The New Ben Silverman Is Exactly The Same As The Old Ben Silverman

It wasn't until yesterday that we finally realized that some of the recent discontent that we've been experiencing was a direct result of not having had enough of Vulture hero Ben Silverman in our diets. Ever since he quietly exited the hallowed halls of NBC sometime in September — to our knowledge, there wasn't even a low-key goodbye gathering held for him in some random conference room, let alone a monster bash filled with white tigers and Fisher Stevens harmonica solos that would befit of his unforgettable legacy at the Peacock Network — there has been a noticeable void in both our hearts and our minds. However, in the roughly 24 hours or so since a triumphant Ben Silverman re-emerged on the scene with his new company Electus, we've felt a little bit like Joan Allen after she met Jeff Daniels in Pleasantville. In other words, it's like someone returned the color to our black-and-white world! Hot on the heels of news that his new company is flush with $125 million of Barry Diller's greenbacks comes the discovery that he gave a wide-ranging interview to Worth magazine, one in which he discusses the infamous white tiger bash, how Hulk Hogan caused him to quit his first job and what he really thinks of Vulture buddy Nikki Finke.

Reading the interview, we were genuinely thrilled to discover a treasure trove of Silverman-related trivia that we never knew existed. For example, did you know that:

• He packed his bags and moved to Los Angeles after "volunteering to drive a rich girl’s Jetta cross-country." (!)

• His first job involved working at a production company where he would attend "meetings where Robert Altman would come in and be smoking a joint and pitching us a show — something extraordinary, like Short Cuts meets The Player. And everyone would be like, 'We can never do that.' I'm like, 'Why?'" He ultimately quit this job simply because that company decided to greenlight the syndicated Hulk Hogan smash, Thunder in Paradise. (!!)

• At his next job, he was promoted three times on his first day on the job. (!!!)

• Regarding the infamous white tiger party, he had this to say: "Someone else threw the party for me. I didn’t know that there was going to be a tiger there. Once I was there, I went with it." (!!!!) Why, of course he did! Wouldn't you?

And honestly, it goes on and on like that. It makes us wish that some enterprising writer would up and quit their job to pen the definitive Ben Silverman biography or, perhaps, to help him ghostwrite a memoir. But as great as these details are, the thing that the article makes us realize is that there is one thing that will always keep us infatuated with him: His brass balls.

As we recently learned in the New Yorker profile on Nikki Finke, nearly everyone in Hollywood is scared shitless of her. Not Ben Silverman, though! When asked about the abuse he took on the pages of Deadline Hollywood Daily, he calmly replied, "You’re either in the business, moving the business, or you’re sitting at home with your left-over food bitching about the business. I’m like, 'Who cares'?" Left-over food cracks? Wow, talk about brass balls. Marry us, Ben!

THE BEN SILVERMAN SHOW [Worth via DHD]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: barry diller, ben silverman, electus, nbc, nikki finke, silvermania, tv

Michelle Obama Wore a Blouse and Black Pants in the Bronx Today

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are going to the Yankee game tonight. While they're up in the Bronx they must have figured they may as well stop by the James J. Peters VA Medical Center and do some do-gooding. The First Lady wore a warmly hued swirly printed blouse with black pants, which we're guessing she'll change out of before she hits the game later. See the full look in the Michelle Obama Look Book.

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: michelle obama, mobama watch

Duhamel: I Did Not Cheat On Fergie With Stripper

Capsule Reviews: `Gentlemen Broncos' and others (AP)

Review: `Boondock Saints' makes unwelcome return (AP)

AP - Cult classics — like Ed Wood's films and "Showgirls" — are often defined by their flaws as much as their merits. "Boondock Saints," the 1999 film that achieved cult status on DVD and has now spawned a sequel, certainly had plenty of flaws.

Adam Lambert: Leave My Album Cover Alone!

Report: Bronx High-School Principal Changed Grades for Better Graduation Rate

The Department of Ed is investigating a report that dozens of students at Herbert Lehman High School were allowed to graduate after receiving credit for courses they failed — or didn't even take. A group of teachers are accusing principal Janet Saraceno, who didn't comment, on trying to boost graduation levels in order to receive a $25,000 bonus. [GothamSchools]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: bronx, neighborhood news, schools

New Lil Wayne Mixtape Revives His Glory Run

Whatever else happens, we’ve at least got one new album from Lil Wayne before he hits the big house: His latest mixtape, No Ceilings, is here. Presumably completed before his plea bargain, it contains no references to his upcoming jail term, but it does contain a whole bunch of notable jacked beats, including “Throw It In the Bag,” “Poker Face,” and “Run This Town.” It also contains the closest approximation this year to the vintage, gushing-fountain Weezy flow, the one that guided him through that insane pre-Carter III mixtape run.

Remember, since Tha Carter III, as he explained to Rolling Stone, he got so successful (“I woke up one morning and had three or four women in my bed where I not only didn't know their last names, I didn't know the beginning letter of their first names”) that he got bored. Which is where all that guitar and Auto-Tune bullshit came in.

But we guess he’s not bored anymore! Wonderfully, he’s back to straight spazzin’. As he nonsensically puts it on “Break Up”: “Nice tires on the ‘ghini, you should want to king me / brain-dead flow, vegetable zucchini.” (Also weirdly awesome, elsewhere: “Call me the spleen or the spline (?) fixer / it’s going down like the Catalina Wine Mixer.”) Wayne will be sentenced in February, and will serve a minimum of ten months. But until then, can we hope for another awesome nutso-prolific mixtape run?

