“For the past fifteen years, I’ve been trying to come up with an alternative to catwalks,” Missoni continued. “Every spare five minutes I have, I try to imagine a different way of doing it — something less cold and distant. By 2010 I want there to be an alternative." Oh but if there are no more fashion weeks, where will we get the biannual cheap thrills that come with being Important Enough to Attend Fashion Shows? And the nonstop free booze to wash down said cesspool of insecurities?

Missoni also doesn't care to pay, say, $70,000 to have a supermodel like Naomi Campbell in her show. “There may no longer be supermodels, but there are models who charge super prices. The whole thing becomes a power play,” she said. "I prefer to show my collections on fresh, young girls to capture that spirit. Having Naomi or Gisele in your show is really just about saying that you were able to get her.” When it was pointed out to Missoni that her most famous campaign was fall 2004's starring Kate Moss as Brigitte Bardot, she replied, “Maybe, but the funny thing was that Kate had actually been forgotten about then. She only came back really strongly later — and I know because it’s not like we paid a fortune for her.”

Why I want to kill off the catwalk [Telegraph UK]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: angela missoni, fashion shows, Girl Crushes, kate moss, models, naomi campbell, supermodels

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:50 pm

Guillermo Del Toro Trashes Twilight, Teases His New Vampire Trilogy

We have been dying to hear more about Guillermo Del Toro’s trilogy of vampire novels, co-written with Chuck Hogan. The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy is due out June 2, but we hadn't heard anything about it other than a publisher's blurb saying that Manhattan was ground zero for the vampire outbreak. So our blood curdled in delight when we came across this brand-spanking-new video interview with Del Toro posted on Youtube by William Morrow. Del Toro slams Twilight's undead heartthrob: "None of this romantic, languid young men sucking the necks of beautiful people." He reassures his hardcore horror fans that he will not be churning out more of the same. "I tried also to make the vampires as menacing and as real and as absolutely disgusting and as alien as possible," he promises."I tried to make them into a plague of creatures where you did not recognize their humanity — but our own inhumanity in them." We cannot wait.

Read more posts by Logan Hill

Filed Under: guillermo del toro, Nerdgasm, stephanie meyer, twilight, vampires

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:45 pm

Observer Editor Peter Kaplan Quits After Fifteen Years

Peter Kaplan joined the staff of the New York Observer in 1994, and since then his wry and awestruck tone has characterized the headlines, gags, and insights that fill the salmon paper's pages. In an address to the staff today, Kaplan said he has felt lucky to have worked there for so long. “I had a little newspaper in New York City! You can’t beat that. No matter who you are,” he mused. “That’s as good as it gets. It’s better to have a little newspaper in New York City than a big newspaper in New York City. Because then you only have to report and write for the people you care about. And nobody else.”

Kaplan also voiced thoughts on how the digital era would affect the project of a print paper like the Observer. “We are somehow the embodiment of the New Yorker’s psyche,” he said. “And that is something that can exist in the physical paper or on the Web site or on a mobile device. It’s an idea.” That being said, he observed that though the tone is in some ways (but not many) similar, the Observer is the "diametric opposite" of blogs like Gawker, who take stories like Doree Shafrir's brilliant "Hipster Grifter" article from last week and make them their own by adding gossip, unsubstantiated reporting, and opinion. "We don’t borrow information," Kaplan said. "We create it.” David Carr already has a thoughtful account of Kaplan's career over at the Times. As much as this seems like a bad omen for the Observer, Kaplan assured Carr that owner Jared Kushner is committed to "see[ing] this thing through." Kaplan, who previously produced Charlie Rose and reported for the New York Times, says he wants his "third act" to involve helping figure out how to transition traditional journalism into the digital age. His replacement has not been named.

Peter Kaplan Announces His Resignation As Editor of The New York Observer [ArtsBeat/NYT]
Peter W. Kaplan Leaving New York Observer [NYO]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: ink-stained wretches, jared kushner, media, observer, peter kaplan

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:40 pm

BLINGEE WEDNESDAY: VH1 Divas Blinged

Above, Intern Erin Winterbottom takes a stab at Blingeedom. Today, news has broken that VH1 -- my Mommy and Daddy company -- is bringing back one of the highlights of our lives, the VH1 Divas series. The latest version of VH1 Divas will air live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House, on September 17 -- meaning I've got nearly 5 months to hand-bedazzle my best corset gown. Til that happens, let us partake in the digital bedazzling of some of the past VH1 Divas, including, but not limited to (Ace Ventura Soccer-Style-Kicker Deep Breath): Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Tina Turner, Elton John (mmhmm), Cher, LeAnn Rimes, Brandy, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Destiny's Child, RuPaul, Diana Ross, The Backstreet Boys, Nelly Furtado, Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, Dixie Chicks, Shakira, Stevie Nicks, Beyoncé, Lisa Marie Presley, Pat Benatar, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight. So, to celebrate what will surely be a momentous evening of dress tape (please, Aretha, for the love of God), today's Blingee Wednesday is dedicated to the Divas. We ask that you limit yourselves to photos taken directly from past VH1 Diva concerts (however, will make exceptions for particularly genius Blingees found independently.) The rules: Ahead, we've posted a bunch of photos from past VH1 Diva Shows. Pick your favorite, head over to Blingee.com, MAKE IT FABULOUS, and the post a link to your creation in the comments. On Friday, we'll post our faves. Click ahead for the pics!
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:33 pm

David Simon Gets Interviewed by His Biggest Fan

David Simon appeared on PBS's Bill Moyers Journal last week to discuss his career in television and journalism, and the entire interview, plus a full transcript, is available on the PBS website. It's a pretty terrific interview full of insightful comments from the creator of The Wire, but we're mostly impressed by the fact that he managed to keep himself from blushing after all the immensely flattering praise heaped upon him by Moyers, who turns out to be a pretty major Wire fanboy. [PBS]

Read more posts by Matthew Perpetua

Filed Under: bill moyers, Brown Nosers, david simon, the wire

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:30 pm

Get a Hills-ian Pedicure, Earth Day Beauty Bonanzas

Your feet can look just like LC's!

