According to Roger Friedman, Michael Jackson's funeral is set for Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Staples Center and is also expected to make use of the neighboring Nokia Theatre. Additionally, video screens will be provided for the millions of people who don't make it inside. We'd feel bad about not being able to make it to Los Angeles, but we're pretty sure cars will be backed up to Manhattan anyway. [Showbiz 411/HR]
Early yesterday evening the ferry, carrying around 750 commuters, slammed into the dock at St. George after suddenly losing power. "A crew member came on the PA system about 25 seconds before impact and said, 'Passengers, hold on! Passengers, hold on!'" said one passenger aboard the boat. About fifteen people were injured, and the ferry has now resumed service. [NYP]
Reuters - A housewife from Sleaford in Lincolnshire will be the first of thousands of people to stand for one hour on top of a plinth in London's Trafalgar Square as part of a 100-day "live sculpture" exercise. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Jul 2009 | 2:03 pm
AP - Jermaine Jackson said he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports show that Michael Jackson abused prescription drugs, but that he did not know about any drug use by his younger brother.
AP - Jermaine Jackson said he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports show that Michael Jackson abused prescription drugs, but that he did not know about any drug use by his younger brother.
AP - Jermaine Jackson said he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports show that Michael Jackson abused prescription drugs, but that he did not know about any drug use by his younger brother.
Gaming: The Atari video game Asteroids has been purchased by Universal following a four-studio bidding war. As you'll recall if you enjoy fun, the game consists of a triangle shooting at asteroids moving vertically down the screen — and that's it. So, guys, if you need a hand with that screenplay or anything … [HR]
Calendar Switch-Up: Sony has shifted its 2010 lineup, bumping Adam Sandler’s Grown Ups — the reunion comedy co-starring Chris Rock and Kevin James — from March back to June 25 in a move emulating the release tactics of this year’s The Hangover. That means Seth Rogen’s The Green Hornet, which was slated to go on the 25th, is moving back to July 9th. Adjust your 2010 day planners accordingly! [Variety]
Terrorism Stoppers:The Wanted, a two part NBC docu-series in which a team of professionals hunt down renowned terrorists, will air July 20 and 27. The team consists of counterterrorism expert Roger Carstens, ex-Navy Seal Scott Tyler, ex-U.S. intelligence official David Crane, and journalist Adam Ciralsky, and they’ll be tracking down Mullah Krekar of Ansar of Islam in the first segment and Mamoun Darkazanli, Bin Laden’s financier, in the second. Sounds kind of awesome, but we may just wait for Ben Silverman's fictionalized remake. [Variety]
Piping Up:Piper Perabo will star in USA’s Covert Affairs as Annie Walker, a highly promising CIA trainee who speaks six languages and joins the agency after a bad breakup, only to find that her ex-boyfriend is drawing the attention of her new bosses. Now USA is looking to cast Perabo’s sidekick, Augie Anderson, a blind tech expert. Could this be even better than Burn Notice?! [HR]
TV's Don: Producers Page Hurwitz and Javier Winnik are bringing The Fast and the Funniest — a combination of Last Comic Standing and The Amazing Race, in which comedians have to move around the country completing tasks and performing — to ABC. This kind of reminds us of VH1's Bands on the Run, which only ran for one season but, trust us, was the greatest thing ever. [Variety]
Murda Mase: Crediting his newfound inspiration to the death of Michael Jackson, Mase is returning after a five-year hiatus. This comeback follows his original comeback in 2004, when he was returning from quitting hip-hop for the Lord. There are no official plans for an album or anything, but he’s “got things up my sleeve.” In the meantime he’s released a remix to Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.” His reasoning for the song choice? "I asked my nephew who is the hottest thing out there and he said "Drake!' “ We’re going to go out on a limb here and suggest that Mase's charming disconnect to contemporary pop-music culture doesn't exactly bode well for this endeavor. [Billboard]
The State Senate — particularly the Democratic faction, who resent the public and financial support Mayor Bloomberg has given Republican candidates in the past — willfully allowed the deadline to renew mayoral control of the city's schools to pass on Tuesday without a vote or even a mention. This seemed like a doomsday scenario for summer-school programming, but the mayor stepped up to maintain the chain of command almost immediately. On Wednesday the Board of Education was reconstituted (with seven members, one appointed by each borough president and two by Bloomberg himself) and met for a nine-minute session, wherein they voted to retain Joel Klein as schools chancellor, and to disband themselves for good if and when the State Senate (ever) passes mayoral control for real.
It's bad enough that some of our senators are acting out of petty vengeance and self-interested power struggles, but today the Post reveals that Senator John Sampson, the Democratic caucus leader who is a foe of the schools bill supported by the mayor, is actually working as a trial lawyer in a lawsuit against Joel Klein. He's representing a fired assistant principal. The fishiness of this gig is only compounded by the fact that he didn't disclose it until the tabloid found out. But, then again, it's nothing that should surprise us too much. Had anyone up there actually displayed any sort of regard for the good of the 120,000 kids enrolled in summer school this year, that would have been news.
You still like the look of leggings, but the thought of actually wearing them makes you shudder from head to toe. Enter the DVF Sweetheart Pant, which looks like a legging but fits and feels like a pant. These stretchy slacks have a lot to give (which means you’ll also want to go down a size), and the seams that run down the sides and around the back actually make them flattering, not flaw-inducing. They're light enough to wear during this cool summer weather, but warm enough to layer when fall comes back to town. Pants that look, fit, and last? That's what we call sweet.
