Read more posts by Jessica Pressler
Filed Under: White Men With Money
The flurry of rumors about Anna Wintour leaving Vogue have settled, making way for exploratory stories about why they started in the first place. Cathy Horyn offers the long answer to this question in the New York Times. Vogue's ad pages declined 9.6 percent in 2008, compared to an average of 8 percent in other fashion magazines. The problems Horyn cites are obvious: Editors don't appear to understand the digital age, the magazine hasn't undergone a significant change in ages, and they feature the same boring celebrities on the covers year after year. Also:
There are too many stories about socialites — or, at any rate, too few such stories that sufficiently demonstrate why we should care about these creatures. What once felt like a jolly skip through Bergdorf now feels like an intravenous feed. To read Vogue in recent years is to wonder about the peculiar fascination for the “villa in Tuscany” story. Ditto staff-member accounts of spa treatments and haircuts.
Ooh, ooh — we know why we should care about socialites: The City, the reality-television masterpiece that will allow an uncanny look into the world of socialite Olivia Palermo and inspire legions of tween post-high-school fantasies across the nation. But is Vogue doing features on that? Of course not. Horyn continues:
It’s embarrassing to see how Vogue deals with the recession. For the December issue, it sent a writer off to discover the “charms” of Wal-Mart and Target. A similar obtuseness permeates a fashion spread in the January issue, where a model and a child are portrayed on a weekend outing with a Superman figure. Is a ’50s suburban frock emblematic of the mortgage meltdown?
Nonetheless Anna shall stay on at Vogue because, according to a Condé Nast staffer who spoke to Horyn anonymously, she "speaks with this incredible authority to advertisers." Indeed, she's a scary lady (see anonymous source).
Our short answer to what's wrong with Vogue? It's just boring. Reading Vogue is kind of like listening to Enya. You know the best people created it and it's not necessarily done badly in any way, but reading it is like asking for a nap. Speaking of which, one of those would be great right about now. So long, 2008!
What’s Wrong With Vogue? [NYT]
Read more posts by Amy Odell
Filed Under: anna wintour, cathy horyn, in vogue, vogue
We're going to get through this thing, people. It's a new year, this morning the markets are "perky" and, most auspiciously, the five-foot copper statue from Bernie Madoff's yard resurfaced on the lawn of Madoff's country club. It appeared to be unmolested, but a small note was attached:
"Bernie the Swindler, Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners.
Stolen Madoff statue returned with note attached [Reuters]
Earlier: Whoever Stole the Huge Statue Out of Bernie Madoff’s Backyard Is Awesome
Read more posts by Jessica Pressler
Filed Under: awesomness, Ballsy Crimes, bernard madoff, bernie madoff
AP - Jack Black may have been schooled in rock, but now he'd like to sing at the Grand Ole Opry with wife Tanya Haden's family, who recently turned him on to bluegrass music.
AP - Jack Black may have been schooled in rock, but now he'd like to sing at the Grand Ole Opry with wife Tanya Haden's family, who recently turned him on to bluegrass music.
AP - Jack Black may have been schooled in rock, but now he'd like to sing at the Grand Ole Opry with wife Tanya Haden's family, who recently turned him on to bluegrass music.
Today's weather Alexandria Town Talk - Today it will be partly sunny, with a high near 73 and south wind around 5 mph. Tonight expect patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. 40 percent chance of snow showers today Rain in the forecast |
 The Associated Press | South Bay weather: Rain likely today, good time to head to movies San Jose Mercury News - By Lisa Fernandez Showers are likely in the forecast today, so here's a message to all you parents at home with children still out on winder break: Brace yourself. Weather: Way warmer here than Vostok Cleveland County under Winter Weather Advisory / Car reported off ... |
The Weinstein Company has announced an August 21 release date for Quentin Tarantino's massively anticipated, poorly spelled WWII actioner Inglourious Basterds, which will make it the first-ever Tarantino movie to hit theaters during the summer, and very possibly the best-ever film to come out in August. [Box Office Mojo]
Read more posts by Lane Brown
Filed Under: inglourious basterds, movies, quentin tarantino, the weinstein company
• Twilight's Robert Pattinson is whining about wearing Edward Cullen's golden contacts for the film's sequel, New Moon. We, however, are celebrating: first Pattz item of 2009!...
