Reuters - An international orchestra of some 90 musicians who auditioned on the YouTube video-sharing Web site will perform at New York's Carnegie Hall on Wednesday after rehearsing together for three days.
(AP) AP - The makers of the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" have donated $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of street children in Mumbai, the filmmakers said Thursday. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 16 Apr 2009 | 10:47 am
AP - The makers of the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" have donated $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of street children in Mumbai, the filmmakers said Thursday. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 16 Apr 2009 | 10:47 am
The makers of the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire" have donated $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of street children in Mumbai, the filmmakers said Thursday. The money... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 16 Apr 2009 | 10:47 am
NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Having recently completed the casting session for the next round of "America's Next Top Model," the Penn Plaza Pavilion has... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 16 Apr 2009 | 10:42 am
(Reuters) Reuters - Stacey Anderson is 40, sells commercial real estate and has four kids -- one of whom is 23, because she got married "for my sweet 16th." Yet somehow the traditional knocked-up-teen-marriage thing didn't pan out -- and now she's looking for the next Mr. Anderson. And like any cute, petite blonde today, she turned to the boob tube to find her true boob. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 16 Apr 2009 | 6:05 am
Reuters - Film distributors continue to jockey for position just weeks before the start of the summer box-office season. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 16 Apr 2009 | 5:16 am
17 Again synergy was in full force tonight as American Idol tried to shrink to six.
Along with guest mentor Quentin Tarantino, Zac Efron was in the audience to witness Wednesday's...
Depending on whom you ask, American Idol frontrunner Adam Lambert is either the new Elvis Presley or the next Zac Efron. And, surprisingly, one of the two superstars was indeed in the...
Tonight's all-new episode of Lost, "Some Like It Hoth," was full of the funny, being so Miles (and Hurley) centric, but there were also answers in this episode, which balanced out at...
Front Page: Top international filmmakers onboard for fest -- The upcoming Cannes Film Festival will be swimming in top international filmmakers, as directors including Ang Lee, Jane Campion, Michael Haneke, Quentin Tarantino, Ken Loach, Pedro Almodovar, Bong Joon-ho, Marco Bellocchio, Lars von Trier and Johnnie To expect to square off for the Palme d'Or come May 13.
(Reuters) Reuters - The peril in building a murder-mystery thriller around a journalist is that a reporter is not a cop. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 16 Apr 2009 | 3:54 am
E! Online - UPDATE: The charges were dropped April 15, with prosecutors saying that the alleged victim, Nate Dogg's estranged wife, never contaced them.
Ashton Kutcher has challenged CNN to a popularity contest on the social media site Twitter. The celebrity and the news network are racing to get 1 million followers on the micro-blogging site, and the smack talk is flying.
Ah, for the glory days before Arthur Kelly had sued his wife for divorce.
A New Jersey judge on Tuesday refused to seal the divorce proceedings between Kelly and his wife Ann, whom he...
Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, embroiled in a bitter divorce with his wife, Linda, told Rolling Stone magazine he can "totally understand" O.J. Simpson, the former football great found liable for the deaths of his wife and another man.
In the space of a few minutes and a few notes unemployed Scottish charity worker Susan Boyle won over 3,000 fans. In the space of a few days and YouTube she has grabbed the attention of millions.
Continuing this week's celebrity trend of speak first, think later, Hulk Hogan has revealed a whopper of a complex during an...
The four "American Idol" judges used their one-time-only veto power on Wednesday to spare Matt Giraud from being sent home after the hit talent show's fans cast the fewest votes for his performance of "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
Mazel tov, Heidi Klum!
Sources confirm that the supermodel mogul is expecting her third child with music-man hubby Seal.
The couple has two sons together, Henry Günther...
Front Page: Actor plans to attend film's premiere -- Patrick Swayze pic “Jump” has been chosen to open the fourth annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival on April 23.
Is Chace Crawford one dance step closer to starring in the remake of Footloose?
My E! News pal Guiliana Rancic just told me that she's heard from one of her sources that the Gossip...
"By definition, if you bought something and it's now worth a great deal less, you made a mistake and I'm more than willing to say I made a mistake," the Chicago billionaire said today. Somehow, his saying this doesn't make us feel any better. In other media news, the Boston Globe struggles to not go into the light, and Reader’s Digest gives its staffers a birthday present wrapped in crap.
• Bauer Publishing has fired Life & Style’s executive deputy editor and senior news editor. [MediaInk/NYP]
• Journalists are even getting kicked out of other people's offices! Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has informed news organizations that media outlets will have to leave the “Police Shack” at 1 Police Plaza because of construction. [NYO]
• Sam Zell at last admits that his purchase of the Tribune Company was “a mistake.” "By definition, if you bought something and it's now worth a great deal less, you made a mistake and I'm more than willing to say I made a mistake," said the billionaire. "I was too optimistic in terms of the newspaper's ability to preserve its position." [Bloomberg via Romenekso]
• The embattled Boston Globe announced it will cut 2009 bonuses as well as take back the ten vacation days it granted in exchange for a 5 percent pay cut. At least it is still alive — for now. [Boston Globe via Romenesko]
• Reader’s Digest is forcing employees to take five days off with no pay this year and next in order to cut costs, but will give every employee a paid vacation day on their birthdays. Aw. At least they’re trying. [MediaInk/NYP]
• In case you’ve been in denial about the Death of Print, the Publishers Information Bureau claims that magazines lost over 20 percent of their revenue in the first quarter, and the Times claims the losses in newspapers could be as high as 30 percent. [MPA, NYT via Mixed Media/Portfolio]
• Dan Abrams convinced the Fishbowl blogger from Mediabistro to join him for his sinister new project, so now they're hiring! [Mediabistro]
Lady Gaga stepped out as you see at left last night in California. This picture isn't that big and the quality isn't even that good, but it is not hard to see how fake that hairpiece is. It makes us think of a unicorn more than anything, making this — after taking in Arden Wohl's T-shirt modeling — the second time we've thought, and written, about unicorns today. How often can you say that? [StyleList]
Remember the good ol' days when rap feuds were as harmless as blind items in "Page Six"? In particular, we're thinking of the legendary beef between Kool Moe Dee and LL Cool J, which began when Kool Moe Dee dropped the line "I'm bigger and badder, forget about deffer" into his seminal single "How Ya Like Me Now?" prompting LL to shoot back months and months later in "Jack the Ripper" with the line "How ya like me now? I'm gettin' busier; I'm double platinum, watching you get dizzier." (Yes, we're old.) However, now that everyone is YouTube-ing and tweeting and the like, the retaliation cycle when it comes to rap beefs has not only compressed in time, but it's also taken a turn towards the technological. As the Village Voice points out in its cover story this week, it is no longer sufficient to simply respond to a challenge on wax; nowadays, the likes of 50 Cent and Rick Ross have taken their beef onto the Information Superhighway (that's what the kids are calling it these days, right?). This has forced rappers to get creative and add additional head count to their already-sizable entourages. For instance, did you know that 50 Cent has a VP of digital marketing?