Download No Ceilings at NahRight

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Filed Under: lil wayne, music, no ceilings, right-click

Gossip Girl Sneak Peeks: Is That a Baby Bump Under There?

Beyoncé and Lady Gaga Are Selflessly Giving Themselves to One Another

Beyoncé's collaboration with Lady Gaga on her next video for the single "Video Phone" — while amazing-sounding beyond human comprehension — presents a major problem. How do the divas share the stage as equals? Or more fairly, how does Lady Gaga restrain herself enough so that she is the fame monster that she is yet also takes a supportive role at Beyoncé's side? The collaboration was born out of their mutual respect and love for one another, and now, apparently, Lady Gaga is becoming one with Beyoncé's wardrobe preferences. In the video, she channels Sasha Fierce's style with "a white strapless leotard, matching opera gloves, and long, flowing hair," according to People.

“When I was doing her video with her, she called me, and she said, ‘What do you want to do?’” Gaga revealed in an interview with New York’s Z100 radio station on Tuesday morning. “And I’m like, ‘I don’t want to show up in some frickin’ hair bow and be fashion Gaga in your video.’ I said, ‘I want to do you.’” In the same interview, Gaga said she just wanted to “do my version of Beyoncé, so the whole time I was learning the choreography they were calling me Gee-yoncé.”

But while Gaga scratches Beyoncé's back (or lets her know when her thong is showing through her leotard — however it is that divas express solidarity), Beyoncé could be taking style tips from Gaga, too. Grazia reports that Beyoncé has expressed interest in meeting with one of the hottest up-and-coming designers of the moment, David Koma. Lady Gaga recently wore a Koma creation in the random Internet fashion video she shot for Dazed Digital. So maybe she tipped Beyoncé off to his genius when they were brushing each other's hair one day (or while figuring out how to affix avant-garde nostril zippers to their faces — whatever it is divas do together when they talk about boys).

Gaga Channels Beyoncé for Their Video Collaboration; Becomes “Gee-Yoncé” [Style Watch/People]
One to Watch: David Koma [Grazia UK]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: beyonce, david koma, designers, divas, geeyonce, lady gaga

Disney expands Mouse House

MoMA 82-story tower approved by NYC Council (AP)

Great, Now the Rich Are Evolving Into a New Species

Hey, guess what, everybody! There are some amazing technological advances being made in medicine. Some day not too far away, futurologist Paul Saffo says, people will be able to get genetic testing done that will help them prevent hereditary diseases. They will have access to drugs custom-made for their systems, and will possibly even be able to regrow their own organs if they are damaged. But oh, not you:

But Mr Saffo says these improvements would only be affordable to the super-rich. And because of this, he says, advancements may lead to a divide between the classes and eventually could lead to the super-rich evolving into a different species entirely, leaving his not-so-rich counterpart behind.

And we thought it was bad when they created derivatives. How quaint.

Rich 'may evolve into separate species' [Telegraph UK via WSJ]

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: the rich hunt

The National’s Bryce and Aaron Dessner on the Strange Lives of Identical Musical Twins

You’d be hard pressed to find two musicians more intricately entwined in the local music community than Bryce and Aaron Dessner. The identical twins are founding members of the National (in which they play with another set of brothers). Bryce also plays in the band Clogs, and has collaborated with the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Philip Glass; Aaron is a multi-instrumentalist who’s played alongside David Byrne, Final Fantasy, and Grizzly Bear. Their latest collaboration is The Long Count, an evening-length multimedia song cycle with animated video by artist Matthew Ritchie, and featuring yet another pair of musical twins — the Breeders’ Kim and Kelley Deal (the work opens tonight at the BAM Next Wave Festival). The Dessners spoke to Vulture about their unique artistic life together.

Do you remember your earliest collaboration?
A: It was when we went to Colonial Williamsburg when we were 5, and we saw one of the marching bands. We went to the gift shop and our parents bought us a fife and a drum, so we had our own little colonial twin band. Bryce started playing the flute, and I played the drum.

B: I think our other first collaboration was our baseball-card collection, which sort of ties into The Long Count. We were obsessed with collecting and cataloging baseball cards, in the late seventies–early eighties. We got really obsessed with the stories of different players.

A: I guess we started writing songs together when we were 13. He wanted to play the guitar, so my parents ran to get him a guitar, and then the next day I felt neglected, so I got a bass. From the very beginning, we just sort of made things up together. That’s one of the great things about having a twin brother; you have a sort of feedback loop, where you can bounce things off of each other.

Was there ever sibling rivalry?
B: Aaron was better at sports, and being twins, I was kind of like his trainer, and in basketball we’d play one-on-one till ten o’clock at night every day, and I don’t think I ever beat him. In middle school, he was cuter and had girlfriends, and I had braces and acne.

A: I remember that, but the joke’s on me, because Bryce had perfect grades and could go do what he wanted after high school, and I found myself a little like, Whooa, I’m not gonna be in the NBA! We’re actually pretty hard on each other, and a lot of the communication is pillow talk in a way — we’re not really mature or articulate with each other, and on the outside it may seem insulting, but actually it’s how we get things done …

B: Basically, he’s just trying to justify himself, ‘cause he has this psychology of manipulation where he sends me these aggressive, weird e-mails!