• Pedicure tips based on the ladies from The Hills. Oh goody! [Glamour]

• A roundup of ecofriendly products that actually work, as opposed to the kind that just claim to be organic and environmentally kind. [Fashionista]

• In more earthy beauty news, L'Oréal announces plans to cut its greenhouse emissions in half by 2015, and cut its water use. If only every day were Earth Day. [WWD]

• Haven't had enough on the earth-friendly beauty tip? Good, because there's more! From face powder to fragrance to shampoo, the Times finds three products that help give back to the planet. [The Moment/NYT]

• You know those non-FDA-approved diet pills with silly names like Perfect Slim and Slim Waist Formula? They were recalled. Shocking, we know. [FDA]

• It's Wednesday. Must be turquoise eye shadow day! [Styleist]

Read more posts by Amina Akhtar

Filed Under: beauty, Beauty Marks, earth day, lauren conrad, makeup, nails, pedicures, the hills

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:20 pm

Disney’s Dark Secret About Earth

Spoiler Alert! The bear lands in the water, not the ice. Sorry!

Yay, it's our favorite day of the year, Earth Day! A day in which we can actually feel proud, rather than guilty, for not showering. Because, you know, conservation and stuff! Anyway, perhaps you've decided to celebrate this joyous day by heeding the advice that our Earth Day overlords have sent down from on high and turning off your TV tonight.* In which case you're probably considering going to see Disney's latest documentary, Earth, at the movies. But if you do, there's one thing you need to know about it before buying your ticket, something that Disney has not bothered to include in any of the commercials or trailers they've been running to advertise this film.

Of course, what we're referring to here is the fact that THIS ENTIRE MOVIE IS BASICALLY A REPEAT! If you've seen the trailer and wondered why some of the shots looked familiar, it's because Earth is nothing but a re-skinned and trimmed-down version of the acclaimed, eleven-part 2006 BBC television series, Planet Earth. That's right, there's no new footage to be seen here; if you watched the show or own the DVDs, you've already seen all that this film has to offer. Disney decided to take a few small, family-friendly sections of the film and cull it together into one semi-cohesive whole. To make it seem fresher and more cinematic (as if that were even possible), they slapped a new James Earl Jones narration track over the parts where either David Attenborough or Sigourney Weaver, depending on the country in which you saw it, originally spoke.

That's not to say that this wouldn't be a totally sweet thing to see on the big screen. Unfortunately, though, today is 4/22 and not 4/20. We think Disney missed out on some real synergistic opportunities there.

*It certainly doesn't hurt that Lost is a repeat clip show tonight.

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Disney, Earth, James Earl Jones, Movies, Stick A Feather In Your Cap And Call It Macaroni

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:00 pm

Alan Cumming Supports Paterson’s Marriage-Equality Timeline

Count gay activist Alan Cumming on Team Paterson: The actor believes that now is the right time for the governor's controversial gay-marriage bill. "I don't think Paterson's rushing it at all," he told us at last night's Life Ball Preview Party. "He's been trying to get this through for many, many years. It's horrifying that we're in the midst of a civil-rights struggle," Cumming explained. "It's 2009! But things are definitely changing, and that's why I think this is the time to pass the bill. The fact that New York is following Iowa seems kind of crazy." Of course, if the bill fails, Cumming admits, "it would be a real blight on New York." But the performer, who is attending the Empire State Pride Agenda's "Equality and Justice Day" in Albany next week, isn't suspicious of Paterson's motives: "He's not doing it for political reasons. Like, when did gay marriage become something that could make you popular, for fuck's sake? That's just, like, being a little nippy, people being bitches." The perennial pixie showed considerably less support for another politician; when we mentioned that Giuliani has been threatening to use his opposition to same-sex marriage as a political tool, Cumming said: "Because his political career is going so well? I'm sure he's on the money with that one. I think he's an asshole. Please quote me on that."

Done!

Read more posts by Mike Vilensky

Filed Under: alan cumming, david paterson, empire state pride agenda, equal rites, gay marriage, gays, marriage equailty, party lines, rudy giuliani

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 9:00 pm

You Don’t Have to Wait Until Fall to Enjoy Chalky Nails

We're feeling blue.

When Chanel's models paraded down the fall 2009 runway with minty green fingernails, people started buzzing about the color. A bright shade for fall? How revolutionary. Luckily, you don't have to wait for September to get your hands on chalky pastel polishes: They've already started hitting shelves. And our favorite is Essie's Sag Harbor shade. It's less of an Easter egg pastel and more rich, eye-catching, and not so juvenile. As a co-worker said, "it's the most beautiful French blue" and a friend added, "Girrrrl, I've never seen anything like that before!" Four more compliments at work and another from a random woman at a bar on Saturday night means that we're in no rush to change out the color.

$8 at essie.com.