Reuters - Angelina Jolie is Hollywood's top earning actress, banking $27 million in the past year to beat out her partner Brad Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, who raked in $25 million, a Forbes.com study showed on Wednesday.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Angelina Jolie is Hollywood's top earning actress, banking $27 million in the past year to beat out her partner Brad Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, who raked in $25... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Jul 2009 | 1:12 pm
Visitors to theme parks can play Wii Sports Resort NEW YORK, July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SIXFQ), the world's largest... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Jul 2009 | 1:00 pm
MARLEY LEGACY REACHES NEW GENERATION OF LISTENERS LOS ANGELES, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- B is for Bob, a collection of Bob Marley's most beloved songs re-imagined for... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Jul 2009 | 1:00 pm
• U2 kicked off their 360 tour this week at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium. Before a crowd of nearly 90,000, he bled the end of "Angel in Harlem" into a Michael Jackson tribute,...
(AP) AP - Two of Michael Jackson's former confidantes, medium Uri Geller and ex-bodyguard Matt Fiddes, say they tried in vain to keep the pop superstar from abusing painkillers and other prescription drugs suspected of leading to his death but others in the singer's circle kept the supplies flowing. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Jul 2009 | 11:45 am
Jermaine Jackson says he would like to see Neverland Ranch as his brother Michael's final resting place. In an interview broadcast Friday on NBC's "Today" show, Jermaine Jackson also... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsEnter | 2 Jul 2009 | 11:43 am
AP - Television host Jay Leno has won control of a Web address using the name of his new show. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 2 Jul 2009 | 11:39 am
As Neverland Ranch was crossed off the list, the question remained: Where the heck will Michael Jackson's memorial be held?
Considering thousands of fans will want in on any public...
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration's diversion division, which oversees prescription-drug issues, will be assisting the Los...
Every time celebrities die in threes, your humble media inform you that, no, actually, they don't.
If you won't listen to us, then maybe you'll listen to the celebrity death...
So here's the skinny on the Katie Holmes stuff:
In announcing the establishment of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, an effort to provide scholarship opportunities for underprivileged...
Laissez-faire or just plain lazy?
We're baffled. Last time we checked, the actor was,...
Angelina Jolie is the top earning actress in Hollywood, making $27 million last year according to Forbes.
Great. Now what would make this story more awesome?
Oh,...
Front Page: 'Creature' musical makes its debut in Hollywood -- Universal has been keeping its classic monsters in the spotlight with film reboots. Now the studio is adding a tuner to the mix.
Michael Jackson's financial woes were well documented: Numerous lawsuits, loss of control of his beloved Neverland and reports that he was hundreds of millions of dollars in debt all point to a complex money mess that trailed the King of Pop as vigilantly as his most ardent fans.
"It is so different from the United States. It seemed to have a history, and the buildings are years and years and years old. Here in the United States an old building is about 17 (years old), and over there it's from 500 B.C., it's incredible," she said. "Also, the way people live over there. They seem to enjoy life a little bit more. They aren't running around as much as in New York. They enjoy time with the family. They don't always have their Blackberries on."
This is great and really helpful; we sure are glad to be educated by Gwyneth like this, but what we, the people at home, would really like from her is some solid proof of these superior cultures. Maybe next time she goes to Western Europe, she can bring some calipers with which to measure everyone's heads.
Cheap Chic Weddings just declared a winner of their toilet-paper wedding dress contest. The grand prize went to Ann Kagawa Lee of Honolulu, who made this spectacular confection from nothing more than toilet paper, tape, and glue. It's mind-blowing. Just look at the texture, the detail, the hat! She was inspired by Gone With the Wind and Japanese origami. According to CheapChicWeddings.com, "Her dress has been compared to an Oscar de la Renta couture gown." Let us all take a moment to admire her hard work, attention — nay, commitment — to detail, and her vision. Because this kind of craftsmanship deserves more than her award of just $1,000 and a permanent spot in Ripley's Believe it or Not museum.
Ashley Olsen: “[I'm a] French fries and hamburger girl. I am literally the worst eater in the world. Being in the garment district, it’s Subway or pizza. I never actually thought about what I eat.” [Just Jared]
There are only two Jonas Brothers left.
For girls to fantasize about marrying one day, that is!
Kevin Jonas, 21, has proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Danielle Deleasa,...
Front Page: Paramount pic tallies '09's best box office in 2 weeks -- Paramount's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is on the verge of becoming the highest-grossing pic of the year at the worldwide box office --all in less than two weeks in release.
Erin Lucas of The City paired her disco dress with bright-blue sneakers at the Cancer 101 "Big Top at the Bowery" event last night, held at the Bowery Hotel.
University of Pennsylvania phonetics professor Mark Liberman has been parsing the statements Mark Sanford has made about his affair, and his findings make us think that, contrary to public opinion, the South Carolina governor may be a lot smarter than we all thought. For instance, Liberman suggests that when Sanford talked about "doing stupid," he may have been channeling the New International Version of the Bible — which refers to "doing good" and "doing wrong" — when he nominalized the adjective. And that line from his first press conference, the wonderfully koanlike "The biggest self of self is self"? There's a chance it could be an allusion to Gerard Manley Hopkins's elegiac fragment, "On the Portrait of Two Beautiful Young People":
There's none but good can be good, both for you
And what sways with you, maybe this sweet maid;
None good but God — a warning waved to
One once that was found wanting when Good weighed.