A: [Laughs] But you do the exact same thing! We have proof on both sides of this.

Has it made working easier, to have two sets of twins involved?
A: I think it’s been really easy to work with them. We kind of idolized them growing up, and still. They’re real legends of Ohio indie rock. But the process of working with them, Bryce and I react so quickly working together, we don’t even have to talk, we can instantaneously change what we’re doing, and we’re sort of born collaborators, and I think they are too. Collaboration is a very natural thing for all of us.

This is the first work of this magnitude you’ve done together, right?
A: Yeah, this is the first through-composed, more-than-an-hour commission we’ve done. It’s surprisingly cohesive; I think as we’ve been developing it over the past few years, it wasn’t like there was one singular vision of the music at some point where we said, “This is it.” It was more bits and pieces and fragments, but somehow they fit together like a puzzle.

B: The whole BAM show is a new precedent for us — we don’t have to write an album, we can kind of do anything. Ultimately, it’s been a good marriage of this more adventurous sound, and the economy of trimmed-down, essential rock that we do in our band. Somehow, both those things have translated into this show.

Do you guys ever need a break from each other?
A: Two weeks ago, we kind of had an episode where we weren’t mad, but felt like we weren’t getting anywhere and needed to be working on the new National record. But out of that came all these good things — two weeks later, we’ve written all these good songs. And we do have time away — when you’re on tour, it’s a totally different thing, ’cause you’re not actually creating anything.

B: And we’re so closely involved, personally and creatively, that we trust each other, you know? I could take something away for a month and finish it and not even show it to him, and then bring it in and he might have a couple changes.

I’ve heard you live pretty close to each other as well.
A: [Laughs] Yeah. Both of us live on Stratford Road between Cortelyou and Beverly, in Ditmas Park, and our sister lives on the same street. If you live in this neighborhood, you definitely see the twins.

B: It happens all the time where he’ll go into the coffee shop, and 30 seconds later I come in, but I haven’t seen him, and the people are like, “What? What? You want another coffee?” It’s funny, as a 33-year-old adult, to be like, Well, this has happened since I was 4.

Read more posts by Rebecca Milzoff

Filed Under: aaron dessner, bryce dessner, chat room, the national, twins

Leigh Lezark Is Getting Pretty Good Modeling Work

Scarlett Johansson is the face of Mango in Europe. Meanwhile, in the U.S., MisShape Leigh Lezark holds the honor, which puts them on the same modeling playing field, at least in Mango's eyes. Leigh signed with IMG in the spring of last year. And now she's vamping it up with an Über-trendy bowl cut. They grow up so fast. [Design Scene]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: advertising, campaign trail, img, leigh lezark, mango, scarlett johansson

Jackson film 'This Is It' earns $2.2M on 1st night (AP)

AP - Michael Jackson may be headed to the top of the charts again — this time at the movie box office.

Nowhere Boy Trailer: John Lennon Walks the Line

Since the soundtrack rights to Beatles songs are expensive, we may never see a John Lennon biopic focused on the most creative and interesting period of his life. Instead, we got 1994's Backbeat (about Lennon's friendship with Stuart Sutcliffe and his days in Hamburg), and now Nowhere Boy, the Weinsteins' new movie about his childhood, with special emphasis on his relationships with his real mother and adoptive aunt (Kristin Scott Thomas) and the formation of the Quarrymen. That star Aaron Johnson looks almost nothing like Lennon is made less of a problem by the fact that the too-skinny Thomas Sangster looks even less like Paul McCartney. It's pretty standard musical biopic material, but we like Scott Thomas, so maybe this won't be so bad.

Read more posts by Lane Brown

Filed Under: john lennon, kristen scott thomas, movies, nowhere boy, the beatles, trailer mix

Jesse Eisenberg Is on the Anti-Schizophrenic Drug Haldol. Or He Is Lying.

A young Heeb journalist has a troublesome interview with the Zombieland star in which he admits to lying in interviews, but maybe told a bit too much of the truth. [JessicaPilot]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: bons mots, jesse eisenberg, the most important people in the world

Kevin Federline: How He's Trying to Lose the Weight

Ivanka Bites Back [Denials]

Ivanka Trump is denying Cindy Adams' report yesterday that her wedding invitations contained a "marketing flyer" for her dad's golf courses. (Not sure if it it's better or worse, but earlier this month the Times described it as an "insert" that "offered guests a free round of golf at one of Mr. Trump's courses.") In any event, Ivanka is probably happier to hear that the press has responded much more enthusiastically to her dress. Ivanka looked "sensational" and the gown "made a fresh statement," says Cathy Horyn of the Times. "Maybe she'll have an influence on brides." Or on the direct mail business. [NYT, NYM]

From The Files of “What Has Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen”: The Exotic Erotic Ball

The SF Weekly put on a brave face and did what so few of us literally have the balls to do: Attend The Exotic Erotica Ball, a Halloween of sorts for people who take the “Slutty Nurse” look a lil too far (see: Nipple Clamps, Ball Gags, etc.) In this helpful blog post, they’ve compiled all of the SFW images to come out of the event (more than you would think).

