Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 9:25 pm

A view of the art installation title "Entopa"

A closeup of a modern art installation called "Entropa" in the atrium of the European Council headquarters in Brussels. The work was commissioned by the Czech Republic to mark the start of its EU presidency...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 12 Jan 2009 | 9:04 pm

Andrea Correale Is Not a ‘North Shore Gold Coast Snobby Bitch,’ Okay?

The Greatest Depression has made the populace hungry, if not yet for bread, then for vengeance. That what it's starting to seem like, anyway — that people are no longer satisfied to heap scorn on the guys at the top of the pyramid — the Richard Fulds or the Madoffs — but will direct their ire at anyone who appears to have benefited from the gilded age, like Alexandra Penney at the Daily Beast or Andrea Correale, who is featured in a kind of random story in this morning's Post. Headlined "poor little rich girl," it's about ways in which Correale, a Long Island caterer who owns her own firm, amended her personal budget in light of the recession. Innocent enough, except the Post totally mocks her as she outlines her plan to save by getting less facials and ending her expensive car lease — a picture of her is captioned, "BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A SERVANT?" and refers to her "tightening the strings of her designer purses."

It seemed odd, we thought when we saw it. Why would Correale sign up for that kind of treatment? Not that it would be the first time someone voluntarily exploited themselves in the Post. But still. We thought we'd call her and ask.

"The whole thing was taken out of context, and I wasn't thrilled at all," she said. "They said they were doing a story about women entrepreneurs and how the economy is affecting them, and the interview was all about my work. I said, 'I've had layoffs this year, I'm thinking I'm going to be much leaner.' I talked about ways in which we were cutting back as a business. Then at the very end, they asked how it affected me personally and I told them a little bit about that, you know, 'I can dry my own hair.' Then I open the paper and it was like, What? I'm not the little North Shore Gold Coast snobby bitch that spends all their time shopping! That's not who I am."

Commenters on the Post website picked up the paper's tone.

u sound like a whiny, complaining, (formerly) rich, spoiled, materialistic, superficial, jack*ss. too bad you wasted so much $ on materialistic crud that you dont need."

People! Please. This didn't turn out well last time.

POOR LI'L RICH GIRL [NYP]

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: The Greatest Depression

Source: Daily Intel | 12 Jan 2009 | 9:03 pm

Tom and Gisele Finally Engaged

So this is a familiar road, but this time we're not running around it in circles with our arms flailing: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are engaged. For real. People.com reports Tom proposed to Gisele over the weekend with a diamond solitaire and she said yes. "The couple is discussing a huge fashionista event in the spring or a more intimate and quicker ceremony in Costa Rica, where Gisele has a home," a source told the magazine. Just think of all the fashion luminaries that could attend if they choose the former. Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana, Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour, not to mention the Victoria's Secret models. Oh the bridal party would be rich with tanned perfection and non-dimpled thighs. But if, say, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Karolina Kurkova are all bridesmaids, will they be able to fade into the background at Gisele's side and let her have the spotlight (because she never does), unfettered by the forces of their own egos for just a day? Well, that's what dowdy bridesmaids dresses are for! Gisele can always say she didn't want things to look too flashy in These Times.

Gisele Bündchen & Tom Brady Are Engaged! [People.com]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: gisele bunchen, model tracker, tom brady, weddings

Source: The Cut | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:55 pm

Artist Richard Aldrich Draws a Blank

Richard Aldrich's If I Paint Crowned I've Had It, Got Me (2008)

T.S. Eliot said the bloody-minded playwright John Webster "saw the skull beneath the skin," and here artist Richard Aldrich demonstrates a similar X-ray aptitude with canvas and its frame. Taking a cue from Arte Povera artist Lucio Fontana, Aldrich began with a painting that wasn't quite working out, and then excised and excised until all that was left was this spare, spiritually ascetic result. Add a few paint-streaked wooden slats, and presto, it's a sculpture.

Read more posts by Andrew Goldstein

Filed Under: art, art candy, richard aldrich

Source: Vulture | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:45 pm

TNT greenlights Ray Romano series

Front Page: 'Men of Certain Age' added to original slate -- After locking down Jerry Bruckheimer and Jada Pinkett Smith last week, TNT has put Ray Romano into its burgeoning original-programming slate.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:45 pm

Welcome To Aruba! Here’s Lewis Black For Some Reason!

There's nothing particularly annoying about Aruba's new ad campaign featuring Lewis Black; Black isn't forced to be all loud and schtick-ey, but seeing him in an ad at all -- let alone as a subdued, rational beach-walker -- is more than a little surreal. I kept expecting him to lose it and go on some rant about Rod Blagojevich and Bill Richardson while kicking sand at the woman on the beach followed by some lame tagline about how "no one can be angry in Aruba," but it never happens. It's just a commercial about Aruba and Lewis Black happens to be in it. Weird.

Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:40 pm

Cast set for 'God of Carnage'

Front Page: Gandolfini, Harden headed to Broadway -- Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden have been confirmed to topline “God of Carnage,” the Broadway transfer of the London hit that opens at the Jacobs Theater in March.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:34 pm

Okay, What Should the Obamas Name Their Puppy?

Oh God, we can't wait for this. Miss Beazley and Barney look so happy in their costumes! India the cat, however, is not amused.

Over the weekend, President-elect Obama made headlines by announcing that he and his family will settle on either a Portuguese Water Dog or a Labradoodle (two largely hypo-allergenic breeds) for their future First Pet. He said he'd like to try to find one of those at a shelter, which had a few of our co-workers scratching their heads, because high-end pedigreed pooches are not exactly what you normally find with rescue agencies. But as we've noted before, it's in every American shelter's best interest to get the Obamas a rescue dog, so we're guessing one can be tracked down. After all, as we're embarrassed to admit we even know, Kelly Ripa got her purebred Shih Tzu from a shelter, and she's only the President of Mid-Morning Television.

