• Among the nineteen Forbes staffers who lost their jobs yesterday was media reporter James Abels. [FishbowlNY/Mediabistro]

• Electronic Gaming Monthly is going Web-only, and 30 of its staffers have been laid off. The Ziff Davis Media Group–owned magazine, lost as part of a sale to UGO Entertainment, was a fanboy favorite. [FishbowlNY/Mediabistro]

• The New York Times has a “Secretariat-lead on every other big paper” when the Internet “pennies … turn into dollars,” according to the Observer, which dubs Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. an innovative “media mensch.” Depends who you ask, we guess. [Atlantic, NYO]

• Entertainment Weekly’s Rick Tetzeli has been replaced as top managing editor by People’s Jess Cagle. Cagle was part of EW’s initial launch in 1990. [NYP]

• Fifty-year Village Voice veteran Nat Hentoff penned his final column yesterday, and he says he’s never lost his “sense of rage.” But he’s not directing that rage at the Voice. [VV]

Read more posts by Mike Vilensky

Filed Under: entertainment weekly, ew, media, media deathwatch, nat hentoff, new york times, village voice

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:38 pm

Cuddle Guv Kicks Snuggle Butt in State of the State Speech

We loved reading the Times coverage of Governor Paterson's State of the State speech. He's so inspirational sometimes. (And they didn't even include the jokes!) In his historic speech (the first ever where two of the infamous Albany "three men in a room" have been black), he cited Woodrow Wilson, Mario Cuomo, Edward Roland Sills, Paul Krugman, Eliot Spitzer, Saint Augustine, and even Sarah Palin. He spoke of hard times ahead, deficits, and shared sacrifice. He talked about crime, green energy, and the state's tradition of "unparalleled personal freedoms." At various points, the speech was met with sustained applause.

Of course, we still don't know what deal the three renegade Democratic state senators forged with new Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Expect the soaring rhetoric to come crashing back down to business as usual, oh, tomorrow morning.

Paterson Warns of ‘Historic Economic Challenge’ [City Room/NYT]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: albany, david paterson, early and often, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:31 pm

Just What These Times Need: Dolce & Gabbana’s Glorious New Coffee-Table Book

Dolce & Gabbana recently released a stunning new coffee-table book called Diamonds and Pearls devoted to just that — diamonds and pearls. The designers selected clothing and accessories from their archives bedazzled with all manner of sequins, gemstones, and pearls to photograph on very lifelike mannequins. The giant book probably weighs about twelve pounds, but the photographs are so gorgeous we lugged it to the scanner with our noodle arms to bring you a taste of it in the slideshow. Or purchase it in Dolce stores for $270.

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: diamonds and pearls, dolce and gabbana, eff the recession, slideshow

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:30 pm

Congressman Wants to Delay Electoral College Certification to Watch Football

Cliff Stearns

The results of the Electoral College — which aren’t really all that important, other than in determining the next leader of the Free World — are scheduled to be certified by Congress on Thursday. But Representative Cliff Stearns has better things to do — namely, watch football. See, the BCS title game between Florida and Oklahoma is Thursday night, so Stearns, a Florida Republican, sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking to delay the vote "to allow Members to attend this historic game." (Barack Obama’s election isn’t historic enough for him, we guess.) Stearns is the only one to sign the letter, and Pelosi’s office said she won’t agree to the request. But Obama’s such a sports fan that we’d imagine he’d be less upset by the delay than by the fact that it’s for the very game he despises so much. [AP via Sporting Blog]

Read more posts by Joe DeLessio

Filed Under: bcs, cliff stearns, football, priorities, sports, the sports section

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:24 pm

Chris Smith: Caroline’s Quiet Rebound

It’s been a pretty good week for Caroline Kennedy’s non-campaign campaign — and she certainly needs it. True, one poll showed a drastic drop in her popularity with voters, but that same polling company had shown her with an enormous, equally dubious lead one month earlier, and she’s still in a race that will be decided by a single, inscrutable voter. Kennedy’s chances of being picked to replace Hillary Clinton as the state’s junior senator have improved for two reasons.

After her weak performance in a post-Christmas interview blitz, and the beating she took in the papers and online, the ineluctable media curve has moved on to unflattering scrutiny of her competitors — particularly Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose political lieutenant has been strong-arming labor leaders to not endorse Kennedy. Today she even collected some rare positive ink in the Times, a ferocious op-ed-page endorsement from Maureen Dowd.

The other part of the equation is that Kennedy has gone back to the unglamorous, quiet work of calling and visiting the state’s political players — union heads, environmental leaders, Sister Paulette LoMonaco of Good Shepherd Services, the Bronx and Brooklyn children’s aid group. It’s a strategy that both suits her low-key personal style and is designed to influence Governor David Paterson without pressuring him, by creating a positive buzz behind the scenes. So instead of traveling to Albany today and pulling the spotlight again, Kennedy stayed home to watch Paterson’s State of the State speech on television.

She’ll maintain that low profile next week and avoid what could have been a dramatic appearance. On January 15, Reverend Al Sharpton will hold his annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration in Harlem, an event that’s become nearly a requirement for the state’s aspiring and current elected officials. Sharpton, who praised Kennedy after sharing a very public lunch at Sylvia’s with her in December, invited her to the MLK event and expected that she’d attend. But a Kennedy spokesman says she has an “unfortunate scheduling conflict.” “No problem,” Sharpton says. Could the conflict have anything to do with the expected presence of Andrew Cuomo, her main Senate rival and ex-cousin-in-law? “No,” says the Kennedy spokesman. In January 2006, then-candidate Cuomo was criticized for skipping Sharpton’s celebration to give a paid speech in Las Vegas. Four months later, Cuomo donated $10,000 to Sharpton’s nonprofit National Action Network. And he hasn’t missed the MLK event since.

Read more posts by Chris Smith

Filed Under: al sharpton, andrew cuomo, caroline kennedy, early and often, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:18 pm

The Unbridled Ambition of Kate Winslet

When journalists press actors about their chances at winning an Oscar, the standard friendly yet curt response is "It's an honor just to be nominated." Not for Kate Winslet, though. She tells the British magazine Reveal, "I want to win [an Oscar], I'm not denying that. I don't want to be sitting there with a fixed grin on my face while someone else wins." Atta girl! [Showbiz Spy via Carpetbagger/NYT]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Awards, Kate Winslet, Oscars

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:04 pm

Tonight Is The Night We Stop Being Polite, And Start Watching The Real World: Brooklyn

Don't forget, tonight is the night your life will be changed by a really intense new season of The Real World, this time set in really real-feeling Brooklyn! In this clip from RealWorldDailies.com, cast members Chet and Ryan discuss the difference between a wet dream and wetting the bed (among other genital things...language definitely NSFW): The season premieres tonight on MTV at 11 p.m. And as we've mentioned, we have a lot of RW-related content coming your way, so stay tuned. If you don't know why that is, then that means you missed our amazing tour of the RW house, which I have reposted (for the 34th time) after the jump. Dan with that sponge never gets old, does it?
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 11:00 pm