But no image is perhaps as curious, as mesmerizing, as subtly erotic and crotch-tingling as that of the above couple. Oh, you know the type: Mr. “Hangs to the Left” and Mrs. “She Said Whaaaat?!” No word on what look, exactly, they were going for. The “Fat Oscars”? Maybe. “C3PeenO”? Yes. “Gilt Androgyny”? Definitely. “The Public BJ Twinzz”? For a fact. Long story short, we love them. But we will never… ever… unsee them.

Ahead, a handy GIF of what your dreams will look like until you X| (die).

Arlo Weiner, Fashion Plate

Back when your friendly Vulture editors were but 8 years old, it was all we could do just to keep the peanut butter and jelly off of our OshKosh B'Gosh overalls. Compare that to Arlo Weiner, the son of Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, who has his own fashion column in GQ. His advice for dressing this fall? "Don't wear just one big bulky sweater — that's boring and shapeless." Um, that's what she said? [GQ]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: arlo weiner, fashion, mad men, matthew weiner, prodigies

Duckie Brown’s Steven Cox: Fabric Doesn’t Have Genitals

Friday marks the launch of Edward, a new capsule menswear collection being sold at Odin courtesy of Duckie Brown designers Steven Cox and Daniel Silver, who paired up with Odin owners Paul Birardi and Eddy Chai. When we stopped by the Duckie Brown studio to preview the line last night, we asked the foursome of menswear-market experts if there was any validity to Miuccia Prada's statement that menswear should be more influenced by womenswear in the future. "Womenswear has been a huge influence for me, it always has been," Cox told us. "In Duckie Brown we can show a boat short or chiffon shirts, which is obviously from womenswear."

As for Edward, the approach didn't take any cues from the ladies. "It was more about thinking about a specific customer," Chai explained. "We actually pictured this guy named Edward. And we would say, 'Okay, what would Edward wear? What does Edward like?' And we created this character really, and this is what Edward would wear. This is his wardrobe," he said, pointing to a rack of military jackets, moleskin cotton peacoats, and blue button-up shirts, all priced under $500. "It wasn't about appealing to this and that, it wasn't trend-driven." Meanwhile, Cox doesn't believe there is much of a difference between menswear and womenswear at all. "Originally we had this whole conversation about using women's fabric. I don't really agree with that," the designer said in reference to his Duckie Brown collection. "Because what makes a fabric women's? You know, there is no penis or vagina in a fabric. Like, why is chiffon women's and why is it not men's? I don't know."

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: daniel silver, duckie brown, eddy chai, men are the new women, odin, paul berardi, steven cox

Read more posts by Jessica Pressler

Filed Under: business, jamie dimon, jpmorgan, white men with wings like angels

Source: Daily Intel | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:50 pm

Pamela Anderson Has Stripes All Over Her Legs

Pamela Anderson stepped out of her hotel in London today wearing slouchy striped leggings with beige heels and a knee-length gray dress.

What do you think of her styling?

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: look of the day, pamela anderson

Sonia Rykiel for H&M [First Look] [Nitro:licious]
Related: Sonia Rykiel to Design Affordable Panties for H&M

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: first looks, hm, sonia rykiel

Source: The Cut | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm

Dave's 'hostile environment'

Former "Late Night" writer charges that it wasn't easy for a woman.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:25 pm

Mario Batali Will Amaze You with His 'Dick-Tator' [Halloween '09]

 

What's Mario Batali dressing up this Halloween? "Mario will be a 'dictator,'" a spokeswoman says. "He ties a piece of butcher twine to his belt on one end and a Yukon gold potato on the other." Points for cleverness! [Previously]

Source: Cityfile.com - Dailyfile | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:24 pm

Sarah Palin Rips Levi Johnston for Selling His Body - People Magazine

New York Daily News

Sarah Palin Rips Levi Johnston for Selling His Body People Magazine Levi Johnston went on CBS's The Early Show on Wednesday to needle his favorite target, his baby mama's mama Sarah Palin, by claiming she referred to her infant son Trig, who has Down syndrome, as "retarded. ... Levi's Going 'Full Johnson' for PlaygirlTMZ.com (blog) Palin vs. Levi -- againmsnbc.com Hurt Levi Johnston wants revenge on Sarah Palin: 'Now it's my turn'New York Daily News Radar Online -Monsters and Critics.com -Reuters Blogs (blog) all 120 news articles »

Source: Entertainment - Google News | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:21 pm

Grand Jury Refuses to Indict Accused Miley Cyrus Stalker

A Georgia grand jury declined to indict the 53-year-old man accused of stalking the teen star.

Source: FOXNews.com | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:18 pm

Study: Bush Not Stupid, Just Disdainful of ‘Complexity, Nuances, and Expert Opinion’

"I'll take it. I'll take it."

Using multiple standardized personality evaluators, the authors of Judging Bush, out now from the Stanford University Press, came to the conclusion that George Bush, by any traditional metric, is a much smarter than average guy. He just "lacks integrative complexity ‎and thus views issues without nuance," which makes him more similar to presidents like Reagan, Jackson, and Harding than, say, his much more hesitant father.

From the book:

“Critics charge that President Bush does not seek out information or opposing viewpoints; disdains complexity, nuances, and expert opinion; views policy issues in black-and-white terms based on his own preconceptions; and, refuses to rethink problems or change his views. The research largely bears out these popular perceptions."