Man lives that list, that leaning in the will
No wisdom can forecast by gauge or guess, The selfless self of self, most strange, most still,
Fast furled and all foredrawn to No or Yes.
Emphasis ours. Liberman says he doubts that the governor is familiar with Hopkins, but we're not so sure. Doesn't that sound just like the sort of thing an Argentine seductress might read to her lover in advance of a little line-crossing?
We’re going to go ahead and relate today’s blog-dominating clip to Michael Jackson, because both M.I.A. and Jackson believe in uniting every color (of people and fashion accessory, respectively), and know the power of dance. M.I.A.’s video for her Baltimore friend Rye Rye’s “Bang” is, well, very colorful and full of dancing. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like at one of those mythical Baltimore D.J. parties — or to trip balls in a mid-eighties JCPenney — then these three minutes and 38 seconds are for you. But the real credit goes to rapper Rye Rye herself, who, in addition to looking positively dangerous in the way her limbs fly, managed to collaborate with M.I.A. on a song called “Bang” without resorting to samples of guns going off.
She's ba-a-ack.
A woman who claims to be Michael Jackson's ex-wife is arguing that the late King of Pop's "properties, monies and assets must be transferred to [her]...
Bless our dear friends over at Grazia. They have ingeniously, repeatedly captured Chace Crawford on camera at his most awkward, all by way of fashion. First they videotaped his fashion quiz, in which he actually said, "I thought beige was, like, dark." But it's okay — he's pretty! In their latest installment of "The Awkward Adventures of Chace Crawford," his good looks might not even be able to save him: Grazia forces Chace to find a fashionably dressed girl backstage at the Hard Rock Calling festival. He selects a girl named Georgina for reasons, though unknown to us, that seem anything but lost on Georgina (note the irony of her name). She wears a white lace dress and brown mid-calf stacked-heel boots. Georgina does most of the talking, while looking at Chace like she wants to jump his bones and furiously rip little bits of skin off him. Chace, meanwhile, tries to form coherent sentences and admits he knows nothing about Topshop and Portobello Market. Watch and please tell us if you, too, feel embarrassed for everyone involved here.
At least that's what veteran showbiz reporter Kim Masters is alleging over on the Daily Beast. According to Masters, "Johnny Depp disliked Mann’s chaotic style of filmmaking to the point that he ultimately refused to speak to the director." [Daily Beast]
A Manhattan federal judge today ruled to ban the American publication of 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye — an unofficial sequel to Catcher in the Rye, featuring Holden Caulfield as a 76-year-old man, by John David California (real name: Fredrik Colting) — on the grounds that it infringes on J.D. Salinger's copyright. Last month, judge Deborah Batts granted a temporary block, and today's decision will indefinitely bar the book from being released in the U.S. pending the resolution of a possible trial (which could take years). Though the name "Holden Caufield" doesn't actually appear in 60 Years Later (the protagonist goes simply by "Mr. C"), Salinger is a litigious old coot who clearly will not stand for parody. The book has already been published in Britain, though, so if you really want to read it (it doesn't even sound that great to us), there's a copy for sale on eBay.
Lisa Perry is unleashing her mod, sixties-inspired dresses and skirts on Spring Street with a new store, opening tomorrow. It's a cheery, retro space, with curvy chairs, colorful dots on the walls, and squares of Bazooka bubblegum scattered in the front windows. Oversize candy-colored duffels are displayed near the entrance, and neon color-block dresses, white-trimmed miniskirts, and sleeveless frocks with circular pockets fill the racks. The new shop stocks the Lisa Perry home line as well, including bright vinyl and floral-print felt pillows, duvets, and sheets. And shelves in the rear of the store are filled with coffee-table tomes on art, music, and photography, making the spot a convenient stop off for gifts.
Lisa Perry, 134 Spring St., nr. Wooster St.; M—S (11—7).
In 2006, Vionnet relaunched after a 67 year hiatus. Since then, the label has hosted a revolving door of designers. Rodolfo Paglialunga currently helms design for the house, and, under new owners Matteo Marzotto and Gianni Castiglioni, just presented his first Vionnet collection for cruise 2010. Paglialunga spent thirteen years as Miuccia Prada's assistant. He said he carefully researched Madeleine Vionnet's Grecian-inspired work for his first attempt. Paglialunga will make his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week for spring 2010. See his new cruise collection in the slideshow.
We're not sure what came over us, but for a few days there, we were actually kinda looking forward to seeing The Ugly Truth. Actually, we know exactly what came over us; there's a massive ad for it right outside of the windows of Vulture HQ (yes, in the same spot where Hellboy unsuccessfully tried to vanquish God). Anyway, our hopes for the film came crashing back down to Earth when we watched this mildly NSFW clip for the film in which Heigl inexplicably decides to wear a pair of vibrating panties that she found on her front porch to a business dinner. As you might expect from this ludicrous setup, Heigl ends up experiencing an unexpected orgasm (at the hands of a fat kid, no less) that is meant to recall the scene from When Harry Met Sally that turned Meg Ryan into a superstar. We're not sure if this moment was meant to be played for laughs or authenticity, because neither is readily apparent in this scene. Advantage, Meg Ryan!