Get Your $8,250 Louis Vuitton Skateboard Tomorrow

Chanel makes a $14,000 fly fishing rod and a $12,000 bicycle, so why shouldn't Louis Vuitton make an $8,250 skateboard with a fancy case? It's part of the Stephen Sprouse collection, and Louis made only three of these suckers. They go on sale in the Louis Vuitton Soho store tomorrow with proceeds benefiting the Free Arts NYC program. Imagine — you, Williamsburg, the spring, a warm breeze, money flapping out of your pants pockets … we see it. [the.Life files]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: eff the recession, louis vuitton, stephen sprouse

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:59 pm

WGA Nod Further Boosts Batman’s Oscar Chances

The nominations for the Writers Guild awards were announced this afternoon, and they give Batfans one more reason to get their hopes up: Christopher and Jonathan Nolan's script for The Dark Knight scored a nod in the Adapted Screenplay category. In addition to all the people whose names you would totally expect, other recognized scribes included John Patrick Shanley (whose Doubt has an equal shot at the much-coveted fifth top Oscar slot), Woody Allen (even though the threesome in his Vicky Cristina Barcelona left some disappointed), Robert Siegel (The Wrestler), and Tom McCarthy (The Visitor). See the complete list after the jump.

Original Screenplay:
Burn After Reading, by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Milk, by Dustin Lance Black
Vicky Cristina Barcelona, by Woody Allen
The Visitor, by Tom McCarthy
The Wrestler, by Robert Siegel

Adapted Screenplay:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, by Eric Roth
The Dark Knight, by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon, by Peter Morgan
Slumdog Millionaire, by Simon Beaufoy

WGA announces screenplay noms [Variety]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: kudos, movies, the dark knight, wga awards, writers guild

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:47 pm

…OF THE DAY

• STRATEGERY: Will Ferrell is taking his Bush impression to Broadway (and HBO) with a live show called "You're Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush." Not to be confused with the extremely explicit cabaret show, "You Are Very Welcome: One Night With Bill Clinton." (CNN)
• WHO JUDGES THE JUDGES?: The Watchmen lawsuit between Warner Bros. and Fox has gone to a Federal judge, who will issue a ruling on January 20th. Totally unrelated question -- does anyone know how one goes about threatening a judge? Any Pablo Escobar scholars out there, perhaps? (Variety)
• SLEEPROCKER: Pete Wentz told a reporter that he has trouble sleeping even though he "pops Ambien like Tropical Skittles". So...he shovels them in his mouth at movie theaters that were out of Junior Mints? (Celebitchy)
• DREWDAS PREIST: Drew Barrymore continues her gradual transformation into that dude from your high school that got married at 19 and still works at the Domino's in your hometown. (Hollywood Tuna)
• HELLO AGAIN: Nick Kroll returns as Fabrice Fabrice with an interview of the band Cobra Starship. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts reference? You got it. (Facebook)

Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:45 pm

Patrick Swayze Still Dancing Despite Cancer

Actor tells Barbara Walters he and wife renewed vows in "fairy tale" ceremony.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:37 pm

Patrick Swayze's Time: 'Two Years Likely'

Actor tells Barbara Walters he's "open to miracles" and vows to fight cancer.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:37 pm

Patrick Swayze: 'I'm Going Through Hell'

Exclusive: Patrick Swayze opens up to Barbara Walters about pancreatic cancer.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:36 pm

Wrinkle-Cream Ads Pulled; Carolina Herrera Likes Short Hair on 40-Plus Women

Carolina Herrera

SKIN
• Ads for Estée Lauder's Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler, which promised to make wrinkles "disappear instantly," have been ruled misleading and must be pulled. [Telegraph]

HAIR
• Carolina Herrera: "Long hair after 40 is out in my book as it looks too messy and too young. Women need to learn how to age gracefully." [Times UK]

• Philosophy's Falling in Love Shampoo and the Body Shop's Deep Sleep Mist are among those products designed specifically for people who shower at night. Because night showering is so different than morning showering. [Beauty Blogging Junkie]

MAKEUP
• As part of the big Hello Kitty for M.A.C Cosmetics launch in February, M.A.C invited designers like Catherine Malandrino, Charlotte Ronson, Blumarine, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro, and more to design twenty couture pieces inspired by Hello Kitty to be auctioned off on M.A.C's Website February 5. [Beauty Anonymous]

• Fifteen-year-old Dakota Fanning wears very age-appropriate makeup. Kudos. [Beauty Counter/Style.com]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: beauty marks, blumarine, calvin klein, carolina herrera, catherine malandrino, charlotte ronson, dakota fanning, elie saab, emmanuel ungaro, fragrance, hair, hello kitty, makeup

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:25 pm

Review: Just say `I don't' to `Bride Wars' (AP)

AP - The cliched comedy "Bride Wars" tosses out stereotypes about female materialism and cattiness with all the giddy gusto of a newly married woman flinging the bouquet at her single girlfriends.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Jan 2009 | 10:17 pm

Oprah Gains Weight, Viewers

While most of us have made resolutions to hit the gym more in 2009, Oprah might want to consider working out less this year. Her heavily hyped "How I Gained 40 Pounds" episode aired on Monday to a very strong 5.2 rating, her third-largest viewing audience of the season. [Broadcasting & Cable]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Oprah, tv

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:58 pm

Buyer’s Guide: Shopping at Duo

Charlie flats by Keller.

Sisters Wendy and LaRae Kangas opened East Village boutique Duo last month, packing the racks with independent designers and selective vintage wares for discerning downtown shoppers. A brick fireplace, antique light fixtures, and creaky wooden floorboards lend a timeworn feel to the space, and the sisters punch out price tags by hand on an antique twenties typewriter. The stock stresses local talent: Kelly Clark of Keller fashions chic ankle boots out of Williamsburg, knitwear designer (and Bendel regular) Anna Kula is based in the West Village, and Wendy Nichol crafts fringed leather jewelry from her Soho studio. Click ahead for some of our favorite new and vintage finds in the store.

Duo, 337 E. 9th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-777-7044.

Read more posts by Lauren Murrow

Filed Under: Buyer's Guide, Duo, duo, Retail Therapy

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:55 pm

Chris Matthews Watches Chuck Todd Lose His Virginity

When Chuck Todd was named NBC's chief White House correspondent a few weeks ago, we lamented that he wouldn't be helming Meet the Press, but predicted that he'd quickly confound and rattle President Obama with his brilliant, challenging questions. And today, when Todd was called upon for the first time by Obama, we were proven utterly correct, as Obama was instantly reduced to the stature of a feeble-minded child. But we weren't the only ones awestruck by his performance. Chris Matthews sounded like a proud father as he praised Todd on the air. "I was very impressed, Chuck," Matthews said. "His use of your name and his familiarity with you as a person was very strong there." And a couple of minutes later, also like a father, Matthews embarrassed Todd in front of all his friends. "Okay, chief White House correspondent for NBC News, Chuck Todd, who just lost his virginity, I think it's fair to say." Chuck, sport that he is, laughed it all off ... for now.