It's true! The VV introduces us to one Chris "Broadway" Romero, who, in addition to being the VP of digital marketing for 50's G-Unit label, also created the popular website thisis50.com, the platform from which Curtis Jackson has been launching most of his barbs at Ross. While we are totally onboard with rappers taking advantage of all the Internet has to offer (especially when it involves Snoop smoking down on webcam), we would've never guessed that the 2008 Presidential Election would be used as inspiration for one rapper to post homemade porn on the Internet as a means to escalate a beef:
"I looked at this beef like how Barack ran his campaign," says Chris "Broadway" Romero. "He had people who understood how to mobilize people on the Web. People always asked me, 'Why are rappers always going at each other's throats?' I say, 'Why do politicians or businesses go after each other?' Rap is very competitive."
We're not sure we have any other response to that statement other than: "Oh my."
"My objective is to be the most relevant and comprehensive and cohesive source about Goldman Sachs in the world," Mike Morgan, the lawyer behind the web site Facts About Goldman Sachs was saying, quite lucidly, when we logged onto the conference call he held this evening to rally volunteers. He added that he's been contacted by two movie producers since the story of Goldman sending him a cease-and-desist letter made the media rounds this week. "One is working on a movie called The Heist and the other is working on a documentary. It's not Michael Moore," he hastened to add. After that, the conversation quickly devolved. Bits we caught: "Goldman Sachs owns Washington." "Hank Paulson was at Goldman Sachs 32 years. He was born at Goldman Sachs I believe. From like a desk or something. I don't even think he has a mother or a father." "I am not a conspiracy theorist." This was followed by a long story about the Jews wandering the desert, which ended thusly: "If you think I'm a crackpot, you can sign off now." Ok then. [Goldman Sachs 666]
Front Page: Film took in $45.9 million over weekend -- The Easter holiday weekend was a telling example of why the international B.O. has come to mean so much to the bottom line for films, and not just summer blockbusters.
A carrier pigeon was captured by Colombian officials today after attempting to smuggle cell-phone parts into a high-security prison via a tiny suitcase on its back. This is bad. Very bad. [CNN]
How do you know Bravo is freaking out about losing Project Runway to Lifetime? It's rolling out, like, a hundred new fashion-based reality shows. Yesterday we learned that those include a fashion-reality-competition show for celebrities who want to become designers. And we were disgusted. But! Bravo has some other new shows that might make up for it. Including a behind-the-scenes look at Kelly Cutrone's professional and personal life as a fashion-PR bigwig in Kell on Earth. After Kelly thoroughly embarrassed Allie on The City and Stephanie Pratt on this week's episode of The Hills, we can't wait for a series that could be all about Kelly embarrassing dumb twentysomething girls.
Also of interest in Bravo's new lineup: Secret Life of Supermodels. In this reality show, Carol Alt, Maggie Rizer, Frederique Van Der Wal, Mariel Hemingway, Irina Pantaeva, and Patricia Velasquez play a group of "close friends" that "comes together to deal with work and relationships outside of the modeling world." Sure, these women aren't booking the cover of Vogue, but they could be fun to watch in a Real Housewives, my-new-skin-care-line-is-better-than-yours kind of way.
And then there's a show about ex–Project Runway contestant Laura Bennett, which will follow her as she raises six kids, chases her dogs around, has a husband, designs clothes, and somehow does her hair and makeup every day. So it's like the Redbook of reality TV. Or the Shear Genius of the season. You feel like it should be good, but when you watch, you realize Bravo hasn't given you a compelling-enough reason to care.
With the possibility of pirate capture now a scary-real issue, those afraid of buccaneers have even more to fear. At the 24 Hour Musicals event this week, Richard Kind confessed his fright. "When they're not Johnny Depp, they're terrifying," he told us. Arrrgh — we concur. View our Party Lines slideshow for other thoughts on eye patches, peg legs, and more.
The denim company 7 For All Mankind is suing manufacturers who are knocking off their ass-embroidery branding. After sending out cease-and-desist letters to no avail, the denim brand filed a lawsuit against InDesign Apparel and Oleg Cassini for producing a line with back pockets that look exactly the same as their trademarked swoop and swirl. Seven For All Mankind is asking for "up to $150,000 per work infringed," which would amount to millions. And if this goes through, for InDesign and Oleg Cassini, it means copyright infringement laws are going to bite them, quite literally, in the ass. [Cityfile]
ANCHORMAN VS WILD: Will Ferrell will guest star on an upcoming episode of Discovery's Man vs. Wild. Please, tv gods, make this a recurring feature... (Variety)
EAT YOUR WORDS, BROTHER: Hulk Hogan gave a lengthy speech about understanding OJ's motivation for murdering his ex-wife, adding "I totally understand OJ. I get it." Talk about a flying two-legged off-the-ropes foot in the mouth! Wait, that came out wrong, I meant to type "A-hole." (WWTDD)
BACK ON TOP: A rowdy Royals fan wearing a homemade Kenny Powers jersey and showing his ass-crack was removed from his seat by stadium security. Hopefully the security guard remembered to use the "you're f***ing out!" quote he's been saving up for weeks. (Deadspin)
REST IN PIES: This is what I want my headstone to say. If someone could draw a little dwarf-pie Artist's Conception, even better. (Holy Taco)
BLOODY WEDNESDAY: The next Harry Potter movie will be released two days earlier than expected, and will now be released on a Wednesday. If Hollywood actually thinks that's gonna stop us from out-Fandangoing all the kids who want to see the movie opening day, they're severely underestimating our ability to call out of work. (MTV)
ARCHIVE.ORGY: If the internet is ever destroyed (God willing), this list could single-handedly recreate it. Which...we would all...really want... (Urlesque)
Clockwise, from left: Solange Azagury-Partridge, Prohibit, Montana Knox, and Red.