Matt Taibbi (left) accuses Goldman Sachs of dishonesty. We say, "At least CEO Lloyd Blankfein is honest about his male-pattern baldness!"
The Internet. It's good for so many things! Like looking up directions or recipes or what the name is of the guy who played the dad in Sixteen Candles, or reading urbane and witty commentary on daily news events. (Ahem.) It's also a place where, almost every single day, you can witness full-grown adults abandoning the decorum with which they conduct themselves in their "real" lives and laying into each other with all of the rage and animal emotion of Mike Tyson attacking Evander Holyfield. Instances of people attacking one another "face" to virtual "face" occur with such frequency, and in so many corners of the web, that it's hard to keep track of what the best fights are. In fact, this week, there have already been four big ones, and it's only Wednesday! Which is why we're providing a handy guide to the best fights on the Internet this week (so far!).
Matt Taibbi (left) accuses Goldman Sachs of dishonesty. We say, "At least CEO Lloyd Blankfein is honest about his male-pattern baldness!"Photo:
Matt Taibbi versus Goldman Sachs
Summary: Taibbi took 100 years of Goldman Sachs conspiracy theories and packaged them together for the reading pleasure of teenage boys in the current issue of Rolling Stone.
Opening Shot: Taibbi: "The world's most powerful investment bank is a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money."
Opponent Reaction: “[Taibbi's] story is an hysterical compilation of conspiracy theories," Lucas Van Praag wrote in an e-mail to the Post. "Notable ones missing are Goldman Sachs as the third shooter [in John F. Kennedy's assassination] and faking the first lunar landing. We reject the assertion that we are inflators of bubbles and profiteers in busts, and we are painfully conscious of the importance in being a force for good.”
Round Three: Taibbi responds on his personal blog with another conspiracy theory: "I’m aware that some people feel that it’s a journalist’s responsibility to “give both sides of the story” and be “even-handed” and “objective.” A person who believes that will naturally find serious flaws with any article like the one I wrote about Goldman. I personally don’t subscribe to that point of view. My feeling is that companies like Goldman Sachs have a virtual monopoly on mainstream-news public relations...and there are probably another thousand poor working stiffs who are nudged into pushing the Goldman party line by their editors and superiors (how many political reporters with no experience reporting on financial issues have swallowed whole the news cliche about Goldman being the “smart guys” on Wall Street? A lot, for sure)."
Winner: Goldman Sachs. They sound more amused than displeased by the story, and rightly so. Also, note Von Praag's usage of an hysterical. Well played. (We'll pick up that briefcase from you on Tuesday, L-man.)
Dennis Kneale versus Zero Hedge cc: The Entire Internet, and the Estate of Jim Henson
Summary: CNBC host Dennis Kneale says the recession is over on his show, a lot of bloggers make fun of him for it, and he lets it get under his skin. Hysteria ensues.
Opening Shot: Zero Hedge's Tyler Durden posts a video of Dennis Kneale in which he announces "The Great Recession Is Over!" with the following commentary: "And I thought the Sanford letters were going to be the funniest thing posted here this afternoon. Oops ... "
Opponent Reaction: This should really be watched in full, but: "Last Friday I had predicted that some cynical mean-spirited bloggers would trash me, and they haven't let me down," Kneale responds on his show Tuesday night. "Their invective is lighting up the anonymous dark and cowardly corners of the blogosphere. [Blogs such as Zero Hedge] have jeered at my optimism. They say I'm irritating and unwatchable … and they call me Beaker after that Muppet, which I have to admit is kind of funny. Less funny was comparing me to a-300 pound woman in a thong bikini on the beach; they don't know whether to laugh or cry or throw up. Another comment asked: Was that a Saturday Night Live skit? That was no comedy sketch! That was hope. And fortitude, you anonymous dickweeds. And I say dickweed because it is indeed a plant, it is akin to pond scum, and name-calling seems to be lingua franca of the blogosphere." He says he invited said dickweeds on his show to defend themselves, but they refused.
Round Three: Zero Hedge responds with a lengthy entry concluding: "Direct attacks by Dennis against Zero Hedge readers with pejoratives such as "digital dickweed" is somewhat beneath a person who, at least in his personal view, is sufficiently erudite to have an informed opinion on such critical issues as the end of a recession. In conclusion, I have no bad blood with Dennis at all — I believe it would greatly benefit both Dennis' viewers as well as my readers to have a sensible discussion on this very relevant topic. I have proposed several ways in which this can be achieved: if Dennis would like to take on the challenge, I am game. If not, I understand: after all Zero Hedge is at the forefront of the 'anonymous, dark and cowardly' blogosphere, whose corners Dennis would be the last person to brave as we deal not with the ethereal, bright lights of 'hope and fortitude' but scary, mysterious concepts like facts and substance."
Winner: Zero Hedge.
Chris Anderson versus Malcolm Gladwell
Summary: The Wired editor, already under attack for plagiarism in his book Free, received a bad review from the author of The Tipping Point. This is especially awkward, as a blurb for his first book on his own website indicates that Gladwell is kind of his idol: "The Long Tail is now just part of the parlance — no more needing a credit than an invocation of the Tipping Point requires a link to Malcolm Gladwell."