Earlier: Chuck Todd Named Chief White House Correspondent, a Role He Will Dominate

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: chris matthews, chuck todd, chuck you, media, msnbc, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:35 pm

Tracing the Reasons People Stopped Caring About the People’s Choice Awards

Although it's getting harder and harder to pinpoint an exact date as to when Oscar season officially begins, tonight's People's Choice Awards certainly signals that the awards season has begun in earnest. Because from now until the Oscars are broadcast on Sunday, February 22, viewers will be barraged with no less than six televised award shows celebrating the best film work from 2008 (the others being tomorrow's Critic's Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards). And just like Hollywood itself, there is a well-defined pecking order as to which of these social engagements earn a coveted spot on A- and B-listers' already crowded calendars. Suffice it to say, the People's Choice Awards has lost a lot of its draw over the last few years and today draws about as much star power as a potluck at Jason Biggs's house. But it wasn't always that way!

It's becoming increasingly difficult to remember a time when the People's Choice Awards actually mattered, but as Tom O'Neil reports in an excellent piece on the Los Angeles Times Gold Derby blog, there have been six instances in the history of the awards where the Favorite Movie prize has lined up with the Best Picture Oscar. So where did it all go awry? Well, back in 2005, the PCA organization decided to make the switch from conducting costly Gallup polls to putting the entire voting process online. In typical Internet fashion, this cost-savings initiative meant that the awards went from being a fairly accurate meter of how "the people" (in the broadest possible sense) felt to something that more closely reflects how Internet wonks (who tend to skew young and male) feel. Funny how democracy works sometimes, isn't it?

Anyway, ever since this change went into effect, the show has been seeing fewer and fewer big stars show up for the ceremony. Even this year's much ballyhooed appearance from Brad Pitt has been revealed by E!'s Marc Malkin to be nothing more than a taped segment. Additionally, the categories have grown increasingly muddy, as even the most seasoned critics would have a difficult time delineating the differences in categories like Favorite Male Movie Star, Favorite Male Action Star, Favorite Funny Movie Star, and Favorite Leading Man (if, in fact, these kinds of descriptions even exist anymore). However, if you are a hard-core People's Choice Awards junkie that's looking for some recommendations on how to fill out your office pool, Vulture recommends that you just vote Will Smith across the board. That guy wins everything.

The decline and fall of the People's Choice Awards [Gold Derby/LAT]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Awards Shows, Kudos, Movies, Oscars, People's Choice Awards, Queen Latifah

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:15 pm

Capsule reviews of `Bride Wars' and other films (AP)

AP - Capsule reviews of films opening this week:
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:12 pm

So Far, 30 Fewer Designers Than Last Season Are Officially Signed Up for Fashion Week

Takers?

Last season IMG Fashion, which organizes Fashion Week, boasted more than 80 designers on its schedule. However, only 52 have been confirmed for February Fashion Week so far. The lineup won't be finalized for another two weeks, but IMG senior vice-president Fern Mallis still expects a "full schedule." We hope Mallis is right — a rep for Zac Posen told us the label still hasn't decided how they'll show their collection. Other designers could be in a similar position, but if we don't have 500 million places to be at once from February 13 to 20, we just don't know what we'll do with all our free time (recessionista knitting circles?). However, Tommy Hilfiger and William Rast, who have traditionally not shown in the tents, will show in the tents next month.

Mallis expects designers to try to save money by staging presentations instead of runway shows. Just renting a tent that seats 350 to 1,100 people costs $25,000 to $50,000 and that doesn't include the hair, makeup, models, what have you. IMG is looking for a fourth venue for presentations but hasn't found one yet. Godspeed.

Calvin Klein, Michael Kors Confirmed For New York Fashion Week [WSJ]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: fall 2009, fern mallis, img, new york fashion week, tommy hilfiger, william rast, zac posen

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:07 pm

Review: `Unborn' offers up more laughs than scares (AP)

AP - The Kabbalah. Hot college students. An abandoned mental institution. Gary Oldman. Jogging. Twins. Nazi scientists. A suicidal mother. A lost blue mitten.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:02 pm

NBC Should No Longer Be A Network After Giving Howie Mandel A Second Show

NBC, please give "The Office" and "30 Rock" to ABC, move Conan to Fox, throw "Friday Night Lights" on the CW and absorb "Sunday Night Football" into CBS' coverage, because you no longer deserve to be a network. In case you haven't seen the ads that I've been blocking out of my mind because they cannot be real, Howie Mandel is getting a second show on NBC: a hidden camera show ingeniously called Howie Do It (a brilliant pun-combo of "how'd he do it?" and "Howie, do it!", the latter of which no one has ever said, ever). Considering that hidden camera shows aren't funny to begin with (besides Trigger Happy TV), and Howie Mandel is Howie Mandel, the following promo should be shown to a Federal grand jury in an effort to dissolve NBC immediately and unconditionally: More Mandel rantage after the jump: Maybe -- and just playing devil's advocate here -- the entire existence of the show "Howie Do It" is a giant hidden camera prank on the public, and when the show inevitably gets canceled despite desperate NBC promotion, they'll let us in on the joke and we'll be awed by its meta-genius? I'm actually starting to believe this because it hurts my mind less than the alternative explanation. More importantly, who does Howie Mandel appeal to? That's not rhetorical -- seriously, who does he appeal to? This isn't like Dane Cook, whom most of us hate but I understand and accept that there's a huge audience out there for him. But Howie Mandel?? I can't stand him, my friends can't stand him, and my parents hate him with an even greater passion -- does he dominate the unmarried 35-45 year olds demographic? Has NBC given up on winning over actual viewers and instead they're targeting the fictional "Mandel Loving" viewership? NBC chairman Ben Silverman, I bet you twenty bucks that you cannot look me in the eye and tell me "I honestly believe that Howie Mandel is funny." Wait, never mind, I take that back. What do you think, readers? In the words of Stephen Colbert, "Howie Do It -- great show, or the greatest show?" Also, stories of people liking Howie Mandel (that don't involve Bobby's World or Gremlins) are extremely welcome, because I can't think of any.
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:00 pm

Glory Be! Patrick McMullan Redesigned His Website!

We’ve spent the last four years of our lives cursing the Patrick McMullan Company Website. We love Patrick and the boys dearly, but entire mountain ranges could have formed in the time it took that motherchucker to load. Imagine, then, our elation when we came back from the holidays to discover that the famed nightlife photog has completely revamped his Website, making it faster and shockingly more efficient. (Kristian Laliberte, Devorah Rose, and Olivia Palermo must be thrilled!) But for the nostalgic among you, fear not: The site’s long-standing reputation for misspelling names and misidentifying famous people remains intact. In the set of photos for Monday’s Bride Wars premiere, Brian Greenberg is listed as “Brian Green,” Tovah Feldshuh as “Tova,” and SNL’s Casey Wilson as “Who Am I?” Aw. We love you guys.

Patrick McMullan, New and Improved! [Official site]

Read more posts by Jada Yuan

Filed Under: in other news, patrick mcmullan, photographers, websites

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 9:00 pm

White Zombie Reconsidered

"White Zombie was actually an art-school band," says the group's bassist, Sean Yseult, who is now a fashion designer, to our sister blog the Cut. "We all met at Parsons!" [Cut]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: music, revelations, white zombie

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:58 pm

OK!’s New Cover: What Price Sh*tty Magazine?