The recession has been strewn with retail casualties, from well-established favorites like Poppet and Sophie Roan to relative newcomers like Breil Milano and Amalia. But this month, a new influx of retailers is shaking the dice and reviving formerly vacant storefronts.
Red (123 E. 7th St., nr. Ave. A; 212-777-7211)
Italian denim and jewelry designer Donatella Quintavalle partnered with Enrico Ciotti (also the owner of West Village winebar V Bar) to open this fashion-forward womenswear boutique. Quintavalle handpicks a rotating roster of around a dozen designers (sold alongside pieces from her own eponymous line), including sculptural silk and banana-fiber hats by Tattered Gossamer, shapely cocktail dresses by Outlaws of the Border and Heike Jarick, sterling-silver jewelry from Cult of Tara, and gowns by Sumie Tachbana. Racks in the back of the shop bear rare, well-preserved vintage apparel — recent finds included a one-of-a-kind Gucci blouse for $500.
Montana Knox (4 Extra Place, nr. Bowery and 1st St.; 212-529-5669)
It's a bit later than expected, but Brooklyn artist and designer Montana Knox finally unveiled his first store last weekend. The spring collection is artsy and casual: organic cotton and bamboo T-shirts screen-printed with Knox's original tribal-inspired illustrations. Knox has also collaborated on an exclusive line of sterling-silver and gold-vermeil jewelry with Aaron Ruff of Digby & Iona (the pair met years ago at the Young Designers Market). The range incorporates a "podunk aesthetic" — chunky, birdhouse-shaped cocktail rings recalling the designers' dual childhoods in Maine — as well as edgier pendants (crisscross knives and severed hands).
Prohibit (152 Allen St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-673-6773)
After its Nolita outpost was shuttered in 2003, this Tokyo-based streetwear brand launched three stores in Japan before venturing back into New York this month. Prohibit largely forgoes the typical neon slogan T-shirts and flashy sneakers for a more subdued eponymous range: plaid cotton button-downs, simple nylon-blend jackets, fur-lined winter parkas, and — the main focus — Japanese selvedge denim. The raw denim is woven on old-school projectile looms (the same type used to make Levi’s 501s), dyed dark with indigo, and coated with a resin for durability and stiffness.
Solange Azagury-Partridge (809 Madison Ave., nr. 68th St.; 212-879-9100)
The jewelry industry may be struggling, but this high-end jewelry boutique isn't skimping: The walls and ceiling are covered in 630,000 Swarovski crystals, arranged to mimic constellations. The British designer's baubles are luxe but playful, particularly the covetable collection of cocktail rings: one red-lacquered style is shaped like pouting lips, an enamel bluebird perches atop another, and curvaceous gold bands spell "love" and "sexy" in script.
Jack Olive (87 Mercer St., nr Spring St.; no phone yet)
This new menswear brand is inspired by the British sport of cricket — expect preppy knits, polos, tailored trousers, and casual button-downs, all manufactured in Italy. The New York flagship is slated to open late this month. Details (and photos) to come!
Last night at the Nokia Theatre, her second and final New York show this week, it almost seemed like Neko Case was angling for a shock-jock gig: With her sassy lead backup singer as a sidekick, she did a squeaky imitation of her mother explaining men’s interest in “blowjobs,” called the city of Seattle a “dirty bitch,” and generally kept a steady stream of cheery patter going between every song. Then, suddenly (but never soon enough), she’d start singing, opening up her tremendous voice like a police cruiser responding to a call. The transitions were a little jarring, but they were two sides of the coin that is Case’s currency: unchained intimacy.
If there’s a song off the predictably terrific new Middle Cyclone that she played at the show and that sums Case’s worldview up, it’s the entirely earnest “I’m an Animal” (“you’re an animaaal, too …”). Whatever its exact form, whether a jokey overshare or heady, heartbreaking melody, Case’s intimacy is feral, and the band’s presentation subtly reinforced that: Case stood in skyscraping heels and a dress that evoked (for us, anyway) an animal skin, and she kept twisting her ropy hair around. This in contrast to the four laconic, unflashy (and spot-on) men on instruments and especially the perfectly made-up main backup singers, in black dresses and careful hairdos. The set swelled louder and louder, but that’s not to say the audience did anything other than stand transfixed — like in all her music, Case’s wildness is just a function of you dreaming along with her.
Name: Henrik Lundqvist Age: 27 Occupation: Goaltender for the New York Rangers Neighborhood: Midtown West
Who's your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional?
Conan O'Brien. I know he's moved to L.A., but I'll also consider him a New Yorker.
What's the best meal you've eaten in New York?
Barbecue pork ribs at Houston's on 27th and Park.
In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job?
I stop pucks that are coming at me at 90 miles per hours!
Would you still live here on a $35,000 salary?
That's a tough one. Maybe. Or I would move back to Sweden. Not sure.
What's the last thing you saw on Broadway? Jersey Boys. I really enjoyed the show. I recognized most of the songs, so that helped. I loved the lead character's New York accent.
Do you give money to panhandlers?