Read more posts by Aja Mangum

Filed Under: beauty, Beauty Marks, chanel, nails

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:50 pm

6 Reasons Why Michael Phelps And Carrie Prejean Are Perfect For One Another

Reports from every website on the internet (including this one) claim that Michael Phelps and Miss California Carrie Prejean used to date, are currently dating, or will continue to date (they're conjugating the verb "date" together). Though we've made our opinions on Phelps and Prejean somewhat clear in the past, we can actually see them working great as a couple, for a number of reasons: 1. Both are more attractive when not talking. 2. Both have been involved in highly amusing scandals during slow news weeks. 3. Both are up for Butterface Magazine's coveted "Person of the Year" honors. 4. Both have made out with someone of the same sex at least once when they weren't quite as drunk as they claimed to be the next day. 5. Both eat babies for breakfast (FACT). 6. I'd delete this post and hook up with either one if the opportunity presented itself. Ignore this one, actually. Wait, I can just manually delete it so it doesn't get posted in the first place. Ah whatever, I'll leave it. There's 6.
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:30 pm

Babyshambles Is the New La’s

Lee Mavers, the singer/songwriter behind the well-loved but long defunct retro-sixties British pop band The La's has recruited Pete Doherty and the rest of Babyshambles to help him record the first La's album since their debut dropped all the way back in 1990. Mavers, well known in Brit rock circles for being a reclusive eccentric, reached out to the band after performing with Doherty at a solo concert, and work on the project is set to begin at some unknown point in the future. However, given that Doherty is famous for being kind of a train wreck and that Mavers has not completed a record in nearly twenty years, we're not going to get our expectations too high. In the meantime, we'll take this as another opportunity to revisit the La's classic single "There She Goes."

Lee Mavers planning second La's album with Babyshambles [NME]

Read more posts by Matthew Perpetua

Filed Under: babyshambles, lee mavers, pete doherty, reunions, the la's

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:30 pm

Watch: Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck Reunite Onstage in Los Angeles

Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart made a historic appearance together--their first in over 25 years--in Los Angeles, California Tuesday night (April 21).

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:21 pm

Coco Avant Chanel Movie Poster Banned in Paris

This poster for Coco Chanel biopic Coco Avant Chanel was banned in Paris by Metrobus, which runs advertising on the city's trains and buses. The problem? Audrey Tautou appears — good heavens — smoking a cigarette. Metrobus demanded the ad be replaced with one of Tautou standing next to the male lead, sans cigarette. Coco Chanel smoked 50 cigarettes a day. It's hard to find a picture of her where she is not either holding or smoking a cigarette. Many are calling the ban ridiculous, including France's health minister. [Telegraph UK]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: audrey tautou, coco avant chanel, Mon Dieu!, movies

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:20 pm

Theresa Rebeck Lusts After the Mythical Turkish Martini

Name: Theresa Rebeck
Occupation: Writer: She wrote the critically acclaimed play Mauritius and the upcoming Our House at Playwrights Horizons. Her novel, Three Girls and Their Brother had its paperback release yesterday.
Neighborhood: Park Slope

Who's your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional?
My favorite New Yorker would have to be Marion Seldes. She is so glamorous, and whenever I see her at openings, she puts her hands on my face and calls me "darling." I had the opportunity to work with her eight years ago when she was in one of my plays at Playwrights Horizons, and every aspect of that experience was and remains a wonder. She embodies, for me, the best of the city in its character and its history — she is so elegant and warmhearted, and nobody tells better stories. Her uncle was the great journalist George Seldes, who is one of my personal heroes.

What's the best meal you've eaten in New York?
The best meal I've ever eaten in New York was in Brooklyn and involves the malfatti you can order at our neighborhood restaurant al di là. It has gotten so hard to get in over there that sometimes we have taken to calling it la di da, but that's not their fault — it really is the perfect restaurant.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job?
I write and write and write and write, then I e-mail, then I go to the gym, and then I e-mail, and then I write some more.

Would you still live here on a $35,000 salary?
Actually, I don't think I could live here on that amount of money. I have two kids and a husband and I'm the sole breadwinner. So after taxes that would come to, what, less than $20,000? Four people living on less than $20,000; I think would put us out on the street pretty much anywhere.

What's the last thing you saw on Broadway?
Okay, I just saw Rock of Ages and it was truly awesome. Two thumbs way up from the playwright in Brooklyn. Rock on.

Do you give money to panhandlers?
Yes. Not all the time. I sort of switch it off and on. If I'm not ignoring it, I'm handing out five-dollar bills.

What's your drink?
Oh, I'm such a boring drinker. I usually go for a glass of white wine. Although one time I went to a Turkish restaurant with John Weidman, and I had this vodka drink with sour cherry and lime juice, and every time he suggests we go there again I apparently get kind of a crazed glint in my eye. He calls that drink the Turkish Martini, although I don't think that was its name. Anyway, it really does seem like a mythical drink to me now. I would very much like to have another one of those.

How often do you prepare your own meals?
I'm usually in charge of my own breakfast and lunch. I hate going out to breakfast and lunch because it wastes too much time, so I prepare those meals all the time. I'm pretty good at eggs and oatmeal. Also, I make a kind of yogurt-granola-cashew concoction that I like a lot. Then by the end of the day, I am frankly ready to waste time, so I will agree to go out to dinner if anybody asks. Also, my husband is a first-rate cook. So I never make dinner. Which is why I can get away with only knowing how to cook eggs, oatmeal, and granola.

What's your favorite medication?
I have a very steady and firm friendship with Dr. Ambien. What a great drug.

What's hanging above your sofa?
An enormous print by the Japanese artist Immamura. It looks like a time machine.

How much is too much to spend on a haircut?
Okay, that is a complicated question that looks like a simple question. For instance, I think that maybe $300 is too much to spend on a cut, but it is not too much to spend on a cut, highlights, and color. It all depends on what you mean by "haircut." "Haircut" can mean a lot of things.

When's bedtime?
That depends on the inside of my head and how poorly it chooses to behave. When it is behaving really badly, I would be up all night were it not for my friendship with Dr. Ambien. When the doctor is in the house, I might get to sleep by 1:30 or 2.

Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square?
Well come on, the new Times Square is pretty great. It reminds me of Blade Runner, which is one of my favorite movies. Sometimes I can't stand to walk through it because it's so insanely crowded all the time, and I get a little too angry at tourists who stop in the middle of the sidewalk to have a conversation regardless of how big a traffic jam they're going to create. But mostly I really like the new Times Square; I find it peculiar and dazzling.

What do you think of Donald Trump?
I don't actually think about Donald Trump. He seems like a character in a cartoon that I don't watch.

What do you hate most about living in New York?
The snobs. Obviously there are snobs everywhere on the planet, but there's a particular breed of them in New York that I find especially odious. The obsession with who you know and how much money you make is annoying, but it's the intellectual snobs who honestly I think are the worst, mostly because I don't find them truly well read or passionate or curious about matters of the mind. There are true intellects and real thinkers here — I'm not talking about them, I love them. It's the intellectual snobs who are phony at heart and mean and condescending without any reason, and without having anything to back it up. I think they give the city a bad name.

Who is your mortal enemy?
Oh, mortal enemies. I don't know; I have a sister I who I find pretty annoying. But even given my aversion to intellectual snobs, I'm not sure it is so smart to harbor or nurture fantasies of enmity. It seems like a terrible waste of time to me.

When's the last time you drove a car?
I drove a car last week. We went to Arizona and went up to the Navajo Nation and Monument Valley, so there was a lot of driving down straight roads under a very blue sky.

How has the economic downturn affected your life?
It's mostly a question of nerves for me. I work in an industry where everyone seems like they're always in a panic anyway. Now they seem like they're even more in a panic. And while I think other industries have truly had to rethink and restructure and grow up a little under the pressure of so many difficulties, I'm not sure that the theater is even capable of that. Everyone is terrified about shrinking audiences, but when you say things like, "well — maybe we should figure out a way to bring down ticket prices so that it could be more affordable for people to go to the theater in these rocky financial times" — there doesn't seem to be a way to actually think that through and address it as a good idea.

I have some friends who are working on a big musical, and they all decided they would cut the budget by something like 60 percent, and they seem really happy with the results. I think their show is going to be beautiful, and it simply was not going to happen under the old models. So I choose to believe it's possible for us to make the theater better and invite more people in to shows that mean something to them, and cost less too. But it's looking like that is something that might be hard to achieve on an industrywide level. Hence everybody panicking and wanting more and more movie stars to do their plays.

Times, Post, or Daily News?
I seriously love the Daily News. I love how they write about New York over there. Also, I think their headlines are amazing and the prose is so vigorous. My favorite issue of the Daily News came out just after the Red Sox had sealed the pennant back in 2004; there was a giant picture of Pedro Martinez with his hands in the air underneath the headline HELL FREEZES OVER. You have to love a paper that will print stuff like that.

Where do you go to be alone?
Vermont.

What makes someone a New Yorker?
Knowing how to read the subway map. When I first came here nineteen years ago, it looked like spaghetti to me. It doesn't look like that anymore.

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: 21 questions, theresa rebeck

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:20 pm

Who Is This Beautiful Woman Seen with Gavin Rossdale?

Our favorite source for all things news, In Touch Magazine, has revealed that before Gwen Stefani became his wife, rocker Gavin Rossdale shared feelings for yet another beautiful woman, pictured above. Indeed, that's Gavin, rocking an original costume from Legend, and his former flame Marilyn, the luscious British pop star of the 80s. You know, we can see what Gavin saw in Marilyn: The curvy body, the long blonde hair, the sensuous lips, the giant dong-- (pause)(blink, blink) The Giant Dong. Nowwwwwwwwwww we understand why Gavin's denying the romance. He used to date a man who looks exactly like his wife. You know what? F*ck it, they still make a beautiful couple. Gavs, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Marilyn is gorgeous. Be honest, fellas, 2 tequilas and you'd be drunk dialing this bish on any given 2 am weeknight.
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:11 pm

Rescue Me: The Further Sins of Tommy Gavin

While at first this season’s third episode, “Wine,” has us thinking Denis Leary settled into a familiar Rescue Me theme — woman enters, men revert to 13-year-olds — we remember something the Chief said in episode one, after the firecracker-warehouse explosions. Chiding Chief Nelson for the botched job, Feinberg stared deeply into his eyes (making us think he’s still Hesh from The Sopranos) and intoned, “It’s the culture of accountability, kiddo, and you better get your act together.”

It kinda seems like everyone might be getting their acts together: Tommy drops his Section 8 charge in two minutes flat; Mike, Franco, and Garrity decide to start a bar together; even Sheila makes an attempt (a hilarious one) at de-crazy-fying herself by seeing a “psychodramaturg.” But then accountability comes in the attractive form of Genevieve Lazard (Karina Lombard), a French journalist writing a “tasteful” book about 9/11 and thus worming her way into the firemen’s hearts and brains, whether oh-so-lightly dragging lovelorn Kenny along behind her or inciting noted political philosophers Franco and Mike to fisticuffs over whether 9/11 was an inside job.

Lo and behold, beneath its veneer of boys-will-be-boys antics, this episode sees all the characters facing up to the results of their (often thoughtless) actions, whether it’s Franco’s recommendation of an “unorthodox” chiropractor to Garrity, Mike’s idiotically realized plan for an all-black bar, or Sean’s decision to tell Tommy he’s with Colleen. Which brings us to our favorite dodger of all, Tommy Gavin, who, as usual, deals with temptation and sin with varying degrees of success.