Opening Shot: Gladwell takes issue with Anderson's "insistence that the relentless downward pressure on prices represents an iron law of the digital economy. Why is it a law? Free is just another price, and prices are set by individual actors, in accordance with the aggregated particulars of marketplace power. 'Information wants to be free,' Anderson tells us, 'in the same way that life wants to spread and water wants to run downhill.' But information can’t actually want anything, can it? Amazon wants the information in the Dallas paper to be free, because that way Amazon makes more money. Why are the self-interested motives of powerful companies being elevated to a philosophical principle?"
Opponent Reaction: Anderson writes a post on wired.com titled, "Dear Malcolm, Why So Threatened?" Oh, dear.
Summary: Over the weekend, novelist Hoffman reacts badly to a lukewarm review of her new book penned by freelance critic Roberta Silman. Very badly.
Opening Shot: Silman, in the Globe: "This new novel lacks the spark of the earlier work. Its vision, characters, and even the prose seem tired."
Opponent Reaction: Hoffman goes on a 27-tweet tirade. Examples of Tweets include: "Roberta Silman in the Boston Globe is a moron!" "Now any idiot can be a critic! if you want to tell Roberta Silman off her phone number is [redacted]." "Tell her what u think of snarky critics."
Round Three: Hoffman came to her senses by Monday: “I feel this whole situation has been completely blown out of proportion,” she said in a statement from her publisher. "In the heat of the moment I responded strongly and I wish I hadn’t. I’m sorry if I offended anyone. Reviewers are entitled to their opinions, and that’s the name of the game in publishing. I hope my readers understand that I didn’t mean to hurt anyone and I’m truly sorry if I did.”
• A woman is suing Avon because she claims the company's Stretch Mark Smoother gave her scars and burns. [NYDN]
FRAGRANCE
• Halston is launching a scent duo named Halston Man and Woman. The fragrances are the inspiration behind the spring 2010 collection, the first by new creative director Marios Schwab. [WWD]
• Jennifer Lopez is launching another fragrance, named My Glow, in October. [Now Smell This]
Remember that basically unwatchable rendition of "Don't Stop Believing" from a few weeks ago, the one where Ellen Page and Har Mar Superstar moped around the trendy Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake doing the worst karaoke version of the song that's ever been released into the public domain? Well, that was the first thing that Movieline asked about when they recently sat down to talk with Page's co-conspirator, Alia Shawkat (a.k.a. Maeby from Arrested Development). Turns out it was indeed a present for Page's mom, who recently retired, and that "It’s just this thrown-together thing we did in twenty minutes [...] Obviously, it was supposed to be a joke." Apology not accepted! [Movieline]
Today, the internet has done its internetty job and provided us with not one but TWO viral videos of squirrels doing things. Because this internet ain’t big enough for the both of them (actually it’s big enough for about 5 trillion squirrel vids, but we’ll ignore that), we’re gonna have to choose an official Internetty Squirrel Video Of The Day.
Watch the two videos below and leave your pick in the comments. The winning squirrel video will literally win the Nobel Prize. The only one.
First up, Squirrel Eats Lemon:
After the jump, Baby Squirrel Pops Out Of Woman’s Cleavage:
When we were forwarded the following post from Craigslist, we thought it sounded familiar:
I was walking my dog last night on Bank St around 11pm. and as you walked by me you let out the most vile, resonant fart i've heard in at least 2 years. it was so loud and gross that even my dog was startled and barked at you - what the eff did you eat? your fart made me notice your incredibly round, perky ass, though, which i'd love to explore in depth, so hit me up, gasmaster.
"Hit me up, gasmaster?" No way two separate people could come up with that same phrase. Last time we read it was in a very similar "Missed Connections" post from April. Now our poster appears to have had a birthday and moved his attentions downtown. Poster, if you are out there, please tell us: Are you getting responses for your ads? And if you are a viral marketer, for the love of Calvin Klein, what the hell are you trying to sell??