Yes, I do. I have a good life, so why not share a little? I get that feeling a lot when I see people on the street.
What's your drink?
Vitaminwater and Coke. If I'm at a bar, I favor Grey Goose and Red Bull.
How often do you prepare your own meals?
Never. I can't cook and I'm a bit lazy.
What's your favorite medication?
Being on the ice.
What's hanging above your sofa?
A signed Bruce Springsteen photo.
How much is too much to spend on a haircut?
I don't spend more than $100 on a haircut.
When's bedtime?
11 to 11:30 p.m. But since I spend so much time on the road, I tend to get
home after midnight most nights.
Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square?
I like the new style.
What do you think of Donald Trump?
I like him. He's successful and funny. And The Apprentice is great television!
What do you hate most about living in New York?
Slow drivers in the left lane!!
Who is your mortal enemy?
Every time I step on the ice, I try to see the opposing team as my biggest enemy!
When's the last time you drove a car?
Yesterday. I drive to and from practice almost every day.
How has the Wall Street crash affected you?
I just pay more attention to my investments.
Times, Post, or Daily News?
New York Post.
Where do you go to be alone?
I love to sit in my guest bedroom, pick up my guitar, and play while I look out at my view of New York. It's very relaxing!
What makes someone a New Yorker?
I heard something about a ten-year rule: If you've lived here for ten years or more, you can call yourself a New Yorker. That sounds good to me. I have six years to go!
WOW - where can I get one of these??? Oh, they're for dentists to distract children while they anesthetize them before operations? Well, yeah, I knew that, it's, I mean, obviously that's what they're for. I just meant, can I buy one because I am thinking about becoming a dentist. A dentist for children. That's why I was asking that.
For the record, when I was that age, I would've been so concentrated on Tetris, you could've operated on me without anesthesia and I would've have noticed. Source: Best Week Ever | 15 Apr 2009 | 9:45 pm
Earlier, we asked if everyone knew about the muppet people that play their instruments in the subway. As it turns out, people at this magazine knew about the Xylopholks. Our own Jonah Green filmed them for a Video Look Book that then apparently never saw the light of day, probably because someone was like, "Dudes in fuzzy suits are not fashion," even though they so are. And so, without further ado, here are the Xylopholks, explaining how felt ears are actually not an impediment to getting laid.
Proving definitively that all famous people know each other and hang out all the time, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has posted a video of himself and Diddy making grits and posing with Grammys. [Videogum]
MAKEUP
• At the Grey Gardens premiere, Drew Barrymore went flapper glam with a soft wave, dramatic crimson lips, and elongated lashes, topped off with a netted hairpiece. It works. [ASOS]
SKIN
• Why doesn't Lady Gaga use better tanning products, since she has access to the best the market has to offer? Why is this blog devoting an entire essay to the topic? [Stylelist]
HAIR
• Yesterday Jessica Alba stepped out with a new hairstyle: Brown-blonde locks with light golden highlights. And bangs. So get excited. [StyleWatch/People]
• Take a second look at the Matthew Williamson for H&M ads. They show a new way to style summer hair: Update a traditional braid by wrapping a scarf between the pieces. [Nitro:licious]
NAILS
• Revlon is releasing eight new nail-polish colors that will smell like tropical scents when dry. They'll hit stores just before summer in fragrances and shades of coconut, mango, papaya, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, passion fruit, and blueberry. We thought this idea died when we turned 8. [Spoiled Pretty]
Earlier this week, Governor Paterson expressed his intention to introduce legislation legalizing gay marriage, despite the possibility of its failure in the State Senate. Though Democrats hold a 32–30 advantage there, at least four Democratic senators have said they won't vote for the bill, and no Republicans have publicly backed it either. With Paterson set to make his official announcement tomorrow, we talked with Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle about the bill's prospects and New York's place in the marriage-equality debate.
Governor Paterson will submit same-sex marriage legislation tomorrow despite the possibility that the votes may not be there. Do you support his strategy?
Well, look, first of all, Governor Paterson supported the issue of marriage equality even before it was popular, and he's arguably one of the nation's leading advocates on this issue, and we can't thank him enough for his leadership. I don't think it's ever a wrong time to advance fundamental rights for New Yorkers, and we plan to work with the governor to make marriage equality a reality here in New York. And I think we could win the votes this May and June so it becomes law by summer.
How many votes do you think you have right now?
We are closer than most people think, but not quite there yet.
Do you have a number?
Well, I can't give away all of our secrets. I think we're closer than most people think and we're not there yet.
Today, Senator Duane said that some Republicans have assured him privately that they'll vote for the bill, but none of them have said so publicly. Do you know of any Republican senators that would support it?
You know, not one piece of LGBT civil-rights legislation has ever become law in New York State without the votes of Republicans and Democrats, and I believe that the marriage-equality bill will become law because of votes of Republicans and Democrats. We have learned not every Democrat is right on our issues, and not every Republican is bad on our issues. And so I am convinced that we will win Republican votes in the State Senate.
Is that optimism or do you know of specific senators at this point who are willing to vote for it?
I will say that I have had some extraordinarily personal and meaningful conversations with Republican state senators, and unlike the tax bill, the budget, or a bottle bill, this is a very personal issue to many senators, including Republican senators.
What's your pitch to legislators that are either against the bill or are on the fence right now? How are you appealing to them?
I think most senators don't wake up every single day thinking about same-sex marriage. Most senators don't understand yet that there are 1,324 rights and responsibilities attached with a New York State marriage license. And when we get the opportunity to educate them about the challenges facing same-sex couples who aren't able to have access to a New York State marriage license, and when those couples have an opportunity to talk to those legislators, their senators, directly, and when senators find out that a majority of New Yorkers support marriage equality, that the New York AFL-CIO supports marriage equality, and that every single statewide official supports marriage equality, then I think this becomes an easier pitch to the legislator. But there's work to be done, and I can tell you that, following the decision in Iowa and the votes in Vermont, we have seen an unprecedented amount of people sign up for our Equality and Justice Day on April 28, to the point where we no longer have capacity in the convention center, and had to shut down registration.