On New Year's Eve, we were devastated to arrive at a party where the television was tuned to Ryan Seacrest's "New Year's Rockin' Eve." Why? Because for the real nail-biting tension, drama and hilarity, we wanted to witness Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN. We have no idea why Anderson agreed to have Kathy on again (well, we have one idea). It was like watching a high-wire act, with Anderson desperately trying to keep a straight face for hours and Kathy desperately trying to avoid playing the one line of her signature jokes that would ensure she would never be invited back.
Since we were watching Mr. Bill over there on ABC, we missed this late-night gaffe, which occurred after the ball dropped. Griffin, seemingly thinking she's off the air, tells a heckler, ""Screw you! Why don't you get a job, buddy? You know what? I don't go to your job and knock the dicks out of your mouth." Which is admittedly phenomenal. But it's not, in fact, our favorite moment from this clip. We actually like better the part where Kathy tells Anderson she's going to host a reunion episode of the Bad Girl's Club and Anderson points out that it's a gig that E-lister Star Jones already performed. In one split second, he manages to play the card Kathy herself amazingly avoided playing all night long, by reaching over to her shoulder and muttering: "Oh, honey."
Kathy Griffin CNN New Years Foul Language on Live TV! [YouTube]
HAPPY #*%! NEW YEAR TO YOU, TOO! [NYP]
Read more posts by Chris Rovzar
Filed Under: anderson cooper, cnn, happy new year!, kathy griffin, media, new years eve
Rejections to Cleo: Blaming "scheduling conflicts," Hugh Jackman has dropped out of discussions to star opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in Steven Soderbergh's Cleo. The totally bizarre film will tell the story of Cleopatra (Zeta-Jones) and Marc Anthony (who Jackman would have played) like an Elvis-style musical, complete with singing, dancing, and a Ray Winstone as Julius Ceaser. Oh and all the songs were written by Guided by Voices, making this the first (and, we're betting, last) low-fi Egyptian indie love musical. For Jackman, this truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. [Variety]
Party Like It's 2009: Prince is set for a busy 2009. The Purple One will release three albums this year that will be distributed in physical form by a "major retailer" and on a "highly interactive" Website. This is Prince; he doesn't work with record companies. The trio will allegedly showcase Prince's rediscovery of the guitar, some experimentation with Pro Tools, and at least one duet with Q-Tip. Babies, prepare to be conceived. [Pop & Hiss/LAT]
Crises Averted: With just minutes to go on Wednesday night, Viacom and Time Warner reached a tentative deal to keep MTV Networks' nineteen channels on the cable provider's slate. A disagreement between the two companies had threatened to blackout MTV, Comedy Central, and VH1, among other channels, for the 13.3 million households with Time Warner services on January 1. The dispute centered on Viacom's desire to increase its fee to TWC by $39 million, which seems like a perfectly reasonable price to pay for MTV's top-quality programming. [HR]
At the Movies: Myriad Pictures and comic-book publisher Studio 407 are teaming up to bring the horror series The Night Projectionist to the big screen. The story focuses on Halloween Eve in a small-town movie theater. An all-night Draculathon brings in a big crowd that suddenly finds itself locked inside the theater, along with a bunch of vampires. Major blood-sucking follows. [Variety]
Hearing Voices: Zack Snyder's Guardians of Ga'Hoole has got itself a slew of voices to bring the owl story to life. Hugh Jackman, Ryan Kwaten, and Hugo Weaving will get behind the mike for the story of a young barn owl and his friends attempting to escape from a band of evil owls. We can't wait to see how Snyder handles animated owl blood! [Moviehole]
Read more posts by Adam Raymond
Filed Under: cleo, guardians of ga'hoole, hugh jackman, hugo weaving, movies, mtv networks, music, myriad pictures, prince, ryan kwaten, steven soderbergh, studio 407, the industry, the night projectionist, time warner, viacom, zack snyder
EVENTS
FRIDAY
• Let M.A.C makeup artists give you a new look for the New Year with the Dame collection. Inspired by Dame Edna Everage, the collection includes lilac lipstick, lip gloss, eye shadow, powder, and nail lacquers. Bloomingdale’s Soho. 504 Broadway, nr. Broome St. (212-729-5900); 10–9.
SUNDAY
• A NARS aesthetician will give facials using the new NARSskin products. Complete your fresh face with a makeup application. Bloomingdale’s Soho. 504 Broadway, nr. Broome St. (212-729-5124). Call for an appointment.
SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Clothing from Acne, Alexander Wang, Mayle, Vena Cava, and more is up to 75 percent off at Bird's three locations. Through 1/5. 220 Smith St., at Butler St., Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-797-3774); 316 Fifth Ave., nr. 2nd St., Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-768-4940); 203 Grand St., nr. Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-797-3776); call for hours.
STARTING TOMORROW
• Save up to 80 percent on bridal gowns, eveningwear and special-occasion dresses at the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier sample sale. Shop elegant designs by Angel Sanchez, Monique Lhuillier, Ulla Maija, and Anne Barge. Through 1/4. 110 E. 55th St., nr. Park Ave. (212-319-6778); call for an appointment.
ENDING TOMORROW
• Find sheared mink and fur reversibles for wholesale prices at the Frederick Gelb fur sale. 345 Seventh Ave., nr. 30th St. (212-239-8787); 9–4.
STARTING SUNDAY
• All shoes are $20 to $75 and boots are $35 to $75 at the Shoe-Inn 13th Annual Warehouse Sale. Find women’s designer shoe collections by Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, and Burberry. Through 1/7. 1356 Broadway, nr. 36th St.; daily (9–7).
Read more posts by Shaena Henry
Filed Under: fashion calendar, sales, shopping
Eva Longoria Parker's favorite part of 2008 wasn't opening her new restaurant, Beso...it was a romantic trip she took with hubby Tony Parker.
"My one year... New York Daily News | Cruise Nailed Over Hitler's Ball TMZ.com - As if "Valkyrie" weren't crap enough on its own, Tom Cruise is in trouble for allegedly using a replica of Hitler's favorite globe in the movie. ‘Valkyrie’ is no bomb 'Valkyrie' could bode well for UA |
 The Money Times | Britney's Bro Gets Hitched to the Help TMZ.com - Well that didn't take long: Britney Spears' brother is officially married to his lil' sister's manager. The news of Bryan Spears' engagement to Graciella Sanchez leaked just the other day, and now just days later, they got married on New Year's Eve in ... Jamie Lynn Spears Decoy Adessa Eskridge Threatens To Sue LA Police Britney’s Brother Ties The Knot On New Year’s Eve |
Reuters - A slew of quality movies and higher ticket prices helped Hollywood hold its own in 2008 despite recession, while 2009 promises more 3-D pictures and some big blockbusters to keep audiences coming in.
AP - There's no need to cry, Dora.
AP - There's no need to cry, Dora.
 Washington Post | Matt Dillon Drives A Car Quite Fast hecklerspray - You know the best thing about January 2? Nothing ever happens and we’re reduced to writing crap about idiots who nobody could ever care about. Actor Matt Dillon charged with speeding in Vermont Police: Matt Dillon Busted Driving 106 MPH |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Heath Ledger 2008's biggest movie story: poll Washington Post - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Australian actor Heath Ledger beat all-comers in a 2008 movie poll released on Thursday, sweeping the biggest news story, most missed star and best villain categories thanks to his posthumous hit film "The Dark Knight. 'The Dark Knight' tops best film of 2008 list; '10000 BC' nabs the ... Happy New Year. On to the Oscars. |
 Los Angeles Times | Mystery author Donald E. Westlake dies at 75 Los Angeles Times - Louis Lanzano / AP Donald Westlake, shown in 2001, wrote under a variety of pseudonyms including Richard Stark, Tucker Coe, Samuel Holt and Edwin West, in part because he wrote so much, so fast. Prolific US writer Westlake dies Donald E. Westlake, mystery writer, dies at 75 |
AP - French actress Isabelle Huppert will head the jury of the 62nd edition of the Cannes film festival in May.
E! Online - Eva Longoria Parker's favorite part of 2008 wasn't opening her new restaurant, Beso...it was a romantic trip she took with hubby Tony Parker.
Katy Perry was the belle of ball at the Gridlock New Year's Eve party in Hollywood.
This year's pop princess newcomer performed for about 5,000 people on the Paramount lot....
E! Online - Katy Perry was the belle of ball at the Gridlock New Year's Eve party in Hollywood.
Reuters - Some 150 protesters stood outside the home and office of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi on Thursday accusing her of sympathy for Israel, the Islamic state's foe, a member of her human rights group said.
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