So, two big, bushy-haired breeds. Now that we've narrowed that down, what kind of name should they come up with? We've always liked the names of the Bush pets (Barney, Miss Beazley, India, and Willard), but really, there are a lot of avenues they could go down. After the jump, we list some strategies.

Here are the generally accepted dog-naming protocols:

Giving the dog a human name: This is a controversial choice. Many people object to dogs with names like "Vincent," "Rufus," or "Pamela," but we think it's kind of funny. DI editor Chris had dogs named Wanda and Benjamin growing up, and they seemed a little more hilariously human because of it. The Obamas could put their own spin on this by giving the puppy a Swahili name (Barack is a Swahili use of the Arabic word meaning "blessing"), but don't bet on it.
Choosing a pet's name by a personality trait: DI editor Jessica's first dog was named Gonzo, which is cute and makes sense. Her first cat was named Misty, though, which raises some questions.
Naming the dog after another famous animal: Chris's first mutt was named Ribsy, after the beloved stray dog from the Beverly Cleary storybooks. Other popular combinations include: Gizmo, for Shih Tzus that look like Gremlins; Babe, for pugs that look like piglets; and Pikachu for Yorkies (okay, we made that last one up).
Naming the dog after a celebrity: This is one of our favorite strategies, and is how we managed to get Anderson Pooper, the silver cat; Elizabeth Taylor, Charlotte's skanky pet from Sex and the City; and Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's Golden Retriever, Martha Stewart. Wouldn't it be great to have a particularly poorly house-trained dog named Dick Cheney?
Using an honorific: Somehow, this is always adorable. See: "Miss Beazley" and "Mr. Duffy," the beloved hound of Commerce Bank founder Vernon Hill.
Choosing a gag name: Like "Roofio," for example, after the irascible character from Hook, or "Hebrew National" for your dachshund. We just love it when we run across bulldogs on the street with names like "Pumpkin." Great in the short term, less fun when the dog runs off its leash and you have to run across the White House lawn yelling its name.

We're betting the Obamas will let the girls choose, and the two of them will come up with something pretty standard and cute. Can you tell one of your faithful editors is really thinking about getting a dog lately? What would you name the presidential Labradoodle?

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: barack obama, first dog, malia obama, politics, puppies!!!!!!, sasha obama, the important things in life

Source: Daily Intel | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:30 pm

Piven: Abrupt B'way Exit Was 'Humbling'

Piven compared his exit from "Speed-the-Plow" to being taken out of a game.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:23 pm

Rachel Zoe wasting away

Stylist to the stars is skinnier than ever

Rachel Zoe may be Hollywood’s most influential stylist, but she looked anything but glamorous when she stepped out on the red carpet recently.

Frail, gaunt and with ribcage and collarbones visible, the woman once considered one of the most prominent forces in fashion looked a shadow of her former self.

Rachel, 37, has worked with some of the biggest names in LA, including Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan.

But although the stylist often looks unhealthily thin, Rachel insists her weight loss is down to a hectic schedule, rather than any kind of eating disorder.

‘It’s not fair that people who can be naturally thin are getting attacked for it,’ she says. ‘I’m a textbook definition of the perfectionist girl. It’s hard for me to look after myself.’

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:18 pm

Keith Urban: I'm ready for another baby

Nicole Kidman's husband is keen to grow their family

Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban could find themselves parents again if the country singer gets his way.

Keith, 41, has made no secret of the fact he'd love a brother or sister for Sunday Rose, 6 months.

‘It’s unbelievable how much Keith has changed since Sunday came along,’ a friend tells Now. ‘He loves it [being a father].

'Keith says Sunday’s helped him to conquer his demons and he’s been happy to play the house husband while Nicole’s travelled the world promoting her movie Australia.

'He’s loving it so much that he’s putting pressure on Nicole to have another child already.’

The couple now divide their time between homes in Nashville and LA, where Nicole’s adopted children Isabella, 16, and Connor, 13, live with her ex Tom Cruise, 46.

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:15 pm

Cristiano Ronaldo faces police probe after Ferrari crash

Footballer likely to have routine talk with officers

Cristiano Ronaldo may be questioned by police after crashing his Ferrari in a tunnel last Thursday.

The football hunk wrote off his £200,000 car when he hit a roadside barrier near Manchester Airport.

Police spoke to Cristiano, 23, at the scene, where he provided a negative breath test.
And the star, who escaped unhurt, is likely be asked to talk to officers again as part of routine inquiries.
It has been reported that footage from dozens of CCTV cameras will be examined by cops investigating the smash.

The tunnel is said to be equipped with cameras because it runs below Manchester Airport's runway, and is considered vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has apparently dumped his married girlfriend Olena Hayes after just eight dates.

Source
Source: Lepaparazzi - Celebrity News and Gossip Blog | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:13 pm

Cuddly Porcupine to Be Pink-Slipped by Cuddle Guv

Maybe you've heard that Cuddle Guv Paterson's budget includes cutting funds to state zoos from $9 mil to $4 mil next year, then eliminating state funding for them altogether in 2010. So the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the city's zoos and aquariums, has made this funny clip where a porcupine gets the pink-slip talk, then waggles off disconsolately. It's exactly as cute as it sounds. [Boogie Downer]

Read more posts by Tim Murphy

Filed Under: animals, animanhattan, neighborhood watch, porcupines, zoos

Source: Daily Intel | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:02 pm

Video: In Bed With Marc Jacobs and Stephen Sprouse

Louis Vuitton recently fêted the launch of its Stephen Sprouse collection. Marc Jacobs told New York's Harriet Mays Powell his inspiration for the line came from a number of places. "I thought, well, how do we deface the monogram to make something more rebellious? More punk?" Jacobs said. During a visit to Charlotte Gainsbourg's apartment, he noticed a Louis Vuitton monogram trunk painted black, and the idea gelled. Watch the video for a glimpse of the Sprouse exhibit at Deitch Projects, Debbie Harry, and Jacobs's favorite new leggings.