An absolutely explosive story in the new issue of OK! claims that Britney Spears made a deal with the devil (i.e. her tour company's insurance agency): in order to book her tour, the insurance company required she still be in conservatorship under her dad. And in order to do that, she had to give up the legal battle for her kids. So, using the transitive property, OK! determined that BRITNEY - KIDS = FAME. If they don't get a Pulitzer for this story, they'll at least get a Nobel Peace Prize for this headline: I literally stared at this for about 10 minutes wondering if I was looking at something photoshopped. Am I the only one who thinks this headline makes NO sense?
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:45 pm

City to Make Your Shotgun Marriage Just That Much Nicer

The older, quite obviously less romantic way to get married at City Hall. No kiosks or anything!

Perhaps sensing the economic downturn (and having eventually watched the Sex and the City movie), the city spruced up its civil-wedding chambers and moved them to 141 Worth Street. “New York City is already a legendary location to tie the knot, but this new location will give customers an even better, smoother experience that is more enjoyable and more memorable,” said First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris in a statement. Here's what people can look forward to now:

The new 24,000 square foot ground-level space, significantly larger than the current space, features a new line-management system that tells customers their wait time; fourteen computer kiosks for online application processing; one-stop windows for service instead of multiple windows; credit card processing (replacing the need for money orders) ... other sundries such as disposable cameras, film, costume rings, and NYC merchandise ... Customers can also speak to clerks in their preferred language using a telephone interpretation system available in 170 languages. The design and construction of the project cost $12.3 million.

In other words, it's an airport. Which makes us wonder, actually, why there isn't a wedding chapel in the new JetBlue terminal at JFK. Nuptial bliss would go great with yoga and tapas!

Related: Four Designers Create Plans for the New City Wedding Bureau [NYM]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: city hall, marraige, rites of passage, weddings

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:30 pm

Check Out Thakoon’s New Line

Afternoon, Michelle Obama! Style.com has a first look at Thakoon Addition, the spinoff of Thakoon Panichgul's runway line with an emphasis on wearability. It's chock-full of his signature prints, beloved by Michelle, including micro-florals and micro-leopard. It also includes a couple of skirt suits that could be great for the First Lady–elect. [Style.com]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: first looks, thakoon addition, thakoon panichgul

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:25 pm

Joe the Plumber Is Going to Get to the Bottom of the War in Gaza

Unlicensed plumber, author of a poorly selling memoir, potential country singer, and now war correspondent — is there anything Joe the Plumber, né Samuel Wurzelbacher, can't do? The Renaissance man, known for his exhaustive knowledge of the Middle East, is headed to Israel for ten days to report on the Gaza conflict for conservative Web outlet PJTV.com. Mr. Plumber says he'll be gathering the stories of "Average Joes," or, as they're known over there, "Average Yosefs." [Fox News]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: gaza, israel, joe the plumber, politics, samuel wurzelbacher

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:15 pm

JACK VS JACK: The Ultimate Laker Fan Stand-Off

Last night, in a time-honored Los Angeles tradition, dozens of celebrities flocked to the Staples Center to watch the LA Lakers face off against the New Orleans Hornets in a fight to the fourth quarter. Photographs from the event show that two of the world's most beloved Jack's were in attendance. No, not Robin Williams' giant rere baby-man, rather Jack Nicholson and Jack Black. Round 1: The Concentration Jack N.: Stern, subtle, yet spine-chilling. You can never tell with this one: He's either watching a basketball game, or about to throw a coke-bomb on the ass of a hooker, a la The Departed. And if his daughter's expression is any indication, it's probably a little bit of both. Jack Black: Believe it or not, this is probably the most subdued we've ever seen Black looking. Sure, his lips are as tight as a cat's ass, and yeah, his brows are old-fashioned-car-horning off his face, but in Black's world, he looks pretty chill. Pal Jason Segal also pulls off a believable "kicking back." WINNER: Nicholson. It's pretty impossile to beat the guy's signature glare... even for a guy like Jack Black. THE BATTLE CONTINUES AHEAD, with bonus Ellen Pompeo. Round 2: The Elation J Nix: We'd love to focus on the Joker brows, but Jack's famously creepy claw hands keep drawing the eye downwards. J.B.: Out of his seat, hands together, the picture really highlights what we love about Jack Black... he has the same body proportions as Yosemite Sam. WINNER: Black. It's a little thing called "passion." Round 3: The "Shove It Up Your Ass" Nicholson: Automatic points for directing this facial expression directly into the eyes of his own kin, who is having none of it. JBLES: His face of fury is nicely complimented by the literal "shove it up your ass" hand gesture. WINNER: Toss-up. They are both so damn convincing at this one. OVERALL WINNER!!! Actual rounds be damned, we're gonna hand this one to Nicholson, for fear of him killing us out of anger and spite. Not to mention, he is the ultimate Lakers fan. BONUS PIC: The Most Awkward Public Kiss Ever Caught On Film Not Involving Ryan Seacrest Goes To... Ellen Pompeo and her husband Christopher Ivery.
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 8:09 pm

Kick Off the New Year by Browsing 112 Sneakers

From left, Visvim x Supreme Boot, Undefeated x Converse, Married to the Mob x Nike Dunk, Zoome Quick Sister+ by Nike, Dynarunner by Adidas

Kick off the New Year with a new pair of kicks. For our latest Shop-A-Matic, we asked Sky Gellatly of the streetwear- and sneaker-fanatic Website Hypebeast.com to help us pick 25 of the hottest pairs on the market. We also added another 87 to make your sneaker shopping even easier. From low-tops to high-tops to athletic sneakers, we bring you 112 options to search. Even if you aren't following through with that gym resolution, you can still rock a new pair. And since most of these are under $150, you have no excuse not to shop. Check out our top five after the jump, including three from Hypebeast.

Visvim x Supreme Serra Ascent Boot
Price: $285
Why Hypebeast likes it: “Visvim has a reputation for creating the ultimate fusions of boots and sneakers. This pair's sole and footbed is as comfortable as sneakers, but its uppers are as rugged as a core hiking boot.”

Undefeated x Converse
Price: $80
Why Hypebeast likes it: “Modeled after classic bomber jackets, each pair comes with an embroidered Undefeated flight patch.”

Married to the Mob x Nike Dunk High Supreme
Price: $125
Why Hypebeast likes it: “The upper of the shoe is made of a quilted fabric, whereas the toe piece is popped off with patent leather. Each pair is also accented with gold lace locks and a golden MOB logo on the ankle.”

Zoome Quick Sister+ by Nike
Price: $85
Why we like it: Gray hues with pink accents make this women’s workout shoe a chic look for the gym. And any incentive to work out is a good one.

Dynarunner by Adidas
Price: $170
Why we like it: Most running shoes are pretty drab. But this one's eye-catching, especially the yellow and patent accents.

Shop-A-Matic: Sneakers

Read more posts by Sharon Clott and Sky Gellatly

Filed Under: adidas, nike, retail therapy, shopamatic

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:51 pm

Giants Playoff Preview: Tom Coughlin Will Tell You How This Is Gonna Go, Okay?

Will Leitch’s dispatches from recent visits to the Giants locker room will run every day this week leading up to Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Today: Tom Coughlin, gruff — and goofy.