Egotism
The episode opens with a classic Tommy-as-savior fantasy: Colleen is pregnant and on the street, and, like some Brooklyn-born Madonna, popping out three kids in a row (delivered by Tommy, of course) while beatifically grinning at dad and promising one will be named after him. There’s a rude awakening when Sean gleefully calls him Dad. When will Tommy learn that being a savior has its consequences? Maybe after a few more weeks of playing AA sponsor to the certifiable Derek, who seems headed for a crash-and-burn any episode now …

Hypocrisy
Colleen isn’t pregnant — and she won’t be anytime soon, thanks to Sean’s oft-spoken devotion to "keeping it real" and saving himself for marriage. Which makes Tommy … angry? Did he not just spend all of last season pummeling the idiot rock star she was regularly sleeping with? At any rate, this all leads to an ill-advised firehouse encounter, in which Tommy reminds his daughter of how he raised her to be a lapsed Catholic and how she should “test drive” her “parts” with Sean’s “until sex turns into a boring monotonous chore.” We’re also confused as to what exactly Colleen does all day — did she ever finish high school? — but no matter.

Desire
Just as the heat of Tommy’s dalliance with Valerie (Gina Gershon) is waning, along comes Genevieve, complete with gallery-opening and apartment-visiting invitations. Turns out she actually IS that into him and wants to rub her wine-stained lips all over his ready and eager face. But, miracle of miracles, Tommy’s episode with Colleen seems to have made him slightly more, yes, accountable than usual. He tells Genevieve about Valerie and about his alcoholism before making the wise decision to leave.

Read more posts by Rebecca Milzoff

Filed Under: overnights, rescue me, tv

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 8:00 pm

From The BWE Writer’s Room: The Fate Of Mankind Is Still Up In The Air

Are you worried about the future of the human race? Well don’t be, because History Channel's Life After People showed us a very logical, surefire contingency plan.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

For more on the Immortality Drive, tune in to Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins Friday at 11pm.
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:55 pm

Patricia Field Prefers Discussing Socrates and Einstein to Discussing Fashion

Patricia Field wasn't in the mood to talk about fashion last night at the Life Ball preview party, even though she's one of the most famous stylists in the world and will stage the opening fashion show for the annual Life Ball next month. "It's funny, I always wonder why everyone is so interested in fashion," she told us. "I mean, I love it, and it's fun and whatever, but there are other interesting things to talk about. But everybody is so into fashion." Field instead preferred to chat about her other icons, regular favorites of the fashion industry: Socrates and Einstein. "Einstein is an icon of my life, along with Socrates. Socrates was a genius and his genius is that he delivers new ideas in the most simple and understandable way. At the same time, he will shake you up, but when you got stuff out of him, it seemed obvious. And Albert Einstein was the same way. His theories were the most simple and logical theories and he told you them in simple and logical ways. Like, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It's obvious! Those two were twins. The distance between them is a straight line. Ha!" Okaaaaay. So will she style the Sex and the City sequel? "Yeah, probably," she replied, unenthusiastically. "I'm not tired of fashion. Fashion is my blood. But, it's, like, okay! Don't put me in that box. I'm more than fashion. I am the 360-degree woman." And now we have proof.

Read more posts by Mike Vilensky

Filed Under: einstein, party lines, patricia field, sex and the city sequel, socrates

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:50 pm

CLAIM: Jack Black Delivered Andy Samberg Out of Own Penishole

Would you believe it? The MTV Movie Awards are a little over a month away, which means that the hilarious promotional cogs are already being greased to gear the country up for Andy Samberg's hosting debut. And it wouldn't be Andy Samberg related if it didn't involve blatant homosexual undertones. Take this first promo, for example, where new parents Jack Black and Michael Cera just could not be prouder of their son, Andy:

MTV Shows

Aww. Michael Cera seems like a really sweet mom. So, how will Samberg be as host? Well if he looks half as adorable as he does in the above promo, he'll probably be pretty good. Make sure to tune in to the MTV Movie Awards LIVE Sunday, May 31 @ 9 PM.
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:46 pm

Star Trek Earns More Raves

People who might have felt a slight bit of apprehension when Guardian film critic Phil Hoad described J.J. Abrams's latest film as "Star Trek 90210" can breathe a sigh of relief. Variety's Todd McCarthy gives the movie a rave today, describing it as "smart and breathless ... this reincarnation is dynamic where the old one was often stodgy, stylish instead of a bit square." [Variety]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: J.J. Abrams, Movies, Star Trek, Trekkies

Source: Vulture | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:45 pm

Times CEO Rewarded for a Great Year

New York Times Company president and CEO Janet Robinson.

The Times has done plenty of reporting these past few months on the compensation of executives at failing Wall Street corporations, but a similar story is unfolding inside its very own easily climbable building. The New York Times Company reported a quarterly loss of $74 million yesterday, and yet its president and CEO, Janet L. Robinson, saw her yearly compensation package bumped up over $1 million from 2007, to a total of $5.58 million, recent SEC filings show. Some reporters at the Times are understandably irked, considering they've all been asked to take a 5 percent pay cut. One reporter at the Times-owned Boston Globe — which is facing a complete shutdown unless it comes up with $20 million in savings — expressed his amazement "at the depth and breadth of the hypocrisy here." Sounds like a perfect topic for a Times editorial.