Read more posts by Harriet Mays Powell

Filed Under: collaboration station, debbie harry, louis vuitton, marc jacobs, stephen sprouse

Source: The Cut | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:00 pm

Director John Patrick Shanley and His First-Grade Teacher on the Difference Between Doubt and The Flying Nun

When John Patrick Shanley decided to make a film based on his Pulitzer-winning play Doubt — about a conservative nun and her clash with a progressive priest, Father Flynn, who may have abused an altar boy — he wanted to recapture the look and feel of the Bronx Catholic school he attended as a boy. So, quite naturally, Shanley called his first-grade teacher, Sister Peggy, now 73, and asked her to serve as the movie's technical consultant. We spoke to both by phone last week about nuns on film, Meryl Streep's performance, and how to break Philip Seymour Hoffman's concentration.

John, for you to bring on an expert like Sister Peggy you must've been concerned about the difficulty of accurately portraying nuns on film. Had you seen many nun movies that didn't quite convince you?
John Patrick Shanley: The Flying Nun. I still can't get over that premise. What kind of mind thought that up? But we've both taken a journey from 1964 to 2008. Sister Peggy was my teacher when I was six, so the jump for us was 48 years. So much has happened in the world. I didn't know anything about the way that the nuns — I knew how they behaved in the classroom and in the church, but I had no idea how they behaved, for instance, in the convents, and that was something we very much needed Sister Peggy for.

Can you give an example of something specific that she might've helped with?
JPS: I never actually said this — I was very very happy with the stage version of the show, but I didn't like the ways that the nuns' bonnets looked. I thought they looked ragtag. And then in the film, the bonnets looked exactly as I remembered them. I knew that was in part to Sister Peggy, she was policing those bonnets.
SP: Yes! Absolutely. I showed them how to make it on the desk in school. We actually went up to our retirement convent and had lunch and met the one and only living sister, Charity, 93 years old, who wears the habit. She's quite with it and she got up and modeled it. Meryl came up to watch this too. And I agree, the bonnet is much better worn in the film.

Sister Peggy — Amy Adams's character, Sister James, was based on you. How much of yourself did you see in her performance?
SP: I saw myself more in Amy Adams than in Heather [Goldenhersh, who played Sister James in the stage version]. To me, Amy was more the way I think I would be at the time. I could see the conflict; it's kind of like a seesaw ride. You're trying to be respectful to your principal and superior in the convent, yet at the same time you're warmly human and aware of Vatican II and the changes going on. I would have liked Father Flynn's approach, I'm sure I would've.

Meryl Streep's reading of Sister Aloysius's character is quite different from Cherry Jones's in the play...
JPS: When Cherry Jones did the first reading for me, I was like "Okay, this is transformative. This is a big leap." She really turned into somebody fairly different from Cherry. And that was very exciting and terrific. On film? That probably would have been too big a leap. In a play you need a slightly bigger size than you do for a film. I was not surprised by Meryl's first take on the character. I just had an immediate feeling of natural recognition, where I went, "Oh yeah, that's the woman — that's Meryl Streep and that's Sister Aloysius." That's what you're looking for [on film]. You don't want the leap to be so great that it's hard to switch over to Meryl. You want it to be so narrow that it isn't transformative.

Sister Peggy, you worked primarily with Amy and Meryl. Did you work with Philip Seymour Hoffman at all?
SJ: I didn't really speak to him very much. He's the most focused actor I've ever seen. I'd pass him in the hallway and he'd be pacing just like a real priest and looking down at the book. He was really into that part. In the beginning, I was kind of teasing and I'd say, "Good morning father." And then, after a while, I thought, "Uh oh, I'm not doing that."

John, at this point, who do you think is more tired of being asked whether Father Flynn is guilty — you or Philip?
JPS: Well, I think Phil is more tired of it. I actually enjoyed the fact that somebody has this restlessness at the end of the film. There's something that they want to put to rest for themselves, so frankly, they don't have to think about it anymore. I like that. I would very much dislike taking that away from them. Phil, I think, would just like to kill them all.

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: amy adams, chat room, doubt, john patrick shanley, meryl streep, nuns, philip seymour hoffman

Source: Vulture | 12 Jan 2009 | 8:00 pm

AD WIZARDS: A Day In The Life Of Your Down-There

This commercial for some sort of lotion for your lady parts really makes you realize how TERRIFYING it is to be a vagina (surprisingly safe for work): Conveniently, they skipped the part I think we were all most interested in seeing.
Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:53 pm

It's a golden night for 'Millionaire'

"Slumdog Millionaire," the film about a poverty-striken Mumbai man who goes on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," won best drama and three other honors at the Golden Globes Sunday night. Kate Winslet won two, for best actress in a drama and best supporting actress.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:47 pm

The D.J. With a Day Job and a Flair for Fantasy

Once a week, Daily Intel takes a peek behind doors left slightly ajar. This week: The D.J. With a Day Job and a Flair for Fantasy; 26, Female, LES, straight, very involved.

DAY ONE
6:50 a.m.: Wake to recall last night: orgasm in my room, which was one-sided (mine), lights on, from a Barney. ( Barney: noun, man procured from bar for the purpose of detached sexual gratification.) His midtown attitude translated into discomfort when I asked him to roughly cover my mouth.
7:19 a.m.: Sixty-second orgasm with massage showerhead.
8:55 a.m.: Text from Married Guy, unrequited love of my life with whom I have had an inappropriate, incessantly textual relationship for the past year. We have not yet slept together.