What if the vote fails? Do you think that would set back the cause? How bad of a defeat would that be?
I don't think the vote fails. I mean, I will say that I'm a conservative guy when it comes to numbers-counting in the legislature, and I tend to be optimistic in every other aspect of my life except vote counting. And from what I know today, I believe our chances of winning a marriage equality bill by May or June of this year are the best they have ever been. I think the Assembly will take up the bill sooner than later, and I think people will be surprised to see the support that exists around the state and in their home districts for this measure.
Is Chuck Schumer, who recently came out in support of gay marriage, doing any arm twisting on your behalf?
I believe it's not the job of any elected official to twist arms to win votes on marriage equality. It's our community and our supporters' job to make the case for why we deserve equal rights, no more, no less. And I think Senator Schumer is the perfect illustration of many New Yorkers who have journeyed from believing that marriage is about one man and one woman, to believing that gay and lesbian couples should be entitled to civil unions, to believing that civil unions is an unequal status to the rest of society, and marriage is the only vehicle by which gay and lesbian couples can have the same status as heterosexual couples.
A recent Quinnipiac poll had 41 percent of New Yorkers supporting full same-sex marriage rights and about a third of New Yorkers supporting civil unions only. Were you disappointed by that figure?
No, I think that's a 1999 poll for a 2009 conversation. I was disappointed that Quinnipiac decided to poll on a policy issue that doesn't exist in Albany. The framework that they described was one where the debate in Albany is between status quo, civil unions, and marriage equality. That is not the debate taking place in Albany. The debate in Albany is status quo or marriage equality for same-sex couples. No talk of civil unions whatsoever. And so I was optimistic when I saw that the largest percentage of those three were for marriage equality. And you could hypothetically suggest that if you split the civil-union number up into two equal parts, and apportioned them to status quo and to marriage equality, we'd still come out on top.
Do you think that gay marriage will be legalized in a number of other states this year in addition to New York?
Despite what opponents to marriage equality are saying, I do not think there is this gathering storm and wave of states ready to enact marriage-equality laws across the nation, although I hope that they would. But I do believe that the eyes of the country are now squarely fixed on New York, and New Jersey, and New Hampshire, as the next possible locations where we could see marriage equality become the law.
As we mentioned when the first bootleg trailer for The Hurt Locker began circulating back in early January, we've been looking forward to the release of this film ever since it began generating serious buzz at the Venice Film Festival last fall (where it won the Grand Prize). Since then, the film picked up a boatload of nominations at this year's Independent Spirit Awards (including acting nods for Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie), despite the fact that it has yet to be commercially released in the United States. This acclaim has led Summit Entertainment to schedule this for limited release in NYC and L.A. on June 26, before going wide in July, right in the thick of tent-pole season. From everything we've heard, it promises to be one of summer's most suspenseful films; our own Will Leitch recently described it as such on his Tumblr: "When we talk about Iraq War movies, this’ll be the one we talk about." Consider us sold.
Rihanna is set for her comeback.
The "Disturbia" star's first performance since her altercation with Chris Brown will be a May 28 concert in Dubai, E! News...
"No you're prettier!" That's what we imagine Rosario Dawson said to Chanel Iman last night at the Bottega Veneta dinner hosted by Julianne Moore. What do you think of their Bottega dresses?
• Lindsay Lohan's Funny or Die video was actually advertising her leggings and spray tanner, which explains why you can't live without a pair of 6126...
For the second time, Warner Bros. has moved the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince — but this time it's good news! They're pushing it up by two days, to Wednesday, July 15, probably because they'll earn tons more money this way. [Variety]
Just as we were excitedly trying to figure out how Kate Hudson would fit into the sex, drugs, alcohol and murder plotlines that lie ahead for everyone's favorite Bev Hills drama, came the...
This photograph that TMZ snapped of Ruth exiting prison after visiting Bernie yesterday took us somewhat aback. We knew she was small, but not Peter Dinklage small. Odd. [TMZ]
David Gergen on 360 last night: "They still haven't found their voice, Anderson. This happens to a minority party after it's lost a couple of bad elections, but they're searching for their voice." Anderson Cooper: "It's hard to talk when you're tea bagging." [HuffPo]
I guess it's too late to start an office pool for the National Monopoly Championships (aka April Angryness!) but for the record, I'm taking the dude in the foreground who's literally wearing a top hat while playing championship Monopoly:
You may know Wowch as the T-shirt line Judd Apatow allegedly ripped off in Pineapple Express. But if you didn't remember that kerfuffle you may now remember it as the company that used Arden Wohl as a look-book model. And look at her, folks. Her bone structure positively glows in the light, really does things to that painted-on headband on her forehead. And just look at her poses! Pure strength on the left, pure Michael Jackson at center. And she almost has the couture tuck-the-hips-under pose down on the right in that stunning unicorn-flying-over-the-rainbow tank top. One more glance through Vogue, and Anna Jagodzinska had better watch out.
In addition to murder, intrigue, and thrilling scenes of investigative journalism, State of Play, which opened last weekend, offers something novel: a credulous, reverent portrait of a blogger (played by Rachel McAdams, opposite Russell Crowe). More often, television and cinema have shown these history-altering media mavericks as somehow lacking in discretion, valor, and/or comprehensive personal hygiene. But if you study our brief history of bloggers in movies and on TV, you’ll see that some credit has been given where it is due — until now, finally, they are properly played as gorgeous crusaders with plenty of time and income for questing after deeply buried truths.