Yesterday, Giants coach Tom Coughlin was asked about his team’s loss to the Eagles last month, a failure many pinned on the team’s unpreparedness to deal with Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia's nettlesome running back. (He has caused the Giants considerable pain over the last few years.) Was the loss due to the Giants not being ready? The relatively slow Antonio Pierce covering Westbrook? Or the versatile Westbrook's simply overwhelming everyone?

Coughlin was not playing this game. "I'm not putting the blame on anybody," he told reporters. "I'm just telling you it has to stop." In New York, we’re obsessed with blame. If the Giants lose, it's not because the Eagles were better, or the breaks just didn't go our way. We do not simply lose — someone has to be at fault. Coughlin once thought like this, getting caught up in various piddly battles with his players, most notably exiled tight end Jeremy Shockey. Today, he makes no such mistakes.

A month ago, Coughlin was taking control of the narrative, too — just in a much goofier way. Three days after the Giants’ December 14 loss to the Cowboys — the loss that officially had Everyone Concerned — Coughlin began his daily press conference by doing jumping jacks. Coughlin is physically fit for a 62-year-old man, but this is not a regular occurrence.

The idea, as best as anyone could tell, was to show critics and his team that despite two difficult losses in a row against intradivision rivals, his mood was light, and his team was perfectly fine. Coughlin is not, to put it lightly, a particularly jocular man, but here he was, dancing around, joking about not remembering anything from the last two weeks, informing reporters that his team will be sharing his enthusiasm “in about fifteen minutes.”

It’s difficult to imagine Coughlin doing this two years ago, during the Shockey era, when every paper in the city was calling for his head and Bill Parcells was doing his yearly “Hey, maybe I could come back to New York and fix things” dance with his favorite media sources. Coughlin had a reputation as a disciplinarian who provided a turnaround after a laid-back predecessor (Jim Fassel), but ultimately grated on the nerves of millionaire professional athletes who don’t enjoy being screamed at like they’re high-school students. As I’ve argued before, this was more perception than reality, but in New York, there’s rarely much difference between the two. If you win, you’re a genius. If you lose, you’re a moron. Coughlin was a genius before he became a moron before he became a genius.

Coughlin’s calisthenics routine played into the ongoing narrative that he had become “looser,” that he’d learned to talk to players the way they prefer to be talked to. Amani Toomer, the veteran wide receiver perceived as the Wise Old Man of the Giants, was asked after Coughlin’s performance if it was a side of the coach that players see more often than media folk. He shrugged and said, “Sure, I guess. But he’s usually all business. This is his job, after all.”

Which brings us back to Coughlin yesterday. He usually meets the media in the practice bubble just outside Giants Stadium. (The bubble is sponsored by Verizon and has deafening speakers used to simulate opposing crowd noise. The simulation is convincing; I found it difficult to write a sentence on my notepad, let alone call a play.) Rather than performing jumping jacks, he answered questions with a clipped, here’s-your-quote-please-get-out-of-my-face-now cadence. He’s always leaning away, like he has to be somewhere else, and soon. He’s a master of Coachspeak, talking about “focus” and “intensity” and “tenaciousness.” (He has clearly trained defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, a candidate for several head-coaching jobs with other teams, in this style. Spagnuolo talks the exact same way. It’s almost eerie.) Coughlin does not have swagger, per se, but he is confident, speaking like a guy who is not under fire, who is in no danger of losing his job. He speaks like a guy who knows what he’s doing, like he runs the place, like he’s allowing us to stop by, as long as we behave.

And everyone does. After storming away at the end of one of these sessions last month, he saw a group of players in a post-practice prayer at midfield. He turned to an assistant. “When they’re done,” he growled, “get 'em in the film room.” Coughlin can be loose or gruff, depending on what’s needed at the moment. But finally, he’s the one who’s deciding when it’s time to switch. He’s writing his own narrative, respected and feared at last.

(Tomorrow: The impressively banal Eli Manning.)

Earlier: A Defiant Antonio Pierce Bowls Us Over
The Distractions of Plaxico

Read more posts by Will Leitch

Filed Under: football, giants, jeremy shockey, sports, the sports section, tom coughlin

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:45 pm

Awestruck Kanye Calls New Peter, Bjorn & John ‘Crazy’

When Kanye's not busy blogging from jail about designer faucets, he's apparently breaking Swedish indie pop songs, like the Peter, Bjorn & John’s brand-new “Nothing to Worry About.” Even Kanye seems amazed that the trio would give him right of first refusal; as he himself says, “SHIT IS DOPE!! DRUMS ARE CRAZY AND I LIKE THE KIDS ON THE HOOK.” Indeed, the giant beat, prominent bass, and high-pitched, loopy background chorus give the track almost a hip-hop flavor, though PB&J wisely forego any attempt at rapping — or Auto-Tune.

Download "Nothing to Worry About": Kanye West Blog

Read more posts by Ehren Gresehover

Filed Under: kanye west, music, peter bjorn & john, right-click

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:44 pm

You Need This

You can download ringtones of Anna Wintour giving fashion advice and André Leon Talley giving career advice over at CityFile. You're welcome. [CityFile]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: andre leon talley, anna wintour, nonsense

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:31 pm

BWE EXCLUSIVE: The Only “Best Albums Of 2008″ List You’ll Find On The Internet

I've always been a big fan of music, as well as collections of music, which I call "albums." Then I got to thinking -- what if I were to make a list of my ten favorite musical albums from the calendar year 2008 and put them all in order on my blog? People would love to read and comment on that! I checked every search engine I could -- AskJeeves, Altavista, iwon.com -- and found that surprisingly, no one has ever thought of this before. So without further ado, I give you the TEN BEST ALBUMS OF 2008, which is actually my ten favorite albums in a subjective, interchangable order but I get more AskJeeves hits by calling it "Best Albums." Now that you've skipped over this intro and gone right to the albums, let's get to the albums! 10. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals Mixologist extraordinaire Girl Talk followed up 2006's jubilant Night Ripper with a radical departure from layered sampling with his 2008 offering Feed The Animals, an entire album of acoustic Righteous Brothers ballad covers. I actually haven't heard this album, can someone confirm that for me? (KIDDING LOLOLROFL!!!) It's just 14 more insane mashups that always switch to something more ridiculous one second after you think you've gotten the point. Honestly, I haven't felt more hometown pride for an artist coming out Pittsburgh since The Clarks Rusted Root Michael Keaton Pre-2001 Dennis Miller Andy Warhol. [Ed note: Wordpress spellcheck claims "mixologist" isn't a word, and when I right-clicked it, their first suggested replacement was "sexologist"] 9. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes One of the two albums that every listmaker worth his salt was required to include on his or her '08 year ender (most music blogs still literally pay people in salt -- fun fact!) Also, what was with all the simple, self-titled debut albums this year? What happened to the trend of long, unwieldy sentences for album titles? I would've preferred "Fleet Foxes - Going Down Under For Listlessness And You're Next" or "Fleet Foxes - Waiting With The Skies By The Sea But Not This Time". It worked for the Arctic Monkeys for a couple months. 8. Spinto Band - Moonwink I love talking about the Spinto Band, but I already wrote this review once. Please click on that link to read it, then click on the links within that link to buy the album, then click on a link within the link within the link to buy yourself an Ebay copy of the Super Nintendo Zelda Game A Link To The Past (that link will link you there).