10:15 a.m.: Share uncomfortable elevator silence with very wedding-banded man with whom I had an extremely hot one-night stand. Recall his delighted exclamations, e.g., "look at that," said in whisper while I removed my underwear.
10:38 a.m.: MG's texts have become overwhelmingly hot. Today's contain specific requests for obedience on the part of me and the imaginary girl with whom we are having an imaginary threesome.
11:05 a.m.: Receive phone call from MG, and sneak into vacant office. "Though sort of pedestrian," he would like for one of us to lick the other while he has sex with her.
11:20 a.m.: Receive follow-up call. Informed that I will be tied up and made to beg. Stare blankly at my computer for ten minutes. Fail to do anything for remainder of day.
2:30 p.m.: Co-worker shows off his new cell phone by accessing Youporn.com. I scroll over video titled "my first interracial threesome."
5:15 p.m.: No additional text messages from MG. Begin to worry that he did, as he had suggested, drive off the road in a sex-crazed frenzy.
9:15 p.m.: Read portions of Hemingway's Garden of Eden, from which MG's recent obsession with threesome was born. Marathon of self-pleasure. Have orgasms, sleep on towel.

DAY TWO
6:30 a.m.: Wake to alarm. 4:11 a.m. texts from guy whose number is stored in my phone as "Rando French Guy." A Barney.
8:50 a.m.: Last day of the year. Run in my tights. Briefly entertain possible punishments for bad behavior.
9:35 a.m.: Co-worker with whom I had brief affair comes to visit. He tells me about his plan to attend a house party with college-age friends of his college-age girlfriend. Walks away. I am left with the image of him continuing to do me while I answered my cell phone at his Tribeca apartment.
12:50 p.m.: MG receives my holiday gift, Ayn Rand's Anthem, 50th-anniversary edition. Texts me "thanks."
2:15 p.m.: Receive instructions from MG to send him a list of things I would like to have him do during our planned encounter. Head is spinning.
10:55 p.m.: At bar New Year's Eve party. Explain to male friend that we should stand apart so as not to repel potential suitors. Drink four glasses of whiskey.
12:01 a.m.: Wish Happy New Year to the man smoking outside the bar. He says my friend let him finger her in the taxi here, and is she now making out with a very unattractive man. We have a brief, friendly kiss and he takes off in a taxi.
12:30 a.m.: Text "Happy New Year" to MG, to which he responds only, "You too."
7:05 a.m.: Arrive home with British Barney. Say hello to roommate and friends who are still drinking in the kitchen. Escort him to my bedroom where I allow him to get me off without removing his pants.

DAY THREE
11:25 a.m.: Wake with incredible hangover, alone. Stare at ceiling in attempt to recall detail of prior evening. Nothing.
12:40 a.m.: Text MG a picture of the grotesque, nearly deforming hickey dead-center on my neck.
2 p.m.: Review text messages received during prior evening/morning Including, but not limited to: "Happy New Year, slut," "You suck," and "When the fuck are you coming over?" Move to couch for continued recovery time.
4:50 p.m.: Watch documentary. Entertain thought of MG coercing me to bend over. Return to bedroom.
7:50 p.m.: Receive call from D---, my high-school sweetheart with whom I have a boringly domestic relationship, despite our mutual disinterest. He represents my parents' first choice in suitors, owed to his technical status of "Jewish." Fight over whether it's my turn to come to Brooklyn. Decide to meet the following evening, out of sheer laziness.
9:12 p.m.: Begin erotic texts with MG on topic of sharing shower during imaginary threesome.

DAY FOUR
7:40 a.m.: Having slept through alarm, choose to take a personal day.
1:14 p.m.: Continue naughty text barrage. MG commands me to send an account of my vision for our threesome to him by Sunday evening. I accept.
2:25 p.m.: En route to gym, receive call from MG. He tells me abut a woman who once took him home and then changed into a "sexy" policewoman outfit. He admits to having been entirely uncomfortable and that, to her disappointment, none of her props were used.
8:40 p.m.: Am bored at concert. D--- has decided to emphasize our coupledom to his friends by publicly hugging and kissing me. I watch the lead guitar's bicep through his hipster shirt.
10:30 p.m.: Having finished watching Kung Fu Panda, D--- and I climb into bed and I explain, half truthfully, that I am not "feeling sexy." I despise myself for using this terminology, and him for accepting my rejection.
11:45 p.m.: Reading and snuggling lead, inevitably, to gentle, lights-off sex during which I force orgasm by masturbation.

DAY FIVE
8:45 a.m.: Wake to alarm and scent of D--- sweating. Extract myself and hide in shower.
9:20 a.m.: Feeling cheered by my multiple shower orgasms, head to family brunch on Third Avenue. Leave D--- asleep in my bed.
11:25 a.m.: Feeling shunned by happily coupled siblings, retreat to couch to text MG.
12:29 p.m.: Call from MG. He's en route to return bird feed to the pet store. I stand on the street, freezing, and learn about his first-ever orgasm at age 16 on a beach with his then-girlfriend. Cradle this image in my mind.
6:20 p.m.: Spa. Pruned from steam and hot tub. Receive excellent hot-towel massage while Brad tells me about surfing in Peru. He leaves me his contact number and e-mail.
9:35 p.m.: Drink in B---'s kitchen with his roommate, an exceedingly short and squat Asian girl who is deciding on an outfit for the evening. I wonder about what sorts of men she picks up at East Williamsburg bars, and whether any of them have midget fetishes.
12:40 a.m.: Finish vocal track with B---, an ex with whom I am recording an album. Though I have not slept with him in months, he continues to attempt, fervently, to coerce me.
2:20 a.m.: B--- and I get into bed to watch a Woody Allen movie while he aggressively pets my hair and rubs himself against me. One of a great many ways he continues his attempt to resume our sexual relationship, which was punctuated by our realization of role-play fantasies and a spanking fetish. I announce that my eye is hurting (partially true) and am relieved when he falls asleep.