Is it just us or is there something vaguely sinister about Ashton Kutcher's desire to beat CNN in the race to become the first Twitterer to gain 1,000,000 followers? We know it's a stretch, but what if Kutcher was put on earth to punk his million followers into following him into the afterlife in some sort of social-media-meets–Heaven's Gate type of experiment? We're totally un-following him as soon as we save this post. [TechCrunch]
Models Chanel Iman and Sessilee Lopez both posted updates to Twitter from London about booking a big cover shoot. And though they didn't mention being together, the tweets came only hours apart, fueling rumors that they landed the cover of Vogue Paris, British Vogue, or Love, a big deal for two of the industry's top black models. Via Chanel: "IN London Shooting a MAJOR SURPRISE COVER!!!!Its top secret can't give it away!!" Via Sessilee: "Leaving London now!!! My God when you guys see the photos from this shoot you will die, all i can say is ITS A MAJOR MOMENT IN FASHION!!!!!" We're only hoping whatever it is warrants all of those exclamation points. [Fashionologie]
Apparently, Kanye West's ego could handle being called a "Gay Fish" on last week's South Park. But can he handle being Blingeed? This week we'll find out. After the jump, we've provided you with a handful of some choice recent Kanye West photos to work with. Feel free to use one of ours, or find your own, then head over to Blingee.com, Blingee your heart out, and post your results in our comments section. We'll post our favorites by the end of the week.
We realize that this is a huge task -- Blingee'ing Kanye West -- but we know you are up for it. Good luck, and Godspeed.
If your TiVo is anything like ours, it probably cried uncle as soon as Lil Rounds finished another nap-inspiring performance on American Idol last night, cutting off the brand-new footage of Inglourious Basterds that hapless celebrity mentor Quentin Tarantino brought with him. It's nothing that will change your mind if you didn't like the first trailer, but in it we learn that Tarantino has slyly paid homage in Basterds to yet another forgotten, critically unloved cult film — 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me — by casting Mike Myers as a relative of his famous character Fat Bastard.
We just received a flyer that reads: "Do you have what it takes to be the next hot fashion designer? Always dreamed of showing your work on the runways of New York City's Fashion Week? This is your opportunity! We are casting NOW, so contact us immediately before you miss out on the chance of a lifetime." You guys! This is your big chance to be on the Lifetime network! [Bunim/Murray Productions]
As we explained last week, we've been looking forward to seeing unrepentant 90210 fangirl Diablo Cody's appearance on the show for some time now. And while even Cody herself agrees that she probably shouldn't give up her day job as an Oscar-winning screenwriter (her Twitter read "90210h-my God, I can't fucking act"), that wasn't the most troubling aspect of last night's show. While we're not nearly as outraged as we were when the whole McFlurrygate controversy went down (after all, it's only 90210), the CW sure showed Ben Silverman a thing or two about how to kowtow to advertisers, with one of the more egregiously clunky and wholly unironic bits of product placement we can ever recall seeing.
Feeling thirsty?
A Dr. Pepper oughtta hit the spot!
Actual dialogue: "We're on a road trip. Drinking Dr. Pepper is practically a requirement."
I can't tell if this is an actual clip of Hugh Jackman appearing on the Spanish television show El Hormiguero in Madrid, or if someone filmed some impossible Hugh Jackman gay science dream I had after watching X2 but subconsciously buried deep beneath my psyche. Little of both?
Front Page: Actor to guest on Discovery Channel show -- Will Ferrell is crawling into the extreme trenches with Bear Grylls for an upcoming episode of Discovery Channel's "Man vs. Wild."
Here is another gem in the mix for Friday's show. Real Housewives of New York's Kelly thinks running in New York is exhilarating. But actual real life cabbies of New York probably find it really really annoying:
Sure, with Monday night's ridiculous episode, 24 blasted itself ten miles over the shark on an exploding missile. Even so, we couldn't possibly be more excited for next season. Lovable Bollywood blowhard Anil Kapoor has already signed on to play a blundering (we assume) Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacekeeping mission. Now, EW reports that, instead of Los Angeles or Washington, Day Eight will be set in New York. Of course the show won't actually be filmed in our city (sorry to get your hopes up, collapsing New York economy!), but instead on a soundstage in Los Angeles. But it will incorporate footage of real Manhattan landmarks, presumably ones Anil Kapoor accidentally blows up when he inadvertently triggers a hilarious nuclear attack.
The YouTube homepage. A frumpy 47-year-old Scottish charity worker who has never had a boyfriend has become an unlikely YouTube sensation, after her stunning weekend musical debut on a British television... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 15 Apr 2009 | 5:46 pm
Protesters around the country rallied for a Tax Day "Tea Party" to show their general distaste for the government's handling of the economy, though in reality, they ended up just convincing me that Americans aren't very good at coming up with catchy protest signs:
14. Turbotax Geithner Version
"You sure you don't want to stencil the letters first to make sure they all fit?"
"For the seventh time, will you shut up?"
13. Stimulate Not Business Government
Wait, never mind, I got it now. I personally would've gone with "Stimulate Mah JOHNSON!" but you know, hindsight's 20/20.
12. I Forgot My Teleprompter
Damn politicians and their wussy teleprompters -- why can't they memorize their speeches to the nation like the rest of us hard working Americans?
11. Your Children Will Owe It
Joke's on you, because my children make NOTHING.
10. Mussolini Quote
What he doesn't tell you is that the "..." is in place of "on this glorious Opposite Day"
9. Stay Out Of My Piggy Bank
You got it, Baby Village People!
8. Geithner Forgot His Taxes
Why can't you? Because you're not Willie Nelson. Next question.
7. Fight Federal Facism
Double Threat! Rapier wit AND a blue marker.
6. Don't Tread On Me
This dude's just been protesting non-stop since the 1770s.
5. America Is Not Broken
Winner of the coveted "Most General Sign '09" Award. Looks like those clowns in congress have done it again. What a bunch of clowns.
4. Stimulus Doll
I'm also not in favor of Obama's "drowning babies with balls-and-chains" policy, no argument here.
3. Brother Can You Spare A Bill-ion?
Oh snap! I thought pig man was gonna say "bill" but they he added the "ion!" Congress got servvvvvvvved!
2. Obama Been-Lyin'
Wordplay! Getting warmer...