The authors of this report (who did not evaluate Bush directly but relied on interviews, speeches, and news reports) point out that this kind of personality is great when one is trying to do something like uncompromisingly corral two parties to achieve reform in public schools. It is less handy, they suggest, when trying to plan ahead for what to do after starting a war to depose a dictator.

Bush’s Brain: Smart, but Too Certain [Ryan Sager / True/Slant]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: george bush, politics, the bush years, things we already know

Source: Daily Intel | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:13 pm

Naomi Campbell Sued Over Fragrances; James Franco Spoofs His Gucci Commercial

Naomi Campbell.

FRAGRANCE
• Cosmetics company Moodform Mission is suing Naomi Campbell for allegedly not forking over profits she owed them for helping her develop her Cat Deluxe With Kisses and Seductive Elixir fragrances. Campbell denies the charges. [NYDN]

• Gucci face James Franco filmed a short web video for Funny or Die in which he spoofs his Gucci by Gucci men's fragrance commercial. He pretends that he doesn't know how to pronounce Gucci. Ha. [SassyBella]

SKIN
• Lady Gaga plans to get a tattoo of the word "Dad" in honor of her father, who is recovering from recent open-heart surgery. When she told him, he said, "Well, you're running out of real estate, so don't get it too big." She already has eight tats. [Digital Spy]

MAKEUP
• Beige eye shadow is the way to go, if you're taking cues from Charlize Theron and Diane Kruger. Less is more. [Girls in the Beauty Department/Glamour]

• Yves Saint Laurent's holiday makeup collection is "smoky, vibrant, and elegant." [Beauty Girl Musings]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: beauty, beauty marks, charlize theron, diane kruger, fragrance, gucci, james franco, lady gaga, makeup, naomi campbell, skin, tattoos, yves saint laurent

Source: The Cut | 28 Oct 2009 | 3:10 pm

The Silver Lining to Unemployment [Statistics]

If you're currently jobless, consider the bright side: workplace deaths in New York City are on the rise! [AP]

Source: Cityfile.com - Dailyfile | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:52 pm

Eric Ripert Won’t Give Roberto Cavalli a Table in His Restaurant

Eric Ripert.

Yesterday we reported that Roberto Cavalli orders Mexican food from Mañana when he's dining at Serafina next door. Le Bernadin chef Eric Ripert strongly disapproves of this behavior. "I think Roberto Cavalli has a big ego to do that," he told Grub Street. "He wouldn't have done that in my restaurant, because he wouldn't have a table in my restaurant. I think he is disrespectful and it is just a way of ... " he paused to find the appropriate English word " ... FLASHING, and it is unnecessary ... If he wants to eat Mexican, go to a Mexican place. If he wants to eat French, go to a French place, or Italian, or whatever." [Grub Street]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: designers, eric ripert, power lunch, roberto cavalli

Source: The Cut | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:40 pm

Bob Barker Donates $1M to University to Fund Animal Rights Program

Former "Price Is Right" host seeks to help fund degree program for animal rights.

Source: FOXNews.com | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:32 pm

Bernie Madoff: Now 66% Less Evil [Frauds]

Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme ultimately defrauded investors out of $21.2 billion, according to Irving Picard, the court-appointed trustee overseeing the case. That's considerably more than the $13 billion put forward by prosecutors at Madoff's sentencing in June. But that's a lot less than the $65 billion that's been bandied about for many months now, which includes the fictitious profits Madoff had "made" for his clients. The revised figure won't diminish his status as the biggest fraudster in American history. Madoff can still hold his head high when he steps into the prison yard and rest assured no one's taking that trophy away from him anytime soon. [NYT]

Source: Cityfile.com - Dailyfile | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:32 pm

Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci Is Working on Costumes for a Secret Show

Riccardo Tisci.

Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci has no plans to do a diffusion line for a store like H&M anytime soon. "Maybe one day, yes," he acknowledged at a Givenchy trunk show at Barneys yesterday. For now he's content with the lower-priced capsule collection by Givenchy that launched in Barneys this week. Tisci told Fashionologie he's also in town to "work on an upcoming show in 2011, which I'm doing all the costumes for. I can't say much more, but the performance is a combination of music and opera, and will travel worldwide. A project like this has been my dream." Interesting! Lady Gaga is currently in New York and also working on putting together her "Fame Monster" tour, which she has described as a "pop-electro opera." In fact, rehearsals are supposed to begin this week. We asked Riccardo if she's ever approached him. "I can not answer that!" he said, laughing. "I would do a special project for her. I respect her very much as an actress. She doesn't represent what is my world, but I would do something special for her. Because she is a great actress. She is a really great actress."

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: barneys new york, givenchy, lady gaga, party lines, riccardo tisci

Source: The Cut | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:10 pm

“The Real House Babies of New Jersey” To Be Bravo’s Next Hit Show

This title is what we WOULD be typing if Bravo Executives realized what a HIT TV SHOW smelled like. (Ed. Note: I know they do.) Check out the freshly baked babies of Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa and Jacqueline. The one on the left, the little girl wearing a selection from the Bea Arthur on the River Styx collection… her name is Audrina. And the little boy? You know, the one on the right who looks like tiny Samuel L. Jackson? His name is Nicholas.