DAY SIX
11:11 a.m.: Wake in a panic without access to BlackBerry, which reads only "battery too low for radio use." Immediately get taxi back to the city.
11:40 a.m.: Arrive home to review texts of prior evening. One from the Professor in typically undecipherable garble: "you were just the greatest thing you did sweets." He's a college professor I dated until his alcoholism and concurrent violence became unlivable.
1:30 p.m.: Climb into bed to complete story for MG. Have three very intense orgasms around the idea of being held down and pounded forcibly in a hotel room. Change sheets.
6:24 p.m.: Run at the gym while imagining scenarios. Commit to losing ten-plus pounds before allowing MG to see me completely naked.
8:15 p.m.: Receive text from MG reading "quite hot." Am dismayed by his lack of enthusiasm so do not respond.
8:25 p.m.: Receive follow-up text from MG inquiring as to lack of response. I text that his review was glib.
9:30 p.m.: Try on clothes for event while male roommate entertains an unusually unattractive choice. She is pudgy with bad glasses; he seems extremely intoxicated.
11:44 p.m.: Read favorite loss-of-virginity passage from Edwidge Danticat novel and try to get off.

DAY SEVEN
7 a.m.: Convince myself that shower masturbation is, legitimately, a necessary aspect of a morning routine. Justify lateness by telling myself that I am actually multitasking by using the time to also soak in my conditioner.
7:22 a.m.: Remember that MG may join me at event tonight, and shave every inch of my body just in case.
9 a.m.: Read cover article in amNY on the topic of binge drinking and how it relates to STDs. Read aloud to my co-worker, who shares my amusement at the suggestion that "women limit themselves to one drink per night."
11:25 a.m.: Ride elevator with a man I went to dinner with once. He admitted that he was more than twice my age, and so we parted ways. MG is exactly twice my age.
7:30 p.m.: Book reading and party. MG arrives in a cashmere-blend coat and scarf. We drink wine and listen to the reading.
9 p.m.: MG reminds me to wear my seat belt and initiates hand-holding. He gives the name of a woman he had a MMF threesome with years ago, and says she wanted to marry him, and tells how she begged him to touch the man, but he refused.
9:12 p.m.: I invite MG up to my apartment "for a minute," and he agrees. Parking's not readily available.
9:30 p.m.: MG removes his watch, and remarks that he would have felt strange with it on. He holds my hair while I go down on him from my knees.
9:50 p.m.: After only a minute or so of begging, he agrees to have sex with me. A brief search for condoms ensues, after which I toss on a nightgown and bother my roommate for one of hers.
10:05 p.m.: We have very good but uninventive sex, ending in simultaneous orgasm.
10:15 p.m.: I give him a follow-up blow job, which is pleasantly effective and thoroughly enjoyable for us both.
10:35 p.m.: Having begun to receive calls from the missus ("I'm supposed to be at a reading!"), MG dresses and replaces his watch. He asks if the first time was disappointing. Leaves.
11:15 p.m.: Spend 30 minutes or so googling his former lover, with no results.
11:30 p.m.: Assume that his post-coital question means, in fact, that he was disappointed. Cry.

TOTALS: Four acts of intercourse with four partners; two acts of cunnilingus; two acts of fellatio; six acts of masturbation, three with showerhead massager and one with Edwidge Danticat passage; four phone-text fantasies with Married Guy, including beach fantasy, policewoman, MFF threesome (on bed and in shower), and hotel hold-down; one post-coital cry.

Filed Under: sex diaries

Source: Daily Intel | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:30 pm

Ricky Gervais Tells Yet Another Holocaust Joke

"I was going to say that when I got the DVD for 'Schindler's List', one critic said, 'You should have a box of tissues ready.' And I was going to say, 'That sounds a bit sick!'" —Ricky Gervais on the Holocaust joke that he didn't tell at the Golden Globes [MTV]

"There are a lot of problems out there in the world, many of them serious, many of them that I care deeply about, but who am I, or any other actor, to get in the way of tradition?" —Leonardo DiCaprio on the Golden Globes [NYT]

"I did not see her on that show because nobody saw her on that." —Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment for Fox, on new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi's previous television experience on The One [NYT]

"If — and this is a big if — Blink-182 were ever to re-form, it would have to be the most amazing, ridiculous, mind-blowing show and tour ever." —Mark Hoppus confirms that Blink-182 will never get back together [MTV]

"He's a talented artist, but if you put him in a space when we're in direct competition, my consistency will break his neck." —50 Cent on his new beef with Lil Wayne [MTV]

"He calls me in the middle of the night, 'Come to the studio.' I get there, this n---a pressed play, and everything he played was super-duper phenomenal, #1 [smash]. He's singing, 'So I went to get her in my spaceship.' Craziest thing you ever heard in your life." —Fat Joe on Lil Wayne [MTV]

"At the end of the day it's my job to make sure I nail this. How could I come back to Brooklyn, how could I come back home and be a laughingstock? I live here." —Jamal Woolard on playing Biggie [NYT]

Read more posts by Stan Park

Filed Under: 50 Cent, American Idol, Fat Joe, Golden Globes, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lil Wayne, Mike Darnell, Quote Machine, Ricky Gervais

Source: Vulture | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:30 pm

Wino's Dude Wants Divorce, Cries Adultery

Lawyer: Amy Winehouse's husband wants split on grounds of her alleged adultery.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:27 pm

International Center of Photography to Exhibit eBay Treasures

Woman with umbrella, by Martin Munkacsi, circa 1936.

The International Center of Photography is opening a show culled from eBay. Curator Brian Wallis was alerted to a listing on eBay for 4,000 of Harper's Bazaar photographer Martin Munkacsi's long-lost negatives. He drove to the seller's house in Connecticut and found 300 boxes with images of Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, and Fred Astaire. The seller priced the images — lost on an immigration journey — at $1 million. No word on what ICP paid for them. [NYM]

Filed Under: ebay, international center of photography, martin munkacsi, picture perfect

Source: The Cut | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:27 pm

Q&A: The Music That Moves Steve Earle

Rabble-rousing rocker on Townes Van Zandt, Kings of Leon and Tom Morello Steve Earle wasn't out of his teens when he introduced himself to Townes Van Zandt. Although Van Zandt was 11 years older than Earle, he agreed to mentor the younger musician, and the two became lifelong friends. These days, on paper at least, they don't appear to have too much in common aside from a history of substance abuse. Earle is an outlaw country roots-rocker who emerged in the 1980s a rabble-rousing iconoclast. He's inched into mainstream consciousness through his music as well as actin...