Bonuses To New York Times Execs Under Fire [HuffPo]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: bonuses, Ink-Stained Wretches, media, new york times

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:31 pm

Record Store Day Boosts Indie Stores' Sales

The numbers are in and Record Store Day produced a nearly 1% gain - to 566,000 for the week versus 561,000 from the corresponding week of the prior year - in U.S. album sales for the indie store sector, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:27 pm

Lo Bosworth (Sort of) Blogs About Her Career Aspirations, Love Life

Lo Bosworth is guest-blogging for E!, which means she spoke to a real writer who put what she had to say into an intelligibly formatted blog post (for the most part). Lo blogs that she wants to be a television host when her run on The Hills ends. She also reveals why she never gets any action on the show. "I've never really [shared my love life] on the show, and the producers know that," she blogs. "I like to keep that part of my life to myself." Good call. Whitney was distraught after she aired her probably fake love life on The City. [E!]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: hills, lo bosworth, mtv, People Who Do Nothing for a Living, reality tv, television

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:15 pm

Completely Adorable, Snuggly Wuggly, Deadly Wild Animal Arrives at Bronx Zoo

OH NO. Look at that face! Look at that little face! Everybody, this is Moxie. He's a five-month-old baby lion who is making his debut at the Bronx Zoo. He's the first cub to be born at the zoo in 31 years, and he's sure to give us something to smile about in these hard times. He'll end up weighing 350 pounds, but he was born weighing only three. His parents, M’wasi and Sukari, brought together by the Wildlife Conservation Society, are very proud. And so are we! He's just a big boy! Who's a big boy? Who loves us! Who gives us love and kisses!

Now, just don't eat us.

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: bronx zoo, LION PUPPIES!!!!!!, lions

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 7:10 pm

American Idol Recap: The Top 7 Prove Disco Still Very Much Dead

This is a recap for The Top 7 (Again) on American Idol Season 8, theme: Disco. You can see the performances here. Remember, due to the judges saving of Matt Giraud last Wedneday, two contestants will be going home this week. Lil Rounds "I'm Every Woman": Week in, week out, Lil's voice is simply all over the place. I half-expected a feral cat to mount her halfway through the performance. (OMG how adorable would half-cat/half-Lil babies be?) You always know a contestant is in trouble when they try to distract people from their singing by walking around the judges, waving their arms in the air, throwing out a couple of "come on!"'s and "Hey!"'s, and making sure their cameltoe is front and center. You could just see the desperation in Lil's eyes, and in our ears. In fact, this was the first time in Idol history that, while listening to the main performer, I started thinking about how pissed off the actually talented back-up singers must be. RATING 3/10 Kris Allen "She Works Hard for the Money": "It's actually the story about a woman... and she's working hard for the money" -- Kris Allen. Good ol' Busker Keaton pulled out the gee-tar and some congo players to disembowel easily my favorite "Dance When Nobodies Looking" tune. This week, I opted not to look at Kris while listening to him, because I find that I'm so distracted by his raptor jaw that it tends to ruin the song itself for me. That being said... I still thought he was "Meh"-Cauley Suckin!! (Ed. Note: I'm high on Lithium right now. JK?) But, because I know a lot of you folks would gladly work hard for Kris' money, I'll bump up his score a bit. And then immediately bump it down because Kara sorta overdid it in her review. RATING 5/10 Danny Gokey "September": Earth, Wind and Fire. I f*cking love Earth, Wind and Fire. In fact, I just decided I'm going to name my first four children "Earth", "Wind", "And", & "Fire", then line them up and teach them how to melt hearts and play horn. So it might not be surprising to hear that, for maybe the first time ever, I didn't not completely despise Gokey. This might have been one of the only Danny Gokey performances I ever enjoyed. Sure, it sounded like all other Gokey performances, only this time he added in the elements of sweet 70s autumnal lovemaking. Admit it: If you were on a cruise, a little tipsy, and Gokey busted out on stage singing this number, you would be braless in 4 seconds flat (that goes for you too, fellas.) RATING 8/10 Allison Iraheta "Hot Stuff": Believe it or not, I loved Allison's outfit. Then again, I dress like a Russian prostitute. Sequins, rhinestones, glitter, bugle beads; the more the f**king merrier. And not everyone can pull off a tight, sparkly garbage bag, so for that she gets our impressed frowny-nod face. Plus, she tamed the mullet! Now, "Hot Stuff" isn't my favorite disco song, and it seems that Allison would have been better off singing one of the best disco numbers ever, Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way." If DialIdol's predictions are correct, Allison is in last place... which is BLASPHEME -- a Lambert/Iraheta final is the only way this show should end. RATING 6/10 Adam Lambert "If I Can't Have You": From the moment I saw Adam in his clean-cut, Noxema-faced best, I knew in my heart I was going to fall in love with him all over again, as I do every week. The fact that he makes out with other dudes does nothing to stop my desire to liquify him, pour his remains onto a plate, and absorb him up with a biscuit -- or, as some of you may say, "sop." Guess who else connected emotionally to "If I Can't Have You"? Me. Last week's Steppenwolf number was a touch embarrassing, but this week was typical fabulous "slow" Adam back front and center. He was amazing. It felt like his song was way short -- so much so that I actually timed his song in comparison to Lil, whose song went on (cue Sandlot) Forever. Adam clocked in at 1:42... and Lil? Only 1:35. Meanwhile, when Kara told him he looked like a guy from "Saturday Night Live", I was sure she was dropping an obscure Night at the Roxbury reference, only to realize she meant "Saturday Night Fever." And props to Ryan for his "Pool of Abdul" joke -- genius and true. RATING 9/10 Matt Giraud "Stayin' Alive": Too bad Matt Giraud couldn't sing the Schindler's List theme last night -- not only would it have been appropriate, it being Holocaust Rememberance Day and all that -- but it's probably the only other most obvious song he could have sung. Because, sadly for Matt, no one ever wrote a disco song called "Hey, America, You Look Beautiful Tonight! Plus You Smell Fantastic! Did You Lose Weight? (Remixxx)" Matt surely would have sung it. This is a desperate man facing desperate measures. After being saved by the judges last week, Giraud was pulling out all the stops. And with "Stayin' Alive", all he wanted to do was throw open the tiny metal porthole into our hearts, crawl on in, and spoon no less than 2 chambers. But the scariest thing? MATT WASN'T THAT BAD! In fact, I thought he was better last night than any other previous week on the show. Then again, I'm a sucker for desperate guys (gentlemannnnnn). RATING 6/10 Anoop Desai "Dim All The Lights": My knowledge of disco songs is fairly extensive -- yet Anoop managed to snag a Donna Summer I had never actually heard before. And, having listened to the original version, I can honestly say it's a song I'm just not all that crazy about. That being said, Anoop was "a'ight". His voice sounded OK -- the end was a nightmare -- but frankly I was a little distracted by the 80s rapist Halloween costume/facial hair situation happening. AND SERIOUSLY WHAT WAS WITH HIS EYEBROWS? Can we close in on them for a second? Please, America, keep him around for one more week so that I may coin my new Anoop nickname... Anoop Desai-Brows. RATING 5/10 Thoughts? Open Thread in the Comments!
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:51 pm