7. TV On The Radio - Dear Science Aaaand here's the other album required to be on everyone's list this year. I always liked but never loved TV On The Radio, physically or otherwise, but they definitely broke through to another level of likeatude with 2008's Dear Science, much like that supporting character in the action movie who's kind of flawed and timid the whole time but ends up saving the hero's life during the final battle then fights by his side like a sudden badass then when the battle is completed he forms a band and releases a really awesome album and only that last part of this comparison is relevant. Also, for good measure, Tunde Adebimpe and I went to the same high school, which history will surely refer to as "The F*cking Geniuses Academy." 6. Man Man - Rabbit Habbits This album from Philly-based jazzish quintet Man Man is absolute bananas. Literally bananas. The album is made out of pressed, compacted actual bananas mixed with Absolut vodka. If you put it in your stereo and try to play it, it will fall apart and your stereo will break then smell like increasingly rotting bananas for weeks. Butseriouslyfolks... this album's a lot of fun, but not nearly as much fun as it is reading people who try to categorize the band's genre -- they're usually either dubbed "indie jazz," "acid jazz," "jazz rock," "indie jazz rock," "rock jazzindi," or "jazzamadoo" (by babies), but I personally choose to eschew any narrow-minded genre-labeling and just call it "Country." 5. M83 - Saturdays = Youth I somehow mis-tagged my prior M83 albums on iTunes so that their name was "m83" and all the song titles were in lower-case letters, so for years I thought this band was some self-indulgent prog version of e.e. cummings, but that's not important right now. Their 2008 release Saturdays = Youth is a champion "something to have on" cd, much in the style of a spacier Lush or a My Bloody Valentine with rounded edges. I feel like someone should assign me some homework so I can have this album playing in the background while working on it. 4. Jukebox The Ghost - Let Live And Let Ghosts I've been doing my part to mention the D.C.-based crew Jukebox The Ghost on this site whenever I can, not just because they're terrific live and they're the first band besides Ben Folds to utilize a piano in the last ninety years (look it up), but because three of their catchy-as-balls pop tunes -- once accurately described as equal parts Folds, They Might Be Giants, and Queen -- ended up in my top ten most-played iTunes songs of the year ("Hold It In," "Good Day," and "Victoria). That's even more impressive considering the other seven were hardcore porn. 3. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster... I recall with JFK assassination-like accuracy the very day in 2001 when the Atlanta Thrashers drafted Ilya Kovalchuk with the first overall pick in the NHL draft and realizing this person is younger than I am and will be playing professional ice hockey. I am worthless. I rarely feel this shock of inadequacy anymore, mostly because I've gotten used to it, but occasionally someone will come along like Los Campesinos!, a group of eight-year-olds from Wales who somehow formed a band, acquired instruments, and gained access to a recording studio in a plot not unlike that of Little Big League. Unlike the team in Little Big League, though, the album Hold On Now, Youngster... is an absolute winner, not a near-winner caught at the warning track by Ken Griffey Jr. (1994 kids' movie spoiler alert!) 2. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend A monumental exercise in hipster backlash -- these bastards not only had the nerve to release one of the catchiest, most harmlessly lovable collection of folky pop songs in years, but they even went the extra step to go on SNL so more people could hear their music and they actually sold some albums. Who do these f*ckers think they are, f*cking Aerosmith??? OMG!!!! Why don't you go greet some old people at Wal-Mart, ya f*ckin' sellouts!!! (Sidenote: My roommate refuses to like this band because he "went to high school with them and they were jerks then." If I made a point to not like any artist who was kind of an a-hole in high school, I would only own cds by Judge Reinhold's character in Fast Times At Ridgemont High) Also, I'm required to mention Paul Simon's Graceland in this paragraph. 1. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours From the millisecond this album starts playing, you will start dancing uncontrollably, much like the magical shoes in the fairy tale Snow White that forced the wicked Queen to keep dancing until she fell down dead, only catchier. Fortunately, I usually listen to my iPod on the Subway, which is an outstanding place to dance -- people always think I'm a whacked-out homeless guy and give me money, which is cool, plus I'll sometimes hear a mother tell her kid "that's Subway Joe, he used to be a great English professor until he lost his wife and had some health issues," and I always kind of thought about being an English professor. That's why this is my favorite album of the year, hands down. Honorable Mentions: Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles, The Dodos - Visiter, Hercules And Love Affair - Hercules And Love Affair, Beck - Modern Guilt Favorite Album Cover: Beach House - Devotion For BWE's 20 Favorite Songs, click here. Favorite Albums Of 2008, People -- Leave 'em in the comments!
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:30 pm

The Kennedy Mystique Still Failing to Sway New Yorkers

As Governor Paterson continues to mull his Senate appointment, things seem to be getting worse and worse for Caroline Kennedy. Surprisingly, it seems New Yorkers have been left unimpressed by the haphazard, Palin-esque Kennedy rollout and now prefer Attorney General Andrew Cuomo 54 percent to 34 percent, according to a new poll. A month ago, Kennedy bested Cuomo by twenty points. If math isn't your forte, that's a Titanic-level tanking we're dealing with here. A separate poll shows that Americans as a whole, who have probably been paying only marginal attention to the entire process, support Kennedy more than New Yorkers do. Unless Kennedy can turn public sentiment around, Paterson could decide that appointing her will neither secure that seat for the Democrats in 2010 nor help himself in his own reelection bid. Which means she better have some mind-blowing answers up her sleeve for that questionnaire.

Earlier: Caroline Kennedy Making Opponents (Yes, They Exist!) Feel Small

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: andrew cuomo, caroline kennedy, david paterson, early and often, Hillary's senate seat, politics

Source: Daily Intel | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:15 pm

Vivienne Westwood Wants to Write the Next Sex and the City Movie

Don't you just want to slap her a high five?

We pretty much know the Sex and the City sequel is a go. (We love the clothes, but does it feel too soon to revisit all that pink spangly hype to you, too?) Apparently Vivienne Westwood, who designed Carrie's wedding dress in the first movie, wants to write the script. She has reportedly written to the producers and called Sarah Jessica Parker to plead her case, marking another reason Parker is the luckiest girl on earth (see aforementioned clothes). A spokesman for Westwood said that the production company has yet to take her up on the offer.

We don't know what the producers and Parker are waiting for. First, we're not sure how one says no to Dame Vivienne freaking Westwood when she calls you personally. Second, we think this is a fantastic idea. Everyone knows the main draw of the movie is the clothes and it hardly matters what happens in the plot as long as there are some fun montages involving clothes and shopping and hot shirtless guys. Also, celebrities like Parker design clothes all the time. It's about time real designers cut in on their industries.

Vivienne Westwood plans Sex and the City sequel [Telegraph]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: fashion goddesses, movies, sarah jessica parker, sex and the city movie, vivienne westwood

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:10 pm

Brad Pitt: I didn’t cheat on Jennifer Aniston with Angelina Jolie

Actor says he wasn't unfaithful to his ex

Brad Pitt insists he did not have an affair with Angelina Jolie while married to Jennifer Aniston.