A brilliant aside from the great Greg Tate’s comprehensive piece on Michael Jackson in today’s Village Voice: “Critical sidebar: I have always wanted to believe that Michael was actually one of the most secretly angry Black race-men on the planet. I thought that if he had been cast as the Iraqi nativist who beat the shit out of Marky Mark in Ridley and Russell's Three Kings while screaming, 'What is the problem with Michael Jackson? Your sick fucking country makes the Black man hate his self,' Wahlberg would have left the set that day looking like the Great Pumpkin.” [VV]
Us Weekly reports that Kanye West is interning at the Gap's New York offices: "He works all the time, and one Friday night recently, he stayed until 12 am. He's learning the fashion business from the inside and trying to do it quietly." A secret internship! We can't expect him to personally hype a gig at the Gap as much as, say, his Louis Vuitton sneaker line. In December, rumor had it Kanye was offering his intern services for free at Louis and Raf Simons. And now he's at Gap. Huh. [Jezebel]
I can’t imagine what these two children did wrong to make their parents stick them in the new Sears Tower 103rd Floor Skydeck, but I think it’s a safe bet they won’t be misbehaving any time soon (or going up stairs or looking out windows ever again for the rest of their lives):
Check out some more death-defying, pants-desh*tting Sears Tower pics with our amazing new GALLERY TECHNOLOGY (2002, here we come!!):
"[My dad] called it the worst song he'd ever heard in his life." —Fergie's dad was not a fan of her first single, "London Bridge" [Spinner]
"See, we always had the idea that he would rock the mullet, it’s his trademark. But the top of the hair is definitely where we take the most liberties. To us, Kenny has the 'I just woke up,' and he has the 'I'm in school,' where his mullet is a little more in control, and then he has the 'I’m going out,' where it’s slicked back. So, it’s kind of like his clothes, he has the slicked-back look, it’s like a uniform, and the uniform says 'I'm in my prime.' [laughs] I gotta admit, it’s Danny. He’ll come out on the set with the right amount of hair gel and shit like that." —Jody Hill on Danny McBride's mullet on Eastbound & Down [/Film]
"Ich really hope my movie realises its full global potential and doesn't peter out after a promising start like swine flu. Let's hope, like herpes, this film continues to infect audiences for the next 1000 years." —Sacha Baron Cohen [Age]
"When I was a boy I loved boxing. And I've got Anna [Paquin] into it. I like the sport and she likes the blood. I'm like, 'Stop the fight, people are getting hurt, I can't bear it!' and she's going, 'Go on, hit 'em!' She loves it. She boxes too ... She won't stop until she's gnawed your stumps off. I tell you, my girl is hardcore." —Stephen Moyer [Access DirecTV via People]
"I did not vote. It's a phobia I have, there's something psychological about it. I know it's not responsible, but I've voted for lots of things besides the President — lots of things that have changed children's lives and the planet's life. I just haven't voted for a President because I still believe we haven't found one." —Fred Durst is not experiencing Obamamania [Kerrang! via Contact Music]
Four years ago, Brittany Pham and Devin Carlson met through mutual friends in Orange County and launched Fremont, a line of men’s and women’s clothing. The company’s aesthetic is based on the “leisure-filled, resort-hopping lifestyle of the late sixties and early seventies,” says Pham. “Fremont Street is the block in Las Vegas where all the first hotels and clubs started cropping up. The Rat Pack partied there and it was such a great look of classic and refined without being too dressed up. We try to make clothes that really can go from day to night like that.” After seasons of lighter, seventies-inspired pieces, the pair went darker for fall, citing an influence stemming from the less-than-frivolous forties. “I looked at old photos of my relatives from the thirties and forties and got a strong sense of their overwhelming perseverance during hard economic times similar to today,” says Devin. Though we love the elegant long silk dresses and dashing double-breasted suits, the fall collection is actually heavy on chic separates to mix and match. Fremont’s pieces, which feature careful attention to detail and fit, range in price from $80 for basic jersey tops to $300 to $450 for the dresses. It's this style-conscious, yet easy-to-wear look that has fans swooning: Liv Tyler and Jessica Alba have both been photographed in items and we hear that Alexander Wang was recently spotted scooping up a sweater at Opening Ceremony. Lucky for Californians, Fremont has their own boutique that opened last year in Los Angeles, but for those of us here in NYC, the line is also carried at Albertine, Pixie Market, and Barneys, and on 80sPurple.com and RevolveClothing.com. Check out our favorite pieces from fall (coming to stores later this summer).
On The Philanthropist, which premiered last week on NBC, James Purefoy plays Teddy Rist, a billionaire playboy whose life is forever changed when he saves a small boy from a flood in Nigeria. From that day forward, Rist focuses on charity, and jumps from country to country helping people. Purefoy, the British actor who played a full-frontally nude Marc Antony in HBO’s Rome, spoke with Vulture about real-life do-gooders, Obama’s TV tastes, and how he missed the James Bond boat.
A billionaire who travels around the world and helps people? Sounds fishy.
I know, I know. I read the script and said, "Preposterous! Come on! What kind of billionaire does this?! It’ll be laughed off the television screens." But then I met Bobby Sager, the billionaire who spends ten months of the year going anywhere he thinks practical, boots-on-the-ground, eyeball-to-eyeball philanthropy will make a difference. The show's not a biopic — the adventures aren’t specifically based on Bobby’s travels. But the idea behind the show comes from his philosophy. I met him and thought he was extraordinary and decided to do the show.
So your character is like the anti-Madoff.
He’s giving, not taking, and it makes him feel really fucking good.
Sounds like a perfect show for the current hope-obsessed climate.
I would imagine if your President ever had the time to sit down and watch a TV show, he would be very happy with what this show is about. It takes the audience to countries it might not know, and focuses down on very specific problems within those countries and those communities.
I think he’s more of an Entourage kind of guy.
It doesn’t matter who you are — I think your heart is a little blackened thing if you don’t like this show.
Is it easier to play a do-gooder than Marc Antony?
Of course, Teddy is much closer to how I actually am, and how I feel about the world. Though I do miss driving around West London in a chariot pulled by lions. I’m kidding.
Is there a Rome movie in development, or is that just a rumor?
I heard there is a Rome movie in the works. I’m not sure if I’ll be in it, though, because obviously, Marc Antony’s already dead. I’m hoping they might be thinking about a prequel, because then I get to be in it. Let’s just start a whole website campaigning for that, yes?