The fashion shoot was courtesy of a spread with In Touch Weekly, and shows that the babies are in good, for sure cancerous, hands. It tells the readers that certain people in this world were born into class, wealth, and good taste. But try to fly above the haters on this one. Because chances are, these kids will grow up to live here:

In jail. Because there is no way they are going to grow up and not break the law/murder a person. Also we just really wanted to see those happy baby faces behind bars. Our bad.

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 2:04 pm

Expert Witness Retracts Drug Testimony in Anna Nicole Smith Case

Witness withdraws claims about one of late star's former doctors administering excessive methadone.

Source: FOXNews.com | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:46 pm

Channel TV characters with clothes and accessories (AP)

AP - So, you admire the fashions of popular TV characters. Do you want to dress just like them?

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:44 pm

Jackson's hometown pushes for museum, hotel

Michael Jackson's father and the mayor of Gary, Indiana, want to build a museum, hotel and performing arts center in the Jackson family's hometown, a spokeswoman for the mayor said.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:44 pm

In Retrospect, Andre Agassi Was Clearly On Meth During These Ads

People are making a huge deal about Andre Agassi’s admission that he did a little crystal meth back in his heydey, though really, who hasn’t? Oh, most people, especially athletes? Hm. So maybe that is a story.

I’m surprised it’s taken us this long to catch on to Agassi’s habit because he was leaving constant clues throughout the 90s in the form of commercials, such as the following Canon Rebel Ad in which a meth’d-up Agassi crashes a fancy party of fancyness (in some sort of druid / Stonehengey place) and starts wildly flinging balls around to no one in particular:

And if that’s not convincing enough, check this out.

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:38 pm

Versace to Lay Off 350

Versace is slowly whittling away at its flashy empire. After deciding to close its stores in Japan, the label has announced it will cut 350 jobs by the middle of next year. “Trading conditions in the wake of the global financial crisis have been severe and the company expects to make a loss in 2009,” Versace chief executive officer Gian Giacomo Ferraris said. “No organization can allow a situation like this to continue, especially considering the flat outlook for 2010.” They hope to start making money again in 2011. [WWD]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: gian giacomo ferraris, layoffs, versace

Source: The Cut | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:35 pm

Anna Wintour Has No Need for Silly Costumes [Halloween '09]

With Halloween just a few days away, we thought we'd call up a handful of notable New Yorkers and find out what they're planning to dress up as this year. We'll be running these for the next couple of days. In this first installment, here's what a spokesperson for Vogue had to say when we called and asked what Anna Wintour was planning for October 31: "She has no plans to get in costume this year for Halloween." Oh, well. Fortunately, we'll have some more inspiring answers for you in just a bit. (MF)

Source: Cityfile.com - Dailyfile | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:34 pm

Karl Lagerfeld Shows Off His Latest Squeeze: The Movie Poster for Avatar

Or the DVD cover for Apocalypto… hard to tell. Say what you will, but Lagerfeld is going to have a hard time competing with this dude’s ex.

(Karl Lagerfeld and Baptiste Giaconi attend the ‘We Love Hair – 111 Years Schwarzkopf’ in — where else? — Germany)

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:23 pm

BEST DAY EVER: Natasha Leggero Exposes Levi Johnston

America’s favorite domestic abuser Chris Brown dropped his new video for “Transform Ya,” but don’t expect to hear it blasting on 18 Kids and Counting. Apparently the Duggar dad grew up on the set of Footloose. I’m going to just assume they won’t be seeing Levi Johnston’s Playgirl spread in that household, either. Check out all these stories on a new episode of Best Day Ever with Nathasha Leggero:

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

Catch another episode of Best Day Ever with Natasha Leggero tonight at a ***NEW TIME: 11:30pm*** (tonight only)

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 1:15 pm

McDonald's Is Just a Colorful Drug Den [Research Studies]

According to new research, eating fast food and candy is almost as addictive as doing heroin. Almost. [Telegraph]

Source: Cityfile.com - Dailyfile | 28 Oct 2009 | 12:56 pm

Richest dead celebrity? It's not Michael Jackson (AP)

AP - According to Forbes magazine, the richest dead celebrity isn't Michael Jackson.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 28 Oct 2009 | 12:50 pm

MJ’s This Is It: Too Giddily Exciting To Actually Tell Whether Or Not It’s A Good Movie

Occasionally, publicity people will mistake us for actual journalists / famous people and give us tickets to movie premieres, and if we manage to keep a straight face long enough (you realize my job is to Photoshop poop onto pictures of Robin’s Top Chef dishes?), we get to attend those premieres. Following a gracious and likely accidental such invitation from Sony, a friend and I were given tickets to the premiere of Michael Jackson’s This Is It last night, parked myself in the second row in the theater (every decent row was blocked off for, I don’t know, like Ian Zieiring or something) and I have to say, despite going in with expectations ranging from “low” to “haven’t thought about it at all,” I was ultimately pretty impressed with the movie.

I was fully expecting the film to be 15 minutes of legit footage padded by enough hastily thrown-together stuff to allow that 15 minutes to be released/made profitable, partially basing my expectations on the trailer and partially just always assuming the worst in terms of MJ post-death exploitation, but every song in the film was spliced together from multiple dress rehearsal-caliber performances and bolstered by clear audio and enough special effects to get a pretty complete idea of the final product.