He says their romance blossomed on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith in 2004, after his relationship with Jen, 39, was over.

‘What people don't understand is that we filmed for a year,’ he says. ‘We were still filming after Jen and I split up.

'Even then it doesn't mean that there was some kind of dastardly affair. There wasn't.

'I'm very proud of the way that it was handled. It was respectful.’
In November, Jen branded Angelina, 33, ‘uncool’ for discussing the moment she fell for Brad.

But Brad, 45, reckons her remarks were taken out of context.
‘Listen, man, Jen is a sweetheart. I think she got dragged into that one,’ he tells W magazine.

‘We still check in with each other. She was a big part of my life, and me hers.'

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:04 pm

Charmed actress tired of reputation

Charmed actress Alyssa Milano is engaged to top Hollywood agent, Daivd Bugliari.

The pair have been together for over a year, and Bugliari proposed to the actress just before Christmas, according to Usmagazine.com.

Milano was previously linked to baseball stars Carl Pavano, Barry Zito and Brad Penny.

She admitted to feeling resentment towards the reputation she was getting, saying: “I'm 'the chick that dates athletes'

“I’d love to just find a good plumber or doctor”.

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:02 pm

Heartless Speed-the-Plow Producers Seek Money From Ailing Jeremy Piven

As Vulture continues to hold vigil in the hopes that poor sushi-poisoned Jeremy Piven might one day walk again, the New York Post's Michael Riedel reports that backers of Broadway's Speed-the-Plow are considering legal action against the ill star. The production was purportedly just one week away from breaking even on its $3.5 million budget when Piven was tragically struck down by a toxic sashimi and had to be flown back to Los Angeles. And now, says one source, the play's investors are hoping to "squeeze some money out of him" because he ruined "our chances of making a profit."

Under Piven's Actors' Equity contract, Plow backers are allowed to have his medical records scrutinized by another physician, and according to lead producer Jeffrey Richards, the ailing star has already done them one better by submitting to a full second examination (and we don't object — he can use all the doctors he can get at this delicate stage in his illness!). We just hope cooler heads prevail here so Piven can enjoy a stress-free recovery and get back to working hard at what he loves best — stage acting.

HOOKS IN FISHY TALE [NYP]

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: broadway, drama!, jeremy piven, speed-the-plow, sushi

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:00 pm

Dr. Sanjay Gupta To Be The Sexiest Surgeon General Ever

CNN's chief medical correspondent, Sanjay Gupta, has been approached to become our nation's next Surgeon General. I used to think that the Surgeon General whose responsibilities include putting labels on cigarette packs and also, of course, performing operations on the president, as needed. Well apparently, it's so much more! And who better to perform the duties under our new president than one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive"? I really hope that when the phone rang, and Sanjay picked it up, all he heard on the other end was Barack Obama's voice saying "Paging Dr. Gupta, paging Dr. Gupta, code red-white-and-blue! We need you at the White House, stat!" Ahem. I'm so so sorry I just wrote that. Anyway, many are now arguing that Dr. Gupta is by far the sexiest Surgeon General we've ever had. Well, obviously they forgot about one incredibly sexy S.G. from the past!!! Find out who, after the jump. Well, helloooooo nurse! It's Joycelyn Elders, who was a Surgeon General under Bill Clinton.
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:00 pm

Hudson's ex to be a father

Kate Hudson’s ex-boyfriend is to become a father for the fourth time, just months after their split.

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong dated Hudson for three months last summer, and has announced that new girlfriend, Anna Hansen, is due to give birth in June.

Hudson said of the news: “It's amazing. He’s already an amazing father. Congratulations”.

Armstrong already has three children with his ex-wife, a nine-year old son and twin girls, aged seven.

After Hudson divorced Chris Robinson in 2006, who she has a son with, she also dated You, Me and Dupree co-star Owen Wilson, and Punk’d funnyman Dax Shepard.

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 7 Jan 2009 | 7:00 pm

John Travolta to hold memorial for son Jett

Close friends and family will attend ceremony

John Travolta and Kelly Preston will pay tribute to their son Jett at a memorial service on Thursday.

The 16-year-old died after suffering a seizure at the family’s holiday home in the Bahamas last week.

John, who is a trained pilot, flew his boy's ashes home to Ocala, Florida, early yesterday.

It is thought the private ceremony will be for close friends and family.

Meanwhile, it has emerged John, 54, broke down in tears as he cradled his son in hospital.

He and Kelly also have 8-year-old daughter Ella.

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:57 pm

Joe the Plumber Turns War Correspondent

Sarah Palin's plumber heads to Israel so"'Average Joes" can share their story.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:56 pm

AD WIZARDS: With The Always Infinity Pad, You Can Hold An Ocean In Your Pants

Always has been running an ad recently for its new Infinity maxi-pad, and even though I know the very topic might disturb many of you, I had to share this with someone. First of all, I've always been grossed out and perplexed by tampon/pad commercials that compare your flow to blue water. There is nothing blue or water-like about getting your once-a-month. (Sorry! I know! T.M.I.!) But really...this commercial has to be addressed. Please watch:

Basically, this pad will absorb a goddamn OCEAN it's so absorbent. It can hold "TEN TIMES ITS WEIGHT" in fluid. That's really great, Always, but seriously...who wants to carry a virtual water balloon in their crotch? I'm trying to imagine a situation in which I would need my feminine product to carry that much liquid for ANY length of time. It's called a bathroom: USE IT and CHANGE THAT SH*T...I don't care if you have to roll up about 100 feet of toilet paper to use as a makeshift replacement.
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:43 pm

"Seduction" Surveys Sexuality in Fashion (Fashion Wire Daily)

Fashion Wire Daily - The old adage of that which is concealed can be more alluring than what is revealed is just one of the classic tropes about the role of sexuality in fashion that the Museum at FIT in New York explores in their new survey, "Seduction," which spans the history of sensuality over a span of 250 years.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:41 pm

OPEN THREAD: Which Show Are You Most Excited About Returning?

Simple question -- January tv show-returnage season is upon us, but which shows are you most looking forward to? Returning shows / new shows / shows with Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen in them / combo of all three? My Top Five: 1. Flight of the Conchords 2. Lost 3. Real World: Brooklyn 4. Battlestar Galactica (once I finish catching up -- only two and a half seasons to go!) 5. Howie Do It (actually the only one of these five that I'm going to be sure to watch religiously, I just felt like padding the list with four other crappy shows) Answers and exclamation points following those answers in the comments to prove how excited you are about them!!!! (Howie Do It will be taken as a given in everyone's responses -- no need to specifically mention it).
Source: Best Week Ever | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:30 pm

White Zombie’s Sean Yseult Has Moved Onto Fifth Avenue

Sean Yseult is best known as the colorful, long-haired bassist in White Zombie. Once the band split in '96, she moved to New Orleans and eventually started making super-poppy graphic silk scarves that now sell at Henri Bendel. A far cry from the nineties alternascene. We sat down with Yseult to find out how exactly she made the move from Zombie to Fifth Avenue and what else she's got up her sleeve.