It’s interesting that they let you keep your British accent in this show.
I mean, there are plenty of British people in New York; there are thousands and thousands of them, so why not tell the story of one of them? But again, it’s sort of in keeping with the philosophy of the show, which is about being open to all cultures and everybody’s point of view. And honestly, we were shooting in third-world countries without much experience doing so, and one week I had to learn 42 pages of dialogue in four days — there was a lot more I needed to think and worry about other than, you know, whether I’m getting my Rs right. And NBC was fine with that.
As I was watching, I couldn’t help thinking about what a great James Bond you would have made.
Yes, I was up for it, but hey, you know, Daniel’s doing an amazing job! He’s taking it in a very different direction, and I think he’s fabulous. I also like him as a man. That ship has already sailed with Captain Craig at the helm. Oh, well.
Michael Ausiello, who must have a red phone that connects directly to Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz's bat cave, gives us some exciting news today. Singer-actress (sactress?) Hilary Duff will guest star on a multi-episode arc of Gossip Girl. According to Ausiello, she'll play:
Olivia Burke, a movie star who enrolls at NYU in search of a traditional college experience. She ends up rooming with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) so it's safe to say she'll be majoring in Drama!
Wow, Blair living with Georgina Sparks and Vanessa living with a celebrity? There are so many exciting, rich plot twists these situations could spawn — all of which will no doubt be explored, dealt with, and tossed aside in the course of two episodes.
Front Page: Film companies dubious of specialty pickups -- With the first half of the year in film festivals behind us, it's hard not to notice the nearly complete lack of specialty film pickups by studios.
A local Virginia news affiliate reported today that former Falcons quarterback and former prison inmate Michael Vick will be working with kids at a Boys & Girls Club. On the one hand, it’s good exposure for a worthwhile organization, but on the other hand, you KNOW he’s just going to recruit the kids for his underground child fighting ring we all know he has. Well, at least the dogs are safe.
It's been reported before, but now the story of Osama bin Laden's 1979 visit to America has been confirmed in a new book by his first wife. Personally, there are a couple of other places we would have gone before Indiana (he also spent a week in Los Angeles). We can only wonder how different the world would be right now had he gone to Disney World instead. [NYer]
Dozens of TV trucks are parked next to the Michael Jackson's ranch, Neverland in Los Olivos, California. Nearly two out of three Americans believe the media gave too much coverage to the death of Michael... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 7:25 pm
Fans of the US beat writer William Burroughs, seen here in 1984, gathered in Paris on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of his explicit cult novel "The Naked Lunch," unveiling a plaque at the former... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 7:19 pm
Republican senators weren't the only ones displeased with President Obama's cautious initial approach to the crisis in Iran. Behind the scenes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also urging her boss to "toughen his language on Iran" for two days before he actually did so. Hillary had initially agreed with Obama's tone, but when she saw the infamous video of Neda Agha-Soltan's death, she decided it was time to take the rhetoric up a notch. When Obama did finally express outrage at the violent government crackdown, on June 23, he neglected to give the State Department a heads-up in advance, though he had sent them the language he would use if he did at some point decide to change his tone. So really, this episode doesn't tell us all that much. Obama received advice from a Cabinet member, which he may or may not have listened to. He consulted State on his harsher rhetoric, but didn't alert them to the exact timing of the change. Basically, if this wasn't part of the supposedly fascinating Hillary-Obama saga, nobody would be talking about it.
In the restricted trailer for Katherine Heigl’s latest attempt to make you tired of her, The Ugly Truth, an ill-advised pair of vibrating underpants results in a massive Heigl-gasm in the middle of a restaurant, unlike anything ever attempted by any other famous romantic comedies.
The trailer cuts off right before the old lady at the neighboring table says “Waiter – I’ll have what she’s having! And by ’she’ I mean Katherine Heigl.”
Not since Jerry Seinfeld’s portrayal of the titular character in the show Seinfeld has an actor accepted such a challenging, transformational tv role as Hilary Duff’supcoming Gossip Girl appearance:
Attention Upper East Siders! Hilary Duff is joining the cast of Gossip Girl!
The actress will join the series for a multi-episode story arc this fall, the CW confirms to Usmagazine.com.
Duff, 21, will play a movie star named Olivia Burke who enrolls at NYU in search of a traditional, out-of-the-spotlight college experience. She will be roommates with Vanessa (played by Jessica Szohr).
Good luck with that! We’ll see if Duff’s “Teen Celebrity Dealing With The Gossip Press” character is half as convincing as Jim Belushi’s portrayal of the “unfunny dad” on According to Jim or Kiefer Sutherland’s “short dude who injures people” on 24.
Front Page: Won Oscar for 'A Streetcar Named Desire' -- Karl Malden, the Oscar- and Emmy-winning character actor who was best known over his six-decade career as the star of TV series "The Streets of San Francisco" and a series of American Express commercials, died of natural causes Wednesday at his home in Brentwood, Calif. He was 97.
In death, Michael Jackson is topping charts all over the world again. Jackson's albums hold the top nine positions of Billboard's "Top Pop Catalog Albums" chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan sales data released Tuesday.
A memorial service for Michael Jackson was held at the Apollo Theater in New York City yesterday. Judging from these pictures, one of the highlights must have been a pretty hilarious improv performance by Spike Lee and Reverend Al Sharpton. I don’t have video of their comedy bit, but I’m pretty sure these captions do the trick.