World’s Most Expensive Suit Made From Camel Relative, Arctic Muskox, Some Gold

Isn't it dapper?

The world's most expensive suit will be unveiled at a party in London tonight. Designed by Alexander Amosu, the suit costs $103,000. So it's perfectly sensible for Amosu to arrange for extra security to accompany the suit to the party, where it will be transported in an armored Range Rover. Amosu is also launching his new luxury line for men and women, with prices starting at $7,300 and topping out at $103,000 for the suit. The illustrious ensemble is a blend of vicuña, a rare wild South American animal related to the camel which only produces enough wool for shearing every three years; qiviuk, the world's most expensive wool, which comes from the arctic muskox; and pashmina. They call this blend "Vanquish II." Since no six-figure item of apparel is complete without shiny embellishments, the suit is finished with nine eighteen-carat gold and pavé-set diamond buttons. The designer is, obviously, untroubled by the economic climate. "We might not be catering to everyone," Amosu concedes. "But the people who buy Alexander Amosu want to wear the very best suits in the world." We can think of only one person foolish enough to purchase such an item: Real Housewife of New York Jill Zarin, who spent $16,000 on a bag that looked to be made of red cardboard and thought it was an understated way to celebrate her birthday.

World's most expensive suit goes on sale in London for £70K [Telegraph UK]
WELL $UITED [NYP]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: alexander amosu, eff the recession, vanquish ii

Source: The Cut | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:45 pm

Elizabeth Banks set for 'Forever 21'

Front Page: Actress to star in DreamWorks' comedy -- Elizabeth Banks is on the clock for DreamWorks workplace comedy "Forever 21."

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:42 pm

Hillary Joins the Fray

While testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier today, Hillary Clinton was asked by Republican Dana Rohrabacher whether she supported Dick Cheney's push to release more torture memos. Clinton decided to dodge the question and take a swipe at Cheney instead. "It won't surprise you that I don’t consider him a particularly reliable source of information," she said to scattered laughter. Rohrabacher became slightly irritated and wagged his pencil at Clinton — but it was totally worth it. Update: Now with video!

Hillary Clinton Questions Dick Cheney's Credibility [RCP]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: dana rohrabacher, dick cheney, hillary clinton, politics, Secretary of Awesome, torture

Source: Daily Intel | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:40 pm

Members of Australian legendary hard rock band AC/DC Brian Johnson (L) and Angus Young (R)

Members of Australian legendary hard rock band AC/DC Brian Johnson (L) and Angus Young (R) perform at the Laszlo Papp Arena of Budapest in March 2009. While many dream to live like a rock star, a life...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:12 pm

'Stripper' to 10-Year H.S. Reunion as Alum

Andrea Wachner asked a pole dancer to take her place, posts footage on YouTube.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:12 pm

Paula Abdul Dispels Drug Rumors

Exclusive: "Idol" judge says she's never been drunk or addicted to drugs.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 6:05 pm

Pop Tarts: Alicia Silverstone Joins Spoof on Marriage

A slew of stars and starlets have come together to parody "The Gathering Storm Ad" made by the National Organization for Marriage, which preaches against same-sex unions.
Source: FOXNews.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 5:55 pm

Rick Ross On Pace For Third Straight Billboard 200 No. 1

Rick Ross is on his way to his third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as "Deeper Than Rap" looks like it will debut atop the list next week. Industry prognosticators project the Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam album will sell over 150,000 copies in its first week.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 5:53 pm

VIDEO: The 10 Worst Guitar Solos Of All Time

The internet is full of opinions about sh*tty guitar solos coming from people with far more legitimate musical knowledge than myself (meaning, more than zero), but after a recent argument with a friend of mine about the worst guitar solo of all time, I felt compelled to compile a list of my own. However, rather than take the jaded-guitarist approach and rip on the solo in "Freebird" for being indulgent or the solo in "One" because "OMG Metallica SUXXXX!!!" I've instead put together a list of just 10 Hilarious Attempts At Guitar Solos that never fail to make me laugh, in the hopes that, unlike every music-related comment board on the damn internet, we can actually agree to enjoy something:
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 5:45 pm

Lil Wayne Loses Documentary Lawsuit

A state court judge has refused a request by rapper Lil Wayne to block the release of a documentary titled "The Carter," based on his life.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 5:34 pm

This Bo Bice Idol Trading Card Is My New Favorite Card Possession

One of the countless perks of working for VH1 (ok, there's only two perks, and the other one is this) is when we receive random promotional items in the mail from pop culturey things; these items usually fall squarely into the "anyone want this before I throw it away?" category, but sometimes, someone will send us some gold (figuratively or literally), such as today's pack of American Idol Trading Cards. I don't know if the Idol card people rigged the pack they sent to me, but sure enough, buried inside a pack of only six cards, was this gem: Needless to say, I'm off to Kinko's to get this card blown up into Fathead size -- after the jump, the rest of my new children: And the most thrilling action shot of them all: (Also, Michelle wanted me to tell everyone the Idol recap is on its way, so save your comments about last night's ep -- I guess, reserve this comment space for declarations of Bo Bice trading card awesomeness)
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:45 pm

