plimpton. Also, is Soderbergh's Che a hit job or hagiography? New York lets charts decide.

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: in the magazine

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:15 pm

Michelle Obama’s ‘Vogue’ Cover Still Up in the Air

Our heart skipped a beat when we read the following in the Newsweek cover story from last week about Michelle Obama:

…Michelle looks nothing like the supermodels who rule the catwalks or the porcelain-faced actresses who hawk must-have cosmetics. Yet now she's going to grace the March cover of Vogue magazine — the ultimate affirmation of beauty.

Yes, those lines were buried in a giant feature story as if they were nothing, with no further details. Oh, Newsweek. But are they true? We asked Vogue about the slip and a spokesman told us, "That was incorrect. We're still very interested in working with her, but it still hasn't been specifically determined what we're going to do." Booooo. However, at least we know something involving both Vogue and Michelle is in the works. Who knew Newsweek was such a tease?

What Michelle Means to Us [Newsweek]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: in vogue, michelle obama, newsweek, vogue

Source: The Cut | 1 Dec 2008 | 7:00 pm

Are Madonna and A-Rod 'Mexing' it Up?

The singer and the baseball star both visited Mexico City over the weekend.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 6:52 pm

Hunter Parrish Beloved by Marijuana Fans

“It's funny when I get recognized on the train. People either say ‘I love your show, dude’ or ‘Hey, where do you buy good weed?’” —Hunter Parrish [Page Six Mag]

"A month after [director] Gus [Van Sant] asked me to do it, they sent me another script, and on Page 5 there was a full-on love scene. And I was like, 'Gus, what the heck?' He says, 'Well, it was Sean's idea.'" —James Franco [Elle via NYP]

"What happened on November 23 was a complete fiasco. In what could only be characterized as reckless indifference or complete stupidity, Dr Pepper was completely unprepared for the traffic to its site. Most visitors were greeted with error messages. Some people who got through to Dr Pepper's servers were told to call a toll free number, few of whom got through. Many walked away angry as Dr Pepper … soured the momentous music event that was Chinese Democracy's release." —Guns N' Roses lawyer Alan S. Gutman [Pop & Hiss/LAT]

"I didn't even know they existed." —Elvis Costello on making a guest appearance on a Fall Out Boy album [NYT]

"He is a real cinephile. He has studied his film theory. He didn't fall off a turnip truck and say, 'Hey, y'all. I'm here.'" —Reese Witherspoon on Four Christmases director Seth Gordon [LAT]

"I was sick over the weekend and my 2 Transporters were on, so I watched them and in fact they aren't that gay." —Louis Leterrier backs off on his claims that Jason Statham's character in the Transporter movies was the first gay action hero [Hero Complex/LAT]

Read more posts by Stan Park

Filed Under: elvis costello, hunter parrish, james franco, louis leterrier, quote machine, reese witherspoon, robert siegel

Source: Vulture | 1 Dec 2008 | 6:30 pm

Stocks tumble 679 points

Front Page: Wall St. investors affirm economy crisis -- A litany of bad economic news has snuffed out Wall Street's five-day rally, sending stocks falling sharply as investors realized anew how troubled the U.S. economy really is. Confirmation that the nation is in a recession followed reports of only a modest gain in holiday shopping sales, and that prompted investors to begin unloading stocks.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 6:28 pm

Nicole Kidman says she had no plans to drop her career

Hollywood star Nicole Kidman, seen here in Nvovember 2008 and who gave birth to a baby girl a few months ago, on Monday said her life since had changed, but that she had no plans to drop her career altogether...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 6:08 pm

WATCH: Randy Clears Up 'Idol' Rumors

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:47 pm

Travis Barker and DJ AM to Play First Post-Crash Performance

Punk musician Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM will perform together for the first time since the duo survived a fiery plane crash in South Carolina
Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:37 pm

Springsteen Feels 'Lucky' With Amazon, MySpace

Bruce Springsteen has unveiled a second new song from his next album, "Working on a Dream," jointly through Amazon.com and MySpace Music.
Source: Billboard.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:35 pm

Second Spears comeback almost as good as the first (AP)

AP - Britney Spears, "Circus" (Jive)

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:15 pm

'Halo Trilogy' Previews New Game

"Halo Trilogy," the complete soundtracks composed and produced by the award-winning team of Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori for Microsoft's top-selling "Halo" video game franchise, will be released tomorrow (Dec. 2) as a five-disc collectible set by Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label.
Source: Billboard.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:15 pm

Red Carpet Close-up: Jonases in Vegas?

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 5:06 pm

The Secret Behind Tina Fey's Facial Scar Revealed!

Do you know how Tina got that scar on her left cheek? Her husband's answer might surprise you.
Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:51 pm

Peyroux Goes 'Bare' On New Album

Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux teams with famed producer Larry Klein, Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Joe Henry on her new album, "Bare Bones," due March 10 from Rounder.
Source: Billboard.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:43 pm

Live Earth India Canceled After Terror Attacks

The Live Earth India concert, scheduled to be held in Mumbai on Sunday (Dec. 7), has been called off after terror attacks in India's financial capital killed nearly 200 people.
Source: Billboard.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:24 pm

Football lifts NBC in ratings race

Front Page: Vikings vs. Bears game wins Sunday night -- A key pro football contest between the rival Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears helped NBC capture the final Sunday of November in key demo categories.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:23 pm

Workers wrap a curtain on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre before the start of the renovations in 2005

Workers wrap a curtain on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow before the start of the renovations, July 2005. The reopening of Russia's famed Bolshoi Theatre has been pushed back to 2011 due to...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:07 pm

Killers Trump Guns N' Roses For U.K. No. 1

In an all-new top three on the U.K. album chart, the Killers' "Day & Age" (Vertigo/Universal) took the No. 1 spot ahead of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" (Black Frog/Geffen), while Take That scored its 11th U.K. career No. 1 single with "Greatest Day" (Polydor/Universal).
Source: Billboard.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 4:06 pm

Britney Spears: Ready for Husband Number Three

In a new interview with Glamour magazine, the comeback queen says she hasn’t given up on love.
Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Dec 2008 | 3:35 pm

Barker and DJ AM Ready to Rock Again

Pair to perform together New Year's Eve for first time since plane crash.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 3:33 pm

PHOTOS: Gays in the Limelight

Sean Penn brings historical moments to big screen in 'Milk.'
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 3:26 pm

De Niro bites the hand that feeds him

Hollywood producer Art Linson wrote a book about his experiences in Tinseltown. Robert De Niro thought it was hilarious. The film, "What Just Happened?", rips the film industry mercilessly.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 1 Dec 2008 | 1:49 pm

One of the cinemas in the Forum des Images in Paris after its renovation

One of the cinemas in the Forum des Images at the Forum des Halles in Paris after its renovation, November 2008. Paris is about to get the world's first dedicated "Cinema Street", with Europe's busiest...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 1:38 pm

The entrance of the Forum des Images at the Forum des Halles

The entrance of the Forum des Images at the Forum des Halles in Paris after its renovation, November 2008. Paris is about to get the world's first dedicated "Cinema Street", with Europe's busiest cinema...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Dec 2008 | 1:38 pm

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