Source: Rolling Stone: Features | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:25 pm

Despite Economy, Globe Revelers Party On

Amy Poehler, Drew Barrymore and more party hopped following the Golden Globes.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 7:23 pm

High School Kid Hits Ridiculous Last-Second Full-Court Shot; Re-Confirms Our Inadequacy

I've seen plenty of amazing last-second buzzer-beating basketball shots in my day (con sarnit) but this clip of an Alabama high school kid whipping a ball the length of the court with one hand to win a game impressed even my grumpy, jaded-by-the-internet ass (though my first reaction was "FAAAAAKKKKEEE!!!! GAAYYYYYYYY!!!! GAAAAAYYYKKEEEE!!!") I'm probably ten years older than this kid and already he's had a more triumphant moment in his life than I likely ever will. Unless you consider beating the Nintendo game Life Force without the Konami code more impressive. I do.

Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:50 pm

The Amazing Harry Markopolos

Why is he making the Spitzer face? He didn't do anything wrong!

“I was a $50 billion failure.” That might sound like Bernie Madoff in a desperate moment, but no: It’s Harry Markopolos, the 52-year-old Boston accountant who years ago alerted the government to the largest Ponzi scheme of all time, only to be told, “Thanks very much. Now go away, you silly crank.” Of all the shame and humiliation that the Madoff story has rained down on the financial world — on the clueless feeder funds that steered money his way, on the regulators who were handed the goods on Madoff and shitcanned it, on the family that now claims ignorance of the gargantuan fraud perpetrated in their midst — here’s the one guy who heartily deserves to bask in at least fifteen minutes of fame, and now, he says, he wants nothing whatsoever to do with it. “Why would people think I feel good about this?” he says. “People think I’m a hero, but I didn’t stop him. He stopped himself.” And he scoffs at the offers from Hollywood he's been receiving steadily since the story broke: “They’ll just add in sex and violence.”

You couldn't blame them. Markopolos, whom one colleague describes as "quiet and analytical," isn't exactly the dashing, Cary Grant–in–North By Northwest figure one producer imagines him to be. (He's more Russell Crowe in The Insider: a science geek with a comb-over.) His role in the Madoff saga began in 2000, when the hedge fund he was working at asked him to figure out how to match the fantastically consistent returns produced by Madoff in options trading. Markopolos studied the markets and deduced it couldn’t be done: Madoff had to be cheating — either by front-running, which would’ve involved trading on advance information about customer orders from his market-making firm, or by the good ol' doomed-to-fail Ponzi method. Before long, the world-weary numbers cruncher settled on the latter and wrote a series of whistleblowing memos to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Memos that they, as we're now painfully aware, dismissed.

But it's not just the SEC that Markopolos blames for allowing Madoff's scheme to reach such epic proportions. The press, he said, "wasn’t listening to me," suggesting that after failing to arouse the interest of the SEC, he went to reporters, who were equally unreceptive. Which means that someone, somewhere, was handed a ready-made Pulitzer, or at least the chance to be the Bethany McLean of the Madoff scandal, and blew it big time. We bet that person wants to stay out of the limelight, too.

The Whistleblower [Boston Globe]

Read more posts by Hugo Lindgren

Filed Under: bernard madoff, bernie madoff, business, Made-Off, ponzi schemes, sec

Source: Daily Intel | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:45 pm

How Much Will Obama Get for His Memoirs?

There were two things we learned from Bill and Hillary's ginormous book advances: The couple was enormously popular worldwide, and publishers liked to throw around a lot of money. So, on the heels of Laura Bush's considerably more modest windfall (a reported $1.5 million), we had some book honchos take a wild stab at what President Obama will be looking at — presuming reelection — for his memoirs in eight years.

Larry Kirshbaum, agent and former CEO, Time Warner Books:

"With Dow 9,000 as a base, if it's at 15,000 or below, it's a disaster given inflation and he'll get in the $5 million range. For every 1,000 points above 15,000, he gets another million. So at 20,000 he's at $10 million, at 25,000 he's at $15 million and so on. 28,000, for $18 million, should be very doable. It would require 15% compound growth annually. In more normal times, we would expect a savvy investment manager to return 15% per year, so a good President should do the same."

Geoff Kloske, publisher, Riverhead Books:

"Five million in today's dollars, adjusted for inflation, minus $1 million for each big scandal, plus $1 million for each major new piece of legislation, times two if the foreigners still love him."

Eric Simonoff, agent, Janklow and Nesbit:

"In an auction between the two remaining megahouses, President Obama's memoirs will go for $15,000,000, which doesn't sound like all that much until you factor in eight years of spiraling deflation, which makes that equivalent to $30,000,0000 in 2009 dollars."

Stuart Krichevsky, agent:

"A smart publisher might try to sign the book today, for an advance tied to the S&P 500 on the day Barack leaves office. Think of it as an economic stimulus package. So the advance is anybody's guess, but the book will initially be distributed as a tweet (or the 2016 equivalent) for a donation of $250 or more."

David Hirshey, Executive Editor, HarperCollins:

"The question presumes three major things. One, that the vast left-wing conspiracy gets its way and Obama has a second term. Two, that the dollar still exists in eight years. And three, that the book business still exists. If all three make it that far, I could see Obama getting the biggest Presidential advance in history. He's already had two bestsellers and something tells me that he has a decent shot at being an Oprah's Book Club choice — should she be around in eight years. Clinton got $12 million — and he was impeached — so you're looking at somewhere north of $15 million. If for nothing else, a sweet book deal is a pretty good reason for Obama to turn around the economy, bring peace to the Middle East, get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and solve global warming. Of course, if he were to arrange for a BCS playoff format, then the sky is the limit."