I also incorrectly assumed — again, based on the trailer — that the movie would be 50% performance footage, 50% backstage/documentary style footage, but it was closer to 90-10, making it essentially just a standard concert film and not quite the revelatory, genre-bending MJ story that the trailer perhaps implied. Some of the movie’s strongest moments feature MJ correcting the band and interacting with the director, exuding the persona of a hardcore diva but minus any ego or meanness; Jackson comes off as a legitimately passionate super-perfectionist who wants everything to be done a certain way, and it’s often up to the musicians and crew to figure that way out despite Michael’s inability to express something so specific through words.

Review continues after the jump. SPOILER ALERT: He was dead the whole time.

Jackson himself still sounds absolutely amazing for 50 (he doesn’t pull the Elton John and just yell high notes cause he can’t hit them anymore), and he hits his dancing stride as the movie goes on, though we’ve already seen so much footage of MJ dancing in his prime, it’s tough to be overly wowed by his actions in this film, other than with the semi-patronizing preface “Remember, this guy’s 50!” It doesn’t help that MJ’s also constantly surrounded by 12 of the best dancers in the world, whose moves — particularly during a “Shake Your Body” freestyle breakdown — are consistently mind-blowing.

Any attempts to analyze this film objectively will be quickly overwhelmed by the childish excitement of seeing Michael Jackson jumping onstage to perform “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, and that enthusiasm runs throughout the movie, peaking with awesome performances of “Smooth Criminal,” “Beat It,” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.” The show does hit the typical “Ready for this concert to be over 2/3 of the way through” lull, particularly during the ill-timed “Earth Song” and a disappointingly anticlimactic “Billie Jean” closer, but the film reminds you again and again that MJ is one of the very few musicians for whom you could just randomly pick 15 songs in any order and it’d be the best setlist you’ve ever heard.

It’s a unique experience to hear songs like “Billie Jean” or “I Want You Back” while sitting quietly in a dark theater rather than screaming along to it on the dance floor, but that’s just a conceit of all concert films, not necessarily a problem with this movie. But playing “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Don’t Stop Believing” simultaneously over the credits was just rubbing it in.

I was also impressed by the film’s classy approach to the singer’s death; they didn’t try to turn the ending into some gushy tribute, but just allowed the concert to speak for itself in terms of the man’s lasting significance. I was half-expecting some super overblown ending that you’d end up watching five years from now and saying “Oh man, remember that ridiculous time period right after Michael’s death, when everyone was crazy?” but it really did just focus on the concert itself and didn’t attempt to shoehorn-in any more emotion than was already there.

In general, the footage obviously wasn’t ideal big screen film-quality, the movie provided only brief glimpses (albeit extremely interesting ones) into MJ’s unpretentious concert-prepping persona, and, given the amount of Jackson’s seminal music videos and concert footage already ingrained in our minds, it’s just impossible to be totally overtaken by the movie in a way that someone who’s never seen Jackson’s moves would theoretically be. Not sure who falls into that category — Jodie Foster in the movie Nell?

That being said, the movie left me with one unmistakable impression: If you had attended this completed concert in person, it would’ve been unquestionably the greatest concert you’ve ever seen. By that right, it’s hard to consider this film tribute as anything other than a success.

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 12:39 pm

Finally, A Spokeperson We Can Get Behind

We have no idea what, exactly, Camilla Parker Bowles is speaking about. What we do know is that it’s on behalf of a giant, bandana-wearing donkey. And if ever there was a more perfect match, we certainly don’t want to know about it.

(Fine, if you really care, she was speaking on behalf of her animal welfare charity. But really, of all the animals??? PS: Never Forget:)

For more HILARIOUS Camilla horse pics, click here.

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 12:14 pm

Punk provocateur McLaren gets 'Shallow' in Philly (AP)

AP - In his nearly four decades as a vanguard of pop culture, Malcolm McLaren has worn many hats: musician, producer, filmmaker, impresario, fashion designer, reality TV star. At age 63, the punk progenitor is adding another discipline to his resume: visual artist.

Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 28 Oct 2009 | 11:39 am

PHOTOS: Glam-Bert! Adam Lambert Channels 80s Glam on Album Cover

The 'American Idol' runner-up doesn't shy away from making a statement.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 11:34 am

'This Is It' grosses $2.2 million

Front Page: Michael Jackson docu sets new record -- While Michael Jackson's "This Is It" concert tour was supposed to mark a major comeback for the singer, Sony's documentary represents a comeback of a different sort: a return to the kind of movie event that Hollywood was once known for.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 28 Oct 2009 | 11:33 am

Quiz: Finish quotes from classic horror movies

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 11:23 am

SAG rejects tentative videogame deal

Front Page: Guild asks companies to return to bargaining table -- Screen Actors Guild thesps have thrown a wrench into the world of videogame voice work, rejecting a tentative deal for a new contract and asking employers to return to the bargaining table.

Source: Variety.com - Front Page | 28 Oct 2009 | 11:12 am

New Penn State Cross Shirts: Religious Or Just Ugly?

Controversy has erupted at Penn State University after the school unveiled new Penn State “White-Out” football t-shirts that vaguely resemble the pattern of a cross:

Personally, I have always believed that there is no better way to spend your time in this world than to debate the religious implications of a shirt with an upwards line on it and some words going across that line. Don’t you agree, Pointless-Stand-Takey McGee?