1. Obama Lied Capitalism Died
IT RHYMES!!! Someone finally understands how sign-making works!!!!! Way to kill that entire societal ideology by lying, President Pinocchio! (see how convinced I am already??)
Front Page: NBC on the rise with 'Biggest Loser' -- Fox scored another primetime ratings victory on Tuesday behind "American Idol" and "Fringe," while NBC was on the rise with its "Biggest Loser."
This is a recap for The Top 7 on American Idol Season 8, theme: Movie Songs. You can see the performances here.
This week, my 8th grade idol and recent "Where is his old face now?" candidate Quentin Tarantino served as this week's mentor. And, in the great words of Ezekiel 25:17/Jules Winnfield: "Blessed is he (Quentin) who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak (AI contestants) through the valley of darkness (criticism), for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children (tweens). And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers (Classic, beloved songs). And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee (Angry ranting blog post, see below).
Let's get started.Allison Iraheta - “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith. You would think that what with Quentin Tarantino being at the helm of things, the contestants would have gone out of their way to choose awesome, kick ass soundtrack songs to blow away America with. You would be wrong. (Not a single James Bond theme?? WTF is wrong with these people?) And perhaps no musical example hits the barf-lex quite like this tune from the 1998 smash hit (get it?) Armageddon. This song haunted my senior year of high school sandwiched in between "Still the One" and Fastball's "The Way". My hatred for it was soon bolstered when I found out a particularly disliked manager at my summer retail job danced to this very song at her wedding. So why did Allison have to go and do this? The orchestra was a nice touch tonight, and we're happy to see the mullet making a return. But even Allison's great voice could not save the suffocatingly maple syrup in the ears quality of the theme song to a movie about a rock hitting Earf. RATING 5/10Anoop Desai - “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams. Ah, finally a song I can sink my feet into like a shag carpet full of birth control pills. Quentin's touretty "Lie for you; die for you" was, for me, the equivalent to the ear slicing scene in Rezzy Dogs. Anoop's Bartokomous jacket notwithstanding, and his facial weird sex face put aside for just a momesies, Anoop sang the song beautifully. RATING 8/10Adam Lambert - “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf. OMG, him and Quentin have chemistry you guys!! Q "enjoyed the taste." Wouldn't we all. And there's lightning!!! Lambert is queening out in an electric rainstorm on Planet Unicorn, holy ess. Now, my love for Lambert is pretty off the charts, but for a moment I wondered if this was the song sung during the headbanging scene during Ace Ventura. Not my favorite song in the universe, certainly, but judging by the audience response (passed out mothers, tween brains spilling into the aisles, Paula shooting out of her seat like a firework held by a drunk Brazilian on New Year's) he certainly got the crowd riled up. So, it pains me to do this, but given that he turned the chorus into an out of tune racist Chinese melody, he's left me no choice. RATING 7/10 (Ed. Note: If he would have sang Goldfinger/Diamonds Are Forever, this would have been a 10/10.)
Matt Giraud - “To Really Love a Woman” by Bryan Adams. Hmm, another Bryan Adams song, eh? Fine. by. me. Matty missed a couple of notes here and there, but it was definitely better than last week's "Part-Time Lover" nonsense. That is... until suddenly, puberty hit the poor boy, and his voice was crackin' left and right. And then, he lost me. (Side note, was one of Matt's friends Luke Wilson? Me-Ow. Seriously, I am in pain.) RATING 4/10Danny Gokey - “Endless Love” by Diana Ross. Seeing D-Gokez without his glasses on is an oddity. I half expected his eyes to actually be little black dots a la Milhouse Van Houten. There were points where I actually worried that he wouldn't be able to read the teleprompter, until I realized no such thing existed. Tonight's performance would have been greatly improved had this entire performance been lip synced by the fat ice rink employee in Happy Gilmore. Alas, this is not the case. In typical Gokey fashion, we wanted to slip him a Correctol halfway through just to get his pipes cleared. He is musical Ambien. RATING 6/10Kris Allen - “Falling Slowly” Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova. We're loving how supportive Quentin is through all of this. Aw, little baby left his guitar at home. And he is clinging to that microphone like a security blanket on his first day of Kindygarden. I never saw Once, but I can honestly say with full conviction that even if I knew what this song was supposed to sound like, I would still hate Kris' version. Because he is boring, and not a good singer, and slack jawed. Kara seriously huffed some keyboard cleaner pre show, right? RATING 2/10 (Yes, 2!)
Lil Rounds - “The Rose” by Bette Midler. Oh hell yes. If I had to name my two favorite things on Planet Earth, it would probably be Bette Midler and Gospel (with Swiffer Wetjets coming in a close third.) Lil was, to borrow from Randy, a little pitchy, but honestly I found her performance one of the more enjoyable ones of the evening, and am guessing that the fully produced version available this week on Itunes will sound hella good. I'm not even a Lil fan, but she's as much an artist as Danny Rereface Gokey and certainly Kris and Anoop, so Simon's criticisms are a little harsh, no? RATING 7/10Let's be honest... the whole show kind of sucked. What'd you think of the episode? Source: Best Week Ever | 15 Apr 2009 | 4:45 pm
Front Page: Company's fight against lawsuit gets personal -- A clothing company known for its racy ads is fighting a $10 million lawsuit brought by Woody Allen, arguing that it can't have damaged his reputation by using his image because the film director has already ruined it himself.