Robert Barnett, lawyer-agent for both Clintons, Greenspan, Laura Bush, and
everyone else in Washington:

Robert Barnett had no comment.

David Rosenthal, publisher, Simon & Schuster trade

"The only certainty is that Barnett will be representing him. If it turns out Obama's really a Martian, that's worth a lot because it's a great revelation. There's been great profit for people who have been president. It's been Jimmy Carter's entire source of income. One of the reasons the Clinton book went for so much was that there was an international market. He became a world hero, a great figure for various reasons. George Bush, I don't think anybody can make that same claim. Plus he'll write it in crayon. But Obama, I've never seen such excitement, so that bodes very well for the "big planet, big dollars" concept." Would a scandal would help or hurt? "It depends on the kind of scandal. There's the blow-job premium."

Read more posts by Boris Kachka

Filed Under: barack obama, baseless speculation, books

Source: Vulture | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:45 pm

Little movie that could has defied odds

The casting director of "Slumdog Millionaire" credited the director's risky decision to have actors speak Hindi through much of the film for making it "real to the core." The film won four Golden Globes, including best drama, Sunday night.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:43 pm

Elite Modeling Agency Cuts Models and Bookers

We've heard a lot lately about layoffs at fashion labels, but little to nothing about cuts in their sister modeling industry. But agencies aren't immune to the downturn either. A model friend tells us Elite cut 25 models and 3 bookers. We have no confirmation at this time, but it's sad news if true — modeling is a hard-knock life as it is. If anyone has more details, e-mail us at thecut@nymag.com.

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: elite, model tracker, models

Source: The Cut | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:43 pm

Personal Update: Friday Is My Last Day At BestWeekEver.tv

Everybody: my emotions are feeling all mixed-martial-artsy when I tell you that yes, Friday will be my last day here at BWE.tv!!! I am leaving to go work for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, specifically: as the Head Blogger for LateNightWithJimmyFallon.com. Anybody that knows me (or anyone who has stalked me over the years - Brad Pitt, I'm talking to you) knows that I have always wanted to work on Late Night in some way, so it feels like a dream come true (like an actual dream dream - not the weird ones I have while I'm sleeping that often involve poo). Before I pack up my cubicle for 30 Rock, however, I promise to post as many photos of Heidi Montag as possible, and will try to incorporate my Cancer Walk Photo as often as I can. Because I want to do this in the least selfish way possible. Any other requests?
Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:10 pm

Poor, Defenseless Sashimi Addict Jeremy Piven Cruelly Teased At Golden Globes

While we already covered the actors who didn't show up to last night's Golden Globes, there was one brave soul who triumphantly faced down a life-threatening disease in order to make a brave appearance at the show. That actor, of course, is Jeremy Piven. However, the fragile stage actor and sashimi addict, who recently conquered a bout of mercury poisoning so grave that it would've sent a weaker person to the morgue, was not given the kind of treatment last night that someone in his weakened state deserved. Not only did the HFPA snub Piven's extremely subtle and emotionally nuanced performance as Ari Gold in Entourage, but both Mark Wahlberg and NBC's mealy-mouthed Tiki Barber seriously busted his balls during a pre-show red-carpet interview about the illness that forced Piven to unwillingly drop out of Speed-the-Plow. Mark Walhberg treated the Emmy-winning Entourage star Piven as if he had cooties, and even the normally mild-mannered Barber couldn't resist getting in a few jabs at this poor, defenseless creature. The video lives, as you've come to expect, after the jump.

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Entourage, Food Allergies, Jeremy Piven, Kudos, Mark Wahlberg, Speed-the-Plow, The Sushi Defense, Tiki Barber

Source: Vulture | 12 Jan 2009 | 6:00 pm

Steven Alan to Do Spring Uniqlo Line?

Steven Alan

The Fashion Informer interviewed retailer-cum-designer Steven Alan before Christmas and just posted the Q&A. In the intro to the conversation, about everything from Alan's beverage of choice to iPod rotation, the blogger writes Alan "is gearing up for the spring 2009 debut of his Steven Alan for Uniqlo collection." Yes, they just casually slipped that in there like we all knew, which we didn't, and offered no further details. We asked a Uniqlo spokeswoman to confirm the line was so, but she only said she was "unable to release any information about the Uniqlo collaboration." Perhaps Alan, shirts from whose regular line cost $158, didn't realize he wasn't supposed to tell The Fashion Informer? The spokeswoman did say "the" collaboration, so it sounds like a good possibility even though she declined to confirm anything. We hope it is, anyway. Because you know you're broke when you're holding out for your income tax return in January. And we heart Steven Alan, natch.

Random Questions For…Steven Alan [TFI via Racked]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: steven alan, things we hope are true, uniqlo