There always has to be some sort of separation,” said Berns, referring to the state-funded school and religious affiliation. “Me personally, I’m not going to buy the shirts and I know others at [Penn State Hillel] who won’t, either.”

As a PSU alumnus and self-appointed spokesperson on behalf of the school, I’d just like to point out the following:

1) If it’s supposed to be a white-out, wouldn’t the shirt be far better-looking if it were only white with the words “Penn State”?

That’s my only point. Not sure why I started a numbered list. I’ll be sure to update this story frequently, though, as the entire world’s separation of church and state argument rests solely upon whether or not the school decides to move the words “Penn State” slightly farther down on the front of the shirt.

And honestly, if we’re gonna go after Penn State school merchandise, can we at least first focus on this:

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 10:53 am

Swayze's widow feels sadness 'on a cellular level' - The Associated Press

Brisbane Times

Swayze's widow feels sadness 'on a cellular level' The Associated Press NEW YORK — Patrick Swayze's widow has told a crowd near Los Angeles that the loss of her husband of 34 years has left her with sadness "on a cellular level." Lisa Niemi, making her first public comments since Swayze's death last month from pancreatic ... Patrick Swayze's widow Lisa Niemi: 'My regret is that I didn't tell him that I ...New York Daily News Lessons in Grief From 3 Women With TooNews Channel 8 Swayze's widow opens up about her griefmsnbc.com CNN -Telegraph-Journal -Right TV all 392 news articles »

Source: Entertainment - Google News | 28 Oct 2009 | 10:41 am

Swayze's widow: 'I will see him again'

Patrick Swayze's widow Lisa Niemi spoke from the heart Tuesday about losing her husband.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 10:35 am

A communist propaganda concert organised by the People's Liberation Army

A communist propaganda concert organised by the People's Liberation Army propaganda department in 2007. A Chinese military singer attached to an elite unit in charge of missiles and nuclear weapons will...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 28 Oct 2009 | 10:23 am

Yves Saint Laurent tops list of dead celebs

Forbes magazine's ninth annual list of top-earning dead celebrities was unveiled Wednesday, and surprise, surprise: Neither Michael Jackson nor Elvis Presley held court at the top.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 10:10 am

Agassi Tops List of Celebs Addicted to Meth

Tennis champ reveals he did crystal meth and lied about it to officials.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:45 am

The 'fame motive' and the desire for stardom

As a large silver balloon floated its way over Colorado, millions of Americans spent hours glued to their televisions wondering if 6-year-old Falcon Heene, assumed to be inside the contraption, was alive.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:33 am

PHOTOS: Uh-Oh! Susan Boyle's Fly Mishap

Susan Boyle forgot to zip.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:32 am

PHOTOS: Andre Agassi Admits Meth Addiction

The tennis star used crystal meth in the late 90s.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:29 am

Review: 'This Is It' a Jackson triumph

Yes, you probably want to see this.

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:27 am

TRAILER MIX: Morgan Freeman Nelson Mandela Movie Couldn’t Be More Oscary If He Were Handicapped And Gay

Here’s the trailer for Invictus, another one of Clint Eastwood’s intentionally underpublicized Oscar-contender films, starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela during the seminal 1995 Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg.

The true story itself is already amazing, and Eastwood’s about as reliable a director as there is, so I’m gonna assume this film will fly above the standard inspiring sports movie. I just wonder if Morgan Freeman will finally have the opportunity to do some narration in a film:

(via Film Drunk)

Source: Best Week Ever | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:14 am

WATCH: Dishing With Reese

The actress talks about her role as spokeswoman for Avon, and her perfume.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 9:00 am

WATCH: Booted Couples Hang Up Their 'Dancing' Shoes

Melissa Joan Hart and Louie Vito talk about their final dances.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 8:49 am

WATCH: Women's Conference: Dealing With Grief

A group of prominent women gather in California for a panel on grief.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 8:10 am

'This Is It': But Is It Really? MJ Movie Opens

Thousands turn out for Michael Jackson movie premiere in Los Angeles.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 8:09 am

WATCH: Patrick Dempsey a Juggling Genius

The actor shows off by juggling three pins in the name of charity.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 7:58 am

Melissa Joan Hart, Louie Vito Voted Off 'Dancing'

Actress, professional snowboarder done dancing in double elimination.
Source: ABC News: Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 7:54 am

Fashion houses Versace to cut jobs, expects 2009 loss (Reuters)

Reuters - Italian fashion house Versace is cutting about a quarter of its global workforce and expects to post a loss this year as it takes a hit from slumping demand for luxury goods and designer items in the financial crisis.
Source: Yahoo! News: Fashion News | 28 Oct 2009 | 7:46 am

The making of an 'It Girl'

Carey Mulligan joins Julia Roberts and others who have been labeled an "It Girl."

Source: CNN.com - Entertainment | 28 Oct 2009 | 6:58 am

Review: 'This Is It' a homage to Jackson greatness (AP)

AP - Watching "Michael Jackson's This Is It" will have fans grieving once again, but this time, it won't only be for the fallen King of Pop, but for what we lost — a brilliant entertainer who gave every inch of his body and soul for what might have been one of the most spectacular comebacks of all time.

Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 28 Oct 2009 | 6:48 am

Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting

Comedian Larry David pushed the mocking of religion over the edge in latest episode of his HBO show, critics say.

Source: FOXNews.com | 28 Oct 2009 | 6:43 am

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