Allen testified at a December deposition that he considered the company's advertising to be "sleazy" and "infantile" Source: FOXNews.com | 15 Apr 2009 | 4:33 pm
Disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has tentatively joined the cast of NBC's summer reality show I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here If NBC wants to bolster summer ratings with dubiously famous celeb-criminals, why stop with Roddy B? Here's a list of 9 Other Shady Characters We'd Love To See On NBC's timely adaptation of a seven-year-old British reality show:
9. Bernie Madoff
8. Frank Langiella doing Richard Nixon
7. Gollum
6. Ken Lay
5. Matt Millen
4. Ash from Alien
3. The Entire Staff of AIG
2. This Guy
1. Grimace
(Was gonna say The Hamburglar but realized how much more I'd love to see Grimace on a reality show, or in anything)
Other shady suggestions? Leave 'em in the comments. Source: Best Week Ever | 15 Apr 2009 | 4:15 pm
Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel (L) instructs the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra during a rehearsal session at the Royal Festival Hall in central London. The Venezuelan orchestra founded to help youngsters... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 15 Apr 2009 | 4:07 pm
Members of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra prepare their instruments ahead of a rehearsal session at the Royal Festival Hall in central London. The Venezuelan orchestra founded to help youngsters escape... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 15 Apr 2009 | 4:07 pm
When French dance music wizard Etienne de Crécy takes to the center of his "cube" in the Sahara tent for the final set of the 2009 Coachella Music Festival on Sunday night, he'll be mounting the biggest, most advanced sound and light show the desert event has seen since his fellow Parisians Daft Punk came out of hiding and debuted the now-iconic pyramid in 2006.
Early last month, the pressures of the music industry seemed to overwhelm Kid Cudi. But his perils were temporary and they didn't stop Universal Motown from signing him just last week.
What do you do when you're NASA and comedian Stephen Colbert wins your contest to name the new wing for the International Space Station? You name an orbital exercise machine after him.
The home life Diana Krall shares with husband (and fellow musical brain) Elvis Costello and their 2-year-old twin boys is "zany in the most wonderful way," she says. Krall's domestic bliss is suggested in the warm, intimate vibe of her latest album "Quiet Nights."
Rascal Flatts logs its fourth No. 1 on The Billboard 200, the most of any group this decade, as the trio's sixth set of new songs, "Unstoppable," (Lyric Street) bows with 351,000 copies.
17 Again synergy was in full force tonight as American Idol tried to shrink to six.
Along with guest mentor Quentin Tarantino, Zac Efron was in the audience to witness Wednesday's...
Depending on whom you ask, American Idol frontrunner Adam Lambert is either the new Elvis Presley or the next Zac Efron. And, surprisingly, one of the two superstars was indeed in the...
Tonight's all-new episode of Lost, "Some Like It Hoth," was full of the funny, being so Miles (and Hurley) centric, but there were also answers in this episode, which balanced out at...
Ah, for the glory days before Arthur Kelly had sued his wife for divorce.
A New Jersey judge on Tuesday refused to seal the divorce proceedings between Kelly and his wife Ann, whom he...
Mazel tov, Heidi Klum!
Sources confirm that the supermodel mogul is expecting her third child with music-man hubby Seal.
The couple has two sons together, Henry Günther...
Is Chace Crawford one dance step closer to starring in the remake of Footloose?
My E! News pal Guiliana Rancic just told me that she's heard from one of her sources that the Gossip...
Rihanna is set for her comeback.
The "Disturbia" star's first performance since her altercation with Chris Brown will be a May 28 concert in Dubai, E! News...
• Lindsay Lohan's Funny or Die video was actually advertising her leggings and spray tanner, which explains why you can't live without a pair of 6126...
Just as we were excitedly trying to figure out how Kate Hudson would fit into the sex, drugs, alcohol and murder plotlines that lie ahead for everyone's favorite Bev Hills drama, came the...
This is a recap for The Top 7 on American Idol Season 8, theme: Movie Songs. 
Anoop Desai - “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams. Ah, finally a song I can sink my feet into like a shag carpet full of birth control pills. Quentin's touretty "Lie for you; die for you" was, for me, the equivalent to the ear slicing scene in Rezzy Dogs. Anoop's Bartokomous jacket notwithstanding, and his facial weird sex face put aside for just a momesies, Anoop sang the song beautifully. RATING 8/10
Adam Lambert - “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf. OMG, him and Quentin have chemistry you guys!! Q "enjoyed the taste." Wouldn't we all. And there's lightning!!! Lambert is queening out in an electric rainstorm on Planet Unicorn, holy ess. Now, my love for Lambert is pretty off the charts, but for a moment I wondered if this was the song sung during the headbanging scene during Ace Ventura. Not my favorite song in the universe, certainly, but judging by the audience response (passed out mothers, tween brains spilling into the aisles, Paula shooting out of her seat like a firework held by a drunk Brazilian on New Year's) he certainly got the crowd riled up. So, it pains me to do this, but given that he turned the chorus into an out of tune racist Chinese melody, he's left me no choice. RATING 7/10 (Ed. Note: If he would have sang Goldfinger/Diamonds Are Forever, this would have been a 10/10.)
Matt Giraud - “To Really Love a Woman” by Bryan Adams. Hmm, another Bryan Adams song, eh? Fine. by. me. Matty missed a couple of notes here and there, but it was definitely better than last week's "Part-Time Lover" nonsense. That is... until suddenly, puberty hit the poor boy, and his voice was crackin' left and right. And then, he lost me. (Side note, was one of Matt's friends Luke Wilson? Me-Ow. Seriously, I am in pain.) RATING 4/10
Danny Gokey - “Endless Love” by Diana Ross. Seeing D-Gokez without his glasses on is an oddity. I half expected his eyes to actually be little black dots a la Milhouse Van Houten. There were points where I actually worried that he wouldn't be able to read the teleprompter, until I realized no such thing existed. Tonight's performance would have been greatly improved had this entire performance been lip synced by the fat ice rink employee in Happy Gilmore. Alas, this is not the case. In typical Gokey fashion, we wanted to slip him a Correctol halfway through just to get his pipes cleared. He is musical Ambien. RATING 6/10
Kris Allen - “Falling Slowly” Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova. We're loving how supportive Quentin is through all of this. Aw, little baby left his guitar at home. And he is clinging to that microphone like a security blanket on his first day of Kindygarden. I never saw Once, but I can honestly say with full conviction that even if I knew what this song was supposed to sound like, I would still hate Kris' version. Because he is boring, and not a good singer, and slack jawed. Kara seriously huffed some 