Source: The Cut | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:58 pm

The 20 Most Internetty Comments On “Evolution Of Dance 2″

Judson Laipply, the inspirational comedian behind the one-time most-watched video on Youtube, Evolution of Dance, just released Evolution of Dance 2 (the exact same thing with different songs) in the hopes of having a bunch of nonthreatening-humor-loving parents who just discovered Ctrl-V email it to one another. Needless to say, internet commenters are jumping at this exceptional opportunity to leave really bitter, internetty comments on a video that's sure to get linked everywhere. Evolution of Dance 2 already has over 1700 Youtube comments with more appearing by the second; most are along the lines of "lol -- loved it!" or "278th comment!", but because I never FAIL! to be fascinated by unnecessarily mad Youtube commenters, I've gone through and picked out my 20 favorite angry, internetty responses: 20. deelix Overrated as f*ck 19. clow2ground You have to be fresh and new, This performance has played out. Do something else. 18. radio213 it pisses me off that the other one is the most watched video, they all suck massive c*ck 17. Emerald1234S Wow, all he has to do is shake is ass and they go crazy. You'd think that would be a bit of a cliché by now. Whuteva 16. fatwolf666 Bored...zzZZzZZzZ...2 stars 15. boomtao Perhaps the sound is not in sync with the video. His timing seems off all the time! Since this is rehearsed to death he should start learning to listen to the music! 14. ncblkking252 just trying to eek out that last second in his 15 min of fame 14:59 and counting 13. Skillz0r the last one wasnt nessicarely betterdance-wise,, but the camera position was better ^6 12. jhoomdoom not as good as the first one... lacks spontaniety.. 11. melvinjew yeah 1st one was ten times better, also looked like he had a couple of technical problems. 10. ju1ius the first one was way much better than this one. this was kinda boring, not entertaining at all. even it wasnt a sequel, it wouldn't be good 9. jondlr this one is bunk. Part one is waaay better! 8. maesecamara I guess you tried to go further, but the second parts are not usually good. And this one, I guess is something you shouldnt do. 7. liljjjj The fact that 99% of the music was from African Americans further fabricates the stereotype that European Americans don't dance! 6. aqsqu4ever Bah he sucks even my granny dances better... 5. pyrodogg Soujachild is phail 4. Poobsterdood This is no where near as funny as the original. Sorry, u get the "Numa Numa Sequel" stamp of shame. 3. SamuraiClinton THE LAMEST SONGS EVER!!! Why couldn't of you explored the vast spectrum of underground songs that have more emphasis on special effects than lyrics? Because thats what I like. 2. borgmdp god thank you for letting me writte here in the second release of the most viewed video in youtube. The history will remember me. Even i saw the video with no music and he makes me wanna puke. 1. lewishoty Gay
Source: Best Week Ever | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:45 pm

Report: A-Rod Hits the Town With New Famous Blonde

Now that Madonna isn't as interested in him anymore, Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez is playing the Hollywood field — and taking the game by storm.
Source: FOXNews.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:42 pm

'Slumdog,' Winslet, '30 Rock' Sweep Globes

Underdogs, earnest speeches, witty interludes punctuated Sunday's Golden Globes.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:33 pm

Motown Stars Mark 50th Anniversary In Detroit

A variety of Motown alumni returned to Hitsville USA today (Jan. 12) -- in Studio A, which the Four Tops' Abdul "Duke" Fakir referred to as "hallowed ground" -- to officially kick off a year-long celebration of the famed label's 50th anniversary.

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:31 pm

Plans for Swayze Drama Disrupted by Hospitalization

A&E's plans to promote its new drama "The Beast" have been disrupted by Patrick Swayze's sudden hospitalization for pneumonia related to his stage-four pancreatic cancer.
Source: FOXNews.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:14 pm

Flight Of The Conchords Plugs Back In

Flight Of The Conchords' eponymous HBO show returns to the airwaves on Jan. 18, and this time around, fans will be able to purchase music from each episode the day after it airs, Billboard can reveal.

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:01 pm

Springsteen, Rahman Snag Musical Golden Globes

Bruce Springsteen won the Golden Globe last night (Jan. 11) for best song for the title track from "The Wrestler," while A.R. Rahman won best original score for "Slumdog Millionaire." It's Springsteen's second Golden Globe; he won in 1994 for "Streets of Philadelphia" from "Philadelphia." That year, the same song also won the best song Oscar.

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 5:00 pm

Music Review: Derek Trucks lacks fire on new CD (AP)

AP - The Derek Trucks Band, "Already Free" (Sony)
Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 12 Jan 2009 | 4:40 pm

SAG leaders in emergency meeting

Front Page: Guild to decide on vote, committee -- SAG's national board moved closer to tabling its strike authorization vote and removing national exec director Doug Allen as the guild's lead negotiator after lengthy closed-door sessions on the first day of the board's two-day emergency meeting.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 12 Jan 2009 | 4:24 pm

Golden Globes solid in ratings

Front Page: Fewer viewers return to telecast -- The glitz and glamour were back, but some auds did not return to NBC's telecast of the Golden Globes.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:56 pm

U2 To Play New Single At BRIT Awards

U2 will play its new single, "Get on Your Boots," at the BRIT Awards ceremony on Feb. 17 at London's Earls Court. The band's new album, "No Line on the Horizon," arrives March 2 internationally and a day later in North America.

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:51 pm

Menswear designer leaves fashion house Valentino (Reuters)

Reuters - Menswear designer Ferruccio Pozzoni has left Valentino, the Italian fashion house said on Monday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:45 pm

Oscar-winning French director dies

Oscar-winning director Claude Berri died Monday in a Paris hospital, according to a statement from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:45 pm

Amy Winehouse's husband seeks divorce

Drummer Blake Fielder-Civil is trying to kick his Amy Winehouse habit now that he's seen photos of the singer cavorting with another man in the Caribbean while he sits in a British jail.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:43 pm

PHOTOS: Celebrity Diets

These stars work hard for their fit figures, and here's how.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:34 pm

Hilary Duff Heading To Fox Sitcom

Singer/actress Hilary Duff is attached to play a young lawyer in a Fox sitcom that might be described as a legal version of "Doogie Howser, M.D."

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:33 pm

Lady GaGa, Kings Of Leon Lead U.K. Charts

Lady GaGa mirrored her current Billboard Hot 100 success by moving to the top of the new U.K. singles chart yesterday (Jan. 11) with "Just Dance" (Interscope) featuring Colby O'Donis. Kings Of Leon's "Only by the Night" started a second stint at No. 1 on the album chart.

Source: Billboard.com | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:29 pm

WATCH: Tina Fey to Critics: Suck It!

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 3:25 pm

WATCH: Highlights From the Golden Globes

Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 2:57 pm

Gallery: Stars shine at the Golden Globes

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 12 Jan 2009 | 2:06 pm

Ace Eddie Award noms announced

Front Page: 'Dark Knight,' 'Slumdog,' 'Button' nab nods -- Editors of the films "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Milk," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Frost/Nixon" were honored with noms for top drama at the 59th annual Ace Eddie Awards.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 12 Jan 2009 | 1:45 pm