He's been a homicidal singing barber in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," and an drunken swashbuckler in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
Part of my ongoing mission as a full-time internet-patroller is to find that one singular video that just completely sums up the internet — like, if Shakespeare were to suddenly come back to life, come up to me, and ask “What ist this internet with which mine ears the winds of rumor hath blown?” which video would I show him to completely encapsulate the existence of the internet in a mere three minutes?
I believe this video, “The Fast Food Song,” would do nicely:
For the record, this video isn’t new, but I personally don’t recall ever seeing it, though that may be because nonsensical internet Youtube videos start to blend together after you’ve seen, like, two of them.
We all know Miley is back with ex Nick Jonas, but we've got the inside scoop on the not-so-gentle Justin breakup Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Jul 2009 | 4:21 pm
A sheet of one dollar bills. One of the stars of Australian television series "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" on Wednesday lost a court battle for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits from the show. Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 4:16 pm
This handout photo provided by the Albertina Museum shows the museum's high-tech underground depot in Vienna. The Albertina, one of Vienna's most famous museums, said today it had so far evacuated around... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 4:16 pm
This photo provided by the Albertina Museum shows handlers moving boxes of artwork to keep it away from the flooded depot at the museum in Vienna. The Albertina, one of Vienna's most famous museums, said... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 4:16 pm
AP - Austrian fashion designer Lena Hoschek says she is not put off by the prospect of "Bruno" Sacha Baron Cohen's new film where he plays an over-the-top flamboyantly gay Austrian fashion enthusiast.
According to an inside source, the axed "Danity Kane" diva is being primed to take over the role of "Peep Diva" (previously played by Mel B.) and if it all goes thru she will most likely start performing in the Fall. Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Jul 2009 | 3:29 pm
A woman cries during a public memorial for pop star Michael Jackson on June 30 at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Michael Jackson is back on top of the Billboard charts. Billboard said albums by the... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 1 Jul 2009 | 3:23 pm
When I first read the premise of Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh’s new movie The Informant about a corporate whistle blower, I thought I was in for The Good Shepherd 2: Shepherd Harder or Erin Brockovich: Rise of Aaron Brockovich or something. Taking down an agricultural giant doesn’t exactly scream “rollicking good fun for the whole family.” But, judging from this trailer, we may have the comedy hit of the fall on our hands, people. After all, this movie has Tony “Buster Bluth” Hale and Scott Bakula. I’m sold right there.
I’m pretty sure Matt Damon’s character in this movie is exactly what Michael Cera will be like in about twenty years. I gotta ask: Ladies, would you still do it with mustached, overweight Matt Damon? Be honest.
Also, one note to the people that cut this trailer: Maybe you should have just said “From the Director of Ocean’s Eleven and Thirteen.” I’m sorry, but Ocean’s Twelve was awful.
During an interview with DJ Self of New York's Power 105.1 radio station (WWPR-FM) on Friday (June 26), former Bad Boy artist Mase not only aired a remix to Drake's "Best I Ever Had," his first release in five years, but he also said Michael Jackson's death is what inspired his return to music.
Fashion Wire Daily - Husband and wife designers Sachin and Babi have just finished their first full year rotation of fashion collections with their ready-to-wear line, yet their experience in the fashion industry is much further extended. The duo has taken their skills and expertise in embroidery and home decor and sophisticatedly segued into the women's wear scene.
As work crews fan out across Neverland Ranch, the sprawling, 2,600-acre property that once was Michael Jackson's home, speculation is soaring that Neverland could soon become "Foreverland" -- a Graceland-style permanent memorial to the King of Pop. Source: FOXNews.com | 1 Jul 2009 | 2:38 pm
A will from Michael Jackson, executed in 2002 and filed with a Los Angeles court on Wednesday, leaves his entire estate to a family trust to be administered by executors, according to court papers obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the Orthodox Jewish rabbi who is known for his secular outreach and TLC show "Shalom in the Home," was friends with Michael Jackson for several years.
• U2 kicked off their 360 tour this week at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium. Before a crowd of nearly 90,000, he bled the end of "Angel in Harlem" into a Michael Jackson tribute,...
As Neverland Ranch was crossed off the list, the question remained: Where the heck will Michael Jackson's memorial be held?
Considering thousands of fans will want in on any public...
Every time celebrities die in threes, your humble media inform you that, no, actually, they don't.
If you won't listen to us, then maybe you'll listen to the celebrity death...
So here's the skinny on the Katie Holmes stuff:
In announcing the establishment of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, an effort to provide scholarship opportunities for underprivileged...
Angelina Jolie is the top earning actress in Hollywood, making $27 million last year according to Forbes.
Great. Now what would make this story more awesome?
Oh,...
There are only two Jonas Brothers left.
For girls to fantasize about marrying one day, that is!
Kevin Jonas, 21, has proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Danielle Deleasa,...
She's ba-a-ack.
A woman who claims to be Michael Jackson's ex-wife is arguing that the late King of Pop's "properties, monies and assets must be transferred to [her]...
Not since Jerry Seinfeld’s portrayal of the titular character in the show Seinfeld has an actor accepted such a challenging, transformational tv role as Hilary Duff’s 