'Earth' takes viewers on 'breathtaking' journey

A polar bear falls through thin Arctic ice while searching for food for his family. A humpback whale guides her calf on a perilous 4,000-mile journey. A herd of African elephants in search of water battles a sandstorm in the Kalahari Desert.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:13 pm

The Other 'American Idol' Game: Gambling

Some 'Idol' fans don't care about the singing, they just want to make a buck.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:11 pm

ABC picks up 'Copper'

Front Page: Network nabs 13 episodes of cop drama -- ABC has picked up 13 episodes of the cop drama "Copper," a Canadian co-production from indie studio E1 Entertainment.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:10 pm

Faith Hill Poses as Other Iconic Blondes in Photo Spread

The singer, 41, chose to pose as actress Brigitte Bardot, model Twiggy and actress Grace Kelly.
Source: FOXNews.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:03 pm

PureStream Cleans Anal Cavities Better Than Your Average Toilet

Take a couple of minutes to think of the scariest toilet imaginable. Have something in mind? Great. Now, does it contain an "adjustable, self-cleaning arm that extends from beneath the toilet seat and administers a steady, constant stream of warm water into the anal cavity"? No? Well, clearly you've never seen the almost borderline erotic ad for the PureStream Lotus Seat Toilet, the only toilet that will shoot a laser beam of H20 into your ass to ensure smooth BMs. And once again, jobs will be lost, as those poor folks responsible for giving old people enemas are being replaced by robots. Ass cleaning robots. Oh, here's another one if you speak Japanese. (Thanks to Ed Halter for the tip!)
Source: Best Week Ever | 22 Apr 2009 | 4:00 pm

Fox wins night with 'Fringe,' 'Idol'

Front Page: NBC's 'Loser' continues to perform well -- Behind another solid edition of “American Idol” and freshman hit “Fringe,” Fox won the Tuesday night ratings race handily. NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” continued to perform well for the Peacock, which came in second, and a lineup full of repeats was good enough for CBS to place third.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 22 Apr 2009 | 3:25 pm

Korn Recording Two New Albums, Prepping For Tour

A new Korn album -- the follow-up to 2007's "Untitled" -- could be out "within the year" according to bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, while the group is also continuing work on a planned album of covers.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 3:25 pm

Jennifer Lopez Getting Her Work Mojo Back

Lopez talks about Marc, twins, career, her work on behalf of whooping cough.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 2:59 pm

The best football movies

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 2:51 pm

Reality Check: Who Goes Home on 'Dancing'?

In the seventh week of competition on season 8 of “Dancing With the Stars,” the former football player Lawrence Taylor was sent back to the golf course tonight after landing solidly in last place on the judges’ leaderboard on Monday night.
Source: FOXNews.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 2:42 pm

Why we're fascinated by Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle, who recently performed on the U.K. television show "Britain's Got Talent," has captured the world's attention.
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 2:37 pm

Go ahead, spout off at Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell has taken to Twitter like Tweety Bird took to making mischief. He's ready to take your comments -- and criticism -- about his new album, "Scream."
Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 2:26 pm

Franz Ferdinand Get Dub Infusion With 'Blood' Release

Scottish rock outfit Franz Ferdinand will release "Blood," its second album of 2009, on June 1 through Domino. The nine song set is a dub version of the group's third album, "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand," which was released this past January.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 1:50 pm

PHOTOS: Stars Heat Up Season 8 of 'Dancing'

Lawrence Taylor says so long to the dance floor on "DWTS."
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 1:42 pm

Love It or Hate It? Katie Couric's New Super Short Hairstyle

The embattled "CBS Evening News" anchor unveiled a new, short hairstyle this week
Source: FOXNews.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 1:24 pm

St. Vincent's Annie Clark Acts Out For Second Album

Annie Clark always gravitated toward taking on other personas. Since her 2006 debut, "Marry Me," she recorded under the name St. Vincent. So it's fitting that her follow-up album, which will be released May 5 on 4AD, is called "Actor."

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 12:40 pm

Schwarzenegger May Appear in New 'Terminator'

The California governor says his image might appear in next month's 'Terminator: Salvation' since the filmmakers are playing with technology to insert his image from the earlier 'Terminator' movies
Source: FOXNews.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 12:09 pm

Ian Dury 'Sex & Drugs' Biopic On The Way

Naomie Harris, Ray Winstone, Olivia Williams, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook and Noel Clarke are ready for some "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll." The sextet have joined the cast of Mat Whitecross' Ian Dury biopic, which stars Andy Serkis as the singer-songwriter.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 11:33 am

Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren both play journalists

Australian actor Russell Crowe and British actress Dame Helen Mirren, seen here, were among a host of stars who took to the red carpet in central London for the world premiere of the political thriller...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 22 Apr 2009 | 11:08 am

'Hannah Montana' Takes Top Spot On Billboard 200

In its fourth week on the Billboard 200, the "Hannah Montana: The Movie" soundtrack (Walt Disney) reaches No. 1 for the first time, vaulting to the top of the chart with 133,000 according to Nielsen SoundScan

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 11:00 am

John Vanderslice Going ‘Romanian' For New Album, Label

Bay Area singer-songwriter John Vanderslice will return May 19 with "Romanian Names," his first record for Secretly Canadian offshoot label Dead Oceans.

Source: Billboard.com | 22 Apr 2009 | 10:51 am

PHOTOS: Hollywood Relaxes on Vacation

Which reality star took in some sun in Mexico recently?
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 22 Apr 2009 | 10:39 am