When did you start making these scarves?
I started in 2006, shortly after Katrina hit. I was living in New Orleans, and that hurricane was one of those moments in people's lives in New Orleans where it's life-affirming and a wake-up call to get back to what I was meant to be doing. We all got thrown out of our homes, and I moved up here for three months. I started drawing these graphics, and I thought they'd look good on silk.

You graphics are really poppy and happy, not what we'd expect from the White Zombie girl.
I know, where are the skulls and guns? It's so weird, I know! I wish I could give people what they expect.

What did you study at Parsons?
Graphic design. I've been releasing this dirty little secret that White Zombie was actually an art-school band. We all met at Parsons! The original lineup.

What's next for you?
I'm branching out. I make these little enamel cases, these billfolds and card cases. I'd like to see my patterns on trays, platters, things like that. I'd like to do an evening bag. Little clutches.

Where do you like to shop?
In New Orleans, there's this amazing clothing store in the French Quarter — it's really small — called UAL. United Apparel Liquidators. And there's always Prada in there, Stella McCartney. It's like the crazy outlet of designers in this tiny little room. I stop into Saks sometimes too. Here in New York, I like to stop in this thrift store on East 7th Street, but I don't know the name of it! It's not Tokio7, but I love that store too. I got a great black silk Dolce & Gabbana shirt at Amarcord.

What's the first designer item you bought?
My guitarist from White Zombie got married in Chicago, and I got offered to stand on the bride's side or the groom's. I was like, "I want to stand on the groom's." So I went to Saks and got a nice Theory suit. That was my first one. And now I'm hooked on Theory suits.

Who are your favorite designers?
Alexander McQueen is always doing fabulous things. I'm still a Levi's and jeans punk at heart, but I love seeing things. My friend Cid Scantlebury is doing lovely, lovely jewelry. I love her Better Living Through Chemistry line. Everyone needs that! My friend Candace Gwinn does a line in New Orleans called Trashy Diva, and it's just total like twenties, thirties fabulousness, evening gowns, everything. Gorgeous. I just like to ogle everything.

What trends do you hate?
I have a real problem with American Apparel. I don't know how like T-shirts and spandex leggings became a look. I'm old enough to have seen that era the first time around. And I didn't like it the first time.

What are you coveting?
I've been seeing shiny purple leather. I think I'm destined for a purple leather jacket. A bag or coat.

Sean's scarves are available at Henri Bendel and YseultDesigns.com.

Read more posts by Amina Akhtar

Filed Under: scarves, Sean Yseult, Tastemakers, white zombie

Source: The Cut | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:28 pm

Twilight 2 Producers Near Decision on Werewolf Casting Dilemma

Although an official decision has yet to be made, Entertainment Weekly seems pretty confident that baby-faced Taylor Lautner will be Summit Entertainment and director Chris Weitz's choice to play Jacob Black in Twilight sequel New Moon. They are reporting that the 16-year-old has packed nineteen pounds onto his Twilight weight and has even screen-tested alongside Kristen Stewart as a means to determine their chemistry. Right now the only things standing between Lautner and his dream to achieve full-fledged Robert Pattinson hunk status are shampoo and conditioner. [EW]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Casting Couch, Chris Weitz, Jacob Black, New Moon, Taylor Lautner, Twilight

Source: Vulture | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:19 pm

WATCH: 'View' in Tears Over Patrick Swayze

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 6:17 pm

Larry Flynt Sues Nephews Over 'Inferior' Porn Products

Flynt filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court to protect his good name in the porn industry
Source: FOXNews.com | 7 Jan 2009 | 5:23 pm

This picture shows the gate of the former home of late actor Bruce Lee in Hong Kong

This picture shows the gate of the former home of late actor Bruce Lee in Hong Kong. The owner of Bruce Lee's former Hong Kong mansion has agreed to turn the property into a tourist destination commemorating...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Jan 2009 | 5:07 pm

A man and a woman take pictures outside the former home of late actor Bruce Lee in Hong Kong

A man and a woman take pictures outside the former home of late actor Bruce Lee in Hong Kong. The owner of Bruce Lee's former Hong Kong mansion has agreed to turn the property into a tourist destination...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Jan 2009 | 5:07 pm

PHOTOS: H'wood's Baby Boom!

It's a girl for actors Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 5:05 pm

In Tragedy, Travoltas Turn to Scientology

Fellow Scientologist Lisa Marie Presley defends Travoltas and the faith.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 4:52 pm

WATCH: Cops Against Actors; Cops Win

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 4:44 pm

Beatles Music Pulled From Norwegian Podcasts

Norwegian national broadcaster NRK has pulled a series of 212 podcasts each featuring a different song by the Beatles, citing a breach of its rights agreement.

Source: Billboard.com | 7 Jan 2009 | 4:39 pm

Celeb Blogger Perez Hilton Reveals All

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton reveals his tricks to getting famous in new book.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 4:10 pm

Phish Reunion Tour Taking Shape

Although an official announcement is pending, Phish's first tour in five years is beginning to take shape.

Source: Billboard.com | 7 Jan 2009 | 4:05 pm

Taylor Swift Still In Control Of Billboard 200

Taylor Swift notches her fifth non-consecutive week atop The Billboard 200 with "Fearless," which moved 90,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's a 66% sales slide from the previous week's sum, marking the first time a No. 1 album has sold fewer than 100,000 units since the Feb. 3, 2008 chart.

Source: Billboard.com | 7 Jan 2009 | 3:54 pm

Deadheads share tie-dyed memories

He had a 1966 Volkswagen bus, scraggly beard and a penchant for the arts. She had blonde hair and liked the Grateful Dead. That was all they needed.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 3:52 pm

Ferrell taking Bush spoofs to Broadway, HBO

Will Ferrell, the man who invented "strategery" and other Bushisms, is taking his spoofs of the 43rd president to Broadway and HBO.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 3:42 pm

O.J. Simpson Living the Good Life in Prison?

The Juice reportedly enjoying television, quality grub and games of checkers at his new medium-security facility
Source: FOXNews.com | 7 Jan 2009 | 3:37 pm

Book links JFK murder to killing of RFK and MLK (AP)

AP - "Legacy of Secrecy/The Long Shadow of the JFK Assassination" (Counterpoint, 848 pages, $33), by Lamar Waldron with Thom Hartmann: A new, heavily researched book on John F. Kennedy's murder and its investigation sees links with a bagful of sensational stories, from President Johnson's fear of a nuclear attack by the Soviets to the killing of Martin Luther King Jr.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Jan 2009 | 3:18 pm

PHOTOS: H'Wood Bad Hair Days

Click here to see which sexy Hollywood hunk was a little hair gel happy.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 2:53 pm

Gallery: Beauties at awards

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 2:46 pm

New 'Idol' judge looking forward to challenge

When "American Idol" returns to Fox on January 13, Kara DioGuardi will become a fourth judge to Randy, Paula, and Simon. It's a job that requires a distinct dearth of sweetness, and a certain amount of, for lack of a better term, Simon Cowell-ness.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 7 Jan 2009 | 1:08 pm

Waxwork sculptures are seen in Madame Tussauds in London

Waxwork sculptures are seen in Madame Tussauds in London. Madame Tussauds is to give US citizens free entry to the London tourist attraction on January 20, to mark Barack Obama's inauguration as US president,...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Jan 2009 | 1:04 pm